DNA methylation and specific sequience motifs: association with genetics instability in p53 in cancer, and other loci in degenerative disorders and aging

Analysis of the p53 somatic mutation database reveals that genetic instability is strongly associated with methylation and repeated sequences which contribute to the formation of alternative DNA conformations. Similar genetic instability is observed in neurological disorders and aging. In the present analysis we identified common sequence elements associated with genetic instability in the above disorders. The formation of new epigenetic/genotoxic modification sites, like CC, GG, CpG, CCC and GGG sites due to AT>GC transitions and AT>CG transversions, next to TG and CA sequences can induce p53 mutations, whereas genetic instability at repeated sequences, such as CGG and CTG, in association with CpG methylation and other specific sequence elements like TG, consist the basis of various neurological disorders. Previous reports have also shown that in aging tissues, GT/TG, CA/AC sequences as well as DNA repeats and methylation are common motifs, whereas CA microsatellites can cause DNA conformational changes. These common sequence elements probably represent universal sites related to genetic instability in various genes including cancer related p53, development of various neurological diseases and organ -specific genome deterioration and dysfunction at old age

Workplace drug testing in Northern Greece during the period 2000-2006

The aim of the present study is to present information concerning Workplace Drug Testing in Northern Greece for the period of 2000-2006, which is in continuation of previous testing. Cases included: professional drivers, individuals at pre-employment stage for security services, prostitute houses and housekeepers at prostitute houses. During the period 2000 - 2006, we handled a total of 2665 cases, each of which was examined for the presence of 5 groups of controlled substances (cannabinoids, opiates, benzodiazepines, cocaine and amphetamines). Screening was performed with Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique (EMIT), while verification of positive results and identification of substances present was achieved through chromatographic techniques.Of the 2665 cases handled in this period of 7 years, 67% concerned candidates for employment at security services, 18% concerned professional drivers, 13% concerned individuals pursuing employment at prostitute houses and 2% concerned individuals pursuing employment as housekeepers at prostitute houses.Of the total 2665 samples tested, 105 samples were positive, corresponding to 4% of the total cases. Of the controlled substances abused, cannabinoids seem to be the most popular abused drug representing 72.81% of the positive samples. Opiate abuse corresponds to 16.27% of the positive samples, cocaine abuse corresponds to 5.19% of the positive samples and benzodiazepine abuse corresponds to 5.73% of the positive samples. Finally, we noticed no cases of amphetamine abuse