Prediction of Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 4: A Non-Invasive Biochemical Analysis

Hepatic fibrosis detection is considered as a major independent predictor of treatment response in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). Liver biopsy was represented as the gold standard method for evaluating liver fibrosis and has prone sampling errors and completions. Right now, usages of non-invasive predictors of fibrosis are considered less accurate than liver biopsy. We are aiming to reduce the use of the liver biopsy and instead evaluate the performance value of serum hyaluronic acid (HA), Collagen type IV (Coll-IV), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) as non-invasive diagnostic and stratification markers for hepatic fibrosis. In this study, we have recruited 104 subjects from Saudi population effected with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was implemented for Liver histopathological staging (F), serum hyaluronic acid and Collagen-IV. APRI was calculated from serum AST activity and platelet count. The results of our current study indicated both Collagen-IV and APRI significantly distinguished fibrotic patients from non-fibrotic group. The HA, APRI, and Coll-IV results discriminate early F0/F1 from F2/ F3 (p<0.001). A combination of direct and indirect tests (Coll-IV and APRI) improved the performance with sensitivity and specificity. The combination of APRI and Collagen-IV has a high diagnostic value in predicting moderate and severe fibrotic stages and could be clinically used as a diagnostic test especially for those HCV patients who could not be submitted for liver biopsy

Potential Impact of MicroRNA Gene Polymorphisms in the Pathogenesis of Diabetes and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small (18–23 nucleotides), non-coding RNA molecules. They regulate the posttranscriptional expression of their target genes. MiRNAs control vital physiological processes such as metabolism, development, differentiation, cell cycle and apoptosis. The control of the gene expression by miRNAs requires efficient binding between the miRNA and their target mRNAs. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have suggested the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with certain diseases in various populations. Gene polymorphisms of miRNA target sites have been implicated in diseases such as cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular and Parkinson’s disease. Likewise, gene polymorphisms of miRNAs have been reported to be associated with diseases. In this review, we discuss the SNPs in miRNA genes that have been associated with diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in different populations. We also discuss briefly the potential underlining mechanisms through which these SNPs increase the risk of developing these diseases

Reply to Comment: Evaluation of the Association of Omentin 1 rs2274907 A > T and rs2274908 G > A Gene Polymorphisms with Coronary Artery Disease in Indian Population: A Case–Control Study

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death all over the world. CAD is caused by atherosclerosis which is induced by the interaction of genetic factors and environmental factors. Genome-wide association studies have revealed the association of certain gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to CAD. Omentin 1 is an adipokine secreted by the visceral adipose tissues and has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and enhances insulin sensitivity. In this study, we examined the role of omentin-1 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2274907 A > T and rs2274908 G > A) in CAD. We conclude that the AT genotype and the T allele of the rs2274907 A > T is associated with Cad in the south Indian population. Our results indicated that the rs2274907 SNP may be associated with CAD in this population. This finding needs further validation in well-designed and large-sample size studies before being introduced in clinical settings

Integrated Whole Exome and Transcriptome Sequencing in Cholesterol Metabolism in Melanoma: Systematic Review

Background: Melanoma is a highly malignant form of skin cancer that exhibits remarkable metabolic adaptability. Melanoma cells exhibit the capacity to adapt to specific conditions of the tumor microenvironment through the utilization of diverse energy sources, thereby facilitating the growth and advancement of the tumor. One of the notable characteristics of metabolic reprogramming is the heightened rate of lipid synthesis. This review was conducted to illustrate how the integration of whole exom and transcriptome sequencing will enhance the detection of the effect of cholesterol metabolism in melanoma. Methods: The Cochrane database, Embase, PubMed, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, Ovid, and other databases were thoroughly searched for works addressing integrated whole exome and transcriptome sequencing in cholesterol metabolism in melanoma. Skin malignancy, melanoma progression, transcriptome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing by RNA sequencing, and integrated transcriptome and whole exome sequencing were the key phrases employed. This article underwent a phased search for pertinent literature using a staged literature search methodology. Each section’s relevant papers were identified and summarized independently. The results have been condensed and narratively given in the pertinent sections of this thorough assessment. Results: DNA-based analysis has proven to be ineffective in identifying numerous mutations that have an impact on splicing or gene expression. RNA-Sequencing, when combined with suitable bioinformatics, offers a reliable method for detecting supplementary mutations that aid in the genetic diagnosis of geno-dermatoses. Therefore, clinical RNA-Sequencing expands the scope of molecular diagnostics for rare genodermatoses, and it has the potential to serve as a dependable initial diagnostic method for expanding mutation databases in individuals with inheritable skin conditions. Conclusion: The integration of patient-specific tumor RNA-sequencing and tumor DNA whole-exome sequencing (WES) would potentially enhance mutation detection capabilities compared to relying solely on DNA-WES

Binding free energy values of JME phytocompounds and metformin complexed with human MAPK3 protein.

Binding free energy values of JME phytocompounds and metformin complexed with human MAPK3 protein.</p

Virtual screening results selected phytocompounds of JME docked with the human MAPK3.

Virtual screening results selected phytocompounds of JME docked with the human MAPK3.</p

PPI network of target and disease-related genes constructed using STRING database.

PPI network of target and disease-related genes constructed using STRING database.</p

Graphical representation of binding free energies of protein-ligand complexes.

Graphical representation of binding free energies of protein-ligand complexes.</p

Phytochemical profiling of whole green jackfruit flour methanol extract; Phytochemical assessment using HR-LCMS.

Phytochemical assessment using GCMS; Phytochemical assessment using RP-HPLC; References. (DOCX)</p

Identified 11 hit compound ID’s linking with the targets of obesity-linked DM.

The names of the corresponding phytochemicals have been given in Table 1.</p