Construction of robust fluorescent probe for CO detection and assessment of the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy acute CO poisoning.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, toxic, and polluting gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing substances such as coal and petroleum. CO is also a gaseous signaling molecule, which participates in and regulates a series of physiological and pathological processes. In this work, two kinds of CO-activated fluorescence probes 2 and 4 were designed and synthesized for the rapid detection of CO and evaluation of acute CO poisoning by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Transferability and reproducibility of the EpiSkin™ Micronucleus Assay.

A novel in vitro 3D micronucleus assay was developed in China using the EpiSkin™ 3D human skin model. This EpiSkin™ Micronucleus Assay showed good predictivity and reproducibility during internal validation and is expected to contribute to in vitro genotoxicity testing as a follow-up for positive results from 2D micronucleus assay. Having developed the assay in one laboratory, further work focused on the transferability and inter-laboratory reproducibility in two additional Chinese authority laboratories (Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control).

A new 3D model for genotoxicity assessment: EpiSkin™ Micronucleus Assay.

The European Regulation on Cosmetics (no. 1223/2009) has prohibited the use of animals in safety testing since March 2009 for ingredients used in cosmetics. Irreversible events at the chromosome level (clastogenesis and aneugenesis) are commonly evaluated by scoring either micronuclei or chromosome aberrations using cell-based genotoxicity assays.

A ready-to-use integrated in vitro skin corrosion and irritation testing strategy using EpiSkin™ model in China.

The need of in vitro alternative methods has been increasing in toxicology research as well as in cosmetic industry in China recently. Following the establishment of China EpiSkin™ skin corrosion and irritation testing methods, both as stand-alone in vitro tests according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) TG 431 and TG 439, the present study aims to evaluate the use of these two methods within the Integrated Approach on Testing and Assessment (IATA). The IATA, adopted by OECD as Guidance Document 203, provides guidance on the integration of existing and new data in a modular approach for classification and labelling of chemicals according to Globally Harmonized System of classification and labeling of chemicals (GHS) issued by the United Nations (UN).

A way forward of alternative methods in China: Implementation of skin corrosivity potential using in vitro reconstructed human epidermis.

The purpose of present study was to investigate the applicability of reconstructed human epidermis model to identify skin corrosive UN GHS Categories 1A, 1B/1C and non-corrosive chemicals in China. By using a commercialized reconstructed human epidermis model, China EpiSkin™ which had been proven to be applicable as a stand-alone test method to predict skin irritation in previous study, the predictive capacity of corrosion was assessed with 76 chemicals that included 30 reference chemicals recommended by OECD TG 431 in this study. The latter reference chemicals were tested in three runs, the within-laboratory reproducibility reached 100%, the accuracy was 90% for distinguishing corrosive and non-corrosive chemicals and 80% for sub-categorization (Cat.

ALDH2(E487K) mutation increases protein turnover and promotes murine hepatocarcinogenesis.

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in the liver removes toxic aldehydes including acetaldehyde, an intermediate of ethanol metabolism. Nearly 40% of East Asians inherit an inactive ALDH2*2 variant, which has a lysine-for-glutamate substitution at position 487 (E487K), and show a characteristic alcohol flush reaction after drinking and a higher risk for gastrointestinal cancers. Here we report the characterization of knockin mice in which the ALDH2(E487K) mutation is inserted into the endogenous murine Aldh2 locus.

The loss of miR-26a-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of cyclin E2 in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and decreased patient survival.

Background: miR-26a plays a critical role in tumorigenesis, either as a tumor suppressor or as an oncogenic miRNA, depending on different tumor types. However, the function of miR-26a in pancreatic cancer has not been clearly elucidated. The present study was designed to determine the roles of miR-26a in pancreatic cancer and its association with the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Puerarin suppresses proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells partly via the MAPK signaling pathway induced by 17ß-estradiol-BSA.

Background: Puerarin is a major isoflavonoid compound extracted from Radix puerariae. It has a weak estrogenic action by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs). In our early clinical practice to treat endometriosis, a better therapeutic effect was achieved if the formula of traditional Chinese medicine included Radix puerariae.

Tumor-specific expression of microRNA-26a suppresses human hepatocellular carcinoma growth via cyclin-dependent and -independent pathways.

MicroRNA-26a (miR-26a) is a tumor suppressor that is reduced in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Increasing evidence indicates that the liver is a hormone-responsive organ like the breast. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether miR-26a, regulated by a human α-fetoprotein (hAFP) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) dual promoter, could be specifically expressed in liver tumor cells to suppress their growth and to clarify whether estrogen receptor-α (ERα) is regulated by miR-26a and involved in the HCC process.

p53-insensitive PUMA down-regulation is essential in the early phase of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice.

Background & Aims: Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy involve proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocytes. PUMA, the well-known proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, can respond to distinct stimuli. This study explores the role of PUMA and its relationship with other Bcl-2 family members in this process.