Investigating possible effects of aryl hydrocarbon receptor G1661A polymorphism on asthma severity in adults

311-319Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor with an important role in lung health. The association of AhR polymorphisms with asthma severity has not been yet investigated. We analyzed the association of G1661A, the most prevalent polymorphism of AhR, with the asthma stages in a population-based study including 555 asthmatics (Intermittent: 93, Mild: 240, Moderate: 158, and Severe: 64). The SNP was genotyped using allele-specific PCR. Obtained data were analyzed using the Generalized-Ordered Logit Estimates. Genotypes GA (OR: 0.53, CI: 0.32-0.90, P=0.019) and AA (OR: 0.22, CI: 0.06-0.76, P=0.017) were associated with decreased risk of Severe, Moderate, Mild vs. Intermittent stage; and Severe, Moderate, vs. Mild, Intermittent stages respectively. However, Genotype GA (OR: 1.90, CI: 1.05-3.44, P=0.033), dominant model GA+AA (OR: 2.04, CI: 1.17-3.57, P=0.012), and allele A (OR: 1.68, CI: 1.06-2.66, P=0.027) were associated with increased risk of Severe stage vs. Moderate, Mild, Intermittent stages. Also, male sex and higher age were associated with an increased odds ratio for severe asthma. Furthermore, significant associations with asthma stages were found for the interactions of the SNP and sex, smoking, and alcohol consumption. In conclusion, we revealed that the mutant allele of AhR-G1661A may interact with independent variables and act as a protective factor against lower stages of asthma but it may increase the risk of severe asthma

Evaluation of Fis-1 and miR-484 Expression Levels in Tumor Tissue Samples and Healthy Tumor Margins in Lung Cancer

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and various cellular activities. They also hold significant importance in the progression and development of human malignancies. Among these, miRNA-484 and the Fis-1 gene have been identified as having substantial roles in lung cancer. This study aims to ascertain miRNA-484 and Fis-1 gene expression levels in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.Method: In this case-control study, 45 pairs of tumor tissues and their corresponding healthy margin tissues were surgically obtained from NSCLC patients and promptly preserved in liquid nitrogen after excision. Total RNA extraction was performed using TRIzol, followed by cDNA synthesis using a designated kit. Afterward, we used quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to measure the expression levels of miRNA-484 and the Fis-1 gene. Furthermore, the clinicopathological characteristics of the NSCLC patients were assessed.Results: Our findings revealed an upregulation of miRNA-484 expression and downregulation of Fis-1 gene expression in NSCLC tissues compared with non-tumor tissues. Additionally, significant correlations were observed between miRNA-484 and Fis-1 gene expression levels and clinicopathological features of the patients, including factors such as lymph node involvement and distant metastasis.Conclusion: These findings suggest the potential utility of Fis-1 and miR-484 as prognostic and diagnostic markers in NSCLC

A review of substrates for solid-state fermentation of Lingzhi or Reishi medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes) for Basidiome production

Mushrooms in the genus Ganoderma have been collected and used as medicine since ancient times. However, commercial basidiome production has only recently been achieved. The solid substrates for basidiome production usually consist of lignocellulosic materials as the major component and the supplements (e.g., different types of bran and flour) as the minor segment. Research on substrates for solid-state fermentation with the purpose of basidiome production has focused on investigating locally available agrowaste materials, and their suitability is judged by the economic outputs. This review summarizes the formulations of the substrates and discusses their effects on the yield of basidiome or its bioactive compounds. Through a comprehensive look, this review concludes that future research focused on various treatments to modulate extracellular enzyme production may bring more options to the table for innovative solid substrate formulation.Fil: Amiri-Sadeghan, Amir. Tabriz University; IránFil: Aftabi, Younes. Tabriz University; IránFil: Ramezanzadeh Arvanaghi, Habib. Tabriz University; IránFil: Shokri, Ehsan. Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran; IránFil: Khalili, Majid. Tabriz University; IránFil: Seyedrezazadeh, Ensiyeh. Tabriz University; IránFil: Kuhar, José Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentin