Journal of Experimental and Molecular Biology
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Alzheimer (AD) - a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease - a cohort study
No full textSituated within the broad spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is known for its complexity, heterogeneity, multiple genetic mutations, epigenetic and biochemical modifications, and irreversible progression from early stages characterized by deficits in the ability to encode and store new information to subsequent progressive cognitive, functional, behavioral decline. Objective: The conducted study aimed to compile conclusive statistics, identify genetic factors, and correlate them with environmental ones, thus highlighting the importance of developing evaluation programs and early introduction of medication in order to decelerate the progression of neurodegenerative processes. Materials and methods: The analytical, observational, retrospective study was conducted on an extended cohort of 2277 patients admitted with chronic neurological diseases to the Neurology Department of "Dr. Iacob Czihac" Clinical Military Emergency Hospital Iași from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023. Among these, 219 patients were diagnosed with AD at various stages. Forty-three cases exhibiting genetic predisposition (19.63%) were selected and thoroughly analyzed based on medical records. Results: The study emphasizes the significant position of AD among chronic neurological diseases. Although the majority do not present hereditary antecedents (80.36%), predisposing conditions, environmental factors, stress, and the region of residence play fundamental roles in the disease's determinism. It is observed that individuals in the 60-70 age category (71.23%) from urban areas (63.01%), especially females (63.47%), have a higher probability of developing AD. Maternally transmitted Alzheimer's prevalence was 58.13%, while paternally inherited AD accounted for 32.55%, with only 4 cases having antecedents on both lines (9.30%). Conclusion: Unequivocally characterized by a vast etiology, AD is a multifactorial disorder resulting from the bilateral interaction and continuous corroboration of genetic and environmental factors
EFFICACY OF CHROMOLAENA ODORATA SUPPLEMENTATION ON METHOTREXATE -INDUCED NEPHROPATHY AND OXIDATIVE STRESS: EFFICACY OF CHROMOLAENA ODORATA SUPPLEMENTATION ON METHOTREXATE -INDUCED NEPHROPATHY AND OXIDATIVE STRESS
No full textWe carried out this research to investigate nephro-protective efficacy of Chromolaena odorata aqueous leaf extract on kidney toxicity in Methotrexate (MTX)-induced albino male rats. Thirty (30) wistar male rats spread into five study groups were used. Group I: orally administered normal saline daily and was the normal control. Group II: received C. odorata extract (250 mg/kg B.W.) orally once daily for ten days. Group III: received MTX (7mg/kg B.W.) intraperitoneally from 8th day for three days consecutively. Group IV: received C. odorata extract (250 mg/kg B.W.) orally once daily for ten days and then administered MTX (7 mg/kg B.W.) intraperitoneally from 8th day for three days consecutively. Group V: received Vitamin C (100 mg/kg B.W.) orally once daily for ten days and then administered MTX (7 mg/kg BW) intraperitoneally from 8th day for three days consecutively. 24hours after last treatment and administration, all rats were sacrificed and blood collected in EDTA bottles for hematology or in plain tubes for biochemical analysis. Creatinine and Urea were analyzed in serum. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and histopathological analysis was assessed using the kidney tissues. The obtained results revealed that three days of consecutive Methotrexate administration caused a significant rise in kidney function activity as well as severe oxidative damage and oxidative stress shown by a significant rise in Creatinine and Urea, increased level of MDA and a significant drop in SOD and CAT. However, C. odorata attenuated Methotrexate-induced biochemical alterations and oxidative stress in kidney. Also, C. odorata alone or in combination with Methotrexate showed an increase in Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cells (RBC), Haemoglobin (HB), White Blood Cells (WBC) and Platelets level compared to the group administered Methotrexate alone which showed degenerative levels in the analyzed hematological parameters. Showing corroboration, histopathological analysis showed deterioration and collapse of the kidney tubules in rats administered Methotrexate alone whereas C. odorata groups showed considerable nephro-protection and restoration towards normalcy. The results from this study revealed that the C. odorata have a nephro-protective efficacy against Methotrexate-induced kidney toxicity and damage via scavenging of free radicals and stabilization/enhancement of endogenous antioxidant statu
Cyclin D1 (G870A) polymorphism and breast cancer risk in an Iranian population
No full textBackground and Objective: Cyclins are the key regulator of the cell cycle and their over-expression has been seen in many cancers including breast cancer. Cyclin D1 is an oncoprotein encoded by CCND1 gene located on chromosome 11 (11q) which regulates cell cycle in shifting from G1 to S phase. It’s the main target for steroids and mitogenic growth hormones in breast epithelial cells. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between Cyclin D1 G870A polymorphism and breast cancer risk in a population in the north of Iran.
Methods: Whole blood samples collected from 82 patients with breast cancer and 66 healthy women. DNA was extracted and genotyping was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.
Results: Genotypic prevalence of AA, AG, GG genotypes among patients were 40.2%, 35.3% and 24.4% and in controls were 30%, 47%, 23%, respectively. There was no significant difference in CCND1 G870A genotype polymorphism between patients and control group (p=0.32). Also, allelic prevalence of A and G alleles in breast cancer patients were 58% and 42%, in controls were 54% and 46%, respectively. The present study showed that there is no significant association between CCND1 G870A polymorphism with the risk of breast cancer.
Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that there is no significant association between CCND1 G870A genetic polymorphism and the risk of breast cancer in the population of the north of Iran. More studies with larger samples of cases and controls would be beneficial
Effects of Osmo-priming Duration on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seed Germination and Seedling Parameters
Get PDFThe study was conducted to determine the effects of osmo-priming duration on the germination and seedling parameters of rice seeds. Two rice varieties FARO 44 and FARO 59 were used for the study. Three osmo-priming chemicals (Calcium chloride CaCl, Potassium nitrate KN03 and Polyethylene glycol PEG6000) and four priming duration's (Control, 12, 24 and 36 hours in the above chemical solutions) as treatments in the study. Data were collected on the following parameters; final germination percentage, germination rate index, mean germination time, coefficient of velocity of germination, seedling height, seedling fresh weight and seedling dry weight. For most of the parameters, osmo-priming duration was statistically significant. The results showed that chemical priming treatments had significant effect on final germination percentage, mean germination time, germination rate index, coefficient of velocity of germination, seedling height and seedling weight of rice seeds. Primed with KNO3, PEG6000 and CaCl solution for a period of 24 - 36 hours is a remarkable technique for improving seed germination and seedling growth of rice. The no priming treatment showed the lowest final germination percentage, mean germination time, germination rate index, coefficient of velocity of germination, seedling height and seedling weight of rice seeds. Therefore, the present study concludes that improvement of germination capacity and rapidity of germination of rice seed could be possible by employing osmo-priming duration treatments
HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF RABBIT BUCKS TO QUANTITATIVE FEED RESTRICTION AND FEEDING TIME
Get PDFThe experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of feed restriction, feeding time and their interaction on haematological and serum profile in rabbit bucks. Eighteen (18) rabbit bucks were used for the study. The rabbit bucks were fed 75.00, 67.50 and 60.00g commercial growers’ pellets to represent 100, 90 and 80% daily ration respectively. The eighteen rabbit bucks were divided into two groups of nine (9) bucks each. The first group was fed in the morning while the second group was fed their daily ration in the evening. Bucks fed 100% daily ration served as control. The study adopted a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement in completely randomized design (CRD). At the end of the 4th week of the experiment, blood samples were collected from each replicate for determination of hematological and serum biochemical indices. Data obtained were subjected to General linear model (GLM) procedure in a completely randomized design, using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21. The result showed that feed restriction affected (p<0.05) PCV, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets of rabbit bucks in the study. Feeding time significantly influenced (p<0.05) PCV, neutrophils and lymphocytes. Restricted feeding significantly affected (p<0.05) total protein, creatinine and serum enzymes. There was significant interaction between feed restriction and time of feeding on AST and ALT of the bucks fed 90% daily ration. In conclusion, Feeding rabbit bucks 90% of their daily ration in the evening improves most haematological and serum biochemical parameters without compromising the health of the animals
Linkage between ACE2 Gene Polymorphisms and SARS-CoV-2 infection in Burkina Faso, sub-Saharan Africa
Get PDFThe ACE2 gene polymorphisms (rs143936283, rs146676783, and rs4646116) in infected and noninfected persons by SARS-CoV-2 in Burkina Faso. Our cross-sectional study population comprised 137 SARS-CoV-2 infected persons and 181 non-infected persons. Three ACE2 gene polymorphisms rs143936283, rs146676783, and rs4646116, were genotyped using the real-time PCR standard TaqMan allelic discrimination technique. The association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the polymorphisms were evaluated by a binary logistic regression. There was no association between the polymorphisms rs143936283, rs4646116 haplotypes, and SARS-CoV-2 infection in our study population. However, in the female population, the heterozygous genotype CT of rs146676783 increased by two and half the risk (OR=2.58 95%CI (1.2-5.48), p= 0.014) of being infected by SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, carrying the homozygous minor allele (genotype TT) of rs146676783 increased by more than five and half the risk (OR=5.57 95%CI (1.64-18.78), p=0.006) of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 among females. This study showed that the ACE2 gene variant rs146676783 was associated with an increased risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 in females, suggesting a need for further investigation to contribute to a better understanding of the African COVID-19 enigma
IN VITRO CYTOPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE INDUCED BY THREE FOOD ADDITIVES ON SOME MAMMALIAN CELL LINE MODELS
Get PDFThis research is focused on cellular response to sodium metabisulphite (E223), sodium benzoate (E211), and sodium nitrite (E250) application on two normal mammalian cells, namely MCF-12A (ATCC CRL-3598) and Vero (ATCC CCL-81). The monitored parameters were cell viability (MTT assay), cell morphology (optical microscopy) and cell survival (clonogenic assay). The treatment was applied in doses of 12.5; 25; 50 and 100 µg/mL. According to all tests assessed, our results proved a dose-response relationship, the most sensibility presented the MCF-12A cell line
A functional polymorphism rs4938723 in the promoter of miR-34b/c is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer: A functional polymorphism rs4938723 in the promoter of miR-34b/c
No full textBackground: The expression level of some microRNAs (miRNAs) in lung cancer has been associated with an increased risk of cancer. miRNAs play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of human cancers. Because of that, miRNA polymorphisms can be important for carcinogenesis. MiR-34 is a family of miRNAs known to have reduced levels of expression in lung cancer and other human cancers (pancreas, colon). It functions like tumor suppressor and targets oncogenes like MET, RET, and RAB43. Also miR-125 family is related with many cancer types and targets P53, BCL2, VEGF, and EGFR
Enhancing Biodegradation Efficiency of Reactive Black-5 Dye using Bacillus wiedmannii strain NAF4: Optimization of Degradation Parameters via Response Surface Methodology (RSM): Maximizing Biodegradation of Reactive Black-5 Dye with Bacillus wiedmannii strain NAF4 through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Parameter Optimization
No full textReactive Black 5 (RB-5) dye is extensively used in industries such as textile, paper, and leather, raising environmental concerns due to its persistence and adverse effects. This study aimed to develop efficient and eco-friendly strategies for RB-5 dye removal from industrial wastewater. RB-5 dye-degrading bacteria, namely NAF1, NAF2, NAF3, and NAF4, were isolated from soil contaminated with textile effluents. Evaluation of their decolorization potential revealed NAF4 as the most effective, achieving a decolorization percentage of 89%, followed by NAF3 and the co-culture at 75% and 73%, respectively. NAF2 exhibited the lowest decolorization potential. The isolate NAF4 showed significant production of tyrosinase and laccase enzymes, with lower quantities of lignin peroxidase and azoreductase. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identities of the isolates as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Escherichia, and Citrobacter. The decolorization potential exhibited by Bacillus wiedmannii NAF4 has instigated the investigation of its capacity to secrete degradative enzymes implicated in the breakdown of azo dyes. Substantial enzyme production was observed over a duration of 192 hours. The biodegradation potential of B. wiedmannii strain NAF4 for RB-5 dye was assessed using Surface Response Optimization (SRO) modeling. The optimized conditions for RB-5 degradation were determined to be an agitation speed of 115.777 rpm, pH of 7.449, inoculum size of 12.255, and temperature of 29.74°C. The SRO model exhibited high statistical significance with an F-value of 53.30 and low p-values (<0.0001), as well as a correlation coefficient (R2) value of 0.9813. Validation studies confirmed the adequacy and precision of the model. The maximum RB-5 degradation achieved was 90.2291%. Three-dimensional plots visually represented the validated optimum conditions of variables and responses. The successful application of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) as an optimization tool highlights its effectiveness in enhancing degradation processes. This study provides insights into the potential applicability of RSM for optimizing degradation processes in various contexts. The developed eco-friendly strategies offer promising solutions for RB-5 dye removal from industrial wastewater, mitigating its environmental impact.In conclusion, the application of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) as an optimization tool proved effective in maximizing the degradation process by optimizing the degradation parameters. The success of this approach suggests its potential applicability in other contexts to enhance degradation processes
PROPHYLACTIC ANTIHYPERTENSIVE EFFECT OF EXTRACT OF SIMAROUBA GLAUCA ON SALT-LOAD INDUCED HYPERTENSION IN NORMOTENSIVE MALE WISTAR RAT
Get PDFSimarouba glauca has been reported to demonstrate a wide range of medicinal properties; including folklore management of hypertension disorder. The current study focused on the application of aqueous leaf extract of Simarouba glauca (AESG) as a potential prophylactic anti-hypertensive agent in male Wistar rats, following salt-load induced hypertension. A total of 15 experimental adult male Wistar rats weighing between 184 and 244 g were used for the study. The rats were allotted into five (5) groups of 25, 50, and 100 mgkg-1 body weight AESG; group that received 8 % NaCl for one week to induce hypertension; replaced with 0.9 % NaCl daily in drinking water for 4 weeks; the normotensive group, received food and water only ad libitum. Body weights and relevant hemodynamics were obtained weekly for four weeks, using the non-invasive (tail-cuff) MRBP system according to the method described by Bunag and Butterfield. Biochemical evaluation and histopathology investigation were conducted on blood plasma and relevant tissues respectively after 4 weeks according to previously established and reported methods; data were analyzed with GraphPad Prism, version 9 and presented as mean ± Standard Deviation. The results indicated that salt-load elicited significant weight loss; elevated hemodynamics; particularly, systolic and diastolic blood pressures; altered relevant biochemical indicators of hepatic and renal functions. Inversely, groups pre-treated with respective dose of AESG exponentially gained weight, significantly prevented alterations of hemodynamics and mitigated relevant biochemical indicators and pathological changes in relevant organs. Pre-treatment with AESG; particularly at 50 mgkg-1, remarkably demonstrated significant anti-hypertensive potential