Licochalcone A inhibits the migration and invasion of human lung cancer cells via inactivation of the Akt signaling pathway with downregulation of MMP-1/-3 expression.

Licochalcone A (LicA), a major phenolic constituent of Glycyrrhiza inflata, has been reported to exhibit anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-metastatic properties in various cancer cells and animal models. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-tumor effects of LicA on lung cancer cells. The results indicated that LicA exhibited effective inhibition of cell migration and invasion of A549 and H460 cells under non-cytotoxic concentrations. Furthermore, LicA was also found to significantly inhibit the proteins and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in A549 cells. Moreover, treatment of A549 cells with LicA-inhibited activation of the phosphorylation of Akt and inhibition of Akt by LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) or transfection with the constitutive active-Akt (CA-Akt) expression vector significantly abolished the LicA-inhibited migration and invasion through activation of the Akt pathway. Further mechanistic studies revealed that LicA inhibits Akt signaling pathways and downstream transcription factors Sp1 expression. These findings imply a critical role for Akt inhibition in the LicA-inhibited migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. Thus, LicA might be used as an anti-invasive agent in the treatment of lung cancer.

High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules Fabricated by Slot-Die Coating with Nontoxic Solvents.

Energy shortage has become a global issue in the twenty-firt century, as energy consumption grows at an alarming rate as the fossil fuel supply exhausts. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a promising photovoltaic technology that has grown quickly in recent years. Its power conversion efficiency (PCE) is comparable to that of traditional silicon-based solar cells, and scale-up costs can be substantially reduced due to its utilization of solution-processable fabrication. Nevertheless, most PSCs research uses hazardous solvents, such as dimethylformamide (DMF) and chlorobenzene (CB), which are not suitable for large-scale ambient operations and industrial production. In this study, we have successfully deposited all of the layers of PSCs, except the top metal electrode, under ambient conditions using a slot-die coating process and nontoxic solvents. The fully slot-die coated PSCs exhibited PCEs of 13.86% and 13.54% in a single device (0.09 cm2) and mini-module (0.75 cm2), respectively.

Microarray detection of gene overexpression in primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) often occurs after the rupture of small bullae or subpleural blebs in otherwise normal lungs. The underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to identify genes potentially involved in the development of PSP. Microarray analysis was performed to identify specific gene expression patterns. Expression levels of genes identified to be significantly up- or down-regulated in association with PSP were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify lung cell types highly expressing these genes. Microarray analysis revealed that expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-3 alpha (HIF-3alpha) and caspase-8 were significantly up-regulated in tissue from patients with PSP, whereas interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 were down-regulated (all P < .05). These genes are related to hypoxia, apoptosis, and inflammation. HIF-3alpha and caspase-8 protein levels were increased in samples from patients with PSP. HIF-3alpha and caspase-8 were localized in mesothelial cells, alveolar type II pneumocytes, and bronchoalveolar epithelial cells in samples from patients with PSP. Our findings, although obviously preliminary given the small sample size, suggest that hypoxia, inflammation, and apoptosis may play important roles in the pathogenesis of PSP.

Controlling the Morphology and Interface of the Perovskite Layer for Scalable High-Efficiency Solar Cells Fabricated Using Green Solvents and Blade Coating in an Ambient Environment.

Low-cost and solution-processed perovskite solar cells have shown great potential for scaling-up mass production. In comparison with the spin coating process for fabricating devices with small areas, the blade coating process is a facile technique for preparing uniform films with large areas. High-efficiency perovskite solar cells have been reported using blade coating, but they were fabricated using the toxic solvent N,N-dimethylformide (DMF) in nitrogen. In this work, we present highly efficient blade-coated perovskite solar cells prepared using a green solvent mixture of γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in an ambient environment. By carefully controlling the interface, morphology, and crystallinity of perovskite films through composition variations and additives, a high power conversion efficiency of 17.02% is achieved in air with 42.4% reduction of standard deviation in performance. The findings in this work resolve the issues of scalability and solvent toxicity; thus, the mass production of perovskite solar cells becomes feasible.

Tracheomediastinal fistula caused by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the tracheobronchial tree is uncommon. A 60-year-old man presented with severe cough for two months. Bronchoscopy disclosed an ulcerative lesion at the lower trachea and carina with anterior tracheomediastinal fistula, and biopsy revealed tracheal wall B-cell lymphoma. After chemo-radiotherapy, the tracheomediastinal fistula healed, but eight months later, tracheal stenosis was diagnosed by bronchoscopy. A self-expansible metallic stent was placed, which successfully maintained the airway.

Lung abscess predicts the surgical outcome in patients with pleural empyema.

OBJECTIVES: Most cases of pleural empyema are caused by pulmonary infections, which are usually combined with pneumonia or lung abscess. The mortality of patients with pleural empyema remains high (up to 20%). It also contributes to higher hospital costs and longer hospital stays. We studied pleural empyema with combined lung abscess to determine if abscess was associated with mortality. METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2006, we retrospectively reviewed 259 patients diagnosed with pleural empyema who received thoracscopic decortications of the pleura in a single medical center. We evaluated their clinical data and analyzed their chest computed tomography scans. Outcomes of pleural empyema were compared between groups with and without lung abscess. RESULTS: Twenty-two pleural empyema patients had lung abscesses. Clinical data showed significantly higher incidences in the lung abscess group of pre-operative leukocytosis, need for an intensive care unit stay and mortality. CONCLUSION: Patients with pleural empyema and lung abscess have higher intensive care unit admission rate, higher mortality during 30 days and overall mortality than patients with pleural empyema. The odds ratio of lung abscess is 4.685. Physician shall pay more attention on high risk patient of lung abscess for early detection and management.