Preimplantation Genetic Testing: A Review of Past and Current

The field of medical genetics has seen significant and incredible advances in technology for the past several decades. Genetic technologies, particularly in the reproductive medicine discipline, represent a fresh era in medicine that may develop significantly in the coming years. The purpose of Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) in the situation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments with IVF (in vitro fertilization) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is particularly controversial as it is done before implantation [1]. However, despite the successful application of PGT in the field of IVF in overcoming infertility and genetic defects, the techniques pose various limitations, and concerns that need to be addressed to enhance their success rate [2]. This review will introduce PGT and summarize the molecular techniques used in its application as well as highlight the future advances in the field.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Evaluation of Parinari curatellifolia Methanol Leaf Extract on Albino Rats

Aim: This research was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Parinari curatellifolia methanol leaf extract in albino rats. Methodology: Phytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods. Anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was done using egg albumin and formalin induced hind paw edema model. Analgesic effect was evaluated using hot plate induced pain and acetic acid induced writhing test. For each model twenty (20) rats were used, divided into five (5) groups of four (4) rats each. Results: Parinari curatellifolia revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and phenols while steroids, anthraquinone, terpenoids and glycoside were not detected. For the egg albumin induced inflammation, the group treated with the standard drug (indomethacin) and the group that received the highest dose of the extract were significantly lower (P<0.05) than all the other groups with percentage inhibitions at 25.56% and 24.44% respectively there was no significant difference (P>0.05). For the formalin induced anti-inflammatory activity, at the 1st hour, the normal control group had its paw volume significantly different (P<0.05) from the treated groups. This trend was observed at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th hour. The hot plate method results revealed significant increased (P<0.05) in the analgesic activity of PCMLE at 400mg/kg body weight and the drug treated group when the control was compared with the treated groups with percentage inhibition of 34.32% and 52.94% respectively. The acetic acid induced writhing test revealed that the extract at the three doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, showed a significant (P<0.05) percentage inhibition of 32.31%, 36.92% and 47.69%, respectively compared to negative control. Conclusion: This justifies the use of Parinari curatellifolia locally in the management of pain and inflammation.

Genetic Distance of Four Strains of Guppy Fish (Poecilia reticulata) Using RAPD PCR Method

Guppies are one type of organism that can live well, especially in the tropics. The kinship between species that have genetic similarities can be identified through genotypic mapping, one of which is molecular analysis using. RAPD method with PCR technique. This study aims to determine the genetic relationship of four guppy poecilia reticulata strains, respectively are Albino Full Red (AFP), Brazilian Fan Tail (BFT), Koi Guppy Tuxedo (KGT), and Platinum Red Tail Big Ears (PRTB) with the RAPD-PCR method. The genetic relationship data obtained is used as a guide for mating between the four strains. This research was conducted from September 2020 to November 2020. The process were carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University and the Central Laboratory, Padjadjaran University. OPA-03 primer (AGTCAGCCAC) is used as a standard parameter to interpret genetic diversity among the four guppy strains. Based on the results, amplification with primer OPA-03 visualized 21 bands consisting of seven polymorphic bands and 13 monomorphic bands. The results of the phylogenetic tree showed that there were two groups. The first group is AFR and BFT a similarity index of 69.5%. The second group is KGT and PRTB a similarity index of 71.5%.

Ascertain of Antihypertensive Bioactive Compounds from Rosemary and Hawthorn; A Molecular Docking Study

Blood pressure disorder causes serious diseases in the cardiovascular system such as arterial hypertension. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension, and most of them (two-thirds) live in low- and middle-income countries. It is poorly controlled and constitutes one of the leading causes of premature death. In Africa, nearly 40% of adults in many countries have high blood pressure, but most wouldn't even know it. In 2019, Algeria announced that 24% of the population suffers from the arterial hypertension and around 72% of those who were tested positive had not received treatment. Among the processes related to hypertension, the angiotensin converting enzyme I (ACE) plays an important role in the regulation of the blood pressure. The talk about the high potential of the hawthorn and rosemary plants to treat hypertension was so spread in the Algerian culture, which prompted to study the molecules of these plants and descript they behavior with the angiotensin-converting enzyme by calculating energy affinity. Using molecular docking approach, identification and evaluation of the inhibitory potential of ACE by selected herbs was attempted. In addition, and in order to identify the most suitable molecules which can be developed to oral drugs considering their adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), Lipinski’s rules were applied using free SwissADME tool. Our study provides clearer insight interaction properties of known putative inhibitors of ACE such as Caffeic acid, Quercetin, Luteolin, Eugenol, Rosmaquinone, and Rosmaquinone β, which may be developed into drugs after in-vitro and in-vivo tests and also encourage use of medicinal herbs for treatment of arterial hypertension.

Molecular Dissection for Boll Shedding in Upland Cotton Using Microsatellites

DNA markers application in marker-assisted breeding of cotton is handicapped due to low genetic diversity in cotton germplasm. The present study was designed to identify DNA markers, predominately simple sequence repeats (SSRs), associated with tolerance/resistance to heat stress as a consequence of boll shedding. To find out the genetic diversity a total of 24 cotton genotypes and 50 SSR primers were used. Total 288 alleles were produced with an average of 5.7 alleles per primer. Bootstrap cluster analysis used to generate a dendrogram that cluster the 24 accessions into two main clusters. Eleven out of 24 genotypes fall in a single cluster. Phenotypically H-4074 gives more diversity, while genotypically H-4074 sheared the same genetic background as H-4070, H-4091 and H-4090. Low genetic diversity was observed among both genotypic and phenotypic as maximum varieties fall in single group. This study helps for selecting diverse accessions with multiple phenotypic traits, which were drought to boll shedding. It suggests further elaborating the molecular genetic diversity by using new SSR marker to improve the yield of cotton cultivars. These preliminary results set the stage for initiating in depth marker-trait association studies, which will be instrumental for initiating marker-assisted breeding in cotton.

Polymorphic Investigation of ADCY2 and C7 Genes in Local Population of Oral Cancer

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are responsible for genetic mutations. We studied genetic molecular variations and found an association of oral cancer with SNP of Adenylate Cyclase 2 (ADCY2) rs252546 and complement C7 (C7) rs1450656 genes in people of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. The study involves 100 cases of oral cancer and 100 healthy individuals. ADCY2 is found as a membrane-associated enzyme and C7 is involved in innate immunity. The process of genotyping was carried out by Tetra ARMS Primer PCR. The genetic variant of ADCY2 rs252546 has allelic origin G/A and C7 rs1450656 with C/T. The statistical analysis showed that the 51-60 years age group is significantly associated with oral cancer. The allelic frequency of ADCY2 rs252546 and C7 rs1450656 was calculated through Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. The homozygous mutant allele G of ADCY2 was more prevalent in cases and C allelic genotype was equally found in cases and controls. Other demographic and polymorphic studies indicated a significant association of variants of ADCY2 and C7 with oral cancer in the local population of Punjab. Variations in ADCY2 and C7 can be used as potential biomarkers and biological targets for oral cancer management strategies.

Study of Genetic Analysis of Physiological Attributes under Normal and Drought Conditions in Gossypium hirsutum L.

The aim of this study was to identify the suprior cotton genotypes with improved physiological characteristics under drought conditions. On the bais of root-shoot charcteristics, five genoypes of G. hirsutum were identified as drought tolerant and three genotypes screened out as drought susceptible. The field screening experiment were carried out to validate the findigs of root-shoot screening sudy on the basis of physiological as well as agronomical chracteristics. Both drought tolerant and susceptible genotypes were grown in glass house in pots and followed line x tester mating desighn to cross these genotyps. Parents with their fiftenn offsprings were grown in field conditions in very next cotton season for further analysis. Analysis of variance showed the existence of significant variations among the accessions for all the physiological parameters i.e, osmotic potential, relative water content, cell injury, leaf water potential, excised leaf water loss, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis rate and transpiration rate. Further, among parents line, MS-64 and tester, BH-176 showed superior performance under water scarce conditions. Among the crosses COOKER-315 x Cyto-62 and GS-444 x MPS-11 were better perfomed for high yielding parametrs. The results showed that these two combinations might be helpful to develop drought resistant germplasm on large scale.

Identifying Genetic Diversity of Cotton Leaf Curl Virus in Commercial Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Plant viruses have become a major issue to the crop production around the world. These viruses have become an unavoidable limiting factor by causing rigorous crop deficit for those major crops which are economically important. Among these viruses, begomoviruses belonging to family Geminiviridae, have brought the major devastation to both monocots and dicots in tropical and sub-tropical regions. These begomoviruses are transmitted through white fly and cause diseases like mosaic, yellow mosaic, yellow leaf curling, and yellow vein etc. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between the genetic diversity of begomoviruses and phenotypic data to identify the ideal cotton genotype for breeding. In this study, 30 leaf samples with CLCuD symptoms were analyzed using rolling circular amplification and PCR. Obtained results expressed the presence of begomovirus with its associated satellites (i.e. alpha and betasatellites) in six varieties, association of begomovirus and betasatellites in four varieties and combination of begomovirus with alphasatellite in six varieties. Severe disease symptoms were exhibited with these combinations in selected varieties but betasatellite-begomovirus complex demonstrated a deadly impact. Few varieties expressed the resistance against the begomoviruses, so these varieties can further be manipulated for breeding.

An Eco-Friendly Production of a Novel and Highly Active Endo-1,4-beta-xylanase from Aspergillus clavatus

Aims: Here, we describe a novel way to produce an endo-1,4-beta-xylanase from Aspergillus clavatus using paper and pulp industry waste. Methodology: Optimal Aspergillus clavatus NRRL1 cultivation conditions were evaluated using minimal medium with different concentrations (1 to 10%) of paper sludge pretreated with HCl, during different periods (1 to 14 days), with different pH values (3.0; 3.5; 4.0; 4.5; 5.0; 5.5; 6.0; 6.5; 7.0; 7.5 and 8.0), different temperatures (25, 30, 35, and 40 ºC) and different mixing conditions (static and stirring). After that, the enzyme activity was determined by DNS (3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid), protein concentration was quantified by Bradford, SDS-PAGE was performed to evaluate the molecular mass, and TLC observed hydrolysis products. Results: The enzyme showed a molecular mass of 25 kDa, and its production has been highly improved by optimizing culture conditions. The best activity of this enzyme was obtained when A. clavatus was cultivated for 5 days, at 120 rpm, 5% paper sludge, pH 6.0, and 35 ºC. The degradation profile of the beechwood xylan by the crude extract containing the GH11 xylanase showed xylotriose as the main product, but xylotetraose and xylobiose were also produced in significant amounts. Conclusion: In addition to the fact that this xylanase has the property of producing large quantities of XOS (mainly xylotriose), it has the advantage of being obtained from recyclable waste of the pulp and paper industry. These facts confer great potential for future biotechnological and industrial applications.

Effect of Oral Consumption of Action Bitters on Renal Indices of Apparently Healthy Subjects in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Action bitters has been seen not to have nephro-toxic effects on the kidney. However, this study evaluated the effects of sachet packaged action bitters on the kidney of apparently healthy subjects. Blood sample was collected from 20 subjects. Basal blood sample and the blood samples collected after 2 hours of intake of action bitters by subjects were analyzed. The parameters analyzed include sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine using the colorimetric method of analysis and results subjected further to statistical analysis using the GraphPad Prism Version 8.02.Basal results of the renal indices obtained showed the values to be; 144.16 ± 8.89 mmol/L, 3.81 ± 0.57 mmol/L, 25.70 ± 5.66 mg/dL and 1.05 ± 0.38 mg/dL for sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine respectively while the results obtained from the subjects two(2) hours after the intake of action bitters were; 128.18 ± 11.05 mmol/L, 2.93 ± 0.57 mmol/L, 25.34 ± 4.74 mg/dL and 1.51 ± 0.75 mg/dL for sodium. potassium, urea and creatinine values respectively. The comparison of the basal and treated sample showed significant differences in the values of sodium, potassium and creatinine (P=0.05) while the urea value was not significantly different. The mean value for sodium and potassium in the treated subjects were significantly decreased when compared to the value gotten at the basal state where the action bitter has not been consumed by the subject whereas the creatinine value was significantly increased in the sample of the treated subjects compared to the value of the basal sample. This implies that exposure to a higher dose of action bitters might be detrimental to renal function in the body hence, the dose of bitters and its consumption by humans should be monitored in order to protect against any adverse effect, and subsequent malfunctioning of the kidney.