Ehiaghe Friday Alfred*, Ehiaghe Imuetinya Joy, Rebecca Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu, Onah Ejike Christian, Ihim Augustine Chinedu, Ochiabuto Mary-Theodora Ogochukwu, Unaeze Chukwuebuka Bright, Obi Chioma Maureen, Ukibe Rose Nkiruka, Osakue Omoyemen Nosahkare, Onyenekwe Charlse Chinedum, Meludu Chukwuemeka Samuel, Manafa Patrick Onochie and Emeje Paul Isaac
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.592
Enterococci have gained significance as the cause of nosocomial infections. They occur as food contaminants and have also been linked to dental diseases. Currently, infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Enterococcus faecalis represents 10% of all IE and is marked by its difficult management and the frequency of relapses. Although the precise reasons for that remain to be elucidated, the evolution of the culprit strain based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) could be, at least in part, involved. The cross sectional study randomly selected 40 consented (25 male and 15 female) HIV seropositive patients and body mass index of 16.7 ± 1.0 (Kg/m2 ) with CD4+ cells<200 cells/µl. Urine and feces samples were collected used for testing. Chrom agar was used for bacterial isolation. DNA isolations from the 24-hour growth cultures of possible Enterococcus faecalis were carried out using Zymo Research Bacterial DNA isolation kit. The twenty-nine (29) clinical isolates that showed black-colored colonies and were further subjected to polymerase chain reaction identification using Enterococcus faecalis gene specific primers. Only two (2) out of twenty-nine (29) suspected Enterococcus spp were PCR confirmed Enterococcus faecalis. We observed that about 85.36313% sites of the accessions are polymorphic among the two isolates. Considering the Enterococcus faecalis gene the polymorphic sites are 76.4% and 23.6% biallelic and triallelic respectively with a corresponding number of such sites as 447 and 331, respectively. The coding regions (CDs) for the Enterococcus faecalis genome displayed the majority of SNP loci at codon position C2 and C3 with 34.5% and 31.3% of their respective total SNP loci, respectively. The observed variability between the two sequences from Nigeria may be due to increased genetic diversity over time and could be a possible vaccine target in the prevention of infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Enterococcus faecalis.
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.596
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.595
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.594
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease with unknown etiology that leads to the formation of scar tissue in the lungs. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying IPF remain unclear, epigenetic changes have been implicated in the disease pathogenesis. Epigenetics refers to modifications to DNA and histones that alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence itself. These modifications include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA expression, all of which are influenced by environmental factors. Epigenetic changes have been observed in IPF, particularly alterations in DNA methylation and histone modifications. Studies have identified DNA methylation changes in genes related to extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which are all pathways that are dysregulated in IPF.In addition, histone modifications, such as histone acetylation and methylation, have been shown to regulate the expression of genes involved in fibrosis and inflammation. Given the potential role of epigenetic changes in IPF, precision medicine approaches targeting epigenetic modifications have been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy. One approach is the use of drugs that target specific epigenetic enzymes, such as histone deacetylases (HDACs) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), which are involved in histone and DNA modifications, respectively. For example, HDAC inhibitors have been shown to reduce fibrosis and improve lung function in animal models of IPF. However, the use of these drugs in human clinical trials has been limited due to their potential side effects and lack of specificity
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.593
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of gametes in the developing embryo. These cells are specified early in embryonic development and have the ability to differentiate into sperm or ova depending on the sex of the individual. In birds, PGCs are formed in the early blastoderm stage, and migrate to the gonads where they differentiate into sperm or ova. The formation of PGCs in birds, particularly in chickens, has been extensively studied due to its importance in understanding avian reproduction and its potential applications in the field of reproductive biology. This essay will discuss the process of chicken PGC formation and the factors that influence this process. The early development of the chicken embryo begins with the fertilization of the ovum by the sperm. The zygote undergoes several cell divisions to form a hollow ball of cells called the blastoderm. At this stage, the embryo is still a single layer of cells, with a central area called the area pellucida and an outer area called the area opaca. The area pellucida is a clear region that is surrounded by the thicker, opaque area opaca. The blastoderm consists of two regions: the prospective embryo, which will give rise to the various organs and tissues of the body, and the extra-embryonic region, which will form the placenta and other supporting tissues.
Flavia Zattar Piazera*, Marcelo Mion, Guilherme Augusto Costa Damasio, Cynthia Ellen Toyoshima Greenfield, Rafael de Sá Vasconcelos, Jorge Vaz Pinto Neto and Selma Aparecida Kuckelhaus
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.597
New A*33 allele has the closest match with HLA-A*33:03:01:01, except for a mismatch at position 270 in Exon 2. Instead of the expected T, an A was detected at this position. This information was included in the full Nomenclature report and contributed to the immunogenetic study.
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.598
Over the past few decades, stem cell-based cardiac regeneration has emerged as a promising therapy for patients with heart failure, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various types of cells, including heart cells, and can potentially be used to replace damaged or dead heart tissue. One of the challenges in using stem cells for cardiac regeneration is creating a suitable environment for their growth and differentiation. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) culture methods have limitations in mimicking the complex three-dimensional (3D) environment of the heart. This is where 3D organoid models come into play. Organoids are 3D structures that can be grown from stem cells, which can self-organize and differentiate into specific cell types, mimicking the structure and function of organs. In the context of cardiac regeneration, 3D organoids can be used to model heart tissue, providing a more accurate representation of the complex 3D architecture of the heart. Recent advances in 3D organoid models for stem cell-based cardiac regeneration have shown promising results. For example, researchers have been able to create 3D heart organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can be used for drug screening, disease modeling, and potentially for transplantation.
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.599
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.600
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.601
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It includes two primary forms of inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) - that share some common clinical features such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Although the precise etiology of IBD remains unclear, it is believed that genetic, environmental, and immunological factors play a role in the development of this condition. Recent studies have suggested that epigenetic modifications in immune cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD. This article will discuss the role of immunoepigenetic regulation in the development of IBD. Epigenetic modifications are heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA expression, all of which play important roles in the regulation of gene expression. Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms can lead to aberrant gene expression and contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. In the context of IBD, recent studies have highlighted the importance of epigenetic modifications in immune cells.
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.602
Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN) is a frequently found, pancreatic cystic neoplasm. IPMN has relatively high malignant potential, and its therapeutic strategy is limited to surgical resection. It is well known that mutations of GNAS and KRAS play important roles in its malignant progression, but its molecular mechanisms have not been well elucidated. In this review, clinical features and molecular alterations of IPMN were summarized. Then, crosstalk between KRAS signaling and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling was clarified. Finally, it was indicated that the final effector of KRAS mutant IPMN could be carbon anhydrase IX (CA9), and the possibility of molecular targeted therapy against IPMN by means of CA9 inhibitors was discussed.
Dan Wang*, Jian Sun, Yiming Chen, Ting Zhu, Mianmian Zhu, Rongyue Sun, Yujing Gong and Yanying Zhu
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2023.17.592
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2022.16.587
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited condition that causes high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood. The condition is caused by mutations in genes responsible for regulating the metabolism of cholesterol in the liver. FH affects approximately 1 in 200 people worldwide, and is associated with a higher risk of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients with severe heart disease, but it is not without its risks. In particular, heart transplant recipients are at an increased risk for CVD, including accelerated atherosclerosis, which can lead to transplant failure and death. FH is a significant risk factor for accelerated atherosclerosis in heart transplant recipients, and managing cholesterol levels in these patients is critical to their long-term outcomes.
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2022.16.588
Regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field of medicine that involves the repair, replacement or regeneration of tissues, organs or cells in the human body. It is a rapidly growing field that holds great promise for the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions, including chronic diseases and injuries that were previously considered untreatable. In this article, we will explore the basics of regenerative medicine, its current state, and the future possibilities it holds. Regenerative medicine involves the use of advanced technology to stimulate the body's natural healing process. It is based on the principle that the human body has an innate ability to heal itself, and that this healing process can be harnessed to treat a wide range of diseases and injuries. The field of regenerative medicine encompasses a wide range of approaches, including cell therapy, tissue engineering, gene therapy, and biomaterials. Cell therapy involves the use of stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissue, while tissue engineering involves the creation of new tissue from living cells. Gene therapy involves the use of genes to treat or prevent disease, and biomaterials involve the use of synthetic or natural materials to support tissue growth.
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2022.16.589
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2022.16.590
In the field of medicine, the goal of personalized medicine is to provide tailored treatment plans to individual patients based on their unique biological characteristics. This approach is becoming increasingly important as it enables physicians to optimize patient outcomes while minimizing the risk of adverse effects. One critical tool in personalized medicine is molecular imaging, which enables the visualization of specific biological processes at the molecular level. In this essay, we will explore the role of molecular imaging in personalized medicine. Molecular imaging is now widely used in the treatment of many diseases, with a particular emphasis on cancer care. It refers to the in vivo identification and quantification of key biomolecules and molecular events that underpin malignant conditions. This article discusses both established and emerging molecular imaging methods in oncology. Current molecular imaging techniques have benefits for both clinical cancer care and drug development.
DOI: 10.37421/1747-0862.2022.16.591
Molecular and Genetic Medicine received 3571 citations as per Google Scholar report
