Interaction of HLA-DRB1* alleles and CTLA4 (+49 AG) gene polymorphism in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.

Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases (AITDs), including Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD), arise by the complex interaction of genes and environmental factors. The aim of present study was to study the susceptible associations of HLA-DRB1* alleles and CTLA4 +49 AG polymorphism in AITD in south India. AITD patients (n=235; HT=180; GD=55) and age/sex matched healthy controls (n, 235) were enrolled to type HLA-DRB1* alleles and 'CTLA4 +49 AG' by PCR-SSP and PCR-RFLP methods respectively. Analysis revealed CTLA4 +49 'GG' genotype was increased significantly in patients (PL: p=8.7×10-8; HT: p=9.3×10-6; GD: p=0.006). Decreased frequencies of 'AA' genotype was observed in patients (PL: p=9.4×10-6; HT: p=0.008; GD: p=9.0×10-6). Increased frequencies were observed for HLA alleles DRB1*12 (PL: p=1.42×10-10; HT: p=5.75×10-8; GD: p=0.002) and DRB1*11 (PL: p=0.0025; HT: p=0.013) in patients. Decreased frequencies for alleles DRB1*10 (PL: p=0.00002; HT: p=0.018; GD: p=1.63×10-5) and DRB1*03 (PL: p=0.003; HT: p=0.003) were observed, suggesting a protective association. Combinatorial/Synergistic analysis have revealed an increased frequencies for 'DRB1*11+AG' (PL: p=0.022), 'DRB1*12+AG' (PL: p=6.1×10-5; HT: p=0.0001), 'DRB1*04+GG' (PL: p=0.003; HT: p=0.008), 'DRB1*07+GG' (PL: p=0.009; HT: p=0.014) and 'DRB1*12+GG' (PL: p=0.005; HT: p=0.005) in patients. However, the combinations such as 'DRB1*10+AA' (PL: p=1.8×10-6; HT: p=0.003) and 'DRB1*15+AA' (PL: p=0.006; GD: p=0.011) were decreased in patients showing a protective association. The 'GG/G' of CTLA4 +49AG SNP, HLA-DRB1*11/-DRB1*12 (DR5) alleles and the combinations of DRB1*11/DRB1*12 alleles with AG/GG genotype and DRB1*04/07/12 alleles with GG genotype may act as synergistic manner to confer the strong susceptibility to AITD in south India.

Isolation of bacterial strains possessing nitrogen-fixation, phosphate and potassium-solubilization and their inoculation effects on sugarcane.

Inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and potash (K) are the most influencing macro-nutrients for plant growth and microbial supplementation of these minerals through N2-fixation, P- and K-solubilization is gaining importance. In the present study, a macronutrient deficient (MD), N-free novel medium, supplemented with tri calcium phosphate (TCP as P- source) and Mica (as K- source) was used for isolation of microbes possessing nitrogen fixing, P- & K solubilizing abilities. Samples of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils, roots and leaves of sugarcane varieties (viz., Co 6304, Co 86032 and CoC 671) collected from Tamil Nadu, India were used for isolation. Totally, 8 individual nitrogen-fixing, phosphate- and potash-solubilizing bacterial strains were obtained. Nitrogen-fixing abilities of these isolates were confirmed by analyzing acetylene reduction (AR) activity and the presence of nif genes. P- and K- solubilizing activities were confirmed by cultivating these isolates in solid/liquid medium supplemented with insoluble forms of P and K. These isolates which produced growth hormone IAA, were in two groups as Roseateles terrae and Burkholderia gladioli, respectively based on the morphological, physiological, biochemical and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Association between diazotrophic, P- and K-solubilizing R. terrae and B. gladioli with sugarcane has not been reported earlier. These isolates were tested for their growth-promoting abilities in sugarcane cultivated in pots, and the results showed that these isolates were able to increase the leaf chlorophyll, N content and total biomass. This study may encourage farmers to use single microbe for microbial supplementation of N, P and K instead of consortium of microbes wherein the compatibility between different microbes is often compromised.

Extraarticular bony ankylosis in a child with supracondylar fracture of humerus / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Myositis ossificans is defined as formation of bone at the site of injured muscle. It is one of the rare complications of supracondylar fracture of humerus in children. Myositis mass usually develops on the anterior aspect in the brachialis muscle and produces restriction of range of motion, but complete ankylosis is rare. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to be reported in the literature as a consequence of myositis ossificans traumatica. In this case, a six-year-old child presented to the casualty department with pain in the right elbow after a fall on outstretched hand during play. After surgical excision through the anterior approach, the child had no symptoms referable to the elbow and a residual flexion deformity of 15 degrees with further painless flexion up to 100 degrees at last follow-up of one year after surgery.

Tropical chronic pancreatitis and peripheral vascular disease. A case report.

CONTEXT: It is well-known that subjects with diabetes resulting from tropical chronic pancreatitis are prone to diabetic microvascular complications (neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy). However, macrovascular complications (coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral vessel disease) are rare, as these subjects are younger, leaner and have lower cholesterol levels. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 51-year-old male who had tropical chronic pancreatitis, diabetes and severe peripheral vessel disease with gangrene. He was lean, had borderline lipid levels and was normotensive. His ECG was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral vascular disease can occur in these diabetic subjects, even without additional risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease. All subjects with tropical chronic pancreatitis and diabetes should have a complete foot examination once a year, in addition to screening for other vascular complications.