The Use of Molecular Cytogenetic Techniques for the Identification of Chromosomal Abnormalities

Chromosomal analysis is an increasingly important diagnostic procedure in numerous areas of clinical medicine that includes haematology, perinatology or obstetrics. Chromosomal disorders are viewed as a major category of genetic diseases, and sometimes the identification of abnormal chromosomes is not easily applicable. Just like the identification of the marker chromosome or the identification of the complex karyotypes is important in clinics for the evaluation of the patient prognosis as well as the treatment response, needless to say; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the most suitable and rapid method in the above-mentioned situations. It gives chance to the rapid analysis of chromosomal aneuploidies in dividing and non-dividing cells. In this chapter, we will discuss the general principles of the chromosomal abnormalities and the molecular cytogenetic techniques that can help the identification of presence or absence of a particular DNA sequence or the evaluation of the number of organization of a chromosome or chromosomal region

Glioblastoma Stem Cells as a New Therapeutic Target for Glioblastoma

Primary and secondary glioblastomas (GBMs) are two distinct diseases. The genetic and epigenetic background of these tumors is highly variable. The treatment procedure for these tumors is often unsuccessful because of the cellular heterogeneity and intrinsic ability of the tumor cells to invade healthy tissues. The fatal outcome of these tumors promotes researchers to find out new markers associated with the prognosis and treatment planning. In this communication, the role of glioblastoma stem cells in tumor progression and the malignant behavior of GBMs are summarized with attention to the signaling pathways and molecular regulators that are involved in maintaining the glioblastoma stem cell phenotype. A better understanding of these stem cell-like cells is necessary for designing new effective treatments and developing novel molecular strategies to target glioblastoma stem cells. We discuss hypoxia as a new therapeutic target for GBM. We focus on the inhibition of signaling pathways, which are associated with the hypoxia-mediated maintenance of glioblastoma stem cells, and the knockdown of hypoxia-inducible factors, which could be identified as attractive molecular target approaches for GBM therapeutics

Methylation of RARß is a new clinical biomarker for treatment in higher-grade gliomas

Background: The dysregulation of various pathways and cellular processes contributes to the carcinogenic transition from low-grade gliomas to high-grade gliomas. The altered tumor microenvironment, altered epigenetic state, and high mutation heterogeneity are critical factors in glial tumors. The morphogen retinoic acid (RA) controls the homeostasis, regeneration, and development of the brain. RA receptor (RAR) gene methylation has been shown in different types of glial tumors. Aims and Objectives: This study assessed the RARß gene as a potential therapeutic target in gliomas. Materials and Methods: Using in silico methods, potential drugs targeting the RARß gene were compared based on temozolomide's effectiveness in treating gliomas. Results and Conclusion: Computational techniques can be used to identify drug-mediated pathways. This in silico study holds promise for RARB and RARB-targeted treatment strategies in gliomas

Investigation of possible effect of carnosic acid (CA) on combined exposure to bisphenol a (BPA) and diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP)

54th Congress of the European-Societies-of-Toxicology (EUROTOX) - Toxicology Out of the Box -- SEP 02-05, 2018 -- Brussels, BELGIUMWOS: 000454045100375DEHP and BPA, the main components of plastic products, are the important endocrine-disrupting chemicals which can mimic or disrupt the actions of estrogen by inhibiting normal functions of the body. Because of this widespread usage of DEHP and BPA, not only alone exposure but also combined exposure is considered as an important issue. Nowadays, researches are increased related to the effects on neurological functions instead of endocrine disrupting effects. This study aims to investigate combined exposure of DEHP and BPA and the possible effect of carnosic acid as an antioxidant.European Soc Toxico