p21 induction plays a dual role in anti-cancer activity of ursolic acid.

Previous studies have shown that induction of G1 arrest and apoptosis by ursolic acid is associated with up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) protein p21 in multiple types of cancer cells. However, the functional role of p21 induction in G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and the mechanisms of p21 induction by ursolic acid have not been critically addressed. In the current study, we demonstrated that p21 played a mediator role in G1 cell cycle arrest by ursolic acid, whereas p21-mediated up-regulation of Mcl-1 compromised apoptotic effect of ursolic acid.

Role of estrogen in lung cancer based on the estrogen receptor-epithelial mesenchymal transduction signaling pathways.

Background/aim: Estrogen is reported to promote the occurrence and development of several human cancers. Increasing evidence shows that most human lung tumors exert estrogen receptor expression. In the present study, we investigated the underlying mechanism of estrogen effect in lung cancer through estrogen receptor-epithelial-mesechymal-transition signaling pathways for the first time.

Improved Crystallization of Perovskite Films by Optimized Solvent Annealing for High Efficiency Solar Cell.

Organic-inorganic halide perovskite-based thin film solar cells show excellent light-to-power conversion efficiency. The high performance for the devices requires the preparation of well-crystallized perovskite absorbers. In this paper, we used the postannealing process to treat the perovskite films under different solvent vapors and observed that the solvent vapors have a strong effect on the film growth.

A new polyoxygenated cyclohexene and a new megastigmane glycoside from Uvaria grandiflora.

A new polyoxygenated cyclohexene, (-)-3-O-debenzoylzeylenone (1), and a new megastigmane glycoside, grandionoside A (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Uvaria grandiflora collected in Vietnam, together with ten known compounds including polyoxygenated cyclohexenes (3-6), a triterpenoid (7), an alkaloid (8), a long chain alcohol (9), hexenyl glycopyranoside (10), and saponins (11-12). Their chemical structures were elucidated by a combination of extensive NMR spectroscopy with X-ray crystallographic analysis for 1, and chemical conversion for 2. Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the LU-1 and SK-Mel-2 cell lines with IC50 values of 4.

Transcriptome sequencing and analysis of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.) to discover putative genes associated with tapping panel dryness (TPD).

Background: Tapping panel dryness (TPD) involves in the partial or complete cessation of latex flow thus seriously affect latex production in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Numerous studies have been conducted to define its origin and nature, but the molecular nature and mechanism of TPD occurrence remains unknown. This study is committed to de novo sequencing and comparative analysis of the transcriptomes of healthy (H) and TPD-affected (T) rubber trees to identify the genes and pathways related to the TPD.

In Situ Observations of Thermoreversible Gelation and Phase Separation of Agarose and Methylcellulose Solutions under High Pressure.

Thermoreversible sol-gel transitions of agarose and methylcellulose (MC) aqueous solutions on isobaric cooling or heating under high pressure up to 400 MPa have been investigated by in situ observations of optical transmittance and falling-ball experiments. For agarose, which undergoes the gelation on cooling, the application of pressure caused a gradual rise in the cloud-point temperature over the whole pressure range examined, which is almost consistent with the pressure dependence of gelling temperature estimated by falling-ball experiments, suggesting that agarose gel is stabilized by compression and that the gelation occurs nearly in parallel with phase separation under ambient and high-pressure conditions. For MC, which undergoes the gelation on heating, the cloud-point temperature showed a slight rise with an initial elevation of pressure up to ∼150 MPa, whereas it showed a marked depression above 200 MPa.

Folding fan mode counter-current chromatography offers fast blind screening for drug discovery. Case study: finding anti-enterovirus 71 agents from Anemarrhena asphodeloides.

A new application of counter-current chromatography (CCC) in drug discovery, called folding fan mode (FFM), is designed to eliminate the extensive and time-consuming calculation of the partition coefficients of some preset compounds in conventional CCC separation. Careful reading of reports in the literature reveals that, when two-phase solvent systems are listed in a polarity-increasing sequence, the isolates also show a similar trend in polarity. The relationship between the two-phase solvent system and the isolates is like that between the folds and the picture of a folding fan.

Subclinical hypothyroidism as an independent risk factor for colorectal neoplasm.

Background And Objective: Recently, the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm is increasing sharply. It has been reported that both colorectal neoplasm and cardiovascular disease share similar common risk factors. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) occurs in 4-20% of the adult population and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Preparation of camptothecin-loaded targeting nanoparticles and their antitumor effects on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line H22.

Camptothecin (CPT) is an effective anticancer agent against various cancers but the clinical application is limited because of its poor water solubility, low bioavailability and severe toxic side effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of using targeted NPs as a high-performance CPT delivery system that targets liver cancer cells through intravenous (i.v.

In situ crystallization of ionic liquid [Emim][PF6] from methanol solution under high pressure.

The solubility of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Emim][PF6]) in methanol under high pressure is newly measured quantitatively according to the correlation between the ratios of Raman intensity and the concentrations. In situ crystallization and cation conformation of [Emim][PF6] from methanol solution under high pressure have been investigated by using Raman spectroscopy in detail. Remarkably, crystal polymorphism was observed and two crystalline phases (phases I and II) coexisted under high pressure up to ∼ 1.

A facile route to modify ferrous phosphate and its use as an iron-containing resource for LiFePO4 via a polyol process.

This study introduces an economical and environmentally friendly way of synthesizing LiFePO4/C to be used as cathode material in lithium ion batteries via two processes: (1) the synthesis of LiFePO4/C cathode material using a low cost divalent precursor ferrous phosphate, Fe3 (PO4)2·8H2O, as iron source in a polyol process and (2) the modification of the morphology of this precursor by varying the reaction time in a coprecipitation process. The study examines the effects of different structures and morphologies of the precursor on the structure and electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized LiFePO4/C. The LiFePO4/C shows an excellent rate capability and cycle performance, with initial discharge capacities of 153, 128, and 106 mA h g(-1) at 1 C, 5 C, and 10 C.

Conductive polymer nanocomposites with hierarchical multi-scale structures via self-assembly of carbon-nanotubes on graphene on polymer-microspheres.

A novel and highly conductive 3-dimensional (3D) hierarchical multi-scale structure is formed by a new, simple, facile, and water-based method that enables practical production of conductive carbon nanofiller/polymer composites. More specifically, the π-π interaction between CNTs and graphene oxide (GO) is exploited to disperse conductive but non-polar CNTs with amphiphilic GO sheets to form a stable aqueous colloidal solution. Aqueous-dispersible latex-polystyrene microspheres are then added to enable the self-assembly processes of anchoring CNTs on GO and wrapping microspheres with GO-stabilized CNTs for the formation of an intriguing 3D hierarchical multi-scale structure.

In situ observation of heat- and pressure-induced gelation of methylcellulose by fluorescence measurement.

In situ observation of heat- and pressure-induced gelation of methylcellulose (MC) aqueous solution has been studied by using dynamic viscoelastic and fluorescence measurements. The storage modulus G' decreased gradually first on heating, and then leveled off in the temperature range from 25 °C to 75 °C. Methylcellulose solutions were subjected to pressures up to 450 MPa by using a high pressure cell.

Cardiovascular fitness and cardiovascular risk factors among obese men and women aged 58 years and older, in Portugal.

Background: A better physical fitness may have survival advantages in adults.

Aim: To analyze the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk factors among obese subjects aged 58 years and older.

Material And Methods: Cardiorespiratory fitness using the six-minute walk test, body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and blood pressure were measured in a non-representative sample of 76 obese Portuguese subjects aged 58 to 87 years (55 women).

Active targeting of HER2-positive breast cancer cells by Herceptin-functionalized organically modified silica nanoparticles.

Normal micelle microemulsion method was utilized for fabrication of organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles. The void and dye-doped nanoparticles were synthesized in nonpolar core of two different surfactants including Aerosol OT and Tween 80. The nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analysis.

In situ observation of multiple phase transitions in low-melting ionic liquid [BMIM][BF4] under high pressure up to 30 GPa.

In situ characterization of phase transitions and direct microscopic observations of a low-melting ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF(4)]), has been performed in detail by Raman spectroscopy. Compression of [BMIM][BF(4)] was measured under hydrostatic pressure up to ~30.0 GPa at room temperature by using a high-pressure diamond anvil cell.

[Research on compound electroacupuncture waveforms by microcomputer control].

Reviewing the development and the current situation of electroacupuncture, the deficiencies and shortcomings of electroacupuncture instrument applied in clinic and laboratory are analyzed. It is proposed that compound electroacupuncture waveform is an inevitable trend for electroacupuncture technique development. Based on the clinic and experiment needs, three different waveforms are taken as the model of compound electroacupuncture waveforms.

Design optimization of an above-knee prosthesis based on the kinematics of gait.

A dynamic model of an above-knee prosthesis during the complete gait cycle was developed. The model was based on a two-dimensional multi-body mechanical system and included a hydraulic and an elastic controller for the knee and a kinematical driver controller for the prosthetic ankle. The equations of motion were driven using Lagrange method.

[Preparation and properties of sustained-release pellets of glycyrrhizin effective components].

Objective: To prepare the glycyrrhizin pellets by extrusion-spheronization, and optimize the formulation of sustained release pellets of glycyrrhizin effective components coated with mixed Eudragit RS 100 and Eudragit RL 100.

Method: The sustained-release pellets of glycyrrhizin were prepared by Glatt fluid bed technique. The ratio of Eudragit RS 100 to Eudragit RL 100 in the formulation was optimized.

[Advances of sustained/controlled release pellets in traditional Chinese medicine].

Pellets are multiple-unit drug delivery system, which have good fluidity, release stability and uniformity. With preparation techniques and excipient materials gradually established, pellets play an important part in the development of sustained/controlled release drug delivery system. The recent advances in pellets including the release mechanism, preparation methods, excipients and the characteristics in vivo for the sustained/controlled release pellets in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were reviewed in order to provide the strategies and rational methods for further investigations and applications.

[Proteomic analysis of proliferation and apoptosis in carbon tetrachloride induced rat liver fibrosis].

Objective: To study the proliferation and apoptosis in carbon tetrachloride induced rat liver fibrosis.

Methods: Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with 40% CCl4-olive oil twice weekly for 12 weeks. Liver tissues were obtained at the end of 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks for histological examination, hydroxyproline (Hyp) assay and proteomic analysis.

Extraction of hidden Markov model representations of signal patterns in DNA sequences.

We have developed a method to extract the signal patterns in DNA sequences. In this method, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Baum-Welch algorithm are used to obtain the best Hidden Markov Model (HMM) representations of the signal patterns in DNA sequences. The GA is used to search the best network shapes and the initial parameters of the HMMs.

Gene recognition in cyanobacterium genomic sequence data using the hidden Markov model.

We have developed a hidden Markov model (HMM) to detect the protein coding regions within one megabase contiguous sequence data, registered in a database called GenBank in eight entries, of the genome of cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803. Detection of the coding regions in the database entry was performed by using HMM whose parameters were determined by taking the statistics from the rests of the entries.