Inhibitory effect and mechanism of action of tanshinone IIA on human bladder cancer cell J82

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic influence of tanshinone IIA on human bladder cancer cell J82, and the possible signal route involved. Methods: Cell proliferative potential was measured using MTT assay, while the expressions of associated genes were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunoblot assays. Results: Tanshinone IIA decreased J82 cell survival rate by > 42 % and inactivated apoptosis by suppressing PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal route. Moreover, it decreased Bcl-2, but upregulated caspase and Bax (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The inhibitory effect of TIIA on human bladder cancer suggests that TIIA can be developed into an anti-tumor agent

Viscum album extract suppresses cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in bladder cancer cells

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Viscum album (VA) extract on the progression of bladder cancer (BC) and its effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of T24 and J82 bladder cancer cells. Methods: 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT assay) was conducted to examine the proliferation of bladder cancer cells. Flow cytometry (FCM) was employed to assess changes in the cell cycle of bladder cancer cells. The expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), CLND1 (cyclin D1), p21, and p27 in control and VA extract-treated (100, 200, or 300 μg/mL) T24 and J82 cells were measured by immunoblot assay. The effects of VA extract on T24 or J82 cell apoptosis were evaluated using FCM. Immunoblot assay was performed to evaluate Bcl2, Bax, and cleaved caspase 3 expression in control or VA extract-treated bladder cancer cells. In addition, the effect of VA extract on Axl-AKT pathways was also evaluated by immunoblot assay. Results: Viscum album extract treatment significantly blocked bladder cancer cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest. In addition, VA extract stimulated bladder cancer cell apoptosis. Moreover, this study found that VA extract suppressed Axl-AKT pathways in bladder cancer. Conclusion: Viscum album extract exerts anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis effects on bladder cancer cells. These abilities render Viscum album extract as promising agent in bladder cancer treatment

Progress of regional oceanography study associated with western boundary current in the South China Sea

Recent progress of physical oceanography in the South China Sea (SCS) associated with the western boundary current (WBC) and eddies is reviewed in this paper. It includes Argo observations of the WBC, eddy detection in the WBC based on satellite images, cross-continental shelf exchange in the WBC, eddy-current interaction, interannual variability of the WBC, air-sea interaction, the SCS throughflow (SCSTF), among others. The WBC in the SCS is strong, and its structure, variability and dynamic processes on seasonal and interannual time scales are yet to be fully understood. In this paper, we summarize progresses on the variability of the WBC, eddy-current interaction, air-sea interaction, and the SCSTF achieved in the past few years. Firstly, using the drifting buoy observations, we point out that the WBC becomes stronger and narrower after it reaches the central Vietnam coast. The pos-sible mechanisms influencing the ocean circulation in the northern SCS are discussed, and the dynamic mechanisms that induce the countercurrent in the region of northern branch of WBC in winter are also studied quantitatively using momentum balance. The geostropic component of the WBC was diagnosed using the ship observation along 18°N, and we found that the WBC changed significantly on interannual time scale. Secondly, using the ship observations, two anti-cyclonic eddies in the winter of 2003/2004 in the northern SCS, and three anti-cyclonic eddies in the summer of 2007 along 18°N were studied. The results show that the two anti-cyclonic eddies can propagate southwestward along the continental shelf at the speed of first Rossby wave (~0.1 m s1) in winter, and the interaction between the three anti-cyclonic eddies in summer and the WBC in the SCS is preliminarily revealed. Eddies on the continental shelf of northern SCS propagated southeastward with a maximum speed of 0.09 m s-1, and those to the east of Vietnam coast had the largest kinetic energy, both of which imply strong interaction between eddy activity and WBC in the SCS. Thirdly, strong intraseasonal variability (ISV) of sea surface temperature (SST) near the WBC regions was found, and the ISV signal of SST in winter weakens the ISV signal of latent heat flux by 20%. Fourthly, the long-term change of SCSTF volume transport and its connection with the ocean circulation in the Pacific were discussed

Fructose Promotes Uptake and Activity of Oligonucleotides With Different Chemistries in a Context-dependent Manner in mdx Mice

Antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon-skipping therapeutics shows great promise in correcting frame-disrupting mutations in the DMD gene for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, insufficient systemic delivery limits clinical adoption. Previously, we showed that a glucose/fructose mixture augmented AO delivery to muscle in mdx mice. Here, we evaluated if fructose alone could enhance the activities of AOs with different chemistries in mdx mice. The results demonstrated that fructose improved the potency of AOs tested with the greatest effect on phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO), resulted in a 4.25-fold increase in the number of dystrophin-positive fibres, compared to PMO in saline in mdx mice. Systemic injection of lissamine-labeled PMO with fructose at 25 mg/kg led to increased uptake and elevated dystrophin expression in peripheral muscles, compared to PMO in saline, suggesting that fructose potentiates PMO by enhancing uptake. Repeated intravenous administration of PMO in fructose at 50 mg/kg/week for 3 weeks and 50 mg/kg/month for 5 months restored up to 20% of wild-type dystrophin levels in skeletal muscles with improved functions without detectable toxicity, compared to untreated mdx controls. Collectively, we show that fructose can potentiate AOs of different chemistries in vivo although the effect diminished over repeated administration.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Nature Publishing Group on behalf of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy. It can be found at: http://www.nature.com/mtna/journal/v5/n6/full/mtna201646a.htmlKeywords: antisense oligonucleotide, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, exon skipping, fructos

Proteomic analysis of differential proteins in pancreatic carcinomas: Effects of MBD1 knock-down by stable RNA interference

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Methyl-CpG binding domain protein 1 (MBD1), a suppressor of gene transcription, may be involved in inactivation of tumor suppressor genes during tumorigenesis. Over-expression of MBD1 has been reported in human pancreatic carcinomas.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we established a MBD1-knock-down pancreatic cancer cell line (BxPC-3) using stable RNA interference, to compare the proteomic changes between control and MBD1-knock-down cells using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified five proteins that were up-regulated and nine proteins that were down-regulated. Most of the identified proteins are involved in tumorigenesis, some are prognostic biomarkers for human malignant tumors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data suggest that these differential proteins may be associated with the function of MBD1, and provide some insight into the functional mechanism of MBD1 in the development of pancreatic cancer.</p

MRI and bone scintigraphy for breast cancer bone metastase: a meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance image (MRI) and bone scintigraphy (BS) in the diagnosis of breast cancer bone metastases

Surface coil intensity correction in magnetic resonance imaging in spinal metastases

To evaluate the clinical application of phased-array surface coil intensity correction in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in spinal metastases

Guillain-Barré syndrome and Low back pain: two cases and literature review

Purpose. To describe the clinical, electrophysiological, and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of two cases of atypical Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Methods We reported two GBS variant cases with initial and prominent symptoms of low back pain. We analysed their clinical, electrophysiological, and lumbar MRI features. Results Two patients with GBS reported low back pain as the initial and prominent symptom, which was not accompanied by limb weakness. The electrophysiological study showed abnormal F-waves in the common peroneal and tibial nerves, and acute polyradiculoneuropathy in the cauda equina. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed albuminocytologic dissociation. Serum was positive for GQ1b-IgM antibodies. Lumbar MRI showed gadolinium enhancement of the nerve roots and cauda equina. A standard regime of intravenous immunoglobulin markedly alleviated the low back pain. Conclusions Low back pain caused by GBS should be differentiated from other diseases. This initial or early prominent symptom may delay the diagnosis of GBS; therefore, it is important to conduct a detailed electrophysiological, CSF, and gadolinium-enhanced lumbar MRI analysis

Role and inhibition of Src signaling in the progression of liver cancer

During 2012, about 782,500 new liver cancer cases were diagnosed and 745,500 deaths occurred all around the world. Liver cancer is the 2nd major cause of cancer death in men around the world and in underdeveloped countries. Dysregulation of the balance between proliferation and cell death, hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis C virus chronic infection, and carcinogenic micro RNAs mainly contribute to the development and progression of liver cancer. Under physiological status, Src maintained the foundation of cells. While in liver cancer, it is known that the basic activities of cells are apparently disturbed possibly by Src. The mechanisms underlying the development and progression of liver cancer is needed to elucidate. In this study, we summarized newly found regulation pathway of SRC signaling, and clinical experience with inhibitors of Src signaling, such as, novel molecules that directly or indirectly targeted Src signaling which can be utilized in the treatment of liver cancer