Geographic heterogeneity of the AML1-ETO fusion gene in Iranian patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Background:

The human AML1 gene, located on chromosome 21, can be fused to the AML1- eight-twenty-one (ETO) oncoprotein on chromosome eight, resulting in a t(8;21)(q22;q22) translocation. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with this translocation is considered a distinct AML with a favorable prognosis. Due to the various incidences of the translocation, which is associated with geographic diversities, investigation of molecular epidemiology is important to increase the awareness of physicians and hematologists regarding the frequency this chromosomal aberration.

Methods:

The patients were classified according to the French–American–British classification into eight groups: M0–M7. Determination of the prevalence of the AML1-ETO fusion gene was accomplished by TaqMan real-time PCR. Bone marrow samples from 113 patients with newly-diagnosed, untreated AML -M1, -M2, and -M4, and 20 healthy controls admitted to the Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran were studied.

Results:

The AML1-ETO fusion gene was detected up 50% of the M2 subgroup and absent in the M1 and M4 subtypes and healthy controls. Comparison of the prevalence of the t(8;21) translocation with results of previous studies showed that it varies between countries. This result may be due to geographic or ethnic differences, or both.

Conclusions:

The relatively high prevalence of the t(8;21) translocation in Iran was similar to that found in other Asian countries. It was closely associated with female gender, relatively young age, and FAB-M2 subtype. Its distribution varied considerably with geographic area. Therefore, further studies are needed to provide epidemiological data important for the establishment of optimal therapeutic strategies applicable to patients of each region. Key Words: Acute myeloid leukemia, AML1-ETO, M2, Prevalence, t(8;21)     

Taxonomic status and genetic differentiation of Hyrcanian Castanea based on noncoding chloroplast DNA sequences data

The taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships among Castanea species were investigated using sequence data from the chloroplast trnL-F and trnH-psbA intergenic spacer regions. Samples included Castanea specimens of uncertain taxonomic affinity that were collected in the Hyrcanian forest of northern Iran. The trnL-F data were more informative than trnH-psbA, having seven parsimony-informative sites. A low level of haplotype diversity was detected within Hyrcanian samples and the whole species of the genus Castanea. In the trnL-F dataset, Castanea sativa and Castanea mollissima have unique character states that differentiate them from other species of Castanea. The genus Castanea was recovered as a monophyletic with high to moderate support when inferred from combined trnH-psbA and trnL-F spacer data. Two main lineages received minimal support in the trnL-F analysis, whereas trnH-psbA could not distinguish different species of Castanea from each other. Finally, low levels of haplotype diversity was found within small remnant stands of Castanea in the Hyrcanian forest, indicating that genetic erosion may increase the extinction risk for these valuable trees.     

Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy as a diagnostic tool for distinguishing between normal and malignant human gastric tissue

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy can be considered to be a fast and non-invasive tool for distinguishing between normal and cancerous cells and tissues without the need for laborious and invasive sampling procedures. Gastric samples from four patients (age, 65±2 years) were analysed. Samples were obtained from the organs removed during gastrectomy and then classified as normal or cancerous. Classification was based on histopathological examinations at our institution. Formalin-fixed sections of gastric tissue were analysed by FTIR- microspectroscopy. To characterize differences between sections of normal and cancerous tissue, specific regions of the spectra were analysed to study variations in the levels of metabolites. To distinguish between two conditions (normal and cancerous), changes in the relative intensity of bands in the range 600–4000 cm⁻¹ were analysed. A FTIR spectral map of the bands in the region 2800–3100 cm^–1 and 900–1800 cm^–1 were created to analyse pathological changes in tissues. The limited data available showed that normal gastric tissue had stronger absorption than cancerous tissue over a wide region in the four patients. There was a significant decrease in total biomolecular components for cancerous tissue compared with normal tissue.     

Association of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR)-c.565C>G transversion with male infertility: A case-control study from Iran

Dioxins (eg, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin/TCDD), as environmental endocrine disruptors and toxic carcinogens, can affect male reproductive health. The influence of dioxins is mediated via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway and its repressor (AhRR). In this study, we investigated the association of AhRR-c.565C>G transversion polymorphism with male infertility. In a hospital-based case-control study, 221 semen samples (111 infertile and 110 healthy controls) based on World Health Organization guidelines were collected from in vitro fertilization centers of Babol, Iran. The AhRR-c.565C>G (rs2292596) polymorphism was genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The difference in the allele frequency of AhRR-c.565C>G transversion polymorphism did not reach a significant level. The genotype frequency was statistically significantly different between fertile and infertile men. We found that polymorphism rs2292596 (Pro185Ala) was statistically s ignificantly associated with the risk of male infertility. In addition, the statistical difference became more significant when the frequency was compared between the Pro/Pro genotype and the Pro/Ala plus Ala/Ala genotype. The 185 Pro wild-type alleles of AhRR may be associated with the risk of male infertility. The proallele also may diminish inhibition of AhR-mediated signaling of exposure to environmental pollutants.     

Utility of ITS region sequence and structure for molecular identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tilia</Emphasis> species from Hyrcanian forests,Iran

Nucleotide sequences from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and 5.8S gene were used to infer the phylogeny of Tilia species (represented by 13 distinct populations) growing in different geographical areas of Hyrcanian forests in northern Iran. Four well-supported lineages were revealed, including that of a new species, T. hyrcana, with stellate trichomes on both sides of the leaves and petiole. T. hyrcana is a well-supported cladospecies, with the ITS sequence and secondary structure following the diagnosable phylogenetic species concept, and is also characterized by a distinct morphology. A controversial species is Tilia rubra subsp. caucasica, with three different forms—an assemblage of taxa characterized by a lack of stellate trichomes on leaves—while Tilia begonifolia is distinguished by stellate trichomes on the underside of both leaves and petiole. The fourth lineage group, T. dastyla, is characterized by the presence of trichomes on the style. A single taxon found in the west of the Hyrcanian forest region is similar to T. begonifolia, but due to the former being located in a distinct group, a reassessment of the diagnostic morphology is recommended. ITS sequence data also suggested a closer relationship between T. rubra and T. begonifolia. Compensatory base change analysis was not strong enough to separate individual species within the Tilia genus. In general, the study supports the utility of ITS sequence data and secondary structure as accessory taxonomic characteristics with which to help clarify the systematics of the Tilia genus.     

PTGS2 Over-Expression: A Colorectal Carcinoma Initiator not an Invasive Factor

Background:Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) main product is Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which cause mitogenesis and inflammation. COX-2 is the product of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) gene expression. COX-2 dysregulation can cause angiogenesis, differentiation, and promotion of cancer and its suppression related to control of the tumor''s size, number, and cell shape. This study focused on the association of COX-2 expression with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) among Iranian patients on mRNA level and in the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) colon and rectum RNAseq dataset, and its relation with pathological features.Methods:PTGS2 expression was assayed by quantitative-PCR method from 90 tissue samples collected from 45 participants. The control samples come from the non-tumor area of the same patients. The data analyzed based on ΔΔCq. The PTGS2-RNAseq data extracted and analyzed by UCSC Xena browser, and its association assessed the occurrence of CRC and invasive-features.Results:PTGS2 showed very significant over-expression in tumor tissues (p< 0.0001) with an N-fold expression of 2.25. But, there was not any significant association between PTGS2 and CRC invasive-pathological features such as Lymphatic, vascular and perineural invasion, the Grades of cancer, and Pathologic-M in both parts of this study.Conclusion:The increase in PTGS2 is related to the occurrence of CRC among patient samples. But in both part of this study, PTGS2 is not an invasive factor, and it does not affect the cell differentiation of tumors and metastasis. Based on the high N-fold for patient samples, it can be a strong candidate as a CRC initiator biomarker.Key Words: : Cyclooxygenase-2, Gene expression profiling, Neoplasm invasion, Prostaglandins, TCGA-data     

The Effect of Vanillic Acid on Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Wistar Male Rats

Biology Bulletin - In recent years, the use of stem cells has been widely considered for the reconstruction of lost tissues. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of phenolic compounds on...     

Molecular taxonomy of Hyrcanian Alnus using nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast trnH-psbA DNA barcode markers

The taxonomy and phylogeny of Hyrcanian Alnus (eight taxa) were investigated using sequence data from the nuclear ribosomal ITS and the chloroplast trnH-psbA intergenic spacer. The mean nucleotide compositions of the ITS region were completely equal for two main Hyrcanian taxa, and the ITS1 region had fewer variable sites than the ITS2 region. Two relatively distinct types of ITS2 were identified for two main clades of Hyrcanian Alnus, the A. subcoradata complex and A. glutinosa. Two recently described species, A. dolichocarpa and A. djavanshirii, did not show any diagnostic sites and had a similar pattern with A. subcordata. Three recognized subspecies of A. glutinosa were distributed in the A. incana complex. In the analysis of trnH-psbA sequence data, the three subgenera of Alnus were poorly resolved relative to one another. Alnus glutinosa had minimal sequence divergence from A. incana and A. tenuifolia, and A. subcordata had a minimum distance from A. cordata and A. orientalis. A maximum pairwise distance also was observed between Hyrcanian species (A. glutinosa and A. subcordata) with A. pendula and A. sieboldiana, respectively. Ultimately, the molecular phylogeny of Alnus based on two DNA barcode markers was not congruent with recent morphological classifications, so additional DNA markers should be explored for identifying Alder taxa in the Hyrcanian forest.