Genomic Medicine, Biomarkers, and Health Sciences最新文献

Gynura bicolor (Roxb & Willd.) DC. is widely distributed in Asia and is very popular for vegetarian cuisine in Taiwan. This study used G. bicolor as the main ingredient to develop a new vegetable juice. Its chemical composition and antioxidant activity were analyzed, and consumer preferences of G. bicolor vegetable juice (GBVJ) evaluated. The results showed that the major compounds in GBVJ were rutin, β-carotene, anthocyanin, and chlorophyll. The antioxidant activity of GBVJ including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity, 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and superoxide anion were 85.1%, 95.9%, and 80.1%, respectively. The reducing power was about 60% of that of vitamin C (1 g/L). The consumer preferences for each investigated item were all above 5 points (total score 7 points). These results suggest that GBVJ may have positive effects on the antioxidant activity, and the high consumer acceptance may be used as the preliminary information to support that G. bicolor would be commercially viable in the food industry.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent disease in the elderly population. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the progression of adverse complications in CKD patients, and many trace elements are involved in the oxidant–antioxidant balance. We investigated serum levels of copper, iron, zinc, and selenium in 145 patients at Stages 1–4 of CKD. There were no significant differences in the copper, iron, and selenium levels between the four stages of CKD. However, the levels of serum zinc showed a statistically decreasing trend in the advanced stages of CKD subjects (p = 0.005). Zinc deficiency may increase oxidative stress and atherosclerotic complications, especially in late-stage CKD patients.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of the hydro - methanolic (2:3) extract of the seed of Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. for the management of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Wistar rats were divided equally into four groups (n = 6): normal control, diabetes control, diabetes + extract treated, and diabetes + metformin treated. The extract (25 mg/100 g by weight) and metformin (2.5 mg/100 g by weight) were administered once a day, orally by gavages for 21 days at fasting condition. Hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphatase activities were measured in hepatic tissue. Activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), along with the quantity of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and conjugated diene (CD) in hepatic and renal tissues, were assessed. Histoarchitecture of the pancreas and serum insulin level were also evaluated. Significant diminution in the activities of hepatic hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase along with elevation in glucose-6-phosphatase were noted in STZ-induced animals with diabetes in respect to control animals. Level of fasting blood glucose (FBG) was elevated in animals with diabetes. Activities of CAT, Px, and SOD were diminished significantly along with the elevation in TBARS and CD levels in animals with diabetes. Diameter of pancreatic islets, count of islets, and degeneration in pancreatic acini were also noted in animals with diabetes. Treatment of these animals with extract or metformin resulted in substantial recovery in the aforementioned biosensors toward the control level. This recovery is not equal to metformin because the plant extract is not the pure form of effective ingredient(s) but provides insight to the pharmaceutical industries that the extract has a protective therapeutic effect against diabetes through ß-cell regeneration capacity.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common serious bacterial infection found in febrile infants and young children who present without an obvious source of infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of UTIs among neonates in Benin City, Nigeria. Suprapubic urine aspirate or catheter urine specimens were obtained from 266 (85 male and 181 female) neonates with signs and symptoms of UTI. Significant microbial isolates were identified in the urine specimens, and an antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed on bacterial isolates using standard techniques. Male sex was a significant risk factor for acquiring UTI in the neonates (odds ratio = 4.336, 95% confidence interval = 1.546–12.112, p = 0.0064). Klebsiella species were the organisms most prevalent in causing UTIs (28.57%) within all age groups of neonates. Candida albicans was recovered only from neonates within the first week of life. Although bacterial isolates were more susceptible to nitrofurantoin, the susceptibility profiles of bacterial isolates were generally poor. An overall UTI prevalence rate of 6.39% was observed among neonates. Male infants had an approximately 2–12-fold increased risk of acquiring a UTI, and Klebsiella species were the isolates most predominant in causing neonatal UTI. Rational use of antibiotics is advocated to stem the tide of antibacterial resistance.

The glutathione S-transferase mu (GSTM1) and theta (GSTT1) members of the GST multigene family are polymorphic in human populations, and homozygous deletions or null genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes have been reported in different populations. Epidemiological studies suggest that individuals who are homozygous null at the GSTM1 or GSTT1 loci may have an increased risk of cancer; therefore, the distribution of these genotypes in the human population is of great interest. The aim of our study was to investigate the allelic variations of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes in 308 healthy, unrelated individuals from the state of Haryana in India. The participants were genotyped for the presence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. On the basis of the results from our findings, we found that, in the geographic region of our study (India), 40.58% of individuals are carriers of the GSTM1 0/0 (null) genotype, whereas 32.79% of individuals have the GSTT1 0/0 (null) genotype. This study contributes significant information on the variability of GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms in the worldwide population and could increase knowledge about the relationship between ethnicity and the prevalence of certain diseases.

Skin hyperpigmentation sometimes occurs on the face during pregnancy. The production of melanin is regulated by genetic factors and simulated by environmental and endocrine factors. However, there is little information about the correlation between genetic variation and skin hyperpigmentation in Taiwanese populations. In the present study, we measured the facial melanin values and analyzed the genotypes of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from pregnant women at Fooyin University Hospital. Four SNPs (TYR rs7129973, SLC45A2 rs26722, KITLG rs642742, and ESR2 rs1271572) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and the melanin values were measured by Mexameter. The results show that allele frequencies of the TYR rs7129973 A allele, SLC45A2 rs26722 G allele, KITLG rs642742 A allele, and ESR2 rs1271572 T allele were 75.0%, 54.5%, 43.8%, and 42.0%, respectively. This is the first report about genetic variation of melanogenesis in pregnant women from Taiwan. However, the association of SNPs with skin hyperpigmentation needs further investigation.

Type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial and polygenic disease that involves insulin resistance and impaired glucose induced insulin release. Besides environmental factors, the influence of genetic changes also drives the susceptibility of the disease. One such attractive candidate gene influencing the glucose metabolism is the gene encoding for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTPN1), located on the chromosome 20. The gene product is negatively regulating the insulin signaling by dephosphorylating the phosphotyrosine residues of the insulin receptor kinase activation segment. This study examined the association between one of the allelic polymorphisms (−1023C/A) in PTPN1 gene with type 2 diabetes in the local population of Thanjavur, India. Genotypic analysis was performed on 96 diabetic and 96 non-diabetic patients using polymerase chain reaction–based restriction fragment length polymorphism. The frequency of allele A in the homozygous form of −1023C>A polymorphism was found to be lesser (19%) when compared with the control population. In the body mass index (BMI)-based classification, the homozygous A allele was absent in case participants with BMIs lower than 30 but it was present in four of the controls with variant allele. Chi square were used to determine out the significant association of the polymorphism with the disease. There was no statistical significance obtained for the studied population; the result may be validated by analyzing larger sample size in the future.

The biochemical effects of chronic administration of efavirenz, which is commonly used as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1, on the intracranial auditory relay centers [i.e., the inferior colliculus (IC) and medial geniculate body (MGB)] of adult Wistar rats were carefully studied. Rats of both sexes (n = 30), with an average weight of 200 g, were randomly assigned into treatment (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Rats in the treatment group each received the recommended daily dose of 600 mg/70 kg (1.71 mg/200 g) of body weight of efavirenz daily for 30 days, while the control group rats received an equal volume of distilled water alone daily for 30 days. The rats were sacrificed after 30 days, and the IC and MGB were carefully removed for further biochemical assays. These analyses indicated that levels of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), a non-enzyme biomarker of oxidative stress, were significantly higher (p < 0.05) whereas levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in treated tissues than in control tissues. Chronic administration of efavirenz may therefore have an adverse effect on the auditory sensibilities by affecting the IC and MGB of adult Wistar rats.

Adenocarcinoma accounts for most of the malignant tumors originating from the colon, whereas adenosquamous carcinoma is rare, accounting for less than 0.1% of all colorectal cancer. Herein, we present a case of adenosquamous carcinoma of the transverse colon. A 52-year-old male patient presented with a chief complaint of intermittent upper abdominal fullness and dull pain for 10 months. Colonoscopy showed a mass with obstruction at 40 cm from the anal verge and abdominal computed tomography scan showed a huge mass in the distal transverse colon with adjacent tissue invasion. A pathologic report demonstrated adenosquamous carcinoma and extended left hemicolectomy was performed as a International Union Against Cancer (UICC) Stage III advanced colon cancer with adenosquamous carcinoma histology. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and adjuvant chemotherapy was administered. We have reviewed the literature with regard to the clinical presentation, management, and prognosis of this tumor.

Helicobacter pylori commonly infects the human stomach lining is one of the risk factors that can lead a gastric ulcer to develop into gastric cancer. Studies have found that burdock can enhance the protection of gastrointestinal mucosa with antibacterial property that can reduce the damage of the stomach by H pylori. Great burdock essence compounds are prepared using a nanomicell formulation, which contains Arctium lappa Linn, Arnebia euchroma, and Angelica sinensis. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of great burdock essence compounds in the adjuvant treatment of H pylori infected clinical patients. Forty-four patients with gastric ulcers, 21 of whom were taking great burdock essence compounds and 23 taking placebo, were included in this study. After taking great burdock essence compounds or placebo for 1 month, ¹³C-Urea Breath Test showed 20 (20/21) patients with negative results and only one person with positive results among the burdock group; in addition, it also indicated that there were 1 6(16/23) with negative results and seven (7/23) patients with positive results among the placebo group. The statistical results also showed that the positive ¹³C-Urea Breath Test results in patients who took great burdock essence compounds were significantly lower than that of the control group (p = 0.027). It suggested that great burdock essence is an appropriate health supplement for gastric ulcer patients with H pylori infection.