Association analysis of APOA5 rs662799 and rs3135506 polymorphisms with obesity in Moroccan patients.

The aim of the present study is to explore the association between the APOA5 polymorphisms and haplotypes with obesity in Moroccan patients. The study was performed in 459 subjects, Obese (n=164) and non-obese (n=295). All subjects were genotyped for the APOA5 -1131T>C (rs662799) and c.56C>G (rs3135506) polymorphisms. The contribution of APOA5 polymorphisms and haplotypes in the increased risk of obesity were explored using logistic regression analyses. The -1131T>C and c.56C>G polymorphisms were significantly associated with obesity. Both polymorphisms were strongly associated with increased BMI. Analysis of constructed haplotypes showed a significant association between CG haplotype and susceptibility to obesity (OR [95%CI]=3.09 [1.93-4.97]; P<0.001). These results support a potential role for APOA5 common variants and related haplotypes as risk factors for obesity.

Association analysis of genetic variants with metabolic syndrome components in the Moroccan population.

This study aimed to analyze the association between UBE2E2, G6PC2, PROX1, DUSP9, ADCY5 and APOC3 polymorphisms and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Moroccan patients. The study was applied on 316 unrelated individuals from Morocco, 177 MetS patients and 139 controls. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. All subjects were genotyped for the following polymorphisms: rs7612463 (UBE2E2), rs560887 (G6PC2), rs340874 (PROX1), rs5945326 (DUSP9), rs11708067 (ADCY5) and rs5128 (APOC3) using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay and PCR-RFLP. The rs5128 (APOC3) and rs340874 (PROX1) polymorphisms were found to be significantly associated with susceptibility to MetS (P=0.003 and P=0.033, respectively), with odds ratios (ORs) of 4.39 (95% CI=1.66-11.56) and 2.81 (95% CI=1.09-7.27), respectively. Two variants presented a tendency to be protector factors against MetS risk: rs5945326 in DUSP9 gene (OR=0.32; 95% CI=0.17-0.62; =0.001) and rs11708067 in ADCY5 gene (OR=0.51; 95% CI=0.28-0.95; P=0.034). No association was detected between rs7612463 (UBE2E2) and rs560887 (G6PC2) SNPs and MetS increased risk. This study suggests a potential role of rs5128, rs340874, rs5945326 and rs11708067 variants in MetS susceptibility in the Moroccan population.

Water access and attendance for diarrhea in primary health care centers, Gaza strip.

Water access and sanitation has worsened in Gaza strip since the conflict between Israel and Palestine in January 2009. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attendance for diarrhea to a Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Gaza strip and several potential risk factors including water access. A matched case control study with prospective data record was performed. Cases were patients attending a PHCC for diarrhea, and controls were patients attending for any other cause with no diarrhea within the previous three months or since birth. We matched 133 cases and 133 controls, for date of inclusion, age, gender. All patients attended PHCC and were included in January/February 2010. A stool analysis for bacteria and parasites was performed for cases. Of the 266 patients, 62% (166) have to buy water from a private provider. In multivariate analysis, four variables were independently predictive of diarrhea: public water access (OR: 0.046; 95% CI: 0.005-0.454; P=0.0083), poultry or rabbits at home, and presence of cooker at home. A bacterial cause was found in 5.5% (7) and Giardia duodenalis in 20% (26). Treatments did not comply with WHO recommendations. Efforts should be made to improve water access and to implement guidelines for a better management of diarrhea in Gaza strip.