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Objective We evaluated ibrutinib, a once-daily inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who had received 1-3 prior therapies. Methods This was a phase 2, single-arm, open-label, multicentre study (NCT02902965). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results Seventy-six patients were enrolled; 74 received >= 1 dose of study treatment. After median follow-up of 19.6 months, median PFS was 8.5 months (95% CI: 6.2-10.8); median overall survival was not reached. Overall response rate was 57% (95% CI: 45-68), and median duration of response was 9.5 months (95% CI: 6.9-10.6). Grade 3/4 AEs occurred in 73% of patients and fatal AEs occurred in 15% of patients. Incidence of major haemorrhage was 5%; one patient died from cerebral haemorrhage. After an observed increased incidence of serious (42%) and fatal (11%) infections, enrolment was suspended to implement risk-minimisation measures. The safety profile was otherwise consistent with known safety profiles of the individual drugs. Conclusion Ibrutinib combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone elicited clinical responses. However, efficacy assessments conducted at potential restart of enrolment indicated that the targeted PFS could not be reached with additional patient enrolment, and the study was terminated.

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders. Numerous genes linked to HSPs, overlapping phenotypes between HSP subtypes and other neurodegenerative disorders and the HSPs’ dual mode of inheritance (both dominant and recessive) make the genetic diagnosis of HSPs complex and difficult. Out of the original HSP cohort comprising 306 index cases (familial and isolated) who had been tested according to “traditional workflow/guidelines” by Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) and Sanger sequencing, 30 unrelated patients (all familial cases) with unsolved genetic diagnoses were tested using next-generation sequencing (NGS). One hundred thirty-two genes associated with spastic paraplegias, hereditary ataxias and related movement disorders were analysed using the Illumina TruSight™ One Sequencing Panel. The targeted NGS data showed pathogenic variants, likely pathogenic variants and those of uncertain significance (VUS) in the following genes: SPAST (spastin, SPG4), ATL1 (atlastin 1, SPG3), WASHC5 (SPG8), KIF5A (SPG10), KIF1A (SPG30), SPG11 (spatacsin), CYP27A1, SETX and ITPR1. Out of the nine genes mentioned above, three have not been directly associated with the HSP phenotype to date. Considering the phenotypic overlap and joint cellular pathways of the HSP, spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) genes, our findings provide further evidence that common genetic testing may improve the diagnostics of movement disorders with a spectrum of ataxia-spasticity signs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10048-019-00565-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Heart rate asymmetry (HRA) is a physiological phenomenon caused by an unequal (asymmetric) contribution of heart rate decelerations and accelerations to the variability (variance) and microstructure of the heart rhythm of sinus origin. HRA has been studied in healthy people and patients with heart failure, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea, ischaemic heart disease, and survivors of myocardial infarction. HRA is a particular form of the heart rate variability (HRV) phenomenon related to the changes in the duration of cardiac cycles of sinus origin. HRV is influenced by physical activity, age, gender or time of day. It has been reported that HRA expression differs between day and night. However, its circadian rhythm has not been analysed so far. Moreover, the differences in HRA expression related to gender, level of physical activity or age have not been investigated either. With this study, we aim to explore the circadian rhythm of the HRA features, as well as the relation of the HRA expression to gender, physical activity, sleep pattern and body composition in a group of at least 100 healthy adults of both sexes aged between 19 and 60. This study might provide reference values for HRA as well as confirming or dismissing the existence of circadian rhythm of this physiological phenomenon.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogenous cancer of terminally differentiated plasma cells that typically express elevated levels of antiapoptotic proteins, such as BCL-2. Venetoclax (Ven), a highly selective, potent, oral BCL-2 inhibitor, induces apoptosis in MM cells, and when combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone showed promising efficacy in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM; Moreau et al. Blood. 2017;130:2392-2400). The Phase 3 BELLINI study primary analysis showed significantly improved response rates and progression-free survival (PFS) in pts with RRMM treated with Ven added to bortezomib and dexamethasone versus placebo (Pbo); however, increased mortality was observed in the Ven group (Kumar et al. Lancet Oncol. 2020;21:1630-1642). At the initial data cutoff (November 26, 2018), the PFS hazard ratio (HR) was 0.63 (95% CI, 0.44-0.90) and overall survival (OS) HR was 2.03 (95% CI, 1.04-3.95). Pts with t(11;14) translocation or high BCL2 expression showed improved responses and PFS without increased mortality. Here, we present updated safety and efficacy data from the prespecified final OS analysis. Methods: BELLINI (NCT02755597) is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study of Ven or Pbo combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone in pts with RRMM who had received 1-3 prior lines of therapy and were either sensitive or naïve to proteasome inhibitors. Pts were randomized 2:1 to receive Ven 800 mg/day or Pbo plus bortezomib and dexamethasone. Cycles 1-8 were 21-day cycles with bortezomib 1.3 mg/m 2 on Days 1, 4, 8, and 11 and dexamethasone 20 mg on Days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12. Cycles 9 and beyond were 35-day cycles with bortezomib 1.3 mg/m 2 on Days 1, 8, 15, and 22 and dexamethasone 20 mg on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23. The primary endpoint was PFS assessed by independent review committee. Key secondary endpoints included overall response rate and OS. BCL2 expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction with the cutoff for high BCL2 determined using bootstrapping and aggregating thresholds from trees. Results: Of 291 randomized pts (194 to Ven and 97 to Pbo), 33 pts were receiving ongoing treatment (28 with Ven and 5 with Pbo) as of the final OS analysis data cutoff (March 15, 2021). At a median follow-up of 45.6 months, there were 78 (40%) deaths in the Ven arm versus 36 (37%) in the Pbo arm. Updated PFS and OS among all pts and those with t(11;14) or high BCL2 expression are shown in the Table. Among all pts, the median PFS per investigator was 23.4 months in the Ven arm versus 11.4 months in the Pbo arm (HR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.43-0.78]). In pts with t(11;14), the median PFS was 36.8 months in the Ven arm versus 9.3 months in the Pbo arm (HR, 0.12 [95% CI, 0.03-0.44]). In pts with high BCL2, the median PFS was 30.1 months in the Ven arm versus 9.9 months in the Pbo arm (HR, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.21-0.64]). Median OS was not reached in the Ven or Pbo arm among all pts (HR, 1.19 [95% CI, 0.80-1.77]), pts with t(11;14) (HR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.16-2.32]), pts with high BCL2 (HR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.32-1.51]), and pts with t(11;14) or high BCL2 (HR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.40-1.70]). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) with Ven (versus Pbo) were diarrhea (60% versus 50%), nausea (38% versus 23%), and constipation (35% versus 31%). The most common Grade 3/4 AEs (Ven versus Pbo) were thrombocytopenia (16% versus 30%), neutropenia (23% versus 8%), pneumonia (19% versus 13%), anemia (16% versus 15%), and diarrhea (15% versus 11%). Serious AEs occurred in 57% of Ven- and 55% of Pbo-treated pts, with serious infections and infestations occurring in 35% and 29% of pts, respectively. Overall, 26% of pts in the Ven arm and 11% of pts in the Pbo arm experienced an AE leading to Ven or Pbo discontinuation. AEs led to 12 deaths in the Ven arm, with 9 of these deaths due to serious infection; an AE led to 1 death in the Pbo arm. A total of 16 (6%) treatment-emergent deaths occurred (14 [7%] with Ven and 2 [2%] with Pbo), with 3 of these deaths due to disease progression (2 [1%] with Ven and 1 [1%] with Pbo). Conclusion: In the final OS analysis, the addition of Ven to bortezomib and dexamethasone showed significantly improved PFS but resulted in increased mortality versus Pbo in the total population. Consistent with results from previous analyses, Ven added to bortezomib and dexamethasone showed the greatest PFS improvement in pts with t(11;14) or high BCL2, with a favorable benefit-risk profile. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Kumar: Beigene: Consultancy; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy; Merck: Research Funding; Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KITE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Tenebio: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Antengene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche-Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Carsgen: Research Funding; Adaptive: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding. Harrison: Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene/ Juno/ BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Haemalogix: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Eusa: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Terumo BCT: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cavo: Novartis: Honoraria; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Accommodations, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squib: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. de la Rubia: Ablynx/Sanofi: Consultancy; Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb,: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; Celgene, Takeda, Janssen, Sanofi: Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Accommodations; GSK: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Popat: Abbvie, Takeda, Janssen, and Celgene: Consultancy; AbbVie, BMS, Janssen, Oncopeptides, and Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen and BMS: Other: travel expenses. Gasparetto: Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES, Speakers Bureau; Oncopeptite: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy; Connect Registry: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Hungria: Sanofi: Honoraria, Other: Support for attending meetings/travel ; Takeda: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Support for attending meetings/travel . Salwender: Oncopeptides: Honoraria; GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; Sanofi: Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; Takeda: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; Chugai: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; Bristol-Myers Squibb/Celgene: Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES. Suzuki: Japanese Red Cross Medical Center: Current Employment; Janssen: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; ONO: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Kim: Seoul National University Hospital: Current Employment. Onishi: Roche: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Genentech: Current Employment. Ku: Roche: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; Genentech: Current Employment, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES. Pothacamury: AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Sehgal: AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Masud: AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Ross: AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Dobkowska: AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; Pharmacyclics: Current Employment. Moreau: Celgene BMS: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Honoraria.

Introduction Myotonia congenita (MC) is caused by pathogenic variants in the CLCN1 gene coding the chloride channel protein. Methods To test the hypothesis that needle EMG could be helpful in distinguishing between the recessive and dominant MC, we performed EMG examination in 36 patients (23 men) aged 4–61 years with genetically proven MC: in 30 patients with autosomal recessive MC (Becker MC) and in 6 with autosomal dominant MC (Thomsen MC). Results Myotonic discharges were recorded in 95.8% of examined muscles. For the whole MC group we observed a significant positive correlation between parameters of motor unit activity potentials (MUAPs) in vastus lateralis and tibialis anterior muscles and the duration of the disease. Similar correlation for biceps brachii also was found in Becker MC subgroup only. Discussion EMG could still be helpful in diagnosis of MC and together with provocative tests might be useful in differentiation between recessive and autosomal MC.

Background In myotonia congenita provocative tests may induce transient or persistent changes in compound motor action potential (CMAP) parameters. These changes are variable and correspond to partial inexcitability of the myotonic muscle membrane. Specific patterns of response in electrophysiological exercise tests correlate with the underlying genotype, thus providing a guide to genetic analysis. The aim of this study was to estimate the utility of the short exercise test (SET) and short exercise test with cooling (SETC) in diagnosis of Becker disease (BMC). Material and Methods SET and SETC were performed in 30 patients with genetically confirmed BMC (19 men; 63.33%) with the mean age 29.4 ± 15.4 years; (range: 4–61). The mean age of disease onset was 8.1 ± 4.2 years (range: 0.5–19) and the mean disease duration 21.3 ± 16.8 years (range: 0–56.5). Results In the whole group we observed a significant decrease in CMAP amplitude immediately after effort in both tests. We noticed statistically significant sex differences in response to effort and cold. In men marked decline in CMAP amplitude was seen only in SETC whereas in SET no such changes were observed. In women evident CMAP decrement was seen in both tests. Conclusions In male patients with clinical suspicion of myotonia congenita atypical response in SET together with typical result in SETC does not exclude the diagnosis of BMC. Function of chloride channel in BMC might be modulated by sex specific factors, what needs further investigation in a larger group of patients.

Background Myotonia congenita (MC) is the most common nondystrophic myotonia caused by loss of function mutations in the CLCN-1 chloride channel. Aims: The purpose of this study was to describe detailed EMG characteristics of patients with MC as well as to test the hypothesis that needle EMG could help to distinguish between the recessive and dominant form of MC. Material and methods We evaluated 36 patients (23 men) aged 4–61 years with genetically proven MC. In 30 patients (19 men) autosomal recessive form of MC (BMC) and in 6 – autosomal dominant MC (TMC) was recognized. We analyzed EMG results for motor unit action potential (MUAP) morphology as well as the occurrence and distribution of myotonic discharges (MD). Results were recorded in 95.8% of examined muscles, in almost 100% muscles of patients with BMC and in about 80% muscles in TMC subgroup. The were described as common (in BMC) or widespread in TMC especially in distal limb muscles (first interosseous dorsalis and tibialis anterior, TA) where differences between groups reached statistical significance. For the whole MC group we observed a statistically significant positive correlation between MUAPs parameters in vastus lateralis and TA muscles and the duration of the disease. Similar correlation for biceps brachii muscle, was found in BMC. Conclusions This study supported the hypothesis that needle EMG could still be helpful in diagnosis of MC and together with short exercise and short exercise with cooling tests might be useful in differentiation between BMC and TMC.

Acoustocerebrography is a novel, non-invasive, transcranial ultrasonic diagnostic method based on the transmission of multispectral ultrasound signals propagating through the brain tissue. Dedicated signal processing enables the estimation of absorption coefficient, frequency-dependent attenuation, speed of sound and tissue elasticity. Hypertension and atrial fibrillation are well known factors correlated with white matter lesions, intracerebral hemorrhage and cryptogenic stroke numbers. The aim of this study was to compare the acoustocerebrography signal in the brains of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation patients with and without hypertension. The study included 97 asymptomatic patients (40 female and 57 male, age 66.26 ± 6.54 years) who were clinically monitored for atrial fibrillation. The patients were divided into two groups: group I (patients with hypertension) n = 75, and group II (patients without hypertension) n = 22. Phase and amplitude of all spectral components for the received signals from the brain path were extracted and compared to the phase and amplitude of the transmitted pulse. Next, the time of flight and the attenuation of each frequency component were calculated. Additionally, a fast Fourier transformation was performed and its features were extracted. After introducing a machine learning technique, the ROC plot of differentiations between group I and group II with an AUC of 0.958 (sensitivity 0.99 and specificity 0.968) was obtained. It can be assumed that the significant difference in the acoustocerebrography signals in patients with hypertension is due to changes in the brain tissue, and it allows for the differentiating of high-risk patients with asymptomatic atrial fibrillation and hypertension.

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) consist of a heterogeneous group of genetically determined neurodegenerative disorders. Progressive lower extremity weakness and spasticity are the prominent features of HSPs resulting from retrograde axonal degeneration of the corticospinal tracts. Three genetic types, SPG3 (ATL1), SPG4 (SPAST) and SPG31 (REEP1), appear predominantly and may account for up to 50% of autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegias (AD-HSPs). Here, we present the results of genetic testing of the three mentioned SPG genetic types in a group of 216 unrelated Polish patients affected with spastic paraplegia. Molecular evaluation was performed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and DNA sequencing. Nineteen novel mutations: 13 in SPAST, 4 in ATL1 and 2 in REEP1, were identified among overall 50 different mutations detected in 57 families. Genetic analysis resulted in the identification of molecular defects in 54% of familial and 8.4% of isolated cases. Our research expanded the causative mutations spectrum of the three most common genetic forms of HSPs found in a large cohort of probands originating from the Central Europe.

We recently reported SMARCE1 mutations as a cause of spinal clear cell meningiomas. Here, we have identified five further cases with non-NF2 spinal meningiomas and six with non-NF2 cranial meningiomas. Three of the spinal cases and three of the cranial cases were clear cell tumours. We screened them for SMARCE1 mutations and investigated copy number changes in all point mutation-negative samples. We identified two novel mutations in individuals with spinal clear cell meningiomas and three mutations in individuals with cranial clear cell meningiomas. Copy number analysis identified a large deletion of the 5' end of SMARCE1 in two unrelated probands with spinal clear cell meningiomas. Testing of affected and unaffected relatives of one of these individuals identified the same deletion in two affected female siblings and their unaffected father, providing further evidence of incomplete penetrance of meningioma disease in males. In addition, we found loss of SMARCE1 protein in three of 10 paraffin-embedded cranial clear cell meningiomas. Together, these results demonstrate that loss of SMARCE1 is relevant to cranial as well as spinal meningiomas. Our study broadens the spectrum of mutations in the SMARCE1 gene and expands the phenotype to include cranial clear cell meningiomas.

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias (HSP) is heterogenic neurodegenerative disorders with progressive spasticity of the lower limbs as a prominent feature. Spastic paraplegia type 6 (SPG6) is an autosomal dominant form of the disorder caused by point mutations in the NIPA1 gene on chromosome 15q11.2. The microdeletions within the region 15q11.2 and spanning the four genes TUBGCP5, CYFIP1, NIPA2, and NIPA1 were previously reported in several different syndromes, including mental retardation, and/or developmental delay with hypotonia. Furthermore, these genes were associated with several congenital abnormalities, including autism, developmental delay, motor, and language disturbances, behavioural problems, and Idiopathic General Epilepsies (IGE), suggesting the existence of a new microdeletion syndrome. Our index cases, in whom the microdeletion 15q11.2 was detected, suffer from spastic paraplegia, but neither cognitive impairment nor behavioural problems were observed in them and other tested relatives. We considered several interpretations of the 15q11.2 microdeletion’s phenotypic significance, including polymorphism, the pleiotropic effect of the microdeletion, and the influence of other modifiers. Specifying the exact range of the microdeletion 15q11.2 in patients with diverse clinical presentation is essential. Though the clinical implications of the microdeletion 15q11.2 remain unclear, our study contributes by extending the phenotypic variability of the subjects carrying this micro rearrangement.

Influenza is a contagious disease of humans and animals caused by viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. The influenza A virus genome consists of negative sense, single-stranded, segmented RNA. Influenza viruses are classified into subtypes based on two surface antigens known as hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). The main problem with influenza A viruses infecting humans is drug resistance, which is caused by antigenic changes. A few antiviral drugs are available, but the most popular is the neuraminidase inhibitor — oseltamivir. The resistance against this drug has probably developed through antigenic drift by a point mutation in one amino acid at position 275 (H275Y). In order to prevent a possible influenza pandemic it is necessary to develop fast diagnostic tests. The aim of this project was to develop a new test for detection of influenza A virus and determination of oseltamivir resistance/sensitivity in humans. Detection and differentiation of oseltamivir resistance/sensitivity of influenza A virus was based on real-time PCR. This test contains two TaqMan probes, which work at different wavelengths. Application of techniques like multiplex real-time PCR has greatly enhanced the capability for surveillance and characterization of influenza viruses. After its potential validation, this test can be used for diagnosis before treatment.