Salidroside and FG-4592 ameliorate high glucose-induced glomerular endothelial cells injury via HIF upregulation.

Increasing research indicates that hyperglycemia plays a crucial role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN); however, effective treatment for preventing or slowing DN progression are seriously lacking. Although salidroside (SAL) has been demonstrated to have a positive anti-diabetic effect, the cellular mechanisms remain unclear. FG-4592, a novel prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, was used to regulate HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression. The present study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of SAL and FG-4592 on high glucose (HG)-induced rat glomerular endothelial cells (rGECs) injury. HG-cultured rGECs were used to induce a diabetic environment. An MTT assay, RT-qPCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescent staining were performed to investigate the effects of SAL on HG-induced rGECs injury. FG-4592 and SAL protected rGECs against HG-induced injury by increasing cellular viability and reducing the cell apoptosis rate. SAL and FG-4592 downregulated PHD-2 expression and upregulated HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression. In conclusion, our findings suggest that SAL and FG-4592 ameliorate HG-induced rGEC injury by upregulating HIF expression, indicating that SAL and FG-4592 might be favorable for further DN-treatment.

Phase II Study of a Bi-Weekly Chemotherapy Regimen of Combined Liposomal Paclitaxel and Nedaplatin for the Treatment of Advanced Squamous Cell Lung Cancer.

The platinum-based, two-drug, 3-week regimen is currently the main first-line chemotherapy program for the treatment of advanced squamous cell lung cancer. The aim of this phase II clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of the bi-weekly program of liposomal paclitaxel combined with nedaplatin as a first-line treatment for advanced squamous cell lung cancer. A total of 52 cases of advanced squamous cell lung cancer were included in this phase II clinical trial. Patients received intravenous infusion of liposomal paclitaxel (100 mg/m2) and nedaplatin (50 mg/m2) on days 1 and 15 of a 4-week cycle. Each patient received two to six cycles of chemotherapy, consistent with the regimen of combined liposomal paclitaxel and nedaplatin. The total effective rate of this chemotherapy program was 37.5%. The median progression-free survival time was 8.5 months (95% confidence interval: 7.8-9.2). The median survival time was 16 months (95% confidence interval: 14.1-17.9). The main adverse event was myelosuppression. Grade 3 leukopenia was noted in seven patients (13.5%), and no grade 4 leukopenia was observed. Grade 3 anemia was noted in four patients (7.7%), and no grade 4 anemia was observed. In addition, no grade 2 or higher thrombocytopenia and no grade 3 or 4 non-bone marrow toxicity was detected. The bi-weekly program of liposomal paclitaxel combined with nedaplatin is effective for the treatment of advanced squamous cell lung cancer, with high safety and few adverse events. However, additional studies are warranted to confirm these results. The trial was registered under the number ChiCTR-OIN-17011423.

RETRACTED: Long non-coding RNA LINC00978 promotes cell proliferation and tumorigenesis via regulating microRNA-497/NTRK3 axis in gastric cancer.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editors-in-Chief. Given the comments of Dr Elisabeth Bik regarding this article "…the Western blot bands in all 400+ papers are all very regularly spaced and have a smooth appearance in the shape of a dumbbell or tadpole, without any of the usual smudges or stains. All bands are placed on similar looking backgrounds, suggesting they were copy/pasted from other sources, or computer generated", the journal requested the authors to provide the raw data. However, the authors were not able to fulfil this request and therefore the Editors-in-Chief decided to retract the article.

Efficacy and safety of pemetrexed and nedaplatin followed by pemetrexed maintenance therapy in advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed and nedaplatin followed by pemetrexed maintenance therapy in advanced lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A total of 53 advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients hospitalized between July 2013 and June 2016 with a performance status ≤2 were enrolled in this study. All patients received 4-6 cycles of combination chemotherapy comprising pemetrexed (500 mg/m2 dL) and nedaplatin (80 mg/m2 dL). Each chemotherapy cycle consisted of 21 days. After the efficacy of the combination chemotherapy was assessed, patients with stable disease, partial remission, or complete remission received pemetrexed maintenance therapy (500 mg/m2 dL) until disease progression or intolerable side effects occurred. Each pemetrexed maintenance therapy cycle was 28 days. RESULTS: After completion of the pemetrexed and nedaplatin combination chemotherapy, 26 (49.1%), 15 (28.3%), and 12 (22.6%) patients exhibited partial remission, stable disease, and progressive disease, respectively. Complete remission was not achieved in any patient. Therefore, the response and disease control percentages were 49.1% and 77.4%, respectively. A total of 38 patients were further administered pemetrexed maintenance chemotherapy for an average of 9.8 cycles. The median progression-free survival and overall survival of the 38 patients receiving the pemetrexed maintenance therapy were 9.3 (95% confidence interval: 8.6-10) months and 16.3 (95% confidence interval: 14.5-18.2) months, respectively. The major adverse effects included bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal reactions, which were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Combination chemotherapy based on pemetrexed and nedaplatin is effective for the treatment of advanced lung adenocarcinoma with a high tolerance by patients. In addition, pemetrexed maintenance therapy of advanced lung adenocarcinoma is safe and effective for the treatment of advanced lung adenocarcinoma following pemetrexed and nedaplatin combination chemotherapy.