Nga Thi Nguyen, Thanh Thi Ngoc Nguyen, Hue Thi Nguyen
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women worldwide. In Vietnam, the rising incidence underscores the urgent need for early diagnostic markers. Genetic factors, particularly Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), play a critical role in breast cancer susceptibility. The SNP rs34678647, located downstream of the miR-221/222 cluster targeting Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα), is hypothesized to influence breast cancer risk by modulating cancer-related pathways. This study investigates the association between rs34678647 and breast cancer risk in the Vietnamese population. A total of 234 DNA samples, comprising 131 breast cancer cases and 103 healthy controls, were genotyped using the Polymerase Chain Reaction-High Resolution Melting (PCR-HRM) technique, which is selected for its high sensitivity and specificity in SNP detection. Genotype frequencies were determined, and statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate associations. The PCR-HRM method successfully genotyped rs34678647 with high accuracy. The T allele was observed in 23% of cases and 19% of controls; however, no significant association with breast cancer risk was identified (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.77-1.85, p = 0.43). Genotype distributions conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both groups, supporting the representativeness of the sample. In conclusion, while the T allele of rs34678647 showed a nonsignificant trend toward increased breast cancer risk among Vietnamese women, the results were not statistically conclusive. These findings highlight the need for larger-scale studies to further explore the potential role of rs34678647 as a genetic risk factor and its applicability as an early diagnostic biomarker.
Bartosz Orzechowski, Jan Miciński, Katarzyna Ząbek
et al.
With the aim to investigate the immunomodulatory potential of selenitetriglycerides (SeTG), a new lipophilic Se (IV) compound, 30 sheep (15 sheep/treatment) were used in a completely random design to receive the SeGT supplement as follows: (1) no SeGT supplement (Control) and (2) daily dosage of 2 mL of SeGT (equivalent to 1 mg Se/kg BW) during the first 7 days of the evaluation, which lasted 28 d. Individually, blood samples were collected on days 0, 14, and 28 to measure and assess parameters of innate cellular and humoral immunity, including respiratory burst activity (RBA) and potential killing activity (PKA) of monocytes and granulocytes, proliferative response of lymphocytes stimulated with ConA (Concovalin A) and LPS (lipopolisaccharidde), lysozyme activity, ceruloplasmin activity, and gamma globulin levels. From the 14th day, supplemental SeTG saw significant increases (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.001) in RBA and PKA parameters, as well as enhanced proliferative responses of lymphocytes compared with controls. Both innate humoral immunity (elevated lysozyme activity) and adaptive humoral immunity (increased gamma globulin levels) were positively influenced (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01), whereas ceruloplasmin activity remained unchanged. Under the conditions in which the current experiment was carried out, SeGT showed good promise to modulate immunity in a short period (28 d). Further research should explore experiments with a greater number of animals over long-term periods of evaluation under production system conditions.
Abstract Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-lactate) [P(3HB-co-LA)] is a highly promising valuable biodegradable material with good biocompatibility and degradability. Vibrio natriegens, owing to its fast-growth, wide substrate spectrum characteristics, was selected to produce P(3HB-co-LA). Herein, the crucial role of acetyltransferase PN96-18060 for PHB synthesis in V. natriegens was identified. Heterologous pathway of P(3HB-co-LA) was introduced into V. natriegens successfully, in addition, overexpression of the dldh gene led to 1.84 fold enhancement of the lactate content in P(3HB-co-LA). Finally, the production of P(3HB-co-LA) was characterized under different carbon sources. The lactate fraction in P(3HB-co-LA) was increased to 28.3 mol% by the modification, about 1.84 times of that of the control. This is the first successful case of producing the P(3HB-co-LA) in V. natriegens. Collectively, this study showed that V. natriegens is an attractive host organism for producing P(3HB-co-LA) and has great potential to produce other co-polymers.
Anastasiia Kudriavtseva, Stefan Jarić, Nikita Nekrasov
et al.
Graphene-based materials are actively being investigated as sensing elements for the detection of different analytes. Both graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and graphene oxide (GO) produced by the modified Hummers’ method are actively used in the development of biosensors. The production costs of CVD graphene- and GO-based sensors are similar; however, the question remains regarding the most efficient graphene-based material for the construction of point-of-care diagnostic devices. To this end, in this work, we compare CVD graphene aptasensors with the aptasensors based on reduced GO (rGO) for their capabilities in the detection of NT-proBNP, which serves as the gold standard biomarker for heart failure. Both types of aptasensors were developed using commercial gold interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) with either CVD graphene or GO formed on top as a channel of liquid-gated field-effect transistor (FET), yielding GFET and rGO-FET sensors, respectively. The functional properties of the two types of aptasensors were compared. Both demonstrate good dynamic range from 10 fg/mL to 100 pg/mL. The limit of detection for NT-proBNP in artificial saliva was 100 fg/mL and 1 pg/mL for rGO-FET- and GFET-based aptasensors, respectively. While CVD GFET demonstrates less variations in parameters, higher sensitivity was demonstrated by the rGO-FET due to its higher roughness and larger bandgap. The demonstrated low cost and scalability of technology for both types of graphene-based aptasensors may be applicable for the development of different graphene-based biosensors for rapid, stable, on-site, and highly sensitive detection of diverse biochemical markers.
WHO classified Helicobacter pylori as a Group I carcinogen for gastric cancer as early as 1994. However, despite the high prevalence of H. pylori infection, only about 3 % of infected individuals eventually develop gastric cancer, with the highly virulent H. pylori strains expressing cytotoxin-associated protein (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) being critical factors in gastric carcinogenesis. It is well known that H. pylori infection is divided into two types in terms of the presence and absence of CagA and VacA toxins in serum, that is, carcinogenic Type I infection (CagA+/VacA+, CagA+/VacA-, CagA-/VacA+) and non-carcinogenic Type II infection (CagA-/VacA-). Currently, detecting the two carcinogenic toxins in active modes is mainly done by diagnosing their serological antibodies. However, the method is restricted by expensive reagents and intricate procedures. Therefore, establishing a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective way for serological profiling of carcinogenic H. pylori infection holds significant implications for effectively guiding H. pylori eradication and gastric cancer prevention. In this study, we developed a novel method by combining surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with the deep learning algorithm convolutional neural network to create a model for distinguishing between serum samples with Type I and Type II H. pylori infections. This method holds the potential to facilitate rapid screening of H. pylori infections with high risks of carcinogenesis at the population level, which can have long-term benefits in reducing gastric cancer incidence when used for guiding the eradication of H. pylori infections.
Engin Derya Gezer, Abdullah Uğur Birinci, Aydın Demir
et al.
The primary aim of this work was to determine the effects of production parameters, such as wood species and timber strength classes, on some mechanical properties of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels using artificial neural network (ANN) prediction models. Subsequently, using the models obtained from the analyses, the goal was to identify the optimum layer combinations of timber strength classes used in the middle and outer layers that would provide the highest mechanical properties for CLT panels. CLT panels made from spruce and alder timbers, as well as hybrid panels created from combinations of these two wood species, were produced. The strength classes of the timbers were determined non-destructively according to the TS EN 338 (2016) standard using an acoustic testing device. The bending strength and modulus of elasticity values of the CLT panels were determined destructively according to the TS EN 408 (2019) standard. According to ANN results, the optimum timber strength classes and layer combinations were determined for bending strength as C24-C27-C24 for spruce CLT, D18-D24-D18 for alder CLT, C30-D40-C30 and D18-C30-D18 for hybrid panels; and for modulus of elasticity, C22-C27-C22 for spruce, D35-D30-D35 for alder, C16-D24-C16, and D24-C24-D24 for hybrid panels.
Nour al dain Marzouka, Halima Alnaqbi, Amira Al-Aamri
et al.
Abstract The Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules are central to immune response and have associations with the phenotypes of various diseases and induced drug toxicity. Further, the role of HLA molecules in presenting antigens significantly affects the transplantation outcome. The objective of this study was to examine the extent of the diversity of HLA alleles in the population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) using Next-Generation Sequencing methodologies and encompassing a larger cohort of individuals. A cohort of 570 unrelated healthy citizens of the UAE volunteered to provide samples for Whole Genome Sequencing and Whole Exome Sequencing. The definition of the HLA alleles was achieved through the application of the bioinformatics tools, HLA-LA and xHLA. Subsequently, the findings from this study were compared with other local and international datasets. A broad range of HLA alleles in the UAE population, of which some were previously unreported, was identified. A comparison with other populations confirmed the current population’s unique intertwined genetic heritage while highlighting similarities with populations from the Middle East region. Some disease-associated HLA alleles were detected at a frequency of > 5%, such as HLA-B*51:01, HLA-DRB1*03:01, HLA-DRB1*15:01, and HLA-DQB1*02:01. The increase in allele homozygosity, especially for HLA class I genes, was identified in samples with a higher level of genome-wide homozygosity. This highlights a possible effect of consanguinity on the HLA homozygosity. The HLA allele distribution in the UAE population showcases a unique profile, underscoring the need for tailored databases for traditional activities such as unrelated transplant matching and for newer initiatives in precision medicine based on specific populations. This research is part of a concerted effort to improve the knowledge base, particularly in the fields of transplant medicine and investigating disease associations as well as in understanding human migration patterns within the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding regions.
Marianna Dedousi, Eirini-Maria Melanouri, Dimitris Karayannis
et al.
Five agro-industrial residues, their corresponding spent mushroom substrates (SMS), commercial fresh and spent mushroom compost of Agaricus (SMC) and Pleurotus ostreatus (SMS GZ) cultivation, Pleurotus and Agaricus waste (stipes/mishappen mushrooms) were combined and re-utilized as novel substrates for the cultivation of P. ostreatus, P. eryngii and A. bisporus mushrooms. SMSs/ SMC were used up to 40% (treatment 1 and 2), while 20% of mushroom waste were added in fresh and spent substrates (treatment 3 and 4). The impact of different substrates on mycelial growth rate and biomass production was examined. Then, Pleurotus spp. were cultivated on the most promising substrates and essential cultivation aspects (earliness, total mushroom yield, biological efficiency-BE) and carposomes’ quality parameters (weight, morphological characteristics) were evaluated. Laccase and endoglucanase production by Pleurotus species were also determined at 50 and 100% of colonization stages. All species showed their fastest mycelial growth rate (up to 5 mm/day) on substrates consisted of SMC, whereas many combinations of species/substrate enhanced biomass production. The SMS GZ supplementation positively affected laccase activity; in the cultures of P. ostreatus and P. eryngii the highest values were 62,539 and 17,584 U/g d.w., respectively. On the contrary, small amounts of endoglucanase were produced (0.007 to 0.322 U/g d.w.); the greatest production was recorded for P. ostreatus at full colonization. Regarding fermentation in bags, significant amount of total mushroom yield was produced in all substrates and those with SMS GZ supported the fastest earliness period and the highest BE for both Pleurotus species. BE values ranged from 54 to 133% for P. ostreatus and from 53 to 121% for P. eryngii. Concerning morphological characteristics, mushroom waste addition seemed to affect them positively. The data included in this paper support the effective re-utilization of different types of SMS and mushroom waste for fungal mass and enzymes’ production and for new high quality Pleurotus spp. carposomes.
Ceren Sagdic-Oztan, Andreas Koschella, Thomas Heinze
et al.
Bacterial cellulose has superior physical and chemical properties, biocompatibility, and purity. However, the high production cost obstructs the common use of this polymer. This study investigated the efficiency of olive pomace, an important by-product of olive oil industry in Turkey, as a carbon source for Novacetimonas hansenii. Olive pomace pretreatment with 1% H3PO4 was followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. The maximal reducing sugar concentration upon enzymatic process was 9.3 g/L with 1 enzyme: 6 substrate (dry matter) ratio. After incubation in the growth media prepared with the obtained reducing sugar as carbon source, the highest bacterial cellulose production was 0.68 g/L. Structural analysis indicated that bacterial cellulose from the enzymatic media and the conventional Hestrin-Schramm medium possess similar characteristics. The present work provides a favourable method to reduce the cost of bacterial cellulose production.
Abstract Background Rumen bacterial groups can affect growth performance, such as average daily gain (ADG), feed intake, and efficiency. The study aimed to investigate the inter-relationship of rumen bacterial composition, rumen fermentation indicators, serum indicators, and growth performance of Holstein heifer calves with different ADG. Twelve calves were chosen from a trail with 60 calves and divided into higher ADG (HADG, high pre- and post-weaning ADG, n = 6) and lower ADG (LADG, low pre- and post-weaning ADG, n = 6) groups to investigate differences in bacterial composition and functions and host phenotype. Results During the preweaning period, the relative abundances of propionate producers, including g_norank_f_Butyricicoccaceae, g_Pyramidobacter, and g_norank_f_norank_o_Clostridia_vadinBB60_group, were higher in HADG calves (LDA > 2, P < 0.05). Enrichment of these bacteria resulted in increased levels of propionate, a gluconeogenic precursor, in preweaning HADG calves (adjusted P < 0.05), which consequently raised serum glucose concentrations (adjusted P < 0.05). In contrast, the relative abundances of rumen bacteria in post-weaning HADG calves did not exert this effect. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in rumen fermentation parameters and serum indices between the two groups. Conclusions The findings of this study revealed that the preweaning period is the window of opportunity for rumen bacteria to regulate the ADG of calves.