Human Papilloma Virus Distribution Across the African Diaspora.

Purpose: Understanding the distribution of human papilloma virus (HPV) subtypes in limited-resource settings is imperative for cancer prevention strategies in these regions. The objective of our study is to compare the prevalence of cervical HPV genotypes in women across the African diaspora.

Methods: This study was approved by the African Caribbean Consortium (AC3).

Interactive effect of TLR SNPs and exposure to sexually transmitted infections on prostate cancer risk in Jamaican men.

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) risk increases with African ancestry and a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Also, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in toll-like receptor (TLR) genes influence PC risk. This pilot study explores interactions between STIs and TLR-related SNPs in relation to PC risk among Jamaican men.

Exploring putative genetic determinants of inter-individual phenotypic heterogeneity in sickle cell disease: A cross-sectional Jamaican cohort-based study.

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) display puzzling inter-individual phenotypic heterogeneity, conceivably related to inherent differences in antioxidant protection, hemoglobin binding, bilirubin catabolism and methyl group handling. Therefore, we explored putative associations between clinically important phenotypic measures and functional polymorphisms within specific candidate genes encoding glutathione S-transferase, haptoglobin, uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1, methyl tetrahydrofolate reductase, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase, and cystathionine beta-synthase. Two-hundred and thirty SCD participants (mean age 25.

Glutathione metabolism in type 2 diabetes and its relationship with microvascular complications and glycemia.

Aims/hypotheses: We hypothesized that there is decreased synthesis of glutathione (GSH) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) especially in the presence of microvascular complications, and this is dependent on the degree of hyperglycemia.

Methods: In this case-control study, we recruited 16 patients with T2DM (7 without and 9 with microvascular complications), and 8 age- and sex-matched non-diabetic controls. We measured GSH synthesis rate using an infusion of [2H2]-glycine as isotopic tracer and collection of blood samples for liquid chromatography mass spectrometric analysis.

A cross-sectional clinic-based study exploring whether variants within the glutathione S-transferase, haptoglobin and uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 genes are associated with interindividual phenotypic variation in sickle cell anaemia in Jamaica.

Objectives: To explore putative associations between specific variants in either the glutathione S-transferase (GST), haptoglobin (HP) or uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) genes and clinically important phenotypes in sickle cell anaemia (HbSS).

Methods: 371 HbSS participants were recruited from the Sickle Cell Clinic of the Sickle Cell Unit at the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. Markers within four GST superfamily genes, the HP gene and the UGT1A1 gene were analysed using PCR-based assays.

Inflammation polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk in Jamaican men: Role of obesity/body size.

African ancestry and obesity are associated with higher risk of prostate cancer (PC). In a pilot study, we explored interactions between obesity (as measured by waist to hip ratio (WHR)) and inflammatory SNPs in relation to PC risk among Jamaican men. This study evaluated 87 chemokine and cytokine associated SNPs in obese and normal weight cases (N=109) and controls (N=102) using a stepwise penalized logistic regression approach in multivariable analyses.

Effects of cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 on prostate cancer risk in a population of African ancestry.

Purpose: To investigate the association between serum cholesterol and prostate cancer and whether any effect may be mediated through inflammatory markers.

Methods: Data from a case-control study of 40-80 years old Jamaican male patients (229 cases; 252 controls) were used. Cases had incident histologically-confirmed prostate cancer and controls were men with normal digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 4 μg/L or free: total PSA > 0.

Urinary isoflavone and lignan phytoestrogen levels and risk of uterine fibroid in Jamaican women.

Background: Isoflavones and lignans are phytoestrogens, and therefore, are able to bind to and activate estrogen receptors. The resultant estrogenic or antiestrogenic effect is dependent on the concentration of these phytoestrogens relative to endogenous estrogens and the site of their action, among others. Thus, isoflavones and lignans act as selective estrogen receptor modulators; having a beneficial effect in some tissues while simultaneously causing deleterious changes in others.

Both serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium levels may increase the risk of incident prostate cancer in Caribbean men of African ancestry.

Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations have been associated with both higher and lower risk of prostate cancer (PCa), whereas elevated levels of circulating calcium has been related to higher risks. However, there are few studies that account for effects of both calcium and 25(OH)D concentrations on incident PCa in a black population. We examined these relationships in a case-control study of men 40-80 years old with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed PCa in Jamaica, a tropical country.

The impact of genetic variants in inflammatory-related genes on prostate cancer risk among men of African Descent: a case control study.

Purpose: Although case-control studies have evaluated the role of variant inflammatory-related loci in prostate cancer, their impact is virtually unknown among men of African descent. To address this, we evaluated the impact of inflammatory cytokine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on prostate cancer risk for men of African descent.

Methods: Forty-four SNPs in inflammatory cytokine-associated genes were evaluated among 814 African-American and Jamaican men (279 prostate cancer cases and 535 controls) using Illumina's Golden gate genotyping system.

Comparison of techniques of detecting immunoglobulin-binding protein reactivity to immunoglobulin produced by different avian and mammalian species.

The rationale of this study was to use several immunological assays to investigate the reactivity of immunoglobulin binding protein (IBP) to immunoglobulins from various avian and mammalian species. The IBP studied were Staphylococcal protein A (SpA), Streptococcal protein G (SpG), Peptostreptococcal protein L (SpL) and recombinant protein LA (SpLA). The various immunological techniques used were double immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony technique) that tested positive high protein reactivities, direct and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) that tested moderate and low positive protein binding capacities, respectively.

The effects of S-nitrosoglutathione and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D, L-penicillamine in a rat model of pre-eclampsia.

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) complicates approximately 5-7% of all pregnancies. This study investigates the effects of S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) on the classical features of PE.

Materials And Methods: On day 14 of gestation, female Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into five groups and treated intravenously for 7 days as follows: (i) 0.

Toll-like receptor-associated sequence variants and prostate cancer risk among men of African descent.

Recent advances demonstrate a relationship between chronic/recurrent inflammation and prostate cancer (PCA). Among inflammatory regulators, toll-like receptors (TLRs) have a critical role in innate immune responses. However, it remains unclear whether variant TLR genes influence PCA risk among men of African descent.

Dietary patterns as predictors of prostate cancer in Jamaican men.

Studies of diet and prostate cancer have focused primarily on food and nutrients; however, dietary patterns examine the overall diet, particularly foods eaten in combination, and risk of disease. We evaluated the association of dietary patterns and prostate cancer and low- and high-grade subgroups in Jamaican men. In a case-control study, we enrolled 243 incident cases and 273 urology controls in Jamaican clinics, March 2005-July 2007.

Chemokine Ligand 5 (CCL5) and chemokine receptor (CCR5) genetic variants and prostate cancer risk among men of African Descent: a case-control study.

Background: Chemokine and chemokine receptors play an essential role in tumorigenesis. Although chemokine-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with various cancers, their impact on prostate cancer (PCA) among men of African descent is unknown. Consequently, this study evaluated 43 chemokine-associated SNPs in relation to PCA risk.

Polymorphisms in CYP17 and CYP3A4 and prostate cancer in men of African descent.

Background: A meta and pooled analysis of published and unpublished case-control studies was performed to evaluate the association of CYP17 (rs743572) and CYP3A4 (rs2740574) polymorphisms and prostate cancer (PCa) in men from the USA, Caribbean, and Africa.

Methods: Eight publications (seven studies) and two unpublished studies for CYP17 included 1,580 subjects (559 cases and 1,021 controls) and eleven publications and three unpublished studies for CYP3A4 included 3,400 subjects (1,429 cases and 1,971 controls).

Results: Overall, the CYP17 heterozygous and homozygous variants were not associated with PCa, but they confer a 60% increased risk of PCa in a sub-group analysis restricted to African-American men (T/C + C/C, OR: 1.

Complex interaction between serum folate levels and genetic polymorphisms in folate pathway genes: biomarkers of prostate cancer aggressiveness.

Little is known about the role of folate and polymorphisms associated with folate metabolism on prostate cancer risk in populations of African origin. We examined the relationship between serum folate and prostate cancer and whether any association was modified by genetic polymorphisms for folate metabolism. The study was case-control in design and consisted of 218 men 40-80 years old with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed prostate cancer and 236 cancer-free men attending the same urology clinics in Jamaica, March 2005-July 2007.

Associations of whole-blood fatty acids and dietary intakes with prostate cancer in Jamaica.

Objective: To investigate the association of whole-blood fatty acids and reported intakes of fats with risk of prostate cancer (PCa).

Design: Case-control study of 209 men 40-80 years old with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed prostate cancer and 226 cancer-free men attending the same urology clinics. Whole-blood fatty acid composition (mol%) was measured by gas chromatography and diet assessed by food frequency questionnaire.

Multi-institutional prostate cancer study of genetic susceptibility in populations of African descent.

Prostate cancer disparities have been reported in men of African descent who show the highest incidence, mortality, compared with other ethnic groups. Few studies have explored the genetic and environmental factors for prostate cancer in men of African ancestry. The glutathione-S-transferases family conjugates carcinogens before their excretion and is expressed in prostate tissue.

Urinary phytoestrogens and risk of prostate cancer in Jamaican men.

We evaluated the relationship of spot urinary concentrations of phytoestrogens with total prostate cancer and tumor grade in a hospital-based case-control study in Jamaica. Urine samples were analyzed for genistein, daidzein, equol (isoflavones), and enterolactone (lignan) among newly diagnosed cases (n = 175) and controls (n = 194). Urinary concentrations of enterolactone (lignan) were higher among cases.

Body size and risk of prostate cancer in Jamaican men.

We investigated the associations between body size and risk of prostate cancer in a hospital-based case-control study in Jamaica. Height, weight, waist, and hip circumference were measured at enrollment, and data collected on medical and lifestyle factors for newly diagnosed cases (n = 243) and controls (n = 275). Compared with men in the normal range of waist-hip ratio (WHR), men with WHR > or =0.

Comparisons of high-risk cervical HPV infections in Caribbean and US populations.

Background: Disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates exist among women of African ancestry (African-American, African-Caribbean and African). Persistent cervical infection with Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with cervical dysplasia and if untreated, could potentially progress to invasive cervical cancer. Very few studies have been conducted to examine the true prevalence of HPV infection in this population.

Are food patterns associated with prostate cancer in Jamaican men: a preliminary report.

Background: Morbidity and mortality data highlight prostate cancer as the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm in Jamaican males. This report examines the association between dietary patterns and risk of prostate cancer in Jamaican men.

Materials And Methods: Case-control study of 204 histologically confirmed newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases and 204 individually matched urology clinic controls in Jamaica, 2004 - 2007.

High-risk and multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in cancer-free Jamaican women.

Background: Vaccines, that target human papillomavirus (HPV) high risk genotypes 16 and 18, have recently been developed. This study was aimed at determining genotypes commonly found in high-risk and multiple-HPV infections in Jamaican women. Two hundred and fifty three (253) women were enrolled in the study.

Cervical dysplasia and cancer and the use of hormonal contraceptives in Jamaican women.

Background: This study was conducted to determine whether use of hormonal contraceptives is associated with cervical dysplasia and cancer in a population where there is widespread use of hormonal contraception and the rates of cervical cancer remain high at 27.5/100,000.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted among women visiting the colposcopy and gynaelogical clinics at a tertiary referral hospital.