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Serum microRNA in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation.
Get PDFMicroRNAs mediate posttranscriptional gene regulation. The aim of the study was to find a microRNA predictor of successful atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. A total of 109 patients undergoing first-time AF ablation were included. Nineteen patients were selected to undergo serum microRNA sequencing (study group). The sequencing data were used to select several microRNAs that correlated with 12-month recurrences after AF ablation. Those microRNAs were validated by digital droplet PCR in samples from remaining 90 patients. All patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation (RF ablation, contact force catheter, electroanatomical system). The endpoint of the study was the 12-month AF recurrence rate; the overall recurrence rate was 42.5%. In total, levels of 34 miRNAs were significantly different in sera from patients with AF recurrence compared to patients without AF recurrence. Six microRNAs (miR-183-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-32-5p, miR-107, miR-574-3p, and miR-144-3p) were validated in the whole group. Data from the validation group did not confirm the observations from the study group, as no significant differences were found between miRNAs serum levels in patients with and without recurrences 12 months after AF ablation
Novel and recurrent variants of ATP2C1 identified in patients with Hailey-Hailey disease
Get PDFHailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is a rare, late-onset autosomal dominant genodermatosis characterized by blisters, vesicular lesions,crusted erosions, and erythematous scaly plaques predominantly in intertriginous regions. HHD is caused by ATP2C1 mutations.
About 180 distinct mutations have been identified so far; however, data of only few cases from Central Europe are available. The aim was to analyze the ATP2C1 gene in a cohort of Polish HHD patients. A group of 18 patients was enrolled in the study based on specific clinical symptoms. Mutations were detected using Sanger or next generation sequencing. In silico analysis was performed by prediction algorisms and dynamic structural modeling. In two cases, mRNA analysis was performed to confirm aberrant splicing. We detected 13 different mutations, including 8 novel, 2 recurrent (p.Gly850Ter and c.325-3 T > G), and 6 sporadic (c.423-1G > T, c.899 + 1G > A, p.Leu539Pro, p.Thr808TyrfsTer16, p.Gln855Arg and a complex allele: c.[1610C >G;1741 + 3A > G]). In silico analysis shows that all novel missense variants are pathogenic or likely pathogenic. We confirmed pathogenic status for two novel variants c.325-3 T > G and c.[1610C > G;1741 + 3A > G] by mRNA analysis. Our results broaden the knowledge about genetic heterogeneity in Central European patients with ATP2C1 mutations and also give further evidence that careful and multifactorial evaluation of variant pathogenicity status is essential
Oxidative stress as an important contributor to the pathogenesis of psoriasis
Get PDFThis review discusses how oxidative stress (OS), an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the oxidants, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and decreased concentration/activity of antioxidants affect the pathogenesis or cause the enhancement of psoriasis (Ps). Here, we also consider how ROS/RNS-induced stress modulates the activity of transcriptional factors and regulates numerous protein kinase cascades that participate in the regulation of crosstalk between autophagy, apoptosis, and regeneration. Answers to these questions will likely uncover novel strategies for the treatment of Ps. Action in the field will avoid destructive effects of ROS/RNS-mediated OS resulting in cellular dysfunction and cell death. The combination of the fragmentary information on the role of OS can provide evidence to extend the full picture of Ps
Zoonotic Viruses in Three Species of Voles from Poland
Get PDFRodents are known to be reservoir hosts for a plethora of zoonotic viruses and therefore play a significant role in the dissemination of these pathogens. We trapped three vole species (Microtus arvalis, Alexandromys oeconomus and Microtus agrestis) in northeastern Poland, all of which are widely distributed species in Europe. Using immunofluorescence assays, we assessed serum samples for the presence of antibodies to hantaviruses, arenaviruses and cowpox viruses (CPXV). We detected antibodies against CPXV and Puumala hantavirus (PUUV), the overall seroprevalence of combined viral infections being 18.2% [10.5–29.3] and mostly attributed to CPXV. We detected only one PUUV/TULV cross-reaction in Microtus arvalis (1.3% [0.1–7.9]), but found similar levels of antibodies against CPXV in all three vole species. There were no significant differences in seroprevalence of CPXV among host species and age categories, nor between the sexes. These results contribute to our understanding of the distribution and abundance of CPXV in voles in Europe, and confirm that CPXV circulates also in Microtus and Alexandromys voles in northeastern Poland
Molecular Basis of the Pathogenic Mechanism Induced by the m.9191T>C Mutation in Mitochondrial ATP6 Gene
Get PDFPlasmidome of an environmental Acinetobacter lwoffii strain originating from a former gold and arsenic mine
Get PDFEmerging important Acinetobacter strains commonly accommodate a plethora of
mobile elements including plasmids of different size. Plasmids, apart from encoding
modules enabling their self-replication and/or transmission, can carry a diverse number
of genes, allowing the host cell to survive in an environment that would otherwise be
lethal or restrictive for growth. The present study characterizes the plasmidome
generated from an arsenic-resistant strain named ZS207, classified as Acinetobacter
lwoffii . Sequencing effort revealed the presence of nine plasmids in the size between
4.3 and 38.4 kb as well as one 186.6 kb megaplasmid. All plasmids, except the
megaplasmid, do apparently not confer distinguishing phenotypic features . In contrast,
the megaplasmid carries arsenic and heavy metals resistance regions similar to those
found in permafrost A. lwoffii strains. In-depth in silico analyses have shown a
significant similarity between the regions from these plasmids, especially concerning
multiple transposable elements, transfer and mobilization genes, and toxin-antitoxin
systems.
Since ars genes encode proteins of major significance in terms of potential use in
bioremediation, arsenic resistance level of ZS207 was determined and the functionality
of selected ars genes was examined . Additionally, we checked the functionality of
plasmid-encoded toxin-antitoxin systems and their impact on the formation of persister
cells
Hierarchical binding of copperII to N-truncated Ab4–16 peptide
Get PDFN-Truncated Ab4–42 displays a high binding affinity with CuII. A mechanistic scheme of the interactions between Ab4–42 and CuII has been proposed using a fluorescence approach. The timescales of different conversion steps were determined. This kinetic mechanism indicates the potential synaptic functions of Ab4–42 during neurotransmission
A Yeast-Based Model for Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathies: A Simple System for Complex, Heterogeneous Diseases
Get PDFCharcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease encompasses a group of rare disorders that are characterized by similar clinical manifestations and a high genetic heterogeneity. Such excessive diversity presents many problems. Firstly, it makes a proper genetic diagnosis much more difficult and, even when using the most advanced tools, does not guarantee that the cause of the disease will be revealed. Secondly, the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed symptoms are extremely diverse and are probably different for most of the disease subtypes. Finally, there is no possibility of finding one efficient cure for all, or even the majority of CMT diseases. Every subtype of CMT needs an individual approach backed up by its own research field. Thus, it is little surprise that our knowledge of CMT disease as a whole is selective and therapeutic approaches are limited. There is an urgent need to develop new CMT models to fill the gaps. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of yeast as a model system in which to study CMT diseases. We show how this single-cell organism may be used to discriminate between pathogenic variants, to uncover the mechanism of pathogenesis, and to discover new therapies for CMT disease
Home range size, habitat selection and roost use by the whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus) in human-dominated montane landscapes
Get PDFOur understanding of animal adaptations to human pressure is limited by the focus on rare
taxa, despite that common species are more significant in shaping structure, function and
service provision of ecosystems. Thus better understanding of their ecology and behavioural adjustments is central for drafting conservation actions. In this study, we used radiotelemetry on 21 individuals (10 females, 11 males) to provide data on spatial ecology, habitat selection and use of roosts of one of the commonest species, the whiskered bat (Myotis
mystacinus), inhabiting the Carpathian Mountains (southern Poland). We tested, whether
this species prefers natural over human-modified landscapes to seek prey and roosts. Mean
home range size of the whiskered bat in the Carpathian Mountains was 26.3 ha (SE ± 3.2,
Local Convex Hull) and 110 ha (SE ± 22.1, Minimum Convex Polygon with all locations),
and included between one and three patches, among which bats moved along linear environmental features, such as scrubby banks of streams or lines of trees. During foraging
whiskered bats selected small woodlands within agricultural landscapes, avoided large
mountain forests and open areas, and used built-up areas proportionally to their availability.
Whiskered bats occupied roosts located mainly in buildings (>97%), at an average altitude
of 547.9 m above sea level (SE ± 8.3). Roosts were used for 5.4 days, on average. Our
study shows that whiskered bats adapted well to the mosaic of semi-natural and anthropogenic habitats. It highlights the importance of buildings serving as roosts and small woodlands used as foraging areas in human-dominated montane landscapes