Objectives To investigate the effect of location, coding type, and topology of KCNH2(hERG) mutations on clinical phenotype in Type-2 long-QT syndrome. Backgrounds Previous studies were limited by population size in their ability to examine phenotypic effect of location, type and topology. Methods Study subjects included 858 Type-2 long-QT syndrome patients with 162 different KCNH2 mutations in 213 proband-identified families. The Cox proportional-hazards survivorship model was used to evaluate independent contribution of clinical and genetic factors to the first cardiac events. Results For patients with missense mutations, the transmembrane pore (S5-loop-S6) and N-terminus regions were a significantly greater risk than the C-terminus region (HR=2.87 and 1.86, respectively), but the transmembrane non-pore (S1-S4) region was not (HR=1.19). Additionally, the transmembrane pore region was significantly riskier than the N-terminus or transmembrane non-pore regions (HR=1.54, 2.42). However, for non-missense mutations, these other regions were no longer riskier than the C-terminus (HR=1.13, 0.77 and 0.46, respectively). Likewise, subjects with non-missense mutations were at significantly higher risk than those with missense mutations in the C-terminus region (HR=2.00), but this was not the case in other regions. This mutation location-type interaction was significant (p-value=0.008). A significantly higher risk was found in subjects with mutations located in α-helical domains than in those with mutations in β-sheet domains or other locations (HR=1.74 and 1.33, respectively). Time-dependent β-blocker use was associated with a significant 63% reduction in the risk of first cardiac events (p<0.001). Conclusions KCNH2 missense mutations located in the transmembrane S5-loop-S6 region are associated with the greatest risk.

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Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a rare malignancy that is generally resistant to chemotherapy. We investigated the ability of the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat to sensitize STS cells versus normal fibroblasts to chemotherapy. Fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and liposarcoma cells and normal fibroblasts were treated with vorinostat to determine effects on proliferation and basal apoptosis as measured by total cell number and cleaved caspase 3 staining. Effects on histone deacetylases (HDAC) activity were confirmed by Western blotting for acetylated histone H3. A clinically relevant dose of vorinostat that had no effect on basal apoptosis was selected to examine altered sensitivity to doxorubicin. The effects of vorinostat, doxorubicin, or the combination on fibrosarcoma growth in vivo were determined in a xenograft model. Tumor volume was measured biweekly and HDAC activity and cell death were assessed by immunohistochemical analysis of acetylated histone H3, cleaved caspase 3, and TUNEL staining. Vorinostat inhibited proliferation and induced histone acetylation without affecting basal apoptosis levels. Combined treatment with vorinostat and doxorubicin synergistically induced apoptosis in vitro in fibrosarcoma but not leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, or normal fibroblasts. In nude mice, the combination of vorinostat and doxorubicin inhibited fibrosarcoma xenograft growth further than either agent alone. Cell death, as measured by cleaved caspase 3 and TUNEL staining, was greatest in xenografts from mice treated with vorinostat and doxorubicin. Vorinostat inhibits growth and induces chemosensitivity in fibrosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that the combination of vorinostat and chemotherapy may represent a novel treatment option for this STS subtype. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:623-632, 2011.

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Placental chorangiomas can cause a high-output fetal state and increase neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data published describing the optimal treatment of these cases, and methods for occlusion to date include placement of vascular clips, bipolar cautery, injection of alcohol or surgical glue, interstitial laser, and microcoil embolization. We report 2 cases of prenatally diagnosed chorangiomas that caused a high-output fetal state and were successfully treated with microcoil embolization. This case series describes our technique and supports microcoil embolization as a potentially safe and effective antenatal treatment option in symptomatic chorangiomas.

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