Molybdenum(V)-mediated switching of the C(sp2)-Se bond of phenylselenyl-functionalized arenes or heterocycles under mild conditions.

Molybdenum(V)-mediated cleavage of C(sp2)-Se bond and C(sp2)-H bond as well as intramolecular oxidative C(sp2)-Se coupling reaction of phenylselenyl-functionalized arenes or heterocycles has been developed. Three kinds of benzoselenophene frameworks were constructed through this reaction with yields up to 94%. This new C(sp2)-Se bond-switching methodology may provide a new strategy for interesting applications of phenylselenyl-substituted aromatic compounds in the synthesis of selenium-containing heterocycles and natural products.

Microwave-assisted continuous flow phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticle/reduced graphene oxide composites and related visible light catalytic performance.

The creation of an environmentally friendly synthesis method for silver nanomaterials (AgNPs) is an urgent concern for sustainable nanotechnology development. In the present study, a novel straightforward and green method for the preparation of silver nanoparticle/reduced graphene oxide (AgNP/rGO) composites was successfully developed through the combination of phytosynthesis, continuous flow synthesis and microwave-assistance. Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) extracts were used as both plant reducing and capping agents for fast online synthesis of AgNP/rGO composites. The experimental parameters were optimized and the morphologies of the prepared materials were investigated. The characterization results reveal that spherical AgNPs were quickly synthesized and uniformly dispersed on rGO sheets using the proposed online system. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed that phenols, flavonoids, and other substances in the plant extracts played a decisive role in the synthesis of AgNP/rGO composites. Using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) degradation of p-nitrophenol (4-NP) as a model, the catalytic activity of the prepared AgNP/rGO materials was evaluated. The complete degradation of 4-NP was achieved within 12 min through the use of AgNP/rGO materials, and the composite had a much better catalytic activity than the bare AgNPs and rGO had. Compared with the conventional chemical method, our online method is facile, fast, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly.

Enhanced anti-tumor efficacy by inhibiting HIF-1α to reprogram TAMs via core-satellite upconverting nanoparticles with curcumin mediated photodynamic therapy.

Tumor hypoxic stress after photodynamic therapy (PDT) will be inevitably exacerbated by the vascular blocking effects and oxygen consumption in the tumor microenvironment (TME) which usually leads to compromised efficacy and clinical performance. Increasing evidence links the hypoxia induced up-regulation of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) with immunosuppressive TME, including the polarization of M2 phenotype tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), which promote the recurrence and metastasis. Here, we reported NIR-triggered core-satellite upconverting nanoparticles (CSNPs) with curcumin (Cur) embedded as a difunctional photosensitizer, which could realize PDT in deep tumors with long excitation wavelength (980 nm) and reverse the immunosuppressive TME induced by up-regulated HIF-1α at the same time. This Cur-loaded CSNPs (Cur-CSNPs)-mediated PDT could successfully induce the immunogenic cell death (ICD) of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines (4T1 and MDA-MB-231) in vitro and repolarize the 4T1 cells co-cultured TAMs from pro-tumor M2 to the anti-tumor M1 phenotype. Furthermore, Cur-CSNPs-mediated PDT could suppress the 4T1 tumor growth in primary and distant sites through the synergistic immunotherapeutic effects in vivo by priming M1 type TAMs and CD4+/CD8+ T cells' infiltration. Our data highlight the novel application of CSNPs-embedded Cur as a difunctional photosensitizer to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of PDT.

Targeting CTGF in Cancer: An Emerging Therapeutic Opportunity.

Despite the dramatic advances in cancer research over the decades, effective therapeutic strategies are still urgently needed. Increasing evidence indicates that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a multifunctional signaling modulator, promotes cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis by regulating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, drug resistance, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CTGF is also involved in the tumor microenvironment in most of the nodes, including angiogenesis, inflammation, and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) activation. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the expression of CTGF and its regulation, oncogenic role, clinical relevance, targeting strategies, and therapeutic agents. Herein, we propose that CTGF is a promising cancer therapeutic target that could potentially improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients.

[Effects of triptolide-medicated serum on secretion function of adrenocortical cells isolated from rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of triptolide-medicated serum on secretory function of adrenocortical cells isolated from rats. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into control group, prednisone group, and low-, medium- and high-dose triptolide groups. Rats were administered with normal saline, prednisone and low-, medium- and high-dose triptolide respectively by gastrogavage to prepare sera containing drugs. Primary adrenocortical cells were isolated from normal male rats and cultured with sera containing drug for 48 hours. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was observed by immunohistochemical method and number of PCNA-positive cells was counted. Ultrastructure of adrenocortical cells was observed under a transmission electron microscope. Content of corticosterone in supernatant of adrenocortical cell culture was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to investigate the expression of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) mRNA. RESULTS: As compared with the control group, content of corticosterone in supernatant of adrenocortical cell culture and expression of 3beta-HSD mRNA were significantly increased in the triptolide-treated groups, and the numbers of PCNA-positive cells were increased in the medium- and high-dose triptolide groups, however, they were decreased in the prednisone group. CONCLUSION: Triptolide-medicated serum can increase the secretion of corticosterone in rat adrenocortical cells in vitro.