Norcantharidin combined with diamminedichloroplatinum inhibits tumor growth and cancerometastasis of hepatic carcinoma in murine.

AIM: Norcantharidin (NCTD) has been used as a clinical antineoplastic drug in China for several years, and diamminedichloroplatinum is a valuable clinical cancer chemotherapy agent. Here, we tried to investigate the effects of NCTD plus diamminedichloroplatinum on hepatic carcinoma in murine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo and in vitro investigations on anticancer effects of the two drugs were individually made. RESULT: In vitro, the combination of the two drugs resulted in apparent apoptosis and cell proliferation inhibitions of H22 cancer cells. Meanwhile, their coadministration in vivo produced significant suppressions of tumor growth and cancerometastasis. Further, CD31 immunohistochemistry and matrigel tube formation assay demonstrated that angiogenesis was inhibited by NCTD plus diamminedichloroplatinum in vivo and in vitro, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, we concluded that NCTD plus diamminedichloroplatinum may have an additive anticancer efficacy because the two drugs work in different ways, and thus, their combination had inhibited cancer cell proliferations and tumor angiogenesis more effectively than either of the compounds alone.

Astragalus Saponins and Liposome Constitute an Efficacious Adjuvant Formulation for Cancer Vaccines.

Cancer vaccines mostly aim to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against tumors. An appropriate adjuvant is of fundamental importance for inducing cellular immune response. Since the antigen in particulate form is substantially more immunogenic than soluble form antigen, it is beneficial to interact with antigen-presenting cells membrane to induce robust CD8+ T cell activation following vaccination. Based on previous research, we designed an adjuvant formulation by combining Astragalus saponins, cholesterol, and liposome to incorporate antigen into a particulate delivery system, so as to enhance cellular immune response. Meanwhile, angiogenesis contributes to tumor growth and metastasis, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is involved in tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, using lipo-saponins adjuvant formulation and a human recombinant bFGF antigen protein, we tried to induce bFGF-specific CTL response to inhibit tumor angiogenesis to achieve antitumor activity. After five immunizations, the lipo-saponins/bFGF complex elicited robust antibody response and markedly higher amount of interferon-γ in BALB/c mice, resulting in superior antitumor activities. Decreased microvessel density in CD31 immunohistochemistry and the lysis of vascular endothelial cells by the T lymphocytes from the immunized mice indicated that the immunity inhibited the angiogenesis of tumors and further led to the inhibition of tumors. Our data suggest that the approach to construct adjuvant formulation between liposome and Astragalus saponins appeared highly desirable, and that Astragalus saponins may be utilized as a valuable additive for enhancing the effectiveness of vaccines and stimulating an appropriate immune response that can benefit tumor therapy.

[Retrieval of leaf net photosynthetic rate of moso bamboo forests using hyperspectral remote sen-sing based on wavelet transform].

This study focused on retrieval of net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of moso bamboo forest based on analysis of wavelet transform on hyperspectral reflectance data of moso bamboo forest leaf. The result showed that the accuracy of Pn retrieved by the ideal high frequency wavelet vegetation index ( VI) was higher than that retrieved by low frequency wavelet VI and spectral VI. Normalized difference vegetation index of wavelet (NDVIw), simple ratio vegetation index of wavelet (SRw) and difference vegetation index of wavelet (Dw) constructed by the first layer of high frequency coefficient through wavelet decomposition had the highest relationship with Pn, with the R² of 0.7 and RMSE of 0.33; low frequency wavelet VI had no advantage compared with spectral VI. Significant correlation existed between Pn estimated by multivariate linear model constructed by the ideal wavelet VI and the measured Pn, with the R² of 0.77 and RMSE of 0.29, and the accuracy was significantly higher than that of using the spectral VI. Compared with the fact that sensitive spectral bands of the retrieval through spectral VI were limited in the range of visible light, the wavelength of sensitive bands of wavelet VI ranged more widely from visible to infrared bands. The results illustrated that spectrum of wavelet transform could reflect the Pn of moso bamboo more in detail, and the overall accuracy was significantly improved than that using the original spectral data, which provided a new alternative method for retrieval of Pn of moso bamboo forest using hyper spectral remotely sensed data.

[Retrieval of crown closure of moso bamboo forest using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remotely sensed imagery based on geometric-optical model].

This research focused on the application of remotely sensed imagery from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with high spatial resolution for the estimation of crown closure of moso bamboo forest based on the geometric-optical model, and analyzed the influence of unconstrained and fully constrained linear spectral mixture analysis (SMA) on the accuracy of the estimated results. The results demonstrated that the combination of UAV remotely sensed imagery and geometric-optical model could, to some degrees, achieve the estimation of crown closure. However, the different SMA methods led to significant differentiation in the estimation accuracy. Compared with unconstrained SMA, the fully constrained linear SMA method resulted in higher accuracy of the estimated values, with the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.63 at 0.01 level, against the measured values acquired during the field survey. Root mean square error (RMSE) of approximate 0.04 was low, indicating that the usage of fully constrained linear SMA could bring about better results in crown closure estimation, which was closer to the actual condition in moso bamboo forest.

[Enhanced radiosensitivity of H22 ascitic tumor to 12C6+ ions radiation in ultra-filtration extract mixture from Astragalus mongholicus-treated mice].

This study was designed to investigate the impact of ultra-filtration extract mixture from Astragals mongholicus (UEMAM) o radiosensitivity of H22 ascitic tumor in mice to 12C6+ ions radiation. The H22 ascitic tumor model was established in mice by intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 mL H22 ascitic cells. The animals were subsequently divided into 4 groups randomly, treated with normal saline, UEMAM, heavy ion beam radiotherapy and UEMAM plus heavy ion beam radiotherapy, respectively. The body weights, abdomen circumference of the mice were measured and the mouse behavior was monitored every day; survival time was recorded to evaluate life extension effect; flow cytometry technique was used to detect H22 cell apoptosis and cell cycle; protein levels of p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3 were analyzed by Western blot; the single cell gel electrophoresis was used to detect the level of deoxyribonucleic acid damage (DNA damage). The results suggest that UEMAM significantly increased survival time, and decreased body weights and abdomen circumference over the saline control group. The treatment increased cell apoptosis, cycle arrest and DNA damage compared to the saline control group. UEMAM significantly enhanced the therapeutic effect of heavy ion beam radiation in survival time, and decreased body weights and abdomen circumference in the tumor-baring mice. The combination increased cell apoptosis, cycle arrest and DNA damage compared to the radiotherapy group. The results of Western blot suggest that the treatment significantly enhanced p53-induced apoptotic signals. The experiment discovered that UEMAM could improve radiosensitivity of H22 ascitic tumor through activation of p53-mediated apoptotic signal pathway.

Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Radix Hedysari enhance radiosensitivity of 12C6+ radiation in human liver cancer cells by modulating apoptosis protein.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the radiosensitizing effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis-Radix Hedysari (RAS-RH [an ultra-filtration extract]) and its underlying mechanisms in human liver cancer cells H22. METHODS: This study was conducted between September 2010 and August 2012 in the Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China. The groups were assigned as the control group, drug (RAS-RH) group, 12C6+ radiation group, and combination group. The cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, cell cycle changes, and apoptosis analysis were carried out, and survivin and casepase-9 were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses in the 4 groups. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of RAS-RH on H22 cells was dependent on both concentration and time, RAS-RH was able to enhance the radiosensitivity of H22 cells by increasing cell survival fraction and radiosensitization parameters. Apoptosis and the gap2/mitosis (G2/M) phase transition induced by 12C6+ heavy ion radiation was enhanced by RAS-RH treatment. Irradiation, combined with RAS-RH, decreased survivin expression while increasing casepase-9 expression in H22 cells. CONCLUSION: The RAS-RH increased the radiosensitivity of H22 cells of 12C6+ heavy ion radiation significantly, and its possible mechanism of radiosensitization is to enhance caspase-dependent apoptosis through the down-regulation of survivin, thus, it can be used as an effective radiosensitizer.

A highly selective chemosensor for Al3+ based on 2-oxo-quinoline-3-carbaldehyde Schiff-base.

A new Schiff-base ligand (1) with good fluorescence response to Al(3+), derived from 2-oxo-quinoline-3-carbaldehyde and nicotinic hydrazide, had been synthesized and investigated in this paper. Spectroscopic investigation revealed that the compound 1 exhibited a high selectivity and sensitivity toward Al(III) ions over other commonly coexisting metal ions in ethanol, and the detection limit of Al(3+) ions is at the parts per billion level. The mass spectra and Job's plot confirmed the 1:1 stoichiometry between 1 and Al(3+). Potential utilization of 1 as intracellular sensors of Al(3+) ions in human cancer (HeLa) cells was also examined by confocal fluorescence microscopy.

[Effect of flavonoids from hedysari radix on pulmonary functions of pulmonary fibrosis rat].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of flavonoids from Hedysari Radix on pulmonary functions of pulmonary fibrosis rat and its mechanism. METHODS: 72 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank control group, model group, prednisone group, Hedysari Radix flavonoids low, medium and high dosage group. The rat model was established by propelling bleomycin into bronchial tree through endotracheal intubation with laryngoscope. The pulmonary fanctions were measured. RESULTS: Hedysari Radix flavonoids could normalize the pulmonary functions of rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Hedysari Radix flavonoids can inhibit the process of pulmonary fibrosis.

2, 2'-(Phenylazanediyl) diacetic acid modified Fe3O4@PEI for selective removal of cadmium ions from blood.

A water-dispersible and supermagnetic nanocomposite (PAD-PEG-Fe(3)O(4)@PEI) has been successfully synthesized using polyethylenimine (PEI, Mol MW = 10000) coated supermagnetic Fe(3)O(4)-NH(2) which was modified with 2, 2'-(phenylazanediyl) diacetic acid (PAD) through the bridge of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, Mol MW = 2000). The average particle size of PAD-PEG-Fe(3)O(4)@PEI was determined by TEM, and was about 50 nm. From magnetic hysteresis cycles for PAD-PEG-Fe(3)O(4)@PEI at room temperature, the saturation magnetization (Ms) was shown to be 58.14 emu g(-1). Inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) analysis showed that the designed magnetic nanocomposite can remove 98% and 80% of Cd(2+) from water and blood, respectively.

ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 gene, a member of LOB/AS2 family of Arabidopsis thaliana, causes an abaxializing leaves in transgenic cockscomb.

The leaf primordium derives from the peripheral zone of shoot apical meristem. During the formation of leaf primordia, they need to establish the proximodistal, mediolateral, and ab/adaxial axes. Among these axes, the ab/adaxial axis might be the most important. ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2) gene is a member of AS2/LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARY (LOB) family of Arabidopsis thaliana. In this work, we transformed 35S:AS2 transgene constructs to cockscomb (Celosia cristata) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. All primary transformants subsequently obtained were placed into phenotypic categories and self-pollinated. As a whole, a total of 44 T1 35S:AS2 cockscomb plants obtained were grouped into two major categories: (I) slightly wrinkled leaves (28/44), (II) extremely curved leaves (16/44), on the basis of their leaf phenotypes. Furthermore, we characterized the anatomical features of these malformed leaves; and found the transformation of adaxial cell types into abaxial cell ones. A series of data suggest that AS2 might be involved in the determination of abaxial polarity in cockscomb plants. However, a few research teams have reported that AS2 might be involved in the determination of adaxial polarity in leaf primodia of Arabidopsis thaliana. These data above indicate that the roles of the same ab/adaxial determinant might differ between distinct species. At last, the different function of AS2 in distinct species was discussed.

Using high competent shoot apical meristems of cockscomb as explants for studying function of ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2-LIKE11 (ASL11) gene of Arabidopsis.

Though shoot apical meristems (SAMs) commonly exhibit low or no competence for transformation, the potent regeneration of this tissue merits further research. Especially, when shoot regeneration is recalcitrant using other tissues as explants, SAM probably is an excellent selection. In cockscomb plants, using SAMs from seedlings obtained from MS medium with 0.5 mg l(-1) 6-BA as explants, high frequency of transformation (approximate 20%) is obtained; whereas control SAMs performed poorly for transformation (approximate 3%). These SAMs are malformed in morphology compared to control SAMs. Further observation found that, in these SAMs, cell proliferation and/or TE formation are seen; which are not found in control SAMs. GUS assays indicated that GUS-positive blue spots at TE zones are obvious; whereas the case was contrary in control SAMs. All these data suggest that cell proliferation and/or TE formation might cause high effective transformation. This transformation system should facilitate the use of this species for studies on gene manipulation and expression. Therefore, we introduced 35S:ASL11-GFP to cockscomb via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2-LIKE11 (ASL11) gene of Arabidopsis is a member of the ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2)/LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (LOB) domain gene family, and its function is largely unclear. By confocal laser scanning microscopy, we found that in most over 35S:ASL11-GFP cockscomb plants, ASL11-GFP fusion protein was in discrete nuclear location. These results indicate that the T-DNA contains within the construct inserted into the host chromosomes in an integral form, and also suggest that ASL11 might be a nuclear protein and function as a potential transcription factor. Moreover, SAMs of the over 35S:ASL11-GFP plants show needle-like patterns that lack organ primordial; suggesting ASL11 might be involved in sustaining indeterminate cell fate of SAMs.