The potential role of hydrogen sulfide in cancer cell apoptosis.

For a long time, hydrogen sulfide (HS) has been considered a toxic compound, but recent studies have found that HS is the third gaseous signaling molecule which plays a vital role in physiological and pathological conditions. Currently, a large number of studies have shown that HS mediates apoptosis through multiple signaling pathways to participate in cancer occurrence and development, for example, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways. Therefore, the regulation of the production and metabolism of HS to mediate the apoptotic process of cancer cells may improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Evolution of the CBL and CIPK gene families in Medicago: genome-wide characterization, pervasive duplication, and expression pattern under salt and drought stress.

Background: Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) are ubiquitous Ca sensors that mediate plant responses to various stress and developmental processes by interacting with CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs). CBLs and CIPKs play essential roles in acclimatization of crop plants. However, evolution of these two gene families in the genus Medicago is poorly understood.

Cystathionine -Synthase Regulates the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Thyroid Carcinoma Cells.

Thyroid cancer is considered to be one of the most common endocrine tumors worldwide. Cystathionine -synthase (CBS) plays a crucial role in the occurrence of several types of malignancies. And yet, the mechanism of action of CBS in the growth of thyroid carcinoma cells is still unrevealed.

The Potential of Hydrogen Sulfide Donors in Treating Cardiovascular Diseases.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) has long been considered as a toxic gas, but as research progressed, the idea has been updated and it has now been shown to have potent protective effects at reasonable concentrations. HS is an endogenous gas signaling molecule in mammals and is produced by specific enzymes in different cell types. An increasing number of studies indicate that HS plays an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis, and in most cases, HS has been reported to be downregulated in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Impact of the factors shaping gut microbiota on obesity.

Obesity is considered as a risk factor for chronic health diseases such as heart diseases, cancer and diabetes 2. Reduced physical activities, lifestyle, poor nutritional diet and genetics are among the risk factors associated with the development of obesity. In recent years, several studies have explored the link between the gut microbiome and the progression of diseases including obesity, with the shift in microbiome abundance and composition being the main focus.

Role of hydrogen sulfide donors in cancer development and progression.

In recent years, a vast number of potential cancer therapeutic targets have emerged. However, developing efficient and effective drugs for the targets is of major concern. Hydrogen sulfide (HS), one of the three known gasotransmitters, is involved in the regulation of various cellular activities such as autophagy, apoptosis, migration, and proliferation.

Carboxylated chitosan/silver-hydroxyapatite hybrid microspheres with improved antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility.

The implant-associated infection remains a serious problem in clinic. A better compromise between the anti-infection property and biocompatibility of bone filling materials is still required. In this work, carboxylated chitosan/silver-hydroxyapatite (CMCS/Ag-HA) hybrid microspheres were fabricated via a facile gas diffusion method.

Febuxostat methanol solvate.

In the title compound {systematic name: [2-(3-cyano-4-isobutyl-oxyphen-yl)-4-methyl-1,3-thia-zole-5-carb-oxy-lic acid (febuxostat) methanol monosolvate}, C(16)H(16)N(2)O(3)S·CH(4)O, the benzene and thia-zole rings in the febuxostat mol-ecule are twisted at 5.3 (1)°. In the crystal structure, inter-molecular O-H⋯O and O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the febuxostat and methanol mol-ecules into helical chains along the 2(1) screw axis.

Gene delivery to tumor cells by cationic polymeric nanovectors coupled to folic acid and the cell-penetrating peptide octaarginine.

Target ligand folic acid (FA) and cell-penetrating peptide octaarginine (R8) were coupled with the gene vectors (PEI(600)-CyD, PC) composed of β-cyclodextrin (β-CyD) and low-molecular-weight polyethylenimine (PEI, Mw 600) to form nanovectors for highly efficient gene delivery to tumor cells. The resultant ternary nanocomplexes of FA-PC/R8-PC/pDNA produced excellent gene transfaction abilities in the folate receptor (FR)-positive tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. The FR-mediated endocytosis and the R8-mediated transmembrane functionality together contributed to the high transfection levels.

[Preparation of floxuridine loaded polycation and its antitumor activity].

Objective: To develop a new prodrug of 5-fluorouracil-polyethylenimine-beta-cyclodextrin-floxuridine (PEI-beta-CyD-Fd) and to test its antitumor activity.

Methods: Floxuridine was conjugated to polyethylenimine-beta-cyclodextrin to form prodrug PEI-beta-CyD-Fd. The structure of synthesized PEI-beta-CyD-Fd was confirmed by (1)H-NMR, FT-IR and UV.

[Lentinan-graft-polyethylenimine-a novel vector for gene delivery].

Objective: To develop a novel vector for gene delivery with low molecular weight polyethylenimine grafted to the natural polysaccharide and conjugated to folic acid (LNT-PEI-FA).

Methods: The properties of LNT-PEI-FA were characterized by (1)H-NMR, FT-IR and TGA, respectively. The particle size of LNT-PEI-FA/DNA complex was measured.

[Poly-aspartamide-glutamic acid grafted low molecular weight polyethylenimine as a novel non-viral gene vector].

Objective: To develop a novel gene delivery vector with poly-aspartamide-glutamic acid and polyethylenimine as the backbone.

Methods: alpha, beta-poly-(N-2-hydroxypropyl)-D, L-aspartamide-glutamic acid (PHPAG) was synthesized and low molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI 1.8 kDa) was grafted to form PHPAG-PEI 1800.

[Peptide CY11 conjugated polyethylenimine-beta-cyclodextrin for gene delivery].

Objective: To develop a novel non-viral gene delivery vector CY11-PEI-beta-CyD and to test its gene transfection efficiency.

Methods: CY11 (CGMQLPLATWY) was conjugated to polyethylenimine-beta-cyclodextrin to form CY11-PEI-beta-CyD with a cross-linker [N-succinimidy-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate, SPDP]. (1)H-NMR and TGA were used to confirm the structure of vector.

[Peptide TAT modified polyethylenimine-beta-cyclodextrin for gene delivery].

Objective: To develop a novel gene delivery vector TAT-PEI-beta-CyD.

Methods: beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) was linked by low molecular weight (PEI 600) via 1, 1-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), and TAT peptide (RRRQRRKKRC) was coupled to PEI 600 by [N-succinimidy-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate, SPDP]. The copolymer was characterized by (1)H-NMR and FT-IR.

[Peptide MC10 mediated PEI-beta-CyD as a gene delivery vector targeting to Her-2 receptor].

Objective: To develop a novel non-viral gene delivery vector based on polyethylenimine and beta-cyclodextrin targeting to Her-2 receptor (MC10-PEI-beta-CyD).

Methods: The PEI-beta-CyD was synthesized by low molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI, Mw 600) cross-linked beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) via N, N-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). The chemical linker[N-succinimidy-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate, SPDP] was used to bind peptide MC10 (MARAKEGGGC) to PEI-beta-CyD to form the vector MC10-PEI-beta-CyD.