7-Methoxy-1-Tetralone Induces Apoptosis, Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Migration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Regulating c-Met, p-AKT, NF-κB, MMP2, and MMP9 Expression.

This study aimed to determine the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of 7-methoxy-1-tetralone (MT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. MTT assay assessed HCC cell viability; cell apoptosis of HCC cells was determined by flow cytometry; wound healing assay evaluated HCC cell migratory ability; protein expression levels were assessed using western blot assay; the antitumor effects of MT were tested in BALB/c nude mice and the pathological changes within the tumor tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. MT treatment significantly suppressed the cell proliferative and migratory potentials of HepG2 cells, and induced HepG2 cell apoptosis.

Thermoelectric Performance of SbTe-Based Alloys is Improved by Introducing PN Junctions.

Interface engineering has been demonstrated to be an effective strategy for enhancing the thermoelectric (TE) performance of materials. However, a very typical interface in semiconductors, that is, the PN junction (PNJ), is scarcely adopted by the thermoelectrical community because of the coexistence of holes and electrons. Interestingly, our explorative results provide a definitively positive case that appropriate PNJs are able to enhance the TE performance of p-type SbTe-based alloys.

Histone acetyltransferase encoded by NGG1 is required for morphological conversion and virulence of Candida albicans.

Aim: To assess the function of Ngg1 in Candida albicans and reveal the role of NGG1 in the morphological conversion and virulence of C. albicans.

Materials & Methods: C.

Luteolin Promotes Cell Apoptosis by Inducing Autophagy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Luteolin, a flavonoid from traditional Chinese medicine, shows anti-cancer activity in many cancer cells, including HCC. However, the mechanism underlying the action of luteolin in HCC, especially its role in regulating cell autophagy, remains unclear.

Potent Synergism of Fluconazole and Osthole against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans.

Osthole is a natural coumarin that exhibits wide biological and pharmacological activities such as neuroprotective, osteogenic, immunomodulation, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the antifungal effects of osthole A checkerboard microdilution assay showed that osthole has significant synergistic effect with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Similar results were obtained from a growth curve assay. Meanwhile, XTT reduction assay demonstrated the synergism of fluconazole and osthole against biofilm formation.

Penetration of Ciprofloxacin and Amikacin into the Alveolar Epithelial Lining Fluid of Rats with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

We determined the concentration-time profiles of ciprofloxacin and amikacin in serum and alveolar epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of rats with or without pulmonary fibrosis and investigated the effect of pulmonary fibrosis on the capacity for penetration of antimicrobials into the ELF of rats. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in rats with a single intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. After intravenous injection of ciprofloxacin or amikacin, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected.

Oxidative Stress Is Involved in the Renal Dysfunction Induced by Sinoaortic Denervation in Rats.

The hypothesis that oxidative stress contributes to renal dysfunction in sinoaortically denervated (SAD) rats was investigated. Rats were sinoaortically denervated and received treatment with tempol (0.5 mmol/L in drinking water) for 8 weeks.

Efficacy of Linezolid and Fosfomycin in Catheter-Related Biofilm Infection Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

As long-standing clinical problems, catheter-related infections and other chronic biofilm infections are more difficult to treat due to the high antibiotic resistance of biofilm. Therefore, new treatments are needed for more effective bacteria clearance. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial activities of several common antibiotics alone and their combinations against biofilm-embedded methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, both in vitro and in vivo.

Endovascular coil embolization for a giant anomalous splenic artery aneurysm.

Splenic arteries arising from superior mesenteric arteries, also known as splenomesenteric trunks, are uncommon entities. Aneurysms in relation to these variant splenic arteries are even rarer. Open surgery, laparoscopic technique, or endovascular management could be chosen.

[Effect of Acorus tatarinowii Schott on the amino acid neurotransmitters in the striatum focal cerebral ischemia in rat].

Objective: To research the change of concentration of the amino acid neurotransmitters in the striatum focal cerebral ischemia in rat and the effect of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, one of inducing resuscitation drugs, for 4 of amino acid neurotransmitters.

Methods: Twenty four rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): control group, cerebral ischemia group, sham operation group and Acorns tatarinowii Schott treated group. Rats were established into models of cerebral ischemia by occluding bilateral thread cork method.

Development and validation of a highly sensitive LC-MS/MS method for quantitation of bivalirudin in human plasma: application to a human pharmacokinetic study.

A sensitive, specific and simple LC-MS/MS method was developed for the identification and quantification of bivalirudin in human plasma using diazepam as an internal standard (IS). The API-4000 LC-MS/MS was operated under multiple-reaction monitoring mode using electrospray ionization. The sample preparation consisted of an easy protein precipitation sample pretreatment with methanol.

Weight-adjusted versus fixed dose of linezolid for Chinese healthy volunteers of higher and lower body weight: a Phase I pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study.

Objectives: The objective was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a single intravenous fixed dose compared with a weight-adjusted dose of linezolid.

Methods: A Phase I, comparative clinical trial was conducted involving 20 healthy male Chinese volunteers, assigned into low weight (LW) (50 kg < weight ≤ 55 kg) and high weight (HW) (≥ 80 kg) groups. All subjects were administrated single dose of linezolid (600 mg/30 min) and, after 72 h washout period, another single-dose (10 mg/kg/30 min).

Colistin resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii: clinical reports, mechanisms and antimicrobial strategies.

Colistin is the last resort for treatment of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Unfortunately, resistance to colistin has been reported all over the world. The highest resistance rate was reported in Asia, followed by Europe.

Efficacy and safety of micafungin for invasive candida infections: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Invasive fungal infections such as candidiasis and mold infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in seriously ill patients. Micafungin is an echinocandin antifungal agent with potent activity against most species of Candida and Aspergillus. We did this meta-analysis to clarify whether micafungin offers superior efficacy and safety compared with other antifungal agent for treating infections associated with invasive candidiasis.

Single-dose pharmacokinetics and safety of iptakalim hydrochloride in Chinese healthy volunteers.

Objectives: To investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics and food effect of iptakalim in healthy adult Han Chinese volunteers.

Methods: Study 1 was a randomized open-label, Latin square designed, single-dose, three-period, self-control crossover study. Six men and six women received 5, 10 and 20 mg of iptakalim orally.