12498 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

in 24.60 milliseconds.

• Expanding the neurodevelopmental phenotypes of individuals with de novo KMT2A variants

  De novo loss-of-function (LoF) variants in the KMT2A gene are associated with Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome (WSS). Recently, de novo KMT2A variants have been identified in sequencing studies of cohorts of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). However, most of these studies lack the detailed clinical information required to determine whether those individuals have isolated NDDs or WSS (i.e. syndromic NDDs). We performed thorough clinical and neurodevelopmental phenotyping on six individuals with de novo KMT2A variants. From these data, we found that all six patients met clinical criteria for WSS and we further define the neurodevelopmental phenotypes associated with KMT2A variants and WSS. In particular, we identified a subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in five individuals, characterized by marked rigid, repetitive and inflexible behaviours, emotional dysregulation, externalizing behaviours, but relative social motivation. To further explore the clinical spectrum associated with KMT2A variants, we also conducted a meta-analysis of individuals with KMT2A variants reported in the published literature. We found that de novo LoF or missense variants in KMT2A were significantly more prevalent than predicted by a previously established statistical model of de novo mutation rate for KMT2A. Our genotype-phenotype findings better define the clinical spectrum associated with KMT2A variants and suggest that individuals with de novo LoF and missense variants likely have a clinically unrecognized diagnosis of WSS, rather than isolated NDD or ASD alone. This highlights the importance of a clinical genetic and neurodevelopmental assessment for individuals with such variants in KMT2A.

  Study EGAS00001003521

• Dynamics of genome architecture and chromatin function during human B cell differentiation and neoplastic transformation

  Despite recent advances, the dynamics of genome architecture and chromatin function during human cell differentiation and its potential reorganization upon neoplastic transformation remains poorly characterized. Here, we integrate in situ Hi-C and nine additional omic layers to define and biologically characterize the dynamic changes in three-dimensional (3D) genome architecture across normal B cell differentiation and in neoplastic cells from different subtypes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients. Beyond conventional active (A) and inactive (B) compartments, an integrative analysis of Hi-C data uncovers a highly-dynamic intermediate compartment enriched in poised and polycomb-repressed chromatin. During B cell development, we detect that 28% of the compartments change at defined maturation stages and mostly involve the intermediate compartment. The transition from naive to germinal center B cells is associated with widespread chromatin activation, which mostly reverts into the naive state upon further maturation of germinal center cells into memory B cells. The analysis of CLL and MCL neoplastic cells points both to entity and subtype-specific alterations in chromosome organization. Remarkably, we observe that large chromatin blocks containing key disease-specific genes alter their 3D genome organization. These include the inactivation of a 2Mb region containing the EBF1 gene in CLL and the activation of a 6.1Mb region containing the SOX11 gene in clinically aggressive MCL. This study indicates that 3D genome interactions are extensively modulated during normal B cell differentiation and that the genome of B cell neoplasias acquires a tumor-specific 3D genome architecture.

  Study EGAS00001004763

• Robust methylation-based classification of brain tumours using nanopore sequencing

  Background: DNA methylation-based classification of cancer provides a comprehensive molecular approach to diagnose tumours. In fact, DNA methylation profiling of human brain tumours already profoundly impacts clinical neuro-oncology. However, current implementations using hybridization microarrays are time-consuming and costly. We recently reported on shallow nanopore whole-genome sequencing for rapid and cost-effective generation of genome-wide 5-methylcytosine profiles as input to supervised classification. Here, we demonstrate that this approach allows to discriminate a wide spectrum of primary brain tumours. Results: Using public reference data of 82 distinct tumour entities, we performed nanopore genome sequencing on N=382 tissue samples covering 46 brain tumour (sub)types. Using bootstrap sampling in a cohort of N = 56 cases, we find that a minimum set of 1,000 random CpG features is sufficient for high-confidence classification by ad hoc random forests. We implemented score recalibration as confidence measure for interpretation in a clinical context and empirically determined a platform-specific threshold in a randomly sampled discovery cohort (N = 185). Applying this cut-off to an independent validation series (N = 184) yielded 148 classifiable cases (sensitivity 80.4%) and demonstrated 100 % specificity. Cross-lab validation demonstrated robustness with concordant results across four laboratories in 10/11 (90.9%) cases. In a prospective benchmarking (N = 15), median time to results was 21.1 hours. Conclusions: In conclusion, nanopore sequencing allows robust and rapid methylation-based classification across the full spectrum of brain tumours. Platform-specific confidence scores facilitate clinical implementation for which prospective evaluation is warranted and ongoing.

  Study EGAS00001006540

• UCSF Sebaceous Carcinoma DAC for review of sequence data release from manuscript in Nature Communications, based in the UCSF Departments of Dermatology and Pathology

  Dac EGAC00001000850

• Early on-treatment changes in circulating tumor DNA fraction and response to enzalutamide or abiraterone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer - Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001003128

• De novo mutations in schizophrenia

  De novo mutations in schizophrenia

  Dataset EGAD00001000251

• Methylation profiles in blood (breast cancer cases)

  Raw methylation data from blood samples in breast cancer cases.

  Dataset EGAD00010002470

• WES in Angolan and Cape Verdean triple-negative breast cancer samples

  WES in 23 Angolan and 7 Cape Verdean triple-negative breast cancer samples

  Dac EGAC50000000486

• DNAme of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors mutated in MEN1/DAXX/ ATRX

  primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors mutated in Menin, DAXX or ATRX

  Dataset EGAD00010002784

• Breast_Heterogeneity_Validation

  Validation of subs and indels called in breast whole genome studies

  Study EGAS00001001972

• PTA_thyroid__RNA_

  Exploring the somatic mutations in single cells derived from the thyroid

  Study EGAS00001007946

• Longitudinal Studies of Patients with Familial Platelet Disorder with Associated Myeloid Malignancy (FPDMM)

  FPDMM (OMIM #601399) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by defective megakaryocytic development, thrombocytopenia, platelet functional defects, and a life-long risk of developing hematological malignancies. FPDMM is caused by germline mutations in the RUNX1 gene, which encodes a master regulator of hematopoiesis. The overall lifetime risk of hematological malignancies in FPDMM patients is 35 - 45%. It is hypothesized that mutations in other genes cooperate with the germline RUNX1 mutations for leukemia development. However, it is not clear which genes need to be mutated for leukemia to develop and which biomarkers or clinical tests can be used to predict which patients will progress to leukemia. Likewise, there are no treatments and/or preventative measures that can reduce or stop disease progression except for stem cell transplantation, which is not available for all patients and may be associated with significant complications. To address these questions, we launched a longitudinal natural history study of patients associated with RUNX1 germline mutations at the NIH Clinical Center in early 2019 (Trial Registration ID: NCT03854318). The goals of this study are to: (1) perform comprehensive longitudinal phenotyping of FPDMM patients to document the full spectrum of both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic manifestations of the disease; and (2) perform extensive genomic analyses of FPDMM patient samples to identify cooperating genomic variants, which may confer growth advantage that leads to clonal expansion of affected hematopoietic cells that may serve as the precursor to malignancies. The data available through dbGaP include exome sequencing and RNA-seq data from these patients. Diverse germline mutation types were identified in the RUNX1 gene, including splice site mutations and large deletions, in addition to nucleotide substitutions and small indels. Somatic mutations, especially in genes associated with clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), were found in a substantial proportion of FPDMM patients who were leukemia-free. The findings suggest that the genomes in these patients are prone to somatic mutations and monitoring the dynamic changes of these somatic mutations prospectively may provide a way to predict progression to malignancies.

  Study phs003075

• Center Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - CVD - TAICHI

  The TaiChi consortium consists of 6 studies that collaborated initially in a large scale metabochip study, and became an ongoing consortium for studies of cardiometabolic disease in the Chinese population in Taiwan. The six studies included the following: 1) SAPPHIRe (Stanford-Asian Pacific Program in Hypertension and Insulin Resistance), a family based study established in 1995 with an initial goal of identifying major genetic loci underlying hypertension and insulin resistance in East Asian populations, with Taiwan subjects participating in the TaiChi consortium; 2) TCAGEN (Taiwan Coronary Artery Disease GENetic), a cohort study that the enrolled patients undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous intervention at the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) in the setting of either stable angina pectoris or prior myocardial infarction; 3) TACT (TAiwan Coronary and Transcatheter intervention), a cohort study enrolled patients with angina pectoris and objective documentation of myocardial ischemia who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography and/or revascularization any time after October 2000 at the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) (similar to TCAGEN but recruitment was independent of TCAGEN); 4) Taiwan DRAGON (Taiwan Diabetes and RelAted Genetic COmplicatioN), a cohort study of Type 2 diabetes at Taichung Veterans General Hospital (Taichung VGH) in Taiwan, with participants including individuals with either newly diagnosed or established diabetes (subjects with hyperglycemia who did not meet diagnostic criteria for Type 2 DM were not included); 5) TCAD (Taichung CAD study), includes patients with a variety of cardiovascular diseases who received care at the Taichung Veterans General Hospital (Taichung VGH), i.e. specifically individuals who were hospitalized for diagnostic and interventional coronary angiography examinations and treatment; 6) TUDR (Taiwan US Diabetic Retinopathy) enrolled subjects with Type 2 diabetes who received care at Taichung Veteran General Hospital (Taichung VGH), and a small number of subjects from Taipei Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH); TUDR subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic and fundus examination to carefully document the presence and extent of retinopathy. From these 6 studies, subjects were selected based on completeness of standard metabolic phenotyping and knowledge of cardiac disease status (early onset coronary disease), to undergo whole genome sequencing at the Broad.

  Study phs001487

• National Institute on Aging (NIA) SardiNIA Study

  Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and constitutes a genetically isolated founder population. This population has aided in the identification of genes involved in several Mendelian disorders and is attractive for genetic studies due to its organization in long-established settlements that developed from an initial group of founder settlers (~1,000) thousands of years ago. The current study has recruited 6,148 Sardinians aged 14 and older, from a cluster of four towns in the Lanusei Valley in the Ogliastra region of the province of Nuoro. This sample corresponds to approximately 62% of the population eligible in the area for recruitment. Information collected during enrollment allowed the individuals to be organized into 711 complex pedigrees, each up to five generations deep, with an average kinship coefficient of 0.1628. All volunteers have been characterized for 98 quantitative traits. Traits include anthropomorphic measures, plasma and serum markers (including cholesterol and other markers of cardiovascular disease), and personality traits (using the five-factor model). The main goal of the study is to examine phenotypic similarities between relatives that yield information on the overall contributions of genes to trait variability. Data given here provide p-values for 98 traits studied in 1,412 individuals, based on genotyping with the Affymetrix 500K chip and imputed markers using the HapMap population as a reference (N=2,259,179). Sharing this genome assessment data at high level of resolution for a variety of quantitative traits will be useful for other groups to validate newly observed associations and to investigate possible pleiotropic effects. For ulterior information, and in particular for any individual genotype information, a formal request should be addressed to the Steering Committee, c/o David Schlessinger, Chief, Laboratory of Genetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, NIH Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Blvd., Suite 100 Baltimore, MD 21224 USA and should include IRB approval of a detailed proposal, along with a signed statement guaranteeing that no attempt will be made to identify any individual participant.

  Study phs000338

• National Institutes of Health The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)

  The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) is a comprehensive and coordinated effort to accelerate our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer through the application of genome analysis technologies, including large-scale genome sequencing. TCGA is a joint effort of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which are both part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. TCGA projects are organized by cancer type or subtype. Click here for a current list of cancer types selected for study in TCGA. Data from TCGA (e.g., gene expression, copy number variation and clinical information), are available via the Genomic Data Commons (GDC). Data from TCGA projects are organized into two tiers: Open Access and Controlled Access. Open Access data tier contains data that cannot be attributed to an individual research participant. The Open Access data tier does not require user certification. Data in Open Access tier are available in the TCGA Data Portal. Controlled Access data tier contains individual-level genotype data that are unique to an individual. Access to data in the Controlled Access data tier requires user certification through dbGaP Authorized Access. Controlled Access data types consist of the following: Individual germline variant data (SNP .cel files) Primary sequence data (.bam files), which are available at GDC Clinical free text fields Exon Array files (for Glioblastoma and Ovarian projects only) NOTE: TCGA strives to release most data in the open access tier. Individual genotype or sequence files are prominent exceptions. Commonly requested files such as descriptions of somatic mutations or clinical data are open access. Please go to this page: https://tcga-data.nci.nih.gov/docs/publications/ to access all data associated with TCGA tumor specific publications. The TCGA study is utilized in the following dbGaP substudies. To view genotypes and other molecular data collected in these substudies, please click on the following substudies below or in the "Substudies" section of this top-level study page phs000178 TCGA study. phs000854 Genome-wide Analysis of Noncoding Regulatory Mutations in Cancer

  Study phs000178

• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Clinical Network: Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial (ARDSNet FACTT-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions.Biospecimens: Access to Biospecimens is through the NHLBI Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC). Biospecimens from ARDSNet-FACTT include plasma, DNA, and serum. Please note that use of biospecimens in genetic research is subject to a tiered consent. Objectives: This study evaluated the benefits and risks of Pulmonary Artery Catheters (PACs) in patients with established acute lung injury in a trial comparing hemodynamic management guided by a PAC with hemodynamic management guided by a central venous catheter (CVC) using an explicit management protocol.Background: Optimal fluid management in patients with acute lung injury is unknown. Diuresis or fluid restriction may improve lung function but could jeopardize extrapulmonary organ perfusion.Participants: This randomized study compared a conservative and a liberal strategy of fluid management using explicit protocols applied for seven days in 1000 patients with acute lung injury. The primary end point was death at 60 days. Secondary end points included the number of ventilator-free days and organ-failure-free days and measures of lung physiology. Design: Participants were randomly assigned to a strategy involving either conservative or liberal use of fluids with concealed allocation in permuted blocks of eight with the use of an automated system. Participants were simultaneously and randomly assigned to receive either a pulmonary-artery catheter or a central venous catheter in a two-by-two factorial design.Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of 60-day mortality; however, the conservative strategy of fluid management was associated with improved lung function and shortened the duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care without increasing non-pulmonary organ failures. These results support the use of a conservative strategy of fluid management in patients with acute lung injury. (NEJM June 15, 2006; Vol 354, No. 24, pp 2564-75; NEJM May 25, 2006; Vol 354, No. 21, pp 2213-24)

  Study phs004165

• Diabetic Retinopathy Genomics Study (DRGen) - Genetic Biomarkers of Diabetic Retinopathy

  Using a well-defined, clinically supported phenotypic strategy, we seek to better understand the role of common and rare genetic variants in the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Whole exome/whole genome sequencing (WES/WGS) was used to systematically search the human genome to detect DR susceptibility genes or genes that protect people from developing advanced DR. Clinical data and bio specimens were obtained from clinically defined DR phenotypes such as, (i) No/Mild NPDR (non-proliferative DR) with a subset of extreme phenotype, ii) Diabetic macular edema (DME) alone and iii) Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) alone. In this ongoing comprehensive genomic study, we wish to i) Identify potential common and rare variants that may influence the phenotypic differentiation of DR into DME or PDR, ii) Define genetic variants stratified based on the "extreme phenotype," and iii) Characterize genetic factors that determine the differential response to anti-VEGF drugs in DME patients. Definition of Diabetic Retinopathy and classification of groups Study 1. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Anybody showing evidence of retinal neovascularization on the disc (NVD) or elsewhere (NVE) with or without pre-retinal and vitreous hemorrhage will be considered PDR. We will include only those "active" PDR patients. The total number of consented subjects in this study is 182. Study 2. Isolated Phenotype: Varied response with anti-VEGF treatment is a significant limiting factor for better clinical outcomes. We quantify the response to anti-VEGF treatment based on visual acuity changes and anatomic features of DME assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Depending on the response at one month following three monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, we have observed two phenotypes: 1) Good responders: Participants were considered "good responders" if the anatomical outcome to anti-VEGF treatment resulted in a significant reduction of baseline central retinal thickness (CRT) > 25% after three anti-VEGF injections. 2) Poor Responders: Participants were classified as "poor responders" if the outcome of anti-VEGF treatment resulted in a reduction of CRT < 20% or in any increase in CRT after three monthly injections. The total number of consented subjects in this study is 17.

  Study phs002501

• TK-EPN862 - Patient-dervied xenograft model of Posterior Fossa A Ependymoma - RNAseq

  Ependymomas (EPN) are the third most common malignant brain cancer in children. Treatment strategies for pediatric EPN have remained unchanged over recent decades, with 10-year survival rates stagnating at just 67% for children aged 0-14 years. Moreover, patients who survive treatment for the most common subtype of pediatric EPN (posterior fossa A (PFA)), often suffer long-term neurological side effects as a result of therapy. It is evident that there is a need for safer, more effective treatments for pediatric EPN patients. There are ten distinct subgroups of EPN, each with their own molecular and prognostic features. To identify and facilitate the testing of new treatments for EPN, in vivo laboratory models representative of the diverse molecular subtypes are required. Here, we describe the establishment of a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model of PFA EPN, derived from a metastatic cranial lesion. Patient and PDOX tumors were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, DNA methylation profiling, whole genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA sequencing. Both patient and PDOX tumors classified as PFA EPN by methylation profiling, and shared similar histological features consistent with this molecular subgroup. RNA sequencing revealed that gene expression patterns were maintained across the primary and metastatic tumors, as well as the PDOX. Copy number profiling revealed gains of chromosomes 7, 8 and 19, and loss of chromosomes 2q and 6q in the PDOX and matched patient tumor. No clinically significant single nucleotide variants were identified, consistent with the low mutation rates observed in PFA EPN. Overexpression of EZHIP RNA and protein, a common feature of PFA EPN, was also observed. Despite the aggressive nature of the tumor in the patient, this PDOX was unable to be maintained past two passages in vivo. Others who have successfully developed PDOX models report some of the lowest success rates for EPN compared to other pediatric brain cancer types attempted, with loss of tumorigenicity not uncommon, highlighting the challenge in propagating these tumors in the laboratory. Here, we discuss our collective experiences with PFA EPN PDOX model generation and propose potential approaches to improve future success in establishing preclinical EPN models

  Study EGAS00001006844

• Multi-omic and functional analysis for classification and treatment of sarcomas with FUS-TFCP2 or EWSR1-TFCP2 fusions(H021/INF)

  Many rare cancers are not well understood, and pathogenesis-directed therapies are often lacking, resulting in poor patient outcomes. Leveraging two (inter)national precision oncology trials that enroll large numbers of rare cancers, we investigated the clinical, histopathologic, molecular, and functional characteristics of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with fusions of FUS or EWSR1 to the TFCP2 transcription factor, a recently discovered ultra-rare entity whose classification, pathogenesis, and optimal treatment are unclear. Unusually for fusion-driven sarcomas, most cases had highly rearranged genomes, including chromothripsis, and signs of defective homologous recombination DNA repair. All tumors showed extreme expression of a truncated TERT variant and the ALK receptor tyrosine kinase, which was additionally affected by intragenic deletions and aberrant splicing, resulting in the expression of shortened variants in 58% of cases. Three ALK variants were oncogenic in immortalized cells, and patient-derived tumor cells expressing two variants responded to certain ALK inhibitors. Other recurrent alterations included CDKN2A/MTAP co-deletions and mutations in PAPPA2, encoding an IGFBP5-specific proteinase, in 67% and 25% of cases, respectively. DNA methylation analysis, along with 19 other soft-tissue sarcoma classes, revealed a close relationship with undifferentiated sarcoma but not other RMS subtypes, suggesting that TFCP2-rearranged RMS is a separate entity, possibly arising from a distinct cell of origin. Expression of TFCP2 fusions in immortalized human cells blocked late myogenic differentiation and significantly induced genes that were also highly expressed in patient tumors, including ALK, TERT, and two known regulators of skeletal muscle cells, IGFBP5 and PTH1R. Genome-wide chromatin profiling demonstrated direct binding of FUS-TFCP2 to the ALK and TERT loci outside their regular promoters, which correlated with the expression of alternative transcript variants. Finally, FUS-TFCP2 inhibited the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in immortalized cells, rendering them sensitive to treatment with cisplatin. This study provides insight into the pathogenesis and therapeutic vulnerabilities of a new RMS subtype and illustrates the value of linking comprehensive molecular diagnostics and functional annotation within multicenter consortia to improve the understanding and clinical management of rare cancers.

  Study EGAS00001006939

• The Role of E2F4 in Controlling Resistance to Irinotecan (CPT-11) in Human Colon Cancer

  This study reports the results of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments performed on three isogenic clones of the human HT29 colon cancer cell line, genetically engineered to achieve the selective inactivation of the adenovirus early 2 (E2) gene transcription factor 4 (E2F4) protein, a key functional component of the multimeric transcriptional repression complex known as the dimerization partner (DP), retinoblastoma-like (RB-like), E2F and multi-vulva class B (MuvB) complex (DREAM). In previous studies, we identified E2F4 as a key regulator of colorectal cancer (CRC) resistance to irinotecan (CPT-11), a cytotoxic agent that stands at the backbone of multiple chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of metastatic CRCs. The molecular mechanisms linking E2F4 to irinotecan resistance, however, remain poorly understood. The present study was designed to identify which genes are under the transcriptional control of E2F4, either at baseline or following exposure to SN38 (i.e., the active metabolite of irinotecan, generated in vivo by biotransformation in the liver) in order to clarify the role played by E2F4 in shaping colon cancer resistance to chemotherapy. The cell line used for this study (HT29) is aneuploid and contains three copies of the E2F4 gene, because of a trisomy of chromosome 16, where the E2F4 gene is located (Kawai et al., Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer, 34:1-8, 2002; PMID: 11921276). HT29 cells were infected with lentivirus vectors encoding for CRISPR/Cas9 constructs designed to selectively inactivate the E2F4 gene, using three distinct guide-RNAs (gRNAs), each targeting a different sequence within the proximal exons of the E2F4 gene (exon 1, exon 2). Lentivirus-infected cells were sub-cloned by single-cell fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), based on the differential expression of a fluorescent reporter (EGFP) expressed in tandem with the gRNAs. Isogenic clones (EGFP+) were then screened to identify those with a tri-allelic knock-out, as revealed by both genetic sequencing of the E2F4 gene (revealing the presence of three distinct frameshift mutations) and Western blot (revealing complete loss of E2F4 protein expression). The study includes twelve (n=12) RNA-seq experiments, representative of 3 experimental replicates (i.e., three distinct isogenic clones of the HT29 cell line, each displaying complete loss of E2F4 expression) and 3 negative controls (i.e., three independent preparations of the parent HT29 cell line, infected with a lentivirus vector encoding for a non-targeting gRNA) exposed to 2 distinct in vitro cell culture conditions: a) treatment with SN38 resuspended in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); or b) treatment with DMSO alone (negative control). The in vitro treatment regimen used for SN38 (32 nM, 24 hours) was designed so that the exposure to SN38 experienced in vitro by HT29 cells would mirror the exposure to SN38 experienced in vivo by malignant tissues, as measured, for example, in metastatic CRC patients receiving a standard dose of irinotecan (180 mg/m2) administered by intravenous infusion over 90 minutes (Deyme et al., Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 88:247-258, 2021; PMID: 33912999).

  Study phs003560

• Lipid Research Clinics - Prevalence Study (LRC-PS-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Objectives: The LRC Program began in 1971 under the sponsorship of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. Part of this program was the Lipid Research Clinics Prevalence Study, a standardized series of cross-sectional surveys of various North American populations designed to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemias and to describe the distributions of lipids and lipoproteins in major ethnic and social groups. In addition to contributing to the aggregate analysis, each independent population-based study was designed with capabilities for separate analyses of lipid and lipoprotein distributions. The participating populations were not selected to be a probability sample representative of the North American population per se, but by virtue of their size and economic and geographical diversity, they provide a useful cross-sectional group. The Family Study was the third phase of the Lipids Research Clinics North American Population Studies. The Family Study was designed to obtain knowledge of the distribution of lipids and lipoproteins among family members and of the association of familial and genetic attributes to dyslipoproteinemias. Background: An association between serum cholesterol and coronary heart disease is well established. A system was developed for classifying hyperlipoproteinemias into six types of patterns, as a basis for characterizing lipoprotein disorders. The Lipid Research Clinics was thus created to improve the detection of and clinical management of hyperlipoproteinemias. The three primary objectives were: 1) to acquire data on the prevalence of different types of hyperlipoproteinemia in various age and ethnic groups, with special emphasis on the nature and frequency of genetic forms; 2) to collect reliable data on the prevalence and incidence of atherosclerosis in different types of hyperlipoproteinemia; and 3) to conduct an intervention trial to determine if lowering plasma lipid levels would reduce the risk of CHD. Participants: There were 60,495 participants. Conclusions: Data from this study confirm findings from earlier studies in developed countries, showing age-related differences in plasma lipid levels. However, for overall distributions, the LRC data showed slightly lower cholesterol and markedly higher trigylceride values than those previously reported for North America. Some variation in plasma lipid values was evident among the clinic populations. The large number of participants within most subgroups permitted a variety of analytic and comparative studies. For example, data from the large pediatric population revealed a drop in plasma cholesterol levels in adolescent males and females. Males aged 20-50 years had higher cholesterol levels than females in the same age group, and higher trigylceride levels between ages 20-70 years. Numbers were also significient for meaningful comparisons between lipid distributions of females who were taking sex hormones and those who were not; in females taking sex hormones, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were higher for subjects younger than 45 years, but slightly lower after age 45, than lipid levels in females not taking hormones (Circulation 1979; 60(2):427-439).

  Study phs003995

• NHLBI Cleveland Family Study (CFS) Candidate Gene Association Resource (CARe)

  The Cleveland Family Study is the largest family-based study of sleep apnea world-wide, consisting of 2284 individuals (46% African American) from 361 families studied on up to 4 occasions over a period of 16 years. The study was begun in 1990 with the initial aims of quantifying the familial aggregation of sleep apnea. NIH renewals provided expansion of the original cohort (including increased minority recruitment) and longitudinal follow-up, with the last exam occurring in February 2006. Index probands (n=275) were recruited from 3 area hospital sleep labs if they had a confirmed diagnosis of sleep apnea and at least 2 first-degree relatives available to be studied. In the first 5 years of the study, neighborhood control probands (n=87) with at least 2 living relatives available for study were selected at random from a list provided by the index family and also studied. All available first degree relatives and spouses of the case and control probands also were recruited. Second-degree relatives, including half-sibs, aunts, uncles and grandparents, were also included if they lived near the first degree relatives (cases or controls), or if the family had been found to have two or more relatives with sleep apnea. Blood was sampled and DNA isolated for participants seen in the last two exam cycles (n=1447). The sample, which is enriched with individuals with sleep apnea, also contains a high prevalence of individuals with sleep apnea-related traits, including: obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and HTN. Phenotyping data have been collected over 4 exam cycles, each occurring ~every 4 years. The last three exams targeted all subjects who had been studied at earlier exams, as well as new minority families and family members of previously studied probands who had been unavailable at prior exams. Data from one, two, three and four visits are available for 412, 630, 329 and 67, participants, respectively. In the first 3 exams, participants underwent overnight in-home sleep studies, allowing determination of the number and duration of hypopneas and apneas, sleep period, heart rate, and oxygen saturation levels; anthropometry (weight, height, and waist, hip, and neck circumferences); resting blood pressure; spirometry; standardized questionnaire evaluation of symptoms, medications, sleep patterns, quality of life, daytime sleepiness measures and health history; venipuncture and measurement of total and HDL cholesterol. The 4th exam (2001-2006) was designed to collect more detailed measurements of sleep, metabolic and CVD phenotypes and included measurement of state-of-the-art polysomnography, with both collection of blood and measurement of blood pressure before and after sleep, and anthropometry, upper airway assessments, spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, and ECG performed the morning after the sleep study. Data have been collected by trained research assistants or GCRC nurses following written Manuals of Procedures who were certified following standard approaches for each study procedure. Ongoing data quality, with assessment of within or between individual drift, has been monitored on an ongoing basis, using statistical techniques as well as regular re-certification procedures. Between and within scorer reliabilities for key sleep apnea indices have been excellent, with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) exceeding 0.92 for the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Sleep staging, assessed with epoch specific comparisons, also demonstrate excellent reliability for stage identification (kappas>0.82). There has been no evidence of significant time trends-between or within scorers- for the AHI variables. We also have evaluated the night-to-night variability of the AHI and other sleep variables in 91 subjects, with each measurement made 1-3 months apart. There is high night to night consistency for the AHI (ICC: 0.80), the arousal index (0.76), and the % sleep time in slow-wave sleep (0.73). We have demonstrated the comparability of the apnea estimates (AHI) determined from limited channel studies obtained at in-home settings with in full in-laboratory polysomnography. In addition to our published validation study, we more recently compared the AHI in 169 Cleveland Family Study participants undergoing both assessments (in-home and in-laboratory) within one week apart. These showed excellent levels of agreement (ICC=0.83), demonstrating the feasibility of examining data from either in-home or in-laboratory studies for apnea phenotyping. Data collected in the GCRC were obtained, when possible, with comparable, if not identical techniques, as were the same measures collected at prior exams performed in the participants' homes. To address the comparability of data collected over different exams, we calculated the crude age-adjusted correlations ~3 year within individual correlations between measures made in the most recent GCRC exam with measures made in a prior exam and demonstrated excellent levels of agreement for BMI (r=.91); waist circumference (0.91); FVC (0.88); and FEV1 (0.86). As expected due to higher biological and measurement variability, 149 somewhat lower 3-year correlations were demonstrated for SBP (0.56); Diastolic BP (0.48); AHI (0.62); and nocturnal oxygen desaturation (0.60). NHLBI Candidate-gene Association Resource. The NHLBI initiated the Candidate gene Association Resource (CARe) to create a shared genotype/phenotype resource for analyses of the association of genotypes with phenotypes relevant to the mission of the NHLBI. The resource comprises nine cohort studies funded by the NHLBI: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC), Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), Cleveland Family Study (CFS), Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA), Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD), Framingham Heart Study (FHS), Jackson Heart Study (JHS), Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), and the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS). A database of genotype and phenotype data will be created that includes records for approximately 50,000 study participants with approximately 50,000 SNPs from more than 1,200 selected candidate genes. In addition, a genome wide association study using a 1,000K SNP Chip will be conducted on approximately 9,500 African American participants drawn from the 50,000 participants in the nine cohorts. Some relevant CARe publications CARe Study: PMID 20400780 CVD Chip Design: PMID 18974833

  Study phs000284

• Detection of Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility Loci Using Genome-Wide Sequencing

  The Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO) is a collaborative effort comprised of a coordinating center and scientific researchers from well-characterized cohort and case-control studies. This international consortium aims to accelerate the discovery of common and rare genetic risk variants for colorectal cancer by conducting large-scale meta-analyses of existing and newly generated genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, whole genome sequencing, replicating and fine-mapping of genetic discoveries, and investigating how genetic risk variants are modified by environmental risk factors. To expand these efforts, we assembled case-control sets or nested case-control sets from 6 different North American or European studies. Summary descriptions and study participant inclusions/exclusion criteria for each of these studies are detailed below. Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS II): The CPS II Nutrition cohort is a prospective study of cancer incidence and mortality in the United States, established in 1992 and described in detail elsewhere (Calle et al., 2002 PMID:12015775; Campbell et al., 2014 PMID:25472679). At enrollment, participants completed a mailed self-administered questionnaire including information on demographic, medical, diet, and lifestyle factors. Follow-up questionnaires to update exposure information and to ascertain newly diagnosed cancers were sent biennially starting in 1997. Reported cancers were verified through medical records, state cancer registry linkage, or death certificates. The Emory University Institutional Review Board approves all aspects of the CPS II Nutrition Cohort. We restricted to samples that had blood DNA source. Controls were matched to cases in a case/control ratio of 2:1 on reference year and sex. Darmkrebs: Chancen der Verhütung durch Screening (DACHS): This German study was initiated as a large population-based case-control study in 2003 in the Rhine-Neckar-Odenwald region (southwest region of Germany) to assess the potential of endoscopic screening for reduction of colorectal cancer risk and to investigate etiologic determinants of disease, particularly lifestyle/environmental factors and genetic factors. Cases with a first diagnosis of invasive colorectal cancer (International Classification of Diseases 10 codes C18-C20) who were at least 30 years of age (no upper age limit), German speaking, a resident in the study region, and mentally and physically able to participate in a one-hour interview, were recruited by their treating physicians either in the hospital a few days after surgery, or by mail after discharge from the hospital. Cases were confirmed based on histologic reports and hospital discharge letters following diagnosis of colorectal cancer. All hospitals treating colorectal cancer patients in the study region participated. Based on estimates from population-based cancer registries, more than 50% of all potentially eligible patients with incident colorectal cancer in the study region were included. Community-based controls were randomly selected from population registries, employing frequency matching with respect to age (5-year groups), sex, and county of residence. Controls with a history of colorectal cancer were excluded. Controls were contacted by mail and follow-up calls. The participation rate was 51%. During an in-person interview, data were collected on demographics, medical history, family history of CRC, and various life-style factors, as were blood and mouthwash samples. Routine formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples from the patients enrolled were requested from the pathology institutes and used for tumor tissue analyses. This analysis includes participants with blood source DNA that were recruited up to 2010 in this ongoing study. Controls were matched to cases on reference age and sex in a case/control ratio of 2:1. Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS): A parallel prospective study to the NHS (Nurses' Health Study). The HPFS cohort comprised 51,529 men aged 40-75 who, in 1986, responded to a mailed questionnaire (Rimm et al., 1990 PMID:2090285). Participants provided information on health related exposures, including current and past smoking history, age, weight, height, diet, physical activity, aspirin use, and family history of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer and other outcomes were reported by participants or next-of-kin and were followed up through review of the medical and pathology record by physicians. Overall, more than 97% of self-reported colorectal cancers were confirmed by medical record review. Information was abstracted on histology and primary location. Incident cases were defined as those occurring after the subject provided the blood sample. Prevalent cases were defined as those occurring after enrollment in the study but before the subject provided the blood sample. Follow-up evaluation has been excellent, with 94% of the men responding to date. Colorectal cancer cases were ascertained through January 1, 2008. In 1993-1995, 18,825 men in the HPFS mailed blood samples by overnight courier, which were aliquoted into buffy coat and stored in liquid nitrogen. In 2001-2004, 13,956 men in the HPFS who had not provided a blood sample previously mailed in a swish-and-spit sample of buccal cells. Incident cases were defined as those occurring after the subject provided a blood or buccal sample. Prevalent cases were defined as those occurring after enrollment in the study in 1986, but before the subject provided either a blood or buccal sample. Participants with histories of cancer (except nonmelanoma skin cancer), ulcerative colitis, or familial polyposis, case-control sets were excluded. Control participants were required to be free of invasive colorectal cancer and non-invasive (stage 0 in situ) colorectal cancer. For this study, only European ancestry participants with blood source DNA and incident colorectal cancer cases were eligible for selection. Since enrollment year and sex matched exactly, controls were randomly selected in a case/control ratio of 2:1. Nurses Health Study (NHS): The NHS cohort began in 1976 when 121,700 married female registered nurses age 30-55 years returned the initial questionnaire that ascertained a variety of important health-related exposures (Belanger et al., 1978 PMID:248266). Since 1976, follow-up questionnaires have been mailed every 2 years. Colorectal cancer and other outcomes were reported by participants or next-of-kin and followed up through review of the medical and pathology record by physicians. Overall, more than 97% of self-reported colorectal cancers were confirmed by medical-record review. Information was abstracted on histology and primary location. The rate of follow-up evaluation has been high: as a proportion of the total possible follow-up time, follow-up evaluation has been more than 92%. Colorectal cancer cases were ascertained through June 1, 2008. In 1989-1990, 32,826 women in NHS I mailed blood samples by overnight courier, which were aliquoted into buffy coat and stored in liquid nitrogen. In 2001-2004, 29,684 women in NHS I who did not previously provide a blood sample mailed a swish-and-spit sample of buccal cells. Incident cases were defined as those occurring after the subject provided a blood or buccal sample. Prevalent cases were defined as those occurring after enrollment in the study in 1976 but before the subject provided either a blood or buccal sample. Participants with histories of cancer (except nonmelanoma skin cancer), ulcerative colitis, or familial polyposis, case-control sets were excluded. For this study, only European ancestry participants with blood source DNA and incident colorectal cancer cases were eligible for selection. Since enrollment year and sex matched exactly, controls were randomly selected in a case/control ratio of 2:1. Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trail (PLCO): PLCO enrolled 154,934 participants (men and women, aged between 55 and 74 years) at ten centers into a large, randomized, two-arm trial to determine the effectiveness of screening to reduce cancer mortality. Sequential blood samples were collected from participants assigned to the screening arm. Participation was 93% at the baseline blood draw. White colorectal cancer cases with a family history of colorectal cancer (no history of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease, diverticulitis, Gardner's syndrome, Familial Polyposis) and successful genotyping from previous Peters GWAS were selected for this project. Controls were matched to cases on reference age and sex in a case/control ratio of 2:1. Women's Health Initiative (WHI): WHI is a long-term national health study that has focused on strategies for preventing heart disease, breast and colorectal cancer, and osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. The original WHI study included 161,808 postmenopausal women enrolled between 1993 and 1998. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA serves as the WHI Clinical Coordinating Center for data collection, management, and analysis of the WHI. The WHI has two major parts: a partial factorial randomized Clinical Trial (CT) and an Observational Study (OS); both were conducted at 40 Clinical Centers nationwide. The CT enrolled 68,132 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50-79 into trials testing three prevention strategies. If eligible, women could choose to enroll in one, two, or all three of the trial components. The components are: Hormone Therapy Trials (HT): This double-blind component examined the effects of combined hormones or estrogen alone on the prevention of coronary heart disease and osteoporotic fractures, and associated risk for breast cancer. Women participating in this component with an intact uterus were randomized to estrogen plus progestin (conjugated equine estrogens [CEE], 0.625 mg/d plus medroxyprogesterone acetate [MPA] 2.5 mg/d) or a matching placebo. Women with prior hysterectomy were randomized to CEE or placebo. Both trials were stopped early, in July 2002 and March 2004, respectively, based on adverse effects. All HT participants continued to be followed without intervention until close-out. Dietary Modification Trial (DM): The Dietary Modification component evaluated the effect of a low-fat and high fruit, vegetable and grain diet on the prevention of breast and colorectal cancers and coronary heart disease. Study participants were randomized to either their usual eating pattern or a low-fat dietary pattern. Calcium/Vitamin D Trial (CaD): This double-blind component began 1 to 2 years after a woman joined one or both of the other clinical trial components. It evaluated the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on the prevention of osteoporotic fractures and colorectal cancer. Women in this component were randomized to calcium (1000 mg/d) and vitamin D (400 IU/d) supplements or a matching placebo. The Observational Study (OS) examines the relationship between lifestyle, environmental, medical and molecular risk factors and specific measures of health or disease outcomes. This component involves tracking the medical history and health habits of 93,676 women not participating in the CT. Recruitment for the observational study was completed in 1998 and participants were followed annually for 8 to 12 years. All centrally confirmed White cases of invasive colorectal cancer, or death from colorectal cancer were selected as potential cases from the March, 2011 database. Case priory lists are: 1) have positive family history of colorectal cancer; 2) randomly select cases until we get a total of n=800 cases. Control participants were required to be White, free of invasive colorectal cancer and non-invasive (stage 0 in situ) colorectal cancer. Centrally denied cases of colorectal cancer were not allowed into the control pool. Case and control participants were subject to the following exclusion criteria: (1) had prior history of colorectal cancer at baseline; (2) had no available DNA (DNA searching as Nov 15, 2012); (3) cannot be deposited to dbGaP; (4) lost to follow-up after enrollment; (5) selected for WHI study M26 Phase II. Controls were matched to cases in a case/control ratio of 2:1. In order to get 2 cases with 1 control, cases were grouped by enrollment year (a total of 5 groups). For each year group, around 50% cases were selected to match controls. In total, 401 cases were selected to match controls. Matching was done on enrollment year, which was matched exactly. For additional information, see dbGaP: phs000200 and ClinicalTrials: NCT00000611.

  Study phs001554

• Gene Expression and Regulatory Networks in Human Leukocytes - Immunological Variation Consortium

  Profiling of gene expression with microarrays holds great potential for human health, for illuminating disease pathways or providing biomarkers to monitor disease or its resolution. Using high-throughput approaches for genotyping, immunophenotyping and gene expression analysis, the project will examine the basis for the control of gene expression in human immune cells, and how it is influenced by natural genetic variation or aging. In practice, the project will combine several cross-informative approaches: 1) Building on the established sample/data pipelines and robust protocols of the Immunological Genome (ImmGen) project, and on established cohorts of ethnically diverse healthy volunteers at hand, microarray techniques will be used to generate whole-genome expression profiles from purified naive CD4+ lymphocytes and monocytes from 600 healthy volunteers. A dense genetic map will be established for all donors. The results will elucidate how variation in the human genome affects the expression of immune genes, of key importance in understanding gene variants that bring susceptibility to immune or inflammatory disease. Computational analysis of these rich data will allow the reconstruction of regulatory connections between genes, helping to establish general modules and those specific of a given immune cell type. These data will be complemented by an orthogonal data group, generated from a restricted subset of 10 individuals, in which we will profile a larger set of 28 carefully delineated cell populations that exist in human blood. This work will also benefit from powerful interspecies comparison with similar experiments being performed in mice by ImmGen. 2) In addition, RNA from the same set of 28 defined cell populations will be probed with microarrays that explore other aspects of the transcriptome: i) microRNAs and other non-coding RNAs; ii) exon or splice junction arrays that will establish a map of differential splicing in human blood leukocyte. 3) The composition and reactivity of blood cells from the same donors will be established at the time of sample collection using high-throughput flow cytometry, correlating immune phenotypes with gene expression and genetic variation. 4) Genetic variability conditions the baseline levels of gene expression, but also the responsiveness to activating challenges. With samples from the same donors, NanoString technology for transcript counting will be used to analyze the transcriptional response of defined gene sets, representing response signatures of T or dendritic cells, for a fine-grained dissection of responses to different triggers (different bacterial ligands for dendritic cells, different cytokine environment for T cells). In keeping with the resource aspect of this project, all data and interpretations will be made publicly available rapidly upon curation, allowing public querying and browsing of the data, by using and evolving the existing web architectures of the ImmGen project, of the Broad Institute, and of international repositories. RELEVANCE: Exploration with DNA chips of the genome's expression microarrays holds great potential for human health, to better understand disease and to serve as diagnostic tools. Using a combination of high-throughput genomic techniques and computational biology, we will perform a broad exploration of gene expression in human blood cells across groups of African-American, Asian and European ancestry, asking how these profiles are affected by genetic variation or by age. These results will provide an invaluable reference benchmark for the interpretation of genetic and immunological studies. Additionally, over 90% of genetic variants associated with complex human traits map to non-coding regions, but little is understood about how they modulate gene regulation in health and disease. One possible mechanism is that genetic variants affect the activity of one or more cis-regulatory elements leading to gene expression variation in specific cell types. To identify such cases, in a second study we analyzed ATAC-seq and RNA-seq profiles from stimulated primary CD4+ T cells in up to 105 healthy donors. We found regions of accessible chromatin (ATAC-peaks) are co-accessible at kilobase and megabase resolution. 15% of genetic variants located within ATAC-peaks affected the accessibility of the corresponding peak (ATAC-QTLs). ATAC-QTLs have the largest effects on co-accessible peaks, are associated with gene expression, and are enriched for autoimmune disease variants. Our results provide insights into how natural genetic variants modulate cis-regulatory elements, in isolation or in concert, to influence gene expression. In another study we analyzed RNA-seq profiles from primary CD4+ T cells of two healthy donors at six time points from 0 to 72 hours after stimulation with bead-bound antibodies against CD3 and CD28.

  Study phs000815

• A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study of Sodium Phenylbutyrate (Buphenyl) and Low-Dose Arginine (100 mg/kg/day) Compared to High-Dose Arginine (500 mg/kg/day) Alone on Liver Function, Ureagenesis and Subsequent Nitric Oxide Production in Patients with Argininosuccinic Aciduria (ASA)

  Individuals with Urea Cycle Disorders (UCD) cannot remove ammonia, a waste product, from the blood. At present there is little information on the use of sodium phenylbutyrate (Buphenyl™) in children with argininosuccinic aciduria (ASA). It is hoped that this drug may help lower ammonia and argininosuccinic acid levels in patients with ASA. Through this study we hope to learn whether the use of sodium phenylbutyrate (Buphenyl™) in patients with ASA, in addition to diet and arginine therapy, will decrease liver damage and the number of periods during which ammonia levels are high. The primary study objective is to determine if the treatment of ASA patients with sodium phenylbutyrate (Buphenyl™) in conjunction with lowered doses of arginine improves liver function as measured by short-term assessment of synthetic activity and the use of stable isotope tracers to assess ureagenesis and nitric oxide production. Twelve patients with ASA will be studied using a randomized, cross-over design. Medical records will be reviewed to confirm the diagnosis prior to enrollment. Patients will be on the each arm of the study for one week each preceded by a three day washout period. Patients will come to the Baylor College of Medicine General Clinical Research Center in Texas Children's Hospital for an inpatient hospitalization. This hospitalization is for diet control, clinical evaluation, and stable isotope infusions for measurement of in vivo rates of ureagenesis and nitric oxide production. During the washout periods Buphenyl™ or other alternative route medications, e.g., benzoate, will be discontinued and arginine will be administered at the standard therapeutic dose of 500 mg/kg/day or 10 grams/m2. Following randomization, subjects will be maintained on either high-dose arginine (500 mg/kg/day or 10 grams/m2) alone, or the alternative of low-dose arginine (100 mg/kg/d or 2 grams/m2) along with sodium phenylbutyrate (500 mg/kg/day or 10 grams/m2). For the second week they will be crossed over to the other arm of the study preceded by another three day washout. Previous medications and dietary protein intake (0.6 g/kg/day or current metabolic diet) will be continued during both arms of the study. The two arms may be performed as separate ten-day admissions. The decision to design the study with two arms, high-dose arginine and low-dose arginine/Buphenyl™, was reached after weighing several considerations. First, the current accepted practice for treatment of ASA is high-dose arginine. Based on metabolic flux studies, we have quantified the effects of this dose of arginine as compared to standard doses of Buphenyl™/phenylacetate on ureagenesis. Since the study is not designed or intended to address the independent effects of Buphenyl™ as compared to arginine alone, Buphenyl™ was added for safety reasons to accommodate loss of clearance of nitrogen by decreasing the arginine dose. Moreover, based on our experience with recruiting for previous versions of this study, most ASA patients with liver dysfunction are on an alternative route ammonia scavenger medication in addition to arginine. We found that this has in fact become an accepted practice. Hence, when considering study design from both a safety and recruitment perspective, it was most reasonable to design the study to investigate specifically the hypothesis that the production and presence of argininosuccinic acid leads to liver dysfunction. Since both low-dose arginine with Buphenyl™ and high-dose arginine alone lead to a decreased production of argininosuccinic acid, and both are currently accepted therapies in ASA and UCDs in general, the need to address their effects distinctly is not being investigated at this time. Sodium phenylbutyrate dosage will be 500 mg/kg/day in patients weighing less than 20kg and 10 g/m2/day in larger patients. Daily dosage will be given in equally divided doses 4 times per day. In order to ensure that the study remains double-blind to investigators, study staff and subjects, the Investigational Pharmacy Service at Texas Children's Hospital will dispense both the Buphenyl™ and arginine in powder form which is compounded into capsules or will be mixed with syrpalta (up to 5 grams will dissolve in 10cc liquid) and administered orally or through nasogastric or gastrostomy tube. No nasogastric tube should be placed or gastrostomy performed solely for the purpose of inclusion in this study. Because the reported adverse effects of sodium phenylbutyrate include gastritis, participants will be started on a standard dose of ranitidine (Zantac™), or comparable drug, during both arms of the study.

  Study phs001305