The effect of "Nutramil^{TM} Complex," food for special medical purpose, on breast and prostate carcinoma cells

NutramilTM Complex is a multicomponent food product that meets the requirements of a food for special medical purpose. As a complete, high-energy diet it consists of properly balanced nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of NutramilTM Complex on breast and prostate carcinoma cells. Our results showed that NutramilTM Complex reduced the viability and proliferation of breast and prostate cancer cells and that this process was associated with the induction of apoptosis via activation of caspase signalling. Data showed elevated levels of p53 tumour suppressor, up-regulation of p38 MAPK and SAPK / JNK proteins and downregulation of anti-apoptotic ERK1/2, AKT1 and HSP27. Treatment with NutramilTM Complex also affected the expression of the BCL2 family genes. Results also showed down-regulation of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic members such as BAX, BAD, BID. In addition, we also observed regulation of many other genes, including Iκβα, Chk1 and Chk2, associated with apoptotic events. Taken together, our results suggest activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway as most likely mechanism of anti-carcinogenic activity of NutramilTM Complex

Recent progress in discovering the role of carotenoids and metabolites in prostatic physiology and pathology - a review - part II : carotenoids in the human studies

Among the vast variety of plant-derived phytochemicals, the group of carotenoids has continuously been investigated in order to optimize their potential application in the area of dietary intervention related to chronic diseases. One organ that has been especially targeted in many of these studies and clinical trials is the human prostate. Without doubt, carotenoids (and their endogenous derivatives—retinoids and apo-carotenoids) are involved in a plethora of intra- and intercellular signaling, cell growth, and differentiation of prostate tissue. Due to the accumulation of new data on the role of different carotenoids, such as lycopene (LYC) and β-carotene (BC), in prostatic physiology and pathology, the present review aimed to cover the past ten years of research in this regard. Data from experimental studies are presented in the first part of the review, while epidemiological studies are disclosed in this second part. The objective of this compilation was to emphasize the present state of knowledge about the most potent molecular targets of carotenoids, as well as to propose promising carotenoid agents for the prevention and possible treatment of prostatic diseases

Roles of GSK-3 and microRNAs on epithelial mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells

Various signaling pathways exert critical roles in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The Wnt/beta-catenin, PI3K/PTEN/ Akt/mTORC, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, hedgehog (Hh), Notch and TP53 pathways elicit essential regulatory influences on cancer initiation, EMT and progression. A common kinase involved in all these pathways is moon-lighting kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). These pathways are also regulated by micro-RNAs (miRs). TP53 and components of these pathways can regulate the expression of miRs. Targeting members of these pathways may improve cancer therapy in those malignancies that display their abnormal regulation. This review will discuss the interactions of the multi-functional GSK-3 enzyme in the Wnt/beta-catenin, PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTORC, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, Hh, Notch and TP53 pathways. The regulation of these pathways by miRs and their effects on CSC generation, EMT, invasion and metastasis will be discussed

Advances in Targeting Signal Transduction Pathways

Over the past few years, significant advances have occurred in both our understanding of the complexity of signal transduction pathways as well as the isolation of specific inhibitors which target key components in those pathways. Furthermore critical information is being accrued regarding how genetic mutations can affect the sensitivity of various types of patients to targeted therapy. Finally, genetic mechanisms responsible for the development of resistance after targeted therapy are being discovered which may allow the creation of alternative therapies to overcome resistance. This review will discuss some of the highlights over the past few years on the roles of key signaling pathways in various diseases, the targeting of signal transduction pathways and the genetic mechanisms governing sensitivity and resistance to targeted therapies

Badanie materiałów kruchych w stanie trójosiowym: motywacja, technika badań, wyniki

The aim of the paper is to explain the experimental technique used in tri-axial material tests and to supply new and more general experimental data on deformability and fracture of ceramics and cementitious composites. Such experimental data are necessary to formulate theoretical models capable to describe the mechanical behaviour of brittle rocklike materials. The program of experiments consisted of two different tests performed under tri-axial loading and also of uni-axial compression that supplied preliminary data necessary to calibrate the material. The second objective of this study is to present the potentialities of own phenomenological model based on continuum damage mechanics and on theory of tensor function representation that can be used to describe the response of brittle rock-like material subjected to tri-axial state of stress.Postęp w mechanice materiałów wymaga szerokich, wzajemnie ze sobą powiązanych teoretycznych i doświadczalnych badań właściwości mechanicznych materiałów konstrukcyjnych. Jest to konieczne szczególnie wtedy gdy stosowane są materiały nowe a także wtedy, gdy istnieje potrzeba opracowania zaawansowanego modelu teoretycznego niezbędnego do opisu procesów fizycznych zachodzących w materiale poddanym złożonemu stanowi naprężenia. Celem tej pracy jest uzyskanie nowych, ogólniejszych danych doświadczalnych dla kruchych materiałów badanych w trójosiowym stanie naprężenia oraz przedstawienie zastosowanej techniki badawczej. W tym celu cylindryczne próbki cegły i zaprawy przebadane zostały przy zastosowaniu dwóch różnych schematów obciążenia trójosiowego a także przy jednoosiowym ściskaniu niezbędnym dla uzyskania danych wstępnych służących do cechowania badanych materiałów. Drugim celem pracy jest zaprezentowanie możliwości zastosowania własnego modelu fenomenologicznego bazującego na mechanice uszkodzenia materiałów oraz na teorii reprezentacji funkcji tensorowych. Porównanie wyników teoretycznych otrzymanych przy użyciu tego modelu z rezultatami badań wykazało zadowalającą ich zgodność

Water Consumption in Ustka, Poland

Analysis presented in this paper are the result of research on water consumption in Ustka in the period from January 1 2004 to December 31 2010. Ustka as a tourist resort with a off-season population of 16,400, can accommodate in its area, during summer, up to 25,000 tourists. Such change in the number of water consumers causes significant fluctuations of water consumption. Ustka water consumer may be divided into five groups: housing cooperatives, municipal and company buildings, single-family housing, services and industry. Collected data allowed to determine the share of particular groups of customers in the consumption of water, and determine for those groups of average daily demand for water. Analysis of water consumption shows that the demand for it in the years 2004–2010 decreased by approximately 9.2%. This was caused by such factors as demographic decline, economic crisis, the increase in water price, metering of customers and reduction of industrial production. Analysis of the dynamics of changes shows that the biggest drop in consumption occurred in the industry, for which value in 2010 compared to 2004 decreased by 55%. The housing group showed lower water consumption, compared to 2004, by 27%. Equally important is the knowledge of hourly demand variability. The analysis of the distribution of hourly water consumption for three years conducted research shows that regardless of the season, the maximum water consumption occurred between 7:00 hour and 13:00 hour. Also increased demand for water from 18:00 to 20:00 and from 22:00 to 23:00 is visible during summer season. On the basis of collected data the actual values of indicators of individual water demand for each month and year were determined. Their knowledge is essential for the design and modernization of the water supply network. Presented the difference between the value given in Regulations and calculated on the basis of actual water consumption indicates a risk, which is network design on the basis of normative values. In case when there is no data of water consumption for the designed network, there is possibility to oversize water supply system, which in the future may impede the operation of the system. For the operated and planned water supply network it is important to analyse water consumption over the years, since it enables more detailed planning of production and design of water supply system components