New horizons for the role of RNA N6-methyladenosine modification in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancy, presenting a formidable challenge to the medical community owing to its intricate pathogenic mechanisms. Although current prevention, surveillance, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment have achieved some success in preventing HCC and controlling overall disease mortality, the imperative to explore novel treatment modalities for HCC remains increasingly urgent. Epigenetic modification has emerged as pivotal factors in the etiology of cancer.

A new species of the genus Synanthedon Hbner [1819] (Lepidoptera Sesiidae) from Taiwan.

A new species of clearwing moth, Synanthedon suhua sp. nov., is described from Taiwan in this article.

LncRNA-H19 induces hepatic stellate cell activation via upregulating alcohol dehydrogenase III-mediated retinoic acid signals.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a pivotal event in liver fibrosis, characterized by enhanced retinoic acid signals. Although up-regulated retinoic acid signal responds further to maintain HSC activation, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we sought to investigate the role of lncRNA-H19 in regulation of retinoic acid signals, and to further examine the underlying mechanism in this molecular context.

Development of a Novel Spawn (Block Spawn) of an Edible Mushroom, , in Liquid Culture and its Cultivation Evaluation.

Mushroom cultivation has gained increased attention in recent years. Currently, only four types of spawn, including sawdust spawn, grain spawn, liquid spawn, and stick spawn, are commonly available for mushroom cultivation. This limited spawn diversity has led to difficulty in selecting suitable inoculum materials in some cultivation.

Diallyl trisulfide protects against ethanol-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis via a hydrogen sulfide-mediated mechanism.

Garlic is one natural source of organic sulfur containing compounds and has shown promise in the treatment of chronic liver disease. Dietary garlic consumption is inversely correlated with the progression of alcoholic fatty liver (AFL), although the exact underlying mechanisms are not clear. Our previous studies also have shown that diallyl trisulfide (DATS), the primary organosulfur compound from Allium sativum L, displayed anti-lipid deposition and antioxidant properties in AFL.

Diallyl trisulfide attenuates ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Inhibiting the major characteristics of alcoholic fatty liver (AFL) such as lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and apoptosis is a promising strategy of treating AFL. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is the major constituent isolated from garlic, which shows promise in the treatment of chronic liver disease. However, the effects of DATS on ethanol-induced liver injury and the related mechanisms remain unclear.

[Effect of emodin in attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress of pancreatic acinar AR42J cells].

Objective: To explore the effect of emodin on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress of pancreatic acinar AR42J cells.

Method: Rat pancreatic acinar AR42J cells were cultured in 6-well plates, and divided into the normal control group, the model group (with the final concentration at 1 x 10(-7) mol · L(-1) for cerulean and lipopolysaccharide at 10 mg · L(-1)) and the emodin group (10, 20, 40 μmol · L(-1)). Cells in each group were cultured in three multiple pores for 24 h, and their supernate was removed after cell attachment.

PKM2 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration upon EGFR activation.

Pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2(PKM2) was first found in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), and its expression has been thought to correlate with prognosis. A large number of studies have demonstrated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial event in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and associated metastasis, resulting in enhanced malignancy of HCC. However, the roles of PKM2 in HCC EMT and metastasis remain largely unknown.

Effect of aqueous extracts of several kinds of herbs on human platelet aggregation and expression of P-selectin in vitro.

Objective: To study the effect of aqueous extract of several kinds of herbs on human platelet aggregation and expression of P-selectin in vitro.

Methods: Blood was collected from volunteers. Effects of the prepared water extracts of herbs on platelet aggregation were monitored on a Packs-4 aggregometer.

Da-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang attenuates liver injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Da-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang (DHFZT) is a famous traditional Chinese prescription with strong anti-inflammatory effects. Our previous work found that DHFZT could act against pancreatic injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) via inhibiting the Janus kinase 2/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway in pancreatic tissues.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the therapeutic effects of DHFZT on liver injury in SAP rats, and the effects on JAK2/STAT3 signaling in liver tissue and Kupffer cells (KCs).

[Prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration by extract of Fructus lycii and its constituents lutein/zeaxanthin: an in vive and in vitro experimental research].

Objective: To investigate the in vivo inhibition of extract of Fructus lycii (FL) on the expressions of cathepsin B (Cat B) and cystatin C (Cys C) in high-fat diet and hydroquinone (HQ) induced model mice with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and to explore the in vitro effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2,) induced expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) on ARPE-19 cells.

Methods: Fifty female 8-month-old C57BL/6 mice were recruited in this research. Ten mice fed with regular diet was taken as the age control group.

Tetramethylpyrazine induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and stimulates mitochondrial-mediated and caspase-dependent apoptosis through modulating ERK/p53 signaling in hepatic stellate cells in vitro.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a pivotal event in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Pharmacological induction of HSC apoptosis could be a promising strategy for fibrosis regression. Natural product tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) exhibits potent antifibrotic activities in vivo.

Luteolin reduces the invasive potential of malignant melanoma cells by targeting β3 integrin and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Aim: To investigate whether luteolin, a highly prevalent flavonoid, reverses the effects of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and in vivo and to determine the mechanisms underlying this reversal.

Methods: Murine malignant melanoma B16F10 cells were exposed to 1% O(2) for 24 h. Cellular mobility and adhesion were assessed using Boyden chamber transwell assay and cell adhesion assay, respectively.

[Effects of acupuncture intervention on hepatic platelet-derived growth factor signaling pathway in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture stimulation of "Taichong" (LR 3), "Qimen" (LR 14), etc. on hepatic platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signal pathway activity at the protein and mRNA levels in hepatic fibrosis rats.

Methods: Forty-six SD rats were randomly divided into control (10 rats), model (12 rats), acupuncture (12 rats) and non-acupoint (12 rats) groups.

Acupuncture combined with curcumin disrupts platelet-derived growth factor β receptor/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signalling and stimulates extracellular matrix degradation in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Background: Acupuncture treatment has been increasingly used to treat chronic liver diseases. We previously reported that acupuncture combined with curcumin, a natural antifibrotic compound, could remarkably attenuate liver fibrosis in chemically intoxicated rats, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of acupuncture combined with curcumin on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signalling and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation in the fibrotic liver.

[Inhibitory effect of acupuncture on hepatic extracellular matrix production in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis rats].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of acupuncture intervention on liver in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic fibrosis rats and to reveal its impact on extracellular matrix production in the liver tissue.

Methods: A total of 46 SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 10), model group (n = 12), sham group (n = 12) and acupuncture group (n = 12). Hepatic fibrosis model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 50% olive oil containing CCl (1 mL/kg), 3 times in the 1st week and twice per week from the 2nd to the 6th week.

Acupuncture combined with curcumin attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Background: Increasingly, studies demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy against liver fibrosis. Curcumin is a natural product with antifibrotic effects, but has poor pharmacokinetic profiles. This study aimed to evaluate whether acupuncture combined with curcumin could more potently attenuate liver fibrosis in chemical intoxicated rats.

Injectable caltrop fruit saponin protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat brain.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of injectable caltrop fruit saponin preparation (ICFSP) on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat brain. Rats were injected with ICFSP and then subjected to cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Then the neurological deficit score was evaluated by Bederson's method.

Cryptotanshinone has diverse effects on cell cycle events in melanoma cell lines with different metastatic capacity.

Purpose: Cryptotanshinone is a major active component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, which is often used as Chinese herbal medicine in cancer therapy. Here, we systematically assessed the anti-tumor effect of Cryptotanshinone on two melanoma cell lines with low/high-metastatic capacity (B16/B16BL6).

Methods: MTT and LDH assays were used to evaluate cell growth and cytotoxicity.

Danshensu has anti-tumor activity in B16F10 melanoma by inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor cell invasion.

Danshensu, the major water-soluble component of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Danshen), is the basic chemical structure of various salvianolic acids. This study was to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of danshensu in a series of in vitro and in vivo models. The effect of danshensu on B16F10 melanoma cell and HUVEC proliferation were assessed by MTS assay, and cell invasion and migration were investigated by transwell chamber assay.

Ligustrazine inhibits B16F10 melanoma metastasis and suppresses angiogenesis induced by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

Angiogenesis is crucial for tumor metastasis, with many compounds that inhibit tumor metastasis acting through suppression of angiogenesis. We investigated anti-angiogenic properties of Ligustrazine in a series of in vitro and in vivo models. Ligustrazine inhibited VEGF-induced HUVECs migration and tube formation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro, and had limited cytotoxicity to HUVECs and normal fibroblasts even at a dose up to 100 microg/ml.

Involvement of 5-HT1B receptors within the ventral tegmental area in ethanol-induced increases in mesolimbic dopaminergic transmission.

Evidence suggests that 5-hydroxytriptamine-1B (5-HT1B) receptors play a role in modifying ethanol's reinforcing effects and voluntary intake, and that 5-HT1B receptors within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are involved in regulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic neuronal activity. Since increased mesolimbic dopaminergic transmission has been implicated in ethanol's reinforcing properties, this study was designed to assess the involvement of VTA 5-HT1B receptors in mediating the stimulatory effects of ethanol on VTA dopaminergic neurons. Dual-probe microdialysis was performed in freely moving adult Sprague-Dawley rats with one probe within the VTA and the other within the ipsilateral nucleus accumbens (NACC).

Involvement of 5-HT1B receptors within the ventral tegmental area in regulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic neuronal activity via GABA mechanisms: a study with dual-probe microdialysis.

This study was designed to assess the involvement of 5-HT1B receptors within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the regulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic transmission. Dual-probe microdialysis was performed in freely moving adult Sprague-Dawley rats with one probe within the VTA and the other within the ipsilateral nucleus accumbens (NACC). Drugs were administered into the VTA via retrograde dialysis.

Prenatal cocaine exposure decreases brain-derived neurotrophic factor proteins in the rat brain.

The pregnant rats received daily sc injections of cocaine (30 mg/kg) or saline from the gestational day (GD) 7 to GD 20. At 1 week postnatal, all pups were killed and the hippocampus, cortex and striatum were dissected out. Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) under the basal condition and depolarization with high potassium (40 mM) were measured.