Role of SIRT1-mediated mitochondrial and Akt pathways in glioblastoma cell death induced by Cotinus coggygria flavonoid nanoliposomes.

Flavonoids, the major polyphenol components in Cotinus coggygria (CC), have been found to show an anticancer effect in our previous study; however, the exact mechanisms of inducing human glioblastoma (GBM) cell death remain to be resolved. In this study, a novel polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30/sodium dodecyl sulfate and polyethyleneglycol-coated liposome loaded with CC flavonoids (CCFs) was developed to enhance solubility and the antibrain tumor effect, and the molecular mechanism regarding how CCF nanoliposomes (CCF-NLs) induce apoptotic cell death in vitro was investigated. DBTRG-05MG GBM cell lines treated with CCF-NLs showed potential antiproliferative effects.

Glutamate-induced retinal lipid and protein damage: the protective effects of catechin.

Glutamate toxicity has been implicated in various retinal diseases. Green tea leaf extract catechin has protective effects against cellular toxicity. This study investigated the effects of catechin on the glutamate-treated retina.

One-step rapid reverse transcription-PCR assay for detecting and typing dengue viruses with GC tail and induced fluorescence resonance energy transfer techniques for melting temperature and color multiplexing.

Background: Dengue fever is an arthropod-borne infection caused by dengue viruses (DVs; DEN-1 to DEN-4). Early diagnosis is critical to prevent severe disease progression and the spreading of DV because no vaccine or specific treatment is available; therefore, a rapid and specific diagnostic assay capable of detecting and typing all serotypes would be ideal.

Methods: We amplified RNA samples from all 4 DV serotypes and Japanese encephalitis virus with 4 serotype-specific forward primers and a universal species-specific reverse primer.

Viability of porcine corneal epithelium ex vivo and effect of exposure to air: a pilot study for a dry eye model.

Purpose: To explore the use of an ex vivo, in situ porcine cornea as a model for dry eye (exposure keratitis).

Methods: Twenty-seven porcine eyes were obtained from freshly killed animals at the local abattoir. The viability of 9 corneas (control-baseline group) was assessed within 5 minutes after enucleation on site.

A novel porcine dry eye model system (pDEM) with simulated lacrimation/blinking system: preliminary findings on system variability and effect of corneal drying.

Purpose: To investigate inter- and intra-system variations and the effect of corneal drying using a recently developed pDEM.

Methods: pDEM was used to simulate "normal" and "dry eye" conditions using two "lacrimation-blink" intervals (20 s and 60 s). Corneas were examined/graded with sodium fluorescein before and after the experiment.