Nano-fluorescence imaging: advancing lymphatic disease diagnosis and monitoring.

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in maintaining physiological homeostasis and regulating immune responses. Traditional imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, and positron emission tomography have been widely used to diagnose disorders in the lymphatic system, including lymphedema, lymphangioma, lymphatic metastasis, and Castleman disease. Nano-fluorescence technology has distinct advantages-including naked-eye visibility, operational simplicity, portability of the laser, and real-time visibility-and serves as an innovative alternative to traditional imaging techniques.

ID1/activin A glioblastoma cells contribute to resistance to anti-angiogenesis therapy through malformed vasculature.

Although bevacizumab (BVZ), a representative drug for anti-angiogenesis therapy (AAT), is used as a first-line treatment for patients with glioblastoma (GBM), its efficacy is notably limited. Whereas several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the acquisition of AAT resistance, the specific underlying mechanisms have yet to be sufficiently ascertained. Here, we established that inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1)/activin A glioblastoma cell confers resistance to BVZ.

Migrasomal autophagosomes relieve endoplasmic reticulum stress in glioblastoma cells.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is more difficult to treat than other intractable adult tumors. The main reason that GBM is so difficult to treat is that it is highly infiltrative. Migrasomes are newly discovered membrane structures observed in migrating cells.

Aloe-derived nanovesicles attenuate inflammation and enhance tight junction proteins for acute colitis treatment.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that causes pain and weight loss and also increases the risk of colon cancer. Inspired by the benefits of plant-derived nanovesicles and aloe, we herein report aloe-derived nanovesicles, including aloe vera-derived nanovesicles (VNVs), aloe arborescens-derived nanovesicles (ANVs), and aloe saponaria-derived nanovesicles (SNVs) and evaluate their therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute experimental colitis mouse model. Aloe-derived nanovesicles not only facilitate markedly reduced DSS-induced acute colonic inflammation, but also enable the restoration of tight junction (TJ) and adherent junction (AJ) proteins to prevent gut permeability in DSS-induced acute colonic injury.

The oncogenic JAG1 intracellular domain is a transcriptional cofactor that acts in concert with DDX17/SMAD3/TGIF2.

Jagged1 (JAG1) is a Notch ligand that contact-dependently activates Notch receptors and regulates cancer progression. The JAG1 intracellular domain (JICD1) is generated from JAG1, like formation of the NOTCH1 intracellular domain (NICD1); however, the role of JICD1 in tumorigenicity has not been comprehensively elucidated. Here we show that JICD1 induces astrocytes to acquire several cancer stem cell properties, including tumor formation, invasiveness, stemness, and resistance to anticancer therapy.

Inhibitor of differentiation 1 in U87MG glioblastoma cells promotes HUVEC sprouting through endothelin-1.

Anti-angiogenesis therapy, a promising remedy against tumor progression, is now widely used to treat numerous types of cancer. Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most vital factor in angiogenesis, most anti-angiogenesis drugs target the VEGF-related pathway. However, in glioblastoma (GBM), the therapeutic strategy involving the inhibition of VEGF signaling is ineffective.

Hemp-Derived Nanovesicles Protect Leaky Gut and Liver Injury in Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis.

Hemp ( L.) is used for medicinal purposes owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. We evaluated the protective effect of nanovesicles isolated from hemp plant parts (root, seed, hemp sprout, and leaf) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.

Cytoplasmic LMO2-LDB1 Complex Activates STAT3 Signaling through Interaction with gp130-JAK in Glioma Stem Cells.

The oncogenic role of nuclear LIM domain only 2 (LMO2) as a transcriptional regulator is well established, but its function in the cytoplasm is largely unknown. Here, we identified LMO2 as a cytoplasmic activator for signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling in glioma stem cells (GSCs) through biochemical and bioinformatics analyses. LMO2 increases STAT3 phosphorylation by interacting with glycoprotein 130 (gp130) and Janus kinases (JAKs).

Plum Prevents Intestinal and Hepatic Inflammation in the Acute and Chronic Models of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Mouse Colitis.

Scope: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the digestive tract and increases the risk of colon cancer.

Method And Results: This study evaluates the effects of dietary intervention with freeze-dried plum (FDP), a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory fruit with no toxicity on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute and chronic experimental colitis in a mouse model and studies the molecular mechanisms of protection through the gut-liver axis. The results show that FDP decreases the levels of inflammatory mediators, which is a nitrative stress biomarker in both acute and chronic models.

Retraction fibers produced by fibronectin-integrin α5β1 interaction promote motility of brain tumor cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a refractory disease that has a highly infiltrative characteristic. Over the past decade, GBM perivascular niche (PVN) has been described as a route of dissemination. Here, we investigated that trailed membrane structures, namely retraction fibers (RFs), are formed by perivascular extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins.

Dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 5 controls glioblastoma stem cell characteristics as a biomarker of proneural-subtype glioblastoma stem cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and malignant brain tumor, resulting in a poor prognosis. The current therapy for GBM consists in concurrent radiation and chemotherapy following removal of the tumor. Although the therapy prolongs patient survival, recurrence often occurs.

Korean Red ginseng extract inhibits glioblastoma propagation by blocking the Wnt signaling pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Korean Red ginseng extract (RG) is one of the most widely used traditional health functional food in Asia, which invigorates immunity and vital energy. RG have been suggested to inhibit proliferation, invasion, and inflammation in several cancer cell lines. Correspondingly, clinical studies have raised the possibility that RG could augment therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients.

OCT4B Isoform Promotes Anchorage-Independent Growth of Glioblastoma Cells.

OCT4, also known as POU5F1 (POU domain class 5 transcription factor 1), is a transcription factor that acts as a master regulator of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and is one of the reprogramming factors required for generating induced pluripotent stem cells. The human OCT4 encodes three isoforms, OCT4A, OCT4B, and OCT4B1, which are generated by alternative splicing. Currently, the functions and expression patterns of OCT4B remain largely unknown in malignancies, especially in human glioblastomas.

BRM270, a Compound from Natural Plant Extracts, Inhibits Glioblastoma Stem Cell Properties and Glioblastoma Recurrence.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and lethal human brain tumors, and the median survival of patients with GBM is only 14 months. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are regarded as a main cause of GBM recurrence, because of their self-renewal and drug resistance properties. Therefore, targeting GSCs is an important therapeutic strategy for GBM.

A cell-autonomous positive-signaling circuit associated with the PDGF-NO-ID4-regulatory axis in glioblastoma cells.

Most cancer-related signaling pathways sustain their active or inactive status via genetic mutations or various regulatory mechanisms. Previously, we demonstrated that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) activates Notch signaling through nitric oxide (NO)-signaling-driven activation of inhibitor of differentiation 4 (ID4) in glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells (GSCs) and endothelial cells in the vascular niche of GBM, leading to maintenance of GSC traits and GBM progression. Here, we determined that the PDGF-NO-ID4-signaling axis is constantly activated through a positive regulatory circuit.

Simulated microgravity contributes to autophagy induction by regulating AMP-activated protein kinase.

Exposure to microgravity is supposed to affect almost all biological systems, and we speculated that microgravity is potentially involved in autophagy regulation. A clinostat was used to simulate microgravity, and HEK293 cells that stably express GFP-LC3 were used for sensitive monitoring of autophagy induction. The clinorotation of GFP-LC3 cells resulted in autophagosome formation in the cytoplasm and a change in autophagosomal marker expression.

Thin film fabrication of PMMA/MEH-PPV immiscible blends by corona discharge coating and its application to polymer light emitting diodes.

We introduce a new and facile process, corona discharge coating (CDC), to fabricate thin polymer films of the immiscible poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends. The method is based on utilizing directional electric flow, known as electric wind, of the charged unipolar particles generated by corona discharge between a metallic needle and a bottom plate under high electric field (5-10 kV/cm). The electric flow rapidly spreads out the polymer solution on the bottom plate and subsequently forms a smooth and flat thin film over a large area within a few seconds.

Effects of the polarizability and packing density of transparent oxide films on water vapor permeation.

The tin oxide and silicon oxide films have been deposited on polycarbonate substrates as gas barrier films, using a thermal evaporation and ion beam assisted deposition process. The oxide films deposited by ion beam assisted deposition show a much lower water vapor transmission rate than those by thermal evaporation. The tin oxide films show a similar water vapor transmission rate to the silicon oxide films in thermal evaporation but a lower water vapor transmission rate in IBAD.