Biomarkers for the early detection of relapses in metastatic colorectal cancers.

Purpose: To assess prognostic/predictive value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), transthyretin (TRT), αenolase (NNE), β2-microglobulin (β2-micro), B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab.

Methods: 72 histologically confirmed mCRC patients treated at Oncology Institute Cluj were included. Biomarker levels were measured through validated methods.

Novel Strategies for the Improvement of Stem Cells' Transplantation in Degenerative Retinal Diseases.

Currently, there is no cure for the permanent vision loss caused by degenerative retinal diseases. One of the novel therapeutic strategies aims at the development of stem cells (SCs) based neuroprotective and regenerative medicine. The main sources of SCs for the treatment of retinal diseases are the embryo, the bone marrow, the region of neuronal genesis, and the eye.

Regulation of stem cells-related signaling pathways in response to doxorubicin treatment in Hs578T triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Different molecular changes have been previously associated with therapeutic response and recurrent disease, however, the detailed mechanism of action in triple-negative breast cancer subtype remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the cellular and molecular signaling of two claudin-low triple-negative breast cancer cells to doxorubicin and docetaxel treatment. Whole human transcriptomic evaluation was used to identify the subsequent changes in gene expression, while biological effects were measured by means of proliferation and anchorage-independent growth assays.

Comparative in vitro study regarding the biocompatibility of titanium-base composites infiltrated with hydroxyapatite or silicatitanate.

Background: The development of novel biomaterials able to control cell activities and direct their fate is warranted for engineering functional bone tissues. Adding bioactive materials can improve new bone formation and better osseointegration. Three types of titanium (Ti) implants were tested for in vitro biocompatibility in this comparative study: Ti6Al7Nb implants with 25% total porosity used as controls, implants infiltrated using a sol-gel method with hydroxyapatite (Ti HA) and silicatitanate (Ti SiO2).

Anticancer and antimicrobial activities of some antioxidant-rich cameroonian medicinal plants.

Traditional remedies have a long-standing history in Cameroon and continue to provide useful and applicable tools for treating ailments. Here, the anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of ten antioxidant-rich Cameroonian medicinal plants and of some of their isolated compounds are evaluated.The plant extracts were prepared by maceration in organic solvents.

Photoprotective effect of Calluna vulgaris extract against UVB-induced phototoxicity in human immortalized keratinocytes.

There is an increasing interest in the use of natural antioxidants as photoprotective agents against skin damages produced by ultraviolet radiation. The aim of our study was to investigate the protective effect of a Calluna vulgaris extract in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. HaCaT cells were treated with C.

Enhanced chemoresistance and tumor sphere formation as a laboratory model for peritoneal micrometastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background And Purpose: Ovarian cancers are composed of heterogeneous cell populations, including highly proliferative immature precursors and differentiated cells that may belong to different lineages. The main reason why epithelial ovarian cancer is difficult to treat is the unusual mechanism of dissemination that involves local invasion of pelvic and abdominal organs. But, unlike many other carcinomas, initial dissemination rarely requires blood or lymph vessels.

Effects of 60Co gamma-rays on human osteoprogenitor cells.

Background: Radiation therapy is one of the most efficient treatments of neoplastic diseases used worldwide. However, patients who undergo radiotherapy may develop side effects that can be life threatening because tissue complications caused by radiation-induced stem cell depletion may result in structural and functional alterations of the surrounding matrix. This treatment also damages the osteogenic activity of human bone marrow by suppressing osteoblasts, leading to post-irradiation sequelae.