1
|
Tălăngescu A, Calenic B, Mihăilescu DF, Tizu M, Marunțelu I, Constantinescu AE, Constantinescu I. Molecular Analysis of HLA Genes in Romanian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:1064-1077. [PMID: 38392185 PMCID: PMC10887826 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46020067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B, a persistent inflammatory liver condition, stands as a significant global health issue. In Romania, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection ranks among the highest in the European Union. The HLA genotype significantly impacts hepatitis B virus infection progression, indicating that certain HLA variants can affect the infection's outcome. The primary goal of the present work is to identify HLA alleles and specific amino acid residues linked to hepatitis B within the Romanian population. The study enrolled 247 patients with chronic hepatitis B; HLA typing was performed using next-generation sequencing. This study's main findings include the identification of certain HLA alleles, such as DQB1*06:03:01, DRB1*13:01:01, DQB1*06:02:01, DQA1*01:03:01, DRB5*01:01:01, and DRB1*15:01:01, which exhibit a significant protective effect against HBV. Additionally, the amino acid residue alanine at DQB1_38 is associated with a protective role, while valine presence may signal an increased risk of hepatitis B. The present findings are important in addressing the urgent need for improved methods of diagnosing and managing CHB, particularly when considering the disease's presence in diverse population groups and geographical regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Tălăngescu
- Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Centre of Immunogenetics and Virology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan Calenic
- Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan Florin Mihăilescu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independenței Street, No. 91-95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Maria Tizu
- Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Centre of Immunogenetics and Virology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ion Marunțelu
- Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Centre of Immunogenetics and Virology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandra E Constantinescu
- Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ileana Constantinescu
- Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Centre of Immunogenetics and Virology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 258 Fundeni Avenue, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pop CE, Deák G, Maria C, Ghiță G, Ivanov AA, Fendrihan S, Mihăilescu DF, Mernea M. Ideonella sakaiensis Can Metabolize Bisphenol A as a Carbon Source. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2891. [PMID: 38138035 PMCID: PMC10745525 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bisphenol A and its analogues represent a significant environmental and public health hazard, particularly affecting the endocrine systems of children and newborns. Due to the growing need for non-pathogenic biodegradation microbial agents as environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions to eliminate endocrine disruptors, this study aimed to investigate the degradation of bisphenol A by Ideonella sakaiensis, based on its currently understood unique enzymatic machinery that is already well known for degrading polyethylene terephthalate. The present study provides novel insights into the metabolic competence and growth particularities of I. sakaiensis. The growth of I. sakaiensis exposed to bisphenol A exceeded that in the control conditions, starting with 72 h in a 70% nutrient-rich medium and starting with 48 h in a 100% nutrient-rich medium. Computational modeling showed that bisphenol A, as well as its analogue bisphenol S, are possible substrates of PETase and MHETase. The use of bisphenol A as a carbon and energy source through a pure I. sakaiensis culture expands the known substrate spectra and the species' potential as a new candidate for bisphenol A bioremediation processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristian-Emilian Pop
- Department of Natural and Technological Hazards, National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenței Str., 060031 Bucharest, Romania (S.F.)
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (D.F.M.); (M.M.)
- Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - György Deák
- Department of Natural and Technological Hazards, National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenței Str., 060031 Bucharest, Romania (S.F.)
| | - Cristina Maria
- Department of Natural and Technological Hazards, National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenței Str., 060031 Bucharest, Romania (S.F.)
| | - Gina Ghiță
- Department of Natural and Technological Hazards, National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenței Str., 060031 Bucharest, Romania (S.F.)
| | - Alexandru Anton Ivanov
- Department of Natural and Technological Hazards, National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenței Str., 060031 Bucharest, Romania (S.F.)
| | - Sergiu Fendrihan
- Department of Natural and Technological Hazards, National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenței Str., 060031 Bucharest, Romania (S.F.)
- Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan Florin Mihăilescu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (D.F.M.); (M.M.)
- Biometric Psychiatric Genetics Research Unit, Alexandru Obregia Psychiatric Hospital, Șoseaua Berceni 10 Str., 041914 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Maria Mernea
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (D.F.M.); (M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Albajy MA, Mernea M, Mihaila A, Pop CE, Mihăilescu DF. Harnessing Code Interpreters for Enhanced Predictive Modeling: A Case Study on High-Density Lipoprotein Level Estimation in Romanian Diabetic Patients. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1466. [PMID: 37888077 PMCID: PMC10608218 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13101466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is a condition accompanied by the alteration of body parameters, including those related to lipids like triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). The latter are grouped under the term dyslipidemia and are considered a risk factor for cardiovascular events. In the present work, we analyzed the complex relationships between twelve parameters (disease status, age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, TG, HDL, LDL, glucose, HbA1c levels, and disease onset) of patients with diabetes from Romania. An initial prospective analysis showed that HDL is inversely correlated with most of the parameters; therefore, we further analyzed the dependence of HDLs on the other factors. The analysis was conducted with the Code Interpreter plugin of ChatGPT, which was used to build several models from which Random Forest performed best. The principal predictors of HDLs were TG, LDL, and HbA1c levels. Random Forest models were used to model all parameters, showing that blood pressure and HbA1c can be predicted based on the other parameters with the least error, while the less predictable parameters were TG and LDL levels. By conducting the present study using the ChatGPT Code Interpreter, we show that elaborate analysis methods are at hand and easy to apply by researchers with limited computational resources. The insight that can be gained from such an approach, such as what we obtained on HDL level predictors in diabetes, could be relevant for deriving novel management strategies and therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maitham Abdallah Albajy
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.A.); (D.F.M.)
- National Center for Occupational Health and Safety, 22 Imam Ali Str., Nasiriyah 64001, Iraq
| | - Maria Mernea
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.A.); (D.F.M.)
| | - Alexandra Mihaila
- Liberty Medical Center Clinic, Intrarea Zorilor 23 A Str., 077175 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Cristian-Emilian Pop
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.A.); (D.F.M.)
- Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, Schitului 14 Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan Florin Mihăilescu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.A.); (D.F.M.)
- Biometric Psychiatric Genetics Research Unit, Alexandru Obregia Psychiatric Hospital, Șoseaua Berceni 10 Str., 041914 Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mernea M, Ulăreanu RȘ, Cucu D, Al-Saedi JH, Pop CE, Fendrihan S, Anghelescu GDC, Mihăilescu DF. Epithelial Sodium Channel Inhibition by Amiloride Addressed with THz Spectroscopy and Molecular Modeling. Molecules 2022; 27:3271. [PMID: 35630748 PMCID: PMC9144217 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
THz spectroscopy is important for the study of ion channels because it directly addresses the low frequency collective motions relevant for their function. Here we used THz spectroscopy to investigate the inhibition of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by its specific blocker, amiloride. Experiments were performed on A6 cells' suspensions, which are cells overexpressing ENaC derived from Xenopus laevis kidney. THz spectra were investigated with or without amiloride. When ENaC was inhibited by amiloride, a substantial increase in THz absorption was noticed. Molecular modeling methods were used to explain the observed spectroscopic differences. THz spectra were simulated using the structural models of ENaC and ENaC-amiloride complexes built here. The agreement between the experiment and the simulations allowed us to validate the structural models and to describe the amiloride dynamics inside the channel pore. The amiloride binding site validated using THz spectroscopy agrees with previous mutagenesis studies. Altogether, our results show that THz spectroscopy can be successfully used to discriminate between native and inhibited ENaC channels and to characterize the dynamics of channels in the presence of their specific antagonist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mernea
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.M.); (R.Ș.U.); (J.H.A.-S.); (G.D.C.A.); (D.F.M.)
| | - Roxana Ștefania Ulăreanu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.M.); (R.Ș.U.); (J.H.A.-S.); (G.D.C.A.); (D.F.M.)
| | - Dana Cucu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.M.); (R.Ș.U.); (J.H.A.-S.); (G.D.C.A.); (D.F.M.)
| | - Jasim Hafedh Al-Saedi
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.M.); (R.Ș.U.); (J.H.A.-S.); (G.D.C.A.); (D.F.M.)
| | - Cristian-Emilian Pop
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania;
- Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Sergiu Fendrihan
- Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania;
- Faculty of Medicine, University “Vasile Goldis”, Bulevardul Revoluției 94, 310025 Arad, Romania
| | - Giorgiana Diana Carmen Anghelescu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.M.); (R.Ș.U.); (J.H.A.-S.); (G.D.C.A.); (D.F.M.)
| | - Dan Florin Mihăilescu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței Str., 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.M.); (R.Ș.U.); (J.H.A.-S.); (G.D.C.A.); (D.F.M.)
- Biometric Psychiatric Genetics Research Unit, Alexandru Obregia Psychiatric Hospital, 10 Șoseaua Berceni Str., 041914 Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gheorghe I, Czobor I, Chifiriuc MC, Borcan E, Ghiţă C, Banu O, Lazăr V, Mihăescu G, Mihăilescu DF, Zhiyong Z. Molecular screening of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative strains in Romanian intensive care units during a one year survey. J Med Microbiol 2014; 63:1303-1310. [PMID: 25060972 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.074039-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This is the first study, to our knowledge, performed on a significant number of strains (79 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and 84 carbapenem-resistant non-fermenting Gram-negative rods, GNRs) isolated from tissue samples taken from patients in the intensive care units of two large hospitals in Bucharest, Romania, between 2011 and 2012. The results revealed a high prevalence and great diversity of carbapenemase genes (CRG), in both fermenting and non-fermenting Gram-negative carbapenem-resistant strains. The molecular screening of carbapenem-resistant GNRs revealed the presence of worldwide-distributed CRGs (i.e. blaOXA-48 and blaNDM-1 in Enterobacteriaceae and blaOXA-23, blaVIM-4, blaOXA-10-like, blaOXA-60-like, blaSPM-like and blaGES-like in non-fermenting GNRs), reflecting the rapid evolution and spread of carbapenemase producers, particularly in hospitals. Rapid identification of the colonized or infected patients is required, as are epidemiological investigations to establish the local or imported origin of the respective strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irina Gheorghe
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Portocalelor 1-3, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ilda Czobor
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Portocalelor 1-3, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc
- Cantacuzino National Institute of Research and Development for Microbiology and Immunology, Splaiul Independenţei 103, Bucharest, Romania.,Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, B.P. Hasdeu Street 10, Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Portocalelor 1-3, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Elvira Borcan
- Fundeni Clinical Hospital, Fundeni Road 258, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Camelia Ghiţă
- Fundeni Clinical Hospital, Fundeni Road 258, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Otilia Banu
- C. C. Iliescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Fundeni Road 258, Bucharest
| | - Veronica Lazăr
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Portocalelor 1-3, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Grigore Mihăescu
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Portocalelor 1-3, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan Florin Mihăilescu
- Department of Anatomy and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independenţei 91-95, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Zong Zhiyong
- Centre of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxuexiang 37, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|