At a mean diabetes duration of 29 years the cumulative incidence of macroalbuminuria was 12%; however, another 20% had persistent microalbuminuria. A screening value of 24-h AER >15 mg/min was a strong predictor, whereas increased GFR was a weaker but significant predictor for micro and macroalbuminuria.

Our observation suggests that OA is a frequent complication in familial OCD even though the lesions appear before closure of physis.

Mutations in the PORCN gene were first identified in Goltz‐Gorlin syndrome patients in 2007. Since then, several reports have been published describing a large variety of genetic defects resulting in the Goltz‐Gorlin syndrome, and mutations or deletions were also reported in angioma serpiginosum, the pentalogy of Cantrell and Limb‐Body Wall Complex. Here we present a review of the published mutations in the PORCN gene to date and report on seven new mutations together with the corresponding clinical data. Based on the review we have created a Web‐based locus‐specific database that lists all identified variants and allows the inclusion of future reports. The database is based on the Leiden Open (source) Variation Database (LOVD) software, and is accessible online at http://www.lovd.nl/porcn. At present, the database contains 106 variants, representing 68 different mutations, scattered along the whole coding sequence of the PORCN gene, and 12 large gene rearrangements, which brings up to 80 the number of unique mutations identified in Goltz‐Gorlin syndrome patients. Hum Mutat 32:1–6, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Founder effects could explain 83% of the Swedish JLNS mutation spectrum and probably contribute to the high JLNS prevalence found in preadolescent Swedish children. Due to the severe cardiac phenotype in JLNS, the importance of stringent β-blocker therapy and compliance, and consideration of ICD implantation in the case of therapy failure is stressed.

Oculofaciocardiodental (OFCD) syndrome is an X-linked male lethal condition encompassing cardiac septal defects, as well as ocular and dental anomalies. The gene mutated in OFCD syndrome, the BCL-6 corepressor (BCOR), is part of a transcriptional repression complex whose transcriptional targets remain largely unknown. We reviewed cases of OFCD syndrome and identified patients exhibiting defective lateralization including dextrocardia, asplenia and intestinal malrotation, suggesting that BCOR is required in normal laterality determination. To study the function of BCOR, we used morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs) to knockdown expression of xtBcor in Xenopus tropicalis, thus creating an animal model for OFCD syndrome. The resulting tadpoles had cardiac and ocular features characteristic of OFCD syndrome. Reversed cardiac orientation and disorganized gut patterning were seen when MOs were injected into the left side of embryos, demonstrating a left-sided requirement for xtBcor in lateral determination in Xenopus. Ocular defects displayed no left-right bias and included anterior and posterior segment disorders such as microphthalmia and coloboma. Expression of xtPitx2c was shown to be downregulated when xtBcor was depleted. This identifies a pathway in which xtBcor is required for lateral specification, a process intrinsically linked to correct cardiac septal development.

Johanson-Blizzard syndrome (JBS) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, typical facial features, dental anomalies, hypothyroidism, sensorineural hearing loss, scalp defects, urogenital and anorectal anomalies, short stature, and cognitive impairment of variable degree. This syndrome is caused by a defect of the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR1, which is part of the proteolytic N-end rule pathway. Herein, we review previously reported (n = 29) and a total of 31 novel UBR1 mutations in relation to the associated phenotype in patients from 50 unrelated families. Mutation types include nonsense, frameshift, splice site, missense, and small in-frame deletions consistent with the hypothesis that loss of UBR1 protein function is the molecular basis of JBS. There is an association of missense mutations and small in-frame deletions with milder physical abnormalities and a normal intellectual capacity, thus suggesting that at least some of these may represent hypomorphic UBR1 alleles. The review of clinical data of a large number of molecularly confirmed JBS cases allows us to define minimal clinical criteria for the diagnosis of JBS. For all previously reported and novel UBR1 mutations together with their clinical data, a mutation database has been established at LOVD.

International audienceWith the clinical implementation of genomic microarrays, the detection of cryptic unbalanced rearrangements in patients with syndromic developmental delay has considerably improved. Here we report the molecular karyotyping and phenotypic description of six new unrelated patients with partially overlapping microdeletions at 10p12.31p11.21 ranging from 1.0 Mb to 10.6 Mb. The smallest region of overlap is 306 kb, which includes gene, known to be associated with microtubule function and to play a role in cell division. Another patient has previously been described with a 10 Mb deletion, partially overlapping with our six patients. All seven patients have developmental delay and a majority of the patients have abnormal behaviour and dysmorphic features including bulbous nasal tip, deep set eyes, synophrys/thick eyebrows, and full cheeks, while other features varied. All patients also displayed various visual impairments and 6 out of 7 patients had cardiac malformations. Together with the previously reported patient, our study suggests that the detected deletions may represent a new contiguous gene syndrome caused by dosage sensitive genes that predispose to developmental delay

Background: Interstitial deletions of the long arm of chromosome 6 have been described in several patients with obesity and a Prader-Willi-like phenotype. Haploinsufficiency of the SIM1 gene located at 6q16.3 is suggested as being responsible for the regulation of body weight. Here we report on 2 patients with interstitial deletions at 6q14.1–q15 presenting with obesity and symptoms strikingly similar to those reported for deletions involving the SIM1 gene despite not having a deletion of this gene. Methods: Array comparative genomic hybridisation was used to diagnose 2 children with obesity and developmental delay, revealing 2 interstitial deletions at 6q14.1–q15 of 8.73 and 4.50 Mb, respectively, and a region of overlap of 4.2-Mb. Results: The similar phenotype in the 2 patients was most likely due to a 4.2-Mb common microdeletion at 6q14.1–q15. Another patient has previously been described with an overlapping deletion. The 3 patients share several features, such as developmental delay, obesity, hernia, rounded face with full cheeks, epicanthal folds, short palpebral fissures, bulbous nose, large ears, and syndactyly between toes II and III. Conclusions: Together with a previously reported patient, our study suggests that the detected deletions may represent a novel clinically recognisable microdeletion syndrome caused by haploinsufficiency of dosage-sensitive genes in the 6q14.1–q15 region.