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Background: Osteitis fibrosa cystica is a rare, benign and osteolytic lesion attributed to hyperparathyroidism. The high level of parathyroid hormone cause rapid bone loss.Case Presentation: The patient is a 50-year-old male complaining of severe and persistent pain in the right knee joint. Imaging studies were suspicious for a benign tumor in the right distal femur. Biopsy under CT guidance showed numerous osteoclast aggregation and hemosiderin deposition around the bone trabeculae. Blood tests disclosed significantly elevated parathyroid hormone, serum calcium, serum alkaline phosphatase. Parathyroid ultrasonography and CT scan showed a solid mass in front of the trachea at the thoracic entrance plane. After resection of the mass, the clinical symptoms were relieved and the radiological results were significantly improved, which further confirmed the diagnosis.Conclusions: Metabolic diseases-associated bone lesions require a comprehensive diagnosis of multiple inspection items. An interprofessional team approach to the diagnosis and treatment of osteitis fibrosa cystica will provide the best outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Air quality is tightly associated with COVID-19 transmission. • PM 2.5 and NO 2 strongly promote COVID-19 transmission. • Temperature is inversely associated with COVID-19 transmission. Although COVID-19 is known to be caused by human-to-human transmission, it remains largely unclear whether ambient air pollutants and meteorological parameters could promote its transmission. A retrospective study was conducted to study whether air quality index (AQI), four ambient air pollutants (PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 and CO) and five meteorological variables (daily temperature, highest temperature, lowest temperature, temperature difference and sunshine duration) could increase COVID-19 incidence in Wuhan and XiaoGan between Jan 26th to Feb 29th in 2020. First, a significant correlation was found between COVID-19 incidence and AQI in both Wuhan (R 2 = 0.13, p < 0.05) and XiaoGan (R 2 = 0.223, p < 0.01). Specifically, among four pollutants, COVID-19 incidence was prominently correlated with PM 2.5 and NO 2 in both cities. In Wuhan, the tightest correlation was observed between NO 2 and COVID-19 incidence (R 2 = 0.329, p < 0.01). In XiaoGan, in addition to the PM 2.5 (R 2 = 0.117, p < 0.01) and NO 2 (R 2 = 0.015, p < 0.05), a notable correlation was also observed between the PM 10 and COVID-19 incidence (R 2 = 0.105, p < 0.05). Moreover, temperature is the only meteorological parameter that constantly correlated well with COVID-19 incidence in both Wuhan and XiaoGan, but in an inverse correlation (p < 0.05). AQI, PM 2.5 , NO 2 , and temperature are four variables that could promote the sustained transmission of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allylation and benzylation of p-quinones was achieved through an unusual redox chain reaction. Mechanistic studies suggest that the existence of trace hydroquinone initiates a redox chain reaction that consists of a Lewis acid catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation and a subsequent redox equilibrium that regenerates hydroquinone. The electrophiles could be various allylic and benzylic esters. The addition of Hantzsch ester as an initiator improves the efficiency of the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allylation and benzylation of p-quinones was achieved through an unusual redox chain reaction. Mechanistic studies suggest that the existence of trace hydroquinone initiates a redox chain reaction that consists of a Lewis acid catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation and a subsequent redox equilibrium that regenerates hydroquinone. The electrophiles could be various allylic and benzylic esters. The addition of Hantzsch ester as an initiator improves the efficiency of the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the existing data de-duplication strategies, this paper proposed a noval C/S double-end delay de-duplication method based on load balancing. The method chunked data into several blocks based on types of data, and extracted the fingerprint value with MD5 and compared fingerprints with the local index table of the client side. It replaced the same with a pointer to the data block, and sent data blocks and fingerprint index to the controller. After receiving a client request, the controller selected the best target storage node based on real-time monitoring on the current status of each server, while the server side queried indexs based on different data types in order to narrow the search field. The experiments validated the deduplication ratio of the new proposed mechanism. Experimental results show that the mechanism has better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presented a novel ubiquitous knowledge cloud model based on Cloud-P2P network platform, which organized the various types of documents, knowledge orderly together, and took full account of the available resources of network edge. In the premise of protecting user's experience, the model made the tasks about knowledge requirement submitted from users migrate from the network servers to the nodes of network edge. To further improve the users' satisfaction, it proposed a new dynamic complex adaptive quality of service protection mechanism, which provided an effective solution of the problem of server performance bottleneck in peak time existing in the traditional knowledge systems through differentiating the different types of users and setting the threshold of server load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the whole network system security capability, this paper proposed a new distributed collaborative malicious process identification mechanism based on multi-mobile-agent. The mechanism made the network servers and terminals collaborate organically. Terminals submitted the reports of suspicious process to servers initiatively, which would be sent to the experts to identify. The servers could also collect terminals' information and update the process information bases on the user terminals to meet the software updating status initiatively. The method enhanced the traditional stand-alone defense into the network collaborative defense level. In order to avoid the system bottleneck and improve the system performance, the mechanism adopted the multi-mobile-agent to achieve node status monitoring, collaboration and information collection and updating, and it also optimized the route of mobile agent. The prototype system and the performance analysis shows the mechanism has good performance, such as load balancing, good compatibility, rapid responding, flexibility and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Upper urinary tract stones combined with parenchymal infiltrative renal pelvic cancer are challenging to detect on imaging and to evaluate the differential diagnosis. Case Presentation: The symptoms and diagnoses in three cases of parenchymal infiltrative renal pelvic cancer and upper urinary tract stones that occurred between June 2019 and June 2022 were reviewed. Primary symptoms of lumbar discomfort and hematuria were evident in all 3 patients. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) abdominal imaging revealed that all three cases had hydronephrosis along with renal stones, while the other two cases only had localized hypoenhancement of the renal parenchyma, which was only thought to be limited inflammatory changes in the renal cortex as a result of the combination of renal pelvis infection. After percutaneous nephrolithotomy or ureteroscopic lithotripsy, a combined renal pelvis tumor was discovered in all of these instances. Radical tumor surgery was later performed. One patient who had several tumor metastases passed away 6 months after surgery. A case with multiple metastases was discovered 15 months after surgery and survived with the help of the current chemotherapy. A case with a bladder tumor recurrence was discovered 16 months after surgery and had transurethral bladder tumor electrosurgery and routine bladder perfusion chemotherapy. Conclusion: Upper urinary tract stones and parenchymal infiltrative pyel carcinoma have atypical imaging, easily confused with infectious diseases. CT or computed tomography urography (CTU) must be considered by urologists. Patients who have a CT with local renal parenchyma density should be suspected of having parenchymal invasive renal pelvis carcinoma; a needle biopsy ought to be performed; and repeat biopsies may be performed if necessary. High-risk individuals need multiple, sufficient biopsies as needed and a comprehensive intraoperative assessment of the renal pelvic mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical obstruction is the most common cause of shunt failure for hydrocephalic patients. However, the diagnosis is extremely challenging and often requires invasive testing methods. Thus, a simple and non-invasive technique is in urgent need to predict the intracranial pressure (ICP) of hydrocephalic patients during their post-surgical follow-up, which could help neurosurgeons to determine the conditions of the shunt system. Two groups of patients were enrolled in the current study. In group I, patients were enrolled as they were diagnosed with high ICP hydrocephalus and received shunt surgery. The shunt valve pressures were taken for their post-surgical ICP. Meanwhile, the participants of group II exhibited abnormally increased lumbar puncture opening pressure (LPOP; from 180 to 400 mmH2O). Both the ICP and LPOP were used to match with their corresponding tympanic membrane temperature (TMT). When patients' ICP were in the normal range (group I, from 50 to 180 mmH2O), the TMT correlated with ICP in a linear regression model (R2 = 0.59, p < 0.001). Interestingly, when patients exhibited above-normal ICP (LPOP was from 180 to 400 mmH2O), their TMT fit well with the ICP in a third-order polynomial regression (R2 = 0.88). When the ICP was 287.98 mmH2O, the TMT approached the vertex, which was 38.54 °C. Based on this TMT-ICP algorithm, we invented a non-invasive ICP monitor system. Interestingly, a tight linear correlation was detected between the ICP data drawn from the non-invasive device and Codman ICP monitoring system (R2 = 0.93, p < 0.01). We believe the TMT-ICP algorithm (the Y-Jiang model) could be used for preliminary prediction of shunt malfunction as well as monitoring ICP changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the porous medium model, the monolayer coolant-side flow and heat transfer in the plate-fin oil coolers with 5 kinds of structures were numerically simulated by means of the finite volume method. The results indicate that the distribution of pressure and temperature is more even and the temperature difference is larger when the inlet and outlet are diagonally positioned than they are positioned on the same side, with the fins' layouts in the same direction. Given the same outlet positions, the distribution of pressure and temperature in the case of transverse arrangement of fins is more even, and the pressure difference is larger than those in the case of vertical arrangement, while similar temperature differences occur in both cases. The plate-fin oil cooler with clapboards has the biggest temperature difference as well as pressure difference 1 order of magnitude higher than that of other structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To detect and compare the bone microstructure and osteoblast and osteoclast activity in different regions of human osteonecrotic femoral heads. Methods: Osteonecrotic femoral heads were obtained from 10 patients (6 males, 4 females; Ficat IV) undergoing total hip arthroplasty between 2011 and 2013. The samples were divided into subchondral bone, necrotic, sclerotic, and healthy regions based on micro-computed tomography (CT) images. The bone microstructure, micromechanics, and osteoblast and osteoclast activity were assessed using micro-CT, pathology, immunohistochemistry, nanoindentation, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and Western blotting. Results: (1) The spatial structure of the bone trabeculae differed markedly in the various regions of the osteonecrotic femoral heads. (2) The elastic modulus and hardness of the bone trabeculae in the healthy and necrotic regions did not differ significantly (P >0.05). (3) The subchondral bone and necrotic region were positive on TRAP staining, while the other regions were negative. (4) On immunohistochemical staining, RANK and RANKL staining intensities were increased significantly in the subchondral bone and necrotic region compared with the healthy region, while RUNX2 and BMP2 staining intensities were increased significantly in the sclerotic region compared with the necrotic region. (5) OPG, RANK, RANKL, RUNX2, BMP2, and BMP7 protein levels were greater in the necrotic and sclerotic region than in subchondral bone and the healthy region. Conclusion: The micromechanical properties of bone trabeculae in the necrotic region did not differ significantly from the healthy region. During the progress of osteonecrosis, the bone structure changed markedly. Osteoclast activity increased in subchondral bone and the necrotic region while osteoblast activity increased in the sclerotic region. We speculate that the altered osteoblast and osteoclast activity leads to a reduction in macroscopic mechanical strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synchronous fluorescence spectra of fibrinolytic principle (FP) from snake venom of Agkistodon acutus have been studied. It is found that the synchronous fluorescence spectrum of FP for 70 nm wavelength intervals shows the characteristic spectra of tryptophan residues in FP molecules. The effects of solution pH and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the synchronous fluorescence spectra and fibrinolytic activity of FP have been also investigated. The results reveal that the conformation of FP is stable in the pH range 4–7 and FP under acidic conditions is more stable than in alkaline conditions and, that calcium ion in FP plays a critical role in keeping its biological activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saikosaponin b2 (SSb2) can be extracted from Bupleurum spp. roots (Radix Bupleuri), which belongs to the Umbelliferae family. The current study aimed to explore the effects of SSb2 on proliferation of breast cancer cells and to identify the mechanism by which SSb2 affects breast cancer cell migration. mRNA expression levels of STAT3 and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) were determined and increased expression was observed in 16 breast cancer tissues compared with the paracancerous tissues. MTT, wound healing, colony formation assays and western blot suggested that SSb2 inhibited MCF-7 proliferation and migration. It was further identified by western blot analysis that SSb2 treatment reduced levels of phosphorylated STAT3, VASP, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) 2 and MMP9 in MCF-7 compared with the untreated cells. In addition, it was demonstrated that inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation decreased VASP expression levels and induction of STAT3 phosphorylation increased VASP levels. Furthermore, it was observed that the treatment of Kunming mice with SSb2 at 30 mg/kg/day for 30 days induced no obvious changes in the liver or kidney tissues, as determined by haematoxylin and eosin staining. In conclusion, these results indicated that SSb2 may be a potential antitumor drug for the treatment of breast cancer, which acts by suppressing proliferation and migration by downregulating the STAT3 signalling pathway and inhibiting the expression of VASP, MMP2 and MMP9 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors among women worldwide. About 70‐75% of primary breast cancers belong to estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast cancer. In the development of ER‐positive breast cancer, abnormal activation of the ERα pathway plays an important role and is also a key point leading to the failure of clinical endocrine therapy. In this study, we found that the small molecule peptide chlorotoxin (CTX) can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. In in vitro study, CTX inhibits the expression of ERα in breast cancer cells. Further studies showed that CTX can directly bind to ERα and change the protein secondary structure of its LBD domain, thereby inhibiting the ERα signaling pathway. In addition, we also found that vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is a target gene of ERα signaling pathway, and CTX can inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through ERα/VASP signaling pathway. In in vivo study, CTX significantly inhibits growth of ER overexpressing breast tumor and, more importantly, based on the mechanism of CTX interacting with ERα, we found that CTX can target ER overexpressing breast tumors in vivo. Our study reveals a new mechanism of CTX anti‐ER‐positive breast cancer, which also provides an important reference for the study of CTX anti‐ER‐related tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3A on p. 8312 showing the results from ALP staining and Alizarin Red S staining experiments, two pairs of apparently overlapping data panels were identified in the Dex 10 SP 6 sp M / TMP 50 M, 100 M and 200 M data panels. 2A on p. 8311, portraying the results of immunostaining experiments for osterix, the "GIOP" and "GIOP+TMP (20)" data panels contained overlapping data, such that these images were derived from apparently the same original source, where they were intended to show the results from differently performed experiments. Mol Med Rep 16: 8307-8314, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7610 Subsequently to the publication of the above paper, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that, in Fig. [Extracted from the article]

Highlights • Indirubin alleviates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation. • The production of γδ T cell and CCR6 γδ T in the spleen and lymph nodes changed in indirubin treated mice. • Indirubin suppressed IL-17 A expression and secretion, and Jak3/Stat3 activation in in vitro cultured γδ T cells. Abstract Objectives Indirubin (IR) is a bisindole compound extracted from the leaves of Chinese herb Indigo Naturalis. Indigo Naturalis has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease in which γδ T cells play an important role. This study aims to determine the immunoregulatory effects and the underlying mechanisms of Indirubin in psoriasis-related inflammatory responses. Methods BALB/c mice with imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis were treated with saline (Model), 1 mg/kg methotrexate (MTX) that serves as a positive control, or 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg Indirubin(IR) intragastrically. Keratinocytes proliferation, inflammatory cells infiltration, the expression of inflammatory cytokines and Jak/Stat pathway-related proteins in the skin lesion were examined. The abundance of γδ T cells in lymph nodes and spleen was determined by flow cytometry. The IL-17 expression and secretion, and the activation of Jak3/Stat3 pathways in in vitro cultured γδ T cell were tested. Results Indirubin ameliorated keratinocyte proliferation, reduced the infiltration of CD3+ T cells, IL-17 A-producing γδ T cells, and CD11b+ neutrophils, inhibited the mRNA expression of Il1 , Il6 , Il23 , Il17a and Il22 , and the protein expression of Jak/Stat pathway-related molecules in the skin lesion. Indirubin also reduced the abundance of γδ T cell and CCR6+ γδ T cells (the major IL-17 A producer) in spleen and lymph nodes. In cultured γδ T cells, Indirubin inhibited the mRNA expression of Il17a and Ifng , and the secretion of IL-17 A, while suppressed the activation of Jak3/Stat3 pathways. Conclusion Indirubin alleviates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis mainly through reducing the inflammatory responses mediated by IL-17 A-producing γδ T cells involving Jak3/Stat3 activation. Our results highlighted the novel mechanisms by which Indirubin ameliorates psoriasis-related inflammatory responses, supporting its therapeutic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Psoriasis vulgaris is mediated by T and dendritic cells. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) on activated dendritic cells (DCs) using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model and murine bone marrow–derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) stimulated with resiquimod (R848) in vitro. Materials and methods The mice were treated with IMQ and intragastrically administered 25–100 mg/kg/day of AKBA, 1 mg/kg/day of methotrexate (MTX), or normal saline. The inflammation of skin lesions in IMQ mice were evaluated by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and pathological staining. The related proteins of Toll-like receptor (TLR)7/8 pathways were assessed using Western blotting, and the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-12p40 mRNA using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. The numbers of DCs and marker-positive BMDCs were assessed using flow cytometry and the levels of inflammatory factors using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Key findings AKBA and MTX obviously improved the psoriasis-like skin lesions of IMQ-treated mice. AKBA also obviously decreased the PASI score, reduced the thickness of epidermis, ameliorated the infiltration of CD3+ and CD11c+ cells in skin lesions, decreased the activation of local DCs, inhibited the mRNA expression and secretion of inflammatory factors IL-12 and IL-23, inhibited the maturation and differentiation of DCs to promote T-cell differentiation, and inhibited the activation of TLR7/8 and IRF signaling pathways. Significance This study implied that AKBA might have an anti-inflammatory effect on psoriasis by inhibiting the maturation and activation of DCs via the TLR8 and IRF signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Breast cancer was the highest incidence of tumor in women, which seriously threaten women's health. Our previous study found that the expression of IQUB (IQ motif and ubiquitin domain containing) was significantly increased in the development of breast cancer by transcriptome sequencing. However, there were no studies on the mechanism of IQUB in tumorigenesis. Further study showed that IQUB expression was significantly increased in breast cancer, which had a significantly positive correlation with pathological differentiation of breast cancer by tissue microarray analysis. Furthermore, we also discovered that IQUB overexpression could obviously promote the proliferation and migration of MCF‐7 cells and increase the proportion of MCF‐7 cells in S and G2/M phase in vitro study, while knockdown of IQUB caused inhibition of cell proliferation and migration in MDA‐MB‐231 cells and increased the proportion of MDA‐MB‐231 cells in G1 phase. Furthermore, IQUB overexpression or knockdown combined with treatment of Licl or MG‐132 showed that IQUB activated Akt to promote GSK3β phosphorylation, which in turn activated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in breast cancer cells. Taken together, these results indicated that upregulated IQUB promoted breast cancer cell proliferation and migration via activating Akt/GSK3β/β‐catenin signaling pathway, which played an important part in the tumorigenesis and development of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is closely associated with the pathogenesis of heart failure. Jujuboside A (JUA) is a type of saponin isolated from the seeds of Zizyphus jujuba. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that JUA possesses multiple biological effects, including antianxiety, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of JUA on norepinephrine (NE)-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cells and to investigate its underlying mechanisms. Rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes were pretreated with JUA and were then exposed to NE as an in vitro model of myocardial apoptosis. A cell viability assay, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, all revealed that NE induced H9c2 cell apoptosis. The results demonstrated that NE inhibited cell viability, and enhanced cell damage and apoptosis of H9c2 cells. Conversely, pretreatment with JUA was able to reverse NE-induced decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, JUA suppressed upregulation of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein/Bcl-2 ratio, and inhibited the increased protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 following NE exposure. However, the protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-12 and cleaved caspase-8 were not significantly altered following exposure to NE or JUA pretreatment. In addition, in JUA-pretreated cells, the protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-p38 and p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase were downregulated compared with in NE-treated cells. Furthermore, JUA regulated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in NE-treated cells and significantly increased the expression levels of p-AKT. Taken together, these data suggested that JUA may protect against NE-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes via modulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and AKT signaling pathways. Therefore, JUA may be considered a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of betulinic acid (BA) on triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and observe the ultrastructural changes. The concentration of BA required to induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells has been previously reported. In this study, a cell counting kit-8 proliferation assay was used to measure cell viability and the apoptosis rate. Western blotting was performed to observe the protein expression levels of Bcl-2. Cell morphology and changes in cell density were observed by microscopy. Electron microscopy revealed pyknotic nuclei as well as vacuoles. Collectively, our results showed the morphological mechanisms by which BA impairs the ultrastructure of MDA-MB-231 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper explores the connection between paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent, and gastric cancer cells. In this experiment, it is demonstrated that paclitaxel triggers autophagy and inhibits proliferation of gastric cancer cells. An 3–(4,5–dimethyl–2–thiazolyl)–2,5–diphenyl–2–H–tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect cell viability and the IC50of paclitaxel. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of P62, and to measure the protein expression of autophagy. Immunofluorescence was used to reveal the appearance of punctate structures in the cytoplasm—this ultrastructure associated with autophagy was observed by microscopy. Electron microscopy revealed the formation of double-membrane autophagosomes, a typical structure of autophagy. In conclusion, our research indicates that paclitaxel may influence gastric cancer BGC823 cells by way of inducing autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature-dependent investigations of circular and square coaxial through-silicon vias (C-TSVs) are carried out in this paper, which can provide an effective solution to suppressing various couplings, such as intra- and intersubstrate, and crosstalk among multi-TSVs. An equivalent lumped-element circuit model is proposed for both C-TSVs, and their parasitic capacitance values, per-unit-height distributed parameters, characteristic impedance values, and S-parameters are characterized and compared numerically for different frequencies and temperatures. Furthermore, self-heating effects in both C-TSVs are investigated with a set of closed-form equations derived for determining their thermal resistances. Their average power handling capabilities are addressed, which are verified using the static finite-element method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mononuclear cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) complexes, [Co(trenb)(N 3 )]Cl ( 1 ) and [Co(dienb)(N 3 ) 2 (OAc)] ( 2 ) (trenb = tris[2-(benzylamino)ethyl]amine, dienb = 1,9-diphenyl-2,5,8-triazanonane) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and electronic spectra. Their crystal structures were also determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. In Complex 1 , cobalt(II) is five-coordinate trigonal bipyramidal with one azido nitrogen atom and four nitrogen donors of the tripodal ligand; the chloride interacts weakly with one of the secondary amino groups of trenb via a hydrogen bond. In Complex 2 , cobalt(III) is in a distorted octahedral coordination environment, consisting of three nitrogen atoms of the amine ligand, two azide nitrogen atoms and an oxygen atom of the acetate ion; a six-membered ring involving the hydrogen bond may stabilize the complex, which maintains its solid geometry in DMF as indicated by the electronic spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms of the digestive system, with China leading in terms of morbidity and mortality rates. Betulinic acid (BA) is a widely-occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid that has been reported to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. BA can combat tumors by inducing apoptosis, regulating cell cycle, and inhibiting autophagy, but its mechanism of action in the context of GC is unclear. A preliminary study found that higher expression of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) was correlated with migration in the GC cell line. In this study, BGC-823 cells and MNK45 cells were treated with BA for investigating its effect on the proliferation and migration of cells. Moreover, the expression of VASP and upstream signal molecules were also investigated in this background. The results showed BA could inhibit the proliferation and migration the GC cells. Furthermore, NF-κB acted as a transcription factor to upregulate VASP expression. Moreover, BA could downregulate the expression of VASP at the protein and mRNA level by inhibiting NF-κB activity. In conclusion, these results suggest that BA could inhibit the expression of VASP by negatively regulating NF-κB, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and migration of the GC cells. Our study provides a theoretical basis for exploring the molecular mechanism underlying BA-induced inhibition of proliferation and migration in GC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The important role of LncRNA in the development of breast cancer is attracting more and more attention. In the previous study, we found that the expression level of LncRNA SNHG6 in breast cancer tissues and cells was significantly increased, but its mechanism in the development of breast cancer was still unclear. Our study found that knockdown of SNHG6 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Further study showed that knockdown of SNHG6 significantly inhibited the expression level of VASP. More importantly, SNHG6 and VASP both can bind directly to miR-26a, suggesting that SNHG6 could act as a ceRNA to sponge miR-26a, thereby promoting the expression of VASP, which leading to activated proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Taken together, this study revealed the important role of the SNHG6/miR-26a/VASP regulatory network in the development of breast cancer, and provided a reference for exploring new pathogenesis and biomarkers of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]