Lidocaine induces epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and aggravates cancer behaviors in non‑small cell lung cancer A549 cells.

The effects of clinically relevant concentrations of lidocaine on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and associated lung cancer behaviors have rarely been investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of lidocaine on EMT and its related phenomena, including chemoresistance. Lung cancer cell lines (A549 and LLC.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Mediates Lung Injury in the Early Phase of Endotoxemia.

Endotoxemia induces lung injury. We assessed the therapeutic efficacy between triple cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin-1β [IL-1β], and IL-6) inhibition (mediated by KCF18 peptide) and single cytokine (TNF-α) inhibition (mediated by SEM18 peptide) on alleviating lung injury in the early phase of endotoxemia. Mice receiving endotoxin (Endo group), endotoxin plus KCF18 (EKCF group), or endotoxin plus SEM18 (ESEM) were monitored and euthanized at 24 h after endotoxin.

Let-7i-5p Mediates the Therapeutic Effects of Exosomes from Human Placenta Choriodecidual Membrane-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Mitigating Endotoxin-Induced Mortality and Liver Injury in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Obesity complicates sepsis and increases the mortality of sepsis. We examined the effects of exosomes (from human placenta choriodecidual membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells, pcMSCs) on preventing sepsis in obesity and the mitigating role of hsa-let-7i-5p microRNA. Obese mice (adult male C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks) received normal saline (HFD), endotoxin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (ip); HFDLPS), endotoxin with exosomes (1 × 10 particles/mouse, ip; HLE), or endotoxin with let-7i-5p microRNA inhibitor-pretreated exosomes (1 × 10 particles/mouse, ip; HLEi).

Naringin Improves Osteoblast Mineralization and Bone Healing and Strength through Regulating Estrogen Receptor Alpha-Dependent Alkaline Phosphatase Gene Expression.

Phytoestrogens are strongly recommended for treating osteoporosis. Our previous study showed that naringin, a citrus flavonoid, can enhance the bone mass in ovariectomized rats. In this study, we further elucidated the mechanisms of naringin-induced osteoblast maturation and bone healing.

Monascin accelerates anoikis in circulating tumor cells and prevents breast cancer metastasis.

Anoikis resistance has been observed in various types of cancers in which anchorage-independent growth is a crucial step for cancer metastasis. Therefore, agents interfering with this specific cancer cell behavior may be integrated into novel antimetastatic strategies. Monascin (MS), a secondary metabolite found in species, is a known potent chemopreventive compound used for treating metabolic complications; however, the effect of MS on anoikis resistance has not been investigated.

Magnesium Sulfate Mitigates the Progression of Monocrotaline Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats.

We investigated whether magnesium sulfate (MgSO) mitigated pulmonary hypertension progression in rats. Pulmonary hypertension was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (60 mg/kg). MgSO (100 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered daily for 3 weeks, from the seventh day after monocrotaline injection.

Netrin-1 Dampens Hypobaric Hypoxia-Induced Lung Injury in Mice.

This study aimed to explore the effects of netrin-1 on hypobaric hypoxia-induced lung injury in mice. We exposed 6-8-week-old C57BL/6 mice to hypobaric stress at 340 mmHg for 30 minutes followed by 260 mmHg for different periods (6, 12, 18, and 24 hours) to observe the severity of lung injury (O concentration, 21%; 54.6 mmHg).

Improved effects of honokiol on temozolomide-induced autophagy and apoptosis of drug-sensitive and -tolerant glioma cells.

Background: Temozolomide (TMZ)-induced side effects and drug tolerance to human gliomas are still challenging issues now. Our previous studies showed that honokiol, a major bioactive constituent of Magnolia officinalis (Houpo), is safe for normal brain cells and can kill human glioma cells. This study was further aimed to evaluate the improved effects of honokiol and TMZ on drug-sensitive and -resistant glioma cells and the possible mechanisms.

Arctigenin protects against steatosis in WRL68 hepatocytes through activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways.

Arctigenin (ATG), a lignin extracted from Arctium lappa (L.), exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We hypothesized that ATG exerts a protective effect on hepatocytes by preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression associated with lipid oxidation-associated lipotoxicity and inflammation.

Transversus Abdominis Plane Block: An Updated Review of Anatomy and Techniques.

Purpose Of Review: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional technique for analgesia of the anterolateral abdominal wall. This review highlights the nomenclature system and recent advances in TAP block techniques and proposes directions for future research.

Recent Findings: Ultrasound guidance is now considered the gold standard in TAP blocks.