Synthesis and Evaluations of Novel Apocynin Derivatives as Anti-Glioma Agents.

Apocynin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone) is a natural polyphenolic compound with multiple biological activities. In the present study, a series of apocynin derivatives were designed and synthesized. The in silico ADMET prediction, blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration assay, anti-NADPH oxidase activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and anti-glioma effects of these apocynin derivatives were evaluated. The anti-glioma mechanisms of candidate compounds were studied by flow cytometer and Western blot. The results showed that D31 exhibited higher BBB penetration, increased ROS generations and significant anti-glioma effects both in vitro and in vivo. Further studies showed that D31 inhibited the activations of NF-κB pathway. Overall, our data demonstrated that D31 inhibited growth and induced apoptosis of glioma, which might be caused by ROS-related NF-κB activation. The current study suggested that D31 could be further explored for its potential use in anti-glioma therapy.

Full-vector multi-mode fiber modeling for short reach serdes links of 112Gbps and beyond.

A rigorous full-vector multi-mode fiber (MMF) model is proposed. It is believed to be the first comparative study of vector and scalar MMF model in terms of differential mode delay (DMD), mode power distribution (MPD), transfer functions as well as eye diagrams. It shows that the vector nature of fiber modes cannot be ignored even though the refractive index difference can be as small as 1%. A standard-compliant methodology for MMF characterization is introduced. The impact of fiber parameters on bandwidth is studied. The statistical transfer function model of OM3 and OM4 fiber is provided. These transfer functions can be applied to the MMF link modeling. Rigorous full-vector MMF model is an essential tool for research and development of MMF link transceivers and standard development of 112Gbps and beyond.

Imaging findings of abdominal peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor: report of four cases with pathological correlation.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (peripheral PNETs) are rare in the abdomen. We report the imaging findings of four peripheral PNETs arising in the abdomen. Three were ill-demarcated tumors and one was a well-demarcated tumor, with extensive local invasion and lymph node metastasis in two cases, respectively. The tumors are of inhomogeneous attenuation and heterogeneous enhancement after intravenous administration of contrast materials. Although their imaging manifestations cannot distinguish them from other sarcomas, recognition of these imaging features may be helpful in suggesting the possibility of peripheral PNETs in some cases.

Value of CT in the diagnosis and follow-up of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. Computed tomography (CT) often shows exophytic gastrointestinal masses with cystic changes, necrosis or fistula formation, and heterogeneous enhancement. After Gleevec therapy, the primary tumor, its metastases, and its recurrences can develop cystic changes and decrease in size, these findings can be satisfactorily monitored by CT. We report on 42 patients with proven GISTs, five presenting with metastases and nine patients with recurrence or development of metastases after surgery and chemotherapy.

Leukemia inhibitory factor promotes recovery of locomotor function following spinal cord injury in the mouse.

We describe an easy, minimal, rapid, and reproducible model of mouse spinal cord injury (SCI) that results in permanent paralysis involving one hind limb. We used this model to evaluate whether the paralysis can be prevented using two known neuroprotective drugs, namely leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and minocycline (MIN). Mice in the control vehicle (VEH) and MIN groups with SCI had negligible recovery of locomotor behavior. In contrast, the LIF groups showed a statistically significant improvement in locomotor behavior. Maximal recovery was observed when LIF was administered 2, 8, and 24 h after lesion, while no significant recovery was observed when LIF treatment commenced 1 week after the lesion. Unbiased stereological estimates revealed significantly higher numbers of myelinated axons below the lesion in the maximal recovery LIF groups. We conclude that LIF may be a useful treatment for recovery from paralysis after SCI.