Differential effects of luteolin and its glycosides on invasion and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells

Luteolin is known to have anticancer activity in various ca ncers. Recent studies have shown that luteolin glyco- sides, such as luteolin-8- C - β -fucopyranoside, 7-methoxy-luteolin-8-C- β -(6- deoxyxylopyranos-3-uloside) and lu- teolin-8-C- β - D -glucopyranoside, flavonoid s that are present in Arthraxon hispidus , exert antimigratory and anti- invasive effects, but no cytotoxic effect in estrogen receptor-positive MCF7 breast cancer cells. In the present study, we further investigated and compared differential effects of luteolin and its glycosides in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Lute olin suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and inhibited migration and invasion in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with the tumor promotor 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate at non-cytotoxic concentrations (0, 5, and 10 μ M). Furthermore, at cytotoxic concentrations (20 and 40 μ M), luteolin induced apoptosis via extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in MDA-MB-231 cells. However, luteolin glycosides did not exert any cytotoxic, antimigratory, or anti-invasive effect in MDA-MB-231 cells . In brief, l u- teolin had both antimetastatic and cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB-231 cells, whereas luteolin glycosides had no effect on this cell line. Taking together the present results and our previous findings on the differential effects of luteolin and its glycosides on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 br east cancer cells, luteolin and its glycosides can be suggested as a potential candida te for breast cancer therapy

Genotypic variation of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Italian ryegrass

In the present study, genotypic variation of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Korean Italian ryegrass has been evaluated. Mature seed-derived calli of seven cultivars were inoculated and co-cultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying the binary vector pCAMBIA1301, which contains a reporter gene (gus) and a plant selectable marker gene conferring resistance to hygromycin (hpt) in the T-DNA region. The effects of several factors such as callus type and callus age on transformation effectiveness and the expression of the GUS gene were investigated. The highest transformation effectiveness (6.7%) was obtained with the Hwasan 101 cultivar when 9-week-old calli (type-I) were inoculated with Agrobacterium. The overall transformation rates of the examined cultivars ranged from 0.4% to 6.7%. GUS histochemical assays, PCR, and southern analysis of transgenic plants demonstrated that transgenes were successfully integrated into the genome of Italian ryegrass. Thus, evaluation of transformation effectiveness and selection of a suitable cultivar of Italian ryegrass may improve molecular breeding of this species

Pneumopericardium as a Complication of Pericardiocentesis

Pneumopericardium is a rare complication of pericardiocentesis, occurring either as a result of direct pleuro-pericardial communication or a leaky drainage system. Air-fluid level surrounding the heart shadow within the pericardium on a chest X-ray is an early observation at diagnosis. This clinical measurement and process is variable, depending on the hemodynamic status of the patient. The development of a cardiac tamponade is a serious complication, necessitating prompt recognition and treatment. We recently observed a case of pneumopericardium after a therapeutic pericardiocentesis in a 20-year-old man with tuberculous pericardial effusion

Brazilein Suppresses Inflammation through Inactivation of IRAK4-NF-κB Pathway in LPS-Induced Raw264.7 Macrophage Cells

The medicinal herbal plant has been commonly used for prevention and intervention of disease and health promotions worldwide. Brazilein is a bioactive compound extracted from Caesalpinia sappan Linn. Several studies have showed that brazilein exhibited the immune suppressive effect and anti-oxidative function. However, the molecular targets of brazilein for inflammation prevention have remained elusive. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of brazilein on LPS-induced inflammatory response in Raw264.7 macrophage cells. We demonstrated that brazilein decreased the expression of IRAK4 protein led to the suppression of MAPK signaling and IKKβ, and subsequent inactivation of NF-κB and COX2 thus promoting the expression of the downstream target pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, MCP-1, MIP-2, and IL-6 in LPS-induced Raw264.7 macrophage cells. Moreover, we observed that brazilein reduced the production of nitrite compared to the control in LPS-induced Raw264.7. Thus, we suggest that brazilein might be a useful bioactive compound for the prevention of IRAK-NF-κB pathway associated chronic diseases

DataSheet1_Microfluidic production of polyacrylic acid functionalized PEG microgels for efficient biomolecular conjugation.PDF

We present a double emulsion drop-based microfluidic approach to produce uniform polyacrylic acid functionalized polyethylene glycol (PAA-PEG) microgels. By utilizing double emulsion drops as templates, we produce monodisperse microgels by rapid photopolymerization of the inner prepolymer drop consisting of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), followed by dewetting the oil layer when they disperse into an aqueous media. The size control of the PAA-PEG microgels with a broad range is achieved by tuning the flow rate of each phase; the uniformity of the microgels is maintained even when the flow rate changes. The results show rapid R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) coupling with the microgels’ carboxylate with minimal non-specific adsorption, demonstrating highly efficient and reliable biomolecular conjugation within PAA-PEG microgels.</p

Genotypic variation of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Italian ryegrass

In the present study, genotypic variation of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Korean Italian ryegrass has been evaluated. Mature seed-derived calli of seven cultivars were inoculated and co-cultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying the binary vector pCAMBIA1301, which contains a reporter gene (gus) and a plant selectable marker gene conferring resistance to hygromycin (hpt) in the T-DNA region. The effects of several factors such as callus type and callus age on transformation effectiveness and the expression of the GUS gene were investigated. The highest transformation effectiveness (6.7%) was obtained with the Hwasan 101 cultivar when 9-week-old calli (type-I) were inoculated with Agrobacterium. The overall transformation rates of the examined cultivars ranged from 0.4% to 6.7%. GUS histochemical assays, PCR, and southern analysis of transgenic plants demonstrated that transgenes were successfully integrated into the genome of Italian ryegrass. Thus, evaluation of transformation effectiveness and selection of a suitable cultivar of Italian ryegrass may improve molecular breeding of this species