Temperature-Dependent Olive Pomace Extraction for Obtaining Bioactive Compounds Preventing the Death of Murine Cortical Neurons.

High-pressure and temperature extraction (HPTE) can effectively recover bioactive compounds from olive pomace (OP). HPTE extract obtained by extracting OP with ethanol and water (50:50 v/v) at 180 °C for 90 min demonstrated a pronounced ability to preserve intracellular calcium homeostasis, shielding neurons from the harmful effects induced by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) overactivation, such as aberrant calpain activation. In this study, the extraction temperature was changed from 37 to 180 °C, and the extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant potency and ability to preserve crucial intracellular Ca2+-homeostasis necessary for neuronal survival. Additionally, to verify the temperature-induced activity of the extract, further extractions on the exhausted olive pomace were conducted, aiming to identify variations in the quality and quantity of extracted phenolic molecules through HPLC analysis. The results revealed a significant increase in bioactive compounds as a function of temperature variation, reaching 6.31 ± 0.09 mgCAE/mL extract for the extraction performed at 180 °C. Subsequent extraction of the exhausted residues yielded extracts that remained active in preventing calcium-induced cell death. Moreover, despite increased antiradical power, extracts re-treated at 180 °C did not display cell protection activity. Our results indicate that the molecules able to maintain physiological Ca2+-homeostasis in murine cortical neurons in conditions of cytotoxic stimulation of NMDAR are wholly recovered from olive pomace only following extraction performed at 180 °C.

Genomic and Epigenomic Profile of Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors of Uncertain Malignant Potential (STUMPs) Revealed Similarities and Differences with Leiomyomas and Leiomyosarcomas.

Uterine smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMPs) represent a heterogeneous group of tumors that cannot be histologically diagnosed as unequivocally benign or malignant. For this reason, many authors are working to obtain a better definition of diagnostic and prognostic criteria. In this work, we analyzed the genomic and epigenomic profile of uterine smooth muscle tumors (USMTs) in order to find similarities and differences between STUMPs, leiomyosarcomas (LMSs) and leiomyomas (LMs), and possibly identify prognostic factors in this group of tumors. Array-CGH data on 23 USMTs demonstrated the presence of a more similar genomic profile between STUMPs and LMSs. Some genes, such as PRKDC and PUM2, with a potential prognostic value, were never previously associated with STUMP. The methylation data appears to be very promising, especially with regards to the divergent profile found in the sample that relapsed, characterized by an overall CGI hypomethylation. Finally, the Gene Ontology analysis highlighted some cancer genes that could play a pivotal role in the unexpected aggressive behavior that can be found in some of these tumors. These genes could prove to be prognostic markers in the future.

Expression profiles of PRKG1, SDF2L1 and PPP1R12A are predictive and prognostic factors for therapy response and survival in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGS-EOCs) is generally sensitive to front-line platinum (Pt)-based chemotherapy although most patients at an advanced stage relapse with progressive resistant disease. Clinical or molecular data to identify primary resistant cases at diagnosis are not yet available. HGS-EOC biopsies from 105 Pt-sensitive (Pt-s) and 89 Pt-resistant (Pt-r) patients were retrospectively selected from two independent tumor tissue collections. Pathway analysis was done integrating miRNA and mRNA expression profiles. Signatures were further validated in silico on a cohort of 838 HGS-EOC cases from a published dataset. In all, 131 mRNAs and 5 miRNAs belonging to different functionally related molecular pathways distinguish Pt-s from Pt-r cases. Then, 17 out of 23 selected elements were validated by orthogonal approaches (SI signature). As resistance to Pt is associated with a short progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), the prognostic role of the SI signature was assessed, and 14 genes associated with PFS and OS, in multivariate analyses (SII signature). The prognostic value of the SII signature was validated in a third extensive cohort. The expression profiles of SDF2L1, PPP1R12A and PRKG1 genes (SIII signature) served as independent prognostic biomarkers of Pt-response and survival. The study identified a prognostic molecular signature based on the combined expression profile of three genes which had never been associated with the clinical outcome of HGS-EOC. This may lead to early identification, at the time of diagnosis, of patients who would not greatly benefit from standard chemotherapy and are thus eligible for novel investigational approaches.

Standard ultra-staging compared to one-step nucleic acid amplification for the detection of sentinel lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer patients: a retrospective cohort comparison.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to compared standard ultra-staging (SU) with one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) for the detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in women with apparent uterine-confined endometrial cancer. METHODS: All women underwent SLN identification with complete surgical staging. All SLNs were cut perpendicular to the long axis and two adjacent 5 µm sections were cut at each of two levels 50 µm apart. At each level, one slide was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and the other with immunohistochemistry using the AE1/AE3 anti-cytokeratin antibody, as well as one negative control slide for a total of five slides per block. For OSNA analysis, the 2 mm sections of the lymph nodes were homogenized to form a lysate. The lysate was then centrifuged and inserted into the RD 100i instrument where the isothermal amplification of CK19 mRNA was executed. RESULTS: Of the 396 patients included in the retrospective analysis, 214 were in the SU group, and 182 in the OSNA group. Overall 869 SLNs were identified (490 SU, 379 OSNA). Sixty patients exhibited SLN metastasis (34 SU, 26 OSNA). Macrometastasis, micrometastases, and isolated tumor cells (ITC) were 5.1%, 4.1%, and 0.2%, respectively, in the US group, and 2.4%, 6.3%, and 0.1%, respectively, in the OSNA group (p=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The OSNA assay detected a higher rate of micrometastasis and a lower rate of macrometastasis and ITC when compared with SU. The clinical and prognostic impact of ITC is debatable and controversial. Further studies are needed to clarify the respective roles of the OSNA and SU methods, and the possible role of ITC in the prognosis of patients with apparent early-stage endometrial cancer.

A Bioactive Olive Pomace Extract Prevents the Death of Murine Cortical Neurons Triggered by NMDAR Over-Activation.

We have recently demonstrated that bioactive molecules, extracted by high pressure and temperature from olive pomace, counteract calcium-induced cell damage to different cell lines. Here, our aim was to study the effect of the same extract on murine cortical neurons, since the preservation of the intracellular Ca2+-homeostasis is essential for neuronal function and survival. Accordingly, we treated neurons with different stimuli in order to evoke cytotoxic glutamatergic activation. In these conditions, the high-pressure and temperature extract from olive pomace (HPTOPE) only abolished the effects of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). Particularly, we observed that HPTOPE was able to promote the neuron rescue from NMDA-induced cell death. Moreover, we demonstrated that HPTOPE is endowed with the ability to maintain the intracellular Ca2+-homeostasis following NMDA receptor overactivation, protecting neurons from Ca2+-induced adverse effects, including aberrant calpain proteolytic activity. Moreover, we highlight the importance of the extraction conditions used that, without producing toxic molecules, allow us to obtain protecting molecules belonging to proanthocyanidin derivatives like procyanidin B2. In conclusion, we can hypothesize that HPTOPE, due to its functional and nontoxic properties on neuronal primary culture, can be utilized for future therapeutic interventions for neurodegeneration.

Polyphenolic extract attenuates fatty acid-induced steatosis and oxidative stress in hepatic and endothelial cells.

PURPOSE: Phenolic compounds (PC) of virgin olive oil exert several biochemical and pharmacological beneficial effects. Some dietary PC seem to prevent/improve obesity and metabolic-related disorders such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated the possible effects of PC extracted from olive pomace (PEOP) and of the main single molecules present in the extract (tyrosol, apigenin, oleuropein, p-coumaric and caffeic acid) in protecting hepatocytes and endothelial cells against triglyceride accumulation and oxidative stress. METHODS: Rat hepatoma and human endothelial cells were exposed to a mixture of oleate/palmitate to mimic the condition of NAFLD and atherosclerosis, respectively. Then, cells were incubated for 24 h in the absence or in the presence of PC or PEOP. Different parameters were evaluated, such as lipid accumulation and oxidative stress-related markers. RESULTS: In hepatic cells, expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1) were assessed as index of lipid metabolism. In endothelial cells, expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB), release of nitric oxide (NO), and wound-healing rate were assessed as index of inflammation. CONCLUSION: PEOP extract ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and lipid-dependent oxidative imbalance thus showing potential applications as therapeutic agent tuning down hepatosteatosis and atherosclerosis.

Microencapsulation of Theobroma cacao L. waste extract: optimization using response surface methodology.

The cocoa extract (Theobroma cacao L.) has a significant amount of polyphenols (TP) with potent antioxidant activity (AA). This study aims to optimise microencapsulation of the extract of cocoa waste using chitosan and maltodextrin. Microencapsulation tests were performed according to a Box-Behnken factorial design, and the results were evaluated by response surface methodology with temperature, maltodextrin concentration (MD) and extract flowrate (EF) as independent variables, and the fraction of encapsulated TP, TP encapsulation yield, AA, yield of drying and solubility index as responses. The optimum conditions were: inlet temperature of 170 °C, MD of 5% and EF of 2.5 mL/min. HPLC analysis identified epicatechin as the major component of both the extract and microparticles. TP release was faster at pH 3.5 than in water. These results as a whole suggest that microencapsulation was successful and the final product can be used as a nutrient source for aquatic animal feed. Highlights Microencapsulation is optimised according to a factorial design of the Box-Behnken type. Epicatechin is the major component of both the extract and microcapsules. The release of polyphenols from microcapsules is faster at pH 3.5 than in water.

Vascular endothelial growth factor c promotes ovarian carcinoma progression through paracrine and autocrine mechanisms.

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC) has been reported to promote tumor progression in several tumor types, mainly through the stimulation of lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. However, the expression and biological significance of the VEGFC/VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 pathway in ovarian cancer growth and dissemination are unclear, and have been investigated in this study. Soluble VEGFC was detected in the plasma and ascites of patients with ovarian carcinoma, and VEGFR3 expression was found in their tumor tissues. In human ovarian carcinoma xenograft models, high levels of soluble VEGFC in ascites and serum were detected, in association with disease progression, tumor burden, and volume of ascites. Peak VEGFC expression preceded para-aortic lymph node infiltration by HOC8 neoplastic cells. Histological detection of tumor cells in blood and lymphatic vessels indicated both hematogenous and lymphatic dissemination. Overexpression of VEGFC in the VEGFR3-positive and luciferase-expressing IGROV1 cells promoted carcinoma dissemination after orthotopic transplantation in the ovary of immunodeficient mice. In vitro, VEGFC released by the tumor cells stimulated tumor cell migration in an autocrine manner. Cediranib, an inhibitor of VEGFR1-3 and c-kit, inhibited in vivo metastasis of VEGFC-overexpressing IGROV1 and in vitro autocrine effects. These findings suggest that the VEGFC/VEGFR3 pathway acts as an enhancer of ovarian cancer progression through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, hence offering a potential target for therapy.

Kinetic and Isotherm Modelling of the Adsorption ofPhenolic Compounds from Olive Mill Wastewater onto Activated Carbon.

The adsorption of phenolic compounds from olive oil wastewater by commercial activated carbon was studied as a function of adsorbent quantity and temperature. The sorption kinetics and the equilibrium isotherms were evaluated. Under optimum conditions (8 g of activated carbon per 100 mL), the maximum sorption capacity of activated carbon expressed as mg of caffeic acid equivalent per g of activated carbon was 35.8 at 10 °C, 35.4 at 25 °C and 36.1 at 40 °C. The pseudo-second-order model was considered as the most suitable for kinetic results, and Langmuir isotherm was chosen to better describe the sorption system. The results confirmed the efficiency of activated carbon to remove almost all phenolic compound fractions from olive mill effluent. The preliminary results obtained will be used in future studies. The carbohydrate fraction of this upgraded residue could be employed to produce bioethanol, and adsorbed phenolic compounds can be recovered and used in different industries.

Endometrial cancer: diagnostic value of quantitative measurements of microvascular changes with DCE-MR imaging.

OBJECT: To assess the diagnostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) perfusion-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detection, characterization and grading of endometrial cancer, using histopathological analysis as the standard of reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with histologically proven endometrial carcinoma who underwent MRI (1.5 T magnet) of the pelvis for staging purposes were enrolled in the study. Each MR examination consisted of multiplanar T2 and T1-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequences and T1-weighted gradient echo sequences before, during and after the administration of contrast medium. For each patient colour perfusion maps were derived from the dynamic sequences using a dedicated workstation. On the maps a region of interest was manually drawn both on normal myometrium and on the endometrial lesion. Then the following perfusion parameters were automatically calculated: relative enhancement (RE, %), maximum enhancement (ME, %), maximum relative enhancement (MRE, %) and time to peak (TTP, s). RESULTS: All patients underwent total hysterectomy. Histopathological analysis documented: G1 tumour in 21 patients, G2 tumour in 44 patients, G3 tumour in 14 patients and one squamous cell carcinoma. The following mean value perfusion parameters, with corresponding mean standard deviation, were obtained for endometrial cancer: RE (%) = 59.3 ± 36.3; ME (%) = 862.7 ± 475.9; MRE (%) = 75.3 ± 37.6 and TTP (s) = 164.7 ± 78. RE, ME and MRE were lower in tumour lesions than in normal myometrium (p < 0.001) and significantly higher values (p < 0.001) of perfusion parameters were obtained for G1 (well-differentiated) tumours as compared to those in G2 and G3 (moderately and poorly differentiated) lesions. CONCLUSION: DCE perfusion-MRI can provide quantitative information on tissue vascularity, which may be of help in detecting endometrial cancer and in the assessment of tumour grading.

Influence of TiO2 nanoparticles on growth and phenolic compounds production in photosynthetic microorganisms.

The influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (pure anatase and 15% N doped anatase) on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Arthrospira platensis was investigated. Results showed that pure anatase can lead to a significant growth inhibition of C. vulgaris and A. platensis (17.0 and 74.1%, resp.), while for H. pluvialis the nanoparticles do not cause a significant inhibition. Since in these stress conditions photosynthetic microorganisms can produce antioxidant compounds in order to prevent cell damages, we evaluated the polyphenols content either inside the cells or released in the medium. Although results did not show a significant difference in C. vulgaris, the phenolic concentrations of two other microorganisms were statistically affected by the presence of titanium dioxide. In particular, 15% N doped anatase resulted in a higher production of extracellular antioxidant compounds, reaching the concentration of 65.2 and 68.0 mg gDB (-1) for H. pluvialis and A. platensis, respectively.

Recombinant production of a highly efficient photolyase from Thermus thermophilus.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight can damage DNA, inducing mutagenesis and eventually leading to skin cancer. Topical sunscreens are used to avoid the effect of UV irradiation, but the topical application of DNA repair enzymes, such as photolyase, can provide active photoprotection by DNA recovery. Here we produced a recombinant Thermus thermophilus photolyase expressed in Escherichia coli, evaluated the kinetic parameters of bacterial growth and the kinetics and stability of the enzyme. The maximum biomass (𝑋𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) of 2.0 g L-1 was reached after 5 h of cultivation, corresponding to 𝑃X  = 0.4 g L-1 h. The µð‘šð‘Žð‘¥ corresponded to 1.0 h-1 . Photolyase was purified by affinity chromatography and high amounts of pure enzyme were obtained (3.25 mg L-1 of cultivation). Two different methods demonstrated the enzyme activity on DNA samples and very low enzyme concentrations, such as 15 µg mL-1 , already resulted in 90% of CPD photodamage removal. We also determined photolyase kM of 9.5 nM, confirming the potential of the enzyme at very low concentrations, and demonstrated conservation of enzyme activity after freezing (-20°C) and lyophilization. Therefore, we demonstrate T. thermophilus photolyase capacity of CPD damage repair and its potential as an active ingredient to be incorporated in dermatological products.

ADC maps in the prediction of pelvic lymph nodal metastatic regions in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in discriminating metastatic from non-metastatic pelvic lymph nodal sites in endometrial cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 40 patients with endometrial cancer who underwent MRI [T2-weighted, dynamic T1-weighted images and diffusion-weighted images with body background suppression (DWIBS), b-values 0 and 1,000 s/mm(2)], total hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Lymph nodes identifiable on DWIBS were evaluated, classified into six nodal regions, and for each node ADC values, short- and long-axis diameters were measured by two readers. Histopathological findings and follow-up information served as the reference standard. RESULTS: Average (± standard deviation) mean and minimum ADC region value (0.87 ± 0.15 and 0.74 ± 0.07 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) of metastatic sites (n = 7) were significantly lower than those of non-metastatic ones (n = 89; 1.07 ± 0.20 and 1.02 ± 0.20; p-value = 0.010 and 0.0004). Mean short-axis and short-to-long axis ratios of metastatic nodes were 7.47 mm and 0.68. Using the minimum ADC region value with threshold 0.807 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy were 100 %, 98.3 %, 63.6 %, 100 % and 98.3 %, respectively (reader 1). CONCLUSION: In endometrial cancer, mean and minimum ADC region values of metastatic nodal sites are significantly lower than those found at normal sites.

Improvement of Natural Polymeric Films Properties by Blend Formulation for Sustainable Active Food Packaging.

Active packaging manufactured with biopolymers extracted from agri-food waste is one of the most innovative and eco-sustainable strategies for maintaining food quality. However, biopolymers often present poor performances, which hinders their competitiveness compared with plastics. This work focused on developing and optimizing a natural polymeric blend produced by solvent casting based on zein and chitosan to improve the pure biopolymers' properties. The best results were obtained by blending zein and chitosan in a 1:2 weight ratio. The films were characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical and oxygen barrier properties, thermal stability, transparency and wettability. The blend production allowed us to obtain lower brittleness and lower stiffness materials compared with pure polymer films, with oxygen permeability values two orders of magnitude lower than pure zein, better optical properties with respect to pure chitosan and good thermal stability. The wettability properties of the blend did not result in being altered with respect to the single polymer, which was found to have hydrophilic behavior, highlighting the strong influence of glycerol used as a plasticizer. The results suggested that the polymer blending strategy is a viable and cost-effective method for producing packaging materials as alternatives to plastics.

Potential Use of PLA-Based Films Loaded with Antioxidant Agents from Spent Coffee Grounds for Preservation of Refrigerated Foods.

The aim of this work concerned the production of an active food packaging suitable for refrigerated foods. Polylactic-acid-based films were produced by optimizing the solvent casting technique and testing different loadings of extracts obtained from spent coffee grounds. Indeed, an extract obtained by high-pressure and -temperature extraction (HPTE) and a further purified extract by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) were separately used as active agents, and the effects on packaging features and active compounds migration were analyzed. The selected active agents showed antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition effects on food simulants (peroxide values of 9.2 ÷ 12.0 meqO2/kg extra virgin olive oil), demonstrating the possibility of enhancing food shelf life. In addition, significant effects on the packaging structure due to the presence of the extract were observed, since it can enhance gas barrier properties of the polymer (O2 permeability of 1.6 ÷ 1.3 × 10-9 cm2/s) and confer better processability. In general, the HPTE extract exhibited better performances than the further purified extract, which was due to the presence of a complex pool of antioxidants and the browning effect on the film but a limited loading capacity on the polymer (840 µg caffeine/g PLA), while higher loading capabilities were enabled using LLE extract.

Inulin as prebiotic encapsulating agent for the production of spray-dried Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea microcapsules.

Due to the high content of phenolics and anthocyanins of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea and the sensibility of these bioactive compounds, this work aimed to optimize the obtention of microcapsules by spray-drying, using inulin as a carrier agent. Using a Box-Behnken Design, the effects of inlet temperature (130, 150, and 170 °C), feed flow rate (5, 10, and 15 mL min-1), and inulin concentration (5, 10, and 15 g L-1) were evaluated. It was possible to obtain pale-rose, slightly sweet instant powders with good total polyphenol content (1.12 mgGAE g-1) and anthocyanins encapsulation efficiency (32.3-60.6%), besides moisture (4.61-17.79%) and water activity (0.221-0.501), indicating physico-chemical and microbiological stability of the microcapsules. A simultaneous optimization with the desirability function was performed to maximize all the response variables analyzed, and the optimum conditions of 5 g L-1 of inulin, inlet temperature of 170 °C, and feed flow rate of 83 mL min-1 were found.

Engineering of poly(caprolactone) and poly(glycerol sebacate) small-diameter vascular prosthesis with quercetin.

The fabrication of biodegradable, bioabsorbable, and biocompatible vascular scaffolds with enhanced mechanical and biological properties that are able to modulate local inflammation and induce endothelialization after surgical implant is still a challenge. In this work, a fibrous scaffold, made of poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(glycerol sebacate), was fabricated to be potentially used as a small-diameter graft in vascular surgery. The novelty of this research is represented by the direct incorporation of quercetin, a well-known antioxidant compound with several biological properties, into a polymeric scaffold obtaining a vascular construct able to modulate two key factors involved in postsurgical inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. For its production, an electrospinning apparatus, a solution made of the two polymers (both 20% (w/v), mixed at the ratio 1:1 (v/v)), and free quercetin (0.05% (w/v)) were used. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopies were employed to investigate the morphological properties of the fabricated electrospun scaffolds. Furthermore, physicochemical properties, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, mass loss, fluid uptake, quercetin release, mechanical properties, and biological activity of the scaffolds were studied. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and of endothelial nitric oxide synthase was evaluated when the quercetin-functionalized scaffold was exposed to  human endothelial cells treated with tumor necrosis factor-α. The results of this study confirmed the feasibility of incorporating free quercetin during the electrospinning process to impart biological properties to small-diameter vascular prostheses.

Effects of polyphenol extract from olive pomace on anoxia-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Anoxia modulates the expression of molecules associated with endothelial dysfunction and vascular diseases. Polyphenols have potent antioxidant properties due to their ability to modulate genes involved in oxidative tissue damage. In this study, we investigated the effect of polyphenol extract from olive pomace (PEOP) and its main constituents, Tyrosol and Oleuropein, on endothelial cells subjected to anoxia by evaluating the expression of molecules critical for endothelial function, proliferation and migration, and the signaling pathway involved. EAhy926 human endothelial cells were exposed to anoxic stress in the presence or absence of PEOP. Anoxia increased the nitric oxide (NO) level and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). These effects were prevented by PEOP treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PEOP prevented the proliferation and migration associated with anoxia in EAhy926 cells, down-regulated the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP) and increased tissue MMP inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) expression. Purified Oleuropein or Tyrosol restored to a basal level the anoxia-induced expression of MMP-9 and partially of MMP-2. The expression of TNFα was reduced by both polyphenols in a dose-dependent manner, but more efficiently by Tyrosol. Conversely, Oleuropein and Tyrosol had no significant effects on iNOS, COX-2 and TIMP-1 expression when used at the concentration found in PEOP. PEOP induced a time-dependent phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 and inhibited anoxia-induced NF-κB activation. PEOP treatment restores the endothelial functions that are impaired by anoxia by regulating the expression of genes involved in proteolysis, angiogenesis and inflammation more efficiently than the single purified components. Therefore, the combined use of polyphenols, as in PEOP, could represent a powerful tool for the treatment and chemoprevention of endothelial dysfunction-associated vascular diseases.

Apigenin inhibits the TNFα-induced expression of eNOS and MMP-9 via modulating Akt signalling through oestrogen receptor engagement.

Apigenin is a naturally occurring plant flavone with strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. While the anticancer properties of Apigenin have been extensively studied, little is known about its effects on endothelial dysfunction. We investigated the effects of Apigenin in EAhy926 endothelial cells exposed to TNFα by evaluating the expression of eNOS and MMP-9, two key molecules in endothelial dysfunction. MMP-9 activity was measured by gel zymography. Western blot analysis was performed to analyze eNOS expression and signal transduction. Treatment with Apigenin (50 µM) counteracted the TNFα-induced expression of eNOS and MMP-9 and the TNFα- triggered activation of Akt, p38MAPK and JNK signalling suggesting that multiple signalling pathways are involved in mediating the protective effects of Apigenin on endothelial function. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of Apigenin, we used a pharmacological approach with specific inhibitors. The use of an Akt inhibitor mimicked the inhibitory effects of Apigenin on eNOS and MMP-9 expression, suggesting that eNOS and MMP-9 induction by TNFα depends on Akt activation. The TNFα-induced expression of MMP-9 was also affected by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. No effect on eNOS and MMP-9 expression was observed in the presence of the p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 or the ERK 1/2 inhibitor PD98059. Pretreatment with 'classic' (ERα and ERß) or 'non classic' (GPR30) oestrogen receptor (ER) inhibitors (ICI182,780 and PTX, respectively) counteracted the ability of Apigenin to decrease the TNFα-triggered activation of the Akt pathway. Consistently, the use of both ER inhibitors reversed the inhibitory effects of Apigenin on the TNFα-induced expression of eNOS and, to a lesser extent, MMP-9. We can conclude that Apigenin exerts its inhibitory effect on the TNFα-induced expression of eNOS and MMP-9 through the Akt signalling inhibition generated by ER activation. Oestrogen signalling has been implicated in protection from cardiovascular disease. Therefore, having regard to its ability to bind to ERs, Apigenin may be considered an oestrogen-like molecule to potentially be used against the onset and progression of vascular diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction.

Integration of hybrid single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography in the preoperative assessment of sentinel node in patients with cervical and endometrial cancer: our experience and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is an additional value of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) over lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) alone for sentinel node (SN) mapping in endometrial and cervical cancer. METHODS: Ten women with clinically cervical stage IA2 to stage IB1 and 25 women with stage I endometrial cancer underwent preoperative LSG for SN mapping. Technetium Tc 99m albumin nanocolloid was injected submucosally at 4 points of the cervix. Patients underwent SPECT/CT emission-transmission study at least 3 hours after standard planar images. Methylene blue was injected into the cervix just before surgery under general anesthesia. All patients underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and radical regional nodal dissection. Hot and/or blue nodes were labeled as SNs. RESULTS: Conventional planar imaging detection rate was 50%, whereas the detection rate of at least one SN with SPECT/CT was 91% (32/35); bilateral detection was achieved in 7 (39%) of 18 women in planar and in 17 (53%) of 32 women in SPECT/CT imaging, respectively. Bilateral detection was achieved in 57% of women (20/35). Sentinel nodes were located in external and internal iliac nodes (66%), obturator nodes (5%), internal iliac nodes (11%), common iliac nodes (9%), and presacral nodes (9%). Lymph node involvement was identified in 5 patients (14%). Sentinel node correctly predicted lymph node involvement in all node-positive patients. Sentinel node sensitivity and negative predictive value of SPECT/CT were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography seems to improve intraoperative identification of SNs and provides additional useful information about the anatomic location of SNs compared to planar LSG in cervical and endometrial cancer.