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Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the voltage-gated sodium channel alpha subunit 1 (SCN1A) gene polymorphisms influence the responsiveness of Jordanian epileptic patients to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Methods: A total of 72 AEDs-treated epileptics were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-genotyped for six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including SCN1A rs2298771, rs3812718, rs3812719, rs2217199, rs2195144 and rs1972445. Genotype and allele distributions in drug-responsive and drug-resistant patients were compared. The six SNPs haplotypes were examined, and the linkage disequilibrium (LD) was assessed. Results: The genotypes of drug-resistant and drug-responsive groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Three genetic polymorphisms of the SCN1A gene seemed to influence the resistance to AEDs, on the level of alleles and genotypes. Data revealed that rs2298771 G allele, rs3812719 C allele, and rs2195144 T allele increased the risk of developing AEDs-resistance (OR=2.9; 95%CI= 1.4-5.9, p=0.003; OR=2.4; 95%CI=1.2-4.7, p=0.01; OR=2.3; 95%CI=1.2-4.7, p=0.01), respectively. Haplo type analysis of SCN1A polymorphisms revealed high-degree LD associated with resistance to AEDs. A synergetic effect appears with highly significant association in GCCATG haplotype of rs2298771, rs3812718, rs3812719, rs2217199, rs2195144, and rs1972445 respectively (OR=2.8; 95%CI=1.5-6.2, p=0.002). Conclusions: Data suggests that SCN1A polymorphisms could influence the resistance to AEDs in Jordanian epileptics at three SNPs (rs2298771; rs3812719; rs2195144). Additionally, haplotype analysis indicated a substantial degree of LD between the six SCN1A polymorphisms. Further investigation with larger sample size is needed to confirm the results of the current study.

Background: Tacrolimus is a widely used immunosuppressant that prevents solid organ transplant rejection. The pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus show considerable varia - bility. Interleukin-10 (IL-10), in the host's immune response after transplantation, contributes to the variable CYP3Adependent drug disposition of Tacrolimus. In the current study, we aim to evaluate the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the promoter region of IL-10 on Tacrolimus dose requirements and the Dose Adjusted Concentration (DAC) of Tacrolimus among kidney transplantation recipients. Methods: Blood levels of Tacrolimus were measured using Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA) for six months post-transplantation. Genotyping analysis was utilized using specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing methods for 98 Jordanian kidney transplant recipients. Results: Genotyping frequencies of IL-10 (-592) were (CC/CA/AA: 38, 46.7, 15.2%); IL-10 (-819) were (CC/CT/TT: 40.4, 44.1, 15.1%); and IL-10 (-1082) were (AA/AG/GG: 42.6, 44.7, 12.8%). The impact of IL-10 (-1082) on Tacrolimus DAC was gender dependent. Men carrying at least one A allele had significantly lower DAC than men carrying GG genotyping only in the first month post-transplantation 88.2±32.1 vs. 117.5±22.5 ng/mL per mg/kg/day, p=0.04 . Conclusions: Our current study showed that the interaction between gender and IL-10 -1082 affects Tacrolimus DAC in Jordanian kidney transplant recipients during the first month post-transplantation.

Background: An increased incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) has been reported in farmers and other occupational groups working with pesticides. In these individuals, an increased prevalence of the chromosomal translocation t(14;18)(q32;q21), one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities in NHL, has been detected in peripheral blood lymphocytes. This translocation juxtaposes the antiapoptotic BCL2 protein to the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene locus (IGH) leading to overexpression of BCL2. This causes an increase in cell survival, paving the way for malignant transformation. Aim of the study: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between the occurrence of the chromosomal translocation t(14;18) and occupational exposure to pesticides among a group of Jordanian farmers. Methods: A total of 192 male subjects including 96 agricultural workers and 96 control subjects participated in this study. BCL2-IGH t(14;18) fusions were detected by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the major breakpoint region (MBR). Results: We found that occupational exposure to pesticides in open-field farming and insecticide used on animals increased the frequency of the chromosomal translocation t(14;18). Farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides and insecticide were 13.5 times more likely to harbor t(14;18). 63.5% (61 of 96) of farmers compared to 11.5% (11 of 96) of controls carried the translocation (odds ratio: 13.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 6.3–28.6). We ruled out the influence of possible confounding factors such as age, duration of sun exposure, alcohol intake, smoking, and use of personal protective equipment. Conclusion: Our results indicate that pesticides increased the frequency of chromosomal translocation in the 14q32 region. Accordingly, the presented data agrees with previous suggestions from the literature that pesticides might be involved in the development of NHL through the t(14;18) pathway. Keywords: Pesticides, Translocation t(14;, 18), Follicular lymphoma

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Resistance to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) remains one of the main challenges to neurologists. Polymorphisms of drug efflux transporters such as multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene and target sites such as the nucleus accumbens–associated 1 (NAC1) gene have been suggested to influence the responsiveness to treatment. Evaluation of the association of MDR1 and NAC1 polymorphisms with AEDs resistance among Jordanian epileptic patients. 86 Jordanian epileptics were included in the study. DNA was extracted and genotyping was conducted by polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing. Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the MDR1 gene and six SNPs on the NAC1 gene were investigated. MDR1 and NAC1 polymorphisms don't seem to influence the resistance to AEDs at the genotype or allele level. However, a strong association was found between MDR1 rs2032588 (OR = 5; 95%CI = [1.3–18.8], p = 0.01) and AEDs resistance among males at the allele level. Also, data revealed an association between MDR1 rs1128503 and AEDs resistance among females at the allele level. The data suggest that MDR1 and NAC1 polymorphisms do not influence the AEDs resistance among Jordanian epileptics. However, there is a gender-dependent association between MDR1 polymorphisms and resistance to AEDs at two SNPs (rs2032588 and rs1128503). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Aim of this study was to determine the pattern of toilet training (TT) in Jordan, the factors that are related to the initiation age, duration and the methods of training used among different sociocultural groups. Methods: Mothers of 1257 children attending pediatric clinics at Jordan University Hospital were directly interviewed. Results: Mean initiation and completion ages were 22.5 ± 6.50 and 26.48 ± 9.37 months respectively. Families living in urban settlement, first child in family, child-oriented approach, working mothers and mothers with higher level of education started training later. The duration of toilet training was 5.80 ± 8.06 weeks and it was shorter in families who used the child-oriented approach. Intensive method was used in 59.4%, child-oriented in 40.6%. Young mothers used more frequently the intensive method. Constipation and stool toilet refusal developed in 15.4% and 15.1% respectively and there was a significant association between constipation and older age of starting toilet training. Conclusions: Intensive method of training is more popular in our country and the initiation and completion age are earlier than in other countries. The age of initiation may be increased as parents are better educated and a child-oriented approach becomes more popular than the intensive approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]