In Vitro Study of Tumor-Homing Peptide-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles for Magnetic Hyperthermia.

Cancer cells have higher heat sensitivity compared to normal cells; therefore, hyperthermia is a promising approach for cancer therapy because of its ability to selectively kill cancer cells by heating them. However, the specific and rapid heating of tumor tissues remains challenging. This study investigated the potential of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) modified with tumor-homing peptides (THPs), specifically PL1 and PL3, for tumor-specific magnetic hyperthermia therapy.

Preparation of Functional Nanoparticles-Loaded Magnetic Carbon Nanohorn Nanocomposites towards Composite Treatment.

Combination therapy for cancer is expected for the synergetic effect of different treatments, and the development of promising carrier materials is demanded for new therapeutics. In this study, nanocomposites including functional nanoparticles (NPs) such as samarium oxide NP for radiotherapy and gadolinium oxide NP as a magnetic resonance imaging agent were synthesized and chemically combined with iron oxide NP-embedded or carbon dot-coating iron oxide NP-embedded carbon nanohorn carriers, where iron oxide NP is a hyperthermia reagent and carbon dot exerts effects on photodynamic/photothermal treatments. These nanocomposites exerted potential for delivery of anticancer drugs (doxorubicin, gemcitabine, and camptothecin) even after being coated with poly(ethylene glycol).

Role of HIKESHI on Hyperthermia for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer and Application of a Novel Magnetic Nanoparticle with Carbon Nanohorn for Magnetic Hyperthermia.

The prognosis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is technically scarce; therefore, a novel treatment for CRPC remains warranted. To this end, hyperthermia (HT) was investigated as an alternative therapy. In this study, the analysis focused on the association between CRPC and heat shock protein nuclear import factor "hikeshi (HIKESHI)", a factor of heat tolerance.

Direct chiral separation of abscisic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography with a phenyl column and a mobile phase containing γ-cyclodextrin.

Abscisic acid (2-cis,4-trans-abscisic acid) is a plant hormone that has an asymmetric carbon atom. We tried to separate the enantiomers of native abscisic acid by HPLC using a phenyl column and a chiral mobile phase containing γ-cyclodextrin. The optimum mobile phase conditions were found to be 0.

LC-MS/MS assay for the investigation of acetylated Alpha-synuclein in serum from postmortem Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Alpha-synuclein (α-Syn), a neuronal protein, has been linked to the inflammation and development of neurodegenerative diseases. In a number of neurodegenerations, α-Syn has been investigated in the central nervous system and cerebrospinal fluid. However, there are few studies concerning the variations in peripheral α-Syn in postmortem Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology.

Molecular Structure of Gardenia Blue Pigments by Reaction of Genipin with Benzylamine and Amino Acids.

Genipin was reacted with benzylamine and several amino acids to prepare gardenia blue (GB). The time-course of GB formation with benzylamine was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOFMS), and H and C NMR measurements. In this experiment, we determined the molecular structures of some intermediates using accurate masses and additional NMR techniques such as heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC).

Simultaneous Determination of Trigonelline, Caffeine, Chlorogenic Acid and Their Related Compounds in Instant Coffee Samples by HPLC Using an Acidic Mobile Phase Containing Octanesulfonate.

In order to analyze trigonelline, caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and their related compounds simultaneously, an HPLC method using an InertSustain C18 column and a mobile phase containing octanesulfonate as an ion-pairing reagent under an acidic condition was developed. The optimum mobile phase conditions were determined to be 0.1% phosphoric acid, 4 mM octanesulfonate, and 15% methanol at 35°C.

Simultaneous determination of post-translational racemization and isomerization of N-terminal amyloid-β in Alzheimer's brain tissues by covalent chiral derivatized ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Typical markers of protein aging are spontaneous post-translational modifications such as amino acid racemization (AAR) and amino acid isomerization (AAI) during the degradation of peptides. The post-translational AAR and AAI could significantly induce the density and localization of plaque deposition in brain tissues. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is reliably related to the formation and aggregation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) plaques in the human brain.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1: potential prognostic markers for soft tissue sarcomas based on bioinformatics analyses.

The diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) has been particularly difficult, because STSs are a group of highly heterogeneous tumors in terms of histopathology, histological grade, and primary site. Recent advances in genome technologies have provided an excellent opportunity to determine the complete biological characteristics of neoplastic tissues, resulting in improved diagnosis, treatment selection, and investigation of therapeutic targets. We had previously developed a novel bioinformatics method for marker gene selection and applied this method to gene expression data from STS patients.

On-line solid-phase extraction LC-MS/MS for the determination of Ac-SDKP peptide in human plasma from hemodialysis patients.

We developed a high-throughput method based on on-line solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) to determine N-terminal thymosin-β fragment peptide (N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline, Ac-SDKP) in human plasma samples. Quantification of Ac-SDKP was performed using direct injection for on-line SPE based on C(18), reversed-phase LC separation and stable isotope dilution electrospray ionization-MS/MS in multiple reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode. The Ac-SDKP-(13)C(6), (15)N(2) (m/z 496 → 137) was synthesized for the internal standard.

Formation of acrylamide from glucans and asparagine.

Model foods consisting of carbohydrates, asparagine (Asn), albumin, and sodium chloride were heated at 180°C for various times, and the levels of acrylamide (AA) in these foods were determined by LC/MS/MS. When glucans such as β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), starch and cellulose were used as carbohydrates in the above model, the levels of AA formed were approximately the same as or much higher than those observed in the glucose model. Glucans were heated in the absence of Asn for one hour, and their degradation products were analyzed for sugar components by HPAEC-PAD and for volatile compounds by GC/MS.

Quantification of N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline in hemodialysis patients administered angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors by stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

We developed a sensitive, selective and accurate method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine N-terminal thymosin-β peptides of Ac-SDKP and Ac-ADKP in human plasma samples. Quantification of Ac-SDKP and Ac-ADKP was performed using solid phase extraction (SPE) based on C(18), reversed phase LC separation, and stable isotope dilution electrospray ionization-MS/MS in multiple reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode. The Ac-SDKP-(13)C(6), (15)N(2) and Ac-ADKP-d(7) were synthesized for the internal standards.

Allyl isothiocyanate that induces GST and UGT expression confers oxidative stress resistance on C. elegans, as demonstrated by nematode biosensor.

Background: Electrophilic xenobiotics and endogenous products from oxidative stresses induce the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), which form a large family within the phase II enzymes over both animal and plant kingdoms. The GSTs thus induced in turn detoxify these external as well as internal stresses. Because these stresses are often linked to ageing and damage to health, the induction of phase II enzymes without causing adverse effects would be beneficial in slowing down ageing and keeping healthy conditions.

Determination of avoparcin in animal tissues and milk using LC-ESI-MS/MS and tandem-SPE.

A highly sensitive and selective method using LC-ESI-MS/MS and tandem-SPE was developed to detect trace amounts of avoparcin (AV) antibiotics in animal tissues and milk. Data acquisition using MS/MS was achieved by applying multiple reaction monitoring of the product ions of [M + 3H](3+) and the major product ions of AV-alpha and -beta at m/z 637 --> 86/113/130 and m/z 649 --> 86/113/130 in ESI(+) mode. The calculated instrumental LODs were 3 ng/mL.

A rapid and inexpensive method to screen for common foods that reduce the action of acrylamide, a harmful substance in food.

By DNA microarray and protein 2-DE screens for Caenorhabditis elegans genes up-regulated by acrylamide, we selected the gst-4 gene and constructed a gst::gfp fusion gene, which was used to transform C. elegans into a biosensor for acrylamide. This biosensor detects acrylamide as a GFP-expression signal in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Acrylamide-responsive genes in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

As acrylamide is a known neurotoxin for many animals and potential carcinogen for humans, it came as a surprise when the Swedish National Food Agency and Stockholm University reported in 2002 that it is formed during the frying or baking of foods. We report here genomic and proteomic analyses on genes and proteins of Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to 500 mg/l acrylamide. Of the 21,120 genes profiled, 409 genes were more than twofold upregulated and 111 genes were downregulated.

Extremely low dose of acrylamide decreases lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The neurotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of industrial exposure to acrylamide have been studied in animals and humans for more than 30 years. A recent search for the cause of high background levels of acrylamide in industrially unexposed people revealed that it is formed during the frying or baking of foods by means of the Maillard reaction. To evaluate the biological consequences of continuous exposure to acrylamide at levels found in common foodstuffs, we studied the effects of acrylamide on the three parameters of (1) growth, (2) fecundity and (3) lifespan in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.