Crosslinked Aspartic Acids as Helix-Nucleating Templates.

Described is a facile helix-nucleating template based on a tethered aspartic acid at the N-terminus [terminal aspartic acid (TD)]. The nucleating effect of the template is subtly influenced by the substituent at the end of the side-chain-end tether as indicated by circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular dynamics simulations. Unlike most nucleating strategies, the N-terminal amine is preserved, thus enabling further modification.

Berberine enhances antidiabetic effects and attenuates untoward effects of canagliflozin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

The present study aimed at determining whether berberine can enhance the antidiabetic effects and alleviate the adverse effects of canagliflozin in diabetes mellitus. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were introduced, and the combined effects of berberine and canagliflozin on glucose metabolism and kidney functions were investigated. Our results showed that berberine combined with canagliflozin (BC) increased reduction of fasting and postprandial blood glucose, diet, and water intake compared with berberine or canagliflozin alone.

Suppressive effects of quercetin-3-O-(6″-Feruloyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through down-regulation of PPARγ and C/EBPα expression.

Obesity is a chronic, costly disease, and flavonoids such as quercetin have been proven to play protective roles against it. This study investigated the suppressive effect of quercetin-3-O-(6″-feruloyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside (QFG) on adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Quercetin-3-O-(6″-feruloyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside and quercetin were both extracted from Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae, commonly known as guava) leaves and were evaluated for their suppressive effect on adipogenesis by means of oil red O staining and triglyceride assay.

MiRNA-20a promotes osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells by co-regulating BMP signaling.

Osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a complex process, which is regulated by various factors including microRNAs. Our preliminary data showed that the expression of endogenous miR-20a was increased during the course of osteogenic differentiation. Simultaneously, the expression of osteoblast markers and regulators BMP2, BMP4, Runx2, Osx, OCN and OPN was also elevated whereas adipocyte markers PPARγ and osteoblast antagonist, Bambi and Crim1, were downregulated, thereby suggesting that miR-20a plays an important role in regulating osteoblast differentiation.

Enhanced peroxisomal β-oxidation metabolism in visceral adipose tissues of high-fat diet-fed obesity-resistant C57BL/6 mice.

This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms of natural resistance to high-fat diet-induced obesity. Four-week-old C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks and were then designated as high-fat diet-fed obesity-prone (HOP) and obesity-resistant (HOR) animals. Their blood biochemistry was evaluated, and visceral adipose tissue samples were subjected to proteomic, Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR) analyses.

Aqueous extracts of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi enhance the sensitivity of human colorectal carcinoma DLD-1 cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis via Tbx3 suppression.

Chemoresistance has imposed a great challenge for cancer therapy. Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) is one of the commonest Chinese herbs that has been used for thousand years. This study shows that the aqueous extract of FLL (AFLL) enhanced the sensitivity of DLD-1 colon cancer cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis.

[A novel spectral surface plasmon resonance 2-D sensing technique and its applications in DNA microarrays].

The authors have previously proposed a novel refractive index two-dimensional sensing technique named "parallel scan spectral surface plasmon resonance imaging". In the technique, with a line-shaped light illumination, an image acquired with CCD detector could provide both SPR wavelength information and one-dimensional spatial distribution, and then provide one-dimensional distribution of refractive index with further calculation. Thus, two-dimensional distribution of refractive index of the entire sensing area can be obtained with one-dimensional optical line parallel scan.

[Study on morphology of surface atoms conformation of nanogold-based genechip].

Conformations of surface atoms in various stages of nanogold-based genechip testing were scanned by the atomic force microscope based on the scanning tunneling microscope. The findings were: First, the surface atoms of genechip slide (formylphenyl glass) were in a regular porous-arrangement; Second, after combination with probe, the regular porous arrangement changed to be irregular; Third, after hybridization with the target nucleic acid, the surface atoms were once again in a cable-like arrangement which was relatively structured and intensively cross-parallel. However, after the silver staining, the surface atoms showed a larger block structure with serious unevenness.

Total flavonoids of Herba Epimedii improves osteogenesis and inhibits osteoclastogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Introduction: In China Herba Epimedii is one of the most common herbs that could be prescribed for treating osteoporosis. It is known to increase the overall mineral content, therefore, to promote bone formation and to increase lumbar bone mineral density (BMD). The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of flavonoids of Herba Epimedii (HEF) on osteogenesis in human MSCs.

[A study on surface plasmon resonance-based gene chip].

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based gene chip was prepared according to the following processes: First, a film of nanogold, which was synthesized by using Frens' method, was plated on chip by Chlorauric acid/hydroxylamine method. Then probes were fixed on nanogold film by Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) technology. Subsequently, the fixing time and concentration of probes, the sensitivity and the specificity of the chip were optimized.

[Interleukin-8 inhibits clonal expansion of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte during differentiation].

Aim: To investigate the effect of interleukin-8 (IL-8) on the differentiation and clonal expansion of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte during the differentiation period.

Methods: The morphological changes of 3T3-L1 cells during differentiation after the treatment of IL-8 was observed by Oil-Red O staining. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity was measured by a spectrophotometric method.

VEGF-specific siRNAs modified with 2'-deoxy effectively suppress VEGF expression and inhibit growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenograft in a mouse model.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is up-regulated in the vast majority of human tumors. The up-regulation of VEGF not only plays important roles in tumor angiogenesis, but also provides a target for tumor treatment with small interfering RNA (siRNA) that targets VEGF; however, it is unclear whether a quite high up-regulation of VEGF will affect the efficiency of RNA interference strategies targeting VEGF. A high level expression of VEGF was found in CNE cells from a nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line.

Macrostemonoside A promotes visfatin expression in 3T3-L1 cells.

The newly identified fat cell-secreted factor, visfatin, is insulin-mimetic and play a positive role in attenuating insulin resistance and diabetes. Natural steroidal saponins including tigogenin saponins have been reported to provide anti-diabetic activity and modulate glucose metabolism, but the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of macrostemonoside A, a tigogenin steroidal saponin isolated from the bulbs of Allium macrostemon Bung on the expression of visfatin in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Effect of WeiJia on carbon tetrachloride induced chronic liver injury.

Aim: To study the effect of WeiJia on chronic liver injury using carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced liver injury animal model.

Methods: Wistar rats weighing 180-220g were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (Group A), CCl(4) induced liver injury control group (Group B) and CCl(4) induction with WeiJia treatment group (Group C). Each group consisted of 14 rats.