Growth factors from tumor microenvironment possibly promote the proliferation of glioblastoma-derived stem-like cells in vitro.

Glioblastoma multiform is a lethal brain glial tumor characterized by low survival and high recurrence, partially attributed to the glioblastoma stem cells according to recent researches. Microenvironment or niche in tumor tissue is believed to provide essential support for the aberrant growth of tumor stem cells. In order to explore the effect of growth factors in tumor microenvironment on glioblastoma stem cells behavior, glioblastoma-derived stem-like cells (GDSCs) were isolated from adult human glioblastoma specimen with antibody against surface marker CD133 and were co-cultured with various tumor cells including U87MG cells, unsorted glioblastoma tumor cells, CD133(-) cells and normal rat primary astrocytes.

Soy isoflavone supplementation could reduce body weight and improve glucose metabolism in non-Asian postmenopausal women--a meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis to confirm the effects of soy isoflavone supplementation on body weight, fasting glucose, and insulin level in non-Asian postmenopausal women.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases up to October 2010 for randomized controlled trials regarding the effects of isoflavone supplementation on body weight, fasting glucose, and insulin level. Pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the fixed-and-random-effects model.

[Capsular saliva acid of Streptococcus suis 2 influences virulence and host inflammatory responses].

Objective: We clarified the pathogenic influence of the absence of Streptococcus suis type 2 capsular saliva acid on BLAB/c mice.

Methods: The virulence of the experimental strains were compared; the distribution of strains in vivo was determined by quantitative plating. Histopathological analysis was used to qualitatively compare the different pathogenicity of wild strain and knockout strains.

Molecular mechanism of the enhanced virulence of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus from D222G mutation in the hemagglutinin: a molecular modeling study.

D222G mutation of the hemagglutinin (HA) is of special interest because of its close association with the enhanced virulence of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus through the increased binding affinity to α2,3-linked sialylated glycan receptors. However, there is still a lack of detailed understanding about the molecular mechanism of this enhanced virulence. Here, molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculation were performed to explore the altered glycan receptor binding mechanism of HA upon the D222G mutation by studying the interaction of one α2,3-linked sialylglycan (sequence: SIA-GAL-NAG) with the wild type and D222G mutated HA.

Transactivation of the human NME5 gene by Sp1 in pancreatic cancer cells.

Non-metastatic cells 5 (NME5), a recently found gene belonging to the NDPK-like molecules gene family, is highly expressed in testis and some types of human cancer. Current studies have revealed diverse potential functions of NME5 and we have reported that NME5 is associated with innate resistance to gemcitabine in human pancreatic cancer cells in previous study. However, the mechanism underlying the transcriptional regulation of NME5 has not been elucidated yet.

Exploring structural and thermodynamic stabilities of human prion protein pathogenic mutants D202N, E211Q and Q217R.

The central event in the pathogenesis of prion protein (PrP) is a profound conformational change from its α-helical (PrP(C)) to its β-sheet-rich isoform (PrP(Sc)). Many single amino acid mutations of PrP are associated with familial prion diseases, such as D202N, E211Q, and Q217R mutations located at the third native α-helix of human PrP. In order to explore the underlying structural and dynamic effects of these mutations, we performed all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the wild-type (WT) PrP and its mutants.

[Primary research on daily administration times of rhubarb used to treat experimental jaundice in rats].

Objective: To study the rational daily administration times of rhubarb when it is used to treat experimental jaundice in rats, at the same time, validate the accuracy and feasibility of the method which was previously established to research the rational daily administration times of rhubarb (PD-PK method), and consummate it.

Method: After the rats were modeled by 4% ANIT (75 mg x kg(-1)) for two days, rhubarb extraction was drenched 3.6 g x kg(-1) once a day, 1.

Identification of NME5 as a contributor to innate resistance to gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells.

The limited therapeutic effect of gemcitabine on pancreatic cancer is largely attributed to pre-existing or acquired resistance of the tumor cells. This study was aimed at screening for candidate resistance-related gene(s) and elucidating the underlying mechanisms. NME5 was found to be highly expressed in an innate gemcitabine-resistant human pancreatic cancer sample and the cell line PAXC002 derived from the sample.

The evolution of HLA-B*3501 binding affinity to variable immunodominant NP(418-426) peptides from 1918 to 2009 pandemic influenza A virus: a molecular dynamics simulation and free energy calculation study.

Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes contribute to the control of virus infections including those caused by influenza viruses. However, during the evolution of influenza A viruses, variations in cytotoxic T lymphocytes epitopes have been observed and it will affect the recognition by virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the human virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes response in vitro. Here, to gain further insights into the molecular mechanism of the virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes immunity, the class I major histocompatibility complex-encoded HLA-B*3501 protein with six different NP(418-426) antigenic peptides emerging from 1918 to 2009 pandemic influenza A virus were studied by molecular dynamics simulation.

Comparison of microcalorimetric fingerprint profiles of Lonicerae japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos.

To compare the microcalorimetric fingerprint profiles of Lonicerae japonicae Flos (Lj.F) and Lonicerae Flos (L.F), microcalormietry was applied to find the heat change regularity of Bacillus shigae (B.

Influence of the pathogenic mutations T188K/R/A on the structural stability and misfolding of human prion protein: insight from molecular dynamics simulations.

Background: Prion diseases are associated with a conformational switch for PrP from PrP(C) to PrP(Sc). Many genetic mutations are linked with prion diseases, such as mutations T188K/R/A with fCJD.

Scope Of Review: MD simulations for the WT PrP and its mutants were performed to explore the underlying dynamic effects of T188 mutations on human PrP.

Nogo-66 inhibits adhesion and migration of microglia via GTPase Rho pathway in vitro.

Nogo-66 is a 66-amino-acid-residue extracellular domain of Nogo-A, which plays a key role in inhibition neurite outgrowth of central nervous system through binding to the Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) expressed on the neuron. Recent studies have confirmed that NgR is also expressed on the surface of macrophages/microglia in multiple sclerosis, but its biological effects remain unknown. In the present study, our results demonstrated that Nogo-66 triggered microglia anti-adhesion and inhibited their migration in vitro, which was mediated by NgR.

The molecular basis of IGF-II/IGF2R recognition: a combined molecular dynamics simulation, free-energy calculation and computational alanine scanning study.

Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is a key regulator of cell growth, survival, migration and differentiation, and is thus pivotal in many cancers. An individual with a high IGF-II level is at high risk of developing cancer, whereas IGF2R is implicated as being important in tumor suppression. Thus, uncovering the essence of the IGF-II/IGF2R interaction is very important to understanding the origin of the tumor-suppressing effect of IGF2R.

Sonochemical synthesis of TiO(2 nanoparticles on graphene for use as photocatalyst.

Using ultrasonication we succeed in a controlled incorporation of TiO(2) nanoparticles on the graphene layers homogeneously in a few hours. The average size of the TiO(2) nanoparticles was controlled at around 4-5 nm on the sheets without using any surfactant, which is attributed to the pyrolysis and condensation of the dissolved TiCl(4) into TiO(2) by ultrasonic waves. The photocatalytic activity of the resultant graphene-TiO(2) composites containing 25 wt.

Time course of Chinese monosyllabic spoken word recognition: evidence from ERP analyses.

Evidence from event-related potential (ERP) analyses of English spoken words suggests that the time course of English word recognition in monosyllables is cumulative. Different types of phonological competitors (i.e.

Gender and number processing in Chinese learners of Spanish - evidence from Event Related Potentials.

Traditionally, age of acquisition (AoA) has been considered the single most important factor in second language (L2) acquisition and processing, particularly in the area of syntax processing. However, there is now growing evidence of the importance of other factors, such as the level of proficiency attained and the degree of overlap or similarity between the first language (L1) and L2 structures and possibility of transfer of features and/or processing routines. However, the relative importance of these factors and the nature of L1-L2 transfer are still unclear.

Fluorimetric investigation of supramolecular system by modified β-cyclodextrin and its analytical application.

The supramolecular interaction of MAH-β-cyclodextrin (MAH-β-CD, a modified β-cyclodextrin carrying seven vinyl carboxylic acid groups) and meferamic acid (MF) has been studied by spectrofluorimetry. The results showed that MAH-β-CD reacted with MF to form a host-guest complex (MAH-β-CD-MF) with stoichiometry (1:1) and the inclusion constant (K=7.15×10(2) L/mol) was ascertained by the typical double reciprocal plots.

Investigation on a host-guest inclusion system by β-cyclodextrin derivative and its analytical application.

The host-guest inclusion system of ethyl substituted β-cyclodextrin (DE-β-CD) with mangiferin (MA) was investigated by fluorescence spectra in solution. The results showed that the MA was encapsulated in the DE-β-CD's cavity to form a 2:1 stoichiometry host-guest inclusion complex (DE-β-CD/MA) and the inclusion constant (K=3.04×10(6)L(2)/mol(2)) was confirmed by the typical double reciprocal plots.

[Relationship of CD4+ CD25hi regulatory T (Treg) cells to disease progression in HIV-infected patients].

Objective: Analyzing the relationships between peripheral blood CD4+ CD25hi regulatory T (Treg) cells and peripheral blood immune status or plasma HIV-lviral load in HIV-infected individuals,so as to determine whether Treg were related to the progression of HIV-infected disease.

Methods: 116 HIV-infected patients in different stages and 21 healthy control individuals were included in this study. The CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts were determined by a standard 4-color flow cytometry technique.

[Effect of Panax notoginseng on genes expression of CYP and GST in liver tissues of rats].

Objective: To examine the effects of Panax notoginseng on the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes and glutathione S-trans-ferase (GST) genes in liver tissues of male SD rats.

Method: Rats were administered P. notoginseng 2 or 4 g x kg(-1) bw/d by gavage daily for 14 days.

Controlling the in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells for myocardial tissue engineering applications.

We studied the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and developed a novel protocol for generating functional cardiomyocytes (CMs) from ESCs by co-culturing these with live cardiac cells. We then evaluated the structural and functional properties of these ESC-derived CMs (ESCMs). An acellular matrix obtained from rabbit heart tissues was used as a scaffold.

[Effect of Panax notoginseng on genes expression of CYP and GST in lung tissues of rats].

Objective: To examine the effects of Panax notoginseng on the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes and glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes in lung tissues of male SD rats.

Method: Rats were administered P. notoginseng 2 or 4 g X kg(-1) bw/d by gavage daily for 15 days.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-dependent activity of indole ring-substituted 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-biphenyl)methanes in cancer cells.

Purpose: 1,1-Bis(3-indolyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl)methanes (C-DIMs) substituted in the phenyl ring with a para-, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl (DIM-C-pPhCF(3)) or phenyl (DIM-C-pPhC(6)H(5)) group activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in several cancer cell lines, and DIM-C-pPhCF(3) also activates the orphan receptor Nur77. In this study, we have examined the effects of 5,5'-dihydroxy, 5,5'-dimethyl, 5,5'-dibromo, 5,5'-dinitro and 5,5'-dimethoxyindole ring-substituted analogs of DIM-C-pPhC(6)H(5) on their activity as PPARgamma agonists.

Methods: Various substituted C-DIM analogs were used to investigate their growth-inhibitory activities and activation of PPARgamma-mediated transactivation in colon and pancreatic cancer cells.

[Biomolecular mechanisms of cyclosporine A, tetrandrine and their combination on the reversion of multidrug resistance in human leukemia cell line].

Objective: Multidrug resistance (MDR) plays an important role in the failure of chemotherapy on malignant tumors. This study was to investigate the biomolecular mechanisms of cyclosporine A (CsA), tetrandrine (Tet) and their combination on multidrug resistance in cell line K562/A02.

Methods: K562/A02 cells were treated with CsA and (or) Tet.