MicroRNA-510-3p and Its Gene Network in the Disease Regulation of Preeclampsia: An Insilico Approach

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a major health complication for pregnant women that increases the risk of mortality and morbidity. Knowledge of the complex molecular mechanisms associated with PE is incomplete and methods for early diagnosis and treatment options in PE are limited. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs involved in pathogenesis of various diseases including PE. In our previous studies, we identified a relationship between miR-510-3p and PE. However, the exact molecular mechanisms and genes regulated by miR-510-3p have not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we employed the bioinformatic tools including miRbase, RNAcomposer, RNAfold, TargetScan, miRDB, miRTarbase to analyze the secondary structure and targets of miR-510-3p from the publicly available databases. We compared the miR-510-3p target genes with PE genes retrieved from the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) genes database. The miR-510-3p target genes that were involved in PE were further subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia for Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to analyse their biological, molecular and cellular role in PE. STRING, Shiny GO, Cytoscape and Metascape were used for the GO and KEGG analysis. Results and Conclusions: MicroRNA-510-3p had a minimum free energy of –29.10 Kcal and A+U content of 55.4%, suggesting stability and binding affinity towards its targets. Genes that were involved in the positive regulation of angiogenesis were identified, since angiogenesis is an important process in PE. ADAM12, ANGPT2, CHRNA7, DDAH1, ERAP1, FGF2, GRN, HGF, HIF1A, HK2, HMGB1, HMOX1, IL1A, KDR, NRP1, PRKCB, SERPINE1, SIRT1, TGFBR2, THBS1, TLR3, VEGFA, and WNT5A were the miR-510-3p targets involved in the positive regulation of angiogenesis. In conclusion, miR-510-3p is postulated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of PE. Hence, further studies could define miR-510-3p as a novel therapeutic target for PE

Liquid biopsy: Exosomal microRNAs as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer

Background Detecting cancer at an early stage before clinical manifestation could be an effective strategy to decrease cancer mortality. Thus, identifying liquid biopsy biomarkers with high efficacy could be a promising approach for non-invasive diagnosis of cancer. Main text Liquid biopsies are increasingly used as a supplement to biopsy, as it enables disease progression to be detected months before clinical and radiographic confirmation. Many bodily fluids contain exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) which could provide a new class of biomarkers for early and minimally invasive cancer diagnosis due to the stability of miRNAs in exosomes. In this review, we mainly focused on the exosomal miRNAs (liquid biopsy) as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of various cancers. Exosomal miRNAs can be used as diagnostic and prognosis biomarkers that provide unique insights and a more dynamic perspective of the progression and therapeutic responses in various malignancies. Therefore, the development of novel and more sensitive technologies that exploit exosomal miRNAs should be a priority for cancer management

Evaluation of Biologically Active Compounds from Calendula officinalis Flowers using Spectrophotometry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aimed to quantify the active biological compounds in <it>C. officinalis </it>flowers. Based on the active principles and biological properties of marigolds flowers reported in the literature, we sought to obtain and characterize the molecular composition of extracts prepared using different solvents. The antioxidant capacities of extracts were assessed by using spectrophotometry to measure both absorbance of the colorimetric free radical scavenger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as well as the total antioxidant potential, using the ferric reducing power (FRAP) assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Spectrophotometric assays in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) region enabled identification and characterization of the full range of phenolic and flavonoids acids, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify and quantify phenolic compounds (depending on the method of extraction). Methanol ensured more efficient extraction of flavonoids than the other solvents tested.</p> <p>Antioxidant activity in methanolic extracts was correlated with the polyphenol content.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The UV-VIS spectra of assimilator pigments (e.g. chlorophylls), polyphenols and flavonoids extracted from the <it>C. officinalis </it>flowers consisted in quantitative evaluation of compounds which absorb to wavelengths broader than 360 nm.</p

CRISPR/Cas9 and next generation sequencing in the personalized treatment of Cancer

Background: Cancer is caused by a combination of genetic and epigenetic abnormalities. Current cancer therapies are limited due to the complexity of their mechanism, underlining the need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Interestingly, combining the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) system with next-generation sequencing (NGS) has the potential to speed up the identification, validation, and targeting of high-value targets. Main text: Personalized or precision medicine combines genetic information with phenotypic and environmental characteristics to produce healthcare tailored to the individual and eliminates the constraints of “one-size-fits-all” therapy. Precision medicine is now possible thanks to cancer genome sequencing. Having advantages over limited sample requirements and the recent development of biomarkers have made the use of NGS a major leap in personalized medicine. Tumor and cell-free DNA profiling using NGS, proteome and RNA analyses, and a better understanding of immunological systems, are all helping to improve cancer treatment choices. Finally, direct targeting of tumor genes in cancer cells with CRISPR/Cas9 may be achievable, allowing for eliminating genetic changes that lead to tumor growth and metastatic capability. Conclusion: With NGS and CRISPR/Cas9, the goal is no longer to match the treatment for the diagnosed tumor but rather to build a treatment method that fits the tumor exactly. Hence, in this review, we have discussed the potential role of CRISPR/Cas9 and NGS in advancing personalized medicine

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Therapeutic aspect of microRNA inhibition in various types of hypertension and hypertensive complications

Hypertension has attained an epidemic level and it has been predicted that by 2025, 25% of adult individuals worldwide will be hypertensive. Despite considerable advances in illustrating the molecular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension, the regulatory function still remains unknown and there are certain limitations in the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment of various types of hypertension. On the other hand, non-coding RNAs called microRNAs which are short with 16-27 nucleotides in length can serve as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets for various diseases, including hypertension. Interestingly, anti-miRs, a miRNA inhibitor blocks the target miRNA molecules to suppress the disease progression. At present there are many studies concentrating on miRNA inhibition in the treatment of different types of hypertension, but still their molecular mechanisms and therapeutic applications are yet to be evaluated. In this review, we provide an in-depth examination of the current understanding regarding the role of miRNA inhibition as a therapeutic target in various types of hypertension and its complications in heart, brain, eyes and kidne

Status of Salivary Nitric Oxide Levels and Buccal Epithelial Cell DNA Damage in Potentially Malignant Disorders – A Biochemical Study

<p>Oral cancer is a progressive, multistage disease in which changes in genetic structure and cellular morphology occur from the normal to the premalignant state and then to the malignant state. Nitric oxide (NO.) is an uncharged molecule with an unpaired electron. It is highly reactive and interacts with DNA molecules, resulting in DNA damage. <strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the salivary nitric oxide levels and buccal epithelial cell DNA damage in patients with potentially malignant oral disorders. <strong>Methods: </strong>The salivary nitric oxide levels and buccal epithelial cell DNA damage were estimated in 20 healthy individuals without oral lesions, in 20 subjects having smoking and/or tobacco chewing habits without oral lesions, and 20 patients with a potentially malignant oral disorder. <strong>Results: </strong>The salivary nitric oxide levels were significantly greater in the subjects with tobacco chewing and/or smoking habits without oral lesions than in the healthy controls. Similarly, the extent of DNA damage was higher in the subjects with potentially malignant disorders and in the subjects with tobacco chewing and/or smoking habits without oral lesions than in the healthy controls. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>The encouraging results of the present study indicated the potential involvement of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of potentially malignant oral disorders.</p><p> </p