Unveiling the potential of diffusion model-based framework with transformer for hyperspectral image classification.

Hyperspectral imaging has gained popularity for analysing remotely sensed images in various fields such as agriculture and medical. However, existing models face challenges in dealing with the complex relationships and characteristics of spectral-spatial data due to the multi-band nature and data redundancy of hyperspectral data. To address this limitation, we propose a novel approach called DiffSpectralNet, which combines diffusion and transformer techniques. The diffusion method is able extract diverse and meaningful spectral-spatial features, leading to improvement in HSI classification. Our approach involves training an unsupervised learning framework based on the diffusion model to extract high-level and low-level spectral-spatial features, followed by the extraction of intermediate hierarchical features from different timestamps for classification using a pre-trained denoising U-Net. Finally, we employ a supervised transformer-based classifier to perform the HSI classification. We conduct comprehensive experiments on three publicly available datasets to validate our approach. The results demonstrate that our framework significantly outperforms existing approaches, achieving state-of-the-art performance. The stability and reliability of our approach are demonstrated across various classes in all datasets.

Heart Rate Variability and Its Role in Predicting Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft.

Background: An association between heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac events in certain diseases has been demonstrated. However, the association with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between HRV and new-onset AF in patients undergoing CABG during a 6-month follow-up. Methods: This prospective study included 119 consecutive patients who underwent off-pump CABG. All patients were assessed using 24-hour Holter recordings 2 days before CABG and 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. HRV was analyzed, and AF was detected from its recordings. Main results: In patients undergoing CABG, NYHA III increased the AF rate 7 days postoperatively, and advanced age and diabetes were associated with AF 6 months postoperatively. A reduction in time-domain measurements before surgery was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing AF seven days postoperatively; no association between preoperative HRV and AF was found at six months. Reduced preoperative HRV (SDNN (standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals [) < 50 ms) was an independent predictor of AF at 3 (AUC = 0.65) and 6 months (AUC = 0.62) following surgery. Conclusion: A reduction in the time domain measurements before CABG was associated with a higher risk of new-onset AF at 7 days postoperatively but not at 6 months. An SDNN <50 ms was a weak independent predictor of a higher incidence of AF at 3 and 6 months post-surgery.

Undescribed chalcone and stilbene constituents from Lysimachia baviensis and their anti-inflammatory effect.

The chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity of the endemic Lysimachia baviensis were investigated for the first time in this study. A phytochemical fractionation of the methanol extract of L. baviensis resulted in the isolation of a new stilbene (bavienside A, 1) and two new chalcone glycosides (baviensides B and C, 2 and 3). Their structures were elucidated via the interpretation of NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic data. Compounds 1-3 strongly inhibited the production of nitric oxide in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells with the IC50 values of 6.23, 2.86 and 3.51 µM, respectively. The C-acetylstilbene and carbomethyl chalcone structures in compound 1 and 3 were found for the first time from natural source and could be important markers for chemotaxonomy of Lysimachia baviensis.

Pattern Changes in the Heart Rate Variability of Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery.

Introduction: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with extracorporeal circulation is a key therapy for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, cardiovascular events and cardiac arrhythmias may still occur in these patients following surgery. Many studies have demonstrated a correlation between cardiac arrhythmias and heart rate variability (HRV). This study aimed to establish the temporal change pattern of HRV observed following CABG. Methods: A prospective method was used to study 119 consecutive patients with stable CAD who were assessed using 24-hour Holter recordings 2 days before CABG and 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after the surgery at Hanoi Heart Hospital from June 2016 to August 2018. Main results: All the time-domain and frequency-domain parameters of HRV decreased precipitately after CABG and were mostly recovered 3 months postoperatively. The percentage of decreased HRV before surgery was 28.6% and 51.8% after 7 days, 19.6% after 3 months, and 12.7% after 6 months. ASDNN and SDNN before and after surgery had the highest rates of change. Conclusion: The early decrease in HRV observed 7 days after CABG may be related to the acute effects of the surgery. The recovery of HRV at 3 months after surgery, regardless of the preoperative state of the patients, implies that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorder may be improved at this time. At 6 months after surgery, the autonomic nervous injury was recovered in combination with improvement of reperfusion, resulting in improvement in almost all HRV indices compared with those indices preoperatively.

Contributions to the biodiversity of Vietnam - Results of VIETBIO inventory work and field training in Cuc Phuong National Park.

VIETBIO [Innovative approaches to biodiversity discovery and characterisation in Vietnam] is a bilateral German-Vietnamese research and capacity building project focusing on the development and transfer of new methods and technology towards an integrated biodiversity discovery and monitoring system for Vietnam. Dedicated field training and testing of innovative methodologies were undertaken in Cuc Phuong National Park as part and with support of the project, which led to the new biodiversity data and records made available in this article collection. VIETBIO is a collaboration between the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science (MfN), the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum, Freie Universität Berlin (BGBM) and the Vietnam National Museum of Nature (VNMN), the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), the Southern Institute of Ecology (SIE), as well as the Institute of Tropical Biology (ITB); all Vietnamese institutions belong to the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST). The article collection "VIETBIO" (https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.coll.63) reports original results of recent biodiversity recording and survey work undertaken in Cuc Phuong National Park, northern Vietnam, under the framework of the VIETBIO project. The collection consist of this "main" cover paper - characterising the study area, the general project approaches and activities, while also giving an extensive overview on previous studies from this area - followed by individual papers for higher taxa as studied during the project. The main purpose is to make primary biodiversity records openly available, including several new and interesting findings for this biodiversity-rich conservation area. All individual data papers with their respective primary records are expected to provide useful baselines for further taxonomic, phylogenetic, ecological and conservation-related studies on the respective taxa and, thus, will be maintained as separate datasets, including separate GUIDs also for further updating.

Liquid biopsy uncovers distinct patterns of DNA methylation and copy number changes in NSCLC patients with different EGFR-TKI resistant mutations.

Targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) provides survival benefits to a majority of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, resistance to TKI almost always develops after treatment. Although genetic and epigenetic alterations have each been shown to drive resistance to TKI in cell line models, clinical evidence for their contribution in the acquisition of resistance remains limited. Here, we employed liquid biopsy for simultaneous analysis of genetic and epigenetic changes in 122 Vietnamese NSCLC patients undergoing TKI therapy and displaying acquired resistance. We detected multiple profiles of resistance mutations in 51 patients (41.8%). Of those, genetic alterations in EGFR, particularly EGFR amplification (n = 6), showed pronounced genome instability and genome-wide hypomethylation. Interestingly, the level of hypomethylation was associated with the duration of response to TKI treatment. We also detected hypermethylation in regulatory regions of Homeobox genes which are known to be involved in tumor differentiation. In contrast, such changes were not observed in cases with MET (n = 4) and HER2 (n = 4) amplification. Thus, our study showed that liquid biopsy could provide important insights into the heterogeneity of TKI resistance mechanisms in NSCLC patients, providing essential information for prediction of resistance and selection of subsequent treatment.

Factors Associated with Early Postoperative Results of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection Repair: Findings from Retrospective Single-Institution Data in Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: There are scanty reports of the risk factors for pulmonary hypertensive crisis and low cardiac output syndrome after the operative repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). We aim to evaluate early surgical outcomes of TAPVC and risk factors for pulmonary hypertensive crisis and low cardiac output syndrome. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective medical record review for all patients undergoing operative repair of TAPVC within 5 years. Outcome variables included pulmonary hypertensive crisis, low cardiac output syndrome and early mortality. RESULTS: Of 58 patients, we documented 77.59% supracardiac, 20.69% cardiac and 1.72% mixed site of connection. About 86.21% patients underwent elective surgery, and 13.79% patients required emergency surgery. Incidence rates were 27.59% for pulmonary hypertensive crisis and 6.90% for low cardiac output syndrome. Body weight below 6 kg, pneumonia, tachycardia, hepatomegaly, preoperative pulmonary congestion on chest x-ray, preoperative elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure, preoperative pulmonary venous obstruction, emergency surgery and prolonged aortic cross-clamping time were significant risk factors for postoperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis. Significant risk factors for postoperative low cardiac output syndrome included pneumonia, prolonged duration of preoperative mechanical ventilation and prolonged aortic cross-clamping time. CONCLUSION: The early outcome of surgical repair of TAPVC was acceptable, with 96.55% survival rate. This current analysis suggests that a thorough evaluation of all preoperative and operative characteristics is imperative to achieve best medical and surgical outcomes.

Impact of Pre-, Intra-and Post-Operative Parameters on In-Hospital Mortality in Patients Undergoing Emergency Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Scarce Single-Center Experience in Resource-Scare Setting.

BACKGROUND: In-hospital mortality after emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains an important issue that has needed considerable attention in recent years as the mortality rate is still high and prevention factors are not yet optimal. Our study presents the first largest cohort of emergency CABG from one large institution in Vietnam with the primary aim of comparing a large variety of pre-, intra-and post-operative parameters between in-hospital mortality patients and in-hospital survival patients and investigate risk factors of in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing emergency CABG. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data in patients undergoing emergency CABG at the Hanoi Heart Hospital (Hanoi, Vietnam) from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. Primary outcome variable was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients were included in final analysis. The mean age of the cohort was 68.68 years (± 9.28, range 38-86). The mean weight, height and body mass index were 54.35 kg (± 9.17, range 37-77), 158.96 (±7.64, range 145-179) and 21.48 kg/m2 (±3.08, range 13.59-30.08), respectively. In-hospital mortality rate was 9.86%. Preoperative risk factors for in-hospital mortality included diabetes, decreased ejection fraction (EF), EF below 30%, cardiogenic shock, elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), elevated NT-ProBNP, and Euroscore II. Without grafting with left internal thoracic artery, and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were increased intraoperative factors for in-hospital mortality risk. In-hospital mortality's postoperative risk factors were found to be postextubation respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, ventricular fibrillation, dialysis-requiring acute renal failure, pneumonia, bacterial sepsis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and prolonged mechanical ventilation time. Significant predictors determining in-hospital mortality were known as prolonged CPB time in surgery and postoperative ventricular fibrillation. CONCLUSION: Our hospital mortality rate after emergency CABG was relatively high. An optimal preventive strategy in emergency CABG management should target significant factors combined with other previously identified risk factors to reduce in-hospital mortality.

Paratrimerin I, cytotoxic acridone alkaloid from the roots of Paramignya trimera.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the CHCl3-soluble extract of the roots of Paramignya trimera was carried out to obtain a new acridone alkaloid, paratrimerin I. Its structure was elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic data interpretation. Paratrimerin I showed noteworthy cytotoxicity against the HepG2 human hepatocellular and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell lines, with the submicromolar IC50 values of 0.43 and 0.26 µM, respectively. The N-methyl, C-4 methoxy, and C-5 hydroxy groups in the acridone skeleton can be proposed as a structural feature for good cytotoxicity.

Chevalierinol A and B, two new neolignan sesquiterpenoids from Magnolia chevalieri.

Two new neolignan sesquiterpenoids, chevalierinol A (1) and chevalierinol B (2), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Magnolia chevalieri leaves, together with twelve known compounds (3-14). Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data including 1D, 2D and mass spectra and compared with the reported data. Compounds 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 were evaluated for their inhibitory effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Can Replace Fibroblasts as Cell Control for Anti-Tumor Screening Assay.

Anti-tumor activity screening is a typical process used in anti-tumor drug discovery. The ideal anti-tumor drug candidates are extracts or compounds that can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells via apoptosis, while exerting minimal effects on normal somatic cells. For a long time, fibroblasts were used as normal cells for all anti-tumor screening assays. However, the fibroblasts exhibited several limitations as cell controls for anti-tumor screening. This study aimed to compare the usage of dermal fibroblasts (DFs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as normal cell controls in anti-tumor screening protocols. The DFs and ADSCs were prepared per the published protocols. The IC50 values of doxorubicin on hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2, breast cancer cells MCF-7, DFs and ADSCs were determined via the Alamar blue assay. The side effect indexes (SEIs) were calculated as the ratio of IC50 values of drugs on cancer cells and IC50 values of drugs on DFs, and on ADSCs. The stability of the anti-tumor assay was investigated when carried out on DFs and ADSCs from different passages. The results showed that the IC50 values, as well as SEI values, were not significantly different between using DFs or ADSCs as normal cell controls when DFs and ADSCs were at passage 3. However, for DFs at passage 6 to 12, the IC50 values of doxorubicin were significantly different between DFs and ADSCs. The IC50 values of doxorubicin on DFs were strongly reduced due to the senescence of DFs, while the values were more constant in ADSCs. The SEI values of doxorubicin on DFs, compared to HepG2 and MCF-7 cells, were also changed during passage 3 to 12 of the DFs. However, these values were only slightly changed for ADSCs from the 3rd to 12th passages. ADSCs can replace DFs as a normal cell control for anti-tumor activity screening.

Anti-cancer Effect of Xao Tam Phan Paramignya trimera Methanol Root Extract on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7 in 3D Model.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. A great deal of effort has been made to discover new agents for cancer treatment. Xao tam phan (Paramignya trimera) is a traditional medicine of Vietnam used in cancer treatment for a long time, yet there is not much scientific evidence proving its anticancer potency. The study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of Paramignya trimera extract (PTE) on multicellular tumor spheres (MCTS) of MCF-7 cells using hanging drop technique. METHODS: Firstly, MCF-7 cells were seeded on hanging drop plates, spheroid size was tracked, and growth curve was measured by MTT assay and AlamarBlue® assay. The necrotic core of MCTS was evaluated by propidium iodide (PI) staining. Toxicity of doxorubicin (DOX) and tirapazamine (TPZ) was then tested on 3D model compared to 2D culture condition. RESULTS: The results showed that the IC50 of DOX on 3D MCF-7 cells was nearly 50 times greater than monolayer MCF-7 cells. In contrast, TPZ (an agent which is specifically toxic under hypoxic conditions) had significantly lower IC50 in 3D condition than in 2D. The toxicity tests for PTE showed that PTE strongly inhibited MCF-7 cells in both 2D and 3D conditions. Interestingly, the IC50 of PTE in 3D model was remarkably lower than in 2D (IC50 value was 168.9 ± 11.65 µg/ml compared to 260.8 ± 16.54 µg/ml, respectively). The invasion assay showed that PTE completely inhibited invasion of MCF-7 cells at 250 µg/mL concentration. Also, flow cytometry results indicated that PTE effectively induced apoptosis in MCF-7 spheroids in 3D condition at 250 µg/mL concentration. CONCLUSION: The results from this study emphasize the promise of PTE in cancer therapy.

Detection of a heterozygous germline APC mutation in a three-generation family with familial adenomatous polyposis using targeted massive parallel sequencing in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant hereditary syndrome characterised by the development of hundreds to thousands of adenomatous colonic polyps during the second decade of life. FAP is caused by germ line mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene located on chromosome 5q21-22. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old female was presented with 100-1000 adenomatous colonic polyps, typical of classic FAP symptoms. Genetic testing using massively parallel sequencing identified a 5-bp deletion (c.3927_3931delAAAGA) which causes frameshift (p.Glu1309Aspfs) and creates a premature stop codon, resulting in the replacement of the last 1535 amino acids of APC by five incorrect amino acids. Two of the proband's four siblings also exhibited classic FAP symptoms and carried the same 5-bp heterozygous deletion in the APC gene. One of the proband's two nephews also tested positive for this mutation but has not been examined by endoscopy due to his young age. CONCLUSIONS: We reported here for the first time the use of massively parallel sequencing (MPS)-based genetic testing to identify a germline mutation within a three-generation Vietnamese family. This mutation is most likely responsible for the development of FAP.

Premna vietnamensis (Lamiaceae, Premnoideae), a distinct new species from the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Premna vietnamensis, a distinct new species which is endemic to Gia Lai Province in Central Highlands of Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It is characterized by its calyx tube bearing a semi-globose fleshy appendage, which has not been reported before from all known congeneric taxa, as well as from the Lamiaceae. A phylogenetic analysis of the whole Lamiaceae based on a sampling including representatives from all 12 currently recognized subfamilies confirmed the placement of this new species within Premna of the Premnoideae. Morphologically and geographically, P. vietnamensis is most similar to P. stenobotrys, but differs significantly in many aspects.

Evolution of sexual systems and growth habit in Mussaenda (Rubiaceae): Insights into the evolutionary pathways of dioecy.

Dioecy is a rare sexual system that is thought to represent an "evolutionary dead end". While many studies have addressed the evolution of dioecy and/or its relationship with the evolution of the woody habit, few have explored the relationship between dioecy and climbing habit, and their effects on diversification rates. Here, we study the evolution of sexual systems and growth habit in Mussaenda (Rubiaceae) using a robust phylogeny of the genus based on eight plastid regions and a broad sampling of taxa (92 of the 132 species were sampled). A time-calibrated tree was constructed to estimate diversification rates in different clades and its correlates with focal characters. More specifically, we assess evolutionary correlations between dioecy and climbing habit and their respective influences on diversification rates. Ancestral character state reconstructions revealed that distyly is the most likely ancestral state in Mussaenda. Distyly has subsequently given rise to dioecy, short-styled floral monomorphism, and long-styled floral monomorphism. Dioecy has evolved independently at least four times from distyly, and has reversed to homostylous hermaphroditism at least twice, which does not support the "evolutionary dead end" hypothesis. A significant correlation between the evolution of dioecy and climbing growth form was found in Mussaenda. It is possible that a strong association between high net diversification rates and dioecy may exist in Mussaenda, but no association was found with climbing habit.

Two new species of Oreocharis (Gesneriaceae) from Fan Si Pan, the highest mountain in Vietnam.

Two new species of Oreocharis Benth. from Fan Si Pan, the highest mountain in Vietnam (Sa Pa) are described and illustrated. Oreocharis grandiflora W.H.Chen, Q.H.Nguyen & Y.M.Shui, is similar to O. flavida Merr. from Hainan province, China, but differs mainly by its larger and infundibuliform corolla, stamens adnate to the base of the corolla tube and stamens coherent in two pairs. The second, Oreocharis longituba W.H.Chen, Q.H.Nguyen & Y.M.Shui, is similar to O. hirsuta Barnett, endemic to northern Thailand, but mainly differs in its pubescence, coherent stamens and glabrous filaments.

Hopea odorata extract inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma via induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a disease with a global burden and is a major and increasing threat to public health. The demand for new modalities to treat and prevent cancer is high. Given the toxic side effects of standard treatments, such as chemotherapy, there is greater research interest in naturally derived compounds due to their selective toxicity to cancer cells. This study aimed to test the anticancer activity of a crude extract of Hopea odorata on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 cell line. METHODS: Methanol extracts of H. odorata were prepared from the bark of H. odorata plants (H. odorata extract). The in vitro cytotoxicity of H. odorata extracts on human HCC cell line HepG2 compared to normal human fibroblasts (HFs) was assessed by Alamar Blue assay. Caspase-3/7 was detected using a reagent that consists of DEVD peptide conjugated to a nucleic acid-binding dye. Apoptosis induction by the H. odorata plant extract on HepG2 was evaluated by Annexin V/7-AAD using flow cytometry. Disintegrated nuclei of plant-treated cells were observed under a fluorescent microscope using Hoechst and propidium iodide (PI) staining. In addition, using the Hoechst/PI staining technique, the ratio of dead to total cells was determined by distinguishing Hoechst and PI fluorescent signals. RESULTS: We found that the IC50 value of H. odorata extract on HepG2 was 12.67±5 µg/mL and on HF was 44±3 µg/mL. The IC50 value of doxorubicin on HepG2 was 153.3±15 ng/mL and on HF was 6.3±0.6 ng/mL. The selectivity index (SI) of H. odorata extract for HepG2 cells was ~3.48, while the SI of doxorubicin for HepG2 cells was ~0.04. The ratio of dead to total cells increased in a dose-dependent manner for HepG2 cells when observed under a fluorescent microscope, while the ratio of dead to total cells barely changed for HF cells. The H. odorata extract inhibited HepG2 cells via the activation of caspase-3/7. At 250 µg/mL concentration of the H. odorata extract, 35% of HepG2 cells were induced into apoptosis, and the cells exhibited disintegrated nuclei under a fluorescent microscope. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that the methanolic bark extracts of H. odorata plant induce apoptosis and selective cytotoxicity toward HepG2 but not HF. Therefore, purification of compounds from H. odorata bark extracts may be useful as anticancer agents, and thus, more studies are warranted to investigate the anticancer properties of H. odorata.

Targeting breast cancer stem cells by dendritic cell vaccination in humanized mice with breast tumor: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the leading cancers in women. Recent progress has enabled BC to be cured with high efficiency. However, late detection or metastatic disease often renders the disease untreatable. Additionally, relapse is the main cause of death in BC patients. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are considered to cause the development of BC and are thought to be responsible for metastasis and relapse. This study aimed to target BCSCs using dendritic cells (DCs) to treat tumor-bearing humanized mice models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NOD/SCID mice were used to produce the humanized mice by transplantation of human hematopoietic stem cells. Human BCSCs were injected into the mammary fat pad to produce BC humanized mice. Both hematopoietic stem cells and DCs were isolated from the human umbilical cord blood, and immature DCs were produced from cultured mononuclear cells. DCs were matured by BCSC-derived antigen incubation for 48 hours. Mature DCs were vaccinated to BC humanized mice with a dose of 10(6) cells/mice, and the survival percentage was monitored in both treated and untreated groups. RESULTS: The results showed that DC vaccination could target BCSCs and reduce the tumor size and prolong survival. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that targeting BCSCs with DCs is a promising therapy for BC.

Integrated Analysis of the Wood Oil from Xanthocyparis vietnamensis Farjon & Hiep. by Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Techniques.

In order to get better knowledge about the volatiles produced by Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, a species recently discovered in Vietnam, its wood oil has been analyzed by a combination of chromatographic (GC, CC) and spectroscopic (GC-MS, (13)C-NMR) techniques. Forty components that accounted for 87.9% of the oil composition have been identified. The composition is dominated by nootkatene (20.7%), 11,12,13-tri-nor-eremophil-1(10)-en-7-one (17.2%), γ-eudesmol (5.1%), nootkatone (4.7%), valencene (3.5%) and 13-nor-eremophil-1(10)-en-11-one (2.6%). The structure of two new compounds-10-epi-nor-γ-eudesmen-11-one and 12-hydroxy-isodihydroagarofuran-has been elucidated, while 11,12,13-tri-nor-eremophil-1(10)-en-7-ol is reported as a natural product for the first time. The composition of X. vietnamensis wood oil varied drastically from those of leaf oils, dominated by hedycaryol (34.4%), phyllocladene (37.8%) or by pimara-6(14)-15-diene (19.4%).

Targeting specificity of dendritic cells on breast cancer stem cells: in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women, and almost all complications are due to chemotherapy resistance. Drug-resistant cells with stem cell phenotypes are thought to cause failure in breast cancer chemotherapy. Dendritic cell (DC) therapy is a potential approach to eradicate these cells. This study evaluates the specificity of DCs for breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in vitro and in vivo. BCSCs were enriched by a verapamil-resistant screening method, and reconfirmed by ALDH expression analysis and mammosphere assay. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from allogeneic murine bone marrow. DCs were induced from bone marrow-derived monocytes with 20 ng/mL GC-MSF and 20 ng/mL IL-4. Immature DCs were primed with BCSC- or MSC-derived antigens to make two kinds of mature DCs: BCSC-DCs and MSC-DCs, respectively. In vitro ability of BCSC-DCs and MSC-DCs with cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to inhibit BCSCs was tested using the xCELLigence technique. In vivo, BCSC-DCs and MSC-DCs were transfused into the peripheral blood of BCSC tumor-bearing mice. The results show that in vitro BCSC-DCs significantly inhibited BCSC proliferation at a DC:CTL ratio of 1:40, while MSC-DCs nonsignificantly decreased BCSC proliferation. In vivo, tumor sizes decreased from 18.8% to 23% in groups treated with BCSC-DCs; in contrast, tumors increased 14% in the control group (RPMI 1640) and 47% in groups treated with MSC-DCs. The results showed that DC therapy could target and be specific to BCSCs. DCs primed with MSCs could trigger tumor growth. These results also indicate that DCs may be a promising therapy for treating drug-resistant cancer cells as well as cancer stem cells.