[Retracted] miR‑218 suppresses tumor growth and enhances the chemosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatin.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that certain of the western blotting data shown in Fig. 6 and the tumor images shown in Fig. 7A were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors.

A review of the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Ephedra herb.

Ephedra herb is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history. Conventionally, it was used as a folk phytomedicine in many ancient medical books and traditional prescriptions. Up to date, a variety of specific ingredients have been found in Ephedra herb, mainly including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, polysaccharides, organic acids, volatile oils, and many other active compounds.

[Autotoxic effect of ginsenoside extrats on growth of American ginseng in different medium].

Ginsenosides are the abundant secondary metabolites in American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), it could be released into soil through root exudation and decomposition during plant growth. This study determined ginsenoside contents in American ginseng cultivated soil by HPLC. Three ginsenosides, Rb1, Rb2 and Rd, were detected in the rhizosphere soil of 3-4 years old American ginseng cultivated in Huairou District, Beijing, and their contents were 0.

miR-218 suppresses tumor growth and enhances the chemosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatin.

A growing body of evidence suggests that microRNA-218 (miR-218) acts as a tumor suppressor and is involved in tumor progression, development and metastasis and confers sensitivity to certain chemotherapeutic drugs in several types of cancer. However, our knowledge concerning the exact roles played by miR-218 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain relatively unclear. Thus, the aims of this study were to detect the expression of miR-218 in human ESCC tissues and explore its effects on the biological features and chemosensitivity to cisplatin (CDDP) in an ESCC cell line (Eca109), so as to provide new insights for ESCC treatment.

Facile synthesis of peptidyl salicylaldehyde esters and its use in cyclic peptide synthesis.

An efficient solid phase synthetic protocol for salicylaldehyde ester peptides is reported. With a Ser or Thr at the N-terminus, these salicylaldehyde ester peptides can be easily converted to Ser/Thr containing cyclic peptides.