eIF3a sustains non-small cell lung cancer stem cell-like properties by promoting YY1-mediated transcriptional activation of β-catenin.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the leading cause of recurrence and poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3a (eIF3a) participates in many tumor development processes, such as metastasis, therapy resistance, and glycolysis, all of which are closely associated with the presence of CSCs. However, whether eIF3a maintains NSCLC-CSC-like properties remains to be elucidated.

MANF Inhibits -Synuclein Accumulation through Activation of Autophagic Pathways.

Progressive accumulation of misfolded SNCA/-synuclein is key to the pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Drugs aiming at degrading SNCA may be an efficient therapeutic strategy for PD. Our previous study showed that mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) facilitated the removal of misfolded SNCA and rescued dopaminergic (DA) neurons, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

The evaluation of online course of Traditional Chinese Medicine for MBBS international students during the COVID-19 epidemic period.

Background: During the COVID-19 epidemic period, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) course for international students of Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in Zhejiang University has shifted from traditional classroom to online environment. This study aimed to investigate MBBS international students' perception on online TCM course, and to assess the online learning efficacy.

Methods: A total of 84 MBBS international students attending course of "Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine" during 2020 academic years at Zhejiang University were enrolled in this study.

β‑blockers inhibit the viability of breast cancer cells by regulating the ERK/COX‑2 signaling pathway and the drug response is affected by ADRB2 single‑nucleotide polymorphisms.

The β2‑adrenergic receptor (β2‑AR, encoded by the ADRB2 gene) is a member of the G‑protein‑coupled receptor superfamily that can be stimulated by catecholamines. Studies in vivo and in vitro have confirmed that β‑blockers (β‑AR antagonists) exert antitumor effects on various tumors. Furthermore, ADRB2 single‑nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified to alter the expression and conformation of β2‑AR, which may alter the β‑blocker drug response.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Improves the Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization: A Prospective, Randomized and Controlled Study.

Objectives: To explore whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) can improve the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Design: A prospective, randomized, and controlled study.

Setting: IVF center in a university hospital.

Use of electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in reproductive medicine: a group consensus.

With the rapid development of assisted reproductive technology, various reproductive disorders have been effectively addressed. Acupuncture-like therapies, including electroacupuncture (EA) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), become more popular world-wide. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that EA and TEAS are effective in treating gynecological disorders, especially infertility.

Discordance of Somatic Mutations Between Asian and Caucasian Patient Populations with Gastric Cancer.

Background: Differences in response to cancer treatments have been observed among racially and ethnically diverse gastric cancer (GC) patient populations. In the era of targeted therapy, mutation profiling of cancer is a crucial aspect of making therapeutic decisions. Mapping driver gene mutations for the GC patient population as a whole has significant potential to advance precision therapy.

Polymorphisms of ABAT, SCN2A and ALDH5A1 may affect valproic acid responses in the treatment of epilepsy in Chinese.

Aim: The clinical efficacy of valproic acid (VPA) varies greatly among epileptic patients. To find the potential genetic factors related to VPA responses, the pharmacogenetics study was conducted.

Methods: Two hundred and one Chinese Han epileptic patients who were treated by VPA for at least 1 year were recruited.

The potential anticancer effect of beta-blockers and the genetic variations involved in the interindividual difference.

β-ARs are extensively spread in different tissues of our body, which could be activated by neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine to mediate physiological function and abnormal states including cancer. Recently, β-AR blockers could have significant implications in cancer therapy. But the precise molecular mechanisms are far from being fully understood.

The prognostic value of altered eIF3a and its association with p27 in non-small cell lung cancers.

Background: Over-expressed eukaryotic initiation factor 3a (eIF3a) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) contributed to cisplatin sensitivity. However, the role of eIF3a in oncogenesis was still controversial. This study was designed to investigate the prognostic impact of eIF3a and p27 in radically resected NSCLC patients.

Polymorphism of ORM1 is associated with the pharmacokinetics of telmisartan.

Background: The pharmacokinetics (PKs) and pharmacodynamics (PDs) of telmisartan varies among the individuals, and the main causes remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ORM1, as well as ABCC2, ABCB1, ABCG2 and SLCO1B3 polymorphisms, on the disposition of the drug and BP change after taking 40 mg telmisartan in 48 healthy Chinese males.

Method: A total of 48 healthy males were included in this trial.

Pharmacogenetics of P450 oxidoreductase: implications in drug metabolism and therapy.

The redox reaction of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) is an important physiological and biochemical reaction in the human body, as it is involved in the oxidative metabolism of both endogenous and exogenous substrates. Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is the only obligate electron donor for all of the hepatic microsomal CYP enzymes. It plays a crucial role in drug metabolism and treatment by not only acting as an electron donor involved in drug metabolism mediated by CYP enzymes but also by directly inducing the transformation of some antitumor precursors.

Assessing the utility of whole genome amplified DNA as a template for DMET Plus array.

Background: Large amounts of high quality DNA are typically required for high-throughput genotyping arrays but sometimes study participant DNA is in limited supply. Multiple displacement amplification (MDA)-based whole genome amplification is an in vitro technique that permits the genetic analysis of limited amounts of high molecular weight genomic DNA (gDNA).

Methods: The performance of MDA-whole genome amplified DNA (wgaDNA) as a template for DMET Plus (Affymetrix) was assessed.

Genistein alters caffeine exposure in healthy female volunteers.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of 1 g genistein daily for 14 days on caffeine-based metrics of cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2), cytochrome P4502A6 (CYP2A6), N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2), and xanthine oxidase (XO).

Methods: A single dose of 100 mg caffeine was administered once before and once on the last day of a 14-day treatment regime with 1 g genistein once daily to 18 healthy female volunteers. Urine and blood samples were collected up to 12 and 24 h, respectively, after each caffeine dose.

Effect of glycyrrhizin on the activity of CYP3A enzyme in humans.

Background: Glycyrrhizin is a major ingredient of licorice which is widely used in the treatment of various diseases such as chronic hepatitis. Licorice or glycyrrhizin has been shown to alter the activity of CYP3A in rodents. The influence of glycyrrhizin on CYP3A has not been elucidated in humans.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract ingestion on the pharmacokinetics of talinolol in healthy Chinese volunteers.

Background: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), the best selling herbal medicine in the world, has been reported to inhibit P-glycoprotein in vitro. However, the effects of GBE on P-glycoprotein activity in humans have not been clarified.

Objective: To investigate the effects of single and repeated GBE ingestion on the oral pharmacokinetics of talinolol, a substrate drug for P-glycoprotein in humans.

Rifampicin alters atorvastatin plasma concentration on the basis of SLCO1B1 521T>C polymorphism.

Background: Both atorvastatin and rifampicin are substrates of OATP1B1 (organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1) encoded by SLCO1B1 gene. Rifampicin is a potent inhibitor of SLCO1B1 (IC50 1.5 umol/l) and SLCO1B1 521T>C functional genetic polymorphism alters the kinetics of atorvastatin in vivo.

Effect of bifendate on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine in relation to the CYP3A4*18B genotype in healthy subjects.

Aim: To evaluate the potential drug-drug interactions between bifendate and cyclosporine, a substrate of CYP3A4, in relation to different CYP3A4*18B genotype groups.

Methods: Eighteen unrelated healthy subjects (six CYP3A4*1*1, six CYP3A4*1/*18B, and six CYP3A4*18/*18B) were selected for this study. After repeated oral administration of a placebo or bifendate (three times daily for 14 d), the whole-blood level of cyclosporine was measured using high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS).

Lack of effect of Ginkgo biloba on voriconazole pharmacokinetics in Chinese volunteers identified as CYP2C19 poor and extensive metabolizers.

Background: Ginkgo biloba is one of the most popular herbal supplements in the world. The supplement has been shown to induce the enzymatic activity of CYP2C19, the main cytochrome P450 isozyme involved in voriconazole metabolism. Because this enzyme exhibits genetic polymorphism, the inductive effect was expected to be modulated by the CYP2C19 metabolizer status.

Hepatic nuclear factor 1alpha inhibitor ursodeoxycholic acid influences pharmacokinetics of the organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 substrate rosuvastatin and bilirubin.

Expression of the organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) is regulated by transcription factor hepatic nuclear factor (HNF) 1alpha. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), an inhibitor of transcription factor HNF1alpha, on rosuvastatin and bilirubin kinetics in human healthy volunteers. Both substances are substrates of OATP1B1.