Role of purinoreceptors in the release of extracellular vesicles and consequences on immune response and cancer progression.

Cell-to-cell communication is a major process for accommodating cell functioning to changes in the environments and to preserve tissue and organism homeostasis. It is achieved by different mechanisms characterized by the origin of the message, the molecular nature of the messenger, its speed of action and its reach. Purinergic signalling is a powerful mechanism initiated by extracellular nucleotides, such as ATP, acting on plasma membrane purinoreceptors.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing STREAMLINE Canaloplasty to Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent Implantation in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose: To report interim results of the VENICE study, a multi-center, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) comparing STREAMLINE Surgical System (STREAMLINE) canaloplasty with iStent inject W (iStent W) implantation in patients with mild-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) undergoing phacoemulsification.

Patients And Methods: Safety and efficacy analyses involving the first 72 randomized eyes are included in this report. Following pre- (Screening) and post-medication washout (Eligibility) visits, one eye per subject was randomized 1:1 to STREAMLINE or iStent W after undergoing uncomplicated phacoemulsification.

PROM2 overexpression induces metastatic potential through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and ferroptosis resistance in human cancers.

Introduction: Despite considerable therapeutic advances in the last 20 years, metastatic cancers remain a major cause of death. We previously identified prominin-2 (PROM2) as a biomarker predictive of distant metastases and decreased survival, thus providing a promising bio-target. In this translational study, we set out to decipher the biological roles of PROM2 during the metastatic process and resistance to cell death, in particular for metastatic melanoma.

Postoperative Management of Kahook Dual Blade Goniotomy with Phacoemulsification Cataract Extraction.

Aim: To review the efficacy and safety of two common postoperative regimens following Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy with phacoemulsification cataract extraction (KDB-CE).

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective review of eyes undergoing KDB-CE from May 2016 to 2018 by a single surgeon. Almost 12-month follow-up data were assessed for two common postop regimens-treatment with (1) topical prednisolone acetate 1% with pilocarpine 1% (pred-pilo) or (2) difluprednate 0.

ptARgenOM-A Flexible Vector For CRISPR/CAS9 Nonviral Delivery.

Viral-mediated delivery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system is one the most commonly used techniques to modify the genome of a cell, with the aim of analyzing the function of the targeted gene product. While these approaches are rather straightforward for membrane-bound proteins, they can be laborious for intracellular proteins, given that selection of full knockout (KO) cells often requires the amplification of single-cell clones. Moreover, viral-mediated delivery systems, besides the Cas9 and gRNA, lead to the integration of unwanted genetic material, such as antibiotic resistance genes, introducing experimental biases.

Lipidomic profiling of exosomes from colorectal cancer cells and patients reveals potential biomarkers.

Strong evidence suggests that differences in the molecular composition of lipids in exosomes depend on the cell type and has an influence on cancer initiation and progression. Here, we analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) the lipidomic signature of exosomes derived from the human cell lines normal colon mucosa (NCM460D), and colorectal cancer (CRC) nonmetastatic (HCT116) and metastatic (SW620), and exosomes isolated from the plasma of nonmetastatic and metastatic CRC patients and healthy donors. Analysis of this exhaustive lipid study highlighted changes in some molecular species that were found in the cell lines and confirmed in the patients.

Anticolitic activity of prodigiosin loaded with selenium nanoparticles on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease associated with extensive mucosal damage. Prodigiosins (PGs) are natural bacterial pigments with well-known antioxidant and immunosuppressive properties. In the current study, we examined the possible protective effect of PGs loaded with selenium nanoparticles (PGs-SeNPs) against acetic acid (AcOH)-induced UC in rats.

Marine Actinomycetes-Derived Secondary Metabolites Overcome TRAIL-Resistance via the Intrinsic Pathway through Downregulation of Survivin and XIAP.

Resistance of cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis represents the major hurdle to the clinical use of TRAIL or its derivatives. The discovery and development of lead compounds able to sensitize tumor cells to TRAIL-induced cell death is thus likely to overcome this limitation. We recently reported that marine actinomycetes' crude extracts could restore TRAIL sensitivity of the MDA-MB-231 resistant triple negative breast cancer cell line.

Twelve-Month Outcomes of Stand-Alone Excisional Goniotomy in Mild to Severe Glaucoma.

Purpose: To describe 12-month intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication use outcomes following excisional goniotomy (EG) as a stand-alone procedure in eyes with medically uncontrolled glaucoma.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of data from surgeons at 8 centers (6 US, 2 Mexico). Eyes with glaucoma undergoing standalone EG with a specialized instrument (Kahook Dual Blade, New World Medical, Rancho Cucamonga, CA) for IOP reduction and followed for 12 months postoperatively were included.

Efficacy and safety of a single-use dual blade goniotomy: 18-month results.

Purpose: To compare the 18-month efficacy and safety of Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy (KDB) in combination with cataract surgery (combined group) or as a standalone procedure (standalone group).

Setting: Single surgeon practice.

Design: Retrospective review study.

Exosomal miRNA: Small Molecules, Big Impact in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Tumor microenvironment (TME) contains many cell types including stromal cells, immune cells, and endothelial cells. The TME modulation explains the heterogeneity of response to therapy observed in patients.

Membrane-anchored heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in cancer.

Hsp70 is a highly conserved and inducible heat shock protein that belongs to the HSP70 family of molecular chaperones and plays a central role in protein homeostasis. The main function of Hsp70 is to protect cells from physiological, pathological and environmental insults, as it assists an ATP-dependent manner the process of protein folding. Since Hsp70 provides critical cell survival functions, cancer cells are assumed to rely on this chaperone.

12-Month Retrospective Comparison of Kahook Dual Blade Excisional Goniotomy with Istent Trabecular Bypass Device Implantation in Glaucomatous Eyes at the Time of Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of combined cataract extraction and either excisional goniotomy performed with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB; phaco-KDB group) or single iStent trabecular bypass implantation (phaco-iStent group) in eyes with mild to moderate glaucoma and visually significant cataract.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 315 eyes from 230 adults with mild or moderate glaucoma treated with one or more intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications (190 eyes of 134 subjects in the phaco-KDB group and 125 eyes of 96 subjects in the phaco-iStent group) that required no subsequent surgical intervention for IOP control through 12 months of follow-up. Data included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), IOP, and IOP-lowering medications, collected preoperatively and at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively as well as intraoperative and postoperative adverse events.

Epigenetic Regulation of TRAIL Signaling: Implication for Cancer Therapy.

One of the main characteristics of carcinogenesis relies on genetic alterations in DNA and epigenetic changes in histone and non-histone proteins. At the chromatin level, gene expression is tightly controlled by DNA methyl transferases, histone acetyltransferases (HATs), histone deacetylases (HDACs), and acetyl-binding proteins. In particular, the expression level and function of several tumor suppressor genes, or oncogenes such as c-Myc, p53 or TRAIL, have been found to be regulated by acetylation.

Prodigiosins from a marine sponge-associated actinomycete attenuate HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesion via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Gastric ulcer is sores that form in the stomach mucosal layer because of erosion caused by high acid secretion and excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Prodigiosins (PdGs) are red-pigmented secondary metabolites produced by bacteria, including actinomycetes. Butylcycloheptylprodigiosin (1) and undecylprodigiosin (2) were identified and isolated from a crude extract of the actinomycete RA2 isolated from the Red Sea Sponge Spheciospongia mastoidea.

Probiotics and yogurt modulate oxidative stress and fibrosis in livers of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice.

Background: Considerable morbidity, mortality, and economic loss result from schistosomiasis infection. Deposition of Schistosoma eggs in the hepatic portal vein is considered as the main causative agent for the development of liver fibrosis and subsequent liver cirrhosis. Probiotics are exogenous and beneficial microorganisms to living hosts against the harmful effect of many parasites.

Six-Month Outcomes of Goniotomy Performed with the Kahook Dual Blade as a Stand-Alone Glaucoma Procedure.

Introduction: To characterize the reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication use following goniotomy via trabecular meshwork excision performed using the Kahook Dual Blade as a stand-alone procedure in adult eyes with glaucoma uncontrolled on a regimen of 1-3 topical IOP-lowering medications.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, data from consecutive patients undergoing goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade by 11 surgeons were analyzed. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative follow-up data through 6 months of follow-up were collected.

Heliomycin and tetracinomycin D: anthraquinone derivatives with histone deacetylase inhibitory activity from marine sponge-associated sp. SP9.

Several actinomycetes strains were isolated from different marine sponges collected from the Red Sea shore in Egypt. The efficiency of their crude extracts to inhibit histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzyme was investigated in the nuclear extract of Hela cell line. The crude extract corresponding to sp.

A multicenter retrospective comparison of goniotomy versus trabecular bypass device implantation in glaucoma patients undergoing cataract extraction.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare intraocular pressure (IOP) outcomes in eyes with cataract and glaucoma undergoing phacoemulsification (phaco) in combination with goniotomy using the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) or implantation of a single iStent trabecular bypass device.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of IOP and IOP-lowering medication reduction in eyes undergoing phaco-goniotomy with KDB (n=237) or phaco-iStent (n=198). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected through 6 months of follow-up.

Improving the catalytic, kinetic and thermodynamic properties of Bacillus subtilis KU710517 milk clotting enzyme via conjugation with polyethylene glycol.

Milk clotting enzyme (MCE) produced by Bacillus subtilis KU710517 was conjugated to several activated polysaccharides. Among all the conjugates, the enzyme conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) exhibited the highest retained activity (551U/mg protein) with a recovered activity of 95.3%.

Cytotoxic activity of alkyl benzoate and fatty acids from the red sea sponge Hyrtios erectus.

The chemical investigation of the methylene chloride fraction of marine sponge Hyrtios erectus led to the isolation of the known oxysterol (2) along with a new alkyl benzoate compound identified by spectroscopic methods (NMR and MS) as 4'-methylheptyl benzoate (1), whilst the n-butanol fraction afforded the known indole 3-carbaldehyde and β-carboline derivatives. Moreover, the hexane fraction was analysed by GC-MS for their fatty acids (FAs). A total of 17 FAs with chain lengths between 14 and 25 carbons were identified.

Protective Effect of Fragaria ananassa Crude Extract on Cadmium-Induced Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidant Enzymes Suppression, and Apoptosis in Rat Testes.

Cadmium is a deleterious environmental pollutant that threats both animals and human health. Oxidative stress and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have recently been reported to be the main cause of cellular damage as a result of cadmium exposure. We investigate, here, the protective effect of strawberry crude extracts on cadmium-induced oxidative damage of testes in rats.

Marine actinomycete crude extracts with potent TRAIL-resistance overcoming activity against breast cancer cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anticancer agent, as it can kill tumor cells selectively. In our search of bioactive natural products to overcome TRAIL-resistance, we isolated 47 actinomycete strains from different sediments and seawater samples collected from the Red Sea coast in Egypt and found four crude extracts (EGY1, EGY3, EGY24 and EGY34) displaying TRAIL sensitizing activity in the resistant breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. None of these crude extracts exhibited cytotoxic effect on normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), with the exception of EGY34.

Sharkquinone, a new ana-quinonoid tetracene derivative from marine-derived Streptomyces sp. EGY1 with TRAIL resistance-overcoming activity.

A new ana-quinonoid tetracene metabolite, named sharkquinone (1), and the known SS-228R (2) have been isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the culture of marine Streptomyces sp. EGY1. The strain was isolated from sediment sample collected from the Red Sea coast of Egypt.

Marine Drugs Regulating Apoptosis Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL).

Marine biomass diversity is a tremendous source of potential anticancer compounds. Several natural marine products have been described to restore tumor cell sensitivity to TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced cell death. TRAIL is involved during tumor immune surveillance.