Familial incidence and associated symptoms in a population of individuals with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis.

Purpose: Craniosynostosis is a common cranial malformation occurring in 1 per 2,000-2,500 births. Isolated defects (nonsyndromic) occur in ~75% of cases and are thought to have multifactorial etiology. It is believed that each suture synostosis is a distinct disease, with varying phenotypes and recurrence rates.

Intrafamilial variability for novel TAZ gene mutation: Barth syndrome with dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure in an infant and left ventricular noncompaction in his great-uncle.

Background: The tafazzin gene (TAZ) is located at Xq28 and encodes a protein involved in the transacylation of cardiolipin, an essential mitochondrial phospholipid. Mutations in TAZ are associated with Barth syndrome (BTHS), the X-linked recessive condition with dilated cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, growth retardation, neutropenia and organic aciduria. TAZ mutations also contribute to left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC), a cardiomyopathy characterized by loose, trabeculated myocardium.

Synthesis and evaluation of a high relaxivity manganese(II)-based MRI contrast agent.

The manganese(II) ion has many favorable properties that lead to its potential use as an MRI contrast agent: high spin number, long electronic relaxation time, labile water exchange. The present work describes the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel Mn(II) complex (MnL1) based on EDTA and also contains a moiety that noncovalently binds the complex to serum albumin, the same moiety used in the gadolinium based contrast agent MS-325. Ultrafiltration albumin binding measurements (0.

Gadolinium-binding helix-turn-helix peptides: DNA-dependent MRI contrast agents.

A de novo designed gadolinium metallopeptide was found to be a very efficient relaxation agent, with 100% increase in relaxivity upon binding to DNA.