Morphometrical, Morphological, and Immunocytochemical Characterization of a Tool for Cytotoxicity Research: 3D Cultures of Breast Cell Lines Grown in Ultra-Low Attachment Plates.

Three-dimensional cell cultures may better mimic avascular tumors. Yet, they still lack characterization and standardization. Therefore, this study aimed to (a) generate multicellular aggregates (MCAs) of four breast cell lines: MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and SKBR3 (tumoral) and MCF12A (non-tumoral) using ultra-low attachment (ULA) plates, (b) detail the methodology used for their formation and analysis, providing technical tips, and (c) characterize the MCAs using morphometry, qualitative cytology (at light and electron microscopy), and quantitative immunocytochemistry (ICC) analysis.

Oxidative damage and DNA repair in desiccated recalcitrant embryonic axes of Acer pseudoplatanus L.

Background: Most plants encounter water stress at one or more different stages of their life cycle. The maintenance of genetic stability is the integral component of desiccation tolerance that defines the storage ability and long-term survival of seeds. Embryonic axes of desiccation-sensitive recalcitrant seeds of Acer pseudoplatnus L.

How can environmental conditions influence dicofol genotoxicity on the edible Asiatic clam, Meretrix meretrix?

Genotoxic effects of dicofol on the edible clam Meretrix meretrix were investigated through a mesocosm experiment. Individuals of M. meretrix, were exposed to environmental concentration (D1 = 50 ng/L) and supra-environmental concentration (D2 = 500 ng/L) of dicofol for 15 days, followed by the same depuration period.

Fucoxanthin Holds Potential to Become a Drug Adjuvant in Breast Cancer Treatment: Evidence from 2D and 3D Cell Cultures.

Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a carotenoid derived from marine organisms that exhibits anticancer activities. However, its role as a potential drug adjuvant in breast cancer (BC) treatment is still poorly explored. Firstly, this study investigated the cytotoxic effects of Fx alone and combined with doxorubicin (Dox) and cisplatin (Cis) on a panel of 2D-cultured BC cell lines (MCF7, SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231) and one non-tumoral cell line (MCF12A).

Vestibular recruitment: new application for an old concept.

Introduction: Vestibular recruitment is a sign of hyperexcitability of central vestibular neurons and may be characteristic of peripheral vestibular damage.

Objective: To define the post-caloric recruitment index and its ability to predict the stage of vestibular compensation and peripheral lesion.

Methods: First of all, we demonstrated that larger values in the cold post-caloric stimulation compared to warm stimulation were equivalent to vestibular recruitment observed during the sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test.

Cytotoxicity of Seaweed Compounds, Alone or Combined to Reference Drugs, against Breast Cell Lines Cultured in 2D and 3D.

Seaweed bioactive compounds have shown anticancer activities in in vitro and in vivo studies. However, tests remain limited, with conflicting results, and effects in combination with anticancer drugs are even scarcer. Here, the cytotoxic effects of five seaweed compounds (astaxanthin, fucoidan, fucosterol, laminarin, and phloroglucinol) were tested alone and in combination with anticancer drugs (cisplatin-Cis; and doxorubicin-Dox), in breast cell lines (three breast cancer (BC) subtypes and one non-tumoral).

Can marine-derived fungus Neosartorya siamensis KUFA 0017 extract and its secondary metabolites enhance antitumor activity of doxorubicin? An in vitro survey unveils interactions against lung cancer cells.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most successful anticancer drugs in use. However, chemoresistance is one of the main limitations that patients face. Therefore, development of new strategies to improve the efficacy of Dox is needed.

Cytotoxic and Antiproliferative Effects of Preussin, a Hydroxypyrrolidine Derivative from the Marine Sponge-Associated Fungus KUFA 0062, in a Panel of Breast Cancer Cell Lines and Using 2D and 3D Cultures.

Preussin, a hydroxyl pyrrolidine derivative isolated from the marine sponge-associated fungus KUFA 0062, displayed anticancer effects in some cancer cell lines, including MCF7. Preussin was investigated for its cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects in breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, SKBR3, and MDA-MB-231), representatives of major breast cancers subtypes, and in a non-tumor cell line (MCF12A). Preussin was first tested in 2D (monolayer), and then in 3D (multicellular aggregates), cultures, using a multi-endpoint approach for cytotoxicity (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), resazurin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) and proliferative (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)) assays, as well as the analysis of cell morphology by optical/electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry for caspase-3 and ki67.

Cytotoxic activity of the seaweed compound fucosterol, alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil, in colon cells using 2D and 3D culturing.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently occurring carcinomas which require effective therapies. Fucosterol is a sterol present in marine brown seaweeds with several biological activities. However, the influence of fucosterol in CRC remains to be determined.

Tooth agenesis-related GLI2 and GLI3 genes may contribute to craniofacial skeletal morphology in humans.

Objective: The present cross-sectional, multi-centre, genetic study aimed to determine, whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in tooth agenesis (TA)-associated GLI2 and GLI3 genes contribute to the development of craniofacial skeletal morphology in humans.

Design: Orthodontic patients from an ethnically heterogeneous population were selected for the present study (n = 594). The presence or absence of TA was determined by analysis of panoramic radiography and dental records.

Bioactive Compounds from Seaweed with Anti-Leukemic Activity: A Mini-Review on Carotenoids and Phlorotannins.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) represents 15-20% of all new cases of leukemia and is characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal myeloid cells. Currently, the first-line of treatment involves Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs), which specifically inhibits the activity of the fusion protein BCR-ABL. However, resistance, mainly due to mutations, can occur.

Genetic variants in ACTN3 and MYO1H are associated with sagittal and vertical craniofacial skeletal patterns.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association of genetic variants inACTN3 and MYO1H with craniofacial skeletal patterns in Brazilians.

Design: This cross-sectional study enrolled orthodontic and orthognathic patients selected from 4 regions of Brazil. Lateral cephalograms were used and digital cephalometric tracings and analyzes were performed for craniofacial phenotype determination.

Drug resistance in glioblastoma and cytotoxicity of seaweed compounds, alone and in combination with anticancer drugs: A mini review.

Background: Glioblastomas (GBM) are one of the most aggressive tumor of the central nervous system with an average life expectancy of only 1-2 years after diagnosis, even with the use of advanced treatments with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. There are several anticancer drugs with alkylating properties that have been used in the therapy of malignant gliomas. Temozolomide (TMZ) is one of them, widely used even in combination with ionizing radiation.

Bis-Indolyl Benzenoids, Hydroxypyrrolidine Derivatives and Other Constituents from Cultures of the Marine Sponge-Associated Fungus Aspergillus candidus KUFA0062.

A previously unreported -indolyl benzenoid, candidusin D () and a new hydroxypyrrolidine alkaloid, preussin C () were isolated together with fourteen previously described compounds: palmitic acid, clionasterol, ergosterol 5,8-endoperoxides, chrysophanic acid (), emodin (), six -indolyl benzenoids including asterriquinol D dimethyl ether (), petromurin C (), kumbicin B (), kumbicin A (), 2″-oxoasterriquinol D methyl ether (), kumbicin D (), the hydroxypyrrolidine alkaloid preussin (), (3, 6)-3,6-dibenzylpiperazine-2,5-dione () and 4-(acetylamino) benzoic acid (), from the cultures of the marine sponge-associated fungus KUFA 0062. Compounds , , , , , and were tested for their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative reference and multidrug-resistant strains isolated from the environment. Only exhibited an inhibitory effect against ATCC 29213 and ATCC29212 as well as both methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) strains.

Cytotoxic activity of fucoxanthin, alone and in combination with the cancer drugs imatinib and doxorubicin, in CML cell lines.

In the present study, we evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of fucoxanthin (Fx) on two human leukemia cell lines, K562 and TK6, alone and in combination with the conventional anticancer drugs imatinib (Imat) and doxorubicin (Dox). For the purpose, we assessed the cytotoxic and proliferation effects by cell count, induction of DNA damage by comet assay, and cell death by nuclear condensation, annexin V staining, coupled with propidium iodide uptake, and protein expression of Bax, caspase-3, and Bcl-2 (western blot). Our results show that Imat increased cytotoxicity in TK6 cells and inhibited proliferation in K562 cells, while Dox decreased cell viability and proliferation in both cell lines.

Marine-derived Fungi Extracts Enhance the Cytotoxic Activity of Doxorubicin in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Cells A459.

Background: Drug resistance is a major concern in the current chemotherapeutic approaches and the combination with natural compounds may enhance the cytotoxic effects of the anticancer drugs. Therefore, this study evaluated the cytotoxicity of crude ethyl extracts of six marine-derived fungi - KUFC 9213 (E1), KUFC 7896 (E2), KUFC 6344 (E3), KUFA 0013 (E4), KUFC 7894 (E5), and KUFC 0021 (E6) - when combined with doxorubicin (Dox), in seven human cancer cell lines.

Materials And Methods: The antiproliferative activity was primarily assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.

Anticancer effects of seaweed compounds fucoxanthin and phloroglucinol, alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil in colon cells.

Colorectal cancer therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) frequently become ineffective due to resistance to this drug; and thus other effective compounds are essential for therapy. It is well-known marine brown seaweeds contain antioxidant compounds the carotenoid fucoxanthin (Fx) and polyphenolic compound phloroglucinol (Ph) which exerted diverse biological activities including antioxidant and anticancer. The aim of this study was to determine the anticancer activities of Fx or Ph alone as well as combination of each chemical with 5-Fu on two human colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116 and HT29), with comparison to responses in a normal colon cell line (CCD-18Co).

Crude Extracts of Marine-derived and Soil Fungi of the Genus Neosartorya Exhibit Selective Anticancer Activity by Inducing Cell Death in Colon, Breast and Skin Cancer Cell Lines.

Background: The crude ethyl acetate extracts of marine-derived fungi Neosartorya tsunodae KUFC 9213 (E1) and N. laciniosa KUFC 7896 (E2), and soil fungus N. fischeri KUFC 6344 (E3) were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activities on a panel of seven human cancer cell lines.

Colon Cancer Chemoprevention by Sage Tea Drinking: Decreased DNA Damage and Cell Proliferation.

Salvia officinalis and some of its isolated compounds have been found to be preventive of DNA damage and increased proliferation in vitro in colon cells. In the present study, we used the azoxymethane model to test effects of S. officinalis on colon cancer prevention in vivo.

Potential of four marine-derived fungi extracts as anti-proliferative and cell death-inducing agents in seven human cancer cell lines.

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro anticancer activity of crude ethyl acetate extracts of the culture of four marine-derived fungi Aspergillus similanensis KUFA 0013 (E1), Neosartorya paulistensis KUFC 7897 (E2), Neosartorya siamensis KUFA 0017 (E4) and Talaromyces trachyspermus KUFC 0021 (E3) on a panel of seven human cancer cell lines.

Methods: Effects on cell proliferation, induction of DNA damage and cell death were assessed by MTT and clonogenic assays, comet assay and nuclear condensation assay, respectively.

Results: The proliferation of HepG2, HCT116 and A375 cells decreased after incubation with the extracts E2 and E4.

Contribution of audiovestibular tests to the topographic diagnosis of sudden deafness.

 Sudden hearing loss (SHL) is an ENT emergency defined as sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) ≥ 30 dB HL affecting at least 3 consecutive tonal frequencies, showing a sudden onset, and occurring within 3 days. In cases of SHL, a detailed investigation should be performed in order to determine the etiology and provide the best treatment. Otoacoustic emission (OAE) analysis, electronystagmography (ENG), bithermal caloric test (BCT), and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) assessments may be used in addition to a number of auxiliary methods to determine the topographic diagnosis.

Development of a new application of the comet assay to assess levels of O6-methylguanine in genomic DNA (CoMeth).

O(6)-methylguanine (O(6)meG) is one of the most premutagenic, precarcinogenic, and precytotoxic DNA lesions formed by alkylating agents. Repair of this DNA damage is achieved by the protein MGMT, which transfers the alkyl groups from the O(6) position of guanine to a cysteine residue in its active center. Because O(6)meG repair by MGMT is a stoichiometric reaction that irreversibly inactivates MGMT, which is subsequently degraded, the repair capacity of O(6)meG lesions is dependent on existing active MGMT molecules.

Water extracts of tree Hypericum sps. protect DNA from oxidative and alkylating damage and enhance DNA repair in colon cells.

Diet may induce colon carcinogenesis through oxidative or alkylating DNA damage. However, diet may also contain anticarcinogenic compounds that contribute to cancer prevention. DNA damage prevention and/or induction of repair are two important mechanisms involved in cancer chemoprevention by dietary compounds.

Refining the theory of basic individual values.

We propose a refined theory of basic individual values intended to provide greater heuristic and explanatory power than the original theory of 10 values (Schwartz, 1992). The refined theory more accurately expresses the central assumption of the original theory that research has largely ignored: Values form a circular motivational continuum. The theory defines and orders 19 values on the continuum based on their compatible and conflicting motivations, expression of self-protection versus growth, and personal versus social focus.

Protection by Salvia extracts against oxidative and alkylation damage to DNA in human HCT15 and CO115 cells.

DNA damage induced by oxidative and alkylating agents contributes to carcinogenesis, leading to possible mutations if replication proceeds without proper repair. However, some alkylating agents are used in cancer therapy due to their ability to induce DNA damage and subsequently apoptosis of tumor cells. In this study, the genotoxic effects of oxidative hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and alkylating agents N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitosourea (BCNU) agents were examined in two colon cell lines (HCT15 and CO115).