Effects of Selected Inherited Factors on Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Progression

Genetic predispositions may influence geographical and interethnic differences in COVID-19 prevalence and mortality in affected populations. Of the many genes implicated in COVID-19 progression, a substantial number have no direct functional link on virus transfer/viability or on the host immune system. To address this knowledge deficit, a large number of in silico studies have recently been published. However, the results of these studies often contradict the findings of studies involving real patients. For example, the ACE2 has been shown to play an important role in regulating coronavirus entry into cells, but none of its variations have been directly associated with COVID-19 susceptibility or severity. Consistently was reported that increased risk of COVID-19 is associated with blood group A and with the APOE4 allele. Among other genes with potential impacts are the genes for CCR5, IL-10, CD14, TMPRSS2 and angiotensin-converting enzyme. Variants within the protein-coding genes OAS1 and LZTFL1 (transferred to the human genome from Neanderthals) are understood to be among the strongest predictors of disease severity. The intensive research efforts have helped to identify the genes and polymorphisms that contribute to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity.

Identification and Analysis of Deleterious SNPs of Human GSR Gene: Their Effects on Structure and Functions of Associated Protein and Other Diseases

Hereditary glutathione reductase deficiency, caused by mutations of the GSR gene, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by decreased glutathione disulfide (GSSG) reduction activity and increased thermal instability. This study implemented computational analysis to screen the most likely mutation that might be associated with hereditary glutathione reductase deficiency and other diseases. Using ten online computational tools, the study revealed 4 nsSNPs among the 17 nsSNPs identified as most deleterious and disease associated. Structural analyses and evolutionary confirmation study of native and mutant GSR proteins using the HOPE project and ConSruf. HOPE revealed more flexibility in the native GSR structure than in the mutant structure. The mutation in GSR might be responsible for changes in the structural conformation and function of the GSR protein and might also play a significant role in inducing hereditary glutathione reductase deficiency. LD and haplotype studies of the gene revealed that the identified variations rs2978663 and rs8190955 may be responsible for obstructive heart defects (OHDs) and hereditary anemia, respectively. These interethnic differences in the frequencies of SNPs and haplotypes might help explain the unpredictability that has been reported in association studies and can contribute to predicting the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs that make use of GSR.

Historical Tools of Anthropometric Facial Assessment: A Systematic Raw Data Analysis on the Applicability of the Neoclassical Canons and Golden Ratio

Background The fundamental tenets of facial aesthetic surgery education have not changed in centuries. Research is beginning to demonstrate that the Neoclassical Canons and the Golden Ratio, Phi, have limited use in populations other than those of White European extraction. Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the comparable raw data in the literature to determine 1) if there is interethnic variability in Neoclassical Canon and Phi measurements and 2) if the measurements in these representative samples differ from the “ideal.” Methods A PubMed/Scopus search was performed. Manuscripts with raw data and individuals aged ≥16 were included. Measurements were extracted and used to calculate the Neoclassical Canons and Phi. One-way ANOVA tests were run to compare mean measurements across six ethnic groups. p<0.05. Results Twenty-seven articles were included. Every continent was represented except Antarctica and Australia. Men were less commonly studied than women. Subject ages ranged from 16 to 56. Averaged Canons 2, 6-8 measurements had significant interethnic differences in males whereas Canons 5-8 had significant differences across ethnicities in females. For men, there was significant interethnic variability in measurements of Phi 2, 5, 8, 10 and 17. For women, Phi 1, 2, 5, 8, 10 and 17 varied across ethnicities. No ethnic/gender group showed consistent approximation of the “ideal” for both the Neoclassical Canons and Phi. Conclusions Today, the utility of the Neoclassical Canons and Phi is limited. It is incumbent on our field to systematically study and define the anthropometric measures that define the “ideal.”

High prevalence of CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizers in a mestizo Colombian population in relation to Hispanic mestizo populations

Background: Interethnic differences in CYP2D6 allele frequency have been demonstrated across Latin–American countries. Only one previous study describing CYP2D6 genotypes in Colombian population has been performed. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the CYP2D6 genetic variability in a mestizo Colombian population, as well as the similarities and differences concerning other Hispanic mestizo (HM) populations. Methodology: Two hundred and twelve unrelated healthy Colombian subjects were studied, in which different CYP2D6 polymorphisms were analyzed by extra long-PCR and real-time PCR. Results & discussion: A high percentage of ultrarapid metabolizers (18.4%) was found, representing the highest frequency calculated within the HM populations studied. However, the percentage of poor metabolizers (4.7%) was similar to those previously reported in HM populations.

Interethnic differences in the prevalence of main cardiovascular pharmacogenetic biomarkers

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CYP2C9, VKORC1, CYP2C19, ABCB1, CYP2D6 and SLCO1B1 genes polymorphisms among residents of the Volga region (Chuvash and Mari) and northern Caucasus (Kabardins and Ossetians). Materials & methods: The study involved 845 apparently healthy volunteers of both sexes of the four different ethnic groups living in the Russian Federation: 238 from the Chuvash ethnic group, 206 Mari, 157 Kabardins and 244 Ossetians. Results: Significant differences were identified in allele frequency of CYP2C9, VKORC1, CYP2C19, ABCB1, CYP2D6 and SLCO1B1 genes polymorphisms between the Chuvash and Kabardins, Chuvash and Ossetians, Mari and Kabardians, Mari and Ossetians.

Genetic analysis of SLC47A1, SLC22A1, SLC22A2, ATM gene polymorphisms among diabetics in an Indian population

Background: Metformin is a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the glycaemic response to metformin is likely to be affected by polymorphisms of transporter genes. Therefore, the study was done with the aim to assess demographic distribution of transporter genotypes involved in disposition and action of metformin.Methods: This cross-sectional, observational, single centre, clinical study was conducted in 80 diabetic patients recruited from medicine OPD. Descriptive analysis was done for distribution of the four transporter genotypes viz. SLC47A1 (rs2289669), ATM (rs11212617), SLC22A2 (rs316019) and SLC22A1 (rs622342). Genotyping was determined by DNA extraction, agarose gel electrophoresis, estimation of DNA concentration, polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, sequencing analysis.Results: Transporter genotype analysis showed that for SLC47A1 (rs2289669) transporter, 31.25% and 26.25% were homozygous for AA and GG allele respectively, while 42.5% were heterozygous (AG). For ATM (rs11212617), SLC22A2 (rs316019) and SLC22A1 (rs622342) transporter, 45% and 10%, 1.25% and 80%, 58.75% and 7.50% were homozygous for AA and CC allele respectively; while 45%, 18.75%, 33.75% were heterozygous (AC) respectively. Interethnic differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of SLC22A1 (rs622342) and ATM (rs11212617) gene polymorphism were observed when compared with other major populations.Conclusions: In the genotypic distribution of four transporter genotype study showed that there was an ethnic variation in allelic distribution of allele A and C of ATM (rs11212617) and SLC22A1 (rs622342) while AA genotype of SLC22A2 (rs316019) was rare genotype and allele ‘A’ was major allele found in our study. The study data observed would justify further pharmacogenetic studies to evaluate the role of gene polymorphism in the therapeutic efficacy of metformin.

Multi-Ethnic Analysis of Cardiac Pharmacogenetic Markers of Cytochrome P450 and Membrane Transporters Genes in the Russian Population

Aim. To summarize Russian studies using pharmacogenetic testing as applied to cardiology.Material and methods. The authors conducted an online search for articles in December 2018 using the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, eLIBRARY. The search was carried out by keywords: "Russia", "Russian", "cardiology" together with the terms associated with the polymorphic marker, including: «P450», «CYP2C19», «CYP2D6», «CYP2B1», «CYP2B6», «CYP2Е1», «CYP2C8», «CYP2C9», «CYP3A4», «CYP3A5», «CYP1A1», «CYP1A2», «CYP4F2», «CYP4F1», «ABCB1», «SLCO1B1», «VKORC1», «GGCX», «SULT1A1», «CULT1», «CES1», «gene», «genes», «pharmacogenetics», «pharmacogenomics», «ethnic group».Results. Generalization of information allowed to identify obscure genes that need to be investigated in pharmacogenetic studies. This information can be used for the development of dosing algorithms and the priority choice of drugs, considering the results of pharmacogenetic testing and planning future research.Conclusion. The results of the literature review indicate the importance of studying the most clinically valid and clinically useful pharmacogenetic markers (CYP2C19, CYP2C9, VKORC1, SLCO1B1) among various ethnic groups in the Russian Federation. With the accumulation of evidence of clinical validity and clinical utility of other pharmacogenetic markers (CES1, CYP2D6*4, etc.), the problem of interethnic differences in the carriage of clinically significant polymorphisms of these genes identified in previous studies in the Russian Federation increasingly requires attention. The most promising for the introduction into the clinical practice in the Russian Federation in the near future are polymorphic markers of the CYP2C19, CYP2C9, VKORC1 and SLCO1B1 genes.