This study was aimed to detect and identify genetic mutations in γ-aminobutyric acid receptor β3 subunit encoding gene (GABRB3) and its association with autism spectrum disorders. Forty autistic patients and 25 non-autistic as control group (5 unaffected sibling and 20 unrelated) with age range from 3 – 10 years were included in this study. Chromosomal DNA was extracted from blood samples followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of two targeted regions which include: (exon2-intron2-exon3) region and (exon 6) region of GABRB3 for subsequent DNA sequencing. Identical bands related to the targeted regions were present in all samples. A sample of PCR products of patients and controls were sequenced. Sequencing results revealed the presence of four different single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in four autistic patients (one SNP in exon2, two SNPs in intron 1 and one SNP in the beginning of intron 3) while four different autistic samples and three from control group had no mutations along this region. Exon 6 showed 100 % sequence identity in all samples (seven autistic and three from control group). The translation of nucleotides sequences into amino acid sequence revealed that the SNP in exon 2 caused a change of amino acid in the polypeptide sequence by changing the codon (AGA) which codes for arginine to (AAA) which codes for lysine. The online software tool, RaptorX was used for the prediction of the three dimensional structure of the polypeptides in which exon 2 carrying one SNP (30 a.a.) showed that 5 (16%) positions predicted as disordered, while the structure prediction of polypeptide translated from exon 3 was not obtained due to its small length (22 a.a.). Structure prediction of polypeptide of exon 6 (46 a.a.) showed that (0%) positions predicted as disordered, considering its lack of mutations. These results suggest the association of the detected SNPs with autism, especially the SNP located in exon 2 considering that it changed the polypeptide three dimensional structure, thus it could possibly alter its function. All SNPs are reported for the first time in this study except the one in intron 3 (rs755863611) which was previously reported.
In spite of the high rate of morbidity and mortality heart failure (HF) is common, and none of the medications are now entirely available for HF treatment. In addition to many environmental influences and clinical diseases, genetic factors may also contribute to the progression and development of HF. In the current study, samples of blood were collected from 150 heart failure patients and 130 healthy controls. We evaluated the association of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (snps) of Toll-like receptors (TLR6 and TLR5) with (HF) susceptibility in the Iraqi population. In this work, (SNP) called Toll-like receptor 5 (rs5744168, rs2072493) and Toll-like receptor 6 (rs1039559, rs5743810) were employed. (PCR-RFLP) for snps
... Show MoreThe expression of the Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 gene (PCSK9) is inextricably related to lipid levels and a risk of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ASCAD). The present study aims to measure the quantity of PCSK9 gene expression and the effect of methylation on its expression level taking part in the pathogenesis of acute coronary artery disorder.
A current study included 150 subjects from the Iraqi population, 100 ASCAD patients and 50 healthy controls. The concentration of PCSK9 in each serum sample was determined by the ELISA technique, the expression levels of the PCSK9 gene in whole blood were estimated by RT-qPCR – Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR method, and DNA
... Show MoreBackground: Dystrophinopathies are the commonest forms of muscular dystrophy and comprise clinically recognized forms, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). Mutations in the dystrophin gene which consist of large gene deletions (65%), duplications (5%) and point mutations (30%) are responsible for reducing the amount of functional dystrophin protein in skeletal muscle fibers. This study concentrate mainly at the spectrum of deletions in the 'distal hot spot' region of the DMD/BMD gene in Iraqi DMD/BMD patients using multiplex PCR technique
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate, and distribution of deletions in 10 exons of Dystrophin
... Show MoreBackground: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development; these disorders have no single known cause, they are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.
Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate different biochemical parameters in some autistic Iraqi children, and to compare the results with healthy children who matched with age, looking for any alteration in the studied parameters in order to understand the biochemistry of this disorder.
Patients and Methods: Forty one consecutive autistic children admitted to (Al Safa center for autism and Iben- AL Rs
Background: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction that results in fluctuating muscle weakness as well as significant fatigue. Disease exacerbation is a critical condition, and the predisposing factors for it need to be identified to improve preventive measures.
Objectives: Our study aims to determine the predisposing factors for myasthenia gravis exacerbations in a group of Iraqi patients.
Subjects and Methods: A total number of 30 myasthenia gravis patients were admitted to the hospital with an exacerbation of their symptoms, determined as the development of functional disability, dysphagia, or respiratory fai
... Show MoreThe alterations in glyoxylate reductase and hydroxy-pyruvate reductase concentrations in the sera and the genetic alterations associated with calcium oxalate kidney stones in Iraqi patients were not studied previously so this study aimed to focus on these points. This study included 80 subjects; they were 50 patients with calcium oxalate stones compared to 30 apparently healthy controls. Biochemical investigations for kidney functions (creatinine, urea, and uric acid), were performed on the sera of both groups. Also, complete blood count, random blood sugar, and blood group tests. Furthermore, urine had been collected for General Urine Examination to visualize oxalate crystals in the urine of the patient. Also, the GRHPR
... Show MoreSchizophrenia(SCZ) is oneof the most destructive and complicated chronic diseases of the human nervous system. Serotonin receptors have been involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Fortyschizophrenia subjects (14females and 26 males) with an age range of 23– 57 years were enrolled, in addition to twenty healthy control subjects (10female and 10 male) with an age range of 19-44 years.
This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), namelyrs643627 in HTR2Agene,inIraqi patients with schizophrenia in comparison with controls, along with the association between this SNP and the incidence of schizophrenia.
The genetic variantrs6436
... Show MoreThe role of transmembrane protease serine 2(TMPRSS2) in prostate carcinogenesis relies on overexpression of ETS transcription factors. The aim of this article was to investigate the association of TMPRSS2 polymorphism (rs12329760 (C\T)) with prostate cancer (PCa) in sample of Iraqi patients. One hundred and two individuals were involved in this study for the period from February – 2019 to February – 2020. The sample type was formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples (FFPE), which involved fifty-six samples of pre-diagnosed patients with prostate cancer, aged between 48 and 86 years, and forty-six samples were found to be controls (healthy group) dependent on Prostate Gland integrity, which is the same age as in a group o
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