Genetic variations at microRNA and microRNA processing genes are known to confer risk of cancer in different populations. Here, we studied variations at eight microRNA (miRNA) and four miRNA processing genes in 452 controls and 451 oral cancer patients by TaqMan genotyping assays. Variant allele-containing genotypes at mir-196a2 and variant allele homozygous genotype at Ran increased the risk of cancer significantly [adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 1.3 (1-1.7) and 2.3 (1.1-4.6), respectively]. Conversely, variant allele-containing genotypes at mir-34b and variant allele homozygous genotype at Gemin3 reduced the risk of cancer significantly [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 0.7 (0.5-0.9) and 0.6 (0.4-1), respectively]. Cumulative risk was also increased by three times with increase in the number of risk alleles at these four loci. In tobacco stratified analysis, variant allele homozygous genotypes at mir-29a and Ran increased [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.5 (1-2.3) and 3 (1.1-8.4) respectively], while variant allele-containing genotypes at mir-34b decreased [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 0.6 (0.4-0.9)] the risk of cancer significantly. Thus, genetic variation at miRNA and processing genes altered the risk of oral cancer in this population thereby corroborating studies in other populations. However, it is necessary to validate this result in different Indian sub populations with larger sample sizes and examine the effect of these variations in tumour tissues to explain the mechanism of risk alteration.

The deleterious effects of synthetic dyes evoked great enthusiasm in many scientists to search for eco-friendly natural colorants for morphological study and identification of microorganisms. The aim of the study was to develop a mycological staining reagent from the red pigments extracted from beet root pomace (Beta vulgaris L.). Beet root rich in water soluble betalains was extracted with distilled water at 40ºC.The conventional easy and economical wet mount procedure was followed to prepare the fungal slides. Glycerol was used as a hygroscopic agent which did not affected the colour of the extract. In the current investigation the extract was evaluated as a staining reagent to study the morphology of the test fungal samples viz. Rhizopus sp., Microsporum gypseum and Aspergillus niger. The study revealed that the use of citric acid buffer intensified its red colour potentially at pH 5.This novel staining reagent was proved to be reliable and safe with satisfactory visual clarity of the characteristic fungal structures. In conclusion, this ecofriendly alternative method of staining by such non-toxic vegetal active principle provided a promising way to support environmental sustainability.

Sarcoglycanopathy is the most frequent form of autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophies caused by mutations in SGCB gene encoding beta-sarcoglycan proteins. In this study, we describe a shared, common haplotype co-segregating in 14 sarcoglycanopathy cases from 13 unrelated families from south Indian region with the likely pathogenic homozygous mutation c.544T>G (p.Thr182Pro) in SGCB. Haplotype was reconstructed based on 5 polymorphic markers surrounding the c.544T>G mutation in the cases and related family members as well as 150 unrelated controls from general Indian populations using PLINK1.9. We identified haplotype H1= G, A, T, G, G, T at a significantly higher frequency in cases compared to related controls and general Indian population. Upon segregation analysis within the family pedigrees, H1 is observed to co-segregate with c.544T>G in a homozygous state in all the pedigrees of cases except one indicating a probable event of founder effect. Furthermore, Identical-by-descent and inbreeding coefficient analysis revealed relatedness among 33 new pairs of seemingly unrelated individuals from sarcoglycanopathy cohort and a higher proportion of homozygous markers, thereby indicating towards common ancestry. Since all these patients are from the south Indian region, we suggest this region to be a primary target of mutation screening in patients diagnosed with sarcoglycanopathy.