Associations of HLA-G 3'UTR polymorphisms and increased HLA-G expression with gastric cancer susceptibility and prognosis.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a serious health concern and is characterized by a multifactorial etiology involving both genetic and epigenetic factors. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G 3'UTR polymorphisms and the expression of HLA-G in both tumor tissues and plasma samples from patients with GC in the Tunisian population.

Methods: HLA-G 3'UTR polymorphisms (14pb Insertion/deletion and + 3142C/G) were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Sanger sequencing.

Counteractive Effects of Copper Nanoparticles and Betacellulin on Ovarian Cells.

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are known to affect many ovarian cell functions. CuNPs, prepared using a chemical reduction method, were fully characterized by different means (TEM, DLS, XRD, Z potential, XPS, and AES). The resulting colloidal suspension contained needle-like CuNPs aggregates made of a core of metallic copper and an oxidized surface of CuO and CuO.

Bioactive Potential of the Sulfated Exopolysaccharides From the Brown Microalga sp.: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Antiapoptotic Profiles.

This study aims to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of the exopolysaccharides (EPS) extracted from the microalgae species sp., as well as to evaluate their antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-apoptotic activities. The crude extracellular polysaccharides from the halophilic diatom sp.

Interplay Between the MicroRNA miR-152 and Quercetin in the Control of Ovarian Granulosa Cell Functions.

In the present study, we examined the functional interrelationships between microRNAs and plant polyphenols in the regulation of ovarian cell functions. For this purpose, we compared the basic functions of porcine ovarian granulosa cells with or without transfection with miR-152 mimics that were cultured with or without quercetin. The expression levels of miR-152, cell viability, cell proliferation (accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA), apoptosis (accumulation of Bax) and the release of progesterone, estradiol, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‒qPCR), the Trypan blue exclusion test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

Apigenin as a Promising Agent for Enhancing Female Reproductive Function and Treating Associated Disorders.

Apigenin is an organic flavonoid abundant in some plants such as parsley, chamomile, or celery. Recently, it has been investigated for several of its pharmacological characteristics, such as its ability to act as an antioxidant, reduce inflammation, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the existing knowledge regarding the effects of apigenin on female reproductive systems and its dysfunctions.

Sulforaphane regulates cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death mediated by ROS-cell cycle arrest in pancreatic cancer cells.

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC), sometimes referred to as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is a major cause of global mortality from cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a very aggressive and devastating kind of cancer, characterized by limited options for therapy and low possibilities of survival. Sulforaphane (SFN), a naturally occurring sulfur-containing compound, is believed to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti-cancer characteristics.

Autophagy and Female Fertility: Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Emerging Therapies.

Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular mechanism essential for maintaining internal stability, plays a crucial function in female reproductive ability. In this review, we discuss the complex interplay between autophagy and several facets of female reproductive health, encompassing pregnancy, ovarian functions, gynecologic malignancies, endometriosis, and infertility. Existing research emphasizes the crucial significance of autophagy in embryo implantation, specifically in the endometrium, highlighting its necessity in ensuring proper fetal development.

The novel stimulators of feline ovarian granulosa cell functions: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether adipokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) can affect the functions of ovarian cells in cats. The addition of either MCP-1 or PAI-1 increased viability; promoted the accumulation of proliferation markers and progesterone and estradiol release; and decreased the accumulation of apoptosis markers in cultured feline granulosa cells. The present observations suggest that MCP-1 or PAI-1 can be physiological stimulators of ovarian granulosa cell functions.

Advancements in Utilizing Natural Compounds for Modulating Autophagy in Liver Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets.

Autophagy, an intrinsic catabolic mechanism that eliminates misfolded proteins, dysfunctional organelles, and lipid droplets, plays a vital function in energy balance and cytoplasmic quality control, in addition to maintaining cellular homeostasis. Liver cancer such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths globally and shows resistance to several anticancer drugs. Despite the rising incidence and poor prognosis of malignant HCC, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving this aggressive cancer remain unclear.

Phenolic Profile, Bioactivities and In Silico Analysis of the Trunk Bark of Acacia Cyanophylla Lindl.

In the current investigation, total phenolics and flavonoids of the methanolic extract obtained from the trunk bark of Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. were quantified by LC-HRMS technique. DPPH and ABTS reagents were employed to assay the antioxidant potential.

The adipokines progranulin and omentin can directly regulate feline ovarian granulosa cell functions.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the adipokines progranulin and omentin on the basic functions of feline ovarian cells. For this purpose, we investigated the effects of the addition of progranulin and omentin (0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml) on the proliferation (accumulation of PCNA and cyclin B1), apoptosis (accumulation of Bax and caspase 3) and progesterone release of cultured feline ovarian granulosa cells by quantitative immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

The growth factors amphiregulin and epiregulin are novel stimulators of feline ovarian granulosa cell functions.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the epidermal growth factor receptor ligands amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG) on the fundamental functions of feline ovarian granulosa cells. Granulosa cells isolated from feline ovaries were incubated with AREG and EREG (0, 0.1, 1 or 10 ng/mL).

The microRNA miR-152 can mitigate and prevent the toxic effect of benzene on porcine ovarian cells.

Epigenetic methods to prevent the reproductive toxicity of oil-related environmental contaminants are currently unavailable. The present study aimed to examine the ability of the microRNA miR-152 to mitigate the effects of benzene on ovarian cells. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells transfected or not transfected with miR-152 mimics were cultured with or without benzene (0, 10 and 100 ng/ml).

The basic functions of rabbit ovarian granulosa cell are regulated by adipokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) on ovarian cell functions. Rabbit ovarian granulosa cells were cultured with or without MCP-1 or PAI-1 (at 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml).

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, and tyrosinase inhibitory potential of the Acacia cyclops trunk bark: in vitro combined with in silico approach.

The aim of this study was to analyze the phytochemical profile of Acacia cyclops trunk bark ethyl acetate extract using LC-tandem mass spectrometry for the first time, along with evaluating its antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase properties. Consequently, we determined the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract under investigation and identified and quantified 19 compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. In addition to assessing their antioxidant potential against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic] acid) assays, in vitro and in silico studies were conducted to evaluate the tyrosinase inhibitory properties of the A.

Involvement of circular RNAs in the control of porcine ovarian cell functions: Upregulation by ciR-00596 and downregulation by ciR-00646.

The current understanding of the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in regulating ovarian functions is inadequate. To assess the impact of ciR-00596 and ciR-00646 on the regulation of basic porcine ovarian granulosa cell functions, we conducted upregulation (utilizing overexpressing vectors) and downregulation (utilizing shRNA vectors) of these circRNAs. The relative expression of both circRNAs, cell viability and proliferation (accumulation of PCNA, cyclin B1, and XTT-positive cells), cytoplasmic (accumulation of bax and caspase-3) and nuclear (DNA fragmentation) apoptosis, and the release of progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, IGF-I, and oxytocin were evaluated.

Does the miR-105-1-Kisspeptin Axis Promote Ovarian Cell Functions?

The objective of this study was to elucidate the intricate interplay among miR-105-1, kisspeptin, and their synergistic influence on basic ovarian granulosa cell functions. The effects of miR-105-1 mimics or miR-105-1 inhibitor, kisspeptin (0, 1, and 10 ng/ml), and its combinations with miR-105-1 mimics on porcine granulosa cells were assessed. The expression levels of miR-105-1, viability, proliferation (accumulation of PCNA, cyclin B1, XTT-, and BrdU-positive cells), apoptosis (accumulation of bcl-2, bax, caspase 3, p53, TUNEL-positive cells), proportion of kisspeptin-positive cells, and the release of steroid hormones and IGF-I were analyzed.

The adipokines progranulin and omentin - novel regulators of basic ovarian cell functions.

The present study aimed to examine the effects of progranulin and omentin on basic ovarian cell functions. For this purpose, we investigated the effects of the addition of progranulin and omentin (0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml) on the viability, proliferation, apoptosis and steroidogenesis of cultured rabbit ovarian granulosa cells.

Chemical Composition, Repellent, and Phytotoxic Potentials of the Fractionated Resin Essential Oil from Araucaria heterophylla Growing in Tunisia.

The resin essential oil (REO) of the Tunisian Araucaria heterophylla trunk bark was investigated for its chemical composition. Then, it was evaluated for its insecticidal and allelopathic activities. The REO was obtained by hydrodistillation for 9 h (yield of 4.

Сopper nanoparticles supported on charcoal and betacellulin - Two novel stimulators of ovarian granulosa cell functions and their functional interrelationships.

The present experiments are aimed to examine the effect of copper nanoparticles supported on charcoal (CuNPs/C), growth factor betacellulin (BTC) and their interrelationships in the control of ovarian cell functions. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells were cultured in the presence of CuNPs/C (0, 1, 10 or 100 ng/ml), BTC (100 ng/ml) and the combination of both, CuNPs/C + BTC. Markers of cell proliferation (BrDU incorporation), of the S-phase (PCNA) and G-phase (cyclin B1) of the cell cycle, markers of extrinsic (nuclear DNA fragmentation) and cytoplasmic/mitochondrial apoptosis (bax and caspase 3), and the release of progesterone and estradiol were assessed by BrDU test, TUNEL, quantitative immunocytochemistry and ELISA.

Inhibition of vinculin activity has an adverse effect on porcine ovarian cells.

The existing knowledge of the involvement of vinculin (VCL) in the control of ovarian cell functions is insufficient. To understand the role of VCL in the control of basic porcine ovarian granulosa cell functions, we decreased VCL activity by small interfering RNA (VCL siRNA). The expression of VCL, accumulation of VCL protein, cell viability, proliferation (accumulation of PCNA and cyclin B1), proportion of proliferative active cells, apoptosis (accumulation of bax, caspase 3, p53, antiapoptotic marker bcl2, and bax/bcl-2 ratio), DNA fragmentation, and release of steroid hormones and IGF-I were analyzed by RT‒qPCR, Trypan blue exclusion test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, XTT assay, TUNEL assay, and ELISA.

Grapevine Shoot Extract Rich in -Resveratrol and -ε-Viniferin: Evaluation of Their Potential Use for Cardiac Health.

A grapevine shoot extract (GSE) was obtained using ultrasound-assisted extraction and characterized. The main phenolic constituents were identified as stilbenoids. Among them, -resveratrol and -ε-viniferin stood out.

Seeds Confer Kidney Protection against Early Life Exposure to Acephate by Regulating Oxidative Insult and Activating Autophagy.

The aim of the current work was to examine for the first time the nephropreventive capacity of seed extract (E) against maternal exposure to acephate in rat offspring. The in vivo results revealed that supplementation for 28 days (40 mg/kg b.w.