The association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism with respiratory distress syndrome in premature neonates.

BACKGROUND: There was a contradiction in the previous literature on whether the D/D genotype of angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) is a protective or risk factor for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature neonates. To solve this debate, we intended to examine the association between ACE gene polymorphism and RDS in premature neonates. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 100 premature neonates with gestational age below 37 weeks. They were divided into 2 groups, the case group included 50 premature neonates diagnosed with RDS. While the control group included 50 premature neonates with no signs of RDS. We assessed ACE gene polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction. All neonates underwent chest x-ray, echocardiography, and routine laboratory investigations. RESULTS: D/D and D/I genotypes were higher in the control group (48% and 50%) than in the case group (26% and 40%). Whereas, I/I genotype was lower in the control group (2%) than in the case group (34%) (p < 0.001). By counting D alleles among members of both groups, D-alleles were significantly higher in the control group (73%) than in the case group (46%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In premature neonates, D/D and D/I genotypes and D-alleles are protective factors for RDS. Whereas, I/I genotype and I-alleles are associated with the incidence of RDS with complications.

Correction to: The G178A polymorphic variant of INSL3 may be linked to cryptorchidism among Egyptian pediatric cohort.

In the original publication.

The G178A polymorphic variant of INSL3 may be linked to cryptorchidism among Egyptian pediatric cohort.

Cryptorchidism (CO) is a genital disorder of multifactorial etiology, with serious remote complications. Mutations in insulin-like 3 hormones (INSL3) G/A variant remain a matter of inquiry. We aimed to investigate the association between G178A-INSL3 polymorphism and undescended testis in a cohort of Egyptian children. In this study, a total of 160 children, including 80 cases with primary non-syndromic undescended testes and 80 healthy children with normal external genitalia as controls, both, were analyzed after detailed history, physical examination and imaging for mutations of G178A polymorphism of INSL3 gene by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. We found most of the undescended testes were inside the inguinal canal mainly on the left side. Genetic analysis revealed that the mutant A allele of G178A INSL3 variant was significantly detected in the patient group with a frequency of 26.2% against 12.5% for control subjects, especially among cases with an evident family history of similar cases as shown by p value = 0.001 and odd's ratio (CI95%) of 0.13 (0.04-0.723). In conclusion, G178A-INSL3 gene polymorphism could be a susceptibility factor for testicular maldescent in Egyptian children. Also, family history of similar cases was considered as significant predictive risk for cryptorchidism, added to the shared genetic links to consanguinity in our locality.

The genetic variant "C588T" of GABARG2 is linked to childhood idiopathic generalized epilepsy and resistance to antiepileptic drugs.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have suggested that GABARG2 (Gamma-Aminobutyric acid type A Receptor Gamma 2 subunit) could be a gene of interest in genetic epilepsy; through possible associations with increased epilepsy susceptibility or resistance to antiepileptic drugs. The present study was designed to explore whether the GABARG2 C588 T (rs211037) genetic variant predicts susceptibility to epilepsy and pharmacoresistance among Egyptian children with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE). METHODS: A cohort of 210 Egyptian children was divided into two groups for this case-control study: group (I) included 100 children with IGE, group (II) comprised of 110 paediatric healthy controls. PCR-RFLP was used to amplify the C588 T polymorphism of the GABARG2 gene, which was digested with APOI restriction enzymes. RESULTS: There was a higher frequency of the TT genotype (P = 0.004) and T allele (P = 0.002) of the C588 T polymorphism of the GABARG2 gene in patients than controls. Besides, there was a substantial increase of the T allele among drug-resistant patients compared with those responding to antiepileptic drugs (P = 0.00015). Children with the C allele were four times more likely to be responsive to antiepileptic drugs than non-C-allele-carriers. CONCLUSION: The C588 T polymorphism of GABARG2 is associated with an increased risk of developing childhood IGE and may modulate patients' response to antiepileptic drugs.