Induction of Apoptotic Death and Cell Cycle Arrest in HeLa Cells by Extracellular Factors of Breast Cancer Cells

Background: There are evidences on the role of extracellular factors in cellular communication between cancercells and non-cancerous cells to support tumor progression and a phenomenon of cancer cachexia. However, evidencesare scarce to show the effects of extracellular factors from one carcinoma microenvironment upon growth and survivalof another carcinoma. Methodology: To address the above issue, we have selected excised breast carcinoma tissuesamples and in vitro grown MCF-7 sources of extracellular factors and tested their effects to evaluate growth andproliferation inhibitory potential against a cervical carcinoma cell line HeLa. Results: Data from the in vitro experimentslike Trypan blue dye exclusion, MTT assay, cell cycle assay and annexin V/PI staining lead us to suggest that theextracellular factors collected from the culture medium of in vitro grown MCF-7 and excised breast carcinoma tissueplay an apoptosis inducing and cell cycle arrest role in HeLa. In these in vitro experiments, we detected the presence ofup to 40-50% apoptotic cell death in HeLa cells and increase in G2-M cell cycle phase from 11%-25% due to treatmentwith extracellular factors from human breast carcinoma cells. Discussion and Conclusion: These observations arenovel and suggest that extracellular factors from breast carcinoma play an apoptosis inducing and growth inhibitoryrole upon on HeLa cells. This study can also support the concept of cancer cachexia and a possible hypothesis for rarechance of synchronous two or more primary tumor in a single patient.     

Three-dimensional visualization and virtual reality simulation role in hepatic surgery: Further research warranted

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the study of algorithms that enable machines to analyze and execute cognitive activities including problem solving, object and word recognition, reduce the inevitable errors to improve the diagnostic accuracy, and decision-making. Hepatobiliary procedures are technically complex and the use of AI in perioperative management can improve patient outcomes as discussed below. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of images obtained via ultrasound, computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging, can help surgeons better visualize the surgical sites with added depth perception. Pre-operative 3D planning is associated with lesser operative time and intraoperative complications. Also, a more accurate assessment is noted, which leads to fewer operative complications. Images can be converted into physical models with 3D printing technology, which can be of educational value to students and trainees. 3D images can be combined to provide 3D visualization, which is used for preoperative navigation, allowing for more precise localization of tumors and vessels. Nevertheless, AI enables surgeons to provide better, personalized care for each patient.     

Thyroid hormone’s role in regulating brain glucose metabolism and potentially modulating hippocampal cognitive processes

Cognitive performance is dependent on adequate glucose supply to the brain. Insulin, which regulates systemic glucose metabolism, has been recently shown both to regulate hippocampal metabolism and to be a mandatory component of hippocampally-mediated cognitive performance. Thyroid hormones (TH) regulate systemic glucose metabolism and may also be involved in regulation of brain glucose metabolism. Here we review potential mechanisms for such regulation. Importantly, TH imbalance is often encountered in combination with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, and may cause additional metabolic dysregulation and hence worsening of disease states. TH’s potential as a regulator of brain glucose metabolism is heightened by interactions with insulin signaling, but there have been relatively few studies on this topic or on the actions of TH in a mature brain. This review discusses evidence for mechanistic links between TH, insulin, cognitive function, and brain glucose metabolism, and reaches the conclusion that TH may modulate memory processes, likely at least in part by modulation of central insulin signaling and glucose metabolism.