The IRF6 rs2013162 and MTHFR A1298C rs1801131 Gene Polymorphisms Related to non-Syndromic Cleft lip and Palate among Deutero-Malay in Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify risk factors for NSCLP by analyzing polymorphisms in IRF6 rs2013162 and MTHFR A1298C rs1801131 in the Deutero Malay Population in Indonesia. SETTING: DNA isolation from venous blood samples was done followed by PCR and PCR-RFLPs method. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: 115 NSCLP subjects and 120 healthy control subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The odds ratio (OR) determined to evaluate the risk factors is the main outcome measure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is a case-control design using samples from the venous blood of 115 NSCLP subjects and 120 healthy control subjects. After DNA was extracted, the PCR-RFLPs method was performed using the DdeI restriction enzyme on 100 blood samples of the IRF6 rs2013162 group and Mboll restriction enzyme on 135 blood samples of the MTHFR A1298C rs1801131 group. The Chi-Square test was used with the Exact Fisher alternatives, depending on the expected count value. RESULTS: The results showed that the T mutant allele (OR = 4.125, P < .05) and GT genotype (OR = 21.00, P < .05) of IRF6 rs2013162 and the C mutant allele (OR = 3.781, P < .05), AC genotype (OR = 5, P < .05) and CC genotype (OR = 9,681, P < .05) of the MTHFR A1298C is associated to a greater risk of NSCLP. CONCLUSIONS: IRF6 rs2013162 and MTHFR A1298C rs1801131 gene polymorphisms are strongly associated with NSCLP among the Deutero Malay population in the Indonesian population.

Basin-wide variation in tree hydraulic safety margins predicts the carbon balance of Amazon forests.

Tropical forests face increasing climate risk1,2, yet our ability to predict their response to climate change is limited by poor understanding of their resistance to water stress. Although xylem embolism resistance thresholds (for example, [Formula: see text]50) and hydraulic safety margins (for example, HSM50) are important predictors of drought-induced mortality risk3-5, little is known about how these vary across Earth's largest tropical forest. Here, we present a pan-Amazon, fully standardized hydraulic traits dataset and use it to assess regional variation in drought sensitivity and hydraulic trait ability to predict species distributions and long-term forest biomass accumulation. Parameters [Formula: see text]50 and HSM50 vary markedly across the Amazon and are related to average long-term rainfall characteristics. Both [Formula: see text]50 and HSM50 influence the biogeographical distribution of Amazon tree species. However, HSM50 was the only significant predictor of observed decadal-scale changes in forest biomass. Old-growth forests with wide HSM50 are gaining more biomass than are low HSM50 forests. We propose that this may be associated with a growth-mortality trade-off whereby trees in forests consisting of fast-growing species take greater hydraulic risks and face greater mortality risk. Moreover, in regions of more pronounced climatic change, we find evidence that forests are losing biomass, suggesting that species in these regions may be operating beyond their hydraulic limits. Continued climate change is likely to further reduce HSM50 in the Amazon6,7, with strong implications for the Amazon carbon sink.

Non-structural carbohydrates mediate seasonal water stress across Amazon forests.

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) are major substrates for plant metabolism and have been implicated in mediating drought-induced tree mortality. Despite their significance, NSC dynamics in tropical forests remain little studied. We present leaf and branch NSC data for 82 Amazon canopy tree species in six sites spanning a broad precipitation gradient. During the wet season, total NSC (NSCT) concentrations in both organs were remarkably similar across communities. However, NSCT and its soluble sugar (SS) and starch components varied much more across sites during the dry season. Notably, the proportion of leaf NSCT in the form of SS (SS:NSCT) increased greatly in the dry season in almost all species in the driest sites, implying an important role of SS in mediating water stress in these sites. This adjustment of leaf NSC balance was not observed in tree species less-adapted to water deficit, even under exceptionally dry conditions. Thus, leaf carbon metabolism may help to explain floristic sorting across water availability gradients in Amazonia and enable better prediction of forest responses to future climate change.

Sudden progression from impaired glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes after discontinuation of administration of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody infliximab.

We present the case of a 45-year-old man with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and concomitant impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). In this patient, refractory to DMARD's, infliximab was started to control the arthritis. After achieving clinical remission of the disease, infliximab was discontinued and a 75 g- oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. After the test, we observed a conversion from IFG/IGT glucose tolerance status to type 2 diabetes. No diet, lifestyle or therapy modifications were made during the observation period. Autoimmune diabetes was ruled out by serum antibodies determination and body weight remained constant, sustaining a protective role in infliximab in the worsening of glucose tolerance.

Electromagnetic vibration process for producing bulk metallic glasses.

It is known that the cooling rate from the liquid state is an important factor in the production of bulk metallic glasses. However, the effects of other factors such as electric and magnetic fields have not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we present a new method for producing bulk metallic glasses by using electromagnetic vibrations with simultaneous imposition of an alternating electric current and a magnetic field. This method was found to be effective in enhancing apparent glass-forming ability in Mg65-Cu25-Y10 (atomic percent) alloys. Indeed, larger bulk metallic glasses could be obtained by the electromagnetic vibration process under the same cooling conditions. We presume that disappearance or decrement of clusters by the electromagnetic vibrations applied to the liquid state cause suppression of crystal nucleation. This electromagnetic vibration process should be effective in other bulk metallic glass systems if the clusters in the liquid state cause the crystal nucleation.