Recommendations from the COST action CA17116 (SPRINT) for the standardization of perinatal derivative preparation and testing.

Many preclinical studies have shown that birth-associated tissues, cells and their secreted factors, otherwise known as perinatal derivatives (PnD), possess various biological properties that make them suitable therapeutic candidates for the treatment of numerous pathological conditions. Nevertheless, in the field of PnD research, there is a lack of critical evaluation of the PnD standardization process: from preparation to testing, an issue that may ultimately delay clinical translation. In this paper, we present the PnD e-questionnaire developed to assess the current state of the art of methods used in the published literature for the procurement, isolation, culturing preservation and characterization of PnD .

Systems Biology in ELIXIR: modelling in the spotlight.

In this white paper, we describe the founding of a new ELIXIR Community - the Systems Biology Community - and its proposed future contributions to both ELIXIR and the broader community of systems biologists in Europe and worldwide. The Community believes that the infrastructure aspects of systems biology - databases, (modelling) tools and standards development, as well as training and access to cloud infrastructure - are not only appropriate components of the ELIXIR infrastructure, but will prove key components of ELIXIR's future support of advanced biological applications and personalised medicine. By way of a series of meetings, the Community identified seven key areas for its future activities, reflecting both future needs and previous and current activities within ELIXIR Platforms and Communities.

TiO Nanoparticles and Their Effects on Eukaryotic Cells: A Double-Edged Sword.

Nanoparticulate TiO (TiO NPs) is a widely used material, whose potential toxicity towards eukaryotic cells has been addressed by multiple studies. TiO NPs are considered toxic due to their production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can, among others, lead to cellular damage, inflammatory responses, and differences in gene expression. TiO NPs exhibited toxicity in multiple organs in animals, generating potential health risks also in humans, such as developing tumors or progress of preexisting cancer processes.

The Carniolan Honeybee from Slovenia-A Complete and Annotated Mitochondrial Genome with Comparisons to Closely Related Subspecies.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Carniolan honeybee () from Slovenia, a homeland of this subspecies, was acquired in two contigs from WGS data and annotated. The newly obtained mitochondrial genome is a circular closed loop of 16,447 bp. It comprises 37 genes (13 protein coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes) and an AT-rich control region.

Single Cell RNA Sequencing in Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: Current Applications, Challenges and a Step Toward Precision Medicine.

Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) represents a new large scale and high throughput technique allowing analysis of the whole transcriptome at the resolution of an individual cell. It has emerged as an imperative method in life science research, uncovering complex cellular networks and providing indices that will eventually lead to the development of more targeted and personalized therapies. The importance of scRNA-seq has been particularly highlighted through the analysis of complex biological systems, in which cellular heterogeneity is a key aspect, such as the immune system.

The influence of nano-TiO2 on metabolic activity, cytotoxicity and ABCB5 mRNA expression in WM-266-4 human metastatic melanoma cell line.

Purpose: There is no clear evidence on whether sunscreens and personal care products containing UV-filters like titanium dioxide (TiO2) are protective against or may be a contributing factor in melanoma development. Extensive studies have shown that TiO2 can cause cell toxicity under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The transmembrane protein ABCB5 is closely linked to tumorigenicity, progression and disease recurrence of diverse human malignancies, including melanoma.

The effect of micro-sized titanium dioxide on WM-266-4 metastatic melanoma cell line.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used as an inorganic UV-filter in cosmetic products; however, it has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. While numerous studies demonstrated cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of nano-sized TiO2 in different cell lines, including human skin cells, studies investigating the effects of micro-TiO2 on human keratinocytes and melanocytes, in healthy and cancer cells, are scarce. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette subfamily B member 5 (ABCB5) is a plasma membrane protein known for its role in the tumorigenicity, progression, and recurrence of melanoma.

The influence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on metabolic activity and morphology of melanoma cell line WM-266-4.

Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) is widely used as a solvent in biomedical research, regularly in concentrations up to 1%. Nevertheless, little is known about the effect of different DMSO concentration on WM-266-4 metastatic melanoma cells, which are often used in melanoma research. Due to resistance of melanoma cells high concentrations of cytotoxic substances soluble in DMSO are used in vitro tests.

Cannabinoids in cancer treatment: Therapeutic potential and legislation.

The plant Cannabis sativa L. has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries and is the most important source of phytocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of receptors, endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids) and metabolizing enzymes, and plays an important role in different physiological and pathological processes.

Predicting potential drug-drug interactions on topological and semantic similarity features using statistical learning.

Drug-drug interaction (DDI) is a change in the effect of a drug when patient takes another drug. Characterizing DDIs is extremely important to avoid potential adverse drug reactions. We represent DDIs as a complex network in which nodes refer to drugs and links refer to their potential interactions.

In-vitro study of the influence of octocrylene on a selected metastatic melanoma cell line.

Background: Octocrylene (OCT) is one of the most widespread chemical UV filters used in sunscreens and cosmetic products. Despite the use of sunscreens and personal care products over decades, melanoma as the most serious and aggressive form of skin cancer is still a cause of concern. Hence the aim of this study was to investigate any potential influence of OCT on metabolic activity, cytotoxicity and ABCB5 mRNA expression in melanoma cells.

Safety issues of compounds acting on adenosinergic signalling.

Objectives: Much research has been performed on the field of identifying the roles of adenosine and adenosinergic signalling, but a relatively low number of marketing authorizations have been granted for adenosine receptor (AdR) ligands. In part, this could be related to their safety issues; therefore, our aim was to examine the toxicological and adverse effects data of different compounds acting on adenosinergic signalling, including different AdR ligands and compounds resembling the structure of adenosine. We also wanted to present recent pharmaceutical developments of experimental compounds that showed promising results in clinical trial setting.

Overlapping molecular pathways between cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 and estrogens/androgens on the periphery and their involvement in the pathogenesis of common diseases (Review).

The physiological and pathophysiological roles of sex hormones have been well documented and the modulation of their effects is applicable in many current treatments. On the other hand, the physiological role of endocannabinoids is not yet clearly understood and the endocannabinoid system is considered a relatively new therapeutic target. The physiological association between sex hormones and cannabinoids has been investigated in several studies; however, its involvement in the pathophysiology of common human diseases has been studied separately.

A synergistic interaction of 17-β-estradiol with specific cannabinoid receptor type 2 antagonist/inverse agonist on proliferation activity in primary human osteoblasts.

The bone remodeling process is influenced by various factors, including estrogens and transmitters of the endocannabinoid system. In osteoblasts, cannabinoid receptors 2 (CB-2) are expressed at a much higher level compared to CB-1 receptors. Previous studies have shown that estrogens could influence CB-2 receptor expression.

Prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in Slovene hypertensive patients: insights from the "Quality of Healthcare in Slovenia" project.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was mainly to evaluate age- and gender-dependent isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) prevalence before and during antihypertensive treatment, and to evaluate pulse pressure (PP) distributions during antihypertensive treatment in almost 20,000 Slovene hypertensive patients.

Methods: The study was conducted as part of the "Quality of Healthcare in Slovenia" project, in agreement with the National Medical Ethics Committee of the Republic of Slovenia. Appropriate statistical analyses and evaluations were performed.

Association of -108 C>T polymorphism with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is possibly the most common endocrine disorder in premenopausal women. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of the -108 C>T polymorphism in the gene, which encodes the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1, with PCOS. A total of 118 women with PCOS and 108 control subjects were included in this case-control study.

Association of Pro12Ala polymorphism with insulin sensitivity and body mass index in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Insulin resistance is one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) plays a role in the regulation of insulin sensitivity. The aim of the present study was to establish a possible association of the Pro12Ala polymorphism with PCOS and its effect on family and personal history, as well as on the metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS patients.

Telepharmacology in clinical practice?

The role and collaboration of a pharmacologist with other members of the health care team is very important with his/her knowledge about prescribing, administration and pharmacodynamics of drugs as well as about using the existing drug related information systems. It seems optimal for a health care system to use telepharmacology which means a special pharmacological team (and information system) on duty available 24h to different medical specialists via remote multimedia link.

Genetic polymorphisms of INS, INSR and IRS-1 genes are not associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in Croatian women.

Obesity and insulin resistance is a common finding in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Significant number of PCOS women experience insulin resistance that is irrespective of the degree of obesity suggesting possible genetic basis. Therefore, several polymorphisms of the genes encoding for the insulin (INS), insulin receptor (INSR) or insulin receptor substrates (IRS) involved in postreceptor signaling have been explored for their association with abnormal sensitivity to insulin in PCOS.

Androgen receptor gene (CAG)n polymorphism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The aim of the present case-control study was to evaluate the incidence of the (CAG)(n)AR polymorphism in Slovene polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. The polymorphism was not found to be a major risk factor for the presence of PCOS and for hyperandrogenemia in PCOS.

The (TAAAA)n microsatellite polymorphism in the SHBG gene influences serum SHBG levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Hyperandrogenaemia is a common feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) gene was proposed as being a PCOS candidate gene. A possible influence of the microsatellite polymorphism (TAAAA)(n) in the SHBG gene on serum SHBG levels in PCOS patients was investigated.

Analysis of the hemochromatosis mutations C282Y and H63D in infertile men.

The aim of this study was to find out whether C282Y and H63D mutations in the hemochromatosis (HFE) gene are associated with male infertility and whether the prevalence of the HFE mutations is higher in a group of 262 infertile men in comparison to 200 fertile men. Because the C282Y and H63D HFE gene distributions in infertile men were not significantly different from fertile controls, our data suggest that the C282Y and H63D HFE gene mutations are not risk factors for male infertility and are not associated with clinical manifestations of male infertility.

No association between the microsatellite polymorphism (TTTTA)n in the promoter of the CYP11A gene and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Purpose: Women with ultrasonic evidence of polycystic ovaries are at higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). We focused on investigating a possible association of the (TTTTA)(n) microsatellite polymorphism in the promoter of the CYP11A gene with OHSS during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

Methods: We evaluated 58 patients at high risk of OHSS (study group) and 58 control patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.