WNT signalling in prostate cancer

Genome sequencing and gene expression analyses of prostate tumours have highlighted the potential importance of genetic and epigenetic changes observed in WNT signalling pathway components in prostate tumours-particularly in the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer. WNT signalling is also important in the prostate tumour microenvironment, in which WNT proteins secreted by the tumour stroma promote resistance to therapy, and in prostate cancer stem or progenitor cells, in which WNT-β-catenin signals promote self-renewal or expansion. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential of inhibitors that target WNT receptor complexes at the cell membrane or that block the interaction of β-catenin with lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 and the androgen receptor, in preventing prostate cancer progression. Some WNT signalling inhibitors are in phase I trials, but they have yet to be tested in patients with prostate cancer

Consanguinity and reproductive health among Arabs

Consanguineous marriages have been practiced since the early existence of modern humans. Until now consanguinity is widely practiced in several global communities with variable rates depending on religion, culture, and geography. Arab populations have a long tradition of consanguinity due to socio-cultural factors. Many Arab countries display some of the highest rates of consanguineous marriages in the world, and specifically first cousin marriages which may reach 25-30% of all marriages. In some countries like Qatar, Yemen, and UAE, consanguinity rates are increasing in the current generation. Research among Arabs and worldwide has indicated that consanguinity could have an effect on some reproductive health parameters such as postnatal mortality and rates of congenital malformations. The association of consanguinity with other reproductive health parameters, such as fertility and fetal wastage, is controversial. The main impact of consanguinity, however, is an increase in the rate of homozygotes for autosomal recessive genetic disorders. Worldwide, known dominant disorders are more numerous than known recessive disorders. However, data on genetic disorders in Arab populations as extracted from the Catalogue of Transmission Genetics in Arabs (CTGA) database indicate a relative abundance of recessive disorders in the region that is clearly associated with the practice of consanguinity

Management of acute diarrhoea in primary care in Bahrain: self-reported practices of doctors

This nationwide study was conducted to assess the extent of adherence of primary-care physicians to the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended guidelines on the use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT), antimicrobials, and prescribing of other drugs used in treating symptoms of acute diarrhoea in Bahrain. A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional survey was carried out in primary-care health centres. During a six-week survey period (15 August-30 September 2003), 328 (25.2%) completed questionnaires were returned from 17 of 20 health centres. In a sample of 300 patients, oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution was prescribed to 89.3% (n=268) patients; 12.3% received ORS alone, whereas 77% received ORS in combination with symptomatic drugs. Antimicrobials were prescribed to 2% of the patients. In 11.4% of the cases, rehydration fluids and other drugs were given parenterally The mean number of drugs was 2.2+0.87 per prescription. In approximately one-third of the patients, three or more d..

Inter-optometrist variability of IOP measurement for modern tonometers and their agreement with Goldmann Applanation Tonometry

Background: This study investigates: agreement in intraocular pressure measurements between three tonometers and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT); inter-optometrist agreement for each tonometer; intra-optometrist agreement for GAT; association between central corneal thickness (CCT) and IOP measurements with each tonometer. Methods: IOP was measured using: CT-1P Non-Contact Tonometer (NCT) (Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), Pulsair IntelliPuff (Keeler Ltd., Windsor, UK) and Icare rebound tonometer (Icare, Helsinki, Finland) by two optometrists in a random order. Two GAT readings were obtained by each optometrist in a randomised masked manner. Mean differences, and 95% limits of agreement (LoA) for each measurement were calculated. CCT was measured by CT-1P pachymeter. Results: Forty-one participants’ IOPs were measured. Mean differences (95% LoA) between NCT, Pulsair, Icare compared to GAT for one optometrist were: 0.8 (−5.4 to 6.9) mmHg, −1.7 (−8.2 to 4.8) mmHg, −1.6 (−9.0 to 5.9) mmHg. Mean differences (95% LoA) in inter-optometrist agreement for GAT, NCT, Pulsair and Icare were: 0.3 (−6.7 to 7.3) mmHg, 0.4 (−2.1 to 2.9) mmHg, −0.9 (−3.6 to 1.9) mmHg and −0.2 (−4.9 to 4.5) mmHg, respectively. Mean differences (95% LoA) for intra-optometrist agreement for GAT were 0.2 (4.3 to −4.7) mmHg and 0.1 (3.6 to −3.9) mmHg for each optometrist, respectively. There was a weak positive association between CCT and both GAT (r2 = 0.11) and NCT (r2 = 0.12). Conclusion: Pulsair and Icare may measure IOP lower than GAT. Mean differences for inter-optometrist agreement for all tonometers were < 1 mmHg; Pulsair showed a statistically significant difference. Intra-optometrist agreement for GAT was good. IOP measurements taken by two community optometrists are comparable using tonometers used in community practice