MTHFR Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Adults and Children: A Case Control Study in India

Genetic polymorphisms in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene have been associated with the development of acute leukemias and various malignancies. The role of MTHFR polymorphism in the development of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been extensively studied among north Indians in various settings, yet its association with acute leukemias remains unresolved. To evaluate the relationship between functional MTHFR polymorphisms, C677T and A1298C and possible effect on risk of ALL in adults and children in North Indian population by comparing them with healthy controls. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 184 ALL patients (33 adults, 151 children) and 155 controls and analyzed by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The frequency of MTHFR 677CT and 1298 AC genotypes were significantly lower among adult ALL cases when compared to the controls. We found a 1.74-fold reduced risk of ALL in individuals with 1298AC polymorphic variant and a 9.17-fold decreased risk of adult ALL. However, no statistically significant difference was evident between the above polymorphisms and susceptibility to ALL in children. Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene possibly modulate risk of ALL in north Indian adults but not in children, although larger studies are needed.     

Atypical Mycobacterial Infection in Hairy Cell Leukemia Treated with Cladribine

We report a case of hairy cell leukemia who improved after cladribine but succumbed to disseminated atypical mycobacterial infection 2 months after completing cladribine.     

Effect of S-methylisothiourea,an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor,in joint pain and pathology in surgically induced model of osteoarthritis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vivo modulatory effect of S-methylisothiourea (SMT), a preferential inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) on pain and pathology in the surgical model of osteoarthritis (OA) in rats. The OA was produced by the anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and medial meniscectomy (MMx) of right knee. SMT was administered 1 day prior to the production of OA and continued up to day 42 postoperation. Mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia, tail flick latency after repeated flexion and extension of OA knee and knee diameter of right knee were determined at weekly intervals. Serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and nitrite concentration were determined at the end of the experiment. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, collagen content and histopathological evaluation of articular cartilage were also determined at the end of the experiment. SMT reduced mechanical hyperalgesia and the serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and nitrite. Further, SMT reduced the loss of GAG from articular cartilage. Microscopically, SMT reduced the severity of the cartilage lesion. The results indicate the effectiveness of SMT in attenuating the pain and pathology of experimental OA phase by reducing the production of nitric oxide and interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, which are known to play a major role in the pathophysiology of OA.     

Electro-Mechanical Finger Prosthesis: A Novel Approach for Rehabilitation of Finger Amputees

Prosthesis refers to artificial replacement of an absent part of the human body. These prostheses help in psychological support of the patients and enhance their social acceptance. Complete or partial finger amputations are some of most frequently encountered forms of partial hand loss. Micro vascular reconstruction is the first choice of rehabilitation but when it is contraindicated, unavailable, unsuccessful or unaffordable, the prosthetic rehabilitation is an alternative for improving the psychological status of an individual. Most of these artificial prostheses make use of silicone. The present paper tries to combine aesthetics with function. The authors have created functionally active finger prosthesis with the help of electromechanical controls. The prosthesis is battery-powered, light-weight, and allows the user to regain complete control of flexion and extension movements of an artificial finger.