Dual-targeting of tumor cells and subcellular endoplasmic reticulum AgPPIX-based Janus nanoparticles for photodynamic/immunotherapy against TNBC.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for its strong invasiveness, high recurrence rates, and poor prognosis. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is closely related to tumor invasion, metastasis, recurrence and formation of tumor immunosuppression. The expression of HO-1 is high in TNBC and low in normal tissues.

Identification of Potential Core Genes for the Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms by a Bioinformatics Analysis.

Previous studies, using autopsy and angiography, have shown that 3.6-6% of the population have intracranial aneurysms, and the rupture of aneurysm can lead to brain dysfunction or even death in patients. To explore potential preventional target genes for the ruptured of aneurysm, we analyze three gene expression datasets (GSE13353, GSE15629 and GSE54083) derived from the GEO database.

Sodium ozagrel and atorvastatin for type 2 diabetes patients with lacunar cerebral infarction.

Background: The main pathological factor of cerebral infarction is atherosclerosis, which is the pathological process of chronic inflammatory diseases such as vascular smooth muscle hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, extracellular matrix increase, and thrombosis. At present, the focus of clinical treatment is anti-platelet aggregation and improving blood status, and current research is limited to improving symptoms only.

Aim: To observe the effect of sodium ozagrel and atorvastatin on type 2 diabetes patients with lacunar cerebral infarction.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome sequence of wetland macrophyte (Typhaceae).

is an important wetland macrophyte native to the eastern parts of Asia and Oceania. Herein, the complete chloroplast genome of this species was assembled and characterized using whole-genome next-generation sequencing. The complete chloroplast genome showed a circular genome of 160,969 bp size with 36.

Targeted profiling of amino acid metabolome in serum by a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method: application to identify potential markers for diet-induced hyperlipidemia.

To better understand the mechanism of hyperlipidemia and discover potential biomarkers, we have used targeted metabolomics to analyze eight amino acid profiles of control and hyperlipidemia rats by a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. With high fat diet, the concentrations of serum of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were increased by 666.7%, 99.

Comparative pharmacokinetics study of leonurine and stachydrine in normal rats and rats with cold-stagnation and blood-stasis primary dysmenorrhoea after the administration of Leonurus japonicus houtt electuary.

Leonurus japonicus houtt, a well-known herb of traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used to treat gynaecological diseases. In this study, a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneously quantifying leonurine and stachydrine, the two main bioactive components in Leonurus japonicus houtt, was developed and validated. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile and separation by a Hewlett Packard XDB-C8 column (150 × 4.

A feed-forward regulation of endothelin receptors by c-Jun in human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells and retinal ganglion cells.

c-Jun, c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) and endothelin B (ETB) receptor have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Previously, we reported that an increase of c-Jun and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) immunohistostaining is associated with upregulation of the ETB receptor within the ganglion cell layer of rats with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). In addition, both transcription factors regulate the expression of the ETB receptor in human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells (HNPE).

Neural stem cells over-expressing brain-derived neurotrophic factor promote neuronal survival and cytoskeletal protein expression in traumatic brain injury sites.

Cytoskeletal proteins are involved in neuronal survival. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor can increase expression of cytoskeletal proteins during regeneration after axonal injury. However, the effect of neural stem cells genetically modified by brain-derived neurotrophic factor transplantation on neuronal survival in the injury site still remains unclear.

Bleomycin Suppresses the Proliferation and the Mobility of Human Gastric Cancer Cells Through the Smad Signaling Pathway.

Background/aims: Extensive studies have demonstrated that Bleomycin (BLM) is a glycopeptide antibiotic that has been used as an anticancer chemotherapeutic reagent. It can induce both single- and double-strand DNA damage, inhibit synthesis of DNA, suppress proliferation, and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Smad signaling transducers are considered as important molecules in tumor development and progression, and may closely be related to the biological behaviors of some malignant carcinomas, including gastric cancer.

AMPA receptor desensitization is the determinant of AMPA receptor mediated excitotoxicity in purified retinal ganglion cells.

The ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGLuR) have been hypothesized to play a role in neuronal pathogenesis by mediating excitotoxic death. Previous studies on iGluR in the retina have focused on two broad classes of receptors: NMDA and non-NMDA receptors including the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic receptor (AMPAR) and kainate receptor. In this study, we examined the role of receptor desensitization on the specific excitotoxic effects of AMPAR activation on primary retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).

Neuroprotective effects of transcription factor Brn3b in an ocular hypertension rat model of glaucoma.

Purpose: Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy commonly associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), leading to optic nerve head (ONH) cupping, axon loss, and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which could ultimately result in blindness. Brn3b is a class-4 POU domain transcription factor that plays a key role in RGC development, axon outgrowth, and pathfinding. Previous studies suggest that a decrease in Brn3b levels occurs in animal models of glaucoma.

Sigma-1 receptor stimulation protects retinal ganglion cells from ischemia-like insult through the activation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1/2.

Sigma-1 receptor (σ-1) activation and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been shown to protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from cell death. The purpose of this study was to determine if σ-1 receptor stimulation with pentazocine could promote neuroprotection under conditions of an ischemia-like insult (oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)) through the phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (pERK)1/2. Primary RGCs were isolated from P3-P7 Sprague-Dawley rats and purified by sequential immunopanning using Thy1.

Herb-drug interaction prediction based on the high specific inhibition of andrographolide derivatives towards UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B7.

Herb-drug interaction strongly limits the clinical application of herbs and drugs, and the inhibition of herbal components towards important drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) has been regarded as one of the most important reasons. The present study aims to investigate the inhibition potential of andrographolide derivatives towards one of the most important phase II DMEs UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). Recombinant UGT isoforms (except UGT1A4)-catalyzed 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) glucuronidation reaction and UGT1A4-catalyzed trifluoperazine (TFP) glucuronidation were employed to firstly screen the andrographolide derivatives' inhibition potential.

Flow Cytometry Method Analysis of Apoptosis: No Significant Difference Between EDTA and EDTA-free Trypsin Treatment Procedure.

Flow cytometry method (FCM) is a generally accepted tool to analyze apoptosis. Although apoptosis assay kit was applied by many companies, the manufacturers were not consistent with whether using Trypsin with EDTA to collect the adherent cells. In another words, the influence of EDTA on apoptotic ratio is not clear.

Involvement of AP-1 and C/EBPβ in upregulation of endothelin B (ETB) receptor expression in a rodent model of glaucoma.

Previous studies showed that the endothelin B receptor (ETB) expression was upregulated and played a key role in neurodegeneration in rodent models of glaucoma. However, the mechanisms underlying upregulation of ETB receptor expression remain largely unknown. Using promoter-reporter assays, the 1258 bp upstream the human ETB promoter region was found to be essential for constitutive expression of ETB receptor gene in human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells (HNPE).

Apoptosis and G2/M arrest induced by Allium ursinum (ramson) watery extract in an AGS gastric cancer cell line.

Background: The present study was designed to determine whether Allium ursinum L (ramson) could inhibit the proliferation of human AGS gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, we attempted to determine whether this inhibition could occur by targeting regulatory elements of the cell cycle.

Methods: Flow cytometry was used to observe apoptosis and the cell cycle in AGS cell lines treated or not treated with ramson watery extract.

Sigma-1 receptor stimulation attenuates calcium influx through activated L-type Voltage Gated Calcium Channels in purified retinal ganglion cells.

Sigma-1 receptors (σ-1rs) exert neuroprotective effects on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) both in vivo and in vitro. This receptor has unique properties through its actions on several voltage-gated and ligand-gated channels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role that σ-1rs play in regulating cell calcium dynamics through activated L-type Voltage Gated Calcium Channels (L-type VGCCs) in purified RGCs.

Endothelin B receptors contribute to retinal ganglion cell loss in a rat model of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy, commonly associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) characterized by optic nerve degeneration, cupping of the optic disc, and loss of retinal ganglion cells which could lead to loss of vision. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a 21-amino acid vasoactive peptide that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma; however, the receptors mediating these effects have not been defined. In the current study, endothelin B (ET(B)) receptor expression was assessed in vivo, in the Morrison's ocular hypertension model of glaucoma in rats.

Three new triterpenoids from Panax ginseng exhibit cytotoxicity against human A549 and Hep-3B cell lines.

Three new triterpenoid derivatives, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxtriol (1), 3-formyloxy-20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxtriol (2) and 26-hydroxyl-24(E)-20(S)-protopanaxtriol (3), along with six known ginsenosides, were isolated from leaves of Panax ginseng. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral analysis (IR, 1D and 2D NMR, HRESI-MS). Compounds 1-3 exhibited various degree of cytotoxicity towards human A549 pulmonary carcinoma cells and Hep3B hepatoma cells.

[Study on protective effect of Tianji soft capsule on blood lipids, internal antioxidant system and vascular endothelial system in hyperlipidemia rats].

Objective: To study the protective effects of Tianji soft capsule (TJSC) on blood lipids, internal antioxidant system and vascular endothelial system in hyperlipidemia rats.

Methods: Seventy two healthy male rats were divided into six groups. The rats in control group were administered with ordinary diet.

An effective and safe supplement for stem cells expansion ex vivo: cord blood serum.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are potential and optimal stem cells in clinical cell therapy, and fetal bovine serum (FBS) is widely used for expansion of MSCs, despite the risks of infectious disease transmission and immunological reaction of the xenogenic origin. This study was designed to compare human four blood group cord blood serum (CBS) with FBS in culturing human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPDMSCs), which were derived from four blood group donors. The expansion medium included: 10% FBS, 10% A-CBS, 10% B-CBS, 10% O-CBS, and 10% AB-CBS.

[Protective effects of tianji capsule on vascular endothelial cells from oxidative injury induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro].

Objective: To study the protective effects of Tianji capsule (TJ) on vascular endothelial cells from oxidative injury induced by hydrogen peroxide and its possible mechanism of anti-oxidation.

Methods: The effect of TJ on the proliferation of normal human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) as well as its cytotoxicity was evaluated with methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. After the establishment of oxidative injury model of HUVECs, control, oxidative injury model, TJ and CoQ10 treatment groups were set up.

Constituents with α-glucosidase and advanced glycation end-product formation inhibitory activities from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.

The 75% ethanol extract from roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Dan shen) afforded two new compounds, 3-hydroxy-2-(2'-formyloxy-1'-methylethyl)-8-methyl-1,4-phenanthrenedione (1), (8'R)-isosalvianolic acid C methyl ester (2), and 14 known compounds. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral analysis.

Taxonomic significance of leaf anatomy of Aniselytron (Poaceae) as an evidence to support its generic validity against Calamagrostis s. l.

A comparative study of leaf anatomy on Aniselytron Merr. and Calamagrostis Adans. s.

[Expression of aurora-A kinase in human lung cancer cell lines PG, A549, and NCI-H460].

Background & Objective: Recent researches found that Aurora-A overexpresses in various malignancies. This study was to detect the expression of Aurora-A in lung cancer cell lines PG (highly-metastatic giant cell lung cancer), A549 (lung adenocarcinoma), and NCI-H460 (large cell lung cancer) and explore its correlation to DNA content, provide a theoretical basis for screening tumor marker and molecular therapeutic target of lung cancer.

Methods: mRNA and protein levels of Aurora-A in PG, A549, and NCI-H460 cells were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blot.