Chemotherapy changes cytotoxic activity of NK-cells in cancer patients

In recent years, it has been shown that under certain conditions cytostatic agents (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) can restore the functioning of the immune system impaired by malignancy burden. The modifications of biological properties by cytostatics acting make cancer cells visible for the immune system recognition and elimination. Eighteen patients diagnosed with primary local breast (8) and gastric (10) cancer between 2014 and 2016 were enrolled in the investigation. The phenotypic features of NK were assessed by flow cytometry using mAb (BD Pharmingen) against CD45 (common leukocyte antigen) and CD56 (NK-marker) for surface staining, CD107a (LAMP-1), Perforin (PF) and Gransime B (GB) for intracellular staining. We examined NK populations in the peripheral blood of cancer patients before treatment and in 5 days after second course of NACT. We found that NK populations produced PF in cancer patents, which were absent before treatment, increased after NACT. Their emergence can be associated with the immunoactivating effects of chemotherapy, realized by the modification of tumor cells or elimination of immunosuppressive cells

Genome-wide association studies targeting the yield of extraembryonic fluid and production traits in Russian White chickens

Background: The Russian White is a gene pool breed, registered in 1953 after crossing White Leghorns with local populations and, for 50 years, selected for cold tolerance and high egg production (EL). The breed has great potential in meeting demands of local food producers, commercial farmers and biotechnology sector of specific pathogen-free (SPF) eggs, the former valuing the breed for its egg weight (EW), EL, age at first egg (AFE), body weight (BW), and the latter for its yield of extraembryonic fluid (YEF) in 12.5-day embryos, ratio of extraembryonic fluid to egg weight, and embryo mass. Moreover, its cold tolerance has been presumably associated with day-old chick down colour (DOCDC) white rather than yellow, the genetic basis of these traits being however poorly understood. Results: We undertook genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for eight performance traits using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of 146 birds and an Illumina 60KBeadChip. Several suggestive associations (p <5.16*10(-5)) were found for YEF, AFE, BW and EW. Moreover, on chromosome 2, an association with the white DOCDC was found where there is an linkage disequilibrium block of SNPs including genes that are responsible not for colour, but for immune resistance. Conclusions: The obtained GWAS data can be used to explore the genetics of immunity and carry out selection for increasing YEF for SPF eggs production.Peer reviewe

Genetic variability of indels in the prolactin and dopamine receptor D2 genes and their association with the yield of allanto-amniotic fluid in Russian White laying hens

Currently, there is virtually no information on genetic factors affecting the yield of allanto amniotic fluid, which is the raw material for the production of human and animal vaccines. Association studies including this trait are beneficial for increasing productivity of a biotechnological line of chickens used for the production of ‘Clean Eggs’. We examined here a population of the Russian White breed for the effects of indels in the prolactin (PRL) and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) genes on the yield of extraembryonic fluid (YEF) and embryo weight at 12.5 days of development. A 24-bp insertion in the 5' flanking region of the PRL gene significantly (P<0.01) increases YEF in the embryos. The heterozygous embryos contained the highest YEF (9.6 mL) than that of the homozygous insertion (9.4 mL) and deletion embryos (8.4 mL). We also found a significant association (P<0.001) between the PRL genotypes and egg weight (EW). The results of the present study suggest a significant association between the PRL gene variation and quantitative traits in the Russian White chickens, contributing to a long-term programme on the effective use of the genetic potential of Russian gene pool breeds and populations of chickens

Risk of sperm disorders and impaired fertility in frozen–thawed bull semen: a genome-wide association study

Simple Summary This study tackles the genetic aspects of the risk of sperm damage and related impaired fertility when handling frozen–thawed bull semen for artificial insemination. To this end, we performed genomic association analysis to identify relevant genetic markers and candidate genes associated with various abnormalities in frozen–thawed Holstein cattle sperm. The results provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sperm morphology and abnormalities after cryopreservation. Further research is needed to explore causative genetic variants and implement these findings to improve animal reproduction and breeding. Abstract Cryopreservation is a widely used method of semen conservation in animal breeding programs. This process, however, can have a detrimental effect on sperm quality, especially in terms of its morphology. The resultant sperm disorders raise the risk of reduced sperm fertilizing ability, which poses a serious threat to the long-term efficacy of livestock reproduction and breeding. Understanding the genetic factors underlying these effects is critical for maintaining sperm quality during cryopreservation, and for animal fertility in general. In this regard, we performed a genome-wide association study to identify genomic regions associated with various cryopreservation sperm abnormalities in Holstein cattle, using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers via a high-density genotyping assay. Our analysis revealed a significant association of specific SNPs and candidate genes with absence of acrosomes, damaged cell necks and tails, as well as wrinkled acrosomes and decreased motility of cryopreserved sperm. As a result, we identified candidate genes such as POU6F2, LPCAT4, DPYD, SLC39A12 and CACNB2, as well as microRNAs (bta-mir-137 and bta-mir-2420) that may play a critical role in sperm morphology and disorders. These findings provide crucial information on the molecular mechanisms underlying acrosome integrity, motility, head abnormalities and damaged cell necks and tails of sperm after cryopreservation. Further studies with larger sample sizes, genome-wide coverage and functional validation are needed to explore causal variants in more detail, thereby elucidating the mechanisms mediating these effects. Overall, our results contribute to the understanding of genetic architecture in cryopreserved semen quality and disorders in bulls, laying the foundation for improved animal reproduction and breeding

Chemotherapy changes cytotoxic activity of NK-cells in cancer patients

In recent years, it has been shown that under certain conditions cytostatic agents (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) can restore the functioning of the immune system impaired by malignancy burden. The modifications of biological properties by cytostatics acting make cancer cells visible for the immune system recognition and elimination. Eighteen patients diagnosed with primary local breast (8) and gastric (10) cancer between 2014 and 2016 were enrolled in the investigation. The phenotypic features of NK were assessed by flow cytometry using mAb (BD Pharmingen) against CD45 (common leukocyte antigen) and CD56 (NK-marker) for surface staining, CD107a (LAMP-1), Perforin (PF) and Gransime B (GB) for intracellular staining. We examined NK populations in the peripheral blood of cancer patients before treatment and in 5 days after second course of NACT. We found that NK populations produced PF in cancer patents, which were absent before treatment, increased after NACT. Their emergence can be associated with the immunoactivating effects of chemotherapy, realized by the modification of tumor cells or elimination of immunosuppressive cells

EARLY CONGENITAL SYPHILITIC PSEUDOPARALYSIS (PARROT’S DISEASE): A CLINICAL CASE

Background. Congenital syphilis is a severe intrauterine infection which, affecting most of the organs and systems of a child, can lead to his disability. However, it is extremely difficult to suspect congenital syphilis in a child in the absence of information about prior syphilis in his mother. The article presents a case of a monosymptomatic clinical picture of early congenital syphilis.Description of the Clinical Case. At the age of 1 month, the child had hyperemia, isolated edema of the right forearm, and restriction of limb movements. He was examined by a pediatrician who suspected a fracture of the forearm bones. X-ray did not show any fracture. The situation was regarded as an allergic reaction; desensitizing therapy was prescribed during which the range of movements in the right arm slightly increased. At the age of 2 months, there was a decrease in the range of movements in the left arm. On admission, the condition was regarded as moderate one. No fever; no signs of intoxication. Skin and visible mucous membranes were not changed. Cardiopulmonary activity was satisfactory. The abdomen was palpable in all compartments, painless. The liver was enlarged 6 cm, of dense consistency. The spleen was enlarged 5 cm. Bowel and bladder functions were normal. Neurological status: the reaction to examination was adequate, emotional cry. Cranial nerves without pathology. Can see and hear. Restricted range of movements in the arms; passive movements were painful. Muscle tone in the arms was low, in the legs — closer to physiological one. Equal and brisk tendon reflexes from the arms and legs. Large fontanel 1.5[1]1.5 cm, not protruded. X-ray examination of the forearm bones showed a change in the structure of the epiphyses of both forearm bones that was common to syphilitic osteochondritis.Conclusion. The article describes the complexity of diagnosis of early congenital syphilis in a child aged 2 months in the absence of a corresponding anamnesis in his mother. The need to rule out syphilitic infection in infants with motor impairments, born from unexamined mothers, has been emphasized

[Studying the structure of a gene pool population of the Russian White chicken breed by genome-wide SNP scan] Изучение структуры генофондной популяции русской белой породы кур методом геномного SNP-сканирования

A population of the Russian White chickens, bred at the gene pool farm of ARRIFAGB for 25 generations using individual selection, is characterized by resistance to a lowered temperature in the early postnatal period and white colour of the embryonic down. In 2002-2012, breeding was carried out by panmixia, and by now a new population of the Russian White chickens has been formed on the basis of the surviving stock. Comparison of the genetic variability of this population and the archival DNA of representatives of the 2001 population using microarray screening technology will help to assess the population structure and the preservation of the unique characteristics of its genome. The material for the study was DNA extracted from 162 chicken blood samples. Two groups of the Russian White breed were studied, the 2001 population and the current population. Genome-wide analysis using single nucleotide markers (SNP) included screening by means of the Illumina Chicken 60K SNP iSelect BeadChip microarray. Quality control of genotyping, determination of the population genetic structure by multidimensional scaling (MDS), calculation of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and allele frequency in the groups were carried out using PLINK 1.9 software program. The construction of a cluster delimitation model based on SNP genotypes was carried out using the ADMIXTURE program. According to the MDS analysis results, the current population can be divided into four MDS groups, which, when compared to the data of the pedigree, adequately reflect the origin of the studied individuals. The representatives of the ancestral population were genetically similar to the MDS3 group of the current population. Using the F-statistic of the two-way analysis of variance, a significant effect of the group, chromosome, chromosome in the group, and the distance between SNP markers on LD (r2) values was observed. In the 2001 group, the maximum r2 and the high incidence of LD equal to 1 were observed for all chromosomes, with a distance between SNP markers being 500-1000 Kb. There was also the greatest number of monomorphic alleles in this group. Based on the SNP analysis, we may conclude that the current Russian White chicken population is characterized by the disintegration of long LD regions of the ancestral population. Modelling clusters using the ADMIXTURE program revealed differences between the current population groups determined by MDS analysis. The groups composed of individuals included in MDS1 and MDS2 had a homogeneous structure and differed from each other at K = 4 and K = 5. The MDS4 group formed a genetically heterogeneous cluster different from the MDS1 and MDS2 groups at K of 2-5. The MDS3 group was phylogenetically close to the 2001 population (at K of 2-5). In general, the analysis of the current gene pool population of the Russian White chickens showed its heterogeneity while one of its groups (MDS3) was similar to the ancestral population of 2001, which in turn is characterized by a large number of monomorphic alleles and a high frequency of long LD regions. Thus, SNP scanning allowed evaluating the genetic similarity of individuals and the population structure of the Russian White chicken breed. Understanding the genetic structure is an important point in the panmictic breeding and tracking of historical changes in the molecular organization of the genome of a gene pool population with a limited number of animals. Популяция русских белых кур селекционировалась в генофондном хозяйстве Всероссийского НИИ генетики и разведения сельскохозяйственных животных (ВНИИГРЖ) в течение 25 поколений с использованием индивидуального подбора. Особенности этой породы — устойчивость к пониженной температуре выращивания в ранний постнатальный период и белый цвет эмбрионального пуха. В 2002-2012 годах ее разведение осуществлялось методом панмиксии, и к настоящему времени на основе сохранившегося поголовья сформирована новая популяция русских белых кур. Нашей целью было показать возможности полногеномного SNP-сканирования (single nucleotide polymorphisms) для изучения генетических особенностей структуры популяции малочисленных пород кур отечественного происхождения и динамические изменения молекулярной архитектуры на примере сравнения современной популяции русской белой породы с предковой популяцией 2001 года. Были проанализированы две группы кур: популяция 2001 года (6 гол., неродственные особи из двух линий) и современная популяция (156 гол.). SNP-анализ включал скрининг 162 образцов ДНК с помощью микрочипа Illumina Chicken 60K SNP iSelect BeadChip («Illumina», США). Контроль качества генотипирования, определение генетической структуры популяции методом многомерного шкалирования (multidimensional scaling, MDS), расчет показателей неравновесного сцепления (linkage disequilibrium, LD) и частоты встречаемости аллеей по группам проводили в программе PLINK 1.9. Построение модели разграничения кластеров на основе SNP-генотипов осуществляли с использованием программы ADMIXTURE. По результатам MDS-анализа современная популяция была условно разделена на четыре MDS-группы, что в сравнении с данными родословной адекватно отражает происхождение изученных особей. Представители предковой популяции были генетически сходны с группой MDS3. С применением F-статистики многофакторного дисперсионного анализа выявлено достоверное влияние группы, хромосомы, хромосомы в группе и дистанции между SNP-маркерами на значения LD (r2). В группе 2001 года по всем хромосомам наблюдались максимальные показатели r2 и высокая частота встречаемости LD, равного 1, при расстоянии между SNP-маркерами 500-1000 Кб. Количество мономорфных аллелей в этой группе также было самым высоким. На основании SNP-анализа сделан вывод о том, что современная популяция русских белых кур характеризуется распадом длинных LD-районов предковой популяции. Моделирование кластеров в программе ADMIXTURE выявило различия между группами современной популяции, определенными с помощью MDS-анализа. Группы, сформированные из особей, входящих в MDS1 и MDS2, имели однородную структуру и различались между собой при K = 4 и K = 5. Группа MDS4 образовывала генетически неоднородный кластер, отличающийся от групп MDS1 и MDS2 при значениях K от 2 до 5. Группа MDS3 была филогенетически близка к популяции 2001 года (при K от 2 до 5). Таким образом, анализ современной генофондной популяции русских белых кур показал ее неоднородность и сходство группы MDS3 с предковой популяцией 2001 года, которая, в свою очередь, характеризовалась большим числом мономорфных аллелей и высокой частотой встречаемости длинных LD-районов. SNP-сканирование позволило оценить генетическое сходство особей и популяционную структуру русской белой породы кур. Понимание генетической структуры важно при панмиктическом разведении и отслеживании исторических изменений в молекулярной организации генома генофондной популяции с ограниченным поголовьем