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Objective Hemostasis markers associated with tumors have been widely studied. However, the associations between the coagulation factors and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) prognosis remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate these associations. Patients and methods PTC patients treated at Shengjing Hospital between 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into three groups. Clinical, ultrasound, and pathological patient characteristics were recorded. The blood routine, coagulation factors, and thyroid function data were compared. Results A total of 50 patients were selected and divided into Group 1 [complicated with second primary malignancies (SPMs)], Group 2 (with postoperative cervical lymph node metastasis), and Group 3 (control group). The ages of patients in Group 2 were significantly higher than those in the control group. The neutrophil ratio (%) in Group 1 was significantly higher than that in Groups 2 and 3, while its lymphocyte ratio (%) was significantly lower. The coagulation factor activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in the first and second groups was statistically significantly lower than that in the control group. There were no statistical differences in APTT between the first and second groups. Shorter APTT was associated with SPM and postoperative cervical lymph node metastasis. Conclusions Coagulation indicators, especially APTT, may be a new biomarker for predicting PTC prognosis and may provide a new molecular target, especially in combination with SPM and postoperative cervical lymph node metastasis.

Sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS) is a novel sensitizer discovered by Professor Fang Qi-Cheng and widely used in photodynamic (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT). We searched databases including PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, etc. for system review of its progress. We found that, both DVDMS-PDT and -SDT had been proven effective for inhibiting tumor growth and mechanisms involved reactive oxygen species, autophagy, and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Material advances enhanced antitumor effects and expanded its application. The safety of DVDMS in animals was evaluated, and metabolic parameters were uncovered. Additionally, DVDMS-PDT also exhibited therapeutic effects on non-neoplastic diseases like psoriasis and bacterial infections. Two phase I clinical trials of DVDMS have been documented, but recruitments had still not been completed. In conclusion, DVDMS is a promising sensitizer for both PDT and SDT; however, there are some shortcomings in previous studies like inconsistent treatment parameters, which need systematic assessments in future. Moreover, more mechanisms such as the role of autophagy need to be discovered. Further evidence of the safety and effectiveness of new materials are needed, and the application in non-neoplastic diseases like actinic keratosis and fungal infection deserves further development. Above all, promoting its clinical applications is the most important goal.

In this study we investigated the antineoplastic effects of Berberine (BBR)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on HeLa cells and its related mechanisms. The CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the proliferation and apoptosis of cells respectively. In addition, changes in protein expression levels were assessed using western blot. BBR at dose of 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally to mice with tumors and PDT treatments were performed 24 hours later. In vivo imaging systems were used to evaluate the fluorescence of BBR. In vitro, PDT significantly enhanced the effects of BBR on inducing cell apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation. The in vivo results showed that the fluorescence intensity in the PDT group was decreased compared with that in the BBR group. Tumor weights and tumor size in the PDT group were less than those in the control group; however, when BBR was applied without PDT, no significant differences were observed between the BBR and control group. The results of western blot showed that PDT enhanced the inhibitory effects of BBR on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, that may partly explain the potential underlying mechanisms.

This study aimed to reveal potential roles of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in apoptosis and autophagy of astrocytes induced by methamphetamine (METH). A Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the reduction in proliferation of U-118 MG cells induced by METH. Hoechst 33258 and flow cytometry were used to observe the astrocytes. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate protein expression and phosphorylation levels. METH inhibited the proliferation of U-118 MG cells and induced apoptosis and autophagy. Western blot analysis showed that the ratio of LC3-II/I was increased, whereas the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased. The phosphorylation cascade of kinases in the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway was significantly inhibited by METH exposure, as were proteins downstream of mTORC1, such as p70s6k, rps6, 4EBP1 and eIF4E. METH inhibited proliferation of U-118 MG cells and induced apoptosis and autophagy. The PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway likely plays a critical role in these effects.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Jinniu Capsule on methamphetamine (METH)-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats and identify the underlying mechanisms. An intraperitoneal injection of 3 mg/kg METH was used for CPP training in rats. The effects of Jinniu Capsule following a single dose on rat CPP and repeat dosing on METH withdrawal were evaluated. Western Blot analysis was used to measure protein expression of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway to determine the mechanisms of Jinniu Capsule. A single dose of Jinniu Capsule did not influence METH-induced CPP in rats. However, repeat dosing for 7 days significantly promoted METH withdrawal. Furthermore, METH withdrawal activated the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway phosphorylation cascade, and Jinniu Capsule partly blocked this cascade. Jinniu Capsule demonstrated potential in promoting METH withdrawal in a rat CPP model, which may be related to its influence on the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway.

The aim of this study was to reveal the photobleaching characteristics of α-(8-quinolinoxy) zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc-F7), a new type of amphiphilic complex. Normal saline (NS), pure Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI)-1640 medium (1640), RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, and cell suspension were used as solvents to study the photobleaching of ZnPc-F7 in different solutions. Absorbance and fluorescence spectra were measured. Photobleaching kinetics were observed after irradiation for 3–180 min with ZnPc-F7 concentrations of 1–40.00μg/mL. An in vivo imaging system was used to observe the distribution and photobleaching of ZnPc-F7 in mice. ZnPc-F7 was bleached both in vitro and in vivo after exposure to laser energy at 670 nm. ZnPc-F7 was not bleached without irradiation. ‘The type of solvent, irradiation time, and initial concentration influenced the photobleaching rate. Rapid initial phases followed by a slower rate of photobleaching were observed in all four solutions. Fluorescence of ZnPc-F7 in mouse skin was steady and then increased 24 h after injection. There was no significant difference in the extent of fluorescence between normal and psoriasis-like mice. Local administration of ZnPc-F7 showed higher fluorescence intensity in skin at an early time than intravenous injection and lower content in organs after 24 h.