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Simple Summary: Cancer has a major impact on societies across the world. In an attempt to find new treatment options for cancer, attention has shifted to natural compounds. Curcumin is a polyphenol isolated from the roots of turmeric that possesses many biological properties. It acts on the regulation of different aspects of tumor development and interconnects with major signaling pathways that are dysregulated in cancer, such as the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway. In this review, the diverse effects of curcumin on the regulation of this pathway in different malignancies will be discussed. Cancer is a life-threatening disease and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite significant advancements in therapeutic options, most available anti-cancer agents have limited efficacy. In this context, natural compounds with diverse chemical structures have been investigated for their multimodal anti-cancer properties. Curcumin is a polyphenol isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa and has been widely studied for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. Curcumin acts on the regulation of different aspects of cancer development, including initiation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and progression. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway is a key target in cancer therapy, since it is implicated in initiation, proliferation, and cancer cell survival. Curcumin has been found to inhibit the PI3K/Akt pathway in tumor cells, primarily via the regulation of different key mediators, including growth factors, protein kinases, and cytokines. This review presents the therapeutic potential of curcumin in different malignancies, such as glioblastoma, prostate and breast cancer, and head and neck cancers, through the targeting of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, many potent compounds have been found which are derived from plants and herbs and possess anticancer properties due to their antioxidant effects. 9″-Lithospermic acid methyl ester is an effective natural compound derived from the Thymus thracicus Velen. It has been proven that this compound has substantial properties in different diseases, but its effects in cancer have not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this work was to study the effects of 9″-Lithospermic acid methyl ester (9″-methyl lithospermate) in U87 and T98 glioblastoma cell lines. Its effects on cellular viability were assessed via Trypan Blue and Crystal Violet stains, the cell cycle analysis through flow cytometry, and cell migration by employing the scratch wound healing assay. The results demonstrated that 9″-methyl lithospermate was able to inhibit cellular proliferation, induce cellular death, and inhibit cell migration. Furthermore, these results were intensified by the addition of temozolomide, the most prominent chemotherapeutic drug in glioblastoma tumors. Further studies are needed to reproduce these findings in animal models and investigate if 9″-lithospermic acid methyl ester represents a potential new therapeutic addition for gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Database systems have been developed to store data from large medical trials and survey studies. However, a reliable data storage system does not guarantee data entering reliability. We aimed to evaluate if double-blind control of the data manager might have any effect on data-reliability. Our secondary aim was to assess the influence of the inserting position in the insertion-sheet on data-entry accuracy and the effectiveness of electronic controls in identifying data-entering mistakes. Methods A cross-sectional survey and single data-manager data entry. Data from PACMeR_02 survey, which had been conducted within a framework of the SESy-Europe project (PACMeR_01.4), were used as substrate for this study. We analyzed the electronic storage of 6446 medical charts. We structured data insertion in four sequential phases. After each phase, the data stored in the database were tested in order to detect unreliable entries through both computerized and manual random control. Control was provided in a double blind fashion. Results Double-blind control of the data manager didn't improve data entry reliability. Entries near the end of the insertion sheet were correlated with a larger number of mistakes. Data entry monitoring by electronic-control was statistically more effective than hand-searching of randomly selected medical records. Conclusion Double-blind control of the data manager should be considered an avoidable cost. Electronic-control for monitoring of data-entry reliability is suggested.

Background: Database systems have been developed to store data from large medical trials and survey studies. However, a reliable data storage system does not guarantee data entering reliability.We aimed to evaluate if double-blind control of the data manager might have any effect on data-reliability. Our secondary aim was to assess the influence of the inserting position in the insertion-sheet on data-entry accuracy and the effectiveness of electronic controls in identifying data-entering mistakes.Methods: A cross-sectional survey and single data-manager data entry.Data from PACMeR_02 survey, which had been conducted within a framework of the SESy-Europe project (PACMeR_01.4), were used as substrate for this study. We analyzed the electronic storage of 6,446 medical charts. We structured data insertion in four sequential phases. After each phase, the data stored in the database were tested in order to detect unreliable entries through both computerized and manual random control. Control was provided in a double blind fashion.Results: Double-blind control of the data manager didn't improve data entry reliability. Entries near the end of the insertion sheet were correlated with a larger number of mistakes. Data entry monitoring by electronic-control was statistically more effective than hand-searching of randomly selected medical records.Conclusion: Double-blind control of the data manager should be considered an avoidable cost. Electronic-control for monitoring of data-entry reliability is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin tumors are the most frequent malignancies in the white population worldwide and have reached the proportion of an epidemic disease. Since non-melanocytic skin cancers can be cured when timely detected, given that still malignant melanoma may have good prognosis if early diagnosed, and considering the key role of primary care in cancer screening advising and implementation, the international PACMeR study group (trial_01.3) adjourned SESy_Europe database in a version comprehensive of skin-malignancies screening indexing. The novel database provides standardized pre-codified translations of 2,331 parameters in eight languages (English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Romanian, Spanish and Turkish) and records the time elapsed from last skin examination, cause and frequency of skins examinations and stratifies skin cancer risk patterns by a systematic registering of risk factors. A comprehensive indexing of skin cancer screening practices among European countries may in fact turn helpful in programming future health policy and tailoring interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]