Successful hybrid repair of a giant coronary artery aneurysm after previous coronary artery bypass grafting.

Unlabelled: A 64-year-old woman had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for right coronary occlusion and the Dor procedure for a left ventricular apex aneurysm 10 years previously. A follow-up computed tomography scan showed the evolution of a giant coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) located on the proximal left circumflex artery (CX). It also revealed a previous saphenous vein graft (SVG) that was patent and located on the midline.

[Open Surgery after Zone 0 Debranch Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair with Fenestrated Stent Graft:Report of a Case].

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been widely used in recent years as a treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysm, but open surgery may be required for various complications that cannot be controlled by endovascular treatment alone. It is often a more challenging operation. A 78-year-old man underwent two debranch TEVAR (zone 1) for thoracic aortic aneurysm eight years before, and he received TEVAR (zone 0) again with the Najuta stent graft for re-expansion of aneurysm due to typeⅠa endoleak two years before.

Recurrent nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis the day after mitral valve replacement.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is relatively rare, with an identification rate of 1.6% at autopsy, and is associated with malignancy and systemic lupus erythematosus. Further, bioprosthetic valve NBTE is extremely rare, with only a few reports in the literature.

Right ventricular outflow obstruction with squamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin.

A 60-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of chest tightness. CT scans showed no specific findings except a right ventricular (RV) mass. Echocardiogram revealed that the large cardiac mass was compressing the right ventricular outflow tract, and the patient thus underwent an emergency operation.

[Aorta-left Main Trunk Interposition for Adult Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery Using a Prosthetic Graft;Report of a Case].

A 70-year-old woman with back pain was diagnosed with adult anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery [Bland-White-Garland (BWG) syndrome]. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed diffuse hypokinesia of the left ventricle and mild mitral valve regurgitation. Coronary angiography revealed dilatation of both coronary arteries, but no aneurysms.

Crude extract of Euphorbia formosana induces apoptosis of DU145 human prostate cancer cells acts through the caspase-dependent and independent signaling pathway.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men and the second highest contributor of male cancer mortality. The crude extract of Euphorbia formosana (CEEF) has been used for treatment of different diseases but the cytotoxic effects of CEEF on human cancer cells have not been reported. The purpose of the present experiments was to determine effects of CEEF on cell cycle distribution and induction of apoptosis in DU145 human prostate cancer cells in vitro.

Retinoic acid receptor agonist activity of naturally occurring diterpenes.

Recent accumulating evidence indicates that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) may be useful for preventing or treating inflammation, allergy, and autoimmune diseases, despite its severe side effects. In this study, screening of 99 crude drugs for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) ligands by luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that the methanol extract of Aralia cordata Rhizoma most effectively activates the transcriptional activity of RARα. Pimaradienoic acid (ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid) was subsequently isolated as the constituent capable of activating RAR.

Distinct effects of alcohol consumption and smoking on genetic alterations in head and neck carcinoma.

Background: Tobacco and alcohol consumption are risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Recently, whole-exome sequencing clarified that smoking increased TP53 and other mutations in HNSCC; however, the effects of alcohol consumption on these genetic alterations remain unknown. We explored the association between alcohol consumption and somatic copy-number alterations (SCNAs) across the whole genome in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative HNSCCs, and compared with the effects of smoking on genetic alterations.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate suppresses EGF-stimulated SAS human oral squamous carcinoma cell invasion by targeting EGF receptor signaling.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a natural compound that is involved in chemoprevention as well as inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in several types of cancer cells. Previous studies have revealed that PEITC suppresses the invasion of AGS gastric and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. However, the effects of PEITC on the metastasis of SAS oral cancer cells remain to be determined.

Kaempferol suppresses cell metastasis via inhibition of the ERK-p38-JNK and AP-1 signaling pathways in U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells.

Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid that possesses anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities in several cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the anti-metastatic activity of kaempferol and its molecular mechanism(s) of action in human osteosarcoma cells. Kaempferol displayed inhibitory effects on the invasion and adhesion of U-2 osteosarcoma (OS) cells in a concentration-dependent manner by Matrigel Transwell assay and cell adhesion assay.

Crude extract of Euphorbia formosana inhibits the migration and invasion of DU145 human prostate cancer cells: The role of matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 inhibition via the MAPK signaling pathway.

Prostate cancer is a common worldwide health problem in males with a poor prognosis due in part to tumor invasion and migration. The crude extract of Euphorbia formosana (CEEF) has been used for the treatment of numerous diseases, however, its effects on the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells have yet to be examined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CEEF on the migration and invasion of DU145 human prostate cancer cells in vitro.

AKT serine/threonine protein kinase modulates baicalin-triggered autophagy in human bladder cancer T24 cells.

Baicalin is one of the major compounds in the traditional Chinese medicinal herb from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. We investigated the molecular mechanisms of cell autophagy induced by baicalin in human bladder cancer T24 cells. Baicalin inhibited cell survival as shown by MTT assay and increased cell death by trypan blue exclusion assay in a concentration-dependent manner.

ERK-modulated intrinsic signaling and G(2)/M phase arrest contribute to the induction of apoptotic death by allyl isothiocyanate in MDA-MB-468 human breast adenocarcinoma cells.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a member of the isothiocyanate (ITC) family found in a constituent of cruciferous vegetables, possesses anticancer activity and induces apoptosis in various types of human cancer cell lines. However, no available information showed antitumor effects in human breast adenocarcinoma cells. The current study was focused on exploring the mechanisms underlying AITC-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells in vitro.

Lanostane triterpenoids and sterols from Antrodia camphorata.

Four lanostane triterpenes, 3,7,11-trioxo-5α-lanosta-8,24(E)-dien-26-oic acid, methyl 11α-3,7-dioxo-5α-lanosta-8,24(E)-dien-26-oate, methyl 3,7,11,12,15,23-hexaoxo-5α-lanost-8-en-26-oate, and ethyl 3,7,11,12,15,23-hexaoxo-5α-lanost-8-en-26-oate, two sterols, (14α,22E)-14-hydroxyergosta-7,22-diene-3,6-dione and a steroid named as camphosterol A were isolated from a mixture of fruiting bodies and mycelia of solid cultures of Antrodia camphorata. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of all compounds were fully assigned using a combination of 2D NMR experiments, including COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY sequences. Six compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against several human tumor cell lines, all of which has moderate activity.

Epigallocatechin gallate sensitizes CAL-27 human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells to the anti-metastatic effects of gefitinib (Iressa) via synergistic suppression of epidermal growth factor receptor and matrix metalloproteinase-2.

Human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a major cause of cancer-related death during the last decade due to its related metastasis and poor treatment outcomes. Gefitinib (Iressa), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor has been reported to reduce the metastatic abilities of oral cancer. Previous studies have shown that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, possesses cancer chemopreventive and anticancer activity.

AKT serine/threonine protein kinase modulates bufalin-triggered intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in CAL 27 human oral cancer cells.

Bufalin has been reported to induce apoptosis in a variety of cancers but little is demonstrated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. The present study investigated the inhibition of proliferation, cell cycle arrest and apoptotic effects of bufalin in CAL 27 human oral cancer cells. Bufalin inhibited the growth of CAL 27 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and an IC50 value of bufalin was about 125 nM for 24 h treatment using the MTT assay.

Inhibition of invasion and migration by newly synthesized quinazolinone MJ-29 in human oral cancer CAL 27 cells through suppression of MMP-2/9 expression and combined down-regulation of MAPK and AKT signaling.

Anti-metastasis by reducing cellular migration and invasion and by deregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. The objective of this study focused on the effects of the novel compound 6-pyrrolidinyl-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-quinazolinone (MJ-29) regarding anti-metastatic actions on human oral squamous cell carcinoma CAL 27 cells and on the verification of the underlying related molecular mechanisms of this event. MJ-29 concentration- and time-dependently caused a suppression of cell adhesive ability utilizing cell adhesion assay; it also inhibited the migration and invasion of CAL 27 cells using scratch wound closure and transwell invasion assays in a concentration-dependent response.

Astaxanthin functions differently as a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ modulator in adipocytes and macrophages.

Astaxanthin (ASX), an oxygenated carotenoid (xanthophyll), has previously been shown to exert ameliorative effects on obesity and insulin resistance, but the underlying mechanisms were not clearly elucidated. In the present study, we investigated whether ASX serves as a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ modulator. Analyses of PPARγ binding by CoA-BAP assays revealed that ASX bound to PPARγ in a dose-dependent manner.

Hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol extract of Vitis thunbergii on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats through anti-oxidative activities.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana are traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhea, fracture and injury, jaundice, and hepatitis in Taiwan.

Aim Of The Study: The hepatoprotective activity of its plant extracts seems to be been associated with its antioxidant activity.

Puerariae flos alleviates metabolic diseases in Western diet-loaded, spontaneously obese type 2 diabetic model mice.

Puerariae flos extract (PFE) has been reported to have many effects, including preventing the development of hangovers, liver protective effects, and an estrogenic effect. In addition, some papers reported that PFE is effective against metabolic diseases, with hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects. However, the mechanism underlying such effects remains unclear.

A naturally occurring rexinoid, honokiol, can serve as a regulator of various retinoid x receptor heterodimers.

We investigated the properties of honokiol, a natural rexinoid, as a regulator of retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimers with various partner nuclear receptors (NRs), in comparison with those of the synthetic rexinoid bexarotene. Honokiol alone was hardly capable of activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ/RXR, RXR/liver X receptor (LXR), and RXR/vitamin D receptor (VDR) heterodimers, whereas it effectively potentiated their activation by agonists for the partner NRs of the RXR heterodimers. These findings were further supported by increased mRNA and protein levels for the respective NR target genes.

Anti-inflammatory activities of tormentic acid from suspension cells of Eriobotrya Japonicaex vivo and in vivo.

Anti-inflammatory effects of tormentic acid (TA) were investigated ex vivo and in vivo. TA decreased the paw edema at the 4th and 5thhour after λ-carrageenin (Carr) administration, and increased the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the liver tissue. TA also significantly attenuated the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level in the edematous paw at the 5thhour after Carr injection.

Antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities of Xanthii Fructus extract.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Xanthii seeds commonly called Cang-Erzi were used as a traditional Chinese medicine for treating sinusitis, headache due to rheumatism and skin pruritus.

Aim Of The Study: In order to evaluate the actions of this plant, studies were performed on antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Materials And Methods: The aqueous extract of Xanthii Fructus (AXF) was evaluated in mice for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model.