Examination of Duct Physiology in the Human Mammary Gland

BackgroundThe human breast comprise several ductal systems, or lobes, which contain a small amount of fluid containing cells, hormones, proteins and metabolites. The complex physiology of these ducts is likely a contributing factor to the development of breast cancer, especially given that the vast majority of breast cancers begin in a single lobular unit.MethodsWe examined the levels of total protein, progesterone, estradiol, estrone sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and macrophages in ductal fluid samples obtained from 3 ducts each in 78 women, sampled twice over a 6 month period. Samples were processed for both cytological and molecular analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficients and mixed models were utilized to identify significant data.ResultsWe found that the levels of these ductal fluid components were generally uncorrelated among ducts within a single breast and over time, suggesting that each lobe within the breast has a distinct physiology. However, we also found that estradiol was more correlated in women who were nulliparous or produced nipple aspirate fluid.ConclusionsOur results provide evidence that the microenvironment of any given lobular unit is unique to that individual unit, findings that may provide clues about the initiation and development of ductal carcinomas.     

Change of antioxidant enzymes activity of hazel (Corylus avellana L.) cells by AgNPs

Elicitation effect of silver nano particles (AgNPs) and triggering of defence system by production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as a signaling molecule in the regulation of the activity of stress-related enzymes and production of Taxol was evaluated in suspension- cultured hazel cells (Corylus avellana L.). The cells were treated with different concentrations of AgNPs (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 ppm), in their logarithmic growth phase (d7) and were harvested after 1 week. Treatment of hazel cells with AgNPs decreased the viability of the cells. Also the results showed that while the activity of certain radical scavenging enzymes in particular of catalase and peroxidase increased by 2.5 and 5 ppm AgNPs, the activity of superoxide dismutase decreased in these treatments. The highest activity of ascorbate peroxidase was observed in 10 ppm AgNPs treatments. This treatment also showed the highest contents of H₂O₂ and phenolic compounds, as well as the highest activity of phenylalanine ammonialyase. According to the results, 5 ppm AgNPs was the best concentration for elicitation of hazel cells to produce efficient amounts of H₂O₂ in order for stimulation of antioxidant defence system, production of Taxol at the highest capacity of the cells, meanwhile reserving their viability.     

Monitoring of biofilms grown on differentially structured metallic surfaces using confocal laser scanning microscopy

Imaging of biofilms on opaque surfaces is a challenge presented to researchers especially considering pathogenic bacteria, as those typically grow on living tissue, such as mucosa and bone. However, they can also grow on surfaces used in industrial applications such as food production, acting as a hindrance to the process. Thus, it is important to understand bacteria better in the environment they actually have relevance in. Stainless steel and titanium substrata were line structured and dotted surface topographies for titanium substrata were prepared to analyze their effects on biofilm formation of a constitutively green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐expressing Escherichia coli strain. The strain was batch cultivated in a custom built flow cell initially for 18 h, followed by continuous cultivation for 6 h. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to determine the biofilm topography. Biofilm growth of E. coli GFPmut2 was not affected by the type of metal substrate used; rather, attachment and growth were influenced by variable shapes of the microstructured titanium surfaces. In this work, biofilm cultivation in flow cells was coupled with the most widely used biofilm analytical technique (CLSM) to study the time course of growth of a GFP‐expressing biofilm on metallic surfaces without intermittent sampling or disturbing the natural development of the biofilm.     

Effects of different UV radiation on photoprotective pigments and antioxidant activity of the hot‐spring cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya cf. fragilis

UV‐induced synthesis/accumulation of photoprotective pigments and antioxidant activity were investigated in the hot‐spring cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya cf. fragilis. The results indicated that UV radiation may induce biosynthesis of carotenoids, allophycocyanin, phycoerythrin, and scytonemin while phycocyanin degrades in response to longtime UV radiation. Moreover, pigment composition of L. cf. fragilis was significantly altered with increasing UV radiation times, probably due to destruction and resynthesis of accessory pigments as an adaptation strategy to UV stress. The in vitro antioxidant analysis of different extracts of UV treated cyanobacteria exhibited concentration‐dependent antioxidant activity. Ethyl acetate extract of 72 h UV treatment showed maximum total antioxidant activity (IC50 = 71.73 ± 5.3 μg mL^?1) followed by ethyl acetate control (non‐UV irradiated) extract (IC50 = 109.43 ± 2.76 μg mL^?1). This is the first report for the UV‐induced synthesis of photoprotective pigments and their antioxidant activity in L. cf. fragilis.     

Fruit extract capped colloidal silver nanoparticles and their application in reduction of methylene blue dye

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become a promising environmentally benign synthetic route in nanoscience and nanotechnology during recent years. In the present work, we have developed an environment-friendly and low-cost method for synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate using aqueous fruit extract of Dillenia indica. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FTIR study was performed to know the interaction of bio-molecules present in the fruit extract with AgNPs. The catalytic application of the as-synthesized AgNPs was demonstrated against degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous system. The absorption spectra of colloidal suspension of AgNPs showed characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band centred at a wavelength of 416?nm. TEM image showed that the AgNPs were almost spherical in shape having an average diameter of 10.78?±?.48?nm. XRD pattern and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern with bright spots signify the crystalline nature of nanoparticles. The fruit extract-capped AgNPs was highly stable and have showed the effective catalytic activity in reduction of MB dye.     

Effects of Probiotic Yogurt on Serum Omentin-1, Adropin,and Nesfatin-1 Concentrations in Overweight and Obese Participants Under Low-Calorie Diet

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - Data on the effects of probiotics on adipokines such as omentin-1, nesfatin-1, and adropin are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of...