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[Turcot's syndrome confirmed by molecular biological tests].

INTRODUCTION: Turcot's syndrome is characterized clinically by the concurrence of a primary brain tumor and a familial adenomatous polyposis or a hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. OBSERVATION: We report a case of a 45-year-old woman who underwent in 1995 neuro-oncological treatment for an anaplastic astrocytoma (grade III according to the World Health Organization classification). Treatment included complete surgery, radiotherapy, a first-line nitrosourea-based chemotherapy regimen and a second-line platinium salt-based regimen. It was then noted that the patient's brother had colorectal cancer. A genetic study detected a germ-line mutation on the hMSH2 gene specific of HNPCC syndrome (Human Non Polyposis Colorectal Cancer). Colonoscopy was normal. Eight years after the diagnosis, the patient developed a gliomatosis cerebri and died. CONCLUSION: Relevant personal and familial history can provide the clue to the diagnosis of Turcot's syndrome. Molecular diagnosis may contribute to appropriate care of affected patients.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Molecular diagnostic testing for determination of myeloid lineage in acute leukemias.

Determination of myeloid vs. lymphoid cell lineage in acute leukemias is essential for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. However, some leukemic cells are too primitive to be identified based on conventional morphology, cytochemistry, and immunophenotype criteria. The gene for myeloperoxidase (MPO) is central to the lineage designation of myeloid cells and their function. Expression of MPO messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) may serve to determine the myeloid lineage of primitive leukemic cells that do not express the final product, MPO. Recently, a procedure has been developed for detection of MPO mRNA in leukemic cells, based on message amplification by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Three variant polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, developed in view of future diagnostic applications of the RT-PCR procedure are reported: (A) nested PCR, using a second pair of internal primers for reamplification of the first PCR product; (B) multiplex PCR for concomitant amplification of up to seven sequences encompassing all regions of MPO mRNA; (C) adaptation of the standard PCR procedure and the two variant methods for use of cellular material from air-dried unstained or Wright stained smears. These variant procedures developed on the HL-60 cell line make the RT-PCR detection of MPO mRNA easily applicable as a new diagnostic test in acute leukemias and confer the versatility needed in the clinical setting. The advantages of our new procedure for MPO mRNA detection are: high sensitivity and specificity, speed, simplicity, and safety. Myeloid lineage of leukemic blasts can be established, confirmed, or ruled out in 6 to 10 hours, making results available at the time of bone marrow sign-out.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actins↗

Molecular dipstick test for diagnosis of sleeping sickness.

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is a neglected disease that affects poor rural populations across sub-Saharan Africa. Confirmation of diagnosis is based on detection of parasites in either blood or lymph by microscopy. Here we present the development and the first-phase evaluation of a simple and rapid test (HAT-PCR-OC [human African trypanosomiasis-PCR-oligochromatography]) for detection of amplified Trypanosoma brucei DNA. PCR products are visualized on a dipstick through hybridization with a gold-conjugated probe (oligochromatography). Visualization is straightforward and takes only 5 min. Controls both for the PCR and for DNA migration are incorporated into the assay. The lower detection limit of the test is 5 fg of pure T. brucei DNA. One parasite in 180 microl of blood is still detectable. Sensitivity and specificity for T. brucei were calculated at 100% when tested on blood samples from 26 confirmed sleeping sickness patients, 18 negative controls (nonendemic region), and 50 negative control blood samples from an endemic region. HAT-PCR-OC is a promising new tool for diagnosis of sleeping sickness in laboratory settings, and the diagnostic format described here may have wider application for other infectious diseases.

Animals↗

A pseudo-outbreak of human A/H5N1 infections in Greece and its public health implications.

The recent wide geographic spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus has important public health implications. Several wild migratory birds were confirmed to be infected with avian influenza A/H5N1 in Greece in February and March 2006. The aim of this paper is to report data from potential H5N1 human cases that presented to local hospitals during this period with a respiratory infection and expressing concern about exposure to avian influenza. A case-control investigation was conducted that included case identification with the use of a structured definition, review of epidemiological and clinical characteristics and molecular testing for avian influenza A/H5N1. The setting was the entire country of Greece during February and March 2006. The main outcomes were rates of possible cases (meeting both a clinical and an epidemiological criterion) and clinical or epidemiological characteristics differentiating them from potential cases that met either one of the criteria of a possible case, but not both. Twenty six potential patients (81% of whom met a clinical criterion, and 39% of whom met an epidemiological criterion) presented and most (85%) were admitted in local hospitals during the period of interest. The majority of cases (85%) were observed in northern Greece where most of the confirmed A/H5N1 avian cases were documented. Five of the 26 evaluated patients met the definition of a possible case. These clustered within the early period of confirmed A/H5N1 cases in wild migratory birds (P=0.05). Molecular testing was negative for all possible cases. Application of a revised case definition constructed according to newer European Union guidance resulted in the exclusion of two possible cases. Several potential A/H5N1 human cases were recently identified in Greece. Both the timing of identification and the geographical location of potential cases suggest an increased awareness on the part of the general public, as well as poor interpretation of the case definition by the clinicians.

Adolescent↗

[Genetic diagnosis and prenatal genetic diagnosis of fragile X syndrome].

In order to obtain a simple,fast,accurate and low-cost diagnosis method of fragile X syndrome, cytogenetic tests and molecular genetic tests were carried out with direct amplification of (CGG)(n) repeat sequence in 5' terminal of FMR1 gene by PCR and the cDNA sequence of FMR1 by RT-PCR from six mental retardation pedigrees. The proband of pedigree A with high expression of fragile X chromosome(35/273) was detected to be a full mutation patient of fragile X syndrome by the molecular genetic test. There is no expression of fragile X chromosome in the proband and his mother of pedigree B, which was further confirmed as a non-fragile X pedigree by the molecular genetic test. A male foetus of the pedigree C has fragile X chromosome(5/93), but the proband and his mother has no fragile X chromosome. By further detection using molecular genetic test, the male foetus is a full mutation patient of fragile X syndrome, his mother is a permutated carrier, and his brother is a mosaic patient. The proband of pedigree D has high expression of fragile X chromosome (17%), his sister also has expression of fragile X chromosome (5%). By further detection with molecular genetic test, the proband is a full mutation patient of fragile X syndrome,and his sister is a mosaic patient. The probands of pedigrees E and F of the mother were found with suspicions fragile X chromosome, being confirmed as the non-fragile X pedigrees by the molecular genetic test. The conclusion is that the analysis test with direct amplification of 5'j(CGG)n repeat sequence and cDNA sequence in FMR1 gene is simple,fast,low-cost and can be applied in screening, diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis of fragile X syndrome.

English Abstract↗

Audiologic testing and molecular analysis of 12S rRNA in patients receiving aminoglycosides.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic mutations in the mitochondrial genome are associated with a wide variety of maternally inherited human diseases including sensorineural hearing loss (HL). A specific mutation, m.1555A>G in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene, is associated with predisposition to aminoglycoside ototoxicity and HL. Mutation screening in this gene has been recommended before use of aminoglycosides as a preventative strategy to reduce the risk of ototoxicity. OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of mutations in the 12S rRNA gene in patients being treated with aminoglycosides and its correlation with ototoxicity. METHODS: Patients undergoing treatment with aminoglycosides were prospectively enrolled in this study (n = 27). Total dosage administered and therapeutic levels of the antibiotic were noted. All patients underwent high-frequency pure-tone audiometry pre- and posttherapy and sequencing of the 12S rRNA gene. In addition, 12S rRNA gene was also sequenced in 50 controls to characterize population specific polymorphisms. RESULTS: Five of 27 patients suffered from HL involving the high frequencies: four mild and one moderate. Only one of the five patients with ototoxicity harbored two sequence alterations in 12S rRNA of uncertain pathogenicity. The m.1555A>G and m.961delTInsCn mutations were not detected. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency pure-tone audiometry is critical for detection of aminoglycoside-induced HL. In the Swiss population, screening for mutations in the 12S rRNA gene, before the initiation of aminoglycoside therapy, is not supported by this limited study. A larger multicenter and multicultural study is warranted to more definitively address this critical clinical issue.

Adolescent↗

Molecular genetic testing of beta-thalassemia patients of Indian origin and a novel 8-bp deletion mutation at codons 36/37/38/39.

Hemoglobinopathies are the most commonly inherited genetic disorders in India. Certain communities in India have a high predisposition to beta-thalassemia. To offer prenatal diagnosis and to prevent the birth of an affected child, mutation testing in clinically diagnosed beta-thalassemia patients/carriers is a prerequisite. Over a period of 4 years, we have conducted DNA analysis in 385 carriers for 15 beta-thalassemia mutations, HbD, HbE, and HbS. Using reverse dot blot (RDB) and amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS), we have been able to identify mutations in 381 of 385 thalassemia chromosomes. The study included the analysis of five common mutations found in Asian Indians, namely IVS1-5 (G-C), 619-bp deletion, IVS1-1 (G-T), and the frameshifts at CD8/9(+G) and CD41/42(-CTTT). The occurrence of these five mutations was seen in 299 (91.2%) carriers referred to us, the percentage of mutations varying between 4.0 and 68.9%. We also found Cd16 (-C) in 2.1%, CD30 (G-C) in 1.5%, and CD 15(G-A) in 0.6%; these are considered common mutations in the Indian population, as well. The beta-thalassemia anomaly in 4 (0.6%) carriers remained uncharacterized by RDB and ARMS analysis. During delineation of the mutations in uncharacterized carriers by single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing analysis, we have also been able to identify two unusual mutations, one involving an initiation codon and the second involving a novel 8-bp deletion, in Indian families of Uttar Pradesh origin.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular marker test standardization.

A review of the status of standardization of laboratory tests of particular interest to oncologists is presented. Currently, relatively few of these tests are standardized; as a result, interlaboratory and interinstitutional comparison of data is problematic. In 1992, additional interlaboratory studies of common tumor markers will be initiated by the College of American Pathologists. The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards also has begun to develop standard methods and guidelines for these important tests.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Synthesis and preliminary testing of molecular wires and devices.

Presented here are several convergent synthetic routes to conjugated oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s. Some of these oligomers are free of functional groups, while others possess donor groups, acceptor groups, porphyrin interiors, and other heterocyclic interiors for various potential transmission and digital device applications. The syntheses of oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s with a variety of end groups for attachment to numerous metal probes and surfaces are presented. Some of the functionalized molecular systems showed linear, wire-like, current versus voltage (I(V)) responses, while others exhibited nonlinear I(V) curves for negative differential resistance (NDR) and molecular random access memory effects. Finally, the syntheses of functionalized oligomers are described that can form self-assembled monolayers on metallic electrodes that reduce the Schottky barriers. Information from the Schottky barrier studies can provide useful insight into molecular alligator clip optimizations for molecular electronics.

Journal Article↗

The population-specific distribution and frequencies of genomic variants in the SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 genes and their application in molecular genetic testing of cystinuria.

Cystinuria is a common inherited aminoaciduria resulting in nephrolithiasis. Mutations in two genes, SLC3A1 and SLC7A9, have been identified in cystinuric patients. Considering the population-specific distribution of genetic variants in the SLC3A1 gene, we focused our study on mutations in SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 described more than once in the literature. We evaluated the usefulness of this restricted analysis as a diagnostic approach. Furthermore, the data obtained were used to estimate the frequency of heterozygote carriers of SLC3A1 mutations in the general European population. A total of 22 unclassified cystinuric patients were screened for genetic variants in four exons of both SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 in which the most common mutations have been identified. For screening, we used single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP), restriction assays, real-time PCR and direct sequencing. In total, we identified mutations in 17 of our 22 patients, including a new mutation (R365Q) as well as a novel polymorphism (c.1035G/A) within the SLC3A1 gene. An ethnic influence on the distribution of mutations was confirmed: T216M in SLC3A1 is the major mutation in south-eastern Europe, whereas M467T in SLC3A1 is mainly found in western Europe. A complex duplication in SLC3A1 is restricted to German patients. Generally, we could show that a stepwise analysis directed to the most common mutations in the two cystinuria genes is sufficient to detect variants in more than 75% of patients of European origin. The test consists of nine different PCR-based approaches and therefore represents a low-cost, reliable and timesaving diagnostic tool.

Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic↗

Synthesis, dihydrofolate reductase inhibition, antitumor testing, and molecular modeling study of some new 4(3H)-quinazolinone analogs.

In order to produce potent new leads for anticancer drugs, a new series of quinazoline analogs was designed to resemble methotrexate (MTX, 1) structure features and fitted with functional groups believed to enhance inhibition of mammalian DHFR activity. Molecular modeling studies were used to assess the fit of these compounds within the active site of human DHFR. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit mammalian DHFR in vitro and for their antitumor activity in a standard in vitro tissue culture assay panel. Compounds 28, 30, and 31 were the most active DHFR inhibitors with IC(50) values of 0.5, 0.4, and 0.4microM, respectively. The most active antitumor agents in this study were compounds 19, 31, 41, and 47 with median growth inhibitory concentrations (GI(50)) of 20.1, 23.5, 26.7, and 9.1microM, respectively. Of this series of compounds, only compound 31 combined antitumor potency with potent DHFR inhibition; the other active antitumor compounds (19, 41, and 47) all had DHFR IC(50) values above 15microM, suggesting that they might exert their antitumor potency through some other mode of action. Alternatively, the compounds could differ significantly in uptake or concentration within mammalian cells.

Animals↗