GFPBW1, a β-glucan from Grifola frondosa as vaccine adjuvant: APCs activation and maturation.

Adjuvants for vaccines with characteristics of improving adaptive immunity particularly via leverage of antigen presenting cells (APCs) are currently lacking. In a previous work we obtained a new soluble 300 kDa homogeneous β-glucan named GFPBW1 from the fruit bodies of Granola frondosa. GFPBW1 could activate macrophages by targeting dendritic cell associated C-type lectin 1 (Dectin-1)/Syk/NF-κB signaling to achieve antitumour effects.

Assessment tool based on fatty acid metabolic signatures for predicting the prognosis and treatment response in bladder cancer.

Background: Fatty acid metabolism (FAM) is closely connected with tumorigenesis as well as disease progression and affects the efficacy of platinum-based drugs. Exploring biomarkers related to FAM in bladder cancer (BLCA) is essential to improve cancer prognosis.

Methods: High-throughput sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were bioinformatically resolved to identify molecular subtypes of fatty acid metabolic profiles in BLCA using coherent clustering analysis.

Src is a target molecule of mannose against pancreatic cancer cells growth in vitro & in vivo.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant cancer with limited treatment options. Mannose, a common monosaccharide taken up by cells through the same transporters as glucose, has been shown to induce growth retardation and enhance cell death in response to chemotherapy in several cancers, including PDAC. However, the molecular targets and mechanisms underlying mannose's action against PDAC are not well understood.

A novel branched galacturonan from Gardenia jasminoides alleviates liver fibrosis linked to TLR4/NF-κB signaling.

Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) is a classic edible medicine in China of which the fruit has been proved to alleviate liver damage. We hypothesized whether polysaccharide in the fruit could have comparable bioactivity. To address this, a novel polysaccharide GJE0.

A novel peptidoglycan isolated from Semiaquilegia adoxoides inhibits Aβ production via activating autophagy.

The accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) containing senile plaques is one of the key histopathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increasing evidences demonstrated the important role of autophagy in Aβ clearance. Recent studies implied that extracts from Semiaquilegia adoxoides (DC.

Efficacy and safety of LY01005 versus goserelin implant in Chinese patients with prostate cancer: A multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III, non-inferiority trial.

Background: LY01005 (Goserelin acetate sustained-release microsphere injection) is a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist injected monthly. This phase III trial study aimed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of LY01005 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial across 49 sites in China.

A homogalacturonan from Lonicera japonica Thunb. disrupts angiogenesis via epidermal growth factor receptor and Delta-like 4 associated signaling.

A homogeneous polysaccharide named as LJW2F2 was extracted and purified from the flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Structural characteristic indicated that LJW2F2 was a homogalacturonan composed of α-1,4-D-galacturonic acid with a molecular weight of 7.2 kDa.

A Novel Pectin-Like Glycopeptide Isolated from the Fruit of Impedes Aggregation and Production of Aβ.

The fruit of is food and medicine, which has been demonstrated to have a significant neuroprotective effect. However, the effective constituent remains unknown. We speculate that the glycopeptide in the extract of the fruit has similar activity.

Cordycepin inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo via targeting FGFR2 and blocking ERK signaling.

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) from Cordyceps militaris has been reported to have anti-tumor effects. However, the molecular target and mechanism underlying cordycepin impeding pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo remain vague. In this study, we reported functional target molecule of cordycepin which inhibited pancreatic cancer cells growth in vitro and in vivo.

HH1-1, a novel Galectin-3 inhibitor, exerts anti-pancreatic cancer activity by blocking Galectin-3/EGFR/AKT/FOXO3 signaling pathway.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly malignant gastrointestinal tumor. Molecular targeting therapy for pancreatic cancer is still limited. High expressed Galectin-3 in pancreatic cancer is positively correlated with disease progression, indicating that Galectin-3 can be employed as a predictor of poor prognosis.

A pectin from fruits of Lycium barbarum L. decreases β-amyloid peptide production through modulating APP processing.

Here, a pectin LBP1C-2 with the molecular weight of 99.8 kDa was purified from fruits of Lycium barbarum L. Its structure was elucidated as a backbone of alternate 1, 2-linked α-Rhap and 1, 4-linked α-GalpA, with branches of terminal (T) -, 1, 3-, 1, 6- and 1, 3, 6-linked β-Galp, T-, 1, 5- and 1, 3, 5-linked α-Araf and T-linked β-Rhap substituted at C-4 of 1, 2, 4-linked α-Rhap.

An arabinogalactan from fruits of Lycium barbarum L. inhibits production and aggregation of Aβ.

The β amyloid (Aβ) induced neurodegeneration is believed to be one of pathological mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The inhibition of Aβ production or aggregation is one of the promising therapeutic strategies for anti-AD drug discovery. Here, a homogeneous neutral polysaccharide designated LBP1A1-1 with an average molecular weight of 45.

Chemoenzymatically synthesized GM3 analogues as potential therapeutic agents to recover nervous functionality after injury by inducing neurite outgrowth.

Ganglioside GM3 is implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Due to GM3 exposes on the outer surface of cell membranes, it is strongly associated with cell adhesion, motility and differentiation. Neurite outgrowth is a key process in the development of functional neuronal circuits and regeneration of the nervous system after injury.

Sulfated fucoidan FP08S2 inhibits lung cancer cell growth in vivo by disrupting angiogenesis via targeting VEGFR2/VEGF and blocking VEGFR2/Erk/VEGF signaling.

Fucoidan may inhibit angiogenesis. However, its functional target molecule and the underlying mechanism are still vague. In the present study, we showed that sulfated fucoidan FP08S2 from Sargassum fusiforme inhibited tube formation as well as migration and invasion of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1).

microRNA-149 targets caspase-2 in glioma progression.

Malignant gliomas are the most common form of intrinsic primary brain tumors worldwide. Alterations in microRNAs play a role in highly invasive malignant glioma, but detail mechanism still unknown. In this study, the role and mechanism of microRNA-149 (miR-149) in glioma are investigated.

Structural characterization and effect on anti-angiogenic activity of a fucoidan from Sargassum fusiforme.

A fucoidan FP08S2 was isolated from the boiling-water extract of Sargassum fusiforme, purified by CaCl2 precipitation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-300. FP08S2 contained fucose, xylose, galactose, mannose, glucuronic acid, and 20.8% sulfate.

A glucan isolated from flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb. inhibits aggregation and neurotoxicity of Aβ42.

Inhibition of Aβ aggregation and attenuation of its cytotoxicity are considered to valuable therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, a glucan named as LJW0F2 was purified from flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Using monosaccharides composition analysis, methylation analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, this polysaccharide was elucidated to be an α-D-(1→4)-glucan with an α-(1→4) linked branch attached to the C-6 position.

Structure and activities of a novel heteroxylan from Cassia obtusifolia seeds and its sulfated derivative.

COB1B1S2 was isolated from an alkaline extract of Cassia obtusifolia seeds, and purified by anion-exchange and gel permeation chromatography. It contains arabinose, xylose, and glucuronic acid, in the molar ratio of 5:81:14, with an apparent molecular weight estimated to be 70.4 kDa.

Structure and biological activities of an alginate from Sargassum fusiforme, and its sulfated derivative.

An alginate fraction, 04S2P, was isolated from the brown seaweed Sargassum fusiforme and was structurally characterized by the ratio (M/G) of β-d-mannuronic acid residues (M) to α-l-guluronic acid residues (G) via (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. When compared to commercial alginate (Alg) and alginates from other brown algae, 04S2P has a higher M/G ratio of 9.0:1.

GLCE regulates PC12 cell neuritogenesis induced by nerve growth factor through activating SMAD/ID3 signalling.

Neurodevelopment is orchestrated by a series of growth factor-HS (heparan sulfate) interactions which are involved in neuritogenesis. GLCE (glucuronic acid epimerase) is a critical enzyme involved in HS synthesis, which converts GlcA (D-glucuronic acid) into IdoA (L-iduronic acid). However, the function of GLCE in neuritogenesis is largely unknown.

A heteropolysaccharide, L-fuco-D-manno-1,6-α-D-galactan extracted from Grifola frondosa and antiangiogenic activity of its sulfated derivative.

The tumor growth and metastasis are angiogenesis dependent, thus blockade of angiogenesis is a promising approach for treatment of cancer. Herein we reported the structural and biological features of a novel water-soluble polysaccharide named GFPW from the fruit body of Grifola frondosa. Chemical and spectral analysis revealed that GFPW with an average molecular weight of 15.

[Technical improvement of transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site nephrectomy].

Objective: To summarize the technical modification and experiences of transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site nephrectomy (LESS-N) by homemade device.

Methods: The clinical data of LESS nephrectomy performed from June 2010 to April 2013 in Peking University Third Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. All the cases were divided into two groups according to the technique method and operative date.

A novel small molecule, HK-156, inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of NF-κB signaling and improves survival in mouse models of sepsis.

Aim: To characterize a small molecule compound HK-156 as a novel inhibitor of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.

Methods: THP-1 monocytes and HEK293/hTLR4A-MD2-CD14 cells were tested. HK-156 and compound 809, an HK-156 analogue, were synthesized.

Effects of electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu (ST 37) on interleukin-1beta and interleukin-4 in the ulcerative colitis model rats.

Objective: To probe into the mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) at Shangjuxu (ST 37) for treatment of the ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: a normal group, a model group, a Shangjuxu group and a non-acupoint group, 10 rats in each group. The UC rat model was made with enema of trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBSA), and the changes of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) contents after EA at Shangjuxu (ST 37) were observed.