MRI Detectable Polymer Microspheres Embedded With Magnetic Ferrite Nanoclusters For Embolization: In Vitro And In Vivo Evaluation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop magnetic embolic microspheres that could be visualized by clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners aiming to improve the efficiency and safety of embolotherapy.

Methods And Discussion: Magnetic ferrite nanoclusters (FNs) were synthesized with microwave-assisted solvothermal method, and their morphology, particle size, crystalline structure, magnetic properties as well as T relaxivity were characterized to confirm the feasibility of FNs as an MRI probe. Magnetic polymer microspheres (FNMs) were then produced by inverse suspension polymerization with FNs embedded inside.

MicroRNA-552 deficiency mediates 5-fluorouracil resistance by targeting SMAD2 signaling in DNA-mismatch-repair-deficient colorectal cancer.

Objective: Although DNA-mismatch-repair-deficient (dMMR) status and aberrant expression of miRNAs are both critically implicated in the pathogenesis of resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in colorectal cancer (CRC), whether these two factors regulate tumor response to 5-FU in a coordinated manner remains unknown. This study is designed to elucidate whether changes in miR-552 expression levels correlate to 5-FU-based chemoresistance in CRC, and to further identify the putative targets of miR-552 using multiple approaches.

Methods: miR-552 expression was assessed in 5-FU-resistant CRC tissues and cells using real-time PCR.

Poly(acrylic acid) microspheres loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for transcatheter arterial embolization and MRI detectability: In vitro and in vivo evaluation.

To develop embolic microspheres with MRI detectability, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were synthesized and mixed with monomer of acrylic acid to prepare SPIONs-loaded polymerized microspheres (SPMs) by inverse suspension polymerization method. The SPMs were evaluated for the ability of embolization by investigating the morphology, particle size, elasticity and renal arterial embolization to rabbits. Meanwhile, the loading of SPIONs was verified by optical microscope, transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, vibrating sample magnetometer, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the content of SPIONs in SPMs was measured quantitatively.

Knockdown of SPOCK1 Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion in Colorectal Cancer Cells by Suppressing the PI3K/Akt Pathway.

Sparc/osteonectin, cwcv, and kazal-like domains proteoglycan (testican) 1 (SPOCK1), known as testican-1, were found to be involved in the development and progression of tumors. However, in colorectal cancer (CRC), the expression pattern of SPOCK1 and its functional role remain poorly investigated. In the present study, we explored the role of SPOCK1 in CRC.

Genetic polymorphisms (rs10636 and rs28366003) in metallothionein 2A increase breast cancer risk in Chinese Han population.

Genetic polymorphisms of are frequently observed in many different cancers. We performed this case-control study, including 459 breast cancer (BC) patients and 549 healthy controls from Northwest China, to evaluate the associations between two common MT2A polymorphisms (rs10636 and rs28366003) and BC risk. The MT2A polymorphisms were genotyped via Sequenom MassARRAY.

Knockdown of Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 37 (TRIM37) Inhibits the Proliferation and Tumorigenesis in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Tripartite motif-containing protein 37 (TRIM37), a new member of the RING-B-box-coiled-coil (RBCC) subfamily of zinc finger proteins, was found to be involved in the development and progression of several cancers. However, the expression pattern and biological functions of TRIM37 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the expression pattern of TRIM37 in CRC and investigated the function of TRIM37 in the progression of CRC.

Distinct role of the Fas rs1800682 and FasL rs763110 polymorphisms in determining the risk of breast cancer among Han Chinese females.

Background: In recent years, studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms in the promoters of Fas and FasL are significantly associated with breast cancer risk. However, the results of these studies were inconsistent. This case-control study was performed to explore the associations between Fas rs1800682 and FasL rs763110 polymorphisms and breast cancer.

Berberine alleviates the cerebrovascular contractility in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through modulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ handling in smooth muscle cells.

Background: Vascular dysfunction is a distinctive phenotype in diabetes mellitus. Current treatments mostly focus on the tight glycemic control and few of these treatments have been designed to directly recover the vascular dysfunction in diabetes. As a classical natural medicine, berberine has been explored as a possible therapy for DM.

Association Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in DNA Polymerase Kappa Gene and Breast Cancer Risk in Chinese Han Population: A STROBE-Compliant Observational Study.

DNA polymerases are responsible for ensuring stability of the genome and avoiding genotoxicity caused by a variety of factors during DNA replication. Consequently, these proteins have been associated with an increased cancer risk. DNA polymerase kappa (POLK) is a specialized DNA polymerase involved in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) that allows DNA synthesis over the damaged DNA.

Preparation and evaluation of biocompatible long-term radiopaque microspheres based on polyvinyl alcohol and lipiodol for embolization.

The aim of this work was to develop long-term radiopaque microspheres (LRMs) by entrapping lipiodol in biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol with multiple emulsions chemical crosslinking method. The high content of lipiodol (0.366 g/mL) was hardly released from LRMs in vitro and the radiopacity could maintain at least 3 months after subcutaneous injection in mice without weakening.

Adrenergic receptor β2 activation by stress promotes breast cancer progression through macrophages M2 polarization in tumor microenvironment.

Stress and its related hormones epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) play a crucial role in tumor progression. Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME) polarized to M2 is also a vital pathway for tumor deterioration. Here, we explore the underlying role of macrophages in the effect of stress and E promoting breast cancer growth.

[Preparation and investigation of MRI-traceable Eudragit-E liquid embolic agent].

Objective: To develop and investigate the properties of MRI-traceable Eudragit-E liquid embolic agent (MR-E).

Methods: Polyethylene glycol-modified superparamagnetic iron oxides (PEG-SPIO) was synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. MR-E was prepared by mixing PEG-SPIO and Eudragit-E liquid embolic agent homogeneously.

[Preparation and property study of doxorubicin loaded microspheres].

Objective: To prepare doxorubicin-loaded polyvinylalcohol-acrylic acid (PVA-AA) microspheres and evaluate properties of this chemoembolic agent.

Methods: PVA-AA microspheres were synthesized by inverse suspension polymerization method and then verified by infrared spectroscopy. drug loading (DL) and entrapment efficiency (EE%) were measured after doxorubicinwas loaded on PVA-AA microspheres.

Development and evaluation of liquid embolic agents based on liquid crystalline material of glyceryl monooleate.

New type of liquid embolic agents based on a liquid crystalline material of glyceryl monooleate (GMO) was developed and evaluated in this study. Ternary phase diagram of GMO, water and ethanol was constructed and three isotropic liquids (ILs, GMO:ethanol:water=49:21:30, 60:20:20 and 72:18:10 (w/w/w)) were selected as potential liquid embolic agents, which could spontaneously form viscous gel cast when contacting with water or physiological fluid. The ILs exhibited excellent microcatheter deliverability due to low viscosity, and were proved to successfully block the saline flow when performed in a device to simulate embolization in vitro.

Functional promoter -765 G > C variant in COX-2 gene is associated with the susceptibility of breast cancer in Chinese Han women.

Background: Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandins synthesis which exists in two isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2. Over-expression of COX-2 was considered to increase the proliferation and enhance the invasiveness of breast cancer cells. It was suggested that genetic variations in COX-2 could influence its expression.

Saikosaponin-D enhances radiosensitivity of hepatoma cells under hypoxic conditions by inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor-1α.

Background: Our previous study revealed that the combination of Saikosaponin-d ( SSd) and radiation is more effective in the treatment of liver cancer than the application of either of these monotherapeutic methods. However, the molecular mechanisms of the radiosensitizing effect of SSd on liver cancer remained ill defined.

Methods: Cells were treated with different interventions; afterward, cell viability, apoptosis, and cell survival of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 hepatoma cells were examined.

Dynamic changes and associated factors of clopidogrel resistance in patients after cerebral infarction.

Stroke victims often exhibit clopidogrel resistance (CR). This prospective study was undertaken to observe changes that influence CR in the secondary prevention of cerebral infarction (CI). The study included 56 cases at high risk of stroke (HRS), 147 cases of CI and 68 control subjects.

Changes in immunological function after treatment with transarterial chemoembolization plus radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Background: Different strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may have distinct effects on the immune system. The aim of this research was to investigate changes in the immunological function after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in HCC patients.

Methods: A total of 51 consecutive HCC treatment-naïe patients was enrolled in this study and 20 healthy subjects served as controls.

Research of novel biocompatible radiopaque microcapsules for arterial embolization.

Embolic agents, such as microparticles, microspheres or beads used in current embolotherapy are mostly radiolucent, which means the agents are invisible under X-ray imaging during and after the process of embolization, and the fate of these particles cannot be precisely assessed. In this research, a radiopaque embolic agent was developed by encapsulating lipiodol in polyvinyl alcohol. The lipiodol-containing polyvinyl alcohol microcapsules (LPMs) were characterized and evaluated for their morphology, size distribution, lipiodol content, lipiodol release, elasticity, and deliverability through catheter.

Possible role of mast cells and neuropeptides in the recovery process of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats.

Objective: To clarify the role of mast cells and neuropeptides substance P (SP), somatostatin (SS), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.

Methods: Experimental colitis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats (180-200 g, n=20) by oral ingestion of 4% (w/v) DSS in drinking water for 7 days. Control rats (n=5) drank water and were sacrificed on day 0.

Antitumor activity of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, on breast cancer in Vitro and in Vivo.

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) promotes carcinogenesis, tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, prevention of apoptosis, and immunosuppression. Meanwhile, COX-2 over-expression has been associated with tumor behavior and prognosis in several cancers. This study investigated the antitumor effects of the selective COX-2 inhibitor, Celecoxib, on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Up-regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α by cobalt chloride correlates with proliferation and apoptosis in PC-2 cells.

Background: The exact mechanism of the effects of hypoxia on the proliferation and apoptosis in carcinoma cells is still conflicting. This study investigated the variation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) expression and the apoptosis effect of hypoxia stimulated by cobalt chloride (CoCl(2)) in pancreatic cancer PC-2 cells.

Methods: PC-2 cells were cultured with different concentration (50-200 μmol/L) of CoCl(2) after 24-120 hours to simulate hypoxia in vitro.

In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of Scutellaria barbate extract on murine liver cancer.

In the present study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of crude extract of Scutellaria Barbate (CE-SB) on mouse hepatoma H22 cells. The MTT assay was used to determine the growth inhibition of H22 cells in vitro. The in vivo therapeutic effects of CE-SB were determined using H22 tumor bearing mice.