Genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1 genes and lung cancer susceptibility in the Bangladeshi population

Objective: To verify possible associations between polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase Mu (GSTM1), glutathione S-transferase θ (GSTT1) and glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTP1) genes and susceptibility to lung cancer. Methods: A total of 106 lung cancer patients and 116 controls were enrolled in a case-control study. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 were analyzed using PCR while GSTP1 was analyzed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Risk of lung cancer was estimated as odds ratio at 95% confidence interval using unconditional logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, and tobacco use. Results: GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null genotypes did not show a significant risk for developing lung cancer. A significantly elevated lung cancer risk was associated with GSTP1 heterozygous, mutant and combined heterozygous+mutant variants of rs1695. When classified by tobacco consumption status, no association with risk of lung cancer was found in case of tobacco smokers and nonsmokers carrying null and present genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1. There is a three-fold (approximately) increase in the risk of lung cancer in case of both heterozygous (AG) and heterozygous+mutant homozygous (AG+GG) genotypes whereas there is an eightfold increase in risk of lung cancer in cases of GG with respect to AA genotype in smokers. Conclusions: Carrying the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype is not a risk factor for lung cancer and GSTP1Ile105Val is associated with elevated risk of lung cancer.

Effects of Antipsychotics on the Inflammatory Response System of Patients with Schizophrenia in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Cultures

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of antipsychotics on immune-challenged peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from twelve patients with first-episode schizophrenia. The PBMCs were separated and cultures were prepared and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C]), and then separately treated with a typical antipsychotic (haloperidol) or atypical antipsychotic (clozapine, quetiapine, or risperidone). Pro-inflammatory (interferon gamma [IFN-gamma]) and anti-inflammatory (interleukin [IL]-4 and IL-10) cytokine levels were measured in the LPS- or poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures treated with antipsychotics. RESULTS: Haloperidol and quetiapine significantly increased the IL-4 levels (p<0.05) in LPS-stimulated PBMC cultures, while clozapine and quetiapine significantly enhanced the IL-4 levels (p<0.05) in poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures. Only treatment with haloperidol resulted in a significant increase in IL-10 production (p<0.05) in LPS-stimulated PBMC cultures, whereas clozapine, quetiapine, and risperidone treatment significantly increased IL-10 production (p<0.05) in poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures. All of the antipsychotics reduced the IFN-gamma level significantly (p<0.05) in LPS- and poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures. CONCLUSION: Antipsychotic treatment altered immune function by raising the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) and suppressing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-gamma).

audit of cesarean sections in a teaching hospital

To determine the frequency of factors responsible for apparently high cesarean section rate in teaching hospital, Liaquat university hospital Hyderabad and to assess maternal morbidity and fetal out come after cesarean section. Descriptive study. In obstetric and gynecology Department of Liaquat university hospital Hyderabad Sindh Pakistan from 3 rd January 2007 to 2 nd January 2008. Total 1666 deliveries were conducted in year 2007 to 2008. Out of these 584 were delivered by cesarean section and 1082 were delivered by normal vaginal delivery. Clinical record of all the patients who underwent Cesarean section was analyzed. All the patients who underwent cesarean section were included in this study while clinically diagnosed cases of ruptured uterus and proved on lapratomy were excluded from this study. A proforma of each patient was completed, regarding the relevant information of cesarean delivery and fetal outcome. Cesarean section was done on 584 [35%] patients while normal vaginal delivery was conducted on 1082 [65%] patients. A total of 149 [25.5%] patients' underwent elective cesarean section while in 435 [74.4%] patient's cesarean section was done in emergency. A total of 144 [24.7%] patients were booked while 440 [75.3%] patient's were unbooked. Most common indication of cesarean section was repeat cesarean section, which was seen in 182 [31.2%] patients. Among obstetric complications major problem encountered was massive hemorrhage, which is seen in 64 [11%] patients wounds sepsis was second most common complications. A total of 453 [77.6%] newborns were born alive and 50 [8.6%] neonates were dead which included fresh and macerated still birth. 81 [13.8%] neonates died later on in pediatric unit [END]. The rate of cesarean section in our study was 35%, which is quite high. Commonest indication of cesarean section observed in this study was previous cesarean section. Majority of patient's who underwent cesarean section were unbooked. Commonest obstetric complication was massive hemorrhage followed by wound sepsis. Perinatal mortality was also high in this study