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Abstract The RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) acts either as a repressor or activator of transcription depending on the genomic and cellular context. REST is a key player in brain cell differentiation by inducing chromatin modifications, including DNA methylation, in a proximity of its binding sites. Its dysfunction may contribute to oncogenesis. Mutations in IDH1/2 significantly change the epigenome contributing to blockade of cell differentiation and glioma development. We aimed at defining how REST modulates gene activation and repression in the context of the IDH mutation-related phenotype in gliomas. We studied the effects of REST knockdown, genome wide occurrence of REST binding sites, and DNA methylation of REST motifs in IDH wild type and IDH mutant gliomas. We found that REST target genes, REST binding patterns, and TF motif occurrence proximal to REST binding sites differed in IDH wild-type and mutant gliomas. Among differentially expressed REST targets were genes involved in glial cell differentiation and extracellular matrix organization, some of which were differentially methylated at promoters or gene bodies. REST knockdown differently impacted invasion of the parental or IDH1 mutant glioma cells. The canonical REST-repressed gene targets showed significant correlation with the GBM NPC-like cellular state. Interestingly, results of REST or KAISO silencing suggested the interplay between these TFs in regulation of REST-activated and repressed targets. The identified gene regulatory networks and putative REST cooperativity with other TFs, such as KAISO, show distinct REST target regulatory networks in IDH-WT and IDH-MUT gliomas, without concomitant DNA methylation changes. We conclude that REST could be an important therapeutic target in gliomas.

This study evaluates the antiproliferative potential of flavanones, chromanones and their spiro-1-pyrazoline derivatives as well as their inclusion complexes. The main goal was to determine the biological basis of molecular pro-apoptotic activities and the participation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in shaping the cytotoxic properties of the tested conjugates. For this purpose, changes in mitochondrial potential and the necrotic/apoptotic cell fraction were analyzed. Testing with specific fluorescent probes found that ROS generation had a significant contribution to the biological anticancer activity of complexes of flavanone analogues. TT (thrombin time), PT (prothrombin time) and APTT (activated partial tromboplastin time) were used to evaluate the influence of the compounds on the extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathway. Hemolysis assays and microscopy studies were conducted to determine the effect of the compounds on RBCs.

The aim of the research was to investigate and compare the interaction between flavanones (flavanone, 4-chloro-flavanone) with potential anticancer activity and selected cyclodextrins. Measurements were made using calorimetric (ITC, DSC) and spectrophotometric (UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, 1H NMR) methods. The increase in the solubility in aqueous medium caused by the complexation process was determined by the Higuchi-Connors method. As a result of the study, the stoichiometry and thermodynamics of the complexation reaction were determined. The formation of stable inclusion complexes at a 1:1 M ratio between flavanone and 4-chloroflavanone and the cyclodextrins selected for research was also confirmed.

The most common form of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), SPG4 is caused by single nucleotide variants and microrearrangements in the SPAST gene. The high percentage of multi-exonic deletions or duplications observed in SPG4 patients is predisposed by the presence of a high frequency of Alu sequences in the gene sequence. In the present study, we analyzed DNA and RNA samples collected from patients with different microrearrangements in SPAST to map gene breakpoints and evaluate the mutation mechanism. The study group consisted of 69 individuals, including 50 SPG4 patients and 19 healthy relatives from 18 families. Affected family members from 17 families carried varying ranges of microrearrangements in the SPAST gene, while one individual had a single nucleotide variant in the 5′UTR of SPAST. To detect the breakpoints of the SPAST gene, long-range PCR followed by sequencing was performed. The breakpoint sequence was detected for five different intragenic SPAST deletions and one duplication, revealing Alu-mediated microhomology at breakpoint junctions resulting from non-allelic homologous recombination in these patients. Furthermore, SPAST gene expression analysis was performed using patient RNA samples extracted from whole blood. Quantitative real-time PCR tests performed in 14 patients suggest no expression of transcripts with microrearrangements in 5 of them. The obtained data indicate that nonsense-mediated decay degradation is not the only mechanism of hereditary spastic paraplegia in patients with SPAST microrearrangements.

Oxidovanadium(V) complexes, [(+)VOL1-5] and [(–)VOL1-5], with chiral tetradentate Schiff bases, which are products of monocondensation of S(‒)-3-amino-1,2-propanediol or R(+)-3-amino-1,2-propanediol with salicylaldehyde derivatives, have been synthesized. Different spectroscopic methods, viz. 1H and 51V NMR, IR, UV-Vis, and circular dichroism, as well as elemental analysis, have been used for their detailed characterization. Furthermore, the epoxidation of styrene, cyclohexene, and two monoterpenes, S(‒)-limonene and (‒)-α-pinene, using two oxidants, aqueous 30% H2O2 or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in decane, has been studied with catalytic amounts of all complexes. Finally, biological cytotoxicity studies have also been performed with these oxidovanadium(V) compounds for comparison with cis-dioxidomolybdenum(VI) Schiff base complexes with the same chiral ligands, as well as to determine the cytoprotection against the oxidative damage caused by 30% H2O2 in the HT-22 hippocampal neuronal cells in the range of their 10–100 μM concentration.

Abstract Background Glioblastoma (GBM, WHO grade IV) is an aggressive, primary brain tumor. Despite extensive tumor resection followed by radio- and chemotherapy, life expectancy of GBM patients did not improve over decades. Several studies reported transcription deregulation in GBMs, but regulatory mechanisms driving overexpression of GBM-specific genes remain largely unknown. Transcription in open chromatin regions is directed by transcription factors (TFs) that bind to specific motifs, recruit co-activators/repressors and the transcriptional machinery. Identification of GBM-related TFs-gene regulatory networks may reveal new and targetable mechanisms of gliomagenesis. Results We predicted TFs-regulated networks in GBMs in silico and intersected them with putative TF binding sites identified in the accessible chromatin in human glioma cells and GBM patient samples. The Cancer Genome Atlas and Glioma Atlas datasets (DNA methylation, H3K27 acetylation, transcriptomic profiles) were explored to elucidate TFs-gene regulatory networks and effects of the epigenetic background. In contrast to the majority of tumors, c-Jun expression was higher in GBMs than in normal brain and c-Jun binding sites were found in multiple genes overexpressed in GBMs, including VIM, FOSL2 or UPP1. Binding of c-Jun to the VIM gene promoter was stronger in GBM-derived cells than in cells derived from benign glioma as evidenced by gel shift and supershift assays. Regulatory regions of the majority of c-Jun targets have distinct DNA methylation patterns in GBMs as compared to benign gliomas, suggesting the contribution of DNA methylation to the c-Jun-dependent gene expression. Conclusions GBM-specific TFs-gene networks identified in GBMs differ from regulatory pathways attributed to benign brain tumors and imply a decisive role of c-Jun in controlling genes that drive glioma growth and invasion as well as a modulatory role of DNA methylation.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a formidable challenge with high lethality and limited effective drug treatments. Its heightened metastatic potential further complicates the prognosis. Owing to the significant toxicity of current chemotherapeutics, compounds like [Met5]-enkephalin, known as opioid growth factor (OGF), have emerged in oncology clinical trials. OGF, an endogenous peptide interacting with the OGF receptor (OGFr), plays a crucial role in inhibiting cell proliferation across various cancer types. This in vitro study explores the potential anticancer efficacy of a newly synthesized OGF bioconjugate in synergy with the classic chemotherapeutic agent, gemcitabine (OGF-Gem). The study delves into assessing the impact of the OGF-Gem conjugate on cell proliferation inhibition, cell cycle regulation, the induction of cellular senescence, and apoptosis. Furthermore, the antimetastatic potential of the OGF-Gem conjugate was demonstrated through evaluations using blood platelets and AsPC-1 cells with a light aggregometer. In summary, this article demonstrates the cytotoxic impact of the innovative OGF-Gem conjugate on pancreatic cancer cells in both 2D and 3D models. We highlight the potential of both the OGF-Gem conjugate and OGF alone in effectively inhibiting the ex vivo pancreatic tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) process, a phenomenon not observed with Gem alone. Furthermore, the confirmed hemocompatibility of OGF-Gem with platelets reinforces its promising potential. We anticipate that this conjugation strategy will open avenues for the development of potent anticancer agents.

Historically, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates have been lower among African Americans. Previous studies that have examined the relationship between community characteristics and adherence to CRC screening have generally focused on a single community parameter, making it challenging to evaluate the overall impact of the social and built environment. In this study, we will estimate the overall effect of social and built environment and identify the most important community factors relevant to CRC screening. Data are from the Multiethnic Prevention and Surveillance Study (COMPASS), a longitudinal study among adults in Chicago, collected between May 2013 to March 2020. A total 2,836 African Americans completed the survey. Participants’ addresses were geocoded and linked to seven community characteristics (i.e., community safety, community crime, household poverty, community unemployment, housing cost burden, housing vacancies, low food access). A structured questionnaire measured adherence to CRC screening. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression was used to evaluate the impact of community disadvantages on CRC screening. When analyzing all community characteristics as a mixture, overall community disadvantage was associated with less adherence to CRC screening even after controlling for individual-level factors. In the adjusted WQS model, unemployment was the most important community characteristic (37.6%), followed by community insecurity (26.1%) and severe housing cost burden (16.3%). Results from this study indicate that successful efforts to improve adherence to CRC screening rates should prioritize individuals living in communities with high rates of insecurity and low socioeconomic status.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) contributes to significant cancer burden and mortality globally. In recent years, much insight into the causes of NHL has been gained by evaluating global differences through international collaboration and data pooling. NHL comprises different subtypes that are known to behave differently, exhibit different prognoses, and start in distinct cell types (B-cell, T-cell, and NK-cell, predominantly), and there is increasing evidence that NHL subtypes have different etiologies. Classification of NHL can be complex, with varying subtype frequencies, and is a consideration when evaluating geographic differences. Because of this, international pooling of well-executed epidemiologic studies has conferred power to evaluate NHL by subtype and confidence with minimal misclassification. Given the decreasing burden in some regions while cases rise in Asia, and especially China, this report focuses on a review of the established etiology of NHL from the epidemiologic literature in recent decades, highlighting work from China. Topics covered include demographic patterns and genetic determinants including family history of NHL, as well as infection and immunosuppression, lifestyle, environment, and certain occupational exposures contributing to increased disease risk.

Justyna Hajtuch,1 Eliza Iwicka,1 Anna Szczoczarz,1 Damian Flis,1 Elżbieta Megiel,2 Piotr Cieciórski,2 Marek Witold Radomski,3 Maria Jose Santos-Martinez,4 Iwona Inkielewicz-Stepniak1 1Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland; 2Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 3Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; 4School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Dublin 2, IrelandCorrespondence: Iwona Inkielewicz-Stepniak, Tel +48 58 349 1516, Fax +48 58 349 1517, Email iwona.inkielewicz-stepniak@gumed.edu.plPurpose: In the search for new drug delivery platforms for cardiovascular diseases and coating of medical devices, we synthesized eptifibatide-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-EPI) and examined the pharmacological activity of AgNPs-EPI on platelets and endothelial cells in vitro and ex vivo.Methods: Spherical AgNPs linked to eptifibatide were synthesized and characterized. Cytotoxicity was measured in microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), platelets and red blood cells. Platelet mitochondrial respiration was measured using the Oxygraph-2k, a high-resolution modular respirometry system. The effect of AgNPs-EPI on the aggregation of washed platelets was measured by light aggregometry and the ex vivo occlusion time was determined using a reference laboratory method. The surface amount of platelet receptors such as P-selectin and GPIIb/IIIa was measured. The influence of AgNPS-EPI on blood coagulation science was assessed. Finally, the effect of AgNPs-EPI on endothelial cells was measured by the levels of 6-keto-PGF1alpha, tPa, cGMP and vWF.Results: We describe the synthesis of AgNPs using eptifibatide as the stabilizing ligand. The molecules of this drug are directly bonded to the surface of the nanoparticles. The synthesized AgNPs-EPI did not affect the viability of platelets, endothelial cells and erythrocytes. Preincubation of platelets with AgNPs-EPI protected by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity. AgNPs-EPI inhibited aggregation-induced P-selectin expression and GPIIb/IIIa conformational changes in platelets. AgNPs-EPI caused prolongation of the occlusion time in the presence of collagen/ADP and collagen/adrenaline. AgNPs-EPI regulated levels of 6-keto-PGF1alpha, tPa, vWf and cGMP produced in thrombin stimulated HMEC-1 cells.Conclusion: AgNPs-EPI show anti-aggregatory activity at concentrations lower than those required by the free drug acting via regulation of platelet aggregation, blood coagulation, and endothelial cell activity. Our results provide proof-of-principle evidence that AgNPs may be used as an effective delivery platform for antiplatelet drugs.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: drug delivery, antiplatelet, RGD, aggregation, coagulation system, biocompatibility

Abstract This study aims to investigate the race/ethnicity‐specific association between blood type and COVID‐19 susceptibility during March, 2020 and December, 2021 using data from the electronic health record at the University of Chicago Medicine. The study population was stratified into four groups: non‐Hispanic White, non‐Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and other. Log‐binomial generalized mixed model was used to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). When compared to blood type O, type B was associated with positive COVID‐19 test in Blacks (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.23), Whites (RR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.99–1.66), and Hispanic (RR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.97–1.92).

Pancreatic cancer, notorious for its grim 10% five-year survival rate, poses significant clinical challenges, largely due to late-stage diagnosis and limited therapeutic options. This review delves into the generation of organoids, including those derived from resected tissues, biopsies, pluripotent stem cells, and adult stem cells, as well as the advancements in 3D printing. It explores the complexities of the tumor microenvironment, emphasizing culture media, the integration of non-neoplastic cells, and angiogenesis. Additionally, the review examines the multifaceted properties of graphene oxide (GO), such as its mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical, and optical attributes, and their implications in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. GO’s unique properties facilitate its interaction with tumors, allowing targeted drug delivery and enhanced imaging for early detection and treatment. The integration of GO with 3D cultured organoid systems, particularly in pancreatic cancer research, is critically analyzed, highlighting current limitations and future potential. This innovative approach has the promise to transform personalized medicine, improve drug screening efficiency, and aid biomarker discovery in this aggressive disease. Through this review, we offer a balanced perspective on the advancements and future prospects in pancreatic cancer research, harnessing the potential of organoids and GO.

New oxidovanadium(V) complexes, VOL1–VOL10, with chiral tetradentate Schiff bases obtained by monocondensation reaction of salicylaldehyde derivatives with 1S,2S-(+)-2-amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediol. All complexes have been characterized using different spectroscopic methods, viz. IR, UV-Vis, circular dichroism, one- (1H, 51V) and two-dimensional (COSY, NOESY) NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Furthermore, the catalytic ability of all compounds in the epoxidation of styrene, cyclohexene, and its naturally occurring monoterpene derivatives, i.e., S(−)-limonene and (−)-α-pinene has also been studied, using two different oxidants, i.e., aqueous 30% H2O2 or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). In addition, the biological properties of these chiral oxidovanadium(V) compounds, but also cis-dioxidomolybdenum(VI) complexes with the same chiral Schiff bases, were studied. Their cytotoxic and cytoprotective activity studies with the HT-22 hippocampal neuronal cells revealed a concentration-dependent effect in the range of 10–100 μM. Moreover, vanadium(V) complexes, in contrast to cis-dioxidomolybdenum(VI) compounds, demonstrated higher cytotoxicity and lack of cytoprotective ability against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity.

Background: Fc receptor-like (FCRL) genes play a role in the immune system by encoding proteins that function as receptors on the surface of immune cells. The clinical significance of FCRL gene expression in Graves' Disease (GD) and Graves' Orbitopathy (GO) remains unclear. We evaluated the expression of FCRL 2, 3, 4 mRNA in patients with GD and GO and its role in the development and activity of these diseases. Methods: Peripheral blood samples from patients with GD (n = 24) or GO (n = 49) hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, were collected. Expressions of FCRL2, FCRL3 and FCRL4 were measured by real-time PCR. Results: FCRL3 expression was higher in patients with GD compared to GO (1.375 vs. 0.673, p = 0.004) and, specifically, active GO (1.375 vs. 0.639, p = 0.005). Regarding FCRL4, mRNA expression was higher in GD compared to Control (3.078 vs. 0.916, p = 0.003), GO (3.078 vs. 1.178, p < 0.001), active GO (3.078 vs. 1.186, p = 0.002) and inactive GO (3.078 vs. 1.171, p = 0.008). In turn, FCRL4 mRNA expression was higher in patients with hyperthyroidism (subclinical + overt) than in euthyroid patients (2.509 vs. 0.995, p = 0.001 when the whole group of individuals was considered; 2.509 vs. 1.073, p = 0.004 when GO + GD was considered). Conclusions: The increased FCRL mRNA expression in patients with GD is associated with hyperthyroidism (but not with positive TSHRAbs), and our study is the first one to confirm this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the antiproliferative potential of flavanones, chromanones and their spiro-1-pyrazoline derivatives as well as their inclusion complexes. The main goal was to determine the biological basis of molecular pro-apoptotic activities and the participation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in shaping the cytotoxic properties of the tested conjugates. For this purpose, changes in mitochondrial potential and the necrotic/apoptotic cell fraction were analyzed. Testing with specific fluorescent probes found that ROS generation had a significant contribution to the biological anticancer activity of complexes of flavanone analogues. TT (thrombin time), PT (prothrombin time) and APTT (activated partial tromboplastin time) were used to evaluate the influence of the compounds on the extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathway. Hemolysis assays and microscopy studies were conducted to determine the effect of the compounds on RBCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) became an industry standard in image processing. However, in order to keep their high efficiency, a large annotated sample is required in the case of supervised learning. In this paper we apply the techniques specific for relatively small sample to a court files dataset. Specifically, we propose transfer learning and semisupervised learning to classify scanned page as having a table or not. We use four CNNs architectures established in the literature and find that transfer learning improves the classification performance, compared to the fully supervised learning. This result is especially evident in the scenarios where only a part of convolutioanl layers are transferred. The gains from semisupervised learning are ambiguous, as the results vary over CNNs architectures. Overall, our results show that office documents classification can achieve high accuracy when transferring initial convolutional layers is applied.