The Multi-Loci Genotypes of the Myostatin Gene Associated with Growth Indicators of Intensively Fattened Lambs of Latvian Sheep.

Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the TGFβ superfamily, negatively affects skeletal muscle growth and controls muscle development at stages of pre-natal muscle growth. Marker-assisted selection with molecular markers of the MSTN gene can be used in animal husbandry for higher-quality and more economically profitable lambs. The study aims to identify multi-locus genotypes within the MSTN gene regions as molecular markers for fattening, feed efficiency, and carcass traits in Latvian sheep.

DNA Methylation Profiles of , , , and Genes in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy.

We explored differences in the DNA methylation statuses of , , , and gene promoter regions in patients with type 1 diabetes and different diabetic retinopathy (DR) stages. Study subjects included individuals with no DR (NDR, = 41), those with non-proliferative DR (NPDR, = 27), and individuals with proliferative DR or those who underwent laser photocoagulation (PDR/LPC, = 46). DNA methylation was determined by Zymo OneStep qMethyl technique.

Clinical characteristics and dynamics of disability progression in a cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis in Latvians.

There is wide variation in the time from the onset to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and some controversy regarding the clinical characteristics of the courses (phenotypes) of MS. The present study aimed to characterize demographic and clinical factors that potentially influence long-term disability progression in the cohort of Latvian MS patients. A descriptive longitudinal incidence study was conducted using a cohort of 288 MS patients beginning in 2011 (disease duration from 1 to 51 years).

Neuroinflammatory Dysfunction of the Blood-Brain Barrier and Basement Membrane Dysplasia Play a Role in the Development of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

Drug-resistance epilepsy (DRE) is a key problem in neurology. It is possible that damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may affect resistance in DRE. The aim of this work was to assess the damage and dysfunction in the BBB in the area of epileptic foci in patients with DRE under conditions of neuroinflammation.

Relationship between Neuroglial Apoptosis and Neuroinflammation in the Epileptic Focus of the Brain and in the Blood of Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

Neuroglial apoptosis and neuroinflammation play an important role in epileptogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate neuronal and glial apoptosis in association with neuroinflammation in brain epileptic focus and inflammatory changes in blood in patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Pathological changes in the temporal lobe in epilepsy (histology, transmission electron microscopy), levels of apoptotic and neuroinflammatory proteins: active caspase-3 (immunohistochemistry), full-length form caspase-3, caspase-9, FAS, FAS-L, NF-kB, TNF-α, p53 (Western blot), and cytokine levels in blood: IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, TNF-α, etc.

1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives increase mRNA expression of , , and in rats.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system modifies different cellular and protein functions. Its dysregulation may lead to disrupted proteostasis associated with multiple pathologies and aging. Pharmacological regulation of proteasome functions is already an important part of the treatment of several diseases.

Thiopurine -methyltransferase genetic polymorphisms in adult patients with inflammatory bowel diseases in the Latvian population.

Background: Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) plays a significant role in the metabolism of thiopurines, and, for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it is useful to perform TPMT genotyping prior to azathioprine (AZA) treatment. In this study, we determined gene polymorphisms in a cohort of IBD patients in Latvia.

Methods: DNA samples were obtained from 244 IBD patients, and qPCR was performed for detection of rs1800462, rs1800460, and rs1142345 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

An Intergenic rs9275596 Polymorphism on Chr. 6p21 Is Associated with Multiple Sclerosis in Latvians.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, leading to demyelination of neurons and potentially debilitating physical and mental symptoms. The disease is more prevalent in women than in men. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region has been identified as a major genetic determinant for autoimmune diseases, and its role in some neurological disorders including MS was evaluated.

Genetic variations in the PSMA3, PSMA6 and PSMC6 genes are associated with type 1 diabetes in Latvians and with expression level of number of UPS-related and T1DM-susceptible genes in HapMap individuals.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), a key player of proteostasis network in the body, was implicated in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) pathogenesis. Polymorphisms in genes encoding proteasome subunits may potentially affect system efficiency. However, data in this field are still limited.

1,4-Dihydropyridine derivatives without Ca2+-antagonist activity up-regulate Psma6 mRNA expression in kidneys of intact and diabetic rats.

Impaired degradation of proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is observed in numerous pathologies including diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Dysregulation of proteasomal degradation might be because of altered expression of genes and proteins involved in the UPS. The search for novel compounds able to normalize expression of the UPS appears to be a topical problem.

Changes in glucose transporter expression and nitric oxide production are associated with liver injury in diabetes.

In diabetes mellitus (DM), both hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia can initiate accumulation of fat in the liver, which might be further mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase. We have studied changes in GLUT1, nitric oxide (NO(·)) concentration and liver damage in two rat DM models. STZ model was induced by strepozotocin 50 mg/kg.

PSMA6 (rs2277460, rs1048990), PSMC6 (rs2295826, rs2295827) and PSMA3 (rs2348071) genetic diversity in Latvians, Lithuanians and Taiwanese.

PSMA6 (rs2277460, rs1048990), PSMC6 (rs2295826, rs2295827) and PSMA3 (rs2348071) genetic diversity was investigated in 1438 unrelated subjects from Latvia, Lithuania and Taiwan. In general, polymorphism of each individual locus showed tendencies similar to determined previously in HapMap populations. Main differences concern Taiwanese and include presence of rs2277460 rare allele A not found before in Asians and absence of rs2295827 rare alleles homozygotes TT observed in all other human populations.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis subtype- and sex-specific associations with genetic variants in the PSMA6/PSMC6/PSMA3 gene cluster.

Background: The ubiquitin proteasome system plays an exceptional biological role in the antigen processing and immune response and it could potentially be involved in pathogenesis of many immunity-related diseases, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: The PSMB5 (rs11543947), PSMA6 (rs2277460, rs1048990), PSMC6 (rs2295826, rs2295827), and PSMA3 (rs2348071) proteasomal genes were genotyped on JIA subtype- and sex-specific association; plasma proteasome levels was measured in patients having risk and protective four-locus genotypes and eventual functional significance of allele substitutions was evaluated in silico.

Results: Loci rs11543947 and rs1048990 were identified as disease neutral and other loci as disease susceptible (p < 0.

Comparison of the effects of glibenclamide on metabolic parameters, GLUT1 expression, and liver injury in rats with severe and mild streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Background And Objective: Glucose transport via GLUT1 protein could be one of additional mechanisms of the antidiabetic action of sulfonylureas. Here, the GLUT1 gene and the protein expression was studied in rats in the course of severe and mild streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus and under glibenclamide treatment.

Material And Methods: Severe and mild diabetes mellitus was induced using different streptozotocin doses and standard or high fat chow.

Functional significance of microsatellite markers.

The review summarizes literature data on the positive results of association studies between the length of microsatellite repeats and predisposition to pathologies. Actually, the data can be classified according to the localization of the microsatellite: in the gene promoter, in the part of exon 1 coding the signal sequence, in gene introns, in the coding areas of genes, and in 3'-untranslated regions. The functional significance of microsatellite length changes can be evaluated in many cases.

The burden of allergic asthma in children: a landscape comparison based on data from Lithuanian, Latvian, and Taiwanese populations.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases with an increasing prevalence and financial burden worldwide. This disease affects individuals in all countries and all ethnic groups; however, prevalence rates of asthma have been reported to vary significantly between different regions. To understand the origin of asthma and to manage it effectively, it is necessary to analyze the genetic and environmental factors that cause these geographic differences.

Analysis of the single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 5'UTR and part of intron I of the sheep MSTN gene.

The myostatin (MSTN) gene region encompassing the 5'UTR and part of intron I was sequenced in animals of two herds of Latvian Darkhead sheep to extend data on the ovine MSTN gene polymorphism and to provide information useful for local breed conservation. Two and four polymorphic loci were revealed in the 5'UTR and intron I. Four and five local haplotypes were constructed, respectively.