SARS-CoV-2 as a Zooanthroponotic Infection: Spillbacks, Secondary Spillovers, and Their Importance.

In the midst of a persistent pandemic of a probable zoonotic origin, one needs to constantly evaluate the interplay of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2) with animal populations. Animals can get infected from humans, and certain species, including mink and white-tailed deer, exhibit considerable animal-to-animal transmission resulting in potential endemicity, mutation pressure, and possible secondary spillover to humans. We attempt a comprehensive review of the available data on animal species infected by SARS-CoV-2, as presented in the scientific literature and official reports of relevant organizations.

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles with High Antibacterial Activity Using Cell Extracts of Cyanobacterium sp.

In this work, we demonstrated the ability of the cyanobacterium sp. to produce ultra-small silver nanoparticlesin the forms of metallic silver (Ag) and silver oxides (AgO) via a facile green synthetic process. The biological compounds in the cyanobacterial cellular extract acted both as reducing agents for silver ions and functional stabilizing agents for the silver nanoparticles.

SARS-CoV-2 mutational cascades and the risk of hyper-exponential growth.

The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC), in late 2020, with selective transmission advantage and partial immunity escape potential, has been driving further evolution in the pandemic. The timing of mutational evolution and its limits are thus of paramount importance in preparedness planning. Here, we present a model predicting the pattern of epidemic growth including the emergence of variants through mutation.

Silver Nanoparticles Using Eucalyptus or Willow Extracts (AgNPs) as Contact Lens Hydrogel Components to Reduce the Risk of Microbial Infection.

Eucalyptus leaves (ELE) and willow bark (WBE) extracts were utilized towards the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs(ELE), AgNPs(WBE)). AgNPs(ELE) and AgNPs(WBE) were dispersed in polymer hydrogels to create pHEMA@AgNPs(ELE)_2 and pHEMA@AgNPs(WBE)_2 using hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA). The materials were characterized in a solid state by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRPD), thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DTG/DSC) and attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy in solution.

E-Cadherin and Syndecan-1 Expression in Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Chemoradiotherapy.

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to investigate whether E-cadherin and syndecan-1 are molecular markers of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: The expression of E-cadherin and syndecan-1 (SDC1) was examined immunohistochemically on tissue specimens of 64 patients, with stage III disease at presentation. The obtained expression data were correlated with clinical parameters.

Metagenomic Characterization Reveals Pronounced Seasonality in the Diversity and Structure of the Phyllosphere Bacterial Community in a Mediterranean Ecosystem.

We explore how the phyllosphere microbial community responds to a very seasonal environment such as the Mediterranean. For this, we studied the epiphytic bacterial community of a Mediterranean ecosystem in summer and winter, expecting to detect seasonal differences at their maximum. With high-throughput sequencing (HTS), we detected the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) present in the phyllosphere and also in the surrounding air.

The role of apoptosis defects in malignant mesothelioma pathogenesis with an impact on prognosis and treatment.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive tumor that is strongly related to asbestos fiber exposure. The tumorigenesis procedure in MM is complex, and many pathogenetic mechanisms including chronic inflammation, deregulation of cell death, and the genomic copy-number losses and gains may contribute to carcinogenesis. MM cells are resistant to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis due to defects in extrinsic apoptotic pathway.

SLCO1B3 screening in colorectal cancer patients using High-Resolution Melting Analysis method and immunohistochemistry.

Personalized medicine has made some major advances in colorectal cancer, but new biomarkers still remain a hot issue as an emerging tool with potential prognostic and therapeutic potential. We investigated for SLCO1B3 gene alterations and protein expression in colorectal cancer, using the novel high-resolution melting analysis technique and immunohistochemistry. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples from 30 colorectal cancer patients were used.

Assessing the clinical value of microRNAs in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liposarcoma tissues: Overexpressed miR-155 is an indicator of poor prognosis.

Liposarcoma (LPS) is a malignancy with extreme heterogeneity and thus optimization towards personalizing patient prognosis and treatment is essential. Here, we evaluated miR-155, miR-21, miR-143, miR-145 and miR-451 that are implicated in LPS, as novel FFPE tissue biomarkers.A total of 83 FFPE tissue specimens from primary LPS and lipomas (LPM) were analyzed.

Microcystin LR Shows Cytotoxic Activity Against Pancreatic Cancer Cells Expressing the Membrane OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 Transporters.

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a cyanobacterial cyclopeptide, known for its unique ability to cause acute liver injury. Its cellular uptake is facilitated by specific transmembrane organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) specifically OATP1B1 and 1B3. The objective of the present study was to investigate the expression of OATPs 1A2, 1B1 and 1B3 in pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 and MIA PACA-2 and assess their role in MC-LR-mediated cytotoxicity by using the novel xCELLigence system and flow cytometry.

Kinetics of circulating levels of miR-195, miR-155 and miR-21 in patients with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy.

Background: MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that negatively regulate the expression of the majority of proteins, mainly at the post-transcriptional level. Being stable in the circulation and resistant to storage handling, they are potentially promising biomarkers.

Materials And Methods: We measured RNA levels of three microRNAs with tumorigenic or angiogenic potential (miR-155, miR-195, and miR-21) in blood samples taken from patients with early breast cancer, both preoperatively and postoperatively.

Impact of breast cancer surgery on angiogenesis circulating biomarkers: a prospective longitudinal study.

Background: Debate about the potential effects that surgery might have on cancer cells dormancy and angiogenesis prompted us to investigate the impact of breast surgery on circulating angiogenesis modulating gene transcripts and proteins.

Methods: Blood samples from 10 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 6 with fibroadenoma were collected before surgery and post-operatively on days 3 and 7 (breast cancer patients only). A set of 84 angiogenesis-associated transcripts were assessed using quantitative PCR arrays, and circulating protein levels (vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), IL8 and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) were measured using ELISA in the same samples.

Hepatotoxic seafood poisoning (HSP) due to microcystins: a threat from the ocean?

Cyanobacterial blooms are a major and growing problem for freshwater ecosystems worldwide that increasingly concerns public health, with an average of 60% of blooms known to be toxic. The most studied cyanobacterial toxins belong to a family of cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxins, called microcystins. The microcystins are stable hydrophilic cyclic heptapeptides with a potential to cause cell damage following cellular uptake via organic anion-transporting proteins (OATP).

Dose selection trial of metronomic oral vinorelbine monotherapy in patients with metastatic cancer: a hellenic cooperative oncology group clinical translational study.

Background: Metronomic chemotherapy is considered an anti-angiogenic therapy that involves chronic administration of low-dose chemotherapy at regular short intervals. We investigated the optimal metronomic dose of oral vinorelbine when given as monotherapy in patients with metastatic cancer.

Methods: Patients with recurrent metastatic breast (BC), prostate (PC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and adequate organ functions were randomly assigned to 30, 40 or 50 mg vinorelbine, taken orally three times a week.

Exploring biodiversity in the bacterial community of the Mediterranean phyllosphere and its relationship with airborne bacteria.

We studied the structure and diversity of the phyllosphere bacterial community of a Mediterranean ecosystem, in summer, the most stressful season in this environment. To this aim, we selected nine dominant perennial species, namely Arbutus unedo, Cistus incanus, Lavandula stoechas, Myrtus communis, Phillyrea latifolia, Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera (woody), Calamintha nepeta, and Melissa officinalis (herbaceous). We also examined the extent to which airborne bacteria resemble the epiphytic ones.

H2O2 signals via iron induction of VL30 retrotransposition correlated with cytotoxicity.

The impact of oxidative stress on mobilization of endogenous retroviruses and their effects on cell fate is unknown. We investigated the action of H2O2 on retrotransposition of an EGFP-tagged mouse LTR-retrotransposon, VL30, in an NIH3T3 cell-retrotransposition assay. H2O2 treatment of assay cells caused specific retrotranspositions documented by UV microscopy and PCR analysis.

Expression of organic anion-transporting polypeptides 1B3, 1B1, and 1A2 in human pancreatic cancer reveals a new class of potential therapeutic targets.

Background: Organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) are influx transporters that mediate intracellular uptake of selective endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. Identification of new molecular targets and discovery of novel targeted therapies is top priority for pancreatic cancer, which lacks any effective therapy.

Materials And Methods: We studied expression of OATP 1A2, 1B1, and 1B3 in pancreatic cancer tissue and in cell lines.

Cyanobacterial cyclopeptides as lead compounds to novel targeted cancer drugs.

Cyanobacterial cyclopeptides, including microcystins and nodularins, are considered a health hazard to humans due to the possible toxic effects of high consumption. From a pharmacological standpoint, microcystins are stable hydrophilic cyclic heptapeptides with a potential to cause cellular damage following uptake via organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATP). Their intracellular biological effects involve inhibition of catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and PP2, glutathione depletion and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Alterations of MicroRNAs in Solid Cancers and Their Prognostic Value.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved, naturally abundant, small, regulatory non-coding RNAs that inhibit gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in a sequence-specific manner. Each miRNA represses the protein expression of several coding genes in a manner proportional to the sequence complementarity with the target transcripts. MicroRNAs play key regulatory roles in organismal development and homeostasis.

Molecular characterization of cyanobacterial diversity and yearly fluctuations of Microcystin loads in a suburban Mediterranean Lake (Lake Pamvotis, Greece).

Cyanobacterial blooms are a frequent phenomenon in eutrophic freshwaters worldwide, and are considered as potential hazards to ecosystems and human health, while it has been shown that on average 60% of these cyanobacterial blooms are toxic. Hepatotoxic blooms are more common than neurotoxic ones and microcystins have been found to be the most prevalent cyanobacterial hepatotoxins. Lake Pamvotis is an ancient (having been in continual existence throughout the Plio-Pleistocene period) suburban Mediterranean Lake used for recreation, fishing and irrigation purposes which has suffered eutrophication for the last three decades.

PPARgamma: The Portrait of a Target Ally to Cancer Chemopreventive Agents.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), one of three ligand-activated transcription factors named PPAR, has been identified as a molecular target for cancer chemopreventive agents. PPARgamma was initially understood as a regulator of adipocyte differentiation and glucose homeostasis while later on, it became evident that it is also involved in cell differentiation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, biological processes which are deregulated in cancer. It is now established that PPARgamma ligands can induce cell differentiation and yield early antineoplastic effects in several tumor types.

Alterations of the p53, Rb and p27 tumor suppressor pathways in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) display defects in cell cycle and apoptosis regulation. Therefore, the immunohistochemical expression patterns of the proteins p14, p21, Hdm2 and cyclin D2 were analyzed in relation to the previously reported expression of other major cell cycle proteins (p53, Rb, p16, p27, Ki-67 and cyclins A, B1, D2, D3 and E), apoptosis-associated proteins (bcl2, bcl-xl, bax, bak, bad and bid) and the B-cell differentiation immunophenotypes. Expression of the proteins p14, p21, Hdm2 and cyclin D2 was observed in 62/71 (87%), 22/76 (29%), 35/74 (47%) and 11/77 (14%) cases, respectively.