-
BMC Biotechnology Mar 2024One of the current challenges is to secure wheat crop production to meet the increasing global food demand and to face the increase in its purchasing power. Therefore,...
BACKGROUND
One of the current challenges is to secure wheat crop production to meet the increasing global food demand and to face the increase in its purchasing power. Therefore, the current study aimed to exploit a new synthesized nanocomposite to enhance wheat growth under both normal and drought regime. The effectiveness of this nanocomposite in improving the microbiological quality of irrigation water and inhibiting the snail's growth was also assessed.
RESULTS
Upon the employed one-step synthesis process, a spherical Fe/Cu/P nanocomposite was obtained with a mean particle size of 4.35 ± 1.524 nm. Cu, Fe, and P were detected in the dried nanocomposite at 14.533 ± 0.176, 5.200 ± 0.208, and 34.167 ± 0.203 mg/ml concentration, respectively. This nanocomposite was found to exert antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. It caused good inhibition percent against Fusarium oxysporum (43.5 ± 1.47%) and reduced both its germination rate and germination efficiency. The lethal concentration 50 (LC of this nanocomposite against Lanistes carinatus snails was 76 ppm. The treated snails showed disturbance in their feeding habit and reached the prevention state. Significant histological changes were observed in snail digestive tract and male and female gonads. Drought stress on wheat's growth was mitigated in response to 100 and 300 ppm treatments. An increase in all assessed growth parameters was reported, mainly in the case of 100 ppm treatment under both standard and drought regimes. Compared to control plants, this stimulative effect was accompanied by a 2.12-fold rise in mitotic index and a 3.2-fold increase in total chromosomal abnormalities.
CONCLUSION
The finding of the current study could be employed to mitigate the effect of drought stress on wheat growth and to enhance the microbiological quality of irrigation water. This is due to the increased efficacy of the newly synthesized Fe/Cu/P nanocomposite against bacteria, fungi, and snails. This methodology exhibits potential for promoting sustainable wheat growth and water resource conservation.
Topics: Triticum; Copper; Anti-Infective Agents; Escherichia coli; Water; Phosphates; Iron
PubMed: 38443850
DOI: 10.1186/s12896-024-00836-7 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024P. longum L., one of the most significant species of the genus Piperaceae, is most frequently employed in Indian-Ayurvedic and other traditional medicinal-systems for...
P. longum L., one of the most significant species of the genus Piperaceae, is most frequently employed in Indian-Ayurvedic and other traditional medicinal-systems for treating a variety of illnesses. The alkaloid piperine, is the key phytoconstituent of the plant, primarily responsible for its' pharmacological-impacts. The aim of the study is to analyse the intra-specific variation in piperine content among different chemotypes (PL1 to PL 30) and identify high piperine yielding chemotype (elite-chemotype) collected from 10 different geographical regions of West Bengal by validated HPTLC chromatography method. The study also focused on the pharmacological-screening to better understand the antioxidant activity of the methanol extracts of P. longum by DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity and genotoxic activity by Allium cepa root tip assay. It was found that the P. longum fruit chemotypes contain high amount piperine (highest 16.362 mg/g in chemotype PL9) than the stem and leaf chemotypes. Both DPPH and ABTS antioxidant assays revealed that P. longum showed moderate radical-scavenging activity and the highest activity was found in PL9 (fruit) chemotype with IC values of 124.2 and 104 µg/ml respectively. The A. cepa root tip assay showed no such significant genotoxic-effect and change in mitotic-index. The quick, reproducible, and validated HPTLC approach offers a useful tool for determining quantitative variations of piperine among P. longum chemotypes from different geographical-regions and also according to the different tissues and choose elite genotypes with high piperine production for continued propagation and commercialization for the pharmaceutical sector. Additionally, the plant's in-vitro antioxidant property and lack of genotoxicity directly supports its' widespread and long history of use as a medicinal and culinary plant.
Topics: Plant Extracts; Piper; Antioxidants; Alkaloids; Benzodioxoles; Piperidines; Sulfonic Acids; Benzothiazoles; Polyunsaturated Alkamides
PubMed: 38424458
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52297-9 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2024Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in the development and progression of tumor malignancy in humans and animals,...
BACKGROUND
Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in the development and progression of tumor malignancy in humans and animals, showing that both can influence the tumor microenvironment. However, the impact of these two markers in feline mammary carcinogenesis has not yet been addressed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In the present study, the clinicopathological significance of COX-2 immunoexpression and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) was determined and correlated with disease-free and overall survival of 50 felines with malignant mammary tumors.
RESULTS
COX-2 overexpression was positively associated with mitotic index (p=0.031), degree of malignancy (p≤0.001), lymph node metastasis (p≤0.001), vascular invasion (p=0.002), disease recurrence (p=0.019) and distant metastasis (p=0.036). α-SMA-positive CAFs were associated with mitotic index (p=0.004), lymph node metastasis (p=0.027), vascular invasion (p=0.05), disease recurrence (p≤0.001) and distant metastasis (p≤0.001). Additionally, both markers were correlated with disease-free and overall survival, emerging as predictors of poor prognosis.
CONCLUSION
Our results indicate for the first time that the presence of two markers, COX-2 and α-SMA, is associated with carcinogenesis and worse prognosis in feline mammary cancer and that α-SMA-positive CAFs have a role in feline mammary tumorigenesis, cancer development, and clinical outcome.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cats; Female; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts; Prognosis; Cyclooxygenase 2; Actins; Lymphatic Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinogenesis; Muscle, Smooth; Fibroblasts; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38418156
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13478 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Feb 2024The study's aim was to evaluate Brazilian Brown Propolis (BBP) and Artepillin C (ARC) chemopreventive action in Wistar rats' colons.
OBJECTIVE
The study's aim was to evaluate Brazilian Brown Propolis (BBP) and Artepillin C (ARC) chemopreventive action in Wistar rats' colons.
METHODS
Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into ten experimental groups, including control groups, groups with and without 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induction, and BBP, ARC, and ARC enriched fraction (EFR) treatments, for sixteen weeks. Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were classified as hyperplastic or dysplastic, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression was quantified.
RESULT
ACF amounts in experimental groups (induced or not) decreased in both colon portions, while the isolated Aberrant Crypt (AC) number increased. Experimental groups of animals showed higher hyperplasia and dysplasia amounts compared with control groups. The ACF dysplastic amount present in groups induced and treated, in both colon portions, had similar values to IDMH (DMH induction group without treatment). In addition, DMH was effective in ACF inducing and there was positive staining for PCNA in basal and upper dysplastic foci portions in all experimental groups, in the mitotic index (MI) evaluation. To conclude, considering all the experimental groups, the one treated with EFR (fraction enriched with ARC) had the lowest rates of cell proliferation.
CONCLUSION
BBP and its derivatives prevented crypt cell clonal expansion.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Male; Rats, Wistar; Colonic Neoplasms; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Propolis; 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; Brazil; Aberrant Crypt Foci; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinogens; Phenylpropionates
PubMed: 38415543
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.2.563 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024In the present study, we employed the ddPCR and IHC techniques to assess the prevalence and roles of and mutations in a small batch of melanoma ( = 22), benign moles (...
In the present study, we employed the ddPCR and IHC techniques to assess the prevalence and roles of and mutations in a small batch of melanoma ( = 22), benign moles ( = 15), and normal skin samples ( = 15). Mutational screening revealed the coexistence of and mutations in melanomas and nevi and the occurrence of G12/G13 variants in healthy skin. All investigated nevi had driver mutations in the or genes and elevated p16 protein expression, indicating cell cycle arrest despite an increased mutational burden. V600 mutations were identified in 54% of melanomas, and G12/G13 mutations in 50%. The mutations were associated with the Breslow index (BI) ( = 0.029) and TIL infiltration ( = 0.027), whereas the mutations correlated with the BI ( = 0.01) and the mitotic index ( = 0.04). Here, we demonstrate that the "young" ddPCR technology is as effective as a CE-IVD marked real-time PCR method for detecting V600 hotspot mutations in tumor biopsies and recommend it for extended use in clinical settings. Moreover, ddPCR was able to detect low-frequency hotspot mutations, such as G12/G13, in our tissue specimens, which makes it a promising tool for investigating the mutational landscape of sun-damaged skin, benign nevi, and melanomas in more extensive clinical studies.
Topics: Humans; DNA Mutational Analysis; Mutation; Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell; Pilot Projects; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Skin Neoplasms; Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
PubMed: 38396984
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042308 -
The American Journal of Surgical... May 2024Pleural epithelioid mesothelioma (PEM) is divided into low and high grades based on nuclear atypia, mitoses, and necrosis in the tumor. Assessing mitoses and nuclear...
Pleural epithelioid mesothelioma (PEM) is divided into low and high grades based on nuclear atypia, mitoses, and necrosis in the tumor. Assessing mitoses and nuclear atypia tend to be labor-intensive with limited reproducibility. Ki-67 proliferation index was shown to be a prognostic factor in PEM, but its performance has not been directly correlated with tumor grade or mitotic score. This study evaluated the potential of Ki-67 index as a surrogate of tumor grade. We also compared the predictability of mitoses and Ki-67 index for overall survival (OS). Ninety-six PEM samples from 85 patients were identified from the surgical pathology file during 2000-2021 at our institution, and all glass slides were reviewed by 2 pulmonary pathologists to confirm the diagnosis and assign the tumor grade. Digital image analysis (DIA) was done for Ki-67 index. The agreement on tumor grading between 2 reviewers was moderate (kappa value = 0.47). The correlation between mitotic count (average count by 2 reviewers) and Ki-67 index was 0.65. The areas under the curve for predicting tumor grade by mitotic score and Ki-67 index were 0.84 and 0.74 (reviewer 1) and 0.85 and 0.81 (reviewer 2), respectively. High Ki-67 index and mitoses were significantly associated with poor OS ( P =0.03 and 0.0005, using 30% and 10/2 mm 2 as cutoffs, respectively). In conclusion, Ki-67 index by DIA was associated with tumor grade as well as mitotic count, and its predictability for OS was comparable to that of mitotic score, thus being a potential surrogate for tumor grade.
Topics: Humans; Ki-67 Antigen; Prognosis; Reproducibility of Results; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Neoplasm Grading; Mitotic Index; Cell Proliferation
PubMed: 38369761
DOI: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000002196 -
Indian Journal of Pathology &... 2024Malignant perivascular epithelioid tumors (PEComas) involving the uterus are uncommon. Herein, we present the clinicopathological features of two such cases, including...
Malignant perivascular epithelioid tumors (PEComas) involving the uterus are uncommon. Herein, we present the clinicopathological features of two such cases, including their diagnostic implications with recent updates. A 62-year-old lady presented with vaginal bleeding. Ultrasonogram revealed a heterogeneous uterine mass. She underwent an endometrial biopsy and total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH-BSO), which revealed a 3.2 cm-sized proliferative tumor in the fundus. A 45-year-old lady presented with recurrent abdominal pain. She underwent cytoreductive surgery twice with adjuvant chemotherapy for multiple tumors and TAH-BSO for a uterine tumor, 2 years before. Microscopic examination of both tumors revealed markedly atypical, polygonal-shaped/epithelioid tumor cells containing eosinophilic cytoplasm and arranged in a nesting pattern with intervening thin-walled blood vessels, mitotic figures (≥ 6/10 high power fields (hpfs)), and tumor necrosis. Tumor infiltration was more than half the myometrial thickness in the first tumor and pelvic nodal metastasis. The second tumor revealed rhabdoid-like and vacuolated cells along with "spider-like" giant cells. Immunohistochemically, both the tumors were positive for HMB45 and desmin, while negative for epithelial markers. Additionally, the second tumor was positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA) and TFE3. Both patients developed tumor recurrences. In view of multiple tumor deposits, the second patient was induced with a mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR) inhibitor (everolimus) but unfortunately died of the disease. Malignant PEComas involving the uterus are ultra-rare, aggressive tumors. An index of suspicion, based on certain histomorphological features, supported by immunohistochemical expression of myomelanocytic markers is necessary for a correct diagnosis. Certain PEComas display TFE3 positivity. A correct diagnosis has significant implications, including an aggressive clinical course and the possibility of targeted therapy, especially in recurrences or metastasis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Immunohistochemistry; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms; Uterus; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
PubMed: 38358203
DOI: 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_9_23 -
Frontiers in Surgery 2024Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare soft tissue tumor found at any site of the body. The treatment of choice is surgical resection, though 10%-30% of patients... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare soft tissue tumor found at any site of the body. The treatment of choice is surgical resection, though 10%-30% of patients experience recurrent disease. Multiple risk factors and risk stratification systems have been investigated to predict which patients are at risk of recurrence. The main goal of this systematic review is to create an up-to-date systematic overview of risk factors and risk stratification systems predicting recurrence for patients with surgically resected SFT within torso and extremities.
METHOD
We prepared the review following the updated Prisma guidelines for systematic reviews (PRISMA-P). Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, WHO international trial registry platform and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched up to December 2022. All English studies describing risk factors for recurrence after resected SFT were included. We excluded SFT in the central nervous system and the oto-rhino-laryngology region.
RESULTS
Eighty-one retrospective studies were identified. Different risk factors including age, symptoms, sex, resection margins, anatomic location, mitotic index, pleomorphism, hypercellularity, necrosis, size, dedifferentiation, CD-34 expression, Ki67 index and -expression, APAF1-inactivation, TERT promoter mutation and fusion variants were investigated in a narrative manner. We found that high mitotic index, Ki67 index and presence of necrosis increased the risk of recurrence after surgically resected SFT, whereas other factors had more varying prognostic value. We also summarized the currently available different risk stratification systems, and found eight different systems with a varying degree of ability to stratify patients into low, intermediate or high recurrence risk.
CONCLUSION
Mitotic index, necrosis and Ki67 index are the most solid risk factors for recurrence. TERT promoter mutation seems a promising component in future risk stratification models. The Demicco risk stratification system is the most validated and widely used, however the G-score model may appear to be superior due to longer follow-up time.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
CRD42023421358.
PubMed: 38357190
DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2024.1332421 -
Cancers Jan 2024Atypical carcinoid (AC) is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm of the lung, which exhibits a varying malignant potential. In this study, we aimed to identify the prognostic...
Atypical carcinoid (AC) is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm of the lung, which exhibits a varying malignant potential. In this study, we aimed to identify the prognostic thresholds of the mitotic count and Ki-67 labeling index for recurrence and survival in AC. We retrospectively reviewed 78 patients who had been radically resected for AC and calculated said thresholds using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves and the Youden index. We then dichotomized the patients into groups of above or below these thresholds and estimated the cumulative incidences of the groups using the Aalen-Johansen estimator. We compared the groups using univariable and multivariable Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard models. Our findings show that more patients recurred and died from this disease if their mitotic count exceeded three and four mitoses per 2 mm, respectively, or if their Ki-67 labeling index exceeded 14% and 11%, respectively. Both thresholds independently predicted survival ( < 0.001 and = 0.015, respectively). These thresholds may serve as a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers in making treatment plans and predicting outcomes for patients with AC.
PubMed: 38339254
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030502 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Recently, the diarylpentanoid () has been identified as a potent in vitro growth inhibitor of cancer cells, with a GI value between 0.17 and 0.45 µM, showing low...
Recently, the diarylpentanoid () has been identified as a potent in vitro growth inhibitor of cancer cells, with a GI value between 0.17 and 0.45 µM, showing low toxicity in non-tumor cells. () promotes mitotic arrest by interfering with mitotic spindle assembly, leading to apoptotic cell death. Following on from our previous work, we designed and synthesized a library of () analogs and evaluated the cell growth inhibitory activity of three human cancer cell lines within this library in order to perform structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and to obtain compounds with improved antimitotic effects. Four compounds (, , , and ) were active, and the growth inhibition effects of compounds , , and were associated with a pronounced arrest in mitosis. These compounds exhibited a similar or even higher mitotic index than (), with compound displaying the highest antimitotic activity, associated with the interference with mitotic spindle dynamics, inducing spindle collapse and, consequently, prolonged mitotic arrest, culminating in massive cancer cell death by apoptosis.
Topics: Humans; Antimitotic Agents; Mitosis; Cell Proliferation; Cell Cycle; Spindle Apparatus; Neoplasms; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38338967
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031691