Inhibition of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Suppresses Glioma Stem-Like Cells Likely Through Inducing Autophagic Cell Death.

Glioblastoma (GBM) often recurs after radio- and chemotherapies leading to poor prognosis. Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) contribute to drug resistance and recurrence. Thus, understanding cellular mechanism underlying the growth of GSCs is critical for the treatment of GBM.

A phase II study of a modified hyper-CVAD frontline therapy for patients with adverse risk diffuse large B-cell and peripheral T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

To improve complete remission (CR) rates by reducing toxicity and enhancing delivery, we created a modified hyper-CVAD/MA regimen (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone/methotrexate, cytarabine) by reducing the cytarabine dose (3 g/m to 2 g/m) and number of cycles (eight to six). We conducted a phase II trial in the pre-rituximab era in the intermediate-high international prognostic index (IPI) (≥2) de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) (ACTRN12605000105640). CR rates were compared with reported IPI-stratified rates.

Synergistic inhibition of tumor growth by combination treatment with drugs against different subpopulations of glioblastoma cells.

Background: Glioma stem cells (GSCs) contribute to tumor recurrence and drug resistance. This study characterizes the tumorigenesis of CD133 cells and their sensitivity to pharmacological inhibition.

Methods: GSCs from human U87 and rat C6 glioblastoma cell lines were isolated via magnetic cell sorting using CD133 as a cancer stem cell marker.

Co-housing reverses memory decline by epigenetic regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

Co-housing with a company exerts profound effects on memory decline in animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, we found that APP/PS1 mice of 9-month-old improved their memories after co-housing with wide-type mice for 3months by increasing hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. However, the mechanism of how co-housing could induce BDNF expression remains elusive.

Dynamic assessment of RBC-transfusion dependency improves the prognostic value of the revised-IPSS in MDS patients.

RBC-transfusion dependency (RBC-TD) is an independent prognostic factor for poor overall survival (OS) in the WHO classification-based prognostic scoring system (WPSS) for MDS patients. However, WPSS did not include cytopenia, whereas revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) did not include RBC-TD. Thus, neither of these prognostic scoring systems incorporates both cytopenia and RBC-TD.

α-Carboline derivative TJY-16 inhibits tumor growth by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest in glioma cells.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumors which remains difficult to cure despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, the development of new drug is urgently needed. α-carboline derivatives were usually isolated from marine animals such as Britannia marine tunicate Dendrodoa grossularia and Indonesian ascidian Polycarpa aurata.

Sonic hedgehog signaling regulates amygdalar neurogenesis and extinction of fear memory.

It is now recognized that neurogenesis occurs throughout life predominantly in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between neurogenesis in the amygdala and extinction of fear memory. Mice received 15 tone-footshock pairings.

Learning induces sonic hedgehog signaling in the amygdala which promotes neurogenesis and long-term memory formation.

Background: It is known that neurogenesis occurs throughout the life mostly in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle. We investigated whether neurogenesis occurred in the amygdala and its function in fear memory formation.

Methods: For detection of newborn neurons, mice were injected intraperitoneally with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) 2h before receiving 15 tone-footshock pairings, and newborn neurons were analyzed 14 and 42 days after training.

Social interaction rescues memory deficit in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease by increasing BDNF-dependent hippocampal neurogenesis.

It has been recognized that the risk of cognitive decline during aging can be reduced if one maintains strong social connections, yet the neural events underlying this beneficial effect have not been rigorously studied. Here, we show that amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) double-transgenic (APP/PS1) mice demonstrate improvement in memory after they are cohoused with wild-type mice. The improvement was associated with increased protein and mRNA levels of BDNF in the hippocampus.

Transfusing safely: a 2006 guide for nurses.

Transfusion is a 'vein-to-vein' process. The blood supply in Australia is extremely safe in terms of viral risk, although a 'zero risk' blood transfusion is never possible. Safe transfusion practice continues to rely on highly-trained and experienced staff undertaking procedures correctly, in robust hospital systems within a safety and quality framework that includes an adverse event reporting system.

Strategies for the treatment of imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia.

Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients using imatinib alone is unlikely to be curative. The challenges in the era of imatinib are to prevent the emergence of imatinib resistance and to identify the most effective alternative approaches for patients who lose imatinib responsiveness. This review describes the possible strategies to overcome imatinib resistance in CML patients based on the current understanding of the action of imatinib and mechanisms of its resistance.

Structural studies of the pigeon cytosolic NADP(+)-dependent malic enzyme.

Malic enzymes are widely distributed in nature, and have important biological functions. They catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of malate to produce pyruvate and CO(2) in the presence of divalent cations (Mg(2+), Mn(2+)). Most malic enzymes have a clear selectivity for the dinucleotide cofactor, being able to use either NAD(+) or NADP(+), but not both.