Anterior Encephalocele and Its Association with MTHFR Polymorphisms: A Case-Control Study

Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) are thought to be associated with genetic defects and environmental factors. This study aims to determine the association of MTHFR gene polymorphisms and maternal body mass index (BMI) with anterior encephalocele (AE).

Methods Blood samples of 20 patients (out of 41 children) were available for genetic analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples using Wizard genomic DNA purification kit. The MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms genotyping protocols were adapted from Cicek et al. Eighty-two age- (1–14 years) and sex-matched apparently healthy children were taken as controls. We assessed the nutritional status of all the volunteers by measuring their BMI and then classified according to WHO BMI cutoff points.

Results Nasofrontal AE was seen mostly among the female cases while among males, nasoethmoidal AE was predominant. We observed a weak association between MTHFR 677CT genotype and AE. In the case of MTHFR A1298C, both the 1298AC and 1298CC genotypes increased the risk of acquiring AE by several folds. Multivariate analysis revealed that both 1298AC and 1298CC genotypes increased the risk of acquiring AE. However, only 1298AC was significantly associated with the risk of AE. The study also showed significantly low BMI among the children and their mothers.

Conclusion There is a strong association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and the risk of anterior encephalocele in this community. The C677T polymorphism, however, did not constitute a genetic risk factor in this study. Children with AE also had significantly low BMI.

Noncatheter-related bacteraemia due to Chryseobacterium indologenes in an immunocompetent patient

Chryseobacterium indologenes belongs to a group of nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli and is an uncommon human pathogen. It causes severe infections such as septicaemia and ventilator-associated pneumonia in immunocompromised patients or after prolonged hospitalisation. We report a case of a noncatheter-related bacteraemia in a 22-year-old immunocompetent female whose blood culture showed the growth of C. indologenes, identified by Vitek GNI system (bioMerieux, France). The patient responded to treatment with ciprofloxacin. The pathogenicity and virulence factors of C. indologenes remain unclear. This case indicates that C. indologenes might cause symptomatic disease in immunocompetent persons with otherwise no associated underlying risk factors.

Evidence of gene-gene interactions between MTHFD1 and MTHFR in relation to anterior encephalocele susceptibility in Northeast India

BACKGROUND

Anterior encephalocele (AE) is a rare congenital anomaly of the central nervous system which is thought to be associated with genetic defects in folate metabolism.

METHODS

This case-control study investigated the interactions of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1)-1958G>A (rs2236225) and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) - 677C>T (rs1801133) and 1298A>C (rs1801131) polymorphisms with the risk of AE in the Northeast Indian population. A total of 40 AE cases and 80 controls were investigated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique.

RESULTS

MTHFR 1298CC was significantly associated with AE risk (odds ratio [OR] 4.21; p = 0.01). The MTHFR haplotypes 677C-1298C/677T-1298A (OR, 2.50) and 677T-1298C (OR, 2.86) conferred risk in a progressive manner (χ² = 9.82; p < 0.01). MTHFD1 1958G>A was not associated with disease susceptibility. Children with the rs2236225 GA and the rs1801131 CC genotypes were at an increased risk as compared to the reference genotype of rs2236225 GG and rs1801131 AA (OR, 14.4; p = 0.02). Children with the rs2236225 GG and rs1801133 CT genotypes were also at an elevated risk (OR, 4.76; p = 0.01). The MTHFD1 polymorphism together with the MTHFR haplotypes elevated risk in a progressive manner (χ² = 6.29; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The data support our hypothesis of gene-gene interaction between MTHFD1 and MTHFR and the risk of AE. Together with the MTHFR haplotypes, MTHFD1 elevates risk in a progressive manner. The minor allelic frequencies of the MTHFD1 1958G>A and MTHFR 1298A>C in our populations were similar to those reported from Southeast Asian population, suggesting a possible explanation for the prevalence of this malformation in these regions. Birth Defects Research 109:432-444, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Gluteal teratoma: A rare site of extragonadal teratoma

Extragonadal teratomas are rarely encountered in infants and children. These tumors are reported in retroperitoneum, floor of the mouth, mediastinum, craniofacial region or even in the solid organs of the body. Most of the gluteal teratomas reported in the literature are in fact, lateralized sacrococcygeal teratomas. We are reporting a case of unilateral big gluteal teratoma in a 6-year-old girl. The tumor did not have any connection with the sacrum or coccyx and was successfully removed. Histology showed well-differentiated bowel as well as fetiform structures.

Variations in the spatial distribution of gall bladder cancer: a call for collaborative action

Background:

The incidence of gall bladder cancers in this part of the world is high and the spatial variation in occurrence of gall bladder cancers can be identified by using geographical information system.

Materials and Methods:

Data set containing the address information of gall bladder cancer patients from the District of Kamrup, India was obtained from cancer registry of a regional cancer center. The data set consisted of patients registered during the period of January 2010 to December 2012. The ArcGIS 10.0 used for the present analysis and the population density map of the District was prepared by using LandScan, 2008™.

Results:

There were isolated areas with very high density of cases and low population density termed as “hot spots”. Alternatively there were areas with very high population density and lesser number of cases with gall bladder cancers.

Conclusion:

This type of an analysis using GIS provides evidence to conduct joint research by epidemiologists and specialists from environmental and geological sciences in tandem.

Addressing barriers to effective basal insulin therapy

Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. It is a major health hazard particularly in developing countries like India due to the genetic susceptibility and changes in lifestyle. Glycaemic control is very poor in India as reflected by recent studies showing average HbA1c of > 9%. Insulin therapy is the mainstay of diabetes management. Currently available insulins have certain limitations. Modern insulin therapy needs to overcome these limitations to effectively achieve the optimal glycemic control. Hypoglycaemia is one of the important barrier which limits the use of insulin therapy and incidence of hypoglycaemia increases with increased variability in glucose lowering effects of Insulin when one tries to achieve stricter glycaemic targets. Fixed time administration is another important barrier, particularly for basal insulin administration that may affect the quality of life. Also the available basal insulins do not provide complete 24 hours control of fasting hyperglycaemia. Insulin degludec is designed to have a flat and stable glucose-lowering effect for more than 42 hours with less risk of hypoglycaemia. And it overcomes most of the issues with currently available basal insulins.

Fluorescence lifetime fluctuations of single molecules probe the local environment of oligomers around the glass transition temperature

Single molecule fluorescence experiments have been performed on a BODIPY-based dye embedded in oligo(styrene) matrices to probe the density fluctuations and the relaxation dynamics of chain segments surrounding the dye molecules. The time-dependent fluorescence lifetime of the BODIPY probe was recorded as an observable for the local density fluctuations. At room temperature, the mean fraction of holes surrounding the probes is shown to be unaffected by the molecular weight in the glassy state. In contrast, the free volume increases significantly in the supercooled regime. These observations are discussed in the framework of the entropic theories of the glass transition.

Food and feeding of Amphiesma stolatum (Linnaeus 1758)

The food and feeding behaviour of Amphiesma stolatum was studied. A total of 117 snakes were examined to analyse the diet composition. Ten live snakes were maintained in enclosure for evaluating the feeding habit, choice of food and rate of assimilation. The anurans constituted the major diet of the food spectrum. In captivity, fishes (fry), amphibians and reptiles were consumed by the snakes. A. stolatum exihibited Elaphe type of hunting behaviour. In most cases the snake struck the prey at its head. The assimilation rate with frog was highest.