Magnetic tweezers-based 3D microchannel electroporation for high-throughput gene transfection in living cells.

A novel high-throughput magnetic tweezers-based 3D microchannel electroporation system capable of transfecting 40 000 cells/cm(2) on a single chip for gene therapy, regenerative medicine, and intracellular detection of target mRNA for screening cellular heterogeneity is reported. A single cell or an ordered array of individual cells are remotely guided by programmable magnetic fields to poration sites with high (>90%) cell alignment efficiency to enable various transfection reagents to be delivered simultaneously into the cells. The present technique, in contrast to the conventional vacuum-based approach, is significantly gentler on the cellular membrane yielding >90% cell viability and, moreover, allows transfected cells to be transported for further analysis.

Opposing regulation of megakaryopoiesis by LPA receptors 2 and 3 in K562 human erythroleukemia cells.

Erythrocytes and megakaryocytes (MK) are derived from a common progenitor that undergoes lineage specification. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a lipid growth factor was previously shown to be a regulator for erythropoietic process through activating LPA receptor 3 (LPA3). However, whether LPA affects megakaryopoiesis remains unclear.

Indole-3-carbinol inhibits tumorigenicity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via suppression of microRNA-21 and upregulation of phosphatase and tensin homolog.

A major obstacle to successful treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is its high resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy due to overexpression of multidrug resistance genes. Activation of the AKT pathway is known to be involved in chemoresistance in HCC; however, the underlying mechanisms modulating the AKT pathway by chemopreventive agents remain unclear. In the present study, we found that indole-3-carbinol (I3C) treatment for tumor cells repressed the AKT pathway by increasing the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in HCC xenograft tumor and HCC cell lines.

Characterization of an acidic chitinase from seeds of black soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr Tainan No. 3).

Using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-N,N',N″-triacetylchitotrioside (4-MU-GlcNAc3) as a substrate, an acidic chitinase was purified from seeds of black soybean (Glycine max Tainan no. 3) by ammonium sulfate fractionation and three successive steps of column chromatography. The purified chitinase was a monomeric enzyme with molecular mass of 20.

The outcome of a quality-controlled mammography screening program: experience from a population-based study in Taiwan.

Background: A greater policy of emphasis on the early detection and treatment of breast cancer is prevalent among developed countries. To raise the screening performance with a potentially decreased mortality rate, it is crucial to evaluate and analyze the screening outcome after implementation. We report the clinical outcome of an 8-year nationwide mammography screening in Taiwan to help share our statistical information on breast screening worldwide, especially in Asia.

Mental disorders of pregnant and postpartum women after earthquakes: a systematic review.

Objective: The aim of this review was to systematically search and critique relevant literature on the potential psychological impact of earthquakes on peripartum women to synthesize existing knowledge for further action.

Methods: A search through 5 databases was conducted for relevant publications in English, and the results were screened through a set of inclusion and exclusion processes.

Results: Eight articles were included.

Should EGFR mutations be tested in advanced lung squamous cell carcinomas to guide frontline treatment?

There is no argument over using epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status to guide the frontline treatment for advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LADC); however, the role of the testing in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSQC) remains controversial. Currently, the guidelines/consensus statements regarding EGFR mutation testing in LSQC are not consistent among different oncology societies. American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends performing EGFR mutation testing in all patients; European Society for Medical Oncology, College of American Pathologists/International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/Association for Molecular Pathology, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network suggest for some selected group.

Pharmaco-induced vasospasm therapy for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a preliminary report.

Purpose: To report a novel technique and preliminary clinical outcomes in managing lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB).

Materials And Methods: Eighteen LGIB patients (11 men and 7 women, mean age: 66.2 years) were treated with artificially induced vasospasm therapy by semi-selective catheterization technique.

Randomized Phase II Study of the X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis (XIAP) Antisense AEG35156 in Combination With Sorafenib in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).

Objectives: This multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of AEG35156 in addition to sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as compared with sorafenib alone.

Methods: Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive AEG35156 (300 mg weekly intravenous infusion) in combination with sorafenib (400 mg twice daily orally) or sorafenib alone. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).

Tumor antigen ROR1 targeted drug delivery mediated selective leukemic but not normal B-cell cytotoxicity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells without compromising their normal counterparts pose a huge challenge for traditional drug design. Here we developed a tumor antigen-targeted delivery of immunonanoparticle carrying a novel non-immunosuppressive FTY720 derivative OSU-2S with potent cytotoxicity against leukemic B cells. OSU-2S induces activation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of SHP1(S591) and deregulation of multiple cellular processes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) resulting in potent cytotoxicity.

Real-space imaging of molecular structure and chemical bonding by single-molecule inelastic tunneling probe.

The arrangement of atoms and bonds in a molecule influences its physical and chemical properties. The scanning tunneling microscope can provide electronic and vibrational signatures of single molecules. However, these signatures do not relate simply to the molecular structure and bonding.

Rosiglitazone regulates anti-inflammation and growth inhibition via PTEN.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. However, the mechanisms by which PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone interferes with inflammation and cancer via phosphatase and tensin homolog-(PTEN)-dependent pathway remain unclear. We found that lower doses (<25  μ M) of rosiglitazone significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-(LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) release (via inducible nitric oxide synthase, iNOS), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production (via cyclooxygenase-2, COX-2), and activation of Akt in RAW 264.

Synthesis, characterization, and hydrogen storage enhancement of M2(BDC)2dabco with palladium-doped activated carbon.

Two bi-organic type metal organic frameworks (MOFs) such as Co2(BDC)2dabco and Zn2(BDC)2 dabco have been synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized along with hydrogen adsorption. The hydrogen adsorption capacity of these MOFs was increased after doping by palladium-activated carbon. Co2(BDC)2dabco has cracked and folded thin film like surface while Zn2(BDC)2dabco has a brick-typed cubic structure with particle size about 10-15 microm identified by FE-SEM.

Modeling of cancer metastasis and drug resistance via biomimetic nano-cilia and microfluidics.

Three-dimensional (3D) tissue culture platforms that are capable of mimicking in vivo microenvironments to replicate physiological conditions are vital tools in a wide range of cellular and clinical studies. Here, learning from the nature of cilia in lungs - clearing mucus and pathogens from the airway - we develop a 3D culture approach via flexible and kinetic copolymer-based chains (nano-cilia) for diminishing cell-to-substrate adhesion. Multicellular spheroids or colonies were tested for 3-7 days in a microenvironment consisting of generated cells with properties of putative cancer stem cells (CSCs).

A dendritic cell vaccine pulsed with autologous hypochlorous acid-oxidized ovarian cancer lysate primes effective broad antitumor immunity: from bench to bedside.

Purpose: Whole tumor lysates are promising antigen sources for dendritic cell (DC) therapy as they contain many relevant immunogenic epitopes to help prevent tumor escape. Two common methods of tumor lysate preparations are freeze-thaw processing and UVB irradiation to induce necrosis and apoptosis, respectively. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) oxidation is a new method for inducing primary necrosis and enhancing the immunogenicity of tumor cells.

A Phase I vaccine trial using dendritic cells pulsed with autologous oxidized lysate for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Purpose: Ovarian cancer, like most solid tumors, is in dire need of effective therapies. The significance of this trial lies in its promise to spearhead the development of combination immunotherapy and to introduce novel approaches to therapeutic immunomodulation, which could enable otherwise ineffective vaccines to achieve clinical efficacy.

Rationale: Tumor-infiltrating T cells have been associated with improved outcome in ovarian cancer, suggesting that activation of antitumor immunity will improve survival.

Preparation, characterization, and hydrogen storage capacity of MIL-53 metal-organic frameworks.

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as most promising candidate for hydrogen storage material for practical application. MIL-53(Cr) MOFs were synthesized from Cr(NO3)3 x 9H2O combined with terephthalic acid organic linker. MIL-53(Cr) MOFs are octahedral in shape and the particle size was around 10 microm identified by FE-SEM.

Autologous lysate-pulsed dendritic cell vaccination followed by adoptive transfer of vaccine-primed ex vivo co-stimulated T cells in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Novel strategies for the therapy of recurrent ovarian cancer are warranted. We report a study of a combinatorial approach encompassing dendritic cell (DC)-based autologous whole tumor vaccination and anti-angiogenesis therapy, followed by the adoptive transfer of autologous vaccine-primed CD3/CD28-co-stimulated lymphocytes. Recurrent ovarian cancer patients for whom tumor lysate was available from prior cytoreductive surgery underwent conditioning with intravenous bevacizumab and oral metronomic cyclophosphamide, sequentially followed by (1) bevacizumab plus vaccination with DCs pulsed with autologous tumor cell lysate supernatants, (2) lymphodepletion and (3) transfer of 5 × 10 autologous vaccine-primed T-cells in combination with the vaccine.

An evaluation approach for livable urban environments.

This study proposes a method for evaluating livable urban environments using the analytic hierarchy process, a survey of public opinions (n=1,075), and gray relational analysis with a pollutant standards index to estimate the weights of weather, air pollution, and environment aspects and each respective factor. This study investigates the positive or negative correlation of these factors and their effects on livable environment. A value of 100 was designated as the perfect living condition.

Long-term follow-up of children with postnatal immunoprophylaxis failure who were infected with hepatitis B virus surface antigen gene mutant.

Background: The long-term evolution and outcomes of infection with a hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) gene mutant (hereafter, "HBsAg-mutant HBV") among immunized children remain unclear.

Methods: Ninety-five HBsAg-positive children aged 0.5-18.

Erlotinib in patients with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Erlotinib had proved efficacy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, especially adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of erlotinib in patients with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSQC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records and serial chest images of consecutive patients who were diagnosed with advanced LSQC and had been treated with erlotinib monotherapy.

Complications observed in older new haemodialysis patients in Taiwan.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the impacts of heomodialysis (HD) in older patients, and potential consequences of adverse events for health insurance costs.

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-five new patients (130 were younger than 65 years and 125 were older than 65 years) who had received conventional HD for at least 1 year were reviewed.

Results: Older patients had significantly more arteriovenous (AV) shunt failures (0.

Can missed breast cancer be recognized by regular peer auditing on screening mammography?

Background: This study was conducted to investigate whether detectable missed breast cancers could be distinguished from truly false negative images in a mammographic screening by a regular peer auditing.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2007, a total of 311,193 free nationwide biennial mammographic screenings were performed for 50- to 69-year-old women in Taiwan. Retrospectively comparing the records in Taiwan's Cancer registry, 1283 cancers were detected (4.