Direct and indirect modulation of STAT3/CSE/HS axis in triple negative breast cancer by non-coding RNAs: MALAT-1 lncRNA, miR-486-5p and miR-30a-5p.

Recently, our research group reported an upregulated expression profile of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), key enzymes involved in hydrogen sulfide (HS) production, in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying such altered expression patterns are not yet fully understood. In this study, we focused on the role of the STAT3/CSE/HS axis and the potential involvement of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long and short ncRNAs, in modulating this pivotal pathway.

Pan-inhibition of the three HS synthesizing enzymes restrains tumor progression and immunosuppression in breast cancer.

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a significant endogenous mediator that has been implicated in the progression of various forms of cancer including breast cancer (BC). Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) are the three principal mammalian enzymes responsible for HS production. Overexpression of CBS, CSE and 3MST was found to be associated with poor prognosis of BC patients.

Dual targeting of HS synthesizing enzymes; cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase by miR-939-5p effectively curbs triple negative breast cancer.

Introduction: Hydrogen sulfide (HS) has been recently scrutinized for its critical role in aggravating breast cancer (BC) tumorigenicity. Several cancers aberrantly express HS synthesizing enzymes; Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE). However, their levels and interdependence in BC require further studies.

Let-7a/cMyc/CCAT1/miR-17-5p Circuit Re-sensitizes Atezolizumab Resistance in Triple Negative Breast Cancer through Modulating PD-L1.

Background: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an immunogenically hot tumor. The immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) have been recently emerged as promising therapeutic candidates for several malignancies including TNBC. Yet, the development of innate and/or adaptive resistance by TNBC patients towards ICBs such as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors (e.

MALAT-1: Immunomodulatory lncRNA hampering the innate and the adaptive immune arms in triple negative breast cancer.

Background: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known as hot immunogenic tumor. Yet, it is one of the most aggressive BC subtypes. TNBC evolve several tactics to evade the immune surveillance phenomena, one of which is shedding of natural killer (NK) cells activating immune ligands such as MICA/B and/or by inducing the expression of the immune checkpoints such as PD-L1 and B7-H4.

Expression of GPR68, an Acid-Sensing Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptor, in Breast Cancer.

Unlabelled: Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of global cancer incidence in 2020. It is quite known that highly invasive cancers have disrupted metabolism that leads to the creation of an acidic tumor microenvironment. Among the proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors is GPR68.

Lateral chest wall perforator flaps in partial breast reconstruction.

Background: Breast conserving surgery (BCS) has been a standard procedure for the treatment of breast cancer instead of mastectomy whenever possible. Lateral chest wall perforator flaps are one of the volume replacement techniques that participate in increasing the rate of BCS especially in small- to moderate-sized breasts with good cosmetic outcome. In this study, we tried to evaluate the outcome of those flaps as an oncoplastic procedure instead of the conventional flaps.

The implications of a pathological complete response of the primary tumour after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer on axillary surgery.

Background: Management of the node-positive axilla after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is controversial. The aim of this study is to predict the group of patients who may require a less invasive approach for axillary management. One possible group are patients with pathological complete response of the primary after chemotherapy.

Batwing mammoplasty: a safe oncoplastic technique for breast conservation in breast cancer patients with gigantomastia.

Background: Surgical management of breast cancer with gigantomastia can be challenging when planning breast conservation, as major breast reduction is required. Complex oncoplastic procedures can carry an additional surgical risk in this situation. We suggest batwing mammoplasty as a simple and safe oncoplastic procedure for those patients.

Preoperative estimation of cosmetic outcomes after immediate breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap: A simple prediction model.

Background: The extended latissimus dorsi (ELD) flap can provide adequate volume for breast reconstruction without an implant. The aim of this study was to identify a simple method to estimate preoperatively if the ELD flap would provide enough volume for breast reconstruction and good cosmetic outcome. The proposed model was based on correlating the preoperative body mass index (BMI) and breast cup size.

Skin sparing mastectomy: technique and suggested methods of reconstruction.

Aim: To demonstrate the feasibility and accessibility of performing adequate mastectomy to extirpate the breast tissue, along with en-block formal axillary dissection performed from within the same incision. We also compared different methods of immediate breast reconstruction used to fill the skin envelope to achieve the best aesthetic results.

Methods: 38 patients with breast cancer underwent skin-sparing mastectomy with formal axillary clearance, through a circum-areolar incision.

Antimicrobial resistance of bacterial flora associated with bovine products in South Africa.

The administration of subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics to livestock introduces selective pressures that may lead to the emergence and dissemination of resistant bacteria. This study determined the antibiotic-resistance spectra of the microbial flora found on freshly slaughtered and retail beef and in unpasteurized and pasteurized packaged milk. Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaeae, and isolates from total aerobic plate counts were tested for resistance to vancomycin, streptomycin, methicillin, tetracycline, and gentamicin using the disc diffusion susceptibility test and resistance to penicillin was determined by using oxacillin.

Antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from slaughtered and retail chickens in South Africa.

Animal feed is increasingly being supplemented with antibiotics to decrease the risk of epidemics in animal husbandry. This practice could lead to the selection for antibiotic resistant micro-organisms. The aim of this study was to determine the level of antibiotic resistant bacteria present on retail and abattoir chicken.