The "Road" to Malignant Transformation from Endometriosis to Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancers (EAOCs): An mTOR-Centred Review.

Ovarian cancer is an umbrella term covering a number of distinct subtypes. Endometrioid and clear-cell ovarian carcinoma are endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers (EAOCs) frequently arising from ectopic endometrium in the ovary. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a crucial regulator of cellular homeostasis and is dysregulated in both endometriosis and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer, potentially favouring carcinogenesis across a spectrum from benign disease with cancer-like characteristics, through an atypical phase, to frank malignancy.

Maternal obesity and metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease in pregnancy: a comprehensive narrative review.

Introduction: Obesity and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) during pregnancy constitute significant problems for routine antenatal care, with increasing prevalence globally. Similar to obesity, MAFLD is associated with a higher risk for maternal complications (e.g.

Effect of MYC and PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer Using an Model.

Background/aim: The 8q24 chromosomal region, which contains the MYC and PVT1 candidate oncogenes, is amplified in carcinomas. Both genes have been involved in the etiopathogenesis of ovarian cancer (OC). In this study, we used an in vitro OC model with a known 8q24 copy number increase and in silico tools to investigate the expression of MYC/PVT1 loci and copy number variation in OC.

SV2B/miR-34a/miR-128 axis as prognostic biomarker in glioblastoma multiforme.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a heterogenous primary brain tumour that is characterised with unfavourable patient prognosis. The identification of biomarkers for managing brain malignancies is of utmost importance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs implicated in cancer development.

In Silico and In Vitro Mapping of Receptor-Type Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type D in Health and Disease: Implications for Asprosin Signalling in Endometrial Cancer and Neuroblastoma.

Background: Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type D (PTPRD) is involved in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and oncogenic transformation, as well as in brain development. PTPRD also mediates the effects of asprosin, which is a glucogenic hormone/adipokine derived following the cleavage of the C-terminal of fibrillin 1. Since the asprosin circulating levels are elevated in certain cancers, research is now focused on the potential role of this adipokine and its receptors in cancer.

MesoGraph: Automatic profiling of mesothelioma subtypes from histological images.

Mesothelioma is classified into three histological subtypes, epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic, according to the relative proportions of epithelioid and sarcomatoid tumor cells present. Current guidelines recommend that the sarcomatoid component of each mesothelioma is quantified, as a higher percentage of sarcomatoid pattern in biphasic mesothelioma shows poorer prognosis. In this work, we develop a dual-task graph neural network (GNN) architecture with ranking loss to learn a model capable of scoring regions of tissue down to cellular resolution.

Malignant Mesothelioma subtyping via sampling driven multiple instance prediction on tissue image and cell morphology data.

Malignant Mesothelioma is a difficult to diagnose and highly lethal cancer usually associated with asbestos exposure. It can be broadly classified into three subtypes: Epithelioid, Sarcomatoid, and a hybrid Biphasic subtype in which significant components of both of the previous subtypes are present. Early diagnosis and identification of the subtype informs treatment and can help improve patient outcome.

Transcriptional Landscape of 3D vs. 2D Ovarian Cancer Cell Models.

Three-dimensional (3D) cancer models are revolutionising research, allowing for the recapitulation of an in vivo-like response through the use of an in vitro system, which is more complex and physiologically relevant than traditional monolayer cultures. Cancers such as ovarian (OvCa) are prone to developing resistance, are often lethal, and stand to benefit greatly from the enhanced modelling emulated by 3D cultures. However, the current models often fall short of the predicted response, where reproducibility is limited owing to the lack of standardised methodology and established protocols.

Development of a dual energy CT based model to assess response to treatment in patients with high grade serous ovarian cancer: a pilot cohort study.

Background: In patients with cancer, the current gold standard for assessing response to treatment involves measuring cancer lesions on computed tomography (CT) imaging. The percentage change in size of specific lesions determines whether patients have had a complete/partial response or progressive disease, according to RECIST criteria. Dual Energy CT (DECT) permits additional measurements of iodine concentration, a surrogate marker of vascularity.

Description of a Retrospective Cohort of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases: Evaluation of the Role of PARP Inhibitors in this Setting.

Background: The incidence of brain metastases (BM) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is low: 0.3-11%. The onset of BM has been regarded as a late event with limited treatment options and poor prognosis.

Deciphering the Role of microRNA Mediated Regulation of Coronin 1C in Glioblastoma Development and Metastasis.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly heterogenic and malignant brain tumour with a median survival of 15 months. The initial identification of primary glioblastomas is often challenging. Coronin 1C (CORO1C) is a key player in actin rearrangement and cofilin dynamics, as well as enhancing the processes of neurite overgrowth and migration of brain tumour cells.

Elevated Circulating Lactate Levels and Widespread Expression of Its Cognate Receptor, Hydroxycarboxylic Acid Receptor 1 (HCAR1), in Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Augmented glycolysis in cancer cells is a process required for growth and development. The Warburg effect provides evidence of increased glycolysis and lactic acid fermentation in cancer cells. The lactate end-product of glycolysis is receiving growing traction for its role as a cell signalling molecule.

Asprosin Exerts Pro-Inflammatory Effects in THP-1 Macrophages Mediated via the Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Pathway.

Adipose tissue is a dynamic endocrine organ, secreting a plethora of adipokines which play a key role in regulating metabolic homeostasis and other physiological processes. An altered adipokine secretion profile from adipose tissue depots has been associated with obesity and related cardio-metabolic diseases. Asprosin is a recently described adipokine that is released in response to fasting and can elicit orexigenic and glucogenic effects.

Differential Regulation of Genes by the Glucogenic Hormone Asprosin in Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is one of the most lethal forms of gynaecological malignancy. Altered energy metabolism and increased aerobic glycolysis in OvCa are hallmarks that demand attention. The glucogenic hormone asprosin is often dysregulated in metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, diabetes (type 2 and gestational), and preeclampsia.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Liquid Biomarkers for the Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Endometrial cancer rates are increasing annually due to an aging population and rising rates of obesity. Currently there is no widely available, accurate, non-invasive test that can be used to triage women for diagnostic biopsy whilst safely reassuring healthy women without the need for invasive assessment. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate studies assessing blood and urine-based biomarkers as a replacement test for endometrial biopsy or as a triage test in symptomatic women.

ACBD3 Bioinformatic Analysis and Protein Expression in Breast Cancer Cells.

overexpression has previously been found to correlate with worse prognosis for breast cancer patients and, as an incredibly diverse protein in both function and cellular localisation, ACBD3 may have a larger role in breast cancer than previously thought. This study further investigated ACBD3's role in breast cancer. Bioinformatic databases were queried to characterise expression and mutation in breast cancer and to investigate how overexpression affects breast cancer patient outcomes.

Impact of Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Bisphenol A (BPA) on the Gene Expression Profile in an In Vitro Model of the Normal Human Ovary.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including the xenoestrogen Bisphenol A (BPA), can interfere with hormonal signalling. Despite increasing reports of adverse health effects associated with exposure to EDCs, there are limited data on the effect of BPA in normal human ovaries. In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of the transcriptomic landscape in normal Human Epithelial Ovarian Cells (HOSEpiC) treated with BPA (10 and 100 nM).

NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 Reduces Obesogenic Diet Induced Inflammation in Mice Subcutaneous White Adipose Tissue.

Background: Excess adipose tissue accumulation and obesity are characterised by chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation. Nestfatin-1 is a neuropeptide derived from the precursor protein nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2), which was initially reported to exert anorexigenic effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of an obesogenic diet (OD; high-fat, high-sugar) in NUCB2 knockout (KO) mice and of nesfatin-1 treatment in LPS-stimulated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Protein expression of transmembrane protease serine 4 in the gastrointestinal tract and in healthy, cancer, and SARS‑CoV‑2 infected lungs.

In addition to the angiotensin‑converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a number of host cell entry mediators have been identified for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‑2 (SARS‑CoV‑2), including transmembrane protease serine 4 (TMPRSS4). The authors have recently demonstrated the upregulation of TMPRSS4 in 11 different cancers, as well as its specific expression within the central nervous system using tools. The present study aimed to expand the initial observations and, using immunohistochemistry, TMPRSS4 protein expression in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and lungs was further mapped.

Differential Expression of RAD51AP1 in Ovarian Cancer: Effects of siRNA In Vitro.

Background: DNA double strand breaks can affect genome integrity potentially leading to cancer. RAD51-associated protein 1 (RAD51AP1), an accessory protein to RAD51, is critical for homologous recombination, a key DNA damage response pathway. Emerging studies indicate a novel role for RAD51AP1 in carcinogenesis.

The effect of online and in-person team-based learning (TBL) on undergraduate endocrinology teaching during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Team-based learning (TBL) combines active and collaborative learning, while incorporating aspects of the flipped classroom approach and problem-based learning. The COVID-19 pandemic presented certain challenges in the delivery of TBL in class. In this study, we investigated the impact of TBL on the academic performance of final year Biomedical Sciences' undergraduate students in the context of an "Endocrine Disorders" study block.

In Silico Study to Predict the Structural and Functional Consequences of SNPs on Biomarkers of Ovarian Cancer (OC) and BPA Exposure-Associated OC.

Background: Recently, we have shown that seven genes, namely , , , , , and have prognostic power for the overall survival in ovarian cancer (OC).

Methods: We present an analysis on the association of these genes with any phenotypes and mutations indicative of involvement in female cancers and predict the structural and functional consequences of those SNPS using in silico tools.

Results: These seven genes present with 976 SNPs/mutations that are associated with human cancers, out of which 284 related to female cancers.

Host cell entry mediators implicated in the cellular tropism of SARS‑CoV‑2, the pathophysiology of COVID‑19 and the identification of microRNAs that can modulate the expression of these mediators (Review).

The pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) is mainly dependent on the underlying mechanisms that mediate the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) into the host cells of the various human tissues/organs. Recent studies have indicated a higher order of complexity of the mechanisms of infectivity, given that there is a wide‑repertoire of possible cell entry mediators that appear to co‑localise in a cell‑ and tissue‑specific manner. The present study provides an overview of the 'canonical' SARS‑CoV‑2 mediators, namely angiotensin converting enzyme 2, transmembrane protease serine 2 and 4, and neuropilin‑1, expanding on the involvement of novel candidates, including glucose‑regulated protein 78, basigin, kidney injury molecule‑1, metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2, ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17 (also termed tumour necrosis factor‑α convertase) and Toll‑like receptor 4.

Preclinical Studies on the Effect of Rucaparib in Ovarian Cancer: Impact of BRCA2 Status.

Background: Approximately 50% of ovarian cancer patients harbour homologous recombination repair deficiencies. These deficiencies have been successfully targeted using poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) particularly for patients harbouring BRCA1/2 mutations. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of the PARPi rucaparib in vitro using cell lines with BRCA2 mutations in comparison to those with BRCA2 wild type.