Genetic analysis of participants with foveal hypoplasia.

Introduction: There is few data that investigate the genetic underpinnings of idiopathic foveal hypoplasia and assess its potential overlap with albinism-related gene variants in a cohort devoid of familial albinism history.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 19 participants diagnosed with idiopathic foveal hypoplasia, confirmed via optical coherence tomography (OCT). We detailed ophthalmic evaluations and genotyping using a panel of 33 genes related to foveal hypoplasia.

Dominant variants in major spliceosome U4 and U5 small nuclear RNA genes cause neurodevelopmental disorders through splicing disruption.

The major spliceosome contains five small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs; U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6) essential for splicing. Variants in RNU4-2, encoding U4, cause a neurodevelopmental disorder called ReNU syndrome. We investigated de novo variants in 50 snRNA-encoding genes in a French cohort of 23,649 individuals with rare disorders and gathered additional cases through international collaborations.

Chiasmal Decussation in Oculo-Cutaneous Albinism Type 8.

Purpose: Albinism is a genetic disorder characterized by a defect in melanin biosynthesis. Ophthalmological and dermatological impairments vary according to the patient genotype and are highly heterogenous. Recently, variants in the DCT gene were showed to be responsible for a new type of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) named OCA8.

A patient with TPCN2-related hypopigmentation and ocular phenotype.

Pigmentation is orchestrated by hundreds of genes involved in cellular functions going from early developmental fate of pigment cells to melanin synthesis. The Two Pore Channel 2 (TPC2) a Ca2+ and Na+ channel acidifies melanosomal pH and thus inhibits pigmentation. A young patient was recently reported with generalized hypopigmentation but uneventful ocular examination, caused by the de novo heterozygous TPCN2 variant c.

Phenotype Spectrum of TRPM3-Associated Disorders.

Objective: Monoallelic variants in the transient receptor potential melastatin-related type 3 gene (TRPM3) have been associated with neurodevelopmental manifestations, but knowledge on the clinical manifestations and treatment options is limited. We characterized the clinical spectrum, highlighting particularly the epilepsy phenotype, and the effect of treatments.

Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the phenotypes and genotypes of 43 individuals with TRPM3 variants, acquired from GeneMatcher and collaborations (n = 21), and through a systematic literature search (n = 22).

The phenotypic spectrum of gene variants.

Introduction: Classically, Usher syndrome is characterized by the association of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and possible vestibular dysfunction. Pathogenic bi-allelic variants in cause atypical autosomal recessive Usher syndrome, which is associated with SNHL and photoreceptors dysfunction without vestibular signs. To date, only 19 scattered descriptions have been reported.

A 65 kilobase deletion of the upstream TYR gene region in a family with oculocutaneous albinism type 1.

Oculocutaneous albinism type 1 is caused by variants in the TYR (tyrosinase) gene. We describe a family with two affected sibs who inherited the pathogenic missense TYR variant c.1146C > A;p.

Genotypic spectrum of albinism in Mali.

Albinism is a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous condition characterized by a variable degree of hypopigmentation and by ocular features leading to reduced visual acuity. Whereas numerous genotypic studies have been conducted throughout the world, very little is known about the genotypic spectrum of albinism in Africa and especially in sub-Saharan Western Africa. Here we report the analysis of all known albinism genes in a series a 23 patients originating from Mali.

Clinico-biological refinement of BCL11B-related disorder and identification of an episignature: A series of 20 unreported individuals.

Purpose: BCL11B-related disorder (BCL11B-RD) arises from rare genetic variants within the BCL11B gene, resulting in a distinctive clinical spectrum encompassing syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder, with or without intellectual disability, associated with facial features and impaired immune function. This study presents an in-depth clinico-biological analysis of 20 newly reported individuals with BCL11B-RD, coupled with a characterization of genome-wide DNA methylation patterns of this genetic condition.

Methods: Through an international collaboration, clinical and molecular data from 20 individuals were systematically gathered, and a comparative analysis was conducted between this series and existing literature.

Unsuspected consequences of synonymous and missense variants in OCA2 can be detected in blood cell RNA samples of patients with albinism.

Oculocutaneous albinism type 2 (OCA2) is the second most frequent form of albinism and represents about 30% of OCA worldwide. As with all types of OCA, patients present with hypopigmentation of hair and skin, as well as severe visual abnormalities. We focused on a subgroup of 29 patients for whom genetic diagnosis was pending because at least one of their identified variants in or around exon 10 of OCA2 is of uncertain significance (VUS).

A multilayered approach to the analysis of genetic data from individuals with suspected albinism.

Albinism is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of conditions characterised by visual abnormalities and variable degrees of hypopigmentation. Multiple studies have demonstrated the clinical utility of genetic investigations in individuals with suspected albinism. Despite this, the variation in the provision of genetic testing for albinism remains significant.

Flying Syringes for Emerging Enzootic Virus Screening: Proof of Concept for the Development of Noninvasive Xenosurveillance Tools Based on Tsetse Flies.

Pathogen transfers between wild and domestic animals and between animals and humans are increasing. Their dramatic consequences for public and veterinary health as well as for conservation call for innovative and user-friendly methods for pathogen surveillance in wildlife. Xenosurveillance, a method based on the use of invertebrates (e.

Oculo-Cutaneous Albinism Type 4 (OCA4): Phenotype-Genotype Correlation.

Albinism is a genetic disorder, present worldwide, caused by mutations in genes affecting melanin production or transport in the skin, hair and eyes. To date, mutations in at least 20 different genes have been identified. Oculo-cutaneous Albinism type IV (OCA4) is the most frequent form in Asia but has been reported in all populations, including Europeans.