Aims: We understand little of the pathogenesis of developmental cortical lesions, because we understand little of the diversity of the cell types that contribute to the diseases or how those cells interact. We tested the hypothesis that cellular diversity and cell-cell interactions play an important role in these disorders by investigating the signalling molecules in the commonest cortical malformations that lead to childhood epilepsy, focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) and tuberous sclerosis (TS).
Methods: Transcriptional profiling clustered cases into molecularly distinct groups.
Infant high-grade gliomas appear clinically distinct from their counterparts in older children, indicating that histopathologic grading may not accurately reflect the biology of these tumors. We have collected 241 cases under 4 years of age, and carried out histologic review, methylation profiling, and custom panel, genome, or exome sequencing. After excluding tumors representing other established entities or subgroups, we identified 130 cases to be part of an "intrinsic" spectrum of disease specific to the infant population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis manuscript describes the study of two cases of craniopharyngioma, which have been examined repeatedly over three separate centuries. This includes analysis by Josef Engel in 1839, who sought to uncover the physiological role of the pituitary gland; Jacob Erdheim in 1904, who initially described the disease we now call craniopharyngioma, and recent high resolution MRI and micro-CT imaging and attempted DNA analyses of the tumours. The cases highlight how, rightly or wrongly, our interpretation of data is shaped by the technologies, methodologies and prevailing theories of a given time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: There are considerable variations in villous morphology within a normal placenta. However, whether there is a reproducible spatial pattern of variation in villous vascular density is not known. Micro-CT provides three-dimensional volume imaging with spatial resolution down to the micrometre scale.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNetherton syndrome (NS) is a rare autosomal recessive skin disorder caused by mutations in . It is a debilitating condition with notable mortality in the early years of life. There is no curative treatment.
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