Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Improves Clinical Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: An open-label, Randomized, Nonplacebo-Controlled Study.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex and poorly understood disorder characterized by chronic and widespread musculoskeletal pain, of which the etiology remains unknown. Now, the disorder of the gut microbiome is considered as one of the main causes of FM. This study was aimed to investigate the potential benefits of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with FM. A total of 45 patients completed this open-label randomized, nonplacebo-controlled clinical study. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores in the FMT group were slightly lower than the control group at 1 month (P> 0.05), and they decreased significantly at 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment (P < 0.001). Besides, compared with the control group, the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Symptom Severity (SS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were significantly lower in the FMT group at different time points (P < 0.001). After 6 months of treatment, there was a significant increase in serotonin (5-HT) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels (P < 0.001), while glutamate levels significantly decreased in the FMT group (P < 0.001). The total effective rate was higher in the FMT group (90.9%) compared to the control group (56.5%) after 6 months of treatment (P < 0.05). FMT can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of FM. With the close relations between the changes of neurotransmitters and FM, certain neurotransmitters may serve as a diagnostic marker or potential target for FM patients. PERSPECTIVE: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a novel therapy that aims to restore the gut microbial balance and modulate the gut-brain axis. It is valuable to further explore the therapeutic effect of FMT on FM. Furthermore, certain neurotransmitters may become a diagnostic marker or a new therapeutic target for FM patients.

Reflectance confocal microscopy features of vulvar lichen sclerosus in Chinese juvenile girls.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis of unknown pathogenesis, characterized by porcelain-white atrophic plaques around the vulvar and anal areas in girls. With this communication, we performed the study on 16 female girls with clinically and histologically confirmed VLS, described the main identifying characteristics of the lesions in reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and elucidated the corresponding relationship between RCM findings and histology. We recommend RCM, a noninvasive technique, as a complementary diagnostic tool for VLS.

Integrative bioinformatics and validation studies reveal KDM6B and its associated molecules as crucial modulators in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) can be described as a debilitating lung disease that is characterized by the complex interactions between various immune cell types and signaling pathways. Chromatin-modifying enzymes are significantly involved in regulating gene expression during immune cell development, yet their role in IPF is not well understood. Methods: In this study, differential gene expression analysis and chromatin-modifying enzyme-related gene data were conducted to identify hub genes, common pathways, immune cell infiltration, and potential drug targets for IPF. Additionally, a murine model was employed for investigating the expression levels of candidate hub genes and determining the infiltration of different immune cells in IPF. Results: We identified 33 differentially expressed genes associated with chromatin-modifying enzymes. Enrichment analyses of these genes demonstrated a strong association with histone lysine demethylation, Sin3-type complexes, and protein demethylase activity. Protein-protein interaction network analysis further highlighted six hub genes, specifically KDM6B, KDM5A, SETD7, SUZ12, HDAC2, and CHD4. Notably, KDM6B expression was significantly increased in the lungs of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice, showing a positive correlation with fibronectin and α-SMA, two essential indicators of pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, we established a diagnostic model for IPF focusing on KDM6B and we also identified 10 potential therapeutic drugs targeting KDM6B for IPF treatment. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that molecules related to chromatin-modifying enzymes, primarily KDM6B, play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of IPF.

Bioinformatics and systems-biology analysis to determine the effects of Coronavirus disease 2019 on patients with allergic asthma.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant challenge for global health systems. Increasing evidence shows that asthma phenotypes and comorbidities are major risk factors for COVID-19 symptom severity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the association between COVID-19 and asthma are poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted bioinformatics and systems biology analysis to identify common pathways and molecular biomarkers in patients with COVID-19 and asthma, as well as potential molecular mechanisms and candidate drugs for treating patients with both COVID-19 and asthma. Methods: Two sets of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the GSE171110 and GSE143192 datasets were intersected to identify common hub genes, shared pathways, and candidate drugs. In addition, murine models were utilized to explore the expression levels and associations of the hub genes in asthma and lung inflammation/injury. Results: We discovered 157 common DEGs between the asthma and COVID-19 datasets. A protein-protein-interaction network was built using various combinatorial statistical approaches and bioinformatics tools, which revealed several hub genes and critical modules. Six of the hub genes were markedly elevated in murine asthmatic lungs and were positively associated with IL-5, IL-13 and MUC5AC, which are the key mediators of allergic asthma. Gene Ontology and pathway analysis revealed common associations between asthma and COVID-19 progression. Finally, we identified transcription factor-gene interactions, DEG-microRNA coregulatory networks, and potential drug and chemical-compound interactions using the hub genes. Conclusion: We identified the top 15 hub genes that can be used as novel biomarkers of COVID-19 and asthma and discovered several promising candidate drugs that might be helpful for treating patients with COVID-19 and asthma.

Combining Ozonated Autohemotherapy with Pharmacological Therapy for Comorbid Insomnia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of ozonated autohemotherapy (O3-AHT) combined with pharmacological therapy for comorbid insomnia and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighteen patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (N = 50) and the O3-AHT group (N = 53). Patients in both groups were given the same pharmacological management for three weeks. Patients in the O3-AHT group were treated with ozonated autohemotherapy (the concentration of ozone was 20 µg/ml in the first week, 30 µg/ml in the second week, and 40 µg/ml in the third week) combined with pharmacological therapy. Primary (the insomnia severity index (ISI) and visual analogue scale (VAS)) and secondary outcomes (the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), polysomnography data, the anxiety and preoccupation about sleep questionnaire (APSQ), the beck depression index (BDI), and the multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI)) were examined at pretreatment, posttreatment, 1 month, and 6 months. Results: Fifty patients in the control group and fifty-three patients in the O3-AHT group completed the study. In both groups, insomnia and pain symptoms were relieved significantly compared with pretreatment. Compared with the control group, the O3-AHT group had significantly improved sleep quality, pain, and negative mood at different time points. No adverse complications were observed in either group. Conclusion: Compared with pharmacological therapy alone, ozonated autohemotherapy combined with pharmacological therapy can ameliorate insomnia, reduce pain intensity, improve negative mood, and alleviate fatigue more effectively without serious adverse complications.

Ultrasound-Guided Continuous Thoracic Paravertebral Infusion of Methylene Blue in the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of herpes zoster. Methylene blue (MB) is an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis with potentially analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have demonstrated that thoracic paravertebral single MB injection is effective in treating chronic pain. However, there are rare reports of the efficacy of continuous thoracic paravertebral infusion of MB for pain management in PHN patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of continuous thoracic paravertebral infusion of MB on PHN. METHODS: A total of 104 PHN patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (continuous thoracic paravertebral infusion of 5% lidocaine in a total volume of 300 ml) and the MB group (continuous thoracic paravertebral infusion of 5% lidocaine plus 0.2% MB in a total volume of 300 ml). All patients were evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and medication doses before and after the procedure. The effective treatment rate and adverse complications were recorded 6 months after the procedure. RESULTS: In both groups, the NRS scores, ISI scores, PHQ-9 scores, and rescue medication dosages were significantly decreased at different time points after treatment compared to baseline, while the SF-36 scores were evidently improved at different time points after treatment compared to baseline. Compared with the control group, the MB group had significantly reduced NRS scores, ISI scores, PHQ-9 scores, and rescue medication dosages at each observation time point. Furthermore, the SF-36 scores in the MB group were significantly higher than those in the control group at each observation time point. The total effective treatment rate of the MB group was higher than that of the control group 6 months after the procedure. No severe adverse complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral infusion with MB is a safe and effective therapy for PHN. Continuous infusion with MB can significantly reduce pain intensity, improve pain-related depression, increase quality of life, and decrease the amount of rescue medicine with no serious adverse complications.

Alteration in the expression of inflammatory cytokines in primary hippocampal astrocytes in response to MK-801 through ERK1/2 and PI3K signals.

Our previous study showed that dizocilpine (MK-801) induced schizophrenia-like behavior in rats, enhanced GFAP expression, and activated primary cultured hippocampal astrocytes. Astrocytes play an essential role in neuroinflammation and contribute to the crosstalk that generates chronic neuro-inflammation in neurological diseases. However, the effects of MK-801 treatment on astrocytic neuroinflammatory responses and its mechanism of action have not been studied in detail. To address this issue, IL1ß, IL6, TNFα and IL10 expression and secretion levels were evaluated in hippocampal astrocytes in response to MK-801 for 24 h by ELISA and real-time PCR, with and without pretreatment of either the ERK1/2 inhibitor, PD98059 or the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002. Cell apoptosis, viability, and proliferation were also examined. MK-801 treatment did not induce hippocampal astrocytes apoptosis or proliferation, however, MK-801 enhanced astrocytes viability. Additionally, the expression and secretion levels of IL1ß, IL6 and TNFα were elevated, but that of IL10 was decreased, in which ERK1/2 and PI3K signals were involved. These findings suggest that hippocampal astrocytes may regulate the expressions of inflammatory cytokines through ERK1/2 and PI3K signaling pathway to participate in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Reduced expression of carbonic anhydrase III in skeletal muscles could be linked to muscle fatigue: A rat muscle fatigue model.

BACKGROUND: Carbonic anhydrase III (CAIII) is expressed abundantly in slow skeletal muscles, adipocytes, and the liver. It plays a critical role in maintaining intracellular pH, antioxidation, and energy metabolism, which are further involved in fatigue. However, its function and mechanism in maintaining the physiological function of muscles or antifatigue are still ambiguous. We hypothesized that changes of CAIII in skeletal muscles might be related to the occurrence of muscle fatigue. METHOD: After establishing a rat soleus muscle fatigue model, we measured the protein expression of the CAIII in muscles. And the muscle intracellular biochemical indices [malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and lactic acid] were also measured using assay kits. After transfected by CAIII-overexpressing and knockdown lentiviral vectors, the rat soleus muscles were induced to fatigue to investigate the effects and possible molecular mechanisms of CAIII in antifatigue. RESULTS: The expression of CAIII in fatigued soleus muscles was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group (P â€‹< â€‹0.001). Moreover, the ATP level in the fatigued muscle also significantly decreased, whereas lactic acid and MDA levels were significantly increased (P â€‹< â€‹0.001). After posttransfection for 21 days, CAIII levels in muscles were significantly reduced in the CAIII-interfering lentivirus group, but increased in the CAIII-overexpressed lentivirus group (P â€‹< â€‹0.001). In addition, CAIII knockdown muscles showed more reduction of the maximal muscle force and ATP levels â€‹and more increase of MDA and lactic acid levels during the fatigue test than the control group, (P â€‹< â€‹0.05). On the other hand, CAIII-overexpressed muscles showed less reduction of the maximal muscle force and ATP levels and less increase of MDA and lactic acid levels during muscle fatigue than the control group (P â€‹< â€‹0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that soleus muscle fatigue induced by electrical stimulation could result in downregulation of CAIII and ATP levels â€‹and accumulation of lactic acid and MDA. Further study showed that CAIII knockdown led to more reduction of the maximal muscle force, whereas CAIII overexpression showed less reduction of the maximal muscle force, which suggested that CAIII levels in muscles might be related to the occurrence of muscle fatigue. TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL: CAIII plays an important role in muscle fatigue. Up-regulating the expression of CAIII might contribute to dissipating fatigue, which would provide a new method to solve the difficulties in eliminating muscular fatigue.

Immobilization of phosphorus in sediments by nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) from the view of mineral composition.

Immobilization of phosphorus (P) in sediments is essential for controlling eutrophication in natural waters. As sediment is a complex assemblages of minerals, it is necessary to explore the intrinsic mechanisms of immobilization from the view of mineral composition. In this study, nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is used as an example to immobilize P in sediment from Tai Lake and minerals of quartz, hematite, potassium feldspar, illite, montmorillonite, calcite, and kaolin (i.e. the main components of natural sediment), to consider the role of mineral composition on P immobilization). Results show that the immobilization efficiency increases gradually with the increasing amount of adopted nZVI, until a maximum value of about 60% - 80% when 0.03-0.05 g/g of nZVI is added. Particularly, the maximum P immobilization efficiency is the highest for hematite (about 86%) due to the chemical reaction between hematite and P that inhibiting P release, followed by quartz, illite, montmorillonite, and kaolin (about 64% - 72%) which only physically adsorb P. However, the maximum P immobilization efficiency of nZVI is only 31% and 17% for potassium feldspar and calcite, respectively, due to their relatively high pH values that reducing the formation of iron (Fe)-P precipitation and inhibiting P immobilization. Thus, the P immobilization is mainly due to the reaction between nZVI/mineral and P to form FeP precipitates, followed by physical adsorption; and the particle size, elemental composition (e.g. the calcium (Ca) in calcite and Fe in hematite) and pH value also affect the P immobilization efficiency. Moreover, based on the P immobilization efficiencies for various minerals, P immobilization in sediments can be reasonably predicted from the mineral composition through methods such as component additivity.

Clinical effect and safety of pulsed radiofrequency treatment for pudendal neuralgia: a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Pudendal neuralgia is an intractable pain related to the pudendal nerve. The clinical effect and safety evaluation of pudendal neuralgia were investigated by pulse radiofrequency (PRF) treatment of pudendal nerve. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty patients who were diagnosed with pudendal neuralgia were randomly divided into PRF group (PRF and pudendal nerve block [NB]) and NB group. After surgery, the patients were followed up to evaluate the visual analog scale (VAS) score and the Patient Health Questionnaire score on the postoperative day and at 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months. Meanwhile, the patients' efficacy assessment and the usage of pain medication were also recorded for 3 months during follow-up. All the surgical complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were followed up, 38 in the PRF group and 39 in the NB group. On the postoperative day, the VAS scores was significantly decreased in both groups than before (P<0.01), whereas there was no statistical difference within the two groups (P>0.05). However, the VAS score of PRF group was significantly lower than that of NB group in 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months after surgery, respectively (P<0.01). In the meanwhile, the Patient Health Questionnaire score of PRF group was also significantly lower than that of NB group (P<0.01) in 3 months after the operation. The clinical effective rate of PRF group was 92.1% in 3 months after surgery, while this rate was only 35.9% in the NB group. The postoperative analgesic usage of PRF group was superior to that of NB group (P<0.01). No severe adverse events were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: Compared with the single NB treatment, pudendal nerve PRF combined with NB therapy could provide more long-lasting relief from pain symptoms of pudendal neuralgia and improve the depression symptoms in patients.

Functions of the AP-2α gene in activating apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation of gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to investigate the potential function of the activating protein 2α (AP-2α) gene in controlling the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gastric cancer cell line MCG-803 cells and normal cell line GES-1 cells were selected to transfect pcDNA3.1(+)-AP-2α and pcDNA3.1(+) plasmids, respectively. Both mRNA and protein levels of AP-2α in each group transfected with the pcDNA3.1(+)-AP-2α plasmids were up-regulated after 48 h by real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis, leading to marked proliferation inhibition and significant cell cycle arrest. RESULTS: pcDNA3.1(+)-AP-2α reduced tumor tissue growth in a subcutaneous tumor gastric carcinoma nude mouse model. Protein over-expression of AP-2α in the nude mouse model was accompanied by down-regulation of Blc-2 and ErbB2, resulting in the up-regulation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, ERα and p21WAF1/CIP1. CONCLUSIONS: The reintroduction of the AP-2α gene by pcDNA3.1 could inhibit gastric tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, which may be an alternative future therapeutic molecular target for human gastric cancer.

Phosphorus adsorption onto clay minerals and iron oxide with consideration of heterogeneous particle morphology.

Particle morphology plays an important role in solid-water interface adsorption, which affects the fate and behavior of phosphorus (P) in rivers and lakes and the resulting eutrophication. In this paper, three minerals including kaolinite, montmorillonite and hematite were considered to investigate the contributions of particle morphology to P adsorption using adsorption experiments and microscopic examinations. The Taylor expansion method is applied to quantitatively characterize the heterogeneity of surface morphology. The results reveal that local concave or convex micro-morphology characterized by the second order term of Taylor expansion F2, can affect the local adsorption capacity due to its effect on the distribution of surface charge and reactive sites. Moreover, the adsorbed P at different F2 here fits to a Weibull distribution, which can further define the representative average adsorption onto individual particles. A weighted average morphology factor F2a is derived to characterize the surface heterogeneity, and correlated with average P adsorption of particular mineral particles. In addition, the Sips model can successfully fit the experimental data of different minerals, and the heterogeneity parameters γ and adsorption capacity Qm in the model are proved to be functions with the basic mineral properties, including particle size, surface site density and morphology characterization as well. It is concluded that the complex surface morphology plays a significant role in particle adsorption and the morphological role need to be considered in the adsorption model in order to better describe the adsorption in system with heterogeneous solid surface.

Effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine on tendon-bone healing in a rabbit extra-articular model.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, but its effects on tendon-bone healing are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PVP-I on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro and on tendon-bone healing in vivo. In this study, following investigation of the concentration-dependent effects of PVP-I on the viability and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, the appropriate concentration of PVP-I was selected for animal experiments. New Zealand white rabbits received autologous tendon transplantation with and without PVP-I treatment of the graft tendon. Subsequently, histological examination, biomechanical testing and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyses were conducted. At 6 weeks post-surgery, connective tissue and osteogenesis was observed at the tendon-bone interface in the PVP-I group. At 12 weeks post-surgery, the interface width in the PVP-I group was much narrower compared with that of the control group. Furthermore, the biomechanical properties of the PVP-I group were significantly stronger than those in the control group (P<0.05). RT-qPCR examination revealed that the mRNA levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and osteopontin in the PVP-I group were higher than those in the control group at 6 weeks (P<0.05). In conclusion, these results indicated that PVP-I promoted tendon-bone healing via osteogenesis.

Prefabricated Flaps: Identification of Microcirculation Structure and Supercharging Technique Improving Survival Area.

Background Microcirculation is an important factor frequently overlooked when studying the survival of prefabricated flaps. In the current study, we use different prefabrication techniques for characterizing microcirculation within the flap, with the goal of finding an effective way to improve its survival area. Methods An abdominal prefabricated flap rodent model was created using a two-stage operation. All rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10/group): group A, prefabricated femoral vessels; group B, prefabricated femoral artery with a connected superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV); group C, connected superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) with a prefabricated femoral vein; group D was similar to group A along with a prefabricated SIEA, and group E was similar to group A along with a prefabricated SIEV; and group F acted as a control group and consisted of an axial flap nourished by superficial inferior epigastric vessels. Flaps were assessed for survival area, blood perfusion area, and capillary density using macroscopic analysis, near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIFI), and histology. Results The survival area was not significantly different when comparing groups B to C, and D to E. The survival area of groups D and E was larger than that of groups B and C. Groups B through E had a smaller survival area in comparison to group F and a larger survival area than group A. NIFI were consistent with the macroscopic outcomes. The capillary density was not significantly different between groups A to C and groups D to F. Conclusion Both arterial and venous supercharging could potentially improve the survival area of prefabricated flaps.

Highly Fluorescent Ribonuclease-A-Encapsulated Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots for Ultrasensitive Fluorescence in Vivo Imaging in the Second Near-Infrared Window.

Ribonuclease-A (RNase-A) encapsulated PbS quantum dots (RNase-A@PbS Qdots) which emit in the second near-infrared biological window (NIR-II, ca. 1000-1400 nm) are rapidly synthesized under microwave heating. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the Qdots can be tuned across the entire NIR-II range by simply controlling synthesis temperature. The size and morphology of the Qdots are examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Quantum yield (Φf) measurement confirms that the prepared Qdots are one of the brightest water-soluble NIR-II emitters for in vivo imaging. Their high Φf (∼17.3%) and peak emission at ∼1300 nm ensure deep optical penetration to muscle tissues (up to 1.5 cm) and excellent imaging contrast at an extremely low threshold dose of ∼5.2 pmol (∼1 µg) per mouse. Importantly, this protein coated Qdot displays no signs of toxicity toward model neuron, normal, and cancer cells in vitro. In addition, the animal's metabolism results in thorough elimination of intravenously injected Qdots from the body within several days via the reticuloendothelial system (RES), which minimizes potential long-term toxicity in vivo from possible release of lead content. With a combination of attractive properties of high brightness, robust photostability, and excellent biocompatibility, this new NIR-II emitting Qdot is highly promising in accurate disease screening and diagnostic applications.

Facile synthesis of ß-lactoglobulin capped Ag2S quantum dots for in vivo imaging in the second near-infrared biological window.

Effective in vivo fluorescence imaging for cancer screening and diagnostics requires bright and biocompatible fluorophores whose emission can effectively penetrate biological tissues. Recent studies have confirmed that the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1400 nm) is the most sensitive spectral range for in vivo imaging due to ultralow tissue absorption and autofluorescence. We report herein a facile synthesis of Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) that emit at ∼1100 nm using ß-lactoglobulin (ß-LG) as a biological template. The ß-LG protein coating improves water-solubility, faciliates rapid biodistribution and reduces in vivo toxicity of the QDs. Compared to other currently used NIR emitters, ß-LG capped Ag2S QDs exhibit superior photostability and biocompatibility, making them promising probes for in vivo NIR-II imaging.

RGD Peptides-Conjugated Pluronic Triblock Copolymers Encapsulated with AP-2α Expression Plasmid for Targeting Gastric Cancer Therapy in Vitro and in Vivo.

Gastric cancer, a high-risk malignancy, is a genetic disease developing from a cooperation of multiple gene mutations and a multistep process. Gene therapy is a novel treatment method for treating gastric cancer. Here, we developed a novel Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides conjugated copolymers nanoparticles-based gene delivery system in order to actively targeting inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells. These transcription factor (AP-2α) expression plasmids were also encapsulated into pluronic triblock copolymers nanoparticles which was constituted of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)- block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO-block-PPO-block-PEO, P123). The size, morphology and composition of prepared nanocomposites were further characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). In MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) analysis, these nanocomposites have minor effects on the proliferation of GES-1 cells but significantly decreased the viability of MGC-803, suggesting they own low cytotoxicity but good antitumor activity. The following in vivo evaluation experiments confirmed that these nanocomposites could prevent the growth of gastric cancer cells in the tumor xenograft mice model. In conclusion, these unique RGD peptides conjugated P123 encapsulated AP-2α nanocomposites could selectively and continually kill gastric cancer cells by over-expression of AP-2α in vitro and in vivo; this exhibits huge promising applications in clinical gastric cancer therapy.