Correction to 'ALOX5, LPA, MMP9 and TPO gene polymorphisms increase atherothrombosis susceptibility in middle-aged Mexicans'

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190775.].

ALOX5, LPA, MMP9 and TPO gene polymorphisms increase atherothrombosis susceptibility in middle-aged Mexicans

Atherothrombosis is the cornerstone of cardiovascular diseases and the primary cause of death worldwide. Genetic contribution to disturbances in lipid metabolism, coagulation, inflammation and oxidative stress increase the susceptibility to its development and progression. Given its multifactorial nature, the multiloci studies have been proposed as potential predictors of susceptibility. A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the contribution of nine genes involved in oxidative stress, inflammatory and thrombotic processes in 204 subjects with atherothrombosis matched by age and gender with a healthy group (n = 204). To evaluate the possibility of spurious associations owing to the Mexican population genetic heterogeneity as well as its ancestral origins, 300 unrelated mestizo individuals and 329 Native Americans were also included. ALOX5, LPA, MMP9 and TPO gene polymorphisms, as well as their multiallelic combinations, were twice to four times more frequent in those individuals with clinical manifestations of atherothrombosis than in the healthy group. Once adjusting for population stratification was done, these differences remained. Our results add further evidence on the contribution of ALOX5, LPA, MMP9 and TPO polymorphisms to atherothrombosis development in the middle-aged group, emphasizing the multiethnic studies in search of gene risk polymorphisms.

PPARG-LYPLAL1 Multi-Allelic Combination Associated with Obesity and Overweight in Mexican Adolescent Females

OBJECTIVE

We studied multi-loci variants to identify the contribution of six candidate genes (ADIPOQ, CDH13, LYPLAL1, MC4R, PPARG and PGC1A) in the development of obesity and overweight.

DESIGN

We genotyped 404 chromosomes with eleven SNPs in Mexican female adolescents, who were subdivided into two groups (obesity-overweight and normal-weight) using the World Health Organization parameters. Genomic (800 chromosomes) and ancestral (208 chromosomes) controls were included to reduce the population bias. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, and caloric intake were obtained only in the groups of Mexican female adolescents.

RESULTS

A positive genotype-phenotype association was found that involves the multi-allelic combination of three risk alleles (one in PPARG and two in LYPLAL1) with obesity and overweight (OR=3.1, P=.010). This combination also exhibited a significant association with waist circumference (P=.030) and triglycerides levels (P=.030). These associations were supported by a logistic regression analysis adjusted for several confounding variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest the joint participation of PPARG-LYPLAL1 genes in metabolic disorders development. Hence, these genes could act as potential biomarkers in obesity and overweight. Our findings underscore the complexity of metabolic disorders and provide evidence about the importance of multi-loci analysis to study complex diseases.

[Capillary electrophoresis, a new diagnostic tool]

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) may replace many conventional clinical laboratory methods, such as electrophoresis, Southern blotting, sequencing and HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography). It is an ideal technique due to analytical speed, the possibility of handling great amount of samples, its capacity to separate small molecules according to their size, charge, hydrophobic and stereo-specificity its good reproducibility the use of small amounts of sample and reagents, its low costs and easy handling. The diagnosis of hereditary diseases or the predisposition to polygenic diseases related to specific mutations or polymorphisms can be carried out with this method. In clinical laboratories, this technique is being used for the analysis of several substrates present in urine or serum and for the diagnosis of some infectious agents. It is also a firsthand tool in forensic medicine for human identification and anthropology.

[Diagnosis of the peripheral hereditary neuropathies and its molecular genetics]

Peripheral neuropathies include a wide range of pathological disorders characterized by damage of peripheral nerves. Among them, peripheral hereditary neuropathies are a group of frequent illnesses and early evolution. They have been named hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) or peripheral hereditary neuropathies type Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). The most frequent types are CMT1, CMT2 and CMTX. Approximately 70% of the cases correspond to subtype CMT1A, associated with tandem duplication of a 1.5 Mb DNA fragment on chromosome 17p11.2-p12 that codifies the peripheral myelin protein PMP22. So far, there five different types of CMT (1,2,3,4,X) with approximately 32 subtypes, associated with more than 30 genes. Have been reported genetic heterogeneity and expression variability of the illness makes it necessary to carry on diagnostic strategies that integrate clinical study for determining genetic clinical history, family history, complete physical exploration, muscular strength, physical deformities, reflexes and sensitivity, and molecular studies allow detection of different types of mutations and help establish a correct diagnosis and an adequate genetic counseling.

[Microarray design using virtual hybridization to study variations in REP-CMT1A sites]

BACKGROUND

Gene PMP22 is duplicated in patients with CMT1A. Duplication is due to an unequal chromatid interchange during meiosis that takes place between two 24 Kb regions named REP-CMT1A proximal and distal sites. Homology is approximately 98%. Within each one of the sites we find zones termed hot spots where a greater number of variants and mutations could give origin to an unequal interchange. The aim of this study was to design a set of probes to create a microarray that could detect the presence of variants and mutation points in distal and proximal REP sites among patients with CMT1A.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

With reported sequences of distal and proximal REPs, we determined hot spot sites within proximal and distal regions. These sequences were aligned and matched, hence 12 zones were detected.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Twenty four probes were designed and analyzed using the Genosensor Probe Designer program. Probes could be synthesized and used in a microarray that is able to find variations and mutation points and facilitates diagnosis of patients with CMT1A.

[Percutaneous biopsy evaluation in the diagnosis of thoracic and lumbar vertebral destruction syndrome]

BACKGROUND

The vertebral destruction syndrome is defined as those pathologies affecting the integrity of the vertebral structure, modifying its normal architecture and resulting in neurological deficit. Correct diagnosis is essential to define appropriate treatment. Biopsy, in addition to histopathological study, is a vital element for definitive diagnosis.

METHODS

We carried out a descriptive, deliberate interventional study in 20 patients with a diagnosis of vertebral destruction in whom a percutaneous transpendicular biopsy was done between January 2005 and July 2006. Variables analyzed were age, sex, affected segment, neurological condition, neurological deficit type, results of the biopsy and specific diagnosis.

RESULTS

There was a predominance of males (55%). The lumbar spine was the most affected region in 80% of patients. Of the biopsies performed, 10% were reported as normal tissue, 20% with degenerative changes, 15% with inflammatory changes, 15% with primary tumoral lesion, 5% with chronic osteomyelitis, 10% with tuberculosis, 15% with tumoral metastasis and 10% necrotic devitalized bone tissue. Of these patients, 55% were treated nonsurgically, and the remaining 45% were treated surgically. No complications were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous transpedicular biopsy has only 55% specificity in diagnosis and for that reason is a less useful diagnostic method in our setting for destructive lesion diagnosis from the vertebral body.

[Use of fibrin glue in combination with autologous bone graft as bone enhancer in posterolateral spinal fusion. An experimental study in New Zealand rabbits]

BACKGROUND

Currently there are different strategies to increase the fusion rate in spine surgery in the presence of autologous bone graft. The use of fibrin glue has multiple applications in surgery, but there is controversy about the use of fibrin glue as a bone enhancer.

METHODS

The purpose of the study was to determinate the effectiveness of fibrin glue as a bone enhancer in posterolateral arthrodesis in New Zealand rabbits. Posterolateral arthrodesis was done in ten New Zealand rabbits at the level of L5-L6 using autologous bone graft in the right side (control side) and autologous bone graft plus fibrin glue in the left side (study side). The rabbits were harvested at 8 weeks, obtaining the lumbar spine for radiological, manual palpation and light microscopic analysis.

RESULTS

Solid arthrodesis was obtained in 100% of the controls and in only 60% of the study animals. There were no differences among methods for determination of solid arthrodesis whether by radiological, manual palpation or light microscopic analysis. In 40% of non-unions, only in one (10%) was fibrocartilage obtained. In the remaining 30%, only inflammatory cells were obtained in the gap between the transverse process.

CONCLUSIONS

Fibrin glue does not have a positive effect in the success of solid fusion in posterolateral arthrodesis in rabbits. The use of fibrin glue significantly decreased the rate of solid fusion; therefore, we do not recommend its use as a bone enhancer.

[Surgical treatment for scoliosis. Minimal evolution control at 5 years]

BACKGROUND

We undertook this study to determine the surgical treatments results performed often to correct scoliosis in the Spinal Surgery Service in the INR/Orthopedics (National Institute of Rehabilitation/Orthopedics), Mexico City.

METHODS

We conducted a longitudinal, prospective, descriptive, and clinical study with a deliberated intervention controlled from a historical cohort. One hundred twenty patients with scoliosis were reviewed in whom surgery was performed during 1990-1999. For quantitative variables, pre- vs. postoperative measures were compared using non-parametric means with chi(2) or in this case with ANOVA by Kruskall-Wallis test. Differences are considered significant if p <0.05.

RESULTS

Age average of patients was 12 years. There were 75 females and 45 males. There were 59 idiopathic scoliosis cases and 54 congenital scoliosis cases. Anterior approach was accomplished in 61 cases with posterior fixation. Posterior approach was used in 54 cases. There were 76 cases of Luque segmental instrumentation. Pre-operatively, scoliosis was ranked (18 to 110 grades) and postoperatively (5 to 90 grades) (p = 0.00001). There were 21 complications, 9 due to injuries or infection. In 76 patients, different fixation techniques were used, obtaining a correction average of 14.47 grades. Forty four patients were structured with bars, four distal screws, two compression screws, proximal hooks with sublaminar wire, and the angle was reduced on average 23.11 grades. CONCLUSIONS. Average reduction of scoliosis was higher with the modified Luque III instrumentation (p <0.045). There was no difference between etiology and preoperative angle.

Cockayne's syndrome: a case report. Literature review

Cockayne s syndrome is a genetic disorder with a recessive autosomal inheritance, described first by Cockayne in 1936. Patients with this syndrome present failure to thrive, short stature, premature aging, neurological alterations, photosensitivity, delayed eruption of the primary teeth, congenitally absent of some permanent teeth, partial macrodontia, atrophy of the alveolar process and caries. It could be caused by two gene mutations, CNK1 (ERCC8) and ERCC6, located on the 5 and 10 chromosomes respectively, causing two variations of Cockayne s syndrome, CS-A, secondary to a ERCC8 mutation and CS-B with ERCC6 mutation, the last one causes hypersensitivity to the ultraviolet light secondary to a DNA repair defect. The syndrome is also associated with mutations of the XPB, XPD and XPG genes. In this report we present a 9 year and 4 month old patient. He had a height of 94 cm, weight of 8.6 Kg, head circumference of 42 cm. and blood pressure of 120/80. Cachectic habitus, kyphosis, microcephaly, oval face, sunken eyes, a thin and beaklike nose, lack of subcutaneous facial fat (especially in the middle of the face), and large ears give the patient a birdlike appearance. It is notorious the photosensitivity in all the sun-exposed skin. The patient also displays delayed psychomotor skills and mental retardation. In the oral cavity we found deficient hygiene, gingivitis, cervical caries, enamel hipoplasia, abnormal position of the upper and inferior lateral incisors, macrodontia of the upper central teeth, the left one presented a caries. In the x-ray we observed congenital absence of 14, 23 and 24 teeth and mandibular hipoplasia. The aim of this review is to show the dentistry community the characteristics of the Cockayne s syndrome by means of a clinical case.

Incontinentia pigmenti (IP2): familiar case report with affected men. Literature review

Incontinentia pigmenti is a genodermatosis described by Garrod and in 1920 by Bloch, Sulzberger, Siemens y Bardach. It is an ectodermic disorder that affects skin, teeth, eyes and may also have neurological problems. The IP2 name describes the histological characteristics, the incontinence of melanin into the melanocytes cells in the epidermal basal layer and its presence in superficial dermis. IP2 is an x-linked dominant condition but genetic heterogeneity may exist.

CASE REPORT

The patient was 4 yrs 5 months old when she came for the first time. In a physical exploration she presented sparse and thin hair, eyelashes and eyebrows, beaked nose, labial protrusion, the four central teeth have a conic crown and there was also a delayed eruption of other teeth, right eye strabismus, hipoacusia, language defects and a trunk, legs, feet, and face dermatosis characterized by grouped vesicles, hyperkeratotic and warty lesions and brownish-gray lesions in a lineal pattern. The patient s father had hypopigmented lesions in the posterior regions of both legs. The oral clinical and radiographic exams showed diverse anomalies. Both the patient's and the father's chromosomal studies were normal.

DISCUSSION

In the present case we can see that the father has IP2 without supernumeraries X, with the antecedent that his mother had something similar. It is possible that the inheritance was autosomic dominant or it is a different mutation of NEMO (NF-kappa-B essential modulator) gene to a classical one, which was found in some affected men. It is necessary to carry out a molecular study of these patients.