Notch and its oncogenic activity in human malignancies.

Background: Increasing evidence has demonstrated that Notch signaling is deregulated in human hematological malignancies and solid tumors. This signaling has a protumorigenic effect but may also act as a tumor suppressor. How induction of a single pathway gives rise to the opposite effects in different cell types is still unknown.

Notch signalling pathway as an oncogenic factor involved in cancer development.

Notch signalling is an evolutionarily conserved signalling pathway, which plays a significant role in a wide array of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Nevertheless, it must be noted that Notch is a binary cell fate determinant, and its overexpression has been described as oncogenic in a broad range of human malignancies. This finding led to interest in therapeutically targeting this pathway especially by the use of GSIs, which block the cleavage of Notch at the cell membrane and inhibit release of the transcriptionally active NotchIC subunit.

The role of Snail1 transcription factor in colorectal cancer progression and metastasis.

Snail1 is a zinc-finger transcription factor, which plays a role in colorectal cancer development by silencing E-cadherin expression and inducing epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT). During EMT tumour cells acquire a mesenchymal phenotype that is responsible for their invasive activities. Consequently, Snail1 expression in colorectal cancer is usually associated with progression and metastasis.

The role of tumour microenvironment in gastric cancer angiogenesis.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. More than 95% of gastric cancers are adenocarcinomas originating from the glandular epithelium of the stomach lining. Unfortunately, a large number of patients are diagnosed when the tumour is at unresectable stage.

Role of Notch signaling pathway in gastric cancer pathogenesis.

Notch signaling pathway is activated dynamically during evolution playing significant role in cell fate determination and differentiation. It has been known that alterations of this pathway may lead to human malignancies, including gastric cancer. Despite a decline in the overall incidence, this disease still remains an important global health problem.

Protective effect of intermittent clamping of the portal triad in the rat liver on liver ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: Intermittent clamping (IC) of the portal triad is an effective method of protecting the liver from ischemia-reperfusion injury (IR). In clinical practice, this method is employed during a resection, but its mechanism is still not clear.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of IC on rat liver and determine its mechanisms.

RNA and protein synthesis in different organs of rat offspring after chronic cadmium exposure during pregnancy.

Despite binding by placental metallothionein, cadmium (Cd) relatively easily enters fetal circulation and may be harmful to tissues and organs of offspring. Although Cd toxicology is relatively well described in the literature there are only few studies on Cd toxicity exerted during fetal life. We examined the influence of cadmium exposure during pregnancy on RNA and protein synthesis in different organs of the rat offspring.