Covalently linked deoxyribonucleic acid with multi-walled carbon nanotubes: synthesis and characterization.

In this chapter, a multi-step protocol for covalently linking functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) oligonucleotides is provided. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to characterize the initially formed amine-terminated MWCNTs, to which DNA is covalently anchored. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigation of the DNA-MWCNT conjugates reveals that the chemical functionalization occurs at both the ends and sidewalls of the nanotubes.

Transcriptional analysis of doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity and resistance in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

Background/aims: Hepatoma is either intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy or response to it but later develop resistance. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship of treatment with doxorubicin (Dox) in hepatoma HepG2 cells and drug resistance developed by Dox.

Methods: We have analysed the bioactivities and gene expression profiles of multidrug resistant (MDR) HepG2/DR cell line and its parental HepG2 cell, which were exposure to Dox.

Gene expression analysis of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell differentiation and cytotoxicity induced by natural and synthetic retinoids.

Aims: This study analyzed gene expression profiles of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells treated with natural and synthetic retinoids (ATRA, RII and R9158), in an attempt to investigate the structure-function relationship of the retinoids in inducing cell differentiation and cytotoxicity.

Main Methods: Flow cytometry was used to determine cell cycle changes in HL-60 cells following treatment (1.0 μM) with natural and synthetic retinoids (ATRA, RII and R9158), and cDNA microarrays were used to monitor the gene expression profiles of HL-60 cells treated with the various retinoids.

Gene expression analysis of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell differentiation and cytotoxicity induced by natural and synthetic retinoids.

Aims: This study analyzed gene expression profiles of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells treated with natural and synthetic retinoids (ATRA, RII and R9158), in an attempt to investigate the structure-function relationship of the retinoids in inducing cell differentiation and cytotoxicity.

Main Methods: Flow cytometry was used to determine cell cycle changes in HL-60 cells following treatment (1.0 muM) with natural and synthetic retinoids (ATRA, RII and R9158), and cDNA microarrays were used to monitor the gene expression profiles of HL-60 cells treated with the various retinoids.

COOH-terminal truncated HBV X protein plays key role in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Purpose: X protein (HBx), a product of hepatitis B virus, has been closely associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Based on observations that the COOH-terminal truncated HBx was frequently detected in HCC, the aim of this study is to evaluate the function of COOH-terminal truncated HBx in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Experimental Design: Expression pattern of HBx was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray containing 194 pairs of HCCs and their matched nontumor liver tissues.

1p31, 7q21 and 18q21 chromosomal aberrations and candidate genes in acquired vinblastine resistance of human cervical carcinoma KB cells.

Vinblastine (VBL) is used to treat certain kinds of cancer including Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, testicular cancer and cervical carcinoma. However, the rapid development of resistance during therapy remains a major clinical challenge. In order to reverse cancer cell resistance, the goal of this study was to find differentially expressed genes and chromosomal alterations in multidrug resistant (MDR) KB-v1 cells, further to probe the relationship between drug resistance and differential genes, and chromosomal changes in MDR cancer cells.

cDNA microarray analysis of the differentially expressed genes involved in murine pre-osteoclast RAW264.7 cells proliferation stimulated by dexamethasone.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormones with anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressive effects. The use of hormonal medicine like GCs may cause systemic adverse effects. In the present study, the cellular response of murine pre-osteoclast cell line RAW264.

Dexamethasone protects RAW264.7 macrophages from growth arrest and apoptosis induced by H2O2 through alteration of gene expression patterns and inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activity.

In this study, the effect of dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, on H(2)O(2) stimulated murine RAW264.7 macrophages was investigated. It was found that dexamethasone protected the cells from apoptosis induced by H(2)O(2).

Hypoxia induces the activation of human hepatic stellate cells LX-2 through TGF-beta signaling pathway.

Hypoxia is a common environmental stress factor and is also associated with various physiological and pathological conditions such as fibrogenesis. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key event in the liver fibrogenesis. In this study, the behavior of human HSCs LX-2 in low oxygen tension (1% O2) was analyzed.

Effects of rhDecorin on TGF-beta1 induced human hepatic stellate cells LX-2 activation.

Decorin is a small leucine-rich extracellular matrix proteoglycan composed of a core protein with a single glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain near the N-terminus and N-glycosylated at three potential sites. Decorin is involved in the regulation of formation and organization of collagen fibrils, modulation of the activity of growth factors such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), and exerts other effects on cell proliferation and behavior. Increasing evidences show that decorin plays an important role in fibrogenesis by regulating TGF-beta, a key stimulator of fibrosis, and by directly modulating the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) from activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Association of Vimentin overexpression and hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis.

The poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been associated with recurrence and metastasis. Recently, we established a pair of HCC cell lines from a primary (H2-P) and its matched metastatic (H2-M) HCC tumors. A high density of cDNA microarray with 9184 human cDNA was used to identify the differentially expressed genes between H2-P and H2-M.

PDMS-based microfluidic device with multi-height structures fabricated by single-step photolithography using printed circuit board as masters.

We have developed a method for fabricating microfluidic devices with multi-height structures using single step photolithography. The whole fabrication process is executed by conventional printed circuit board (PCB) technology without the need of having access to clean room facilities. Specifically designed "windows" and "rims" architectures were printed on films that were used as photomasks.

Inhibitory actions of genistein in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells.

Genistein, a natural isoflavanoid phytoestrogen, is thought to be the active ingredient in soy that possesses breast cancer preventive properties. The molecular mechanisms that are involved in its cancer preventive properties have not been completely understood. The present study is designed to investigate the mechanism involved in the inhibitory action of genistein in MCF-7 cells.