Therapeutic potential of toll-like receptors in treatment of gynecological cancers.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the innate and adaptive immune system. They are expressed in various regions of the female reproductive tract, and their regulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of gynecological lesions. There is growing evidence that ligands for several TLRs are potentially anticancer agents, some of which have already been approved by the FDA, and these compounds are now undergoing clinical evaluation.

Dietary Intake and Its Relationship to Different Body Mass Index Categories: A Population-Based Study.

Background: Obesity is a major public health problem because of its associated diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to explore the relationship between dietary macronutrients and adiposity in a cohort study, representative of the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Crocin as a novel therapeutic agent against colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with high incidence and prevalence worldwide. To investigate the therapeutic potency of crocin, as a pharmacologically active component of saffron, in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice model. Experimental colitis was induced by 7-day administration of DSS dissolved in water at a concentration of 1.

Role of TGF-β signaling regulatory microRNAs in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer.

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) modulates tumor progression by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. Biological and pharmacological agonists/antagonists, the interplay between intracellular signaling pathways, and microRNAs (miRNAs) control the initiation and activation of the TGF-β signaling pathway. It has been proposed that the expression profiles of tumor suppressor and oncogenic TGF-β miRNAs may be used for the classification, diagnosis, and prognosis of human malignancies.

Therapeutic potency of crocin in the treatment of inflammatory diseases: Current status and perspective.

Crocin is the major component of saffron, which is used in phytomedicine for the treatment of several diseases including diabetes, fatty liver, depression, menstruation disorders, and, of special interest in this review, inflammatory diseases. Promising selective anti-inflammatory properties of this pharmacological active component have been observed in several studies. Saffron has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory properties against several inflammatory diseases and can be used as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases either alone or in combination with other standard anti-inflammatory agents.

Current status and future prospects of transforming growth factor-β as a potential prognostic and therapeutic target in the treatment of breast cancer.

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway is one of the important pathways involved in the cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, apoptosis, as well as in metastasis by agitation or invasion of metastasis-related factors, including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer stem cells (CSCs), and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). These data suggest its potential value as a therapeutic object in the treatment of malignancies including breast cancer. Several pharmacological approaches have been established to suppress TGF-β pathway; such as vaccines, small molecular inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides, and monoclonal antibodies.

Associations of vitamin D binding protein variants with the vitamin D-induced increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem that may be improved by vitamin D supplementation; however, the individual's response to the intervention varies. We aimed to investigate possible genetic factors that may modify the impact of environmental exposure on vitamin D status. The candidate gene variant we investigated was the Gc gene-rs4588 polymorphism at the vitamin D receptor (DBP) locus.

Anemia is associated with cognitive impairment in adolescent girls: A cross-sectional survey.

Anemia is associated with impairment in oxygen transport, affecting an individual's physical and mental wellbeing, and work performance. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of anemia and its possible association with serum antibody titers to Hsp27 (as an indicator of cellular stress), cognitive function, measures of emotion, and sleep patterns in adolescent girls. A total of 940 adolescent girls were assessed to evaluate neuropsychological function with validated questionnaires.

The antileukemic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its related molecular targets: A mini review.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), and its main constituents, crocin, and crocetin have shown promising effects as an antileukemic agent in animal models and cell culture systems. Saffron retards the growth of cancer cells via inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis and enhancing antioxidative system.

Tumor-derived exosomes: Potential biomarkers and therapeutic target in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death in men and women in many countries. Early detection of CRC helps to prevent the advanced stages of the disease, and may thereby improve the survival of these patients. A noninvasive test with high specificity and sensitivity is required for this.

Role of Regulatory Oncogenic or Tumor Suppressor miRNAs of PI3K/AKT Signaling Axis in the Pathogenesis of Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and its incidence is increasing. In most patients with CRC, the PI3K/AKT signaling axis is over-activated. Regulatory oncogenic or tumor suppressor microRNAs (miRNAs) for PI3K/AKT signaling regulate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, as well as resistance to chemo-/radio-therapy in colorectal cancer tumor tissues.

Targeting the C-MET/HGF Signaling Pathway in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

The c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET) is involved in the tumorigenesis of various cancers. HGF/Met inhibitors are now attracting considerable interest due to their anti-tumor activity in multiple malignancies such as pancreatic cancer. It is likely that within the next few years, HGF/Met inhibitors will become a crucial component for cancer management.

Phytosomal Curcumin Elicits Anti-tumor Properties Through Suppression of Angiogenesis, Cell Proliferation and Induction of Oxidative Stress in Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-associated mortality in the world. Anti-tumor effect of curcumin has been shown in different cancers; however, the therapeutic potential of novel phytosomal curcumin, as well as the underlying molecular mechanism in CRC, has not yet been explored.

Methods: The anti-proliferative, anti-migratory and apoptotic activity of phytosomal curcumin in CT26 cells was assessed by MTT assay, wound healing assay and Flow cytometry, respectively.

The Prognostic and Predictive Value of microRNAs in Patients with H. pylori-positive Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) has a high mortality rate with a poor 5-year survival. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is present as part of the normal flora of stomach.

The Esophageal Cancer and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Regulatory microRNAs: a Novel Marker for Prognosis, and a Possible Target for Immunotherapy.

The Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway has a critical regulatory role in cell biology including translation, transcription, and autophagy. Dysregulation of this pathway is involved in the pathogenesis, development, and prognosis of esophageal cancer that has been assessed in the recent years and its potential as a target in therapy. This report summarizes the current knowledge about PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and its cross-talk with a focus on the value of targeting this pathway as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of esophageal cancer.

PNU-74654 enhances the antiproliferative effects of 5-FU in breast cancer and antagonizes thrombin-induced cell growth via the Wnt pathway.

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is one of the most common pathways dysregulated in breast cancer, and may, therefore, be a potential-therapeutic target. We have investigated the effects of PNU-74654 in breast cancer, as a Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor, either alone or in combination with fluorouracil (5-FU). PNU-74654 suppressed cell growth at an IC of 122 ± 0.

A variant in CYP2R1 predicts circulating vitamin D levels after supplementation with high-dose of vitamin D in healthy adolescent girls.

Aim: The determinants of serum vitamin D seems to be the environmental factors (dietary and supplementary intake and exposure to ultraviolet light) and genetic factors. We aimed to study the relationship between a vitamin D-associated genetic polymorphism and serum 25(OH)D concentrations in healthy adolescent girls in Iran, and its effects on a high-dose supplement of vitamin D.

Material And Method: A total of 616 healthy adolescent girls with mean age 15 received 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly over 9 weeks.

Effect of curcumin on glioblastoma cells.

Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound derived from Curcumin longa L. There are growing bodies of evidence revealing the antitumor effect of curcumin in different tumors; although the molecular mechanism behind this inhibition in glioblastoma multiform (GBM) still remains unclear. Here we investigated the antitumor activity of nano micelles curcumin compared with erlotinib in U-373 cells in monolayer cell cultures and spheroids models.

Serum level of gamma-glutamyl transferase as a biomarker for predicting stenosis severity in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) is associated with pathogenesis of various diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD). GGT activity displays an essential role in the catabolism of glutathione which is reported as a major antioxidant. The aim of this study was to explore the association of GGT activity with obstruction severity of artery in 500 CAD patients.

Circulating Exosomes as Potential Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing and developed countries. Circulating exosomes have recently been identified as extracellular transporters, detectable in biological fluids. Exosomes have established a new era in diagnosing diseases, especially CVD.

The prognostic potential of long noncoding RNA HOTAIR expression in human digestive system carcinomas: A meta-analysis.

Homeobox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), one of the well-known long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), plays an important role in initiation and development of various tumors. Elevated level of HOTAIR is associated with metastatic behavior of primary tumor and poor outcome in several cancers. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to clearly measure the prognostic impact of HOTAIR in patients with digestive system carcinomas.

Role of the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer.

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays an important role in cancer cell proliferation, growth, metastasis, and apoptosis. It has been shown that TGF-β acts as a tumor suppressor in the early stages of the disease, and as a tumor promoter in its late stages. Mutations in the TGF-β signaling components, the TGF-β receptors and cytoplasmic signaling transducers, are frequently observed in colorectal carcinomas.

Hereditary breast cancer; Genetic penetrance and current status with BRCA.

The most important cause of developing hereditary breast cancer is germline mutations occurring in breast cancer (BCs) susceptibility genes, for example, BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, CHEK2, PTEN, ATM, and PPM1D. Many BC susceptibility genes can be grouped into two classes, high- and low-penetrance genes, each of which interact with multiple genes and environmental factors. However, the penetrance of genes can also be represented by a spectrum, which ranges between high and low.

Relationship between serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein with angiographic severity of coronary artery disease and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is predictive of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to examine the possible association of hs-CRP with presence and severity of CAD and traditional CAD risk factors. This case-control study was carried out on 2,346 individuals from September 2011 to May 2013.