Genetic variation at the growth hormone (GH1) and growth hormone receptor (GHR) loci as a risk factor for hypertension and stroke

An increased prevalence of both hypertension and cerebrovascular stroke is apparent in growth hormone (GH) deficiency whilst hypertension is a frequent complication in acromegaly. This has suggested a possible link between GH, stature and arterial function. Since the risk of both hypertension and stroke also appears to be inversely correlated with adult height, we have instigated an exploratory study to assess whether inter-individual variation in the genes encoding human growth hormone (GH1) and the GH receptor (GHR) might be associated with an increased risk of hypertension and stroke. GH1 promoter haplotypes were found to differ significantly not only between hypertensive patients (n=111) and controls (n=121) but also between stroke patients (n=155) and controls (n=158). Intriguingly, the association between GH1 promoter haplotype and risk of hypertension was much greater in females than in males. An inverse correlation between height and central systolic blood pressure was apparent in both hypertensive patients and normal controls but was much stronger in individuals carrying at least one GH1 promoter risk haplotype. The GH1 genotype therefore constitutes a risk factor for hypertension that interacts with stature. A strong association was found between the presence of at least one GH1 risk haplotype and a family history of stroke at an early age (odds ratio: 9.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.14–72.22). Three novel GH variants (Arg16His, Phe176Cys, Cys189Arg) were identified during the course of this study. Although two exhibited markedly reduced biological activity in vitro, their clinical significance remains unclear. No association was found between GHR genotype and either hypertension or stroke, nor was any interaction noted between GHR and GH1 genotypes in terms of a disease association. However, an association between GHRd3 genotype and hypertension was observed among stroke patients, particularly females. Elevated HDL was found to be a risk factor for hypertension in individuals lacking a copy of the GHRd3 allele. Weak associations with GHR genotype were also noted for peripheral systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear, our findings are consistent with a complex relationship between height, hypertension, GH1 promoter haplotype, GHR polymorphism and the risk of stroke.     

Trends and challenges in phytotherapy and phytocosmetics for skin aging

Oxidative stress and inflammation mostly contribute to aging and age-related conditions including skin aging. The potential of natural products in the form of naturally-derived cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and nutricosmetics have, however, not been fully harnessed. This review, thus, critically analyzes the potential roles of natural products in inflammation-related skin aging diseases due to the increasing consumers’ concerns and demands for efficacious, safe, natural, sustainable, and religiously permitted alternatives to synthetic products. The information and data were collated from various resources and literature databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley, Springer, Taylor and Francis, Scopus, Inflibnet, Google, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). The role of green extraction solvents as promising alternatives is also elucidated. The potential enhancements of the bioavailability, stability, solubility and controlled release profile of the bioactives using different delivery systems are also presented. The current potential global market value, motivators, drivers, trends, challenges, halal, and other regulatory certifications for cosmeceuticals and nutricosmetics are equally discussed. The adoption of the suggested extractions and delivery systems would enhance the stability, bioavailability, and target delivery of the bioactives.     

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Functionalized Thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine Compounds and Their Triazinyl and Tetrazinyl Derivatives

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - New thienopyrimidine derivatives substituted with amino and hydrazinyl side chains were synthesized starting with 2-hydrazinyl substituted thienopyrimidine...     

Microbial Community Composition in Crude Oils and Asphalts from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

To identify hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms contributing to the formation of heavy oil we investigated the microbial community composition in different types of crude oils from oil-production facilities and in crude oil and asphalt from different natural seeps from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Crude oils from five out of six production facilities did not contain microorganisms detectable by 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicon sequencing likely reflecting a low microbial abundance in these samples. Crude oil and asphalt from the natural seeps hosted diverse microbial communities. The same phylotypes of uncultivated Deferribacteres and Thermodesulfobacteraceae were predominant community members across crude oils and asphalts from separate geographical locations. Soils surrounding seeps did not contain these phylotypes suggesting that they originate from the subsurface and although they seem commonly detected in hydrocarbon-rich environments their role in hydrocarbon-degradation is unknown. GC-MS analyses showed that mainly aromatic hydrocarbons were present in the crude oil and asphalt and that they were undergoing biodegradation - likely with sulfate and nitrate as terminal oxidants. In agreement, only bssA gene, but not assA gene-carrying microorganisms were detectable in the analyzed sampled. Overall our study identified several abundant uncultivated taxa with likely roles in transformation of nitrate, sulfate and hydrocarbons.     

Damming reduced the functional richness and caused the shift to a new functional state of the phytoplankton in a subtropical region

Hydrobiologia - We analyzed the effect of damming on the temporal patterns of the composition and richness of phytoplankton Reynolds functional groups (RFG) from a subtropical floodplain, together...     

Maturation of the neonatal oral mucosa involves unique epithelium-microbiota interactions

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