Effect of Ligation of the Thoracic Duct During Oesophagectomy on the Absorption of D-xylose.

Objective: To assess if prophylactic thoracic duct ligation during oesophagectomy influences the absorptive function of oesophageal cancer patients.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tai'an City Central Hospital, Tai'an, from August 2014 to December 2015.

Two-photon dual imaging platform for in vivo monitoring cellular oxidative stress in liver injury.

Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, which has been reported as an early unifying event in the development and progression of various diseases and as a direct and mechanistic indicator of treatment response. However, highly reactive and short-lived nature of ROS and antioxidant limited conventional detection agents, which are influenced by many interfering factors. Here, we present a two-photon sensing platform for in vivo dual imaging of oxidative stress at the single cell-level resolution.

Development of a Novel Lysosome-Targeted Ruthenium(II) Complex for Phosphorescence/Time-Gated Luminescence Assay of Biothiols.

Considering the important roles of biothiols in lysosomes of live organisms, and unique photophysical/photochemical properties of ruthenium(II) complexes, a novel ruthenium(II) complex, Ru-2, has been developed as a molecular probe for phosphorescence and time-gated luminescence assay of biothiols in human sera, live cells, and in vivo. Ru-2 is weakly luminescent due to the effective photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from Ru(II) luminophore to electron acceptor, 2,4-dinitrobenzene-sulfonyl (DNBS). In the presence of biothiols, such as glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys), and homocysteine (Hcy), the emission of Ru-2 solution was switched ON, as a result of the cleavage of quencher to form the product, Ru-1.

Red-Emitting Ruthenium(II) and Iridium(III) Complexes as Phosphorescent Probes for Methylglyoxal in Vitro and in Vivo.

Transition-metal complexes, ruthenium(II) and iridium(III) complexes in particular, with fascinating triplet emissions are rapidly emerging as important phosphorescent dyes for application in the sensing and imaging of biological makers in live cells and organisms. In this contribution, two red-emitting transition-metal complexes, [Ru(bpy)(DA-phen)](PF) and [Ir(ppy)(DA-phen)](PF) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, DA-phen = 4,5-diamino-1,10-phenanthroline, and ppy = 2-phenylpyridine), were designed and synthesized as phosphorescent probes for the highly sensitive and selective detection of methylglyoxal (MGO), an essential biomarker in the etiopathogenesis of several diseases. Both probes showed weak emissions in aqueous media because of the existence of an effective photoinduced-electron-transfer process, while their emissions could be remarkably enhanced upon the addition of MGO.

A ratiometric fluorescence probe for imaging sulfur dioxide derivatives in the mitochondria of living cells.

Although sulfur dioxide (SO) plays an essential role in several physiological processes, monitoring of intracellular SO at subcellular levels remains challenging due to the lack of rapid and sensitive methods for its quantification in a 100% aqueous solution. Herein, a new hemicyanine dyes-based fluorescence probe, NBD-Id, was designed and synthesized for the detection of SO derivatives in pure aqueous solution and living cells. By virtue of a specific 1,4-addition reaction of SOHSO and the polymethine chain of hemicyanine, significant changes in the absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were observed in less than 20 seconds.

Deep-penetrating photodynamic therapy with KillerRed mediated by upconversion nanoparticles.

Unlabelled: The fluorescent protein KillerRed, a new type of biological photosensitizer, is considered as a promising substitute for current synthetic photosensitizes used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, broad application of this photosensitiser in treating deep-seated lesions is challenging due to the limited tissue penetration of the excitation light with the wavelength falling in the visible spectral range. To overcome this challenge, we employ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) that are able to convert deep-penetrating near infrared (NIR) light to green light to excite KillerRed locally, followed by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill tumour cells under centimetre-thick tissue.

Visualization of Fluoride Ions In Vivo Using a Gadolinium(III)-Coumarin Complex-Based Fluorescence/MRI Dual-Modal Probe.

A new Gadolinium(III)-coumarin complex, DO3A-Gd-, was designed and prepared as a dual-modal probe for simultaneous fluorescence and relaxivity responses to fluoride ions (F) in aqueous media and mice. DO3A-Gd- was designed by using Gd(III) center as an MRI signal output unit and fluoride binding site, and the 4-(diethylamino)-coumarin-3-carboxylic acid () as a fluorescence reporter. Upon the addition of fluoride ions to the solution of DO3A-Gd-, the liberation of the coordinated ligand led to a 5.

Fluoride-specific fluorescence/MRI bimodal probe based on a gadolinium(iii)-flavone complex: synthesis, mechanism and bioimaging application in vivo.

Molecular imaging is a powerful tool to visualize cellular processes and activity levels of biomarkers at the cellular and molecular level, in which a molecular probe is a prerequisite for the molecular imaging technique. The present work reports a bimodal probe for the fluorescence and magnetic resonance detection of fluoride ions (F) in aqueous media and in vivo. The bimodal probe, EDTA-Gd-HF, was prepared by self-assembly of the EDTA-Gd complex with 3-hydroxyflavone (HF).

[Predation of Poratrioza sinica Yang Li by the adults of Coccinella septempunctata.].

To study predation by Coccinella septempunctata adults on 4 stages of Poratrioza sinica Yang Li, predation functional response, mutual interference, density influence and preference of C. septempunctata on P. sinica were investigated in laboratory and preying effect in field.

A gadolinium(iii) complex based dual-modal probe for MRI and fluorescence sensing of fluoride ions in aqueous medium and in vivo.

A novel Gd(iii) complex, Gd(TTA)-DPPZ, was designed and assembled as a dual-modal probe for the simultaneous fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection of fluoride ions in aqueous media and in vivo. In this system, the Gd(iii) center is not only serving as a MRI signal output unit, but also as a binding site for fluoride ions. When appropriate equivalents of fluoride ions were added into the solution of Gd(TTA)-DPPZ, the replacement of the coordination water led to a decrease of the longitudinal relaxivity (r) as well as distinct spectroscopic changes, by which MRI/fluorescence dual-modal fluoride ion sensing was achieved.

Structure-Based Optimization of Multifunctional Agonists for Opioid and Neuropeptide FF Receptors with Potent Nontolerance Forming Analgesic Activities.

The opioid and neuropeptide FF pharmacophore-containing chimeric peptide 0 (BN-9) was recently developed and produced potent nontolerance forming analgesia. In this study, 11 analogues of 0 were designed and synthesized. An in vitro cAMP assay demonstrated that these analogues behaved as multifunctional agonists at both opioid and NPFF receptors.

Functional magnetic porous silica for T -T dual-modal magnetic resonance imaging and pH-responsive drug delivery of basic drugs.

A smart magnetic-targeting drug carrier γ-FeO@p-silica comprising a γ-FeO core and porous shell has been prepared and characterized. The particles have a uniform size of about 60 nm, and a porous shell of thickness 3 nm. Abundant hydroxyl groups and a large surface area enabled the γ-FeO@p-silica to be readily loaded with a large payload of the basic model drug rhodamine B (RB) (up to 73 mg g).

Activation of NPFF receptor stimulates neurite outgrowth in Neuro 2A cells through activation of ERK signaling pathway.

Neurite outgrowth is an important process in neural regeneration and plasticity, especially after neural injury, and recent evidence indicates that several G protein-coupled receptors play an important role in neurite outgrowth. The neuropeptide (NP)FF system contains two G protein-coupled receptors, NPFF and NPFF receptors, which are mainly distributed in the central nervous system. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the NPFF system is involved in neurite outgrowth in Neuro 2A cells.

Functionalization of mixed ligand metal-organic frameworks as the transport vehicles for drugs.

We reported the design and synthesis of mixed ligands Cu-metal organic frameworks (MOFs), MOFs-2 and MOFs-3, and their application as the transport vehicles for the delivery of Ibuprofen (IBU) and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). The unique MOFs with mixed ligands, 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylate (BTC) and isophthalic acid (IPA), were easily prepared by hydro-thermal method, and their structures were well characterized by XRD, FTIR, and SEM imaging analysis. Single ligand MOFs with BTC or IPA only were also prepared and characterized as the control group.

Over-expression of the long non-coding RNA HOTTIP inhibits glioma cell growth by BRE.

Background: Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumour in the central nervous system of adults. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP) is transcribed from the 5' tip of the HOXA locus. HOTTIP has recently been shown to be dysregulated and play an important role in the progression of several cancers.

A unique iridium(III) complex-based chemosensor for multi-signal detection and multi-channel imaging of hypochlorous acid in liver injury.

Although hypochlorous acid (HOCl) has long been associated with a number of inflammatory diseases in mammalian bodies, the functions of HOCl in specific organs at abnormal conditions, such as liver injury, remain unclear due to its high reactivity and the lack of effective methods for its detection. Herein, a unique Ir(III) complex-based chemosensor, Ir-Fc, was developed for highly sensitive and selective detection of HOCl. Ir-Fc was designed by incorporating a ferrocene (Fc) quencher to a Ir(III) complex through a HOCl-responsive linker.

Sensitive Time-Gated Immunoluminescence Detection of Prostate Cancer Cells Using a TEGylated Europium Ligand.

We describe the application of a synthetically developed tetradentate β-diketonate-europium chelate with high quantum yield (39%), for sensitive immunodetection of prostate cancer cells (DU145). MIL38 antibody, a mouse monoclonal antibody against Glypican 1, conjugated directly to the chelate via lysine residues, resulted in soluble (hydrophilic) and stable immunoconjugates. Indirect labeling of the antibody by a europium chelated secondary polyclonal antibody and a streptavidin/biotin pair was also performed.

Simultaneous Determination of a Fixed-Dose Combination of Lercanidipine and Valsartan in Human Plasma by LC-MS-MS: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study.

A simple, sensitive and reproducible liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method was developed and validated for the first time for simultaneous quantification of lercanidipine and valsartan in human plasma. The analytes were extracted by simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile and separated on a Hanbon Hedera ODS-2 C18 (150 mm× 2.1 mm, 5 μm) column.

Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 as a potential novel biomarker in digestive system cancers: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a newly discovered long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been reported to be overexpressed in various cancers. However, the clinical value of MALAT1 in digestive system cancers is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the potential value of MALAT1 as a prognostic biomarker in digestive system cancers.

Co-existence of and mutations in adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) results from the collaboration of multiple genetic abnormalities in the transformation of T-cell progenitors. Plant homeodomain finger protein 6 () has recently been established as a key tumor suppressor, which is mutated in T-ALL; however, the clinical significance of mutations has not been fully determined in adult T-ALL. In the present study, amplification of the exons was performed, followed by DNA sequencing to identify the genomic mutations and examine the expression of in adult patients with T-ALL.

Avian influenza virus in pregnancy.

The unprecedented epizootic of avian influenza viruses, such as H5N1, H5N6, H7N1 and H10N8, has continued to cause disease in humans in recent years. In 2013, another novel influenza A (H7N9) virus emerged in China, and 30% of those patients died. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to avian influenza and are more likely to develop severe complications and to die, especially when infection occurs in the middle and late trimesters.

Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 as a potential novel biomarker in digestive system cancers: a meta-analysis.

Background: MALAT1 (Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1), a newly discovered long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been reported to be overexpressed in various cancers. However, the clinical value of MALAT1 in digestive system cancers is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the potential value of MALAT1 as a prognostic biomarker in digestive system cancers.

[Primary Breast Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: Summarization of 12 Cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological manifestation, immunophenotypic features and prognostic factors of patients with primary breast DLBCL (PB-DLBCL).

Methods: Twelve cases of PB-DLBCL, diagnosed according to the 2008 World Health Organization classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, were retrospectively studied.

Results: Most patients were admitted to hospital because of painless unilateral breast mass.

Facile Assembly of Functional Upconversion Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy.

The treatment depth of existing photodynamic therapy (PDT) is limited because of the absorption of visible excitation light in biological tissue. It can be augmented by means of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) transforming deep-penetrating near-infrared (NIR) light to visible light, exciting PDT drugs. We report here a facile strategy to assemble such PDT nanocomposites functionalized for cancer targeting, based on coating of the UCNPs with a silica layer encapsulating the Rose Bengal photosensitizer and bioconjugation to antibodies through a bifunctional fusion protein consisting of a solid-binding peptide linker genetically fused to Streptococcus Protein G'.