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Deep Learning Technology: Sebastian Arnold, Betty van Aken, Paul Grundmann, Felix A. Gers and Alexander Löser. Learning Contextualized Document Representations for Healthcare Answer Retrieval. The Web Conference 2020 (WWW'20)
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Nearly all individuals show multiple café au lait spots.Features common in neurofibromatosis - Lisch nodules, bone abnormalities, neurofibromas, optic pathway gliomas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors - are absent in this condition Symptoms however, may include:
- Freckles
- Lipomas
- Macrocephaly
- Learning disabilities
- ADHD
- Developmental delay
Giant axonal neuropathy usually appears in infancy or early childhood, and is progressive. Early signs of the disorder often present in the peripheral nervous system, causing individuals with this disorder to have problems walking. Later, normal sensation, coordination, strength, and reflexes become affected. Hearing or vision problems may also occur. Abnormally kinky hair is characteristic of giant axonal neuropathy, appearing in almost all cases. As the disorder progresses, central nervous system becomes involved, which may cause a gradual decline in mental function, loss of control of body movement, and seizures.
Not all of the DOOR symptoms are consistently present. They can vary in severity, and additional features can be noted in individuals affected by DOOR syndrome.
Some of these additional features are:
- Polyhydramnios (increased amniotic fluid during pregnancy) and increased nuchal fold during pregnancy
- Specific facial features such as a large nose
- Severe and sometimes refractory seizures, abnormalities on the magnetic resonance imaging of the brain
- Increased 2-oxoglutaric acid in the blood and urine - this compound is made or used by several enzymes
- Finger-like thumbs
- Visual impairment
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerves conducting sensation from extremities to the brain) and insensivity to pain
Intellectual impairment is present in all reported cases, but the severity can vary widely. The prognosis in terms of survival also varies greatly from early childhood till adulthood.
Nonsyndromic deafness is hearing loss that is not associated with other signs and symptoms. In contrast, syndromic deafness involves hearing loss that occurs with abnormalities in other parts of the body. Genetic changes are related to the following types of nonsyndromic deafness.
- DFNA: nonsyndromic deafness, autosomal dominant
- DFNB: nonsyndromic deafness, autosomal recessive
- DFNX: nonsyndromic deafness, X-linked
- nonsyndromic deafness, mitochondrial
Each type is numbered in the order in which it was described. For example, DFNA1 was the first described autosomal dominant type of nonsyndromic deafness. Mitochondrial nonsyndromic deafness involves changes to the small amount of DNA found in mitochondria, the energy-producing centers within cells.
Most forms of nonsyndromic deafness are associated with permanent hearing loss caused by damage to structures in the inner ear. The inner ear consists of three parts: a snail-shaped structure called the cochlea that helps process sound, nerves that send information from the cochlea to the brain, and structures involved with balance. Loss of hearing caused by changes in the inner ear is called sensorineural deafness. Hearing loss that results from changes in the middle ear is called conductive hearing loss. The middle ear contains three tiny bones that help transfer sound from the eardrum to the inner ear. Some forms of nonsyndromic deafness involve changes in both the inner ear and the middle ear; this combination is called mixed hearing loss.
The severity of hearing loss varies and can change over time. It can affect one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral). Degrees of hearing loss range from mild (difficulty understanding soft speech) to profound (inability to hear even very loud noises). The loss may be stable, or it may progress as a person gets older. Particular types of nonsyndromic deafness often show distinctive patterns of hearing loss. For example, the loss may be more pronounced at high, middle, or low tones.
Nonsyndromic deafness can occur at any age. Hearing loss that is present before a child learns to speak is classified as prelingual or congenital. Hearing loss that occurs after the development of speech is classified as postlingual.
King–Kopetzky syndrome is an auditory disability characterised by difficulty in hearing speech in the presence of background noise in conjunction with the finding of normal hearing test results.
It is an example of auditory processing disorder (APD) or "auditory disability with normal hearing (ADN)".
King–Kopetzky syndrome patients have a worse Social Hearing Handicap index (SHHI) than others, indicating they suffer a significant degree of speech-hearing disability.
The condition is named after Samuel J. Kopetzky, who first described the condition in 1948, and P. F. King, who first discussed the aetiological factors behind it in 1954.
Onset : Early childhood
Progression: Chronic progressive
Clinical: Cerebellar ataxia plus syndrome / Optic Atrophy Plus Syndrome
Ocular: Optic atrophy, nystagmus, scotoma, and bilateral retrobulbar neuritis.
Other: Mental retardation, myoclonic epilepsy, spasticity, and posterior column sensory loss. Tremor in some cases.
Musculoskeletal
Contractures, lower limbs, Achilles tendon contractures, Hamstring contractures, Adductor longus contractures
Systemic
Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.
It seems that somatic anxiety and situations of stress may be determinants of speech-hearing disability.
Some studies indicated an increased prevalence of a family history of hearing impairment in these patients. The pattern of results is suggestive that King-Kopetzky patients may be related to conditions of autosomal dominant inheritance.
Legius syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by cafe au lait spots. It was first described in 2007 and is often mistaken for neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1), it is caused by mutations in the SPRED1 gene, it is also known as Neurofibromatosis Type 1-like syndrome (NFLS). The condition is a RASopathy, developmental syndromes due to germline mutations in genes
DOOR (deafness, onychdystrophy, osteodystrophy, and mental retardation) syndrome is a genetic disease which is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. DOOR syndrome is characterized by mental retardation, sensorineural deafness, abnormal nails and phalanges of the hands and feet, and variable seizures. A similar deafness-onychodystrophy syndrome is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait and has no mental retardation. Some authors have proposed that it may be the same as Eronen Syndrome, but since both disorders are extremely rare it is hard to make a determination.
Giant axonal neuropathy is a rare, autosomal recessive neurological disorder that causes disorganization of neurofilaments. Neurofilaments form a structural framework that helps to define the shape and size of neurons and are essential for normal nerve function.
Facial features found in this syndrome include
- dolichocephaly
- hypertelorism
- ptosis
- microretrognathia
- high arched palate
- long flat philtrum
- low set ears
Non facial features of this syndrome include
- hyperextensibility
- hypotonia
- lateral meningoceles
The lateral meningocoles are a common finding in this syndrome. They may be associated with neurological abnormalities and result in bladder dysfunction and neuropathy.
Hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis is a cutaneous condition inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion.
The condition was first described in 1969, by the Finnish ophthalmologist Jouko Meretoja, and is also known as Familial amyloid neuropathy type IV, Meretoja syndrome, Hereditary amyloidosis, Finnish type.
The disorder primarily associated with eye, skin and cranial nerve symptoms. It is a form of amyloidosis, where the amyloid complexes are formed from fragments of the protein gelsolin in the plasma, due to a mutation in the GSN gene (c.654G>A or c.654G>T).
SSHL is diagnosed via pure tone audiometry. If the test shows a loss of at least 30db in three adjacent frequencies, the hearing loss is diagnosed as SSHL. For example, a hearing loss of 30db would make conversational speech sound more like a whisper.
Onset usually occurs within the first two decades of life, commonly in the teenage years or the twenties. Life expectancy is normal. High arch of the foot (pes cavus) is common. Patients also have trouble controlling their hands, due to muscle loss on the thumb side of the index finger and palm below the thumb. It is rare for a person with this disorder to lose the ability to walk, though changes in gait may occur later in life.
Frequency of this disorder is unknown.
At the beginning, affected individuals often notice the loss of pain and temperature sensation or all sensory modalities in their feet. As the disease progresses, the sensory abnormalities may extend up to the knees. However, they often do not notice sensory loss for a long time. Many affected individuals only become aware of the disease when they notice painless injuries and burns or when they seek medical advice for slowly healing wounds or foot ulcers. Foot ulcerations may appear due to permanent pressure, such as long walks or badly fitting shoes. Minor wounds or blisters may then lead to deep foot ulcerations. Once infection occurs, complications such as inflammation and destruction of the underlying bones may follow. Affected individuals who do not lose sensation may experience spontaneous pain. In addition, many affected individuals exhibit, to a variable degree, symmetrical distal muscle weakness and wasting.
HSAN I is characterized by marked sensory disturbances mainly as the loss of pain and temperature sensation in the distal parts of the lower limbs. The loss of sensation can also extend to the proximal parts of the lower limbs and the upper limbs as the disease progresses. Some affected individuals do not lose sensation, but instead experience severe shooting, burning, and lancinating pains in the limbs or in the trunk. Autonomic disturbances, if present, manifest as decreased sweating. The degree of motor disturbances is highly variable, even within families, ranging from absent to severe distal muscle weakness and wasting.
The disease progresses slowly, but often disables the affected individuals severely after a long duration. The onset of the disease varies between the 2nd and 5th decade of life, albeit congenital or childhood onset has occasionally been reported. With the progression of the disease, the affected individuals lose the ability to feel pain in their feet and legs. Minor injuries in the painless area can result in slow-healing wounds which, if not immediately recognized, can develop into chronic ulcerations. Once infection occurs, these ulcerations can result in severe complications that lead to foot deformity, such as inflammation of the underlying bones, spontaneous bone fractures, and progressive degeneration of weight-bearing joints. Furthermore, foot deformity promotes skin changes such as hyperkeratosis at pressure points. These complications may necessitate amputation of the affected foot.
Biopsies of severely affected sural nerve (short saphenous nerve) in patients with HSAN I showed evidence of neuronal degeneration. Only a very few myelinated fibers were observed some of which showed a sign of primary (segmental) demyelination. A reasonable number of unmyelinated axons remained, although the presence of stacks of flattened Schwann cell processes suggested unmyelinated axon loss. Electrophysiological testing provides additional evidence that neuronal degeneration underlies the disease. Sensory potentials are usually absent in the lower limbs but are often recordable or even normal in the upper limbs of the patients. In addition, motor conduction is slow, possibly implying a demyelinating process.
Onset occurs in infancy or early childhood, usually before 3 years of age. Progression is slow until the teenage years at which point it may accelerate, resulting in severe disability.
Symptoms are usually more severe and rapidly progressive than in the other more common Charcot–Marie–Tooth diseases. Some patients may never walk and solely use wheelchairs by the end of their first decade, while others may need only a cane (walking stick) or similar support through life.
Dejerine–Sottas disease is characterized by moderate to severe lower and upper extremity weakness and loss of sensation, which occur mainly in the lower legs, forearms, feet and hands. Loss of muscle mass and reduced muscle tone can occur as the disease progresses. Other symptoms may include pain in the extremities, curvature of the spine, clawed hands, foot deformities, ataxia, peripheral areflexia, and slow acquisition of motor skills in childhood. Symptoms that are less common can include limitation of eye movements, other eye problems such as nystagmus or anisocoria, or mild hearing loss.
Only 10 to 15 percent of the cases diagnosed as SSHL have an identifiable cause. Most cases are classified as idiopathic, also called sudden idiopathic hearing loss (SIHL) and idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL or ISSNHL) The majority of evidence points to some type of inflammation in the inner ear as the most common cause of SSNHL.
- Viral - The swelling may be due to a virus. A herpes type virus is believed to be the most common cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The herpes virus lays dormant in our bodies and reactivates for an unknown reason.
- Vascular ischemia of the inner ear or cranial nerve VIII (CN8)
- Perilymph fistula, usually due to a rupture of the round or oval windows and the leakage of perilymph. The patient will usually also experience vertigo or imbalance. A history of trauma is usually present and changes to hearing or vertigo occur with alteration in intracranial pressure such as with straining; lifting, blowing etc.
- Autoimmune - can be due to an autoimmune illness such as systemic lupus erythematosus, granulomatosis with polyangiitis
In an individual with dHMN V, electromyography will show pure motor neuropathy, patterns of weakness without upper motor neuron damage, in the hands. Tendon reflexes will also appear normal. Clinical, electrophysiological, and pathological testing will show a lack of damage to sensory neurons, differentiating this disease from CMT.
Symptoms of the Roussy–Lévy syndrome mainly stem from nerve damage and the resulting progressive muscle atrophy. Neurological damage may result in absent tendon reflexes (areflexia), some distal sensory loss and decreased excitability of muscles to galvanic and faradic stimulation. Progressive muscle wasting results in weakness of distal limb muscles (especially the peronei), gait ataxia, pes cavus, postural tremors and static tremor of the upper limbs, kyphoscoliosis, and foot deformity.
These symptoms frequently translate into delayed onset of ability to walk, loss of coordination and balance, foot drop, and foot-bone deformities. They are usually first observed during infancy or early childhood, and slowly progress until about age 30, at which point progression may stop in some individuals, or symptoms may continue to slowly progress.
Symptoms of otodental syndrome can and usually appear in early development and progress with age. Although the specific frequency of the symptoms is not known, the duration is recognized to be for life; assuming no treatment has been undergone. The symptoms are variable to each individual, can range greatly in severity and are dependent on gene expression.
More severe symptoms include:
- Globodontia – an abnormal condition that can occur in both primary and secondary tooth development, in which the molars and canines are greatly enlarged. It refers to the enlarged bulbous fused malformed posterior teeth with almost no discernible cusps or grooves. The molars are known to have a rounded globe-like shape. Can attribute to pain.
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) – also known as nerve related hearing loss, is a form of hearing loss associated with complications within the inner ear.
- Taurodontism – known as a condition in which the body of a tooth is enlarged at the expense of the roots. This results in an enlarged pulp chamber, lack of proper bonding at the cementoenamel junction, and can cause the pulpal floor to be displaced towards the root. Discomfort and pain are usually associated with these characteristics.
- Endodontic-Periodontic lesions – oral lesions that can potentially form into abscesses. May cause further soreness and pain.
Other possible, less severe, symptoms involve:
- Absent premolars – individuals suffering from otodental syndrome will typically lack the ability to develop premolars due to its genetic related affects.
- Ocular coloboma – an existent hole within the eye of the individual. The hole can be present in either the iris, choroid, optic disc, or retina and is acquired during early/prenatal development. Individuals with these symptoms may exhibit sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and/or blind spots; depending on the size of the missing tissue and its location in the eye.
Behr syndrome is characterized by the association of early-onset optic atrophy with spinocerebellar degeneration resulting in ataxia, pyramidal signs, peripheral neuropathy and developmental delay.
Although it is an autosomal recessive disorder, heterozygotes may still manifest much attenuated symptoms. Autosomal dominant inheritance also being reported in a family. Recently a variant of OPA1 mutation with phenotypic presentation like Behr syndrome is also described. Some reported cases have been found to carry mutations in the OPA1, OPA3 or C12ORF65 genes which are known causes of pure optic atrophy or optic atrophy complicated by movement disorder.
Symptoms typically are onset in the adult years, although, childhood cases have also been observed. Common symptoms include a loss of coordination which is often seen in walking, and slurred speech. ADCA primarily affects the cerebellum, as well as, the spinal cord. Some signs and symptoms are:
Primary symptoms:
- sounds or speech becoming dull, muffled or attenuated
- need for increased volume on television, radio, music and other audio sources
- difficulty using the telephone
- loss of directionality of sound
- difficulty understanding speech, especially women and children
- difficulty in speech discrimination against background noise (cocktail party effect)
Secondary symptoms:
- hyperacusis, heightened sensitivity to certain volumes and frequencies of sound, resulting from "recruitment"
- tinnitus, ringing, buzzing, hissing or other sounds in the ear when no external sound is present
- vertigo and disequilibrium
Usually occurs after age 50, but deterioration in hearing has been found to start very early, from about the age of 18 years. The ISO standard 7029 shows expected threshold changes due purely to age for carefully screened populations (i.e. excluding those with ear disease, noise exposure etc.), based on a meta-analysis of published data. Age affects high frequencies more than low, and men more than women. One early consequence is that even young adults may lose the ability to hear very high frequency tones above 15 or 16 kHz. Despite this, age-related hearing loss may only become noticeable later in life. The effects of age can be exacerbated by exposure to environmental noise, whether at work or in leisure time (shooting, music, etc.). This is noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and is distinct from presbycusis. A second exacerbating factor is exposure to ototoxic drugs and chemicals.
Over time, the detection of high-pitched sounds becomes more difficult, and speech perception is affected, particularly of sibilants and fricatives. Patients typically express a decreased ability to understand speech. Once the loss has progressed to the 2-4kHz range, there is increased difficulty understanding consonants. Both ears tend to be affected. The impact of presbycusis on communication depends on both the severity of the condition and the communication partner.
The generalized, common presentation for this broad and inclusive group of diseases is painless, bilateral loss of visual acuity and pallor of the optic disc accompanied with varying degrees of dyschromatopsia and central/cecocentral scatomas. On examination the papillary response may be sluggish to light, one would not expect to find an afferent papillary defect. This is because optic neuropathies are often bilateral and symmetric. The optic disc may be mildly hyperemic with small splinter hemorrhages on or around the disc. Optic atrophy may early on be non-existent and only later become mild. In later stages the optic atrophy is severe and this indicates less opportunity for recovery.
The duration of onset can vary between immediate and insidious, owing to the specific etiology. Two key features may be helpful in distinguishing acquired from inherited optic neuropathies: absence of a family history and simultaneous involvement of both eyes; the former more commonly characterized by these two features.
Gordon syndrome is an extremely rare disorder that belongs to a group of genetic disorders known as the distal arthrogryposes. These disorders typically involve stiffness and impaired mobility of certain joints of the lower arms and legs (distal extremities) including the knees, elbows, wrists, and/or ankles. These joints tend to be permanently fixed in a bent or flexed position (contractures). Gordon syndrome is characterized by the permanent fixation of several fingers in a flexed position (camptodactyly), abnormal bending inward of the foot (clubfoot or talipes), and, less frequently, incomplete closure of the roof of the mouth (cleft palate). In some cases, additional abnormalities may also be present. The range and severity of symptoms may vary from case to case. Gordon syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.