Quality of DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded canine tissues

Evaluation of 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms in canine diffuse large B-cell lymphomas using MassARRAY

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of lymphoma in dogs with a multicentric form. This study aimed to assemble 41 variants of the previously reported genes and to investigate these variants in canine DLBCL using the Agena MassARRAY platform. These variants were chosen based on the high prevalence observed in canine B- and T-cell lymphomas, their significance for target therapy, and compatibility for multiplex PCR amplification. Lymph node biopsy was performed from 60 dogs with B-cell lymphoma comprising 47 purebred and 13 crossbred dogs. All dogs presented single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at HYAL4 and SATB1 genes. The lesser mutual SNPs were observed at SEL1L, excluding a cocker spaniel, and c-Kit, with the exception of a pug and a French bulldog. Even though no statistical association was noted between each SNP and dog breed, purebreds were 3.88 times more likely to have a SNP at FLT3 rs852342480 (95%CI 0.50–45.03, p = 0.26), 3.64 times at TRAF3 F306X (95%CI 0.58–42.50, p = 0.43) and 2.66 times at TRAF3 E303EX (95%CI 0.56–13.12, p = 0.31). Also, DLBCL dogs (CHOP-based treatment) with c-Kit T425= had a poorer prognosis with shorter median overall survival times (OST) than dogs with the wild type. Dogs treated with COP chemotherapy and contained 3–5 variants at SEL1L were associated with decreased median OST. Therefore, this SNP’s lymphoma panel provides valuable information that we can use to outline a prognosis and develop a treatment plan for the targeted therapy of each dog.

Risk of sudden coronary death based on genetic background in Chinese Han population

Associations between gene variations and sudden cardiac arrest or coronary artery disease have been reported by genome-wide association studies. However, the implication of the genetic status in cases of sudden coronary death (SCD) from the Chinese Han population has remained to be investigated. The present study established a mini-sequencing system to examine putative death-causing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using multiplex PCR, single base extension reaction and capillary electrophoresis techniques. A total of 198 samples from the Chinese Han population (age range, 34-71 years; mean age, 53.86 years) were examined using this method. Samples were classified into three groups: Coronary heart disease (CHD, n=70), SCD (n=53) and control (n=75) group. Significant associations were identified for 10, 4 and 6 SNPs in CHD, SCD and sudden death from CHD, respectively, using the χ² test. The SNPs obtained by binary logistic regression may be used to assess and predict the risk of disease. The predictive accuracy of the SNPs in each prediction model and their area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values were determined. The AUC of the four SNPs (rs12429889, rs10829156, rs16942421 and rs12155623) to predict CHD was 0.928, the AUC of the six SNPs (rs2389202, rs2982694, rs10183640, rs597503, rs16942421 and rs12155623) to predict SCD was 0.922 and the AUC of the four SNPs (rs16866933, rs4621553, rs10829156 and rs12155623) to predict sudden death from CHD was 0.912. The multifactor dimensionality reduction values were as follows: 0.8690 (prediction model of CHD), 0.7601 (prediction model of SCD) and 0.7628 (prediction model of sudden death from CHD). Taken together, the results of the present study suggested that these SNPs have considerable potential for application in genetic tests to predict CHD or SCD. However, further studies are required to investigate the putative functions of these SNPs.