Allelopathy of leaf extracts of jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.)in the initial development of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracts obtained from leaves of Jatropha curcas L. on germination and initial growth of wheat. The aqueous and alcohol (ethanol and methanol) extracts of dried leaves were prepared in the concentration of 50 mg/mL. From the crude extract were made dilutions and obtained different concentrations. Some of the aqueous extracts tested were autoclaved. Over seven days, the germination characteristics and growth of wheat seedlings were evaluated with the different treatments. There was no effect of aqueous extracts on percentage of seed germination, however the methanolic and ethanolic extracts 5% affected the germination of a cultivar in study. There was a decrease in the germination speed index when the seeds were incubated with crude aqueous extract and methanol extract. The extracts affected the growth of seedlings and the most phytotoxic was the ethanol extract 5%. The autoclaved extracts promoted a reduction in all parameters evaluated. The results presented here show the extracts of dried leaves of jatropha promoted allelopathic effects on wheat. Key words: extract, interference, germination, growth of seedlings. RESUMEN El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar el efecto de los extractos obtenidos a partir de hojas de Jatropha curcas L. sobre la germinación y el crecimiento inicial del trigo. Las acuosas y alcohol (etanol y metanol) extractos de hojas secas

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Two thirds of patients are classified as hormone receptor positive, based on expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), the main driver of breast cancer cell proliferation, and/or progesterone receptor, which is regulated by ERα. Despite presenting the best prognosis, these tumors can recur when patients acquire resistance to treatment by aromatase inhibitors or antiestrogen such as tamoxifen (Tam). The mechanisms that are involved in Tam resistance are complex and involve multiple signaling pathways. Recently, roles for microRNAs and lncRNAs in controlling ER expression and/or tamoxifen action have been described, but the underlying mechanisms are still little explored. In this review, we will discuss the current state of knowledge on the roles of microRNAs and lncRNAs in the main mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance in hormone receptor positive breast cancer. In the future, this knowledge can be used to identify patients at a greater risk of relapse due to the expression patterns of ncRNAs that impact response to Tam, in order to guide their treatment more efficiently and possibly to design therapeutic strategies to bypass mechanisms of resistance.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been the target of considerable attention for their roles in many biological processes. Only a small portion of lncRNAs are functionally characterized, and several approaches have been proposed for investigating the roles of these molecules, including how polymorphisms in lncRNA genomic sites may interfere with their function. Allele frequency variation in single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), for example, has been associated with several diseases, including breast cancer (BC), the most common type of cancer in women. Methods: In the present study, we performed a systematic review of lncRNA SNPs associated with BC and a meta-analysis of some lncRNA SNPs. We found 31 SNPs mapped in 12 lncRNAs associated with BC in 28 case-control studies. Results: Our meta-analysis showed an insignificant difference between the SNPs rs217727, rs3741219, rs2107425 and rs2839698 on H19, as well as rs920778, rs1899663, rs12826786 and rs4759314 on HOTAIR, and BC susceptibility. Conclusions: The present analysis recognized the importance of extensive association studies, including different populations, and further evaluation of potential functional effects caused by lncRNA SNPs. Nevertheless, genetic variants such as SNPs in lncRNAs may play many other essential roles, although this field is still under explored.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides in length that, in general, do not appear to have protein-coding potential. lncRNAs act in gene regulation involved with several biological processes. Furthermore, lncRNAs have been associated with a significant number of cancers, suggesting a potential role in tumorigenesis and progression. For example, HOTAIR regulates proliferation processes and other lncRNAs like highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC), H19, PTENP1, HEIH, and antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL). Other lncRNAs as AFAP1-AS1 and lincRNA-p21 can interact with BCL-2 and TP53, acting in apoptosis. Moreover, NORAD plays a vital role in genomic stability. Additionally, due to deregulated expression and high tissue specificity level, lncRNAs exhibit great potential as prognostic markers. In this chapter, we review the most highlighted lncRNAs acting in hallmarks of cancer and clinical application.