Specialized Metabolites Accumulation Pattern in Buckwheat Is Strongly Influenced by Accession Choice and Co-Existing Weeds.

Screening suitable allelopathic crops and crop genotypes that are competitive with weeds can be a sustainable weed control strategy to reduce the massive use of herbicides. In this study, three accessions of common buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. (Gema, Kora, and Eva) and one of Tartary buckwheat Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn. (PI481671) were screened against the germination and growth of the herbicide-resistant weeds Lolium rigidum Gaud. and Portulaca oleracea L. The chemical profile of the four buckwheat accessions was characterised in their shoots, roots, and root exudates in order to know more about their ability to sustainably manage weeds and the relation of this ability with the polyphenol accumulation and exudation from buckwheat plants. Our results show that different buckwheat genotypes may have different capacities to produce and exude several types of specialized metabolites, which lead to a wide range of allelopathic and defence functions in the agroecosystem to sustainably manage the growing weeds in their vicinity. The ability of the different buckwheat accessions to suppress weeds was accession-dependent without differences between species, as the common (Eva, Gema, and Kora) and Tartary (PI481671) accessions did not show any species-dependent pattern in their ability to control the germination and growth of the target weeds. Finally, Gema appeared to be the most promising accession to be evaluated in organic farming due to its capacity to sustainably control target weeds while stimulating the root growth of buckwheat plants.

Identification of New Key Genes and Their Association with Breast Cancer Occurrence and Poor Survival Using In Silico and In Vitro Methods.

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer diagnosed globally and continues to have a significant impact on the global number of cancer deaths. Despite all efforts of epidemiological and experimental research, therapeutic concepts in cancer are still unsatisfactory. Gene expression datasets are widely used to discover the new biomarkers and molecular therapeutic targets in diseases. In the present study, we analyzed four datasets using R packages with accession number GSE29044, GSE42568, GSE89116, and GSE109169 retrieved from NCBI-GEO and differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to screen the key genes. Subsequently, the GO function and KEGG pathways were analyzed to determine the biological function of key genes. Expression profile of key genes was validated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines using qRT-PCR. Overall expression level and stage wise expression pattern of key genes was determined by GEPIA. The bc-GenExMiner was used to compare expression level of genes among groups of patients with respect to age factor. OncoLnc was used to analyze the effect of expression levels of LAMA2, TIMP4, and TMTC1 on the survival of breast cancer patients. We identified nine key genes, of which COL11A1, MMP11, and COL10A1 were found up-regulated and PCOLCE2, LAMA2, TMTC1, ADAMTS5, TIMP4, and RSPO3 were found down-regulated. Similar expression pattern of seven among nine genes (except ADAMTS5 and RSPO3) was observed in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Further, we found that LAMA2, TMTC1, and TIMP4 were significantly expressed among different age groups of patients. LAMA2 and TIMP4 were found significantly associated and TMTC1 was found less correlated with breast cancer occurrence. We found that the expression level of LAMA2, TIMP4, and TMTC1 was abnormal in all TCGA tumors and significantly associated with poor survival.

Testing the role of allelochemicals in different wheat cultivars to sustainably manage weeds.

BACKGROUND: Selecting wheat varieties with allelopathic potential or high competitiveness against weeds is a sustainable solution for organic farming to eliminate the use of synthetic herbicides. Wheat is one of the most economically important crops. This study focuses on screening the allelopathic or competitive potential of four wheat cultivars, Maurizio, NS 40S, Adesso and Element, on two weeds of interest due to acquired herbicide resistance, Portulaca oleracea and Lolium rigidum, through germination and growth bioassays and the identification and quantification of benzoxazinoids (BXZs) and polyphenols (phenolic acids and flavonoids). RESULTS: The different cultivars showed different abilities to manage surrounding weeds and different capacity to exude or accumulate specialized metabolites in the presence of those weeds. Furthermore, each cultivar behaved differently depending on the weed present in the medium. The most efficient cultivar to control the tested monocot and dicot weeds was Maurizio, as it effectively controlled germination and growth of L. rigidum and P. oleracea while exuding large amounts of benzoxazinones through the roots, especially the hydroxamic acids 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one and dihydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxaxin-3(4H)-one. By contrast, NS 40S, Adesso and Element showed the potential to control the growth of just one of the two weeds through allelopathy or competition. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that Maurizio is the most promising wheat cultivar for sustainable weed control, and that the screening of crop varieties with allelopathic potential, which results in the displacement of synthetic herbicides, is an immediate solution in ecological and sustainable agriculture. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Stability and antioxidant capacity of epigallocatechin gallate in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium.

Though the instability of polyphenols in cell culture experiment has been investigated previously, the underlying mechanism is not completely clear yet. Therefore, in this study, the stability of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in cell culture medium DMEM was investigated at 4 °C and 37 °C via UPLC-MS-MS analysis followed by determination of the antioxidant capacity of EGCG. EGCG was instable in DMEM and formed various degradation products derived from its dimer with increasing incubation time with many isomers being formed at both temperatures. The dimer products were more stable at 4 °C than at 37 °C. The structure and formation mechanism of five products were analyzed with four unidentified. Ascorbic acid significantly improved the stability of EGCG by protecting EGCG from auto-oxidation in DMEM, particularly at 4 °C. The antioxidative activity of EGCG in DMEM was determined by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assay. The antioxidative properties of EGCG continuously decreased over 8 h in DMEM, which was consistent with its course of degradation.

Evolution of Flavors in Extra Virgin Olive Oil Shelf-Life.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is one of the most distinctive ingredients of the Mediterranean diet. There are many properties related to this golden ingredient, from supreme organoleptic characteristics to benefits for human health. EVOO contains in its composition molecules capable of exerting bioactivities such as cardio protection, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer activity, among others, mainly caused by unsaturated fatty acids and certain minor compounds such as tocopherols or phenolic compounds. EVOO is considered the highest quality vegetable oil, which also implies a high sensory quality. The organoleptic properties related to the flavor of this valued product are also due to the presence of a series of compounds in its composition, mainly some carbonyl compounds found in the volatile fraction, although some minor compounds such as phenolic compounds also contribute. However, these properties are greatly affected by the incidence of certain factors, both intrinsic, such as the olive variety, and extrinsic, such as the growing conditions, so that each EVOO has a particular flavor. Furthermore, these flavors are susceptible to change under the influence of other factors throughout the oil's shelf-life, such as oxidation or temperature. This work offers a description of some of the most remarkable compounds responsible for EVOO's unique flavor and aroma, the factors affecting them, the mechanism that lead to the degradation of EVOO, and how flavors can be altered during the shelf-life of the oil, as well as several strategies suggested for the preservation of this flavor, on which the quality of the product also depends.

Status and Challenges of Plant-Anticancer Compounds in Cancer Treatment.

Nowadays, cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, which has been estimated to cause 9.9 million deaths in 2020. Conventional treatments for cancer commonly involve mono-chemotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and mono-chemotherapy. However, the negative side effects of these approaches have been extensively reported and have prompted the search of new therapeutic drugs. In this context, scientific community started to look for innovative sources of anticancer compounds in natural sources, including traditional plants. Currently, numerous studies have evaluated the anticancer properties of natural compounds derived from plants, both in vitro and in vivo. In pre-clinical stages, some promising compounds could be mentioned, such as the sulforaphane or different phenolic compounds. On the other hand, some phytochemicals obtained positive results in clinical stages and were further approved for cancer treatment, such as vinca alkaloids or the paclitaxel. Nevertheless, these compounds are not exempt of limitations, such as low solubility, restricted effect on their own, negative side-effects, etc. This review aims to compile the information about the current phytochemicals used for cancer treatment and also promising candidates, main action mechanisms and also reported limitations. In this sense, some strategies to face the limitations have been considered, such as nano-based formulations to improve solubility or chemical modification to reduce toxicity. In conclusion, although more research is still necessary to develop more efficient and safe phytochemical drugs, more of these compounds might be used in future cancer therapies.

Technological Application of Tannin-Based Extracts.

Tannins are polyphenolic compounds naturally found in vegetables. Their presence in nature has prompted their historical use in many different ways. The revision of their traditional utilization has allowed their further modification aiming for an industrial application. Sometimes these modifications have implied the addition of harmful substances such as formaldehyde, classified as a carcinogen of category B1. In other cases, these natural tannins have been replaced by synthetic compounds that threaten human and animal health and damage the environment. Therefore, currently, both academy and industry are searching for the substitution of these unsafe complexes by the increasing inclusion of tannins, natural molecules that can be obtained from several and diverse renewable resources, modified using harmless additives. To achieve promising results, cost-efficient and eco-friendly extraction methods have been designed. Once these green alternatives have been isolated, they have been successfully applied to many fields with very assorted aims of utilization such as coagulants, adhesives, floatation agents, tannings, dyes, additives, or biomolecules. Therefore, this review offers a global vision of the full process that involves the tannin's technological application including an overview of the most relevant tannin sources, effective extraction methods, and their utilization in very diverse fields.

Treatment of urachal disorders: The open and laparoscopic surgery approach. / Abordaje laparoscópico de la patología uracal. Nuestra serie.

INTRODUCTION: The present study analyzes cases of urachal abnormalities treated with laparoscopic approach in our hospital. CASE DESCRIPTION: A retrospective descriptive study of urachal disorders with laparoscopic surgery approach performed at our hospital in the period 1999-2015. Patients' clinical data are presented (radiological findings, surgical data, pathology findings, complications and a follow-up of each patient). RESULTS: 7 Adults presented complicated urachal disorders treated laparoscopically. The average age was 43.1 years old (DE ±11). The mean surgical time of laparoscopic management was 154.2 minutes (range 120-240). Mean hospital stay was 4.9 days (DE ±1.1). There were no early or late postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic removal of urachal remnants is a safe and reproducible technique.

Perioperative complications and surgical oncology outcomes in an initial study from 84 patients submitted to laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The Gold Standard treatment for a non-metastatic, invasive bladder cancer is an open radical cystoprostatectomy (ORCP). Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy (LRCP) is still an experimental technique in evaluation. We describe our perioperative results defined as surgical and safety oncology variables. METHODS: Every patient who underwent a LRCP between January 2007 and July 2011 in the urology department of the University Public Hospital was evaluated. We perform a descriptive retrospective analysis. RESULTS: We evaluated 84 patients, 72 males and 12 females, with a mean age of 68 (44-79). A Bricker diversion was performed in 80 patients, a Camey II bladder replacement was performed in 3 patients, and a Studer bladder replacement was performed in 1 patient. Seventeen patients (20.23%) presented with previous abdominal surgery, and 6 patients (7.14%) presented a medical history of urological surgery. The mean surgery time was 257.57 minutes (180-420). The mean hospital stay was 11.875 days (standard deviation (SD): 6.28). The onset of tolerance to surgery occurred after 3.7 days (SD: 2.21).The transfusion rate after surgical intervention was 20.2%. The mean number of nodes removed, by means of ilio-obturator lymphadenectomy, was 17 (13-19). There were no intraoperative complications. Early complications (less than 1 month after the intervention) occurred in 28 patients (33.3% ).There were no post-operative deaths. There were late complications (starting one month after the intervention) in 7 patients (8.3% ). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that LRCP is safe and reproducible and represents a minimally invasive option for patients with infiltrative bladder cancer.

Penile metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Case report.

OBJECTIVE: Penile metastases are late manifestations of a primary tumor, and they are a sign of poor prognosis. We report a case of a rare presentation: penile metastases from prostate cancer. METHODS: 77 year-old male presented hematuria and acute urinary retention; on physical examination multiple hard lesions were detected. The patient underwent a Doppler ultrasound, subsequent penile and prostate biopsy, and staging study. Currently he is being treated with complete androgen blockade. RESULTS: A histological study of the penile biopsy showed penile metastasis from prostate adenocarcinoma. The histological study of prostate biopsy confirmed Gleason 8 (4+4) adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Despite of the different therapeutic alternatives for treatment of symptomatic penile metastases, it would be with palliative target; due to the median survival of these patients is less than a year.

[Suburethral readjustable sling (Remeex) for the treatment of female urinary incontinence: personal surgical technique]. / Cabestrillo de tension regulable "Remeex" en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria femenina: tecnica quirúrgica personal.

OBJECTIVES: Currently there is not agreement about the adequate tension for each patient with female stress urinary incontinence treated with urethral slings. The adjustable tension sling Remeex (external mechanic regulation) allows adjustment to ideal tension trying to avoid or minimize possible reoperations. The objective of these paper is to describe the components of the Remeex system, its indications, and the surgical technique to implant and adjust it. INDICATIONS: The Remeex system is indicated for female urinary incontinence in cases of urethral hypermobility, fixed urethra, primary sphincteric dysfunction, failure of other incontinence repaired techniques, and urinary incontinence in bladder hyperreflexia. STUDY PROTOCOL: The diagnosis is made with appropriate history and physical examination and completed with voiding cystourethrogram and urodynamic study, urinary tract ultrasound and, optionally, urethrocystoscopy. Remeex prosthesis characteristics: The system has three elements: polypropylene mesh, pressure tensor, and disconnection tool. TECHNIQUE: 1. Anesthesia: It maybe performed under general or spinal anesthesia. 2. Preparation and patient position. 3. Surgical technique step-by-step:--Abdominal access: 4-6 cm suprapubic incision and development of a supra- aponeurotic space to place the pressure tensor.--Vaginal access: longitudinal incision 1 cm from the urethra meatus, dissection of the vesicovaginal plane, and development of the space to place the polypropylene mesh.--Combined abdominal-vaginal access: bilateral punction with a 20 cm suture-passing needle from the abdomen to the vagina and passage of the mesh from the paraurethral espace threading its sutures in the pressure tensor system, and closure of the incisions.--Cystoscopy.--Tension adjustment and postoperative control. CONCLUSIONS: 1. It is an easy to implant system and a reproducible operation. 2. This technique avoids the morbidity of abdominal operations. 3. It allows the readjustment after surgery through a small suprapubic incision under local anesthesia. 4. Good results have been described in the short and mid-term.