Current understanding on antihepatocarcinoma effects of xiao chai hu tang and its constituents.

Xiao Chai Hu Tang (XCHT), a compound formula originally recorded in an ancient Chinese medical book Shanghanlun, has been used to treat chronic liver diseases for a long period of time in China. Although extensive studies have been demonstrated the efficacy of this formula to treat chronic hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, and hepatocarcinoma, how it works against these diseases still awaits full understanding. Here, we firstly present an overview arranging from the entire formula to mechanism studies of single herb in XCHT and their active components, from a new perspective of "separation study," and we tried our best to both detailedly and systematically organize the antihepatocarcinoma effects of it, hoping that the review will facilitate the strive on elucidating how XCHT elicits its antihepatocarcinoma role.

Role of urokinase receptor in tumor progression and development.

Elevated level of urokinase receptor (uPAR) is detected in various aggressive cancer types and is closely associated with poor prognosis of cancers. Binding of uPA to uPAR triggers the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin and the subsequent activation of metalloproteinases. These events confer tumor cells with the capability to degrade the components of the surrounding extracellular matrix, thus contributing to tumor cell invasion and metastasis.

Computational design of two-photon fluorescent probes for a zinc ion based on a Salen ligand.

A two-photon fluorescent probe has become a critical tool in biology and medicine owing to its capability of imaging intact tissue for a long period of time, such as in two-photon fluorescence microscopy (TPM). In this context, a series of Salen-based zinc-ion bioimaging reagents that were designed based on an intramolecular charge-transfer mechanism were studied through the quantum-chemical method. The increase of one-photon absorption and fluorescence emission wavelength and the reduction of the oscillator strength upon coordination with a zinc ion reveal that they are fluorescent bioimaging reagents used for ratiometric detection.

Circulating miR-583 and miR-663 Refer to ZHENG Differentiation in Chronic Hepatitis B.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ZHENG as the key pathological principle is to understand the human homeostasis and guide TCM treatment. Here, circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) were utilized to differentiate between ZHENGs including liver-gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome (LGDHS) and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome (LKYDS) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Sera samples of CHB patients with LGDHS (n = 35), LKYDS (n = 24), and healthy controls (Ctrls, n = 21) were analyzed by microarray and real-time RT-PCR.

A systematic evaluation of miRNA:mRNA interactions involved in the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.

In this study we performed a systematic evaluation of functional miRNA-mRNA interactions associated with the invasiveness of breast cancer cells using a combination of integrated miRNA and mRNA expression profiling, bioinformatics prediction, and functional assays. Analysis of the miRNA expression identified 11 miRNAs that were differentially expressed, including 7 down-regulated (miR-200c, miR-205, miR-203, miR-141, miR-34a, miR-183, and miR-375) and 4 up-regulated miRNAs (miR-146a, miR-138, miR-125b1 and miR-100), in invasive cell lines when compared to normal and less invasive cell lines. Transfection of miR-200c, miR-205, and miR-375 mimics into MDA-MB-231 cells led to the inhibition of in vitro cell migration and invasion.

Signaling by p38 MAPK stimulates nuclear localization of the microprocessor component p68 for processing of selected primary microRNAs.

The importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in biological and disease processes necessitates a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate miRNA abundance. We showed that the activities of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 and its downstream effector kinase MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) were necessary for the efficient processing of a subset of primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs). Through yeast two-hybrid screening, we identified p68 (also known as DDX5), a key component of the Drosha complex that processes pri-miRNAs, as an MK2-interacting protein, and we found that MK2 phosphorylated p68 at Ser(197) in cells.

Caspase-mediated cleavage of C53/LZAP protein causes abnormal microtubule bundling and rupture of the nuclear envelope.

Apoptotic nucleus undergoes distinct morphological and biochemical changes including nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, which are attributed to caspase-mediated cleavage of several nuclear substrates such as lamins. As most of active caspases reside in the cytoplasm, disruption of the nuclear-cytoplasmic barrier is essential for caspases to reach their nuclear targets. The prevailing proposed mechanism is that the increase in the permeability of nuclear pores induced by caspases allows the caspases and other apoptotic factors to diffuse into the nucleus, thereby resulting in the nuclear destruction.

Nek1 phosphorylates Von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor to promote its proteasomal degradation and ciliary destabilization.

Loss of function in either VHL or Nek1 leads to cyst formation in tissues, especially in kidneys. Whether there is a connection between pVHL and Nek1 regulation is unknown. Here, we report that the VHL protein (pVHL) may be a substrate of Nek1.

A theoretical investigation of two typical two-photon pH fluorescent probes.

Intracellular pH plays an important role in many cellular events, such as cell growth, endocytosis, cell adhesion and so on. Some pH fluorescent probes have been reported, but most of them are one-photon fluorescent probes, studies about two-photon fluorescent probes are very rare. In this work, the geometrical structure, electronic structure and one-photon properties of a series of two-photon pH fluorescent probes have been theoretically studied by using density functional theory (DFT) method.

Serum levels of microRNAs can specifically predict liver injury of chronic hepatitis B.

Aim: To investigate whether circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as molecular markers to predict liver injury resulted from chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: The profiles of serum miRNA expression were first generated with serum samples collected from 10 patients with CHB and 10 healthy donors (Ctrls) by microarray analysis. The levels of several miRNAs were further quantitated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with serum samples from another 24 CHB patients and 24 Ctrls.

Nonlinear optical properties for a class of hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene chromophores: a computational investigation.

The systematic investigation of the linear and nonlinear optical properties on such a class of hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) chromophores is of significance for rationally designing two-photon absorption (TPA) materials. The results indicate that increasing the strength of electron-donating or accepting terminal groups leads to bathochromic-shift of the absorption band and enhancement of the TPA cross section (δ(max)). For the molecules with fluorinated methylene and cyano substituents, replacement of a double bond by a triple bond in the conjugated linker produces the increase of δ(max), owing to the lower bond-length alternation and better rigidity of phenylene-ethynylene.

Theoretical insight into linear optical and two-photon absorption properties for a series of N-arylpyrrole-based dyes.

N-arylpyrrole-based dyes possessing excellent opto-electronic properties are promising candidates for two-photon fluorescence labeling materials. The systematic investigation of novel N-arylpyrrole derivatives is of great importance for both fine-tuning electronic spectra and designing two-photon absorption (2PA) materials. We thoroughly studied influences of the π-conjugated center and N-substituted pyrrole moieties on the linear optical and 2PA properties.

Functional dissection of HOXD cluster genes in regulation of neuroblastoma cell proliferation and differentiation.

Retinoic acid (RA) can induce growth arrest and neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells and has been used in clinic for treatment of neuroblastoma. It has been reported that RA induces the expression of several HOXD genes in human neuroblastoma cell lines, but their roles in RA action are largely unknown. The HOXD cluster contains nine genes (HOXD1, HOXD3, HOXD4, and HOXD8-13) that are positioned sequentially from 3' to 5', with HOXD1 at the 3' end and HOXD13 the 5' end.

[Clinical features and therapeutic effect of 38 children with anaplastic large cell lymphoma].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and prognostic factors of children's anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), summarize the therapeutic effect and toxicities.

Method: A total of 38 ALCL patients admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital from Jan. 2003 to Apr.

[Clinical features and prognosis of children with lymphoblastic lymphoma].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of childhood lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) and therapeutic efficacy of BCH-LBL-2003 regimen modified from BFM-90 protocol. The drug-related toxicities and prognostic factors were explored at the same time.

Methods: From Janurary 2003 to December 2009, 112 newly diagnosed LBL patients at the Hematology Center of Beijing Children's Hospital were enrolled in this study.

HOXC8-Dependent Cadherin 11 Expression Facilitates Breast Cancer Cell Migration through Trio and Rac.

HOXC8 expression is upregulated in diverse cancer types, and a high level of HOXC8 is often associated with the aggressive/metastatic phenotypes. We previously reported that the presence of HOXC8 is essential for breast cancer cell migration and metastasis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of HOXC8 regulation of cell migration is unclear.

Regulation of myosin activation during cell-cell contact formation by Par3-Lgl antagonism: entosis without matrix detachment.

Cell-cell contact formation following cadherin engagement requires actomyosin contraction along the periphery of cell-cell contact. The molecular mechanisms that regulate myosin activation during this process are not clear. In this paper, we show that two polarity proteins, partitioning defective 3 homologue (Par3) and mammalian homologues of Drosophila Lethal (2) Giant Larvae (Lgl1/2), antagonize each other in modulating myosin II activation during cell-cell contact formation in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 attenuates antiestrogen- and antiprogestin-induced apoptosis in ER+ breast cancer cells by MEK1 regulation of the BH3-only pro-apoptotic protein Bim.

Introduction: In this pre-clinical in vitro study conducted in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer cells, we have characterized the effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) on the cytostatic and cytotoxic action of antiestrogen treatment when used as a single agent or in combination with the antiprogestin mifepristone (MIF). Our goal was to identify new molecular targets to improve the efficacy of hormonal therapy in breast cancer patients that have a poor response to hormonal therapy, in part, due to high circulating levels of unbound insulinIGF-1.

Methods: IGF-1-mediated effects on cytostasis and apoptotic cell death were determined with cell counts conducted in the presence and absence of trypan blue; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to determine the intracellular levels of cleaved cytokeratin 18, a marker of epithelial cancer cell apoptosis; and immunoblot analysis to determine the levels of cleaved poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) and lamin A that result from caspase-dependent apoptosis.

AU-rich-element-dependent translation repression requires the cooperation of tristetraprolin and RCK/P54.

AU-rich elements (AREs), residing in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of many labile mRNAs, are important cis-acting elements that modulate the stability of these mRNAs by collaborating with trans-acting factors such as tristetraprolin (TTP). AREs also regulate translation, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here we examined the function and mechanism of TTP in ARE-mRNA translation.

[Temporal and spatial distribution of particulate organic carbon in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea in spring].

Based on the data from cruises that carried out in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea from April to May, 2009, the temporal and spatial distributions of the particulate organic carbon (POC) were analyzed. And the sources of POC were further discussed according to the chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and C/N. The results showed that the concentration of POC in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea ranged from 24.

Theoretical prediction of one- and two-photon absorption properties of N-annulated quaterrylenes as near-infrared chromophores.

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have attracted increasing attention due to high potentiality in nanoelectronics. In the present study, quantum-chemical calculations of structural and nonlinear optical properties have been first carried out for the nanoelectronical materials, a new series of ladder-type N-annulated quaterrylenes and their imide chromophores. The effects of the solvent, terminal groups, the number of N-annulated bridges, and π-conjugated length are discussed in detail.

[Clinical analysis of 18 cases with acute tumor lysis syndrome in children with B-cell lymphoma].

Objective: To investigate risk factors associated with acute tumor lysis syndrome (ATLS) in children with B-cell lymphoma and to explore feasible means for the prophylaxis and treatment.

Method: Data from 18 children with ATLS in B-cell lymphoma were collected to assess their tumor burden at diagnosis and before chemotherapy. Evaluation was performed at the 8th day, 3 month, and the end of chemotherapy and follow up.

Ab initio and DFT study of luminescent cyclometalated N-heterocyclic carbene organogold(III) complexes.

The structures of versatile N-heterocyclic carbene-containing Au(III) complexes in the ground and low-lying excited states have been optimized at the B3LYP functional and the single-excitation configuration interaction (CIS) method, respectively. The spectral properties are predicted with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). In addition, the charge transport quality has been estimated approximately by the predicted reorganization energy (λ).

Impaired MicroRNA Processing Facilitates Breast Cancer Cell Invasion by Upregulating Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Expression.

Global mature microRNA (miRNA) expression is downregulated in cancers, and impaired miRNA processing enhances cancer cell proliferation. These findings indicate that the miRNA system generally serves as a negative regulator during cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the role of the miRNA system in cancer cell invasion by determining the effect of damaging miRNA processing on invasion-essential urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression in breast cancer cells.

Inhibition of PKCδ reduces cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity without blocking chemotherapeutic efficacy in mouse models of cancer.

Cisplatin is a widely used cancer therapy drug that unfortunately has major side effects in normal tissues, notably nephrotoxicity in kidneys. Despite intensive research, the mechanism of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity remains unclear, and renoprotective approaches during cisplatin-based chemotherapy are lacking. Here we have identified PKCδ as a critical regulator of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, which can be effectively targeted for renoprotection during chemotherapy.