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OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short regulatory RNAs that can modulate gene expression and function as negative regulators. Common genetic variants like single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA genes may alter their expression or maturation resulting in varied functional consequences in carcinogenesis. Therefore, we evaluated the genetic variants in pre-miRNAs: hsa-miR-146a G/C (rs2910164), hsa-miR-196a2 C/T (rs11614913), and hsa-miR-499 T>C (rs3746444) for their role in breast cancer susceptibility. STUDY DESIGN: The study comprised 121 breast cancer patients, 115 with benign breast disease, and 164 controls. The genotypic frequency of miRNA polymorphisms was determined by PCR-RFLP assay. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis using SPSS Software version 15.0. In silico analysis was done using various bioinformatics tools (F-SNP, FAST-SNP). RESULTS: The heterozygous variant of miR-146a G/C (rs2910164) is associated with the reduced risk of breast cancer at the genotype level as well as at the allele level (p < 0.05, OR = 0.5) as compared to controls. On the contrary, no significant difference was observed in the distribution of miR-196a2 C/T (rs11614913) and miR-499 T>C (rs3746444) polymorphisms in any groups both at genotype and allele levels. On the other hand, in multivariate analysis, we found that the miR-196a2 (rs11614913) C>T was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer risk in postmenopausal females (p = 0.02, OR = 3.2). We also attempted to find out the risk of malignant breast disease in relation to each of the above SNPs on dividing our data on the basis of benign and malignant status, but no significant difference was observed. In silico analysis using F-SNP showed change in transcriptional regulation by miR-146a G/C (rs2910164), miR-196a2 C/T (rs11614913) and miR-499 T>C (rs3746444) variations; the functional score was 0.100, 0.065 and 0.277, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrate that miR-146a G/C (rs2910164) polymorphism is associated with reduced genetic susceptibility to breast cancer. However, multivariate analysis showed as miR-196a2 (rs11614913) C>T to be associated with increased risk of breast cancer risk in postmenopausal females. Further multicentric studies involving a large number of cases need to be carried out to strengthen the present results.
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INTRODUCTION: Individuals in the developing world are quick to adopt patterns of behavior that mimic Western trends even when those trends have negative long term effects on health. In this study we relate survey results describing attitudes and perceptions toward individual health responsibility of people being treated for non-communicable diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in order to improve public health interventions. METHODS: We conducted convenience sample surveys in both English and native languages at outpatient clinics and hospital centers in Fiji, Nauru, and Kiribati with people being treated for non-communicable diseases. We used the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile in regression analyses to explore underlying factors explaining patient attitudes in managing their illnesses. RESULTS: Our results suggest that there exist attitudinal differences among afflicted populations with regard to stress, physical activity, nutrition, and health responsibility. One unifying theme is the lack of interest in conventional public health educational methods including printed material and public lectures. These similarities and differences must be recognized by government health ministries as well as international health organizations when developing public health interventions. CONCLUSION: Public health professionals and educators must develop ways to transmit the message of healthy lifestyles to populations in the South Pacific that do not give much attention to conventional public health education methods. The epidemic of non-communicable disease that is occurring in many of the Pacific Island nations will only be effectively addressed by new educational approaches.