Resumo A proteína 2 de ligação de nucleotídeos de guanina (GNB2) codifica a subunidade β2 (Gβ2) do complexo da proteína G. Tendo em vista o aumento da demanda de biomarcadores em câncer, o presente estudo foi planejado para explorar extensivamente a variação da expressão de GNB2 e seus papéis em diferentes cânceres usando bancos de dados on-line disponíveis e metodologia diversificada. Em vista de nossos resultados, o GNB2 foi notavelmente regulado para cima em relação aos controles correspondentes em 23 tipos de câncer. Além disso, a expressão elevada de GNB2 foi associada à redução da sobrevida global (OS) do carcinoma hepatocelular do fígado (LIHC) e do adenocarcinoma do reto (READ) apenas em todos os tipos de câncer analisados. Isso implica que GNB2 desempenha um papel vital na tumorigênese de LIHC e READ. Várias análises adicionais também exploraram seis vias críticas e poucas correlações relacionadas à expressão de GNB2 e diferentes outros parâmetros, como metilação do promotor, pureza do tumor, infiltração de células T CD8+, alteração genética e drogas quimioterápicas. Em conclusão, o gene GNB2 foi identificado neste estudo como um potencial biomarcador compartilhado (diagnóstico e prognóstico) de LIHC e READ.

Abstract The Guanine-nucleotide binding protein 2 (GNB2) encodes for β2 subunit (Gβ2) of the G-protein complex. Keeping in view the increased demand of reliable biomarkers in cancer, the current study was planned to extensively explored GNB2 expression variation and its roles in different cancers using online available databases and diverse methodology. In view of our results, the GNB2 was notably up-regulated relative to corresponding controls in twenty three cancer types. As well, the elevated expression of GNB2 was found to be associated with the reduced overall survival (OS) of the Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LIHC) and Rectum Adenocarcinoma (READ) only out of all analyzed cancer types. This implies GNB2 plays vital role in the tumorigenesis of LIHC and READ. Several additional analysis also explored six critical pathways and few important correlations related to GNB2 expression and different other parameters such as promoter methylation, tumor purity, CD8+ T immune cells infiltration, and genetic alteration, and chemotherapeutic drugs. In conclusion, GNB2 gene has been identified in this study as a shared potential biomarker (diagnostic and prognostic) of LIHC and READ.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels as an ovarian reserve marker in adolescent girls with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and explore the relationship of this marker with autoimmunity and thyroid function biomarkers. Subjects and methods: This study included 96 adolescent girls with newly diagnosed AIT and 96 healthy, age- and sex-matched controls. All participants were evaluated with detailed history taking and physical examination, thyroid ultrasound, and measurement of levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), antithyroglobulin antibody (TGAb), estradiol, total testosterone, and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. The LH/FSH ratio was also calculated. Among 96 patients evaluated, 78 were overtly hypothyroid and 18 were euthyroid. AMH levels were significantly lower in participants with overt hypothyroidism and euthyroidism compared with controls. Results: Serum levels of AMH correlated negatively with age, body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS), and TPOAb, TGAb, and TSH levels but positively with FT4 levels. In multivariate analysis, AMH levels correlated significantly with age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-2.32, p = 0.05), BMI SDS (OR = 2.3, 95% CI, 2.23-3.50, p = 0.01), TSH (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.5-2.8, p = 0.01), and TPOAb (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 3.26-8.75, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Ovarian reserve of adolescent girls with AIT, as measured by serum AMH levels, is affected by thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism, indicating a possible need for ovarian reserve monitoring in these patients.

Studies were conducted on the production and extraction of exo-polygalacturonase (PG) in solid-state fermentation (SSF) using orange bagasse (Ob) and molokhia stalks (Ms) as a new solid support by Penicillium pinophlilum Hedg 3503 NRRL. The parameters affecting PG production under SSF were optimized. The maximum PG activity of ~ 3270 U/ g dry solid substrate was obtained from P. pinophlilum Hedg 3503 NRRL grown for 7 days on Ob and Ms in the ratio 1:3 (w/w), moistened with distilled water at 68.2% initial moisture content. Highest enzyme titers occurred in SSF without added nutrients, indicating nutrient sufficiency of the Ob and MS mixture to sustain growth and a high level of pectic substances which induced PG production. The extraction of PG from the fermented biomass was optimized. Among the various solvents tested, the maximum level of enzyme activity was achieved when acetate buffer (0.05 M; pH 5.0) was used. The optimum volume of buffer was 50 mL, an extraction time of 60 min was sufficient to extract most enzyme, which yielded 3269.6 U/ g dry solid substrate of enzyme activity. Repeated washes under the optimum conditions showed that most of the enzyme (about 98%) was recovered in three repeated extractions. Moreover, 68.9% of total activity was achieved in the first wash.