Single-molecule optical absorption imaging by nanomechanical photothermal sensing.

Absorption microscopy is a promising alternative to fluorescence microscopy for single-molecule imaging. So far, molecular absorption has been probed optically via the attenuation of a probing laser or via photothermal effects. The sensitivity of optical probing is not only restricted by background scattering but it is fundamentally limited by laser shot noise, which minimizes the achievable single-molecule signal-to-noise ratio.

Downregulating CD26/DPPIV by apigenin modulates the interplay between Akt and Snail/Slug signaling to restrain metastasis of lung cancer with multiple EGFR statuses.

Background: Metastasis rather than the primary cancer determines the survival of cancer patients. Activation of Akt plays a critical role in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the initial step in lung cancer metastasis. Apigenin (API), a flavonoid with a potent Akt-inhibitory effect, shows oncostatic activities in various cancers.

Dopamine receptor D2 genetic variations is associated with the risk and clinicopathological variables of urothelial cell carcinoma in a Taiwanese population.

Dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) is overexpressed in several kinds of cancers and was correlated with the prognosis of these cancers. Polymorphisms within the DRD2 gene were shown to be associated with lung and colon cancers. The purpose of this study was to explore effects of gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility to and clinicopathological characteristics of urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC).

Transcriptome analysis of papillary thyroid cancer harboring telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutation.

Background: Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations have recently been identified as an important prognostic factor in thyroid cancer. Studies suggest that TERT may have noncanonical functions beyond telomere maintenance.

Methods: Clinicopathological information and transcriptome data for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

SUMO-defective c-Maf preferentially transactivates Il21 to exacerbate autoimmune diabetes.

SUMOylation is involved in the development of several inflammatory diseases, but the physiological significance of SUMO-modulated c-Maf in autoimmune diabetes is not completely understood. Here, we report that an age-dependent attenuation of c-Maf SUMOylation in CD4+ T cells is positively correlated with the IL-21-mediated diabetogenesis in NOD mice. Using 2 strains of T cell-specific transgenic NOD mice overexpressing wild-type c-Maf (Tg-WTc) or SUMOylation site-mutated c-Maf (Tg-KRc), we demonstrated that Tg-KRc mice developed diabetes more rapidly than Tg-WTc mice in a CD4+ T cell-autonomous manner.

Investigation of aflatoxins contamination in herbal materia medica in a Taiwan pharmaceutical factory.

During the years 2005-2016, a total of 1067 samples for 24 types of herbal materia medica were investigated for the presence of aflatoxins (AFs) using immunoaffinity column cleanup and HPLC-coupled to a fluorescence detector after post-column derivatization. AFs were detected in 373 (35%) out of the total samples. Among them, Platycladi Semen (65% for total AFs and 79% for AFB1), Corydalis Rhizoma (53% for total AFs and 32% for AFB1), Corni Fructus (3% for total AFs), Coicis Semen (3% for total AFs and AFB1), Nelumbinis Semen (6% for total AFs and 9% for AFB1), Arecae Semen (18% for AFB1), Polygalae Radix (5% for total AFs and AFB1), and Cassiae Semen (25% for total AFs and 38% for AFB1) exceeded the official limits of 5 and 10 μg/kg, for AFB1 and total AFs (the sum of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2), respectively, set by the Taiwan government.

N-α-acetyltransferase 10 protein promotes metastasis by stabilizing matrix metalloproteinase-2 protein in human osteosarcomas.

N-α-Acetyltransferase 10 protein (Naa10p) mediates N-terminal acetylation of nascent proteins. Oncogenic or tumor suppressive roles of Naa10p were reported in cancers. Here, we report an oncogenic role of Naa10p in promoting metastasis of osteosarcomas.

Effects of phthalates on normal human breast cells co-cultured with different fibroblasts.

Whether or not phthalates play a role in breast carcinogenesis remains to be determined. The goal of this study was to explore the effects of phthalates on the growth of normal MCF-10A breast cells modulated by breast fibroblasts. Fibroblasts were derived from normal mammary tissue adjacent to both estrogen receptor (ER) positive and negative primary breast cancers, which were grown separately from nontumorigenic MCF-10A epithelial cells.

Associations of genetic variations of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and environmental carcinogens with oral cancer susceptibility and development.

Oral cancer is a major head and neck cancer that is reported to be causally associated with genetic factors and environmental carcinogens. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was reported to modulate carcinogenesis and progression through nitric oxide (NO) production. Genetic polymorphisms in the eNOS gene can regulate its transcription and further mediate NO production.

Reconsideration of tumor size threshold for total thyroidectomy in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Background: The optimal extent of surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer may not be well recognized initially. Identification of intermediate-risk features on surgical pathology may prompt the need for completion thyroidectomy if a lobectomy is performed. In this study, we examined the factors in relation to the need for completion thyroidectomy.

Melatonin attenuates osteosarcoma cell invasion by suppression of C-C motif chemokine ligand 24 through inhibition of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway.

Osteosarcoma, with its high metastatic potential, is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Melatonin possesses multiple tumor-suppressing properties for a myriad of tumors, but little is known about the effects of melatonin on osteosarcoma metastasis. In this study, we demonstrated that melatonin elicited very low cytotoxicity and significantly inhibited cellular motility, migration, and invasion in human osteosarcoma U2OS and HOS cells.

Stimulation of Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis by luteolin through enhancement of histone H3 acetylation and c-Jun activation in HL-60 leukemia cells.

Luteolin (3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), which exists in fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs, is used in Chinese traditional medicine for treating various diseases, such as hypertension, inflammatory disorders, and cancer. However, the gene-regulatory role of luteolin in cancer prevention and therapy has not been clarified. Herein, we demonstrated that treatment with luteolin resulted in a significant decrease in the viability of human leukemia cells.

The interplay of reactive oxygen species and the epidermal growth factor receptor in tumor progression and drug resistance.

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays important roles in cell survival, growth, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of the EGFR is a common mechanism in cancer progression especially in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Main Body: Suppression of the EGFR-mediated signaling pathway is used in cancer treatment.

Expression of serine peptidase inhibitor Kunitz type 1 in differentiated thyroid cancer.

SPINT1, also known as HAI-1, is a Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor that inhibits multiple proteases including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activator and matriptase. SPINT1 has been shown to modulate HGF/MET activation in certain cancer types. In the present study, we analyzed microarray datasets and found that SPINT1 was consistently upregulated in differentiated thyroid cancer.

The Modulatory Roles of N-glycans in T-Cell-Mediated Autoimmune Diseases.

Glycosylation is a ubiquitous posttranslational modification of proteins that occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi. -glycans and mucin-type -glycans are achieved via a series of glycohydrolase- and glycosyltransferase-mediated reactions. Glycosylation modulates immune responses by regulating thymocyte development and T helper cell differentiation.

Niclosamide, an oral antihelmintic drug, exhibits antimetastatic activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through downregulating twist-mediated CD10 expression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world, especially, in eastern Asia, and its prognosis is poor once metastasis occurs. Niclosamide, a US Food and Drug Administration-approved antihelmintic drug, was shown to inhibit the growth of various cancers including HCC, but the effect of niclosamide on cell motility and the underlying mechanism have not yet been completely defined. The present study demonstrated that niclosamide, at 0-40 nM, concentration-dependently inhibited wound closure and the migratory/invasive capacities of human Huh7 and SK-Hep-1 HCC cells without exhibiting cytotoxicity.

Oral immunization with cell-free self-assembly virus-like particles against orange-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus in grouper larvae, Epinephelus coioides.

Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) infection causes viral nervous necrosis, inflicting serious economic losses in marine fish cultivation. Vaccination is the most effective choice for controlling and preventing viral infection. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are considered a novel vaccine platform because they are not infectious and they induce neutralizing antibodies efficiently.

Nuclear translocation of PKM2/AMPK complex sustains cancer stem cell populations under glucose restriction stress.

Cancer cells encounter metabolic stresses such as hypoxia and nutrient limitations because they grow and divide more quickly than their normal counterparts. In response to glucose restriction, we found that nuclear translocation of the glycolic enzyme, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), helped cancer cells survive under the metabolic stress. Restriction of glucose stimulated AMPK activation and resulted in co-translocation of AMPK and PKM2 through Ran-mediated nuclear transport.

Cantharidic acid induces apoptosis of human leukemic HL-60 cells via c-Jun N-terminal kinase-regulated caspase-8/-9/-3 activation pathway.

Cantharidin, a natural toxin from blister beetles, has shown potent anticancer activities on many solid tumor cells. Recently, cantharidin and its analogue, norcantharidin, were also shown to suppress nonsolid tumors such as chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and leukemic stem cells. However, there is no available information to address the effects of cantharidic acid (CAC), a hydrolysis product of cantharidin, on human AML cells.

Running-to-Interrupted Microsuture Technique for Vascular Bypass.

Background: The ideal suturing technique for microvascular anastomosis for neurosurgical bypass procedures remains a point of debate. Simple interrupted sutures are thought to possess higher long-term patency but require more time to place as compared to running sutures.

Objective: To optimize the efficiency of microvascular anastomosis and limit brain ischemia time.

Ultrawidefield microscope for high-speed fluorescence imaging and targeted optogenetic stimulation.

The rapid increase in the number and quality of fluorescent reporters and optogenetic actuators has yielded a powerful set of tools for recording and controlling cellular state and function. To achieve the full benefit of these tools requires improved optical systems with high light collection efficiency, high spatial and temporal resolution, and patterned optical stimulation, in a wide field of view (FOV). Here we describe our 'Firefly' microscope, which achieves these goals in a Ø6 mm FOV.

Arsenic, lead and cadmium removal potential of from contaminated water and soil.

The main threats to the environment from heavy metals are associated with arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). In this study, the potential of for removing As, Pb and Cd from hydroponic solution and pot soil was evaluated for the first time. Short-term (5 day) experiments were conducted to assess phytofiltration efficiency of temperate zone fern and to compare it with mostly studied tropical zone fern Within 5 days, accumulated 33% of As(III), whereas could not accumulate that most toxic arsenic species As(III) at all.

Melatonin as a potential inhibitory agent in head and neck cancer.

Melatonin is a molecule secreted by the pineal gland; it is an important regulator of sleep and circadian rhythms. Through multiple interrelated mechanisms, melatonin exhibits various inhibitory properties at different stages of tumor progression. Many studies have explored the oncostatic effects of melatonin on hormone-dependent tumors.

Overexpression of carbonic anhydrase IX induces cell motility by activating matrix metalloproteinase-9 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Oral cancer is a solid malignant tumor that is prone to occur following hypoxia. There are no clear studies showing a link between hypoxia and oral carcinogenesis. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), which is a hypoxia-induced transmembrane protein, is highly expressed in various types of human cancer.