The role of glutathione transferases M1 and T1 in individual susceptibility to bladder cancer in a Tunisian population.

BACKGROUND: Susceptibility to bladder cancer is thought to depend on interplay between genetic factors and environmental chemical carcinogens. AIM: This study seeks to determine the role of the glutathione transferases M1 and T1 null genotypes (GSTM1*0 and GSTT1*0) in individual susceptibility to bladder cancer in a Tunisian population. METHOD: Sixty-two patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder cancer and 79 controls were examined with respect to the frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes. RESULTS: The frequencies of the GSTT1 null in the total group of bladder cancer cases vs. controls did not differ statistically. The proportion of GSTM1 null genotype in patients was 63% compared to 45% in controls group (OR = 2.03; 95% CI 0.97-4.24; p = 0.04). A significantly higher incidence of GSTM1 deletion genotype was found in smokers with bladder cancer compared to the controls (65.38% vs. 45.5%). Smokers lacking the GSTM1 gene are at an approximately 2.2-fold higher risk of bladder cancer (OR= 2.23, 95% CI 1-5.15; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that in Tunisian subjects the GSTM1 null genotype may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. This association appears to depend upon smoking status.

Differences in Tunisian adolescents' knowledge, misconceptions and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS from 1997 to 2002.

Surveys were conducted to estimate the extent to which knowledge, misconceptions and attitudes of adolescents in Tunisia towards HIV/AIDS had changed after a period of five years. A population of school-going adolescents of both sexes, age 16 to 20, was sampled in 1997 and again in 2002. We found that HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases became better known, there was more tolerance expressed for people living with AIDS, and the use of condoms was more positively judged. Fewer misconceptions surrounding the condition were also noted. However, many results recorded during the 1997 survey remained unchanged (e.g., scepticism about awareness campaigns; TV as a primary source of information). We discuss the socio-economic and medical/social context in Tunisia during the period 1997-2002 that seemed to allow adolescents to improve their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and to acquire positive attitudes towards persons living with the condition.

Differences in Tunisian adolescents' knowledge; misconceptions and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS from 1997 to 2002

Surveys were conducted to estimate the extent to which knowledge; misconceptions and attitudes of adolescents in Tunisia towards HIV/AIDS had changed after a period of five years. A population of school-going adolescents of both sexes; age 16 to 20; was sampled in 1997 and again in 2002. We found that HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases became better known; there was more tolerance expressed for people living with AIDS; and the use of condoms was more positively judged. Fewer misconceptions surrounding the condition were also noted. However; many results recorded during the 1997 survey remained unchanged (e.g.; scepticism about awareness campaigns; TV as a primary source of information). We discuss the socio-economic and medical/social context in Tunisia during the period 1997-2002 that seemed to allow adolescents to improve their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and to acquire positive attitudes towards persons living with the condition

The Developing Country Reactions to Biomedical Techniques and Plant Biotechnology: The Tunisian Experience.

In the present study we present the conditions offered to biotechnology development in Tunisia and we compare three main biotechnology applications which raise ethical and health problems: organ transplant, assisted reproductive techniques, and genetically modified organisms. We try to identify factors that have allowed success of the first two applications and failure of the latter. Conditions offered to biotechnology in other African countries are also discussed.

The significance of combining World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control criteria to resolve indeterminate human immunodeficiency virus type-1 Western blot results.

A total of 466 repeatedly reactive HIV-1 blood samples evidenced by enzyme immunoassay were analyzed by the Western blot method and interpreted according to WHO and CDC criteria. Discordant and indeterminate samples were further analyzed by PCR. When the Western blot result was classified as indeterminate, according to both WHO and CDC criteria, the PCR test was always negative. These findings suggest that samples with double-indeterminate status should be reported as negative.

[Attitude of health personnel to organ donation and transplantation]. / Attitudes des professionnels de la santé à l'égard du don d'organes et de la transplantation.

It was shown that the rate of organ donation depends not only on the attitudes of the public but also of the predisposition of the health care staff. An opinion poll has interested 702 physicians, nurses and technicians. It comes out from this study that 59% of the sample are favorable to the organ donation. The reason of the most quoted acceptance is "humane reason" (46%). Concerning the refusal of the organ donation by the professionals of health, 3 reasons are held: (i) religious reserves (26.4%), (ii) without reasons (22.8%) and (iii) personal reasons (20.9%). For approximately 10% of the doctors the refusal is ethical. In conclusion, the Tunisian physicians adopt an attitude favorable to the organ donation, whereas nurses and technicians are rather reticent. Refusal reasons identified during this study could direct the organizers of the public awareness campaigns for the promotion of organs donation.