INFECTION AS A RISK FACTOR FOR GALLBLADDER CANCERLITERATURE REVIEW.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the 6th most common gastrointestinal malignancy and most common hepatobiliary malignancy representing 85-90% worldwide with an annual incident of 2/1,00,000 and marked 1 geographical and ethnic variability and known for late diagnosis and poor outcome. High rates of gallbladder carcinoma are seen in different parts of the world like South America (Chilli, Bolivia, and 2 Ecuador) as well as in some parts of India (specically in north IndiaUP, Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh, mostly in Gangetic belt), Pakistan, Japan, and Korea. In north India, gallbladder cancer is 10 times more common in comparison to south India. R 3 Kanthan et al . (2015) divides the risk factor for GBC into four broad groups: i)Patient demography, ii) GB abnormalities, iii)patient exposure to a specic chemical, genetic and molecular factors, iv) Infection. This study says that not only gallbladder stones but also infection by some microbial agents like salmonella and helicobacter also having contributory risk factors

Why is the literature on first impressions so focused on White faces?

We spontaneously attribute to strangers a wide variety of character traits based on their facial appearance. While these first impressions have little or no basis in reality, they exert a strong influence over our behaviour. Cognitive scientists have revealed a great deal about first impressions from faces including their factor structure, the cues on which they are based, the neurocognitive mechanisms responsible, and their developmental trajectory. In this field, authors frequently strive to remove as much ethnic variability from stimulus sets as possible. Typically, this convention means that participants are asked to judge the likely traits of White faces only. In the present article, we consider four possible reasons for the lack of facial diversity in this literature and find that it is unjustified. Next, we illustrate how the focus on White faces has undermined scientific efforts to understand first impressions from faces and argue that it reinforces socially regressive ideas about ‘race’ and status. We go on to articulate our concern that opportunities may be lost to leverage the knowledge derived from the study of first impressions against the dire consequences of prejudice and discrimination. Finally, we highlight some promising developments in the field.

A Forensic Study of Ethnicity and Sex Differences in Fingerprint Patterns in a Malaysian Subpopulation

Fingerprint is one of the most common evidence found at a crime scene. Owing to the uniqueness of fingerprint, it is useful for suspect identification. Typically, the questioned fingerprint is of limited contribution due to blurriness of the minutia or absence of potential suspect. However, it is still useful if the ethnicity or sex of the questioned fingerprint could be inferred to narrow down the scope of searching of suspect. Therefore, this study aims to examine sexual and ethnic differences in fingerprint patterns among the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia, i.e. Malays, Chinese and Indians. In total, 2000 plain fingerprints were collected from all the ten fingers of 200 Malaysians (i.e. 99 males and 101 females). Each of the three ethnic groups was represented by at least 60 subjects. Descriptive statistics and hypothesis test were performed to assess the sexual and ethnic variability of fingerprint patterns. In addition, simple correspondence analysis was also conducted to support the descriptive and inferential statistics. By considering fingerprint patterns in all the ten fingers, loop was the most frequent pattern in Malays (23.0%) and Indians (23.2%), while Chinese (13.9%) showed slightly higher frequency of whorl than Malays (9.6%) and Indians (10.3%). The relative distribution of fingerprint patterns of male was similar to that of female. In conclusion, fingerprint patterns could be used to infer the ethnicity rather than the sex of a suspect in the Malaysian context.

Metabolizer phenotype prediction in different Peruvian ethnic groups through CYP2C9 polymorphisms

Objectives The CYP2C9 gene have three common alleles, CYP2C9*1, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3, associated with different homozygous (*1/*1, *2/*2 and *3/*3) and heterozygous (*1/*2 and *1/*3) genotypes, which in turn are related to extensive (gEM), intermediate (gIM) and poor (gPM) metabolizers. Likewise, the inter-ethnic variability was intimately associated with different drug metabolism. Therefore, the aim of the present study was predict the metabolizer phenotypes in different Peruvian ethnic groups from lowland (<2,500 m) and highland (>2,500 m). Methods TaqMan genotyping assays were performed in a group of 174 healthy unrelated Peruvian individuals. Results In this study, the allelic comparison between the three eco-regions showed that the CYP2C9*1 was the most common in Andean (96.32%); the *2 was the most frequent in Coast (7.45%, p<0.05). Regarding the *3 was the most common in Amazonian (6.25%, p<0.05). In a corroborative manner, the gEM was the most common in Andean (94.74%), the gIM in Coast (17.02%) and gPM in Amazonian (6.25%) populations. Conclusions Our study provides a valuable source of information about to metabolizer phenotype drugs in different Peruvian ethnic groups. In this way, it could be established suitable genetic-dosage medicaments for various common diseases in these heterogenetic populations.

Methods of Analysis of the Nasal Profile: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

The nose is the most prominent structure of the face, influencing facial appearance and profile. Orthodontists have an awareness of facial structures, including nasal morphology, when diagnosing and treatment planning. Maxillofacial surgeons influence facial profile by bimaxillary surgery, improving facial aesthetics and harmony. The aim of this review was to summarize the available methods of analysing nasal morphology and profile, and to assess their complexity. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase using the following search terms: “nasal profile analysis”, “nasolabial angle”, and “nasal profile cephalometric” in order to select studies providing knowledge on correlations between occlusion and nasal development, differences between skeletal classes, ethnic variability, and differences between the sexes. Studies concerning genetic disorders were excluded. Finally, 17 full-text papers were analysed, which pertained to nasolabial angle, or facial profile including the nose. Data concerning methods, ethnic group, reference landmarks used, and measurements made were extracted and placed in tables. Numerous methods of nasal profile analysis can be found in the literature. These methods describe various numbers of parameters, which have influence on facial aesthetic. Nasal parameters are correlated to skeletal class and nasolabial angle, positions of upper incisors, and maxillary inclination.

Ethnic variability in mortality from ischaemic heart disease/cardiomegaly in Malaysia

The prevalence of ischaemic heart disease with associated cardiomegaly and other chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus has increased in Malaysia in recent years. As the contribution to mortality from ischaemic heart disease/cardiomegaly in different ethnic populations is unclear, a three year (January 2013–December 2015) retrospective study of autopsy cases was undertaken at the Department of Forensic Pathology, University Malaya Medical Centre. There were 80 cases with lethal ischaemic heart diseases/cardiomegaly. The age range was 30–69 years (mean 50.19 years) with a male to female ratio of 39:01. The most vulnerable age was 50–59 years accounting for 38.75% of cases. Malays accounted for 15% of cases, Indians for 32.5% and Chinese for 36.25%. Although in 35 cases (43.75%) there was a history suggestive of ischaemic heart disease, the remaining 45 cases (56.25%) were apparently healthy until the terminal collapse. It appears that Indian males in the 50–59 year age range are most at risk for lethal cardiac events in this population, most often with no preceding symptoms or signs. The study demonstrates the value of studying subpopulations for disease risk rather than relying on accrued general population data.

Ethnic Differences in Spermatozoa Morphological Defects Diversity Among Men From Eastern Siberia, Russia

Background.Sperm morphology defects are considered to indicate several spermiogenesis anomalies, resulting in decreased men fertility, causing not only poor sperm morphology but also increased DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation defects, increased oxidative stress. Consequently, detailed assessment of sperm morphological abnormalities in additional to counting percentage of sperm with normal morphology may be useful for andrologists and reproductive biologists. However, a little attention is paid to studying a regional and especially ethnic variability in the incidence of the sperm morphology defects. The aim of this research was to estimate ethnic variability in percentages of the sperm morphology abnormalities in men from general population living in the Siberian region of the Russian Federation.Methods.Male volunteers of Buryat (n=195), Yakut (n=130), and Slavic (n=89) ethnicity from the general population from Ulan-Ude and Yakutsk at least 5 years were enrolled in the study. Percentages of sperm morphological defects (according to the classification provided by the WHO laboratory manual, 2010) are counted after staining native ejaculate smears by Diff-Quick kits. Results.Among sperm defect, amorphous (62.25±12.18%), elongated (10.61±8.62%), pyriform(8.61±9.17%), and vacuolated heads (10.31±6.77%), abnormal acrosome (20.43±12.67%), asymmetrical insertion neck (18.33±6,43%), thick midpiece (6.21±3,41%), bent head (5.94±4,02%) and coiled tail (10.8±6.79%) were most frequent. In comparison with Buryats, Slavs and Yakuts were characterized by the decreased proportion sperm with normal morphology, the increased proportion of pyriform, elongated heads, abnormal acrosome, asymmertical tail insertion, excessive residual cytoplasm and increased teratozoospermia index (TZI). It was shown that impared progressive sperm motility and concentration associated with decreased percentage of sperm with normal morphology and increased proportion most of sperm morphology defects and TZI. However, increasing TZI in men with oligoastenozoospermia compared to men with astenozoospermia was revealed for Buryats only, suggesting ethnic features in the relationships between sperm morphology and concentration.Conclusion.The present study showed significant coordinated ethnic variability in the percentages of several sperm morphological defects in men from the general population located in Eastern Siberia. Damaged spermiogenesis processes underlying sperm head elongation and tail formation is considered to be significant contributors to geographical and ethnic variability of sperm morphology in men from the studied populations.

Current Translational Insights into MGMT Methylation Regulating Temozolomide Sensitivity and Resistance in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Background: Temozolomide is used as frontline chemotherapy in the management of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM); however, its clinical utility is limited by the occurrence of significant resistance, majorly caused due to direct DNA repair. O6- methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT), a DNA repair protein, mediates this direct repair pathway and reverses the activity of temozolomide. Methods: We characterize and underscore the functional relevance and molecular aspects of MGMT in the development of sensitivity/resistance to temozolomide treatment. We review early translational, as well as clinical, evidence for the role of MGMT in mediating temozolomide resistance in vitro in cell lines, in vivo in small animals as well as in GBM patients. Results: Various approaches have been delineated to mitigate MGMT-induced temozolomide resistance. The most promising means in discovery biology appears to be the co-administration of MGMT inhibitors such as O6 benzyl guanine or lomeguatrib. Surprisingly, the validation of these pharmacologic inhibitors to assess the reversal of chemoresistance by appropriately designed safety and efficacy trials in combination with temozolomide is yet to be demonstrated. Conclusions: Taken together, given the regulation of temozolomide resistance by MGMT, intermediate and late discovery groups may focus their efforts on pharmacologic inhibition of MGMT, singly or in combination with radiotherapy or immunotherapy, to combat temozolomide resistance in GBM patients. In addition, one may speculate that the combined clinical use of temozolomide with a drug regulator-approved MGMT inhibitor as well as an immune checkpoint inhibitor such as nivolumab may prove beneficial. Future studies may also investigate any inter-ethnic variability in population pharmacogenetics of MGMT and pharmacometric approaches to optimize cancer precision medicine.