Being a carrier of a combination of polymorphisms of VKORC1 and CYP2C9, rather than of one of these polymorphisms, is associated with severe overanticoagulation. The time to achieve stability is mainly associated with the CYP2C9 genotype.

In a prospective follow-up study of the effects of VKORC1 and CYP2C9 genotypes on the anticoagulation status of patients, we assessed the CYP2C9 and the VKORC1 C1173T genotypes of patients during the initial 6 months of phenprocoumon treatment. We used linear regression models and Cox proportional hazard models to determine the effects of the VKORC1 and CYP2C9 genotypes on phenprocoumon dose requirements, overanticoagulation, and time to achieve stability. Allele frequencies of interest within the cohort (N=281) were 40.8% VKORC1 T-1173, 12.8% CYP2C9*2, and 6.9% CYP2C9*3. In patients with the VKORC1 CC genotype, carriers of a CYP2C9 polymorphism needed dosages that were nearly 30% lower than those for CYP2C9*1/*1 patients (P<0.001). In patients with a VKORC1 polymorphism, differences between carriers of a CYP2C9 polymorphism and CYP2C9*1/*1 were far smaller and largely not statistically significant. A larger part of the variability in dose requirement was explained by the VKORC1 genotype than by the CYP2C9 genotype (28.7% and 7.2%, respectively). Carriers of a combination of a CYP2C9 polymorphism and a VKORC1 polymorphism had a strongly increased risk of severe overanticoagulation (hazard ratio (HR) 7.20, P=0.002). Only carriers of a CYP2C9*2 allele had a decreased chance to achieve stability compared to CYP2C9*1/*1 patients (HR 0.61, P=0.004). In conclusion, the VKORC1 genotype modifies the effect of the CYP2C9 genotype on phenprocoumon dose requirements. A combination of polymorphisms of both genotypes is associated with a strongly increased risk of overanticoagulation, whereas delayed stabilization is mainly associated with the CYP2C9 genotype.

The glucagonoma syndrome is a rare disease in which a typical skin disorder, necrolytic migratory erythema, is often one of the first presenting symptoms. Weight loss and diabetes mellitus are two other prevalent characteristics of this syndrome. Necrolytic migratory erythema belongs to the recently recognized family of deficiency dermatoses of which zinc deficiency, necrolytic acral erythema and pellagra are also members. It is typically characterized on skin biopsies by necrolysis of the upper epidermis with vacuolated keratinocytes. In persistent hyperglucagonemia, excessive stimulation of basic metabolic pathways results in diabetes mellitus at the expense of tissue glycogen stores, and muscle and fat mass. Multiple (essential) nutrient and vitamin B deficiencies develop, which contribute to the dermatosis. In addition, glucagonomas may produce various other products, like pancreatic polypeptide, that add to the catabolic effects of glucagon.European Journal of Endocrinology 151 531-537

The complete fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) genotype of probands of thirteen unrelated families with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT 1) was established. The screening was performed by analysis of exons 2-14 of the FAH gene by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and of the mRNA by reverse transcription/PCR. Nine different mutations were identified, of which six are novel. Three mutations involve consensus sequences for correct splicing, viz. IVS 6-1 (g-t), IVS 7-1 (g-a) and IVS 12 + 5 (g-a). Two missense mutations (C193R and G369V) and three nonsense mutations (R237X, E357X and E364X) were found. One silent mutation N232N was associated with the skipping of exon 8 from the FAH mRNA. Analysis of the effect of the respective mutations on the FAH mRNA showed a strong reduction of FAH mRNA levels in association with the nonsense mutations, and normal levels with the missense mutations. The splice consensus mutations give deletions of complete or small parts of exon sequences from the FAH mRNA. Data suggest a founder effect for several of the mutations, with a frequency for both the IVS 6-1 (g-t) and IVS 12 + 5 (g-a) mutations of approximately 30% in the HT 1 probands. No strict correlation between genotype and phenotype, i.e. the acute, subacute or chronic form of HT 1, was evident.

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Background Recent studies suggest a relationship between the APOE ε4 allele and cognitive outcome in patients treated for malignant brain tumors. Still, longitudinal investigations that include a pretreatment cognitive assessment are lacking and APOE’s effects in patients with benign tumors are understudied. This study investigated presurgical cognitive performance and postsurgical change in ε4‐carrying and non‐carrying patients with glioma and meningioma. Methods Neuropsychological test scores (CNS Vital Signs battery [seven measures], Digit Span Forward/Backward, Letter Fluency test) were obtained as part of a prospective study in which patients with meningioma and glioma underwent cognitive assessment 1 day before (T0, n = 505) and 3 (T3, n = 418) and 12 months after (T12, n = 167) surgery. APOE isoforms were identified retrospectively. ε4 carriers and non‐carriers were compared with regard to pretreatment cognitive performance on the group and individual level. Changes in performances over time were compared with longitudinal mixed model analysis in the total sample and the subgroup receiving adjuvant treatment. Results Carriers and non‐carriers did not differ with regard to pretreatment performance. No significant main effect of ε4 carrier status or interaction between time (T0–T12) and carrier status was found on any of the tests in the whole sample nor in the sample receiving adjuvant treatment. Conclusions This study found no evidence of increased vulnerability for pretreatment cognitive dysfunction or cognitive decline within 1 year after surgery in APOE ε4‐carrying meningioma and glioma patients. Investigations that include larger samples at longer‐term follow‐up are recommended to investigate potential late treatment effects.

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