Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Bodurtha

Publications and source records attributed to J Bodurtha.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Autosomal dominant myocardial disease diagnosed by fetal presentation of proband with an aneurysm of the muscular interventricular septum.

We describe an inherited form of a disorder in which four patients spanning three generations were affected with congenital myocardial disease. The youngest member of the family, diagnosed as a fetus with a large aneurysm of the muscular interventricular septum, demonstrates an antenatal pathogenic process. Study of the specific findings in each patient suggests that congenital aneurysms of the muscular interventricular septum may be in some way associated with specific developmental pathways of the heart. We believe that screening family members of patients with muscular interventricular septal aneurysms may be indicated to assess for silent myocardial disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Coffin-Siris syndrome: review and presentation of new cases from a questionnaire study.

To clarify the phenotypic variability of Coffin-Siris syndrome, we present a review of the literature and 18 new cases. We performed a questionnaire study of patients ascertained through an international support group. Information on their sibs was available for comparison. The most frequent findings include some degree of mental retardation or developmental delay, "coarse" facial appearance, feeding difficulties, frequent infections, and hypoplastic to absent fifth fingernails and fifth distal phalanges. We discuss the key manifestations for diagnosis, medical and developmental implications, and possible pathogenesis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2001

Scanning for telomeric deletions and duplications and uniparental disomy using genetic markers in 120 children with malformations.

We screened 120 children with sporadic multiple congenital anomalies and either growth or mental retardation for uniparental disomy (UPD) or subtelomeric deletions. The screening used short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRP) from the subtelomeric regions of 41 chromosome arms. Uninformative marker results were reanalyzed by using the next available marker on that chromosome arm. In total, approximately 25,000 genotypes were generated and analyzed for this study. Subtelomeric deletions of 1 Mb in size were excluded for 27 of 40 chromosome arms. Among the 120 subjects none was found to have UPD, but five subjects (4%, 95% confidence interval 1-9%) were found to have a deletion or duplication of one or more chromosome arms. We conclude that UPD is not a frequent cause of undiagnosed multiple congenital anomaly syndrome. In addition, we determined that 9p and 7q harbor chromosome length variations in the normal population. We conclude that subtelomeric marker analysis is effective for the detection of subtelomeric duplications and deletions, although it is labor intensive. Given a detection rate that is similar to prior studies and the large workload imposed by STRPs, we conclude that STRPs are an effective, but impractical, approach to the determination of segmental aneusomy given current technology.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2001

A 1.5 million-base pair inversion polymorphism in families with Williams-Beuren syndrome.

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is most often caused by hemizygous deletion of a 1.5-Mb interval encompassing at least 17 genes at 7q11.23 (refs. 1,2). As with many other haploinsufficiency diseases, the mechanism underlying the WBS deletion is thought to be unequal meiotic recombination, probably mediated by the highly homologous DNA that flanks the commonly deleted region. Here, we report the use of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to identify a genomic polymorphism in families with WBS, consisting of an inversion of the WBS region. We have observed that the inversion is hemizygous in 3 of 11 (27%) atypical affected individuals who show a subset of the WBS phenotypic spectrum but do not carry the typical WBS microdeletion. Two of these individuals also have a parent who carries the inversion. In addition, in 4 of 12 (33%) families with a proband carrying the WBS deletion, we observed the inversion exclusively in the parent transmitting the disease-related chromosome. These results suggest the presence of a newly identified genomic variant within the population that may be associated with the disease. It may result in predisposition to primarily WBS-causing microdeletions, but may also cause translocations and inversions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Fluorescence in situ hybridization detectable mosaicism for Angelman syndrome with biparental methylation.

We present a child with mild to moderate global developmental delay including severe speech impairment, inappropriate happy demeanor, wide-based gait, frequent ear infections with mild hearing loss, deep-set eyes, a wide mouth, widely-spaced teeth, normal head circumference, and no seizures. Results of peripheral blood lymphocyte chromosomal analysis with GTG banding were normal. However, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies showed mosaicism for a deletion of probes (D15S10 and SNRPN) from the Angelman syndrome (AS) critical region with approximately 40% of peripheral lymphocytes having the deletion. The deleted chromosome 15 also showed centromeric duplication, which was detected with a D15Z1 probe [46,XX, dic(15)(pter-->q11.1::p11.2-->q11. 1::q13-->qter)]. The same duplication pattern was observed in 30% of the nuclei obtained from a buccal smear. Methylation studies using polymerase chain reaction with sodium bisulfite-treated DNA demonstrated a normal biparental methylation pattern. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case with AS and a FISH detectable deletion in a mosaic pattern. We recommend FISH studies for the detection of mosaicism in the patients with AS clinical findings even if results of the methylation studies are normal.

Angelman Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

Ophthalmo-acromelic syndrome: report and review.

The ophthalmo-acromelic syndrome of Waardenburg is an autosomal recessive trait comprising eye malformations ranging from true anophthalmia to mild microphthalmia with acromelic malformations. Some 29 affected individuals have been reported since Waardenburg's first report in 1935 [Waardenburg et al., 1961]. We report on a new case with bilateral anophthalmia and typical limb malformations. The patient also was found to have interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygos continuation as an additional finding. The previous reports are reviewed to elucidate the spectrum of the syndrome.

Anophthalmos↗
PubMed2000

Validation of a multiplex methylation-sensitive PCR assay for the diagnosis of Prader-Willi and Angelman's syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Prader-Willi (PWS) and Angelman's (AS) syndromes are two distinct clinical entities caused by alterations in an identical but differentially methylated region of DNA on chromosome 15q. Highly complex laboratory tests are required for diagnosis because the disorders are caused by several genetic mechanisms. Methylation-specific PCR (MSPCR) is a relatively simple alternative method to detect the methylation status of the PWS/AS region. METHODS AND RESULTS: DNA was treated with sodium bisulfite, with alterations to the published method in which a neutralization step after the alkali treatment of the modified DNA enabled the use of the modified product directly in the PCR, eliminating the need for ethanol precipitation. Multiplex MSPCR using primers to methylated and unmethylated DNA was optimized to yield equal amplification efficiency for both products. Complete concordance was observed during the clinical validation of 40 previously characterized samples, except for one patient with mosaic AS detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. CONCLUSION: We have developed and validated a multiplex MSPCR assay with alterations of the original published protocol that is technically robust and reproducible and can be used as a screening assay to detect PWS and AS.

Angelman Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

Overlap of dyskeratosis congenita with the Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome.

X-linked dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) is characterized by mucosal leukoplakia and ulcerations, skin abnormalities, nail dystrophy, and pancytopenia. Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome (HHS) includes intrauterine growth retardation, microcephaly, mental retardation, cerebellar malformation, and pancytopenia. A patient with striking features of both HHS and DKC has a de novo mutation in the DKC1 gene, known to be responsible for DKC. HHS may be a severe form of DKC, in which affected individuals die before characteristic mucocutaneous features develop.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗
PubMed2000

Counseling dilemmas in EEC syndrome.

In this report we describe a prenatally diagnosed case with four-limb ectrodactyly and cleft lip/palate. The family history reveals three-generation oligodontia. The difficulties in counseling of the families with EEC syndrome are discussed.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

PTEN mutation spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlations in Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome suggest a single entity with Cowden syndrome.

Germline mutations in the tumour suppressor gene PTEN have been implicated in two hamartoma syndromes that exhibit some clinical overlap, Cowden syndrome (CS) and Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRR). PTEN maps to 10q23 and encodes a dual specificity phosphatase, a substrate of which is phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate, a phospholipid in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway. CS is characterized by multiple hamartomas and an increased risk of benign and malignant disease of the breast, thyroid and central nervous system, whilst the presence of cancer has not been formally documented in BRR. The partial clinical overlap in these two syndromes is exemplified by the hallmark features of BRR: macrocephaly and multiple lipomas, the latter of which occur in a minority of individuals with CS. Additional features observed in BRR, which may also occur in a minority of CS patients, include Hashimoto's thyroiditis, vascular malformations and mental retardation. Pigmented macules of the glans penis, delayed motor development and neonatal or infant onset are noted only in BRR. In this study, constitutive DNA samples from 43 BRR individuals comprising 16 sporadic and 27 familial cases, 11 of which were families with both CS and BRR, were screened for PTEN mutations. Mutations were identified in 26 of 43 (60%) BRR cases. Genotype-phenotype analyses within the BRR group suggested a number of correlations, including the association of PTEN mutation and cancer or breast fibroadenoma in any given CS, BRR or BRR/CS overlap family ( P = 0.014), and, in particular, truncating mutations were associated with the presence of cancer and breast fibroadenoma in a given family ( P = 0.024). Additionally, the presence of lipomas was correlated with the presence of PTEN mutation in BRR patients ( P = 0.028). In contrast to a prior report, no significant difference in mutation status was found in familial versus sporadic cases of BRR ( P = 0.113). Comparisons between BRR and a previously studied group of 37 CS families suggested an increased likelihood of identifying a germline PTEN mutation in families with either CS alone or both CS and BRR when compared with BRR alone ( P = 0.002). Among CS, BRR and BRR/CS overlap families that are PTEN mutation positive, the mutation spectra appear similar. Thus, PTEN mutation-positive CS and BRR may be different presentations of a single syndrome and, hence, both should receive equal attention with respect to cancer surveillance.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

Subcortical band heterotopia in rare affected males can be caused by missense mutations in DCX (XLIS) or LIS1.

Subcortical band heterotopia (SBH) are bilateral and symmetric ribbons of gray matter found in the central white matter between the cortex and the ventricular surface, which comprises the less severe end of the lissencephaly (agyria-pachygyria-band) spectrum of malformations. Mutations in DCX (also known as XLIS ) have previously been described in females with SBH. We have now identified mutations in either the DCX or LIS1 gene in three of 11 boys studied, demonstrating for the first time that mutations of either DCX or LIS1 can cause SBH or mixed pachygyria-SBH (PCH-SBH) in males. All three changes detected are missense mutations, predicted to be of germline origin. They include a missense mutation in exon 4 of DCX in a boy with PCH-SBH (R78H), a different missense mutation in exon 4 of DCX in a boy with mild SBH and in his mildly affected mother (R89G) and a missense mutation in exon 6 of LIS1 in a boy with SBH (S169P). The missense mutations probably account for the less severe brain malformations, although other patients with missense mutations in the same exons have had diffuse lissencephaly. Therefore, it appears likely that the effect of the specific amino acid change on the protein determines the severity of the phenotype, with some mutations enabling residual protein function and allowing normal migration in a larger proportion of neurons. However, we expect that somatic mosaic mutations of both LIS1 and DCX will also prove to be an important mechanism in causing SBH in males.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase↗
PubMed1999

Assessment of the newborn with dysmorphic features.

Accurate assessment of all newborns is essential for identifying those who will need more thorough examination, medical or support services, or family counseling. External assessment of dysmorphic features offers clues to the presence of internal anomalies. This article describes a systematic approach to the assessment of dysmorphic features in the newborn.

Craniofacial Abnormalities↗
PubMed1998

Models for the longitudinal genetic analysis of same-age twins: application to HDL cholesterol.

Models are presented for the analysis of longitudinal data from same-age twins which permit the exploration of a remarkably diverse array of alternative explanations for continuity and change during development. Data of this type permit the detection of new sources of genetic or environmental covariation during development that are not expressed at earlier ages and, because they include the effects of age-specific genes, the resulting heritability estimates are more reliable than those obtained from relatives who differ in age. The proposed models were applied to measurements of HDL cholesterol obtained on 81 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins and 69 dizygotic (DZ) pairs at 11, 12.5 and 14 years of age. All three MZ co-twin correlations were substantially higher than the self correlations across occasions, suggesting that new sources of genetic or environmental covariation must be expressed during early adolescence. This interpretation was confirmed by analysis of the full covariance matrices which showed that only models which assumed the expression of new or age-specific genes could explain the observed pattern of covariation. Because they include the effects of age-specific genes, the resulting heritabilities (0.80-0.83) were substantially higher than many previous estimates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of variability of clinical manifestations in Waardenburg syndrome.

Expression of clinical findings of Waardenburg syndrome type 1 (WS1) and type 2 (WS2) is extremely variable. Using our collection of 26 WS1 and 8 WS2 families, we analyzed the occurrence, severity, and symmetry of clinical manifestations associated with WS. We found significant differences between WS1 and WS2 in deafness, and in pigmentary and craniofacial anomalies. Factor analysis was used to identify manifestations which covaried, resulting in 2 orthogonal factors. Since mean factor scores were found to differ when compared between WS1 and WS2, we suggest that these factors could be useful in distinguishing WS types. We found that the WS gene was transmitted from mothers more often than from fathers. We also extensively examined the W-Index, a continuous measure of dystopia canthorum. Our data suggest that use of the W-Index to discriminate between affected WS1 and WS2 individuals may be problematic since 1) ranges of W-Index scores of affected and unaffected individuals overlapped considerably within both WS1 and WS2, and 2) a considerable number of both affected and unaffected WS2 individuals exhibited W-index scores consistent with dystopia canthorum. Misclassification of families may have implications for risk assessment of deafness, since WS2 families have been reported to have greater incidence of deafness, as confirmed in our study.

Age Factors↗