Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy.

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding.

Polymer nanoparticles.

Over the past few decades, interest in designing and developing polymeric nanoparticles has undergone considerable explosion. Indeed, these nanoparticulated polymer-based systems provide potential solution to improve therapeutic efficacy and diagnosis sensitivity. In this chapter, general properties, production, and characterization of polymer nanoparticles are introduced.

Apogossypolone, a novel inhibitor of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, induces autophagy of PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells in vitro.

Limited treatment options are available for aggressive prostate cancer. Gossypol has been reported to have a potent anticancer activity in many types of cancer. It can increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to alkylating agents, diminish multidrug resistance and decrease metastasis.

Inhibition of proliferation of prostate cancer cell line, PC-3, in vitro and in vivo using (-)-gossypol.

We investigated the antiproliferative activity of (-)-gossypol on the human prostate cancer cell line PC3 in vitro and in vivo to elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. Cell growth and viability were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) and electron microscopy. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl-2, CD31, caspase-3 and caspase-8 in tumour tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry.

[Oral immunization of Lugurus lugurus with the plasmid nanoemulsion of zona pellucida 3 to enhance infertility effects].

Immunocontraceptive technology is beginning to attract more attention for the control of wild mouse or other pest animals. Oral vaccination of animals and man, to provide effective mucosal and/or systemic immunity, is a good delivery system, but it remains poor bioavailablity, one of the most promising strategies to improve the oral delivery relies on polymeric nanoparticles carriers to encapsulate vaccine. Nanoemulsion was used as the carriers of oral immunization of Lugurus Lugurus zona pellucida 3, the immune response and antifertility potential of this vaccine is valuated.

[Preparation of plasmid nanoemulsion and its character determination by anion exchange chromatography method].

Nanoemulsion-encapsulated lzp3 DNA vaccine (pCDNA3-Aat-COMP-lzp3-C3d3, lzp3) was prepared, and its quality was evaluated. The interfacial emulsification method was employed to make the nanoemulsion-encapsulated plasmid, and its sizes and distribution were detected by electron microscope. Anion exchange chromatography was used to separate the nanoemulsion from the plasmid based on the charge characteristics of plasmid.

Visual recognition and efficient isolation of apoptotic cells with fluorescent-magnetic-biotargeting multifunctional nanospheres.

Background: Fluorescent-magnetic-biotargeting multifunctional nanospheres are likely to find important applications in bioanalysis, biomedicine, and clinical diagnosis. We have been developing such multifunctional nanospheres for biomedical applications.

Methods: We covalently coupled avidin onto the surfaces of fluorescent-magnetic bifunctional nanospheres to construct fluorescent-magnetic-biotargeting trifunctional nanospheres and analyzed the functionality and specificity of these trifunctional nanospheres for their ability to recognize and isolate apoptotic cells labeled with biotinylated annexin V, which recognizes phosphatidylserine exposed on the surfaces of apoptotic cells.

[Preparation of gelatin nanogel modified with fluoride anion and its ultrasonic triggered release characteristics].

Aim: To investigate the preparation, shape and ultrasound triggered release characteristics of gelatin nanogel modified with fluoride anion.

Methods: Adriamycin gelatin nanogel modified with fluoride anion (ADM-FMNG) was prepared by co-precipitation with fluoride anion. The content and encapsulation rate of adriamycin were measured by HPLC method.

Biofunctionalization of fluorescent-magnetic-bifunctional nanospheres and their applications.

Hydrazide-containing bifunctional nanospheres were covalently coupled on the surface with IgG, avidin, and biotin, to generate novel fluorescent-magnetic-biotargeting trifunctional nanospheres, which can be used in a number of biomedical applications, including visual sorting and manipulation of apoptotic cells as demonstrated here.

[Preparation and characterization of nanoemulsion].

Aim: To prepare nanoemulsion-encapsulated BSA-FITC (NEBSA-FITC), study its characteristics, and measure its uptake by dendritic cells (DCs) and peritoneal macrophages.

Methods: NEBSA-FITC was prepared by a method of interfacial polymerization.The encapsulation rate, drug-carrying capacity and stability of the nanoemulsion were determined by Sephadex-G100 chromatography.

[Studies on ultrasonic wave extracting method determining konjac glucomannanin konjac refined powder].

Objective: To investigate the effect of ultrasonic wave on extracting Konjac Glucomannan(KGM) in Konjac refined powder.

Method: Free reduced sugar in Konjac refined powder was removed and Konjac refined powder in the aqueous solution was processed by ultrasonic wave and KGM content was measured by spectrophotometry.

Result: KGM content in the Konjac refined powder aqueous solution by ultrasonic process at fixed 40 kHz, 100 W, 30-45 min was equal to that by routine method at 4 h; whereas, by 1 h of ultrasonic process, KGM content was significantly enhanced than that by 4 h of routine method(P < 0.

[The determination of konjac glucomannan in konjac refined powder and monosaccharide compositions by HPLC].

Objective: To establish a quantitative method for the content determination and monosaccharide composition analysis of Konjac glucomannan (KGM) in Konjac refined powder by pre-column derivatization high performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC).

Method: The two derivatives combined reducing monosaccharides with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP) were separated by reverse-phase HPLC using a developed fragment gradient elution process, and monitored by ultraviolet detector at 250 nm. The broad reagent peak of PMP was separated very well from all the PMP-sugars, and good separation was achieved for derivatives of mannose and glucose.

[Influence of nanoparticle-encapsulated SEA on T-cell subgroups and its antitumor effect on hepatoma].

Background & Objective: Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is one of the widely researched superantigens, which is prospective in antitumor therapy. However, its application is limited due to the toxicity. This study was conducted to prepare the nanoparticle-encapsulated SEA (NSEA) and to observe its influences on the T-cell subgroups and the antitumor effects in vivo.