Search

The main purpose of this article is to develop a new and reliable saliva-based clinical diagnostic method for the early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study used an immunoproteomic approach which allowed the detection of immunogenic host proteins in patients’ samples using pooled human antibodies. In an attempt to investigate potential biomarkers of OSCC, two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by immunoblotting of saliva from patients and controls were compared. The protein spots of interest were analyzed using 2-DE image analyzer and subsequently subjected to MALDI-TOF/TOF and then matched against NCBI database. The result showed that four protein clusters, namely Human Pancreatic Alpha-amylase (HPA), Human Salivary Amylase (sAA), keratin-10 (K-10), and Ga Module Complexed with Human Serum Albumin (GA-HSA), had exhibited immunoreactivity in western blot. The results are suggestive of the potential use of the differentially expressed saliva protein as tumor biomarkers for the detection of OSCC. However, further studies are recommended to validate this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the conformation andrelaxation dynamics of singleDNA molecules in strong confinement (smaller than persistence length)with coarse-grained semiflexible chain (SFC) models using overdampedLangevin dynamics simulations. DNA properties in nanochannels andnanoslits are studied in confinement with height (H) ranging from the DNA radius of gyration (Rg) to smaller than the persistence length (P). Qualitatively different dependences of chain conformation andrelaxation time on Hin moderate (P< H< Rg) andstrong (H < P) confinement areobserved for very stiff SFC in the nanochannel but not in the nanoslit.The chain relaxation time (trelax) exhibitsstrong power-law dependence in H< Pnanochannels, verified with and without including hydrodynamic interactions(HI). The inclusion of hydrodynamic interactions affects chain relaxationdynamics even in strong confinement, indicating the intersegmentalhydrodynamic interactions affect dominant segmental relaxation mechanismsof strongly confined polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants, such as Polyalthia longifolia (Indian mast tree), are important therapeutic sources for curing human diseases. In this work P. longifolia leaf extract was characterized by chromatographic and spectral fingerprinting techniques, phytochemical and heavy metal analyses, and microscopy. Light microscopy of a transverse section of the leaf of P. longifolia revealed the presence of various plant cells. Phytochemical screening results revealed the presence of alkaloids, triterpenoids, tannins, saponin, anthraquinones, and glycosides in the extract. The concentrations of heavy metals determined in the extract were well below the permissible limit. Nine peaks observed in the HPLC spectra showed the presence of various compounds in the extract. The GCMS method used for quantification of (3β,4α,5α,9β)-4,14-dimethyl-9,19-cycloergost-24(28)-en-3-yl acetate (i.e., cycloeucalenol acetate) in the extract was rapid, accurate, precise, linear (R² = 0.8752), and robust. The HPTLC analysis showed ten specific peaks for the methanolic extract of P. longifolia leaf. Twelve major peaks in the range of 4,000 to 500 cm-1 were observed in the FTIR spectra, which represented various specific functional groups in the extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For completely resected primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), mitotic rate, tumor size, and tumor location are important risk factors for recurrence. However, molecular markers for recurrence are still lacking. Methods: We reanalyzed GIST gene expression profile GSE8167 available from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and confirmed the prognostic influence of one selected gene, aurora kinase A ( AURKA), in another cohort of 142 patients using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: Thirty-two cases in GSE8167 were classified into two risk groups with distinct recurrence-free survival (RFS) and expression profiles using modified criteria of Miettinen et al. from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP-Miettinen). AURKA was among the 19 genes common to the top 50 features of the high-risk phenotype and a 67-gene signature called the complexity index in sarcomas. AURKA was significantly overexpressed in the high-risk group, and patients with high AURKA expression had significantly worse RFS than those with low expression. In the IHC-validated cohort, AURKA expression was significantly higher in nongastric tumors than in gastric tumors and was significantly correlated with AFIP-Miettinen risk group. Univariate analysis showed that RFS was significantly influenced by tumor size, mitotic count, AFIP-Miettinen risk group classification, and AURKA expression. However, only tumor size ( P = 0.017), mitotic count ( P = 0.007), and AURKA expression ( P = 0.039) were identified as independent unfavorable prognostic factors for RFS in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: By integrating bioinformatics and clinicopathological studies, AURKA was identified as a marker for high-risk GIST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, in vitro antioxidant, free radical scavenging capacity, and hepatoprotective activity of methanol extracts from Polyalthia longifolia and Cassia spectabilis were evaluated using established in vitro models such as ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical (OH), nitric oxide radical (NO) scavenging, metal chelating, and antilipidperoxidation activities. Interestingly, all the extracts showed considerable in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner when compared to the standard antioxidant which verified the presence of strong antioxidant compound in leaf extracts tested. Phenolic and flavonoid content of these extracts is significantly correlated with antioxidant capacity. Since P. longifolia extract was exhibited better in vitro antioxidant activities, it was subjected for in vivo hepatoprotective activity in paracetamol-intoxicated mice. Therapy of P. longifolia showed the liver protective effect on biochemical and histopathological alterations. Moreover, histological studies also supported the biochemical finding, that is, the maximum improvement in the histoarchitecture of the liver. Results revealed that P. longifolia leaf extract could protect the liver against paracetamol-induced oxidative damage by possibly increasing the antioxidant protection mechanism inmice. Our findings indicated that P. longifolia and C. spectabilis have potential as good sources of natural antioxidant/antiaging compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Because benzodiazepines (BZDs) may be abused, prescribing them is debatable. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prescription of BZDs to explore the current status of BZD use at discharge and at 4 months after discharge. Methods From 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2006, prescribed doses for BZDs at discharge and at 4 months after discharge were recorded for all discharged inpatients with schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and major depressive disorder. Two-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of severe mental illness and co-occurring alcohol abuse/dependence on BZD doses at discharge and at 4 months after discharge. Results Patients with severe mental illness prescribed with significantly higher rates and higher doses of BZDs at discharge and at 4 months after discharge are more likely to have major depressive disorder and to have co-occurring alcohol abuse/dependence problems. No significant interactions were found between severe mental illness and co-occurring alcohol abuse/dependence. Conclusions These findings suggest that caution should be applied in prescribing BZDs to patients with severe mental illness, particularly those with major depressive disorder and co-occurring alcohol abuse/dependence. Future studies require being conducted in many different mental health-care systems in Taiwan to generalize the findings. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality control standardizations of the various medicinal plants used in traditional medicine is becoming more important today in view of the commercialization of formulations based on these plants. An attempt at standardization of Cassia spectabilis leaf has been carried out with respect to authenticity, assay and chemical constituent analysis. The authentication involved many parameters, including gross morphology, microscopy of the leaves and functional group analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The assay part of standardization involved determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract which could help assess the chemical effects and establish curative values. The MIC of the C. spectabilis leaf extracts was investigated using the Broth Dilution Method. The extracts showed a MIC value of 6.25 mg/mL, independent of the extraction time. The chemical constituent aspect of standardization involves quantification of the main chemical components in C. spectabilis. The GCMS method used for quantification of 2,4-(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione in the extract was rapid, accurate, precise, linear (R² = 0.8685), rugged and robust. Hence this method was suitable for quantification of this component in C. spectabilis. The standardization of C. spectabilis is needed to facilitate marketing of medicinal plants, with a view to promoting the export of valuable Malaysian Traditional Medicinal plants such as C. spectabilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This work establishes a general protocol for synthesizing phytosphingosines with various lengths of lipid chains. The synthetic strategy included the Wittig reaction and olefin cross-metathesis as key steps. Combining these two C–C bond formation methods provide rapid access to adequately protected phytosphingosine backbones. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents information on a study which estimated educational choice, wage determination and rate of return to education in Taiwan using the Manpower Utilization Survey data of 1996. Theoretical background for the optimal education decision and self-selection process; Estimation method and data description; Estimation results; Conclusions.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant global challenge in the medical field, accounting for approximately 300,000 incidences and 145,000 mortalities annually. Studies suggest that early cancer detection is the most vital factor in improving OSCC patient outcomes. Effective clinical diagnosis methods for early OSCC are needed urgently. OSCC biomarkers are identified to be associated with cancer progression and biosensors are devices developed to detect the presence of OSCC biomarkers to allow early cancer diagnosis. Biosensor technology has significant potential in providing rapid and accurate detection of OSCC biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity. Biosensors have various advantages compared to conventional diagnostic methods such as being non-invasive, low-cost, and convenient. Biosensors hold the potential to be adopted as point-of-care-testing (POCT) devices by bringing biosensor technology to the patients. This review aims to provide a comprehensive review by describing and comparing different categories of OSCC biosensors based on their advantages and drawbacks. The recent obstacles and opportunities for developing effective biosensors for cancer diagnosis are summarized. • Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant global challenge. • Effective clinical diagnosis methods for early OSCC are needed urgently. • OSCC biomarkers are identified to be associated with cancer progression. • Biosensors are devices developed to detect the presence of OSCC biomarkers. • This review described and compared different categories of OSCC biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motile characteristics and mechanisms that drive the dissemination of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are elusive. Here, we show that DLBCL initiates dissemination through activating STAT3-mediated amoeboid migration. Mechanistically, STAT3 activates RHOH transcription, which competes with the RhoGDP dissociation inhibitor RhoGDIγ to activate RhoA. In addition, activated STAT3 regulates microtubule dynamics and releases ARHGEF2 to activate RhoA. Both the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib and the microtubule stabilizer Taxol suppress DLBCL cell dissemination in vivo. A clinical DLBCL sample analysis shows that STAT3-driven amoeboid movement is particularly important for the transition from stage I to stage II. This study elucidates the mechanism of DLBCL dissemination and progression and highlights the potential of combating advanced DLBCL with a JAK/STAT inhibitor or microtubule stabilizer to reduce DLBCL motility; these findings may have a great impact on the development of patient-tailored treatments for DLBCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]