GALNT14 regulates ferroptosis and apoptosis of ovarian cancer through the EGFR/mTOR pathway.

Background: Chemoresistance usually occurs in ovarian cancer. We aimed to explore the mechanisms of chemoresistance. Methods: Western blotting assay was used to detect the expression of GALNT14. Further cell function experiments were performed to investigate the effect of GALNT14 in ovarian cancer. Results: GALNT14 is significantly upregulated in ovarian cancer. Downregulation of GALNT14 significantly inhibits both apoptosis and ferroptosis of ovarian cancer cells. A further mechanism assay illustrated that downregulation of GALNT14 suppresses the activity of the mTOR pathway through modifying O-glycosylation of EGFR. Finally, an additive effect promoting cell death occurs with a combination of an mTOR inhibitor and cisplatin. Conclusion: Our study might provide a promising method to overcome cisplatin resistance for patients with ovarian cancer.

[Environmental Background Values of Heavy Metals and Physicochemical Properties in Different Soils in Shenzhen].

Research on the characteristics of environmental background values of soil can provide a scientific basis for setting regional standards for soils. To determine the characteristics of environmental background values and main influencing factors of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Co, V, Cd, and Hg) in soils in Shenzhen, 500 topsoil samples (0-20 cm) were collected by decision unit multi increment sampling (DUMS) from 500 soil background sites in the whole city, including 405 latosolic red soil, 77 red soil, and 18 yellow soil samples. The results show that the concentrations of heavy metals in red soil are relatively low in general, and those of Cr, Ni, Co, and V in latosolic red soil and Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb, and Cd in yellow soil are higher. Compared with the environmental background values of soil in the Seventh Five-year Plan of China in 1980s, the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, and V in latosolic red soil, red soil, and yellow soil are lower, the concentrations of Cd and Hg are similar, and the concentration of Pb is higher. The spatial distribution patterns of the nine heavy metals are significantly different. Pb, Zn, and Co present an obvious zonal distribution pattern, while Cr, Cu, Ni, V, Cd, and Hg present a point-like distribution pattern. Moreover, the correlation analysis between heavy metal content and physicochemical properties of different soils showed that the correlation between heavy metal content and physicochemical properties of latosolic red soil was the most significant. Stepwise regression analysis was used to elucidate the relationship between heavy metal content in latosolic red soil, and physicochemical properties were quantified. The physicochemical properties affecting heavy metal content in latosolic red soil were found to be mechanical composition, pH, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity.

Acute toxicity and ecological risk assessment of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,4,4'-trihydroxybenzophenone and 4-MBC in ultraviolet (UV)-filters.

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are used in cosmetics, personal care products and packaging materials to provide sun protection for human skin and other substances. Little is known about these substances, but they continue to be released into the environment. The acute toxicity of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,4,4'-trihydroxybenzophenone and 4-MBC to Chlorella vulgaris and Daphnia magna were analyzed in this study. The 96 h-EC50 values of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,4,4'-trihydroxybenzophenone and 4-MBC on C. vulgaris were 183.60, 3.50 and 0.16874 mg/L, respectively. The 48 h-LC50 of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,4,4'-trihydroxybenzophenone and 4-MBC on D. magna were 12.50, 3.74 and 0.54445 mg/L, respectively. The toxicity of a mixture of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone and 4-MBC showed addictive effect on C. vulgaris, while the toxicity of mixtures of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone and 2,4,4'-trihydroxybenzophenone, 2,4,4'-trihydroxybenzophenone and 4-MBC as well as 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,4,4'-trihydroxybenzophenone and 4-MBC all showed antagonistic effect on C. vulgaris. The induced no-effect concentrations of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,4,4'-trihydroxybenzophenone and 4-MBC by the assessment factor (AF) method were 0.0125, 0.00350 and 0.000169 mg/L, respectively.

Mutagenicity evaluation to UV filters of benzophenone-6, benzophenone-8, and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor by Ames test.

Benzophenone (BPs) and 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor are used as ultraviolet (UV) filters to protect the skin and hair in personal care products. The discharging of the three chemicals may endanger the receiving water ecosystem. In the present study, the mutagenicity of BP-6, BP-8, and 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor was tested using the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation test (Ames test) in the system with and without rat liver microsomal preparations (S9). Four S.typhimurium strains, TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102 were employed in the Ames tests. The mutagenicity was detected from all three chemicals. The addition of S9 increased the mutation ratios of three chemicals to four strains, except BP-6 to TA100 strain and 4-MBC to TA97 and TA98 strain. In the mixed experiment, all positive effects were detected in the absence of S9. However, the results all became negative in the presence of S9. For the mixture of BP-6 and 4-MBC, positive results were detected on four tester strains except for the TA100 strain. For the mixture of BP-6, BP-8, and 4-MBC, positive results were detected on four strains. The mixture test results showed antagonism in mutagenicity for the mixture of BP-6 and 4-MBC to TA98 and TA100 strains and the mixture of BP-6, BP-8, and 4-MBC to TA100 and TA102 strains.

A Cross-sectional Study Assessing Predictors of Essential Medicines Prescribing Behavior Based on Information-motivation-behavioral Skills Model among County Hospitals in Anhui, China.

BACKGROUND: The self-consciousness and practicality of preferentially prescribed essential medicines (EMs) are not high enough in county hospitals. The purposes of this study were to use the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model to identify the predictors of essential medicines prescribing behavior (EMPB) among doctors and to examine the association between demographic variables, IMB, and EMPB. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess predictive relationships among demographic variables and IMB model variables using an anonymous questionnaire administered in nine county hospitals of Anhui province. A structural equation model was constructed for the IMB model to test the instruments using analysis of moment structures 17.0. RESULTS: A total of 732 participants completed the survey. The average age of the participants was 37.7 ± 8.9 years old (range: 22-67 years old). The correct rate of information was 90.64%. The average scores of the motivation and behavioral skills were 45.46 ± 7.34 (hundred mark system: 75.77) and 19.92 ± 3.44 (hundred mark system: 79.68), respectively. Approximately half (50.8%) of respondents reported that the proportion of EM prescription was below 60%. The final revised model indicated a good fit to the data (χ2 /df = 4.146, goodness of fit index = 0.948, comparative fit index = 0.938, root mean square error of approximation = 0.066). More work experience (ß = 0.153, P < 0.001) and behavioral skills (ß = 0.449, P < 0.001) predicted more EMPB. Higher income predicted less information (ß = -0.197, P < 0.001) and motivation (ß = -0.204, P < 0.001). Behavioral skills were positively predicted by information (ß = 0.135, P < 0.001) and motivation (ß = 0.742, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study predicted some factors of EMPB, and specified the relationships among the model variables. The utilization rate of EM was not high enough. Motivation and behavior skills were crucial factors affecting EMPB. The influence of demographic variables, such as income and work experience, on EMPB should be fully appreciated. Comprehensive intervention measures should be implemented from multiple perspectives.