β-Carotene is the major dietary source of provitamin A. Central cleavage of β-carotene yields 2 molecules of retinal followed by further oxidation to retinoic acid. Eccentric cleavage of β-carotene occurs at double bonds other than the central double bond, and the products of these reactions are β-apocarotenals and β-apocarotenones. We reviewed recent developments in 3 areas: 1): the enzymatic ...

TGF-β signaling is a therapeutic target in advanced cancers. We identified tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) as a key component mediating pro-oncogenic TGF-β-induced SMAD and non-SMAD signaling. Upon TGF-β stimulation, TRAF4 is recruited to the active TGF-β receptor complex, where it antagonizes E3 ligase SMURF2 and facilitates the recruitment of deubiquitinase USP15 to...

Background: Euphorbia plants are traditionally used in folk medicine for infections, inflammation, and cancer. Objectives: To investigate the effects of the butanolic extracts of Euphorbia micorociadia and Euphorbia osyridea on specific transcription factors and cytokines expression of T cell subsets. Methods: Activated mouse splenocytes were cultured in the presence of non-cytotoxic concentrat...

The Ron receptor tyrosine kinase (macrophage stimulating 1 receptor) is overexpressed in approximately 50% of human breast cancers. Transgenic mice overexpressing Ron in the mammary epithelium [mouse mammary tumor virus driven (MMTV)-Ron expressing mice] develop mammary tumors that exhibit up-regulation of β-catenin and β-catenin target genes. β-Catenin has been shown to be a mediator of mammar...

8-Hydroxyquinoline-based receptors 1-3, containing a trisubstituted triethylbenzene core, were prepared and their binding properties towards glycosides were evaluated. (1)H NMR and fluorescence titrations as well as binding studies in two-phase systems, such as dissolution of solid carbohydrates in apolar media and phase transfer of sugars from aqueous into organic solvents, revealed β- vs.α-an...

Objective(s): Melatonin, an important hormone secreted by the epiphysis, is a powerful anti-oxidant with a high potential to neutralize medical toxins. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the beneficial effect of melatonin on epididymal sperm and reproductive parameters in mice treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).Materials and Methods:</stro...