Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent tumor of the central nervous system, and its heterogeneity is a challenge in treatment. This study examined tumoral heterogeneity involving PDGFRA, KIT, and KDR gene amplification (GA) in 4q12 and its association with clinical parameters. Specimens from 22 GBM cases with GA for the 4q12 amplicon detected by FISH were investigated for homogeneous or heterogeneous coamplification patterns, diffuse or focal distribution of cells harboring GA throughout tumor sections, and pattern of clustering of fluorescence signals. Sixteen cases had homogenously amplification for all three genes (45.5%), for PDGFRA and KDR (22.7%), or only for PDGFRA (4.6%); six cases had heterogeneous GA patterns, with subpopulations including GA for all three genes and for two genes - PDGFRA and KDR (13.6%), or GA for all three and for only one gene - PDGFRA (9.1%) or KIT (4.6%). In 6 tumors (27.3%), GA was observed in focal tumor areas, while in the remaining 16 tumors (72.7%) it was diffusely distributed throughout the pathological specimen. Amplification was universally expressed as double minutes and homogenously stained regions. Coamplification of all three genes PDGFRA, KIT, and KDR, age ≥ 60 years, and total tumor resection were statistically associated with poor prognosis. FISH proved effective for detailed interpretation of molecular heterogeneity. The study uncovered an even more diverse range of amplification patterns involving the 4q12 oncogenes in GBM than previously described, thus highlighting a complex tumoral heterogeneity to be considered when devising more effective therapies.

To verify the frequency and types of congenital heart defects in a sample of patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS), in an effort to correlate presence of these defects with other clinical characteristics and evolution. The sample comprised 33 subjects, all attended in the same center, between January 1975 and December 2007. Twenty two of them were male and eleven female and their ages ranged from 1 day to 17 years. All presented normal karyotype by GTG-Banding. A data collection related to their clinical history, physical examination and result of complementary evaluations was performed. Cardiac abnormalities were observed in 13 patients (39.4%). Of these defects, 5 (38.5%) were conotruncal, tetralogy of Fallot being the main malformation (n=2). Unusual anomalies identified included cor triatriatum and double inlet left ventricle. Significant differences among the clinical characteristics of the group with and without heart defect were only verified in relation to age at first evaluation that was lower in subjects with cardiac malformations. Five patients died, four of them, bearers of congenital heart defects. Cardiac malformations, mainly conotruncal and septal defects, are frequent among patients with OAVS. Frequency found in our study was statistically similar to the majority of works described in literature where it ranged from 18 to 58%. Congenital heart defects also represent the main cause of death of these subjects. Thus, a cardiac evaluation should always be performed in these patients, especially at an early age.

Introduction Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum, also referred to as Goldenhar syndrome, is a condition characterized by alterations involving the development of the structures of the first and second branchial arches. The abnormalities primarily affect the face, the eyes, the spine, and the ears, and the auricular abnormalities are associated with possible hearing loss. Objective To analyze the audiological findings of patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum through liminal pure-tone audiometry and speech audiometry test. Methods Cross-sectional study conducted on 10 patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum and clinical findings on at least two of the following areas: orocraniofacial, ocular, auricular, and vertebral. All patients underwent tonal and vocal hearing evaluations. Results Seven patients were male and three were female; all had ear abnormalities, and the right side was the most often affected. Conductive hearing loss was the most common (found in 10 ears), followed by sensorineural hearing loss (in five ears), with mixed hearing loss in only one ear. The impairment of the hearing loss ranged from mild to moderate, with one case of profound loss. Conclusions The results show a higher frequency of conductive hearing loss among individuals with the oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum phenotype, especially moderate loss affecting the right side. Furthermore, research in auditory thresholds in the oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum is important in speech therapy findings about the disease to facilitate early intervention for possible alterations.