Prevalent false positives of azoospermia factor a （AZFa） microdeletions caused by single-nucleotide polymorphism rs72609647 in the sY84 screening of male infertility

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction （PCR） has been widely used to detect Y-chromosome micredeletions, which is one of the major causes of male infertility. Both the European Academy of Andrology （EAA） and the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network （EMQN） have recommended the use of sY84 and sY86 markers for the detection of azoospermia factor a （AZFa） microdeletion during DNA testing for male infertility. In this study, a large-scale analysis of AZF microdeletion in a total of 630 Chinese males, including healthy semen donors （n=200）, infertile males with normal sperm count （n=226） and patients with either nonobstructive azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia （n=204）, was performed. A series of nine sequence-tagged site （STS） markers from the AZF region of the Y chromosome was used to detect microdeletions. All primers were designed based on the recommendations of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. An unusually high incidence （73/630, 11.6%） of sY84-absent but sY86-present genotypes was observed in the AZFa microdeletion screening. Sequencing the sY84-flanking region revealed a total of 73 patients with sY84-absent but sY86-present genotypes have a T-to-G transversion at the fifth base from the 5＇ end of the reverse sY84 primer. These prevalent false positives, which were not only observed in infertile men, but also observed in donors, resulted from a single-nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） named rs72609647 in the targeting sequence of the reverse sY84 primer. Our study suggests that a pre-screening of existence of rs72609647 polymorphism can prevent the frequent false positive results of AZFa microdeletions detection in the infertile Chinese males. Given the SNP rs72609647 was recently found in a deep sequencing of a Chinese individual, the current EAA and EMQN standards may need to be scrutinized among different populations to avoid the potential genetic variations in the primer binding sequences.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of HLA and Polygonum multiflorum-induced liver injury in the Han Chinese population

BACKGROUND Polygonum multiflorum is one of the leading causes of herb-induced liver injury in China.HLA-B*35:01 is reported to be a potential biomarker of Polygonum multiflorum-induced liver injury(PM-DILI).However,little is known about the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) and PM-DILI.AIM To identify SNPs that indicate susceptibility to PM-DILI METHODS We conducted a systematic study enrolling 382 participants from four independent hospitals,including 73 PM-DILI patients,118 patients with other drug-induced liver injury(other-DILI) and 191 healthy controls.Whole-exome sequencing was performed for 8 PM-DILI patients and 8 healthy controls who were randomly selected from the above subjects.Nineteen SNPs that showed high frequencies in the 8 PM-DILI patients were selected as candidate SNPs and then screened in 65 PM-DILI patients,118 other-DILI patients and 183 healthy controls using the MassARRAY system.HLA-B high-resolution genotyping was performed for the 73 PM-DILI and 118 other-DILI patients.The Han-MHC database was selected as a population control for HLA-B analysis.P <6.25 x 103 after Bolferroni correction was considered significant.RESULTS The frequencies of rslll686806 in the HLA-A gene,rs1055348 in the HLA-B gene,and rs202047044 in the HLA-DRB1 gene were significantly higher in the PM-DILI group than in the control group [27.2% vs 11.6%,P=1.72×105,odds ratio(OR)=3.96,95% confidence interval(Cl):2.21-7.14;42.5% vs 8.6%,P=1.72×10-19 OR=13.62,95% CI:7.16-25.9;22.9% vs 8.1%,P=4.64×106,OR=4.1,95% CI:2.25-7.47].Only rs1055348 showed a significantly higher frequency in the PM-DILI group than in the other-DILI group(42.5% vs 13.6%,P=1.84×10-10,OR=10.06,95% Cl:5.06-20.0),which suggested that it is a specific risk factor for PM-DILI.rs1055348 may become a tag for HLA-B*35:01 with 100% sensitivity and 97.7% specificity in the PM-DILI group and 100% sensitivity and 98.1% specificity in the other-DILI group.Furthermore,HLA-B*35:01 was confirmed to be associated with PM-DILI with a frequency of 41.1% in the PM-DILI group compared with 11.9%(P=4.30×10-11,OR=11.11,95% CI:5.57-22.19) in the other-DILI group and 2.7%(P=6.22×10-166,OR=62.62,95% Cl:35.91-109.20) in the Han-MHC database.CONCLUSION rslll686806,rs1055348,and rs202047044 are associated with PM-DILI,of which,rs1055348 is specific to PM-DILI.As a tag for HLA-B*35:01,rs1055348 may become an alternative predictive biomarker of PM-DILI.

PLASMA RESISTIN LEVELS AND SINGLE-NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS IN RESISTIN GENE 5 FLANKING REGION IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE

Objective To analyze the role of resistin in insulin resistance (IR) through investigating the variation of plasma resistin levels and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in resistin gene 5’ flanking region in stroke patients.Methods In 103 atherothrombotic cerebral infarction (ACI) patients, 85 lacunar infarction (LI) patients, 70 intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients, and 86 healthy controls, plasma resistin and insulin levels were measured by ELISA , SNPs in resistin gene 5’ flanking region were detected by PCR and direct DNA sequencing. The subjects’ body height and weight, the body mass index, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), blood pressure, and the concentration of fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, creatinine, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein were also determined. Results QUICKI was significantly lower in the ACI and ICH patients (0.316±0.037 and 0.309±0.032, respectively) than that in the controls (0.342±0.043, P<0.001), while plasma resistin level was significantly higher in the ACI and ICH patients (6.36±3.79 and 7.15±4.27 ng/mL, respectively) than that in the controls (5.28±2.56 ng/mL, P<0.05), but such difference was not observed in the LI patients compared with controls. There was a statistically negative correlation between plasma resistin level with QUICKI (r=-0.228, P<0.001). The distributions of allele and genotype frequencies of resistin gene -420C>G and -537A>C SNPs were not significantly different among the different groups, and those SNPs were not correlated with other clinical and biochemical parameters.Conclusions Plasma resistin is associated with stroke by participating in the development of IR. The SNPs in resistin gene 5’ flanking region has no impact on the plasma resistin level.

Association of Bovine Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 Gene Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms with Intramuscular Fatty Acid Composition in Japanese Black Steers

Beef from Japanese Black cattle (JBK), is popular in Japan and valued for its highly marbled fat content. In JBK, genes affecting oleic acid content in meat have been studied mainly to lower the fat melting point and improve tenderness;however, there has been no direct correlation demonstrated between beef taste and oleic acid. To investigate genes affecting other fatty acids other than oleic acid, polymorphisms of the fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) gene were genotyped and associations with fatty acid profile in JBK beef were investigated. Amplifications of 5’-flanking regions, 12 exons, and 3’-untranslated regions of the FADS2 gene in three Japanese and five Western cattle breeds via PCR, were amplified, sequenced and SNPs were identified using specific TaqMan genotyping assay. Fatty acid composition of intramuscular adipose tissue of the Trapezius muscle was analyzed in JBK steers. Six of the 15 identified SNPs are novel and have never been registered in any public bovine SNP database. A non-synonymous SNP (rs211580559;C > T;294 Ala > Val) in exon 7 was examined in order to evaluate its association with fatty acid profiles. The data showed that highly significant association existed between rs211580559 and C18:2 (n-6) composition, and accounted for 22.3% of the variation. There were no significant relationships between rs2115-80559 and the other fatty acids. It was concluded that rs211580559 of the FADS2 gene may be a useful selection marker for reducing unfavorable volatiles generated from linoleic acid in JBK beef during the cooking process.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in gastrointestinal cancer

Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) are implicated in cancer development and progression and are associated with prognosis.Single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) of MMPs,most frequently located in the promoter region of the genes,have been shown to influence cancer susceptibility and/or progression.SNPs of MMP-1,-2,-3,-7,-8,-9,-12,-13 and-21 and of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMPs) TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 have been studied in digestive tract tumors.The contribution of these polymorphisms to the cancer risk and prognosis of gastrointestinal tumors are reviewed in this paper.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms,mapping and association analysis of 1-FFT-A1 gene in wheat

Fructans are major nonstructural carbohydrates in wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）. Fructan 1-fructosyltransferase （1-FFT） is the key enzyme in fructan biosynthesis. In the present study, 96 sequence variants were detected in the 1-FFT-A 1 gene among 26 wheat accessions including UR208, and 15 of them result in amino acid substitutions, forming four haplotypes. Two markers M39 and M2164 were developed based on the InDe121-39 and SNP-2164 polymorphisms to distinguish the three haplotypes in the 1-FFT-AI. 1-FFT-A1 was located on chromosome 4A using marker M2164 and was flanked by markers Xcwm27 and 6-SFT-A 1. By association analysis using a natural wheat population consisted of 154 accessions, the results showed that the two markers were significantly associated with water-soluble carbohydrate （WSC） content in the lower internode stem and total stem at the early and middle grain filling stages, 1 000-grain weight （TGW） at different grain filling stages and peduncle length （PLE）. Comparison of the effects of three haplotypes on agronomic traits indicated that TGW, PLE and total number of spikelets per spike （TNSS）were significantly influenced by haplotypes. Haplll showed a significant positive effect on TGW, PLE and TNSS.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms based genetic risk score in the prediction of pancreatic cancer risk

BACKGROUND Disease-related single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)based genetic risk score(GRS)has been proven to provide independent inherited risk other than family history in multiple cancer types.AIM To evaluate the potential of GRS in the prediction of pancreatic cancer risk.METHODS In this case-control study(254 cases and 1200 controls),we aimed to evaluate the association between GRS and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)risk in the Chinese population.The GRS was calculated based on the genotype information of 18 PDAC-related SNPs for each study subject(personal genotyping information of the SNPs)and was weighted by external odd ratios(ORs).RESULTS GRS was significantly different in cases and controls(1.96±3.84 in PDACs vs 1.09±0.94 in controls,P<0.0001).Logistic regression revealed GRS to be associated with PDAC risk[OR=1.23,95%confidence interval(CI):1.13-1.34,P<0.0001].GRS remained significantly associated with PDAC(OR=1.36,95%CI:1.06-1.74,P=0.015)after adjusting for age and sex.Further analysis revealed an association of increased risk for PDAC with higher GRS.Compared with low GRS(<1.0),subjects with high GRS(2.0)were 99%more likely to have PDAC(OR:1.99,95%CI:1.30-3.04,P=0.002).Participants with intermediate GRS(1.0-1.9)were 39%more likely to have PDAC(OR:1.39,95%CI:1.03-1.84,P=0.031).A positive trend was observed(P trend=0.0006).CONCLUSION GRS based on PDAC-associated SNPs could provide independent information on PDAC risk and may be used to predict a high risk PDAC population.

Genetic association analysis of CLEC5A and CLEC7A gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms and Crohn’s disease

BACKGROUND Crohn’s disease(CD)is characterized by a multifactorial etiology and a significant impact of genetic traits.While NOD2 mutations represent well established risk factors of CD,the role of other genes is incompletely understood.AIM To challenge the hypothesis that single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in the genes CLEC5 A and CLEC7 A,two members of the C-type lectin domain family of pattern recognition receptors,may be associated with CD.METHODS SNPs in CLEC5 A,CLEC7 A and the known CD risk gene NOD2 were studied using real time PCR-based SNP assays.Therefore,DNA samples from 175 patients and 157 healthy donors were employed.Genotyping data were correlated with clinical characteristics of the patients and the results of gene expression data analyses.RESULTS In accordance with previous studies,rs2066844 and rs2066847 in NOD2 were found to be significantly associated with CD(allelic P values=0.0368 and 0.0474,respectively).Intriguingly,for genotype AA of rs1285933 in CLEC5 A,a potential association with CD(recessive P=0.0523;odds ratio=1.90)was observed.There were no associations between CD and SNPs rs2078178 and rs16910631 in CLEC7 A.Variants of rs1285933 had no impact on CLEC5 A gene expression.In contrast,genotype-dependent differences of CXCL5 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were observed.There is no statistical interactionbetween the tested SNPs of NOD2 and CLEC5 A,suggesting of a novel pathway contributing to the disease.CONCLUSION Our data encourage enlarged follow-up studies to further address an association of SNP rs1285933 in CLEC5 A with CD.The C-type lectin domain family member also deserves attention regarding a potential role in the pathophysiology of CD.

Hormonally modulated migraine is associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms within genes involved in dopamine metabolism

Migraine is a complex trait in which multiple genetic loci, as well as environmental factors, likely contribute to its clinical manifestation. Many genetic associations reported in previous studies either have not been replicated to date or showed only marginal statistical significance, possibly due to the genetic heterogeneity of the common forms of migraine. One major phenotypic and possibly genetically identifiable migraine subgroup consists of women whose attacks are influenced by fluctuation in gonadal hormones. We hypothesized that for these women, the association between migraine attacks and the menstrual cycle might be attributable to an increased prevalence of genetic polymorphisms in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. We selected 21 such polymerphisms previously reported to be associated with the common forms of migraine and genotyped 1740 individuals (1132 migraineurs) to determine whether any of these selected polymorphisms occurred more frequently in females with hormonally modulated migraine. We were able to confirm the association of migraine with 3 genetic polymorphisms seen in previous studies (rs4680 [COMT], rs2283265 [DRD2], and rs7131056 [DRD2]). Interestingly, we found 2 additional genetic polymorphisms (rs2070762 [TH] and rs6356 [TH]) to be associated with migraine when defining the phenotype as hormonally modulated migraine.

Early prediction of growth patterns after pediatric kidney transplantation based on height-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms

Background:Growth retardation is a common complication of chronic kidney disease in children,which can be partially relieved after renal transplantation.This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for growth patterns of children with end-stage renal disease(ESRD)after kidney transplantation using machine learning algorithms based on genomic and clinical variables.Methods:A retrospective cohort of 110 children who received kidney transplants between May 2013 and September 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were recruited for whole-exome sequencing(WES),and another 39 children who underwent transplant from October 2021 to March 2022 were enrolled for external validation.Based on previous studies,we comprehensively collected 729 height-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in exon regions.Seven machine learning algorithms and 10-fold cross-validation analysis were employed for model construction.Results:The 110 children were divided into two groups according to change in height-for-age Z-score.After univariate analysis,age and 19 SNPs were incorporated into the model and validated.The random forest model showed the best prediction efficacy with an accuracy of 0.8125 and an area under curve(AUC)of 0.924,and also performed well in the external validation cohort(accuracy,0.7949;AUC,0.796).Conclusions:A model with good performance for predicting post-transplant growth patterns in children based on SNPs and clinical variables was constructed and validated using machine learning algorithms.The model is expected to guide clinicians in the management of children after renal transplantation,including the use of growth hormone,glucocorticoid withdrawal,and nutritional supplementation,to alleviate growth retardation in children with ESRD.

Affection of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in miR-27a, miR-124a, and miR-146a on Susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Han People

Background：Polymorphisms of microRNA （miRNA）,as a novel mechanism,are closely associated with disease states by interfering with miRNA function.Direct correlations have been identified between single-nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in miRNA,but the effect on type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） onset among Chinese population remains unclear.Therefore,the aim of this study was to identify correlations between common SNPs in miR-27a,miR-146a,and miR-124a with T2DM among a Chinese population,as well as to explore diabetic pathological mechanisms and the impact of environmental factors.Methods：SNPscan technology was used to genotype 995 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and 967 controls.Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare mutation frequencies between cases and controls.Results：We found no significant correlations between all genotypes of these miRNAs and T2DM in our research.However,stratification analysis identified a lower risk of T2DM associated with the rs531564GC genotype among younger subjects （age ＜ 45 years） （adjusted P =0.043; odds ratio [OR] =0.73; 95％ confidence interval [CI] =0.54-0.99）.Furthermore,the rs895819CC genotype in overweight people （24 ＜ body mass index [BMI] ＜ 28） was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM （adjusted P =0.042; OR =1.73; 95％ CI =1.02-2.94）,while the rs2910164 genotype in miR-146a was not significantly correlated with T2DM.The genetic risk score was calculated based on the number of risk alleles of the three SNPs and was found to be correlated to total cholesterol （adjusted P =0.021）.Conclusions：The rs531564GC genotype acted as a protective factor to decrease the risk of T2DM in younger subjects （age ＜ 45 years）,while the presence of the rs895819CC genotype increased the risk of illness among overweight subjects （24 ＜ BMI ＜ 28 kg/m2）.The presence of SNPs in miRNA might promote disease by affecting miRNA expression and gene function.Thus,miRNA mimics or inhibitors that directly regulate miRNA expression present novel and promising therapeutic targets.

Single-nucleotide Polymorphism rs2275294 in ZNF512B is not Associated with Susceptibility to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in a Large Chinese Cohort

Background： Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis （ALS） is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects motor neurons and has no effective treatment. Recently, Iida et al. identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） rs2275294 in the ZNF512B gene that is significantly associated with susceptibility to ALS in the Japanese population. Here, we performed a case-control study examining the possible association of rs2275294 with risk of sporadic ALS （SALS） in a large Chinese cohort. Methods： To assess this association, we performed a replication study in 953 SALS patients and 1039 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects, who were recruited from Peking University Third Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2004 to December 2013 throughout China. We genotyped the rs2275294 SNP using polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Results： The allele frequency of rs2275294 in ZNF512B was different between Japanese and Chinese. The association in Chinese between ALS patients and controls did not reach statistical significance （P = 0.54; odds ratio = 0.94; 95% confidence interval = 0.76-1.15）. Conclusions： The SNP rs2275294 in ZNF512B is not considered to be associated with ALS susceptibility in the Chinese population. Our study highlights genetic heterogeneity in ALS susceptibility in different population. Given our negative results, further replication study involving larger and more homogeneous samples in different ethnicities should be performed in the future.

KCNQ1 rs2237895 gene polymorphism increases susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in Asian populations

BACKGROUND The association of single nucleotide polymorphism of KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is currently controversial.It is unknown whether this association can be gene realized across different populations.AIM To determine the association of KCNQ1 rs2237895 with T2DM and provide reliable evidence for genetic susceptibility to T2DM.METHODS We searched PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Medline,Baidu Academic,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,China Biomedical Literature Database,and Wanfang to investigate the association between KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 and the risk of T2DM up to January 12,2022.Review Manager 5.4 was used to analyze the association of the KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 polymorphism with T2DM and to evaluate the publication bias of the selected literature.RESULTS Twelve case–control studies(including 11273 cases and 11654 controls)met our inclusion criteria.In the full population,allelic model[odds ratio(OR):1.19;95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.09–1.29;P<0.0001],recessive model(OR:1.20;95%CI:1.11–1.29;P<0.0001),dominant model(OR:1.27.95%CI:1.14–1.42;P<0.0001),and codominant model(OR:1.36;95%CI:1.15–1.60;P=0.0003)(OR:1.22;95%CI:1.10–1.36;P=0.0002)indicated that the KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 polymorphism was significantly correlated with susceptibility to T2DM.In stratified analysis,this association was confirmed in Asian populations:allelic model(OR:1.25;95%CI:1.13–1.37;P<0.0001),recessive model(OR:1.29;95%CI:1.11–1.49;P=0.0007),dominant model(OR:1.35;95%CI:1.20–1.52;P<0.0001),codominant model(OR:1.49;95%CI:1.22–1.81;P<0.0001)(OR:1.26;95%CI:1.16–1.36;P<0.0001).In non-Asian populations,this association was not significant:Allelic model(OR:1.06,95%CI:0.98–1.14;P=0.12),recessive model(OR:1.04;95%CI:0.75–1.42;P=0.83),dominant model(OR:1.06;95%CI:0.98–1.15;P=0.15),codominant model(OR:1.08;95%CI:0.82–1.42;P=0.60.OR:1.15;95%CI:0.95–1.39;P=0.14).CONCLUSION KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 was significantly associated with susceptibility to T2DM in an Asian population.Carriers of the C allele had a higher risk of T2DM.This association was not significant in non-Asian populations.

A narrative review of single-nucleotide polymorphism detection methods and their application in studies of Staphylococcus aureus

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)are the third generation of genetic markers,having been refined from the first generation of restriction fragment length polymorphisms and the second generation of microsatellite polymorphisms.SNPs represent a focal point of current studies of Staphylococcus aureus.On one hand,this review aims to summarize common methodologies for detecting SNPs.These methods have typically included DNA genome sequencing methods and PCR-based detection methods.Alternative methods,such as mass spectrometry,denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography,SNaPshot,and SNP array have also been employed for SNP analysis.On the other hand,we enumerate a series of applications of SNP analysis in investigations of Staphylococcus aureus.SNP analysis can be applied to investigate epidemiological outbreaks and transmission of Staphylococcus aureus infections,the transmission and evolution of antimicrobial resistance genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolates,interactions of Staphylococcus aureus with other bacteria,and the links between Staphylococcus aureus in humans and livestock.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes of non-coding area in the CP gene are correlated with Parkinson's disease

Our previous studies have demonstrated that ceruloplasmin （CP） dysmetabolism is correlated with Parkinson＇s disease （PD）. However, the causes of decreased serum CP levels in PD patients remain to be clarified. This study aimed to explore the potential association between genetic variants of the CP gene and PD. Clinical features, serum CP levels, and the CP gene （both promoter and coding regions） were analyzed in 60 PD patients and 50 controls. A luciferase reporter system was used to investigate the function of promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs）. High-density comparative genomic hybridization microarrays were also used to detect large-scale copy-number variations in CP and an additional 47 genes involved in PD and/or copper/ iron metabolism. The frequencies of eight SNPs （one intronic SNP and seven promoter SNPs of the CP gene） and their haplotypes were significantly different between PD patients, especially those with lowered serum CP levels, and controls. However, the luciferase reporter system revealed no significant effect of the risk haplotype on promoter activity of the CP gene. Neither these SNPs nor their haplotypes were correlated with the Hoehn and Yahr staging of PD. The results of this study suggest that common genetic variants of CP are associated with PD and further investigation is needed to explore their functions in PD.

Optimization of Bartonella henselae multilocus sequence typing scheme using single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis of SOLID sequence data

Background Multi-locus sequence typing （MLST） is widely used to explore the population structure of numerous bacterial pathogens. However, for genotypically-restricted pathogens, the sensitivity of MLST is limited by a paucity of variation within selected loci. For Bartonella henselae （B. henselae）, although the MLST scheme currently used has been proven useful in defining the overall population structure of the species, its reliability for the accurate delineation of closely-related sequence types, between which allelic variation is usually limited to, at most, one or two nucleotide polymorphisms. Exploitation of high-throughput sequencing data allows a more informed selection of MLST loci and thus, potentially, a means of enhancing the sensitivity of the schemes they comprise. Methods We carried out SOLID resequencing on 12 representative B. henselae isolates and explored these data using single nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） analysis. We determined the number and distribution of SNPs in the genes targeted by the established MLST scheme and modified the position of loci within these genes to capture as much genetic variation as possible. Results Using genome-wide SNP data, we found the distribution of SNPs within each open reading frame （ORF） of MLST loci, which were not represented by the established B. henselae MLST scheme. We then modified the position of loci in the MLST scheme to better reflect the polymorphism in the ORF as a whole. The use of amended loci in this scheme allowed previously indistinguishable ST1 strains to be differentiated. However, the diversity of B. henselae was still rare in China. Conclusions Our study demonstrates the use of SNP analysis to facilitate the selection of MLST loci to augment the currently-described scheme for B. henselae. And the diversity among B. henselae strains in China is markedly less than that observed in B. henselae populations elsewhere in the world.

Relationship between the rs2241766 ADIPOQ Polymorphism in a Black African Population and the Occurrence of Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease, characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. This pathology is linked to various genes whose interaction with the environment promotes its development. The aim of this work was to determine the relationship between the rs2241766 (T/G) polymorphism of the ADIPOQ gene with type 2 diabetes in the black population. Material and Methods: This work was a case-control study, involving type 2 diabetics subjects (n = 94) and controls (n = 82). The study took place from September 2022 to September 2023. Patients were recruited in the Endocrinology Department of the Libreville University Hospital Center. Analysis was performed in the Biochemistry laboratory of the University of Health Sciences in Libreville and at the Research Institute of Health Sciences of Bobodioulasso. Genomic DNA was extracted using the protocol Qiagen kit and the PCR-RFLP method was used to determine the rs2241766 (T/G) polymorphism of the ADIPOQ gene. Results: Only 2 genotypes were found in this population, the TT genotype and the GT genotype. The proportions were not different between the two groups (p = 0.1095) neither the distribution of G and T alleles (p = 0.1095). On the other hand, the HDL hypocholesterolemia was frequent in subjects with the GT genotype compared to TT heterozygous (51.1% vs 48.9%, p = 0.0280;OR = 0.55 [0.30 - 1.01]). Conclusion: There was no association between the rs2241766 (T/G) variant of the ADIPOQ gene and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in this population. On the other hand, a relationship between HDL hypocholesterolemia and the GT genotype has been established.

Single nucleotide polymorphism within chromosome 8q24 is associated with prostate cancer development in Saudi Arabia

Objective: Genome-wide association studies have demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are important risk factors for the development of prostate cancer (PCa). Preliminary studies have suggested that the incidence of PCa in Saudi males is low but is probably familial or genetically related.Methods: To identify any possible association of SNP with PCa development in Saudi patients, we investigated a group of SNPs in Saudi PCa patients (n=85) and compared the outcomes to healthy normal controls (n=115) and nodular hyperplasia patients (n=120). DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded formalin fixed tissue or whole blood from both patients’ groups and healthy control group. A total of thirteen SNPs were genotyped using TaqMan® minor groove binder polymerase chain reaction assay.Results: The rs16901979A, s629242T and rs1447295A alleles were found at significantly higher frequency in PCa patients than controls (p< 0.05). The rs16901979 CA genotype was found at significantly greater frequency in PCa patients than in healthy controls (43% vs. 14%, odds ratio=4.6, p=0.0001) and benign hyperplasia group (43% vs. 25%, odds ratio=2.2, p=0.009).Conclusion: Our study has highlighted the association of rs16901979 SNP with PCa in Saudi males. Such findings have important implications in the PCa diagnosis and in screening unaffected family members of Saudi patients.

Nucleotide excision repair gene polymorphisms and hepatoblastoma susceptibility in Eastern Chinese children:A five-center case-control study

Objective:Nucleotide excision repair(NER)plays a vital role in maintaining genome stability,and the effect of NER gene polymorphisms on hepatoblastoma susceptibility is still under investigation.This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between NER gene polymorphisms and the risk of hepatoblastoma in Eastern Chinese Han children.Methods:In this five-center case-control study,we enrolled 966 subjects from East China(193 hepatoblastoma patients and 773 healthy controls).The TaqMan method was used to genotype 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in NER pathway genes,including ERCC1,XPA,XPC,XPD,XPF,and XPG.Then,multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed,and odds ratios(ORs)and 95%confidence intervals(95%CIs)were utilized to assess the strength of associations.Results:Three SNPs were related to hepatoblastoma risk.XPC rs2229090 and XPD rs3810366 significantly contributed to hepatoblastoma risk according to the dominant model(adjusted OR=1.49,95%CI=1.07−2.08,P=0.019;adjusted OR=1.66,95%CI=1.12−2.45,P=0.012,respectively).However,XPD rs238406 conferred a significantly decreased risk of hepatoblastoma under the dominant model(adjusted OR=0.68,95%CI=0.49−0.95;P=0.024).Stratified analysis demonstrated that these significant associations were more prominent in certain subgroups.Moreover,there was evidence of functional implications of these significant SNPs suggested by online expression quantitative trait loci(eQTLs)and splicing quantitative trait loci(sQTLs)analysis.Conclusions:In summary,NER pathway gene polymorphisms(XPC rs2229090,XPD rs3810366,and XPD rs238406)are significantly associated with hepatoblastoma risk,and further research is required to verify these findings.

Toll-like receptors 2 polymorphism is associated with psoriasis: A case-control study in the northern Chinese population

Background:Psoriasis is a disease caused by genetics and immune system dysfunction,affecting the skin and joints.Toll-like receptors(TLRs)play an important role in triggering the innate immune response and controlling adaptive immunity.The role of TLR2 in the progression of psoriasis is not well understood.Methods:A case-control study was conducted on a northern Chinese Han population,consisting of psoriasis patients and healthy control subjects.Genotyping was performed using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction(ARMS-PCR),and allele and genotype frequencies of four SNPs in TLR2 were analyzed in 270 psoriasis patients and 246 healthy controls.Results:Four TLR2 SNPs(rs11938228,rs4696480,rs3804099,rs5743699)were genotyped and found to be in linkage disequilibrium.The genotype distributions of rs11938228 and rs4696480 in two groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and statistically significant except for the overdominance model.The haplotypes ATTC and ATCC were found to be protective against psoriasis.Conclusion:Our study found a correlation between TLR2 genetic variations and the likelihood of psoriasis in northern China.