Role of flavonoids and vitamins in cancer.

Flavonoids are naturally occurring polyphenolic plant compounds that are capable of inhibiting histamine and cytokine release from several cells. Many studies suggest that flavonoids are anticancer agents with an apoptotic effect on tumor cells. Studies with animal tumour models have found vitamin deficiency to enhance susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis and large doses of anti-oxidant vitamins and flavonoids to inhibit carcinogenesis. In some studies flavonoids and/or vitamins were found to reduce the predisposition to develop tumours in animals and humans. In conclusion, in this review we describe the role of flavonoids and vitamins in cancer.     

Basement Membrane Zone Collagens XV and XVIII/Proteoglycans Mediate Leukocyte Influx in Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion

Collagen type XV and XVIII are proteoglycans found in the basement membrane zones of endothelial and epithelial cells, and known for their cryptic anti-angiogenic domains named restin and endostatin, respectively. Mutations or deletions of these collagens are associated with eye, muscle and microvessel phenotypes. We now describe a novel role for these collagens, namely a supportive role in leukocyte recruitment. We subjected mice deficient in collagen XV or collagen XVIII, and their compound mutant, as well as the wild-type control mice to bilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion, and evaluated renal function, tubular injury, and neutrophil and macrophage influx at different time points after ischemia/reperfusion. Five days after ischemia/reperfusion, the collagen XV, collagen XVIII and the compound mutant mice showed diminished serum urea levels compared to wild-type mice (all p<0.05). Histology showed reduced tubular damage, and decreased inflammatory cell influx in all mutant mice, which were more pronounced in the compound mutant despite increased expression of MCP-1 and TNF-α in double mutant mice compared to wildtype mice. Both type XV and type XVIII collagen bear glycosaminoglycan side chains and an in vitro approach with recombinant collagen XVIII fragments with variable glycanation indicated a role for these side chains in leukocyte migration. Thus, basement membrane zone collagen/proteoglycan hybrids facilitate leukocyte influx and tubular damage after renal ischemia/reperfusion and might be potential intervention targets for the reduction of inflammation in this condition.     

Predation of Clitostethus arcuatus (Col.: Coccinellidae) on Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hem.: Aleyrodidae)

Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, is a serious pest of glasshouse crops. It shows resistance to different insecticides and growers are interested in finding other useful control methods. This research was carried out to study the predation potential and biology of Clitostethus arcuatus (Rossi) as one of the most important predators of this pest. Adult C. arcuatus were reared on tobacco leaves bearing colonies of greenhouse whitefly eggs under controlled conditions (25±2°C, 65±5% RH and 16 h L:8 h D). Results showed that the average developmental time of the egg, first through fourth instar larva and pupa were 2.82±0.12, 4.47±0.14, 4.54±0.1, 6.3±0.2, 7±0.22 and 3.8±0.13 days, respectively; and longevity of female and male were 66.4±2.6 and 54.9±2.5 days, respectively. The average feeding rates of female, male and larvae (first through fourth) were 61.4±0.7, 27.6±0.9 eggs/day and 12±1.03, 30.3±2.4, 41.3±2, 68.04±2 eggs/day, respectively. The larvae consumed an average of 992.2±36 eggs during the total larval developmental period with a daily mean of 45.8±0.5. A significant difference was shown between the feeding rate of fourth instar larval stages and between sexes. Females, males and one pair of C. arcuatus (♀,♂) consumed an average of 17.2±0.4, 10.6±0.8, 23.1±0.5 nymph/day; 28.5±0.9, 20.3±0.6, 47.2±0.6 pupa/day and 8±0.3, 6.5±0.54, 13.6±0.4 adult/day, respectively. The feeding rate was significantly different among whitefly life stages. Females laid an average of 3±0.23 eggs/day.     

Effects of excess methionine on collagen metabolism: a study on newborn rat skin

We studied the biochemical effects of excess methionine intake on the skin of newborn rats. Group 1 pups were intubated with methionine dissolved in 0.1 ml physiological saline solution in the amount of 0.1 g/100 body wt as a control using a gastric needle. Group 2 pups were given 0.2 g/100 g in the same manner as group 1 as an experimental group. They were intubated every other day from day 3 to 13. On Day 15, [14C]proline was injected intraperitoneally into pups and their skin was removed. 14C total and hydroxyproline uptake was examined in the tissue as well as in the sequential extracts. Although excess methionine intake by the pups did not alter the collagen content of their skin, it caused an increase in the content of type III collagen and a decrease in crosslinked collagen. In addition, newly synthesized collagen in the neutral salt extract increased in the excess methionine group, indicating that crosslinked collagen decreases as excess methionine was intubated. The present study demonstrated that excess methionine in the early lactational period altered the nature of the skin collagen of suckling newborn rat pups.     

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated engineering of Escherichia coli for n-butanol production from xylose in defined medium

Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology - Butanol production from agricultural residues is the most promising alternative for fossil fuels. To reach the economic viability of...     

Adaptation in the jaws of flatfish (Pleuronectiformes)

The structure and mechanisms of the jaws of 18 species of flatfish have been investigated. Clear adaptations to different modes of feeding were found. The mechanisms of the jaws of Soleidae, Cynoglossidae, and Rhombosoleinae are highly specialized and the representatives of the two latter groups have some interesting jaw muscles of doubtful homology.     

A case of radiation-induced bullous morphea/lichen sclerosus overlap in a breast cancer patient

Radiation induced morphea (RIM) is an increasingly common complication of radiation treatment for malignancy as early detection has made more patients eligible for non-surgical treatment options. In many cases, the radiation oncologist is the first person to learn of the initial skin changes, often months before a dermatologist sees them. In this paper we present a breast cancer patient who developed a rare bullous variant of RIM, which delayed her diagnosis and subsequent treatment. It is imperative to diagnose RIM early as it carries significant morbidity and permanent deformity if left untreated. The lesions typically present within 1 year of radiation therapy and extend beyond the radiated field. RIM is often mistaken for radiation dermatitis or cellulitis. Bullae, when present, are often hemorrhagic in appearance, which can serve as another clinical clue. It is important to refer these patients for a full gynecologic exam as there can be concurrent anogenital lichen sclerosus et atrophicus which is both debilitating and carries a long term risk for squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment with systemic agents is often necessary, and can be managed by a dermatologist. The most proven regimen in the literature appears to be methotrexate, with our without concurrent narrow band UVB phototherapy.