Validation of lipid-related therapeutic targets for coronary heart disease prevention using human genetics

Drug target Mendelian randomization (MR) studies use DNA sequence variants in or near a gene encoding a drug target, that alter its expression or function, as a tool to anticipate the effect of drug action on the same target. Here, we applied MR to prioritize drug targets for their causal relevance for coronary heart disease (CHD). The targets were further prioritized using genetic co-localization, protein expression profiles from the Human Protein Atlas and, for targets with a licensed drug or an agent in clinical development, by sourcing data from the British National Formulary and clinicaltrials.gov. Out of the 341 drug targets identified through their association with circulating blood lipids (HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides), we were able to robustly prioritize 30 targets that might elicit beneficial treatment effects in the prevention or treatment of CHD. The prioritized list included NPC1L1 and PCSK9, the targets of licensed drugs whose efficacy has been already proven in clinical trials. To conclude, we discuss how this approach can be generalized to other targets, disease biomarkers and clinical end-points to help prioritize and validate targets during the drug development process.One Sentence SummaryWe provide genetic support for lipid-modifying drug targets for coronary heart disease prevention using drug target Mendelian randomization and further prioritization based on clinical and biological evidence.

Natural Polyphenol Engineering Field Crops based Diet to Promote Innate Immunity to Combat Covid-19 Disease

Due to Covid-19, quarter a million patients have already died worldwide, and evidence showed a clear association between this death and multiple organ dysfunction cytokine storms. No sustainable remedy against this disease has been found and many solutions are being considered to dig out this virus by inventing humoral and cellular immunity capacity building methods as well as food-based remedies. COVID-19 has added an extra burden to the low-income country's health care system while they are still struggling with many challenges including malnutrition, sanitary, safe drinking water. Natural polyphenol engineering field crops (NPEF) based diet could help them to harness innate immunity to prevent or attenuate the SARS-Cov-2 infection as well as reducing the secondary/co-infection by bacteria and fungus of the hospitalized patients. Polyphenols are immunomodulators and have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, coronary heart disease prevention effects together with the ability to transport other active molecules. Interaction of polyphenols increases the efficacy of vitamin D. This review explored the potentials of polyphenols and their available sources to address the chronic diseases including Covid-19 and proposed a food prescription for Bangladesh to improve their innate immunity system.

Natural Polyphenol Engineering Field Crops based Diet to Promote Innate Immunity to Combat Covid-19 Disease

Due to Covid-19, quarter a million patients have already died worldwide, and evidence showed a clear association between this death and multiple organ dysfunction cytokine storms. No sustainable remedy against this disease has been found and many solutions are being considered to dig out this virus by inventing humoral and cellular immunity capacity building methods as well as food-based remedies. COVID-19 has added an extra burden to the low-income country's health care system while they are still struggling with many challenges including malnutrition, sanitary, safe drinking water. Natural polyphenol engineering field crops (NPEF) based diet could help them to harness innate immunity to prevent or attenuate the SARS-Cov-2 infection as well as reducing the secondary/co-infection by bacteria and fungus of the hospitalized patients. Polyphenols are immunomodulators and have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, coronary heart disease prevention effects together with ability to transport other active molecules. Interaction of polyphenols increase efficacy of vitamin D. This review explored the potentials of polyphenols and their available sources to address the chronic diseases including Covid-19 and proposed a food prescription for Bangladesh to improve their innate immunity system.

Genome Sequence Resource for Ilyonectria mors-panacis, Causing Rusty Root Rot of Panax notoginseng

Ilyonectria mors-panacis is the cause of a serious disease hampering the production of Panax notoginseng, an important Chinese medicinal herb, widely used for its anti-inflammatory, antifatigue, hepato-protective, and coronary heart disease prevention effects. Here, we report the first Illumina-Pacbio hybrid sequenced draft genome assembly of I. mors-panacis strain G3B and its annotation. The availability of this genome sequence not only represents an important tool toward understanding the genetics behind the infection mechanism of I. mors-panacis strain G3B but also will help illuminate the complexities of the taxonomy of this species.