Alpha-4 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor polymorphisms exhibit no association with smoking behavior among malay males in Kelantan, Malaysia

Background: Smoking behavior is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Nicotine is the major addictive substance in cigarettes. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors [nAChRs] are thought to play an important role in nicotine addiction of smokers. One of the genes, alpha-4 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor [CHRNA4] gene was reported to be associated with smoking behavior in many populations

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine association between alpha-4 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor single nucleotide polymorphism [rs2236196 and rs2273502 loci] and smoking behavior among Malay Males

Methods: The study was conducted in Malay smokers [n = 248] and non-smoking controls [n = 248]. DNA was extracted from leucocytes and the two SNPs were determined by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] method. The PCR product was digested with restriction enzymes AfeI and Sau96I, respectively

Results and conclusion: We found that the AA genotype frequency for CHRNA4 rs2236196 polymorphism in the smoker group was 80.6% while in nonsmoker 77.0%. No mutation [GG genotype] was detected in both groups. The AG genotype for the smoker group was 19.4% while in the nonsmoker group 23.0%. There was no significant difference observed in the genotype [X[2] = 5.106, p = 0.078] and allele frequencies between both study groups. On the other hand, no mutation of CHRNA4 rs2273502 [TT genotype] was detected in the non-smoker group while the frequencies of genotype CC and heterozygous CT in non-smokers were 75.8% and 24.2%, respectively. In the smoker group, the frequencies were 73.4%, 2.0% and 24.6%, for TT, CC and CT, respectively. There was no significant difference observed in rs2273502 [X[2] = 5.16, p = 0.078] and smoking behavior of the subjects. In conclusion, the results revealed that CHRNA4 rs2273502 and rs2236196 gene polymorphisms are not statistically significantly associated with smoking behavior in our population

Screening for neonatal hearing loss in the Eastern region of United Arab Emirates

The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss among infants in the neonatal intensive unit [NICU] is higher than in normal infants. This study determined the rate of hearing loss in healthy newborns and in NICU patients before hospital discharge at a single institution in the Eastern region of the United Arab Emirates; 96.5% of all eligible infants were screened. Hearing deficit was diagnosed in 25/13 854 healthy newborns [0.18%; 95% CI: 0.12%-0.27%] and 14/826 infants in the NICU [1.7%; 95% CI: 0.9%-2.8%]. Although hearing impairment was significantly more common in those admitted to the NICU [RR = 9.4; 95% CI: 4.9-17.9], healthy newborns accounted for 25 of the 39 cases with hearing loss. The rate of congenital hearing deficit was comparable to international data. Universal screening is recommended since selective screening of high-risk infants missed two-thirds of newborns with hearing loss

Differential preservation of rabbit kidney and liver tissue in ringer lactate, euro collins and university of wisconsin solutions

Formalin, the most widely used preservative, has certain drawbacks. The foremost of them is interference with immunohistochemistry. To evaluate the efficacy of three commonly used organ preservation solutions for tissue preservation this experimental study was carried out on rabbit kidney and liver The tissue slices were stored in Ringer Lactate, Euro Collins awl University of Wisconsin solutions [UW solution], for various fixed time intervals. The three solutions were used in their original form as well as with addition of antimicrobial agents. Morphological preservation was assessed by a semi quantitative method. Kidney slices showed better morphological preservation than liver tissue. UW solution demonstrated the highest preservation of the three solutions tried. UW solution was especially effective for liver preservation. Addition of anti microbial agents was more beneficial to kidney preservation than liver. Thus it was concluded that organ preservation solutions may be used for tissue preservation as well

Primary carcinoid of the urinary baldder

The occurrence of a primary carcinoid tumour of the urinary bladder is extremely rare. The case of a 35 year-old male with carcinoid tumour arising in the urinary bladder is presented. Transurethral resection of a polypoid small tumour [1.0 cm in diameter] was performed. Immunohistochemical study using neuroendocrine markers allowed a straightforward diagnosis of a low-grade neuroendocrine tumour [carcinoid tumour] of the urinary bladder to be made. This tumour shows specific clinical, gross and histological features and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bladder neoplasms

Morphological variations in appendicectomy specimens

To study and describe the various gross and microscopic presentations of appendicectomy specimens. Prospective analysis of surgical specimens. Pathology Department, PGMI, Lahore. Single center. Morphological examination of the specimens. 250 appendicectomy specimens were studied. The gender more frequently affected was male [1.6:1 cases]. The mean age was 16 years. The clinical diagnosis was acute appendicitis in 246 cases. This was confirmed in 209 cases. 28 cases revealed normal morphology. Worm infestation was seen in 4 cases. All of these belonged to the paediatric age group. One case revealed a carcinoid tumour. All resected specimens including appendices should be subjected to a thorough histopathological examination

Diagnosis of enlarged thyroid - an analysis of 250 cases

Thyroid enlargement is a common problem faced both by clinicians and histopathologists. In an effort to determine the incidence of its various causes in our population, 250 cases were analyzed. There was a marked female preponderance [M:F ratio 1:3.8]. Multinodular goiter was the commonest final diagnosis whereas 4 cases showed malignant thyroid neoplasms. Microscopic examination remained the golden path to the final diagnosis. The results as well as the relative efficacy of the various diagnostic modalities are discussed

Morphological evaluation of rabbit renal tissues preserved in ringer lactate, Euro collins and university of Wisconsin solutions

Formalin though an excellent preservative of tissue morphology for routine use, compromises tissue antigenicity. This interferes with immunohistochemistry. An attempt was made to preserve rabbit renal tissues in three most commonly used organ preservation solutions. These are Ringer lactate, Euro Collins solution and University of Wisconsin solution. The tissue slices were kept in these solutions at room temperature for various fixed time intervals. This was followed by routine processing. The degree of preservation was assessed in qualitative as well as quantitative terms. The quantitative assessment was made by a newly devised method. This semi quantitative method is based on established microscopic features of autolysis. The method was found to be reliable and reproducible. Amongst the solutions tried, UW solution revealed clear superiority over other solutions