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Biomedical subjects

C M Hall

Publications and source records attributed to C M Hall.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Serum leptin through childhood and adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: Leptin is the protein product of the recently cloned ob gene, that has been implicated in the control of body weight and thermogenesis, but also independently stimulates the reproductive axis. As major changes in body composition and gonadal function occur during human adolescence, we have assessed serum leptin concentration through childhood. SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Serum leptin was measured in a radioimmunoassay in samples from 235 healthy children from 5 to 18 years of age. Its relationship to body mass index (BMI) (expressed as standard deviation score (SDS)) and the changes in concentration both within and between sexes over the stages of puberty were analysed. RESULTS: Serum leptin was present at similar concentrations in both sexes over the prepubertal years and increased in parallel into early puberty (breast stage (B) 2, genital stage (G) 2). Thereafter serum leptin in the boys declined to a nadir in G5. In contrast in girls, leptin remained constant in mid-puberty rising to a peak at B5. Factors influencing leptin (BMI SDS, age and testicular volume) were assessed therefore in the pre- and peripubertal stages (B1-2, G1-2) compared to the later pubertal stages (B3-5, G3-5). In all groups, leptin was positively correlated to BMI SDS (r2 = 38-41% in girls, r2 = 31-35% in boys). However in B1-2 and G1-2, leptin was also positively related to age, which contributed a further 27% and 20% respectively to the variability. In B3-5, age only accounted for an additional 5% in leptin variability. In contrast in G3-5, leptin was related positively to BMI SDS (r2 = 35%) and negatively to testicular volume (r2 = 24%). CONCLUSIONS: The influence of BMI on leptin is a significant factor throughout the prepubertal and pubertal years of both sexes. The additional negative effect of testicular volume in the boys contributes to the sexual dichotomy in leptin concentration at the completion of puberty. The similar rise in leptin over the prepubertal years into early puberty in both sexes, related not only to BMI SDS but also independently to age, would suggest that leptin may have a facilitatory role in human pubertal development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The autosomal dominant syndrome with congenital stapes ankylosis, broad thumbs and hyperopia.

A family is reported with conductive hearing loss, hyperopia, broad thumbs and broad first toes. The family resembles a previous reported family (Teunissen B, Cremers CWRJ (1990) Laryngoscope 100: 380-384) but additionally all affected members have a typical face. Overlap of the Teunissen and Cremers syndrome with the facio-audio-symphalangism syndrome and proximal symphalangism is discussed.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1997

Craniosynostosis associated with FGFR3 pro250arg mutation results in a range of clinical presentations including unisutural sporadic craniosynostosis.

Several mutations involving the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene family have been identified in association with phenotypically distinct forms of craniosynostosis. One such point mutation, resulting in the substitution of proline by arginine in a critical region of the linker region between the first and second immunoglobulin-like domains, is associated with highly specific phenotypic consequences in that mutation at this point in FGFR1 results in Pfeiffer syndrome and analogous mutation in FGFR2 results in Apert syndrome. We now show that a much more variable clinical presentation accompanies analogous mutation in the FGFR3 gene. Specifically, mental retardation, apparently unrelated to the management of the craniosynostosis, appears to be a variable clinical consequence of this FGFR3 mutation.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗
PubMed1997

The cervical spine in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome.

Twenty patients with a diagnosis of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome had their cervical spine radiographs reviewed. Radiologic abnormalities including vertebral fusion were present in 9 of the 20 patients. Fusion of both the vertebral bodies and the posterior elements was noted, although the latter site was more common. C2-3 was the level most commonly involved, although other levels were recorded. Analysis of sequential radiographs in nine patients revealed evidence of progression in seven patients. In those studies in children aged under 2 years, only 1 of 18 films showed evidence of fusion, while in those over 2 years of age, 10 of 12 showed evidence of fusion. These results reveal that the incidence of cervical anomalies in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is greater than that in the general population. There is both direct and indirect evidence that the vertebral fusions are progressive during childhood.

Blepharoptosis↗
PubMed1996

Posterior urethral diverticula: a complication of surgery for high anorectal malformations.

We describe five boys, all of whom presented with urinary tract infection or acquired urinary incontinence some years after surgery for a high anorectal malformation (ARM). All were found to have a posterior urethral diverticulum thought to represent the remains of the original rectourethral fistula accompanying the high rectal atresia. Excision of the diverticula resulted in complete relief of symptoms. The clinical features and radiological appearances of the diverticula are described. A urethral diverticulum is one treatable cause of urinary symptoms in children with high anorectal malformations, and should be considered when symptoms recur late after definitive surgical correction of the malformation.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed1996

Cervical spine in Pfeiffer's syndrome.

Studies of cervical spine anomalies in patients with Crouzon's and Apert's syndromes have shown an increased incidence of fusions in comparison with that in the normal population. Currently, only small series of patients with Pfeiffer's syndrome who exhibit abnormalities have been published. The objective was to assess the incidence and pattern of radiological cervical spine abnormalities in patients with Pfeiffer's syndrome. All cervical spine radiographs of 22 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Pfeiffer's syndrome treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital during the last 10 years were studied. All of the radiographs were reviewed by the craniofacial team along with a pediatric radiologist with experience in the assessment of skeletal dysplasias. Radiological abnormalities included hypoplasia of the neural arches, hemivertebrae, and a "butterfly" vertebra as well as vertebral fusion. Evidence of vertebral fusion was present in 16 (73%) of cases. Fusion of both the vertebral bodies and the posterior elements were noted. C2-C3 was the level most commonly involved, although fusion was noted at all levels within the cervical spine. Block fusions involving multiple vertebrae were noted. Analysis of sequential radiographs in 11 patients revealed evidence of progression in eight patients. These results reveal an incidence of anomalies that is higher than previously reported. The older age of the patients in our study demonstrates the progressive nature of the cervical fusions in Pfeiffer's syndrome.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗
PubMed1996

Serpentine fibula syndrome: expansion of the phenotype with three affected siblings.

We describe three siblings, one of whom has serpentine fibula syndrome (SFS) and has many facial and skeletal features in common with two deceased brothers, making it highly likely that they too had the condition. The karyotype of one of the deceased males was 47,XXY. These are the first affected sibs with SFS, and the first affected males. They all have other abnormalities which have not previously been described as part of the condition, namely congenital heart disease, inguinal herniae (two sibs), intestinal malrotation (two sibs) and coloboma (one sib). Facially they resemble the cases described by ter Haar et al. (1983), who also had congenital heart disease and a skeletal dysplasia though did not have the characteristic bowing of the fibulae. There are also features in common with Hadju-Cheney syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1996

Congenital cervical spinal fusion: a study in Apert syndrome.

The occurrence and pattern of cervical spinal fusions have been assessed in 59 cases of Apert syndrome (acrocephalosyndactyly type 1). Radiological evidence of vertebral fusion either in progress or completed was observed in 37 (63%) of the cases. Fusion was limited to a single vertebral level in 18 cases and multiple levels, involving either contiguous or skipped levels in the remaining 19+ C3-4 and C5-6 were the levels most commonly involved. This distribution of fusions is different from other instances of congenital spinal fusion including those associated with other varieties of craniosynostosis. There was a significant association between age at the time of radiograph and the presence of spinal fusions (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon 2-sample test). Analysis of sequential radiographs in 17 patients revealed evidence of progressive fusion in 10. Small size of the vertebral body and reduced intervertebral disc space were indicators of subsequent bony fusion. The fusions seen in Apert syndrome thus appear to be progressive, occurring at the site of subtle congenital vertebral anomalies and may not be apparent as a congenital feature. The implications for the aetiology of so-called "congenital' spinal fusions in Apert syndrome and other situations are discussed.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗
PubMed1996

Spectrum of craniosynostosis phenotypes associated with novel mutations at the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 locus.

The causative relationship between several of the syndromic forms of craniosynostosis and mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) loci is now well established. However, within the group of patients with craniosynostosis, there are several families and sporadic cases whose clinical features differ in variable degrees from the classically described syndromes of craniosynostosis. In this communication we present novel FGFR2 mutations associated with a spectrum of craniosyostosis phenotypes in 4 sporadic cases and in one family in which craniosynostosis segregates. The mutation and phenotype data presented emphasise the clinical variability of mutations at this locus and underline the plasticity of the phenotype-genotype relationship in this important group of congenital malformation syndromes. Mutations found were tyrosine 105 to cysteine, glycine 338 to glutamic acid, serine 351 to cysteine and glycine 384 to arginine. These are the first reported mutations in the first immunoglobulin-like loop (tyrosine 105 to cysteine) and the transmembrane domain (glycine 384 to arginine) of FGFR2, providing further insights into the mechanism of abnormal receptor function in FGFR2 mutations.

Craniosynostoses↗
PubMed1996

Differential effects of FGFR2 mutations on syndactyly and cleft palate in Apert syndrome.

Apert syndrome is a distinctive human malformation characterized by craniosynostosis and severe syndactyly of the hands and feet. It is caused by specific missense substitutions involving adjacent amino acids (Ser252Trp or Pro253Arg) in the linker between the second and third extracellular immunoglobulin domains of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2). We have developed a simple PCR assay for these mutations in genomic DNA, based on the creation of novel (SfiI) and (BstUI) restriction sites. Analysis of DNA from 70 unrelated patients with Apert syndrome showed that 45 had the Ser252Trp mutation and 25 had the Pro253Arg mutation. Phenotypic differences between these two groups of patients were investigated. Significant differences were found for severity of syndactyly and presence of cleft palate. The syndactyly was more severe with the Pro253Arg mutation, for both the hands and the feet. In contrast, cleft palate was significantly more common in the Ser252Trp patients. No convincing differences were found in the prevalence of other malformations associated with Apert syndrome. We conclude that, although the phenotype attributable to the two mutations is very similar, there are subtle differences. The opposite trends for severity of syndactyly and cleft palate in relation to the two mutations may relate to the varying patterns of temporal and tissue-specific expression of different fibroblast growth factors, the ligands for FGFR2.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗
PubMed1996

Radical cystectomy for stage T3b bladder cancer.

Radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy is the mainstay of treatment of muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Outcome in patients with pathologically organ-confined disease is excellent, with local control rates exceeding 90% and 5-year survival approaching 80%. It is apparent, however, that radical cystectomy alone is inadequate therapy for patients with clinical or pathological extravesical extension. These patients are at high risk for relapse both locally and distantly. The development of more effective chemotherapy and optimal integration of systemic therapy with locally applied therapeutic modalities are needed. Recent data suggest that patients with clinical extravesical extension (T3b/T4) may benefit from combined local therapy with the addition of preoperative radiotherapy as well as multi-agent systemic chemotherapy. Furthermore, it appears that clinical staging modalities are reliable in the selection of patients for this multi-modal approach with only a small number of patients thereby subjected to unnecessary treatment.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1996

Nance-Sweeney chondrodysplasia--a further case?

A 52-year-old male with short stature due to short limbs, a cleft palate and subcutaneous calcification was described by Nance and Sweeney in 1970. His parents were consanguineous and two female sibs and two cousins were said to be similarly affected, thus the authors proposed that this was a previously undescribed recessively inherited chondrodystrophy. We describe a patient with short stature due to short limbs, subcutaneous calcification, and a cleft palate with features similar to those described by Nance and Sweeney.

Arm↗