Risk assessment models in genetics clinic for array comparative genomic hybridization: Clinical information can be used to predict the likelihood of an abnormal result in patients.

Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) testing can diagnose chromosomal microdeletions and duplications too small to be detected by conventional cytogenetic techniques. We need to consider which patients are more likely to receive a diagnosis from aCGH testing versus patients that have lower likelihood and may benefit from broader genome wide scanning. We retrospectively reviewed charts of a population of 200 patients, 117 boys and 83 girls, who underwent aCGH testing in Genetics Clinic at Rhode Island hospital between 1 January/2008 and 31 December 2010.

A novel familial 11p15.4 microduplication associated with intellectual disability, dysmorphic features, and obesity with involvement of the ZNF214 gene.

We evaluated a patient with mild intellectual disability, obesity, overgrowth, and dysmorphic features. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis showed a single copy number increase of a BAC clone in the 11p15.4 region.

Reviewing the evidence for mycophenolate mofetil as a new teratogen: case report and review of the literature.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (CellCept) is an immunosuppressant drug that is teratogenic in rats and rabbits. Reports of malformations in 13 offspring of women exposed to MMF in pregnancy raise concern that MMF is also a human teratogen. We report an additional child with malformations following prenatal exposure to MMF and review the other 13 reports.

Clinical significance of chimerism.

Twins have been previously classified as either monozygotic or dizygotic. In recent years, fascinating, non-traditional mechanisms of twinning have been uncovered. We define chimerism versus mosaicism, touch on chimerism in the animal world, and explain timing of chimerism in humans.

Loss-of-function mutations in ATP6V0A2 impair vesicular trafficking, tropoelastin secretion and cell survival.

Autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 2 (ARCL2), a syndrome of growth and developmental delay and redundant, inelastic skin, is caused by mutations in the a2 subunit of the vesicular ATPase H+-pump (ATP6V0A2). The goal of this study was to define the disease mechanisms that lead to connective tissue lesions in ARCL2. In a new cohort of 17 patients, DNA sequencing of ATP6V0A2 detected either homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations.

Mutations in smooth muscle alpha-actin (ACTA2) lead to thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.

The major function of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is contraction to regulate blood pressure and flow. SMC contractile force requires cyclic interactions between SMC alpha-actin (encoded by ACTA2) and the beta-myosin heavy chain (encoded by MYH11). Here we show that missense mutations in ACTA2 are responsible for 14% of inherited ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD).

Major congenital anomalies place extremely low birth weight infants at higher risk for poor growth and developmental outcomes.

Background: Studies of growth and neurodevelopmental impairment in extremely low birth weight infants often exclude infants with major congenital anomalies; thus, there are few outcome data available on these infants.

Objectives: The purpose of this work was to compare growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants with major anomalies to extremely low birth weight infants without these findings. It was hypothesized that infants with severe anomalies would have worse growth, neurodevelopmental, and survival outcomes.

Microcephaly syndromes.

The objective of this article is to review microcephaly from a genetics point of view, especially with regard to the process of identification of syndromes in which small head circumference occurs. Microcephaly can be due to either genetic or environmental causes. It can be the only positive finding or may be part of a syndrome of congenital anomalies.

Recurrent infections, hypotonia, and mental retardation caused by duplication of MECP2 and adjacent region in Xq28.

Objective: Our goal was to describe the neurologic and clinical features of affected males from families with X-linked patterns of severe mental retardation, hypotonia, recurrent respiratory infection, and microduplication of Xq28 that consistently includes the MECP2 (methyl-CpG binding protein 2) gene.

Study Design: To identify duplications, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification of the MECP2 gene was performed on male probands from families with X-linked mental retardation. The males either had linkage to Xq28 or had a phenotype consistent with previous reports involving Xq28 functional disomy.

Permanent neonatal diabetes due to mutations in KCNJ11 encoding Kir6.2: patient characteristics and initial response to sulfonylurea therapy.

Permanent neonatal diabetes (PND) can be caused by mutations in the transcription factors insulin promoter factor (IPF)-1, eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2alpha kinase 3 (EIF2AK3), and forkhead box-P3 and in key components of insulin secretion: glucokinase (GCK) and the ATP-sensitive K(+) channel subunit Kir6.2. We sequenced the gene encoding Kir6.

Adolescents and genetic testing: what do they think about it?

Purpose: To examine adolescents' attitudes toward screening for hereditary disorders.

Methods: A survey was distributed among 672 students in grades 10 to 12 attending a public suburban high school. The first part of the survey consisted of information about three diseases: familial breast cancer, Tay-Sachs disease, and hypercholesterolemia.