Genetic polymorphism of CYP2D6 gene among Egyptian hypertensive cases

AbstractBackgroundHypertension is a cardiovascular disease that is affected by environmental, demographic and genetic factors.ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the frequency of the CYP2D6∗1, ∗3, ∗4 and ∗5 variants among hypertensive cases and cases with obesity and cases with cardiac complications.Subjects and methodsDNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples that were collected from 123 hypertensive cases and from 429 healthy non-related controls by using the Magna pure system. Genomic DNA was used to determine the frequency of CYP2D6∗1, CYP2D6∗3, CYP2D6∗4 and CYP2D6∗5 allelic variants by the application of the light cycler polymerase chain reaction (Realtime PCR) technique.ResultsComparing cases of hypertension and controls as regard to the genotypic allelic variants of CYP2D6 gene, hypertensive cases showed a significantly higher wild genotype 1/1 compared to controls (85.4% vs. 74.8%, p=0.01) with a lower frequency of mutant genotype 4/4 (1.6% vs. 8.6%, p=0.008) This phenomenon was manifested among cases of subgroups with obesity that had significantly lower mutant homozygous forms than obese controls (2.3% vs. 9.5%, p 0.04) and cases with cardiac complications (88.2% vs. 74.8%, p=0.01).ConclusionCYP2D6 polymorphism is positively associated with hypertensive cardiac complications as well as hypertensive obese cases

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Association of eNOS (E298D) and CYP2J2 (−50 G/T) gene polymorphisms with hypertension among Egyptian cases

Background: Hypertension is a multifactorial and polygenic disorder where several susceptible genes interact with the environmental factors. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the frequency of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, E298D) and cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP 2J2 −50 G/T) gene polymorphisms among Egyptian hypertensive subjects. Subjects and methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples collected from 123 hypertensive cases and from 429 healthy non-related controls by using Magna pure system (Roche Molecular Biochemicals, Mannheim, Germany). DNA was used to determine the frequency of eNOS, E298D and CYP 2J2 −50 G/T allelic variants using the Light Cycler polymerase chain reaction (Realtime PCR) technique. Genotype (wild type, mutant and heterozygous) was determined by melting curve analysis. Results: Regarding the study of eNOS and CYP2J2 gene polymorphisms, analysis of total hypertensive cases exhibited higher frequency of mutant eNOS heterozygous ED genotype compared to controls, yet statistically insignificant (27.6% vs. 21.1%, OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 0.9–2.8, p = 0.1). Similarly, analysis of hypertensive cases also exhibited higher frequency of mutant CYP2J2 −50 GT genotypes compared to controls that was also statistically insignificant (13.8% vs. 10.7%, OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.7–2.4, p = 0.4). All subgroups of hypertensive complicated cases either with cardiac diseases, with diabetic or with renal disorders showed insignificant difference compared to controls. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated no association between eNOS E298D and CYP2J2 −50 G/T gene polymorphisms and hypertension among Egyptian subjects

Structural Evolution of the Neoproterozoic Western Allaqi-Heiani Suture, Southeastern Egypt

The Neoproterozic Allaqi-Heiani suture in southeastern Egypt is the western extension of the Allaqi-Heiani-Onib-Sol Hamed-Yanbu suture that represents one of arc-arc sutures in the Arabian-Nubian Shield. It extends for more than 250 km from the N-trending Hamisana Shear Zone in the east to Lake Nasser in the west. It separates the 750-Ma-old Southeastern Desert terrane in the north from the 830-720-Ma-old Gabgaba terrane in the south. Structural studies supported by remote sensing investigations including Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images show that the western part of Allaqi-Heiani suture zone constitutes three S- to SW-verging nappes in the north overriding an autochthonous block to the southwest. SW-verging, low-angle thrust sheets and folds, forming a 10-km wide imbrication fan, dominate the northern upper nappe (northern allochthon). These folds and thrusts deform shelf metasedimentary rocks including psammitic metasediments, marble and subordinate conglomerate. Volcanic rocks including rhyolites and felsic tuffs dominate the upper part of the northern allochthon. The contacts between the metasedimentary rocks on the one hand and the rhyolites and felsic tuffs on the other hand are extrusive. This allochthon overrides an internally deformed nappe (central allochthon) dominated by arc and ophiolitic assemblages now preserved as felsic and mafic schist, talc schist, serpentinites, and metagabbros. This allochthon is characterized by NW-trending, upright folds, which deform the earlier sub-horizontal structures. The structurally lower nappe (southern allochthon) is dominated by NNE-trending folds which deform amphibolite facies schistose metavolcanic and metavolcanoclastic rocks. The NNE-trending folds deform earlier NW-trending folds to produce crescentic dome interference pattern with well-developed NE-trending axial planar cleavage, consistent with ESE-WNW bulk shortening. The southernmost structural unit is an autochthonous block dominated by arc-related volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks. This block has suffered only minor deformation compared to the nappes to its north. The consistent SW-vergence of the structures indicates tectonic transport from northeast to southwest, followed by ESE-WNW shortening similar to that found in the Hamisana Shear Zone, further east. Collision between the Gabgaba-Gebeit terrane and the Southeastern Desert terrane along the Allaqi-Heiani suture, after the consumption of a marginal basin probably over an N-dipping subduction zone, led to the formation of EW- to NW-trending folds and thrusts. This was followed by ESE-WNW tectonic shortening to form NNE-trending folds, which are found to be overprinting the earlier structures. This latest shortening might be due to collision between the Arabian-Nubian Shield and the Saharan Metacraton along an N-trending arc-continent suture represented farther south by the Keraf suture

Magnetic metal-organic frameworks for efficient removal of cadmium(II), and lead(II) from aqueous solution

Efficient and convenient methods for the removal of toxic heavy metal ions especially Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions is of great importance due to their serious threat to public health and the ecological system. In this study, two magnetic metal-organic frameworks (namely: Fe3O4@ZIF-8, and Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2) were synthesized, fully characterized, and applied for the adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption efficiencies for the prepared nanocomposites are strongly dependent on the pH of the aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacities of Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2, and Fe3O4@ZIF-8 at pH 6.0 were calculated to be 714.3 mg.g(-), and 370 mg.g(-1) for Cd(II), respectively, and 833.3 mg.g(-1), and 666.7 mg.g(-1) for Pb(II), respectively. The adsorption process follows a pseudo-second-order model and fit the Langmuir isotherm model. Moreover, the thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption process is endothermic, and spontaneous in nature. A plausible adsorption mechanism was discussed in detail. The magnetic adsorbents: Fe3O4@ZIF-8, and Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2 showed excellent reusability, maintaining the same efficiency for at least four consecutive cycles. These results reveal the potential use of magnetic Fe3O4@ZIF-8, and Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2 as efficient adsorbents in removing Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions