Susceptibility to lung cancer may in part be attributable to inter-individual variability in metabolic activation or detoxification of tobacco carcinogens. The glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) genetic polymorphism has been extensively studied in this context; two recent meta-analyses of case-control studies suggested an association between GSTM1 deletion and lung cancer. At least 15 studies have been published after these overviews. We undertook a new meta-analysis to summarize the results of 43 published case-control studies including >18 000 individuals. A slight excess of risk of lung cancer for individuals with the GSTM1 null genotype was found (odds ratio (OR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.27). No evidence of publication bias was found (P = 0.4), however, it is not easy to estimate the extent of such bias and we cannot rule out some degree of publication bias in our results. A pooled analysis of the original data of about 9500 subjects involved in 21 case-control studies from the International Collaborative Study on Genetic Susceptibility to Environmental Carcinogens (GSEC) data set was performed to assess the role of GSTM1 genotype as a modifier of the effect of smoking on lung cancer risk with adequate power. Analyses revealed no evidence of increased risk of lung cancer among carriers of the GSTM1 null genotype (age-, gender- and center-adjusted OR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.98-1.18) and no evidence of interaction between GSTM1 genotype and either smoking status or cumulative tobacco consumption.

Background: To explore any association between the timing of the initiation of sexual activity and sexual behaviors and risks among university students in China.

BackgroundFood insecurity is increasingly reported as an important barrier of patient adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in both resource-poor and rich settings. However, unlike in resource rich-settings, very few quantitative studies to date have investigated the association of food insecurity with patient adherence to ART in Sub-Saharan Africa. The current study examines the association between food insecurity and adherence to ART among HIV-infected adults in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Methods and FindingsThis is a cross-sectional quantitative study of patients receiving ART at three private and one public health facilities in Kinshasa, DRC. Participants were consecutively recruited into the study between April and November 2012. Adherence was measured using a combined method coupling pharmacy refill and self-reported adherence. Food insecurity was the primary predictor, and was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Of the 898 participants recruited into the study, 512 (57%) were food insecure, and 188 (20.9%) were not adherent to ART. Food insecurity was significantly associated with non-adherence to ART (AOR, 2.06; CI, 1.38–3.09). We also found that perceived harmfulness of ART and psychological distress were associated respectively with increased (AOR, 1.95; CI, 1.15–3.32) and decreased (AOR, 0.31; CI, 0.11–0.83) odds of non-adherence to ART.ConclusionFood insecurity is prevalent and a significant risk factor for non-adherence to ART among HIV-infected individuals in the DRC. Our findings highlight the urgent need for strategies to improve food access among HIV-infected on ART in order to ensure patient adherence to ART and ultimately the long-term success of HIV treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa.

BackgroundDepression and anxiety symptoms are prevalent among university students in both developed and developing settings. Recently, grit, defined as perseverance and passion for longterm goals, has emerged as an indicator of success and well-being. However, the relationship between grit and poor mental health outcomes among university students is largely unknown. The current study investigates the relationship of grit with depression and anxiety among university students in Chiang Mai, Thailand. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2018 among university students aged 18-24 years from Chiang Mai University, the first largest university in Chiang Mai Province. Depression and anxiety were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scales, respectively. Grit was measured using the 8-item Short Grit Scale (GRIT-S). Grit scores were grouped into three categories: low (below the 25 th percentile); average (from the 25 th to the 75 th percentiles); and high (above the 75 th percentile). The other covariates included variables such self-esteem and socio-demographic variables. ResultsOf the 800 participants included in the study, 405 (50.6%) were female and 395 (49.4%) were male. Respectively 21.4% and 7.8% of the participants had depression and clinical symptoms of GAD. Increasing levels of grit negatively correlated with PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores. Participants with high level of grit scored respectively 1.69 points (P <0.001) and PLOS ONE | https://doi.

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