Triamcinolone acetonide acetate

In the crystal structure of the title compound [systematic name: 2-(4b-fluoro-5-hy­droxy-4a,6a,8,8-tetra­methyl-2-oxo-2,4a,4b,5,6,6a,9a,10,10a,10b,11,12-dodeca­hydro-7,9-dioxa­penta­leno[2,1-a]phenanthren-6b-yl)-2-oxoethyl acetate], C26H33FO7, the mol­ecules are connected by inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into an infinite supra­molecular chain along the b axis. The mol­ecular framework consists of five condensed rings, including three six-membered rings and two five-membered rings. The cyclo­hexa-2,5-dienone ring is nearly planar [maximum deviation = 0.013 (3) Å], while the cyclo­hexane rings adopt chair conformations. The two five-membered rings, viz. cyclo­pentane and 1,3-dioxolane, display envelope conformations

The role and possible molecular mechanism of valproic acid in the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Aim To investigate the role of valproic acid (VPA), a class I selective histone deacetylase inhibitor, on Michigan Cancer Foundation (MCF)-7 breast cancer cells, named and explore its possible molecular mechanism. Methods MCF-7 cells were cultured with sodium valproate (0. 5-4.0 mmol/L) for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h in vitro, respectively. The cell viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle were examined. The activities and protein expressions of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 were subsequently assayed. Finally, mRNA and protein expressions of cyclin A, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p21 were analyzed. Results Sodium valproate suppressed MCF-7 cell growth, induced cell apoptosis, and arrested G1 phase in a timeand concentration- dependent manner, with the relative cell viabilities decreased, cell apoptosis ratios increased, and percentage of G1 phase enhanced (P < 0.05). Increased activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9, but not caspase-8, and increased protein levels were found under sodium valproate (2.0 mmol/L, 48h). P21 was up-regulated and cyclin D1 was down-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels under sodium valproate (2.0 mmol/L, 48h)(P < 0.05), although cyclin E and cyclin A remained changed. Conclusion These results indicate that VPA can suppress the growth of breast cancer MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis and arresting G1 phase. Intrinsic apoptotic pathway is dominant for VPA-induced apoptosis. For G1 phase arrest, p21 up-regulation and down-regulation of cyclin D1 may be the main molecular mechanism

N-[2-(2-Hy­droxy­eth­oxy)pheneth­yl]phthalimide

The title compound, C18H17NO4, was obtained accidentally through acid-catalysed aromatization of a phthalimide-substituted 2-(1-hy­droxy­eth­yl)cyclo­hex-2-enone. It exhibits an intra­molecular O—H⋯Oc (c = carbonyl) hydrogen bond and forms a three-dimensional network structure via π–π stacking inter­actions between adjacent benzene rings (phthalimide-to-phenyl­ene and phthalimide-to-phthalimide), with centroid–centroid distances of 3.8262 (6) and 3.6245 (5) Å

(Acetyl­acetonato-κ2 O,O′)bis­[2-(5-methyl-3-phenyl­pyrazin-2-yl-κN 1)phen­yl-κC 1]iridium(III)

In the title complex, [Ir(C17H13N2)2(C5H7O2)], the IrIII atom is hexa­coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral geometry by two C,N-bidentate 2-(5-methyl-3-phenyl­pyrazin-2-yl)phenyl (mdpp) ligands and one O,O-bidentate acetyl­acetonate ligand. The dihedral angles between the phenyl rings and the pyrazine ring are 9.56 (14) and 58.99 (14)° for one mdpp ligand and 9.34 (14) and 79.94 (15)° for the other

Physiological Ischemic Training Promotes Brain Collateral Formation and Improves Functions in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

Objectives: To observe the effectiveness and mechanisms of physiological ischemic training (PIT) on brain cerebral collateral formation and functional recovery in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods: 20 eligible patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly assigned to either PIT group (n = 10) or Control group (n = 10). Both groups received 4 weeks of routine rehabilitation therapy, while an additional session of PIT, which consisted of 10 times of maximal voluntary isometric handgrip for 1 min followed by 1 min rest, was prescribed for patients in the PIT groups. Each patient was trained with four sections a day and 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and the short-form 36-item health survey questionnaire (SF-36) were applied for the evaluation of motor impairment, activity of daily living, and quality of life at the baseline and endpoint. MRI was applied to detect the collateral formation in the brain. The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) number in plasma were also tested at the endpoint.Results: Demographic data were consistent between experimental groups. At the endpoint, the scores of the FMA, MBI, and SF-36 were significantly higher than that at baseline. As compared to the Control group, the score of FMA and SF-36 in PIT group was significantly higher, while no significant difference was detected between groups in terms of MBI. Both groups had significantly higher cerebral blood flow (CBF) level at endpoint as compared to that at baseline. Moreover, the CBF level was even higher in the PIT group as compared to that in the Control group after 4 weeks of training. The same situations were also found in the plasma VEGF and EPCs assessment. In addition, positive correlations were found between FMA score and CBF level (r = 0.686, p < 0.01), CBF level and VEGF concentration (r = 0.675, p < 0.01), and VEGF concentration and EPC number (r = 0.722, p < 0.01).Conclusion: PIT may be effective in increasing the expression of VEGF and recruitment of EPCs and in turn promote the formation of brain collateral circulation. The positive correlations may demonstrate a potential association between biological and functional parameters, and PIT may be able to improve the motor function, activity of daily living, and quality of life in patients with stroke.Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineerin