Cinnamic Acid (CINN) Induces Apoptosis and Proliferation in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

Background/Aims: CINN is the main ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicine cinnamon. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CINN on the proliferation and apoptosis of NPC cells and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Materials and Methods: CNE2 human NPC cells were treated with various CINN concentrations. The effects of CINN on the proliferation and apoptosis of CNE2 NPC cells were examined using the MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis. Additionally, western blotting was performed to analyze the expression of a number of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related proteins. Results: The proliferation of CNE2 cells was significantly inhibited after treatment with different CINN concentrations for various lengths of time. The inhibitory effect of CINN was concentration-and time-dependent. Flow cytometric analysis showed that 2 mmol/L CINN displayed a significant apoptosis-inducing effect. The western blot analysis results showed that KLF6, Fas-L, Bax, P53 and caspase-3 protein expression was drastically increased in the CNE2 cells after treatment with 2 mmol/L CINN, whereas Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 protein expression was markedly reduced. Conclusion: CINN inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of CNE2 cells. Therefore, CINN possesses a potential anti-tumor effect

Quantitative assessment of fish passage efficiency at a vertical-slot fishway on the Daduhe River in Southwest China

Fish passage facilities are constructed to enable fish to pass anthropogenic barriers such as dams though their efficiency varies across species and location. There are a number of studies that assess the efficiency of fish passage facilities, yet rarely have such assessments been conducted in Asia. We conducted one of the first quantitative assessments of the efficiency of a vertical-slot fishway in Asia on the Daduhe River in Southwest China. Quantitative assessment of fish passage efficiency was conducted using a combination of methods, including fish sampling, video recordings and a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) system for tracking individually-tagged fish (N = 69 of 6 species). Fish sampling revealed 40 species assembled downstream of the dam. Fish captured closer to the fishway tended to be larger than fish caught more distant from the fishway. Half of the fish species observed downstream of the fishway were also observed at the entrance to the fishway (i.e. 153 individuals across 20 species). Video records revealed that overall passage rates were 71.2% based on the number of fish observed at the exit of the viewing chamber relative to that observed passing the entrance viewing chamber. Most fish passed the fishway at night with peak passage occurring in June. PIT technology results revealed that passage efficiency among the six tagged species ranged from 0% to 60% (four species successfully ascended the fishway). Transit time from the fishway entrance to exit was variable both among and within species that successfully ascended the fishway (i.e. 17.9–20.3 h for Schizothorax davidi, 6.4–88.8 h for Schizothorax preuanti, 46.4 h for Silurus meridionalis, 22.1–53.9 h Semilabeo prochilus). Fishway performance varied by species such that there is evidence that the fishway may be useful for maintaining river connectivity for some species. However, passage was often restricted during periods when there was sufficient flow in the fishway. Additional research is needed to put these findings in an ecological context given the overall low number of fish that passed the dam