Treating Leaky Syndrome in the Over 65s: Progress and Challenges

As we age, our organ functions gradually decline. Circulating factors in the blood and the integrity of organ barriers can become dysfunctional, resulting in a condition known as leaky syndrome. This condition involves the unregulated exchange or leakage of components between organs. However, the triggers of leaky syndrome, as well as its role in aging-related disorders and illnesses, remain largely unknown. In this editorial, we discuss potential mechanisms that originate from the gut and resident microbes (microbiome) to contribute in leaky syndrome. Furthermore, we explore how the food we consume can impact the development of leaky syndrome, potentially influencing the biology of aging and challenges to diagnose the leaky gut condition accurately and clinically.

In-Silico Investigation of Effects of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in PCOS-Associated CYP11A1 Gene on Mutated Proteins

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive disorder with multiple etiologies, mainly characterized by the excess production of androgens. It is equally contributed to by genes and environment. The CYP11A1 gene is imperative for steroidogenesis, so any dysregulation or mutation in this gene can lead to PCOS pathogenesis. Therefore, nucleotide diversity in this gene can be helpful in spotting the likelihood of developing PCOS. The present study was initiated to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms in human CYP11A1 gene on different attributes of encoded mutated proteins, i.e., sub-cellular localization, ontology, half-life, isoelectric point, instability index, aliphatic index, extinction coefficient, 3-D and 2-D structures, and transmembrane topology. For this purpose, initially coding sequence (CDS) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were retrieved for the desired gene from Ensembl followed by translation of CDS using EXPASY tool. The protein sequence obtained was subjected to different tools including CELLO2GO, ProtParam, PHYRE2, I-Mutant, SIFT, and PolyPhen. It was found that out of seventy-eight SNPs analyzed in this project, seventeen mutations, i.e., rs750026801 in exon 1, rs776056840, rs779154292 and rs1217014229 in exon 2, rs549043326 in exon 3, rs755186597 in exon 4, rs1224774813, rs757299093 and rs1555425667 in exon 5, rs1454328072 in exon 7, rs762412759 and rs755975808 in exon 8, and rs754610565, rs779413653, rs765916701, rs1368450780, and rs747901197 in exon 9 considerably altered the structure, sub-cellular localization, and physicochemical characteristics of mutated proteins. Among the fifty-nine missense SNPs documented in present study, fifty-five and fifty-three were found to be deleterious according to SIFT and PolyPhen tools, respectively. Forty-nine missense mutations were analyzed to have a decreasing effect on the stability of mutant proteins. Hence, these genetic variants can serve as potential biomarkers in human females for determining the probability of being predisposed to PCOS.

Comparing urine levels of BLCA-4 nuclear matrix protein in patients with bladder cancer and non-bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

The molecular mechanism of bladder cancer is yet not fully understood. Aim of this study was to compare the levels of BLCA-4 nuclear matrix protein in the urine of patients with bladder cancer and non-affected individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The current cross sectional study was conducted on 45 patients with bladder cancer and 45 patients without bladder cancer who were referred to Alzahra Hospital of Isfahan, Iran in 2017. BCLA-4 Urinary Marker was measured in urine of the patients and individuals. Also correlation between the urine levels of BCLA-4 and other variables were evaluated.

RESULTS

The urine levels of BLCA-4 in the patients with bladder cancer was significantly higher than non-bladder cancer group (P<0.001). There was no significant relationship between urine levels of BLCA-4 with tumor stage and size (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present study indicated that high urine levels of BLCA-4 was presented in patients with bladder cancer and this tumor marker has a high capability for early diagnosis of the disease, which can be used for screening and follow-up of bladder cancer.

Investigating the role of attachment styles, dysfunctional attitudes, and spirituality in predicting membership in addicted and non-addicted groups

Drug addiction as a biological, psychological, and social issue affects all dimensions of one's life. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of attachment styles, dysfunctional attitudes, and spirituality in predicting membership in addicted and non-addicted groups. This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 60 addicted people and 60 non-addicted people. The Adult Attachment Scale of Hazan and Shaver, Allport Religious Orientation Scale, and the 26-item Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS-26) were used to measure the variables. Based on the results, which were analyzed by logistic regression analysis, the variables of attachment style and dysfunctional attitude can significantly predict drug addiction (p < .001). However, avoidant attachment style and spirituality cannot predict readiness for addiction. The results of this study indicate the importance of safe and ambivalent attachment styles and dysfunctional attitudes. Thus, attending to these factors in studies and interventions related to the treatment of substance abuse disorders is essential.