FTO gene variants (rs9939609, rs8050136 and rs17817449) and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is tremendous increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) worldwide. The impact of FTO gene polymorphisms on the risk of T2DM is not yet clear because of the controversial results of studies. This meta-analysis aimed to better clarify the association between three FTO gene polymorphisms SNPs (rs9939609, rs8050136 and rs17817449) and T2DM in a larger combined population worldwide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comprehensive search on the PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify investigations in relationship between different FTO gene polymorphisms (rs9939609, rs8050136 and rs17817449) and T2DM globally. Published papers from January 2007 to May 2023 were collected. Inclusion criteria are limited to human case-control studies published in English and peer-reviewed, which provided data on the genotype distributions of FTO gene polymorphisms and T2DM risk. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to express the results of the meta-analysis. Potential sources of bias and heterogeneity using Egger's regression analysis were also assessed. RESULTS: Of 234695 identified articles, forty-eight studies were selected including 36,051 patients with T2DM and 51,266 control subjects. Overall, we found a significant increased risk of T2DM susceptibility and rs9939609 FTO gene polymorphism in the Allele contrast (A vs. T: OR = 1,30, 95% CI = 1.14; 1.48, P < 0,05, I2 = 0,94), Recessive model (AA vs. AT + TT: OR = 1,54, 95% CI = 1.19; 2.00, P < 0,05, I2 = 0,94), Dominant model (AA + AT vs. TT: OR = 1,26, 95% CI = 1.10; 1.45, P < 0,05, I2 = 0,89), homozygote model (AA vs. TT: OR = 1,60, 95% CI = 1.26; 2.03, P < 0,05, I2 = 0,90), and heterozygote model (AA vs. AT: OR = 1,43, 95% CI = 1.09; 1.88, P = 0,008, I2 = 0,93). we also found a significantly increased risk of T2DM susceptibility and rs8050136 FTO gene polymorphism under all models. For rs17817449 we did not find any association between with T2DM. CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis confirms that rs9939609 and rs8050136 in the FTO gene are significantly associated with T2DM, while rs17817449 does not show any association.

Profile of autism spectrum disorders in Morocco: cross-sectional retrospective study of parents of children with autism.

Context and objective: In Morocco, autism is a frequent disorder and no epidemiological studies have been carried out. The aim of this work is to analyze the characteristics of the onset of autism in children. Settings and Design: We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study, spread over a period of 10 months. Methods: We included in our survey children who, according to the DSM 5 definition, had one of the autism spectrum disorders and had a well-defined diagnosis. For the statistical analysis we used Excel® software. We used the percentages for the description of the qualitative variables. Results: Of the parents of children with ASD, 49% were biological mothers. Of these, 30% women had their child when they were between 30 and 35 years of age. Males accounted for 61% of children with a sex ratio of 2.6. The first autistic traits appeared at the age of 18 months for 22% of our population. Of mothers with children with ASD, 83% had regular medical follow-up throughout their pregnancy. All autistic children in our population were vaccinated according to the National Immunization Program. According to parent reports, 70% affirmed that the first autistic features appeared after vaccination with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, knowing that this statement is not based on evidence. Conclusions: The quality of care depends on the age at which the diagnosis of autism is established.

Evaluation of spermicidal activity of saponosides from Saponaria officinalis/Caryophyllaceae, Glycyrrhizia glabra/Fabaceae and Herniaria glabra/Caryophyllaceae.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chemical spermicides currently marketed and widely used are known to have many side effects. Thereby, and in order to look for more tolerated natural spermicidal agents, the aim of this work was to evaluate the spermicidal potential of saponin extracts from the roots of Saponaria officinalis/Caryophyllaceae, Glycyrrhizia glabra/Fabaceae, and Herniaria glabra/Caryophyllaceae by studying their in vitro effects on sperm mobility and vitality. METHODS: Methanolic saponin extracts from the plants roots were performed. Sperm suspensions were prepared by centrifugation on a PureSperm® density gradient (70 and 45%) and incubated with various concentrations of saponin extracts (50, 250, 500 and 750 µg/mL) at 37°C. The spermicidal activity was evaluated by studying the mobility and vitality of spermatozoa at different time intervals ranging from 10 to 240 minutes. RESULTS: A dose and time dependent effect on sperm mobility and vitality was observed for our extracts.Extracts from Saponaria officinalis roots induced an irreversible immobilization and a total non-viability of sperm within 10 minutes at a concentration of 750 µg/mL. A similar effect was observed within 30 minutes at 750 µg/mL for Herniaria glabra extract and within 90 minutes at 500 µg/ml for Glycyrrhizia glabra extract. CONCLUSION: The results of our study showed that the saponin extracts of our plants roots possess potent in vitro dose and time dependant spermicidal effect. These natural products could therefore represent a safer and better tolerated alternative to chemical spermicides.