Axial diffusivity and tensor shape as early markers to assess cerebral white matter damage caused by brain tumors using quantitative diffusion tensor tractography.

Aims: We investigated the usefulness of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) for differentiating between histological pathologies and evaluating white matter (WM) damage resulting from brain tumors. We also sought to categorize the appearance of brain tumor-related WM tract changes.

Methods: A total of 18 inpatients with intracranial neoplasms were enrolled.

Glutathione complexed Fe-S centers.

Glutathione (γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine, GSH) is a major thiol-containing peptide with cellular levels of up to 10 mM. (1) Several recent reports have demonstrated glutaredoxins (Grx) to form [Fe(2)S(2)] cluster-bridged dimers, where glutathione provides two exogenous thiol ligands, and have implicated such species in cellular iron sulfur cluster biosynthesis. We report the finding that glutathione alone can coordinate and stabilize an [Fe(2)S(2)] cluster under physiological conditions, with optical, redox, Mössbauer, and NMR characteristics that are consistent with a [Fe(2)S(2)](GS)(4) composition.

Combination of TRAIL and actinomycin D liposomes enhances antitumor effect in non-small cell lung cancer.

The intractability of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to multimodality treatments plays a large part in its extremely poor prognosis. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising cytokine for selective induction of apoptosis in cancer cells; however, many NSCLC cell lines are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The therapeutic effect can be restored by treatments combining TRAIL with chemotherapeutic agents.

Serum bilirubin after acute ischemic stroke is associated with stroke severity.

Elevated serum bilirubin was prevalent in the acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which was induced in response to oxidative stress and could display the intensity of oxidative stress. As more severe stroke is linked with higher level of oxidative stress, we hypothesized that bilirubin may be associated with the severity of stroke. In this study, bilirubin and other biochemical indexes were measured in 531 enrolled patients with AIS, and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were assessed simultaneous with blood collection.

Serum CRP concentrations and severity of ischemic stroke subtypes.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate if elevated C reactive protein (CRP) was related to the stroke severity, and to analyze its different distribution in stroke subtypes.

Methods: 316 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were enrolled and had CRP determinations; they were dichotomized as<7 or ≥7mg/L according to the previous report. 128 patients with transient ischemic attack who also had CRP measurements were selected as controls.

Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas inversely correlates with the cell cycle inhibitor p27.

The Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (Jab1) may be involved in degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27, but it has not been clarified. In this study, we observed expression levels of Jab1 and p27 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and normal oral mucosa tissue and evaluated whether the Jab1 expression is correlated with p27 protein levels and how it is clinically relevant OSCC. The clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical expression levels of Jab1 and p27 proteins were immunohistochemically studied in 206 specimens from patients who underwent surgical resection for OSCC.

Gold-catalyzed formation of oxonium ions from enynes and their intra- and intermolecular trapping with allylsilanes.

Gold-catalyzed ring closure of 1,5-enyne containing a silyl ether at the allylic position induces a skeletal rearrangement to form an oxonium intermediate, which then undergoes a smooth allylation in both an intra- and intermolecular manner. In the intramolecular allyl transfer, the additive alcohol becomes positioned on the silicon of the silyl ether by forming a new Si-OR bond, whereas, in the intermolecular allylation, the alcohol is incorporated in the homoallylic carbon by forming a C-OR bond.

Co-delivery of pEGFP-hTRAIL and paclitaxel to brain glioma mediated by an angiopep-conjugated liposome.

In this study, we report an angiopep-2 modified cationic liposome (ANG-CLP) for the efficient co-delivery of a therapeutic gene encoding the human tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (pEGFP-hTRAIL) and paclitaxel (PTX) to glioma. The dual targeting co-delivery system (ANG-CLP/PTX/pEGFP-hTRAIL) improved uptake and gene expression not only in U87 MG cells and BCECs, but also in the glioma bed and infiltrating margin of intracranial U87 MG glioma-bearing models. The system selectively induces apoptosis in U87 MG cells while reducing toxicity to BCECs.

Targeted mutation of Fas ligand gene attenuates brain inflammation in experimental stroke.

Inflammation is an important contributing mechanism in ischemic brain injury. The current study elucidates a previously unexplored role of Fas ligand (FasL) in post-stroke inflammatory responses that is independent of its well-known effect in triggering apoptosis. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced for 2 h by right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in FasL mutant (gld) and wild-type mice.

Identification of peptide sequences that target to the brain using in vivo phage display.

Phage display technology could provide a rapid means for the discovery of novel peptides. To find peptide ligands specific for the brain vascular receptors, we performed a modified phage display method. Phages were recovered from mice brain parenchyma after administrated with a random 7-mer peptide library intravenously.

Metal-catalyzed rearrangement of cyclopropenes to allenes.

A novel transition-metal-catalyzed rearrangement of silylated cyclopropenes to the corresponding allenes is described. The presence of both the trimethylsilyl group on the cyclopropene and the platinum catalyst are crucial for this rearrangement.

TRAIL and doxorubicin combination enhances anti-glioblastoma effect based on passive tumor targeting of liposomes.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a novel anticancer agent for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Some GBM cell lines, however, are relatively resistant to TRAIL. Doxorubicin (DOX) can sensitize GBM cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, indicating that the combination of DOX and TRAIL may be an effective strategy to kill TRAIL-resistant GBM cells.

A novel combination of TRAIL and doxorubicin enhances antitumor effect based on passive tumor-targeting of liposomes.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a novel anticancer agent for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, approximately half of NSCLC cell lines are highly resistant to TRAIL. Doxorubicin (DOX) can sensitize NSCLC cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, indicating the possibility of combination therapy.

Targeting the brain with PEG-PLGA nanoparticles modified with phage-displayed peptides.

The relative impermeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) results from tight junctions and efflux transport systems limits drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), and thus severely restricts the therapy of many central nervous system diseases. In order to enhance the brain-specific drug delivery, we employed a 12-mer phage display peptide library to isolate peptides that could target the drug delivery system to the brain. A 12-amino-acid-peptide (denoted as Pep TGN) which was displayed by bacteriophage Clone 12-2 was finally selected by rounds of in vivo screening.

Face-lift incision combined with sternomastoid muscular flap in parotidectomy.

Background: To improve the aesthetic outcome of a traditional parotidectomy, this study used a face-lift incision combined with a sternomastoid muscular (SCM) flap and compared the classical method with these techniques from the patient's perspective.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2007, 38 patients with benign parotid disease underwent surgery. The patients were retrospectively assigned to two groups according to the surgical technique used.

In vivo toxicity and immunogenicity of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles for intranasal delivery to the brain.

Biodegradable polymer-based nanoparticles have been widely studied to deliver therapeutic agents to the brain after intranasal administration. However, knowledge as to the side effects of nanoparticle delivery system to the brain is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo toxicity and immunogenicity of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) conjugated poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles (WGA-NP) after intranasal instillation.

Cyclopropenation of alkylidene carbenes derived from alpha-silyl ketones.

A new cyclopropanation reaction involving Calpha-Si bond insertion of alkylidene carbenes derived from alpha-silyl ketones has been developed. This unprecedented alkylidene carbene reactivity features excellent selectivity for insertion into Calpha-Si bonds rather than insertion into Cgamma-H bonds or addition to gamma,delta-double or -triple bonds. The selectivity trend clearly indicates that the alpha-oxygen in the tether significantly promotes Cgamma-H insertion, although the Calpha-Si bond insertion still competes effectively.

Tandem enyne metathesis-metallotropic [1,3]-shift for a concise total syntheses of (+)-asperpentyn, (-)-harveynone, and (-)-tricholomenyn A.

A tandem reaction sequence involving relay metathesis-induced enyne RCM and metallotropic [1,3]-shift is an effective tool to construct cyclic alkenes with embedded 1,5-dien-3-yne moieties from acyclic precursors containing a 1,3-diyne. Total syntheses of (+)-asperpentyn, (-)-harveynone, and (-)-tricholomenyn A have been accomplished by implementing this metathesis-based tandem reaction sequence as the key step.

Lactoferrin-conjugated PEG-PLA nanoparticles with improved brain delivery: in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

The lactoferrin (Lf) conjugated poly (ethyleneglycol)-poly (lactide) nanoparticle (Lf-NP) was constructed in this paper as a novel biodegradable brain drug delivery system with evaluation of its in vitro and in vivo delivery properties. Lf was thiolated and conjugated to the distal maleimide functions surrounding on the pegylated nanoparticles to form the Lf-NP. The existence of Lf on the surface of Lf-NP was verified by TEM observation and XPS analysis.

New method for the preparation of nonuniform distributed Co/SiO2 catalysts.

Egg-shell, egg-yolk and egg-white types of Co/SiO2 catalysts were prepared by utilizing entrapped air to inhibit the entrance of impregnation or leaching solution into the cores of catalyst pellets during the preparation procedure; the entrapped air played the important role because the capillary pressure was reduced to a suitable range by adjusting the concentration of ethanol in the impregnation or leaching solution for a hydrophobized silica surface.

Galactose-poly(ethylene glycol)-polyethylenimine for improved lung gene transfer.

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a potential gene transfer agent, but is limited by its poor transfection efficiency in vivo due to poor solubility and stability, pronounced toxicity and non-specific interaction with target cells. To improve its pulmonary gene transfection property, galactose (whose binding lectins are abundantly expressed in the lung) was selected as a ligand to improve the binding and uptake of the modified PEI/pDNA (plasmid DNA) polyplexes into lung cells. A novel protocol was developed to synthesize galactose-polyethylenglycol (PEG)-PEI copolymers.

[Improvement on microwave technology of extracting polysaccharide from yacon leaves].

According to the extraction ratio of polysaccharide in yacon leaves, the comparison between microwave extraction and traditional hot water extraction was conducted, and the two-factor and three-level experiment on the microwave extraction of polysaccharide from yacon leaves was investigated. The result showed that the extraction ratio of polysaccharide by using microwave extraction was better than that by using traditional hot water extraction. Moreover, according to the result of variance analysis and multiple comparison, the optimum conditions for extraction of polysaccharide by using microwave technology from yacon leaves were as follows: 280W microwave power for 2 times and 15 minutes at every time.