Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant machinery in abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can modulate mRNA expression. Insights into the roles of miRNAs in development and disease have led to the development of new therapeutic approaches that are based on miRNA mimics or agents that inhibit their functions (antimiRs), and the first such approaches have entered the clinic. This Review discusses the role of different miRNAs in cancer and other diseases, and provides an overview of current miRNA therapeutics in the clinic. In just over two decades since the discovery of the first microRNA (miRNA), the field of miRNA biology has expanded considerably. Insights into the roles of miRNAs in development and disease, particularly in cancer, have made miRNAs attractive tools and targets for novel therapeutic approaches. Functional studies have confirmed that miRNA dysregulation is causal in many cases of cancer, with miRNAs acting as tumour suppressors or oncogenes (oncomiRs), and miRNA mimics and molecules targeted at miRNAs (antimiRs) have shown promise in preclinical development. Several miRNA-targeted therapeutics have reached clinical development, including a mimic of the tumour suppressor miRNA miR-34, which reached phase I clinical trials for treating cancer, and antimiRs targeted at miR-122, which reached phase II trials for treating hepatitis. In this article, we describe recent advances in our understanding of miRNAs in cancer and in other diseases and provide an overview of current miRNA therapeutics in the clinic. We also discuss the challenge of identifying the most efficacious therapeutic candidates and provide a perspective on achieving safe and targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics.

MicroRNA therapeutics: towards a new era for the management of cancer and other diseases

Upon infection with necrotizing pathogens many plants develop an enhanced resistance to further pathogen attack also in the uninoculated organs. This type of enhanced resistance is referred to as systemic acquired resistance (SAR). In the SAR state, plants are primed (sensitized) to more quickly and more effectively activate defense responses the second time they encounter pathogen attack. Since SAR depends on the ability to access past experience, acquired disease resistance is a paradigm for the existence of a form of “plant memory”. Although the phenomenon has been known since the beginning of the 20th century, major progress in the understanding of SAR was made over the past sixteen years. This review covers the current knowledge of molecular, biochemical and physiological mechanisms that are associated with SAR.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.4161/psb.1.4.3221

Systemic Acquired Resistance

Early studies have shown how aberrantly expressed microRNAs are a hallmark of several diseases like cancer. MicroRNA expression profiling was shown to be associated with tumour development, progression and response to therapy, suggesting their possible use as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Moreover, based on the increasing number of studies demonstrating that microRNAs can function as potential oncogenes or oncosuppressor genes, with the goal to improve disease response and increase cure rates, miRNA-based anticancer therapies have recently been exploited, either alone or in combination with current targeted therapies. The advantage of using microRNA approaches is based on its ability to concurrently target multiple effectors of pathways involved in cell differentiation, proliferation and survival. Here, we review our current knowledge about the involvement of microRNAs in cancer, and their potential as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic tools.

https://www.embopress.org/doi/pdf/10.1002/emmm.201100209

MicroRNA dysregulation in cancer: diagnostics, monitoring and therapeutics. A comprehensive review

Platinum complexes are clinically used as adjuvant therapy of cancers aiming to induce tumor cell death. Depending on cell type and concentration, cisplatin induces cytotoxicity, e.g., by interference with transcription and/or DNA replication mechanisms. Additionally, cisplatin damages tumors via induction of apoptosis, mediated by the activation of various signal transduction pathways, including calcium signaling, death receptor signaling, and the activation of mitochondrial pathways. Unfortunately, neither cytotoxicity nor apoptosis are exclusively induced in cancer cells, thus, cisplatin might also lead to diverse side-effects such as neuro- and/or renal-toxicity or bone marrow-suppression. Moreover, the binding of cisplatin to proteins and enzymes may modulate its biochemical mechanism of action. While a combination-chemotherapy with cisplatin is a cornerstone for the treatment of multiple cancers, the challenge is that cancer cells could become cisplatin-resistant. Numerous mechanisms of cisplatin resistance were described including changes in cellular uptake, drug efflux, increased detoxification, inhibition of apoptosis and increased DNA repair. To minimize cisplatin resistance, combinatorial therapies were developed and have proven more effective to defeat cancers. Thus, understanding of the biochemical mechanisms triggered by cisplatin in tumor cells may lead to the design of more efficient platinum derivates (or other drugs) and might provide new therapeutic strategies and reduce side effects.

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/3/1/1351/pdf

Cisplatin as an Anti-Tumor Drug: Cellular Mechanisms of Activity, Drug Resistance and Induced Side Effects

Ionizing radiation (IR) is an important diagnostic and treatment modality, yet it is also a potent genotoxic agent that causes genome instability and carcinogenesis. While modern cancer radiation therapy has led to increased patient survival rates, the risk of radiation treatment-related complications is becoming a growing problem as radiation poses a threat to the exposed individuals and their progeny. Radiation-induced genome instability, which manifests as an elevated mutation rate (both delayed and non-targeted), chromosomal aberrations and changes in gene expression, has been well-documented in directly exposed cells and organisms. However, it has also been observed in distant, naive, out-of-field, ‘bystander’ cells and their progeny. Enigmatically, this increased instability is even observed in the pre-conceptually exposed progeny of animals, including humans. The mechanisms by which these distal effects arise remain obscure and, recently, have been proposed to be epigenetic in nature.

Role of Epigenetic Changes in Radiation-Induced Genome Instability


The small house model of long-term care (LTC) is identified internationally by several model names. Although some differences exist between the characteristics of these models (e.g., number of residents, degree of resident freedom, facility design), there are 3 recurring components: functional units with a small group of residents, replication of familiar domestic routines, and some form of decentralized staff. 
The key philosophic difference between the small house model and the traditional LTC model is the heavy focus on person-centred care. This approach to care in the small house model is firmly rooted in freedom of choice and autonomy for the residents. 
Small house models eliminate the strict delineation of roles; staff at all levels are included in the decision-making process. Self-managed and universal work teams are prominent features of the small house model. Frontline staff with strong interpersonal skills are essential for successful implementation. 
No strong trend emerges from the literature with respect to the impact of the small house model on resident-centred outcomes compared with more traditional models of LTC. This is likely due to lack of consistency in the outcomes that are measured and variability among the different small house models. This finding is consistent with other reviews on the topic. 
Literature exploring the Canadian experience with small house models is limited. The majority of identified studies used data from the US or European jurisdictions, which potentially limits its generalizability to the Canadian context. 


Jody Filkowski

Papers

Role of Epigenetic Changes in Radiation-Induced Genome Instability

The Small House Model to Support Older Adults in Long-Term Care