A study of the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2) gene and the risk of ankylosing spondylitis in Egyptians.

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is often regarded as the prototypical manifestation of spondylo-arthropathies that prevalently involves the axial skeleton with the potential attribution of ERAP2 polymorphisms to AS predisposition. The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic association between ERAP2 gene rs2910686, and rs2248374 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of ankylosing spondylitis in the Egyptian population. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional work involved 200 individuals: 100 AS individuals diagnosed based on modified New York criteria in 1984 with 100 healthy controls matched in age and gender. The study included a comprehensive evaluation of historical data, clinical examinations, and evaluation of the activity of the disease using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). A comprehensive laboratory and radiological evaluation were conducted, accompanied by an assessment and genotyping of the ERAP2 gene variants rs2248374 and rs2910686. This genotyping was performed utilizing a real-time allelic discrimination methodology.Highly statistically substantial variations existed among the AS patients and the healthy control group regarding rs2910686 and rs2248374 alleles. There was a statistically significant difference between rs2910686 and rs2248374 regarding BASDAI, BASFI, mSASSS, ASQoL, V.A.S, E.S.R, and BASMI in the active AS group. CONCLUSIONS: ERAP2 gene SNPs have been identified as valuable diagnostic biomarkers for AS patients in the Egyptian population being a sensitive and non-invasive approach for AS diagnosis especially rs2910686. Highly statistically significant variations existed among the AS patients and the healthy control group regarding rs2910686 alleles and genotypes.Further research is recommended to explore the potential therapeutic implications of these SNPs.

Biochemical study of ZNF76 rs10947540 and SCUBE3 rs1888822 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Egyptian patients with systemic lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common autoimmune disease marked by the formation of apoptotic debris and the presence of autoantibodies that target nuclear components. At this moment, the actual cause of SLE is uncertain. Genetic variables have been well proven to have a significant role in the propensity of SLE. This study aimed to investigate the effect of (ZNF76) rs (10947540) and (SCUBE) rs (1888822) gene polymorphism in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A case control study has been carried out at Medical Biochemistry & Molecular biology and Rheumatology unit of Internal Medicine Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt, for 1-year duration between 1 June 2022 and 1 June 2023. Sixty patients were females (75%) and twenty patients were males (25%). Their ages ranged from 19 to 53 years. Their disease durations ranged from 7 months to 20 years. The findings indicated that the TC genotype of the ZNF76 rs10947540 gene increases the risk of SLE by 2.274-fold, while the dominant TC + CC increases the risk by 2.472-fold, and the C allele increases the risk by 2.115-fold. Additionally, the results showed that the TT genotype of the SCUBE3 rs1888822 gene increases the risk of SLE by 3.702-fold, the dominant GT + TT increases the risk by 2.304-fold, and the T allele increases the risk by 2.089-fold, while the GT genotype increases the risk by 1.918-fold. The study revealed significant associations between the genotypes of these polymorphisms and certain clinical parameters in SLE patients. These findings highlight the potential genetic contributions to SLE susceptibility and its clinical manifestations, providing valuable insights for future research and potential personalized approaches to the management of this complex autoimmune disease.

Immobilized lipase enzyme on green synthesized magnetic nanoparticles using Psidium guava leaves for dye degradation and antimicrobial activities.

Zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZnF NPs) were synthesized by a green method using Psidium guava Leaves extract and characterized via structural and optical properties. The surface of ZnF NPs was stabilized with citric acid (CA) by a direct addition method to obtain (ZnF-CA NPs), and then lipase (LP) enzyme was immobilized on ZnF-CA NPs to obtain a modified ZnF-CA-LP nanocomposite (NCs). The prepared sample's photocatalytic activity against Methylene blue dye (MB) was determined. The antioxidant activity of ZnF-CA-LP NCs was measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) as a source of free radicals. In addition, the antibacterial and antibiofilm capabilities of these substances were investigated by testing them against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ATCC 25923) and gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli ATCC 25922) bacterial strains. The synthesized ZnF NPs were discovered to be situated at the core of the material, as determined by XRD, HRTEM, and SEM investigations, while the CA and lipase enzymes were coated in this core. The ZnF-CA-LP NCs crystallite size was around 35.0 nm at the (311) plane. Results obtained suggested that 0.01 g of ZnF-CA-LP NCs achieved 96.0% removal of 5.0 ppm of MB at pH 9.0. In-vitro zone of inhibition (ZOI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results verified that ZnF-CA-LP NCs exhibited its encouraged antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli (20.0 ± 0.512, and 27.0 ± 0.651 mm ZOI, respectively) & (1.25, and 0.625 µg/ml MIC, respectively). ZnF-CA-LP NPs showed antibiofilm percentage against S. aureus (88.4%) and E. coli (96.6%). Hence, ZnF-CA-LP NCs are promising for potential applications in environmental and biomedical uses.

H2S releasing Sodium sulfide protects from acute stress-induced hypertension by increasing the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme.

Acute stress is a feature of our daily events that affects cardiovascular system and predisposes to hypertension. H2S is now considered as a vasorelaxant gasotransmitter although it was considered as a toxic agent. In present work we studied the effect of H2S releasing Na2S in acute stress induced hypertension and cardiac damage. Rats were divided into five groups: control, Na2S, acute stress, half dose of Na2S (6 mg/kg), and finally full dose of Na2S (12 mg/kg) to acute stressed rats. BP was measured then blood samples were taken for estimation of cortisol, cardiac enzymes markers, IL-6 and H2S. Finally, animals were sacrificed, hearts and thoracic aortae were excised for histological assessment, estimation of MDA, SOD and RNA extraction of CSE. Acute stress significantly elevated BP, cortisol, cardiac enzymes markers, IL-6, and tissue levels of MDA. It also, induced cardiac cell damage with congested B.V., extravasation of blood and decreased eNOs. Moreover, acute stress reduced H2S levels, RNA expression of CSE and SOD in cardiac tissues. Na2S significantly decreased BP, serum levels of cortisol, cardiac enzymes markers, IL-6, and tissue levels of MDA. Also, Na2S elevated serum H2S, RNA expression of CSE, SOD in cardiac tissue and increased eNOs activity.

The clinical impact of miRNA34a and P53 gene expression in colon cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the potential role of miRNA34a gene expression and its relationship with P53 gene expression, fate, stage, metastasis and overall survival of colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out 30 patients with colon adenocarcinoma, 30 patients with benign colon polyp and 30 apparently healthy persons served as controls. All participants were subjected to full history taking, general clinical examination. Complete blood count, liver and kidney function, determination of serum tumor markers were done. Estimation of microRNA 34a and P53 Gene expression by real-time PCR were done. RESULTS: There was a significant negative relationship between serum tumor markers and micro RNA 34a gene expression in cancer patients. Also, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between miRNA34a gene expression and P53 gene expression in both patients groups. The diagnostic accuracy of miRNA34a gene expression was both sensitive and specific for colon cancer. MiRNA34a and P53 gene expression had statistically significant relation with tumor stage and presence of metastases. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the level of miRNA34a can be used to differentiate between colon cancers and begin adenomas. MiRNA34a can be used as a prognostic marker in colon cancer.