The use of hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres to encapsulate bortezomib and improve efficacy for non-small cell lung cancer therapy.

Bortezomib (BTZ) is the first clinically approved proteasome inhibitor for treating multiple human malignancies. However, the poor water-solubility and low stability of BTZ and the emergence of tumor resistance have severely restrained its therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we report the application of hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres (HMSNs) in encapsulating BTZ for drug delivery. In in vitro cell viability assay on human NSCLC H1299 cells, the half-maximum inhibiting concentration (IC50) of HMSNs-BTZ was 42% of that for free BTZ in 48 h treatments. In vivo tumor-suppression assay further indicated that HMSNs-BTZ (0.3 mg/kg) showed approximately 1.5 folds stronger anti-tumor activity than free BTZ. Furthermore, we report that more potent induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death, along with promoted activation of Caspase 3 and autophagy might mechanistically underlie the improved anti-tumor efficacy of HMSNs-BTZ. Finally, the tumor-suppressing effect of HMSNs-BTZ was enhanced in the presence of wild-type p53 signaling, suggesting a potential enhancement in clinical efficacy with combined p53 gene therapy and BTZ-based chemotherapy. Therefore, the HMSNs-based nanoparticles are emerging as a promising platform to deliver therapeutic agents for beneficial clinical outcomes through lowering doses and frequency of drug administration and reducing potential side effects.

Genetic diversity and differentiation of Dendrocalamus membranaceus (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), a declining bamboo species in Yunnan, China, as based on Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) Analysis.

Dendrocalamus membranaceus Munro is a woody bamboo with a high economic and ecological value that often occurs as natural stands, such as in the large-scale forested areas of China's Yunnan Province. Due to its overexploitation, the habitat of D. membranaceus in Yunnan has been dramatically reduced, and the quality of the stands has declined. As a preliminary analysis in considering the effective protection for these germplasm resources, we assessed the genetic diversity of 12 natural populations in Yunnan, using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. From 10 ISSR primers, we generated 155 bands, of which 153 were polymorphic (98.71%). Compared with other species in the genus, this species demonstrated a greater genetic diversity (S = 0.349) and lower genetic differentiation (G(ST) = 0.252). Our analysis of molecular variance revealed that the genetic differentiation among the populations is significant. A large proportion of the genetic variation (78.95%) resides among the individuals within populations, whereas only 21.05% are found among populations. Mantel tests indicated no significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances among the populations. Given the low sexual reproducibility and characteristics of monocarpic plants, we recommend implementing in situ conservation measures for all of the D. membranaceus populations in Yunnan and collecting sufficient samples for ex situ conservation. Furthermore, the conservation area should be extended to its main natural habitats, the Lancang-Mekong River Valley.

O INPA e sua Biblioteca: uma síntese histórica

SUMMARY A brief history of the INPA Library, since its foundation up to the present, is being shown here, its activities, working methodology and ways of getting information. It also showns the organization of Its book collections the plamning in Library Techology, ways of utilization, preparation and filing of information Finally, it includes a list of all INPA publications.

Resumo Histórico da Biblioteca do INPA, de sua fundação até o presente, focalizando suas atividades, metodologia de trabalho e meios de acesso às informações. Mostra ainda a organização de suas coleções bibliográficas, o planejamento em biblioteconomia, modo de utilização, preparação e arquivo das informações. No final Inclui lista de todas as publicações editadas pelo INPA.