Applying data science methodologies with artificial intelligence variant reinterpretation to map and estimate genetic disorder prevalence utilizing clinical data.

Data science methodologies can be utilized to ascertain and analyze clinical genetic data that is often unstructured and rarely used outside of patient encounters. Genetic variants from all genetic testing resulting to a large pediatric healthcare system for a 5-year period were obtained and reinterpreted utilizing the previously validated Franklin© Artificial Intelligence (AI). Using PowerBI©, the data were further matched to patients in the electronic healthcare record to associate with demographic data to generate a variant data table and mapped by ZIP codes. Three thousand and sixty-five variants were identified and 98% were matched to patients with geographic data. Franklin© changed the interpretation for 24% of variants. One hundred and fifty-six clinically actionable variant reinterpretations were made. A total of 739 Mendelian genetic disorders were identified with disorder prevalence estimation. Mapping of variants demonstrated hot-spots for pathogenic genetic variation such as PEX6-associated Zellweger Spectrum Disorder. Seven patients were identified with Bardet-Biedl syndrome and seven patients with Rett syndrome amenable to newly FDA-approved therapeutics. Utilizing readily available software we developed a database and Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) methodology enabling us to systematically reinterpret variants, estimate variant prevalence, identify conditions amenable to new treatments, and localize geographies enriched for pathogenic variants.

A homozygous Gly470Ala variant in PEX6 causes severe Zellweger spectrum disorder.

Zellweger spectrum disorder (ZSD) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in any one of the 13 PEX genes essential for peroxisomal biogenesis. We report a cohort of nine infants who presented at birth with severe neonatal features suggestive of ZSD and found to be homozygous for a variant in PEX6 (NM_000287.4:c.1409G > C[p.Gly470Ala]). All were of Mixtec ancestry and identified by the California Newborn Screening (NBS) Program to have elevated C26:0-lysophosphatidylcholine but no reportable variants in ABCD1. The clinical and biochemical features of this cohort are described within. Gly470Ala may represent a founder variant in the Mixtec population of Central California. ZSD should be considered in patients who present at birth with severe hypotonia and enlarged fontanelles, especially in the setting of an abnormal NBS, Mixtec ancestry, or family history of infant death. There is a need to further characterize the natural history of ZSD, the Gly470Ala variant, and expand upon possible genotype-phenotype correlations.

Multiplatform molecular analyses refine classification of gliomas arising in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Gliomas arising in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are heterogeneous, occurring from childhood through adulthood, can be histologically low-grade or high-grade, and follow an indolent or aggressive clinical course. Comprehensive profiling of genetic alterations beyond NF1 inactivation and epigenetic classification of these tumors remain limited. Through next-generation sequencing, copy number analysis, and DNA methylation profiling of gliomas from 47 NF1 patients, we identified 2 molecular subgroups of NF1-associated gliomas. The first harbored biallelic NF1 inactivation only, occurred primarily during childhood, followed a more indolent clinical course, and had a unique epigenetic signature for which we propose the terminology "pilocytic astrocytoma, arising in the setting of NF1". The second subgroup harbored additional oncogenic alterations including CDKN2A homozygous deletion and ATRX mutation, occurred primarily during adulthood, followed a more aggressive clinical course, and was epigenetically diverse, with most tumors aligning with either high-grade astrocytoma with piloid features or various subclasses of IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. Several patients were treated with small molecule MEK inhibitors that resulted in stable disease or tumor regression when used as a single agent, but only in the context of those tumors with NF1 inactivation lacking additional oncogenic alterations. Together, these findings highlight recurrently altered pathways in NF1-associated gliomas and help inform targeted therapeutic strategies for this patient population.

O'Donnell-Luria-Rodan syndrome: description of a second multinational cohort and refinement of the phenotypic spectrum.

BACKGROUND: O'Donnell-Luria-Rodan syndrome (ODLURO) is an autosomal-dominant neurodevelopmental disorder caused by pathogenic, mostly truncating variants in KMT2E. It was first described by O'Donnell-Luria et al in 2019 in a cohort of 38 patients. Clinical features encompass macrocephaly, mild intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) susceptibility and seizure susceptibility. METHODS: Affected individuals were ascertained at paediatric and genetic centres in various countries by diagnostic chromosome microarray or exome/genome sequencing. Patients were collected into a case cohort and were systematically phenotyped where possible. RESULTS: We report 18 additional patients from 17 families with genetically confirmed ODLURO. We identified 15 different heterozygous likely pathogenic or pathogenic sequence variants (14 novel) and two partial microdeletions of KMT2E. We confirm and refine the phenotypic spectrum of the KMT2E-related neurodevelopmental disorder, especially concerning cognitive development, with rather mild ID and macrocephaly with subtle facial features in most patients. We observe a high prevalence of ASD in our cohort (41%), while seizures are present in only two patients. We extend the phenotypic spectrum by sleep disturbances. CONCLUSION: Our study, bringing the total of known patients with ODLURO to more than 60 within 2 years of the first publication, suggests an unexpectedly high relative frequency of this syndrome worldwide. It seems likely that ODLURO, although just recently described, is among the more common single-gene aetiologies of neurodevelopmental delay and ASD. We present the second systematic case series of patients with ODLURO, further refining the mutational and phenotypic spectrum of this not-so-rare syndrome.

Project Baby Bear: Rapid precision care incorporating rWGS in 5 California children's hospitals demonstrates improved clinical outcomes and reduced costs of care.

Genetic disorders are a leading contributor to mortality in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (ICUs). Rapid whole-genome sequencing (rWGS)-based rapid precision medicine (RPM) is an intervention that has demonstrated improved clinical outcomes and reduced costs of care. However, the feasibility of broad clinical deployment has not been established. The objective of this study was to implement RPM based on rWGS and evaluate the clinical and economic impact of this implementation as a first line diagnostic test in the California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) program. Project Baby Bear was a payor funded, prospective, real-world quality improvement project in the regional ICUs of five tertiary care children's hospitals. Participation was limited to acutely ill Medi-Cal beneficiaries who were admitted November 2018 to May 2020, were <1 year old and within one week of hospitalization, or had just developed an abnormal response to therapy. The whole cohort received RPM. There were two prespecified primary outcomes-changes in medical care reported by physicians and changes in the cost of care. The majority of infants were from underserved populations. Of 184 infants enrolled, 74 (40%) received a diagnosis by rWGS that explained their admission in a median time of 3 days. In 58 (32%) affected individuals, rWGS led to changes in medical care. Testing and precision medicine cost $1.7 million and led to $2.2-2.9 million cost savings. rWGS-based RPM had clinical utility and reduced net health care expenditures for infants in regional ICUs. rWGS should be considered early in ICU admission when the underlying etiology is unclear.

Hemimegalencephaly and intractable seizures associated with the NPRL3 gene variant in a newborn: A case report.

Hemimegalencephaly (HME) is a rare hamartomatous congenital malformation of the brain characterized by dysplastic overgrowth of either one of the cerebral hemispheres. HME is associated with early onset seizures, abnormal neurological findings, and with subsequent cognitive and behavioral disabilities. Seizures associated with HME are often refractory to antiepileptic medications. Hemispherectomy is usually necessary to provide effective seizure control. The exact etiology of HME is not fully understood, but involves a disturbance in early brain development and likely involves genes responsible for patterning and symmetry of the brain. We present a female newborn who had refractory seizures due to HME. Whole genome sequencing revealed a novel, likely pathogenic, maternally inherited, 3Kb deletion encompassing exon 5 of the NPRL3 gene (chr16:161898-164745x1). The NPRL3 gene encodes for a nitrogen permease regulator 3-like protein, a subunit of the GATOR complex, which regulates the mTOR signaling pathway. A trial of mTOR inhibitor drug, Sirolimus, did not improve her seizure control. Functional hemispherectomy at 3 months of age resulted in total abatement of clinical seizures.

Does a picture speak louder than words? The role of infographics as a concussion education strategy.

Knowledge gaps exist regarding how to best educate audiences about concussion. Knowledge translation (KT) plays a critical role in how information is shared. In the field of concussion, infographics are becoming a popular KT strategy for synthesising and sharing information. Study objectives were to explore how infographics enhance concussion knowledge, infographic use and preferences across various stakeholders, and to determine their utility as a KT strategy. Six infographics were created to provide concussion information in a user-friendly and accessible format. A prospective design using a self-developed survey was conducted. Data were collected from youth (n = 78) and adults (n = 88) including students, teachers and healthcare professionals. Descriptive statistics exored perceived knowledge acquisition and infographic use. Thematic analysis of written feedback provided insight on participant responses. Participants identified that the infographics met their knowledge needs (91%) and provided them with new knowledge (87%). Participants also identified that they intend to use the infographics to build their knowledge (89%) and educate others (55%). Enhancement opportunities included incorporating graphics that appeal to different audiences and sharing the lived experiences of individuals who have a concussion. This study demonstrates the potential impact of infographics as a KT strategy that meets the knowledge needs of many audiences.

De novo missense variants in MEIS2 recapitulate the microdeletion phenotype of cardiac and palate abnormalities, developmental delay, intellectual disability and dysmorphic features.

Gross deletions involving the MEIS2 gene have been described in a small number of patients with overlapping phenotypes of atrial or ventricular septal defects, cleft palate, and variable developmental delays and intellectual disability. Non-specific dysmorphic features were noted in some patients, including broad forehead with high anterior hairline, arched eyebrows, thin or tented upper lip, and short philtrum. Recently, a patient with a de novo single amino acid deletion, c.998_1000delGAA (p.Arg333del), and a patient with a de novo nonsense variant, (c.611C>G, p.Ser204*), were reported with a similar, but apparently more severe phenotypes. Clinical whole exome sequencing (WES) performed at our clinical molecular diagnostic laboratory identified four additional patients with predicted damaging de novo MEIS2 missense variants. Our patients' features closely resembled those previously reported in patients with gross deletions, but also included some less commonly reported features, such as autism spectrum disorder, hearing loss, and short stature, as well as features that may be unique to nucleotide-level variants, such as hypotonia, failure to thrive, gastrointestinal, skeletal, limb, and skin abnormalities. All of the observed missense variants, Pro302Leu, Gln322Leu, Arg331Lys, and Val335Ala, are located in the functionally important MEIS2 homeodomain. Pro302Leu is found in the region between helix 1 and helix 2, while the other three are located in the DNA-binding helix 3. To our knowledge, these are the first described de novo missense variants in MEIS2, expanding the known mutation spectrum of the newly recognized human disorder caused by aberrations in this gene.

Identifying and Addressing Genetic Counseling Challenges among Indigenous People of Oaxaca-One Center's Experience with Two Immigrant Farmworker Families in the Central Valley of California.

An important aspect of genetic counseling is the recognition of and adaptation to the socio-cultural uniqueness of the different populations that a genetics clinic serves. The Central Valley of California is home to a large population from Mexico, with a significant proportion of indigenous ancestry originating from the state of Oaxaca. We report on our experience with two families of this community-one extended family with an early lethal inborn error of metabolism and the other with a chronic disfiguring form of ichthyosis. We identified multiple important factors that needed to be considered, including the matching of language dialects, adaptation to different social interaction conventions, acknowledgement of traditional medicine beliefs, and effective transmission of genetic terms and concepts, all of which should be incorporated into the interactions with these families when aiming to provide comprehensive genetic counseling.

Assessing Mobile Phone Access and Perceptions for Texting-Based mHealth Interventions Among Expectant Mothers and Child Caregivers in Remote Regions of Northern Kenya: A Survey-Based Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: With a dramatic increase in mobile phone use in low- and middle-income countries, mobile health (mHealth) has great potential to connect health care services directly to participants enrolled and improve engagement of care. Rural and remote global settings may pose both significant challenges and opportunities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to understand the demographics, phone usage and ownership characteristics, and feasibility among patients in rural and remote areas of Kenya of having text messaging (short messaging service, SMS)-based mHealth intervention for improvements in antenatal care attendance and routine immunization among children in Northern Kenya. METHODS: A survey-based descriptive study was conducted between October 2014 and February 2015 at 8 health facilities in Northern Kenya as part of a program to scale up an mHealth service in rural and remote regions. The study was conducted at 6 government health facilities in Isiolo, Marsabit, and Samburu counties in remote and northern arid lands (NAL). Two less remote health facilities in Laikipia and Meru counties in more populated central highlands were included as comparison sites. RESULTS: A total of 284 participants were surveyed; 63.4% (180/284) were from NAL clinics, whereas 36.6% (104/284) were from adjacent central highland clinics. In the NAL, almost half (48.8%, 88/180) reported no formal education and 24.4% (44/180) self-identified as nomads. The majority of participants from both regions had access to mobile phone: 99.0% (103/104) of participants from central highlands and 82.1% (147/180) of participants from NAL. Among those who had access to a phone, there were significant differences in network challenges and technology literacy between the 2 regions. However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of participants from NAL and central highlands who indicated that they would like to receive a weekly SMS text message from their health care provider (90.0% vs 95.0%; P=.52). Overall, 92.0% (230/250) of participants who had access to a telephone said that they would like to receive a weekly SMS text message from their health care provider. Most phone users already spent the equivalent of 626 SMS text messages on mobile credit for personal use. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the remoteness of northern Kenya's NAL, the results indicate that the majority of pregnant women or care givers attending the maternal, newborn, and child health clinics have access to mobile phone and would like to receive text messages from their health care provider. mHealth programs, if designed appropriately for these settings, may be an innovative way for engaging women in care for improved maternal and newborn child health outcomes in order to achieve sustainable development goals.

Loss of Nardilysin, a Mitochondrial Co-chaperone for α-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase, Promotes mTORC1 Activation and Neurodegeneration.

We previously identified mutations in Nardilysin (dNrd1) in a forward genetic screen designed to isolate genes whose loss causes neurodegeneration in Drosophila photoreceptor neurons. Here we show that NRD1 is localized to mitochondria, where it recruits mitochondrial chaperones and assists in the folding of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), a rate-limiting enzyme in the Krebs cycle. Loss of Nrd1 or Ogdh leads to an increase in α-ketoglutarate, a substrate for OGDH, which in turn leads to mTORC1 activation and a subsequent reduction in autophagy. Inhibition of mTOR activity by rapamycin or partially restoring autophagy delays neurodegeneration in dNrd1 mutant flies. In summary, this study reveals a novel role for NRD1 as a mitochondrial co-chaperone for OGDH and provides a mechanistic link between mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction, mTORC1 signaling, and impaired autophagy in neurodegeneration.

De novo missense variants in PPP2R5D are associated with intellectual disability, macrocephaly, hypotonia, and autism.

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a heterotrimeric protein serine/threonine phosphatase and is involved in a broad range of cellular processes. PPP2R5D is a regulatory B subunit of PP2A and plays an important role in regulating key neuronal and developmental regulation processes such as PI3K/AKT and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3ß)-mediated cell growth, chromatin remodeling, and gene transcriptional regulation. Using whole-exome sequencing (WES), we identified four de novo variants in PPP2R5D in a total of seven unrelated individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and other shared clinical characteristics, including autism spectrum disorder, macrocephaly, hypotonia, seizures, and dysmorphic features. Among the four variants, two have been previously reported and two are novel. All four amino acids are highly conserved among the PP2A subunit family, and all change a negatively charged acidic glutamic acid (E) to a positively charged basic lysine (K) and are predicted to disrupt the PP2A subunit binding and impair the dephosphorylation capacity. Our data provides further support for PPP2R5D as a genetic cause of ID.

Legislative responses to wrongful conviction: Do partisan principals and advocacy efforts influence state-level criminal justice policy?

The number of discovered wrongful criminal convictions (and resulting exonerations) has increased over the past decade. These cases erode public confidence in the criminal justice system and trust in the rule of law. Many states have adopted laws that aim to reduce system errors but no study has examined why some states appear more willing to provide due process protections against wrongful convictions than others. Findings from regression estimates suggest that states with a Republican controlled legislature or more Republican voters are less likely to pass these laws while the presence of advocacy organizations that are part of the 'innocence movement' make legislative change more likely. We thus identify important differences in the political and social context between U.S. states that influence the adoption of criminal justice policies.

Deadly professions: violent attacks against aid-workers and the health implications for local populations.

War has devastating implications for families, communities, cultures, economies, and state infrastructure. Similarly, the last decade has seen an increase in the number of attacks against health workers in conflict zones and unstable environments. Unfortunately, these attacks have grave consequences for local populations which often rely on foreign aid programs for their health and well-being. As such, this paper will examine why aid-workers have increasingly been targeted for abductions, ambushes, assassinations, and various forms of intimidation. Furthermore, examples of terminated health programs, as well as populations served by current medical and humanitarian interventions, will be provided to impart a sense of magnitude and importance of health programs to the reader. Lastly, suggestions will be presented which could serve to minimize aid-workers' risk and exposure to acts of violence in the field.