[Features of genetic mutations in children with high myopia combined with peripheral retinal degenerations]

Degenerative changes in the peripheral regions of the ocular fundus allow a closer look at both the role of collagen genes and their mutations in children with high myopia.

PURPOSE

The study investigates the features of genetic mutations in children with high myopia combined with peripheral retinal degenerations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study group was formed from the database of genetic studies of the Scientific and Clinical Center OOO Oftalmic, which consists of 4362 patients referred for medical genetic counseling and molecular genetic testing from 2016 to 2021. Selection criteria were: male and female patients, aged 5-18 years old, who had the following clinical signs: high myopia (>6.00 D) and the presence of peripheral retinal degenerations (PRD). The study considered both isolated cases of ophthalmic pathology, as well as its syndromic forms. The final selection included 40 children. All patients had consulted with a geneticist. Whole-exome sequencing (WES), next generation sequencing (NGS), and single gene sequencing were conducted by taking 5 mL of peripheral venous blood and extracting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

RESULTS

In patients with isolated cases of ophthalmic pathology (peripheral retinal degenerations and high myopia) with a confirmed genetic diagnosis, mutations in the COL2A1 gene were detected in 77.4% of cases, and in the COL11A1 gene - in 22.6% of cases. In Stickler syndrome with a confirmed genetic diagnosis, mutations in the COL2A1 gene were detected in 33.3% of cases. In Marshall syndrome, the mutation in the COL11A1 gene was detected in 11.1% of cases. In children with Ehlers-Danlos, Knobloch type 1, Cohen, Marfan, Wagner syndromes mutations in the genes COL5A1, COL18A1, VPS13B, FBN1, VCAN were detected in 55.6% of cases. In 33.3% of cases of Knobloch type 1, Cohen, Wagner syndromes the mutation is found in both copies of the gene (i.e., in both chromosomes), which leads to the development of peripheral retinal degenerations with high myopia.

CONCLUSION

The results of the conducted molecular genetic testing expand our understanding of the mutation spectrum in the genes of children with both isolated cases of ophthalmic pathology, as well as syndromic pathology.

Are We Getting High Cause the Thrill is Gone?

In the USA alone, opioid use disorder (OUD) affects approximately 27 million people. While the number of prescriptions may be declining due to increased CDC guidance and prescriber education, fatalities due to fentanyl-laced street heroin are still rising. Our laboratory has extended the overall concept of both substance and non-substance addictive behaviors, calling it "Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)." Who are its victims, and how do we get this unwanted disorder? Is RDS caused by genes (Nature), environment (Neuro-epigenetics, Nurture), or both? Recent research identifies resting-state functional connectivity in the brain reward circuitry as a crucial factor. Analogously, it is of importance to acknowledge that the cumulative discharge of dopamine, governed by the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and modulated by an array of additional neurotransmitters, constitutes a cornerstone of an individual's overall well-being. Neuroimaging reveals that high-risk individuals exhibit a blunted response to stimuli, potentially due to DNA polymorphisms or epigenetic alterations. This discovery has given rise to the idea of a diminished 'thrill,' though we must consider whether this 'thrill' may have been absent from birth due to high-risk genetic predispositions for addiction. This article reviews this issue and suggests the general concept of the importance of "induction of dopamine homeostasis." We suggest coupling a validated genetic assessment (e.g., GARS) with pro-dopamine regulation (KB220) as one possible frontline modality in place of prescribing potent addictive opioids for OUD except for short time harm reduction. Could gene editing offer a 'cure' for this undesirable genetic modification at birth, influenced by the environment and carried over generations, leading to impaired dopamine and other neurotransmitter imbalances, as seen in RDS? Through dedicated global scientific exploration, we hope for a future where individuals are liberated from pain and disease, achieving an optimal state of well-being akin to the proverbial 'Garden of Eden'.

In silico characterization of 1,2-diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase and lysophospha-tidylcholine acyltransferase genes in Glycine max L. Merrill

The enzymes 1,2-diacylglycerol cholinephosphotrans-ferase (CPT) and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) are important in lipid metabolism in soybean seeds. Thus, understand-ing the genes that encode these enzymes may enable their modification and aid the improvement of soybean oil quality. In soybean, the genes encoding these enzymes have not been completely described; there-fore, this study aimed to identify, characterize, and analyze the in silico expression of these genes in soybean. We identified two gene models encoding CPT and two gene models encoding LPCAT, one of which presented an alternative transcript. The sequences were positioned on the physical map of soybean and the promoter regions were analyzed. Cis-elements responsible for seed-specific expression and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses were identified. Virtual expression analysis of the gene models for CPT and LPCAT indicated that these genes are expressed under different stress conditions, in somatic embryos during differentiation, in immature seeds, root tissues, and calli. Putative ami-no acid sequences revealed the presence of transmembrane domains, and analysis of the cellular localization of these enzymes revealed they are located in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Identifying human disease genes: advances in molecular genetics and computational approaches

The human genome project is one of the significant achievements that have provided detailed insight into our genetic legacy. During the last two decades, biomedical investigations have gathered a considerable body of evidence by detecting more than 2000 disease genes. Despite the imperative advances in the genetic understanding of various diseases, the pathogenesis of many others remains obscure. With recent advances, the laborious methodologies used to identify DNA variations are replaced by direct sequencing of genomic DNA to detect genetic changes. The ability to perform such studies depends equally on the development of high-throughput and economical genotyping methods. Currently, basically for every disease whose origen is still unknown, genetic approaches are available which could be pedigree-dependent or -independent with the capacity to elucidate fundamental disease mechanisms. Computer algorithms and programs for linkage analysis have formed the foundation for many disease gene detection projects, similarly databases of clinical findings have been widely used to support diagnostic decisions in dysmorphology and general human disease. For every disease type, genome sequence variations, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms are mapped by comparing the genetic makeup of case and control groups. Methods that predict the effects of polymorphisms on protein stability are useful for the identification of possible disease associations, whereas structural effects can be assessed using methods to predict stability changes in proteins using sequence and/or structural information.

PANNOTATOR: an automated tool for annotation of pan-genomes

Due to next-generation sequence technologies, sequencing of bacterial genomes is no longer one of the main bottlenecks in bacterial research and the number of new genomes deposited in public databases continues to increase at an accelerating rate. Among these new genomes, several belong to the same species and were generated for pan-genomic studies. A pan-genomic study allows investigation of strain phenotypic differences based on genotypic differences. Along with a need for good assembly quality, it is also fundamental to guarantee good functional genome annotation of the different strains. In order to ensure quality and standards for functional genome annotation among different strains, we developed and made available PANNOTATOR (http://bnet.egr.vcu.edu/iioab/agenote.php), a web-based automated pipeline for the annotation of closely related and well-suited genomes for pan-genome studies, aiming at reducing the manual work to generate reports and corrections of various genome strains. PANNOTATOR achieved 98 and 76% of correctness for gene name and function, respectively, as result of an annotation transfer, with a similarity cut-off of 70%, compared with a gold standard annotation for the same species. These results surpassed the RAST and BASys softwares by 41 and 21% and 66 and 17% for gene name and function annotation, respectively, when there were reliable genome annotations of closely related species. PANNOTATOR provides fast and reliable pan-genome annotation; thereby allowing us to maintain the research focus on the main genotype differences between strains.

In silico prediction of conserved vaccine targets in Streptococcus agalactiae strains isolated from fish, cattle, and human samples

Streptococcus agalactiae (Lancefield group B; group B streptococci) is a major pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis in fish, mastitis in cows, and neonatal sepsis and meningitis in humans. The available prophylactic measures for conserving human and animal health are not totally effective and have limitations. Effective vaccines against the different serotypes or genotypes of pathogenic strains from the various hosts would be useful. We used an in silico strategy to identify conserved vaccine candidates in 15 genomes of group B streptococci strains isolated from human, bovine, and fish samples. The degree of conservation, subcellular localization, and immunogenic potential of S. agalactiae proteins were investigated. We identified 36 antigenic proteins that were conserved in all 15 genomes. Among these proteins, 5 and 23 were shared only by human or fish strains, respectively. These potential vaccine targets may help develop effective vaccines that will help prevent S. agalactiae infection.

Dopamine Genetics and Function in Food and Substance Abuse

Having entered the genomics era with confidence in the future of medicine, including psychiatry, identifying the role of DNA and polymorphic associations with brain reward circuitry has led to a new understanding of all addictive behaviors. It is noteworthy that this strategy may provide treatment for the millions who are the victims of "Reward Deficiency Syndrome" (RDS) a genetic disorder of brain reward circuitry. This article will focus on drugs and food being mutuality addictive, and the role of dopamine genetics and function in addictions, including the interaction of the dopamine transporter, and sodium food. We will briefly review our concept that concerns the genetic antecedents of multiple-addictions (RDS). Studies have also shown that evaluating a panel of established reward genes and polymorphisms enables the stratification of genetic risk to RDS. The panel is called the "Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS)", and is a tool for the diagnosis of a genetic predisposition for RDS. The use of this test, as pointed out by others, would benefit the medical community by identifying at risk individuals at a very early age. We encourage, in depth work in both animal and human models of addiction. We encourage further exploration of the neurogenetic correlates of the commonalities between food and drug addiction and endorse forward thinking hypotheses like "The Salted Food Addiction Hypothesis".

Have We Hatched the Addiction Egg: Reward Deficiency Syndrome Solution System™

This article co-authored by a number of scientists, ASAM physicians, clinicians, treatment center owners, geneticists, neurobiologists, psychologists, social workers, criminologists, nurses, nutritionist, and students, is dedicated to all the people who have lost loved ones in substance-abuse and "reward deficiency syndrome" related tragedies. Why are we failing at reducing the incidence of 'Bad Behaviors'? Are we aiming at the wrong treatment targets for behavioral disorders? We are proposing a paradigm shift and calling it "Reward Deficiency Solution System" providing evidence for its adoption.

Common Phenotype in Patients with Both Food and Substance Dependence: Case Reports

The understanding that genes play a significant role in reward dependence and associated behavioral and drug addictions is highlighted in the emergence of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). Here we show two case reports that unequivocally indicate the definite commonality between food and drug addiction. These human cases not atypically raise the question as to how to treat these two seemingly diverse addictions. We suggest that research directed in an attempt to induce natural activation of dopaminergic reward circuitry as a form of common therapy may indeed be parsimonious.

MicroRNA let-7: an emerging next-generation cancer therapeutic

In recent years, various RNA-based technologies have been under evaluation as potential next-generation cancer therapeutics. Micrornas (miRNAS), known to regulate the cell cycle and development, are deregulated in various cancers. Thus, they might serve as good targets or candidates in an exploration of anticancer therapeutics. One attractive candidate for this purpose is let-7 ("lethal-7"). Let-7 is underexpressed in various cancers, and restoration of its normal expression is found to inhibit cancer growth by targeting various oncogenes and inhibiting key regulators of several mitogenic pathways. In vivo, let-7 administration was found effective against mouse-model lung and breast cancers, and our computational prediction supports the possible effectiveness of let-7 in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive metastatic breast cancer. Data also suggest that let-7 regulates apoptosis and cancer stem cell (CSC) differentiation and can therefore be tested as a potential therapeutic in cancer treatment. However, the exact role of let-7 in cancer is not yet fully understood. There is a need to understand the causative molecular basis of let-7 alterations in cancer and to develop proper delivery systems before proceeding to therapeutic applications. This article attempts to highlight certain critical aspects of let-7's therapeutic potential in cancer.

Syzygium cumini inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in cervical cancer cell lines: a primary study

Cervical cancer is common among women in the Indian subcontinent and the incidences and death rates are gradually increasing over the years. Several dietary phytochemicals have been reported to have growth inhibitory and apoptotic effect on HeLa and other cervical cell lines. In this study, using Hoechst 33342 staining, MTT, Annexin V-FLUOS/PI and TUNEL assays we demonstrated that Syzygium cumini extract inhibits the growth and induces apoptosis in HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The phytochemical, its mode of action and safety issues are yet to be determined.