The Analysis of SNPs' Function in miR-21 and miR146a/b in Multiple Sclerosis and Active Lesions: An In Silico Study.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous disorder caused by several factors. Studies have recently shown that non-coding RNA such as miRNA could participate in MS initiation, progression, and active lesion. This study aims to theoretically analyze the potential impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on mir-21 and mir-146a/b, which has been previously demonstrated as MS microRNA signature. To fulfill this purpose, the SNPs were investigated for functionality through several online tools, including miRNA-SNP, SNP2-TFBS, RBP-Var, and RNAfold. Furthermore, SNPs of miR-21 and miR-146a/b that exist in pre-miRNA, mature miRNA, and promoter area were extracted; moreover, miRNA and RNA-binding protein interactions were analyzed. This article presented a list of validated SNPs that could affect the expression or function of miR-21 and miR-146a/b for the future practical study of MS and active lesions.

Isolation of Novel Probiotic Lactobacillus and Enterococcus Strains From Human Salivary and Fecal Sources.

Probiotics are non-pathogenic microorganisms that can interact with the gastrointestinal microbiota. They have numerous beneficial health effects that include enhancement of the host immune response, antiallergic, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Probiotics are capable of restoring the impaired microbiome of a dysbiotic gut. They can be isolated from different environments. However, it is frequently suggested that probiotics for human use should come from human sources. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize novel probiotic strains from the saliva and feces of healthy human individuals. To meet the criteria for probiotic attributes, the isolates were subjected to numerous standard morphological and biochemical tests. These tests included Gram staining, catalase tests, antibiotic susceptibility testing, hemolytic and antagonistic evaluation, tolerance tests involving temperature, NaCl levels, pH and bile salts, adherence ability assays, and genotypic characterization involving 16S rRNA gene sequencing. From 26 saliva and 11 stool samples, 185 microbial strains were isolated. Based on morphological and biochemical characteristics, 14 potential probiotic candidates were selected and identified genotypically. The new strains belonged to Lactobacillus fermentum, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus hire. The selected strains were non-hemolytic, showed high tolerance to low pH and bile salts, and strong adherence abilities. Furthermore, the strains displayed a wide range of antimicrobial activities, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Moreover, five of the selected isolates demonstrated antiproliferative features against human colon cancer cell line (Caco-2). The results of this investigation confirm the diversity of microbial populations in the human gut and saliva, and since these strains are of human origin, they will highly likely display maximal activities in food and drugs set for human use. Hence, the new strains of this study require additional in vivo experiments to assess their health-promoting effects.

Molecular mechanisms, prevalence, and molecular methods for familial combined hyperlipidemia disease: A review.

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is the most common genetic dyslipidemia disorder which is accompanied by increasing of triglyceride and cholesterol. This disorder is a complex genetic disease although it also has monogenic forms. The familial form has several criteria for diagnosis that can be distinguished of nonfamilial position. It has been shown that a variety of internal and external risk factors are involved in the pathogenesis of FCHL. Environmental factors and the genetic background also play an important role in the FCHL pathogenesis. Many mechanisms and pathways are involved in lipid metabolism (ie, dysfunctional adipose tissue, hepatic fat and very low-density lipoprotein overproduction, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and clearance of low-density lipoprotein particles) that could lead to FCHL. Individuals with a positive family history like those who have a positive family history of cardiovascular diseases are more predispositions for this disorder. To date several methods have been used to identify the genetic background of the FCHL. In the current review, we summarized the prevalence and the molecular mechanisms involved in the FCHL disease. Moreover, we highlighted the used molecular methods for determining the genes involved in the FCHL.