XRCC5 VNTR, XRCC6 -61C>G, and XRCC7 6721G>T Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Male Infertility Risk: Evidences from Case-Control and In Silico Studies

We evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms of XRCC5 VNTR, XRCC6 -61C>G, and XRCC7 6721G>T with male infertility susceptibility. A total of 392 men including 178 infertile males (102 idiopathic azoospermia and 76 severe oligozoospermia) and 214 healthy controls were recruited. XRCC6 -61C>G and XRCC7 6721G>T genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP whereas XRCC5 VNTR was performed by PCR. The 2R allele and 2R allele carriers of XRCC5 VNTR polymorphism significantly decreased risk of male infertility. The mutant GG genotypes and carriers of the CG and GG genotypes of XRCC6 -61C>G showed increased risk for the male infertility. Furthermore, the G allele of the XRCC6 -61C>G was correlated with increased susceptibility to male infertility. Likewise, the T allele of the XRCC7 6721G>T polymorphism was associated with increased susceptibility to male infertility in azoospermia. In silico analysis predicted that the presence of tandem repeats in XRCC5 gene prompter can be sequence to bind to more nuclear factors. Also, rs2267437 (C>G) variant was located in a well-conserved region in XRCC6 promoter and this variation might lead to differential allelic expression. The XRCC7 6721G>T gene polymorphism occurred in an acceptor-splicing site, but this polymorphism has no severe modification on XRCC7 mRNA splicing. Our results indicate the association of XRCC5 VNTR, XRCC6 -61C>G, and XRCC7 6721G>T gene polymorphisms with male infertility in Iranian men

Removal of Cd(II) from Aquatic System Using Oscillatoria sp. Biosorbent

Biosorption of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions by native and dried Oscillatoria sp. Cyanobacterium biomass was investigated in the batch mode. The Oscillatoria sp. was prepared from Molecular and Cell Laboratory of University of Mazandaran and grown in BG-11 medium. A comparison of Cd(II) adsorption properties of dried with native Oscillatoria sp. biomass was made, the dried one showed a higher biosorption capacity and faster kinetic. The influence of solution pH, contact time, biomass concentration, initial metal ion concentration, and presence of coions using dried Oscillatoria sp. biomass as well as pretreatment on the biosorption capacity of the biomass were studied. Various pretreatments of Oscillatoria sp. increased biosorption of Cd(II) at pH 7 in comparison with native biomass. However, heating at 100°C in a water bath showed significant improvement in Cd(II) biosorption capacity. The experimental biosorption data was well fitted to the Freundlich model compared to the Langmuir model, and the amount of Cd(II) removed from solution increased with increasing Cd(II) concentration. In addition, the dried biomass was investigated for Cd(II) removal from the simulated real sample containing about 14 mg/l Cd(II) at pH 7, under the same experimental condition

Mutant Allele of CD44 (rs8193C>T) and Pum2 Regulatory Element as A Prognosis Factor of Prostate Neoplasms: A Case-Control and In Silico Studies

ObjectiveExpression of CD44 variant 6 (CD44v6) as a homing-associated cell adhesion molecule (HCAM), hasproved to change most cancer cells. Aim of the study is the effect of mutant allele of CD44 (rs8193C>T) and Pum2regulatory element as a prognosis factor of prostate neoplasms: a case-control and in silico studies in the Mazandaranprovince-Iran.Materials and MethodsIn a case-control study, CD44-rs8193C>T genotyping of the 420 prostate neoplasms (210benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients and 210 prostate cancer patients) and 150 healthy samples are performedby the touchdown polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers (PCR-CTPP) method. The T mutantallele effects on the mRNA structure and cell pathways were also investigated in silico methods.ResultsOur results showed that the increase of T mutant allele frequency was significantly associated with BPHcompared with prostate cancer. Furthermore, results showed TT genotype was significantly associated with BPH[odds ratio (OR)=0.572 and P=0.015], and also influenced the CD44v6 transcript secondary structure, miRNA binding,and regulatory element-binding site for Pum2 protein. Attachment of Pum2 to standard CD44 transcript may lead totranscript isoform-switching and shift-expression to a variety of CD44 isoforms, which can trigger some of the cellsignaling pathways, such as Nanog-Stat, PKC-Nanog, and PKC-Twist.ConclusionBased on this, the presence of the T mutant allele of CD44 (rs8193C>T) in the populations may createa regulatory element-binding site for Pum2. So, it could be known as a prognosis factor and prediction of prostateneoplasms. However, more comprehensive studies in different populations (with various ethnicities and large populationsizes), and also CD44v6 gene expression studies in protein and transcript levels are required to confirm our data

Association analysis of rs1049255 and rs4673 transitions in p22phox gene with coronary artery disease: A case-control study and a computational analysis

Background The p22phox gene encodes the main subunit of NADH/NADPH-oxidase. This enzyme is expressed in smooth muscle cells of arteries, and it produces the reactive oxygen species. On the other hand, oxidative stress plays a main role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between rs4673 and rs1049255 polymorphisms of p22phox gene with CAD in an Iranian population which was followed with a computational analysis approach. Methods In a cross-sectional study, we collected blood samples of 302 Iranian Caucasian including 143 patients and 159 healthy controls. Genotype of the polymorphisms was detected through PCR-RFLP method. A computational analysis was also performed using SNAP, Polyphen-2, Chou-Fasman, RNAsnp, and miRNA SNP databases. Results Data of case control study demonstrated that CT genotype (R = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.13–3.00, p = 0.014) and T allele (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.09–2.15, p = 0.013) of rs4673 polymorphism, have a significant association with enhanced risk of CAD. But rs1049255 analysis demonstrated the absence of such an association with CAD. Indeed, in silico data analysis demonstrated that rs4673 transition could impact on function of p22phox protein (SNAP score 56, expected accuracy 75%; Polyphen-2 score 0.99, sensitivity 0.09, specificity 0.99). Data derived from miRNA SNP database demonstrated that rs1049255 polymorphism increases the affinity of attachment between has-miR-3689a-3b with 3′-UTR of p22phox gene. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that rs4673 transition may be involved in susceptibility to CAD and could be applied as a potential biomarker for this disease

Phylogenetic relationship and genetic differentiation of Populus caspica and Populus alba using cpDNA and ITS noncoding sequences

Populus caspica Bornm. (section Leuce and subsection Albida), one of the most endangered endemic tree species in the Hyrcanian Forest in Iran, has numerous morphological characteristics that are closely similar to Populus alba; to clarify their taxonomic relatedness and genetic differentiation and thus inform conservation strategies, we used the noncoding regions of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA; trnL-F and trnH-psbA) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Leaf samples were collected from six populations across northern Iran. cpDNA and ITS fragments were amplified by universal primers using the PCR technique and directed sequencing. The results showed that P. caspica is genetically differentiated from P. alba, and two ITS variants were detected within some P. caspica individuals. Conflicts between topologies from ITS and plastid genomes were observed. High differentiation of P. caspica from the other Populus species shown in this study confirmed the diverging taxonomic status of this endangered species. We recommend in situ conservation measures (e.g., protected areas) for at least several populations of this species, especially in the plain regions of the Hyrcanian forest

Myopic regression after photorefractive keratectomy: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Myopic regression is a major complication of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). The rates and causes vary considerably among different studies. This study aimed to investigate myopic regression at six months after myopic PRK. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included all eligible patients with myopia ranging from - 0.75 to - 9 D, aged 18 to 50 years, who underwent PRK by a single surgeon with the availability of preoperative and postoperative data at six months after the initial procedure. All participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations preoperatively and at six months post-PRK. Overcorrection was planned based on the participant’s age range to achieve the desired refractive result after PRK. All patients received the same postoperative antibiotic and steroid eye drops in a similar dosage regimen, and the contact lenses were removed after complete corneal epithelial healing. Based on the spherical equivalent of refraction six months after PRK, eyes without and with myopic regression were allocated into groups 1 and 2, respectively. Results: We included 254 eyes of 132 patients who underwent myopic PRK with a mean (standard deviation) age of 30.12 (7.48) years; 82 (62.12%) were women and 50 (37.88%) were men. The frequency of myopic regression was significantly lower in patients with younger age, lower preoperative cylindrical refraction, and lower ablation depth (all P < 0.05). Overcorrection was more successful in eyes with low myopia than in eyes with high myopia (P < 0.05). The highest frequency of myopic regression occurred in eyes with moderate myopia (25.68%), followed by eyes with high myopia (20.0%) and low myopia (6.54%). Among different age groups, patients aged less than or equal to 30 years had a lower frequency of myopic regression. The frequency of myopic regression in the different age groups was 5.0% at 18-20 years, 7.46% at 26-30 years, 12.28% at 21-25 years, 21.31% at 31-35 years, and 26.53% at 36-50 years. Conclusions: Overcorrection was more successful in eyes with low myopia than in eyes with high myopia. The success rate was higher in younger patients with lower astigmatism and ablation depths. Myopic regression was most frequent in eyes with moderate myopia, followed by those with high and low myopia. Further studies should replicate our findings over a longer follow-up period with a larger sample size before generalization is warranted

XRCC5 VNTR, XRCC6 -61C>G, and XRCC7 6721G>T Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Male Infertility Risk: Evidences from Case-Control and In Silico Studies

We evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms of XRCC5 VNTR, XRCC6 -61C>G, and XRCC7 6721G>T with male infertility susceptibility. A total of 392 men including 178 infertile males (102 idiopathic azoospermia and 76 severe oligozoospermia) and 214 healthy controls were recruited. XRCC6 -61C>G and XRCC7 6721G>T genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP whereas XRCC5 VNTR was performed by PCR. The 2R allele and 2R allele carriers of XRCC5 VNTR polymorphism significantly decreased risk of male infertility. The mutant GG genotypes and carriers of the CG and GG genotypes of XRCC6 -61C>G showed increased risk for the male infertility. Furthermore, the G allele of the XRCC6 -61C>G was correlated with increased susceptibility to male infertility. Likewise, the T allele of the XRCC7 6721G>T polymorphism was associated with increased susceptibility to male infertility in azoospermia. In silico analysis predicted that the presence of tandem repeats in XRCC5 gene prompter can be sequence to bind to more nuclear factors. Also, rs2267437 (C>G) variant was located in a well-conserved region in XRCC6 promoter and this variation might lead to differential allelic expression. The XRCC7 6721G>T gene polymorphism occurred in an acceptor-splicing site, but this polymorphism has no severe modification on XRCC7 mRNA splicing. Our results indicate the association of XRCC5 VNTR, XRCC6 -61C>G, and XRCC7 6721G>T gene polymorphisms with male infertility in Iranian men

Association of Human Methionine Synthase-A2756G Transition With Prostate Cancer: A Case-Control Study and in Silico Analysis

Methionine synthase (MTR) is one of the key enzymes of folate pathway, which play a key role in the construction, repair, and methylation of DNA. In this study, an association of MTR A2756G gene transition with prostate cancer in men populations of Kashan-Iran was investigated by a case-control study and an in silico analysis. The 200 samples including 100 patients with prostate cancer, as case group and 100 healthy men, as control group included in this study. MTR-A2756G genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP technique. Some in silico tools used to evaluate the effects of A2756G transition on the structure and function of MTR. Results showed that the AG genotype (OR: 2.4014, 95% CI: 1.3216-4.3636, P=0.0040), and GG genotype (OR: 3.6324, 95% CI: 1.2629-10.4475, P=0.0167) and G allele (OR: 2.0120, 95% CI: 1.3098-3.0905, P=0.0014) were associated with prostate cancer. In silico analysis showed that polymorphisms of the enzyme protein might change properties of MTR such as relative mutability and flexibility, which leads to alteration of stability and function of the enzyme. Based on the results, an MTR-A2756G polymorphism which changes activity and stability of the methionine synthase associated with prostate cancer in men. It is a preliminary study and is presenting data for future comprehensive study for making a clinical conclusion that this gene transition is a biomarker for susceptibility to prostate cancer