Alteration in the expression of the chemotherapy resistance‑related genes in response to chronic and acute hypoxia in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is currently one of the least curable types of human cancer and remains a key health problem. One of the most important characteristics of pancreatic cancer is its ability to grow under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia is associated with resistance of cancer cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Differential miRNA expression of hypoxic MCF7 and PANC-1 cells.

Background: Hypoxia plays a critical role in the tumor microenvironment by affecting cellular proliferation, metabolism, apoptosis, DNA repair, and chemoresistance. Since hypoxia provokes a distinct shift of microRNA, it is important to illustrate the relative contribution of each hypoxamiR to cancer progression.

Aims: The present study aims to shed light on the hypoxamiRs that are involved in pancreatic and breast cancer progression to highlight novel targets for the development of new therapies.

PX and P2Y receptor antagonists reduce inflammation in ATP-induced microglia.

Background: P2 receptors have been implicated in the release of neurotransmitter and pro-inflammatory cytokines due to their response to neuro-excitatory substances in the microglia. The P2X4, P2X7 and P2Y12 receptors are involved in the development of pain behavior induced by peripheral nerve injury. However, it is not known if blocking P2X4, P2X7 and P2Y12 receptors is associated with the expression and the release of interleukin-1B (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cultured neonatal spinal cord microglia.

The Protective Role of L-carnitine on Psychosocial Stress-induced Changes in Gene Expression and Protein Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinases, Serum Corticosterone in a Rat Model.

Background: Psychosocial stress (STS) is a common stress in modern societies. Chronic STS is associated with the impairment of a broad range of cognitive functions in humans and with prolonged abnormalities in memory. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a protein family of zinccontaining endopeptidases, are essential in neuro-inflammation and involved in neurodegenerative diseases.

Dihydrotestosterone Induces Chemo-Resistance of Triple-Negative Breast MDA-MB-231 Cancer Cells Towards Doxorubicin Independent of ABCG2 and miR-328-3p.

Background: Androgens potentially have an important role in the biology of breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Androgen receptor (AR) may offer a novel therapeutic strategy, including the use of microRNA (miRNA) molecules. We have previously shown that AR agonist, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), increases the expression of miR-328-3p in the TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells.

In vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ZnFe O and CrFe O nanoparticles synthesized using Boswellia carteri resin.

The development of plant-based nano-materials is considered an eco-friendly technology because it does not involve hazardous chemicals. In this study, bimetallic ZnFe O and CrFe O nanoparticles were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Boswellia carteri resin. Synthesized ZnFe O and CrFe O nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and HR-TEM.

Ethanol Extract of Achillea fragrantissima Enhances Angiogenesis through Stimulation of VEGF Production.

Objective: Achillea fragrantissima L. (Asteraceae) is a traditionally used medicinal herb in the rural communities of Jordan.

Methods: The present study evaluated the efficacy of the ethanol extract of this species on angiogenesis in both, ex vivo using a rat aortic ring assay and in vivo using a rat excision wound model.

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Metal Adamantyl 2-Pyridylhydrazone Complexes.

Four new complexes derived from adamantly containing hydrazone () ligand with Cu(II) (), Co(II) (), Ni(II) () and Zn(II) (), have been synthesized and characterized using different physicochemical methods. The structure of the ligand and its copper complex have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction direct methods, which reveal that complex has distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Complexes - are screened against seven human cancer cell lines namely, breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, T47D, MDA-MB-231), prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, DU145) and the colorectal cancer cell line Coco-2, for their antiproliferative activities.

Determining the Relative Gene Expression Level of Hypoxia Related Genes in Different Cancer Cell Lines.

Objective: This study aims to identify the changes in the expression of hypoxia-inducible genes in seven different cancer cell lines that vary in their oxygen levels in an attempt to identify hypoxia biomarkers that can be targeted in therapy. Profiling of hypoxia inducible-gene expression of these different cancer cell lines can be used as baseline data for further studies.

Methods: Human cancer cell lines obtained from the American Type Culture Collection were used; MCF7 breast cancer cells, PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells, PC-3 prostate cancer cells, SHSY5Y neuroblastoma brain cancer cells, A549 lung cancer cells, and HEPG2 hepatocellular carcinoma.

Genotoxicity of cisplatin and carboplatin in cultured human lymphocytes: a comparative study.

Cisplatin and carboplatin are integral parts of many antineoplastic management regimens. Both platinum analogues are potent DNA alkylating agents that robustly induce genomic instability and promote apoptosis in tumor cells. Although the mechanism of action of both drugs is similar, cisplatin appears to be more cytotoxic.

Memory Impairment Induced by Chronic Psychosocial Stress Is Prevented by L-Carnitine.

Introduction: Psychosocial stress (STS) negatively influences memory. This might be associated to oxidative stress-induced progressive destruction of numerous brain structures and functions. L-carnitine (L-CAR) is a widely used antioxidant compound that is endogenously made in mammalian species.

Associations of CYP2A6 Gene Polymorphism with Smoking Status Among Jordanians: Gender-Related Differences.

Background: Cytochrome P450 2A6 enzyme (CYP2A6), an essential hepatic enzyme involved in the metabolism of drugs, is responsible for a major metabolic pathway of nicotine. Variation in the activity of polymorphic CYP2A6 alleles has been implicated in inter-individual differences in nicotine metabolism.

Aims: The objective of the current study was to assess the association between the smoking status and the cytochrome P450 2A6 enzyme (CYP2A6) genotype in Jordanians.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Prevent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Induced Memory Impairment.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can happen after exposure to a traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among mental health disorders that include mood and anxiety disorders. Omega-3 fatty acids (OMGs) are essential for the maintenance of brain function and prevention of cognition dysfunctions.

The effect of cycling hypoxia on MCF-7 cancer stem cells and the impact of their microenvironment on angiogenesis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as a model.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among females. Hypoxia mediates cancer hallmarks and results from reduced oxygen level due to irregularities in tumor vascularization or when the tumor size prevents oxygen diffusion and triggers angiogenesis to compensate for low oxygen. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare subpopulation, able to self-renew and to give rise to tumor-initiating cells.

An insight into the whole transcriptome profile of four tissue-specific human mesenchymal stem cells.

Variations in the clinical outcomes using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) treatments exist, reflecting different origins and niches. To date, there is no consensus on the best source of MSCs most suitable to treat a specific disease. Total transcriptome analysis of human MSCs was performed.

Dihydrotestosterone regulates expression of CD44 via miR-328-3p in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype that lacks effective targeted therapeutics strategy and has poor prognosis. Targeting androgen receptor (AR) in TNBC is thought to be a promising approach. We hypothesized that AR, functioning as a transcription factor, controls cell behavior via regulating the expression of microRNA molecules (miRNAs).

Ligand-based computational modelling of platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor leading to new angiogenesis inhibitory leads.

Platelet derived growth factor beta receptor (PDGFR- β) plays an important role in angiogenesis. PDGFR-β expression is correlated with increased vascularity and maturation of blood vessels in cancer. Pharmacophore modeling and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis were combined to explore the structural requirements for ligand-PDGFR-β recognition using 107 known PDGFR-β inhibitors.

Alpha2A adrenergic receptor activation inhibits epileptiform activity in the rat hippocampal CA3 region.

Norepinephrine has potent antiepileptic properties, the pharmacology of which is unclear. Under conditions in which GABAergic inhibition is blocked, norepinephrine reduces hippocampal cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) epileptiform activity through alpha(2) adrenergic receptor (AR) activation on pyramidal cells. In this study, we investigated which alpha(2)AR subtype(s) mediates this effect.

Dopamine-mediated disinhibition in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus via D3 receptor activation.

The hippocampal formation is thought to contribute to both addictive behaviors and to psychotic disorders, and the actions of the neurotransmitter dopamine are intimately involved with these disease states. We have used both whole-cell and extracellular recording techniques in hippocampal slices to investigate the actions of both cocaine and dopamine receptor agonists in the CA1 region. In the presence of cocaine (10 microM), endogenously released dopamine decreased monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) evoked from stratum radiatum but not from stratum oriens.

Melatonin inhibits nitrate tolerance in isolated coronary arteries.

(1) The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that melatonin inhibits nitrate tolerance in coronary arteries. (2) Rings of porcine coronary arteries were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. Nitrate tolerance was induced by incubating the tissues with nitroglycerin (10(-4) M) for 90 min, followed by repeated rinsing for 1 h.