Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate): Promising biomaterial for bone tissue engineering

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) is a natural polymer, produced by different bacteria, with good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Cardiovascular patches, scaffolds in tissue engineering and drug carriers are some of the possible biomedical applications of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate). In the past decade, many researchers examined the different physicochemical modifications of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) in order to improve its properties for use in the field of bone tissue engineering. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) composites with hydroxyapatite and bioglass are intensively tested with animal and human osteoblasts in vitro to provide information about their biocompatibility, biodegradability and osteoinductivity. Good bone regeneration was proven when poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) patches were implanted in vivo in bone tissue of cats, minipigs and rats. This review summarizes the recent reports of in vitro and in vivo studies of pure poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) composites with the emphasis on their bioactivity and biocompatibility with bone cells

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. Phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids can interact with the components of ECS or other cellular pathways and thus affect the development/progression of diseases, including cancer. In cancer patients, cannabinoids have primarily been used as a part of palliative care to alleviate pain, relieve nausea and stimulate appetite. In addition, numerous cell culture and animal studies showed antitumor effects of cannabinoids in various cancer types. Here we reviewed the literature on anticancer effects of plant-derived and synthetic cannabinoids, to better understand their mechanisms of action and role in cancer treatment. We also reviewed the current legislative updates on the use of cannabinoids for medical and therapeutic purposes, primarily in the EU countries. In vitro and in vivo cancer models show that cannabinoids can effectively modulate tumor growth, however, the antitumor effects appear to be largely dependent on cancer type and drug dose/concentration. Understanding how cannabinoids are able to regulate essential cellular processes involved in tumorigenesis, such as progression through the cell cycle, cell proliferation and cell death, as well as the interactions between cannabinoids and the immune system, are crucial for improving existing and developing new therapeutic approaches for cancer patients. The national legislation of the EU Member States defines the legal boundaries of permissible use of cannabinoids for medical and therapeutic purposes, however, these legislative guidelines may not be aligned with the current scientific knowledge

Gostota malih žil in vrednosti PSA pri adenokarcinomih prostate z oceno 6 in 7 po Gleasonu

Namen: Želeli smo ugotoviti, ali se pri bolnikih z adenokarcinomom prostate z oceno 6 in 7 po Gleasonu razlikujeta gostota malih žil v tumorjih in vrednosti prostatičnega specifičnega antigena (PSA). Metode: V raziskavo je bilo vključenih 100 bolnikov z adenokarcinomom prostate, ki smo jih razdelili v dve skupini glede na oceno po Gleasonu (GS). V prvi skupini je bilo 52 bolnikov z GS 6, v drugi pa 48 bolnikov z GS 7. S protitelesi za endoglin smo raziskali ožiljenost znotraj tumorja. Endoglin je specifičen označevalec za novo nastale žile v in okrog tumorskega tkiva, ne pa za žile v netumorskem tkivu. Na vsakem histološkem preparatu smo določili območja največje gostote malih žil in le-te prešteli pri 400-kratni povečavi (površina 0,19 mm2). Rezultati: Skupina vzorcev z GS 6 ni imela značilno različne gostote žil v vidnem polju (24,5 vs. 29,0P = 0,46) oz. gostote žil, preračunane na mm2 tumorskega tkiva (109,3 vs. 129,6P = 0,78), v primerjavi s skupino vzorcev z GS 7. Skupini se nista razlikovali glede na vrednost PSA (8,5 vs. 10,1 ng/mLP = 0,66). Gostota malih žil v tumorjih ni bila povezana z vrednostjo PSA (r = 0,1P = 0,62). Skupini bolnikov se nista razlikovali v starosti (63,0 vs. 65,0 letP = 0,84). Zaključek: SRezultati raziskave kažejo, da se adenokarcinomi prostate z oceno 6 in 7 po Gleasonu ne razlikujejo v neovaskularizaciji in tudi ne v vrednostih PSA

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate): Promising biomaterial for bone tissue engineering

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) is a natural polymer, produced by different bacteria, with good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Cardiovascular patches, scaffolds in tissue engineering and drug carriers are some of the possible biomedical applications of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate). In the past decade, many researchers examined the different physico-chemical modifications of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) in order to improve its properties for use in the field of bone tissue engineering. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) composites with hydroxyapatite and bioglass are intensively tested with animal and human osteoblasts in vitro to provide information about their biocompatibility, biodegradability and osteoinductivity. Good bone regeneration was proven when poly(3-hydroxy-butyrate) patches were implanted in vivo in bone tissue of cats, minipigs and rats. This review summarizes the recent reports of in vitro and in vivo studies of pure poly(3-hydroxy-butyrate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) composites with the emphasis on their bioactivity and biocompatibility with bone cells

SPERM MORPHOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES AS INDICATORS OF DNA FRAGMENTATION AND FERTILIZATION IN ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

Background. To determine the relationship between sperm morphological abnormalities, DNA fragmentation and fertilization rate in IVF and ICSI. Methods. Sperm samples from 10 IVF and 20 ICSI cycles were analyzed. Morphology was assessed according to strict criteria, and DNA fragmentation was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated fluorescein-dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) using a flow cytometry. Results. There was a significant difference in the amount of morphological abnormalities between sperm samples with low (< 20 %) and high (≥ 20 %) degree of DNA fragmentation. The percentages of amorphous heads (10 vs. 4 %) and overall head abnormalities (42 vs. 30 %) were significantly higher in sperm samples with elevated degree of DNA fragmentation. No correlation was found between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertilization rate after IVF and ICSI. When the predominant morphological abnormality in sperm samples was determined, a negative correlation was found between the percentage of spermatozoa with elongated heads and fertilization rate in ICSI (r = –0.45, P < 0.05). The fertilization rate after IVF was lower in the case of acrosomal abnormalities (35.3 %), compared to the cases of other predominant morphological abnormalities. Conclusions. Head abnormalities, especially amorphous heads, are related to elevated degree of DNA fragmentation. Predominant abnormal form in sperm samples, such as elongated heads and acrosomal abnormalities, may affect fertilization in ART

Arnica Montana L. supercritical extraction optimization for antibiotic and anticancer activity

Arnica montana L. flower heads are known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity. The aim of this work was to optimize the process of supercritical CO(2) extraction, to achieve high extraction yield and high content of biologically active components, and to confirm the antimicrobial and anticancer activity of the extract. The influence of pressure and temperature on the total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and proanthocyanidin content was evaluated. The pressure and temperature were found to be interdependent. A temperature of 60°C and a pressure of 30 MPa resulted in a high extraction yield, antioxidant activity and phenolic content. The content of proanthocyanidins was highest at a pressure between 18 and 24 MPa. The extracts inhibited three different microorganisms successfully; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5.16 mg/ml and showed anticancer activity decrease up to 85% at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml

Morfometrična analiza tkivnega označevalca p53 v adenokarcinomu prostate v povezavi z oceno po Gleasonu in vrednostjo PSA

Namen: Rak prostate je v svetu zelo pogosta maligna bolezen. K natančnejši oceni bolezni bi lahko pripomogli tkivni označevalci, kot je na primer tudi p53. V vzorcih adenokarcinoma prostate slovenske populacje smo morfometrično analizirali izražanje p53 in njegovo povezavo z oceno po Gleasonu in vrednostjo PSA ter starostjo bolnikov. Metode: V retrospektivno pilotno študijo smo vključili 25 bolnikov z opravljeno radikalno prostatektomijo. Tkivni označevalec p53 smo določili imunohistokemično in ga izrazili kot indeks p53. Statistično smo poiskali povezave indeksa p53 z oceno po Gleasonu pred in po operaciji, vrednostjo PSA in starostjo bolnikov. Rezultati: Tkivni označevalec p53 je v raku prostate neenakomerno porazdeljen neodvisno od lokalnega Gleason vzorca, vendar korelira z oceno po Gleasonu po operaciji in mejno korelira z vrednostjo PSA. Statistično značilno so med seboj povezani tudi ocena po Gleasonu pred in po operaciji, vrednost PSA in starost bolnika. Zaključek: Potrdili smo, da ima p53 lahko napovedno vrednost kljub manjšemu številu primerov, vključenih v to raziskavo. Rezultati pilotne študije kažejo, da je p53 obetajoč tkivni označevalec in bi lahko bil uporaben kot dodatni diagnostični parameter.Purpose: Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The possible prognostic value of tissue markers, such as p53, may give a better understanding of this disease, improve staging accuracy, and help in choosing optimal treatment. In this study, we examined p53 expression and its correlation with Gleason score, prostatespecific antigen (PSA) levels, and patient age in a Slovenian population. Methods: This retrospective pilot study included 25 radical prostatectomy patients. The immunohistochemical expression of p53 was determined and expressed as a p53 index. In addition, correlations between p53 index, Gleason score before and after prostatectomy, PSA level, and patient age were statistically evaluated. Results: The p53 tissue marker was unevenly distributed in prostate cancer independently of local Gleason patternhowever, its expression correlated with Gleason score after prostatectomy and showed borderline correlation with PSA. There were also statistically significant correlations between Gleason score before and after prostatectomy, PSA level, and patient age. Conclusions: Despite the low number of cases presented in this study, our results demonstrate that p53 may have predictive value in prostate cancer. Thus, p53 is a promising tissue marker that can be used as an additional diagnostic parameter

The Effect of Polyphenolics in Extracts from Natural Materials on Metabolic Activity of Metastatic Melanoma WM-266-4 Cells

The importance of natural crops in medicine and pharmacy is growing. Beside bioactive compounds used directly as therapeutic agents, there are also raw materials used for drug synthesis or as a basic model for new biologically active compounds. In this paper, the optimum conditions for material extraction of Curcuma longa, Lycium barbarum, Equisetum arvense, Vitis vinifera, and Rosmarinus officinalis were investigated to achieve high antioxidant levels. The main aim of this study was to verify the correlation between the content of antioxidants, proanthocyanidins and total phenolic substances for certain extracts from the raw materials (Curcuma longa, Lycium barbarum, Equisetum arvense, Vitis vinifera and Rosmarinus officinalis) and the reduction of the metabolic activity of skin cancer cells

The Influence of Hemp Extract in Combination with Ginger on the Metabolic Activity of Metastatic Cells and Microorganisms

This study presents an investigation of the anticancer and antimicrobial ability of a combination of ginger and cannabis extracts in different ratios (1:1, 7:3 and 3:7). Extracts were obtained using various methods (Soxhlet extractions, cold macerations, ultrasonic extractions and supercritical fluid extractions). The antioxidant activity and the presence of total phenols were measured in the extracts, and the effect of the application extracts in various concentrations (c = 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 0.1, 0.01 mg/mL) on cells was investigated. Higher values of antioxidants were measured at the ratio where ginger was predominant, which is reflected in a higher concentration of total phenols. Depending on the polyphenol content, the extracts were most effective when prepared supercritically and ultrasonically. However, with respect to cell response, the ratio was shown to have no effect on inhibiting cancer cell division. The minimum concentration required to inhibit cancer cell growth was found to be 1 mg/mL. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis also confirmed the effectiveness of ultrasonic and supercritical fluid extraction, as their extracts reached higher cannabinoid contents. In both extractions, the cannabidiol (CBD) content was above 30% and the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) content was above 45%. In the case of ultrasonic extraction, a higher quantity of cannabigerol (CBG) (5.75 &plusmn; 0.18) was detected, and in the case of supercritical fluid extraction, higher cannabichromene (CBC) (5.48 &plusmn; 0.13) content was detected, when compared to other extraction methods. The antimicrobial potential of extracts prepared with ultrasonic and supercritical extractions on three microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans) was checked. Ginger and cannabis extract show better growth inhibition of microorganisms in cannabis-dominated ratios for gram-positive bacterium S. aureus, MIC = 9.38 mg/mL, for gram-negative bacterium E. coli, MIC &gt; 37.5 mg/mL and for the C. albicans fungus MIC = 4.69 mg/mL. This suggests guidelines for further work: a 1: 1 ratio of ginger and hemp will be chosen in a combination with supercritical and ultrasonic extraction