MYCOBACTERIA AND OTHER ACID FAST ORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH PULMONARY DISEASE IN JOS, NIGERIA PULMONARY DISEASE AND ACID FAST ORGANISMS

Objective: Acid fast bacilli (AFB) for sputum smear microscopy is the affordable method used for prompt diagnosis of tuberculosis in Nigeria despite its lack of specificity and limited sensitivity. The study aims to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other acid fast organisms isolated from sputum of of HIV positive adult patients with pulmonary disease in Jos, Nigeria. Methods: Acid fast organisms isolated from 80 AFB positive sputa of HIV positive adult patients suspected for tuberculosis in Jos, Nigeria were identified for members of M. tuberculosis Complex (M tuberculosis, M bovis, M africanum, M canetti M. microti and M. caprae) by use of spoligootyping, Multiplex Gen Probe, Hain genotype assay and gene sequencing for spoligotype negative isolates. Results: Seven different spoligotypes of M. tuberculosis complex were identified from 70/80 (87.5%) total number of isolates. M. kansasii (1), M. dulvalii (1) Nocardia species (1) and Tsukamurella species (2) were detected from 5/10 spoligotype negative isolates. Conclusion and Recommendation: Although M. tuberculosis is the dominant AFB associated with chronic pulmonary disease in Jos, Nigeria, other clinically relevant mycobacteria were observed in the study. This suggests that other AFB positive microorganisms associated withtuberculosis -like symptoms could be misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated as M. tuberculosis. It is therefore necessary for laboratories in TB high burden countries to step up diagnostic procedures beyond routine smear microscopy.

The Functional Variant in the 3'UTR of IGF1 with the Risk of Gastric Cancer in a Chinese Population

Background/Aims: IGF-1 can act as an endocrine hormone and its signaling server as essential roles in regulating tumorigenesis. Polymorphisms in IGF-1 have been reported associated bad prognosis of with human cancer, but their association with the risk of human gastric cancer (GC) has not been found so far. In this study rs6218 located in the 3'UTR of IGF-1 was selected to evaluate its relationship with the risk of GC among Chinese population. Methods: Questionnaire, SNaPshot genotype assay, real time PCR assay, cell transfection and the dual luciferase reporter assay were used in our study. Results: SNP rs6218 in IGF-1 3'-UTR was involved in the occurrence of GC by acting as a tumor promotion factor while rs6128 acting as a risk factor. SNP rs6128 was also could be regulated by miR-603 which caused an up-regulation of IGF-1 in patients with UC and CC genotype. Furthermore, the carriers of UC and CC genotype presented a big tumor size as well as the high probability of metastasis. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings have shown that the SNP rs6218 in IGF-1 3'-UTR, through disrupting the regulatory role of miR-603 in IGF-1 expression, rs16128 in IGF-1 might act as a promotion factor in the pathogenesis of GC.

MiRNAs Associated Polymorphisms in the 3'UTR of MET Promote the Risk of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background/Aims: MET can act as an oncogene and its signaling server has essential roles in regulating tumorigenesis. Polymorphisms in MET have been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in human cancer, but an association with the risk of human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been found so far. In this study rs41281081 and rs76322625, located in the 3'UTR of MET, were selected to evaluate their relationship with the risk of NSCLC among the Chinese population. Methods: A questionnaire, SNaPshot genotype assay, real time PCR assay, cell transfection and the dual luciferase reporter assay were used. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of rs41281081 and rs76322625 in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of MET was involved as a risk factor in the occurrence of NSCLC. Results: SNP rs41281081 could be regulated by miR-335 and rs76322625 could be regulated by miR-1026 to cause an up-regulation of MET in patients with NSCLC. Furthermore, the carriers of the GA and AA genotypes in rs41281081, and the CU and UU genotypes in rs76322625 presented with poor cell differentiation and large tumor size, as well as a high probability of metastasis. Conclusion: Our findings have shown that the SNPs rs41281081 and rs76322625 in MET 3ʹUTR, through disruption of the regulatory role of miR-335 and miR-1026 in MET expression, may act as promoting factors in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.