Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction Inhibits the Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells through TGF- β

Background. Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction (YHJD) can obviously improve the quality of life of those patients with gastric cancer and prolong their survival. Methods. In vitro experiments, we observe YHJD’s effect on the cells’ proliferation by MTT assay. Cell adhesion assay, wound-healing assay, and Transwell invasion assay serve to detect its influence on cells’ adhesion, migration, and invasion, respectively. Inhibitor (10 μM/L of SB431542) and activator (10 ng/mL of TGF-β) of TGF-β/Smad pathway were used to estimate whether YHJD’s impact on the biological behavior of gastric cancer cells was related to TGF-β/Smad pathway. In in vivo studies, YHJD was administered to the nude mice transplanted with gastric cancer to observe its effect on the tumor. Western blotting and immunohistochemical assay were used to test relevant cytokines of TGF-β/Smad pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MGC-803 cells and the tumor bearing nude mice. Results. YHJD inhibited proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion of MGC-803 gastric cancer cells in vitro. In in vivo studies, YHJD reduced the volume of the transplanted tumors. It also enhanced the expression of E-cadherin and decreased the levels of N-cadherin, TGF-β, Snail, and Slug in both MGC-803 cells and the transplanted tumor by western blot assay. The immunohistochemical assay revealed that YHJD raised E-cadherin in the tumors of the mice; on the contrary, the expression of N-cadherin, Twist, vimentin, TGF-βR I, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Snail, and Slug reduced. Conclusion. YHJD can effectively inhibit the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. The mechanism may be related to TGF-β/Smad pathway

Activin B Promotes Epithelial Wound Healing In Vivo through RhoA-JNK Signaling Pathway

Background: Activin B has been reported to promote the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes in vitro via the RhoA-JNK signaling pathway, whereas its in vivo role and mechanism in wound healing process has not yet been elucidated. Principal Findings: In this study, we explored the potential mechanism by which activin B induces epithelial wound healing in mice. Recombinant lentiviral plasmids, with RhoA (N19) and RhoA (L63) were used to infect wounded KM mice. The wound healing process was monitored after different treatments. Activin B-induced cell proliferation on the wounded skin was visualized by electron microscopy and analyzed by 59-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. Protein expression of p-JNK or p-cJun was determined by immunohistochemical staining and immunoblotting analysis. Activin B efficiently stimulated the proliferation of keratinocytes and hair follicle cells at the wound area and promoted wound closure. RhoA positively regulated activin B-induced wound healing by up-regulating the expression of p-JNK and p-cJun. Moreover, suppression of RhoA activation delayed activin B-induced wound healing, while JNK inhibition recapitulated phenotypes of RhoA inhibition on wound healing. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that activin B promotes epithelial wound closure in vivo through the RhoA-Rock

Comparative efficacy and safety of the fixed versus unfixed combination of latanoprost and timolol in Chinese patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A noninferiority trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a single evening dose of fixed-combination latanoprost 50 μg/mL and timolol 0.5 mg/mL (Xalacom^®; LTFC), in Chinese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OH) who were insufficiently controlled on β-blocker monotherapy or β-blocker-based dual therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This 8-week, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, noninferiority study compared once-daily evening dosing of LTFC with the unfixed combination of latanoprost, one drop in the evening, and timolol, one drop in the morning (LTuFC). The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change from baseline to week 8 in diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP; mean of 8 AM, 10 AM, 2 PM, 4 PM IOPs). LTFC was considered noninferior to LTuFC if the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference was < 1.5 mmHg (analysis of covariance).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Baseline characteristics were similar for LTFC (N = 125; POAG, 70%; mean IOP, 25.8 mmHg) and LTuFC (N = 125; POAG, 69%; mean IOP, 26.0 mmHg). Mean diurnal IOP changes from baseline to week 8 were -8.6 mmHg with LTFC and -8.9 mmHg with LTuFC (between-treatment difference: 0.3 mmHg; 95%-CI, -0.3 to 1.0). Both treatments were well tolerated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A single evening dose of LTFC was at least as effective as the unfixed combination of latanoprost in the PM and timolol in the AM in reducing IOP in Chinese subjects with POAG or OH whose IOP was insufficiently reduced with β-blocker monotherapy or β-blocker-based dual therapy. LTFC is an effective and well tolerated once-daily treatment for POAG and OH.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Clinicaltrials.gov registration: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00219596">NCT00219596</a></p

Microscopic and endoscopic anatomical study of the extended transsphenoidal approach

<strong>Background</strong> Traditional transsphenoidal approach has less treatment effect in invasive pituitary adenoma. To remove tumors growing outside the sella become one of the challenges in neurosurgery. This study aims to study anatomical characteristics of the extended transsphenoidal approach for clinical operation. <strong>Methods</strong> A mimetic surgery was performed on 10 adult cadaver heads through extended transsphenoidal approach by endoscopy. The study data of related anatomic structures were measured. <strong>Results</strong> The distance from sphenoidal ostium to anterior nasal spine is (59.68 ± 4.28) mm (52.62-63.16 mm), to posterior nasal aperture is (12.88 ± 1.46) mm (10.47-15.61 mm). The incidence of optic nerve and internal carotid artery protuberance in the lateral wall of sphenoidal sinus is 11/20 and 17/20, respectively. The medial wall of the cavernous sinus is comprised of one dural layer. The incidence of anterior intercavernous sinus, posterior intercavernous sinus, inferior intercavernous sinus and basilar sinus is 17/20, 12/20, 11/20 and 20/20, respectively. The distance between the bilateral hidden segment of internal carotid artery is (15.30 ± 1.25) mm (12.42-21.76 mm), between the bilateral inferior horizontal segment midpoint is (14.03 ± 1.19) mm (10.42-18.43 mm), between the bilateral anterior vertical segment is (18.87 ± 1.44) mm (16.75-24.88 mm), and between the bilateral inner edge of tuberculum sellae is (12.73 ± 0.94) mm (9.97-16.18 mm). In 7 cases (7/20), the intracavernous carotid is in direct contact with the sellar part of the medial wall; in all cases (20/20), the venous plexus extends into the space between the intracavernous carotid and the sphenoidal part of the medial wall. The incidence of the intracavernous carotid coursing along the inferior one third of the pituitary gland is 9/20, along the inferior two thirds of the pituitary gland is 7/20, along the all the thirds of the pituitary gland is 3/20, while below the level of the sellar floor is only 1/20. In 4/20 of the cases, the pituitary gland projects outward. <strong>Conclusion</strong> The extended transsphenoidal approach can clearly expose the structures in cavernous sinus, and it is suitable for the treatment of pituitary adenoma invading the cavernous sinus from sella. <br /

Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside Induces the Apoptosis of Human Gastric Cancer MKN-45 Cells through ROS-Mediated Signaling Pathways

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), an active ingredient in anthocyanins, mainly exists in dark cereals. C3G was investigated for its effect on human gastric cancer (GC) cells, together with its molecular mechanism. The CCK-8 assay results showed that C3G had significant antiproliferative effects on GC cells, but it had little effect on normal cells. Western blot and flow cytometry results showed that C3G regulated the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase through the AKT signaling pathway, causing the cells to undergo apoptosis. Additionally, in MKN-45 cells, C3G markedly raised intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The wound healing assay and Transwell assay results showed that MKN-45 cell migration was significantly inhibited. Western blot results showed that the expression of E-cadherin protein was upregulated and the expressions of β-catenin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin were downregulated. Additionally, following N-acetylcysteine treatment, the expression levels of these proteins were reduced. In conclusion, C3G caused MKN-45 cells to undergo apoptosis; arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase; hindered cell migration; and activated the MAPK, STAT3, and NF-κB signaling pathways, by inducing an increase in ROS levels. Thus, C3G may be a promising new medication for the treatment of GC

TlP5 : An unexplored direct band gap 2D semiconductor with ultra-high carrier mobility

International audienceTwo-dimensional materials with an appropriate band gap and high carrier mobility are urgently desired in the field of nanoelectronics. We propose a novel two-dimensional crystal monolayer TlP5, which is dynamically and thermodynamically stable and possesses a direct band gap of 2.02 eV with high carrier mobilities (13 960 cm2 V−1 s−1 for electrons and 7560 cm2 V−1 s−1 for holes), comparable to that of phosphorene. The band gap value and band characteristics of monolayer TlP5 can be adjusted by biaxial and uniaxial strains, and excellent optical absorption over the visible-light range is predicted. These properties, especially the balanced high mobilities for not only the electrons but also the holes, make monolayer TlP5 an exciting functional material for future applications in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics