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Background: Nitric oxide is released by immune, epithelial and endothelial cells, and plays an important part in the pathophysiology of asthma., Objective: To investigate the association of inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS) gene repeat polymorphisms with asthma., Methods: 230 families with asthma (842 individuals) were recruited to identify and establish the genetic association of iNOS repeats with asthma and associated phenotypes. Serum nitric oxide levels in selected individuals were measured and correlated with specific genotypes. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of age and sex., Results: A total of four repeats-a (CCTTT)n promoter repeat, a novel intron 2 (GT)n repeat (BV680047), an intron 4 (GT)n repeat (AFM311ZB1) and an intron 5 (CA)n repeat (D17S1878)-were identified and genotyped. A significant transmission distortion to the probands with asthma was seen for allele 3 of the AFM311ZB1 gene (p = 0.006). This allele was also found to be significantly associated with percentage blood eosinophils (p < 0.001) and asthma severity (p = 0.04). Moreover, it was functionally correlated with high serum nitric oxide levels (p = 0.006). Similarly, the promoter repeat was found to be associated with serum total immunoglobulin (Ig)E (p = 0.028). Individuals carrying allele 4 of this repeat have high serum IgE (p < 0.001) and nitric oxide levels (p = 0.03)., Conclusion: This is the first study to identify the repeat polymorphisms in the iNOS gene that are associated with severity of asthma and eosinophils. The functional relevance of the associated alleles with serum nitric oxide levels was also shown. Therefore, these results could be valuable in elucidating the role of nitric oxide in asthma pathogenesis.

The combination of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and osteogenesis imperfecta is extremely rare. This combination is named Bruck syndrome. A 34 week male baby weighing 1.7 kg at birth was noted to have multiple flexion contractures and pterygia at elbows, wrists and knees, in addition to right foot talipes equinovarus deformity. Postnatally the child developed multiple swellings involving both the upper and lower limbs. A plain radiograph revealed the presence of fractures involving the long bones of the upper and lower limbs. A diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita was made, and the patient was labeled as a case of Bruck Syndrome. The aim of this report is to make the readers aware regarding this rare entity and to specifically look for presence of features suggestive of osteogenesis imperfecta when encountered with a neonate born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.