Academic literature on the topic 'Braj Folk literature'

The theme of the article is evolution of the popular folklore image of the vampire in world literature. From the monster of folk narrative the image of the vampire entered literary culture at the beginning of the 19th century when writers of the age of Romanticism sought material for their work in folk tales. The novel “Dracula” written by the Irish writer Bram Stoker set a large part of attributes for the image of the vampire in readers’ consciousness. It became a turning point in the evolution of the vampire. In the following years the vampire was a popular symbol in the 20th century literary experiments; however, it gained a considerable fame with a more rapid spreading of the cinema. Later, until the second half of the 20th century the image of the vampire was degraded to the level of a cheap horror monster. In the 1970s it was revived by the American writer Anne Rice in her series of novels “The Vampire Chronicles”. For the time being the latest tendency in the evolution of the vampire is represented by the novels of paranormal romance subgenre intended for young adults. In these novels the vampire has assumed the aura of a romantic character. In comparison with world literature vampire has not won a massive popularity in the novels of Latvian writers; however, some authors have occasionally used this image in their works. The image of the vampire appears in Latvian literature as a classical blood sucking monster, as a political symbol and also as a romantic hero in fantasy and adventure novels for young people. As we can see, the presence of the image of the vampire in Latvian writing reflects the same tendencies that have dominated world literature on a smaller scale. For this reason Latvian literature can be considered to be an interesting testimony of literary connections in the world.

Wheat and rice play a vital role in human nutrition and food security. A better understanding of the potential health benefits associated with consuming these cereals, combined with studies by plant scientists and food chemists to view the entire food value chain from the field, pre and post-harvest processing, and subsequent “fork” consumption, may provide the necessary tools to optimize wheat and rice production towards the goal of better human health improvement and food security, providing tools to better adapt to the challenges associated with climate change. Since the available literature usually focuses on only one food chain segment, this narrative review was designed to address the identities and concentration of phenolics of these cereal crops from a farm-to-fork perspective. Wheat and rice genetics, phenolic databases, antioxidant properties, and potential health effects are summarized. These cereals contain much more than phenolic acids, having significant concentrations of flavonoids (including anthocyanins) and proanthocyanidins in a cultivar-dependent manner. Their potential health benefits in vitro have been extensively studied. According to a number of in vivo studies, consumption of whole wheat, wheat bran, whole rice, and rice bran may be strategies to improve health. Likewise, anthocyanin-rich cultivars have shown to be very promising as functional foods

Cancer remains a major public health concern, mainly because of the incompletely understood dynamics of molecular mechanisms for progression and resistance to treatments. The link between melanoma and thyroid cancer (TC) has been noted in numerous patients. Nucleocytoplasmic transport of oncogenes and tumor suppressor proteins is a common mechanism in melanoma and TC that promotes tumorigenesis and tumor aggressiveness. However, this mechanism remains poorly understood. Papillary TC (PTC) patients have a 1.8-fold higher risk for developing cutaneous malignant melanoma than healthy patients. Our group and others showed that patients with melanoma have a 2.15 to 2.3-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with PTC. The BRAF V600E mutation has been reported as a biological marker for aggressiveness and a potential genetic link between malignant melanoma and TC. The main mechanistic factor in the connection between these two cancer types is the alteration of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway activation and translocation. The mechanisms of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking associated with RAS, RAF, and Wnt signaling pathways in melanoma and TC are reviewed. In addition, we discuss the roles of tumor suppressor proteins such as p53, p27, forkhead O transcription factors (FOXO), and NF-KB within the nuclear and cytoplasmic cellular compartments and their association with tumor aggressiveness. A meticulous English-language literature analysis was performed using the PubMed Central database. Search parameters included articles published up to 2021 with keyword search terms melanoma and thyroid cancer, BRAF mutation, and nucleocytoplasmic transport in cancer.

A quitosana, polissacarídeo linear obtido a partir do exoesqueleto de crustáceos e artrópodes, tem sido pesquisada em Odontologia por suas diversas propriedades terapêuticas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre as aplicações atuais e as possibilidades terapêuticas da quitosana na odontologia. A busca foi realizada através do banco de dados eletrônico do Pubmed, utilizando os descritores Quitosana, Odontologia e Biomateriais. Foram incluídas pesquisas científicas utilizando quitosana em diversas áreas da odontologia e excluídas revisões de literatura e estudos não odontológicos, sendo selecionados 13 artigos. A quitosana induz resposta transcricional e anti-inflamatória em fibroblastos gengivais sobre citocinas inflamatórias, fatores transformadores do crescimento (TGF -β) e fatores de crescimento tumoral (TNF-α) que estão diretamente relacionados à atividade patológica periodontal. Nas infecções endodônticas persistentes, a substância atua criando ligações de hidrogênio e liberação de íons cálcio, o que potencializa a ação dos irrigadores intracanal, além de causar menos estresse oxidativo. Para a odontologia restauradora, a quitosana demonstrou eficácia como auxiliar no condicionamento da dentina e mostrou potencial para induzir a migração de odontoblastos na proteção do complexo dentino-pulpar. A substância atua como uma cura de feridas orais devido à sua capacidade de estimular a formação de fibroblastos e novos vasos sanguíneos, além de células anti-inflamatórias. Descritores: Biopolímeros; Biomateriais; Biotecnologia. Referências Zhao X, Li P, Guo B, Ma PX. Antibacterial and conductive injectable hydrogels based on quaternized chitosan-graft-polyaniline/oxidized dextran for tissue engineering. Acta Biomater. 2015;26:236-48. Tomihata K, Ikada Y. In vitro and in vivo degradation of films of chitin and its deacetylated derivatives. Biomaterials. 1997;18(7):567-75 Citgez B, Cengiz AN, Akgun I, Uludag M, Yetkin G, Bahat N, Ozcan O, Polat N, Akcakaya A, Karatepe O. Effects of chitosan on healing and strength of colonic anastomosis in rats. Acta Cir Bras. 2012;27(10):707-12. Azevedo VVC, Chaves SA, Bezerra DC, Lia Fook MV, Costa ACFM. Quitina e Quitosana: aplicações como biomateriais. Rev Eletr Mater Proc. 2007;2(3):27-34. Tavaria FK, Costa EM, Pina-Vaz I, Carvalho MF, Pintado MM. A quitosana como biomaterial odontológico: estado da arte. Rev Bras Eng Bioméd. 2013;29(1):110-20. Ueno H, Nakamura F, Murakami M, Okumura M, Kadosawa T, Fujinag T. Evaluation effects of chitosan for the extracellular matrix production by fibroblasts and the growth factors production by macrophages. Biomaterials. 2001;22(15):2125-30. Shahid F, Abuzaytoun R. Chitin, chitosan, and co-products: chemistry, production, applications, and health effects. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2005;49(1):93-135. Croisier F, Jerome C. Chitosan-based biomaterials for tissue engineering. Eur Polym J. 2013;49(1):780-92. Giovino C, Ayensu I, Tetteh J, Boateng JS. An integrated buccal delivery system combining chitosan films impregnated with peptide loaded PEG-b-PLA nanoparticles. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2013;112(1):9-15. Wieckiewicz M, Boening KW, Grychowska N, Paradowska-Stolarz,U. Clinical Application of Chitosan in Dental Specialities. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2017;17(5):401-9. Ravi Kumar MNV. A análise dos pedidos de quitina e quitosana. R React Funct 2000;46(1):1-27. Chen CK, Chang NJ, Wu YT, Fu E, Shen EC, Feng CW, Wen ZH. Bone Formation Using Cross-Linked Chitosan Scaffolds in Rat Calvarial Defects. Implant Dent. 2018;27(1):15-21 Pavez L, Tobar N, Chacon C, Arancibia R, Martinez C, Tapia et al. Chitosan triclosan particles modulate inflammatory signaling in gingival fibroblasts. J Periodontal Res. 2017; 53(2):232-39. Moraes PC, Marques ICS, Basso FG, Rosseto HL, Pires de Sousa FCP, Costa CAS et al. Repair of Bone Defects with Chitosan- Collagen Biomembrane and Scaffold Containing Calcium Aluminate Cement. Braz Dent J. 2017;28(3):287-95. Aydin UZ, Akpinar KE, Hepokur C, Erdönmez D. Assessment of toxicity and oxidative DNA damage of sodium hypochlorite, chitosan and propolis on fibroblast cells. Braz Oral Res. 2018;32(1):1-8. Özdoğan AI, Ilarslan YD, Kösemehmetoğlu K, Acka G, Kutlu HB, Comerdov E et al. In Vivo Evaluation of Chitosan Based Local Delivery Systems for Atorvastatin in Treatment of Periodontitis. Int J Pharm. 2018;25(1):470-76. Paiola FG, Lopes FC, Mazzi-Chaves JF, Pereira RD, Oliveira HF, Queiroz AM et al. How to improve root canal filling in teeth subjected to radiation therapy for câncer. Braz Oral Res. 2018;32(1):1-9. Farhadian N, Godiny M, Moradi S, Hemati Azandaryani A, Shahlaei M. Chitosan/gelatin as a new nano-carrier system for calcium hydroxide delivery in endodontic applications: Development, characterization and process optimization. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2018;92:540-46. Subhi H, Reza F, Husein A, Al Shehadat SA, Nurul AA. Gypsum-Based Material for Dental Pulp Capping: Effect of Chitosan and BMP-2 on Physical, Mechanical, and Cellular Properties. Int J Biomater. 2018;2018:3804293. Soares DG, Anovazzi G, Bordini EAF, Zuta UO, Silva Leite MLA, Basso FG, Hebling J, de Souza Costa CA. Biological Analysis of Simvastatin-releasing Chitosan Scaffold as a Cell-free System for Pulp-dentin Regeneration. J Endod. 2018;44(6):971-76. Işılay Özdoğan A, Akca G, Şenel S. Development and in vitro evaluation of chitosan based system for local delivery of atorvastatin for treatment of periodontitis. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2018;124:208-16. Kesim B, Burak AK, Ustun Y, Delikan E, Gungor A. Effect of chitosan on sealer penetration into the dentinal tubules. Niger J Clin Pract. 2018;21(10):1284-90. Guo JM, Makvandi P, Wei CC, Chen JH, Xu HK, Breschi L, Pashley DH, Huang C, Niu LN, Tay FR. Polymer conjugation optimizes EDTA as a calcium-chelating agent that exclusively removes extrafibrillar minerals from mineralized collagen. Acta Biomater. 2019;90:424-40. Susanto A, Susanah S, Priosoeryanto BP, Satari MH, Komara I. The effect of the chitosan-collagen membrane on wound healing process in rat mandibular defect. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2019;23(2):113-18.

Abstract Spontaneous regression of cutaneous melanoma represents a more frequent circumstance in tumors with intense MelanA immunoprofile. Melanoma-derived breast metastases are uncommon and have been predominantly reported in premenopause, as an indicator for widespread disease. We report the case of a 60-year-old female patient, who presented to the surgical department after auto-palpation of a left mammary mass. Digital mammography indicated malignant characteristics, also objectified in the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes. The microscopical examination and immunohistochemical profile revealed left nodal and upper-outer mammary quadrant metastases of a BRAF-positive achromic melanoma. The clinical and dermoscopic evaluation confirmed the complete regression of the malignant melanocytic lesion, localised at the level of the right inframammary fold. The upper-outer breast quadrant designates the main site of primary tumors (66%), as well as metastases of other malignancies (50%), due to its well-represented vascularisation and glandular tissue. Dermoscopic characteristics of regressed melanoma comprise scar-like depigmentation and polymorphous vessels (irregular linear and globular). The particularities of this case include the age > 40 years old, survival under therapy with Vemurafenib superior to that cited in the literature (24 months to this date), the involvement of the contralateral lymph nodes in relation to the skin lesion and the inverse diagnostic approach – from pathologist to dermatologist. Completely regressed achromic melanoma, identified through diagnostic techniques performed on clinically apparent loco-regional and distant metastases, represents a rare dermato-oncological entity, with controversial implications regarding the prognosis and survival, that requires future histopathological and dermoscopic homogenization.

Methods: This is a cohort study, conducted at a university-based reproductive medicine center and private reproductive medicine center that aimed to evaluate granulosa cumulus cell gene expression in the insulin signaling pathway in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and to compare the cumulus gene expression between normal weight and obese women without clinical insulin resistance. Fifteen PCOS patients, nine normal weight patients and six obese patients presenting normal HOMA IR (Homeostasis Model Assessment–Insulin Resistance), participated. Patients underwent oocyte retrieval for IVF and after the procedure, granulosa cumulus cells were removed from the oocytes for RNA extraction. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array analysis of 84 genes from insulin signaling pathway was conducted. The results were expressed as fold up- or fold down-expression in obese patients compared with normal weight patients. Any fold change ⩾3 or ⩽3 and any p ⩽ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: There were 10 genes that were overexpressed in obese compared with normal weight women, BCL2L1, BRAF, CBL, DOK1, FBP1, FRS2, MTOR, PCK2, RPS6KA1, and SORBS1, that had a fold change ⩾3 and p ⩽ 0.05. Discussion: In the obese group, the overexpressed genes are mainly responsible for the proliferation and differentiation of cumulus cells during oocyte maturation, insulin resistance, apoptosis regulation, and glucose metabolism during early embryogenesis, suggesting that in the follicular environment, insulin resistance is present even in the absence of clinical signs. Conclusion: Together, our findings and the related literature suggest that those alterations may be associated with the worse prognosis of follicular development and oocyte maturation observed in PCOS obese women.

Chronic non-communicable diseases are the major cause of death globally. Whole grains are recommended in dietary guidelines worldwide due to increasing evidence that their consumption can improve health beyond just providing energy and nutrients. Epidemiological studies have suggested that the incorporation of whole grains, as part of a healthy diet, plays a key role in reducing one’s risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cancer. Phenolic acids and dietary fibre are important components found in whole grains that are largely responsible for these health advantages. Both phenolic acids and dietary fibre, which are predominantly present in the bran layer, are abundant in whole-grain cereals and pseudo-cereals. Several studies indicate that whole grain dietary fibre and phenolic acids are linked to health regulation. The main focus of this study is two-fold. First, we provide an overview of phenolic acids and dietary fibres found in whole grains (wheat, barley, oats, rice and buckwheat). Second, we review existing literature on the linkages between the consumption of whole grains and the development of the following chronic non-communicable diseases: CVDs, obesity, T2D and cancer. Altogether, scientific evidence that the intake of whole grains reduces the risk of certain chronic non-communicable disease is encouraging but not convincing. Based on previous studies, the current review encourages further research to cover the gap between the emerging science of whole grains and human health.

Purpose: Novel, “outside of the box” approaches are needed for evaluating candidate molecules, especially in oncology. Throughout the years of 2000-2010, the efficiency of drug development fell to barely acceptable levels, and in the second decade of this century, levels have improved only marginally. This dismal condition continues despite unprecedented progress in the development of a variety of high-throughput tools, computational methods, aggregated databases, drug repurposing programs and innovative chemistries. Here we tested a hypothesis that the economic impact of targeting a particular gene product is predictable a priori by employing a combination of transcriptome profiles and quantitative metrics reflecting existing literature. Methods: To extract classification features, the gene expression patterns of a posteriori high-impact and low-impact anti-cancer target sets were compared. To minimize the possible bias of text-mining, the number of manuscripts published prior to the first clinical trial or relevant review paper, as well as its first derivative in this interval, were collected and used as quantitative metrics of public interest. Results: By combining the gene expression and literature mining features, a 4-fold enrichment in high-impact targets was produced, resulting in a favourable ROC curve analysis for the top impact targets. The dataset was enriched by the highest impact anti-cancer targets, while demonstrating drastic differences in economic value between high and low-impact targets. Known anti-cancer products of EGFR, ERBB2, CYP19A1/aromatase, MTOR, PTGS2, tubulin, VEGFA, BRAF, PGR, PDGFRA, SRC, REN, CSF1R, CTLA4 and HSP90AA1 genes received the highest scores for predicted impact, while microsomal steroid sulfatase, anticoagulant protein C, p53, CDKN2A, c-Jun, and TNSFS11 were highlighted as most promising research-stage targets. Conclusions: A significant cost reduction may be achieved by a priori impact assessment of targets and ligands before their development or repurposing. Expanding a suite of combinational treatments could also decrease the costs, while achieving a higher impact per developed ligand. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

Purpose: Novel, “outside of the box” approaches are needed for evaluating candidate molecules, especially in oncology. Throughout the years of 2000-2010, the efficiency of drug development fell to barely acceptable levels, and in the second decade of this century, levels have improved only marginally. This dismal condition continues despite unprecedented progress in the development of a variety of high-throughput tools, computational methods, aggregated databases, drug repurposing programs and innovative chemistries. Here we tested a hypothesis that the economic impact of targeting a particular gene product is predictable a priori by employing a combination of transcriptome profiles and quantitative metrics reflecting existing literature. Methods: To extract classification features, the gene expression patterns of a posteriori high-impact and low-impact anti-cancer target sets were compared. To minimize the possible bias of text-mining, the number of manuscripts published prior to the first clinical trial or relevant review paper, as well as its first derivative in this interval, were collected and used as quantitative metrics of public interest. Results: By combining the gene expression and literature mining features, a 4-fold enrichment in high-impact targets was produced, resulting in a favourable ROC curve analysis for the top impact targets. The dataset was enriched by the highest impact anti-cancer targets, while demonstrating drastic differences in economic value between high and low-impact targets. Known anti-cancer products of EGFR, ERBB2, CYP19A1/aromatase, MTOR, PTGS2, tubulin, VEGFA, BRAF, PGR, PDGFRA, SRC, REN, CSF1R, CTLA4 and HSP90AA1 genes received the highest scores for predicted impact, while microsomal steroid sulfatase, anticoagulant protein C, p53, CDKN2A, c-Jun, and TNSFS11 were highlighted as most promising research-stage targets. Conclusions: A significant cost reduction may be achieved by a priori impact assessment of targets and ligands before their development or repurposing. Expanding a suite of combinational treatments could also decrease the costs, while achieving a higher impact per developed ligand. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Its incidence rose steadily in the last century and the estimated incidence is approximately 2.5 million in Europe and 1.5 million in North America [1]. This condition can be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, infections, and cancer [2] The risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is approximately 2- to 3-fold higher for IBD patients than in the general population. [2] Malignancies are the second most common cause of mortality after cardiovascular disease in patients with IBD. [3] Several genetic biomarkers have been studied as prognostic factors, such as BRAF, CEACAM5, SMAD4, APC, MLH1 (part of the Microsatellite instability prognosis factors), and KRAS. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the gene expression of CRC genetic biomarkers in IBD patients' peripheral blood and biopsy samples. METHODOLOGY The gene expression data was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (peripheral blood: GSE186507 and colon biopsies: GSE193677). This data was submitted by Argmann et al, a study that included healthy control patients (n=243), UC (n=421), and CD (n=243). The biopsy samples were obtained from the ileum, colon, and rectum. Several CRC biomarkers were retrieved from the literature. We compared the expression of these biomarkers between the groups in both, blood samples and the different sites of biopsies using T-test (UC vs control, CD vs control, and UC vs CD). RESULTS The analysis showed a significant difference in some CRC gene biomarkers between IBD patients and the control group in peripheral blood and the different locations where the biopsies were obtained. MLH1 was more expressed in IBD patients compared with healthy patients in the cecum (CD vs control p=8e-06; CD vs UC p= 0.00046), left colon (CD vs UC p= 0.02), right colon (UC vs control p=0.022; CD vs UC p=0.0053), sigmoid colon (UC vs control p=0.037; CD vs UC p=0.028), and rectum (CD vs control p=5e-10, CD vs UC p= 1.2e-13). In the case of the blood samples, the gene expression of SMAD4 (p = 0.03) CEACAM5 (p= 0.02), KRAS (p= 0.0005), and MLH1 (p= 0.0002) was significantly higher in IBD patients compared with control group.