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Xue-Fang Du,1 Li-Li Zhang,1 De-Zhong Zhang,2 Lu Yang,1 Ying-Ying Fan,1 Shu-Ping Dong1 1Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xin-Xiang Medical University, Henan, People’s Republic of China; 2Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xin-Xiang Medical University, Henan, People’s Republic of China Purpose: Oxidative stress was significantly associated with the development of malignancies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of serum total oxidant/antioxidant status in operable advanced gastric cancer patients. Materials and methods: A total of 284 patients who underwent curative resection for primary stage III gastric cancer were enrolled. Total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were evaluated within 24 hours before surgery, and compared with 120 healthy donors. The correlation between the OSI and survival outcome was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method with log-rank test and Cox’s regression methods, respectively. Results: Mean OSI of gastric cancer patients was higher than healthy controls (1.41±0.96 vs 0.78±0.42, P

Micro-ripple and micro-bead structures are formed on a silicon (Si) surface after irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses in nitrogen (N2) atmosphere. Simultaneously, supersaturated nitrogen (N) atoms, with a concentration above 1020 cm−3, are doped into the textured black Si layer via laser ablation. The N-doped Si exhibits strong below-bandgap infrared absorption from 1.1 to $2.5~\mu \text{m}$ , which remains nearly unchanged after annealing for 30 min at 873 K. The mechanism of this thermally stable infrared absorption is analyzed by first-principles calculations. According to the transmission electron microscopy results, multiple phases (including single crystalline, nanocrystalline, and amorphous phases) are observed in the laser-irradiated layer. Hall Effect measurements prove that N-dopants induce a low background free-carrier concentration ( $\sim 1.67\times 10^{16}\,\,\text {cm}^{-3}$ ). Finally, a Schottky-based bulk structure photodiode is made. This broadband photodiode exhibits good thermal stability and a photo-responsivity of 5.3 mA/W for $1.31~\mu \text{m}$ at a reverse bias of 10 V.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the active components of the Chinese medicine formula Shenqi San (SS) by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector and electrospray ionization-hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrum (HPLC-DADESI- QTOF-MS), and demonstrate the anticancer mechanism of SS on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by evaluating the cell proliferation and apoptosis induction. The chloroform extraction of SS (CE-SS) was extracted from SS, while HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS assay was performed to identify components of CE-SS. MTT assay was used to quantify the proliferation of A549 cells with the treatment of CE-SS. Apoptosis analysis was carried out by detecting phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization using the Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit and the stained cells were analyzed with a flow cytometer. DAPI staining assay was carried out to observe morphological characteristics of apoptotic cells. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of important signaling proteins including caspase-3, -8, -9, p53, Bax and Bcl-2. Eight compounds were identified through HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis and 3-pyridine carboxylic acid, barbatin C, scutebarbatine F and barbatine D might be the main compounds responsible for the antitumor effect of CE-SS. CE-SS suppressed the proliferation of lung cancer A549 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. By Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, we found that treatment with CE-SS induced apoptosis in A549 cells. After 24-h exposure to CE-SS, the expression of cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-8 and cleaved-caspase-3 protein was activated, the expression of p53 protein increased while the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 also increased. This study identified the eight compounds of CE-SS, and demonstrated their anticancer effect on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells via induction of apoptosis.

Background MicroRNAs are believed to influence breast cancer cell tumorgenicity by interacting with the production of tumor associated macrophages. At this stage, this hypothesis lacks sufficient empirical evidence. Our study is an investigation of the effects of let-7a on the function of human breast cancer cell lines that had undergone chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) stimulation. Methods Two breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were transfected with let-7a mimics with or without CCL18 simulation. The expression level of let-7a was evaluated with qRT-PCR. Our study examined cell proliferation, migration and cell cycles following let-7a treatment. The predicted target of let-7a was identified and confirmed in vitro by a dual luciferase reporter system. The associations between let-7a, CCL18 and target gene expression were evaluated using RT-PCR and the Western blotting method. Results The downregulated expression level of let-7a was observed in both breast cancer cell lines. When compared to the control and CCL18 stimulation groups, cell proliferation and migration in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were significantly inhibited by let-7a. Furthermore, the cell cycle was dramatically blocked at the G2/M phase. The luciferase reporter identified Lin28 as the direct binding target of let-7a in both breast cancer cell lines. Conclusion Upregulation of let-7a carries the potential to reverse CCL18 induced cell proliferation and migration alteration in breast cancer cells by regulating Lin28 expression. Our results provided evidence which suggests the use of let-7a as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of breast cancer.

Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as new gene regulators and prognostic biomarkers in several cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we investigate the role of lncRNA ZEB1 antisense1 (ZEB1-AS1) on GC progression. In the present study, we found that ZEB1-AS1 expression was upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. High ZEB1-AS1 expression was significantly correlated with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor overall survival in GC patients. ZEB1-AS1 suppression reduced GC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Tumor formation assay in nude mice showed that ZEB1-AS1 inhibition suppressed GC cell growth. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that miR-335-5p expression was downregulated and negatively correlated with ZEB1-AS1 expression in GC tissues. And miR-335-5p expression was directly regulated by ZEB1-AS1. Furthermore, we found that inhibition of miR-335-5p abrogated the suppression of proliferation and invasion of GC cells induced by ZEB1-AS1 depletion. Collectively, ZEB1-AS1 is critical for the proliferation and invasion of GC cells by regulating miR-335-5p. Our findings indicated that ZEB1-AS1 might offer potential novel therapeutic targets for GC patients.

microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proved to be involved in many events of tumor development and progression, including cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. However, the potential role of miR-144-3p in pancreatic cancer (PC) remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that miR-144-3p was decreased in PC tissues and PANC-1 cells, whereas proline-rich protein 11 (PRR11) was remarkably increased. miR-144-3p mimics were discovered to inhibit cell proliferation by arresting cells at the S-phase of the cell cycle, and inducing cell apoptosis in PANC-1 cells. The effects of miR-144-3p on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis were reversed after treatment with the miR-144-3p inhibitor. Furthermore, a luciferase activity assay indicated that miR-144-3p directly targeted PRR11 3'-UTR. Moreover, transfection with miR-144-3p mimics inhibited the expression of PRR11. miR-144-3p mimics also upregulated the expression of p-JNK and p-p38, whereas they downregulated the expression of p-ERK. The effects of miR-144-3p on mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway proteins were reversed by the miR-144-3p inhibitor. PRR11 overexpression attenuated the effect of miR-144-3p mimics on cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The expression of caspase-3 was decreased by enhanced PRR11. In summary, our findings indicated that miR-144-3p induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PC by targeting PRR11. Therefore, the targeting of miR-144-3p could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PC.

The effect of homogenizations on the recrystallization microstructure of as-rolled twin roll cast AA3003 alloy were investigated using optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy and electric resistivity measurement. The results indicate that high temperature homogenization significantly decrease the supersaturation of Mn in the alloy, and both the volume fraction and the diameter of intermetallic particles increase as the homogenization temperatures. The shape of the recrystallized grains changes from pancake-like to equiaxed, as the annealing temperature increases above 520°C.

In this study, tocopherol based polymeric micelles were successfully prepared to enhance the anticancer effect of fisetin (FIS) in breast cancer cells. The drug-loaded carrier was characterized in terms of physicochemical and in vivo parameters. Compared to FIS, FIS-TPN showed higher cellular uptake in MCF-7 breast cancer cells as revealed by CLSM and flow cytometry. The cytotoxicity assay results clearly showed that the free FIS and FIS-TPN exhibited a typical dose-dependent toxic effect in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Especially, enhanced cytotoxic effect of FIS was observed when loaded in a nanocarrier. Free FIS induced a ~11% apoptosis whereas FIS-TPN induced a significantly greater apoptosis of ~20% by the end of 24 h. At 48 h, similar trend continued and free FIS showed ~30% of apoptosis whereas ~42% cell apoptosis was observed in FIS-TPN treated group. Notably, migration of cancer cell was significantly inhibited when treated with FIS-TPN formulations. The FIS-TPN significantly reduced to tumor burden and H&E staining showed the lowest tumor volume and higher cell apoptosis. All the findings suggest that the fisetin-loaded TPGS-PLA polymeric micelles serve as a potential candidate and promising alternative for the effective treatment of breast cancers.

Chronic diarrhea is a common bowel disorder; disturbance of intestinal microorganisms may play a role in its pathogenesis. This study assessed the clinical efficacy of lyophilized, heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB versus living lactobacilli in the treatment of chronic diarrhea. One hundred thirty-seven patients with chronic diarrhea were randomly allocated to receive either a 4-week course of 2 capsules of Lacteol Fort twice a day (Lacteol group, 69 patients) or a 4-week course of 5 chewable tablets of Lacidophilin three times a day (Lacidophilin group, 64 patients). The frequency of stools was recorded quantitatively, and semiquantitative parameters such as stool consistency, abdominal pain, distention, and feeling of incomplete evacuation were evaluated. At the second and fourth week of treatment, mean bowel frequency was significantly lower in the Lacteol group than in the Lacidophilin group (1.88 +/- 1.24 vs 2.64 +/- 1.12, 1.39 +/- 0.92 vs 2.19 +/- 1.05; P

Bismaleimide oligopolymer resins have been widely used as insulating material, due to its outstanding mechanical properties, higher thermal stability. However, it has some shortcomings that the melt body viscosity is too heavy and toughness is poor. This article describes the preparation of soluble bismaleimide oligopolymer by chemical imidization method 3,3'-diethyl-4,4'-diamino diphenyl methane (DEDADPM), pyromellitic anhydride (PMDA) and maleic anhydride (MA), with the organic solvent (N,N'-dimethyl acetamide) in the room temperature. The mole proportion of DEDADPM, PMDA and MA is 10, 9, 2. And, unsaturated polyester and cross-linking agent diallyl phthalate (DAP) is used to modificate this system, its some of properties are improved. The result of FR-IR demonstrated that imide ring has already been formed. Heat decomposition temperature (Td) is 400-500 C. The tensile strength (10% DAP) is 106 MPa. This system can be used as a premium grade matrix resin of composite material

AIM:To observe the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) distribution in the esophageal mucosa and hemodynamic changes in cirrhotic rats.METHODS:NOS distribution in the lower esophagus of rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis was assessed by using NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemical method.Concentration of NO in serum were measured by fluorometric assay. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), splanchnic vascular resistance (SVR), and splanchnic blood flow (SBF) were also determined using (57)Co-labled microsphere technique.RESULTS:Intensity of NOS staining in the esophageal epithelium of cirrhotic rats was significantly stronger than that in controls. There was a NOS-positive staining area in the endothelia of esophageal submucosal vessels of cirrhotic rats, but the NOS staining was negative in normal rats. NO concentration of serum in cirrhotic rats were significantly higher in comparison with that of controls. Cirrhotic rats had significantly lower MAP, SVR and higher SBF than those of the controls.CONCLUSION:Splanchnic hyperdynamic circulatory state was observed in rats with cirrhosis. The endogenous NO may play an important role in development of esophageal varices and in changes of hemodynamics in cirrhosis.

To compare the efficacy of a combined chemotherapy regimen of 5-fluouracil (5-FU) and adriamycin (ADM) with nimustine hydrochloride (ACNU; brand name Nidran), a new nitrosourea agent, or with methyl-CCNU for advanced gastric cancer.One-hundred-and-three cases of advanced gastric cancer were randomly allocated into Group A (Me-CCNU, 5-FU and ADM combination) and Group B (ACNU, 5-FU and ADM combination). The quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, composed of 11 ordinal categorical items, was used to collect data from these patients.Group A had no case of complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR), while Group B had no CR but 8 PR (8/46 cases), for a response rate of 0% in Group A and 17.4% in Group B. The median survival time in Group A was 108 d and in Group B was 112 d. Both groups tolerated the treatment well and there were no serious adverse effects. QOL evaluations showed better psychological and physical feelings of tiredness for Group B than for Group A, and scores based on facial scaling showed a more pleasant inclination for the former.ACNU combination is superior to the Me-CCNU combination for advanced gastric cancer patients.