LAPTM4B Targeting as Potential Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

HCC is one of the most common cancers worldwide with high prevalence, recurrence, and lethality. The curative rate is not satisfactory. LAPTM4B is a novel driver gene of HCC first indentified by our group. It is over-expressed in 87.3% of HCC. The expression levels of the encoded LAPTM4B-35 protein in HCC is also over-expressed in 86.2% of HCC and shows a significant positive correlation with pathological grade, metastasis, and recurrence, and a negative correlation with postoperative overall- and cancer free- survival of HCC patients. Moreover, HCC cells showing high expression of LAPTM4B-35 show a strong tendency to metastasize and enhanced drug resistance. Overexpression of this gene promotes tumorigenesis, faster growth of human HCC xenografts and metastasis in nude mice, and leads to anti-apoptosis, deregulation of proliferation, enhancement of migration and invasion, as well as multi-drug resistance. In addition, overexpression of LAPTM4B-35 leads to accumulation of a number of oncoproteins and to down-regulation of a number of tumor suppressing proteins. By contrary, knockdown of endogenous LAPTM4B-35 via RNAi results in remarkable inhibition of xenograft growth and metastasis of human HCC in nude mice. Also, RNAi knockdown of LAPTN4B-35 can reverse the cellular and molecular malignant phenotypes noted above

Synthesis and Potential Antimetastatic Activity of Monovalent and Divalent β-D-Galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-Acetamido-2-Deoxy-D-Glucopyranosides

Anomers of monovalent and divalent β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-gluco-pyranosides were synthesized under different glycosylation conditions, and evaluated for in vitro antimetastatic activity. Three compounds showed promising inhibitory effects on cancer cell attachment, spreading, migration, and invasion. Six divalent O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranosides (29–34) were synthesized and their antimetastatic activities were studied

Synthesis and Potential Antimetastatic Activity of Monovalent and Divalent β-D-Galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-Acetamido-2-Deoxy-D-Glucopyranosides

Anomers of monovalent and divalent β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-gluco-pyranosides were synthesized under different glycosylation conditions, and evaluated for in vitro antimetastatic activity. Three compounds showed promising inhibitory effects on cancer cell attachment, spreading, migration, and invasion. Six divalent O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranosides (29–34) were synthesized and their antimetastatic activities were studied

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) in ICUs: resistance genes, therapeutics, and prevention – a comprehensive review

Intensive care units (ICUs) are specialized environments dedicated to the management of critically ill patients, who are particularly susceptible to drug-resistant bacteria. Among these, carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) pose a significant threat endangering the lives of ICU patients. Carbapenemase production is a key resistance mechanism in CR-GNB, with the transfer of resistance genes contributing to the extensive emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). CR-GNB infections are widespread in ICUs, highlighting an urgent need for prevention and control measures to reduce mortality rates associated with CR-GNB transmission or infection. This review provides an overview of key aspects surrounding CR-GNB within ICUs. We examine the mechanisms of bacterial drug resistance, the resistance genes that frequently occur with CR-GNB infections in ICU, and the therapeutic options against carbapenemase genotypes. Additionally, we highlight crucial preventive measures to impede the transmission and spread of CR-GNB within ICUs, along with reviewing the advances made in the field of clinical predictive modeling research, which hold excellent potential for practical application

The impact of gene polymorphism and hepatic insufficiency on voriconazole dose adjustment in invasive fungal infection individuals

Voriconazole (VRZ) is a broad-spectrum antifungal medication widely used to treat invasive fungal infections (IFI). The administration dosage and blood concentration of VRZ are influenced by various factors, posing challenges for standardization and individualization of dose adjustments. On the one hand, VRZ is primarily metabolized by the liver, predominantly mediated by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 enzyme. The genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 significantly impacts the blood concentration of VRZ, particularly the trough concentration (Ctrough), thereby influencing the drug’s efficacy and potentially causing adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Recent research has demonstrated that pharmacogenomics-based VRZ dose adjustments offer more accurate and individualized treatment strategies for individuals with hepatic insufficiency, with the possibility to enhance therapeutic outcomes and reduce ADRs. On the other hand, the security, pharmacokinetics, and dosing of VRZ in individuals with hepatic insufficiency remain unclear, making it challenging to attain optimal Ctrough in individuals with both hepatic insufficiency and IFI, resulting in suboptimal drug efficacy and severe ADRs. Therefore, when using VRZ to treat IFI, drug dosage adjustment based on individuals’ genotypes and hepatic function is necessary. This review summarizes the research progress on the impact of genetic polymorphisms and hepatic insufficiency on VRZ dosage in IFI individuals, compares current international guidelines, elucidates the current application status of VRZ in individuals with hepatic insufficiency, and discusses the influence of CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms on VRZ dose adjustments and Ctrough at the pharmacogenomic level. Additionally, a comprehensive summary and analysis of existing studies’ recommendations on VRZ dose adjustments based on CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms and hepatic insufficiency are provided, offering a more comprehensive reference for dose selection and adjustments of VRZ in this patient population

Identification of Glycine Receptor α3 as a Colchicine-Binding Protein

Colchicine (Col) is considered a kind of highly effective alkaloid for preventing and treating acute gout attacks (flares). However, little is known about the underlying mechanism of Col in pain treatment. We have previously developed a customized virtual target identification method, termed IFPTarget, for small-molecule target identification. In this study, by using IFPTarget and ligand similarity ensemble approach (SEA), we show that the glycine receptor alpha 3 (GlyRα3), which play a key role in the processing of inflammatory pain, is a potential target of Col. Moreover, Col binds directly to the GlyRα3 as determined by the immunoprecipitation and bio-layer interferometry assays using the synthesized Col-biotin conjugate (linked Col and biotin with polyethylene glycol). These results suggest that GlyRα3 may mediate Col-induced suppression of inflammatory pain. However, whether GlyRα3 is the functional target of Col and serves as potential therapeutic target in gouty arthritis requires further investigations

Peer-based behavioral health program for drug users in China: a pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many injection drug users (IDUs) in China have high risk sexual behaviors that contribute to the spread of HIV infection. Although many IDUs in China move through drug rehabilitation centers, this opportunity for sexual health education has largely been overlooked.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A convenience sample of 667 drug users from two rehabilitation centers in South China was recruited in the study. Two hundred and forty seven drug users from a single Guangdong Province rehabilitation center received the peer-based education intervention, while 420 drug users from another rehabilitation center received routine HIV/STI education and was used as the control. One hundred and eighty nine (22.1%) individuals refused to participate in the study. HIV/STI behavioral and knowledge domains were assessed at 3 months in rehabilitation centers after the intervention (first follow-up) and at 2-23 months in the community after release (second follow-up).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Drug users who completed the intervention reported more frequent condom use with casual sex partners (60.0% vs. 12.5% condom use every time, p = 0.011) and less frequent injection (56.7% vs. 26.4% no injection per day, p = 0.008) at the second follow-up compared to those in the routine education group. Loss to follow up was substantial in both control and intervention groups, and was associated with living far from the detention center and having poor HIV knowledge at baseline.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study shows that rehabilitation centers may be a useful location for providing behavioral HIV/STI prevention services and referral of individuals to community-based programs upon release. More research is needed on behalf of detained drug users in China who have complex social, medical, and legal needs.</p