Biomimetic Matrix Stiffness Modulates Hepatocellular Carcinoma Malignant Phenotypes and Macrophage Polarization through Multiple Modes of Mechanical Feedbacks.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening is an important sign of local microenvironment change, which is considered as a hallmark of many diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The fates of both cancer cells and immune cells can be regulated by mechanical feedbacks acquired from ECM, but there is a lack of a precise study of mechanical feedback modes in different cell phenotypes following with the progressively increasing ECM stiffness. Herein, we used a biopolymeric film without further modification of adhesive molecules, as a natural local niche to mimic a gradually stiffening manner from HCC onset in liver cirrhosis to its metastasis in the spinal cord.

Polysaccharide from Angelica Sinensis Suppresses Inflammation and Reverses Anemia in Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced Rats.

The anti-inflammatory and antianemic activities of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) isolated from roots of Angelica sinensis (AS) was investigated in a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rat model. It was observed that serum iron (SI) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) levels were elevated after 4-week oral administration of ASP. Red blood cell (RBC) count and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were ameliorated as well.

Immobilized Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 in a Stiffness-Tunable Artificial Extracellular Matrix Enhances Mechanotransduction in the Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Cancer progression is regulated by multiple factors of extracellular matrix (ECM). Understanding how cancer cells integrate multiple signaling pathways to achieve specific behaviors remains a challenge because of the lack of appropriate models to copresent and modulate ECM properties. Here we proposed a strategy to build a thin biomaterial matrix by poly(l-lysine) and hyaluronan as an artificial stiffness-tunable ECM.

Phosphorus-doped graphene-based electrochemical sensor for sensitive detection of acetaminophen.

Phosphorus-doped graphene (P-RGO) was synthesized and employed as active electrode material to construct electrochemical sensor for acetaminophen (AP). The P-RGO coated glass carbon electrode (P-RGO/GCE) showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of AP, resulted from highly enhanced electrochemical conductivity and accelerated electron transfer. The experimental conditions for AP detection were optimized, and under the optimal condition, a linear relationship between current intensity and concentration of AP was obtained in the range of 1.

Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and receptor mediated endocytosis of a natural Angelica sinensis polysaccharide.

The interest in developing new drug carriers for delivery to the liver using natural polysaccharides with a high galactose content has necessitated the study of the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of these polysaccharides. In this paper, a new method was established for the microanalysis of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) in biosamples. Fluorescein-labelled ASP (FA) was rapidly eliminated from the bloodstream and distributed to the liver with high specificity following intravenous injection.

Structural characterization and in vitro antitumor activity of an acidic polysaccharide from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels.

A water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from the roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, which is a traditional Chinese medicine herb, was fractioned and purified by Sephadex G-50 gel filtration chromatography. The structural characterization and antitumor activities of the purified polysaccharide fraction, named as ASP, were evaluated in the present study.

Alkali-soluble polysaccharide, isolated from Lentinus edodes, induces apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest in H22 cells through microtubule depolymerization.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the pro-apoptotic effects of polysaccharides derived from Lentinus edodes and further elucidated the mechanisms of this action. Our results demonstrated that marked morphological changes of apoptosis were observed after treatment of L. edodes polysaccharides [Lentinan (LTN)].

Structure and inducing tumor cell apoptosis activity of polysaccharides isolated from Lentinus edodes.

In this study, five novel polysaccharides SLNT1, SLNT2, JLNT1, JLNT2, and JLNT3 were isolated from the fruit body of Lentinus edodes. Chemical and physical analyses showed that the five polysaccharides consist of glucose with the structure of β-(1→3)-d-glucose main chains and β-(1→6)-d-glucose side chains. Moreover, all of them had triple-helical conformation and different molecular weight distributions.

Study to establish the role of JAK2 and SMAD1/5/8 pathways in the inhibition of hepcidin by polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) is one of the major active ingredients in Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. This traditional Chinese medicine has been used for thousands of years for treating gynecological diseases.

Polysaccharide isolated from Angelica sinensis inhibits hepcidin expression in rats with iron deficiency anemia.

A novel polysaccharide named Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) was obtained from the powdered and defatted roots of A. sinensis (Oliv.) Diels.

Inhibitory effect of polysaccharides isolated from Angelica sinensis on hepcidin expression.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Angelica sinensis polysaccharide is an important bioactive component of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating gynecological disorders and anemia.

Aim Of The Study: Previous study indicated that Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) may promote plasma iron levels by suppressing the expression of hepcidin, a negative regulator of body iron metabolism, in the liver.

Zinc-doping in TiO2 films to enhance electron transport in dye-sensitized solar cells under low-intensity illumination.

A nanocrystalline TiO(2) film with highly dispersed Zn-doping shows its capability for efficient electron transport in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The Zn-doping is conducted via Zn(2+) introduction into a layered titanate followed by hydrothermal treatment and calcination. The Zn-doped films exhibit an elevated electron Fermi level, which may enhance band bending to lower the density of empty trap states.

Effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide-iron complex on iron deficiency anemia in rats.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide-iron complex (APIC) on rats with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Methods: The IDA rat model was established by adopting low-iron forage with a small amount of regular bloodletting. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, three AIPC groups (high, middle, and low dosage), an Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) group, a mixture group (ASP+FeCl(3)) and a positive control group (Niferex).

[Preliminary studies on physicochemical properties of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide-iron complex].

Objective: To study some physicochemical properties of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide-iron complex (APC).

Method: Based on the qualitatively identified reactions of iron (III), the qualitatively identified reactions of APC were found out by comparing hydroxide. The content of iron (III) in APC was determined with iodometry.