Anticancer Effects of 6-Gingerol through Downregulating Iron Transport and PD-L1 Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells.

Iron homeostasis is considered a key factor in human metabolism, and abrogation in the system could create adverse effects, including cancer. Moreover, 6-gingerol is a widely used bioactive phenolic compound with anticancer activity, and studies on its exact mechanisms on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells are still undergoing. This study aimed to find the mechanism of cell death induction by 6-gingerol in NSCLC cells.

The Skin-Whitening and Antioxidant Effects of Protocatechuic Acid (PCA) Derivatives in Melanoma and Fibroblast Cell Lines.

The skin is the most voluminous organ of the human body and is exposed to the outer environment. Such exposed skin suffers from the effects of various intrinsic and extrinsic aging factors. Skin aging is characterized by features such as wrinkling, loss of elasticity, and skin pigmentation.

Methylsulfonylmethane relieves cobalt chloride-induced hypoxic toxicity in C2C12 myoblasts.

Aims: In biology and medicine, hypoxia refers to reduced oxygen tension or oxygen starvation resulting from various environmental or pathological conditions. Prolonged hypoxia may lead to an imbalance in protein production and a loss of muscle mass in animals. The physiological response to hypoxia includes oxidative stress-induced activation of complex cell-signaling networks such as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT).

Antitumor Effects of Natural Bioactive Ursolic Acid in Embryonic Cancer Stem Cells.

Embryonic cancer cells (CSCs) could cause different types of cancer, a skill that makes them even more dangerous than other cancer cells. Identifying CSCs using natural products is a good option as it inhibits the recurrence of cancer with moderate various effects. Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid extracted from fruit and herbal remedies and has known anticancer functions against various cancer cells.

Pivotal Role of Iron Homeostasis in the Induction of Mitochondrial Apoptosis by 6-Gingerol Through PTEN Regulated PD-L1 Expression in Embryonic Cancer Cells.

Embryonic cancer stem cells (CSCs) can differentiate into any cancer type. Targeting CSCs with natural compounds is a promising approach as it suppresses cancer recurrence with fewer adverse effects. 6-Gingerol is an active component of ginger, which exhibits well-known anti-cancer activities.

Silibinin Regulates Tumor Progression and Tumorsphere Formation by Suppressing PD-L1 Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Cells.

Recently, natural compounds have been used globally for cancer treatment studies. Silibinin is a natural compound extracted from (milk thistle), which has been suggested as an anticancer drug through various studies. Studies on its activity in various cancers are undergoing.

Natural Sulfurs Inhibit LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses through NF-κB Signaling in CCD-986Sk Skin Fibroblasts.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response leads to serious damage, up to and including tumorigenesis. Natural mineral sulfur, non-toxic sulfur (NTS), and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) have anti-inflammatory activity that may inhibit LPS-induced inflammation. We hypothesized that sulfur compounds could inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory responses in CCD-986Sk skin fibroblasts.

Potential Antitumor Effects of 6-Gingerol in p53-Dependent Mitochondrial Apoptosis and Inhibition of Tumor Sphere Formation in Breast Cancer Cells.

Hormone-specific anticancer drugs for breast cancer treatment can cause serious side effects. Thus, treatment with natural compounds has been considered a better approach as this minimizes side effects and has multiple targets. 6-Gingerol is an active polyphenol in ginger with various modalities, including anticancer activity, although its mechanism of action remains unknown.

Non-toxic sulfur inhibits LPS-induced inflammation by regulating TLR-4 and JAK2/STAT3 through IL-6 signaling.

Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and STAT3 signaling is considered a major pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced inflammation. Toll‑like receptor 4 (TLR‑4) is an inflammatory response receptor that activates JAK2 during inflammation. STAT3 is a transcription factor for the pro‑inflammatory cytokine IL‑6 in inflammation.

cAMP Biosensors Based on Genetically Encoded Fluorescent/Luminescent Proteins.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) plays a key role in signal transduction pathways as a second messenger. Studies on the cAMP dynamics provided useful scientific insights for drug development and treatment of cAMP-related diseases such as some cancers and prefrontal cortex disorders. For example, modulation of cAMP-mediated intracellular signaling pathways by anti-tumor drugs could reduce tumor growth.

Sulfur Compounds Inhibit High Glucose-Induced Inflammation by Regulating NF-κB Signaling in Human Monocytes.

High glucose-induced inflammation leads to atherosclerosis, which is considered a major cause of death in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) plays a central role in high glucose-induced inflammation and is activated through toll-like receptors (TLRs) as well as canonical and protein kinase C-dependent (PKC) pathways. Non-toxic sulfur (NTS) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) are two sulfur-containing natural compounds that can induce anti-inflammation.

Non‑toxic sulfur enhances growth hormone signaling through the JAK2/STAT5b/IGF‑1 pathway in C2C12 cells.

Insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1) regulates cell growth, glucose uptake and protein metabolism, and is required for growth hormone (GH) signaling‑mediated insulin production and secretion. IGF1 expression is associated with STAT5, which binds to a region (TTCNNNGAA) of the gene. Although sulfur is used in various fields, the toxicity of this element is a significant disadvantage as it causes indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, pain and migraine.

Conversion of D-fructose to 5-acetoxymethyl-2-furfural Using Immobilized Lipase and Cation Exchange Resin.

5-Acetoxymethyl-2-furfural (AMF) was prepared from D-fructose via 1,6-diacetylfructose (DAF) through a simple two-step reaction pathway. Immobilized enzyme (Novozym 435) was found to be the best enzymatic catalyst for the trans-esterification step (yielding 94.6% DAF).

Preparation of Peelable Coating Films with a Metal Organic Framework (UiO-66) and Self-Crosslinkable Polyurethane for the Decomposition of Methyl Paraoxon.

For the fabrication of a peelable coating material that decomposes methyl paraoxone (MPO), a nerve agent simulant, self-crosslinkable waterborne polyurethanes (PUs) containing silane groups at the ends and a metal organic framework (UiO-66) were synthesized. UiO-66 dispersed PU solutions for spray coating were prepared by controlling the amount of silane in PU and the content of UiO-66. PUs with a large amount of silane (more than 7.

Dynamic, Bioresponsive Hydrogels via Changes in DNA Aptamer Conformation.

DNA aptamers are integrated into synthetic hydrogel networks with the aim of creating hydrogels that undergo volume changes when exposed to target molecules. Specifically, single-stranded DNA aptamers in cDNA-bound, extended state are incorporated into hydrogel networks as cross-links, so that the nanoscale conformational change of DNA aptamers upon binding to target molecules will induce macroscopic volume decreases of hydrogels. Hydrogels incorporating adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding aptamers undergo controllable volume decreases of up to 40.

Organophosphorus hydrolase-poly-β-cyclodextrin as a stable self-decontaminating bio-catalytic material for sorption and degradation of organophosphate pesticide.

A region suffering from an attack of a nerve agent requires not only a highly sorptive material but also a fast-acting catalyst to decontaminate the lethal chemical present. The product should be capable of high sorptive capacity, selectivity and quick response time to neutralize the long lasting harmful effects of nerve agents. Herein, we have utilized organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) as a non-toxic bio-catalytic material held in with the supporting matrix of poly-β-cyclodextrin (PCD) as a novel sorptive reinforced self-decontaminating material against organophosphate intoxication.

On-Demand Modulation of Bacterial Cell Fates on Multifunctional Dynamic Substrates.

This paper reports unprecedented dynamic surfaces based on zwitterionic low-density self-assembled monolayers (LDSAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold, which integrate three interconvertible states-bacteria-adherable, bactericidal, and nonfouling states-through electrical modulations. The conformations of alkanethiolates were electrically modulated to generate zwitterionic, anionic, and cationic surfaces, which responded differently to bacteria and determined the fate of bacteria. Furthermore, the reversible switching of multifunctions of the surface was realized for killing bacteria and subsequently releasing dead bacteria from the surface.

Zinc Ion-immobilized Magnetic Microspheres for Enrichment and Identification of Multi-phosphorylated Peptides by Mass Spectrometry.

The selective isolation of phosphorylated peptides and subsequent analysis using mass spectrometry is important for understanding how protein kinase and phosphatase signals can precisely modulate the on/off states of signal transduction pathways. However, the isolation and detection of multi-phosphorylated peptides is still limited due to their distinct affinity to various materials and their poor ionization efficiency. Here, we report a highly efficient and selective enrichment of phosphorylated peptides using binuclear Zn-dipicolylamine complex-coated magnetic microspheres (ZnMMs).

Biophysical and chemical handles to control the size of DNA nanoparticles produced by rolling circle amplification.

Although rolling circle amplification (RCA) is an efficient method to produce DNA materials for biomedical applications, it does not yield nano-sized products suitable for intracellular delivery. We here provide the ways to control the size of RCA products and show a potential application of the size-controlled DNA nanoparticles.

Molecular dynamics study of the behavior of nitromethanes enclosed inside carbon nanotube containers.

We utilized molecular dynamics (MD) to investigate the behavior of nitromethane molecules (NMs) enclosed inside carbon nanotube (CNT) containers sealed with buckybowl caps. Two different sizes of CNT containers, i.e.

Fluorescent dye-doped silica nanoparticles: new tools for bioapplications.

The need to decipher various biological events has led to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying a number of disease processes. Consequently, the detection and simultaneous monitoring of chemical interactions between biological targets has become indispensable in medical diagnosis, targeted therapeutics, and molecular biology. Multiplexed applications employing nanomaterials, which represent the integration of nanotechnology and biology, have changed the bioanalytical outlook and provided various promising tools.

Electrogenerated chemiluminescent anion sensing: selective recognition and sensing of pyrophosphate.

Recently, significant advances have been made independently in electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) analysis and supramolecular anion sensing. Herein, we demonstrate a new proof of concept for ECL-based pyrophosphate (PPi) sensing, where the emission intensity is changed by electrochemical turn-on. The ECL PPi sensor (1-2Zn) consists of two orthogonally bonded moieties: boron dipyrromethene (ECL reporter) and a phenoxo-bridged bis(Zn(2+)-dipicolylamine) complex (PPi receptor).

A doubly signal-amplified DNA detection method based on pre-complexed [Ru(bpy)3]2+-doped silica nanoparticles.

Easy detection: The target DNA in a 10-100 aM range can be detected by pre-complexed nanoparticles without additional amplification or target labeling. The [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)-doped silica nanoparticles are hybridized to form a complex with highly enhanced sensitivity (see scheme). This method will be a significant improvement over conventional microarray/fluorescence readout systems.

The effects of flow type on aptamer capture in differential mobility cytometry cell separations.

In this work, differential mobility cytometry (DMC) was used to monitor cell separation based on aptamer recognition for target cells. In this device, open-tubular capillaries coated with Sgc8 aptamers were used as affinity chromatography columns for separation. After cells were injected into the columns, oscillating flow was generated to allow for long-term cell adhesion studies.