Molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples in a hospital-based study.

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a deadly infectious disease. India contributes to one-third of the global TB burden. However, no studies have been carried out in the Telangana (Hyderabad) population using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Positive Correlation Between Somatic Mutations in RAS Gene and Colorectal Cancer in Telangana Population: Hospital-Based Study in a Cosmopolitan City.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most prevalent cancer types in both men and women. Screening of RAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS), neuro-blastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS), and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF)) somatic mutations is necessary prior to considering anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies in CRC patients. Next-generation sequencing studies have confirmed that RAS gene panels could be used while developing treatment strategies for patients with CRC.

Quercetin protects human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from OTA-induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and inflammation.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most abundant food-contaminating mycotoxins world wide, and is detrimental to human and animal health. This study evaluated the protective effect of quercetin against OTA-induced cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and inflammatory response in lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity determined by MTT assay revealed IC20 value of OTA to be 20 µM, which was restored to near control values by pretreatment with quercetin.

Molecular diagnosis of lymphoblastic leukemia.

The mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene at chromosome band 11q23 is commonly involved in reciprocal translocations that is detected in acute leukemia. The MLL gene, commonly known as mixed lineage leukemia or myeloid lymphoid leukemia, has been independently identified and cloned from the 11q23 breakpoint of acute leukemia. We describe a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia whose cells had shown reciprocal translocation between short arm (p21) of chromosome 2 and long arm (q23) of chromosome number 11 [t(2;11) (p21;q23)] by cytogenetic analysis.

Cytogenetic investigation of patients with primary amenorrhea.

Primary amenorrhea refers to absence of spontaneous menarche even after the age of 16. Cytogenetic analysis in two cases with primary amenorrhea, short stature, poorly developed secondary sexual characteristics, and growth retardation were studied. Routine GTG-band analysis of metaphases from peripheral blood leucocytes revealed female karyotype with a 15(ps+) and an isochromosome of X, i(Xq), in one patient and 46,X, i(Xq), in another patient.

Molecular diagnosis of generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI).

Generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) is a life-threatening disorder in young infants. Cardiovascular symptoms are usually apparent within the first month of life. The symptoms are caused by calcification of large and medium-sized arteries, including the aorta, coronary arteries, and renal arteries.

Evaluation of HER-2/neu status in breast cancer specimens using immunohistochemistry (IHC) & fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) assay.

Background & Objectives: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is increasingly being recognized as the most accurate and predictive test for HER 2/neu gene amplification and response to therapy in breast cancer. In the present study we investigated HER-2/neu gene amplification by FISH in breast carcinoma tissue specimens and compared the results with that of immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis.

Methods: A total of 90 breast carcinoma tissue samples were used for immunohistochemical (IHC) and FISH analysis.

Sequence variation of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene (677C>T and 1298 A>C) and traditional risk factors in a South Indian population.

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a significant role in the metabolism of methionine. MTHFR deficiency is an autosomal recessive trait that could be a significant risk factor for a number of defects, for example, vascular events, due to lower dietary folate intake among South Indians. To find the incidence of 677 C>T and 1298 A>C in MTHFR gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among the south Indian population, polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were employed among 152 patients with myocardial infarction and 167 controls.

Increasing role of cytogenetics in pediatric practice.

Karyotyping was done in 100 children suspected of having chromosomal abnormalities of genetically uncertain syndromes, multiple congenital anomalies, short stature, dysmorphic features, unclassified mental retardation, and Down syndrome. A total of 56 patients had an abnormal karyotype: ring chromosome of 13 was seen in 1 patient (1.78%), and trisomy 21 was seen in 29 patients (51.