Copy number variants in patients with short stature

Height is a highly heritable and classic polygenic trait. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed that at least 180 genetic variants influence adult height. However, these variants explain only about 10% of the phenotypic variation in height. Genetic analysis of short individuals can lead to the discovery of novel rare gene defects with a large effect on growth. In an effort to identify novel genes associated with short stature, genome-wide analysis for copy number variants (CNVs), using single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays, in 162 patients (149 families) with short stature was performed. Segregation analysis was performed if possible, and genes in CNVs were compared with information from GWAS, gene expression in rodents'' growth plates and published information. CNVs were detected in 40 families. In six families, a known cause of short stature was found (SHOX deletion or duplication, IGF1R deletion), in two combined with a de novo potentially pathogenic CNV. Thirty-three families had one or more potentially pathogenic CNVs (n=40). In 24 of these families, segregation analysis could be performed, identifying three de novo CNVs and nine CNVs segregating with short stature. Four were located near loci associated with height in GWAS (ADAMTS17, TULP4, PRKG2/BMP3 and PAPPA). Besides six CNVs known to be causative for short stature, 40 CNVs with possible pathogenicity were identified. Segregation studies and bioinformatics analysis suggested various potential candidate genes.     

A 3-base pair deletion,c.9711_9713del,in DMD results in intellectual disability without muscular dystrophy

We have identified a deletion of 3 base pairs in the dystrophin gene (DMD), c.9711_9713del, in a family with nonspecific X-linked intellectual disability (ID) by sequencing of the exons of 86 known X-linked ID genes. This in-frame deletion results in the deletion of a single-amino-acid residue, Leu3238, in the brain-specific isoform Dp71 of dystrophin. Linkage analysis supported causality as the mutation was present in the 7.6 cM linkage interval on Xp22.11–Xp21.1 with a maximum positive LOD score of 2.41 (MRX85 locus). Molecular modeling predicts that the p.(Leu3238del) deletion results in the destabilization of the C-terminal domain of dystrophin and hence reduces the ability to interact with β-dystroglycan. Correspondingly, Dp71 protein levels in lymphoblastoid cells from the index patient are 6.7-fold lower than those in control cell lines (P=0.08). Subsequent determination of the creatine kinase levels in blood of the index patient showed a mild but significant elevation in serum creatine kinase, which is in line with impaired dystrophin function. In conclusion, we have identified the first DMD mutation in Dp71 that results in ID without muscular dystrophy.     

Sebaceous carcinoma of the lip: Comparing normal lip and cheek anatomy with the imaging features of a rare cutaneous malignancy

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare cutaneous malignancy, commonly affecting the eyelids. This case highlights a patient who presented with sebaceous carcinoma of the right upper lip with extensive involvement of the soft tissues of the head and neck. As part of the initial investigation, ultrasound was requested. This case demonstrates the ultrasound features of sebaceous carcinoma as well as revising the normal ultrasound anatomy of the upper lip and muscles of the cheek.     

应用三维有限元法评估聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯和磷酸钙骨水泥铸件的力学特征

目的:聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯和磷酸钙骨水泥作为经皮椎体后凸成形术填充物,应用三维有限元分析法比较两种材料治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的生物学效应。方法:实验于2003-03/09在南通医学院第一附属医院骨科和上海大学上海生物力学工程研究所合作完成。①利用WD-5型万能材料机测量聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯和磷酸钙骨水泥铸件力学性质。②选取骨质疏松患者1例(患者知情同意),排除其他疾患,应用CT扫描技术、图形数字化方法获取胸腰段的三维坐标,利用ANSYS5.0有限元分析软件等工具建立骨质疏松患者胸腰段的三维有限元模型。③模拟L1经皮椎体后凸成形术,对其和相邻椎体及椎间盘的负荷传递、应力、位移等进行分析。结果:①获取了精确的T11￣L3的多排螺旋CT扫描断层影像数据,经ANSYS5.0软件处理后得到4718个节点,1642个薄极单元,4495个八节点等参单元的骨质疏松患者胸腰段三维有限元力学模型。②采用聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯作为经皮椎体后凸成形术的填充物,比骨质疏松椎体应力增加了近15%。后部结构的应力平均增加13.2%,其中椎弓根增加5.9%,峡部增加6.25%,关节点增加27.6%。聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯在稳定椎体、恢复强度和刚度的同时,可能使其后部结构及相邻腰椎出现应力集中现象。③采用磷酸钙骨水泥作为椎体成形术填充物,比骨质疏松椎体应力平均增加了7%,应力集中现象明显小于聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯。结论:三维有限元力学分析表明两种材料均提高了椎体的抗变形能力,有利于椎体功能的重建。与聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯相比,磷酸钙骨水泥能减少成形椎体和相邻椎体之间的应力梯度,从长远看,能减少椎体退变和相邻椎体骨折的机会。     

Solitary fibrous tumour of the cheek: An unusual presentation of a rare soft tissue tumour

This case report discusses the unusual presentation and ultrasound features of a solitary fibrous tumour of the face. Solitary fibrous tumour is an uncommon form of soft tissue tumour which, although seen predominantly within the lung pleura, can occur throughout the body in sites such as the peritoneum, mediastinum and head and neck. Ultrasound is an excellent imaging modality in the assessment of soft tissue masses in the head and neck. The ultrasound features demonstrated by this example of solitary fibrous tumour are reviewed. This report also highlights that ultrasound alone is ultimately limited in reaching a definitive diagnosis. The roles of other investigations such as ultrasound-guided biopsy and cross-sectional imaging are discussed.     

Association between labour market trends and trends in young people's mental health in ten European countries 1983-2005

Background  

Mental health problems have become more common among young people over the last twenty years, especially in certain countries. The reasons for this have remained unclear. The hypothesis tested in this study is that national trends in young people's mental health are associated with national trends in young people's labour market.     

The preterm gut microbiota: changes associated with necrotizing enterocolitis and infection

Aim: To describe gut colonization in preterm infants using standard culture and 16S gene rRNA profiling, exploring differences in healthy infants and those who developed NEC/late onset sepsis (LOS). Methods: Ninety‐nine stools from 38 infants of median 27‐week gestation were cultured; 44 stools from 27 infants had their microbial profiles determined by 16S. Ordination analyses explored effects of patient variables on gut communities. Results: Standard microbiological culture identified a mean of two organisms (range 0–7), DGGE 12 (range 3–18) per patient. Enterococcus faecalis and coagulase negative staphylococci (CONS) were most common by culture (40% and 39% of specimens). Meconium was not sterile. No fungi were cultured. Bacterial community structures in infants with NEC and LOS differed from healthy infants. Infants who developed NEC carried more CONS (45% vs 30%) and less Enterococcus faecalis (31% vs 57%). 16S identified Enterobacter and Staphylococcus presence associated with NEC/LOS, respectively. Conclusions: Important differences were found in the gut microbiota of preterm infants who develop NEC/LOS. The relationship of these changes to current practices in neonatal intensive care requires further exploration.     

High‐frequency ventilation with the Dräger Babylog 8000plus: measuring the delivered frequency

Background: Ventilator frequency is one of the determinants of tidal volume delivery during high‐frequency ventilation. Clinicians increasingly use data on ventilator displays to inform their decisions. Aim: To measure the frequencies delivered by the Dräger Babylog 8000plus ventilator when used in high‐frequency mode. Methods: Ventilator waveforms using a test lung were recorded at the full range of settings 5–20 Hz using Spectra software at 1000 Hz. The changes in frequency produced by a 1‐ Hz change in set frequency were calculated. Actual and displayed frequencies were compared. Results: For settings up to 12 Hz, median (range) difference between set and delivered frequencies was 0 (?0.4 to +0.1) Hz. Above 12 Hz, delivered frequency varied by ?0.3 (?1.9 to +0.3) Hz. For 1‐ Hz changes in frequency settings, in the range 5–12 Hz, 1‐ Hz changes produced a change in delivered frequency of 1.0 (0.6–1.4) Hz. Above 12 Hz, the corresponding changes were 0.7 (0–2.9) Hz. The ventilator displays the set frequency during operation rather than the delivered frequency. Conclusion: At 12 Hz and below, the differences between set and delivered frequencies were relatively small compared with those at 13 Hz and higher. Above 13 Hz, the difference between set and delivered frequencies was up to 2.9 Hz. Some frequency setting changes did not result in a change in delivered frequency.