Heavy metals high-sensitive detection by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy based on radial electroosmotic flow-driven enrichment.

Heavy metal detection is imperative for human health and environmental sustainability. However, the commonly used liquid sample pretreatment, drying liquid droplet to solid, encounters solute diffusion and nonuniform distribution, thus causing unpromising detection results. Here, we developed a radial electroosmotic flow-driven (REOF) platform to enrich heavy metals in water for high-sensitive detection using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).

The Matrine Derivate MASM Inhibits Recruitment of Gr1hi Monocyte and Alleviates Liver Injury.

Backgrounds: (6aS, 10S, 11aR, 11bR, 11cS)-10-methylaminododecahydro-3a, 7a-diaza-benzo (de) anthracene-8-thione (MASM), a novel derivative of matrine, exhibits better anti-inflammatory activity. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of MASM on acute and chronic liver injuries and explore the possible mechanisms.

Methods: Acute and chronic liver injury models were established by the CCl4 intraperitoneal injection and the protective effect of MASM was assessed by biochemical and histological examination.

Total sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Inula helenium L. attenuates 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice.

Background: Inula helenium L. is an herb whose anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to its active components, the sesquiterpene lactones (SLs). Our previous study demonstrated that the total sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Inula helenium L.

Esculentoside A specifically binds to ribosomal protein S3a and impairs LPS-induced signaling in macrophages.

Esculentoside A (EsA), a saponin isolated from Phytolacca esculenta, is reported as a potent suppressor of pro-inflammatory functions of macrophages. However, little is known about the target proteins of EsA for its anti-inflammatory activity. In the present study, to identify the intracellular target for EsA, affinity resins bearing immobilized EsA were used to capture binding proteins of EsA from RAW264.

Total sesquiterpene lactones prepared from Inula helenium L. has potentials in prevention and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Backgrounds: Inula helenium L. is an herb with anti-inflammatory properties. Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), mainly alantolactone (AL) and isoalantolactone (IAL), are considered as its active ingredients.

An HNF1α-regulated feedback circuit modulates hepatic fibrogenesis via the crosstalk between hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells.

Hepatocytes are critical for the maintenance of liver homeostasis, but its involvement in hepatic fibrogenesis remains elusive. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α) is a liver-enriched transcription factor that plays a key role in hepatocyte function. Our previous study revealed a significant inhibitory effect of HNF1α on hepatocellular carcinoma.

Novel Triazolyl berberine derivatives prepared via CuAAC click chemistry: Synthesis, Anticancer Activity and Structure-Activity Relationships.

To search for novel anticancer agents, we designed and synthesized a series of new triazolyl berberine derivatives. The evaluation of all the synthesized compounds and their anticancer activities against a panel of four human cancer cell lines including MCF-7 (breast), MCF-7/ADR (breast), SW-1990 (pancreatic), SMMC-7721 (liver) and the non-cancer cell line HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cell). The results showed that most of the compounds displayed better anticancer activities against MCF-7 and SMMC-7721 compared with berberine.

Novel triazolyl berberine derivatives prepared via CuAAC click chemistry: synthesis, anticancer activity and structure-activity relationships.

To search for novel anticancer agents, we designed and synthesized a series of new triazolyl berberine derivatives. The evaluation of all the synthesized compounds and their anticancer activities against a panel of four human cancer cell lines including MCF-7 (breast), MCF-7/ADR (breast), SW-1990 (pancreatic), SMMC-7721 (liver) and the noncancer cell line HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cell). The results showed that most of the compounds displayed better anticancer activities against MCF-7 and SMMC-7721 compared with berberine.

Design, synthesis, and anticancer activity of novel berberine derivatives prepared via CuAAC "click" chemistry as potential anticancer agents.

A series of novel derivatives of phenyl-substituted berberine triazolyls has been designed and synthesized via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition click chemistry in an attempt to develop antitumor agents. All of the compounds were evaluated for anticancer activity against a panel of three human cancer cell lines, including MCF-7 (breast), SW-1990 (pancreatic), and SMMC-7721 (liver) and the noncancerous human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cell lines. The results indicated that most of the compounds displayed notable anticancer activities against the MCF-7 cells compared with berberine.

Bioactive compound reveals a novel function for ribosomal protein S5 in hepatic stellate cell activation and hepatic fibrosis.

Unlabelled: Liver fibrosis and its endstage, cirrhosis, represent a major public health problem worldwide. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a central event in hepatic fibrosis. However, the proteins that control HSC activation are incompletely understood.

Effects of CpG-ODN on gene expression in formation of foam cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) on the formation of macrophage foam cells and related gene expression.

Methods: A gene expression profile was examined by microarray techniques, and mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The cholesterol and cholesteryl ester contents of cells were determined by high performance liquid chromatography.

Augmented humoral and cellular immune responses of a hepatitis B DNA vaccine encoding HBsAg by protein boosting.

Several reports have indicated that combinatorial regimens with DNA and protein vaccines can elicit both strong immune responses, to circumvent the limits of each vaccine. Surprisingly little was known on HBV vaccine. Here, we investigated the immunization effects of several regimens in BALB/c mice.

Improved immunogenicity of a tuberculosis DNA vaccine encoding ESAT6 by DNA priming and protein boosting.

The study evaluated the immune response elicited by a DNA vaccine encoding ESAT6 protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by DNA prime-protein boost protocol. BALB/c mice were respectively vaccinated with plasmid DNA encoding ESAT6 protein, with ESAT6 protein in IFA adjuvant, or a combined DNA prime-protein boost regimen. While DNA immunization induced Th1-polarized immune response, protein-in-adjuvant vaccination elicited a Th2-dominant response.

Protection of tree shrews by pVAX-PS DNA vaccine against HBV infection.

The immunological protection of pVAX-PS, a DNA vaccine, was assessed in the tree shrews model. pVAX-PS was constructed by inserting the gene encoding the middle (pre-S2 plus S) envelope protein of HBV into a plasmid vector pVAX1. Tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinenesis) were experimentally infected with human HBV by inoculation with human serum positive for HBV markers.

Immune response and protection elicited by DNA immunisation against Taenia cysticercosis.

The study evaluated DNA vaccination in Taenia solium cysticercosis prevention by using cDNA of an antigen (cC1) from T. solium metacestode. pcDNA3-cC1 DNA vaccine was constructed by inserting the cDNA into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.