Circular RNAs as Key Regulators in Cancer Hallmarks: New Progress and Therapeutic Opportunities.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in cancer biology, contributing to various cancer hallmarks, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Defined by their covalently closed loop structure, circRNAs possess unique characteristics like high stability, abundance, and tissue-specific expression. These non-coding RNAs function through mechanisms such as miRNA sponging, interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and modulating transcription and splicing.

DNA Damage in Moderate and Severe COVID-19 Cases: Relation to Demographic, Clinical, and Laboratory Parameters.

The ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to cause DNA damage in infected humans requires its study as a potential indicator of COVID-19 progression. DNA damage was studied in leukocytes of 65 COVID-19 patients stratified by sex, age, and disease severity in relation to demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters. In a combined group of COVID-19 patients, DNA damage was shown to be elevated compared to controls (12.

Changes in Telomere Length in Leukocytes and Leukemic Cells after Ultrashort Electron Beam Radiation.

Application of laser-generated electron beams in radiotherapy is a recent development. Accordingly, mechanisms of biological response to radiation damage need to be investigated. In this study, telomere length (TL) as endpoint of genetic damage was analyzed in human blood cells (leukocytes) and K562 leukemic cells irradiated with laser-generated ultrashort electron beam.

5-fluorouracil and Rumex obtusifolius extract combination trigger A549 cancer cell apoptosis: uncovering PI3K/Akt inhibition by in vitro and in silico approaches.

The continuous increase in cancer rates, failure of conventional chemotherapies to control the disease, and excessive toxicity of chemotherapies clearly demand alternative approaches. Natural products contain many constituents that can act on various bodily targets to induce pharmacodynamic responses. This study aimed to explore the combined anticancer effects of Rumex obtusifolius (RO) extract and the chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on specific molecular targets involved in cancer progression.

The known unknowns of mitochondrial carcinogenesis: de novo NUMTs and intercellular mitochondrial transfer.

The translocation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences into the nuclear genome, resulted in the occurrence of nuclear sequences of mitochondrial origin (NUMTs) which can be detected in nearly all sequenced eukaryotes. However, de novo mtDNA insertions can contribute to the development of pathological conditions including cancer. Recent data indicate that de novo mtDNA translocation into chromosomes can occur due to genotoxic influence of DNA double-strand break-inducing environmental mutagens.

The Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Potential of Cell-Free DNA with a Special Focus on COVID-19 and Other Viral Infections.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in human blood serum, urine, and other body fluids recently became a commonly used diagnostic marker associated with various pathologies. This is because cfDNA enables a much higher sensitivity than standard biochemical parameters. The presence of and/or increased level of cfDNA has been reported for various diseases, including viral infections, including COVID-19.

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing in Germany.

In the short 10 years following the introduction of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), it has been adapted in many countries around the world as a standard screening test. In this review, this development was analyzed with a special focus on Germany. As a result, it can be stated that all known advantages of NIPT apart from "compensating for having no access to centers offering invasive diagnostics" are valid for Germany.

Analysis and pharmacological modulation of senescence in human epithelial stem cells.

Human epithelial stem cells (ESCs) are characterized by long-term regenerative properties, much dependent on the tissue of origin and varying during their lifespan. We analysed such variables in cultures of ESCs isolated from the skin, conjunctiva, limbus and oral mucosa of healthy donors and patients affected by ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome, a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the p63 gene. We cultured cells until exhaustion in the presence or in the absence of DAPT (γ-secretase inhibitor; N-[N-(3, 5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine T-butyl ester).

Doxorubicin-Induced Translocation of mtDNA into the Nuclear Genome of Human Lymphocytes Detected Using a Molecular-Cytogenetic Approach.

Translocation of mtDNA in the nuclear genome is an ongoing process that contributes to the development of pathological conditions in humans. However, the causal factors of this biological phenomenon in human cells are poorly studied. Here we analyzed mtDNA insertions in the nuclear genome of human lymphocytes after in vitro treatment with doxorubicin (DOX) using a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique.

DNA Copy Number Variations as Markers of Mutagenic Impact.

DNA copy number variation (CNV) occurs due to deletion or duplication of DNA segments resulting in a different number of copies of a specific DNA-stretch on homologous chromosomes. Implications of CNVs in evolution and development of different diseases have been demonstrated although contribution of environmental factors, such as mutagens, in the origin of CNVs, is poorly understood. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about mutagen-induced CNVs in human, animal and plant cells.

Analysis of copy number variations induced by ultrashort electron beam radiation in human leukocytes in vitro.

Background: Environmental risk factors have been shown to alter DNA copy number variations (CNVs). Recently, CNVs have been described to arise after low-dose ionizing radiation in vitro and in vivo. Development of cost- and size-effective laser-driven electron accelerators (LDEAs), capable to deliver high energy beams in pico- or femtosecond durations requires examination of their biological effects.

Comparative analysis of individual chromosome involvement in micronuclei induced by mitomycin C and bleomycin in human leukocytes.

Background: Micronucleus (MN) assay is a well standardized approach for evaluation of clastogenic/aneugenic effects of mutagens. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is successfully used to characterize the chromosomal content of MN. However, the relationships between nuclear positioning, length, and gene density of individual chromosomes and their involvement in MN induced by different mutagens have not been clearly defined.

Interphase Molecular Cytogenetic Detection Rates of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia-Specific Aberrations Are Higher in Cultivated Cells Than in Blood or Bone Marrow Smears.

Banding cytogenetics is still the gold standard in many fields of leukemia diagnostics. However, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), GTG-banding results are hampered by a low mitotic rate of the corresponding malignant lymphatic cells. Thus, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH) for the detection of specific cytogenetic aberrations is done nowadays as a supplement to or even instead of banding cytogenetics in many diagnostic laboratories.

Influence of aflatoxin B1 on copy number variants in human leukocytes in vitro.

Background: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus spec. The latter are worldwide contaminants of food with mutagenic and carcinogenic activities in animals and humans. AFB1 was shown to have deleterious effects on metabolism of eukaryotes in many model systems, including the ability to inhibit DNA replication.