Autoimmune disease and multiple autoantibodies in 42 patients with RASopathies.

The association of RASopathies [Noonan syndrome (NS) and Noonan-related syndromes] and autoimmune disorders has been reported sporadically. However, a concomitant evaluation of autoimmune diseases and an assessment of multiple autoantibodies in a large population of patients with molecularly confirmed RASopathy have not been performed. The clinical and laboratory features were analyzed in 42 RASopathy patients, the majority of whom had NS and five individuals had Noonan-related disorders. The following autoantibodies were measured: Anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-double stranded DNA, anti-SS-A/Ro, anti-SS-B/La, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-Scl-70, anti-Jo-1, anti-ribosomal P, IgG and IgM anticardiolipin (aCL), thyroid, anti-smooth muscle, anti-endomysial (AE), anti-liver cytosolic protein type 1 (LC1), anti-parietal cell (APC), anti-mitochondrial (AM) antibodies, anti-liver-kidney microsome type 1 antibodies (LKM-1), and lupus anticoagulant. Six patients (14%) fulfilled the clinical criteria for autoimmune diseases [systemic lupus erythematous, polyendocrinopathy (autoimmune thyroiditis and celiac disease), primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), autoimmune hepatitis, vitiligo, and autoimmune thyroiditis]. Autoimmune antibodies were observed in 52% of the patients. Remarkably, three (7%) of the patients had specific gastrointestinal and liver autoantibodies without clinical findings. Autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies were frequently present in patients with RASopathies. Until a final conclusion of the real incidence of autoimmunity in Rasopathy is drawn, the physicians should be alerted to the possibility of this association and the need for a fast diagnosis, proper referral to a specialist and ultimately, adequate treatment.

Electrochromic properties of a metallo-supramolecular polymer derived from tetra(2-pyridyl-1,4-pyrazine) ligands integrated in thin multilayer films.

The electrochromic behavior of iron complexes derived from tetra-2-pyridyl-1,4-pyrazine (TPPZ) and a hexacyanoferrate species in polyelectrolytic multilayer adsorbed films is described for the first time. This complex macromolecule was deposited onto indium-tin oxide (ITO) substrates via self-assembly, and the morphology of the modified electrodes was studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), which indicated that the hybrid film containing the polyelectrolyte multilayer and the iron complex was highly homogeneous and was approximately 50 nm thick. The modified electrodes exhibited excellent electrochromic behavior with both intense and persistent coloration as well as a chromatic contrast of approximately 70%. In addition, this system achieved high electrochromic efficiency (over 70 cm(2) C(-1) at 630 nm) and a response time that could be measured in milliseconds. The electrode was cycled more than 10(3) times, indicating excellent stability.

Severe intestinal involvement as initial manifestation of systemic childhood polyarteritis nodosa: report of two cases.

Systemic childhood polyarteritis nodosa (C-PAN) is a rare primary vasculitis involving medium or small sized arteries. Abdominal angina is an important and serious complication of PAN, occurring usually 15 to 30 min after food intake, and particularly in adult patients. However, to our knowledge, this involvement as the first manifestation of C-PAN was not described. Therefore, we reported herein two C-PAN cases that fulfilled the new criteria for this vasculitis. These patients were young boys that had malignant arterial hypertension and recurrent post-prandial cramping with acute abdomen. Both of them were submitted to laparotomy that revealed multiple and diffuse intestinal necrosis. One of our cases had a severe post-prandial cramping, even after drinking water, and the laparotomy evidenced multiple intestinal perforations. In spite of use of antihypertensive therapies, immunosuppressive agents (corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide and/or methotrexate) and intravenous immunoglobulin, they died possibly due to severe and disseminated activity disease. In conclusion, we described herein the first two fatal cases of C-PAN that presented severe abdominal pain as initial manifestation. We suggest that the diagnosis of PAN should be considered in patients under acute abdominal angina with no apparent etiology.