Clinical features and magnesium levels: Novel insights in 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 copy number variants.

BACKGROUND: Investigating copy number variations (CNVs) such as microdeletions or microduplications can significantly contribute to discover the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. 15q11.2 genomic region, including NIPA1 and NIPA2 genes, contains a recurrent but rare CNV, flanked by the break points BP1 and BP2. Both BP1-BP2 microdeletion and microduplication have been associated with intellectual disability (ID), neuropsychiatric/behavioural disturbances and mild clinical features, even if with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. The pathogenic role of this CNV is quite unclear though. Unknown variants in other DNA regions and parent-of-origin effect (POE) are some of the mechanisms that have been proposed as an explanation of the wide phenotypic variability. As NIPA1 and NIPA2 encode for proteins that mediate magnesium (Mg2+ ) metabolism, it has been suggested that urinary Mg2+ levels could potentially represent informative and affordable biomarkers for a rapid screening of 15q11.2 duplications or deletions. Furthermore, magnesium supplementation has been proposed as possible therapeutic strategy. METHODS: Thirty one children with ID and/or other neurodevelopmental disorders carrying either a duplication or a deletion in 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 region have been recruited. When available, blood samples from parents have been analysed to identify the CNV origin. All participants underwent family and medical data collection, physical examination and neuropsychiatric assessment. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan were performed in 15 children. In addition, 11 families agreed to participate to the assessment of blood and urinary Mg2+ levels. RESULTS: We observed a highly variable phenotypic spectrum of developmental issues encompassing ID in most subjects as well as a variety of behavioural disorders such as autism and attention-deficit disorder/attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Dysmorphic traits and malformations were detected only in a minority of the participants, and no clear association with growth anomalies was found. Abnormal brain MRI and/or EEG were reported respectively in 64% and 92% of the subjects. Inheritance assessment highlighted an excess of duplication of maternal origin, while cardiac alterations were detected only in children with 15q11.2 CNV inherited from the father. We found great variability in Mg2+ urinary values, without correlation with 15q11.2 copy numbers. However, the variance of urinary Mg2+ levels largely increases in individuals with 15q11.2 deletion/duplication. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence that 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 CNV is associated with a broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders and POE might be an explanation for clinical variability. However, some issues may question the real impact of 15q11.2 CNV on the phenotype in the carriers: DNA sequencing could be useful to exclude other pathogenic gene mutations. Our results do not support the possibility that urinary Mg2+ levels can be used as biomarkers to screen children with neurodevelopmental disorders for 15q11.2 duplication/deletion. However, there are evidences of correlations between 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 CNV and Mg2+ metabolism and future studies may pave the way to new therapeutic options.

Complex genomic alterations and intellectual disability: an interpretative challenge.

BACKGROUND: Complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) are structural rearrangements involving more than three chromosomes or having more than two breaks; approximately 70% are not associated with any clinical phenotype. Here, we describe a CCR segregating in a two-generation family. METHOD: A 4-year-old male was evaluated for developmental delay, mild intellectual disability and epicanthus. Karyotype, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis and array comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) analysis were performed on the patient and of all family members. RESULT: Array CGH analysis of the proband detected two non-contiguous genomic gains of chromosome 2 at bands q32.3q33.2 and bands q36.1q36.3. Both karyotype and FISH analysis revealed a recombinant chromosome 2 with a direct insertion of regions q32.3q33.2 and q36.1q36.3 into region q12. Both of these regions were also present in their original location. Karyotype and FISH analysis of the father revealed a de novo direct insertion of regions q32.3q33.2 and q36.1q36.3 into region q12. Moreover, a de novo balanced translocation involving the q arm of the same chromosome 2 and the p arm of chromosome 10 was observed in the father of the proband. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis and haplotype reconstruction confirmed the paternal origin of the duplications. Karyotype, FISH analysis and array CGH analysis of other family members were all normal. CONCLUSION: This report underlines the importance of using different methods to correctly evaluate the origin and the structure of CCRs in order to provide an appropriate management of the patients and a good estimation of the reproductive risk of the family.

Effects of NGF and BDNF on chondrocytes: a microarray analysis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) represents an inflammation-driven injury of articular tissues, progressively leading to structural and functional joint impairment. The main symptom of OA is pain. Although it has been well established that OA represents a whole joint disease, the source of pain remains to be clarified. Nowadays, it has been well established that neurotrophines expression is evident in joints affected by OA. In addition, elevated NGF levels are found in the synovial fluid of patients with inflammatory or degenerative rheumatic diseases, including OA, rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthritis. Growing evidences indicate that blocking NGF signaling using an anti NGF agent (i.e. tanezumab) provides effective pain relief. This study analyzed the effects of NGF and BDNF on cultured human chondrocytes by evaluating and their effects on chondrogenesis, chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage degeneration through a microarray analysis. The whole transcriptome analysis performed in this study highlighted how NGF and BDNF could be able to induce a proinflammatory response in human chondrocytes. Moreover, NGF and BDNF treatments seems to be able to induce the activation of several genes involved in the OA pathogenesis as IL17AR, HLA-DRB1, GDF-15, NR1D1, MCF2L and TGF-Beta.

Effects of oil sands process water mixtures on the mayfly Hexagenia and field-collected aquatic macroinvertebrate communities.

Extraction of Canada's oil sands has created 1 billion m3 of tailings, which are stored in on-site tailings ponds. Due to limited storage capacity, the planned release of tailings into the surrounding environment may be required. This represents an environmental management challenge, as the tailings contain contaminants that are known toxins to aquatic communities. Of particular concern are naphthenic acids and their metallic counterparts, as they are the principal toxic components of tailings, are relatively soluble, and are persistent in aquatic environments. This study examines the acute toxicity of environmentally relevant 10:1 mixtures of two process water components: naphthenic acid and sodium naphthenate. We assess the effects of these simplified oil sands process water (OSPW) mixtures under planned and unplanned tailings release scenarios, using traditional and cutting-edge bioindicators for aquatic invertebrate taxa. We found that safe concentrations for mayflies and other aquatic macroinvertebrates were less than 1 mg/l, as no mayfly taxa survived repeated exposure to this dose in either the 48-h or 72-h acute toxicity test. In the 72-h test, no mayflies survived treatment levels greater than 0.5 mg sodium naphthenate/l. In the mesocosm study, even a 90% dilution of the OSPW mixture was not sufficient to protect sensitive macroinvertebrate communities. The results of this study highlight the potential environmental damage that will occur if OSPW is not carefully managed. This information will aid with the development of a management plan for oil sands tailings ponds, which will provide insight into the potential for process water release into the surrounding environment while conserving unique ecosystems downstream of development in the oil sands region.

Bioaccumulation of sediment-associated substituted phenylamine antioxidants in Tubifex tubifex and Lampsilis siliquoidea.

Substituted phenylamine antioxidants (SPAs) are additives in a variety of commercial polymers (e.g., lubricants, plastics, etc.). Based on their physicochemical properties, if SPAs were to enter an aquatic system, they would likely partition into sediment and have the capacity to bioaccumulate in biota. This study investigated the potential of four sediment-associated SPAs, diphenylamine (DPA), N-phenyl-1-naphthalene (PNA), N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (DPPDA), and 4,4'-methylene-bis[N-sec-butylaniline] (MBA) to accumulate in the tissues of freshwater mussels (Lampsilis siliquoidea) and oligochaete worms (Tubifex tubifex). Mussels and worms were exposed to sediment spiked with individual SPAs for 28 d. The concentration of SPAs was measured in the gill, gonad, and remaining viscera of the mussels and entire body of the worms. The majority of biota-sediment accumulation factors (28-d BSAFs) for the different tissues of mussels were < 1. The highest concentrations of SPAs were consistently observed in the gill tissue of mussels relative to the gonad and viscera. The 28-d BSAFs for DPPDA and MBA for worms were < 1, and for DPA and PNA, they ranged from 0.38-2.13 and 1.54-33.24, respectively. The higher 28-d BSAFs observed for worms compared to mussels were likely because worms are endobenthic and feed on sediment-associated organic matter. PNA and DPPDA have similar octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) but greater 28-d BSAFs were observed for PNA compared to DPPDA for both species. This observation provides evidence that biota may be able to metabolize and/or excrete SPAs with similar physicochemical properties at considerably different rates. The 28-d BSAFs observed for sediment-associated SPAs are lower than those typically required for a chemical to be classified as bioaccumulative.

Fetal growth patterns in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

We provide data on fetal growth pattern on the molecular subtypes of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS): IC1 gain of methylation (IC1-GoM), IC2 loss of methylation (IC2-LoM), 11p15.5 paternal uniparental disomy (UPD), and CDKN1C mutation. In this observational study, gestational ages and neonatal growth parameters of 247 BWS patients were compared by calculating gestational age-corrected standard deviation scores (SDS) and proportionality indexes to search for differences among IC1-GoM (n = 21), UPD (n = 87), IC2-LoM (n = 147), and CDKN1C mutation (n = 11) patients. In IC1-GoM subgroup, weight and length are higher than in other subgroups. Body proportionality indexes display the following pattern: highest in IC1-GoM patients, lowest in IC2-LoM/CDKN1C patients, intermediate in UPD ones. Prematurity was significantly more prevalent in the CDKN1C (64%) and IC2-LoM subgroups (37%). Fetal growth patterns are different in the four molecular subtypes of BWS and remarkably consistent with altered gene expression primed by the respective molecular mechanisms. IC1-GoM cases show extreme macrosomia and severe disproportion between weight and length excess. In IC2-LoM/CDKN1C patients, macrosomia is less common and associated with more proportionate weight/length ratios with excess of preterm birth. UPD patients show growth patterns closer to those of IC2-LoM, but manifest a body mass disproportion rather similar to that seen in IC1-GoM cases.

Insights into genotype-phenotype correlations from CREBBP point mutation screening in a cohort of 46 Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome patients.

The genetic basis of Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS), a rare, sporadic, clinically heterogeneous disorder characterized by cognitive impairment and a wide spectrum of multiple congenital anomalies, is primarily due to private mutations in CREBBP (approximately 55% of cases) or EP300 (approximately 8% of cases). Herein, we report the clinical and the genetic data taken from a cohort of 46 RSTS patients, all carriers of CREBBP point mutations. Molecular analysis revealed 45 different gene alterations including 31 inactivating (21 frameshift and 10 nonsense), 10 missense and 4 splicing mutations. Bioinformatic tools and transcript analyses were used to predict the functional effects of missense and splicing alterations. Of the 45 mutations, 42 are unreported and 3 were described previously. Recurrent mutations maybe a key tool in addressing genotype-phenotype correlations in patients sharing the same defects (at the genomic or transcript level) and specific clinical signs, demonstrated here in two cases. The clinical data of our cohort evidenced frequent signs such as arched eyebrows, epicanthus, synophrys and/or frontal hypertrichosis and broad phalanges that, previously overlooked in RSTS diagnosis, now could be considered. Some suggested correlations between organ-specific anomalies and affected CREB-binding protein domains broaden the RSTS clinical spectrum and perhaps will enhance patient follow-up and clinical care.

Clinical and molecular characterization of Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome patients carrying distinct novel mutations of the EP300 gene.

Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a rare congenital neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by postnatal growth deficiency, skeletal abnormalities, dysmorphic features and cognitive deficit. Mutations in two genes, CREBBP and EP300, encoding two homologous transcriptional co-activators, have been identified in ˜55% and ˜3-5% of affected individuals, respectively. To date, only eight EP300-mutated RSTS patients have been described and 12 additional mutations are reported in the database LOVD. In this study, EP300 analysis was performed on 33 CREBBP-negative RSTS patients leading to the identification of six unreported germline EP300 alterations comprising one deletion and five point mutations. All six patients showed a convincing, albeit mild, RSTS phenotype with minor skeletal anomalies, slight cognitive impairment and few major malformations. Beyond the expansion of the RSTS-EP300-mutated cohort, this study indicates that EP300-related RSTS cases occur more frequently than previously thought (˜8% vs 3-5%); furthermore, the characterization of novel EP300 mutations in RSTS patients will enhance the clinical practice and genotype-phenotype correlations.

De novo deletion of 1q31.1-q32.1 in a patient with developmental delay and behavioral disorders.

We describe the case of a 6-year-old boy with a de novo deletion of the long arm of chromosome 1 encompassing band 1q31.1-q32.1, minor facial anomalies, mild developmental delay, and behavioral disorders. His postnatal karyotype was normal. Using array-comparative genomic hybridization, we identified and characterized a de novo 1q interstitial deletion of about 15.6 Mb, which partially overlaps those of other reported cases. We considered the gene content of the deleted region in an attempt to compare the clinical features of our patient with these other cases, even though they were not characterized molecularly in detail. The most remarkable difference was the absence of microcephaly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a de novo 1q31.1-q32.1 deletion. Moreover, it illustrates how molecular delineation associated with fine clinical characterization can improve the genotype-phenotype correlations of classical cytogenetic abnormalities.

Impact of age on postsurgical outcomes of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas.

PURPOSE: The management of pituitary adenomas in the elderly has become a relevant clinical issue, in relationship with improved life expectancy and spreading use of imaging techniques. In this single-center and retrospective study, we investigated the impact of age on peri- and postsurgical outcomes in patients undergoing transnasal sphenoidal (TNS) surgery for pituitary adenomas. METHODS: One-hundred-sixty-nine patients (62% males) undergoing endoscopic transphenoidal (TNS) surgery for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) were enrolled. Patients were subdivided into three groups according to age tertiles: ≤56 (group 1), 57-69 (group 2), and ≥70 (group 3) years. Postsurgical and endocrinological outcomes were evaluated and compared among the three age groups. RESULTS: 37/169 patients (21.9%) developed at least one perisurgical complication, without significant association with the patients' age (P = 0.838), Charlson co-morbidity score (P = 0.326), and American Society of Anesthesiologist score (P = 0.616). In the multivariate regression analysis, the adenoma size resulted the only determinant of perisurgical complication (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [C.I.] 1.00-1.13; P = 0.044). The development and the recovery of at least one pituitary hormone deficiency were observed in 12.2% and 14.2% of patients, respectively. The risk of developing new pituitary hormone deficiencies was correlated with cavernous sinus invasion as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (hazard ratio [HR] 4.19, 95% C.I. 1.39-12.66; P = 0.010), whereas the probability to normalize at least one pituitary hormone deficiency was significantly correlated with younger age of patients (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.12-0.61; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study reinforce the concept that endoscopic TNS surgery is a safe therapeutic option in the elderly patients with NFPA, even in presence of comorbidities and high anesthetic risk.

Bioaccumulation of sediment-associated dinonylnaphthalene sulfonates in the freshwater mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea and oligochaete Tubifex tubifex.

Naphthalene sulfonic acids (NSAs) are used primarily as additives in a wide range of industrial products (e.g., rubber materials, coatings, sealants, fuels, paints). Based on modeled physicochemical properties, NSAs would likely partition into sediments or the tissues of biota in an aquatic system. This study examined the potential for three NSAs, dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic acid (DNDS), barium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate (BaDNS), and calcium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate (CaDNS), to accumulate in the tissue of a freshwater mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) and oligochaete worm (Tubifex tubifex). The ability of L. siliquoidea to depurate accumulated chemical was also assessed. Mussels were exposed via sand spiked with CaDNS for 25 d, and then transferred to clean water where their ability to depurate the chemical over an additional 28 d was monitored. Worms were exposed to each of the three NSAs via spiked sediment for 28 d. NSA concentrations were measured separately in gill, foot, and remaining soft tissues (viscera) for mussels and in whole body tissue samples of worms. For L. siliquoidea, the largest concentration of CaDNS was measured in the gill tissue; once removed from CaDNS exposure, mussels were able to depurate up to 87% of the CaDNS from their tissues in 28 days. The biota-sediment accumulation factors (28-d BSAFs) for T. tubifex were 2.8-5.2, 0.53-0.76, and 0.83-1.11 for DNDS, BaDNS, and CaDNS, respectively. For mussel gill and viscera, BCFK values were 14.07 and 16.39, respectively. When BAFKs were calculated using the concentration of CaDNS in sand, they were 1.11 and 1.29 for mussel gill and viscera, respectively. These values are much lower than what would be necessary to classify this chemical as bioaccumulative; however, the BSAFs for DNDS in T. tubifex indicated a potential biomagnification concern if this compound were to occur in the aquatic environment.

The influence of organic carbon on the toxicity of sediment-associated dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acids to the benthic invertebrates Tubifex tubifex and Hyalella azteca.

Naphthalene sulfonic acids (NSAs) are used extensively in industrial applications as dispersants in dyes, rubbers, and pesticides, and as anti-corrosive agents in coatings, gels, and sealants. This study examined the toxicity of three NSA congeners, barium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate (BaDNS), calcium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate (CaDNS), and dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic acid (DNDS), to two benthic species, Tubifex tubifex and Hyalella azteca. Two substrates with different levels of organic carbon (sediment [2%] and sand [0%]) were used in toxicity tests. Juvenile production was the most sensitive endpoint for T. tubifex: the 28-d EC50s were <18.2, 22.2, and 64.0 µg/g dw in sand and 281.3, 361.6, and 218.9 µg/g dw in sediment for BaDNS, CaDNS, and DNDS, respectively. The 28-d LC50s for H. azteca were similar among compounds: 115.3, 82.1, and 49.0 µg/g dry weight (dw) in sand, and 627.3, 757.9, and >188.5 µg/g dw in sediment, for BaDNS, CaDNS, and DNDS, respectively. However, when LC50s were estimated based on concentrations of NSAs measured in overlying water (which can be an important route of exposure for H. azteca), BaDNS and CaDNS were 3-4 orders of magnitude more toxic than DNDS. The NSAs examined were >3-fold more toxic when present in substrates with no organic carbon (e.g., sand) for all H. azteca endpoints where LC/EC50s could be calculated and for sublethal endpoints for T. tubifex. The organic carbon content of the sediment appears to have acted as a sink and reduced NSA toxicity by decreasing bioavailability. Environmental sediment samples were collected from 12 river sites across southern Ontario. The maximum concentration of CaDNS observed in sediment collected from this region was 2.8 µg/g dw in sediment with 2% organic carbon; 100-fold lower than the lowest EC10 in the current study.

Toxicity of dinonylnaphthalene sulfonates to Pimephales promelas and epibenthic invertebrates.

Dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acids (NSAs) are high production volume chemicals that are used primarily as additives in a wide range of industrial products (i.e., coatings, sealants, fuels, metal-extractants, paints, rubber materials). This study examined the effect of three NSA congeners on freshwater organisms: barium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate (BaDNS), calcium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate (CaDNS), and dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic acid (DNDS). Chronic effects were characterized by exposing fertilized fathead minnow eggs to sediment-associated NSAs and measuring various developmental and growth endpoints for 21 d. No effects in hatch success and larval growth were observed when fathead minnow eggs were exposed to CaDNS and DNDS concentrations up to 246 and 798 µg/g dry weight, respectively, in spiked sediment (~2% organic carbon). However, when NSAs were associated with substrate containing no organic carbon (sand), EC50s for fathead minnow hatch success, larval growth, biomass production, and overall survival were 58.3, 18.8, 15.5, and 13.8 µg/L, respectively, for CaDNS. Acute effect characterization was also conducted in water-only exposures for the three NSA congeners using the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca, the pulmonate snail Planorbella pilsbryi, and larval freshwater mussels Lampsilis cardium and Lampsilis siliquoidea. The sulfonate salts (BaDNS and CaDNS) were significantly more acutely toxic to all tested invertebrates in the water-only exposures, with LC50s ranging from 0.47 to 12.1 µg/L, compared to DNDS (LC50s ≥ 98.2 µg/L). This is the first study to provide empirical data on the aquatic toxicity of three NSA congeners.

Fura-2 measurement of cytosolic free Ca2+ in monolayers and suspensions of various types of animal cells.

The fluorescent indicator fura-2 has been applied to a variety of cell types in order to set up appropriate conditions for measurements of the cytosolic concentration of free ionized Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) in both cell suspensions and single cells analyzed in a conventional fluorimeter or in a fluorescence microscope equipped for quantitative analyses (with or without computerized image analyses), respectively. When the usual procedure for fluorescence dye loading (i.e., incubation at 37 degrees C with fura-2 acetoxy-methyl ester) was used, cells often exhibited a nonhomogeneous distribution of the dye, with marked concentration in multiple small spots located preferentially in the perinuclear area. These spots (studied in detail in human skin fibroblasts), were much more frequent in attached than in suspended cells, and were due to the accumulation (most probably by endocytosis) of the dye within acidic organelles after hydrolysis by lysosomal enzyme(s). When loading with fura-2 was performed at low (15 degrees C) temperature, no spots appeared, and cells remained diffusely labeled even after subsequent incubation at 32-37 degrees C for up to 2 h. Homogeneous distribution of the dye is a prerequisite for appropriate [Ca2+]i measurement. In fact, comparison of the results obtained in human skin fibroblasts labeled at either 37 or 15 degrees C demonstrated in spotty cells a marked apparent blunting of Ca2+ transients evoked by application of bradykinin. Additional problems were encountered when using fura-2. Leakage of the dye from loaded cells to the extracellular medium markedly affected the measurements in cell suspensions. This phenomenon was found to depend on the cell type, and to markedly decrease when temperature was lowered, suggesting the involvement of a facilitated transport. Calibration of fluorescence signals in terms of absolute [Ca2+]i was complicated by the increased fluorescence of fura-2 in the intracellular environment. To solve this problem we propose an in situ calibration procedure based on measurements carried out on cells in which [Ca2+]i was massively lowered (by loading the probe in a Ca2+-free medium) or increased (by treatment with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, applied in a medium containing 3 mM Ca2+). These results provide explanations and, at least partial, solutions to the major problems encountered when using fura-2, and should thus be of help in clarifying the proper usage of the dye in [Ca2+]i measurements.

Activation of PKC-epsilon counteracts maturation and apoptosis of HL-60 myeloid leukemic cells in response to TNF family members.

Protein kinase C (PKC)-epsilon, a component of the serine/threonine PKC family, has been shown to influence the survival and differentiation pathways of normal hematopoietic cells. Here, we have modulated the activity of PKC-epsilon with specific small molecule activator or inhibitor peptides. PKC-epsilon inhibitor and activator peptides showed modest effects on HL-60 maturation when added alone, but PKC-epsilon activator peptide significantly counteracted the pro-maturative activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha towards the monocytic/macrophagic lineage, as evaluated in terms of CD14 surface expression and morphological analyses. Moreover, while PKC-epsilon inhibitor peptide showed a reproducible increase of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis, PKC-epsilon activator peptide potently counteracted the pro-apoptotic activity of TRAIL. Taken together, the anti-maturative and anti-apoptotic activities of PKC-epsilon envision a potentially important proleukemic role of this PKC family member.

Colovesical fistulae in the sigmoid diverticulitis.

In most cases Colovesical fistulae are complications of diverticular disease and representing the most common kind of colodigestive fistula; less common are colovaginal, colocutaneous, coloenteric and colouterine fistula. In this article we review the literature concerning colovesical fistulae in colorectal surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis and report on two cases that required a surgical treatment, one elective and the other in emergency. In both cases we performed a sigmoid resection with a primary anastomosis and small vesical window-ectomy placing a Foley catheter for about 10 days.

Search for genomic imbalances in a cohort of 24 Cornelia de Lange patients negative for mutations in the NIPBL and SMC1L1 genes.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare, multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation syndrome characterized by varied clinical signs including facial dysmorphism, pre- and post-natal growth defects, small hands and malformations of the upper limbs. Established genetic causes include mutations in the NIPBL (50-60%), SMC1L1 and SMC3 (5%) genes. To detect chromosomal rearrangements pointing to novel positional candidate CdLS genes, we used array-CGH to analyze a subgroup of 24 CdLS patients negative for mutations in the NIPBL and SMC1L1 genes. We identified three carriers of DNA copy number alterations, including a de novo 15q26.2-qter 8-Mb deletion, and two inherited 13q14.2-q14.3 1-Mb deletion and 13q21.32-q21.33 1.5-Mb duplication, not reported among copy number variants. The clinical presentation of all three patients matched the diagnostic criteria for CdLS, and the phenotype of the patient with the 15qter deletion is compared to that of both CdLS and 15qter microdeletion patients.

Characterization of multi-locus imprinting disturbances and underlying genetic defects in patients with chromosome 11p15.5 related imprinting disorders.

The identification of multilocus imprinting disturbances (MLID) appears fundamental to uncover molecular pathways underlying imprinting disorders (IDs) and to complete clinical diagnosis of patients. However, MLID genetic associated mechanisms remain largely unknown. To characterize MLID in Beckwith-Wiedemann (BWS) and Silver-Russell (SRS) syndromes, we profiled by MassARRAY the methylation of 12 imprinted differentially methylated regions (iDMRs) in 21 BWS and 7 SRS patients with chromosome 11p15.5 epimutations. MLID was identified in 50% of BWS and 29% of SRS patients as a maternal hypomethylation syndrome. By next-generation sequencing, we searched for putative MLID-causative mutations in genes involved in methylation establishment/maintenance and found two novel missense mutations possibly causative of MLID: one in NLRP2, affecting ADP binding and protein activity, and one in ZFP42, likely leading to loss of DNA binding specificity. Both variants were paternally inherited. In silico protein modelling allowed to define the functional effect of these mutations. We found that MLID is very frequent in BWS/SRS. In addition, since MLID-BWS patients in our cohort show a peculiar pattern of BWS-associated clinical signs, MLID test could be important for a comprehensive clinical assessment. Finally, we highlighted the possible involvement of ZFP42 variants in MLID development and confirmed NLRP2 as causative locus in BWS-MLID.

Variation in the toxicity of sediment-associated substituted phenylamine antioxidants to an epibenthic (Hyalella azteca) and endobenthic (Tubifex tubifex) invertebrate.

Substituted phenylamine antioxidants (SPAs) are produced in relatively high volumes and used in a range of applications (e.g., rubber, polyurethane); however, little is known about their toxicity to aquatic biota. Therefore, current study examined the effects of chronic exposure (28 d) to four sediment-associated SPAs on epibenthic (Hyalella azteca) and endobenthic (Tubifex tubifex) organisms. In addition, acute (96-h), water-only exposures were conducted with H. azteca. Mortality, growth and biomass production were assessed in juvenile H. azteca exposed to diphenylamine (DPA), N-phenyl-1-napthylamine (PNA), N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (DPPDA), or 4,4'-methylene-bis[N-sec-butylaniline] (MBA). Mortality of adult T. tubifex and reproduction were assessed following exposure to the four SPAs. The 96-h LC50s for juvenile H. azteca were 1443, 109, 250, and >22 µg/L and 28-d LC50s were 22, 99, 135, and >403 µg/g dry weight (dw) for DPA, PNA, DPPDA, and MBA, respectively. Reproductive endpoints for T. tubifex (EC50s for production of juveniles > 500 µm: 15, 9, 4, 3.6 µg/g dw, for DPA, PNA, DPPDA, and MBA, respectively) were an order of magnitude more sensitive than endpoints for juvenile H. azteca and mortality of adult worms. The variation in toxicity across the four SPAs was likely related to the bioavailability of the sediment-associated chemicals, which was determined by the chemical properties of the SPAs (e.g., solubility in water, Koc). The variation in the sensitivity between the two species was likely due to differences in the magnitude of exposure, which is a function of the life histories of the epibenthic amphipod and the endobenthic worm. The data generated from this study will support effect characterization for ecological risk assessment.

Effect of substituted phenylamine antioxidants on three life stages of the freshwater mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea.

Substituted phenylamines (SPAs) are incorporated into a variety of consumer products (e.g., polymers, lubricants) in order to increase the lifespan of the products by acting as a primary antioxidant. Based on their physicochemical properties, if SPAs were to enter the aquatic environment, they would likely partition into sediment. No studies to date have investigated the effect of sediment-associated SPAs on aquatic organisms. The current study examined the effect of four SPAs (diphenylamine (DPA); N-phenyl-1-napthylamine (PNA); N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (DPPDA); 4,4'-methylene-bis[N-sec-butylaniline] (MBA)) on three different life stages of the freshwater mussel, Lampsilis siliquoidea. The viability of larvae (glochidia) of L. siliquoidea and Lampsilis fasciola was assessed after 48 h of exposure to SPAs in water. The 48-h EC50s for glochidia viability of L. siliquoidea were 5951, 606, 439, and 258 µg/L for DPA, PNA, DPPDA, and MBA, respectively, and 7946, 591, 137, and 47 µg/L, respectively, for L. fasciola. Juvenile (7-15 months) and adult L. siliquoidea were exposed to sediment-associated SPAs for 28 d. LC50s for juvenile mussels were 18, 55, 62, and 109 µg/g dry weight (dw) of sediment for DPA, PNA, DPPDA, and MBA, respectively. Adult mussels were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of sediment-associated SPAs in order to investigate reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and total glutathione in the gill, gonad, and digestive gland tissue, and viability and DNA damage in hemocytes. No significant concentration-dependent trend in any of these biochemical and cellular endpoints relative to the concentration of sediment-associated SPAs was observed in any tissues. Investigations into the concentration of SPAs in the aquatic environment are required before a conclusion can be made on whether these compounds pose a hazard to the different life stages of freshwater mussels.