A synthetic molecule targeting STAT3 against human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), one of the most common cancers in Taiwan, needs new therapeutic agents and treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative activity of {-[3-chloro-4-[5-[3-[[[4-[(cyclopropylcarbonyl)-amino]3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino]carbonyl]amino]phenyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]phenyl]-3-pyridine-carboxamide} (COC), a synthetic molecule, in OSCC cells. COC exhibits potent tumor-suppressive efficacy with IC50 values of 195 nM and 204 nM toward SCC2095 and SCC4 OSCC cells, respectively.

Ice-bath-effervescence-assisted salting-out extraction combined with microwave-assisted derivatization for the detection of spermidine and spermine in whole blood.

Spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) are biomarkers for various cancers. In the present study, we used 4-dimethylamino-1-naphthyl isothiocyanate as a derivatizing reagent to achieve microwave-assisted nucleophilic addition to Spd and Spm. We designed a strategy comprising an ice bath combined with salting out to increase the efficiency of Spd and Spm derivative extractions.

Molecularly imprinted dispersive micro solid-phase extraction and tandem derivatization for the determination of histamine in fermented wines.

Histamine causes allergic reactions and can serve as an indicator for assessing food quality. This study designed and developed a dispersive micro solid-phase extraction (D-μSPE) method that combined the advantages of dispersive liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction (SPE). Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were employed as the solid phase in the D-μSPE method to extract histamine in wine samples.

Fluorescence detection of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms based on oligonucleotide ligation and magnetic separation.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that causes brain cell death and is the leading cause of dementia. Most patients with Alzheimer's disease are diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), with apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes being highly associated with the frequency of LOAD risk. A fluorescence detection system coupled with oligonucleotide ligation and magnetic separation was developed to identify two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the APOE gene and recognize APOE alleles for LOAD.

A PKM2 inhibitor induces apoptosis and autophagy through JAK2 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

The enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is involved in glycolysis, which plays an important role in the regulation of tumor progression. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor activity of N-(4-(3-(3-(methylamino)-3-oxopropyl)-5-(4'-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl)propiolamide (MTP), a PKM2 inhibitor, in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. Our results showed that MTP inhibited cell growth with IC50 values of 0.

Antitumor Effects of a Sesquiterpene Derivative from Marine Sponge in Human Breast Cancer Cells.

In this study, the anti-proliferative effect of ilimaquinone, a sesquiterpene derivative from the marine sponge, in breast cancer cells was investigated. Ilimaquinone inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with IC values of 10.6 μM and 13.

A macrolide from Streptomyces sp. modulates apoptosis and autophagy through Mcl-1 downregulation in human breast cancer cells.

Secondary metabolites in marine organisms exhibit various pharmacological activities against diseases, such as cancer. In this study, the anti-proliferative effect of JBIR-100, a macrolide isolated from Streptomyces sp., was investigated in breast cancer cells.

Antitumor Activity of the Cardiac Glycoside αlDiginoside by Modulating Mcl-1 in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells.

We recently isolated a cardiac glycoside (CG), αldiginoside, from an indigenous plant in Taiwan, which exhibits potent tumor-suppressive efficacy in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines (SCC2095 and SCC4, IC < 0.2 µM; 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays). Here, we report that αldiginoside caused Sphase arrest and apoptosis, through the inhibition of a series of signaling pathways, including those mediated by cyclin E, phospho-CDC25C (p-CDC25C), and janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT)3.

Ultrasound-Vortex-Assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Combined with High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection for Determining UV Filters in Cosmetics and the Human Stratum Corneum.

This study explores the amounts of common chemical ultraviolet (UV) filters (i.e., avobenzone, bemotrizinol, ethylhexyl triazone, octocrylene, and octyl methoxycinnamate) in cosmetics and the human stratum corneum.

Risk of chronic kidney disease in patients with heat injury: A nationwide longitudinal cohort study in Taiwan.

Global climate change has led to a significant increase in temperature over the last century and has been associated with significant increases in the severity and frequency of heat injury (HI). The consequences of HI included dehydration and rhabdomyolysis, leading to acute kidney injury, which is now recognized as a clear risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to investigate the effects of HI on the risk of CKD.

Ursolic acid induces apoptosis and autophagy in oral cancer cells.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the fifth common cause of cancer mortality in Taiwan with high incidence and recurrence and needs new therapeutic strategies. In this study, ursolic acid (UA), a triterpenoid, was examined the antitumor potency in OSCC cells. Our results showed that UA inhibited the proliferation of OSCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner in both Ca922 and SCC2095 oral cancer cells.

Microwave-assisted derivatization combined with coacervative extraction for determining glutathione in biomatrix samples, followed by capillary liquid chromatography.

In this study, an ecofriendly analytical method was developed for determining glutathione (GSH) levels in biomatrix samples. 9-(bromomethyl)acridine was used for the first time as a derivatization reagent in GSH analysis. Microwave-assisted derivatization reduced the reaction time to 1 min.

A Sterol from Soft Coral Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that plays a key role in regulating cellular metabolism, and is a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. To search for potential PPARγ activators, a compound library comprising 11 marine compounds was examined. Among them, a sterol, 3β,11-dihydroxy-9,11-secogorgost-5-en-9-one (compound ), showed the highest PPARγ activity with an IC value of 8.

Enantioselective determination of aspartate and glutamate in biological samples by ultrasonic-assisted derivatization coupled with capillary electrophoresis and linked to Alzheimer's disease progression.

A simple cyclodextrin-mediated capillary zone electrophoresis method equipped with a laser-induced fluorescence detector was developed for chiral analysis of the excitatory amino acids aspartate (Asp) and glutamate (Glu). Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were pretreated with centrifugal filter devices before analysis to remove high-molecular-weight proteins (molecular weight cut-off: 3000) and then derivatized using 10 mM 6-carboxyfluorescein N-hydroxysuccinimide ester in DMSO under sonication at 25 °C for 2 h. After the derivatization reaction, reacted samples were diluted 100-fold with 5-([4,6-dichlorotriazin-2-yl]amino)fluorescein hydrochloride (DTAF) solution and then hydrodynamically subjected to capillary electrophoresis (0.

Tandem derivatization combined with salting-out assisted liquid-liquid microextraction for determination of biothiols in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Detection of polar organic compounds (POCs) using gas chromatography (GC) is not straightforward due to high polarity, hydrophilicity, and low volatility of POCs. In this study, we report a tandem microwave-assisted derivatization method combined with salting-out assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (SALLME) to modify successively the polar groups of POCs in protic and aprotic solvents. Biothiols (cysteine and homocysteine) served as a proof of concept for this method because they possess three polar groups (thiol, amine, and carboxyl); the derivatizing reagent was 3,4,5-trifluorobenzyl bromide (Br-TFB) for alkylation.

Determination of parabens using two microextraction methods coupled with capillary liquid chromatography-UV detection.

Parabens are common preservatives and environmental hormones. As such, possible detrimental health effects could be amplified through their widespread use in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Thus, the determination of parabens in such products is of particular importance.

A Flavone Constituent from Myoporum bontioides Induces M-Phase Cell Cycle Arrest of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.

Myoporum bontioides is a traditional medicinal plant in Asia with various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial characteristics. To identify the bioactive constituents from M. bontioides, a newly-identified flavone, 3,4'-dimethoxy-3',5,7-trihydroxyflavone (compound 1), along with eight known compounds, were investigated in human MCF-7 breast cancer, SCC4 oral cancer, and THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells.

A derivatization-enhanced detection strategy in mass spectrometry: analysis of 4-hydroxybenzoates and their metabolites after keratinocytes are exposed to UV radiation.

4-Hydroxybenzoate is a phenolic derivative of alkyl benzoates and is a widely used preservative in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. The presence of 4-hydroxybenzoates in the human body may result from the use of pharmaceutical and personal care products. These compounds are also known to exhibit estrogenic and genotoxic activities.

Fluorescent derivatization combined with aqueous solvent-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for determination of butyrobetaine, l-carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine in human plasma.

A novel aqueous solvent-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (AS-DLLME) method was combined with narrow-bore liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection for the determination of hydrophilic compounds. A remover (non-polar solvent) and extractant (aqueous solution) were introduced into the derivatization system (acetonitrile) to obtain a water-in-oil emulsion state that increased the mass transfer of analytes. As a proof of concept, three quaternary ammonium substances, including butyrobetaine, l-carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine, were also used as analytes and determined in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, food and human plasma.

Dual dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for determination of phenylpropenes in oils by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A novel, simple and quick sample preparation method was developed and used for pre-concentration and extraction of six phenylpropenes, including anethole, estragole, eugenol, methyl eugenol, safrole and myristicin, from oil samples by dual dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for determination and separation of compounds. Several experimental parameters affecting extraction efficiency were evaluated and optimized, including forward-extractant type and volume, surfactant type and concentration, water volume, and back-extractant type and volume.

Determination of Nicotine in Tobacco by Chemometric Optimization and Cation-Selective Exhaustive Injection in Combination with Sweeping-Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography.

Nicotine is a potent chemical that excites the central nervous system and refreshes people. It is also physically addictive and causes dependence. To reduce the harm of tobacco products for smokers, a law was introduced that requires tobacco product containers to be marked with the amount of nicotine as well as tar.

Determining ultraviolet absorbents in sunscreen products by combining direct injection with micelle collapse on-line preconcentration capillary electrophoresis.

The on-line preconcentration technique of analyte focusing by micelle collapse-micellar electrokinetic chromatography (AFMC-MEKC) was combined with direct injection without extraction to determine ultraviolet absorbents in sunscreen products. The stacking mechanism is based on the transport, release, and accumulation of analytes bound to micelle carriers that are collapsed into the micelle dilution zone. The following optimized conditions were determined: the running buffer was 10mM Tris buffer (pH 9.

Determination of tranexamic acid in various matrices using microwave-assisted derivatization followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction.

Tranexamic acid (TA) is widely used to treat medical hemorrhagic conditions and as a whitening agent in cosmetic products. The aim of this study was to develop a micro-analytical method of determining TA in widely varying sample matrices, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, extracts of the stratum corneum, human keratinocyte cells, and human plasma. Using dansyl chloride as the derivatizing reagent in the pretreatment reduced the reaction time to within 4min in combined microwave-assisted reaction.