Purpose Blastocystis is a common enteric human parasite of non-conclusive pathogenicity which may be determined by subtype (ST) variation. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered one of the primary causes of cancer mortality. Blastocystis ST7 has been shown to reduce beneficial intestinal microbiota and may exacerbate CRC. This study assessed the possible association between Blastocystis STs and CRC in comparison to non-cancer patients. Material and Methods A total of 200 fecal samples were obtained from CRC (100) and non-CRC (100) individuals attending Beni-Suef University Hospital, Egypt. Blastocystis was searched for in all samples using microscopy and culturing. Positive subculture samples were genetically sequenced and subtyped using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blastocystis STs were determined by sequencing and a phylogenetic tree was created. Related patient characteristics and tumor stages were analyzed for association with presence of Blastocystis . Results Blastocystis was identified in 52% and 42% of CRC and non-cancer individuals, respectively. ST1, 2, and 3 were isolated from both cancer and non-cancer individuals; however, for the first time, ST7 was only isolated from CRC stool samples with significant association. Associated patient characteristics were evaluated as predictors. Conclusion Blastocystosis is highly prevalent in CRC patients, predominantly in the latest CRC grades and stages. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the identification of Blastocystis ST7 in CRC patients. To determine whether certain STs of Blastocystis are associated with CRC would require further research, including the role played by gut microbiota.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the oldest and the most extensively grown fruit plants worldwide with regards to its great economic significance throughout the world. Northern part of Iraq (Kurdistan) is regarded as one of the regions in Iraq where grapevine plants have been taken into cultivation. Despite the economic importance of grapevine cultivars in this region, they have not been precisely classified and their genetic data is also limited. In the present study 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity among 13 local grape cultivars, also determining their genetic relationships with four Eurpean ones (17 cultivars studied). Results showed that the observed number of alleles (N) per locus varied from 3 to 9 with an average of 5.25 and the values of polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.28 to 0.776. Despite the average value (0.1716) of observed heterozygosity (Ho) was less than the average level (0.6427) of expected heterozygosity (He), results were relatively demon strated a random union of gametes in the population. In addition, genetic similarity among respective cultivars ranged from 0.17 to 0.1, indicating valuable genetic variation among studied cultivars. The analysis of UPGMA clustering demonstrated high genetic variation among those cultivars and grouped them into three main clusters. Findings from the present study might render striking information in determining local cultivars and in breeding management strategies that are of importance for genetic conservation and cultivar improvement.

Background: Rhuematoid Arthritis influences all aspects of life as it causes co-morbiditis in vascular,metabolic and articular aspects.There are many factors that contribute to development of RA as genetic and environmental factors. Objectives: to evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphism of AIRE gene (SNP rs2075876) and risk of RA in Egyptian patients.Methods: Acase control study conducted on 50 participants collected:30 previously diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis according to ACR/EULAR critria (25 females and 5 males) and 20 healthy group age and sex matched controls. Participants were screened for routine laboratory investigations & immunological investigation as RF and anti-ccp and AIRE gene polymorphism by using real time polymerase chain reaction. On comparing the 2 groups (controls and cases) Results: the results showed that there is statistically significant difference between cases and controls regarding SNP rs2075876 for the distribution of genotype and alleles. Therefore,we conclude that there is strong association between AIRE gene SNP rs2075876 and risk of rheumatoid arthritis.