tRNA-Uridine Aminocarboxypropyltransferase DTW Domain Containing 2 Suppresses Colon Adenocarcinoma Progression.

Background: DTW Domain Containing 2 (DTWD2) is a newly identified transfer RNA-uridine aminocarboxypropyltransferase. Dysregulated expression of DTWD1 has been reported in several malignancies, nevertheless, the role of DTWD2 in cancers remains completely unknown. Here, we aimed to initially investigate the expression and role of DTWD2 in colon adenocarcinoma.

Six new furostanol glycosides from Smilax glauco-china and their cytotoxic activity.

Six new steroidal saponins, namely glauco-chinaosides A-F, and one known compound were isolated from the tubers of Smilax glauco-china. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and hydrolysis followed by spectral and chromatographic analysis. Compounds 1-7 were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against four human tumor cell lines (SH-SY5Y, SGC-7901, HCT-116, and Lovo).

[Phenylpropanoid Constituents of Smilax trinervula].

Objective: To study the phenylpropanoid constituents of Smilax trinervula.

Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by macroporous adsorption resin chromatography, gel chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literatures.

The combination therapy of high-intensity focused ultrasound with radiotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma.

Background: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined application of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC).

Methods: A total number of sixteen patients with LAPC started treatment beginning with HIFU and radiotherapy 1 week after the HIFU treatment. Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment was performed using main clinical symptoms, serum levels of CA-19-9, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guidelines, and the Kaplan-Meier method for estimating median overall survival (OS).

Research progress of bioactivity of steroidal saponins in recent ten years.

Steroidal saponins have a wide range of pharmacological effects and biological activities, such as anti-tumor, antifungal, hypoglycemic, immune regulation, insecticides, etc. In the last ten years, some new structures of steroidal saponins compounds were found from natural plants, they have some new and different activities. In order to accelerate the research on the drug innovation of steroidal saponins, we summarized the new progress of the research on such compounds.

S-adenosylmethionine inhibits the activated phenotype of human hepatic stellate cells via Rac1 and matrix metalloproteinases.

Objective: To investigate the effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) on the proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion and apoptosis of activated human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and to explore the relevant potential mechanisms.

Methods: Human HSCs LX-2 were cultured with SAM. The proliferation and adhesion were detected by CCK-8.

[Novel synthetic method and analgesic activity of tepoxalin].

Tepoxalin is a potent inhibitor of both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of the arachidonic acid cascade, as well as a potent anti-inflammatory and control-pain (postoperation, arthritis et. al.) agent.

Ataxin 10 induces neuritogenesis via interaction with G-protein beta2 subunit.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 (SCA10) is a dominantly inherited disorder caused by an intronic ATTCT pentanucleotide repeat expansion. The ATXN10 gene encodes a novel protein, ataxin 10, known previously as E46L, which is widely expressed in the brain. Ataxin 10 deficiency has been shown recently to cause increased apoptosis in primary cerebellar cultures, thus implicated in SCA10 pathogenesis.

Adsorption removal of thiocyanate from aqueous solution by calcined hydrotalcite.

A hydrotalcite with Mg/Al molar ratio 2 was prepared by co-precipitation method and was characterized by XRD, TG/DTA, Zeta potential and BET surface area. The hydrotalcite was calcined at 500 degrees C, with the dehydration from interlayer, the dehydroxilation from the brucite-like layer and the decomposition of carbonate successively, transformed into the mixed oxide type. The removal of thiocyanate from aqueous solution by using the original hydrotalcite and calcined hydrotalcite (HTC-500) was investigated.

Cyclooxygenase-2 protein reduces tamoxifen and N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide inhibitory effects in breast cancer cells.

Approximately 30-40% of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha)-positive breast tumors express high levels of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein, and these high levels have been associated with a poorer prognosis in breast cancer patients. We speculate that high levels of COX-2 induce drug resistance in ERalpha-positive breast tumors, thus reducing the survival rate of patients with such tumors. Human breast cancer cell lines that express high levels of COX-2 are generally ERalpha negative.

Multiple mechanisms of action of ZR2002 in human breast cancer cells: a novel combi-molecule designed to block signaling mediated by the ERB family of oncogenes and to damage genomic DNA.

The mechanism of action of ZR2002, a chimeric amino quinazoline designed to possess mixed EGFR tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitory and DNA targeting properties, was compared to those of ZR01, a reversible inhibitor of the same class and PD168393, a known irreversible inhibitor of EGFR. ZR2002 exhibited 4-fold stronger EGFR TK inhibitory activity than its structural homologue ZR01 but was approximately 3-fold less active than the 6-acrylamidoquinazoline PD168393. It preferentially blocked EGF and TGFalpha-induced cell growth over PDGF and serum.

Cyclooxygenase-2 is essential for HER2/neu to suppress N- (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide apoptotic effects in breast cancer cells.

We reported that HER2/neu reduces the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR) by suppressing nitric oxide production. We show that HER2/neu uses Akt to induce cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and that inhibition of Akt or COX-2 increases 4-HPR-induced apoptosis and nitric oxide production. Apoptosis induced by the 4-HPR and COX-2 inhibitor combination, although unaffected by an anti-HER2/neu antibody, was reversed by the COX-2 product prostaglandin E(2), indicating that COX-2 is a major mechanism by which HER2/neu suppresses 4-HPR apoptosis in breast cancer cells.