The association of interleukin-6 (IL-6)-174G > C (rs1800795) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with the risk of acquiring rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a relevant issue because of conflicting and consensus lacking reports published in literature. We investigated IL-6-174G > C promoter polymorphism in 34 RA patients, attending a tertiary care hospital in north India. We also performed a meta-analysis, of the previously published studies reporting this genetic relationship, in overall population, and independently in Asian and Caucasian ethnicities to further elucidate this association. A total of 13 studies, including the current one, involving 3291 RA cases and 3812 controls were analyzed. Out of the 13 studies, 6 were from Asian, 6 from Caucasian and 1 from a mixed population. Our case-control study showed significant association of IL-6-174G > C SNP with increased RA risk: allelic (OR = 3.750, 95% CI = 1.800-7.813, p < 0.001); dominant (OR = 2.800, 95% CI = 1.167-6.721, p = 0.021); and recessive (OR = 36.72, 95% CI = 2.004-672.7, p = 0.015). The meta-analysis revealed the increased RA risk associated with IL-6-174G > C SNP in overall population: allelic (OR = 1.650, 95% CI = 1.169-2.329, p = 0.004); homozygous (OR = 1.380, 95% CI = 0.906-2.101, p = 0.133); heterozygous (OR = 1.559, 95% CI = 1.001-2.428, p = 0.049); dominant (OR = 1.663, 95% CI = 1.078-2.567, p = 0.022); and recessive (OR = 1.366, 95% CI = 0.964-1.935, p = 0.079). Subgroup analysis also showed this polymorphism to be associated with increased RA risk in Asian population: allelic (OR = 3.724, 95% CI = 1.361-10.190, p = 0.010); dominant (OR = 3.823, 95% CI = 1.320-11.074, p = 0.013); and recessive (OR = 4.357, 95% CI = 1.634-11.623, p = 0.003), but not in Caucasian population. This meta-analysis shows that IL-6-174G > C SNP is significantly associated with increased RA risk in overall, and specifically in Asian population.

The Bundelkhand Craton in Central India holds a large Archaean granitoid complex consisting of cores of TTG (tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite) gneisses of island arc or oceanic origin surrounded by abundant younger high-K calc-alkaline granitoids. Major and trace element groupings and ion probe U–Pb zircon datings of the groups show a time gap of 130 Ma between the main formation episodes of the TTGs (3.5/3.3–2.7 Ga) and the emplacement of the first high-K granitoids (2.57–2.54 Ga). Based on their geochemical diversity, the high-K calc-alkaline granitoids can be divided into low-silica high-magnesium (LSHM) granitoids such as sanukitoids and Closepet-type granitoids, and high-silica low-magnesium (HSLM) monzogranites with low-HREE and low-Eu subgroups. The former group points to mantle or mixed mantle and crustal sources, and the latter to pure crustal sources. All the varieties of the high-K granitoids formed within a narrow time span, which indicates large-scale partial melting and fluid activity in the mantle and crust, possibly resulting from a slab breakoff or delamination at the margin of an Archaean TTG continent.Supplementary material: Major and trace element concentrations and U-Pb results of granitoids from the Bundelkhand Craton are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3576377

Subcutaneous mycoses are chronic fungal infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by variety of fungal agents and usually occur following trauma with vegetative matter. We report a case of subcutaneous mycoses caused by rare fungus belonging to the genus Rhytidhysteron, in an immunocompetent male who presented with a subcutaneous nodule on left foot. This unusual species was identified and confirmed by molecular methods.