Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Shortens the cfDNA Telomere Length in Breast Cancer Patients.

Cancer is a genetic disease that affects people worldwide, and breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Studies have been conducted on molecular parameters to predict tumor behavior and develop therapeutic strategies. Telomeres, which are at the end of chromosomes, have been studied for their relationship with breast cancer, but more research is needed to understand their role in the disease.

Correlation between plasma ccfDNA, mtDNA changes, CTCs, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer patients undergoing NACT.

Background/aim: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women, emphasizing need for noninvasive blood biomarkers to aid in treatment selection. Previous studies have demonstrated elevated levels of plasma circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) in breast cancer patients. Both ccfDNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are fragments released into the bloodstream.

Activation of the Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor by GTS-21 Mitigates Contrast Nephropathy in a Rat Model.

Introduction: Contrast nephropathy (CN) is characterized by oxidative stress, vasoconstriction, tubular toxicity, and hypoxia of the renal medulla. We aimed to test the therapeutic effects of an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, GTS-21, in an experimental CN model.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 40) were divided into 4 groups: saline-treated control, GTS-21-treated control, contrast, and GTS-21-treated contrast groups.

Inflammatory cytokine levels and changes during omalizumab treatment in chronic spontaneous urticaria.

While several studies have examined the role of T cells and related cytokines in the development of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), there is a limited amount of research focusing on the changes in cytokine levels during omalizumab treatment. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the inflammatory cytokine profile (including IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IL-31, IL-33, and TNFα) among CSU patients undergoing to omalizumab treatment. Plasma levels of cytokines were measured using ELISA.

Presence of fetal DNA in maternal exhaled breath condensate.

Objectives: Cell-free DNA has been found in all body fluids, but DNAs emerging from locations that are not in direct contact with breath in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) are yet to be found. The potential of EBC for prenatal and cancer screening prompted us to investigate whether fetal DNA is present in maternal EBC.

Method: A total of 20 pregnant women's EBC and blood samples were collected.

Possible anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of apigenin in the setting of mild traumatic brain injury: an investigation.

Objective: Apigenin is a plant flavone proven with biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. This study, it was aimed to examine the possible anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of apigenin in the setting of the mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) model.

Methods: Wistar albino male rats were randomly assigned to groups: control ( = 9), TBI ( = 9), TBI + vehicle ( = 8), and TBI + apigenin (20 and 40 mg/kg, immediately after trauma;  = 6 and  = 7).

Neuropeptide W Attenuates Oxidative Multi-Organ Injury in Rats Induced with Intra-Abdominal Sepsis.

Sepsis leads to systemic hypotension, disturbed perfusion, inflammation, and tissue toxicity in vital organs. Neuropeptide W (NPW) has modulatory effects in the control of blood pressure and inflammatory processes, implicating a potential beneficial effect against sepsis-induced oxidative damage. Under anesthesia, male Sprague Dawley rats underwent cecal ligation and puncture.

Neuroprotective Effect of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Antagonist in the Rat Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antagonists are known for their neuroprotective effects. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of PAI-1 antagonists in a rat mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. Sprague-Dawley male rats were grouped as sham (n = 7), TBI (n = 9), and TBI + PAI-1 antagonist (5 and 10 mg/kg TM5441 and TM5484; n = 6-7).

Neuroprotective Effect of Cinnamaldehyde on Secondary Brain Injury After Traumatic Brain Injury in a Rat Model.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of cinnamaldehyde (CA) on secondary brain injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a rat model.

Methods: Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (n = 9), TBI (n = 9), vehicle (0.1% Tween 80; n = 8), and CA (100 mg/kg) (n = 9).

The impact of antipsoriatic treatment on serum pro-BDNF, BDNF levels, depression, anxiety scores, and quality of life.

Depression is a comorbidity of psoriasis. Suppression of neurotrophins has been proposed to cause depression. Peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor, pro-BDNF have been shown to be altered in depression.

Response Assessment With Molecular Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells and Plasma MicroRNA Profiling in Patients With Locally Advanced Breast Cancer During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background: Cells detaching from the primary tumor site are metastasis initiator cells, and the detection of CTC, known as liquid biopsy, is an important test of biomarkers of cancer progression. We investigated the molecular characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), profiled the plasma microRNA (miR) content, and analyzed the relationship with the clinical outcomes by sampling the peripheral blood from patients with locally advanced breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Markers of breast cancer, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), drug resistance, and stem cells were used for CTC isolation and characterization.

Nesfatin-1 ameliorates oxidative bowel injury in rats with necrotizing enterocolitis: The role of the microbiota composition and claudin-3 expression.

Background And Purpose: Ongoing high mortality due to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) necessitates the investigation of novel treatments to improve the outcome of the affected newborns. The aim was to elucidate the potential therapeutic impact of the nesfatin-1, a peptide with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in several inflammatory processes, on NEC-induced newborn rats.

Materials And Methods: Sprague-Dawley pups were separated from their mothers, fed with a hyperosmolar formula and exposed to hypoxia, while control pups had no intervention.

Analyses of Copy Number Variations in Myxopapillary Ependymomas of Cauda Equina.

Aim: To identify the copy number variations that are specific to myxopapillary ependymomas (MPEs) of the cauda equina.

Material And Methods: The patient cohort included five patients who underwent resection of histologically confirmed MPEs. Tumor samples collected during surgery and stored in liquid nitrogen as well as corresponding blood samples collected were analyzed.

Next-Generation Sequencing Identifies and/or Mutations in Women at High Hereditary Risk for Breast Cancer with Shorter Telomere Length.

Telomeres, and telomere length in particular, have broad significance for genome biology and thus are prime research targets for complex diseases such as cancers. In this context, and gene mutations have been implicated in relationship to telomere length, and breast cancer susceptibility. Yet, the linkages among human genetic variation and telomere length in persons with high hereditary cancer risk are inadequately mapped.

Urinary micro-RNA expressions and protein concentrations may differentiate bladder cancer patients from healthy controls.

Purpose: To determine expression differences of urine exosomal miR-19b1-5p, 21-5p, 136-3p, 139-5p, 210-3p and concentration differences of urinary BLCA-4, NMP22, APE1/Ref1, CRK, VIM between bladder cancer, follow-up patients, and control samples, to evaluate diagnostic importance of these differences and establish a diagnostic panel for bladder cancer.

Methods: Urine samples of 59 bladder cancer patients, 34 healthy controls, and 12 follow-up patients without recurrence were enrolled to this study. Real-time PCR and ELISA were performed to determine urine exosomal miR-19b1-5p, 21-5p, 136-3p, 139-5p, 210-3p expressions and urinary BLCA-4, NMP22, APE1/Ref1, CRK, VIM, creatinine concentrations.

Melatonin supports alendronate in preserving bone matrix and prevents gastric inflammation in ovariectomized rats.

The anti-catabolic bisphosphonate alendronate is considered as the first-line medical treatment in post-menopausal osteoporosis; but several side effects, including gastric mucosal injury, are associated with its use. The aim was to elucidate whether combined treatment with melatonin plus alendronate would be more advantageous in the maintenance of bone and the prevention of gastric side effects. Under anaesthesia, female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX), while control group had sham surgery.

New Insights in Bladder Cancer Diagnosis: Urinary miRNAs and Proteins.

Bladder cancer is the 10th-most common cancer worldwide. The diagnosis and follow-up of patients require costly invasive methods and due to these expenses, bladder cancer continues to be one of the expensive malignancies. Early diagnosis is crucial in bladder cancer as it is in other cancers; therefore, non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis are very important.