This study aimed to assess the possible association of oxytocin (OXT) gene with reproductive traits in two groups of Awassi ewes that differ in their reproductive potentials. Sheep were genotyped using PCR—single-stranded conformation polymorphism approach. Three genotypes were detected in exon 2, CC, CA, and AA, and a novel SNP was identified with a missense effect on oxytocin (c.188C > A → p.Arg55Leu). A significant (p < 0.01) association of p.Arg55Leu with the twinning rate was found as ewes with AA and CA genotypes exhibited, respectively a lower twinning ratio than those with the wild-type CC genotype. The deleterious impact of p.Arg55Leu was demonstrated by all in silico tools that were utilized to assess the effect of this variant on the structure, function, and stability of oxytocin. Molecular docking showed that p.Arg55Leu caused a dramatic alteration in the binding of oxytocin with its receptor and reduced the number of interacted amino acids between them. Our study suggests that ewes with AA and CA genotypes showed a lower reproductive performance due to the presence of p.Arg55Leu, which caused damaging impacts on oxytocin and is binding with the OXT receptor. The utilization of the p.Arg55Leu could be useful for improving Awassi reproductive potential. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Physiological status and litter size can indeed have a significant impact on ewes' hematological parameters, which are essential indicators of their health. Therefore, this study examined the hematological profiles of ewes during pregnancy with single and twins in the Awassi ewes. The present study involved 232 ewes in good health and at sexual maturity. Among them, 123 ewes had single pregnancies, while 109 ewes had twin pregnancies. The age range of the ewes included in the study was between 3.5 and 4.5 years. Hematological tests were conducted on the sheep's blood samples promptly following collection. The findings demonstrated variations in hematological parameters among pregnant
... Show MoreInterleukin-38 (IL-38), an inflammatory cytokine discovered in recent years, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). IL-38 is encoded by the
Endometriosis is a painful disease that affects around 5% of women of reproductive age. In endometriosis, ectopic endometrial cells or seeded endometrial debris grow in abnormal locations including the peritoneal cavity. Common manifestations of endometriosis include dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain and often infertility and symptomatic relief or surgical removal are mainstays of treatment. Endometriosis both promotes and responds to estrogen imbalance, leading to intestinal bacterial estrobolome dysregulation and a subsequent induction of inflammation.
In the current study, we investigated the linkage be
Background: The ultimate purpose of this prospective study is to estimate and measure swelling associated with surgical extrac¬tion of impacted mandibular third molars in different four post-operative times and to identify the risk factors associated with determination of their risk degree. Material and Methods: In this prospective cohort study 159 consecutive cases in which removal of impacted lower third molars in 107outpatients were evaluated. Five groups of variables have been studied which are regarded as a potential factor for swelling after mandibular third removal which will enable the surgeon to predict and counsel high risk patients in order to offer a preventive strategy. Results: Facial measurements were carried out on 1st, 2
... Show MoreRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease. Inflammation leads to joint damage and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a measure of inflammation in many diseases. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of NLR to detect inflammation in RA, and its correlation to RA disease activity indices and some hematological parameters. A cross-sectional study involving 24 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are using MTX participated in this study. All patients were clinically evaluated using disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28) and simplified disease activity index (SDAI), whereas functional disability was assessed by health assessment questionnaire di
... Show MoreBackground: The gene encoding a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 33 (ADAM33) is known to be associated with asthma in different ethnic groups. In Iraq, among the Arab ethnic background, this association has not yet been highlighted. Methods: One hundred and ninety-two asthmatics were examined; 118 males and 74 females (mean age 38.23 ± 9.13 years). The control group was 183; 110 males and the rest were females. The SNP of rs2280091 A/G (T1) was studied here to determine adam33 genotyping status using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). The level of total IgE was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Significant differences (p = 0.004) in the frequencies of
... Show MorePurpose To extract the lower anterior teeth, the oral surgeon needs to anesthetize the pulpal tissue of the accused tooth and the surrounding tissues. The lingual nerve innervates the lingual soft tissue to the lower teeth, this nerve usually anesthetized alongside the inferior alveolar nerve by a block technique. However, the lingual tissue of the lower anterior teeth usually anesthetized by either infiltration or periodontal ligament injection (PDL) techniques. This study was intended to compare between these two techniques. Methods Forty-eight teeth were extracted from 24 patients. Non-adjacent two lower anterior teeth in the same patient were selected. The lingual soft tissue in one of them was anesthetized by PDL injection technique wh
... Show MoreABSTRACT : Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases linked with dementia, it is characterized by the deposition of amyloid beta-peptide (Ab) in the brain. The present study aims to innovate a biochemical relationship between AD and interleukin 38 (IL-38) as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, expose novel mechanisms and concepts regarding other biochemical parameters studied previously or recently in AD patients and also examine the biochemical action of memantine (10 mg daily) on AD patients. Sixty (60) diagnosed AD patients participated in the present study and classified into four (4) groups: G3 were composed of (15) newly diagnosed males (52-78) years / without treatment, G4 composed of (15
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