International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genome examine meta-examination in systemic lupus erythematosus solid linkage with loci 6p22.3-p21.1 and 2q31.1-34

*Mohammed Hamamdi, Marzouki Habib and V. A Rachid

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.

Accepted 15 December, 2018

Abstract

The genetic contribution to development of system lupus erythematosus (SLE) is well established. Several genome scan studies have identified putative susceptibility loci to SLE. However; they have shown high level of inconsistency. Genome search meta-analysis (GSMA) which is a non-parametric method is used to identify genetic regions that rank high on average in terms of linkage statistics across genome scan studies. The validity of GSMA was proven when applied on various complex diseases. We applied the GSMA on 16 genome-wide scans of SLE in various ethnicities published from 1996 - 2008. The SLE GSMA resulted in identifying a total of 4 bins lie above 95% confidence level (P = 0.05) of which 2 bins were above 99% confidence level (P = 0.01); bins 6.2 (6p22.3-p21.1, (Psumrnk = 0.0054), 2.8 (2q31.1-q34) (Psumrnk = 0.0091), 16.2 (16p12.3-q12.2) (Psumrnk = 0.0386) and 6.1 (6p25.3-p22.3) (Psumrnk = 0.0419). The highest summed rank was observed at locus 6p22.3-p21.1 surrounding the HLA region and 2q31.1-q34 which locates various genes that were linked to autoimmunity such as CTLA4. In addition, GSMA identified several other putative regions that may contribute to SLE susceptibility. The application of the GSMA technique to 16 SLE genome-wide linkage studies confirmed linkage to loci 6p22.3-p21.1 and 2q31.1-q34.

Key words: SLE, linkage, genome scan, meta-analysis.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

No xenotropic murine leukemia infection related infection (XMRV) discovered in Swedish monozygotic twins grating for chronic fatigue

*Gustavus Roy, Mikael Carl Anderson, and Larson Steig

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Accepted 25 November, 2018

Abstract

The recent debate regarding the possible involvement of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in humans has been intense due to the conflicting results from different studies and the unclear origin of the XMRV virus. In this study, we have addressed this issue by screening 47 pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for CFS using a sensitive PCR assay. The results are clearly negative for all samples. This is consistent with studies showing no evidence for the involvement of XMRV in CFS and supports the possibility that previous positive studies could be caused by laboratory artifacts.

Key words: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), idiopathic chronic fatigue, infectious disease, xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV), monozygotic twins.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Self-destructive ideation in callers to emergency hotline in Mumbai, India

*Pandit Wasim Mishra, Jaffer Chandrakant and Sandeep Patil Tanmay

Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India.

Accepted 10 November, 20118

Abstract

Suicide is a worldwide public health problem. The stigma associated with suicide often deters people from seeking help. Although, helplines are not rated as very effective therapeutically, they offer an opportunity for intervention for people in crisis. The present study examined the characteristics of people attending an outpatient service after establishing an initial contact during an emotional crisis with a helpline in Mumbai, India. A total of 15,169 clients called the service during the first five years of operation, of whom 9.2% reported suicidal ideation. About half (51.6%) of the callers who were given a referral to the affiliated outpatient clinic kept their appointments. While 38% of the outpatient clients did not have an Axis I or Axis II psychiatric disorder, 25% were diagnosed with schizophrenia and 17% with depression. In addition, 13% had a personality disorder and 7% substance abuse disorders. Female clients more often reported stress arising from financial problems, conflict with their in-laws, and pre-marital relationships than did male clients; male clients more often reported stress arising from employment, loss of reputation, and education than did female clients. The availability of a 24/7 mental health helpline, staffed by mental health professionals with back-up support from an outpatient psychiatric facility, can enhance community mental health services. Some of the problems encountered were mentioned and needed improvements were discussed.

Key words: helplines, suicidal ideation, referrals

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-010, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Low conception weight, metabolic disorder and their relationship with the worldwide emergency of 1930 - 1945

*Botha Theunis, Paul Silsulu, Dale P. E. and Oliver Godwin

Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Accepted 26 October, 2018

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) and metabolic syndrome (Mets) and their associations with 1930 - 1945 years of global crisis and cardiovascular risk factors in Central Africans. The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted on Central African patients born between 1930 and 1977. Mets was diagnosed using WHO criteria. Of 407 patients, 262 (64. 6%) and 77 (18.9%) met the criteria of LBW and Mets, respectively. There was association between birth during 1930 global crisis and 1945 second war period; adulthood hypertension, low economic growth, high pulse pressure, type 2 diabetes, decline of renal function, hypercholesterolemia, left ventricular hypertrophy and LBW. There was a U-shaped relationship between current body mass index and Mets in all patients and men, but a linear relationship between current body mass index and Mets in women. Coronary heart disease (OR = 2.3 95%CI 1.1 - 4.8; P = 0.024), LBW (OR = 10 95%CI 3.9 - 25.5; P < 0.0001), elevated fibrinogen (OR = 3.5 95%CI 2 - 6.1; P < 0.0001) were the independent risk factors of Mets in all patients. LBW effect on Mets was lower in men (OR = 7.5 95%IC 2.6 - 22.1; P < 0.0001) than in women (OR = 18 95%CI 2.3 - 37; P = 0.005). In a separate multivariate analysis for only continuous variables, Mets in all patients was independently determined as follows: Y = -1.523 + 0.003 fibrinogen + 0.01 total cholesterol - 0.001 birth weight. LBW, coronary heart disease, malnutrition, elevated fibrinogen, total cholesterol and urea nitrogen may be considered as additional components of Mets in the African patients born between 1930 and 1945 and more in women than in men.

Key words: Low birth weight, fibrinogen, cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome, Sub-Saharan Africa.

sInternational Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A Bayesian examination of bivariate requested categorical reactions utilizing a latent variable relapse model: Application to diabetic retinopathy information

*Mahmoud Bahar, Ruhollah V. Reza and Akbar K. Moshen

Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Farhangian University, Iran.

Accepted 25 September, 2018

Abstract

Latent variable distribution models are frequently utilized for analyzing bivariate ordered categorical response data. In this context, choosing the bivariate normal distribution as the underlying latent distribution, which leads to the bivariate cumulative probit model, is the most common strategy for analyzing theses data sets. However, when the conditional distribution of the available bivariate response has an asymmetric form, other convenient asymmetric bivariate distributions may lead to a better fit. In this paper, we use an asymmetric bivariate cumulative latent variable distribution model for analyzing bivariate ordered categorical response data. For estimating the model parameters, we use two strategies: maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. We also use the proposed model for analyzing the data from 623 diabetic patients to identify some of the most important risk indicators of diabetic retinopathy among them. The obtained results revealed that patients’ age at diagnosis, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, method of diabetes control, macular edema, and presence of hypertension and renal disease are significantly associated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy. In conclusion, both the maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses resulted in similar significant risk indicators. However, it seems that the Bayesian analysis gives us smaller standard errors compared to the maximum likelihood approach.

Key words: Latent variable, bivariate ordinal response, asymmetric distribution, maximum likelihood estimation, Bayesian estimation, diabetic retinopathy.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Thorough knowledge, character and practice of street adults towards human immunodeficiency infection/AIDS (HIV/AIDS) in Northwest Ethiopia

*Haile Mulatu, Gima G. Tamrat and E. K. Makonnen

Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

Accepted 09 October, 2018

Abstract

Street people are prone for many infectious diseases including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study assessed comprehensive knowledge, attitude and practice of street adults towards human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). A cross-sectional study was conducted on 325 street adults at two cities using a pretested questionnaire. Comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS was assessed using five questions, attitude was measured using the Likert scale and practice by condom use and number of sex partners in the last one year. Descriptive statistics and bivariate/multiple logistic regressions were performed. The mean age of participants was 30.1± 9.0 standard deviation (SD) years. Majority (96.9%) had ever heard about HIV/AIDS. Main sources of information were radio (55.7%), neighbors (35.7%) and friends (33.2%). Only 31.4% had comprehensive knowledge, 23.7% favorable attitude and 27.7% used condom in their recent sexual intercourse. Almost a third (30.4%) had more than one sex partner in the last one year. Self-perceived risk of HIV infection was associated with knowledge, attitude and practice. The level of comprehensive knowledge, attitude and practice were low among street adults especially among those who cannot read and write. Prevention programs must equip street people with basic HIV/AIDS knowledge for behavioral change.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), comprehensive knowledge, street people, Ethiopia.