Design and Characterization of pMyc/pMax Peptide-Coupled Gold Nanosystems for Targeting Myc in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines.

Myc and Max are essential proteins in the development of prostate cancer. They act by dimerizing and binding to E-box sequences. Disrupting the Myc:Max heterodimer interaction or its binding to E-box sequences to interrupt gene transcription represent promising strategies for treating cancer.

Recent applications of cell-penetrating peptide guidance of nanosystems in breast and prostate cancer.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are small peptides from natural sources or designed from other protein sequences that can penetrate cell membranes. This property has been used in biomedicine to add them to biomolecules to improve their capacity for cell internalization and as a guidance tool for specific cell types. CPPs have been shown to enhance cellular uptake and , improving the efficacy of anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin and paclitaxel, while also limiting their cytotoxic effects on healthy cells and tissues.

A Full Set of In Vitro Assays in Chitosan/Tween 80 Microspheres Loaded with Magnetite Nanoparticles.

Microspheres have been proposed for different medical applications, such as the delivery of therapeutic proteins. The first step, before evaluating the functionality of a protein delivery system, is to evaluate their biological safety. In this work, we developed chitosan/Tween 80 microspheres loaded with magnetite nanoparticles and evaluated cell damage.

Steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2 enzyme variants, biomass exposure and tobacco use in Mexican patients with prostate cancer.

The presence of the genetic variants of the steroid 5-alpha reductase 2 enzyme, which is encoded by the gene, has been associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer among certain ethnic groups. However, these molecular studies have not been conducted on the Mexican population. The analysis of the genetic variants, rs9282858 and rs523349, was performed in 101 males with prostate cancer and 100 healthy controls classified as males without prostate abnormalities (n=60) and males with benign prostatic hyperplasia (n=40), to identify a probable association with this cancer type in the Northeast Mexican population.

Association study in Mexican patients with thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis type 1 (OMIM; HOKPP1) and type 2 (OMIM; HOKPP2) are diseases of the muscle characterized by episodes of painless muscle weakness, and is associated with low potassium blood levels. Hyperthyroidism has been associated with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TTPP) (OMIM; TTPP1 and TTPP2), and genetic susceptibility has been implicated. In the present study, the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with TTPP are described, together with their association with genetic variants reported previously in other populations.

Associations of nicotidamide-N-methyltransferase, FTO, and IRX3 genetic variants with body mass index and resting energy expenditure in Mexican subjects.

The enzyme nicotidamide-N-methyltransferase (NNMT) regulates adipose tissue energy expenditure through increasing nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD) content. NNMT methylates nicotinamide to N-methylnicotidamide (MNA-1) using S-adenosyl methionine. The rs694539 NNMT polymorphism is associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and rs1941404 is associated with hyperlipidemia.

Whole exome sequencing identifies multiple novel candidate genes in familial gastroschisis.

Background: Genetic association studies for gastroschisis have highlighted several candidate variants. However, genetic basis in gastroschisis from noninvestigated heritable factors could provide new insights into the human biology for this birth defect. We aim to identify novel gastroschisis susceptibility variants by employing whole exome sequencing (WES) in a Mexican family with recurrence of gastroschisis.

Bioinformatic Analysis of Gene Variants from Gastroschisis Recurrence Identifies Multiple Novel Pathogenetic Pathways: Implication for the Closure of the Ventral Body Wall.

We investigated whether likely pathogenic variants co-segregating with gastroschisis through a family-based approach using bioinformatic analyses were implicated in body wall closure. Gene Ontology (GO)/Panther functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction analysis by String identified several biological networks of highly connected genes in , and . SVS-PhoRank identified a dominant model in (also as heterozygous de novo), , , , , and , including a recessive model in , , , , and .

A clinical-pathogenetic approach on associated anomalies and chromosomal defects supports novel candidate critical regions and genes for gastroschisis.

Background: Gastroschisis has been assumed to have a low rate of syndromic and primary malformations. We aimed to systematically review and explore the frequency and type of malformations/chromosomal syndromes and to identify significant biological/genetic roles in gastroschisis.

Methods: Population-based, gastroschisis-associated anomalies/chromosomal defects published 1950-2018 (PubMed/MEDLINE) were independently searched by two reviewers.

Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucronosyltrasferase: Its role in pharmacogenomics and human disease.

Biotransformation is an enzyme-catalyzed process in which the body converts endogenous compounds, xenobiotics and toxic substances into harmless or easily excreted metabolites. The biotransformation reactions are classified as phase I and II reactions. Uridine 5'-diphospho (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are a superfamily of phase II enzymes which have roles in the conjugation of xenobiotics or endogenous compounds, including drugs and bilirubin, with glucuronic acid to make them easier to excrete.

Nanoparticles for death‑induced gene therapy in cancer (Review).

Due to the high toxicity and side effects of the use of traditional chemotherapy in cancer, scientists are working on the development of alternative therapeutic technologies. An example of this is the use of death‑induced gene therapy. This therapy consists of the killing of tumor cells via transfection with plasmid DNA (pDNA) that contains a gene which produces a protein that results in the apoptosis of cancerous cells.

Assessment of biochemical parameters and characterization of α -308G/A and +1858C/T gene polymorphisms in the risk of obesity in adolescents.

Obesity is currently considered an inflammatory condition associated with autoimmune diseases, suggesting a common origin. Among other factors, candidate genes may explain the development of this disease. Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and lymphoid protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN22) genes lead to an increased risk to development of immune and inflammatory diseases.

A pharmacogenetic pilot study reveals MTHFR, DRD3, and MDR1 polymorphisms as biomarker candidates for slow atorvastatin metabolizers.

Background: The genetic variation underlying atorvastatin (ATV) pharmacokinetics was evaluated in a Mexican population. Aims of this study were: 1) to reveal the frequency of 87 polymorphisms in 36 genes related to drug metabolism in healthy Mexican volunteers, 2) to evaluate the impact of these polymorphisms on ATV pharmacokinetics, 3) to classify the ATV metabolic phenotypes of healthy volunteers, and 4) to investigate a possible association between genotypes and metabolizer phenotypes.

Methods: A pharmacokinetic study of ATV (single 80-mg dose) was conducted in 60 healthy male volunteers.

High prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and lack of association with integrin α2 gene polymorphisms in patients with type 2 diabetes from Northeastern Mexico.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the primary causes of blindness in the working age population and is characterized by angiogenesis in the retina. Platelets have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications. The integrin receptor for collagen/laminin, α2β1, mediates platelet primary adhesion to subendothelial tissues, which is an essential first step in thrombus formation.

Detection of Turner Syndrome by quantitative PCR of SHOX and VAMP7 genes.

Turner Syndrome (TS) is an unfavorable genetic condition with a prevalence of 1:2500 in newborn girls. Prompt and effective diagnosis is very important to appropriately monitor the comorbidities. The aim of the present study was to propose a feasible and practical molecular diagnostic tool for newborn screening by quantifying the gene dosage of the SHOX, VAMP7, XIST, UBA1, and SRY genes by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in individuals with a diagnosis of complete X monosomy, as well as those with TS variants, and then compare the results to controls without chromosomal abnormalities.

An investigation into the MMP1 gene promoter region polymorphism--1607 2G with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa disease severity in northeastern Mexican patients.

Background: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a severe genetic skin blistering disorder caused by mutations in the gene COL7A1 encoding type VII collagen. Most of the patients' clinical severity depends in part on the nature and location of the mutations, ranging from the mild form described as RDEBother-generalized (RDEB-O) to the more aggressive phenotype described as RDEBsevere-generalized (RDEB-sev gen). However, interfamilial and interindividual differences in subjects with identical COL7A1 mutations suggest the presence of modifier elements, which may influence severity.

The tumor necrosis factor α (-308 A/G) polymorphism is associated with cystic fibrosis in Mexican patients.

Unlabelled: Environmental and genetic factors may modify or contribute to the phenotypic differences observed in multigenic and monogenic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). An analysis of modifier genes can be helpful for estimating patient prognosis and directing preventive care. The aim of this study is to determine the association between seven genetic variants of four modifier genes and CF by comparing their corresponding allelic and genotypic frequencies in CF patients (n = 81) and control subjects (n = 104).

Nanoparticles vs cancer: a multifuncional tool.

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing the development of different branches of science. The investigation of nanomaterials in the battle against cancer is not an exception. The main goal of this contribution is to bring an overview about the types of organic and inorganic nanomaterials that are under investigation for its applications in different aspects of cancer therapy: detection, diagnosis, contrast agents, controlled drug delivery, and hyperthermia.

Genetic structure of Mexican Mestizos with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on three STR loci.

Background: The aims of this population genetics study were: 1) to ascertain whether Mexicans with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were genetically homogeneous and 2) to compare the genetic structure of this selected population with the previously reported data of four random populations (Nuevo León, Hispanics, Chihuahua, and Central Region of Mexico).

Methods: A sample of 103 unrelated individuals with DM and whose 4 grandparents were born in five zones of Mexico was interviewed in 32 Medical Units in the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). The non-coding STRs D16S539, D7S820, and D13S317 were analyzed.