Delivery of folic acid-modified liposomal curcumin for targeted cervical carcinoma therapy.

In this study, novel folic acid (FA)-modified curcumin (CUR) liposomes (LPs) were developed and evaluated for their antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Characterization of the LPs, including transmission electron microscopy, morphology, particle size, and zeta potential studies, was carried out. Drug entrapment efficiency, drug-loading capacity, and release properties in vitro were tested.

Facile Strategy for Visible Disassembly of Spherical Nucleic Acids Programmed by Catalytic DNA Circuits.

The programmable toehold-mediated DNA-strand-displacement reaction has demonstrated its extraordinary capability in driving the spherical nucleic acid assembly. Here, a facile strategy of integrating a DNA-strand-displacement-based DNA circuit with a universal spherical nucleic acid aggregate system was developed for the visible disassembly of spherical nucleic acids. This integrated system exhibited rapid colorimetric response and good sensitivity in the disassembly reaction and demonstrated its capability in the application of single nucleotide polymorphism discrimination.

Over-expression of Bcl2-associated athanogene 2 in oral cancer promotes cellular proliferation and is associated with poor prognosis.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to state the role of BAG2 in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC).

Design: Expression data of BAG2 in OSCC tissues were extracted from Oncomine and TCGA database. Expression levels of BAG2 mRNA and protein were examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot assay.

Rational design and fabrication of an alkali-induced O/W emulsion stabilized with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs): implication for eco-friendly and economic oil recovery application.

In this work, an alkali-induced oil in water (O/W) emulsion stabilized with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) was proposed to advance the development of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) approaches. The reactive species in the crude oil were first determined by FT-ICR MS. Subsequently, direct measurements of emulsion rheology, morphology, drop size distribution, and interfacial tensions (IFTs) were performed.

Stimulative role of ST6GALNAC1 in proliferation, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer stem cells via the Akt signaling pathway.

Background: Ovarian cancer is known as one of the most common cancers in the world among women. ST6GALNAC1 is highly expressed in cancer stem cells (CSCs), which correlates to high tumor-initiating, self-renewal and differentiation abilities. This present study aims to investigate how ST6GALNAC1 affects ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs).

Combined plasma and tissue genotyping of EGFR T790M benefits NSCLC patients: a real-world clinical example.

Acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is a prevalent clinical problem in the management of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with TKI-sensitizing mutations in the EGFR gene. Third-generation EGFR-TKIs have demonstrated potent activity against TKI resistance mediated by the EGFR T790M mutation, and standard rebiopsy and liquid biopsy are utilized to assess the T790M status of the NSCLC patients who experienced progressive disease (PD). Here, we conducted a retrospective study to assess 375 patients whose initial biopsy indicated a TKI-sensitizing mutation (either EGFR 19del or L858R) and who developed PD after treatment with first-generation TKIs, and assayed for T790M status.

Hydrogels prepared from cellulose nanofibrils via ferric ion-mediated crosslinking reaction for protecting drilling fluid.

Ionic-covalent cross-linked poly-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS)-N,N-Dimethylacrylamide (DMA)-cellulose nanofibril (CNF)-Fe (PADC-Fe) hydrogels were synthesized by immersing CNFs reinforced covalent poly-AMPS-DMA (PAD) composite hydrogels into ferric chloride aqueous solution. To produce PADC-Fe polymer with different CNF contents, CNF loadings of 5-20% were explored. The UV-spectroscopy analysis demonstrated the occurrence of CNF coalescence and optimized that 10% CNF loading resulted in the production of PADC-0.

Improving salt tolerance and thermal stability of cellulose nanofibrils by grafting modification.

Poor colloid stability of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) hydrogels at high temperature and high salinity can severely limit their industrial applications. This paper aims to prepare cellulose nanofibril hydrogels with improved salt tolerance and thermal stability. This was attained by simultaneous grafting of N,N-Dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and Butyl Acrylate (BA) onto the CNF surface based on the ceric ammonium nitrate-induced radical polymerization.

Scalable synthesis of core-shell microgel particles using a 'dry water' method.

This proof-of-concept study demonstrates a facile and scalable 'dry water' method for producing micrometer-sized microgel particles by use of 'water-in-air' droplets as micro-reactors. Solid microgel particles could be easily produced by this method with no further purification. The microgel particles comprise of porous hydrophobic shells and hydrophilic cores and could absorb both oil and water.

Facile synthesis of novel carbon-dots/hemin nanoplatforms for synergistic photo-thermal and photo-dynamic therapies.

Due to the traditional therapies of cancer inducing huge pains to patients, the non-invasive photo-guided therapies are attracting massive attentions of researchers. Herein, the intelligent-designed carbon-dots/hemin nanoplatforms (HCDs NPs) were developed, owning high-authority photo-therapy for cancer. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) effect enhanced the photo-thermal ability of HCDs NPs, endowing the synthesized nanoplatforms with photo-dynamic property simultaneously.

Antifouling performance and mechanism of elastic graphene-silicone rubber composite membranes.

Composite coatings have attracted great attention as an eco-friendly and economic solution to prevent ship hulls from biofouling. Inspired by the unstable surfaces of marine organisms with antifouling properties, this study describes the preparation of graphene-silicone rubber composite membranes. The membranes are characterized by a low surface energy and an adjustable elastic modulus, and these properties are conducive to preventing biofouling.

Mst1 facilitates hyperglycemia-induced retinal pigmented epithelial cell apoptosis by evoking mitochondrial stress and activating the Smad2 signaling pathway.

Hyperglycemia induces retinal pigmented epithelial cell apoptosis and mitochondrial stress via poorly understood mechanisms. The goal of our current study is to explore whether mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (Mst1) is involved in the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia-mediated retinal pigmented epithelial cell apoptosis by triggering mitochondrial abnormalities and activating the Smad2 signaling pathway. Retinal pigmented epithelial ARPE-19 cells were presented with a high-glucose challenge in vitro.

Protective effects of quercetin against inflammation and oxidative stress in a rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis.

Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery This study investigated the effects of a natural phenolic compound quercetin on surgical-induced osteoarthritis (OA) in rabbits. Forty-eight New Zealand White rabbits were used to establish OA model by Hulth modified method, and subsequently randomized into untreated OA group (treatment was drinking water), celecoxib treated group (celecoxib 100 mg kg by gavage), and quercetin treated group (25 mg kg by gavage). Sixteen nonoperated rabbits served as the normal controls (drinking water was given).

Long non-coding RNA HULC promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by down-regulating microRNA-15a.

Pancreatic cancer is a common and lethal cancer in digestive system. This study investigated the potential oncogenic effects of lncRNA HULC on pancreatic cancer. Briefly, qRT-PCR was conducted to measure the expression of HULC and miR-15a in pancreatic tissues and cells.

Phyllodes tumor of the breast with nipple discharge: A case report.

Rationale: Phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast are rare biphasic fibroepithelial neoplasms which usually present with unilateral palpable breast lumps. Here we reported a case of borderline PTs with multifocal intraductal lesions whose primary clinical manifestation was nipple discharge.

Patient Concerns: A rare case of PT with nipple discharge in a 26-year-old young lady accepted a wide local excision on her left breast, and the pathological examination turned out to be a malignant phyllodes tumor.

Clinical significance and efficacy analysis of atorvastatin in the treatment of patients with cerebral infarction and aspiration pneumonia.

Therapeutic efficacy of the use of oral atorvastatin in the treatment of patients with aspiration pneumonia complicated with cerebral infarction was investigated. Three hundred and fourteen cerebral infarction patients complicated with aspiration pneumonia who were admitted to the emergency department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Jingxi Branch from May 2015 to July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 160 patients who took atorvastatin were treated as observation group, and the remaining 154 patients were the control group.

Modifications to Expose Porta Hepatis for Laparoscopic Portoenterostomy Easier in Biliary Atresia.

Background: Laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy (LKPE) is generally regarded to have a poorer outcome for surgical treatment of uncorrectable biliary atresia. We herein described our initial experience of some modifications to make LKPE easier in the treatment of type III biliary atresia (BA).

Methods: During the period July 2012-October 2016, a total of 25 infants with type III BA were treated with a modified LKPE technique.

[Comparative analysis of two hybrid technique in treating multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy via anterior approach].

Objective: To compare the clinical effects and complications of two hybrid decompression techniques in treating multilevel (>=3) cervical spondylotic myelopathy(MCSM).

Methods: The clinical data of 124 patients with multilevel (>=3) cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated by surgery and follow-up from January 2008 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different operative methods, the patients were divided into group A and group B.

HMGA2 gene silencing reduces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer through inhibiting the ATR/Chk1 signaling pathway.

Many cervical cancer (CC) patients suffer from cancer invasion and lymph node metastasis, resulting in poor therapeutic outcome. Evidence has indicated the involvement of misexpressed high-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) in poor survival of cancer patients. This study hereby aims to investigate the role of HMGA2 in CC cell biological functions via the ATR/Chk1 signaling pathway.

Different subtypes of EGFR exon19 mutation can affect prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma.

Aims: In this study, we determined whether different subtypes of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon19 mutation are associated with the therapeutic effect of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on advanced non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods: A total of 122 patients with stage III or IV non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics of these patients, including progression-free survival (PFS) outcome for EGFR-TKI treatment, were analyzed.

Whole-genome sequencing of esophageal adenocarcinoma in Chinese patients reveals distinct mutational signatures and genomic alterations.

While the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has risen drastically in Western countries over the last 40 years, a similar trend has not been observed for EAC in China. Here, we analyzed mutational spectrum, copy number alterations, and structural variants from whole-genome sequencing of 10 Chinese EAC tumor samples and their matched normal samples, and compared them to previously reported EAC tumor specimens from Western countries. The mutational burden in Chinese EAC was significantly lower than that found in EAC from Western countries.

NLRC5 and autophagy combined as possible predictors in patients with endometriosis.

Objective: To investigate the levels of NLRC5 and autophagy in women with leiomyoma and endometriosis and the correlation between NLRC5 level and autophagy level.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Clinics.

Endobronchial ultrasound: Echoing in the field of pediatrics.

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a useful technique for the diagnosis and staging of the lung and mediastinal lesions, which is crucial for selecting treatment protocol. Under EBUS guidance, transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is widely applied for obtaining specimens for histological, cytological, and molecular evaluation. Recently, the EBUS scope designed for adults has been used in large pediatric candidates.

Neurokinin 1 receptor promotes rat airway smooth muscle cell migration in asthmatic airway remodelling by enhancing tubulin expression.

Background: Airway remodelling is a major contributor to hyper-responsiveness leading to chronic asthma; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) antagonist (WIN62577) on the migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) and the expression of NK1R and alpha-tubulin in airway remodelling using young rats with asthma.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group and airway remodelling group.

Autophagy therapeutics: preclinical basis and initial clinical studies.

Autophagy captures and degrades intracellular components such as proteins and organelles to sustain metabolism and homeostasis. Rapidly accumulating attention is being paid to the role of autophagy in the development of cancer, which makes autophagy attractive tools and targets for novel therapeutic approaches. Functional studies have confirmed that autophagy dysregulation is causal in many cases of cancer, with autophagy acting as tumor suppressors or tumor promoters, and autophagy inhibitor or promoter has shown promise in preclinical studies.