Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of polymer chains based on pre-designed heterometallic Al4Ln4 molecular rings.

Presented herein is a series of chain compounds based on pre-designed heterometallic aluminum-lanthanide (Al-Ln) Al4Ln4 molecular rings. Their photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) with Eu3+ (30.41%) and Tb3+ (41.44%) is at a high level among the clusters containing four Ln ions. This study significantly extends the family of Al-Ln heterometallic clusters and demonstrates the synergistic effect of heterometallic ions in enhancing their properties.

Retracted: Phenotype of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) Is Regulated by miR-29b by Targeting Sirtuin 1.

Our paper "Phenotype of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) Is Regulated by miR-29b by Targeting Sirtuin 1" has been accepted by Medical Science Monitor, we found that the article has a little problem, we decide to withdraw our manuscript from the journal because of the rigorous attitude towards scientific research. Reference: Qian-ru Sun, Xiong Zhang, Kun Fang. Phenotype of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) Is Regulated by miR-29b by Targeting Sirtuin 1. Med Sci Monit, 2018; 24: 6599-6607. DOI: 10.12659/MSM.910068.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-loaded poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles with controlled release protect the dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's rats.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) had neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic (DA) neurons. In order to overcome the gastrointestinal digestion and bioaccessibility, VEGF was encapsulated with poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanospheres (NS) in order to prevent the VEGF degradation until its release. The caudal administration of VEGF and NS encapsulated VEGF at different doses (1.0, 10.0, and 100.0 ng/ml) on the rats with Parkinson's disease lesion was evaluated. Intravenous injected VEGF at the dose of 1 ng/ml displayed the strongest neuroprotective effect than other groups as well as the stereotaxic group. The NS encapsulated with VEGF can pass through blood-brain barrier and protect the DA neurons. There was no significant difference between intravenous injection method and stereotaxic method, while the first method is simpler and convenient. Injection of NS encapsulated with VEGF may become a valuable neurorescuing therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease.

Phenotype of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) Is Regulated by miR-29b by Targeting Sirtuin 1.

BACKGROUND Phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) participates in the etiology of various vascular diseases. It has been proved that microRNAs (miRNAs) serve as crucial regulators of functions of VSMCs. This study aimed to discover how miR-29b regulates the transformation of VSMCs phenotypes in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS Primary VSMCs of aorta in mice were cultured in DMEM medium. A series of experiments involving transfection of oligonucleotides in cultured VSMCs, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), luciferase reporter assay, and Western blotting analysis were performed in this study. RESULTS We found that in VSMCs cultured in presence of stimulator, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), miR-29b was upregulated significantly and expressions of VSMC-phenotype-related genes (α-SMA, calponin, and SM-MHC) were regulated by miR-29b. Moreover, through downregulation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), miR-29b affects phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. Luciferase report assay identified a significant increase of SIRT1 3'-UTR activity in treatment with miR-29b inhibitor, which, however, was reversed in the presence of miR-29b mimic. Suppression of miR-29b reversed the activation of NF-κB induced by PDGF-BB in VSMCs. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that miR-29b is an important regulator in the PDGF-BB-mediated VSMC phenotypic transition by targeting SIRT1. Interventions aimed at miR-29b may be promising in treating numerous proliferative vascular disorders.

Effect of total flavonoids from Scutellaria baicalensis on dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Scutellaria baicalensis stem-leaf total flavonoid (SSTF) on the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). The mouse model was established by intravenous injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). SSTF (5 mg/kg) was administered to the mice before or after MPTP injection, and the effects of SSTF on the behavior of the mice and the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra were assessed. In addition, the level of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured. Following injection of MPTP, the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra was decreased and the neurons appeared atrophic. In addition, the level of serum MDA in the MPTP mice increased. The mean behavioral scores and the number of dopaminergic neurons in the SSTF treatment groups were significantly higher than in the MPTP group (P<0.05), and the mean serum MDA levels were significantly lower (P<0.05). Thus, SSTF improves the behaviors and the numbers of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra in MPTP-induced PD in mice. These beneficial effects appear to be associated with the reduction in serum MDA.

Isoflavone Attenuates the Caspase-1 and Caspase-3 Level in Cell Model of Parkinsonism.

The study has investigated the effect of isoflavone attenuates the caspase-1 and caspase-3 level in cell model of Parkinsonism. The subjects were PC12 cells. They were randomly divided into six groups: control, MPP(+) (250 µmol/L), isoflavone (10 µM), isoflavone (10 µM) + MPP(+) (250 µmol/L), Z-YVAD-CHO (10 nM) + MPP(+) group, and Z-DEVD-CHO (10 nM) + MPP(+) group. Cell viability was measured by MTT methods; the content of tyrosine hydroxylase was measured by immunocytochemistry method of avidinbiotin peroxidase complex; apoptosis ratio was measured by flow cytometry. The results showed that cell viability in the MPP(+) group was lower than in all other five groups. There was no difference in cell viability between isoflavone + MPP(+) and control group. Optical density of TH positive cells in isoflavone group was higher than in control, isoflavone + MPP(+), and MPP(+) only groups. The apoptosis ratio in the isoflavone + MPP(+) group and control group and the Z-YVAD-CHO + MPP(+) and Z-DEVD-CHO + MPP(+) group was similar, which was lower than in the MPP(+) group. The lowest apoptosis ratio was found in the isoflavone only group.