Effects of Progesterone and Selective Ligands of Membrane Progesterone Receptors in HepG2 Cells of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Progesterone exerts multiple effects in different tissues through nuclear receptors (nPRs) and through membrane receptors (mPRs) of adiponectin and progestin receptor families. The effect of progesterone on the cells through different types of receptors can vary significantly. At the same time, it affects the processes of proliferation and apoptosis in normal and tumor tissues in a dual way, stimulating proliferation and carcinogenesis in some tissues, suppressing them and stimulating cell death in others.

Study of Cryogenic Unmasked Etching of "Black Silicon" with Ar Gas Additives.

The influence of Ar gas additives on ≪black silicon≫ formation is shown in this work. The way to achieve the conical shape of Si texture using low Ar dilution is demonstrated. Also, a possibility of silicon nanowire width reduction keeping a high density of array is shown.

Microfluidic Characterization of Red Blood Cells Microcirculation under Oxidative Stress.

Microcirculation is one of the basic functional processes where the main gas exchange between red blood cells (RBCs) and surrounding tissues occurs. It is greatly influenced by the shape and deformability of RBCs, which can be affected by oxidative stress induced by different drugs and diseases leading to anemia. Here we investigated how in vitro microfluidic characterization of RBCs transit velocity in microcapillaries can indicate cells damage and its correlation with clinical hematological analysis.

Cytotoxic Effects of the Selective Ligands of Membrane Progesterone Receptors in Human Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells BxPC3.

Progesterone and its synthetic analogues act on cells through different types of receptors, affecting proliferation and apoptosis. These compounds exert their effect through the nuclear receptors and the insufficiently studied membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) belonging to the progestin and adiponectin Q receptor (PAQR) family. We have identified two selective ligands of mPRs that activate only this type of progesterone receptors - 19-hydroxypregn-4-en-20-one (LS-01) and 19-hydroxy-5β-pregn-3-en-20-one (LS-02).

A Novel Mutation in the Critical P-Box Residue of Steroidogenic Factor-1 Presenting with XY Sex Reversal and Transient Adrenal Failure.

Background: Although the importance of steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1, NR5A1) for adrenal development is supported by numerous in vitro and in vivo studies, cases of SF1 deficiency associated with adrenal failure are exceptionally rare. The first human NR5A1 mutation was a heterozygous de novo p.G35E variant identified in a patient with disorder of sex development (DSD) 46,XY and primary adrenal insufficiency.

Progesterone inhibits proliferation and modulates expression of proliferation-Related genes in classical progesterone receptor-negative human BxPC3 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

Recent studies suggest that progesterone may possess anti-tumorigenic properties. However, a growth-modulatory role of progestins in human cancer cells remains obscure. With the discovery of a new class of membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) belonging to the progestin and adipoQ receptor gene family, it becomes important to study the effect of this hormone on proliferation of tumor cells that do not express classical nuclear progesterone receptors (nPRs).

Fabrication of Hybrid Nanostructures via Nanoscale Laser-Induced Reshaping for Advanced Light Manipulation.

Ordered hybrid nanostructures for nanophotonics applications are fabricated by a novel approach via femtosecond laser melting of asymmetric metal-dielectric (Au/Si) nanoparticles created by lithographical methods. The approach allows selective reshaping of the metal components of the hybrid nanoparticles without affecting the dielectric ones and is applied for tuning of the scattering properties of the hybrid nanostructures in the visible range.

Lipid regulators during atherogenesis: expression of LXR, PPAR, and SREBP mRNA in the human aorta.

Transcription factors LXRs, PPARs, and SREBPs have been implicated in a multitude of physiological and pathological processes including atherogenesis. However, little is known about the regulation of these transcription factors at different stages of atherosclerosis progression. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to compare the contents of mRNAs in pairs intact-injured aorta fragments taken from the same donors.

Changes of lysosomes in the earliest stages of the development of atherosclerosis.

One of hypotheses of atherosclerosis is based on a presumption that the zones prone to the development of atherosclerosis contain lysosomes which are characterized by enzyme deficiency and thus, are unable to dispose of lipoproteins. The present study was undertaken to investigate the characteristics and changes of lysosomes in the earliest stages of the development of atherosclerosis. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry revealed that there were certain changes in the distribution of CD68 antigen in lysosomes along the 'normal intima-initial lesion-fatty streak' sequence.