Obesity and Diabetes in an Arab population: Role of Adenovirus 36 Infection.

Prior infection with adenovirus 36 (Adv36) has been associated with increased adiposity, improved insulin sensitivity, and a lower prevalence of diabetes. This study investigated the prevalence of Adv36 seropositivity and its association with obesity and diabetes among adults attending a diabetes centre in the UAE.Participants (N = 973) with different weight and glucose tolerance categories were recruited.

Methylation map genes can be critical in determining the methylome of intracranial aneurysm patients.

Intracranial aneurysm is often asymptomatic until the time of rupture. Elevated homocysteine is reported in vascular diseases. Identifying early events in homocysteine metabolism through methylation map genes may prevent fatality.

Genetic association of DNMT variants can play a critical role in defining the methylation patterns in autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with impairments in social communication, restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Both genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute toward pathophysiology of Autism. Environmental influences on gene expression can be mediated by methylation patterns which are established and maintained by DNA methyltransferases.

Understanding the influence of antipsychotic drugs on global methylation events and its relevance in treatment response.

Aim: The present study intends to evaluate whether antipsychotic drugs can modulate the host epigenome and if so whether drug-induced epigenetic modulation can explain the heterogeneity in drug response.

Methods: Present study was conducted in in vitro cells and significance of these in vitro observations was further evaluated in a clinical setting, between drug responsive and nonresponsive schizophrenia patients. A number of DNA modifications were assessed at global level using 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-formylcytosine followed by evaluating the expression of epigenetic modifier genes and their crosstalk with miRNAs.

Pharmacoepigenomic responses of antipsychotic drugs on pharmacogenes are likely to be modulated by miRNAs.

Aim: It is imperative to differentiate the role of host epigenetics from pharmacoepigenetics in resolving therapeutic response. Therefore, the objective was to identify how antipsychotic drugs influence epigenetic response on pharmacogenes.

Materials & Methods: The study design was based on in vitro evaluation of pharmacoepigenetic response of haloperidol, clozapine and olanzapine.