Displaying publications 1541 - 1560 of 8210 in total

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  1. Krishnan PB, Abdullah M, Hudu SA, Sekawi Z, Tan SS, Amin-Nordin S
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Sep 01;36(3):703-708.
    PMID: 33597492
    Asian countries account for almost three quarter of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) reported globally and chronic hepatitis B infection is one of the main contributors. Clinical observations show that Malay patients with chronic hepatitis B and HCC tend to have a worse outcome, when compared to other two major races in Malaysia. The objectives of this study was to determine the frequency of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles in chronic hepatitis B patients with HCC among Malays compared to the general population to identify potential associations of HLA alleles with this disease. HLA class II typing was performed in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (n=12) by -polymerase chain reaction, sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) method. There were higher allelic frequencies of certain HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 alleles; HLA-DQB1*03 (07) (41.7%), and HLA-DRB1*12 (41.7% vs 28.6%) and compared to controls (41.7% vs 29.7%). However, there was no significant statistical correlation found when compared with the normal healthy general population. This study provides an insight into the HLA Class II association with chronic hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma in Malays. However, findings from this study should be validated with a larger number of samples using a high resolution HLA typing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics*; HLA-DQ Antigens/genetics*; Liver Neoplasms/genetics*; Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics*; HLA-DRB1 Chains/genetics*
  2. Ismail R, Allaudin ZN, Abdullah R, Mohd Lila MA, Nik Abd Rahman NM, Abdul Rahman SO
    BMC Cancer, 2016 07 13;16:461.
    PMID: 27411985 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2530-8
    BACKGROUND: Cancer therapies that kill cancer cells without affecting normal cells is the ultimate mode of treating cancers. The VP3, an avian virus-derived protein, can specifically initiate cell death through several signal transduction pathways leading to apoptosis. In cancer, chemoresistance and cell survivability implicate the cell surface protein, CD147.

    METHODS: In this study, transfection of VP3 and silencing of CD147 genes was achieved through the treatment of tumors with pVIVO1-GFP/VP3 (VP3), psiRNA-CD147/2 (shCD147/2), and their combination of CT26 colon cancer cell-induced in mice. The effectiveness of tumor-treatment was ascertained by electrophoresis, TUNEL assay, and flow cytometry analysis. While histopathological and biochemical analysis were used as toxic side effect identification.

    RESULTS: The tumor growth delay index (TGDI) after treatment with VP3, shCD147/2, and their combination treatments increased by 1.3-, 1.2-, 2.0- and 2.3-fold respectively, over untreated control. The VP3-shCD147/2 combination treatment was more efficacious then either VP3 or shCD147/2 alone in the retardation of mouse CT26 colorectal cell tumor allograft.

    CONCLUSION: The antitumor effect of the combination treatment is the result of synergistic effects of VP3 and shCD147/2 on the tumor cells resulting in apoptosis. Thus, the study shows that combination of VP3 and shCD147/2 treatment can be developed into a potential approach for anticolorectal cancer treatment regimen.

    Matched MeSH terms: Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics; Apoptosis/genetics*; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics; Capsid Proteins/genetics*; Antigens, CD147/genetics*
  3. Goh KM, Liew KJ, Chai KP, Illias RM
    Methods Mol Biol, 2017;1498:385-396.
    PMID: 27709591
    Protein engineering is a very useful tool for probing structure-function relationships in proteins. Specifically, site-directed mutagenized proteins can provide useful insights into structural, binding and catalytic mechanisms of a protein, particularly when coupled with crystallization. In this chapter, we describe two protocols for performing site-directed mutagenesis of any protein-coding sequence, namely, megaprimer PCR and overlapping extension PCR (OE-PCR). We use as an example how these two SDM methods enhanced the function of a cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (CGTase) from Bacillus lehensis strain G1.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacillus/genetics; Binding Sites/genetics; Cyclodextrins/genetics*; Glucosyltransferases/genetics*; DNA Primers/genetics*
  4. Shuib S, Saaid NN, Zakaria Z, Ismail J, Abdul Latiff Z
    Malays J Pathol, 2017 Apr;39(1):77-81.
    PMID: 28413209 MyJurnal
    Potocki-Lupski syndrome (PTLS), also known as duplication 17p11.2 syndrome, trisomy 17p11.2 or dup(17)(p11.2p11.2) syndrome, is a developmental disorder and a rare contiguous gene syndrome affecting 1 in 20,000 live births. Among the key features of such patients are autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, developmental delay, attention-deficit disorder, infantile hypotonia and cardiovascular abnormalities. Previous studies using microarray identified variations in the size and extent of the duplicated region of chromosome 17p11.2. However, there are a few genes which are considered as candidates for PTLS which include RAI1, SREBF1, DRG2, LLGL1, SHMT1 and ZFP179. In this report, we investigated a case of a 3-year-old girl who has developmental delay. Her chromosome analysis showed a normal karyotype (46,XX). Analysis using array CGH (4X44 K, Agilent USA) identified an ~4.2 Mb de novo duplication in chromosome 17p11.2. The result was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes in the critical PTLS region. This report demonstrates the importance of microarray and FISH in the diagnosis of PTLS.
    Matched MeSH terms: Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics; Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17/genetics*; Chromosome Disorders/genetics; Chromosome Duplication/genetics
  5. Ahamad MNU, Ali ME, Hossain MAM, Asing A, Sultana S, Jahurul MHA
    PMID: 28748739 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2017.1359752
    Rabbit meat is receiving increasing attention because it contains a high level of proteins with relatively little fat. On the other hand, squirrel meat is served in upper-class meals in certain countries, so is sold at higher prices. The other side of the coin is rat meat, which has family ties with rabbit and squirrel but poses substantial threats to public health because it is a potential carrier of several zoonotic organisms. Recently, rat meat was mislabelled and sold as lamb after chemical modification. Thus, the chances of rabbit and squirrel meat substitution by rat meat cannot be ruled out. For the first time, a multiplex PCR assay was developed in Malaysia for the discriminatory identification of rat, rabbit and squirrel in the food chain. Rabbit (123 bp), rat (108 bp) and squirrel (243 bp) targets were amplified from ATP6 and cytb genes, along with a eukaryotic internal control (141bp). The products were sequenced and cross-tested against 22 species. A total of 81 reference samples and 72 meatball specimens were screened to validate the assay. Analyte stability was evaluated through boiling, autoclaving and micro-oven cooking. The tested lower limits of detection were 0.01 ng DNA for pure meat and 0.1% for meatballs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rabbits/genetics*; Sciuridae/genetics*; Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases/genetics; Cytochromes b/genetics; Rats/genetics*
  6. Ban EZ, Lye MS, Chong PP, Yap YY, Lim SYC, Abdul Rahman H
    PLoS One, 2018;13(6):e0198332.
    PMID: 29912899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198332
    BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a rare form of cancer across the world except in certain areas such as Southern China, Hong Kong and Malaysia. NPC is considered a relatively radiosensitive tumor and patients diagnosed at early stages tend to survive longer compared to those with advanced disease. Given that early symptoms of NPC are non-specific and that the nasopharynx is relatively inaccessible, less invasive screening methods such as biomarker screening might be the key to improve NPC survival and management. A number of genes with their respective polymorphisms have been shown in past studies to be associated with survival of various cancers. hOGG1 and XPD genes encode for a DNA glycosylase and a DNA helicase respectively; both are proteins that are involved in DNA repair. ITGA2 is the alpha subunit of the transmembrane receptor integrin and is mainly responsible for cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interaction. TNF-α is a cytokine that is released by immune cells during inflammation.

    METHODS: Restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) was used to genotype all the aforementioned gene polymorphisms. Kaplan-Meier survival function, log-rank test and Cox regression were used to investigate the effect of gene polymorphisms on the all-cause survival of NPC.

    RESULTS: NPC cases carrying T/T genotype of ITGA2 C807T have poorer all-cause survival compared to those with C/C genotypes, with an adjusted HR of 2.06 (95% CI = 1.14-3.72) in individual model. The 5-year survival rate of C/C carriers was 55% compared to those with C/T and T/T where the survival rates were 50% and 43%, respectively.

    CONCLUSION: The finding from the present study showed that ITGA2 C807T polymorphism could be potentially useful as a prognostic biomarker for NPC. However, the prognostic value of ITGA2 C807T polymorphism has to be validated by well-designed further studies with larger patient numbers.

    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*; Integrin alpha2beta1/genetics*; DNA Glycosylases/genetics*; Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein/genetics*
  7. Low SS, Loh HS, Boey JS, Khiew PS, Chiu WS, Tan MTT
    Biosens Bioelectron, 2017 Aug 15;94:365-373.
    PMID: 28319904 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.02.038
    An efficient electrochemical impedance genosensing platform has been constructed based on graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite produced via a facile and green approach. Highly pristine graphene was synthesised from graphite through liquid phase sonication and then mixed with zinc acetate hexahydrate for the synthesis of graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite by solvothermal growth. The as-synthesised graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite was characterised with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) to evaluate its morphology, crystallinity, composition and purity. An amino-modified single stranded DNA oligonucleotide probe synthesised based on complementary Coconut Cadang-Cadang Viroid (CCCVd) RNA sequence, was covalently bonded onto the surface of graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite by the bio-linker 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The hybridisation events were monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimised sensing conditions, the single stranded CCCVd RNA oligonucleotide target could be quantified in a wide range of 1.0×10-11M to 1.0×10-6 with good linearity (R =0.9927), high sensitivity with low detection limit of 4.3×10-12M. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was also performed for the estimation of nucleic acid density on the graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite-modified sensing platform. The current work demonstrates an important advancement towards the development of a sensitive detection assay for various diseases involving RNA agents such as CCCVd in the future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence/genetics; DNA, Single-Stranded/genetics; Plant Viruses/genetics; RNA, Viral/genetics; Oligonucleotide Probes/genetics
  8. Das K, Ogawa S, Kitahashi T, Parhar IS
    Peptides, 2019 02;112:67-77.
    PMID: 30389346 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.10.009
    A cichlid fish, the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), is a maternal mouthbrooder, which exhibits minimum energy expenditure and slower ovarian cycles during mouthbrooding. The objective of this study was to observe changes in the gene expression of key neuropeptides involved in the control of appetite and reproduction, including neuropeptide Y a (NPYa), reproductive neuropeptides: gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH1, GnRH2 and GnRH3) and kisspeptin (Kiss2) during mouthbrooding (4- and 12-days), 12-days of food restriction and 12-days of food restriction followed by refeeding. The food restriction regime showed a significant increase in npya mRNA levels in the telencephalon. However, there were no significant alterations in npya mRNA levels during mouthbrooding. gnrh1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in mouthbrooding female as compared with females with food restriction. gnrh3 mRNA levels were also significantly lower in female with 12-days of mouthbrooding, 12-days of food restriction followed by 12-days of refeeding when compared with controls. There were no significant differences in gnrh2 and kiss2 mRNA levels between groups under different feeding regimes. No significant changes were observed in mRNA levels of receptors for peripheral metabolic signaling molecules: ghrelin (GHS-R1a and GHS-R1b) and leptin (Lep-R). These results suggested that unaffected npya mRNA levels in the telencephalon might contribute to suppression of appetite in mouthbrooding female tilapia. Furthermore, lower gnrh1 and gnrh3 mRNA levels may influence the suppression of reproductive functions such as progression of ovarian cycle and reproductive behaviours, while GnRH2 and Kiss2 may not play a significant roles in reproduction under food restriction condition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/genetics*; Neuropeptide Y/genetics*; Leptin/genetics; Ghrelin/genetics; Kisspeptins/genetics
  9. Ma B, Khazali A, Shao H, Jiang Y, Wells A
    Cell Commun Signal, 2019 12 12;17(1):164.
    PMID: 31831069 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0489-1
    BACKGROUND: Carcinoma cells shift between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes during cancer progression, as defined by surface presentation of the cell-cell cohesion molecule E-cadherin, affecting dissemination, progression and therapy responsiveness. Concomitant with the loss of E-cadherin during the mesenchymal transition, the predominant receptor isoform for ELR-negative CXC ligands shifts from CXCR3-B to CXCR3-A which turns this classical G-protein coupled receptor from an inhibitor to an activator of cell migration, thus promoting tumor cell invasiveness. We proposed that CXCR3 was not just a coordinately changed receptor but actually a regulator of the cell phenotype.

    METHODS: Immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR and flow cytometry assays investigated the expression of E-cadherin and CXCR3 isoforms. Intrasplenic inoculation of human prostate cancer (PCa) cells with spontaneous metastasis to the liver analyzed E-cadherin and CXCR3-B expression during cancer progression in vivo.

    RESULTS: We found reciprocal regulation of E-cadherin and CXCR3 isoforms. E-cadherin surface expression promoted CXCR3-B presentation on the cell membrane, and to a lesser extent increased its mRNA and total protein levels. In turn, forced expression of CXCR3-A reduced E-cadherin expression level, whereas CXCR3-B increased E-cadherin in PCa. Meanwhile, a positive correlation of E-cadherin and CXCR3-B expression was found both in experimental PCa liver micro-metastases and patients' tissue.

    CONCLUSIONS: CXCR3-B and E-cadherin positively correlated in vitro and in vivo in PCa cells and liver metastases, whereas CXCR3-A negatively regulated E-cadherin expression. These results suggest that CXCR3 isoforms may play important roles in cancer progression and dissemination via diametrically regulating tumor's phenotype.

    Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics; Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics*; Signal Transduction/genetics; Cadherins/genetics*; Receptors, CXCR3/genetics*
  10. Mohammed Basabaeen AA, Abdelgader EA, Babekir EA, Abdelrahim SO, Eltayeb NH, Altayeb OA, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 May 25;20(5):1579-1585.
    PMID: 31128065
    Objective: This study aimed at exploring the association of TP53 72Arg/Pro polymorphism and Risk of Chronic
    Lymphocytic Leukemia and to assess the correlation between TP53 72Arg/Pro polymorphism and clinical parameter,
    hematological profile and some biological prognostic markers among Sudanese patients with chronic lymphocytic
    leukemia. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Khartoum state, Sudan, during the period from April 2017 to
    April 2018, involved 110 B-CLL patients and 80 healthy volunteers as a control group. Physical examination, Complete
    Blood Count and Immunophenotype were performed in all patients to confirm the diagnosis. Clinical staging such as
    Rai and Binet were studied. CD38 and ZAP70 were performed by Flow Cytometry. Blood samples were collected from
    all participants; DNA was extracted by using ANALYTIKJENA Blood DNA Extraction Kit (Germany) and analyzed
    TP53 codon 72Arg/Pro Polymorphism by using AS-PCR. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version
    23.0 software (Chicago, IL, USA). Results: the Arg/Pro was the most frequent genotype in B-CLL patients(50%),
    followed by Arg/Arg (25.5%) and Pro/Pro (24.5%), whereas in healthy control group Arg/Pro was the most frequent
    (47.5%), followed by Arg/Arg (45%) and Pro/Pro (7.5%). Our data indicate a higher frequency of homozygous Pro/
    Pro in the B-CLL patients as compared to controls with an OR of 4.01 for the Pro/Pro genotype and lower frequency
    of Arg/Arg genotype in CLL patients as compared to controls with an OR of .42 for the Arg/Arg genotype. Also, the
    Pro allele showed higher risk than Arg allele (P value=0.000, OR 2.23, 95% CI=1.45-3.41). No significant association
    between gender, clinical staging systems (Rai, Binet), biological prognostic markers (CD38 expression or ZAP70
    expression), and TP53 codon 72Arg/Pro polymorphisms, except Arg/Arg genotype tended to be associated with younger
    age (P =0.04). Conclusion: Our data suggested that Pro/Pro genotype contribute to increased susceptibility to B-Chronic
    Lymphocytic Leukemia risk in our population tenfold higher than those had Arg/Arg genotype.
    Matched MeSH terms: Dipeptides/genetics*; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics*; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*
  11. Yang C, Li S, Li X, Li H, Li Y, Zhang C, et al.
    J Cell Mol Med, 2019 05;23(5):3549-3562.
    PMID: 30834718 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14254
    Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is a vertebrate homologue of the secreted Drosophila protein hedgehog and is expressed by the notochord and floor plate in the developing spinal cord. Sonic hedgehog provides signals relevant for positional information, cell proliferation and possibly cell survival, depending on the time and location of expression. Although the role of SHH in providing positional information in the neural tube has been experimentally proven, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, in ovo electroporation was employed in the chicken spinal cord during chicken embryo development. Electroporation was conducted at stage 17 (E2.5), after electroporation the embryos were continued incubating to stage 28 (E6) for sampling, tissue fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde and frozen sectioning. Sonic hedgehog and related protein expressions were detected by in situ hybridization and fluorescence immunohistochemistry and the results were analysed after microphotography. Our results indicate that the ectopic expression of SHH leads to ventralization in the spinal cord during chicken embryonic development by inducing abnormalities in the structure of the motor column and motor neuron integration. In addition, ectopic SHH expression inhibits the expression of dorsal transcription factors and commissural axon projections. The correct location of SHH expression is vital to the formation of the motor column. Ectopic expression of SHH in the spinal cord not only affects the positioning of motor neurons, but also induces abnormalities in the structure of the motor column. It leads to ventralization in the spinal cord, resulting in the formation of more ventral neurons forming during neuronal formation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cell Differentiation/genetics; Transcription Factors/genetics; Avian Proteins/genetics*; Embryonic Development/genetics*; Hedgehog Proteins/genetics*
  12. Siddiqui R, Rajendran K, Abdella B, Ayub Q, Lim SY, Khan NA
    Parasitol Res, 2020 Jul;119(7):2351-2358.
    PMID: 32451717 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06711-6
    Naegleria fowleri causes a deadly infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). To our knowledge, there are very few transcriptome studies conducted on these brain-eating amoebae, despite rise in the number of cases. Although the Naegleria genome has been sequenced, currently, it is not well annotated. Transcriptome level studies are needed to help understand the pathology and biology of this fatal parasitic infection. Recently, we showed that nanoparticles loaded with the flavonoid Hesperidin (HDN) are potential novel antimicrobial agents. N. fowleri trophozoites were treated with and without HDN-conjugated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver only, and then, 50% minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The results revealed that the MIC of HDN-conjugated AgNPs was 12.5 microg/mL when treated for 3 h. As no reference genome exists for N. fowleri, de novo RNA transcriptome analysis using RNA-Seq and differential gene expression analysis was performed using the Trinity software. Analysis revealed that more than 2000 genes were differentially expressed in response to N. fowleri treatment with HDN-conjugated AgNPs. Some of the genes were linked to oxidative stress response, DNA repair, cell division, cell signalling and protein synthesis. The downregulated genes were linked with processes such as protein modification, synthesis of aromatic amino acids, when compared with untreated N. fowleri. Further transcriptome studies will lead to understanding of genetic mechanisms of the biology and pathogenesis and/or the identification of much needed drug candidates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cell Division/genetics; DNA Repair/genetics; Naegleria fowleri/genetics*; Oxidative Stress/genetics; Transcriptome/genetics*
  13. Mohamed Yusoff AA, Mohd Khair SZN, Abd Radzak SM, Idris Z, Lee HC
    J Chin Med Assoc, 2020 Sep;83(9):838-844.
    PMID: 32732530 DOI: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000401
    BACKGROUND: The 4977-bp common deletion (mtDNA) is a well-established mitochondrial genome alteration that has been described in various types of human cancers. However, to date, no studies on mtDNA in brain tumors have been reported. The present study aimed to determine mtDNA prevalence in common brain tumors, specifically, low- and high-grade gliomas (LGGs and HGGs), and meningiomas in Malaysian cases. Its correlation with clinicopathological parameters was also evaluated.

    METHODS: A total of 50 patients with pathologically confirmed brain tumors (13 LGGs, 20 HGGs, and 17 meningiomas) were enrolled in this study. mtDNA was detected by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and later confirmed via Sanger DNA sequencing.

    RESULTS: Overall, mtDNA was observed in 16 (32%) patients and it was significantly correlated with the type of tumor group and sex, being more common in the HGG group and in male patients.

    CONCLUSION: The prevalence of mtDNA in Malaysian glioma and meningioma cases has been described for the first time and it was, indeed, comparable with previously published studies. This study provides initial insights into mtDNA in brain tumor and these findings can serve as new data for the global mitochondrial DNA mutations database.

    Matched MeSH terms: Brain Neoplasms/genetics*; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics*; Glioma/genetics*; Meningeal Neoplasms/genetics*; Meningioma/genetics*
  14. Lee FCH, Muthu V
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2021 02 22;104(4):1388-1393.
    PMID: 33617472 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0767
    Sarcocystosis outbreaks in Tioman and Pangkor islands of Malaysia between 2011 and 2014 have raised the need to improve Sarcocystis species detection from environmental samples. In-house works found that published primers amplifying the 18S rRNA gene of Sarcocystis either could not produce the target from environmental samples or produced Sarcocystis DNA sequence that was insufficient for species identification. Using the primer pair of 18S S5 F (published) and 28S R6 R (new), this study improved the PCR amplification of Sarcocystidae to overcome these two difficulties. The PCR product spanned from the 18S to 28S rRNA genes, providing more information for species identification. The long DNA sequence allowed comparison between the "Ident" and "Query Cover" sorting in GenBank identity matching. This revealed the ambiguity in identity matching caused by different lengths of reference DNA sequences, which is seldom discussed in the literature. Using the disparity index test, a measurement of homogeneity in nucleotide substitution pattern, it is shown that the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 and 28S genes are better than the 18S gene in indicating nucleotide variations, implying better potentials for species identification. The example given by the handful of Sarcocystidae long DNA sequences reported herein calls for the need to report DNA sequence from the 18S to the 28S rRNA genes for species identification, especially among emerging pathogens. DNA sequence reporting should include the hypervariable 5.8S and ITS2 regions where applicable, and not be limited to single gene, per the current general trend.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence/genetics*; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics*; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics*; DNA, Protozoan/genetics*; Sarcocystidae/genetics*
  15. Wilson BT, Stark Z, Sutton RE, Danda S, Ekbote AV, Elsayed SM, et al.
    Genet Med, 2016 05;18(5):483-93.
    PMID: 26204423 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2015.110
    PURPOSE: Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare, autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by microcephaly, impaired postnatal growth, and premature pathological aging. It has historically been considered a DNA repair disorder; fibroblasts from classic patients often exhibit impaired transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair. Previous studies have largely been restricted to case reports and small series, and no guidelines for care have been established.

    METHODS: One hundred two study participants were identified through a network of collaborating clinicians and the Amy and Friends CS support groups. Families with a diagnosis of CS could also self-recruit. Comprehensive clinical information for analysis was obtained directly from families and their clinicians.

    RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We present the most complete evaluation of Cockayne syndrome to date, including detailed information on the prevalence and onset of clinical features, achievement of neurodevelopmental milestones, and patient management. We confirm that the most valuable prognostic factor in CS is the presence of early cataracts. Using this evidence, we have created simple guidelines for the care of individuals with CS. We aim to assist clinicians in the recognition, diagnosis, and management of this condition and to enable families to understand what problems they may encounter as CS progresses.Genet Med 18 5, 483-493.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cockayne Syndrome/genetics*; DNA Repair/genetics; DNA Helicases/genetics; Transcription Factors/genetics; DNA Repair Enzymes/genetics*
  16. Kazmi I, Alharbi KS, Al-Abbasi FA, Almalki WH, G SK, Yasmeen A, et al.
    Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr, 2021;31(2):89-95.
    PMID: 34347983 DOI: 10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2021037996
    Among various epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related transcription factors (TFs), altered expression levels of Snail-1, Snail-2/Slug, Twist, and ZEB1 have shown a significant association in different cancers having a higher risk of metastasis. However, their role in the circulation of endometriosis patients is not well understood. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the crucial role of these TFs in defining the molecular pathogenesis for endometriosis progression and differentiation from control subjects. The qualitative and quantitative expression analysis of Snail-1, Snail-2/Slug, Twist, and ZEB1 were analyzed in peripheral blood samples of 75 different stages of endometriosis patients and compared with 50 control subjects. Total RNA was extracted and converted into complementary DNA (cDNA) for relative quantification of each gene transcript using SYBRGreen-based reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The Livak method of relative quantification was used for calculating the fold change in each TF compared with endogenous control. All four selected TFs showed significantly upregulated expression levels in endometriosis patients compared with control subjects. A three-fold increase was observed for Snail-1 (p = 0.0001), and a two-fold increase was observed for Snail-2 (p = 0.01), Twist (p = 0.0002), and ZEB1 (p = 0.001) in stage III and IV compared with stage I and II of endometriosis patients. The present study revealed that EMT-related TFs play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and differentiating different stages of endometriosis patients through expression analysis of specific molecular cascades using non-invasive tools.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endometriosis/genetics*; Nuclear Proteins/genetics*; Twist Transcription Factor/genetics*; Snail Family Transcription Factors/genetics*; Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1/genetics*
  17. Apalasamy YD, Ming MF, Rampal S, Bulgiba A, Mohamed Z
    Ann Hum Biol, 2013 Jan;40(1):102-6.
    PMID: 22989167 DOI: 10.3109/03014460.2012.720709
    Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is an important regulator of body weight and energy intake. Genetic polymorphisms of the MC4R gene have been found to be linked to obesity in many recent studies across the globe.
    Matched MeSH terms: Appetite/genetics; Blood Pressure/genetics; Energy Intake/genetics*; Obesity/genetics*; Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/genetics*
  18. Mollerup S, Asplund M, Friis-Nielsen J, Kjartansdóttir KR, Fridholm H, Hansen TA, et al.
    J Infect Dis, 2019 09 13;220(8):1312-1324.
    PMID: 31253993 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz318
    BACKGROUND: Viruses and other infectious agents cause more than 15% of human cancer cases. High-throughput sequencing-based studies of virus-cancer associations have mainly focused on cancer transcriptome data.

    METHODS: In this study, we applied a diverse selection of presequencing enrichment methods targeting all major viral groups, to characterize the viruses present in 197 samples from 18 sample types of cancerous origin. Using high-throughput sequencing, we generated 710 datasets constituting 57 billion sequencing reads.

    RESULTS: Detailed in silico investigation of the viral content, including exclusion of viral artefacts, from de novo assembled contigs and individual sequencing reads yielded a map of the viruses detected. Our data reveal a virome dominated by papillomaviruses, anelloviruses, herpesviruses, and parvoviruses. More than half of the included samples contained 1 or more viruses; however, no link between specific viruses and cancer types were found.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our study sheds light on viral presence in cancers and provides highly relevant virome data for future reference.

    Matched MeSH terms: Herpesviridae/genetics; Parvovirus/genetics; Papillomaviridae/genetics; Anelloviridae/genetics; Metagenome/genetics*
  19. Greenwood MP, Greenwood M, Gillard BT, Loh SY, Paton JF, Murphy D
    J Neuroendocrinol, 2016 04;28(4).
    PMID: 26833868 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12371
    The synthesis of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is sensitive to increased plasma osmolality and a decreased blood volume, and thus is robustly increased by both dehydration (increased plasma osmolality and decreased blood volume) and salt loading (increased plasma osmolality). Both stimuli result in functional remodelling of the SON and PVN, a process referred to as functional-related plasticity. Such plastic changes in the brain have recently been associated with altered patterns of DNA methylation at CpG (cytosine-phosphate-guanine) residues, a process considered to be important for the regulation of gene transcription. In this regard, the proximal Avp promoter contains a number of CpG sites and is recognised as one of four CpG islands for the Avp gene, suggesting that methylation may be regulating Avp transcription. In the present study, we show that, in an immortalised hypothalamic cell line 4B, the proximal Avp promoter is highly methylated, and treatment of these cells with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine to demethylate DNA dramatically increases basal and stimulated Avp biosynthesis. We report no changes in the expression of DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a, whereas there is decreased expression of the demethylating enzyme ten-eleven-translocation 2, Tet2, in the SON by dehydration and salt loading. We found higher methylation of the SON Avp promoter in dehydrated but not salt-loaded rats. By analysis of individual CpG sites, we observed hypomethylation, hypermethylation and no change in methylation of specific CpGs in the SON Avp promoter of the dehydrated rat. Using reporter gene assays, we show that mutation of individual CpGs can result in altered Avp promoter activity. We propose that methylation of the SON Avp promoter is necessary to co-ordinate the duel inputs of increased plasma osmolality and decreased blood volume on Avp transcription in the chronically dehydrated rat.
    Matched MeSH terms: Dehydration/genetics*; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics*; Vasopressins/genetics*; DNA Methylation/genetics*; Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics*
  20. Othman N, Nagoor NH
    Int J Oncol, 2019 01;54(1):306-314.
    PMID: 30365047 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4602
    The silencing of Bcl‑xL in the non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line, A549, downregulates miR‑361‑5p expression. This study aimed to determine the biological effects of miR‑361‑5p on NSCLC, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which apoptosis is regulated. MicroRNA (miRNA or miR) functional analyses were performed via transfection of miR‑361‑5p mimics and inhibitors, demonstrating that the inhibition of miR‑361‑5p induced the apoptosis of NSCLC cells. To elucidate the function of miR‑361‑5p in vivo, cells transfected with miR‑361‑5p inhibitors were microinjected into zebrafish embryos, and immunostained using antibodies to detect the active form of caspase‑3. Co-transfection with siBcl‑xL and miR‑361‑5p mimics illustrated the association between Bcl‑xL, miR‑361‑5p and apoptosis; miR‑361‑5p mimics blocked the apoptosis initiated by siBcl‑xL. Luciferase reporter assays identified mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (SMAD2) as a novel target of miR‑361‑5p and the reduction of its protein level was validated by western blot analysis. To confirm the molecular mechanisms through which apoptosis is regulated, gene rescue experiments revealed that the ectopic expression of SMAD2 attenuated the inhibitory effects on apoptosis induced by miR‑361‑5p. In this study, to the best of our knowledge, we provide the first evidence that miR‑361‑5p functions as an oncomiR in A549 and SK‑LU‑1 cells through the regulation of SMAD2, suggesting that miR‑361‑5p may be employed as a potential therapeutic target for the miRNA-based therapy of NSCLC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics*; Lung Neoplasms/genetics*; MicroRNAs/genetics*; bcl-X Protein/genetics; Smad2 Protein/genetics*
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