Investigation of the DNMT3B -579 G>T Promoter Polymorphism in Patients with Colorectal Cancer in an Azerbaijani Population.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the present study was to determine the clinical significance of the DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) gene -579 G>T polymorphism in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS: A total of 140 patients with CRC and 164 healthy individuals were included in the study. According to the manufacturer's instructions, DNA was isolated from blood, and genotypes were determined on agarose gel by the PCR-RFLP method. Genotype confirmation was performed using Sanger sequencing in randomly selected samples. RESULTS: When comparing the case and control groups, heterozygous GT (OR=0.53; 95% CI=0.32-0.88), under the dominant model (OR=0.53; 95% CI=0.33-0.87), and the mutant T allele (OR=0.71; 95% CI=0.51-0.98) were statistically associated with a reduced risk of CRC. However, when the age, pathological tumor grade and stage, smoking habit, and alcohol consumption were compared, no significant relationship was determined (P>0.05). Furthermore, among males, heterozygous GT was associated with a reduced risk of CRC (OR=0.40; 95% CI=0.19-0.84). CONCLUSION: Our study highlighted that the -579 G>T polymorphism of the DNMT3B gene plays a protective role against CRC development.

A Brief History of Organ and Tissue Transplantation in Azerbaijan.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide a brief history of transplantation in Azerbaijan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Published information on transplant in Azerbaijan is limited; therefore, we contacted transplant centers and asked questions of heads or members of transplant teams. Answers to the survey provided the basis of this report. RESULTS: In Azerbaijan, history of transplantation started with corneal transplants in the 1920s and kidney transplant from living and deceased donors in the 1970s. Organ transplants, except corneal transplants, were stopped from 1983 to 2002. Living donor kidney transplant and bone marrow transplant were started around 2002. Living donor liver transplant and stem cell transplant have been performed since 2008 and 2015, respectively. Until 2021, 898 kidney, 252 liver, 112 bone marrow, 22 stem cell, approximately 2000 unpreserved and 72 preserved corneal transplants, and 3 left ventricular assist device implantations have been performed in our country. Currently, organ transplant is performed in 7 hospitals of Azerbaijan (the Surgical Clinic of Azerbaijan Medical University, Republican Treatment and Diagnostic Center, Central Clinic Hospital, Central Customs Hospital, Thalassemia Center, Bona Dea Hospital, and National Ophthalmology Center). CONCLUSIONS: We hope that the enactment of a new law on transplantation and the establishment of the Coordination Center and Ethics Committee in the near future will create great opportunities for future progress in transplantation, allowing the thousands of patients waiting for transplant to regain their health.