SARS-CoV-2 virus associated angiotensin converting enzyme 2 expression modulation in colorectal cancer: Insights from mRNA and protein analysis COVID-19 associated (ACE2) expression in colorectal cancer.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus gains entry into human cells by exploiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a key component known as the spike protein (S), as a point of entry. Initially, SARS-CoV-2 suppresses the natural function of ACE2, leading to a gradual decline in cell health. Additionally, individuals with cancer are considered more susceptible to COVID-19. This study investigates the expression patterns of ACE2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with and without a history of COVID-19 infection. RT-PCR was used to analyze samples from both cancerous and adjacent non-affected colorectal tissues of 47 CRC patients, comprising two groups: 24 CRC patients with no history of COVID-19 and 23 CRC patients with a recent history of COVID-19 infection. Epithelial CR cells were isolated from both types of tissues and cultured to evaluate cell adhesion. Immunohistochemistry analyses were conducted to examine ACE2 protein expression using various ACE2 antibodies for both cell types. The study revealed ACE2 mRNA expression in all CRC tissues of patients with and without a history of COVID-19. ACE2 expression was significantly higher in CRC patients without a history of COVID-19. Notably, the non-affected colorectal cancer (NACRC) tissues of patients without a history of COVID-19 also showed ACE2 expression, whereas no ACE2 expression was detected in the biopsies of CRC patients with a positive COVID-19 history. ACE2 antibodies were employed to validate ACE2 protein expression at the mRNA level. COVID-19 appears to downregulate ACE2 expression in both CRC and NACRC tissues of CRC patients with a positive history of COVID-19 infection.

Three cases of colon cancer in four generations of the Saudi family, caused by endogamous germline mutations.

Various research pieces of evidence have been published in recent years, establishing the increasing prevalence of early colon cancer among young people. In this background, the current study aimed to analyze the reasons behind colon cancer recurrence among endogamous consanguineous cases in four generations of a single Saud family. For this study, the authors conducted the whole-exome sequencing analysis to screen for germline mutations in DNA samples from consanguineous cases within the family. After collecting the colon samples, it was analyzed histologically and immunohistochemically with the help of Breast Cancer antibodies (BRCA2 and 1 correspondingly) and H&M staining (hematoxylin and eosin). For this study, 26 at-risk consanguineous cases were considered. Three cases were diagnosed with malignant colon cancer, two with breast cancer, and 17 with germline mutations, yet remain unaffected by cancerous tumors. The rest, four consanguineous cases, are healthy and non-carriers of the mutations. However, as per the exome analysis outcomes, 15 cases inherited germline mutations in nine genes. Nine substitution mutations were present in six of the nine inherited genes in these inherited germline mutations. Furthermore, it also presented six insertion and deletion frameshift mutations in five of nine inherited genes. The immunohistochemical staining process achieved positive staining outcomes for BRCA1 and 2. Therefore, germline mutations inherited from the nine genes of endogamous consanguineous cases of mutation carriers remain the primary reason behind colon cancer recurrence in the same family.

Detecting STR profiles from degrading menstrual blood samples and their use as possible evidence in forensic investigations.

This research explores DNA consistency and attempts to detect STR profiles from the degrading menstrual blood samples (MBS) as reliable forensic evidence. Peripheral (PBS) and MBS of 30 healthy fertile females were taken on the menstrual cycle's second day. They were obtained at different time periods (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, and 48 h) at 25 °C. DNA evaluation was fulfilled to analyze DNA profiles. A considerable elevation in the median concentrations of DNA between 0 and 14-h intervals were documented, whereas decreased extents were registered between 16 and 48 h. Moreover, complete STR profiles (24/24) for DNA were discovered in all the intervals (0, 2, and 48 h). Periods of 0-8 h demonstrated the maximum extents of DNA materials. Full STR were discovered in all the intervals (0, 2, and 48 h). Eventually, MBS can be utilized as forensic evidence.

FGFR3 and FGFR4 overexpression in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: impact of smoking history and implications for personalized management.

Lifestyle factors, including smoking, have been linked to neoplastic diseases, and reports suggest an association between smoking and overexpression of FGFR (fibroblast growth factor receptor) in certain neoplasms. This study aims to assess the expression of FGFR3 and FGFR4 genes in patients with and without a history of smoking.A total of 118 participants were recruited, including 83 Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA) patients and 35 healthy participants, the JNA patients were further stratified as smokers and nonsmokers. Total RNA was extracted from the blood & saliva sample by using TRIzol reagent, and quantified using a Nanodrop, and then subjected to gene expression analysis of FGFR3/4 using RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry analysis was employed using fresh biopsies of JNA to validate the findings. All experiments were performed in triplicates and analysed using the Chi-Square test (P < 0.05). Smokers exhibited significantly lower total RNA concentrations across all sample types (P < 0.001). The study revealed significant upregulation of both FGFR3/4 genes in JNA patients (P < 0.05). Moreover, FGFR3 expression was significantly higher among smokers 66% (95% CI: 53-79%) compared to non-smokers 22% (95% CI: 18-26%). Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated moderate to strong staining intensity for FGFR3 among smokers. The study highlights the overexpression of FGFR3/4 genes in JNA patients, with a stronger association observed among smokers. Furthermore, medical reports indicated higher rates of recurrence and bleeding intensity among smokers. These findings emphasize the potential role of FGFR3 as a key molecular factor in JNA, particularly in the context of smoking.

Genetic and epigenetic factors associated with depression: An updated overview.

Depression is a complex psychiatric disturbance involving many environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Until now, genetic, and non-genetic studies are still on the way to understanding the complex mechanism of this disease, and there are still many questions that have not yet been answered. Depression includes a large spectrum of heterogeneous symptoms correlated to the deficit of a range of psychological, cognitive, and emotional processes, and it affects various age groups. It is classified into several types according to the severity of symptoms, time of occurrence, and time. Following the World Health Organization (WHO), depression attacks near 350 million persons globally. Several factors overlap in causing depression, including genetic and epigenetic factors, environmental conditions, various stresses, lack of some nutrients to which people are exposed, and excessive stress and abuse in childhood. This study included conducting surveys on depression and new treatment trends based on epigenetic factors associated with the occurrence of the disease. Epigenetic factors provide a completely novel dimension to therapeutic approaches as most diseases are not monogenic, and it is likely that the environment has a significant contribution. Epigenetic inheritance is included in many mental and psychiatric disorders such as depression. In general, epigenetic modifications could be summarized in 3 major points: DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-mediated regulation of RNA (ncRNA). This study also describes some genes associated with one of the depressive disorders using bioinformatics tools and gene bank and had the genes: SLC6A4, COMT, TPH2, FKBP5, MDD1, HTR2A, and MDD2. As in this study, the awareness of Saudi society about depression and its genetic and non-genetic causes was estimated. The results showed that an encouraging percentage of more than half of the research sample possessed correct information about this disorder.

A comparison of logistic regression and classification tree to assess brucellosis associated risk factors in dairy cattle.

Machine learning approaches have been increasingly utilized in the field of medicine. Brucellosis is one of the most common contagious zoonotic diseases with significant impacts on livestock health, reproduction, production, and public health worldwide. Therefore, our objective was to determine the seroprevalence and compare the logistic regression and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) data-mining analysis to assess risk factors associated with Brucella infection in the densest cattle populated Egyptian governorates. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 animals (383 cows, 17 bulls) distributed over four Governorates in Egypt's Nile Delta in 2019. The randomly selected animals from studied geographical areas were serologically tested for Brucella using iELISA, and the animals' information was obtained from the farm records or animal owners. Eight supposed risk factors (geographic location, gender, herd size, age, history of abortion, shared equipment, and disinfection post-calving) were evaluated using multiple stepwise logistic regression and CART machine-learning techniques. A total of 84 (21.0%; 95% CI 17.1-25.3) serum samples were serologically positive for Brucella. The highest seroprevalence of Brucella infection was reported among animals raised in herd size > 100 animals (65.5%), with no disinfection post-calving (61.7%), with a history of abortion (59.6%), and with shared equipment without thorough cleaning and disinfection (57.1%). The multiple stepwise logistic regression modeling identified herd size, history of abortion, and disinfection post-calving as important risk factors. However, CART modeling identified herd size, disinfection post-calving, history of abortion, and shared equipment as the most potential risk factors for Brucella infection. Comparing the two models, CART model showed a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC = 0.98; 95% CI 0.95 - 1.00) than the binary logistic regression (AUROC = 0.89; 95% CI 0.73 - 0.92). Our findings strongly imply that Brucella infection is most likely to spread among animals raised in large herds (>100 animals) with a history of abortions and bad hygienic measures post-calving. The CART data-mining modeling provides an accurate technique to identify risk factors of Brucella infection in cattle.

Citric acid assisted phytoextraction of nickle from soil helps to tolerate oxidative stress and expression profile of NRAMP genes in sunflower at different growth stages.

Introduction: Soil polluted with Nickel (Ni) adversely affects sunflower growth resulting in reduced yield. Counterbalancing Ni toxicity requires complex molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms at the cellular, tissue, and whole plant levels, which might improve crop productivity. One of the primary adaptations to tolerate Ni toxicity is the enhanced production of antioxidant enzymes and the elevated expression of Ni responsive genes. Methods: In this study, biochemical parameters, production of ROS, antioxidants regulation, and expression of NRAMP metal transporter genes were studied under Ni stress in sunflower. There were four soil Ni treatments (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg-1 soil), while citric acid (CA, 5 mM kg-1 soil) was applied on the 28th and 58th days of plant growth. The samples for all analyses were obtained on the 30th and 60th day of plant growth, respectively. Results and discussion: The results indicated that the concentrations of Ni in roots and shoots were increased with increasing concentrations of Ni at both time intervals. Proline contents, ascorbic acid, protein, and total phenolics were reduced under Ni-stress, but with the application of CA, improvement was witnessed in their contents. The levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were enhanced with the increasing concentration of Ni, and after applying CA, they were reduced. The contents of antioxidants, i.e., catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase, were increased at 50 ppm Ni concentration and decreased at higher concentrations of Ni. The application of CA significantly improved antioxidants at all concentrations of Ni. The enhanced expression of NRAMP1 (4, 51 and 81 folds) and NRAMP3 (1.05, 4 and 6 folds) was found at 50, 100 and 200ppm Ni-stress, respectively in 30 days old plants and the same pattern of expression was recorded in 60 days old plants. CA further enhanced the expression at both developmental stages. Conclusion: In conclusion, CA enhances Ni phytoextraction efficiency as well as protect plant against oxidative stress caused by Ni in sunflower.

First isolation of influenza a subtype H5N8 in ostrich: pathological and genetic characterization.

The incidence of the avian influenza virus in late 2016, different genotypes of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b have been reported among different domestic and wild bird species. The virus became endemic in the poultry population, causing a considerable economic loss for the poultry industry. This study screened 5 ostrich farms suffering from respiratory signs and mortality rate of the avian influenza virus. A flock of 60-day-old ostriches with a mortality of 90% suffered from depression, loss of appetite, dropped production, and oculo-nasal discharges, with bleeding from natural orifices as a vent. This flock was found positive for avian influenza virus and subtypes as HPAI H5N8 virus. The similarity between nucleotide sequencing for the 28 hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) was 99% and 98%, respectively, with H5N8 viruses previously detected. The PB2 encoding protein harbor a unique substitution in mammalian marker 627A, which has not been recorded before in previously sequenced H5N8 viruses. Phylogenetically, the isolated virus is closely related to HPAI H5N8 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b. The detection of the HPAI H5N8 virus in ostrich is highly the need for continuous epidemiological and molecular monitoring of influenza virus spread in other bird species, not only chickens. Ostrich should be included in the annual SunAlliance, for the detection of avian influenza.

Molecular characterization of aviadenovirus serotypes and pathogenicity of the identified adenovirus in broiler chickens.

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is an economically significant viral disease that primarily affects broiler chickens. At least 12 different aviadenovirus serotypes are responsible for causing IBH. This study aimed to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and phylogenetic analysis to characterize fowl adenovirus isolates that were in circulation from 2019 to 2021 and investigate the pathogenicity of the isolated strains in commercial broiler chickens. Suspected liver samples were molecularly identified using hexon gene targeting by PCR, and viruses were isolated using chick embryo liver cell culture. For serotype identification, the fowl adenovirus-positive samples were subjected to hexon gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The pathogenicity of two isolates was tested in commercial chickens via the oral route. The phylogenetic analysis of the hexon gene showed that the isolated viruses clustered with serotype 8a species E. On testing the pathogenicity of the isolates based on necropsy and histopathological examination, no mortality was observed; however, lesions were observed in the liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, bursa, and lung specimens with intermittent virus shedding at different time points throughout the experimental period. Further research on the likelihood of vaccine production is warranted to limit disease-related losses.

Genetic characterization of the highlander Tibetan population from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau revealed by X chromosomal STRs.

Tibetans are considered an East Asian ethnic group and primarily live in the high Tibetan plateau, the western Sichuan and Yunnan mountains of central and southern China, and areas throughout the Himalayas and around the Tibetan plateau. These people exhibit rare molecular machinery that allows them to adapt to hypoxic environments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and make them a potential candidate for providing insights related to medical genetic, molecular medicine and human population studies. In the current study, we have genotyped 549 individuals with Investigator Argus X-12 Kit. For 12 X-STRs, a total of 174 unique alleles were found, among them DXS10134 and DXS10135 were the most polymorphic loci. All of the loci were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE). The numbers of observed haplotypes in Highlander Tibetans males were 161,112, 96 and 108, respectively, whereas haplotype diversities (HD) were 0.9959, 0.9880, 0.9809 and 0.9873, respectively. The combined discrimination power for males (PDm) was 0.999 999 99701 and for females (PDf) was 0.999 999 999 999 9958. This study represents an extensive report on X chromosomal STR markers variation in the Highlander Tibetans population for forensic applications and population genetic studies.

Genome-wide comparison and identification of myosin gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana and Helianthus annuus.

Myosins are essential components of organelle trafficking in all the eukaryotic cells. Myosin driven movement plays a vital role in the development of pollen tubes, root hairs and root tips of flowering plants. The present research characterized the myosin genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and Helianthus annuus by using different computational tools. We discovered a total of 50 myosin genes and their splice variants in both pant species. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that myosin genes were divided into four subclasses. Chromosomal location revealed that myosin genes were located on all five chromosomes in A. thaliana, whereas they were present on nine chromosomes in H. annuus. Conserved motifs showed that conserved regions were closely similar within subgroups. Gene structure analysis showed that Atmyosin2.2 and Atmyosin2.3 had the highest number of introns/exons. Gene ontology analysis indicated that myosin genes were involved in vesicle transport along actin filament and cytoskeleton trafficking. Expression analysis showed that expression of myosin genes was higher during the flowering stage as compared to the seedling and budding stages. Tissue specific expression indicated that HanMYOSIN11.2, HanMYOSIN16.2 were highly expressed in stamen, whereas HanMYOSIN 2.2, HanMYOSIN 12.1 and HanMYOSIN 17.1 showed higher expression in nectary. This study enhance our understanding the function of myosins in plant development, and forms the basis for future research about the comparative genomics of plant myosin in other crop plants.

Influence of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling characteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).

Information regarding the germination and seedling growth behavior of a potential weed species is an important tool to manage weeds without the use of agricultural chemicals that cause harmful effects on human health and the environment. A series of experiments were directed to investigate the influence of different environmental factors (temperature, pH, NaCl, moisture stress, and seed burial depth) on germination and seedling emergence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under controlled conditions. Results suggested that 25 °C is the optimum temperature for maximum germination (95%) and seedling growth of perennial ryegrass, however, a quick decline was observed at 35 °C. Seed germination was unaffected by pH levels ranging from 5 to 10. The 92% seed germination was recorded where no salt stress was applied and germination was reduced by 87% at 250 mMNaCl concentration. Seed germination was unaffected by osmotic potential ranges from 0 to - 0.4 MPa thereafter declined and completely inhibited at - 0.8 or - 1.0 MPa. No seed emerged at the soil surface or a soil depth of 6 or 7 cm and 90% emergence occurred at 1 cmsoil depth. The germination and seedlings parameters like time to initial germination, mean germination time, time taken to 50% germination and germination index, root and shoot length, and fresh and dry weight of root and shoot are significantly affected with the environmental factors. The information obtained in this study will be helpful to develop better management strategies for germination and the emergence of perennial ryegrass in areas where it has the ability to rapidly colonize.

Biochemical and Molecular analysis of the beta-globin gene on Saudi sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is one of the most common hematologic diseases affecting humans. Detection of a single base pair mutation at 6th codon of ß-globin gene is important for the diagnosis of SCA. The aim was to study the nucleotide sequences and the molecular survey of ß-globin gene in Saudi patients. Blood samples from 77 unrelated SC patients were obtained from the KKUH, between 2015 and 2017. In this study, DNA was extracted then PCR was performed. Twelve overlapping fragments covering ß-globin gene, have been generated by PCR. A total of 47 alterations have been recognized in ß-globin gene. These alterations composed of: deletions, insertion or substitutions as follows:- one mutation identified on the 1st segment; three alterations on 2nd fragment; two alterations on 3rd segment; seven alterations on 4th segment; three substitution on 5th fragment; two changes on 6th fragment; five alterations on 7th fragment; seven substitution changes on 8th fragment; two heterozygous substitution changes on 9th fragment; three changes on 10th fragment and eight substitution changes on 11th fragment, and four changes on 12th fragment. SCA had profound negative effects on many organs, causing many complications. The results should be taken further to set up management strategies to improve outcomes.