Pulmonary surfactant, a lipoprotein complex, is essential for normal lung function, and deficiency of surfactant can result in respiratory-distress syndrome (RDS) the prematurely born infant. Some studies have pointed towards genetic contribution to aetiology RDS. Because protein B (SP-B) important optimal function because it involved pathogenesis pulmonary disease, we investigated variability SP-B gene individuals with without We identified 2.5 kb BamHI polymorphism studied its location,...

Abstract Mosquitoes are the most important vectors of emerging infectious diseases. During past decade, our understanding diversity viruses they carry has greatly expanded. Most these considered mosquito-specific, but there is increasing evidence that may affect vector competence mosquitoes. Metagenomics approaches have focused on specific mosquito species for identification what called core virome. Despite fact that, in ecosystems, multiple participate virus emergence and circulation, a...

The core region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome possesses an overlapping ORF that has been shown to encode a protein, known as alternate reading frame protein (ARFP), F or core+1. biological role this remains elusive, it appears be non-essential for replication. However, number independent studies have ARFP/F/core+1 elicits humoral and cellular immune responses in HCV-infected individuals interacts with important proteins. To assess significance core+1 response patients, we examined...

Genetic factors may influence the natural course of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and explain some its variability.The aim this review was to examine association between apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene polymorphisms neuropathy.Four relevant studies were identified.The two earlier works provided evidence that ε4 allele is a risk factor for complication, while more recent negative.Important differences in methodology used populations included are obvious, rendering difficult comparison...

We examined the association between ∊4 allele of apolipoprotein E gene and severity peripheral neuropathy in 234 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Based on Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS), were divided into group A (NDS ≤6: mild or no neuropathy) B >6: severe neuropathy). In each group, further carriers non-∊4 carriers. multivariate analysis, a more than 5-fold increased risk was associated carrier status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]:...

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel responsible for the disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Chains of infections starting from various countries worldwide seeded outbreak COVID-19 in Athens, capital city Greece. A full-genome analysis isolates Athens' hospitals and other healthcare providers revealed variety SARS-CoV-2 that initiated pandemic before lockdown passenger flight restrictions. dominant variant, encompassing G614D amino acid substitution, spread...

Variable numbers of composite repetitive motifs are found in different individuals within intron 4 the surfactant protein B (SP-B) gene (Biochem J. 1995: 305: 583). This study tests hypothesis that distribution SP-B alleles differs among racial/ethnic groups. A total 412 were analyzed: 206 from Caucasian, 68 African-American, and 138 Nigerian individuals. Twelve groups (A-L) carrying 3 to 18 found. The 12 Caucasian group (p < .001) African-American populations. overall allels between...

Background. Rosacea is a chronic skin disease, possibly following the neurogenic inflammation model. Neurokinin B, involved in pathogenesis of Parkinson’s frequently coexisting with subsequent onset rosacea, an endogenous ligand tachykinin receptor 3 (TACR3). Methods. 128 rosacea patients and 121 matched controls were genotyped for rs3733631 by PCR-RFLP analyzed chi-square test. Results. We observed statistically significant predominance C/G or G/G genotype (<mml:math...

The aim was to examine the influence of SCN1A gene polymorphism IVS5-91 rs3812718 G>A on response antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in monotherapy or polytherapy.Two hundred epilepsy patients and 200 healthy subjects were genotyped for using TaqMan assay. Patients divided into drug-responsive drug-resistant patients. group further studied, comparing maximum minimum doses monotherapy-responsive -resistant groups.There no statistically significant differences allelic frequencies genotype...

Glucocorticoids, triiodothyronine (T3), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) have been shown previously to modulate phosphatidylcholine surfactant protein A (SP-A) synthesis in fetal rat lung explant cultures. In this report, we examined the hormonal regulation of B (SP-B) mRNA determine whether SP-B expression is coordinately regulated with phospholipids or SP-A. Dexamethasone (1 200 nM) cAMP (200 µM) had a stimulatory effect on levels, whereas T3 tended inhibit accumulation mRNA....

Biting midges (Culicoides) are vectors of arboviruses both veterinary and medical importance. The surge emerging reemerging vector-borne diseases their expansion in geographical areas affected by climate change has increased the importance understanding capacity to contribute novel infectious diseases. study Culicoides virome is first step assessment this potential. In study, we analyzed RNA 10 species within area Thrace southeastern part Europe, a crossing point between Asia Europe...

We have previously shown that dexamethasone, triiodothyronine (T3) and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) stimulate phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis in fetal rat lung explants culture. There are also additive interactions between these agents with regard to PC synthesis. In this study we examined the regulation of surfactant protein A (SP-A) mRNA Dexamethasone increased SP-A a dose-dependent fashion (1–200 nM), but T3 did not. Whereas 8-bromo-cAMP mRNA, decrease was...

We have studied hormonal regulation of the surfactant protein C (SP-C) in fetal 18-dah rat lung explants. SP-C mRNA was detected Northern blots with a specific cDNA probe and quantified by densitometry. Treatment explants dexamethasone resulted dose-dependent increase level. Transcriptional assays shown that involves transcriptional step. Administration cAMP analogues, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP) or dibutyryl adenosine (DBcAMP), produced levels, maximum stimulation...

To study the effect of serotonin transporting gene L/S polymorphism on several psychological characteristics in a group Greek University students.One hundred eighty-one students were genotyped and classified into two groups: carriers or noncarriers an S allele. Students evaluated with battery tests (Zung depression rating scale, symptoms check-list-90-R, Eysenck personality inventory); they also answered questionnaires regarding serious past adverse experiences as well nicotine alcohol use....

The aim of the paper is to determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and inguinal hernia. A case-control study was conducted in 264 subjects: 65 patients AAA, 91 hernia, 19 both AAA 89 controls were investigated for ACE I/D polymorphism. Genotype analysis performed using a polymerase chain reaction technique. Significant differences genotype between patient groups identified (aneurysm...

Evidence suggests that Notch gene aberrations may be involved in the clinical expression of psoriasis. There are reports Notch2 receptor peculiarities psoriatic skin and others, indicating VEGF-induced Notch4 overexpression promotes endothelial cell morphology alterations increased dermis vessel permeability histogenetically precedes development lesions. To investigate correlation polymorphisms genes with appearance psoriasis vulgaris. Up to 305 patients suffering from vulgaris were included...

The association between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism and stroke is still controversial. This study investigated the potential ApoE genotypes subtypes, risk factors for ischaemic in Greek patients hospitalized with their first-ever stroke. One hundred (70 men 30 women; mean age ± SD 60.7 9.8 years) were included study. control group comprised 96 age-and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Cerebral infarction was classified as atherothrombotic, cardio-embolic or lacunar small-vessel three...

Gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2) upregulation in psoriasis transcriptome analysis as well connexin 26 (Cx26, encoded by GJB2) expression psoriatic plaques has already been substantiated. GJB2 rs72474224 and rs3751385 have correlated with vulgaris incidence Chinese populations. Here we study the effect of patients suffering from a Caucasian Greek population at prefecture Thrace Northern Greece.One hundred seventy-three (111 males 62 females) (108 were early-onset psoriasis) 171 matched...

Psoriasis is a lifelong disorder characterized by approximately 8-fold reduction of the duration normal skin keratinocyte cell cycle and 2-fold increase number dividing cells. Multiple genes, several environmental factors, immune system alterations are involved in pathogenesis psoriasis. Hyperleptinemia associated with psoriasis leptin acts as an angiogenic factor. Angiogenetic processes precede epidermal hyperplasia psoriasis, indicating possible involvement Leptin gene polymorphisms their...