TH301 Emerges as a Novel Anti-Oncogenic Agent for Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells: The Dispensable Roles of p53, CRY2 and BMAL1 in TH301-Induced /p21 Upregulation.

: Pancreatic Ductal Adeno-Carcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer, with limited treatment options. Disruption of the circadian clock, which regulates key cellular processes, has been implicated in PDAC initiation and progression. Hence, targeting circadian clock components may offer new therapeutic opportunities for the disease.

VAR Fabric Modification: Inducing Antibacterial Properties, Altering Wettability/Water Repellence, and Understanding Reactivity at the Molecular Level.

The present work focuses on the surface coating of VAR technical fibers, consisting of 64% viscose (cellulose), 24% Kevlar, 10% other types of polyamides, and 2% antistatic polymers. Kevlar is an aramid material exhibiting excellent mechanical properties, while cellulose is a natural linear polymer composed of repeating β-d-glucose units, having several applications in the materials industry. Herein, we synthesized novel, tailor-designed organic molecules possessing functional groups able to anchor on VAR fabrics and cellulose materials, thus altering their properties on demand.

Kevlar, Nomex, and VAR Modification by Small Organic Molecules Anchoring: Transfusing Antibacterial Properties and Improving Water Repellency.

The surface modification of fabrics composed of Kevlar, Nomex, or VAR was extensively investigated. Kevlar and Nomex are widely-utilized aramid materials, whereas VAR is a technical fabric comprising 64% viscose, 24% para-aramid (Kevlar), 10% polyamide, and 2% antistatic fibers. Both aramid materials and cellulose/viscose exhibit exceptional mechanical properties that render them valuable in a wide range of applications.

Gene-Specific Intron Retention Serves as Molecular Signature that Distinguishes Melanoma from Non-Melanoma Cancer Cells in Greek Patients.

Background: Skin cancer represents the most common human malignancy, and it includes BCC, SCC, and melanoma. Since melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of cancer, we have herein attempted to develop a gene-specific intron retention signature that can distinguish BCC and SCC from melanoma biopsy tumors.

Methods: Intron retention events were examined through RT-sqPCR protocols, using total RNA preparations derived from BCC, SCC, and melanoma Greek biopsy specimens.

Ion-Based Metal/Graphene Antibacterial Agents Comprising Mono-Ionic and Bi-Ionic Silver and Copper Species.

Design of novel and more efficient antibacterial agents is a continuous and dynamic process due to the appearance of new pathogenic strains and inherent resistance development to existing antimicrobial treatments. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are highly investigated, yet the role of released ions is crucial in the antibacterial activity of the NP-based systems. We developed herein ion-based, metal/graphene hybrid structures comprising surface-bound Ag and Cu mono-ionic and Ag/Cu bi-ionic species on functionalized graphene, without involvement of NPs.