Uses of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C as a Lung Adenocarcinoma Prognostic Biomarker.

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common type of lung cancer and a leading cause of death worldwide. Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) has been identified as a prognosis prediction marker for LUAD. However, VEGF-C protein expression does not appear to significantly relate to LUAD patient survival in several studies. Methods: We carried out a bioinformatic analysis to review the effect of VEGF-C mRNA expression on LUAD patient outcomes. GEPIA, UALCAN, TCGAportal, OncoLnc, LCE, GeneMANIA, Metascape, ImmuCellAI, and GSCA online databases were utilized. The expression levels of VEGF-C mRNA between normal tissue and LUAD tissue, overall survival (OS) analysis, function analysis, tumor microenvironment and drug sensitivity were conducted in the current study. Results: We found that the expression level of VEGF-C mRNA was significantly lower in LUAD than normal tissue. Low expression of VEGF-C mRNA was also associated with better OS. VEGF-C expression was correlated with both NF1 and TP53 mutation status. No relationship was observed between VEGF-C and Tr1 or CD4 T-cell infiltrate scores. Additionally, VEGF-C was associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance. The sensitivity of 5-fluorouracil was positively correlated with VEGF-C, and the sensitivity of TGX221 was negatively correlated with VEGF-C. The activity of BI-2536 and BRD-A94377914 was positively correlated with VEGF-C. Conclusion: Novel LUAD prognostic biomarkers such as VEGF-C mRNA may aid diagnosis and treatment, and may help identify optimal LUAD populations for therapeutic treatments.

Danggui Sini decoction protects against oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in rats.

The effects of Danggui Sini decoction on peripheral neuropathy in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral is established. The results indicated that Danggui Sini decoction treatment significantly reduced the current amplitude of dorsal root ganglia cells undergoing agonists stimuli compared to the model-dorsal root ganglia group (P < 0.05). Danggui Sini decoction treatment significantly inhibited the inflammatory response of dorsal root ganglia cells compared to the model-dorsal root ganglia group (P < 0.05). Danggui Sini decoction treatment significantly enhanced the amounts of Nissl bodies in dorsal root ganglia cells compared to the Model-dorsal root ganglia group (P < 0.05). Danggui Sini decoction treatment improved ultra-microstructures of dorsal root ganglia cells. In conclusion, Danggui Sini decoction protected against neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in rats by suppressing inflammatory lesions, improving ultra-microstructures, and enhancing amounts of Nissl bodies.

The application of metal-organic frameworks in electrode materials for lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained increased attention due to their unique features, including tunable pore sizes, controllable structures and a large specific surface area. In addition to their application in gas adsorption and separation, hydrogen storage, optics, magnetism and organic drug carriers, MOFs also can be used in batteries and supercapacitors which have attracted the researcher's attention. Based on recent studies, this review describes the latest developments about MOFs as battery electrode materials which are used in lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries.

MicroRNA-27b reverses docetaxel resistance of non-small cell lung carcinoma cells via targeting epithelial growth factor receptor.

MicroRNA (miR)­27b has been reported to partici-pate in regulating the activity of non­small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells. Additionally, when downregulated in NSCLC it promotes resistance to docetaxel; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. Using reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the present study determined that the expression of miR­27b was significantly reduced in NSCLC cells that were resistant to docetaxel. In addition, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was identified as a possible target of miR­27b by searching the online miRNA database, TargetScan. A luciferase assay further validated EGFR as an effective target gene of miR­27b. In addition, it was determined that in tumor tissue samples resistant to docetaxel miR­27b was significantly downregulated, whilst EGFR was significantly upregulated. miR­27b negatively regulated the expression of EGFR. This was evident as the transfection of miR­27b mimics led to downregulation of the expression levels of EGFR, whilst miR­27b inhibitors upregulated the expression levels of EGFR. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the transfection of miR­27b mimics significantly suppressed the apoptosis and promote the viability of A549 human lung carcinoma cells. In line with this, the introduction of miR­27b inhibitors significantly induced apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells. These results indicate that miR­27b may promote NSCLC cell viability and enhance resistance to docetaxel treatment through direct inhibition of EGFR expression. Additionally, miR­27b may become a promising molecular target for improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy with docetaxel.

The effect of benzodiazepines on insomnia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis of treatment efficacy and safety.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common comorbidity associated with COPD. Although benzodiazepines (BZDs) can have adverse effects on respiratory response in COPD patients, these are the most common hypnotics. The aim of this study was to examine by meta-analysis the efficacy and safety of BZD to treat insomnia in COPD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic databases (PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane clinical trials database) were searched. Studies were eligible if they compared the effects of BZD versus placebo on insomnia in COPD patients. Two reviewers extracted data independently. Disagreements were resolved by discussion with another reviewer until a consensus was achieved. Data that included objective and subjective sleep evaluation and respiratory function variables were extracted. Data were analyzed by the methods recommended by Review Manager 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 233 records were identified through the initial search; of these, five studies were included in the meta-analysis. When BZD was compared with placebo, objective sleep quality was significantly improved, including total sleep time (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-1.14, P<0.00001), sleep efficiency (95% CI 0.48-1.16, P<0.00001), sleep latency (95% CI -18.24 to -4.46, P=0.001), and number of arousals/hour of sleep (95% CI -0.72 to -0.07, P=0.02). Otherwise, subjective sleep quality was not improved remarkably. Apart from maximum transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure increase during sleep (95% CI 0.05-0.28, P=0.006), BZD administration had no effect on respiratory assessment. CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, the results suggested BZDs might be efficient and safe hypnotics. Compared with placebo, BZD improved sleep quality partly, and significantly increased maximum transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure during sleep. More randomized controlled trials are necessary to determine the potential effect of BZD in COPD patients with insomnia.

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of modification LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials for Li-ion battery.

The layered LiNi1/3CO1/3Mn1/3-xMg(x)O2 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) cathode materials were prepared by solid state reaction, then copper oxide was coated on the product. The structures, morphologies and electrochemical properties of the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3-xMg(x)O2 and CuO-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3-xMg(x)O2 were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical tests. The results showed that the electrochemistry properties and cycle performance of magnesium doped LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 and CuO-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3-xMg(x)O2 materials were improved. The optimal doping content of Mg was x = 0.03 in the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3-xMg(x)O2 samples to achieve high discharge capacity and good cyclic stability, and the first discharge special capacity was 158.5 mAh/g at 0.2 C in the voltage of 2.5-4.3 V, then CuO-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3-0.03Mg0.03O2 was investigated. The electrode reaction reversibility and electronic conductivity were enhanced through Mg-doped and CuO-coated.

Effects of Ag doping and coating on the performance of lithium ion battery material Li4Ti5O12.

Series of anode materials (Ag modified Li4TiO512) were acquired through two types of solid state calcination (doping and coating). The samples were characterized by XRD and their grain sizes were examined by laser particle-size analyzer and the morphology of them were obtained by SEM. At 0.5 C discharging rate, the first specific discharge capacities of Ag doped Li4Ti5O12 (the amounts of dopants were 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 wt% of the weight of Li4Ti5O12) were found to be 136.8, 135.5, 140.4 and 155.6 mAh/g respectively. However, the corresponding values of coated samples (the amounts of coating were of the weight of Li4Ti5O12) were respectively at the same condition. Obviously, the Ag coated samples possessed the higher capacities. The first specific discharge capacities of the Ag coated samples (the amounts of coating were 3.0, 5.0, 8.0 and 10 wt% of the weight of Li4Ti5O12) were 170.74, 175.31, 191.61 and 192.06 mAh/g.

Down-regulation of lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is associated with disease progression in lung adenocarcinomas.

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) belongs to an amine oxidase family whose members have been implicated in crosslink formation in stromal collagens and elastin, cell motility, and tumor development and progression. Both down- and up-regulation of LOXL in tumor tissues and cancer cell lines have been described, suggesting paradoxical roles in cancer. However, LOXL2 expression and the clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) remain unresolved. Real-time PCR was performed to detect the expression of LOXL2 mRNA in lung tumor tissues (TT) and surrounding normal tissues (sNT). Moreover, the expression of the LOXL2 protein in specimens from 83 paraffin-embedded blocks was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Correlations between LOXL2 mRNA and protein expression and clinicopathological features were evaluated by statistical analysis. In the 137 patients examined, LOXL2 mRNA expression was significantly lower in lung TT than the sNT (P < 0.05). Forty-eight specimens (48/83) showed low expression of LOXL2, as characterized by immunohistochemical staining. By statistical analysis of the correlation between LOXL2 mRNA expression and clinical features of NSCLC patients, down-regulation of Loxl-2 mRNA expression was correlated with male patients (P = 0.008), a poorer N-stage (P = 0.032) and a poorer pathological TNM stage (P = 0.003). Statistical analysis of the correlation between LOXL2 protein expression and clinical features of NSCLC patients showed a statistically significant difference between low expression of the LOXL2 protein and a poorer N-stage (P = 0.036), a higher pathological TNM stage (P = 0.005) and poorer differentiation (P = 0.035). When stratified by histological types, significant differences at both the mRNA and protein levels were only found for lung adenocarcinomas patients, and not for lung squamous cell carcinomas patients. The level of LOXL2 mRNA expression was found to be significantly down-regulated in NSCLC, and the lower mRNA and protein expression levels correlated with poorer differentiation, higher N-stage and advanced pathologic TNM stage in patients with lung adenocarcinomas.

Expression of caveolin-1 is correlated with disease stage and survival in lung adenocarcinomas.

Caveolin-1 (cav-1) has been implicated in the development of human cancers. However, the distribution of cav-1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its significance require further study. Real-time PCR and Western blot assays were performed to detect cav-1 mRNA and protein levels in tumor tissues (TT) and matched tumor-free tissues (TF). The protein expression in 115 paraffin-embedded blocks was examined by immunohistochemical staining (IHC). Correlations between cav-1 mRNA and protein expression by IHC and clinicopathological features were statistically evaluated. For the 136 patients examined, the levels of cav-1 mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in lung TT compared to matched TF (P<0.05). High cav-1 expression was detected in 60 of 115 (52.2%) NSCLC tissues and this level was significantly lower than cav-1 expression in non-cancerous lung tissues (15 of 19, 78.9%, P<0.05). Up-regulation of cav-1 mRNA expression in lung adenocarcinoma (AC) (29.7%) was higher than that observed in lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (15.8%). Statistical analysis of the correlation between cav-1 protein expression and clinical features showed a statistical association with poorer N-stage (P=0.032) and higher pathological TNM stage (P=0.012) in lung AC patients, that was not found in lung SCC patients. Moreover, lung AC patients with higher cav-1 expression showed significantly shorter life-spans than those with lower cav-1 expression (P=0.032, log-rank test). The levels of cav-1 mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in lung cancers when compared to matched TF or non-cancerous lung tissues. The higher protein expression correlated with the advanced pathological stage and shorter survival rates in lung AC patients.

Recent development of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 as cathode material of lithium ion battery.

Layered LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2, owing to its excellent electrochemical properties, has been used as cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, especially for hybrid electric vehicles. It has many merits such as high capacity, long cycle life, low cost and little harm to environment. Therefore, LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 has become a great concern by scholars on energy and material fields. However, the electronic conductivity and the charge-discharge capacity at high current should be enhanced before any materials modifications. Here, this paper summarizes the main synthetic technologies of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 in recent years, including synthesis methods, doping, surface coating modification, and the future development trends discussed.

Chromatographic method for quick estimation of DNA interaction potency of environmental pollutants.

The DNA interaction potency of a chemical has been defined in the present study as the degree of a chemical's ability to interact with DNA. An estimation method of such a potency has been established based on the peak reduction of an oligonucleotide probe resulting from its interaction with chemicals based on high-performance liquid chromatography. A DNA interaction potency equivalency (PEQ) also has been proposed to evaluate the relative interaction potency of test chemicals against benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE). Five known direct DNA interaction chemicals were employed to demonstrate the method. Two known inactive chemicals were used as negative controls. Both the potency and PEQ(50) values (PEQ of testing chemical at 50% of the probe peak reduction) of these five chemicals were determined as BPDE > phenyl glycidyl ether (PGE) > tetrachlorohydroquinone (Cl4HQ) > methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) > styrene-7,8-oxide (SO). Among the reactive chemicals, MMS was found to break the oligonucleotide into smaller fragments, whereas BPDE, PGE, and SO form covalent adducts with the oligonucleotide. In the latter case, the formation of multi-chemical-oligonucleotide adducts also was observed by mass spectrometry. The method was employed to estimate the DNA interaction potency equivalency of diesel vehicle exhaust gas to demonstrate the applicability of this approach in evaluating the interaction potency of environmental pollutants in both gas and liquid phases.

Complex PbTe hopper (skeletal) crystals with high hierarchy.

A facile and mild solution method has been discovered for the synthesis of complex PbTe hopper crystals in large quantities, which are highly similar to the cubic halite skeletal crystals formed from extreme supersaturation in salt lakes existing in nature. This route may provide a new approach to growing other complex semiconductor structures of high hierarchy.

[Identification of HCV antigen epitopes from a random 15-peptide library by anti-HCV polycloral antibody].

AIM: To analyze epitope recognized by anti-HCV antibodies; patients suffered from hepatitis C. METHODS: Anti-HCV Abs were purified from the patients serum through an affinity chromatography column which was prepared with sepharose 4B coupled with protein A. These Abs were used for biopanning of a phage-displayed random 15-peptide library. RESULTS: After 3 rounds of biopanning, the ratio of output to input increased to 3.3 x 10(3) and the false positive rate reduced to 0.2%, suggesting that the enrichment was effective. After the third round of biopanning, sixteen clones were selected to conduct binding test to Abs from the patients and normal person's sera. Nine of them were proved to react specifically to the sera from the patients. From the deduced insert sequence in the coat protein VIII, the core sequence of WPWS was found in 8 clones. The positive phage clones could react to different patients' and not react to normal person's sera. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that WPWS motif in the short peptide may mimic the HCV epitope recognized by anti-HCV Abs.