The Role of microRNAs in Development of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most deadly cancer worldwide, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the critical factors in CRC carcinogenesis. IBD is responsible for an unphysiological and sustained chronic inflammation environment favoring the transformation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a class of highly conserved short single-stranded segments (18–25 nucleotides) non-coding RNA and have been extensively discussed in both CRC and IBD. However, the role of miRNAs in the development of colitis-associated CRC (CAC) is less clear. The aim of this review is to summarize the major upregulated (miR-18a, miR-19a, miR-21, miR-31, miR-155 and miR-214) and downregulated (miR-124, miR-193a-3p and miR-139-5p) miRNAs in CAC, and their roles in genes’ expression modulation in chronic colonic-inflammation-induced carcinogenesis, including programmed cell-death pathways. These miRNAs dysregulation could be applied for early CAC diagnosis, to predict therapy efficacy and for precision treatment.     

BRAF Gene and Melanoma: Back to the Future

As widely acknowledged, 40–50% of all melanoma patients harbour an activating BRAF mutation (mostly BRAF V600E). The identification of the RAS–RAF–MEK–ERK (MAP kinase) signalling pathway and its targeting has represented a valuable milestone for the advanced and, more recently, for the completely resected stage III and IV melanoma therapy management. However, despite progress in BRAF-mutant melanoma treatment, the two different approaches approved so far for metastatic disease, immunotherapy and BRAF+MEK inhibitors, allow a 5-year survival of no more than 60%, and most patients relapse during treatment due to acquired mechanisms of resistance. Deep insight into BRAF gene biology is fundamental to describe the acquired resistance mechanisms (primary and secondary) and to understand the molecular pathways that are now being investigated in preclinical and clinical studies with the aim of improving outcomes in BRAF-mutant patients.     

Hereditary Prostate Cancer: Genes Related,Target Therapy and Prevention

Prostate cancer (PCa) is globally the second most diagnosed cancer type and the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Family history of PCa, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndromes (LS), are among the most important risk factors compared to age, race, ethnicity and environmental factors for PCa development. Hereditary prostate cancer (HPCa) has the highest heritability of any major cancer in men. The proportion of PCa attributable to hereditary factors has been estimated in the range of 5–15%. To date, the genes more consistently associated to HPCa susceptibility include mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) and homologous recombination genes (BRCA1/2, ATM, PALB2, CHEK2). Additional genes are also recommended to be integrated into specific research, including HOXB13, BRP1 and NSB1. Importantly, BRCA1/BRCA2 and ATM mutated patients potentially benefit from Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP inhibitors, through a mechanism of synthetic lethality, causing selective tumor cell cytotoxicity in cell lines. Moreover, the detection of germline alterations in MMR genes has therapeutic implications, as it may help to predict immunotherapy benefits. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of the genetic basis for inherited predisposition to PCa, the potential target therapy, and the role of active surveillance as a management strategy for patients with low-risk PCa. Finally, the current PCa guideline recommendations are reviewed.     

The effect of hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene‐grafted carbon fiber on the impact performance of carbon fiber–epoxy resin composites

Carbon fiber (CF) containing 1.4 and 2.1 mmol/g of —COOH and —OH groups, respectively, was functionalized by using an excess of tolylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate. The NCO‐modified CF was submitted to a graft reaction with hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). The HTPB‐grafted carbon fiber was employed as reinforcing agent for epoxy resin‐based composites. The presence of the flexible HTPB at the interface between the fiber and the matrix resulted in a substantial improvement on impact strength. Additional improvement on toughness was achieved by using epoxy matrix containing dispersed phase of HTPB. The composite morphology was also studied by scanning electron microscopy. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1424–1431, 1999     

Structural development of sucrose-sweetened and sucrose-free sponge cakes during baking

The influence of sucrose, wheat starch and sorbitol upon the heat- and mass-exchanging processes forming the structure of sponge cake was studied. Under the influence of wheat starch and sorbitol the structure of the sucrose-free sponge cake was formed at more uniform total moisture release. This process was done at lower temperatures and smoother change of the sponge cake height with respect to the sucrose-sweetened sponge cake. The porous and steady structure of both cakes was finally formed at identical time--between 18th and 19th minute, at the applied conditions for baking of each batter (metal pan with diameter 15.4 cm and depth 6.2 cm containing 300 g of batter and placed in an electric oven "Rahovetz-02", Bulgaria for 30 min at 180 degrees C). The water-losses at the end of baking (10.30% and 10.40% for the sucrose-sweetened cake and sucrose-free cake, respectively) and the final temperatures reached in the crumb central layers (96.6 degrees C and 96.3 degrees C for the sucrose-sweetened cake and sucrose-free cake, respectively) during baking of both samples were not statistically different. The addition of wheat starch and sorbitol in sucrose-free sponge cake lead to the statistically different values for the porosity (76.15% and 72.98%) and the volume (1014.17 cm3 and 984.25 cm3) of the sucrose-sweetened and sucrose-free sponge cakes, respectively. As a result, the sucrose-free sponge cake formed during baking had a more homogeneous and finer microstructure with respect to that ofthe sucrose-sweetened one.     

Antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities of pumpkin seed extracts

Pumpkin seeds have been implicated in providing health benefits. However their antioxidant or anti-inflammatory activity of their extracts has never been studied. Therefore, four commercially available pumpkin seeds were treated with two different extraction methodologies in order to obtain fractions with different content. The extracts were screened for their antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and for their inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation catalyzed by soybean lipoxygenase.Most extracts tested have demonstrated radical scavenging activity, which depends on their total phenolic content, with fractions rich in phenolics showing the strongest activity. On the other hand, the phenolic content of extracts does not determine their activity against lipoxygenase, as acetone and polar lipid fractions are its strongest inhibitors. The presence of molecules being able to scavenge radicals and inhibit lipoxygenase in pumpkin seeds may in part explain the health benefits attributed to them.     

Technological and spoiling characteristics of the yeast microflora isolated from Bella Di Cerignola table olives

This study focused to investigate the technological significance and the spoiling impact of diverse yeast strains, isolated from 'Bella di Cerignola' Italian table olives. Sixty-four isolates (belonging mainly to the species Candida famata and C. guilliermondii ) were studied to assess their growth at different temperatures (15, 25 and 37 °C), pHs (4.0, 5.0 and 9.5) and NaCl concentrations (0–10.0%) in lab medium. Their pectolytic, xylanolytic, lipolytic and catalase activities were also evaluated. Most of the yeasts showed a moderate pectolytic activity and were able to grow at pH 9.5 after 120 h of incubation. Salt and temperature were the most important environmental variables affecting yeast growth, which could exert a strong selective pressure on yeast population. Candida guilliermondii appeared more resistant to high salt concentrations, whereas C. famata was able to grow at 15 °C.     

Microbiological characteristics of poultry patties in relation to packaging atmospheres

Microbial characteristics under different atmospheres (vacuum, air, MAP₁: 80% O₂/20% CO₂ and MAP₂: 5% O₂/65% N₂/30% CO₂) of poultry patties made of a mixture of ostrich, chicken and turkey meat were evaluated. The meat preparations were examined for changes in pH, colour properties (CIE L*, a*, b*), headspace composition, and bacterial counts (total viable cell, psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonas spp.). The use of a high O₂ atmosphere (MAP₁) quickly leads to a loss of the appealing red colour. A limited alteration occurred with use of MAP₂ and vacuum. For total viable counts a cell load higher than 8 log cfu g^?1 for the samples packaged in air, MAP₁ and MAP₂ at the end of storage was observed. Whereas, for the vacuum packed samples the cell load never reached values higher than 8 log cfu g^?1. Enterobacteriaceae, B. thermosphacta and Pseudomonas spp. cell load was less with the vacuum (7.60, 5.06 and 7.17 log cfu g^?1, respectively) and MAP₂ packaging (7.08, 5.60 and 7.40 log cfu g^?1, respectively). However, the high microbial loads suggest that an improvement of the microbiological quality of poultry meat is necessary if the producers are going to propose this new meat preparation on the market.