Nutrigenomics : From promise to practice

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Morphometry, Oil Yield and Fatty Acid Profile of Cannabis Achenes from the Chefchaouen Region

The achenes evaluated had average dimensions of 4. 242 ± 0. 329 mm long, 3. 38 ± 0. 294 mm wide, 2.75 ± 0. 227 mm thick. They contained an average moisture of 7. 614 ± 1. 623 and an average mass of 0.01808 ± 0. 0038 g. No significant differences in the yields of the oil obtained by hexane and press extraction (p-value>0. 05), they varied respectively from 31. 36 % ± 0. 05 to 36. 86 % ± 1. 79 and 21. 47% ± 2. 45 to 25. 04 % ± 0. 46. Among the fatty acids in the mechanically extracted vegetable oil from the five achene varieties, the order of abundance of the identified components was the same. The linoleic acids they account for more than 86 % of the total α-predominant fatty acids are linoleic and fatty acids. PUFA/SFA ratio ranged from 5. 5 ± 1. 58 to 8. 96 ± 0. 23. The n-6/n-3 ratio varied from 1. 53 ± 0. 02 to 1. 78 ± 0. 0. The quotients recorded in our study are likely to be of nutritional interest since a ratio between 1/1 and 2/1 is considered ideal

Towards a Better Understanding of the Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Sunlight-Induced Melanoma

Although much less prevalent than its nonmelanoma skin cancer counterparts, cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is the most lethal human skin cancer. Epidemiological and biological studies have established a strong link between lifetime exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, particularly sunburn in childhood, and the development of melanoma. However, the specific molecular targets of this environmental carcinogen are not known. Data obtained from genetic and molecular studies over the last few years have identified the INK4a/ARF locus as the “gatekeeper” melanoma suppressor, encoding two tumour suppressor proteins in human, p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF). Recent developments in molecular biotechnology and research using laboratory animals have made a significant gene breakthrough identifying the components of the p16(INK4a)/Rb pathway as the principal and rate-limiting targets of UV radiation actions in melanoma formation. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in melanoma development and its relationship to sunlight UV radiation

Towards understanding the mechanisms of actions of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 in cancer progression

Human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the prototypic member of a family of highly related cell surface glycoproteins that includes carcinoembryonic antigenrelated cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) and others. CEACAM6 (formerly NCA), which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily, is a cell adhesion protein of the CEA family. It is normally expressed on the epithelial surfaces and on the surface of myeloid cells (CD66c). CEACAM6 is a multi-functional glycoprotein that mediates homotypic binding with other CEA family members and heterotypic binding with integrin receptors. It functions by organizing tissue architecture and regulating different signal transduction, while aberrant expression leads to the development of human malignancies. It was first discovered in proliferating cells of adenomas and hyperplastic polyps in comparison to benign colonic tissue when overexpressed on the surface of various cell types in model systems. CEACAM6 functions as a paninhibitor of cell differentiation and cell polarization, and it also causes distortion of tissue architecture. Moreover, overexpression of CEACAM6 modulates cancer progression through aberrant cell differentiation, anti-apoptosis, cell growth and resistance to therapeutic agents. In addition, CEACAM6 overexpression in multiple malignancies promotes cell invasion and metastasis, thereby representing an acquired advantage of tumor cells directly responsible for an invasive phenotype. This review focuses on the findings supporting the mechanisms of actions linking the oncogenic potential of CEACAM6 to the onset of cancer progression and pathogenesis, especially in breast cancer, and to validating CEACAM6 as a target to pave the way towards the design of efficient therapeutic strategies against breast cancer

Bone benefits of fish oil supplementation depend on its EPA and DHA content

The preventive effect of high-dose (9%) regular-fish oil (FO) against bone loss during aging has been demonstrated, but the effects of a low-dose (1%–4%) of a highly purified concentrated FO (CFO) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the dose-dependent effect of a CFO against bone loss in C57BL/6 female mice during aging. Twelve-month old mice were fed with 1% and 4% CFO and 4% safflower oil (SFO) diets, including a group with a 4% regular-FO diet and a group with a lab chow diet for 12 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was analyzed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and after the dietary intervention. At the end of dietary intervention, bone resorption markers in serum and inflammatory markers in bone marrow and splenocytes and inflammatory signaling pathways in the bone marrow were analyzed. As compared to the 4% SFO control, 4% CFO maintained higher BMD during aging, while 1% CFO offered only a mild benefit. However, the 1% CFO fed group exhibited slightly better BMD than the 4% regular-FO fed group. BMD loss protection by CFO was accompanied by reduced levels of the bone resorption marker, TRAP, and the osteoclast-stimulating-factor, RANKL, without affecting the decoy-receptor of RANKL, osteoprotegerin (OPG). Further, CFO supplementation was associated with an increase in the production of IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ and a decrease in the production of TNF-α and IL-6, and the activation of NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and JNK signaling pathways. In conclusion, the supplementation of 4% CFO is very efficient in maintaining BMD during aging, whereas 1% CFO is only mildly beneficial. CFO supplementation starting at middle age may maintain better bone health during agingFunding: This study was supported by National Institute of Health (NIH) contract grant number, AG034233 (M.M.R.) and AT006704 (G.V.H.) and Qatar University Grant QUUG-CAS-DBES-15/16-23 (M.M.R.)and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) grant UREP22-143-3-024 (M.M.R.).Scopu

Synthesis and anti-retroviral activity of novel 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one benzenesulfonamides targeting the HIV nucleocapsid protein 7

The biological activity of new 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one benzenesulfonamides is described. In cell-based assays the lead compound 6 inhibits multiplication, but not entry into target cells, of HIV-1, HIV-2 and HIV-1 variants carrying clinically relevant mutations to non-nucleoside, nucleoside and protease inhibitors. In enzyme assays 6 fails to inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and integrase. Genome sequencing of HIV-1 mutants selected for resistance to 6 shows no mutations in both pol and env genes. On the contrary, two mutations map in the gag region coding for the nucleocapsid (NC) protein p7 (NCp7), which is involved in early and late key processes of retrovirus multiplication. Overall, the above results suggest that NCp7 is the target of title 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)- one benzenesulfonamides. Interestingly, 6 also shows concentration-dependent virucidal activity against cell-free HIV- 1 and HIV-2. Therefore, title compounds represent a new class of antiretroviral agents with intriguing spectrum and mode of action

Novel CD44-downstream signaling pathways mediating breast tumor invasion

CD44, also known as homing cell adhesion molecule is a multi-structural cell molecule involved in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix communications. CD44 regulates a number of central signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, Rho GTPases and the Ras-MAPK pathways, but also acts as a growth/arrest sensor, and inhibitor of angiogenesis and invasion, in response to signals from the microenvironment. The function of CD44 has been very controversial since it acts as both, a suppressor and a promoter of tumor growth and progression. To address this discrepancy, we have previously established CD44-inducible system both in vitro and in vivo. Next, using microarray analysis, we have identified and validated Survivin, Cortactin and TGF-β2 as novel CD44-downstream target genes, and characterized their signaling pathways underpinning CD44-promoted breast cancer (BC) cell invasion. This report aims to update the literature by adding and discussing the impact of these novel three signaling pathways to better understand the CD44-signaling pathways involved in BC tumor cell invasion

CD146, a novel target of CD44-signaling, suppresses breast tumor cell invasion.

We have previously validated three novel CD44-downstream positively regulated transcriptional targets, including Cortactin, Survivin and TGF-β2, and further characterized the players underlying their separate signaling pathways. In the present study, we identified CD146 as a potential novel target, negatively regulated by CD44. While the exact function of CD146 in breast cancer (BC) is not completely understood, substantial evidence from our work and others support the hypothesis that CD146 is a suppressor of breast tumor progression. Therefore, using molecular and pharmacological approaches both in vitro and in breast tissues of human samples, the present study validated CD146 as a novel target of CD44-signaling suppressed during BC progression. Our results revealed that CD44 activation could cause a substantial decrease of CD146 expression with an equally notable converse effect upon CD44-siRNA inhibition. More interestingly, activation of CD44 decreased cellular CD146 and increased soluble CD146 through CD44-dependent activation of MMP. Here, we provide a possible mechanism by which CD146 suppresses BC progression as a target of CD44-downstream signaling, regulating neovascularization and cancer cell motility

L’alternance linguistique pour le développement des compétences langagières

La langue d'enseignement des matières scientifiques au Maroc était et continue d'être un sujet de controverse depuis la vague d'arabisation de l'enseignement des matières scientifiques dans le secondaire entre 1985 et 1990. Justement, cette arabisation n'a pas touché l'enseignement des sciences à l'enseignement supérieur, qui a continué à donner les cours en langue française (L2), alors qu'au secondaire, l'enseignement des matières scientifiques se faisait en langue arabe (L1). D’où le handicap constitué par les performances des apprenants marocains en langue française lorsqu’ils poursuivent leurs études supérieures. Aussi a-t-on assisté à plusieurs tentatives de réforme entreprises en créant des matières de traduction de L1 en L2 au secondaire et en instaurant des sections internationales aux collèges qui adoptent laL2 comme langue d’enseignement, mais aucune amélioration linguistique des élèves n’est déclarée.              Dans le but d'améliorer les compétences langagières des apprenants en L2, le système d’enseignement marocain a eu recours à l'enseignement des matières scientifiques, cette fois-ci au primaire par l’adoption du modèle de l'enseignement par l'alternance linguistique. Dans ce contexte, notre objectif est d'établir un consensus sur l'approche de l'alternance linguistique pour l'enseignement des matières scientifiques au niveau des classes primaires afin de réduire les disparités et d'assurer l'équité linguistique entre les élèves. Nous avons donc adopté une méthodologie qualitative basée sur la méthode DELPHI en nous appuyant sur un ensemble d'experts en sciences d'éducation. Les résultats de cette étude soulignent que la problématique de la langue d'enseignement des matières scientifiques constitue un sujet de débat inépuisable et que l'enseignement par l'alternance linguistique au primaire est une obligation et doit s'appuyer sur des méthodes et des techniques précises pour aider l'apprenant à poursuivre ses études supérieures dans de meilleures conditions