This study aims to investigate whether Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 4 (STAT4) influences the anti-tumor immune response and is possibly involved in the initiation or relapse of pituitary adenomas (PAs) by examining polymorphisms and serum levels. This research seeks to uncover potential connections that could inform future therapeutic strategies and improve our understanding of PA pathogenesis. This study was conducted at the Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAccording to recent research, inflammatory and its protein impact may be important factors in developing cancerous diseases. Still unanalyzed is this effect in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). In the present study, we evaluated four single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of (rs10181656, rs7574865, rs7601754, and rs10168266) and STAT4 serum levels to determine their link between LSCC development and its clinical manifestations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
September 2024
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major global health problem as it is the leading cause of irreversible loss of central vision in the aging population. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies are effective but do not respond optimally in all patients. This study investigates the genetic factors associated with susceptibility to AMD and response to treatment, focusing on key polymorphisms in the (rs10490924), (rs1143623), (rs1061622), (rs4149576), (rs3024997), ARMS2, IL1B1, TNFRSF1B, TNFRSF1A, and VEGFA serum levels in AMD development and treatment efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOur study aimed to investigate the associations between rs1029153, rs1801157, and rs2297630 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), CXCL12 protein levels, MS prevalence, and clinical parameters. This study included 250 individuals diagnosed with MS and 250 sex- and age-matched healthy control individuals from Lithuania. The SNPs were genotyped with real-time PCR-based assays.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study explores the complex pathogenesis of pituitary adenomas (PAs), prevalent intracranial tumors in the pituitary gland. Despite their generally benign nature, PAs exhibit a diverse clinical spectrum involving hormone hypersecretion and varying invasiveness, hinting at multifaceted molecular mechanisms and abnormalities in tumorigenesis and gene regulation. The investigation focuses on the Ki-67 labeling index, rs2236750, rs34037914, and rs267606574 polymorphisms, alongside serum levels of SSTR2, SSTR5, and AIP, to discern their association with PAs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: The aim of this study was to determine associations of (rs867186), (rs237025), (rs13278372) gene polymorphisms and , , protein levels with clinical and morphological features of pituitary adenomas (PAs).
Methods: This case-control study included 459 individuals divided into two groups: a control group ( = 320) and a group of individuals with PAs ( = 139). DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes was isolated using salt precipitation and column method.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition leading to vision loss and eventual blindness, with exudative AMD posing a heightened risk due to choroidal neovascularization and localized edema. Therapies targeting the VEGF pathway aim to address this mechanism for treatment effectiveness. Our study aimed to evaluate associations between specific genetic variants ( rs8017304, rs2588809; rs6987702, rs4351379; rs13095226; rs1064583; rs1859430, rs2069870, rs11741137, rs2069885, rs2069884; rs1800871, rs1800872, rs1800896; rs1570360, rs699947, rs3025033, rs2146323) and the response to anti-VEGF treatment for exudative AMD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFhas a dual role in multiple sclerosis (MS), contributing to both protective and harmful effects. It activates immune cells, promotes the formation of inflammatory lesions in the central nervous system, and stimulates the production of other pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, leading to myelin destruction and neuronal damage. Our research focused on investigating the relationship between (rs1800630, rs1800629, and rs361525) gene polymorphisms and MS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major global health problem as it is the leading cause of irreversible loss of central vision in the aging population. Av-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies have been shown to be effective, but they do not respond optimally to all patients.
Objective: This study investigates the genetic factors associated with susceptibility to AMD and response to treatment, focusing on key polymorphisms in the (rs1061170, rs1410996) and (rs2071559, rs1870377) genes and the association of CFH and KDR serum levels in patients with AMD.
Optic neuritis (ON) is a condition marked by optic nerve inflammation due to various potential triggers. Research indicates a link between telomeres and inflammation, as studies demonstrate that inflammation can lead to increased telomere shortening. : We aimed to determine the associations of telomere-related telomeric repeat binding factor 1 () rs1545827, rs10107605, and telomeric repeat binding factor 2 ) rs251796 polymorphisms and relative leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with the occurrence of ON.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe study aimed to investigate the association between the gene (rs860170, rs978739, rs1357949), TAS2R16 serum levels, and multiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 265 healthy control subjects and 218 MS patients were included in the study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The interaction between environmental and genetic factors that influence eye growth, regulated by vision, contributes to the development and progression of myopia. This dynamic interaction significantly contributes to the multifaceted development and progression of myopia, a prevalent ocular condition. Our study delves into the associations between and gene polymorphisms and their impact on the relative leukocyte telomere length (relative LTL) in myopia, as well as its degree.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the associations between TAS2R16 serum levels and common gene rs860170, rs978739, and rs1357949 polymorphisms in patients affected by generalized periodontitis. The study enrolled 590 patients: 280 patients with periodontitis and 310 healthy controls as a reference group. Patients underwent periodontal examination and radiographic analysis to confirm the periodontitis diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, we examined 130 patients with pituitary adenomas (PAs) and 320 healthy subjects, using DNA samples from peripheral blood leukocytes purified through the DNA salting-out method. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and relative leukocyte telomere lengths (RLTLs), while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of TERF1, TERF2, TNKS2, CTC1, and ZNF676 in blood serum. Our findings reveal several significant associations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of the study was to evaluate the associations of (rs10181656, rs7574865, rs7601754, rs10168266) gene polymorphisms and STAT4 serum level in patients with optic neuritis. Eighty-one subjects with optic neuritis (ON) and 158 healthy subjects participated in the study. Genotyping was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction to obtain data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The aim of this study is to determine the association of (rs860170, rs978739, rs1357949) gene polymorphisms and TAS2R16 serum levels in patients with the occurrence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods: Subjects with early AMD, subjects with exudative AMD, and healthy controls participated in the study. DNA was isolated by salting out leukocytes from peripheral venous blood.
Aim: The purpose of this work was to investigate the prevalence of rs3818292, rs3758391, and rs7895833 single nucleotide polymorphisms and SIRT1 serum levels associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Lithuanian population.
Methods: A total of 250 MS patients and 250 healthy controls were included in the study. Genotyping was performed using the RT-PCR method.
Introduction: Pituitary adenomas (PA) are slow-growing, benign tumors that usually do not metastasize to other body organs. Although they are referred to as benign, tumor growth can eventually put pressure on nearby structures, spread to surrounding tissues, and cause symptoms. The exact cause of PA is unknown, and the pathogenesis is multifactorial.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. According to recent studies, cellular senescence caused by telomere shortening may contribute to the development of MS.
Aim Of The Study: Our aim was to determine the associations of rs1760904, rs1713418, rs12696304, rs35073794 gene polymorphisms with the occurrence of MS.
Objective: To evaluate and compare the associations of VEGFA serum levels and SNPs (rs1570360, rs699947, rs3025033, and rs2146323) with periodontitis in study participants grouped by gender.
Methods: The study enrolled 261 patients with periodontitis and 441 healthy controls as a reference group. Patients underwent periodontal examination and radiographic analysis to confirm the periodontitis diagnosis.
Purpose: Results of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) treatment and the 5 year survival rate of these patients remain poor. To purify therapeutic targets, investigation of new specific and prognostic blood-based markers for LSCC development is essential.
Methods: In the present study, we evaluated five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): IL1RAP rs4624606, IL1RL1 rs1041973, IL-6 rs1800795, BLK rs13277113, and TIMP3 rs9621532, and determined their associations with the patients' 5 year survival rate.
The Aim Of The Study: to assess the influence of genetic and environmental factors using twin studies and evaluate the associations of SCARB1 gene variants (rs11057841) with AMD and MPOD.
Material And Methods: a total of 108 healthy twins (56 MZ and 52 DZ twins) were tested in this study. The MPOD was measured using the one-wavelength reflectometry method.