Identification of novel variants in neonatal diabetes mellitus genes in Egyptian patients with permanent NDM

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a monogenic form of diabetes resulting from mutations in more than 20 different genes encoding proteins playing a key role in the normal function of the pancreatic beta-cell. Mutations in the genes encoding the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, ABCC8, and KCNJ11 and insulin (INS) gene are the most common causes of NDM; however, in consanguineous populations, EIF2AK3 mutations are more common. Identification of the causative mutations by genetic testing is critical for appropriate management and to guide genetic counseling. To determine the genetic etiology of NDM in diabetic neonates and infants diagnosed before the age of 1 year and to describe their phenotype/genotype characteristics, DNA sequencing of coding regions and intronic boundaries of ABCC8, KCNJ11, INS, and EIF2AK3 genes was undertaken in 20 patients. Further, targeted next-generation sequencing was performed for other genes known to cause NDM. ABCC8 mutations were found in two patients (10%), with compound heterozygous mutations (p.N131 K/p.R598*) in one patient and a homozygous mutation (p.R1554Q) in the another patient. Heterozygous p.A174G and p.V59M mutations of KCNJ11 were identified in two patients (10%), and homozygous EIF2AK3 mutations were identified in two further patients (p.T905fs and p.R653T) (10%). No INS mutations were identified. Further testing identified a SLC19A2 mutation (p.W387*) in one patient (5%) and the same homozygous GCK mutation in two siblings (p.A188T). ABCC8, KCNJ11, and EIF2AK3 mutations were the main genetic causes of permanent NDM among Egyptian neonates.

     

Shedding light on vasculitis in Egypt: a multicenter retrospective cohort study of characteristics,management, and outcome

Clinical Rheumatology - The frequency of different vasculitides and their characteristics vary among different regions. The identification of geographic disparities of disease phenotypes helps the...     

The glycemic and peak incremental indices of honey,sucrose and glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: effects on C-peptide level—a pilot study

Our study was a case–control cross-sectional study that was conducted on 20 children and adolescents suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus and ten healthy non-diabetic children and adolescents serving as controls. The mean age of patients was 10.95 years. Oral sugar tolerance tests using glucose, sucrose and honey and measurement of fasting and postprandial serum C-peptide levels were done for all subjects in three separate sittings. The glycemic index (GI) and the peak incremental index (PII) were then calculated for each subject. Honey, compared to sucrose, had lower GI and PII in both patients (P < 0.001) and control (P < 0.05) groups. In the patients group, the increase in the level of C-peptide after using honey was not significant when compared with using either glucose or sucrose. However, in the control group, honey produced a significant higher C-peptide level, when compared with either glucose or sucrose. In conclusion, honey, because of its lower GI and PII when compared with sucrose, may be used as a sugar substitute in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.     

Oxidant stress in primary nephrotic syndrome: does it modulate the response to corticosteroids?

In order to assess the oxidative stress in newly diagnosed children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS), we serially measured serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in 33 children with PNS and ten healthy matched controls. Patients were classified into two groups: those who had steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS; n = 26) and those who had steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS; n = 7). Of the patients with SSNS, 15 were non-relapsers and 11 were relapsers. At the proteinuric phase, all patients had significantly higher MDA levels and lower TAC than the controls. These changes were more marked in patients with SRNS than in those with SSNS. During remission and still on corticosteroids, patients had higher TAC and similar MDA levels as in the proteinuric phase, but the TAC and MDA levels still significantly differed from those of the controls. More improvement in TAC and MDA levels occurred in patients following the weaning of corticosteroids, but TAC was still lower in the patients than in the controls. Moreover, TAC was higher in non-relapsers than in relapsers. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, the initial response to corticosteroids could be predicted at serum TAC level ≥0.73 mM/L (sensitivity 89%, specificity 86%), while serum TAC levels ≤ 1.14 mM/L after the weaning of corticosteroids could predict that the patient would not relapse (sensitivity 91%, specificity 80%). In conclusion, based on our results, PNS can be considered to be associated with oxidative stress even during remission. This stress may modulate the response to corticosteroids. Further prospective studies using larger numbers of patients are needed to validate these results.     

Associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene with adiponectin levels and cardio-metabolic risk factors in patients with cancer

Objectives: The aims of this study are to (1) study the influence of polymorphisms in adiponectin gene on adiponectin levels and potential associations with breast, prostate and colon cancer; (2) investigate the associations of adiponectin levels with other adipokines and breast, prostate and colon cancers. Subjects: We measured fasting adiponectin, leptin, insulin, Sex steroids in 132 (66 females, 66 males) cancer patients and 68 age and sex matched apparently healthy subjects. Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference were used as indices of obesity. Insulin Resistance was assessed using Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA). Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP rs182052 (G-10066-A), SNP rs1501299 (276G > T), SNP rs224176 (45T > G) in adiponectin gene were studied using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: GG genotype of SNP rs1501299 was significantly associated with higher levels of adiponectin (OR=1.2, 95%CI(1.03–1.3), p = 0.02); breast (OR=8.6, 95%CI(1.03–71), p = 0.04), colon cancers (OR= 12, 95%CI(1.2–115), p = 0.03). GT genotype was also associated significantly with colon cancer (OR=2.6, 95%CI (1.1–6), p = 0.03). However SNP rs224176 was associated with only breast cancer. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that adiponectin gene SNP rs1501299 and SNP rs224176 may be the predisposing factors in some cancers but our results differ from what has been reported in other populations suggesting a complex relationship between genetic variations and phenotypic adiponectin levels.     

Inherited thrombophilia in pediatric ischemic stroke: an Egyptian study

Pediatric stroke is relatively uncommon, with often subtle clinical presentations. Numerous predisposing risk factors can be both inherited and acquired, including cardiac disease, vascular abnormalities, infectious diseases, collagen tissue diseases, inborn errors of metabolism, anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant, deficiencies of protein C, protein S, antithrombin, or plasminogen, and prothrombotic mutations. We explored risk factors, clinical features, and neuroimaging among Egyptian children with ischemic stroke, and estimated the prevalence of inherited thrombophilia. We included 20 children with ischemic stroke, recruited from the Pediatric Neurology Outpatient Clinic (Ain Shams University). Basic clinical evaluations for stroke and genotyping for factor V 1691 G-A (factor V Leiden), prothrombin 20210 G-A mutations, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 C-T polymorphisms were performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction, with fluorescent melting curve detection analysis. Ten patients (50%) manifested methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms (six homozygotes and four heterozygotes). Heterozygous factor V Leiden was present in five (25%), whereas prothrombin mutation was present in only one (5%). Five patients (25%) manifested combined prothrombotic abnormalities. Thirteen demonstrated evidence of inherited thrombophilic disorder; 25% manifested more than one mutation. For appropriate risk assessment, even in the presence of overt acquired thrombotic risk factors, physicians should request complete thrombophilia screening for patients with stroke.     

Laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage: new approach

Objective: To evaluate efficiency and safety of the new approach of laparoscopic cerclage.

Study design: Fifteen women were operated with our new technique. Their age ranged from 22 years to 35 years. Inclusion criteria included those with history of two or more second trimesteric abortions or early preterm labor. These women had at least two previous unsuccessful vaginal cerclage or vaginal insertion of cerclage is not possible because of congenitally short cervix, cervical conization or excessive cervical scarring.

Results: Twelve of the participants delivered vaginally with the removal of cerclage, two had CS due to breech presentation and the cerclage was left in place and the last one has surgical evacuation. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered namely; excessive bleeding, injury of uterine vessels or postoperative peritonitis. No technical difficulties upon doing the procedure or cerclage removal were met apart from one case where removal of the vaginal stitch was not possible [incision was done in the cervix over the tape and the Mersilene tape was cut followed by repair of the cervical tissue using (00) Vicryl stitches].

Conclusion: The new approach for laparoscopic cerclage is a safe, effective and reasonable treatment after failure of vaginal cerclage.