Search results for "Assays"
showing 10 items of 546 documents
Development of aDrosophila melanogasterspliceosensor system forin vivohigh-throughput screening in myotonic dystrophy type 1
2014
AbstractAlternative splicing of pre-mRNAs is an important mechanism that regulates cellular function in higher eukaryotes. A growing number of human genetic diseases involve splicing defects that are directly connected to their pathology. In myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), several clinical manifestations have been proposed to be the consequence of tissue-specific missplicing of numerous genes. These events are triggered by an RNA gain-of-function and resultant deregulation of specific RNA-binding factors, such as the nuclear sequestration of muscleblind-like family factors (MBNL1-MBNL3). Thus, the identification of chemical modulators of splicing events could lead to the development of the…
Lipid nanocarriers containing esters prodrugs of Flurbiprofen. Preparation, physical-chemical characterization and biological studies.
2013
In this paper, the preparation, chemical-physical, technological and in vitro characterization of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) carrying R-flurbiprofen ester prodrugs, were analyzed for a potential pharmaceutical application. R-flurbiprofen was chosen as a model drug because it has been found to play an effective role in counteracting secretases involved in neurodegenerative diseases, although it does not cross the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). In this study, two R-flurbiprofen ester prodrugs (ethyl and hexyl) were successfully synthesized and entrapped into non-pegylated and pegylated NLC. The obtained systems showed average diameters in the colloidal size range, negative zeta potential…
Comparative analysis of eight cytotoxicity assays evaluated within the ACuteTox Project.
2013
A comparative analysis of eight cytotoxicity assays [the 3T3 and normal human keratinocytes Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) assay, the primary rat hepatocytes, human HepG2 and 3T3 MU assay, and the human A.704, SH-SY5Y and HepG2 cells propidium iodide (PI) assay] included in several work packages of the EU Integrated Project ACuteTox, has been carried out. The aim was to evaluate whether cells originating from liver, kidney and brain provided different in vitro acute toxicity results, and the influence of primary liver cells versus cell lines originated from the same tissue. Spearman rank correlation analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis were performed based on the IC50 (50% inhibitory concen…
Pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazine-4(3H)-ones, a new class of azolotetrazines with potent antitumor activity.
2003
Pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazinones 10a-o, compounds that hold the deaza skeleton of the antitumor drug temozolomide, were prepared by reaction of 2-diazopyrroles 9 and isocyanates. Such a synthetic route represents, among those leading to azolotetrazinones reported so far, the only possible one since attempts to cyclize to the title ring system 2-amino-1-carbamoylpyrroles 11 or the mono substituted 2-triazenopyrrole 12 failed. Compounds 10 were screened at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for their activity against a panel of about 60 human tumor cell lines. Most of them possess remarkable antineoplastic activity having GI(50) values in the low micromolar or sub-micromolar range and rea…
Biosorption of green and black tea polyphenols into Saccharomyces cerevisiae improves their bioaccessibility
2015
Infusions of green tea (GT) and black tea (BT) and the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a natural matrix were employed to check the impact of biosorption on the possible fate of tea polyphenols in the gastrointestinal tract in terms of bioaccessibility and total antioxidant capacity (TEAC and ORAC assays). The maximum biosorption yields obtained were 47.61 ± 11.57 and 99.68 ± 5.25 mg/g from GT and BT infusions, respectively. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in the recovery of phenolic compounds was shown after in vitro digestion. The bioaccessible fractions generally exhibited higher antioxidant capacities in both tea infusions and suspensions of S. cerevisiae versus non-digested samples…
Saponins from the Roots of Nylandtia spinosa
2007
From the roots of Nylandtia spinosa, four new triterpene saponins, 3- O-beta- d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28- O-beta- d-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha- l-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta- d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta- d-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- d-fucopyranosyl ester ( 1), 3- O-beta- d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28- O-beta- d-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha- l-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta- d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- d-fucopyranosyl ester ( 2), 3- O-beta- d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28- O-beta- d-apiofuranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta- d-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta- d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-be…
Characterization of softwood and hardwood lignoboost kraft lignins with emphasis on their antioxidant activity
2014
Fractionation of softwood and hardwood LignoBoost kraft lignins, using sequential extraction with organic solvents of increasing hydrogen-bonding ability (dichloromethane, n-propanol, and methanol), was carried out. Using SEC, analytical pyrolysis, FTIR and UV/VIS spectroscopy, and chemical analytical methods, four fractions were obtained and characterized in terms of their yield, composition, functionality, lignin structural features, and antioxidant properties. In tests with free radicals (ABTS●+, DPPH●, O2●-) and the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assay, the high radical scavenging capacity of the lignin’s soluble fractions was demonstrated. The antioxidant activity of the fra…
Tumorigenic and metastatic activity of human thyroid cancer stem cells
2010
Abstract Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy and the first cause of death among endocrine cancers. We show that the tumorigenic capacity in thyroid cancer is confined in a small subpopulation of stem-like cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDHhigh) activity and unlimited replication potential. ALDHhigh cells can be expanded indefinitely in vitro as tumor spheres, which retain the tumorigenic potential upon delivery in immunocompromised mice. Orthotopic injection of minute numbers of thyroid cancer stem cells recapitulates the behavior of the parental tumor, including the aggressive metastatic features of undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas, which are sustained by…
Cancer Stem Cells Sensitivity Assay (STELLA) in Patients with Advanced Lung and Colorectal Cancer: A Feasibility Study.
2015
Background Cancer stem cells represent a population of immature tumor cells found in most solid tumors. Their peculiar features make them ideal models for studying drug resistance and sensitivity. In this study, we investigated whether cancer stem cells isolation and in vitro sensitivity assay are feasible in a clinical setting. Methods Cancer stem cells were isolated from effusions or fresh cancer tissue of 23 patients who progressed after standard therapy failure. Specific culture conditions selected for immature tumor cells that express markers of stemness. These cells were exposed in vitro to chemotherapeutic and targeted agents. Results Cancer stem cells were extracted from liver metas…
Nopal Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a Source of Bioactive Compounds for Nutrition, Health and Disease
2014
Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly referred to as prickly pear or nopal cactus, is a dicotyledonous angiosperm plant. It belongs to the Cactaceae family and is characterized by its remarkable adaptation to arid and semi-arid climates in tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. In the last decade, compelling evidence for the nutritional and health benefit potential of this cactus has been provided by academic scientists and private companies. Notably, its rich composition in polyphenols, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids has been highlighted through the use of a large panel of extraction methods. The identified natural cactus compounds and derivatives were shown to be e…