Prostate cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxic activity of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) and TiO2 + ZnO nanocomposite (NC) in human prostate cancer cell line (DU-145) and healthy mouse fibroblast cell line (L-929). In the study, TiO2 and ZnO NPs and TiO2 + ZnO NC were synthesized. Cytotoxic activities of NC and NPs was then analyzed in human prostate cancer cell line (DU-145) and healthy mouse fibroblast cell lines (L-929) using the MTT method. TiO2, ZnO and TiO2 + ZnO IC50 values were determined in DU-145 and L-929 cell cells (n = 6). TiO2 + ZnO NC in the Du-145 cell line was found as the most active, having statistically significant (***p < 0.0001, **p ˂ 0.001 and **p ˂ 0.01).

(1) Background: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major global health challenge due to its high heterogeneity and aggressive progression. The discovery of novel bioactive molecules with anticancer properties has, therefore, become a critical research focus. In this study, we synthesized and characterized 4,4′-(5,8-dioxa-2,11-diazadodecane-1,11-diene-1,12-diyl)diphenol (DODP) and evaluated its anticancer potential using molecular docking, bioinformatics, and experimental analyses. (2) Methods: The chemical structure of DODP was confirmed through ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Molecular docking was conducted to examine the interaction of DODP with apoptosis and cell cycle-related proteins (TP53, MDM2, and MYC) and the immune checkpoint marker CD274 (PD-L1). Cytotoxicity against AGS GC cells was determined using the MTT assay at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 50 µM, and gene expression alterations were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and bioinformatics evaluation. (3) Results: NMR data verified the successful synthesis of DODP. The docking results indicated strong binding affinity, especially with TP53 and CD274. DODP showed notable cytotoxicity after 72 h of exposure and induced upregulation of TP53, MYC, and CD274 and downregulation of MDM2 in AGS cells. Although the patterns were consistent with cell-based and bioinformatic analyses, significant discriminatory ability in blood samples was observed only for MYC (AUC = 0.651; p = 0.044). (4) Conclusions: DODP influenced apoptosis-associated transcriptional responses in GC, offering early mechanistic evidence that should be evaluated in more comprehensive biological models.

Objectives: Forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) localize within tumor cell nuclei in various cancers, suggesting their involvement in transcriptional regulation. This study aimed to investigate expression changes of FOX family members and selected lncRNAs to explore their potential regulatory roles in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Methods: Expression levels of FOX genes and lncRNAs were analyzed using RT-PCR, and protein levels were measured via ELISA in patients diagnosed with DTC who received radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. Results: RT-PCR analysis revealed significant differences in FOXO1 and HOXA11-AS expression before and after RAI therapy (p<0.05). FOXO3 , FOXP1 , FOXP2 , and CASC21 showed significant expression differences in pre-RAI samples, while MEG3 and KCNQ1OT1 differed significantly post-RAI (p<0.05). Moreover, strong correlations were identified between FOXO3 , FOXP2 , and key lncRNAs including MEG3 , KCNQ1OT1 , CASC21 , and HOXA11-AS (p<0.05). ELISA results showed a significant change in FOXP1 protein levels, and TSH and Tg levels differed significantly across treatment stages (p<0.05). CASC21 exhibited the highest AUC in ROC analysis. Conclusions: Despite the limited sample size, the findings suggest the potential of these genes, particularly CASC21, as biomarkers in DTC. These results may contribute to enhancing RAI therapy efficacy and advancing personalized treatment approaches.

Background: Cholelithiasis is the most prevalent inflammatory condition of the gallbladder. The regulation of biological processes, including energy homeostasis, and control of body weight are key mechanisms that the leptin and melanocortin pathways play a role in Cholelithiasis is the most prevalent inflammatory condition of the gallbladder. There are various risk factors for the development of gallstone disease, especially weight gain, and obesity is just one of them. This risk factor can be minimized by maintaining appetite and energy balance. Here, leptin and melanocortin pathways are the key mechanisms in maintaining appetite and energy homeostasis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the levels of LEP, LEPR, TrkB, BDNF, POMC, and MC4R proteins in patients with Cholelithiasis. This study aims to determine the relationship between LEP, LEPR, TrkB, BDNF, POMC, and MC4R protein levels, which play a role in maintaining appetite and energy homeostasis, and cholelithiasis. Methods: This study examined 44 patients diagnosed with Cholelithiasis and 44 healthy control subjects who had not previously been diagnosed with any form of Cholelithiasis. The levels of leptin (LEP), Leptin Binds To Leptin Receptors (LEPR), Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase B (TrkB), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Pro-OpioMelanoCortin (POMC), and Melanocortin- 4 Receptors (MC4R) molecules were analyzed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The results were analyzed using the SPSS Software (Version 22.0) program and GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 software. Results: The study found a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in MC4R, TrkB, BDNF, and POMC protein levels in Cholelithiasis patients compared to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in LEP and LEPR concentration values between the two groups (p = 0.247, p = 0.674). Conclusion: The proteins MC4R, TrkB, BDNF, and POMC, which are involved in the leptin and melanocortin pathways may play a significant role in Cholelithiasis disease. However, more detailed research on the relevant proteins is needed. Nevertheless, this research will guide new studies.

We herein report the determination of the cytotoxic activity and expression profiles of some DNA repair genes of newly synthesized azomethines in the gastric cancer cell line (AGS). The studied novel compounds were synthesized by a condensation reaction and received compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy methods. Furthermore, they were applied to the AGS cell line at eight different concentrations (0.1–50 µg/mL). Anticancer activities were determined using the MTT method. Expression levels of ATR, ERCC1, TOP2A, and ABCB1 genes were determined by the RT-PCR method. Biochemical parameters were also examined. The interaction of proteins with other proteins was investigated with the String v11 program. The IC50 values of compounds 1, 2, and 3 obtained after 72 h were 23.10, 8.93, and 1.58 µg/mL, respectively. The results demonstrate that the cytotoxic activity of compound 3 on AGS cancer cells is higher in comparison with other molecules. It was determined that the expression levels of ATR, TOP2A, and ABCB1 genes in compounds 1, 2, and 3 were decreased compared to the control group. In addition, it was determined that ERCC1 gene expression increased in compound 3, decreased in compound 2, and remained unchanged in compound 1 (p < 0.001). In AGS gastric cancer cells, a 64% decrease was detected for GST levels in compound 1, while a 38% decrease in GSH levels in compound 2. In addition, compounds 1–3 were examined at the molecular level with computational techniques and the docking studies revealed 4LN0 as a target protein.

Mir146a, a member of the microRNA family, plays an important role in the regulation of many biological pathways such as the regulation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. The relationship between mir146a polymorphism and gastric, colon, rectum cancers have been investigated in Turkish population. Polymorphism in mir146a gene rs2961920 and rs2910164 have been determined in 212 patients (gastric: 73, colon:76 and rectum:63) and in 77 healthy controls by Real-Time PCR. Findings were evaluated by logistic regression and Khi (χ2) tests. The comparison of gastric, colon and rectum cancer patients and controls determined a statistically significant relationship for alcoholic drink consumption (p 0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between mir146a rs2910164 polymorphism and gastric, colon and rectum cancers (p>0.05). However, there was statistically significant relationship between this polymorphism and gastric cancer in GG+CG and CC genotypes when the gastric cancer patients and control group were evaluated for mir146a rs2910164 polymorphism (χ2: 5,49 p: 0,019). Similarly, there was statistically significant relationship between this polymorphism and gastric cancer in GG+CC and CG genotypes (χ2:5,39, p: 0,020). In this study, it is thought that by investigating the functions of microRNAs and their role in cancer, it may be promising in understanding the molecular pathology of cancer and in developing molecular targeted therapies.