Integration of the Metabolomic and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Remarkable Compounds of G. bicolor Young and Mature Leaves under Different Iron Nutrient Conditions.

Gynura bicolor (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. (G. bicolor) is a functional vegetable rich in iron (Fe) and widely grown in Asia (e.g., Japan and China). Because most Fe in the soil exists in the form of insoluble oxides or hydroxides, it is difficult for plants to obtain Fe from the soil. A comparative metabolomic and transcriptome study was carried out to investigate the effect of Fe deficiency on metabolite synthesis and gene expression in young and mature leaves of G. bicolor. Fe deficiency caused chlorosis and decreased the chlorophyll content in young leaves. The metabolomic results for young leaves showed that l-glutamate and 4-hydroxybutanoic acid lactone significantly increased and decreased, respectively. The transcriptome results showed that the expression levels of genes involved in ferric reduction oxidase 7 and 14-kDa proline-rich protein DC2.15-like were significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively. However, Fe deficiency had little effect on mature leaves.

Significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in extremity osteosarcoma: a multicentre retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: At present, no predictive factor has been validated for the early efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in osteosarcoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting the response to NACT in extremity osteosarcoma. METHODS: Pathological complete response (pCR) was used to assess the efficacy of NACT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the Youden index (sensitivity + specificity-1) were used to determine the optimal cut-off values of the NLR. Univariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression models were conducted to confirm the independent factors affecting the efficacy of NACT. RESULTS: The optimal NLR cut-off value was 2.36 (sensitivity, 80.0%; specificity, 71.3%). Univariate analysis revealed that patients with a smaller tumour volume, lower stage, lower NLR and lower PLR were more likely to achieve pCR. Multivariate analyses confirmed that the NLR before treatment was an independent risk factor for pCR. Compared to patients with a high NLR, those with a low NLR showed a more than 2-fold higher likelihood of achieving pCR (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.36-5.17, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The NLR is a novel and effective predictive factor for the response to NACT in extremity osteosarcoma patients. Patients with a higher NLR showed a lower percentage of pCR after NACT.

Effects of three diterpenoids on tumour cell proliferation and telomerase activity.

Xerophilusin B (XB), macrocalin B (MB) and eriocalyxin B (EB) belong to ent-kaurene diterpenoids. The inhibition effects of three ent-kaurane compounds on the proliferation of six tumour lines (K562, HL-60, A549, MKN, HCT and CA) were estimated by methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium, and the telomerase activity in K562 cells was measured by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found that XB, MB and EB could significantly inhibit the proliferation of tumour cells. Within the concentration range of 10(-4)-10(-8) mol L(-1), three ent-kaurane compounds could markedly inhibit the telomerase activity in K562 cells, and their effects on telomerase were exhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Our results demonstrate that XB, MB and EB can inhibit the proliferation of tumour cells and the telomerase activity, which provides data for developing ent-compounds as antitumour drugs.

[Synthesis, structure characterization and anti-tumor activity of lanthanide complex Ln[ (Phen)2 (5-Fu)3 (NO3) (NO3 )2].

AIM: To study the biochemistry of lanthanides, the cooperative action of inorganic and organic anti-tumor drugs. METHODS: A series of rare earth complexes were synthesized with Ln(NO3) 6H2O, Phen and 5-Fu. Their anti-tumor activity was measured by the improved MTT, SRB methods. RESULTS: The formula of complex Ln[(Phen)2(5-Fu)3(NO3)](NO3)2(Ln = Y, La, Ce, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er; Phen = 1, 10-phenanthroline; 5-Fu = fluorouracil) was characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivity, IR, TGA, and 13C NMR spectra. The preliminary biological activity studies indicated that Lanthanide complex has strong anti-tumor activity in vitro. CONCLUSION: The complex might have anti-tumor cooperation action.