Progesterone negatively regulates BCRP in progesterone receptor-positive human breast cancer cells.

Background/aims: Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) plays a crucial role in multidrug resistance (MDR). Previous studies have shown that steroid hormones, like progesterone (PROG), regulate BCRP expression. The presence of a progesterone response element (PRE) in the BCRP promoter, suggests that PROG may regulate transcription of BCRP.

Interactome analysis reveals that C1QBP (complement component 1, q subcomponent binding protein) is associated with cancer cell chemotaxis and metastasis.

The complement component 1, q subcomponent binding protein (C1QBP/p32/HABP1) is a ubiquitously expressed and multicompartmental cellular protein involved in various biological processes. In order to further understand its biological functions, we conducted proteomics analysis of its interactome in this study. An improved sample preparation and mass spectrometric identification strategy was developed combining high-speed centrifugation, formaldehyde labeling, and two-dimensional reverse-phase liquid chromatography.

Overexpression of CARM1 in breast cancer is correlated with poorly characterized clinicopathologic parameters and molecular subtypes.

Background: Coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) belongs to the protein arginine methyltransferase family. CARM1 has been reported to be associated with high grade tumors in breast cancer. It still remains unknown the expression pattern of CARM1 in breast cancer and its relationships with clinicopathological characteristics and molecular subtypes.

Subchronic safety evaluation of EPO-018B, a pegylated peptidic erythropoiesis stimulating agent, after 5-week subcutaneous injection in Cynomolgus monkeys and Sprague-Dawley rats.

EPO-018B, a synthetic peptide-based erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA), is coupled to polyethylene glycol (PEG) and designed to specifically bind and activate the erythropoietin (EPO) receptor to result in production of red blood cells. This study was designed to evaluate the potential subchronic toxicity of EPO-018B for Cynomolgus monkeys and Sprague-Dawley rats both at 0, 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg every week for 5 weeks, followed by 6-week recovery for rats and 12-week recovery for monkeys.

Resveratrol sensitizes tamoxifen in antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer cells with epithelial-mesenchymal transition features.

Tamoxifen resistance remains to be a huge obstacle in the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer, and this therefore highlights the dire need to explore the underlying mechanisms. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a molecular process through which an epithelial cell transfers into a mesenchymal phenotype. Roles of EMT in embryo development, cancer invasion and metastasis have been extensively reported.

Deregulated expression of miR-145 in manifold human cancer cells.

MicroRNAs play important roles in the processes of tumor initiation and progression. The expression level of miR-145 in gastric, liver, and cervical cancers has been rarely investigated. Whether miR-145 may function as a common tumor suppressor in the generation of tumor phenotype needs to be clarified.

[Research progress in Raman spectra and its test sample pretreatment].

It is generally accepted that Raman spectroscopy is an advanced method with simple operation, small amount of specimens needed as well as rapid on-line screening, detection and identification. However, in the technology of determination, sample preparation is also an significant factor during analysis process. It would affect the accuracy and precision of the results, and normally involved complicated procedure.

A novel graphene-DNA biosensor for selective detection of mercury ions.

A novel electrochemical biosensor for sensitive and selective detection of mercury (II) ions (Hg²⁺) based on a DNA grafted graphene is proposed. Graphene oxide (GO) was reduced by dopamine, and then the single-strand probe DNA modified at the 5'-end with an alkylamino modifier (NH₂-ssDNA) was grafted on the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) surface via Michael addition reaction. In the presence of Hg²⁺, the target DNA with four thymine-thymine (T-T) mismatches would hybridize with the probe DNA on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) through T-Hg²⁺-T coordination chemistry.

Highly sensitive and selective colorimetric sensing of antibiotics in milk.

Antibiotics residues in foods are very harmful to human beings. Determination of antibiotics residues relies largely on the availability of adequate analytical techniques. Currently, there is an urgent need for on site and real time detection of antibiotics in food.

Novel mutations of SLC26A4 in Chinese patients with nonsyndromic hearing loss.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated high prevalence of GJB2, SLC26A4, and mtDNA A1555G mutations in Chinese patients with nonsyndromic hearing loss and discovered eight novel mutations in SLC26A4. Most of these novel mutations were predicted pathogenic variants.

Objectives: Nonsyndromic hearing loss is the most common neurosensory deafness where the majority of patients have highly diversified genetic defects.

The role of osteopontin in the induction of the CD40 ligand in Graves' disease.

Objective: Graves' disease (GD) is a common autoimmune disease involved autoantibody production. Although we previously reported that osteopontin (OPN), a proinflammatory protein, affected development of GD through NF-κB activation, little is known about the role of OPN in regulating immunoglobulin production in GD. CD40 Ligand (CD40L) is expressed on the surface of activated CD4+T cells and costimulates CD40 on B cells, stimulating production of immunoglobulins, a process which has been reported to play a vital role in immunological signalling transduction in several autoimmune diseases.

A simple one-pot synthesis of graphene nanosheet/SnO nanoparticle hybrid nanocomposites and their application for selective and sensitive electrochemical detection of dopamine.

A novel one-pot synthesis of graphene nanosheet/SnO nanoparticle hybrid nanocomposites (GN/SnO) was realized by using graphene oxide nanosheets (GONs) functionalized with sodium dodecyl sulfonate and SnCl as the starting materials. The morphology and structure of the synthesized SDS-GN/SnO nanocomposites were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis. It was found that SnO nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed on the graphene nanosheets.

Targeted delivery of 10-hydroxycamptothecin to human breast cancers by cyclic RGD-modified lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles.

Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) combining the positive attributes of both liposomes and polymeric NPs are increasingly being considered as promising candidates to carry therapeutic agents safely and efficiently into targeted sites. Herein, a modified emulsification technique was developed and optimized for the targeting lipid-polymer hybrid NPs fabrication; the surface properties and stability of the hybrid NPs were systematically investigated, which confirmed that the hybrid NPs consisted of a poly (lactide-co-glycolide) core with ∼90% surface coverage of the lipid monolayer and a ∼4.4 nm hydrated polyethylene glycol (PEG) shell.

Quantitative study of the interactome of PKCζ involved in the EGF-induced tumor cell chemotaxis.

Chemotaxis plays an important role in metastasis. In our previous studies, we reported that protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ) mediated cancer cell chemotaxis by regulating cytoskeleton rearrangement and cell adhesion. To further study the molecular mechanism of chemotaxis, mass spectrometry-based approaches were employed to investigate the interactome of PKCζ and its changes upon stimulation by epidermal growth factor (EGF).

Compound heterozygous mutations of SLC26A4 in 4 Chinese families with enlarged vestibular aqueduct.

Objective: Enlarged vestibular aqueduct is the most common inner ear malformation in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Mutations in SLC26A4 can cause non-syndromic EVA. To date, more than 170 SLC26A4 mutations have been described.

[Effects of artificial microRNA targeting glucosylceramide synthase on drug sensitivity of breast cancer cells].

Objective: To explore the inhibitory effects on glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) expression and drug sensitivity in breast cancer cells by transfecting artificial microRNA targeting GCS.

Methods: Two microRNA expression vectors targeting GCS were constructed and transfected into MCF-7/ADR cells via Lipofectamine 2000. The levels of GCS mRNA and protein were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively.

Formal synthesis of cephalotaxine.

A formal synthesis of cephalotaxine, the parent member of the Cephalotaxus alkaloids, was achieved. It features a practical four-step assembly of the benzazepine-bearing pentacyclic ring system through two alkylation reactions, acidic hydrolysis, and aldolization.

Doxorubicin influences the expression of glucosylceramide synthase in invasive ductal breast cancer.

Introduction: Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is one enzyme that provides a major route for ceramide clearance. Recent evidence has indicated an important role for GCS in multidrug resistance (MDR) tumors. Doxorubicin (DOX)can modulate the expression of GCS in leukemia and ovary cell lines.

Density of tumor-associated macrophages correlates with lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have recently been recognized as being important players in the tumoriogenesis of many cancers, including advanced thyroid cancer. However, a role in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most prevalent thyroid cancer, has not been established. We hypothesized that TAMs also facilitate tumor progression in PTC.

Expression of nucleophosmin/NPM1 correlates with migration and invasiveness of colon cancer cells.

Background: We aimed to examine the expression level of Nucleophosmin (NPM1) protein in colon cancer tissues and to investigate the potential role of NPM1 in the regulation of cell migration and invasiveness.

Methods: Immunohistochemical assay was performed to examine the expression pattern of NPM1 in 31 groups of colonic carcinoma samples, including colon tumors, adjacent normal tissues, and matched metastatic lymph nodes from the same patients. Small interfering RNA technique and exogenous expression of wild type NPM1 methods were used to further verify the function of NPM1.

Interference of Frizzled 1 (FZD1) reverses multidrug resistance in breast cancer cells through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) represents a major obstacle in the successful treatment of breast cancer. The MDR1 gene is a direct target of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which controls tumor development. Overexpression of P-glycoprotein, encoded by the MDR1 gene, is one of the most common causes of MDR.

Acute response of peripheral blood cell to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in type 1 diabetic patient.

Objective: Autologous nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHST) was the first therapeutic approach that can improve β cell function in type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients. This study was designed to investigate the potential mechanisms involved.

Design And Methods: We applied AHST to nine T1D patients diagnosed within six months and analyzed the acute responses in peripheral blood for lymphocyte subpopulation as well as for genomic expression profiling at the six-month follow-up.

Progesterone receptor downregulates breast cancer resistance protein expression via binding to the progesterone response element in breast cancer.

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) plays a major role in multidrug resistance (MDR). Sequence analysis reveals there is a novel progesterone response element (PRE) in the BCRP promoter, suggesting progesterone receptor (PR) may have a function in the regulation of BCRP expression. We examined the expressions of BCRP, PR, estrogen receptor α (ERα), androgen receptor (AR) and Her-2 in 95 breast cancer samples by immunohistochemistry.

Evaluation of subchronic toxicity of SIM010603, a potent inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinase, after 28-day repeated oral administration in SD rats and beagle dogs.

SIM010603, a promising multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor, is now being considered for evaluation in phase clinical trial. In this work, the subchronic toxicity of SIM010603 in SD rats and beagle dogs have been characterized. Rats and dogs received SIM010603 orally (0-20 and 0-10mg/kg/day, respectively) on a consecutive daily dosing schedule for 28 days following a 14 days recovery period.