Expanding the prostate cancer cell line repertoire with ACRJ-PC28, an AR-negative neuroendocrine cell line derived from an African-Caribbean patient.

Prostate cell lines from diverse backgrounds are important to addressing disparities in prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality rates among Black men. ACRJ-PC28 was developed from a transrectal needle biopsy and established via inactivation of the CDKN2A locus and simultaneous expression of human telomerase. Characterization assays included growth curve analysis, immunoblots, IHC, 3D cultures, immunofluorescence imaging, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, WGS, and RNA-Seq. ACRJ-PC28 has been passaged more than 40 times in vitro over 10 months with a doubling time of 45 hours. STR profiling confirmed the novelty and human origin of the cell line. RNA-Seq confirmed the expression of prostate specific genes alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) and NKX3.1 and Neuroendocrine specific markers synaptophysin (SYP) and enolase 2 (ENO2) and IHC confirmed the presence of AMACR. Immunoblots indicated the cell line is of basal-luminal type; expresses p53 and pRB and is AR negative. WGS confirmed the absence of exonic mutations and the presence of intronic variants that appear to not affect function of AR, p53, and pRB. RNA-Seq data revealed numerous TP53 and RB1 mRNA splice variants and the lack of AR mRNA expression. This is consistent with retention of p53 function in response to DNA damage and pRB function in response to contact inhibition. Soft agar anchorage-independent analysis indicated that the cells are transformed, confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA) where ACRJ-PC28 cells cluster alongside other PCa tumor tissues, yet was distinct. The novel methodology described should advance prostate cell line development, addressing the disparity in PCa among Black men.

Associations of Metabolic Genes (GSTT1, GSTP1, GSTM1) and Blood Mercury Concentrations Differ in Jamaican Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We investigated interactive roles of three metabolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes (GSTP1, GSTT1, and GSTM1) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) status in relation to blood Hg concentrations (BHC) of Jamaican children. We used data from 266 children (2-8 years) with ASD and their 1:1 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) controls. After adjusting General Linear Models for child's age, socioeconomic status, consumption of leafy vegetables, fried plantain, canned fish, and the interaction between GSTP1 and GSTT1, we found significant interactions between GSTP1 and ASD status in relation to BHC either in a co-dominant or dominant genetic model for GSTP1(P < 0.001, P = 0.007, respectively). In the co-dominant model for the Ile105Val GSTP1 polymorphism, geometric mean (GM) BHC in ASD cases with genotype Ile/Ile were significantly higher than in cases with the Ile/Val genotype (0.73 vs. 0.48 µg/L, P = 0.01). In contrast, in TD controls with the Ile/Val genotype GM BHC were significantly higher than in those with the Ile/Ile genotype (0.72 vs. 0.49 µg/L, P = 0.03) or the Val/Val genotype (0.72 vs. 0.51 µg/L, P = 0.04). Although our findings are consistent with the role of GSTP1 in detoxification of Hg, replication in other populations is warranted.

Interaction between a Mixture of Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, Manganese, Aluminum) and GSTP1, GSTT1, and GSTM1 in Relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to many environmental chemicals, including metals, often does not occur in isolation, hence requires assessment of the associations between exposure to mixtures of chemicals and human health. OBJECTIVES: To investigate associations of a metal mixture of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), additively or interactively with each of three glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes (GSTP1, GSTT1, and GSTM1). METHOD: Using data from 266 case-control pairs of Jamaican children (2-8 years old), we fitted negative and positive generalized weighted quantile sum (gWQS) regression models to assess the aforementioned associations. RESULTS: Based on additive and interactive negative gWQS models adjusted for maternal age, parental education, child's parish, and seafood consumption, we found inverse associations of the overall mixture score with ASD [MOR (95% CI): 0.70 (0.49, 0.99); P < 0.05) and [MOR (95%CI): 0.46 (0.25, 0.84); P = 0.01], respectively. In an unadjusted negative gWQS model, we found a marginally significant interaction between GSTP1 and a mixture of three metals (Pb, Hg, and Mn) (P = 0.07) while the association was no longer significant after adjustment for the same covariates (P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in diet between ASD and control groups may play a role in the inverse associations we found. The possible interactive association between Mn and GSTP1 in ASD based on gWQS is consistent with our previous reports. However, possible interaction of GSTP1 with Pb and Hg in ASD requires further investigation and replication.

Evaluation of Plasma Circulating Cell Free DNA Concentration and Integrity in Patients with Prostate Cancer in Jamaica: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Cell free circulating DNA (cfcDNA) is a promising diagnostic tool for prostate cancer (PCa). This study aimed to measure the cfcDNA concentration and integrity in PCa patients using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. This study also assessed the correlation between these molecular biomarkers with total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, prostate volume, and age. METHODS: Eleven PCa patients and 9 persons with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were recruited. Blood samples were collected before prostate biopsy and plasma quantified by qPCR amplification of the ALU 115 DNA sequence, with the ratio of ALU 247 to ALU 115 reflecting cfcDNA integrity. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in median, interquartile range (IQR) cfcDNA concentration or cfcDNA integrity between the patients with PCa (47.9 (214.93) ng/mL; 0.61 (0.49)) and persons with BPH (41.5 (55.13) ng/mL, p = 0.382; 0.67 (0.45), p = 0.342). A weakly positive correlation exists between cfcDNA concentration and total PSA (r = 0.200, p = 0.555) but not with age or Gleason score in PCa patients. CONCLUSION: cfcDNA concentration was relatively nonsignificantly higher in PCa patients in comparison to persons with BPH, whereas cfcDNA integrity was similar in both groups. Though limited in sample size, this study shows that cfcDNA concentration may be a potentially valuable noninvasive biomarker for the diagnosis of PCa.

Interaction between manganese and GSTP1 in relation to autism spectrum disorder while controlling for exposure to mixture of lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported a significant interactive association between polymorphisms of GSTP1 and blood manganese concentrations (BMC) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Jamaican children. In this paper, we investigate the same interactive association with ASD while adjusting for the mixture of four metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic). METHOD: We used data from 163 case-control pairs of children 2-8 years of age from our autism project in Jamaica, in which we collected blood for heavy metals analysis at enrollment. To minimize potential multicollinearity between concentrations of the four metals, we generated a mixture index using generalized weighted quantile sum regression, which was used in conditional logistic regression models to control for the four metals while assessing the interactive association between GSTP1 and BMC with ASD. RESULTS: Similar to the findings we reported previously, we found that in co-dominant and dominant models for GSTP1, among children with the Ile/Ile genotype, those with BMC > 12µg/L had 4.6 and 4.27 times higher odds of ASD compared to those with BMC < 12µg/L (adjusted Matched Odds Ratio (MOR) = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.21 - 17.42 and adjusted MOR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.15 - 15.85, respectively). In the co-dominant model, for children with the Ile/Val and Val/Val genotypes, the adjusted MORs were 1.26 (95% CI: 0.32, 5.01) and 0.26 (95% CI: 0.05, 1.42), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for the mixture of four metals, the interactive association of BMC and GSTP1 with ASD remained significant with similar magnitude of associations. Results should be interpreted cautiously.

Potential of Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Viral Hepatitis.

Viral hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) pose a major health problem globally and if untreated, both viruses lead to severe liver damage resulting in liver cirrhosis and cancer. While HBV has a vaccine, HCV has none at the moment. The risk of drug resistance, combined with the high cost of current therapies, makes it a necessity for cost-effective therapeutics to be discovered and developed. The recent surge in interest in Medical Cannabis has led to interest in evaluating and validating the therapeutic potentials of Cannabis and its metabolites against various diseases including viruses. Preliminary screening of cannabidiol (CBD) revealed that CBD is active against HCV but not against HBV in vitro. CBD inhibited HCV replication by 86.4% at a single concentration of 10 µM with EC50 of 3.163 µM in a dose-response assay. These findings suggest that CBD could be further developed and used therapeutically against HCV. SUMMARY: Cannabidiol exhibited in vitro activity against viral hepatitis C. Abbreviations Used: CB2: Cannabis receptor 2, CBD: Cannabidiol, DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, HBV: Hepatitis B virus, HCV: Hepatitis C virus, HIV/AIDS: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, HSC: Hepatic stellate cells, MTS: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2Htetrazolium, PCR: Polymerase chain reaction.

Role of Metabolic Genes in Blood Aluminum Concentrations of Jamaican Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Aluminum is a neurotoxic metal with known health effects in animals and humans. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes and enzymes play a major role in detoxification of several heavy metals. Besides a direct relationship with oxidative stress; aluminum decreases GST enzyme activities. Using data from 116 Jamaican children; age 2-8 years; with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and 116 sex- and age-matched typically developing (TD) children; we investigated the association of polymorphisms in three GST genes (GSTP1; GSTM1; and GSTT1) with mean blood aluminum concentrations in children with and without ASD. Using log-transformed blood aluminum concentration as the dependent variable in a linear regression model; we assessed the additive and interactive effects of ASD status and polymorphisms in the three aforementioned GST genes in relation to blood aluminum concentrations. Although none of the additive effects were statistically significant (all p > 0.16); we observed a marginally significant interaction between GSTP1 Ile105Val (rs1695) and ASD status (p = 0.07); even after controlling for parental education level and consumption of avocado; root vegetables; and tuna (canned fish). Our findings indicate a significantly lower (p < 0.03) adjusted geometric mean blood aluminum concentration for TD children who had the Val/Val genotype (14.57 µg/L); compared with those with Ile/Ile or Ile/Val genotypes who had an adjusted geometric mean of 23.75 µg/L. However; this difference was not statistically significant among the ASD cases (p = 0.76). Our findings indicate that ASD status may be a potential effect modifier when assessing the association between GSTP1 rs1695 and blood aluminum concentrations among Jamaican children. These findings require replication in other populations.

Synergic effect of GSTP1 and blood manganese concentrations in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We used data from 100 age- and sex-matched case-control pairs (age 2-8 years) from Jamaica to investigate whether there is an interaction between glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes and blood manganese concentrations (BMC) in relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our findings, indicate that among children who had the Ile/Ile genotype for GST pi 1 (GSTP1), those with BMC ≥ 12µg/L had about 4 times higher odds of ASD than those with BMC < 12µg/L, (P=0.03) under a co-dominant genetic model. After adjusting for potential confounders, among the subgroup of children with genotype Ile/Ile, those with BMC ≥ 12µg/L had about six times higher odds of ASD than those with BMC < 12µg/L, (P=0.04). The results were similar when a recessive genetic model was used. These findings suggest a possible synergic effect of BMC and GSTP1 in ASD. Since our analysis included a variety of genetic models and was not adjusted for multiple testing, replication in other populations is warranted.

Interaction between GSTT1 and GSTP1 allele variants as a risk modulating-factor for autism spectrum disorders.

We investigated the role of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We used data from 111 pairs of age- and sex-matched ASD cases and typically developing (TD) controls between 2-8 years of age from Jamaica to investigate the role of GST pi 1 (GSTP1), GST theta 1 (GSTT1), and GST mu 1 (GSTM1) polymorphisms in susceptibility to ASD. In univariable conditional logistic regression models we did not observe significant associations between ASD status and GSTT1, GSTM1, or GSTP1 genotype (all P > 0.15). However, in multivariable conditional logistic regression models, we identified a significant interaction between GSTP1 and GSTT1 in relation to ASD. Specifically, in children heterozygous for the GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism, the odds of ASD was significantly higher in those with the null GSTT1 genotype than those with the other genotypes [Matched Odds Ratio (MOR) = 2.97, 95% CI (1.09, 8.01), P = 0.03]. Replication in other populations is warranted.

Role of metabolic genes in blood arsenic concentrations of Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder.

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid with known adverse effects on human health. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes, including GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTM1, play a major role in detoxification and metabolism of xenobiotics. We investigated the association between GST genotypes and whole blood arsenic concentrations (BASC) in Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used data from 100 ASD cases and their 1:1 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) controls (age 2-8 years) from Jamaica. Using log-transformed BASC as the dependent variable in a General Linear Model, we observed a significant interaction between GSTP1 and ASD case status while controlling for several confounding variables. However, for GSTT1 and GSTM1 we did not observe any significant associations with BASC. Our findings indicate that TD children who had the Ile/Ile or Ile/Val genotype for GSTP1 had a significantly higher geometric mean BASC than those with genotype Val/Val (3.67 µg/L vs. 2.69 µg/L, p < 0.01). Although, among the ASD cases, this difference was not statistically significant, the direction of the observed difference was consistent with that of the TD control children. These findings suggest a possible role of GSTP1 in the detoxification of arsenic.

Early onset type 2 diabetes in Jamaica and in Mexico. Opportunities derived from an interethnic study.

Populations with Amerindian or African heritages are the one with the highest prevalence of diabetes worldwide. A large percentage of these individuals survived famine. However, the survival effect has become detrimental to their descendents living in an environment of caloric surplus. In countries, like Mexico and Jamaica, in which diabetes is highly prevalent, the onset of the disease happens at earlier ages. Our objective is to summarize diabetes data from Mexico and Jamaica and to discuss the opportunities that can result from an interethnic study. On one hand, the prevalence of diabetes in Jamaica is 17.9% in the 15+ age group. Jamaican researchers have built a cohort of families with early onset type 2 diabetes. In this population, this form of the disease is unrelated to MODY genes. On the other hand, the prevalence of diabetes in adult Mexicans is 14.4%. The group in which the greater percentual changes have occurred is the adults who are below the age of 40. More than two thirds of the early onset cases studied have a body mass index that is >25 kg/m2 and the clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome. A minority of them has mutations in the MODY genes. The joint study of Mexican and Jamaican cohorts of early onset type 2 diabetes cases will be useful to identify new genetic and environmental players in the pathogenesis of this entity.

Tissue blot immunoassay and direct RT-PCR of cucumoviruses and potyviruses from the same NitroPure nitrocellulose membrane.

A method is described for using Nitropure nitrocellulose (NPN) membranes as an effective solid matrix for retrieval of template RNA of three potyviruses, Tobacco etch virus, Soybean mosaic virus and Turnip mosaic virus, and two cucumoviruses, Cucumber mosaic virus and Peanut stunt virus. These NPN membranes were also used for tissue blot immunosorbent assays (TBIAs) to identify and detect plant viruses. For RNA detection, discs from dried membranes blotted with infected tissue were minimally cleaned with Triton X-100 and placed directly into reverse transcription (RT) reactions to initiate cDNA synthesis. Aliquots of cDNA plus primers specific for coat protein produced PCR amplicons of expected sizes for each of the viruses. Intensity of PCR-amplified bands from cDNA transcribed from both non-processed and TBIA-processed NPN membranes was comparable to those using FTA Card protocols. Direct sequencing of PCR products yielded high quality runs enabling identification to species. NPN membranes retained immunologically detectable virus particles, as well as intact template viral RNA, for more than a year at room temperature. The quantity of amplification product decreased after several months of storage, but could be increased by increasing the number of PCR cycles.

Multigenerational inheritance and clinical characteristics of three large pedigrees with early-onset type 2 diabetes in Jamaica.

OBJECTIVE: To document the existence and clinical characteristics of three large families with multigenerational inheritance of early-onset type 2 diabetes in Jamaica. METHODS: Three probands from large families with multigenerational inheritance of early-onset type 2 diabetes in at least three generations were detected at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica. Each proband at the time of diagnosis was < 25 years of age, was lean, and did not require insulin therapy. Clinical, metabolic, and genetic assessments were undertaken to profile the diabetes in the three families. RESULTS: Three pedigrees--BK, SU, and CA--consisting of 38, 48, and 113 members, respectively, with multigenerational inheritance of early-onset type 2 diabetes in at least three generations, were investigated. The mean age at diagnosis of the three pedigrees was 31.5 +/- 2.9 years, with 10 persons detected below 25 years of age. Findings suggestive of overweight, insulin resistance, low insulin secretion, dyslipidemia, and mild intra-abdominal obesity were present. Islet cell antibodies and sequence variants in MODY1 to -6 genes were absent. CONCLUSIONS: Large families demonstrating multigenerational inheritance of diabetes and other characteristics consistent with early-onset type 2 diabetes are present in the Jamaican population.

Multigenerational inheritance and clinical characteristics of three large pedigrees with early-onset type 2 diabetes in Jamaica / Herencia multigeneracional y características clínicas de la diabetes tipo 2 de inicio temprano en tres árboles genealógicos grandes de Jamaica

OBJECTIVE: To document the existence and clinical characteristics of three large families with multigenerational inheritance of early-onset type 2 diabetes in Jamaica. METHODS: Three probands from large families with multigenerational inheritance of early-onset type 2 diabetes in at least three generations were detected at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica. Each proband at the time of diagnosis was < 25 years of age, was lean, and did not require insulin therapy. Clinical, metabolic, and genetic assessments were undertaken to profile the diabetes in the three families. RESULTS: Three pedigrees-BK, SU, and CA-consisting of 38, 48, and 113 members, respectively, with multigenerational inheritance of early-onset type 2 diabetes in at least three generations, were investigated. The mean age at diagnosis of the three pedigrees was 31.5 ± 2.9 years, with 10 persons detected below 25 years of age. Findings suggestive of overweight, insulin resistance, low insulin secretion, dyslipidemia, and mild intra-abdominal obesity were present. Islet cell antibodies and sequence variants in MODY1 to -6 genes were absent. CONCLUSIONS: Large families demonstrating multigenerational inheritance of diabetes and other characteristics consistent with early-onset type 2 diabetes are present in the Jamaican population.

OBJETIVO: Documentar la presencia de herencia multigeneracional de la diabetes de tipo II de inicio temprano en tres familias jamaiquinas grandes y describir sus características clínicas. MÉTODOS: En el Hospital Universitario de West Indies en Jamaica, se detectaron tres probandos de familias grandes en las que se observó herencia multigeneracional de la diabetes tipo 2 de inicio temprano en al menos tres generaciones. Al momento del diagnóstico, cada probando tenía # 25 años de edad, era delgado y no necesitó insulinoterapia. Se emprendieron estudios clínicos, metabólicos y genéticos con el fin de determinar las características particulares de la diabetes que presentan estas tres familias. RESULTADOS: Se investigaron tres árboles genealógicos -BK, SU y CA- conformados por 38, 48 y 113 miembros, respectivamente. Cada árbol presentaba herencia multigeneracional de diabetes tipo 2 de inicio temprano en al menos tres generaciones. En los tres árboles genealógicos, la media de la edad al momento del diagnóstico fue de 31,5 ± 2,9 años y 10 personas tenían menos de 25 años. Se observaron signos indicativos de sobrepeso, resistencia insulínica, baja secreción de insulina, dislipidemia y obesidad intrabdominal leve. No se hallaron anticuerpos contra las células de los islotes ni variantes en la secuencia de los genes MODY1 a MODY6. CONCLUSIONES: Algunas familias grandes de la población jamaiquina presentan herencia multigeneracional de la diabetes y otras características indicativas de diabetes tipo 2 de inicio temprano.

The burden of gestational diabetes mellitus in Jamaican women with a family history of autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if Jamaican women of African descent with a family history of early onset autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes have greater odds of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) than those without a family history of the disease. METHODS: A comparative study was conducted of two groups of pregnant Jamaican women: the first with a family history of early onset autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes; the second with no history of the disease. Incidence, odds for developing GDM, and metabolic profiles in first and second trimesters were assessed using SPSS 11.5 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, United States). RESULTS: The incidence of GDM was 12.0% in women with a family history of early onset autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes and 1.5% in women without a family history of the disease (P<0.05). Women with a family history were nine times more likely to develop GDM than those without a family history of diabetes (95% confidence interval: 5.00-16.38, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Family history of early onset autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes appears to increase susceptibility to GDM in Jamaican women. Pregnant women of any age with family history of early onset autosomal type 2 diabetes should be screened for GDM.

The burden of gestational diabetes mellitus in Jamaican women with a family history of autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVES: To determine if Jamaican women of African descent with a family history of early onset autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes have greater odds of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) than those without a family history of the disease. METHODS: A comparative study was conducted of two groups of pregnant Jamaican women: the first with a family history of early onset autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes; the second with no history of the disease. Incidence, odds for developing GDM, and metabolic profiles in first and second trimesters were assessed using SPSS 11.5 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, United States). RESULTS: The incidence of GDM was 12.0 percent in women with a family history of early onset autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes and 1.5 percent in women without a family history of the disease (P < 0.05). Women with a family history were nine times more likely to develop GDM than those without a family history of diabetes (95 percent confidence interval: 5.00-16.38, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Family history of early onset autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes appears to increase susceptibility to GDM in Jamaican women. Pregnant women of any age with family history of early onset autosomal type 2 diabetes should be screened for GDM.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar si las mujeres jamaicanas de ascendencia africana con antecedentes familiares de inicio temprano de diabetes autosómica dominante tipo 2 tienen mayor probabilidad de desarrollar diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) que las que no tienen esos antecedentes familiares. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio comparativo con dos grupos de mujeres jamaicanas embarazadas: el primero con mujeres que tenían antecedentes familiares de inicio temprano de diabetes autosómica dominante tipo 2 y el segundo con mujeres sin antecedentes familiares de esa enfermedad. Se empleó el programa SPSS v. 11.5 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, Estados Unidos de América) para analizar los resultados y calcular la incidencia, la probabilidad de desarrollar DMG y los perfiles metabólicos en el primer y el segundo trimestres de gestación. RESULTADOS: La incidencia de DMG fue de 12,0 por ciento en las mujeres con antecedentes familiares de inicio temprano de diabetes autosómica dominante tipo 2 y de 1,5 por ciento en las mujeres sin antecedentes familiares de esa enfermedad (P < 0,05). Las mujeres del primer grupo tuvieron nueve veces más probabilidades de desarrollar DMG que las del segundo grupo (intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento: 5,00 a 16,38; P < 0,0001). CONCLUSIÓN: Los antecedentes familiares de inicio temprano de diabetes autosómica dominante tipo 2 aumentaron la predisposición a sufrir DMG en mujeres jamaicanas. Las mujeres embarazadas con antecedentes familiares de inicio temprano de diabetes autosómica tipo 2 deben someterse a pruebas de tamizaje para DMG, independientemente de su edad.

Diabetes and psychological co-morbidity in children with a family history of early-onset type 2 diabetes.

The present study was conducted to evaluate for depressive symptoms and undiagnosed diabetes in children with familial history of early-onset type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that diabetes doubles the risk for depression and that the duration of diabetes is related to the severity of the depression. Individuals with depression are also said to be at greater risk for developing diabetes. In many cases diabetes is detected whilst screening for depression. Fifty-three children aged between 6 and 17 years were screened for diabetes and assessed for depressive symptoms using the Children Depression Rating Scale, revised version (CDRS-R). Thirty-six (68.0 %) of the children with a family history of early-onset type 2 diabetes had CDRS-R scores consistent with likely or very likely major depressive disorders. Depressive symptoms score was predicted best by the number of generations of diabetes in the family, with an associated r = .65 and adjusted R(2) = .41. As the generations of diabetes increased, the more likely it was for a child to have diabetes (r = .38, p = .005). Four (7.5%) of the children were diagnosed with diabetes. The findings suggest that depressive symptoms are common in children with a family history of early onset type 2 diabetes and may co-exist with diabetes. The independent variable that reliably predicted the child depressive symptoms score was the number of generations of diabetes in the family.

Identification of Begomoviruses Infecting Crops and Weeds in Belize.

Plants including pepper, red kidney bean, squash, string bean and tomato, as well as weeds with viral symptoms were collected from five districts in Belize over a three year period with the aim of determining the diversity of the begomoviruses present. Sixty five percent of the samples screened via DNA hybridization produced signals indicative of begomovirus infection. Subsequent PCR amplifications and nucleotide sequence analyses revealed the presence of four begomoviruses in Belize. Pepper golden mosaic virus and Tomato mottle virus-[Flo] were found associated with tomato and sweet pepper and the former was also isolated from hot pepper. Merremia mosaic virus was found infecting hot pepper, sweet pepper and the weed species Euphorbia heterophylla. Euphorbia mosaic virus-[Yucatan Peninsula] was found in hot pepper and Euphorbia. This is the first report of the identification of begomoviruses in Belize.

Depressive symptoms in children of women with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease with increasing prevalence. Individuals with diabetes are at risk for long-term complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular complications. Additionally, several studies have indicated that diabetes doubles the risk for depression. Individuals with depression are also said to be at greater risk for developing diabetes. Studies have shown depressive symptoms to be higher in children with diabetes than in those without the disease. This study measured depressive symptoms in children without diabetes of women with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. METHOD: Fifty children whose mothers were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were assessed with the Children's Depression Rating Scale, Revised (CDRS-R) to measure the psychological impact of the mothers' newly diagnosed diabetes on their children. This cross-sectional study was conducted in public and private clinics from April 2001 to June 2003. RESULTS: Sixty percent of children (N = 30) whose mothers were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes had CDRS-R scores consistent with likely or very likely having major depressive disorders. Mean ± SD CDRS-R scores were highest in children of women with diabetes affecting greater than or equal to 3 generations of their families (68.2 ± 8.9, p = .02). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that depressive symptoms are common in children of women with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Severity of depressive symptoms positively correlated with the number of generations of diabetes in the family.

Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolates from broiler chickens and humans.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial usage is considered the most important factor promoting the emergence, selection and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms in both veterinary and human medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genetic basis of tetracycline resistance in faecal Escherichia coli isolates from healthy broiler chickens and compare these data with isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in Jamaica. RESULTS: Eighty-two E. coli strains isolated from faecal samples of broiler chickens and urine and wound specimens of hospitalized patients were analyzed by agar disc diffusion to determine their susceptibility patterns to 11 antimicrobial agents. Tetracycline resistance determinants were investigated by plasmid profiling, transformations, and amplification of plasmid-borne resistance genes. Tetracycline resistance occurred at a frequency of 82.4% in avian isolates compared to 43.8% in human isolates. In addition, among avian isolates there was a trend towards higher resistance frequencies to kanamycin and nalidixic acid (p < 0.05), while a greater percentage of human isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol and gentamicin (p < 0.05). Multiple drug resistance was found in isolates from both sources and was usually associated with tetracycline resistance. Tetracycline-resistant isolates from both avian and human sources contained one or several plasmids, which were transmissible by transformation of chemically-competent E. coli. Tetracycline resistance was mediated by efflux genes tetB and/or tetD. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights the prevalence of multiple drug resistant E. coli among healthy broiler chickens in Jamaica, possibly associated with expression of tetracycline resistance. While there did not appear to be a common source for multiple drug resistance in the strains from avian or human origin, the genes encoding resistance are similar. These results suggest that genes are disseminated in the environment and warrant further investigation of the possibility for avian sources acting as reservoirs for tetracycline resistance.