Methotrexate and Cetuximab—Biological Impact on Non-Tumorigenic Models: In Vitro and In Ovo Assessments

Background Objectives: The neoplastic process remains a major health problem facing humanity. Although there are currently different therapeutic options, they raise a multitude of shortcomings related to the toxic effects associated with their administration. Methotrexate (Met) and Cetuximab (Cet) are two basic chemotherapeutics used in cancer practice, but notwithstanding despite many years of use, the mechanisms by which the multitude of side-effects occur are not yet fully understood. Thus, the present study focused on the in vitro and in ovo evaluation of the associated toxic mechanisms on keratinocytes, keys cells in the wound healing process. Materials and Methods: The two chemotherapeutics were tested in eight different concentrations to evaluate keratinocytes viability, the anti-migratory effect, and the influence on the expression of markers involved in the production of cell apoptosis. In addition, the potential irritating effect on the vascular plexus were highlighted by applying the in ovo method, chick chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM). Results: The results revealed that Met induced decreased cell viability as well as increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes. In the vascular plexus of the chorioallantoic membrane, Met caused vascular irritation accompanied by capillary hemorrhage and vascular stasis. Conclusions: Summarizing, Cet presents a safer toxicological profile, compared to Met, based on the results obtained from both in vitro (cell viability, wound healing, RT-PCR assays), and in ovo (HET-CAM assay) techniques.

Green and Synthetic Metallic Nanoparticles - Obtaining, Characterization and Biological Evaluation in Association with Lupeol

The field of metal nanotechnology continues to draw the attention of researchers from different areas due to the outstanding properties of nanoparticles. The main aims of this research were to obtain and to study two types of gold nanoparticles; different obtaining pathways (the chemical synthesis and the biosynthesis based on an aqueous extract of lemon balm) were involved in this research. The chemically synthesized nanoparticles were loaded with lupeol. After a preliminary physico-chemical characterization, the compounds obtained were tested in order to evaluate the effects on the viability of colon cancer cells. The formulation of these new gold nanoparticles with average size between 38 and 82 nm, with a good stability against the tendency to form agglomerations according to the Zeta potential values, was confirmed by UV-Vis spectra; the particles containing lupeol have show the best activity against the colon cancer cells.

Nicotine Activity on Healthy Oral Cells and Pharyngeal Tumor Cells

A number of studies highlight the harmful effects of smoking and the extremely serious consequences of the majority of compounds found in cigarettes and cigarette smoke. Of these, nicotine has attracted attention due to the suspicion of a carcinogen compound. The present study investigated the effect of nicotine on primary gingival keratinocytes but also on pharyngeal tumor cells, by evaluating viability and apoptotic processes.

Evaluation of the Impact Induced by High Dietary Sucrose Concentration and Glucocorticoid Medication on Dentin Formation of Young Rats

The impact of sucrose and systemic cortisone treatment on the response of dentin was examined in an experimental rat model. After 2 months of a modified diet and/or medication period, the areas of dentin formation and dentinal caries were quantified in the mandibular molars of growing animals. The 60% sucrose diet significantly reduced dentin formation and increased dentinal caries progression. The presence of glucocorticoid medication alone reduced dentin formation. Cortisone medication in combination with sucrose diet further decreased dentin apposition. Rats receiving the control diet positively responded to the dentinal caries by increasing dentin formation to prevent pulpal exposure. The rate of dentine formation was lower in rats with high sucrose diet and predentin area was wider compared to the control group fed normal diet. The enlargement of the predentin region in sucrose diet rats reflects changes in the functionality of the odontoblasts, such as reduction of matrix synthesis and alteration of the mineralization process. These results indicate that the functional alterations in the pulpo-dentinal complex might contribute to dentinal caries progression through systemic mechanism irrespective of the causative factors.

Comparative Effects of Oral and Injectable Bisphosphonates in Primary Human Gingival Fibroblasts

Bisphosphonates are effective antiresorptive agents frequently used in the treatment of different bone disorders, as osteoporosis, Paget�s disease and tumours that cause osteolysis. A major concern related to bisphosphonates therapy is represented by osteonecrosis of jaw, a serious, debilitating, and mostly, a therapy-resistant disease, reported as a frequent side effect of bisphosphonates. The present study was aimed to assess and compare the effect of four commercially available bisphosphonates, very frequently used as oral (Fosamax - F and Actonel - A) and injectable (Ossica - O and Zoledronic acid - Z) therapy on primary human gingival fibroblasts - HGF viability. Alamar blue cell viability assay was performed to assess the effect of test compounds (1.5; 2.5; 5 and 10 mM) on gingival fibroblasts viability after a 24 h interval. In these experimental conditions, injectable bisphosphonates (O and Z) proved to be safe for HGF cells, whereas oral compounds (F and A) were cytotoxic even at low concentrations.

Complications of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Therapy in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia - Chronic Phase

Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a malignant tumor of pluripotent haemopoetic stem cell, characterized by increase granulocytes with left shift and the presence of the Ph chromosome.Treatment of chronic phase is made with tyrosine kinase inhibitors administered orally and can have secondary effects: haematological and non-haematological. The purpose of this paper is to assess complications of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia and establishing correlations with the type of inhibitor used. The study was performed on a total of 140 patients diagnosed with chronic phase CML in the Hematology Department of the City Clinical Emergency Hospital Timisoara between January 2006 - January 2016. The lot proposed has been studied in terms of anthropometric parameters and also the haematological and biochemical. It showed complications after initiation of therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and also the correlations statistically significant between complications and type of inhibitor used. The study reveals that regardless the type of inhibitor used both haematological complications arise and non haematological. The most common are: neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, fluid retention, muscle and joint pain. Less common are nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, increased liver enzymes. Despite complications of occurring, these modern therapies significantly improve both survival and quality of life of patients.

Melanin and Behaviour of Melanoma-related Cell Lines in the Presence of Ultraviolet B Type Radiation

Melanoma is a malignant disease of the cutaneous organ that shows significant aggression, resistance to treatment and increased mortality. Melanin and B-type ultraviolet radiation are key factors in the appearance and development of melanoma. In this study, the melanocyte and two melanoma tumor cells behaviour was evaluated in the presence of UVB radiation. The results highlighted the significant impairment of melanin-producing malignant cells, COLO-829, at both radiation doses tested.

Antimicrobial Activity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Compared to Standard Antibiotics Used in ORL Infections

In recent years, bacterial infections in hospitals have grown particularly due to the development of antibiotic resistance. Recent research targets the discovery of new antibiotics that exhibit broad spectrum of action without adverse effects or minimizing adverse effects. In this study, the activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles against three bacteria commonly found in infectious diseases in the ORL sphere was evaluated. The recorded data revealed an activity comparable to that of the standard antibiotics used in these types of infections, with the observation that the activity of the nanoparticles could also be observed in the particular cases of antibiotic resistance.

Thyme Leaves Aqueous Extract and its Formulations. A comparative study based on chemical structures and biological activity

The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the biological activity of thyme aqueous extract as compared to the silver nanoparticles obtained on it on four different cancer lines: non-melanoma skin cancer (A431 cell line), melanoma skin cancer (A375cell line), hormone dependent breast cancer (MCF-7 cell line), and non-hormone dependent breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 cell line). Of particular importance in the study of biological activity is the chemical composition. Formulas rich in compounds of classes like those of flavonoids are recognized for their efficacy and important antioxidant effect. The extract tested at various concentrations ranging from 10-1000 �g/mL exhibited a pronounced effect only on MCF-7 cells at the highest concentration tested and regarding the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles, the effect can be noted even at 1 � M also only in the case of MCF-7 cells.

Decreased sEng plasma levels in hypertensive patients with endothelial dysfunction under chronic treatment with Perindopril

Purpose: Endoglin is a transmembrane glycoprotein which plays an important role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. One of its forms, soluble endoglin (sEng), a molecule with antiangiogenic properties, has been found overexpressed in patients suffering from hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and is proposed as a marker of endothelial damage. Accordingly, we aimed to quantify the efficacy of various antihypertensive regimens on sEng levels, in hypertensive patients with endothelial dysfunction.

Patients and methods: 323 patients were enrolled, and there were 99 patients with normal blood pressure values, 106 hypertensive patients under chronic treatment with different types of antihypertensive molecules (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics) in monotherapy, and 118 hypertensive patients under chronic treatment with perindopril. sEng plasma levels were quantified and were correlated with classical methods of assessing the endothelial damage.

Results: Patients under chronic treatment with perindopril had lower sEng plasma levels compared with the other group of hypertensive patients under different regimens of antihypertensive treatment (sEng: 4.73±1.39 versus 5.63±2.33, p<0.01).

Conclusion: Decreased sEng plasma levels were found in patients under chronic treatment with perindopril, when compared with other antihypertensive regimens of treatment (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and/or diuretics).

Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxic Effect on Gingival Cells of Silver Nanoparticles Obtained by Biosynthesis

The emergence and development of biofilm is steadily increasing and its currently used prevention and control schemes are free of unwanted effects. Silver nanoparticles obtained through biosynthesis represent an area of interest in the biofilm approach. In the present study, silver nanoparticles were obtained by using the aqueous extract of rosemary leaves which were subsequently tested for antimicrobial activity and for the influence regarding viability of healthy gingival cells. Experiments have shown a significant antimicrobial activity on E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. The viability of keratinocytes and gingival fibroblasts was influenced by higher concentrations of test compound (10 and 25 �g/mL).

Melanoma Cell Lines Role in Obtaining New Drug Candidates for Combating the Malignant Pathology of the Cutaneous Organ

As prophylactic and therapeutic approaches for melanoma, of great interest and importance are the in vitro studies using cell lines to elucidate several tumoral phenomena. Therefore, the similarities and differences between the different tumor cells must be known and understood in order to obtain a more accurate correlation with processes that occur in vivo. In this study, six cell lines of melanoma, both of mouse and human origin were analyzed from the point of view of cell culture growth, morphology and use in the research of new therapies. In brief, the current paper exhibits a comparison of melanoma cells which can be utilized as a starting point for further in vitro studies and in vivo animal models.

Time Trends Regarding the Association Between Drug and Tabacco Consumption Among Students from the West Part of Romania. A transversal population study

The present research was conducted in order to investigate the tobacco smoker status and intensity in relation to marijuana consumption in students of Timis County, Romania. The representative sample of 2076 students in Timis county, 62.49% girls and 37.51% boys, with the mean age of 21.09 years, was included into a transversal populational study. The sample included 31.1% tobacco smokers and 67.5% nonsmokers. Regarding the tobacco smoking intensity during the previous month, 11.4% smoked between 1-5 cigarettes a day, 8% smoked between 6 and 10 cigarettes a day, 12% smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day, the consumption being significantly higher in boys than in girls. Tobacco smoker students consumed marijuana 8.3 times more frequently than nonsmokers. Heavy smoking students were more frequently marijuana co-users than those smoking tobacco at medium intensity. Tobacco smoker students consumed marijuana 11.44 times more frequently during the prevuious 30 days as compared to nonsmoker students.

DFT Study of Structure, IR and RAMAN Spectra for Betulinic Acid Solvatomorphs

Combined experimental and theoretical studies on molecular structure of the betulinic acid solvatomorph of ethanol, 2-butanol and isopropyl alcohol solvents, grown by recrystallization method, are reported. Theoretical investigations, in the frame of DFT, are done using the new method of the betulinic acid solvatomorph molecule extraction from the corresponding molecular crystal, based on typical fragmentation scheme and chemical connectivity. For all electrons, a localized basis set of Gaussian type functions TZVP and local gradient corrected functional BP86 were used. Good correlation was found between the calculated and experimental data. Slight differences in the lattice modes spectral range (0-200 cm-1) from experimental Raman spectra suggest slight differences in the crystalline network and highlight the powerful Raman approach in evidencing BA pseudo-polymorphs or solvatomorphs. Data obtained suggest that incorporated solvents to the solvates generaly induced changes in crystal symmetry, intermolecular arrangements, stoichiometry and hydrogen bonding interactions of the analysed solvatomorphs.

A Pilot Study for Testing the Efficiency of a Novel Integrated On-line Platform Using Tumoral Biomarkers Evaluation in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death among cancer patients in Romania. It is known as a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diversion in multiple molecular pathways during its evolutionary process. This research was focusing on the two biomarkers that are related to CRC, specifically Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9). Being an integral part of a wider study, we explored the use of a novel platform to support the strictly controlled process of data collection on colorectal cancer cases. We collected data about the patients regarding baseline clinical parameters, medical history, important comorbidities, intraoperative findings and adverse events, tumor characteristics, histological findings and main laboratory data (blood cell count, serum protein electrophoresis, liver and kidney function tests, serum levels of CEA and CA19-9). The results suggest that these two biomarkers are useful preoperative indicators of local recurrences and prognosis in colorectal cancer. Increased levels of both tumor markers are correlated with an advanced stage of the disease and a poor prognosis. Finally, this study aims to provide the necessary infrastructure, geared towards efficient, safe and comprehensive clinical evaluation of CRC cases.

The Association Between Resistivity Index (IR) and the sFlt-1 and PIGF Values in Pregnant Women With Risk of Preeclampsia

Worldwide, 5-8% of pregnant women are diagnosed with preeclampsia. This disease increases the morbidity and mortality of the fetus and pregnant woman, especially in developing countries. Preeclampsia is characterized by systolic blood pressure ] 140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure] 90mmHg as measured twice, and 24 h proteinuria �0.3 g, after 20 weeks of gestation. The cause of preeclampsia is still incompletely elucidated. Numerous studies have suggested to modernize the definition of preeclampsia by incorporating key biomarkers of either placental or vascular origins, including placental growth factor (PIGF) and antiangiogenic factors such as tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) in the diagnosis of preeclampsia and the risk of occurrence of the disease in the second trimester of pregnancy [1-5]. We studied a group of 50 patients with a 21-week pregnancy diagnosis, we calculated the ratio between sFlt-1 and PIGF and we tested to see if there was an association between this ratio and the resistivity index (IR) of the uterine artery using the artery Doppler ultrasound. The PIGF level in our group was decreased in women who developed preeclampsia compared to the control group where this problem did not occur. Doppler ultrasound examination during the second trimester of pregnancy may provide extra data for prediction of preeclampsia. Although much of pathophysiology of preeclampsia has been explained, the exact etiology of this disorder remains unclear. It is certain that before the clinical signs of preeclampsia are detectable, there is an imbalance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors.

The Influence of Some Synthesis Compounds on Healthy and Tumoral Oral Cell Lines: PGK, HGF and SCC4

This present study aimed to assess the influence of different chemical compounds which are commonly found in the composition of products used for oral hygiene on primary gingival keratinocyte, human gingival fibroblast and tongue squamous cell carcinoma behaviour. Chlorhexidine (Chx), aspartame (Asp), xylitol (Xyl) and sodium bicarbonate (NaB) were evaluated in an in vitroresearch regarding cells morphology and cytotoxicity. Primary gingival keratinocytes (PGK)and fibroblasts (HGF)treated with different concentration of the tested compounds did not show significant changes, nor related to morphology nor related to viability at the lowest concentrations used ([ 25�M). In contrast, the tumor cells were affected by the test compounds, especially xylitol and sodium bicarbonate, both in terms of morphology and cytotoxicity, at concentrations over 5�M.

Characterization of Healthy and Tumor Oral Cell Lines of Human Origin. The preliminary stage in the assessment of relevant chemical compounds with impact on dentistry

The present study was aimed to evaluate the confluence percentage of three oral cell lines, namely primary gingival keratinocytes (PGK), primary gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC-4). All cells have been monitored at different passages for 21 days. Evaluation of confluence percentage reveals the fact that primary gingival keratinocytes and tongue squamous cell carcinoma at small passages requires a period of about two weeks to reach a confluence of approximately 80% while for the gingival fibroblasts a period of about three times smaller is satisfactory.

Characterization of the Eugenol Effects on the Bioenergetic Profile of SCC-4 Human Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line

Eugenol (EU), the active ingredient in clove oil, is commonly used as successful therapeutic compound in dentistry due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. Recent research studies suggest that eugenol has also a potential anti-cancer effect. This study was thereby purported to assess the effects of EU on the bioenergetic profile of the SCC-4 human squamous cell carcinoma cell line. To this aim, SCC-4 cells were treated for 24 hours with free EU and EU incorporated in polyurethane structures (50 �M each). Oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) were measured using the Seahorse XF-24e extracellular flux analyzer (Agilent Technologies Inc.). Analysis of the SCC-4 bioenergetic profile was performed in the presence of the classic modulators of the electron transport chain: oligomycin, FCCP, and antimycin A+rotenone. Our data showed that cells stimulated with free EU induced a decrease of OCR linked parameters and an increase of ECAR, effects that were abolished by the incorporation of EU in polyurethane structures. In conclusion, free eugenol elicits inhibitory effects on mitochondrial respiration in the SCC-4 cell line, a result that might be suggestive for its anti-tumoral effects.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Birch Bark Extracts on Human and Murine Healthy/Melanoma Cell Lines

Betulapendula R. presents an increased interest due to its chemical composition, rich in pentacyclictriterpenes, which are recognized for their remarkable biological activityespecially in the pathologies associated with the cutaneous organ. The present research work was purported to assess the biological activity of two type of birch bark extracts, namely total hydro alcoholic extract (BBE1) and betulin purified extract (BBE2) in terms ofviability ontwo healthy cell lines ( human keratinocytes-HaCat and newborn mice epidermis - JB6Cl41-5a) and two melanoma cell lines (human-A375 and murine-B164A5). Both extracts did not exhibited any toxicity on healthy cells at concentrationsd � 25 �g/mL. BBE1 showed greater efficacy than BBE2 on both melanoma cell lines.