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Biomedical subjects

P M Steijlen

Publications and source records attributed to P M Steijlen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Myhre syndrome in a female with previously undescribed symptoms: further delineation of the phenotype.

Myhre syndrome is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by nonprogressive stiffness of the large joints, short stature with a peculiar build, and a distinctive facial phenotype. Developmental delay is common. Three female patients have so far been described. Here, we report on a 16-year-old female with Myhre syndrome. She has vertebral defects, hypertrophic scar formation, and a stiff skin in addition to the features that have previously been reported in association with Myhre syndrome.

Abdomen↗

A 2-bp deletion in the GJA1 gene is associated with oculo-dento-digital dysplasia with palmoplantar keratoderma.

Oculo-dento-digital dysplasia (ODDD, OMIM no. 164210) is a pleiotropic disorder characterized mainly by ocular anomalies, varying degrees of finger and toe syndactyly, and enamel defects. It is caused by missense mutations in the gene coding for the gap junction protein connexin 43 or GJA1. Other types of mutations have so far not been reported. Here we describe a Dutch kindred with ODDD showing a new symptom, palmoplantar keratoderma, and associated with a novel 2-bp deletion mutation of GJA1. The dinucleotide deletion 780_781delTG is located in the cytoplasmic C-terminal loop and leads to a frameshift. This is predicted to lead to the production of a slightly truncated protein with 46 incorrect amino acids in the C-terminal cytoplasmic loop (C260fsX307). This novel mutation may explain the presence of skin symptoms.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

A new type of erythrokeratoderma.

We describe a Dutch man suffering from a previously undescribed erythrokeratoderma associated with palmoplantar keratoderma and circular constrictions of the fingers. No mutations were identified in the genes encoding loricrin, connexin 26, 30, 30.3, 31 and 31.1, and ARS/complex B. There are some similarities between the disorder described here and other palmoplantar keratodermas and erythrokeratodermas, but assignment to a particular disease category is not possible. Hence we propose that we have delineated a novel type of keratoderma.

Adult↗

Molecular genetics of hereditary hair and nail disease.

Hair and nail development have many similarities and are likely to share many developmental pathways. This is evident from the ectodermal dysplasias that affect both appendages. Of special interest are syndromic disorders as they show the effects of disturbances in molecular pathways that are essential for normal embryonic development. In this review, recent results from studies of syndrome affecting hair and nail development will be discussed.

Cell Adhesion↗

[Haemangiomas and congenital vascular malformations: their classification and diagnosis].

Mulliken and Glowacki's classification of peripheral blood- and lymph-vessel abnormalities is based on their clinical course and cellular characteristics, and is therefore clear to and readily usable by the practising physician. In order to make the diagnostic process more accessible, the Haemangiomas and Congenital Vascular Malformations Nijmegen working group has developed a system of diagnostic guidelines on the basis of this classification. The anamnesis should be directed at the following six distinguishing characteristics: presence of the anomaly at birth, growth, involution, change in volume, pain and outflow. The physical examination is directed at the following five characteristics: the possibility of emptying or pushing aside the anomaly, changes in volume during engorgement, murmur/'thrill'/pulsation, phleboliths, and hyper- or hypotrophy. If a diagnosis still cannot be made, then additional investigations may be carried out. Duplex scanning is usually sufficient for this purpose, after which the nature and extent of the malformation can be determined with MRI. On the basis of the results, the persons involved can be informed as to the prognosis of the malformation and a plan of treatment can be proposed.

Arteriovenous Malformations↗

New syndrome of hypotrichosis, striate palmoplantar keratoderma, acro-osteolysis and periodontitis not due to mutations in cathepsin C.

We report a mother and daughter with a syndrome of hypotrichosis, striate palmoplantar keratoderma, onychogryphosis, periodontitis, acro-osteolysis and psoriasis-like skin lesions. The syndrome resembles Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS), characterized by palmoplantar keratoderma, periodontitis and psoriasis-like skin lesions, and particularly Haim-Munk syndrome, an allelic variant of PLS with acro-osteolysis. Both are caused by mutations in the cathepsin C gene (CTSC). Our patients differ in the unique nature of the palmar keratoderma and hypotrichosis. We have sequenced CTSC in the mother without finding mutations in either coding or non-coding parts of the gene. We propose that our patients suffer from a new syndrome possibly caused by mutations in a gene that has a functional or structural relation with CTSC.

Adolescent↗

HID and KID syndromes are associated with the same connexin 26 mutation.

BACKGROUND: Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome is a debilitating ectodermal dysplasia that predisposes patients to develop squamous cell carcinomas in addition to leading to profound sensory deafness and erythrokeratoderma. We recently demonstrated that KID can be caused by a specific missense mutation in connexin 26 (GJB2). Another syndrome, called hystrix-like ichthyosis-deafnesss (HID) syndrome, strongly resembles the KID syndrome. These disorders are distinguished mainly on the basis of electron microscopic findings. We hypothesized that KID and HID syndromes may be genetically related. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate by mutation analysis that HID and KID syndromes are genetically indistinguishable. METHODS: DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue samples of the first HID syndrome patient described in the literature. Since the KID syndrome mutation abolishes an AspI restriction site, we were able to screen the patient's DNA by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent restriction enzyme analysis. RESULTS: Restriction analysis of the connexin 26 gene in HID syndrome demonstrated the presence of the KID syndrome mutation that we previously described. This result was confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: We show that KID and HID syndromes are identical at the molecular level and confirm the clinical impression that these syndromes are one and the same. That previous clinical reports made a distinction may be a consequence of sampling artefacts; alternatively, genetic background effects such as the presence of concurrent mutations in other skin-expressed genes may modify the phenotype.

Connexin 26↗

A recessive form of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome caused by tenascin-X deficiency.

BACKGROUND: The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a heritable connective-tissue disorder caused by defects in fibrillar-collagen metabolism. Mutations in the type V collagen genes account for up to 50 percent of cases of classic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, but many other cases are unexplained. We investigated whether the deficiency of the tenascins, extracellular-matrix proteins that are highly expressed in connective tissues, was associated with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. METHODS: We screened serum samples from 151 patients with the classic, hypermobility, or vascular types of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; 75 patients with psoriasis; 93 patients with rheumatoid arthritis; and 21 healthy persons for the presence of tenascin-X and tenascin-C by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We examined the expression of tenascins and type V collagen in skin by immunohistochemical methods and sequenced the tenascin-X gene. RESULTS: Tenascin-X was present in serum from all normal subjects, all patients with psoriasis, all patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 146 of 151 patients with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Tenascin-X was absent from the serum of the 5 remaining patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, who were unrelated. Tenascin-X deficiency was confirmed in these patients by analysis of skin fibroblasts and by immunostaining of skin. The expression of tenascin-C and type V collagen was normal in these patients. All five of these patients had hypermobile joints, hyperelastic skin, and easy bruising, without atrophic scarring. Tenascin-X mutations were identified in all tenascin-X-deficient patients; one patient had a homozygous tenascin-X gene deletion, one was heterozygous for the deletion, and three others had homozygous truncating point mutations, confirming a causative role for tenascin-X and a recessive pattern of inheritance. CONCLUSIONS: Tenascin-X deficiency causes a clinically distinct, recessive form of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. This finding indicates that factors other than the collagens or collagen-processing enzymes can cause the syndrome and suggests a central role for tenascin-X in maintaining the integrity of collagenous matrix.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Clinical and biochemical effects of zileuton in patients with the Sjögren-Larsson syndrome.

UNLABELLED: The Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is an inborn error of lipid metabolism, characterised clinically by congenital ichthyosis, mental retardation and spasticity. Patients also suffer from severe pruritus. The degradation of leukotriene (LT) B4 is one of the defective metabolic routes in SLS. Zileuton inhibits the synthesis of LTB4 and the cysteinyl leukotrienes. Five SLS patients were treated with zileuton for 3 months. Favourable effects were found on pruritus score (P = 0.006), general well-being, and background activity of electroencephalographic studies. Neuropsychological test results did not change significantly. There was, however, a clinically important trend towards improvement in the speed of information processing. Results of cerebral MRI and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy did not change during therapy. Urinary concentrations of LTB4 and omega-OH-LTB4 decreased significantly (P=0.02 and P=0.003 respectively), while their concentrations in CSF were normal at baseline and remained so after therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with Sjögren-Larsson syndrome might benefit from treatment with zileuton, especially with respect to the agonising pruritus. The findings reported here, point to a crucial role for leukotriene B4 in the pathogenesis of pruritus.

Adolescent↗

A case of Rombo syndrome.

Rombo syndrome is a rare entity characterized by the presence of atrophoderma vermiculatum of the face, multiple milia, telangiectases, acral erythema and a propensity to develop basal cell carcinomas. We describe a patient whose clinical and histopathological abnormalities are consistent with this diagnosis.

Adult↗

Woolly hair, premature loss of teeth, nail dystrophy, acral hyperkeratosis and facial abnormalities: possible new syndrome in a Dutch kindred.

We describe a Dutch kindred with a possibly novel dominant syndrome of premature loss of curly, brittle hair, premature loss of teeth due to caries, nail dystrophy and acral keratoderma. We discuss the possibility that this ectodermal dysplasia of group 1-2-3-4 is a variant of known disorders such as pachyonychia congenita. We conclude that none of these diagnoses fits the symptoms we observe in our patients and propose the name curly hair-acral keratoderma-caries syndrome in view of the most obvious abnormalities.

Adult↗

Evolution of deep venous thrombosis: a 2-year follow-up using duplex ultrasound scan and strain-gauge plethysmography.

OBJECTIVE: The development of the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and recurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) are not yet fully understood. The aim of the study was to identify factors that lead to the long-term complications of DVT. METHODS: In a 2-year prospective follow-up study, duplex scanning and strain-gauge plethysmography were used to evaluate DVT in relation to the development of long-term complications. Each of the 12 segments examined was assigned as a thrombosis score (TS). A total TS was calculated for each leg. Patent segments were assigned a TS = 0, noncompressible vein segments with flow TS = 1 and noncompressible vein segments without flow TS = 2. The degree of resolution of DVT and the incidence, timing, and outcome of further thrombotic events were measured during 24 months of follow-up. RESULTS: The study involved 86 legs with DVT. The 2-year follow-up was completed for 70 legs. Within 3 months, only 1% of the originally occluded proximal deep vein segments were still occluded. Between all time intervals, from month 12 to month 24, for example, thrombus regression continued in 36% of the legs and thrombus propagation continued in 27%. Multiple regression analysis revealed that an increase in age (P = .008) and proximal location of the original DVT (P = .05) was significantly related to thrombus propagation. Multiple regression analysis showed that the risk factors for clinical signs of PTS were a high venous outflow resistance after 1-month and 12-month follow-ups (P <or= .002) and a high thrombosis score in the proximal veins after 3 months (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: In the follow-up of older patients and patients with proximal DVT, evolution was shown to be an unstable process with continuing propagation for 2 years. The risk factors for the development of PTS were a slow decrease in venous outflow resistance or a high thrombosis score of the proximal veins after 3 months.

Adolescent↗

Clinical, biochemical and molecular genetic characteristics of 19 patients with the Sjögren-Larsson syndrome.

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is an autosomal recessively inherited neurocutaneous disorder caused by a deficiency of the microsomal enzyme fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase (FALDH). We report the clinical characteristics and the results of molecular studies in 19 SLS patients. Patients 1-17 show the classical triad of severe clinical abnormalities including ichthyosis, mental retardation and spasticity. Most patients were born preterm, and all patients exhibit ocular abnormalities and pruritus. Electro-encephalography shows a slow background activity, without other abnormalities. MRI of the brain shows an arrest of myelination, periventricular signal abnormalities of white matter and mild ventricular enlargement. Cerebral (1)H-MR spectroscopy reveals a characteristic, abnormal lipid peak. The degree of white matter abnormality in the MRIs and the height of the lipid peak in (1)H-MR spectra do not correlate with the severity of the neurological signs. The clinical presentation and the clinical course is strikingly similar in these patients. Patient 18 shows a mild phenotype that essentially contains the same, but less severe, clinical features. Patient 19 exhibits the typical, but very mild, dermatological and ocular abnormalities, without any clinical neurological involvement. The diagnosis of SLS was confirmed by demonstration of the enzyme defect in cultured skin fibroblasts. Furthermore, as might be predicted from the essential role of FALDH in leucotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) metabolism, elevated urinary concentrations of LTB(4) and 20-OH-LTB(4) were found in all patients studied. Molecular studies of the FALDH gene revealed eight different mutations, including three new ones: a large 26-base pair deletion (21-46del), a missense mutation (80C-->T) and an insertion mutation (487-488insA). The vast majority of SLS patients seem to be severely affected independent of their genotype.

Adolescent↗

Mycosis fungoides: disease evolution and prognosis of 309 Dutch patients.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the disease course of Dutch patients with mycosis fungoides and to define factors related to disease progression and survival. DESIGN: A multicenter, 13-year, retrospective cohort analysis. SETTING: Eight dermatology departments collaborating in the Dutch Cutaneous Lymphoma Group. PATIENTS: Three hundred nine patients with mycosis fungoides registered between October 1985 and May 1997, including 89 patients with limited patches or plaques (stage Ia), 135 with generalized patches or plaques (stage Ib), 46 with skin tumors (stage Ic), 18 with enlarged but uninvolved lymph nodes (stage II), 18 with lymph node involvement (stage III), and 3 with visceral involvement (stage IV). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Response to initial treatment, sustained complete remission, actuarial disease progression, and overall and disease-specific survival per clinical stage. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 62 months (range, 1-113 months). For the entire group, the actuarial overall and disease-specific survival was 80% and 89% at 5 years, and 57% and 75% at 10 years, respectively. The actuarial 5-year disease-specific survival of patients with stage Ia, Ib, and Ic disease was 100%, 96%, and 80%, respectively, and only 40% for patients with stage III disease. Using multivariate analysis, the presence of extracutaneous disease, the type and extent of skin involvement, the response to initial treatment, and the presence of follicular mucinosis were independently associated with higher disease progression and mortality rates. The calculated risks of disease progression at 5 and 10 years gradually increased from 4% to 10% for those with stage Ia disease, from 21% to 39% for those with stage Ib disease, and from 32% to 60% for those with stage Ic disease; for those with stage III disease, the risk remained at 70% at 5 and 10 years. The overall risk of disease progression at 5 and 10 years was 24% and 38%, respectively, for the total study group. CONCLUSION: At least within the first 10 years after diagnosis, disease progression and mycosis fungoides-related mortality occur in only a subset of patients generally presenting with advanced disease.

Adult↗