Publications by authors named "Alexandra Garza Flores"

is a ubiquitously expressed forkhead transcription factor that plays a critical role during early development. Germline pathogenic variants in are associated with anterior segment dysgenesis and Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS, #602482), an autosomal dominant condition with ophthalmologic anterior segment abnormalities, high risk for glaucoma and extraocular findings including distinctive facial features, as well as dental, skeletal, audiologic, and cardiac anomalies. De Hauwere syndrome is an ultrarare condition previously associated with 6p microdeletions and characterized by anterior segment dysgenesis, joint instability, short stature, hydrocephalus, and skeletal abnormalities.

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Eukaryotic initiation factor-4A2 (EIF4A2) is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase and a member of the DEAD-box protein family that recognizes the 5' cap structure of mRNAs, allows mRNA to bind to the ribosome, and plays an important role in microRNA-regulated gene repression. Here, we report on 15 individuals from 14 families presenting with global developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia, epilepsy, and structural brain anomalies, all of whom have extremely rare de novo mono-allelic or inherited bi-allelic variants in EIF4A2. Neurodegeneration was predominantly reported in individuals with bi-allelic variants.

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Detecting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is important to both prevent significant comorbidities in people with Down syndrome (DS) and untangle contributions to other behavioral and mental health diagnoses. However, laboratory-based polysomnograms are often poorly tolerated, unavailable, or not covered by health insurance for this population. In previous work, our team developed a prediction model that seemed to hold promise in identifying which people with DS might not have significant apnea and, consequently, might be able to forgo a diagnostic polysomnogram.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the effects of pathogenic variants in the SETD1B gene, linked to a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, language delays, and seizures in affected individuals.
  • Researchers analyzed a larger group of 36 patients to better understand the molecular and phenotypic variations associated with SETD1B mutations, revealing a common pattern of developmental delays and behavioral issues.
  • Findings indicate that males are more severely affected, leading to speculation about sex-linked factors influencing the disorder’s clinical presentation and impact on neurodevelopment even before seizure onset.
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Background: There is growing awareness and exposure in both the medical community and the lay media about the characteristics and complex needs of individuals who believe that their gender identity does not match their birth sex. Despite research and lay publications about teens with gender dysphoria and those who identify as transgender, little guidance is available regarding young (prepubertal) children with questions about their gender identity. Although many terms are used to describe these children, we have chosen to describe them as "gender nonconforming" (GNC).

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