Germline mutations of the CDKN2 gene in UK melanoma families

Germline mutations in CDKN2 on chromosome 9p21, which codes for the cyclin D kinase inhibitor p16, and more rarely, mutations in the gene coding for CDK4, the protein to which p16 binds, underlie susceptibility in some melanoma families. We have sequenced all exons of CDKN2 and analysed the CDK4 gene for mutations in 27 UK families showing evidence of predisposition to melanoma. Five different germline mutations in CDKN2 were found in six families. Three of the mutations (Met53Ile, Arg24Pro and 23ins24) have been reported previously. We have identified two novel CDKN2 mutations (88delG and Ala118Thr) which are likely to be associated with the development of melanoma, because of their co-segregation with the disease and their likely functional effect on the CDKN2 protein. In binding assays the protein expressed from the previously described mutation, Met53Ile, did not bind to CDK4/CDK6, confirming its role as a causal mutation in the development of melanoma. Ala118Thr appeared to be functional in this assay. Arg24Pro appeared to bind to CDK6, but not to CDK4. No mutations were detected in exon 2 of CDK4, suggesting that causal mutations in this gene are uncommon. The penetrance of these mutant CDKN2 genes is not yet established, nor is the risk of non-melanoma cancer to gene carriers.      

IMPORTANCE OF DONOR SELECTION IN RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

Renal transplantation has become a treatment of choice for patients with end stage renal disease. A successful transplant is the result of a combination of several factors acting synergistically, such as the degree of HLA compatibility between donor and the recipient, pretransplant blood transfusions, the recipient''s state of immunoreactivity and sensitization, immunosuppressive therapy given in post operative period etc. Donor selection appears to be the most critical factor for the long term success of the organ graft. In this brief review, some of the important parameters of donor selection in renal transplantation are highlighted.KEY WORDS: Histocompatibility (HLA) matching, Cross match, Sensitization     

Proteus syndrome

Abstract: This female Asian (Malay) baby had clinical features of Proteus syndrome. She had a large right facial lipolymphangioma with hyperpigmentation of the overlying skin. There was a smaller lymphangioma over the left side of her neck with excess nuchal folds, macrodactyly and bilateral talipes equinovarus. Despite the extensive hemifacial swelling, there was no evidence of upper respiratory tract obstruction. Generalized seizures developed on the sixth day of life which were controlled with phenobarbital. The lymphangiomas were excised without recurrence.     

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERN OF ISOLATES FROM WOUND AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS

Two-hundred and eighty bacterial isolates from wound and soft tissue infections were studied for species identification and antibiotic resistance pattern. Amongst them 122 isolates were from community acquired infection and 158 were from nosocomial infections. The common community acquired pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (67.8%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (10.7%), whereas Staphylococcus aureus (60.1%) and E. Coli (8.9%) were common in nosocomial infection. Only two anaerobes (Cl perfringens) were isolated. Penicillin resistance was found to be 87% and 92% for Staphylococccus aureus in community acquired and noscomial infections respectively. 85% of Proteus isolates were resistant to ampicillin. There was relatively lower level of resistance by all isolates to cefotaxime. Gentamicin showed higher rate of resistance than netilmicin and amikacin. Resistance of E. coli isolates to fluoroquinolones being 79% for norfloxacin, 81% for ciprofloxacin and 60% for ofloxacin. The study showed a higher resistance of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to other antibiotics. Amikacin and ofloxacin were the best recommended drugs for empirical therapy for all organisms, the susceptibility rate being 80.7% and 80.4%.KEY WORDS: Antibiotic resistance, Soft tissue infections, Wound infections     

A potent analog of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 selectively induces bone formation

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] is a principal regulator of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis through actions on intestine, kidney, and bone. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) is not considered to play a significant role in bone formation, except for its role in supporting mineralization. We report here on the properties of 2-methylene-19-nor-(20S)-1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) (2MD), a highly potent analog of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) that induces bone formation both in vitro and in vivo. Selectivity for bone was first demonstrated through the observation that 2MD is at least 30-fold more effective than 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in stimulating osteoblast-mediated bone calcium mobilization while being only slightly more potent in supporting intestinal calcium transport. 2MD is also highly potent in promoting osteoblast-mediated osteoclast formation in vitro, a process essential to both bone resorption and formation. Most significantly, 2MD at concentrations as low as 10(-12) M causes primary cultures of osteoblasts to produce bone in vitro. This effect is not found with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) even at 10(-8) M, suggesting that 2MD might be osteogenic in vivo. Indeed, 2MD (7 pmol/day) causes a substantial increase (9%) in total body bone mass in ovariectomized rats over a 23-week period. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) (500 pmol three times a week) only prevented the bone loss associated with ovariectomy and did not increase bone mass. These results indicate that 2MD is a potent bone-selective analog of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) potentially effective in treating bone loss diseases.     

Factor V deficiency in Philadelphia-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia

Factor V deficiency has been identified in 8 of 8 patients 7--20 yr of age, with Philadelphia-positive (Ph1+) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In these 8 patients, factor V deficiency was not due to hepatic dysfunction, factor V inhibitors, or disseminated intravascular coagulation. In 3 patients, factor V activity rose 10%--12% (0.10--0.12 U/ml) after the infusion of 28--31 ml/kg body weight of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). The rise persisted less than 14 hr. The mean measured postinfusion rise in factor V was 18% of the expected rise calculated from the volume of FFP infused in the patients' plasma volume. In 4 patients, a small transient rise in factor V activity occurred after splenectomy or plateletpheresis. Factor V deficiency was completely corrected after a marked reduction in bone marrow cellularity in 2 patients with Ph1+ CML treated with extensive chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and bone marrow transplantation. Factor V deficiency was retrospectively observed in 6 of 20 patients, ages 20--80 yr, with Ph1+ CML and 3 of 6 patients with other myeloproliferative disorders. The factor V deficiency appears to be associated with the large myeloid- megakaryocytic cell mass characteristic of CML and other myeloproliferative disorders.     

Safety and Efficacy of Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate Compared to Morphine Sulphate Immediate Release Tablet in Management of Breakthrough Cancer Pain

Aim:

To compare the efficacy and safety of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) and oral morphine in Indian patients with breakthrough episodes of cancer pain.

Materials and Methods:

In this randomized, open label, active controlled, clinical study, total 186 patients who regularly experienced 1-4 episodes of breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) daily, over the persistent pain controlled by taking oral morphine 60 mg/day or its equivalent were randomized to receive either OTFC 200 mcg or oral morphine 10 mg for the treatment of BTCP for 3 days. Improvement in pain as determined by numerical rating scale (NRS) at 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes of drug administration and percentage of BTCP episodes showing reduction in pain intensity by >33% at 15 minutes were primary efficacy endpoints. Secondary efficacy endpoints were requirement for rescue analgesia and global assessment by physician and patient. Data of both treatment groups were analysed by appropriate statistical test using software, STATISTICA, version 11.

Results:

Patients treated with OTFC experienced significantly greater improvement in pain intensity of breakthrough episodes compared to those treated with oral morphine at all assessment time points (P < 0.0001). 56% of breakthrough pain episodes treated with OTFC showed a greater than 33% reduction in pain intensity from baseline at 15 minutes compared to 39% episodes treated with oral morphine (P < 0.0001). Patient''s and physician''s global assessment favoured OTFC than oral morphine (P < 0.0001). Requirement of rescue analgesia in both the study groups was similar (P > 0.05). Both study drugs were well tolerated.

Conclusions:

OTFC was found to provide faster onset of analgesic effect than immediate release oral morphine in management of breakthrough cancer pain.