Mitochondrial haplogroup A2 is associated with increased COVID-19 mortality in an admixed Brazilian population.

Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular respiration and immune responses. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups and variants have been associated with various diseases, including COVID-19. This study analyzed complete mtDNA sequences from 467 Brazilian patients with COVID-19 to investigate associations between mtDNA ancestry and mortality risk.

Association Between Genetic Variants in , , and Genes and Severity of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients from Southern Brazil.

Genetic variants in cytokine genes such as , , and may influence inflammatory responses to SARS-CoV-2 and affect disease severity. This study investigates the role of these variants in relation to COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality. A total of 500 unvaccinated individuals from southern Brazil diagnosed with COVID-19 via RT-PCR were analyzed.

Influence of Cytokine-Related genetic variants in TNF, IL6, IL1β, and IFNγ genes in the thalidomide treatment for Erythema nodosum leprosum in a Brazilian population sample.

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), an inflammatory reaction in leprosy, causes painful nodules, fever, and malaise due to immune system activation. Thalidomide is an effective treatment, although associated with important adverse effects. We aimed to evaluate the association of genetic variants in genes encoding tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) with the response to treatment of ENL with thalidomide.

Evaluation of Differentially Expressed Candidate Genes in Benzo[a]pyrene Degradation by Burkholderia vietnamiensis G4.

Bacteria-mediated bioremediation is widely employed for its environmental benefits. The genus Burkholderia can degrade persistent organic compounds, however, little is known about its mechanisms. To increase this knowledge, Burkholderia vietnamiensis G4 bacteria were exposed to benzo[a]pyrene, a recalcitrant compound, and the expression of twelve genes of interest was analyzed at 1, 12 and 24 h.

An Efficient Extraction Method Allowing the Genetic Evaluation of Host DNA from Samples Collected for Virus Infection Diagnosis in Viral Transport Medium.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an extraordinary number of nasopharyngeal secretion samples inoculated in viral transport medium (VTM) were collected and analyzed to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition to viral detection, those samples can also be a source of host genomic material, providing excellent opportunities for biobanking and research. To describe a simple, in-house-developed DNA extraction method to obtain high yield and quality genomic DNA from VTM samples for host genetic analysis and assess its relative efficiency by comparing its yield and suitability to downstream applications to two different commercial DNA extraction kits.

Association of polymorphisms in the erythropoietin gene with diabetic retinopathy: a case-control study and systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by ischemia, hypoxia, and angiogenesis. Erythropoietin (EPO), an angiogenic hormone, is upregulated in DR, and the association of EPO genetic variants with DR is still uncertain, as conflicting results have been reported. Therefore, we performed a case-control study followed by a meta-analysis to investigate whether the rs1617640, rs507392, and rs551238 polymorphisms in EPO gene are associated with DR.

Plasma levels of miR-29b and miR-200b in type 2 diabetic retinopathy.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its chronic complications, and their circulating levels have emerged as potential biomarkers for the development and progression of diabetes. However, few studies have examined the expression of miRNAs in diabetic retinopathy (DR) in humans. This case-control study aimed to investigate whether the plasma levels of miR-29b and miR-200b are associated with DR in 186 South Brazilians with type 2 diabetes (91 without DR, 46 with non-proliferative DR and 49 with proliferative DR).

Relationship of polymorphisms in the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2 genes with chronic heart failure.

Dysregulated expression of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) is associated with systolic dysfunction and worsening heart failure (HF). However, no study has assessed the relationship between TIMP polymorphisms and chronic HF. In this study, 300 HF outpatients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and 304 healthy blood donors were genotyped for the 372 T > C polymorphism (Phe124Phe; rs4898) in the TIMP-1 gene and the -418 G > C polymorphism (rs8179090) in the TIMP-2 gene to investigate whether these polymorphisms are associated with HF susceptibility and prognosis.

Interleukin-10 -1082A > G (rs1800896) polymorphism is associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To investigate whether the -1082A > G polymorphism (rs1800896) in the interleukin-10 (IL10) gene is associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Brazilians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: This case-control study included 847 outpatients with type 2 diabetes and 145 healthy blood donors. Four hundred and two patients had no DR, 253 had non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and 192 had proliferative DR (PDR).

Association of -1082A>G Polymorphism in the Interleukin-10 Gene with Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Type 2 Diabetes.

Background/aims: The -1082A>G polymorphism (rs1800896) in the interleukin-10 (IL10) gene has been associated with type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, but its relationship with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is uncertain. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate whether the -1082A>G polymorphism is associated with DKD in white Brazilians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Genotyping was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction for 597 type 2 diabetic outpatients.