Discovery of the human homolog of sex-determining region (SRY) gene in dioecious plants.

Sex determination in the early developmental stages of dioecious crops is economically-beneficial. During this study, a human homology of SRY gene was successfully identified in dioecious crops. SRY gene sequences of date palm and jojoba were submitted to GenBank under the accession numbers KC577225 and MK991776, respectively. This is the first report regarding the novel sex-determination methodology of four dioecious plants (jojoba, date palm, papaya, and pistachios). SRY sex gene was found in all the tested dioecious plant and human samples. This novel approach is simple and of significant importance for breeders. It facilitates the unambiguous selection of jojoba and date palm female plants at an early age and reduces the plantation cost of cultivating non-productive male plants. This is a rapid sex-determination technique for dioecious plants and mammals at an early stage. This technique specifically targets the SRY sequence that has been comprehensively investigated in humans. The kit development for the SRY-based sex determination of various crops is in progress.

Potential Value of TNF-α (-376 G/A) Polymorphism and Cystatin C (CysC) in the Diagnosis of Sepsis Associated Acute Kidney Injury (S-AK I) and Prediction of Mortality in Critically Ill patients.

Sepsis Associated Kidney Injury represents a major health concern as it is frequently associated with increased risk of mortality and morbidity. We aimed to evaluate the potential value of TNF-α (-376 G/A) and cystatin C in the diagnosis of S-AKI and prediction of mortality in critically ill patients. This study included 200 critically ill patients and 200 healthy controls. Patients were categorized into 116 with acute septic shock and 84 with sepsis, from which 142 (71%) developed S-AKI. Genotyping of TNF-α (-376 G/A) was performed by RT-PCR and serum CysC was assessed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Our results showed a highly significant difference in the genotype frequencies of TNF-α (-376 G/A) SNP between S-AKI and non-AKI patients (p < 0.001). Additionally, sCysC levels were significantly higher in the S-AKI group (p = 0.011). The combination of both sCysC and TNF-α (-376 G/A) together had a better diagnostic ability for S-AKI than sCysC alone (AUC = 0.610, 0.838, respectively). Both GA and AA genotypes were independent predictors of S-AKI (p= < 0.001, p = 0.002 respectively). Additionally, sCysC was significantly associated with the risk of S-AKI development (Odds Ratio = 1.111). Both genotypes and sCysC were significant predictors of non-survival (p < 0.001), suggesting their potential role in the diagnosis of S-AKI and prediction of mortality.

Prognostic Impact of Genetic Variants of MECP2 and TIRAP on Clinical Outcomes of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with and without Nephritis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune illness with a growing prevalence in many populations. Few studies have examined genetic predisposition to SLE, so we aimed to examine the clinical impact of the genetic polymorphisms MECP2 rs2734647and TIRAP rs8177374 on the outcomes and therapeutic precision of SLE with and without nephritis. This study included 110 SLE patients-divided into 63 with lupus nephritis (LN), and 47 without nephritis-and 100 controls. Laboratory measurements including CRP, ESR, ACR, CBC, anti-ds-DNA, vitamin A, C3, and C4 were carried out, along with genotyping of MECP2 rs2734647and TIRAP rs8177374 by real-time PCR and sequencing. Treg %, vitamin A, C3, and C4 were lower, whereas Th17 % was higher, in patients vs. controls (p < 0.001). The T allele of MECP2 rs2734647 was higher in LN than in non-nephritis and control subjects. Moreover, the T allele of TIRAP rs8177374 was higher in LN than in non-nephritis and control subjects. The MECP2 and TIRAP genes could play a role in predisposition to SLE, and can also predict disease progress to nephritis, helping to personalize medicine.

DNA repair genes XPD and XRCC1 polymorphisms and risk of end-stage renal disease in Egyptian population.

DNA repair gene polymorphisms may affect DNA repair capacity and modulate susceptibility to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We aimed to determine the association of polymorphisms in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) and X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) with ESRD development. Polymorphisms in XPD codons 312 and 751 and XRCC1 codon 399 were genotyped in 98 patients undergoing hemodialysis and 102 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Patients having XRCC1-399 Arg/Gln genotype or XRCC1-399 Gln/Gln genotype had a significantly higher risk of ESRD than those with XRCC1-399 Arg/Arg [odds ratio (OR): 2.48; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.36-4.52; p = 0.004 and OR: 4.05; 95% CI: 1.19-13.73; p = 0.03, respectively]. We also found a significantly higher frequency of the XRCC1 399Gln allele in patients with ESRD than in controls (OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.16-4.25; p = 0.02). Combination of the Arg/Gln or Gln/Gln genotypes of XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism with Asp/Asn or Asn/Asn genotypes of XPDAsp312Asn or with the Lys/Gln or Gln/Gln genotypes of XPD Lys751Gln was significantly associated with the development of ESRD. Haplotypes association showed that association of Gln allele of XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism with the Asn allele of XPDAsp312Asn polymorphism (p = 0.004) or Gln allele of XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism with the Gln allele of XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism (p = 0.003) was highly significantly associated with the development of ESRD. This study revealed that XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism may confer increased risk for the development of ESRD. Furthermore, larger studies should be conducted to confirm these results.