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Multiple classes of molecular biomarkers have been studied as potential predictors for rectal cancer (RC) response. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the most widely used blood-based marker of RC and has proven to be an effective predictive marker. Cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is another tumor biomarker used for RC diagnosis and postoperative monitoring, as well as monitoring of the therapeutic effect. Using a panel of tumor markers for RC outcome prediction is a practical approach.To assess the predictive effect of pre-neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) CEA and CA19-9 levels on the prognosis of stage II/III RC patients.CEA and CA19-9 levels were evaluated 1 wk before NCRT. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut-off point of CEA and CA19-9 levels for the prognosis were 3.55 and 19.01, respectively. The novel serum tumor biomarker (NSTB) scores were as follows: score 0: Pre-NCRT CEA3.55 and CA19-919.01; score 2: Pre-NCRT CEA3.55 and CA19-919.01; score 1: Other situations. Pathological information was recorded according to histopathological reports after the operation.In the univariate analysis, pre-NCRT CEA3.55 [The combination of post-NCRT CEA and CA19-9 was a predictive factor for clinical stage II/III RC patients receiving NCRT, and the combined index had a stronger predictive effect.

One new cepheline-type alkaloid 8-hydroxyl-cepheline (1) and one new natural product Δ1′,2′-deoxytubulosine (2), together with 9 known alkaloids have been isolated from the fruits and seeds of Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin. The structures of the new alkaloids were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic analysis (2D NMR, HRESIMS). All alkaloids were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines, A-549, Hela and SKOV-3. Compounds 1-4, 6, 8 and 9 exhibited significant inhibitory effects against three human cancer cells with IC50 values (0.1–14 μM) comparable to those of cisplatin.

Chemical investigation of the leaves and stems of the Chinese mangrove Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. led to the isolation and structure elucidation of one new pyrido[1,2-a]indole alkaloid named acanthiline A (1), together with one known compound aurantiamide acetate (2). Compound 1 has a previously unreported natural product skeleton. The structure elucidation of 1 was based on the analysis of its 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic data.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) matrix protein (MP) can induce in vitro apoptosis of tumor cells in the absence of other viral components. Here, the antitumor activity of VSV-MP against lung adenocarcinoma was investigated in vivo. A pVAX-plasmid DNA encoding VSV-MP and control empty vectors (pVAX) were constructed and wrapped-up with liposome. A549 and Spc-A1 human lung adenocarcinoma cells were transfected with liposomal-VSV-MP (Lip-MP) or Lip-pVAX and then examined for cell viability or apoptosis using Hoechst/propidium iodide staining by flow cytometry, and further demonstrated by caspase/poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage analysis. For the in vivo study, A549 and Spc-A1 lung carcinoma models in nude mice were established and randomly assigned into three groups to receive eight 2-weekly intravenous administrations of medium alone as control, Lip-pVAX or Lip-MP, respectively. Subsequently, Lip-MP significantly reduced tumor growth and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice compared with Lip-pVAX and control agents (P

Two novel axial-disubstituted silicon(IV) phthalocyanines (compounds 1 and 2) have been prepared by introducing paracetamol (a common antipyretic analgesic) or its isomer 4-hydroxyphenylacetamide at the axial positions of silicon(IV) phthalocyanine, respectively. Their photophysical and biological properties have been examined. Both compounds are highly soluble and exhibit very similar absorption spectra in N, N-dimethylformamide, which is typical for non-aggregated phthalocyanines. Both compounds are photocytotoxic against HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Compound 2 shows a very high in vitro photodynamic activity, with the IC50 value down to 15 nM. In contrast, compound 1 exhibits a much lower in vitro photodynamic activity toward HT29 cells, which can be attributed to its higher aggregating trend in the biological medium and lower singlet oxygen quantum yield.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) matrix protein (MP) is capable of inducing in vitro apoptosis of tumor cells in the absence of other viral components. Here, we report the potent antitumor and antimetastatic effects of recombinant plasmid pVAX-MP complexed with cationic liposome (DOTAP:Chol) against highly metastatic 4T1 mammary tumor. Mice with 10-day established 4T1 metastatic carcinomas showed a significant reduction in spontaneous lung metastases as well as an evident inhibition in the growths of primary tumors yet without conspicuous systemic toxic effects following a 35-day course of intravenous therapy with pVAX-MP:liposome complexes once every 5 days; the therapy significantly prolonged the survival of the tumor-bearing mice consequently. The histomorphometric analysis revealed an increased percent apoptosis and decreased expression of MMP-9 in pVAX-MP:liposome complexes group. In summary, these results indicate that pVAX-MP:liposome complexes have the ability to inhibit the growths and metastases of mouse breast cancer and they may be a novel and potentially effective therapy against human advanced breast cancer.

A novel zinc(II) phthalocyanine bearing octa-sulphonates has been prepared, which is non-aggregated in water, highly photoactive and low dark-toxic. More interestingly, it exhibits specific affinity to macrophages via the scavenger receptor-A, and can selectively accumulate in tumour sites.

Effect of light quality, including red light, blue light, white light, red and blue mixing light with ratios of 8: 1, 8:2 and 8 : 3, on the growth characteristics and biochenmical composition of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was investigated based on light emitting diode (LED). Results showed that Chlorella pyrenoidosa grew best under blue light, and the optical density, specific growth rate and biomass of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was about 2.4, 0.10 d(-1) and 0.64 g x L(-1), respectively, while the optical density of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was between 1.0 and 1.7, the specific growth rate was between 0.07-0.10 d(-1) and the biomass was between 0.27 and 0.38 g x L(-1) under other light quality after 30 days of cultivation. Under blue light, the optical density, specific growth rate and biomass of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was approximately 2.05 times, 1.33 times and 2.06 times higher than red light, respectively. Moreover, red and blue mixing light was conducive to the synthesis of chlorophyll a and β-carotene of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, and blue light could promote the synthesis of chlorophyll b. Chlorophyll a and carotenoids content of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was 13.5 mg xg(-1) and 5.8 mg x g(-1) respectively under red and blue mixing light with a ratio of 8:1, while it was 8.4 mg x g(-1) and 3.6 mg x g(-1) respectively under blue light. Red and blue mixing light was more conducive to protein and total lipid content per dry cell of Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Protein and total lipid content was 489.3 mg x g(-1) and 311.2 mg x g(-1) under red and blue mixing light with a ratio of 8 : 3, while it was 400.9 mg x g(-1) and 231.9 mg x g(-1) respectively under blue light.

Objective Obesity is a major public health problem. Regulating food intake and promoting metabolism of fat are two important options for treating obesity. Auricular vagus nerve stimulation (AVNS) is considered as an alternative approach to vagal nerve stimulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AVNS and its mechanisms on obesity in obese rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) or a normal diet for 8 wk. Qualified HFD rats were randomly divided into three groups: the HFD group, the AVNS group, and the sham group for 6 wk treatment. Body weight and daily energy intake were recorded weekly. The rats were sacrificed for measurement of weight of bilateral perirenal, epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT), dorsal brown adipose tissue (BAT), and gastric emptying. Serum cholecystokinin (CCK), peptide YY 3 to 36 (PYY 3–36 ) and norepinephrine (NE) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the mRNA expressions of CCK subtype receptor a (CCKa) in the antrum, PYY 3–36 receptor in the distal ileum, β 3 -adrenoceptor, and uncoupling protein gene 1 ( UCP1 ) in the BAT. Results Compared with HFD group, AVNS significantly reduced body weight and epididymal WAT and increased BAT weight, serum NE, mRNA expressions of β 3 -adrenoceptors, and UCP1 of the BAT, but had no effect on daily energy intake, perirenal WAT weight, gastric emptying, serum levels of CCK and PYY, or mRNA expressions of CCKa receptor and PYY 3–36 receptor in the relevant tissues. The sham group, as a comparison group for AVNS, saw less effect in any of the indexes compared with the HFD group. AVNS had more effect on weight loss, reduction of perirenal WAT, and increase of NE, β 3 -adrenoceptor, and UCP1 than sham. Conclusions AVNS was more effective in reducing body weight and causing visceral fat loss. Biochemical tests found more NE released in the serum and more β 3 -adrenoceptor and UCP1 expression in the BAT. All of these features suggested that energy expenditure might play an important role in obesity management by AVNS.

Metastatic breast cancers are hard to treat and almost always fatal. Chloroquine diphosphate, a derivative of quinine, has long been used as a potent and commonly used medicine against different human diseases. We therefore investigated the effects of chloroquine diphosphate on a highly metastatic mouse mammary carcinoma cell line. In vitro treatment of 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells with chloroquine diphosphate resulted in significant inhibition of cellular proliferation and viability, and induction of apoptosis in 4T1 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Further analysis indicated that induction of apoptosis was associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The effect of chloroquine diphosphate was then examined using a mice model in which 4T1 cells were implanted subcutaneously. Chloroquine diphosphate (25mg/kg and 50mg/kg, respectively) significantly inhibited the growth of the implanted 4T1 tumor cells and induced apoptosis in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the metastasis of tumor cells to the lungs was inhibited significantly and the survival of the mice enhanced. These data suggested that chloroquine diphosphate might have chemotherapeutic efficacy against breast cancer including inhibition of metastasis.

To investigate the inhibitory effects of the hepatitis B virus x protein (HBx protein) on tumor in vivo.H22 cells were infected with Ad-eGFP to detect infection efficiency of adenovirus. The BALB/c mouse model of malignant ascites was established by implanting H22 cell intraperitoneally into the animal, Ad-HBx, Ad-null or NS were administered intraperitoneally in BALB/c mice separately to detect HBx expression in H22 cells and effects of HBx on inhibition on proliferation of H22 cells.High efficiency of Ad in infecting H22 cells in vitro was observed. HBx protein was expressed in H22 cells after intraperitoneal injection of Ad-HBx. The effect of Ad-HBx on inhibition of the peritoneal capillary permeability and the ascites accumulation (P0.05); on reduction of the number of red cells and tumor cells counted in malignant ascites (P0.05), and on inhibition of tumor cell life cycle (the G2/M arrest) in malignant ascites were identified by flow cytometric analysis.HBx protein can be expressed in tumour cells and can inhibit the proliferation of tumour cells in vivo, and this might be a new potential treatment for malignant ascites.

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a multi-functional regulatory protein that is known to be involved in viral proliferation, transcriptional activation and cell growth control. However, the actual role of HBx in cell growth control remains controversial. In this study, the impact of HBx on cell growth in vitro and in vivo was further investigated. HBx was able to inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and induce G2/M arrest in vitro. Moreover, unlike many other G2/M arrest mechanisms, HBx did not inhibit cyclin B1-CDK1 kinase activity, but it persistently activated the cyclin B1-CDK1 kinase. In vivo, HBx inhibited tumor cell growth and induced apoptosis as well as inhibited the growth of vascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, HBx induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis through sustained activation of cyclin B1-CDK1 kinase, and negatively regulated cell growth in vitro and in vivo.