Tissue-specific differentially methylated regions of the human VASA gene are potentially associated with maturation arrest phenotype in the testis

Numerous CpG islands containing tissue-specific differentially methylated regions (TDMRs) are potential methylation sites in normal cells and tissues. The VASA (also known as DDX4) gene is believed to be under the control of TDMRs. A total of 131 male patients with idiopathic azoospermia or severe oligospermia were evaluated histologically, and the methylation status of CpG islands in the VASA gene was screened. Genome DNAs were obtained from testicular biopsy and modified with sodium bisulfite, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was applied. This system is capable of analyzing both the methylated and unmethylated CpG island in the genome. The methylation analysis is conducted by an epigram as graphic data. On histological assessment, 17 of 131 patients revealed maturation arrest (MA).In all, 6 of the 17 patients showed particularly high VASA TDMR methylation rates, whereas the remaining 11 patients and controls had low methylation rates. This study may imply that the VASA TDMR methylation is significantly higher among patients with MA, in whom the VASA gene expression was silenced. This finding represents an important contribution to the molecular basis of meiotic arrest as one possible cause of idiopathic infertility. © 2009 The Japan Society of Human Genetics All rights reserved

Methamphetamine use and correlates in two villages of the highland ethnic Karen minority in northern Thailand: a cross sectional study

Abstract Background The prevalence of methamphetamine use and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence are high in lowland Thai society. Despite increasing social and cultural mixing among residents of highland and lowland Thai societies, however, little is known about methamphetamine use among ethnic minority villagers in the highlands. Methods A cross-sectional survey examined Karen villagers from a developed and a less-developed village on February 24 and March 26, 2003 to evaluate the prevalence and social correlates of methamphetamine use in northern Thailand. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Results The response rate was 79.3% (n = 548). In all, 9.9% (males 17.6%, females 1.7%) of villagers reported methamphetamine use in the previous year. Methamphetamine was used mostly by males and was significantly related to primary or lower education; to ever having worked in town; to having used opium, marijuana, or heroin in the past year; and to ever having been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Conclusion Since labor migration to towns is increasingly common among ethnic minorities, the prevention of methamphetamine use and of HIV/STI infection among methamphetamine users should be prioritized to prevent HIV in this minority population in Thailand.</p