Differential expression pattern of the human endoderm-specific transcription factor soxl7 in various tissues and cells

Soxl7 is a member of the Sry-related high mobility group [HMG] of transcription factors that is necessary for endodermal formation and liver development in multiple species. Soxl7 gene expression is required for formation of definitive endoderm that gives rise to various tissues. To examine the expression of Soxl7 in various human tissues and cells. Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] was used to evaluate the expression of Soxl7 in adult liver, small intestine, spleen, placenta, fetal liver as well as embryonic stem cells [ESCs], and human HepG2 hepatoma cell line. Low Soxl7 gene expression was observed in ESCs. However, there was no expression of Soxl7 in human placental tissue, small intestine, adult liver, spleen, and HepG2 cells. But its expression in human fetal liver was very high. The data presented in this study reflect the differential expression pattern of Soxl7 in the fetal development during early mammalian endodermal formation which is temporal and tightly regulated

Expansion of human marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and their transdifferentiation potential

The ability of mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] to differentiate into other cell types makes these cells an attractive therapeutic tool for cell transplantation. In order to provide a source of human MSCs for autologus cell-based therapy, we have expanded MSCs from the bone marrow and analyzed the biological identities and transdifferentiation potential. The bone marrow of healthy donors was aspirated from the iliac crest. The adjacent cells expanded rapidly and maintained with periodic passages until a relatively homogeneous population was established. The identification of these cells was carried out by differentiation potential into the osteocytes and adipocytes. Transdifferentiation of human MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells was undertaken in response to a specific culture condition. The differentiation of MSCs into osteoblast is determined by deposition of a mineralized extracellular matrix. Adipocytes are identified by their morphology and staining. Hepatic cells were demonstrated in vitro functions characteristic of liver cells. We have defined conditions under which human MSCs can be isolated and expanded from human bone marrow. These cells can be amplified about 10[8]-fold in 6 weeks, and are capable of transdifferentiation into the cells of another developmental lineage

Adolescent knowledge and awareness about AIDS/HIV and factors affecting them in Bangladesh

Adolescents are more vulnerable than adults of unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. Among the adolescents, girls are more vulnerable to STDs including HIV/AIDS. Their knowledge about different diseases is very poor. This paper investigated adolescent's knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, its mode of transmission and ways of its prevention. Cross sectional study design was adopted for this study. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select the sample. Data on 3362 female adolescents irrespective of their marital status was analyzed. The study found that a large proportion of adolescents were not aware about sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. More than half [54.8%] of the adolescents ever heard about AIDS respectively. On an average, about one tenth of them had better knowledge on AIDS in terms of mode of transmission and prevention. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescent age, years of schooling and knowledge on STDs appeared to be important predictors of the awareness about AIDS [p<0.05]. Useful and fruitful media campaigns to educate the adolescents regarding the health consequences of STDs including HIV/AIDS and integrated approach is strongly suggested for creating knowledge and awareness to control the spread of HIV and AIDS among young people in Bangladesh

[Factors associated with esophageal cancer in the southeast part of the Caspian Sea]

Introduction: Esophageal cancer is the 8th prevalent cancer [4% of all] around the world and the sixth leading cause of death from cancers .The Northeastern parts of Iran [Caspian littoral areas] are one of the most prevalent areas of esophageal cancers in the world

Objective: In this study, we examined relationship between esophageal cancer tumor histology and variables like age and sex, in pathologically confirmed cases in the Northeastern of Iran [Caspian littoral margins]

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the health care services and pathologic centers in Golestan Province. All pathologically confirmed esophageal cases were enrolled in the study and demographic data were listed. Data were analysed with SPSS-10 software. Variables were compared with one-way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney tests for continuous variables and chi-square for nominal/categorical variables. Level of significance was set at p-value less than 0.05

Results: Four hundred and ninety one pathologically confirmed esophageal cancer cases from 1996 through 2000 were included in this study. Squamous cell carcinoma was the dominant tumor histology in this study and it was more common in females. We found that tumor histology is highly related to gender and this association is independent of age factor. Our finding revealed that this association is only applicable to older age groups [older than 50]

Conclusion: Results from this study suggested that demographic factors might be different in esophageal cancer cases in different geographic areas. Our finding can be a reflection of distinctive etiology for esophageal cancer in the Caspian littoral areas

Adolescent self reported reproductive morbidity and health care seeking behaviour

Addressing reproductive health issues of women is now on the global social agenda in the new millennium. Maternal mortality has long been the only indicator of women's health even though reproductive morbidity occurs far more frequently and seriously affects women's lives. In this paper, an attempt was made to assess the magnitude of self reported gynaecological morbidity unrelated to childbearing among the adolescents irrespective of their marital status. The paper also explored the determinants of health care seeking behaviour of the adolescents for their reproductive ailments. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected for this study. Cross sectional study was conducted both in rural and urban areas using a multistage cluster sampling technique. A nationally representative data on 2883 adolescents irrespective of their marital status were analysed. Analysis revealed that a large proportion of the adolescents [64.5%] reportedly has been suffering from gynaecological morbidity. The most frequent form of morbidity was menstrual disorders [63.9%] followed by lower abdominal pain [58.6%], burning sensation during urination [46.1%], genital itching [15.5%], vaginal discharge [3.4%] etc. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older adolescents aged 15-19 years, family income, type of family, type of residence and hygienic practice during menstruation appeared to be influencing factors for adolescents reproductive morbidity. The results also revealed that about one fifth [18.0%] sought health care for their gynaecological ailments indicating that adolescents were unaware about their reproductive morbidity [p<0.05]. For assessing the factors influencing their health care seeking for reproductive morbidity, multivariate logistic regression analysis found significant positive association with adolescents aged 15-19 years, having autonomy in treatment, working status, adolescents of joint or extended family [p<0.05]. Discussion: Adolescent reproductive health in Bangladesh indicates high incidence of maternal morbidity. The incidence of these health problems varied by socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the adolescents. Recommendations to address these problems include encouragement of female education, introduction of family life education in school curricula, creating community awareness for seeking health care and empowerment of women in household decision making process