Comparison of the surgical outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in chronic dacryocystitis with or without previous bicanalicular silicone tube intubation.

AIMS: To compare the outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) in chronic dacryocystitis (CD) with or without previous bicanalicular silicone tube intubation (BSTI), and investigate whether previous BSTI influenced postoperative outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of CD patients (group A) who had previously undergone BSTI for nasolacrimal duct stenosis and an age- and sex-matched control group of CD patients (group B) without previous intubation receiving En-DCR from November 2017 to January 2022. Sixty-one patients (61 eyes) were included in group A and age- and sex-matched 122 patients (122 eyes) in group B. Dacryocystic parameters were measured by computed tomography-dacryocystography and surgical findings were recorded during surgeries. The surgical success rates of the two groups were compared at 12 months post-operation. RESULTS: The mean horizontal, sagittal, and vertical lengths were 6.06 ± 1.24, 6.03 ± 1.44, and 8.05 ± 2.00 mm, respectively, in group A and 6.33 ± 1.25, 6.26 ± 1.19, and 10.40 ± 2.45 mm, respectively, in group B. There were no differences in the horizontal or sagittal parameters between the two groups. The vertical parameter in group A was significantly lower than that in group B. Scar formation in the sac was observed in 54 patients in group A but was absent in group B. At 12 months postoperatively, the anatomical and functional success rates were 88.52 % and 85.25 %, respectively, in group A and 92.62 % and 89.34 %, respectively, in group B, with no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Previous BSTI reduced dacryocyst vertical parameter and caused dacryocyst scar formation but did not affect postoperative En-DCR efficacy.

The spatial-temporal reactive changes of compressed optic nerve in a clinically relevant rabbit model of persistent compressive optic nerve axonopathy.

The optic nerve (ON) can get compressed in different diseases. However, the pathological and functional changes occurring in the compressed ON over time under constant compression are still unclear. In the present study, we implanted an artificial tube around the optic nerve of a rabbit to primarily create a clinically relevant persistent compressive optic nerve axonopathy (PCOA). Due to the protuberance on the inner ring of the tube, steady and persistent compressions were maintained. In this model, we investigated the thickness of ganglion cell complex (GCC), retinal ganglion cell (RGC) density, axon density of optic nerve, flash visual evoked potential (FVEP), and anterograde axonal transport at various times in four different groups viz. the no comp, 1/2 comp, 3/4 comp, and crush groups. The GCC thickness, RGC density, and axon density of ON were hierarchically and significantly decreased in 1/2 comp, 3/4 comp, and crush groups. Compared to no comp eyes, the P2 amplitude ratio of FVEP was significantly decreased in 3/4 comp but not in 1/2 comp eyes. Only a portion of the optic nerve lost the ability of anterograde axonal transport in the 1/2 comp group. However, it was evident at 2-wpo and more prominent at 4-wpo in 3/4 comp eyes. This study reveals that the compression only induces the homolateral ON axons impairment and the proportion of the affected axons maintains the same for mild compression for at least three months. Furthermore, an underlying threshold effect highlights that mild compression does not require urgent surgery, while the severe compression warrants immediate surgical intervention.

Catalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin in Aqueous Solution by Peroxymonosulfate Activated with a Magnetic CuFe2O4@Biochar Composite.

A magnetic copper ferrite and biochar composite (CuFe2O4@BC) catalyst was prepared by an improved sol-gel calcination method and initially used for the removal of antibiotics ciprofloxacin (CIP) by activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Using CuFe2O4@BC as the activator, 97.8% CIP removal efficiency could be achieved in 30 min. After a continuous degradation cycle, CuFe2O4@BC catalyst still exhibited great stability and repeatability and could also be quickly recovered by an external magnetic field. Meanwhile, the CuFe2O4@BC/PMS system presented good stability for metal ion leaching, which was far less than the leaching of metal ions in the CuFe2O4/PMS system. Moreover, the effects of various influencing factors, such as initial solution pH, activator loading, PMS dosage, reaction temperature, humic acid (HA), and the inorganic anions were explored. The quenching experiments and the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis manifested that hydroxyl radical (•OH), sulfate radical (SO4•-), superoxide radical (O2•-), and singlet oxygen (1O2) were generated in the CuFe2O4@BC/PMS system, while 1O2 and O2•- are mainly involved in the degradation process. The synergistic effect between CuFe2O4 and BC enhanced the structural stability and electrical conductivity of the material, which promoted the bonding between the catalyst and PMS, resulting in the enhanced catalytic activity of CuFe2O4@BC. This indicates that CuFe2O4@BC activating PMS is a promising remediation technique for CIP-contaminated water.

Research Progress of Heavy Ion Radiotherapy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a high incidence and poses a serious threat to human health. However, the treatment outcomes of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer are still unsatisfactory, especially for high grade lesions. As a new cancer treatment, heavy ion radiotherapy has shown promising efficacy and safety in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. This article discusses the clinical progress of heavy ion radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer mainly from the different cancer stages, the different doses of heavy ion beams, and the patient's individual factors, and explores the deficiency of heavy ion radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer and the directions of future research, in order to provide reference for the wider and better application of heavy ion radiotherapy in the future.

Self-Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel in Endonasal Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether self-cross-linked HA hydrogel fill stimulates wound mucosal regeneration and its epithelialization around the ostia to improve long-term ostial patency in endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two patients with unilateral primary chronic dacryocystitis (PCD) were randomized divided into 2 groups: group A (the HA hydrogel group) and group B (the control group). All patients underwent En-DCR. The HA hydrogel group received HA hydrogel filling the ostium at the end of the surgery and the control group received no treatment. The mucosal epithelialization of the wound, the formation of granulation, the formation of scars, and the success rate of ostial patency were compared. RESULTS: Our study included 82 patients in group A and 79 patients in group B. At the 2-week follow up, 74 patients (90.2%) in the group A had a healed ostium with a lining of intact epithelial mucosa. It was higher when compared with 56 patients (70.9%) in group B (X2 = 9.698, P < 0.05). At the 12-month follow up, Granulation were present in 7.3% of patients in group A which was significantly lower than the 19.0% of patients in group B (X2 = 4.831, P < 0.05). No statistical difference was found with scars formation between 2 groups (X2 = 1.607, P = 0.205). The success rate of ostial patency was 89.0% (73/82) in group A and 77.2% (61/79) in group B. The success rate was much higher in group A than group B (X2 = 4.02, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Self-cross-linked HA hydrogel may enhance the success rate of En-DCR for PCD by promoting mucosal epithelial healing and preventing excessive granulation.

Long Non-Coding RNA CRYBG3 Promotes Lung Cancer Metastasis via Activating the eEF1A1/MDM2/MTBP Axis.

The occurrence of distant tumor metastases is a major barrier in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy, and seriously affects clinical treatment and patient prognosis. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be crucial regulators of metastasis in lung cancer. The aim of this study was to reveal the underlying mechanisms of a novel lncRNA LNC CRYBG3 in regulating NSCLC metastasis. Experimental results showed that LNC CRYBG3 was upregulated in NSCLC cells compared with normal tissue cells, and its level was involved in these cells' metastatic ability. Exogenously overexpressed LNC CRYBG3 increased the metastatic ability and the protein expression level of the metastasis-associated proteins Snail and Vimentin in low metastatic lung cancer HCC827 cell line. In addition, LNC CRYBG3 contributed to HCC827 cell metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, LNC CRYBG3 could directly combine with eEF1A1 and promote it to move into the nucleus to enhance the transcription of MDM2. Overexpressed MDM2 combined with MDM2 binding protein (MTBP) to reduce the binding of MTBP with ACTN4 and consequently increased cell migration mediated by ACTN4. In conclusion, the LNC CRYBG3/eEF1A1/MDM2/MTBP axis is a novel signaling pathway regulating tumor metastasis and may be a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC treatment.

Circadian effects of ionizing radiation on reproductive function and clock genes expression in male mouse.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to the ionizing radiation (IR) encountered outside the magnetic field of the Earth poses a persistent threat to the reproductive functions of astronauts. The potential effects of space IR on the circadian rhythms of male reproductive functions have not been well characterized so far. METHODS: Here, we investigated the circadian effects of IR exposure (3 Gy X-rays) on reproductive functional markers in mouse testicular tissue and epididymis at regular intervals over a 24-h day. For each animal, epididymis was tested for sperm motility, and the testis tissue was used for daily sperm production (DSP), testosterone levels, and activities of testicular enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and acid phosphatase (ACP)), and the clock genes mRNA expression such as Clock, Bmal1, Ror-α, Ror-ß, or Ror-γ. RESULTS: Mice exposed to IR exhibited a disruption in circadian rhythms of reproductive markers, as indicated by decreased sperm motility, increased daily sperm production (DSP), and reduced activities of testis enzymes such as G6PDH, SDH, LDH, and ACP. Moreover, IR exposure also decreased mRNA expression of five clock genes (Clock, Bmal1, Ror-α, Ror-ß, or Ror-γ) in testis, with alteration in the rhythm parameters. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested potential health effects of IR exposure on reproductive functions of male astronauts, in terms of both the daily overall level as well as the circadian rhythmicity.

Upregulation of long non-coding RNA FOXD2-AS1 promotes progression and predicts poor prognosis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidences suggest that lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 plays an important role in tumor progression, however, its function in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains unknown. This research aims to investigate the function and mechanism of FOXD2-AS1 in the modulation of tongue squamous cell carcinoma progression. METHODS: Expression of FOXD2-AS1 was detected in TSCC tissues and TCGA data. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) analysis and bioinformatic analysis of TCGA data were performed to investigate the role of FOXD2-AS1 in TSCC prognosis. After siRNA-mediated downregulation of FOXD2-AS1, wound healing assay, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and MTS proliferation assay were conducted to explore the effects that FOXD2-AS1 exerted on SCC-9 and CAL-27 cell lines. Western blotting was performed to detect the downstream protein changes. RESULTS: Compared to the normal tissues and samples, FOXD2-AS1 significantly highly expressed in TSCC tissues and in TSCC samples of TCGA data, and high expression of FOXD2-AS1 was associated with lymphatic metastasis and poor TNM stages. ROC analysis and bioinformatic analysis of TCGA data further suggested that high expression of FOXD2-AS1 was associated with TSCC poor prognosis. Downregulation of FOXD2-AS1 inhibited the migration and invasion of SCC-9 and CAL-27 cell lines. Western blotting showed that the expression of p-p44 and p-p65 downregulated after FOXD2-AS1 knockdown. CONCLUSION: High expression of FOXD2-AS1 promotes TSCC progression through modulating NF-kB and ERK MAPK signaling pathways and is associated with TSCC poor prognosis, it could be a novel therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for TSCC.

Endoscopic Transethmosphenoid Optic Canal and Orbital Apex Decompression for Patients With Traumatic Orbital Apex Syndrome.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of the endoscopic optic canal and orbital apex decompression for patients with traumatic orbital apex syndrome. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. METHOD: Thirty-one patients (31 eyes) with traumatic orbital apex syndrome underwent endoscopic transethmosphenoid optic canal and orbital apex decompression at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from May 1st, 2012 to May 1st, 2018. In each case, the indication of surgery was that patient with traumatic orbital apex syndrome failed to respond to corticosteroids. Patients were followed up to 6 months after surgery. Best corrected visual acuity, visual field, ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, hypoesthesia, and pupil before and after surgery were compared. RESULT: All patients presented visual decline (including 5 patients with no light perception), ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, diplopia, pupil dysfunction, and visual field defect, and 20 of them also presented hypoesthesia. Nineteen of 31 (61.3%) patients gained improvement of best-corrected visual acuity after surgery, 7 of them gained 20/20 BCVA, and visual field showed improvement in 20 patients. Ptosis and ophthalmoplegia of all patients recovered in various degree; diplopia also relieved relatively. The function of the pupil was also improved in most patients (27/31, 87.1%). The improvement of hypoesthesia was also observed in most patients. No serious complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic transethmosphenoid optic canal and orbital apex decompression seems to be a feasible, efficient, and safe approach for traumatic orbital apex syndrome patients.

MicroRNAs Responding to Space Radiation.

High-energy and high-atom-number (HZE) space radiation poses an inevitable potential threat to astronauts on deep space exploration missions. Compared with low-LET radiation, high-energy and high-LET radiation in space is more efficient in inducing clustered DNA damage with more serious biological consequences, such as carcinogenesis, central nervous system injury and degenerative disease. Space radiation also causes epigenetic changes in addition to inducing damage at the DNA level. Considering the important roles of microRNAs in the regulation of biological responses of radiation, we systematically reviewed both expression profiling and functional studies relating to microRNAs responding to space radiation as well as to space compound environment. Finally, the directions for improvement of the research related to microRNAs responding to space radiation are proposed. A better understanding of the functions and underlying mechanisms of the microRNAs responding to space radiation is of significance to both space radiation risk assessment and therapy development for lesions caused by space radiation.

Association of MCP-1 promoter polymorphism with susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent among populations from southern China and is influenced by both genetic and environmental risk factors. The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a member of cysteine-cysteine chemokine family, plays critical roles in cancers. A polymorphism within the MCP-1 promoter, rs1024611, has been shown to be significantly associated with the risk of several cancers. Our purpose was to assess the role of rs1024611 in NPC susceptibility. By polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, we genotyped rs1024611 in 593 patients with NPC (cases) and 480 cancer-free subjects (controls) among Guangxi population from southern China. We observed that the G allele of rs1024611 was significantly associated with the increased risk of NPC in an additive model and dominant model, respectively (P = 0.018 and 0.010, odds ratio = 1.25 and 1.41, respectively). No appreciable variation of the effects was found across the subgroups stratified by age, sex, nationality, smoking and drinking status, and smoking level. In addition, significantly higher messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of MCP-1 was observed in NPC tissues than that in normal nasopharyngeal tissues, and the G allele of rs1024611 was significantly associated with elevated mRNA expression level of MCP-1 in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes. In conclusion, our findings suggested that rs1024611 at the MCP-1 promoter may be a risk factor for NPC. Further studies with larger sample size are necessary to confirm these findings.

SF-1 mediates reproductive toxicity induced by Cerium oxide nanoparticles in male mice.

BACKGROUND: Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) have potential application for use in biomedical and in various consumer products. However, it is largely unclear whether CeO2 NPs have effects on male reproductive function. METHODS: In this study, male mice were examined for toxicity, if any, following chronic oral administration of CeO2 NPs for 32 days. In each animal, epididymides were examined for sperm motility and DNA integrity. Bloods were tested for testosterone levels. Testicular tissues were collected to determine the element Ce content, the daily sperm production (DSP), marker enzymes such as ACP, G6PD, γ-GT and SDH, mRNA expression levels of steroidogenesis genes Star, P450scc, P450c17, 3ß-Hsd, and 17ß-Hsd, as well as steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) gene/protein levels. RESULTS: The results showed that CeO2 NPs (20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) increased the element Ce content in testis, the testis histopathological patterns and sperm DNA damage whereas decreased the testis weight, DSP and sperm motility. There were also remarkable reduction in testosterone levels and marker enzymes activities, down-regulated mRNA expression levels of several steroidogenesis genes such as Star, P450scc, P450c17, 3ß-Hsd, and 17ß-Hsd, as well as altered gene and protein expressions of SF-1. CONCLUSION: These results reveal the male reproductive toxicity of chronic exposure of CeO2 NPs in mice, hinting that the utilization of CeO2 NPs need to be carefully evaluated about their potential reproductive toxicity on the human health.

Microarray Profiling of TGF-ß1-Induced Long Non-Coding RNA Expression Patterns in Human Lung Bronchial Epithelial BEAS-2B Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: TGF-ß1 mediated radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBE) have been linked with malignant transformation and tumorigenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. METHODS: To reveal new molecules of regulatory functions in this process, lncRNA microarray was performed to profile both lncRNA and mRNA expression patterns in human lung bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells treated with TGF-ß1 at a concentration measured in the medium conditioned by directly irradiated BEAS-2B cells. The potential functions of the differentially expressed lncRNAs were predicted by GO and KEGG pathway analyses of their co-expressed mRNAs. Cis- and trans-regulation of the lncRNAs were analyzed and the interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape. qRT-PCR was conducted to validate the results of microarray profiling. CCK-8 assay was employed for functional validation of 3 identified lncRNAs. RESULTS: 224 lncRNAs were found to be dysregulated, among which 6 lncRNAs were chosen for expression validation by qRT-PCR assay. Pathway analyses showed that differentially expressed lncRNAs are highly correlated with cell proliferation, transformation, migration, etc. Trans-regulation analyses showed that the differentially expressed lncRNAs most likely participate in the pathways regulated by four transcriptional factors, FOS, STAT3, RAD21 and E2F1, which have been identified to be involved in the modulation of oncogenic transformation, cell cycle progression, genomic instability, etc. lnc-THEMIS-2 and lnc-ITGB6-4, predicted to be regulated by STAT3 and E2F1 respectively, were found to rescue the decrease of cell viability induced by TGF-ß1 treatment. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the differentially expressed lncRNAs induced by TGF-ß1 play crucial roles in the oncogenic transformation and tumorigenesis, which provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms related to tumorigensis induced by LD/LDR radiations.

Therapeutic ionizing radiation induced bone loss: a review of in vivo and in vitro findings.

Radiation therapy is one of the routine treatment modalities for cancer patients. Ionizing radiation (IR) can induce bone loss, and consequently increases the risk of fractures with delayed and nonunion of the bone in the cancer patients who receive radiotherapy. The orchestrated bone remodeling can be disrupted due to the affected behaviors of bone cells, including bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), osteoblasts and osteoclasts. BMSCs and osteoblasts are relatively radioresistant compared with osteoclasts and its progenitors. Owing to different radiosensitivities of bone cells, unbalanced bone remodeling caused by IR is closely associated with the dose absorbed. For doses less than 2 Gy, osteoclastogenesis and adipogenesis by BMSCs are enhanced, while there are limited effects on osteoblasts. High doses (>10 Gy) induce disrupted architecture of bone, which is usually related to decreased osteogenic potential. In this review, studies elucidating the biological effects of IR on bone cells (BMSCs, osteoblasts and osteoclasts) are summarized. Several potential preventions and therapies are also proposed.

Ultrapreconcentration and determination of organophosphorus pesticides in water by solid-phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Solid-phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was developed as an ultra-preconcentration method for the determination of four organophosphorus pesticides (isocarbophos, parathion-methyl, triazophos and fenitrothion) in water samples. The analytes considered in this study were rapidly extracted and concentrated from large volumes of aqueous solutions (100 mL) by solid-phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and then analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Experimental variables including type and volume of elution solvent, volume and flow rate of sample solution, salt concentration, type and volume of extraction solvent and sample solution pH were investigated for the solid-phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with these analytes, and the best results were obtained using methanol as eluent and ethylene chloride as extraction solvent. Under the optimal conditions, an exhaustive extraction for four analytes (recoveries >86.9%) and high enrichment factors were attained. The limits of detection were between 0.021 and 0.15 µg/L. The relative standard deviations for 0.5 µg/L of the pesticides in water were in the range of 1.9-6.8% (n = 5). The proposed strategy offered the advantages of simple operation, high enrichment factor and sensitivity and was successfully applied to the determination of four organophosphorus pesticides in water samples.

Dispersive solid-phase extraction followed by vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on the solidification of a floating organic droplet for the determination of benzoylurea insecticides in soil and sewage sludge.

A novel dispersive solid-phase extraction combined with vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet was developed for the determination of eight benzoylurea insecticides in soil and sewage sludge samples before high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The analytes were first extracted from the soil and sludge samples into acetone under optimized pretreatment conditions. Clean-up of the extract was conducted by dispersive solid-phase extraction using activated carbon as the sorbent. The vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet procedure was performed by using 1-undecanol with lower density than water as the extraction solvent, and the acetone contained in the solution also acted as dispersive solvent. Under the optimum conditions, the linearity of the method was in the range 2-500 ng/g with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.9993-0.9999. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.08-0.56 ng/g. The relative standard deviations varied from 2.16 to 6.26% (n = 5). The enrichment factors ranged from 104 to 118. The extraction recoveries ranged from 81.05 to 97.82% for all of the analytes. The good performance has demonstrated that the proposed methodology has a strong potential for application in the multiresidue analysis of complex matrices.

Determination of Lead in Water Samples Using a New Vortex-Assisted, Surfactant-Enhanced Emulsification Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Combined with Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

A low toxic solvent-based vortex-assisted surfactant-enhanced emulsification liquid-liquid microextraction (LT-VSLLME) combined with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was developed for the extraction and determination of lead (Pb) in water samples. In the LT-VSLLME method, the extraction solvent was dispersed into the aqueous samples by the assistance of vortex agitator. Meanwhile, the addition of a surfactant, which acted as an emulsifier, could enhance the speed of the mass-transfer from aqueous samples to the extraction solvent. The influences of analytical parameters, including extraction solvent type and its volume, surfactant type and its volume, pH, concentration of chelating agent, salt effect and extraction time were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, a good relative standard deviation of 3.69% at 10 ng L(-1) was obtained. The calibration graph showed a linear pattern in the ranges of 5-30 ngL(-1), with a limit of detection of 0.76 ng L(-1). The linearity was obtained by five points in the concentration range of 5-30 ngL(-1). The enrichment factor was 320. The procedure was applied to wastewater and river water, and the accuracy was assessed through the analysis of the recovery experiments.

1α,25(OH)2D3 Suppresses the Migration of Ovarian Cancer SKOV-3 Cells through the Inhibition of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy due to its high metastatic ability. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential during both follicular rupture and epithelium regeneration. However, it may also accelerate the progression of ovarian carcinomas. Experimental studies have found that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3] can inhibit the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. In this study, we investigated whether 1α,25(OH)2D3 could inhibit the migration of ovarian cancer cells via regulating EMT. We established a model of transient transforming growth factor-ß1(TGF-ß1)-induced EMT in human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line SKOV-3 cells. Results showed that, compared with control, 1α,25(OH)2D3 not only inhibited the migration and the invasion of SKOV-3 cells, but also promoted the acquisition of an epithelial phenotype of SKOV-3 cells treated with TGF-ß1. We discovered that 1α,25(OH)2D3 increased the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin and decreased the level of mesenchymal marker, Vimentin, which was associated with the elevated expression of VDR. Moreover, 1α,25(OH)2D3 reduced the expression level of transcription factors of EMT, such as slug, snail, and ß-catenin. These results indicate that 1α,25(OH)2D3 suppresses the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells by inhibiting EMT, implying that 1α,25(OH)2D3 might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

[Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Study of D-Carnitine on a New Base].

A fast and efficient way to synthesize a large number of silver nanowires was developed in this paper, in which the reaction conditions were optimized. Under the protection of Cu(NO3)2 silver nitrate was reduced by polyol with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in existence. The silver nanowires with uniform structure and good dispersion were obtained. Surface enhancement activity of the silver nanowires was detected by using RhB as a probe molecule，its surface enhancement factor can reach 6.4×105. The results showed that the nanowires significantly enhance the Raman spectroscopy of RhB. The normal Raman spectroscopy (NRS), Raman spectroscopy of D-carnitine solution and Surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of D-carnitine by means of the new base were obtained. There are obvious Raman peaks at 3 100～2 800 and 1 700～200 cm-1, and the peak of 1 700～200 cm-1 in the surface enhanced Raman spectra of the D-carnitine can be obviously enhanced. The analysis showed that the angle between the molecular and silver nanoparticles were 180°. The vibrational peaks were assigned comprehensively. Compared with the NRS and SERS of D-carnitine, the detailed structural information of D-carnitine was obtained. In this paper, the surface enhanced Raman spectra of the D-carnitine absorbed on the synthesized silver nanoparticles were obtained, and the minimum detection concentration was 10-6 mol·L-1. The new method can be a rapid and characteristic way to detect D-carnitine, and it will also provide an important guidance for the studies on pharmacology of D-carnitine.

Determination of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, phoxim and chlorpyrifos-methyl in water samples using a new pretreatment method coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography.

A novel low-density solvent-based vortex-assisted surfactant-enhanced-emulsification liquid-liquid microextraction with the solidification of floating organic droplet method coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography was developed for the determination of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, phoxim and chlorpyrifos-methyl in water samples. In this method, the addition of a surfactant could enhance the speed of the mass transfer from the sample solution into the extraction solvent. The extraction solvent could be dispersed into the aqueous by the vortex process. The main parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were investigated and the optimum conditions were established as follows: 80 µL 1-undecanol as extraction solvent, 0.2 mmol/L of Triton X-114 selected as the surfactant, the vortex time was fixed at 60 s with the vortex agitator set at 3000 rpm, the concentration of acetic acid in sample solution was 0.4% v/v and 1.0 g addition of NaCl. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors were from 172 to 186 for the three analytes. The linear ranges were from 0.5 to 500 µg/L with a coefficient of determination (r(2) ) of between 0.9991 and 0.9995. Limits of detections were varied between 0.05 and 0.12 µg/L. The relative standard deviations (n = 6) ranged from 0.26 to 2.62%.