Mechanisms of sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver cancer is one of the most common and devastating causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 90% of primary liver cancers and represents a significant global health issue. There is currently no effective systemic treatment for patients with advanced liver cancer.

Curcumin suppresses colorectal cancer by induction of ferroptosis via regulation of p53 and solute carrier family 7 member 11/glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4 signaling axis.

Driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, ferroptosis is regulated by p53 and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) axis in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to investigate the influence of curcumin (CUR) on ferroptosis in CRC. The efficacies of CUR on the malignant phenotype of CRC cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, wound healing, and clonogenic assays.

Iron accumulation in ovarian microenvironment damages the local redox balance and oocyte quality in aging mice.

Accumulating oxidative damage is a primary driver of ovarian reserve decline along with aging. However, the mechanism behind the imbalance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) is not yet fully understood. Here we investigated changes in iron metabolism and its relationship with ROS disorder in aging ovaries of mice.

PLD1 promotes spindle assembly and migration through regulating autophagy in mouse oocyte meiosis.

PLD1 has been implicated in cytoskeletal reorganization and vesicle trafficking in somatic cells; however, its function remains unclear in oocyte meiosis. Herein, we found PLD1 stably expresses in mouse oocytes meiosis, with direct interaction with spindle, RAB11A vesicles and macroautophagic/autophagic vacuoles. The genetic or chemical inhibition of PLD1 disturbed MTOC clustering, spindle assembly and its cortical migration, also decreased PtdIns(4,5)P, phosphorylated CFL1 (p-CFL1 [Ser3]) and ACTR2, and their local distribution on MTOC, spindle and vesicles.

: a review on its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical application, toxicology and pharmacokinetics.

-seeds of L. (Rosaceae) (ASA), also known as Kuxingren in Chinese, is a traditional Chinese herbal drug commonly used for lung disease and intestinal disorders. It has long been used to treat coughs and asthma, as well as to lubricate the colon and reduce constipation.

Qinhuo Shanggan oral solution resolves acute lung injury by down-regulating TLR4/NF-B signaling cascade and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common condition, particularly in the COVID-19 pandemic, which is distinguished by sudden onset of respiratory insufficiency with tachypnea, oxygen-refractory cyanosis, reduced lung compliance and diffuse infiltration of pulmonary alveoli. It is well-established that increasing activity of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-B) signaling axis and the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation are associated with the pathogenesis of ALI. Since ALI poses a huge challenge to human health, it is urgent to tackle this affliction with therapeutic intervention.

Stable expression and multi-site location of Odf2 in mouse oocytes, sperm and early embryos.

In mammals, centriole is degenerated during early oogenesis, but it is still not known about the expression and function of centriolar structural components in oocyte meiosis. Here we found that Odf2 (outer dense fiber of sperm tails 2), a key centriolar appendage protein, was stably expressed in mouse oocytes during meiotic progression. Distinct from its single location at centrosomes in somatic mitosis, Odf2 was multiply located at microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs), chromosome centromeres and vesicles in oocyte meiosis.

Berberine is a suppressor of Hedgehog signaling cascade in colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant affliction that burdens people globally. Overactivated Hedgehog signal is highly implicated in CRC pathogenesis. Phytochemical berberine exerts strong potency on CRC, with molecular mechanism elusive.

Ursolic Acid Suppresses Colorectal Cancer by Down-Regulation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Activity.

Overwhelming evidence points to an abnormally active Wnt/β-catenin signaling as a key player in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis. Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid that has been found in a broad variety of fruits, spices, and medicinal plants. UA has been shown to have potent bioactivity against a variety of cancers, including CRC, with the action mechanism obscure.

Ste20-like kinase activity promotes meiotic resumption and spindle microtubule stability in mouse oocytes.

Ste20-like kinase (SLK) is involved in cell proliferation and migration in somatic cells. This study aims to explore SLK expression and function in mouse oocyte meiosis. Western blot, immunofluorescence, Co-immunoprecipitation, drug treatment, cRNA construct and in vitro transcription, microinjection of morpholino oilgo (MO) and cRNA were performed in oocytes.

Adverse effects of 2-Methoxyestradiol on mouse oocytes during reproductive aging.

2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME2) is a metabolite of 17β-estradiol and is currently in clinical trials as an antitumor agent. Here we found 2-ME2 level remains stable in the local environment of ovaries but declines in serum in aging mice, and exogenous 2-ME2 impacts the meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes in dose-dependent manner. In vitro 2-ME2 application arrested oocytes at metaphase I (MI), with abnormal spindle structure and chromosome alignment.

The influence of exposure to randomness on lateral thinking in divergent, convergent, and creative search.

Exposure to random stimuli has often been suggested to help unlock problem-solving abilities and creativity, helping us to see problems differently and imagine new possibilities. Equally, randomness is widely used in computer science to escape local maxima and find effective solutions to intractable problems. However, randomness has rarely been used as a formal aid in human decision making or investigated in controlled experimental settings.

NQO2 inhibition relieves reactive oxygen species effects on mouse oocyte meiotic maturation and embryo development.

NRH: quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) is a cytosolic and ubiquitously expressed flavoprotein that catalyzes the two-electron reduction of quinone to hydroquinones. Herein, we assessed the protein expression, subcellular localization, and possible functions of NQO2 in mouse oocyte meiotic maturation and embryo development. Western blot analysis detected high and stable protein expression of NQO2 in mouse oocytes during meiotic progression.

RNA- binding protein Stau2 is important for spindle integrity and meiosis progression in mouse oocytes.

Staufen2 (Stau2) is a double-stranded RNA-binding protein involved in cell fate decision by regulating mRNA transport, mRNA stability, translation, and ribonucleoprotein assembly. Little is known about Stau2 expression and function in mammalian oocytes during meiosis. Herein we report the sub-cellular distribution and function of Stau2 in mouse oocyte meiosis.

LIM kinase activity is required for microtubule organising centre positioning in mouse oocyte meiosis.

LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) activity is essential for cell migration and cell cycle progression. Little is known about LIMK1 expression and function in mammalian oocytes. In the present study we assessed LIMK1 protein expression, subcellular distribution and function during mouse oocyte meiosis.

The mechanism of mesna in protection from cisplatin-induced ovarian damage in female rats.

Objective: Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of cancers in clinic; but it often induces adverse effects on ovarian functions such as reduced fertility and premature menopause. Mesna could attenuate the cisplatin-induced ovarian damages; however, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. This study aimed to figure out the underlying mechanism of the protection of mesna for ovaries against cisplatin therapy in cancers.

[Culture and identification of fibroblast from human endometriosis].

Objective: To establish the model of cultivating and identifying fibroblast from human endometriosis (HEFC) in vitro.

Methods: The tissues of human endometriotic cysts of ovary were digested by collagenases I, II and IV The resulting cells were purified by centrifugation and differential adhesion. HEFC was identified by observing the morphologic changes under an inverted microscope and the expressions of vimentin, α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin) and keratin were detected by immunocytochemistry.

Prevention of osteoporosis in mice after ovariectomy via allograft of microencapsulated ovarian cells.

It is believed that estrogen deficiency is one of the major risk factors associated with osteoporosis. To investigate the effects of the transplantation of microencapsulated ovarian cells in estrogen-deficient mice, ovarian cells from female Kunming (KM) mice (6-weeks old) were separated, cultured, and microencapsulated with alginic acid-polylysine-alginic acid. Female KM mice (8-weeks old) were randomly separated into three groups: intact (normal), ovariectomized (OVX), and treatment (OVX+ implantation).