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Primordial dwarfism is a group of genetic disorders which include Seckel Syndrome, Silver-Russell Syndrome, Microcephalic Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism types I/III, II and Meier-Gorlin Syndrome. This genetic disorder group is characterized by intra-uterine growth retardation and post-natal growth abnormalities which occur as a result of disorganized molecular and genomic changes in embryonic stage and, thus, it represents a unique area to study growth and developmental abnormalities. Lot of research has been carried out on different aspects; however, a consolidated review that discusses an overall spectrum of this disorder is not accessible. Recent research in this area points toward important molecular and cellular mechanisms in human body that regulate the complexity of growth process. Studies have emerged that have clearly associated with a number of abnormal chromosomal, genetic and epigenetic alterations that can predispose an embryo to develop PD-associated developmental defects. Finding and associating such fundamental changes to its subtypes will help in re-examination of alleged functions at both cellular and developmental levels and thus reveal the intrinsic mechanism that leads to a balanced growth. Although such findings have unraveled a subtle understanding of growth process, we further require active research in terms of identification of reliable biomarkers for different subtypes as an immediate requirement for clinical utilization. It is hoped that further study will advance the understanding of basic mechanisms regulating growth relevant to human health. Therefore, this review has been written with an aim to present an overview of chromosomal, molecular and epigenetic modifications reported to be associated with different subtypes of this heterogenous disorder. Further, latest findings with respect to clinical and molecular genetics research have been summarized to aid the medical fraternity in their clinical utility, for diagnosing disorders where there are overlapping physical attributes and simultaneously inform about the latest developments in PD biology.

TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene which is commonly mutated in various cancers including breast cancer. Alterations in the gene lead to an altered expression of various genes that are directly or indirectly under the transcriptional control of p53. This results in malfunctioning of DNA damage repair pathways, cell-cycle arrest, chromatin remodeling and apoptosis. Different mutations in TP53 gene have been reported in different ethnic groups and exon 4 and intron 3 are reported to be frequently mutated in breast cancer patients especially triplenegative breast cancer. Increased global burden of TP53 mutated breast tumors has paved the path for various therapies targeting p53/TP53. Numerous molecules including nutilins, MI series, RO5693, PRIMA-1, RITA, etc. have been developed. Majority of these restore p53/TP53 function by targeting negative regulators of p53/TP53, wtp53/TP53 (wild-type) and mtp53/TP53 (mutant). Most of these molecules are in the preclinical phase except for two APR-246 and COTI-2 that have progressed to clinical trials. The current review has been compiled with an aim to give an overview of mutations in p53 across various ethnic groups, the effect of these alterations on TP53 function and the therapeutic strategies developed till date targeting p53/TP53 especially in breast cancer.

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BackgroundCancer remains one of the most dreaded diseases causing an astonishingly high death rate, second only to cardiac arrest. The fact that conventional and newly emerging treatment procedures like chemotherapy, catalytic therapy, photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy have not succeeded in reverting the outcome of the disease to any drastic extent, has made researchers investigate alternative treatment options. The extensive repertoire of traditional medicinal knowledge systems from various parts of the world are being re-investigated for their healing properties. This study progresses in the direction of identifying component(s) from Nigella sativa with anti cancer acitivity. In the present study we investigated the efficacy of Organic extracts of Nigella sativa seed powder for its clonogenic inhibition and induction of apoptosis in HeLa cancer cell.ResultsMethanolic, n-Hexane and chloroform extracts of Nigella sativa seedz effectively killed HeLa cells. The IC50 values of methanolic, n-hexane, and chloroform extracts of Nigella sativa were 2.28 μg/ml, 2.20 μg/ml and 0.41 ng/ml, respectively. All three extracts induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. Apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation, western blot and terminal transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin-end labeling (TUNEL) assay.ConclusionWestern Blot and TUNEL results suggested that Nigella sativa seed extracts regulated the expression of pro- and anti- apoptotic genes, indicating its possible development as a potential therapeutic agent for cervical cancer upon further investigation.

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Studies in different populations have shown that ischemic stroke can trigger an acute phase response resulting in a rise of plasma concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP). However, there are very limited studies on CRP and first ischemic stroke divided into subtypes. High levels of CRP may also be associated with poor outcome. The present study was taken up to investigate the prognostic value of CRP within 24 h of onset of ischemic stroke. Five hundred and eighty one patients with first stroke and 575 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were involved in the study. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were estimated, and follow-up interviews were conducted with patients at 3, 6, and 12 months post-event to determine stroke outcome. In addition to this plasma, NO( x ) (nitrate and nitrite) was measured to detect the serum NO (an important biomarker of inflammation and oxidative stress) levels in ischemic stroke patients and controls. The relationship between CRP value and poor outcome (>2 on modified Rankin Scale Score and <5 on an extended Glasgow outcome scale) was studied. There was a significant association between elevated levels of CRP and NO with the disease. A stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed these findings after adjustment for potential confounders [adjusted odds ratio = 2.890, 95% CI (1.603-5.011) with p < 0.01 and adjusted odds ratio = 2.364, 95% CI (1.312-3.998) with p < 0.01 for hsCRP and NO, respectively]. After adjustment of potential confounders, patients with high CRP levels had a significant increased risk of poor outcome [adjusted odds ratio = 3.50, 95% CI (1.312-6.365) and p < 0.001]. Elevated levels of hsCRP associated significantly with all stroke subtypes classified according to Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification except for lacunar stroke and stroke of other determined etiology. In conclusion, hsCRP and NO levels predict the incidence of ischemic stroke and hsCRP is an independent prognostic factor of poor outcome at 3 months.

Genetic variants of cytochrome P450 4F2 (CYP4F2) gene have been suggested to be risk factors for hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In the present case-control study we investigated the association of 1347 G/A polymorphism (rs2108622) in the 11th exon region of CYP4F2 gene with hypertension, ischemic stroke and stroke subtypes classified according to TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) classification. Five hundred and seven stroke patients (hypertensives: normotensives = 279:228) and four hundred and eighty seven, age and sex matched controls (males: females = 356:131) (hypertensives: normotensives = 148:339) were involved in the study. The genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP technique. Genotypes were confirmed by subjecting the PCR products to sequencing. Significant difference was observed in the genotypic distribution and allelic frequency between the stroke patients and healthy controls. AA genotype and A allele associated significantly with stroke and hypertension [P = 0.009; OR = 1.59 (95% CI = 1.119-2.283) and P = 0.010; OR = 1.26 (95% CI = 1.056-1.502); P = 0.01; OR = 1.58 (95% CI = 1.11-2.272) and P = 0.010; OR = 1.25(95% CI = 1.054-1.504) respectively]. A stepwise logistic regression analysis confirmed these findings. To establish that this polymorphism is associated with stroke independent of hypertension; we compared stroke patients without hypertension with normotensive controls. Significant difference was observed in genotypic distribution and allelic frequency between the two groups (P = 0.001 and 0.002 respectively). Evaluating the association of this polymorphism with stroke subtypes we found significant associations with cardioembolic stroke (P < 0.001). In conclusion our study suggests that 1347A allele of CYP4F2 gene is an important risk factor for hypertension and ischemic stroke.