Novel melatonin-trientine conjugate as potential therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers continue to explore drug targets to treat the characteristic pathologies of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some drugs relieve the pathological processes of AD to some extent, but the failed clinical trials indicate that multifunctional agents seem more likely to achieve the therapy goals for this neurodegenerative disease. Herein, a novel compound named melatonin-trientine (TM) has been covalently synthesized with the natural antioxidant compounds melatonin and the metal ion chelator trientine.

Semi-mature MyD88-silenced bone marrow dendritic cells prolong the allograft survival in a rat model of intestinal transplantation.

Background: Semi-mature dendritic cells (DCs) may induce tolerance rather than immunity. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanism by which these DCs induce transplant tolerance. Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is a key adaptor of Toll-like receptor signaling, which plays a critical role in DC maturation.

Inducing effects of hepatocyte growth factor on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human colorectal carcinoma cells through MEK and PI3K signaling pathways.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor plays a key role in human colorectal carcinoma invasion and metastasis. However, the regulation mechanism remains unknown. Recent studies have shown that several cytokines can regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor cells.

[Efficacy of antitumour colon cancer cell vaccine modified by Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase gene].

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of antitumour colon cancer cell vaccine modified by escherichia coli cytosine deaminase (EC-CD).

Methods: Mouse colon cancer cell vaccine CT26/CD was established by gene modification using retrovirus plasmid pLCDSN. Its tumorigenicity and effect on liver metastasis model established with wild-type colon cancer were evaluated.

Tamoxifen can reverse multidrug resistance of colorectal carcinoma in vivo.

Aim: To investigate the effect of tamoxifen (TAM) on multidrug resistance (MDR) of colorectal carcinoma in vivo and its relationship with estrogen receptor (ER).

Methods: Multidrug resistance was determined by means of semi-quantitative retro-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to test mdr1 gene mRNA and ER expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. Tumor tissues from three cases of human colon carcinoma, which had mdr1(+)/ER(+), mdr1(+)/ER(-), mdr1(-) expressions, were planted subcutaneously in the neck of nude mice to establish three xenograft models.

Laparoscopic versus conventional open resection of rectal carcinoma: A clinical comparative study.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic resection of rectal carcinoma and to compare the short-term outcome of laparoscopic procedure with conventional open surgery for rectal cancer.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients with rectal cancer were included in a prospective non-randomized study. The patients were assigned to laparoscopic (n=18) or open (n=18) colorectal resection.

Effect of local CTLA4Ig gene transfection on acute rejection of small bowel allografts in rats.

Aim: To evaluate the local expression of CTLA4Ig gene in small bowels and its effect on preventing acute rejection of the small bowel allografts.

Methods: Groups of Wistar rats underwent heterotopic small bowel transplantation from SD rats. The recipients were randomly divided into experimental group (allografts were transfected with CTLA4Ig gene) and control group (non CTLA4Ig gene transfected).