Accessing Apoptosis Induction and Metastasis Inhibition Effect of Magnolol on Triple Negative Breast Cancer In Vitro.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive type of breast cancer that still requires improvement in treatment. Magnolol extract, derived from the bark of Magnolia officinalis, has traditionally been used in Asia to treat sleeping disorders and anxiety, and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Several reports have indicated that magnolol may have the potential to inhibit the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma. However, the anti-tumor effect of magnolol on TNBC remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we used two TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and 4T1, to examine the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and metastasis effects of magnolol. These were evaluated using MTT assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, and invasion/migration transwell assay, respectively. RESULTS: Magnolol significantly induced cytotoxicity and extrinsic/intrinsic apoptosis in both TNBC cell lines. It also decreased metastasis and associated protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the anti-tumor effect was associated with the inactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Magnolol may not only induce cell death in TNBC through apoptosis signaling activation but also by down-regulating EGFR/JAK/STAT3 signaling, which mediates TNBC progression.

Porous Fe-Doped ß-Ni(OH)2 Nanopyramid Array Electrodes for Water Splitting.

We report a highly efficient and stable electrode composed of a porous Fe-doped ß-nickel hydroxide nanopyramid array supported on nickel foam (U-Fe-ß-Ni(OH)2/NF) for overall water splitting. The unique structure is assembled via a self-templated strategy by utilizing the FeNi oxalate (FeNi-C2O4/NF) nanopyramid as the templates, followed by an anion-exchange reaction at room temperature. Due to the intrinsic activity of Fe-doped ß-Ni(OH)2 along with unique porous array structures consisting of two-dimensional (2D) active materials on three-dimensional (3D) conductive substrates, the developed electrode exhibited outstanding electrocatalytic activity for both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an alkaline medium. The introduced amount of Fe plays a significant role in promoting OER and HER activity compared to the ß-Ni(OH)2 electrode. The optimal electrode (U-Fe-ß-Ni(OH)2/NF-2) generated a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at low overpotentials of 218 mV for the OER and 121 mV for the HER. The electrode also demonstrated considerably stable performance during the continuous water splitting process. Furthermore, we elucidated the promotion mechanisms of the active Fe-doped ß-Ni(OH)2 compound for the OER and HER based on extensive characterization and electrochemical measurements. Hence, this work provides a facile approach to developing low-cost, efficient, and stable hydroxide-based electrodes for bifunctional OER and HER in water splitting.

Acute radial nerve injury associated with an automatic blood pressure monitor.

Perioperative radial nerve injury is a rare anesthetic complication, and is rarely seen in association with the use of an automatic blood pressure monitor. As far as we know, only one case has been reported. Here, we report a 26-year-old healthy, lean female who sustained acute radial nerve palsy after appendectomy. A dropped wrist improved 5 days later. The cause of the radial neuropathy is discussed. We recommend that when an automatically cycling blood pressure monitor is used on a lean patient, caution should be taken against such a complication.