Polymorphism in promotor region of IL6 gene as a predictor for severity in COVID -19 patients.

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of coronavirus disease started in 2019 (COVID-19). IL-6 gene is located on chromosome 7. A considerable number of polymorphisms was identified in the IL-6 gene. Polymorphism in IL-6-174C allele is associated with a higher level of IL-6 production and this may lead to severity of in COVID-19 patients. We intended to investigate the role of polymorphism in the promotor region of IL-6 gene as a predictor for disease severity in COVID-19 patients. Fifty patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and classified into moderate and severe groups and twenty apparently healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Genotyping for IL-6 gene (-174G/C) was done by using TaqMan SNP genotyping assay for all studied groups. The distribution of different IL-6-174G/C genotypes among COVID-19 patients was 76% for GG genotype, 22% for GC genotype and 2% for CC genotype. Whereas the distribution of genotypes among the control group was 80% for GG genotype, 20% for GC genotype and 0.0% for CC genotype. The G allele distribution was 87% and 90% in the patients and control groups, respectively, while the C allele was 13% and 10% in the patients and control groups, respectively. There was no significant statistical association between different genotypes, severity and treatment outcome in the patients group. In conclusion, this study showed no relation between -174G/C IL-6 gene polymorphism and disease, in COVID-19 patients. Keywords: Interleukin-6, Promotor region, Polymorphism, COVID-19, Severity.

Natural killer NKG2A and NKG2D in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Natural-killer group 2 (NKG2), a characteristic receptor of natural killer (NK) cell family, assumes a vital role in modulating NK cytotoxic function. We aimed to detect mRNA expression of both NKG2A and NKG2D in serum NK cells obtained from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS: We enrolled 36 patients with newly diagnosed CRC, as well as 15 group matched healthy individuals. The patients were further classified into: 23 non-metastatic CRC (group 1) and 13 metastatic CRC (group 2). We detected the expression of NKG2A and NKG2D serum levels for all participants utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: NKG2D and NKG2A mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were significantly elevated in patients with CRC compared to controls (P<0.01). NKG2D or NKG2A showed sensitivity (77.8, 83.33%) and specificity (73.33, 100%) respectively using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for discrimination between patients and controls, whereas group 1 and group 2 showed no statistical significant difference in NKG2D and NKG2A levels (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our work is one of the first research that could detect an increase in NKG2D in CRC. In spite of their defensive role in tumor immune surveillance, NKG2D and NKG2A and their ligands could have misused as tumor survival tool, empowering immune avoidance and suppression.

Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and inhibition of bacterial induced enamel demineralization of propolis, miswak, and chitosan nanoparticles based dental varnishes.

Using natural products can be a cost-effective approach for caries prevention especially in low income countries where dental caries is highly prevalent and the resources are limited. Specially prepared dental varnishes containing propolis, miswak, and chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) with or without sodium fluoride (NaF) were assessed for antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) using disk diffusion test. In addition, the protective effect of a single pretreatment of primary teeth enamel specimens against in vitro bacterial induced enamel demineralization was assessed for 3 days. All natural products containing varnishes inhibited bacterial growth significantly better than 5% NaF varnish, with NaF loaded CS-NPs (CSF-NPs) showing the highest antibacterial effect, though it didn't significantly differ than those of other varnishes except miswak ethanolic extract (M) varnish. Greater inhibitory effect was noted with varnish containing freeze dried aqueous miswak extract compared to that containing ethanolic miswak extract, possibly due to concentration of antimicrobial substances by freeze drying. Adding natural products to NaF in a dental varnish showed an additive effect especially compared to fluoride containing varnish. 5% NaF varnish showed the best inhibition of demineralization effect. Fluoride containing miswak varnish (MF) and CSF-NPs varnish inhibited demineralization significantly better than all experimental varnishes, especially during the first 2 days, though CSF-NPs varnish had a low fluoride concentration, probably due to better availability of fluoride ions and the smaller size of nanoparticles. Incorporating natural products with fluoride into dental varnishes can be an effective approach for caries prevention, especially miswak and propolis when financial resources are limited.