Publications by authors named "Sally Davies"

Article Synopsis
  • RASopathies, like neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), lead to continuous activation of the Ras/MAPK pathway and often feature multiple Café au Lait Macules (CALMs).
  • The study aimed to identify genes related to melanocyte growth and movement by analyzing skin samples from both CALM and unaffected areas in NF1 patients, revealing the impact of specific genetic variations.
  • Findings indicated that the formation of CALMs is linked to genetic losses that enhance Ras/MAPK and Wnt signaling, coupled with decreased levels of a protective protein (PEDF), which promotes cell growth and movement in NF1-associated melanoma.
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Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS) is an X-linked intellectual disability syndrome caused by variants in the PHF6 gene. We ascertained 19 individuals from 15 families with likely pathogenic or pathogenic PHF6 variants (11 males and 8 females). One family had previously been reported.

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Antimicrobial resistance is a serious challenge to the success and sustainability of our healthcare systems. There has been increasing policy attention given to antimicrobial resistance in the last few years, and increased amounts of funding have been channeled into funding for research and development of antimicrobial agents. Nevertheless, manufacturers doubt whether there will be a market for new antimicrobial technologies sufficient to enable them to recoup their investment.

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As drug-resistant pathogens emerge and spread globally, antimicrobial (especially antibiotic) treatments are becoming less effective. As infections become more complex and costly to treat in humans and animals, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge of real and increasing scale and complexity. If we do not act for the long term and with sustainability in mind, the annual deaths we see currently, numbering 700,000 globally, will rise each year to 10 million by 2050.

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Background: The outcome of assessments is determined by the standard-setting method used. Standard setting is the process of deciding what is good enough. A cutoff score of 50% was commonly used in dental schools in Malaysia.

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The structure of proline prevents it from adopting an optimal position for rapid protein synthesis. Poly-proline-tract (PPT) associated ribosomal stalling is resolved by highly conserved eIF5A, the only protein to contain the amino acid hypusine. We show that de novo heterozygous EIF5A variants cause a disorder characterized by variable combinations of developmental delay, microcephaly, micrognathia and dysmorphism.

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Fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs) are intracellular proteins which regulate voltage-gated sodium (Na) channels in the brain and other tissues. FHF dysfunction has been linked to neurological disorders including epilepsy. Here, we describe two sibling pairs and three unrelated males who presented in infancy with intractable focal seizures and severe developmental delay.

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Objectives: The perceived relative safety of thoracic thrust joint manipulation (TTJM) has contributed to evidence supporting its use. Yet, TTJM is not without risk, where transient side effects (SE) and severe adverse events (AE) have been documented. With evidence supporting the importance of prethrust examination in reducing AE in other spinal regions this study investigated TTJM knowledge and pre-TTJM examination.

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Malan syndrome is an overgrowth disorder described in a limited number of individuals. We aim to delineate the entity by studying a large group of affected individuals. We gathered data on 45 affected individuals with a molecularly confirmed diagnosis through an international collaboration and compared data to the 35 previously reported individuals.

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Antibiotics are indispensable for treating bacterial infections, but their effectiveness is threatened by the emergence and spread of antibacterial resistance. Antibiotics are unique among drugs since the more they are used, the less effective they become because bacterial resistance is likely to develop. In response to this threat, the UK government aims to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in humans by 50% by 2020.

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Histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) and demethylases (KDMs) underpin gene regulation. Here we demonstrate that variants causing haploinsufficiency of KMTs and KDMs are frequently encountered in individuals with developmental disorders. Using a combination of human variation databases and existing animal models, we determine 22 KMTs and KDMs as additional candidates for dominantly inherited developmental disorders.

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