Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) experience long diagnostic delays, high functional class at diagnosis and poor prognosis. We aimed to study the differentiative and predictive value Show more
Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) experience long diagnostic delays, high functional class at diagnosis and poor prognosis. We aimed to study the differentiative and predictive value of 90 inflammatory and immunomodulatory related proteins in idiopathic and hereditary PAH (IPAH/HPAH) and systemic sclerosis-associated PAH (SSc-APAH). Cohort 1 comprised patients with SSc-APAH ( Show less
To investigate, using full-field ERG, the retinal function in patients with Batten/Spielmeyer-Vogt disease caused by mutations in the CLN(3) gene. Batten disease status of five patients was confirmed Show more
To investigate, using full-field ERG, the retinal function in patients with Batten/Spielmeyer-Vogt disease caused by mutations in the CLN(3) gene. Batten disease status of five patients was confirmed by the presence of vacuolated lymphocytes in peripheral blood and the identification of mutations in the Batten disease gene (CLN(3)). Visual acuity, fundus appearance, and full-field ERG were examined in all patients (age 4-19 years). The examination was repeated in one patient after 16 months. Three unrelated patients were homozygous for the most common mutation in CLN(3), the 1.02 kb deletion; two patients (sisters) were heterozygous for the 1.02 kb deletion and an as yet unidentified mutation in the CLN(3) gene. Full-field ERG recordings in all five patients demonstrated no rod responses and only small remaining cone responses, which could be detected with 30 Hz-flicker stimulation. Re-examination of a six-year-old girl after 16 months revealed a fast progression of the retinal degeneration. Full-field ERG recordings in Batten disease patients, both homozygous and heterozygous for the 1.02 kb deletion in the CLN( 3) gene, confirm retinal degeneration to be severe, widespread, and with a rapid progression early in the disease course. The onset of visual failure may be delayed when compared to the classic disease course, particularly in patients who are not homozygous for the most common CLN(3) mutation, a 1.02 kb deletion. In that case, the disease progression in terms of other symptoms may also be further delayed. Show less
To describe the variation of the phenotype within families with several individuals with Bardet-Biedl syndrome. The phenotypes of affected siblings in 11 Scandinavian families with two or more members Show more
To describe the variation of the phenotype within families with several individuals with Bardet-Biedl syndrome. The phenotypes of affected siblings in 11 Scandinavian families with two or more members who had at least three of the features: retinal dystrophy, polydactyly, obesity, hypogenitalism, and mental retardation, were compared [corrected]. Individuals without retinal dystrophy were excluded. Intrafamilial variation of expressivity of the features obesity, polydactyly, abnormal radiograms of the extremities, hypogenitalism, short stature, paraplegia, and dental abnormalities was found. The retinal dystrophy varied with respect to both the onset of symptoms and the course of the disease. The morphology of the fundus, however, was consistent within the families. The disorder showed statistically significant genetic linkage to the BBS4 locus on chromosome 15 in the affected siblings in two of the families, but the clinical features in these patients did not differ from the other cases of Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Comparison of siblings with the Bardet-Biedl syndrome showed variation of the typical features. In addition, the course of retinal dystrophy varied. No distinctive clinical features were found to separate the BBS4 phenotype from the remaining patients. Show less