Effects of immediate telephone follow-up with providers on sweat chloride test timing after cystic fibrosis newborn screening identifies a single mutation.

Objective: To assess whether reporting "possible cystic fibrosis (CF)" newborn screening (NBS) results via fax plus simultaneous telephone contact with primary care providers (PCPs) versus fax alone influenced 3 outcomes: undergoing a sweat chloride test, age at sweat chloride testing, and undergoing sweat testing before age 8 weeks.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort comparison of infants born in Wisconsin whose PCP received a telephone intervention (n = 301) versus recent historical controls whose PCP did not (n = 355). Intervention data were collected during a longitudinal research and quality improvement effort; deidentified comparison data were constructed from auxiliary NBS tracking information.

A qualitative secondary evaluation of statewide follow-up interviews for abnormal newborn screening results for cystic fibrosis and sickle cell hemoglobinopathy.

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative analysis was to assess parental acceptability of large-scale, telephone follow-up regarding their infants' newborn screening (NBS) results, indicating carrier status for sickle cell hemoglobinopathy (SCH) and cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods: Analysis of 195 interview transcripts focused on parents' responses to two open-ended questions: "What was your reaction to being called by me?" and "What do you think of the state NBS program having follow-up people calling parents like you?" Responses were coded using conventional content analysis procedures, and nonparametric tests were performed to analyze quantitative data.

Results: Most parents reported favorable opinions about the follow-up.

Factors that influence parents' experiences with results disclosure after newborn screening identifies genetic carrier status for cystic fibrosis or sickle cell hemoglobinopathy.

Objective: Newborn screening (NBS) identifies genetic carriers for sickle cell hemoglobinopathy and cystic fibrosis. We aimed to identify factors during initial NBS carrier results disclosure by primary care providers (PCPs) that influenced parents' experiences and reactions.

Methods: Open-ended responses from telephone interviews with 270 parents of carriers were analyzed using mixed-methods.

Improving communication between doctors and parents after newborn screening.

Background: Newborn screening (NBS) enables early treatment, and some consider it a natural vehicle for genetic screening. Bioethicists argue for caution since families of infants with carrier status can develop psychosocial complications. This paper describes the methods and feasibility of Wisconsin's statewide project for quality improvement of communication and psychosocial outcomes after NBS.

Genetic testing and counseling for hereditary neurological diseases in Mali.

As genetic advances become incorporated into health care delivery, disparities between developing and developed countries may become greater. By addressing genetic health care needs and specific differences of developing countries, these disparities may be mitigated. We sought to describe the attitudes and knowledge of subjects with hereditary neurological diseases in Mali before and after receiving genetic testing and counseling for the first time.

Efficacy and safety of dutasteride in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is caused by polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor, which results in ligand-dependent toxicity. Animal models have a neuromuscular deficit that is mitigated by androgen-reducing treatment. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the 5α-reductase inhibitor dutasteride in patients with SBMA, and to identify outcome measures for use in future studies of the disease.

Clinical features of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy is an X-linked motor neuron disease caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the androgen receptor gene. To characterize the natural history and define outcome measures for clinical trials, we assessed the clinical history, laboratory findings and muscle strength and function in 57 patients with genetically confirmed disease. We also administered self-assessment questionnaires for activities of daily living, quality of life and erectile function.

Predictors of progression in patients with Friedreich ataxia.

Friedreich ataxia is an inherited, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that is clinically heterogeneous. It is caused by a trinucleotide (GAA) repeat expansion resulting in frataxin loss and oxidative stress. We assessed clinical features including the development of cardiomyopathy and scoliosis and disease progression including loss of ambulation and interference with activities of daily living relative to the length of the GAA repeat, age of onset, and age of diagnosis in a retrospective cohort study of 61 genetically confirmed patients.

Initially misleading communication of carrier results after newborn genetic screening.

Background: Newborn screening saves lives, but the way in which parents learn of a positive screening test is also important for adherence with treatment plans and avoidance of psychosocial complications. The first messages provided to parents may be particularly important for understanding, especially when the infant is found to be a heterozygous carrier for sickle cell hemoglobinopathy (SCH) or cystic fibrosis (CF). This study investigated the prevalence of "initially misleading" communication, defined as the inclusion of 1 of 55 "bad-news" content items (eg, the screening test is positive) before any of 39 "good-news" content items (eg, the infant is healthy, normal, a carrier, or otherwise without problems).

Content of communication by pediatric residents after newborn genetic screening.

Background: Newborn screening saves lives, but psychosocial complications after genetic screening have led to doubts about expanding programs. Because complications have been blamed on ineffective communication of results, a population-scale system to ensure communication quality may improve outcomes. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a method to assess the content of communication after newborn genetic screening.

Identification of genes responsible for osteoblast differentiation from human mesodermal progenitor cells.

Single human bone marrow-derived mesodermal progenitor cells (MPCs) differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, myocytes, and endothelial cells. To identify genes involved in the commitment of MPCs to osteoblasts we examined the expressed gene profile of undifferentiated MPCs and MPCs induced to the osteoblast lineage for 1-7 days by cDNA microarray analysis. As expected, growth factor, hormone, and signaling pathway genes known to be involved in osteogenesis were activated during differentiation.