Association of two synonymous splicing-associated CpG single nucleotide polymorphisms in calpain 10 and solute carrier family 2 member 2 with type 2 diabetes

Coding synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have attracted little attention until recently. However, such SNPs located in epigenetic, CpG sites modifying exonic splicing enhancers (ESEs) can be informative with regards to the recently verified association of intragenic methylation and splicing. The present study describes the association of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with the exonic, synonymous, epigenetic SNPs, rs3749166 in calpain 10 (CAPN10) glucose transporter (GLUT4) translocator and rs5404 in solute carrier family 2, member 2 (SLC2A2), also termed GLUT2, which, according to prior bioinformatic analysis, strongly modify the splicing potential of glucose transport-associated genes. Previous association studies reveal that only rs5404 exhibits a strong negative T2D association, while data on the CAPN10 polymorphism are contradictory. In the present study DNA from blood samples of 99 Greek non-diabetic control subjects and 71 T2D patients was analyzed. In addition, relevant publicly available cases (40) resulting from examination of 110 Personal Genome Project data files were analyzed. The frequency of the rs3749166 A allele, was similar in the patients and non-diabetic control subjects. However, AG heterozygotes were more frequent among patients (73.24% for Greek patients and 54.55% for corresponding non-diabetic control subjects; P=0.0262; total cases, 52.99 and 75.00%, respectively; P=0.0039). The rs5404 T allele was only observed in CT heterozygotes (Greek non-diabetic control subjects, 39.39% and Greek patients, 22.54%; P=0.0205; total cases, 34.69 and 21.28%, respectively; P=0.0258). Notably, only one genotype, heterozygous AG/CC, was T2D-associated (Greek non-diabetic control subjects, 29.29% and Greek patients, 56.33%; P=0.004; total cases, 32.84 and 56.58%, respectively; P=0.0008). Furthermore, AG/CC was strongly associated with very high (≥8.5%) glycosylated plasma hemoglobin levels among patients (P=0.0002 for all cases). These results reveal the complex heterozygotic SNP association with T2D, and indicate possible synergies of these epigenetic, splicing-regulatory, synonymous SNPs, which modify the splicing potential of two alternative glucose transport-associated genes.

Maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and offspring bone development: the unmet needs of vitamin D era

Data from animal and human studies implicate maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy as a significant risk factor for several adverse outcomes affecting maternal, fetal, and child health. The possible associations of maternal vitamin D status and offspring bone development comprise a significant public health issue. Evidence from randomized trials regarding maternal vitamin D supplementation for optimization of offspring bone mass is lacking. In the same field, data from observational studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation is not indicated. Conversely, supplementation studies provided evidence that vitamin D has beneficial effects on neonatal calcium homeostasis. Nevertheless, a series of issues, such as technical difficulties of current vitamin D assays and functional interplay among vitamin D analytes, prohibit arrival at safe conclusions. Future studies would benefit from adoption of a gold standard assay, which would unravel the functions of vitamin D analytes. This narrative review summarizes and discusses data from both observational and supplementation studies regarding maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy and offspring bone development.

Thyroid cancer after external or internal ionizing irradiation

It has been known for 50 years that thyroid exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation in childhood and adolescence induces an appreciable cancer risk. Epidemiological studies in children treated with external radiotherapy for benign or malignant lesions in the head and neck have also shown the induction of thyroid cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the risk for developing thyroid cancer due to the Chernobyl accident is greatest in newborns and children below the age of 5, less in adolescents and negligible in adults. As reported, during the first 15 years after the accident, the increase in thyroid cancer cases in Belarus was 87.8 fold in children, 12.7 fold in adolescents and 4.5 fold in adults more than expected. Papillary thyroid cancer with a relative risk incidence of approximately 80% per se is typical in childhood and adolescence. We refer to the differences between adult and childhood papillary thyroid cancers. Gene mutations in thyroid tumors induced after Chernobyl accident have been studied extensively. The treatment comprises thyroid surgery, suppressive doses of thyroxine and radioiodine. It is noteworthy that the thyroid gland can be protected from the intake of radioactive iodine by oral administration of potassium iodide.

Serum leptin values in relation to bone density and growth hormone-insulin like growth factors axis in healthy men

A novel action of leptin on bone formation has recently been described in animals. However, in humans, studies provide data, that, are less conclusive. So far, few studies investigated the leptin-bone density association in males. Moreover, it has been suggested that GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 may be major players in the hormonal or paracrine pathways that regulate bone cell metabolism. Also, leptin has been shown to modulate the GH/IGF pathway. The aim of this study was to clarify further this issue by investigating (a) the influence of serum levels of leptin, GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 on bone mass in various skeletal sites and, (b), the relationship between leptin and the GH/IGF axis. 363 healthy individuals were investigated. BMD and serum leptin, GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 serum levels were assessed. Our results indicate that 11% of healthy males had bone density with T scores </=2.5 SD. No significant differences were found between men with normal and those with reduced BMD with regards to serum leptin, GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels. A positive correlation was found between BMD and leptin levels in FN and T, and a negative one between leptin and IGF-1 levels. Further studies are needed before we reach final conclusions.

Serial magnetic resonance imaging findings in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (Sanfilippo's syndrome B)

Sanfillippo B syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) III, type B) is characterized by mild expression of the characteristic 'Hurler' phenotype and a severe central nervous system involvement. We report three patients with Sanfilippo B syndrome, referred to our clinic because of peculiar facies, delay in language development and behavioral problems, at the ages of 4, 3 and 5 years, respectively. At presentation they manifested clinical features of MPS, severe developmental retardation, radiological features of dysostosis mutiplex, as well as neurophysiological findings suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome and sensorineural hearing impairment. Due to marked urinary excretion of heparan sulfate, as well as deficiency of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase in leukocytes, the diagnosis of Sanfilippo B syndrome was made. Serial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at different ages demonstrated white matter abnormalities, cortical atrophy and ventricular enlargement in all three patients, while other findings included thickening of the diploe in two patients and callosal atrophy, basal ganglia involvement, cerebellar changes and dilatation of venous sinuses in one patient. Although the combination of the above MRI findings is highly suggestive of a MPS, they carry a little predictive value in the different clinical stages of MPS IIIB.

One-sided high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in the management of an acquired neonatal lobar emphysema: a case report and review

We describe a premature infant (gestational age 28 weeks and birth weight 1280 g) with a left-sided acquired lobar emphysema (ALPE). Left lateral decubitus positioning, right-sided conventional ventilation (CV), tracheal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), and dexamethasone administration were subsequently used in the treatment without success. The emphysema was resolved and the patient was extubated after selective intubation and HFOV of the right unaffected lung. We also review the reported cases of ALPE in neonates that were treated by one-sided high-frequency ventilation (HFV).

Incidence of ceftriaxone-associated gallbladder pseudolithiasis

We prospectively evaluated the incidence of gallbladder pseudolithiasis in children treated with high doses of ceftriaxone for a variety of serious infections. We also monitored the time interval needed for this phenomenon to develop and resolve completely after initiation and cessation of treatment, respectively. Included in this study are 44 children treated with ceftriaxone 100 mg/kg/d divided into 2 equal intravenous doses and followed by serial abdominal sonography. Eleven children developed pseudolithiasis of gallbladder 2-9 d after initiation of ceftriaxone therapy. Six children (54.5%) developed this complication within the first 3 d. Lithiasis completely resolved 8-23 d after the end of treatment. In conclusion, pseudolithiasis of the gallbladder developed in 25% of sick children and completely resolved in all patients. Early development of this complication was not exceptional. It occurred in more than half of these children.

Protracted course of N-acetylaspartic aciduria in two non-Jewish siblings: identical clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings

Canavan disease (CD) or N-acetylaspartic aciduria (NAA) is a severe, progressive, autosomal recessive leukodystrophy, occurring mainly among Ashkenazi Jewish individuals. We report clinical and MRI findings in two, non-Jewish, Greek siblings, 7 and 5 years, respectively, with a protracted form of NAA. The constellation of identical clinical course and identical MRI findings with involvement of the basal ganglia, the brainstem, the dentate nucleus and the subcortical white matter in both siblings, as well as the absence of the three commonest mutations found in both Jewish and non-Jewish CD patients, give support to the existence of a protracted form of NAA with a milder clinical course, presumably genetically determined.

Ilio-psoas abscess in a neonate

A full-term, small-for-gestational-age, neonate was born 4 days after rupture of the membranes. On the 5th day of life, she developed sepsis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae. On the 18th day of life, the right hip was noted swollen with limited range of motion, but it was painless on passive movements. Ultrasonography revealed abscess of the right ilio-psoas muscle with normal appearance of the right hip joint. Surgical incision and drainage and antibiotic administration resulted in a gradual full recovery. Ultrasonography can confirm the diagnosis of this exceptional clinical entity in neonates, which is difficult to differentiate from septic arthritis of the hip.

Distal ileocolic intussusception: another cause of inversion of superior mesenteric vessels in infants

OBJECTIVE

Inversion of the superior mesenteric vessels is associated with various conditions. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the position of these vessels in infants with idiopathic ileocolic intussusception.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Abdominal sonography was performed before and after reduction of ileocolic intussusception in 16 infants.

RESULTS

In 14 infants with ileocolic intussusception proximal to the splenic flexure, the relationship of the superior mesenteric vessels was normal (superior mesenteric vein to the right ventral side of superior mesenteric artery). Inversion of the superior mesenteric vessels (superior mesenteric vein to the left of the superior mesenteric artery) was found in two patients with distal ileocolic intussusception (head of the intussusceptum at the sigmoid colon or rectum). After reduction, the relationship of these vessels was normal in all 16 infants.

CONCLUSION

Inversion of the superior mesenteric vessels is sometimes caused by distal ileocolic intussusception in infants.

Azoospermia: clinical, hormonal, and biochemical investigation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, hormonal and biochemical characteristics of infertile men with azoospermia. A total of 187 azoospermic out of 2610 infertile men (7.2%) were studied. Mean testicular volume and basal plasma levels of FSH were the most useful parameters concerning the evaluation of azoospermia. Basal plasma levels of LH and T were useful only in azoospermic men with hypogonadism, whereas plasma PRL levels, semen volume, and seminal plasma fructose levels were not found to be of common use except in selected cases.

Seminal plasma transferrin in infertile men

Seminal plasma transferrin levels were estimated in 51 men with various infertility problems and in 15 fertile subjects. The estimation of transferrin was carried out by using the radial immunodiffusion technique on LC-partigen transferrin plates. The mean value of transferrin decreased (p less than .05) in cases of azoospermia (91 +/- 51 micrograms/ejaculate). No significant difference was found in other sperm quality disorders (asthenoteratospermia = 227 +/- 141, mild OTA = 186 +/- 96, severe OTA = 247 +/- 137 micrograms/ejaculate). The mean value of transferrin decreased (p less than .05) in obstructive azoospermia cases (73 +/- 70 micrograms/ejaculate), whereas in the other causes of infertility no statistical differences were found. Transferrin was correlated with sperm count, sperm volume, and serum LH.

Nephroblastomatosis: the whole spectrum of abnormalities in one case

A case of nephroblastomatosis is described in a previously healthy child with a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant as an incidental finding. This case of nephroblastomatosis demonstrates the whole spectrum of abnormalities from local regression to formation of true Wilms' tumors bilaterally over a 4-year period. The evolution of these changes provides a graphic and dramatic example of this interesting entity, indicating its potential malignant association with Wilms' tumor.

A psychogeriatric assessment program. I. Social functioning and ward behavior

Eightly newly admitted psychogeriatric patients were intensively investigated by a variety of disciplines -- medical, laboratory, and psychologic-psychiatric tests, including a Minimal Social Behavior Scale and an Integrative Social Functioning Scale. The sample of patients and methods of study for this 10-month Geriatric Assessment Program are described. Assessment of present and past social functioning revealed good agreement between ratings made by different staff members. A decline in social functioning with time differentiated organic from functional psychiatric illness. Some of the scales employed may be of value for social screening purposes in the community.