Praeruptorin A reduces metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting ERK/MMP1 signaling pathway.

Praeruptorin A (PA) is one of the active ingredients found in the dried root of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn, has been reported to possess anticancer effects against various types of cancer. However, the effect of PA on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncleared. In this study, our results indicated that PA did not induce cytotoxicity or alter cell cycle distribution in human HCC cells (Huh-7, SK-Hep-1, and PLC/PRF/5 cells). Instead, PA inhibited the migration and invasion of human HCC cells while downregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) and activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways. Furthermore, blocking the ERK signaling pathway through siERK restored the expression of MMP1 and the invasive ability of PA-treated HCC cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the antimetastatic activity of PA against human HCC cells, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent of HCC treatments.

Exploring the Origin of Phase-Transformation Kinetics of CsPbI3 Perovskite Nanocrystals Based on Activation Energy Measurements.

Perovskite α-CsPbI3 nanocrystals (NCs) with a high fluorescence quantum yield (QY) typically undergo a rapid phase transformation to a low-QY δ-CsPbI3 phase, thus limiting their optoelectronic applications. In this study, organic molecule hexamethyldisilathiane (HMS) is used as a unique surfactant to greatly enhance the stability of the cubic phase of CsPbI3 NCs (HMS-CsPbI3) under ambient conditions. The reaction kinetics of the phase transformation of CsPbI3 NCs are systemically investigated through in situ photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements under moisture. The activation energy of HMS-CsPbI3 NCs is found to be 14 times larger than that of CsPbI3 NCs capped by olyelamine (OLA-CsPbI3 NCs). According to density functional theory calculations, the bonding between HMS and CsPbI3 NCs is stronger than that between OLA and CsPbI3 NCs, preventing the subsequent phase transformation. Our study presents a clear pathway for achieving highly stable CsPbI3 NCs for future applications.

The rat groin flap model redesigned for evaluating treatment effects on ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Although there is a wide application of the rat extended groin flap (epigastric skin flap) in studying different clinical issues, inconsistency arises between studies because many parameters of the extended groin flap have not been well defined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The flap is based on the superficial inferior epigastric vessels, which give into a lateral and a medial branch distally. Herein, three steps were taken to redesign this model: First, the ventral vascular anatomy was visualized through an imaging study to determine the flap borders. Second, different ischemic durations were induced on five groups of Lewis rats (n = 5 in each group) by clamping the femoral artery; group 1 (sham group) received no ischemic insult after elevation and was immediately repositioned, and groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 received 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-hour ischemia, respectively. Percentage of necrosis area was measured after 5 days. Third, the redesigned groin flap model was tested with the ischemic postconditioning for validation. RESULTS: The flap borders were determined such that both branches of the superficial inferior epigastric vessels were always included to ensure blood supply consistency. As the 14-hour ischemia induced the least variation in necrotic area on rats, it was chosen for further studies. In addition, ischemic postconditioning after 14-hr ischemia resulted in significant reduction of necrosis in this model. CONCLUSIONS: We have redesigned the extended groin flap model with better-defined borders and consistent vascular anatomy. The ischemia duration was calibrated with predictable necrosis pattern and the practicality was demonstrated. With this model, precise assessment of treatment efficacies on ischemia-reperfusion injury could be achieved in future studies.

Novel Injury Site Targeted Fusion Protein Comprising Annexin V and Kunitz Inhibitor Domains Ameliorates Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Promotes Survival of Ischemic Rat Abdominal Skin Flaps.

Appropriate antithrombotic therapy is critical for successful outcomes in reconstructive microsurgical procedures involving free tissue transfer. The annexin V-6L15 (ANV-6L15) fusion protein was developed as a targeted antithrombotic reagent. Annexin V specifically binds to exposed phosphatidylserine on apoptotic or injured cells, and prevents coagulation and cell adhesion, whereas 6L15 inhibits tissue factor-VIIa pathway within the coagulation cascade. The treatment efficacy of ANV-6L15 on rat island muscle and pedicled abdominal fasciocutaneous flaps following ischemic injury and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of ANV-6L15 on survival of rat abdominal fasciocutaneous flaps subjected to 10 hours of critical ischemia were assessed on day 5. Near-IR imaging was applied to evaluate the distribution of ANV-6L15 and flap perfusion. The rat cremaster muscle island flap was used to evaluate the effect of ANV-6L15 on IRI-induced leukocyte-endothelial interactions via intravital microscopy. 2,3,5 triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride assay was used to determine the ratio between live-versus-dead tissue. RESULTS: ANV-6L15 significantly increased the ratio of viable tissue (68.5 ± 9.79% vs 84.8 ± 5.14%, P < 0.05), and promoted survival of rat pedicled abdominal flaps (59.3 ± 6.86 vs. 47.0 ± 8.67, P < 0.05). Intravital microscopy demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of adhesive leukocytes (1.8 ± 1.64 vs. 10.0 ± 6.32, P < 0.05), and the percentage change of functional capillaries (16.4 ± 15.1 vs. 47.3 ± 18.3, P < 0.05) in ANV-6L15-treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: ANV-6L15 promoted survival of ischemic rat cremaster muscle and abdominal fasciocutaneous flaps and ameliorated leukocyte-related IRI. Future evaluation of potential clinical application of ANV-6L15 is warranted as a flap treatment adjunct.

The Impact of Surgical Experience on Major Intraoperative Aneurysm Rupture and Their Consequences on Outcome: A Multivariate Analysis of 538 Microsurgical Clipping Cases.

The incidence and associated mortality of major intraoperative rupture (MIOR) in intracranial aneurysm surgery is diverse. One possible reason is that many studies failed to consider and properly adjust the factor of surgical experience in the context. We conducted this study to clarify the role of surgical experience on MIOR and associated outcome. 538 consecutive intracranial aneurysm surgeries performed on 501 patients were enrolled in this study. Various potential predictors of MIOR were evaluated with stratified analysis and multivariate logistic regression. The impact of surgical experience and MIOR on outcome was further studied in a logistic regression model with adjustment of each other. The outcome was evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale one year after the surgery. Surgical experience and preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were identified as independent predictors of MIOR. Experienced neurovascular surgeons encountered fewer cases of MIOR compared to novice neurosurgeons (MIOR, 18/225, 8.0% vs. 50/313, 16.0%, P = 0.009). Inexperience and MIOR were both associated with a worse outcome. Compared to experienced neurovascular surgeons, inexperienced neurosurgeons had a 1.90-fold risk of poor outcome. On the other hand, MIOR resulted in a 3.21-fold risk of unfavorable outcome compared to those without it. Those MIOR cases managed by experienced neurovascular surgeons had a better prognosis compared with those managed by inexperienced neurosurgeons (poor outcome, 4/18, 22% vs. 30/50, 60%, P = 0.013).

3D-assisted quantitative assessment of orbital volume using an open-source software platform in a Taiwanese population.

Orbital volume evaluation is an important part of pre-operative assessments in orbital trauma and congenital deformity patients. The availability of the affordable, open-source software, OsiriX, as a tool for preoperative planning increased the popularity of radiological assessments by the surgeon. A volume calculation method based on 3D volume rendering-assisted region-of-interest computation was used to determine the normal orbital volume in Taiwanese patients after reorientation to the Frankfurt plane. Method one utilized 3D points for intuitive orbital rim outlining. The mean normal orbital volume for left and right orbits was 24.3±1.51 ml and 24.7±1.17 ml in male and 21.0±1.21 ml and 21.1±1.30 ml in female subjects. Another method (method two) based on the bilateral orbital lateral rim was also used to calculate orbital volume and compared with method one. The mean normal orbital volume for left and right orbits was 19.0±1.68 ml and 19.1±1.45 ml in male and 16.0±1.01 ml and 16.1±0.92 ml in female subjects. The inter-rater reliability and intra-rater measurement accuracy between users for both methods was found to be acceptable for orbital volume calculations. 3D-assisted quantification of orbital volume is a feasible technique for orbital volume assessment. The normal orbital volume can be used as controls in cases of unilateral orbital reconstruction with a mean size discrepancy of less than 3.1±2.03% in females and 2.7±1.32% in males. The OsiriX software can be used reliably by the individual surgeon as a comprehensive preoperative planning and imaging tool for orbital volume measurement and computed tomography reorientation.

Nano-composite of poly(L-lactide) and halloysite nanotubes surface-grafted with L-lactide oligomer under microwave irradiation.

In order to improve the bonding between halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), and hence to increase the mechanical properties of HNTs/PLLA nano-composite, HNTs were surface-grafted with PLLA under microwave irradiation and then blended with PLLA matrix. The optimal conditions for grafting polymerization are: irradiation time of 30 min, microwave power of 30 W and reaction temperature of 130 degrees C. The structure and properties of the surface-grafted HNTs (g-HNTs) were characterized by Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Nano-composites of g-HNTs/PLLA and non-grafted HNTs/PLLA were subsequently evaluated in terms of crystallinity, dispersion, interfacial interaction, mechanical performance and cytocompatibility by polarized optical microscopy (POM), field scanning electron microscope (FESM), tensile testing and cell culture experiment. Results show that the grafted PLLA chains on the surfaces of HNTs, as inter-tying molecules, played an important role in improving the adhesive strength between the nanotubes and the polymer matrix. The enhanced interaction among g-HNTs and PLLA matrix resulted in a better tensile strength and modulus compared to the pristine PLLA and HNTs/PLLA. Cell culture results indicated that g-HNTs promoted both adhesion and proliferation of M3T3 fibroblasts on the g-HNTs/PLLA composite film.