Publications by authors named "Newlin A"

DNA-Based population screening in the United States has the promise to improve the health of all people in all communities. We highlight recent DNA-based population screening examples at the state, local, and individual level. Key public health principles and concepts with a focus on equity appear to be lacking in current efforts.

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Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA-velocity (PSAV) have been used to identify men at risk of prostate cancer (PrCa). The IMPACT study is evaluating PSA screening in men with a known genetic predisposition to PrCa due to BRCA1/2 mutations. This analysis evaluates the utility of PSA and PSAV for identifying PrCa and high-grade disease in this cohort.

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Gastric adenocarcinoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach (GAPPS) is an autosomal-dominant cancer-predisposition syndrome with a significant risk of gastric, but not colorectal, adenocarcinoma. We mapped the gene to 5q22 and found loss of the wild-type allele on 5q in fundic gland polyps from affected individuals. Whole-exome and -genome sequencing failed to find causal mutations but, through Sanger sequencing, we identified point mutations in APC promoter 1B that co-segregated with disease in all six families.

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Genetic counseling and testing for hereditary cancer susceptibility is a rapidly evolving field and partly a result of next-generation sequencing (NGS) allowing analysis of multiple cancer susceptibility genes simultaneously. This qualitative study explored laboratory perspectives on hereditary cancer panels. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of clinical laboratories offering hereditary cancer panels via NGS.

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Next-generation sequencing genetic testing panels for cancer susceptibility (cancer panels) have recently become clinically available. At present, clinical utility is unknown and there are no set criteria or guidelines established for whom to offer such testing. Although it may be a cost-effective method to test multiple cancer susceptibility genes concurrently, the rate of finding variants of unknown significance (VUS) may be high and testing may yield mutations in genes with no established management recommendations.

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The number of described cancer susceptibility syndromes continues to grow, as does our knowledge on how to manage these syndromes with the aim of early detection and cancer prevention. Oncologists now have greater responsibility to recognize patterns of cancer that warrant referral for a genetics consultation. While some patterns of common cancers are easy to recognize as related to hereditary cancer syndromes, there are a number of rare tumors that are highly associated with cancer syndromes yet are often overlooked given their infrequency.

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Approximately 1 in every 4 to 5 women with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer has a hereditary gene mutation that is responsible for the development of her cancer. Identifying women at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer due to a hereditary cancer syndrome can allow for early detection or prevention of not only ovarian cancer, but also other cancers, depending on the causative gene. This review focuses on 3 of the most common hereditary ovarian cancer syndromes, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes), Lynch syndrome (also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome), and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, including key features, genetics, and management of these syndromes.

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Article Synopsis
  • Eight heterozygous missense mutations in the TUBB3 gene lead to various nervous system disorders collectively termed TUBB3 syndromes, primarily causing ocular motility issues like CFEOM3, along with potential intellectual and behavioral impairments.* -
  • Neuroimaging studies show abnormalities in the brain's structure, including underdeveloped oculomotor nerves and malformations in key areas like the corpus callosum and corticospinal tracts.* -
  • Research using a mouse model indicates that these mutations can cause defects in axon guidance without affecting cell migration, while laboratory experiments reveal that the mutations impair the formation of tubulin structures necessary for proper cellular function.*
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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the psychological impact of false-positive breast MRI results on high-risk women.
  • It compares the emotional responses of women with normal MRI results versus those who had previous recalls, finding that those with past abnormal results had higher levels of avoidance.
  • Overall, the findings suggest that concerns about significant psychological distress due to false positives may not be as prevalent as feared in most high-risk women.
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Purpose: To evaluate a kindred with familial uveal and cutaneous melanoma and to identify potential genetic and environmental factors that may predispose individuals to develop uveal melanoma.

Design: Family-based case report with detailed clinical and genetic evaluation.

Participants: Ten siblings in a single nuclear family.

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Colorectal cancer is common in Ashkenazi Jews. The I1307K APC mutation occurs in 6-7% of Ashkenazi Jews and increases the risk of colorectal cancer. This study aimed to describe the clinical, pathologic and epidemiologic features of colorectal cancer in I1307K carriers to determine whether there were any features which might warrant individual screening for the mutation.

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Purpose: Mutations of the homeodomain protein PITX2 produce Axenfeld-Rieger (AR) malformations of the anterior chamber, an autosomal dominant disorder accompanied by a 50% risk of glaucoma. Twenty-nine mutations of PITX2 have been described, with a mutational prevalence estimated between 10% and 60% in AR. In the current study, the possible role of altered PITX2 gene dosage in the etiology of AR was investigated.

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Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles type 1 (CFEOM1; OMIM #135700) is an autosomal dominant strabismus disorder associated with defects of the oculomotor nerve. We show that individuals with CFEOM1 harbor heterozygous missense mutations in a kinesin motor protein encoded by KIF21A. We identified six different mutations in 44 of 45 probands.

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Somatic chromosomal mosaicism may present as isolated pigmentary abnormalities or multiple congenital anomalies with mental retardation. Pigmentary lesions are visually dramatic and are differentiated based on appearance when the underlying pathogenesis is not known. It is now clear that mosaicism is responsible for the pigmentary findings in hypomelanosis of Ito (HI) and linear and whorled nevoid hypermelanosis (LWH).

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Purpose: We present two pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for keratoconus.

Methods: Two pairs of twins, each with one twin with keratoconus, and available family members were examined clinically and with computer-assisted videokeratography. Polymerase chain reaction-based zygosity assays using between nine and 11 unique, anonymous DNA markers were performed on blood obtained from the twins and surviving parents to assess the probability of genetic monozygosity.

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Tetrasomy of the short(p) arm of chromosome 9 has been reported in few cases. Most of these children present with microbrachycephaly, wide forehead, hypertelorism, lowset, malformed ears, beaked noses, and micrognathia. Additional anomalies include short neck, congenital heart disease, genital abnormalities, multiple limb defects, hypotonia, and early death.

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An unusual case of an X chromosome with a pericentric inversion (p11.3q21.3) was detected prenatally in a male fetus.

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We report clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular studies in 65 patients with isolated lissencephaly sequence (ILS). All had type I lissencephaly of varying severity and a grossly normal cerebellum. Some had additional brain abnormalities.

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A 21-year-old white woman sought counseling after the birth of two consecutive anencephalic male fetuses with complete rachischisis and discordant renal dysplasia. The presence of parental consanguinity prompted reconsideration of recessive inheritance. The segregation ratio from 23 additional consanguineous cases was compared with that observed in 294 presumably nonconsanguineous families previously reported.

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