A small library of chalcones induce liver cancer cell death through Akt phosphorylation inhibition

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the fifth most common and the second deadliest cancer worldwide. HCC is extremely resistant to the conventional chemotherapeutics. Hence, it is vital to develop new treatment options. Chalcones were previously shown to have anticancer activities in other cancer types. In this study, 11 chalcones along with quercetin, papaverin, catechin, Sorafenib and 5FU were analyzed for their bioactivities on 6 HCC cell lines and on dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) which differentiates into hepatocytes, and is used as a model for untransformed control cells. 3 of the chalcones (1, 9 and 11) were selected for further investigation due to their high cytotoxicity against liver cancer cells and compared to the other clinically established compounds. Chalcones did not show significant bioactivity ([Formula: see text]) on dental pulp stem cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that these 3 chalcone-molecules induced SubG1/G1 arrest. Akt protein phosphorylation was inhibited by these molecules in PTEN deficient, drug resistant, mesenchymal like Mahlavu cells leading to the activation of p21 and the inhibition of NF[Formula: see text]B-p65 transcription factor. Hence the chalcones induced apoptotic cell death pathway through NF[Formula: see text]B-p65 inhibition. On the other hand, these molecules triggered p21 dependent activation of Rb protein and thereby inhibition of cell cycle and cell growth in liver cancer cells. Involvement of PI3K/Akt pathway hyperactivation was previously described in survival of liver cancer cells as carcinogenic event. Therefore, our results indicated that these chalcones can be considered as candidates for liver cancer therapeutics particularly when PI3K/Akt pathway involved in tumor development

Rehabilitation strategy for post-stroke recovery using an innovative elbow exoskeleton

Intensive and adaptive rehabilitation therapy is beneficial for post-stroke recovery. Three modes of rehabilitation are generally performed at different stages after stroke: external force-based control in the acute stage, assistive force-based rehabilitation in the midway of recovery and resistive force-based rehabilitation in the last stage. To achieve the above requirements, an innovative elbow exoskeleton has been developed to incorporate the three modes of rehabilitation in a single structure. The structure of the exoskeleton has been designed in such a way that the whole working region is divided into three where each region can provide a different mode of rehabilitation. Recovery rate can be varied for individuals since it depends on various parameters. To evaluate the rate of recovery, three joint parameters have been identified: range of angular movement, angular velocity and joint torque. These parameters are incorporated into the framework of planning a novel rehabilitation strategy, which is discussed in this article along with the structural description of the designed exoskeleton

Use of boron wastes in the production of heavy clay ceramics

Colemanite, ulexite and tincal are the main boron ores found in Turkey and account to 63% of the world estimated reserves. The production route of boron products results in significant amounts of different types of Boron Wastes, BW. Their open field disposal raises substantial environmental concerns in fear of leaching and groundwater pollution. The heavy clay ceramic industry can potentially absorb substantial quantities of BW. In the present study, BW produced from Kirka borax plants in Turkey, with 12.6 wt.% B2O3 was introduced in 0 wt.%, 5 wt.% and 15 wt.% in a heavy clay body mixture. Four peak temperatures, 800 degrees C, 850 degrees C, 900 degrees C and 950 degrees C, were examined for the dry pressed samples. The thermal behaviour analyzed by dilatometry and TGA shows that major loss in weight starts about 600 degrees C and continues to 700 degrees C approximately. For 5 wt.% BW addition and firing at 900-950 degrees C, the sintered bodies present comparable or improved physical and mechanical properties with respect to the reference formulation. The microstructure was analyzed by SEM whereas the main crystalline phases were identified by XRD. Samples fired at 900 degrees C with 5 wt.% BW present comparable properties with the reference ones. At 950 degrees C, the obtained properties were improved. Deformation occurs for samples with 15 wt.% BW when fired at >900 degrees C.status: publishe