Association of glutathione S-transferase Ω 1-1 polymorphisms (A140D and E208K) with the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), and apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) in humans chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water.

Human exposure to arsenicals is associated with inflammatory-related diseases including different kinds of cancer as well as non-cancerous diseases like neuro-degenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes. Interindividual susceptibility has been mainly addressed by evaluating the role of genetic polymorphism in metabolic enzymes in inorganic arsenic (iAs) metabolism. Glutathione S-transferase omega 1-1 (GSTO1-1), which had been associated with iAs metabolism, is also known to participate in inflammatory and apoptotic cellular responses. The polymorphism A140D of GSTO1-1 has been not only associated with distinct urinary profile of arsenic metabolites in populations chronically exposed to iAs in drinking water, but also with higher risk of childhood leukemia and lung disease in non-exposed populations, suggesting that GSTO1-1 involvement in other physiologic processes different from toxics metabolism could be more relevant than is thought. We evaluated the association of the presence of A140D and E208K polymorphisms of GSTO1-1 gene with the expression of genes codifying for proteins involved in the inflammatory and apoptotic response in a human population chronically exposed to iAs through drinking water. A140D polymorphism was associated with higher expression of genes codifying for IL-8 and Apaf-1 mainly in heterozygous individuals, while E208K was associated with higher expression of IL-8 and TGF- gene, in both cases, the association was independently of iAs exposure level; however, the exposure to iAs increased slightly but significantly the influence of A140D and E208K polymorphisms on such genes expression. These results suggest an important role of GSTO1-1 in the inflammatory response and the apoptotic process and indicate that A140D and E208K polymorphisms could increase the risk of developing inflammatory and apoptosis-related diseases in As-exposed populations.

Effect of climatological factors on respiratory syncytial virus epidemics.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) presents as yearly epidemics in temperate climates. We analysed the association of atmospheric conditions to RSV epidemics in San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., Mexico. The weekly number of RSV detections from October 2002 and May 2006 were correlated to ambient temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, vapour tension, dew point, precipitation, and hours of light using time-series and regression analyses. Of the variation in RSV cases, 49.8% was explained by the study variables. Of the explained variation in RSV cases, 32.5% was explained by the study week and 17.3% was explained by meteorological variables (average daily temperature, maximum daily temperature, temperature at 08:00 hours, and relative humidity at 08:00 hours). We concluded that atmospheric conditions, particularly temperature, partly explain the year to year variability in RSV activity. Identification of additional factors that affect RSV seasonality may help develop a model to predict the onset of RSV epidemics.

Efficacy of nitroglycerine infusion versus sublingual nifedipine in severe pre-eclampsia: a randomized, triple-blind, controlled trial.

1. Information regarding the use of continuous i.v. administration of nitroglycerine as an antihypertensive agent in the management of pre-eclampsia is scarce. In the present study, i.v. nitroglycerine or sublingual nifedipine were administered to 32 women with severe pre-eclampsia who were being managed with controlled plasma volume expansion and MgSO(4) loading and maintenance doses. Maternal blood pressure and heart rate responses, fetal heart rate responses and perinatal fetal-maternal adverse effects were evaluated using classical parametric and non-parametric data analysis and data modelling by mixed models. 2. An important hypotensive response was observed in both groups, although this reponse was greater, faster and exhibited less variability (more precision) in the nitroglycerine-treated group. Heart rate also increased in both the nitroglycerine- and nifedipine-treated groups (4.6 +/- 4.4 vs 8.6 +/- 5.3 b.p.m., respectively), although the increase in the nifedipine-treated group was almost twofold that in the nitroglycerine-treated group. There were no significant changes in fetal heart rate in response to vasodilator therapy. The frequency of perinatal fetal-maternal adverse effects was similar in both groups at 40% and the adverse effects observed included flushing, headache, palpitations and nausea. 3. In conclusion, i.v. infusion of nitroglycerine is an effective, safe and alternative therapy for severe pre-eclampsia.