The first Iranian patient with You-Hoover-Fong syndrome and a review of the literature on 27 cases: expanding the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum.

BACKGROUND: The ultra-rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder, You-Hoover-Fong Syndrome (YHFS), is caused by defects in the TELO2 gene and is characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, and ocular impairments. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of YHFS by reviewing previous cases and introducing a novel variant in a new case. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was conducted on the proband to identify genetic variants, and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm variants within the family. This article presents a comprehensive collection of reported cases of YHFS, incorporating both molecular and clinical data, through an extensive literature search and analysis of English-language studies published until June 2023. RESULTS: Using WES, a novel homozygous missense variant, c.1799A > G (p. Tyr600Cys), was identified in the TELO2 gene in a 4-year-old Iranian male patient. Novel clinical features, including choanal atresia and clubfoot, were also identified. A comprehensive literature review identified 27 patients with YHFS, with 20 variants in the TELO2 gene. Missense pathogenic variants were the most common type of pathogenic variant, and the most common features were microcephaly and intellectual impairment. CONCLUSION: This study presents the first case of pathogenic variants in TELO2 gene in Iran, expands the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of YHFS and contributes to the growing body of literature pertaining to YHFS. Furthermore, our findings highlight the importance of genetic testing for non-consanguineous carrier screening, as compound heterozygosity may be a significant factor in the development of YHFS. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying YHFS pathogenesis.

Sniffer dogs as a screening/diagnostic tool for COVID-19: a proof of concept study.

BACKGROUND: Sniffer dogs are able to detect certain chemical particles and are suggest to be capable of helping diagnose some medical conditions and complications, such as colorectal cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer, and even critical states such as hypoglycemia in diabetic patients. With the global spread of COVID-19 throughout the world and the need to have a real-time screening of the population, especially in crowded places, this study aimed to investigate the applicability of sniffer dogs to carry out such a task. METHODS: Firstly, three male and female dogs from German shepherd (Saray), German black (Kuzhi) and Labrador (Marco) breeds had been intensively trained throughout the classical conditioning method for 7 weeks. They were introduced to human specimens obtained from the throat and pharyngeal secretions of participants who were already reported positive or negative for SARS-COV-2 infection be RT-PCR. Each dog underwent the conditioning process for almost 1000 times. In the meantime another similar condition process was conducted on clothes and masks of COVID-19 patient using another three male and female dogs from Labrador (Lexi), Border gypsy (Sami), and Golden retriever (Zhico) breeds. In verification test for the first three dogs, 80 pharyngeal secretion samples consisting of 26 positive and 54 negative samples from different medical centers who underwent RT-PCR test were in a single-blind method. In the second verification test for the other three dogs, masks and clothes of 50 RT-PCR positive and 70 RT-PCR negative cases from different medical center were used. RESULTS: In verification test using pharyngeal secretion, the sniffer dogs' detection capability was associated with a 65% of sensitivity and 89% of specificity and they amanged to identify 17 out of the 26 positive and 48 out of the 54 true negative samples. In the next verification test using patients' face masks and clothes, 43 out of the 50 positive samples were correctly identified by the dogs. Moreover, out of the 70 negative samples, 65 samples were correctly found to be negative. The sensitivity of this test was as high as 86% and its specificity was 92.9%. In addition, the positive and negative predictive values were 89.6 and 90.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Dogs are capable of being trained to identify COVID-19 cases by sniffing their odour, so they can be used as a reliable tool in limited screening.

Updates on Overcoming Bicalutamide Resistance: A Glimpse into Resistance to a Novel Antiandrogen.

The standard androgen deprivation therapy for advanced prostate cancer includes the use of bicalutamide, which is a well-known antagonist of androgen receptors. Despite numerous benefits of the drugs in prostate cancer treatment, there is always a risk of developing a resistant phenotype, which paves the way for a more aggressive and low-survival type of prostate cancer. Over the years, many studies have investigated the candidate mechanisms of such resistance and have managed to find possible therapeutic solutions. In this Review, we shed light on the heterogeneous dynamics of progression to resistance against bicalutamide treatment, referring to the most recent studies and the approaches that have been so far discussed. This Review tries to offer a deep and comprehensive understanding about how the resistant cells become sensitive to the drug and what corresponding pathways lead to an appropriate solution for the antiandrogen resistance challenge.

Broadening the phenotype and genotype spectrum of novel mutations in pontocerebellar hypoplasia with a comprehensive molecular literature review.

BACKGROUND: Pontocerebellar hypoplasia is an umbrella term describing a heterogeneous group of prenatal neurodegenerative disorders mostly affecting the pons and cerebellum, with 17 types associated with 25 genes. However, some types of PCH lack sufficient information, which highlights the importance of investigating and introducing more cases to further elucidate the clinical, radiological, and biochemical features of these disorders. The aim of this study is to provide an in-depth review of PCH and to identify disease genes and their inheritance patterns in 12 distinct Iranian families with clinically confirmed PCH. METHODS: Cases included in this study were selected based on their phenotypic and genetic information available at the Center for Comprehensive Genetic Services. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used to discover the underlying genetic etiology of participants' problems, and Sanger sequencing was utilized to confirm any suspected alterations. We also conducted a comprehensive molecular literature review to outline the genetic features of the various subtypes of PCH. RESULTS: This study classified and described the underlying etiology of PCH into three categories based on the genes involved. Twelve patients also were included, eleven of whom were from consanguineous parents. Ten different variations in 8 genes were found, all of which related to different types of PCH. Six novel variations were reported, including SEPSECS, TSEN2, TSEN54, AMPD2, TOE1, and CLP1. Almost all patients presented with developmental delay, hypotonia, seizure, and microcephaly being common features. Strabismus and elevation in lactate levels in MR spectroscopy were novel phenotypes for the first time in PCH types 7 and 9. CONCLUSIONS: This study merges previously documented phenotypes and genotypes with unique novel ones. Due to the diversity in PCH, we provided guidance for detecting and diagnosing these heterogeneous groups of disorders. Moreover, since certain critical conditions, such as spinal muscular atrophy, can be a differential diagnosis, providing cases with novel variations and clinical findings could further expand the genetic and clinical spectrum of these diseases and help in better diagnosis. Therefore, six novel genetic variants and novel clinical and paraclinical findings have been reported for the first time. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for PCH.

Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines among Iranian healthcare workers: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed the incidence and severity of side effects associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among healthcare workers registered with the Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on the healthcare workers focusing on the side-effects of COVID-19 vaccines from March to June 2021. Data were collected using online questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between side effects of the vaccines and demographic variables, comorbidities, vaccine type, and history of COVID-19. RESULTS: Out of 42,018 people who were included, 55.85% reported at least one side effect after receiving the first vaccine dose. 4.59% of those with side effects sought diagnostic intervention or were referred to treatment centers. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that being a woman, higher education, having a history of COVID-19 infection, and having comorbidities increased the risk of side effects. The AstraZeneca vaccine significantly increased the risk of side effects compared to the Sputnik vaccine, while the Sinopharm vaccine decreased this risk. The risk of developing a side effect decreased with age. The risk of moderate and severe side effects was significantly associated with gender, younger age, comorbidities, and a history of COVID-19 infection. Moderate and severe side effects were less reported by those who received the Sinopharm vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical complications after COVID-19 vaccination, directly or indirectly caused by the vaccines, are common. However, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines greatly outweigh the risk of reversible side effects, especially among the high-risk population.

Prostate cancer risk assessment model: a scoring model based on the Swedish Family-Cancer Database.

BACKGROUND: Many prostate cancer (PC) risk assessment models have been developed, however almost none include familial history. AIM: To produce a risk assessment model for PC based on familial background of related cancers. METHOD: 976 859 independent index men aged ≥30 in year 1998 and their family members in the Swedish Family-Cancer Database (FCD2010) were randomly divided into development (60%) and validation (40%) datasets (follow-up=10 years). The HR from Cox model was used to extrapolate risk scores. Results Specified scores were: for PC in situ at age <60 years in index man, 5; for PC at age <60 years in each first-degree relative (FDR), 15; for PC at age ≥60 years in each FDR, 10; for PC at age <60 years in each second-degree relative, 5; for breast cancer in each FDR, 2; for oesophageal carcinoma in situ in index man, 2; and for oesophagus cancer in each FDR, 2. Based on the findings, if the milestone age for a PC screening programme was 60 years or more, the recommended starting age for the men with the score-group 6-10 would be 54 years; score-group 11-15, 52 years; score-group 16-20, 50 years; score-group 21-25, 44 years; and for the score-group 26+ it should start before age 40. The concordance index in development and validation sets was 0.885 (95% CI 0.883 to 0.888). No significant difference was found between curves from development and validation datasets (internally validated using twofold validation and bootstrapping). CONCLUSION: Familial history of relevant malignancies can be used as risk factors to estimate a man's prior risk of developing PC. The prostate cancer risk assessment model could satisfactorily assess risk of developing prostate cancer.

Association of Catechol-O-Methyl-Transferase and Estrogen Receptors polymorphism with Severity of Temporomandibular Disorder in Iranian Patients.

Background: There are many studies which strongly suggest that the pathophysiology of Temporomandibular joint Disorder (TMD) may also be influenced by genetic conditions. The current study was aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that the polymorphism of estrogen receptor genes, estrogen receptor 1 and 2 (ESR1 and ESR2), and the gene Catechol-O-Methyl-Transferase (COMT) could be Predisposing factor for TMD. Methods: In this case-control study, blood sample were taken from 100 TMD diagnosed patients based on Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and 103 healthy individuals as the control group. Tetra ARMS-PCR method was used to amplify and identify COMT rs4680, ESR1 rs1643821, and ESR2 rs1676303 gene polymorphism. Results: ESR1 genotype AA and GA showed significantly increase probability (OR= 4.80, OR=2.98, respectively) of TMD. ESR2 T/T homozygosity was associated with decreased risk for TMD (OR=0.41). The relationship between COMT and TMD was not statistically significant (p>00.05). The relationship between the severity of TMD and ESR1 was significant (p=0.003). According to the inheritance pattern the COMT and ESR1 gene, in the dominant pattern can be susceptible to TMD and in ESR2 gene, in the recessive pattern can be protective to TMD. Conclusion: It seems that SNPs of ESR1 rs1643821 has a susceptible role and ESR2 rs1676303 has a protective role against TMD. Also, we add evidences that various genotype of COMT rs4680 were not statistically different between case and control, but allele A in the dominant inherence pattern can be susceptible to TMD.

Whole Exome Sequencing to Find Candidate Variants for the Prediction of Kidney Transplantation Efficacy.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment strategy for some end-stage renal disease (ESRD); however, graft survival and the success of the transplantation depend on several elements, including the genetics of recipients. In this study, we evaluated exon loci variants based on a high-resolution Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) method. METHODS: We evaluated whole-exome sequencing (WES) of transplanted kidney recipients in a prospective study. The study involved a total of 10 patients (5 without a history of rejection and 5 with). About five milliliters of blood were collected for DNA extraction, followed by whole-exome sequencing based on molecular inversion probes (MIPs). RESULTS: Sequencing and variant filtering identified nine pathogenic variants in rejecting patients (low survival). Interestingly, in five patients with successful kidney transplantation, we found 86 SNPs in 63 genes 61 were variants of uncertain significance (VUS), 5 were likely pathogenic, and five were likely benign/benign. The only overlap between rejecting and non-rejecting patients was SNPs rs529922492 in rejecting and rs773542127 in non-rejecting patients' MUC4 gene. CONCLUSIONS: Nine variants of rs779232502, rs3831942, rs564955632, rs529922492, rs762675930, rs569593251, rs192347509, rs548514380, and rs72648913 have roles in short graft survival.

Probability estimation models for prediction of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers: COS compares favourably with other models.

BACKGROUND: Accurate risk assessment is essential to genetic counselling for a family history of cancer. Several empiric and computer-based risk assessment models have been developed to estimate a counselee's probability of being a carrier of mutation in BRCA1 and/or 2 genes, and to predict the risk of developing breast cancer. The COS model was developed from the better-known BRCAPro model to estimate risk of carriage of BRCA1 or 2 mutation. The COS model remains to be validated in a population discrete from that used for its development. METHODS: Four probability estimation models including COS, Manchester scoring system (MSS), BOADICEA and Tyrer-Cuzick (T-C) were applied to 275 Scottish families tested for BRCA1/2 mutations ascertained through regional genetics centres to ascertain models' sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. A subset of 130 families from Grampian (North and Northeast Scotland) was used to assess the models' ability to estimate the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Sensitivity, specificity and ROC plots were used to ascertain models' individual performance, in terms of number of cancer cases, type of cancer and age of diagnosis of breast cancer. RESULTS: The COS and MSS models demonstrated the greatest sensitivities and area under ROC curves for the majority of family structures. They also showed the highest sensitivities (91-92%) and AUCs (76-78%) for the entire dataset overall. However, BOADICEA and T-C had the highest specificities for the majority of the family structures. BOADICEA and T-C generated the best estimates for the prevalence of mutations in the population; BOADICEA was more accurate for BRCA1 and T-C for BRCA2. CONCLUSION: The COS and MSS models are the most effective models for use in clinical practice to select families for mutation analysis, but BOADICEA and T-C are more accurate for estimating mutation prevalence within a population.

Information recovery in cancer families: value for risk estimations.

BACKGROUND: Drawing an informative pedigree is fundamental in genetic counselling. It is very common for some parts of pedigrees to remain ambiguous because of the proband's inability to recall the past history of her/his family. Current age, date of birth, date of death and age of diagnosis are the commonest missing information in pedigrees. METHODS: The Scottish Social Statistics website, National Statistics website and English language literature were used to model extrapolations. About 172 Grampian families and three high-risk Grampian families with complete information were chosen to evaluate the influence of extrapolations on models' performance. Differences between original data and extrapolated data were assessed by independent samples t-test. RESULTS: Changes made by extrapolations in age- and cancer-related information were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) in comparison with original data, except for average age of diagnosis of breast cancer (P = 0.03). The differences made by extrapolations in estimated probabilities generated by probability assessment models were small and ignorable except that for Tyrer-Cuzick model for Grampian family 3. CONCLUSION: Extrapolations based on National Health Statistics can scientifically cover missing information in a defined population with minimum effect on performance of probability assessment models.