Divergent Impact of Breast Cancer Laterality on Clinicopathological, Angiogenic, and Hemostatic Profiles: A Potential Role of Tumor Localization in Future Outcomes.

To date, lateral differences of invasive breast cancer (IBrC) with respect to the angiogenic and hemostatic profiles were never studied. Here, we aimed to determine the relationship of tumor laterality with various clinical and pathological parameters including angiogenic and hemostatic profiles. A total of 92 women that were initially non-metastatic and treated by surgery were included in this single-center prospective study.

Saffron: An Old Medicinal Plant and a Potential Novel Functional Food.

The spice saffron is made from the dried stigmas of the plant L. The main use of saffron is in cooking, due to its ability to impart colour, flavour and aroma to foods and beverages. However, from time immemorial it has also been considered a medicinal plant because it possesses therapeutic properties, as illustrated in paintings found on the island of Santorini, dated 1627 BC.

The paracrine control of vascular motion. A historical perspective.

During the last quarter of the past century, the leading role the endocrine and nervous systems had on the regulation of vasomotion, shifted towards a more paracrine-based regulation. This begun with the recognition of endothelial cells as active players of vascular control, when the vessel's intimal layer was identified as the main source of prostacyclin and was followed by the discovery of an endothelium-derived smooth muscle cell relaxing factor (EDRF). The new position acquired by endothelial cells prompted the discovery of other endothelium-derived regulatory products: vasoconstrictors, generally known as EDCFs, endothelin, and other vasodilators with hyperpolarizing properties (EDHFs).

Effects of Crocetin Esters and Crocetin from Crocus sativus L. on Aortic Contractility in Rat Genetic Hypertension.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by an enhancement in vasoconstriction, is clearly associated with hypertension. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) bioactive compounds have been recognized to have hypotensive properties.

Past, present, and future in hippocampal formation and memory research.

Over 100 years of research on the hippocampal formation has led us understand the consequences of lesions in humans, the functional networks, anatomical pathways, neuronal types and their local circuitry, receptors, molecules, intracellular cascades, and some of the physiological mechanisms underlying long-term spatial and episodic memory. In addition, complex computational models allow us to formulate sophisticated hypotheses; many of them testable with techniques recently developed unthinkable in the past. Although the neurobiology of the cognitive map is starting to be revealed today, we still face a future with many unresolved questions.

Antitumor effects of saffron-derived carotenoids in prostate cancer cell models.

Crocus sativus L. extracts (saffron) are rich in carotenoids. Preclinical studies have shown that dietary intake of carotenoids has antitumor effects suggesting their potential preventive and/or therapeutic roles.

Vasoactive effects of prostaglandins from the perivascular fat of mesenteric resistance arteries in WKY and SHROB rats.

Aims: We have studied the vasoactive role of prostaglandins derived from perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and their effects on endothelial function in healthy rats and rats with metabolic syndrome (SHROB).

Main Methods: Mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) from SHROB and control rats (WKY) were mounted on wire myographs: a) together with a sphere of naturally occurring perivascular adipose tissue (with-PVAT group), or b) dissecting all the adventitial tissue (without-PVAT group).

Key Findings: Endothelial function, tested by acetylcholine reactivity of SHROB arteries with PVAT, was significantly lower than that of WKY.

Hypertension in metabolic syndrome: vascular pathophysiology.

METABOLIC SYNDROME IS A CLUSTER OF METABOLIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SYMPTOMS: insulin resistance (IR), obesity, dyslipemia. Hypertension and vascular disorders are central to this syndrome. After a brief historical review, we discuss the role of sympathetic tone.

Effects of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone on aortic vascular function in rat genetic hypertension.

Glitazones have beneficial antihypertensive effects independent of their insulin-sensitizing action. We have studied the effects of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone on the endothelial ability to counteract vascular smooth muscle contractility in genetic hypertension. To achieve this, we measured isometric responses of aortic segments obtained from spontaneously hypertensive rats.