Groups with complete lattice of nearly normal subgroups

A subgroup H of a group G is said to be nearly normal in G if it has finite index in its normal closure in G. A well-known theorem of B.H. Neumann states that every subgroup of a group G is nearly normal if and only if the commutator subgroup G0 is finite. In this article, groups in which the intersection and the join of each system of nearly normal subgroups are likewise nearly normal are considered, and some sufficient conditions for such groups to be finite-by-abelian are given.A subgroup H of a group G is said to be nearly normal in G if it has finite index in its normal closure in G. A well-known theorem of B.H. Neumann states that every subgroup of a group G is nearly normal if and only if the commutator subgroup G0 is finite. In this article, groups in which the intersection and the join of each system of nearly normal subgroups are likewise nearly normal are considered, and some sufficient conditions for such groups to be finite-by-abelian are given

Groups with normality conditions for subgroups of infinite rank

A well-known theorem of B. H. Neumann states that a group has finite conjugacy classes of subgroups if and only if it is central-by-finite. It is proved here that if G is a generalized radical group of infinite rank in which the conjugacy classes of subgroups of infinite rank are finite, then every subgroup of G has finitely many conjugates, and so G=Z(G) is finite. Corresponding results are proved for groups in which every subgroup of infinite rank has fiznite index in its normal closure, and for those in which every subgroup of infinite rank is finite over its core

Estrogenic and anti-androgenic endocrine disrupting chemicals and their impact on the male reproductive system

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are identified for their ability to perturb the homeostasis of endocrine system and hormonal balance. The male reproductive system is under close control of hormones and each change in their concentration and time of exposition and action can induce a deregulation of its physiology. In this review we summarize the most recent studies on two main categories of EDCs with different action: the estrogenic bisphenol A and alkylphenols and the anti-androgenic phthalates. This review describes the main effects of these substances on male reproductive system

Molecular mechanisms of helicobacter pylori pathogenesis

Helicobacter pylori infects 50% of mankind. The vast majority of H. pylori infection occurs in the developing countries where up to 80% of the middle-aged adults may be infected. Bacterial infection causes an inflammatory response that proceeds through a series of intermediated stages of precancerous lesions (gastritis, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia). Among infected individuals, approximately 10% develops severe gastric lesions such as peptic ulcer disease, 1-3% progresses to gastric cancer (GC) with a low 5-year survival rate, and 0.1% develops mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). GC is one of the most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In this review, we have summarized the most recent papers about molecular mechanisms of H. pylori pathogenesis. The main important steps of H. pylori infection such as adhesion, entry in epithelial gastric cells, activation of intracellular pathways until epigenetic modifications have been described

Toxic Effects on Thyroid Gland of Male Adult Lizards (Podarcis Siculus) in Contact with PolyChlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)-Contaminated Soil

Skin exposure is considered a potentially significant but little-studied pathway for PolyChlorinated Biphenyls uptake in terrestrial reptiles. In this study, a native Italian lizard, Podarcis siculus, was exposed to PCBs-contaminated soil for 120 days. Tissues distribution of PCBs, thyroid hormone levels, and thyroid histo-physiopathology were examined. The accumulation of PCBs in skin, plasma, liver, kidney, and brain were highest at 120 days. The alteration of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels after different concentrations and times to exposure of PCBs was accompanied by the changes in the hormones involved in the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, namely Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Moreover, hepatic levels of deiodinase II (5'ORDII) and content of T3 were positively correlated to exposure to PCBs. These results indicated that in lizards, PCBs exposure through the skin has the potential to disrupt the thyroid endocrine system. Overall, the observed results indicate that PCBs could be associated with changes in thyroid homeostasis in these reptiles, through direct interactions with the metabolism of T4 and T3 through the HPT axis or indirect interactions with peripheral deiodination

Interference of dibutylphthalate on human prostate cell viability

Dibutylphthalate (DBP) is an environmental pollutant widely used as plasticizer in a variety of industrial applications worldwide. This agent can be found in personal-care products, children's toy, pharmaceuticals, food products. Exposure to DBP can occur via ingestion and inhalation as well as intravenous or skin contact. DBP belongs to the family of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and its effects on reproductive system were demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. In the present study we evaluated the effects of DBP on human prostate adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (LNCaP) in order to highlight xenoestrogens influence on human prostate. Moreover, we have compared DBP effects with 17β-estradiol action in order to investigate possible mimetical behaviour. We have assessed the effects of both compounds on the cell viability. After then, we have evaluated the expression of genes and proteins involved in cell cycle regulation. Furthermore, we have observed the expression and the cell localization of estrogen (ERs) and androgen (AR) receptors. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that DBP interacts with estrogen hormonal receptor pathway but differently from E2. DBP alters the normal gland physiology and it is involved in the deregulation of prostate cell cycle

Small leucine rich proteoglycans are differently distributed in normal and pathological endometrium

BACKGROUND: During the woman's fertile period, the non-pregnant uterus is subject to constant cyclic changes. The complex mechanisms that control the balance among proliferation, differentiation, cell death and the structural remodeling of the extracellular matrix can contribute to the benign or malignant endometrial pathological state. The small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are important components of cell surface and extracellular matrices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, we showed that the distribution patterns of SLRPs were completely modified in the pathological compared to normal endometrium. RESULTS: The expression of SLRPs was low/absent in all endometrial pathologies examined compared to normal endometrium. We observed an increase of lumican from proliferative to secretory phase of the endometrium and a decrease of fibromodulin, biglycan and decorin. In menopause endometrial tissue, the level of expression of fibromodulin, biglycan, decorin and lumican dramatically decreased. CONCLUSION: The results revealed the prominence and importance of proteoglycans in the tissue architecture and extracellular matrix organization

Retinoic Acid Specifically Enhances Embryonic Stem Cell Metastate Marked by Zscan4

Pluripotency confers Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) the ability to differentiate in ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm derivatives, producing the majority of cell types. Although the majority of ESCs divide without losing pluripotency, it has become evident that ESCs culture consists of multiple cell populations with different degrees of potency that are spontaneously induced in regular ESC culture conditions. Zscan4, a key pluripotency factor, marks ESC subpopulation that is referred to as high-level of pluripotency metastate. Here, we report that in ESC cultures treated with retinoic acid (RA), Zscan4 ESCs metastate is strongly enhanced. In particular, we found that induction of Zscan4 metastate is mediated via RA receptors (RAR-alpha, RAR-beta, and RAR-gamma), and it is dependent on phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling. Remarkably, Zscan4 metastate induced by RA lacks canonical pluripotency genes Oct3/4 and Nanog but retained both self-renewal and pluripotency capabilities. Finally we demonstrated that the conditional ablation of Zscan4 subpopulation is dispensable for both endoderm and mesoderm but is required for ectoderm lineage. In conclusion, our research provides new insights about the role of RA signaling during ESCs high pluripotency metastate fluctuation

Metabolomics approach based on NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis to explore the interaction between the leafminer<i> Tuta absoluta</i> and tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>)

Introduction: Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most devastating and harmful pests of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crops causing up to 80–100% yield losses. A large arsenal of plant metabolites is induced by the leafminer feeding including defence compounds that could differ among varieties. Objective: To compare the metabolomic changes of different genotypes of tomato (tolerant “T”, susceptible “S” and “F1” hybrid obtained between T and S) after exposition to T. absoluta. Methodology: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy followed by multivariate data analysis were performed to analyse the metabolic profiles of control and infested samples on three different tomato genotypes.Results: Signals related to GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) were relatively much higher in all infested samples compared to the non-infested plants used as control. Infested T genotype samples were the most abundant in organic acids, including fatty acids and acyl sugars, chlorogenic acid, neo-chlorogenic acid and feruloyl quinic acid, indicating a clear link between the exposure to leafminer. Results also showed an increase of trigonelline in all tomato varieties after exposition to T. absoluta. Conclusion: Metabolomics approach based on NMR spectroscopy followed by multivariate data analysis allowed for a detailed metabolite profile of plant defences, providing fundamental information for breeding programmes in plant crops.</p