Nicotine Induces IL-8 Secretion from Pancreatic Cancer Stroma and Worsens Cancer-Induced Cachexia.

Smoking is highly associated with pancreatic cancer. Nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco, is involved in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. This work aimed to describe the role of nicotine within the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment.

High-performance composite Ag-Ni mesh based flexible transparent conductive film as multifunctional devices.

Conventional fabrication methods for realization of metal mesh (MM) based transparent conductive film (TCF) are not economic and environmentally friendly. By combination of the scrape and selective electroplating techniques, a vacuum sputtering/evaporation-free process is explored for fabrication of high-performance MM based TCF. The fabricated TCF exhibits ultra-low sheet electrical resistance (Rs = 0.

Effect of Lang-Chuang-Ding Decoction () on DNA Methylation of CD70 Gene Promoter in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Female Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Lang-chuang-ding Decoction (, LCD) on the expression of DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: PBMCs isolated from female patients with SLE or healthy donors were cultured and treated with LCD medicated serum or normal serum for 24 or 48 h. The mRNA expressions of CD70 gene in PBMCs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the DNA methylation of the CD70 gene promoter region was detected by methylation-specific PCR.

The pancreatic tumor microenvironment drives changes in miRNA expression that promote cytokine production and inhibit migration by the tumor associated stroma.

The pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) microenvironment is largely comprised of fibrotic tumor associated stroma (TAS) that contributes to the lethal biology of PDAC. microRNA (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. We hypothesized that interactions between PDAC cells and TAS cells within the microenvironment modulate miRNA expression and thus, tumor biology.

Identification of fetal cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics: a novel enhanced screening protocol.

Background: Prenatal cardiac screening is of great importance as it contributes to appropriate neonatal management and helps parents to make a decision regarding their pregnancy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficiency of a newly proposed screening protocol in the detection of fetal congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: This was a prospective study.

Synthesis, photophysical, electrochemical and electroluminescent properties of a novel iridium(III) complex based on 2-phenylbenzo[d]oxazole derivative.

A new phosphorescent iridium (III) complex based on 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-methylbenzo[d]oxazole as main ligand, i.e. bis(2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-methylbenzo[d]oxazole-N,C(2'))iridium(acetylacetonate) [(tmbo)2Ir(acac)], was synthesized for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and its photophysical, electrochemical and electroluminescent properties were investigated.

The role of palliative chemotherapy for terminally ill patients with advanced NSCLC.

Background:   To evaluate the conditions of palliative chemotherapy in terminally ill patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to discuss the potential factors that affect the prognosis of these patients.

Methods:   All 205 terminally ill patients with advanced NSCLC, who died in our hospital during the period from 2006 to 2010, were included in the study. Basic information was collected and details for the treatment of patients, related to overall survival, were evaluated.