Molecular network of neuronal autophagy in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complicated multifactorial induced disease, characterized by depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, and altered cognitive function. Recently, many studies have shown that antidepressants regulate autophagy. In fact, autophagy, a conserved lysosomal degradation pathway, is essential for the central nervous system.

Identification of melanoma biomarkers based on network modules by integrating the human signaling network with microarrays.

Background: Melanoma is a leading cause of cancer death. Thus, accurate prognostic biomarkers that will assist rational treatment planning need to be identified.

Methods: Microarray analysis of melanoma and normal tissue samples was performed to identify differentially expressed modules (DEMs) from the signaling network and ultimately detect molecular markers to support histological examination.

Research advances on TCM anti-tumor effects and the molecular mechanisms.

With unceasingly deep researches on tumor cytology and molecular biology in recent years, it has been recognized that tumor is not only the outcome of occurrence and progress of cell proliferative disorders and abnormal differentiation, but also closely related to abnormality of apoptosis. Since traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is easy to obtain and exhibits significant antitumor effects accompanied with less toxic and side effects, it has already become a hotspot for cancer researches. This article is to overview TCM's antitumor effects and to summarize the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Protein kinase Cs in lung cancer: a promising target for therapies.

Lung cancer has been identified as one of the most deadly oncologies. The most influential causes for disease progression include smoking, genetic mutation and inflammatory lung diseases. Conventional therapies for lung cancer including chemo and radio-treatments often cause serious adverse effects.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

In this article, we assessed the pooled sensitivity and specificity of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in studies during the last 10 years that have solely used EBUS-TBNA as a minimally invasive technique, with or without computed tomography or positron-emission tomography screening. The meta-analysis included 1,066 patients from 9 studies who underwent EBUS-TBNA. The results show EBUS-TBNA is a potential technique for the investigation, diagnosis, and staging of non-small cell lung cancer among patients with suspected lung cancer.

Bibliometric analysis of nanotechnology applied in oncology from 2002 to 2011.

Innovation in the last decade has endowed nanotechnology with an assortment of tools for drug delivery system, imaging, and sensing in cancer research. These rapidly emerging tools are indicative of a burgeoning field ready to expand into medical applications. The aim of this study is to analyze the applications of nanotechnology in oncology with bibliometric methods and evaluate development in this field.

Improving signal intensities for genes with low-expression on oligonucleotide microarrays.

Background: DNA microarrays using long oligonucleotide probes are widely used to evaluate gene expression in biological samples. These oligonucleotides are pre-synthesized and sequence-optimized to represent specific genes with minimal cross-hybridization to homologous genes. Probe length and concentration are critical factors for signal sensitivity, particularly when genes with various expression levels are being tested.