Procyanidin B1 and p-coumaric acid from whole highland barley ameliorated HFD-induced impaired glucose tolerance via small intestinal barrier and hepatic glucose metabolism.

Highland barley is a natural source for the development of phenolic compounds that exhibit potential in preventing type 2 diabetes, which is important for the agricultural and industrial utilization of highland barley. However, very few studies have focused on their effect on small intestinal absorption and barrier dysfunction, as well as the direct target for the modulation of hepatic glucose metabolism. In this study, procyanidin B1 (PB) and p-coumaric acid (CA) isolated from highland barley supplementation in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) mice significantly increased lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH), sulfotransferase 1A1 (SULT1A1), UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1A (UGT1A) families and sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) expression in the small intestine of IGT mice, indicating beneficial effects on polyphenol deglycosylation and transportation. Supplementation with PB and CA also exhibited attenuation of small intestinal barrier dysfunction by improving the mucus layer and tight junctions, which was closely related to the transportation of phenolic compounds. In addition, PB and CA supplementation were explored directly to bind to the insulin receptor and activate the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, thereby modulating hepatic glucose metabolism and ameliorating hyperglycemic in IGT mice. These results offer crucial insights into the potential development of PB and CA as non-food nutraceuticals, as well as the extensive utilization of highland barley as an industrial crop.

Photoactivatable CRISPR/Cas12a Sensors for Biomarkers Imaging and Point-of-Care Diagnostics.

In recent years, the CRISPR/Cas12a-based sensing strategy has shown significant potential for specific target detection due to its rapid and sensitive characteristics. However, the "always active" biosensors are often insufficient to manipulate nucleic acid sensing with high spatiotemporal control. It remains crucial to develop nucleic acid sensing devices that can be activated at the desired time and space by a remotely applied stimulus. Here, we integrated photoactivation with the CRISPR/Cas12a system for DNA and RNA detection, aiming to provide high spatiotemporal control for nucleic acid sensing. By rationally designing the target recognition sequence, this photoactivation CRISPR/Cas12a system could recognize HPV16 and survivin, respectively. We combined the lateral flow assay strip test with the CRISPR/Cas12a system to realize the visualization of nucleic acid cleavage signals, displaying potential instant test application capabilities. Additionally, we also successfully realized the temporary control of its fluorescent sensing activity for survivin by photoactivation in vivo, allowing rapid detection of target nucleic acids and avoiding the risk of contamination from premature leaks during storage. Our strategy suggests that the CRISPR/Cas12a platform can be triggered by photoactivation to sense various targets, expanding the technical toolbox for precise biological and medical analysis. This study represents a significant advancement in nucleic acid sensing and has potential applications in disease diagnosis and treatment.

IL-22 relieves hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis based on the activation of STAT3.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin-22 (IL-22) has been proven to exhibit a protective role in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI). This study aimed to explore the change of IL-22 and IL-22 receptor 1 (IL-22R1) axis in HIRI and its role in mitochondrial apoptosis associated with STAT3 activation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: I/R mice were examined for the expression of IL-22, IL-22R1 and IL-22BP. The roles of IL-22 in hepatic histopathology and oxidative stress injuries (ALT, MDA and SOD) were determined. Oxidative stress damages of AML-12 cells were induced by H2O2, and were indicated by apoptosis, Ca2+ concentration, and mitochondrial function. The effects of IL-22 on p-STAT3Try705 were analyzed. RESULTS: We found that the expression of IL-22, IL-22R1, and IL-22BP was elevated 24 h after I/R induction, while decreased 48 h after I/R induction. Furthermore, we also discovered that IL-22 rescued the morphological damages and dysfunction of hepatocytes induced by H2O2, which were antagonized by IL-22BP, an endogenous antagonist of IL-22. Additionally, increased levels of Ca2+ concentration, MDA, ROS, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction were noticed in H2O2-treated hepatocytes. However, IL-22 ameliorated the effects of I/R or H2O2. The protective effects of IL-22 were reversed by AG490, a specific antagonist of STAT3. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results indicated that IL-22 inhibited I/R-induced oxidative stress injury, Ca2+ overload, and mitochondrial apoptosis via STAT3 activation.

MYD88L265P and MYD88other variants show different molecular characteristics and prognostic significance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the clinical and molecular differences between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients with MYD88L265P and MYD88other. METHODS: DLBCL patients with MYD88 variations were collected from the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CHCAMS), and Suzhou Municipal Hospital from February 6th, 2007 to May 20th, 2022. Clinicopathological parameters and treatment outcomes between MYD88L265P and MYD88other were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients with MYD88 variations from a cohort of 475 DLBCL patients were included, among which, 78 were MYD88L265P, while 54 were MYD88other. MYD88L265P was more common in non-GCB subtype than MYD88other (83% vs. 60%, P = 0.004). Besides, MYD88L265P was significantly related to higher proportion of testicle/ central nervous system involvement (31% vs. 6%, P < 0.001), PIM1 mutation (71% vs. 39%, P < 0.001), and PIM1 hypermutation (28% vs. 11%, P = 0.018), compared with MYD88other. Compared with MYD88L265P, MYD88other were more likely to have higher percentage of advanced stage (60% vs. 42%, P = 0.044), extranodal site ≥ 2 (45% vs. 28%, P = 0.044), elevated LDH (55% vs. 35%, P = 0.033), positive CD10 expression (36% vs. 16%, P = 0.009), BCL-6 translocation (20% vs. 8%, P = 0.033), and NOTCH pathway gene alteration (24% vs. 13%, P = 0.040). In non-GCB DLBCL subtype, patients with MYD88other were significantly associated with worse progression free survival (PFS) than those with MYD88L265P when treated initially with R-CHOP/R-CHOP-like regimen (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that DLBCL patients with MYD88L265P and MYD88other are likely to be two subgroups with different clinical and molecular characteristics. The survival of patients with MYD88other is not superior than those with MYD88L265P, even poorer when focusing on the non-GCB subtype.

Easily operated COF-based monolithic sponges as matrix clean-up materials for non-targeted analysis of chemical hazards in oil-rich foods.

Non-targeted analysis of chemical hazards in foods plays a crucial role in controlling food safety. However, because it brings forward high demand for sample pretreatment, materials suitable for the pretreatment of foods, especially animal foods, are rare. Herein, covalent organic frameworks (COF)-based monolithic materials were constructed by three successive steps: preparation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponge using sugar cube as a sacrificial template, loading of a heteroporous COF on PDMS sponge via ultrasonic or in-situ growth method, coating of the obtained PDMS@COF by polydopamine (PDA) network. As-prepared PDMS@COF@PDA sponges were demonstrated to work well in sample pretreatment of animal foods for non-targeted analysis of chemical hazards. After a simple vortex treatment for about 2 min, more than 98% triglycerides, the main interfering matrix components in animal foods, could be removed from lard and pork samples, accompanied by "full recovery" (recovery efficiencies: ≥63%) of 44 chemical hazards with different physicochemical properties. Besides providing promising sample pretreatment materials for non-targeted food safety analysis, this work also paves a feasible way to improve COF-based monolithic materials and thus promote their practical applications, because we found that the introduction of PDA network on COF-based monolithic material surface could play a role in "killing three birds with one stone": enhancing the stability of the materials by overcoming the detachment of COF during operations; controllably adjusting hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonding interactions on the material surface to promote the removal of triglycerides; weakening the hydrophobic and π-π interactions between COF and chemical hazards to increase the recoveries of chemical hazards.

Progress in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma by integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) overwhelmingly represents the predominant histological subtype of lung cancer, with lung adenocarcinoma emerging as the most prevalent form. Conventional Western medical treatments encompass a spectrum of modalities, including surgical interventions, cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy. In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methodologies encompass traditional Chinese medicine treatments, acupuncture therapies, and tuina treatments. While conventional Western medicine has made remarkable strides in the treatment of lung cancer, it is important to acknowledge the limitations inherent in singular treatment approaches. Consequently, the quest for a more comprehensive and integrative therapeutic paradigm becomes imperative. A deficiency of evaluation criteria specific to lung adenocarcinoma treatment in the realm of TCM represents an outstanding challenge in need of resolution. Nonetheless, in the backdrop of the continuous evolution of lung adenocarcinoma treatment modalities, the amalgamation of Chinese and Western medical approaches for treating this condition has exhibited a promising trajectory. It not only contributes to mitigating toxicity and augmenting efficacy but also serves to reduce a spectrum of postoperative complications, thereby enhancing the quality of patients' survival and extending life expectancy. This article furnishes a comprehensive survey of the research advancements in the integration of Chinese and Western medical approaches for treating lung adenocarcinoma. It elucidates the merits and demerits of individual and combined therapeutic strategies, surmounts current limitations, underscores the virtues of amalgamating Chinese and Western medical paradigms, and offers a more holistic, integrated, and efficacious treatment blueprint.

Ac2-26 attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice via regulating IL-22/IL-22R1/STAT3 signaling.

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is one of the major sources of mortality and morbidity associated with hepatic surgery. Ac2-26, a short peptide of Annexin A1 protein, has been proved to have a protective effect against IRI. However, whether it exerts a protective effect on HIRI has not been reported. The HIRI mice model and the oxidative damage model of H2O2-induced AML12 cells were established to investigate whether Ac2-26 could alleviate HIRI by regulating the activation of IL-22/IL-22R1/STAT3 signaling. The protective effect of Ac2-26 was measured by various biochemical parameters related to liver function, apoptosis, inflammatory reaction, mitochondrial function and the expressions of IL-22, IL-22R1, p-STAT3Tyr705. We discovered that Ac2-26 reduced the Suzuki score and cell death rate, and increased the cell viability after HIRI. Moreover, we unraveled that Ac2-26 significantly decreased the number of apoptotic hepatocytes, and the expressions of cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Furthermore, HIRI increased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), NADP+/NADPH ratio and reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas Ac2-26 decreased them significantly. Additionally, Ac2-26 remarkably alleviated mitochondria dysfunction, which was represented by an increase in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and mitochondrial membrane potential, a decrease in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. Finally, we revealed that Ac2-26 pretreatment could significantly inhibit the activation of IL-22/IL22R1/STAT3 signaling. In conclusion, this work demonstrated that Ac2-26 ameliorated HIRI by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, which might be closely related to the inhibition of the IL-22/IL22R1/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Prognostic value of BCL2 and TP53 genetic alterations for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with R-CHOP.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data about the prognostic significance of BCL2 mutations and BCL2 copy number variations in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are available. This study aimed to comprehensively describe BCL2 genetic alterations in DLBCL patients, and examine correlation of BCL2, TP53 and other genetic alterations with outcomes in patients treated with R-CHOP. METHODS: Probe capture-based high-resolution sequencing was performed on 191 patients diagnosed with de novo DLBCL. MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The presence of BCL2 alterations significantly correlated with poor progression-free survival (PFS) (5-year PFS: 13.7% vs. 40.8%; P = 0.003) and overall survival (OS) (5-year OS: 34.0% vs. 70.9%; P = 0.036). Importantly, patients who harbored BCL2 gain/amplifications (BCL2GA/AMP) also had a remarkably inferior 5-year PFS (11.1% vs. 38.3%; P < 0.001) and OS (22.1% vs. 69.6%; P = 0.009). In contrast, neither BCL2 mutations nor BCL2 translocations were significantly prognostic for survival. Multivariable analyses showed that the presence of BCL2 alterations, especially BCL2GA/AMP, TP53 mutations, and International Prognostic Index (IPI) were significantly associated with inferior PFS and OS. Novel prognostic models for OS were constructed based on 3 risk factors, including BCL2 alterations (Model 1) or BCL2GA/AMP (Model 2), TP53 mutations, and IPI, to stratify patients into 4 risk groups with different survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP, BCL2 alterations, especially BCL2GA/AMP and TP53 mutations were significantly associated with inferior outcomes, which were independent of the IPI. The novel prognostic models we proposed predicted outcomes for DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP, but further validation of the prognostic models is still warranted.

Risk of second primary malignancies of adolescent and young adult patients with germ cell cancer: A US population-based analysis.

PURPOSE: Germ cell cancer (GCC) is a group of neoplasms with heterogeneity. Predominant in young adults, GCC potentially mitigates a high number of productive years of life lost. Indeed, long-term side effects have arisen as a problem in GCC survivors, especially in adolescent and young adult (AYA) subgroup. The objective of this study is to delineate survival and second primary malignancies (SPMs) in AYA patients with GCC. METHODS: We used US population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 18 Regs Custom Data (1976-2016 varying) and SEER 9 Regs Research Data, November 2019 Sub (1975-2017) for survival analysis and SPM analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Overall, 5-, 10- and 20-year overall survival rates for AYA patients with GCC were 93%, 91.3%, and 86.9%, respectively. Compared with the general population, a significantly higher risk of SPMs was observed in multiple sites, especially stomach, (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] = 2.94), pancreas (SIR = 3.72), intrahepatic bile duct (SIR = 3.12), soft tissue including heart (SIR = 4.65), leukemia (SIR = 3.70), and testis (SIR = 562.18). The excess risks to develop leukemia were even higher in those with primary mediastinal GCC (SIR = 69.50, P < 0.05, 95% confidence interval = 30.00-136.94). Multivariate analysis indicated age of diagnosis, primary site, race, receipt of radiotherapy, and histological subtype independently correlated with risk of SPMs. CONCLUSION: The present study provides risk factors of SPM in AYA patients with GCC, which could facilitate the individualization of long-term surveillance in this population.

Molecular profiling of Chinese R-CHOP treated DLBCL patients: Identifying a high-risk subgroup.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a clinically aggressive and heterogenous disease. Although most patients can be cured by immunochemotherapy, 30% to 40% patient will ultimately develop relapsed or refractory disease. Here, we investigated the molecular landscapes of patients with diverse responses to R-CHOP. We performed capture-based targeted sequencing on baseline samples of 105 DLBCL patients using a panel consisting of 112 lymphoma-related genes. Subsequently, 81 treatment-naïve patients with measurable disease and followed for over 1 year were included for survival analysis. Collectively, the most commonly seen mutations included IGH fusion (69%), PIM1(33%), MYD88 (29%), BCL2 (29%), TP53 (29%), CD79B (25%) and KMT2D (24%). Patients with TP53 mutations were more likely to have primary refractory disease (87.0% vs 50.0%, P = .009). For those with TP53 disruptive mutations, 91.7% patients were in the primary refractory group. Interestingly, BCL-2 somatic hypermutation was only seen in patients without primary refractory disease (P = .014). In multivariate analysis, BCL-2 amplification (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.94, P = .022), B2M mutation (HR = 2.99, P = .017) and TP53 mutation (HR = 3.19, P < .001) were independently associated with shorter time to progression (TTP). Furthermore, TP53 mutations was correlated with worse overall survival (P = .049). Next, we investigated mutation landscape in patients with wild-type (WT) TP53 (n = 58) and found that patients harboring MYD88 L265P had significantly inferior TTP than those with WT or non-265P (P = .046). Our study reveals the mutation spectrum of treatment-naive Chinese DLBCL patients. It also confirms the clinical significance of TP53 mutations and indicates the prognostic value of MYD88 L265P in TP53 WT patients.

Facile Removal of Phytochromes and Efficient Recovery of Pesticides Using Heteropore Covalent Organic Framework-Based Magnetic Nanospheres and Electrospun Films.

Nontargeted analysis of food safety requires selective removal of interference matrices and highly efficient recovery of chemical hazards. Porous materials such as covalent organic frameworks (COFs) show great promise in selective adsorption of matrix molecules via size selectivity. Considering the complexity of interference matrices, we prepared crystalline heteropore COFs whose two kinds of pores have comparable sizes to those of several common phytochromes, main interference matrices in vegetable sample analysis. By controlling the growth of COFs on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles or by utilizing a facile co-electrospinning method, heteropore COF-based magnetic nanospheres or electrospun nanofiber films were prepared, respectively. Both the nanospheres and the films maintain the dual-pore structures of COFs and show good stability and excellent reusability. Via simple magnetic separation or immersion operation, respectively, they were successfully used for the complete removal of phytochromes and highly efficient recovery of 15 pesticides from the extracts of four vegetable samples, and the recoveries are in the range of 83.10-114.00 and 60.52-107.35%, respectively. Film-based immersion operation gives better sample pretreatment performance than the film-based filtration one. This work highlights the great application potentials of heteropore COFs in sample pretreatment for nontargeted analysis, thus opening up a new way to achieve high-performance sample preparation in many fields such as food safety analysis, environment monitoring, and so on.

Genomic Alterations and MYD88MUT Variant Mapping in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Response to Ibrutinib.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a clinically heterogeneous malignancy. Following front-line immunochemotherapy, 30-40% of DLBCL patients develop relapsed or refractory (r/r) disease, which can be treated with ibrutinib. It has been previously reported that MYD88MUT affects the response to ibrutinib in patients with r/r DLBCL. OBJECTIVE: Here, we aimed to gather understanding of MYD88MUT in r/r DLBCL patients and to evaluate its influence on response to ibrutinib. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, tissue samples from DLBCL patients (n = 212) were retrospectively collected and sequenced by target-capturing panels of either 413 or 112 genes that are frequently mutated in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sixty patients with MYD88 mutations and available clinical information were included for further analysis. RESULTS: Seven MYD88MUT variants were identified, L265P (65.0%, n = 39), S219C (13.3%, n = 8), S243N (8.3%, n = 5), P258L (6.7%, n = 4), F283V (1.7%, n = 1), P141R (1.7%, n = 1), and V217F (1.7%, n = 1). One patient had MYD88 amplification. In addition, mutations in PIM1 (67%, n = 40), IGH fusion (48%, n = 29), CD79B (43%, n = 26), KMT2D (30%, n = 18), and TP53 (27%, n = 17) were identified. For patients with L265P, IRF4 (p = 0.011) was frequently mutated. Otherwise, TET2 (p = 0.016), NOTCH2 (p = 0.044), MET (p = 0.037), SOCS1 (p = 0.011), TNFRSF14 (p = 0.011), EZH2 (p = 0.037), and BCL6 (p < 0.001) mutations were associated with MYD88MUT non-L265P variants. The incidence rate of MYD88MUT L265P was significantly higher with central nervous system involvement (p = 0.034). Four out of nine MYD88MUT patients responded to ibrutinib containing treatment, and this included those with MYD88MUT/CD79BWT. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds clinical observations with MYD88MUT patients, further helping to understand the genetic features and possible correlation of MYD88MUT with response to ibrutinib.

Second primary malignancy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients: A SEER database analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previously, studies have shown increased risks of second primary malignancies (SPM) after Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Nevertheless, investigation quantifying risks of SPM in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains scarce. METHODS: We used the US population-based SEER 9 Regs Custom Data, Nov 2016 Sub to analyze the risks of SPM in patients with DLBCL. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR), absolute excess risk (AER), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Among patients with DLBCL as a primary malignancy, 3751 patients had second cancer episodes identified, with a SIR of 1.19 (95% CI: 1.16-1.23, P < 0.05). There was a significantly higher risk of tumors/malignancies in the following sites of patients with DLBCL compared with the general population: Oral cavity and pharynx, hepatobiliary system, head and neck, thorax, bone and soft tissue, skin, breasts, urinary tract, and endocrine system. Additionally, leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma, and Kaposi sarcoma occurred more frequently in patients with DLBCL than in the general population. Risk for a subsequent colon/rectum/anus cancer, bone and joint malignancy, and melanoma were significantly elevated in DLBCL patients received beam radiation, while the risk for these malignancies was not significantly increased in those without a radiation record. Notably, for patients under 45 years of age, the risk for SPM was higher than their counterparts in other age groups. CONCLUSION: Our results offer insight into the occurrence of SPM among patients with DLBCL, suggesting awareness of the increased risk of subsequent malignancies is crucial for DLBCL survivors as well as for their physicians.

Role of Radiation Therapy in Younger and Older Adults with Primary Mediastinal Large B Cell Lymphoma in Rituximab Era: A U.S. Population-Based Analysis.

The role of mediastinal radiotherapy (RT) in primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma is controversial. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program 18 database to identify the role after rituximab approval. Among 474 patients included, 65.8% were 18-39 years old and 34.2% were 40-59 years old; 45.8% received RT. Univariate analysis showed that disease stage and race could affect survival. After adjusting for stage and race, RT was correlated with prognosis in patients aged 40-59 years (none/unknown vs. RT, hazard ratio = 2.898, p = 0.034). However, in patients aged 18-39 years, this impact was not significant. Omission of RT in selected young patients may be considered.

G-quadruplex fluorescent probe-mediated real-time rolling circle amplification strategy for highly sensitive microRNA detection.

Real-time PCR has revolutionized PCR from qualitative to quantitative. As an isothermal DNA amplification technique, rolling circular amplification (RCA) has been demonstrated to be a versatile tool in many fields. Development of a simple, highly sensitive, and specific strategy for real-time monitoring of RCA will increase its usefulness in many fields. The strategy reported here utilized the specific fluorescence response of thioflavin T (ThT) to G-quadruplexes formed by RCA products. Such a real-time monitoring strategy works well in both traditional RCA with linear amplification efficiency and modified RCA proceeded in an exponential manner, and can be readily performed in commercially available real-time PCR instruments, thereby achieving high-throughput detection and making the proposed technique more suitable for biosensing applications. As examples, real-time RCA-based sensing platforms were designed and successfully used for quantitation of microRNA over broad linear ranges (8 orders of magnitude) with a detection limit of 4 aM (or 0.12 zmol). The feasibility of microRNA analysis in human lung cancer cells was also demonstrated. This work provides a new method for real-time monitoring of RCA by using unique nucleic acid secondary structures and their specific fluorescent probes. It has the potential to be extended to other isothermal single-stranded DNA amplification techniques.

Molecular Mechanisms of Anti-cancer Activities of β-elemene: Targeting Hallmarks of Cancer.

Increasing knowledge on the hallmark characteristics of cancer and tumor pharmacology has promoted the introduction of phytochemicals, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in cancer therapy, which modulate numerous molecular targets and exert anticancer activities. ß-elemene, an active and non-toxic compound isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Rhizoma Zedoariae, has been explored as a potent anti-cancer agent against multiple cancers in extensive clinical trials and experimental research in vivo and in vitro. ß-elemene exerts therapeutic potential via modulation of core hallmark capabilities of cancer by suppressing proliferative signaling, such as MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, inducing cell death, up-regulating growth suppressors, deactivating invasion and metastasis and interacting replicative immortality and attenuating angiogenesis. Recent studies have significantly improved our understanding of anti-cancer activities and underlying molecular mechanisms of this Chinese medicine. This review presents these novel findings regarding the unique properties of ß-elemene as an agent for cancer treatment, with an emphasis on multi-targeting biological and molecular regulation.

Berberine-induced apoptotic and autophagic death of HepG2 cells requires AMPK activation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the primary liver cancer, is one of the most malignant human tumors with extremely poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effect of berberine in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), and to study the underlying mechanisms by focusing on the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling cascade. RESULTS: We found that berberine induced both apoptotic and autophagic death of HepG2 cells, which was associated with a significant activation of AMPK and an increased expression of the inactive form of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Inhibition of AMPK by RNA interference (RNAi) or by its inhibitor compound C suppressed berberine-induced caspase-3 cleavage, apoptosis and autophagy in HepG2 cells, while AICAR, the AMPK activator, possessed strong cytotoxic effects. In HepG2 cells, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation was important for cell survival, and berberine inhibited mTORC1 via AMPK activation. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these results suggested that berberine-induced both apoptotic and autophagic death requires AMPK activation in HepG2 cells.

Amplified detection of DNA ligase and polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase on the basis of enrichment of catalytic G-quadruplex DNAzyme by rolling circle amplification.

As two commonly used tool enzymes, DNA ligase and polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP) play important roles in DNA metabolism. More and more studies show that regulation of their activity represents promising means for cancer therapy. To detect the activity of DNA ligase with high sensitivity and specificity, a G-quadruplex DNAzyme-based DNA ligase sensor was developed. In this sensor, the use of G-quadruplex DNAzyme eliminated the needs for any labeled oligonucleotide probes, thus making label-free detection possible. The introduction of rolling circle amplification (RCA) reaction could lead to the formation of multimeric G-quadruplexes containing thousands of G-quadruplex units, which can provide highly active hemin-binding sites, thus significantly improving the sensitivity of the sensor. The proposed sensor allowed specific detection of T4 DNA ligase with a detection limit of 0.0019 U/mL. By adding a PNKP-triggered 5'-phosphroylation step of the template DNA, the above sensing strategy could be easily extended to the design of PNKP sensor. The established sensor allowed specific detection of T4 PNKP with a detection limit of 0.0018 U/mL. In addition, these two sensors could also be used for the studies on inhibitors of these two enzymes.