Polymorphism of glutathione S-transferases as genetic risk factors for the development of complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia that produces dysregulation of cellular metabolism and result in excess free radical production and oxidative stress. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of multifunctional enzymes that work as antioxidants. Therefore, diminished expression of GSTs may result in a reduced body defense against oxidative stress, followed by development of diabetic complications.

Objectives

To investigate the possible association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphism and the occurrence of complications in type 2 DM and to study the other risk factors for complications in DM.

Methods

Twenty noncomplicated type 2 diabetic patients and 40 complicated type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled in the study. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction of peripheral blood DNA samples. Analysis of data was done by using SPSS (SPSS, Chicago, Ill).

Results

The frequencies of null GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were 55% (11/20) and 40% (8/20), respectively, in noncomplicated DM group. The frequencies of null GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotype in complicated DM group were 57.5% (23/40) and 60% (24/40), respectively. The null GSTT1 genotype was more prevalent in the group of complicated DM with odds ratio (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-6.7) when compared with noncomplicated DM.

Conclusion

Our data provide evidence that diabetics with null GSTT1 genotypes are substantially at higher risk for developing complications.     

Female perpetration of violence in heterosexual intimate relationships: adolescence through adulthood

This article critically reviews 62 empirical studies that examine the prevalence of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence across three distinct populations (adolescents, college students, and adults). All studies were published between 1996 and 2006 and reported prevalence rates of physical, emotional, and/or sexual violence perpetrated by females in heterosexual intimate relationships. The highest rates were found for emotional violence, followed by physical and sexual violence. Prevalence rates varied widely within each population, most likely because of methodological and sampling differences across studies. Few longitudinal studies existed, limiting the extent to which we could identify developmental patterns associated with female-perpetrated intimate partner violence. Differences and similarities across populations are highlighted. Methodological difficulties of this area of inquiry as well as implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling studies of N6-benzyladenosine analogues as potential anti-toxoplasma agents

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for toxoplasmosis. T. gondii is a purine auxotroph incapable of de novo purine biosynthesis and depends on salvage pathways for its purine requirements. Adenosine kinase (EC.2.7.1.20) is the major enzyme in the salvage of purines in these parasites. 6-Benzylthioinosine and analogues were established as "subversive substrates" for the T. gondii, but not for the human adenosine kinase. Therefore, these compounds act as selective anti-toxoplasma agents. In the present study, a series of N(6)-benzyladenosine analogues were synthesized from 6-chloropurine riboside with substituted benzylamines via solution phase parallel synthesis. These N(6)-benzyladenosine analogues were evaluated for their binding affinity to purified T. gondii adenosine kinase. Furthermore, the anti-toxoplasma efficacy and host toxicity of these compounds were tested in cell culture. Certain substituents on the aromatic ring improved binding affinity to T. gondii adenosine kinase when compared to the unsubstituted N(6)-benzyladenosine. Similarly, varying the type and position of the substituents on the aromatic ring led to different degrees of potency and selectivity as anti-toxoplasma agents. Among the synthesized analogues, N(6)-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)adenosine exhibited the most favorable anti-toxoplasma activity without host toxicity. The binding mode of the synthesized N(6)-benzyladenosine analogues were characterized to illustrate the role of additional hydrophobic effect and van der Waals interaction within an active site of T. gondii adenosine kinase by induced fit molecular modeling.     

Correlates of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in the general adult population of China: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a significant public health issue in China. Understanding factors associated with chronic HBV is important to enable targeted screening and education and to improve early diagnosis and prevention of disease progression. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify and describe correlates of chronic HBV among Chinese adults. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and grey literature up to 25 June 2020. Eligible papers included observational studies in adults of the general population in China that reported factors associated with chronic HBV, measured by Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Meta-analysis was performed using fixed-effect models of HBsAg prevalence among factors, and of adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for chronic HBV associated with each factor. Overall 39 articles were included, covering 22 factors, including a range of sociodemographic, behavioural and medical factors. In meta-analysis of eligible studies, a range of factors were significantly associated with higher HBsAg prevalence, including middle age, male sex, being married, rural residence, lower education, smoking, having a HBsAg positive household contact, family history of HBV, history of surgery or blood transfusion. The adjusted ORs varied, from 1.11 (95% CI 1.05–1.18) for smoking to 5.13 (95% CI 4.99–5.26) for having a HBsAg positive household contact. In Chinese adults, a range of factors are associated with chronic HBV infection, which may help inform targeted screening in the general population.     

Prevalence of Parent-Reported ADHD Diagnosis and Associated Treatment Among U.S. Children and Adolescents, 2016

The purpose of this study is to estimate the national prevalence of parent-reported attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and treatment among U.S. children 2–17 years of age using the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). The NSCH is a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of parents regarding their children’s health that underwent a redesign before the 2016 data collection. It included indicators of lifetime receipt of an ADHD diagnosis by a health care provider, whether the child currently had ADHD, and receipt of medication and behavioral treatment for ADHD. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated overall and by demographic and clinical subgroups (n = 45,736). In 2016, an estimated 6.1 million U.S. children 2–17 years of age (9.4%) had ever received an ADHD diagnosis. Of these, 5.4 million currently had ADHD, which was 89.4% of children ever diagnosed with ADHD and 8.4% of all U.S. children 2–17 years of age. Of children with current ADHD, almost two thirds (62.0%) were taking medication and slightly less than half (46.7%) had received behavioral treatment for ADHD in the past year; nearly one fourth (23.0%) had received neither treatment. Similar to estimates from previous surveys, there is a large population of U.S. children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with ADHD by a health care provider. Many, but not all, of these children received treatment that appears to be consistent with professional guidelines, though the survey questions are limited in detail about specific treatment types received. The redesigned NSCH can be used to annually monitor diagnosis and treatment patterns for this highly prevalent and high-impact neurodevelopmental disorder.