OBJECTIVE:To study inhibitory effects in vivo and in vitro of gemcitabine on liver cancer. METHODS:MCF-7 cells and HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of gemcitabine solutions(5,10,20,30,50,70 and 90 μmol/L). The absorbance of cells was determined by MTT assay after treated for 24,48 and 72 h. The inhibition ratio and 50% inhibiting concentration(IC50) of cells were calculated. Tumor-bearing mice were established by inoculating 0.2 ml liver cancer H22 cell line via right anterior axillary,and then randomly divided into control group(normal saline)and gemcitabine group(40 mg/kg)with 5 mice in each group. They were given relevant medicine intravenously every 2 days,for 3 times. The changes of body weight and in-hibition ratios were recorded. RESULTS:Gemcitabine can inhibit MCF-7 cells and HepG2 cells,and IC50 of gemcitabine to them were 30 and >90 μmol/L within 24 h respectively,and those of gemcitabine to them were all lower than 5 μmol/L after 48 h and 72 h. There was no statistical significance in body weight of tumor-bearing mice between 2 groups,and inhibitory rate of gemcitabi-ne to H22 cell line was 75.76%. CONCLUSIONS:Gemcitabine can inhibit liver cancer in vivo and in vitro.

Ultrasonic microbubbles were used to open blood-brain barriers (BBB) with a reversed and limited behavior feature in the study, which could improve the brain-targeted delivery of anti-tumor drugs. The glioma rat model was prepared. Low-frequency ultrasound was combined with microbubbles to affect the permeability of BBB compared with the permeability of independently administered Evans blue (EB) crossing BBB. Time point and length of ultrasound were investigated whether they affect the permeability of BBB and the damage of brain tissue. The effect of the growth time of glioma on BBB permeability was explored. Only glioma had a very little impact on BBB permeability. However, ultrasonic microbubbles opened the BBB with the features of temporary, limited and reversed behavior and improved EB and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent penetrating BBB. A length of 30 s ultrasound is appropriate for opening BBB and no damage of brain tissue. Drugs should be injected before ultrasound so that they enter into brain as BBB opening. Ultrasonic microbubbles can open BBB effectively and safely, which improve drugs penetrating BBB under proper time point and length.

OBJECTIVE Topreparealipidderivativeofgemcitabine(Gem)anditspolymericmi-celles to overcome the disadvantages of Gem.METHODS N-benzyl-3′-acetyl-gemcitabine(BAG)was synthesized.A BAG-loaded poloxamer polymeric micelle (BAG∶poloxamer 188 =10∶1 ,mol/mol)was prepared using an injection method.The micelles were characterized with a laser particle size and elec-tric charge instru ment and negatively-stained trans mission electron microscopy.Hu man breast cancer cells MCF-7 were cultured with Gem or BAG polymeric micelles of 5,10,20,30,50,70,90 μmol·L-1 for 24,48 and 72 h,respectively.The inhibitory rate of cells was measured with an MTT method.The MCF-7 cytotoxicity of BAG polymeric micelles was investigated.A pharmacodynamic study was per-formed on the mice bearing mouse hepatocellular cancer cells H22.Intravenous (iv)and oral (ig)ad-ministration was used at the dose of Ge m 40 mg·kg -1 or BAG polymeric micelles 62 mg·kg -1 .The mice were administered on the 1 st,4th and 7th day and sacrificed on the 8th day.Tumor inhibitory rates were measured.RESULTS TheBAGstructurewasidentifiedbythinlayerchromatograph,1Hand13C NMR,infrared ray chromatograph and mass spectrum.The appearance of BAG micelles was a slightly blue suspension.The micelles were spheres according to the electron microscopic observation.Their size was 62.82 nm and the zeta potential was -18.8 mV.The half inhibition concentration (IC50)of Gem and BAG polymeric micelles was 40.6 and 90.0 μmol·L-1 ,5.0 and 14.9 μmol·L-1 ,5.0 and 1 3.6 μmol·L-1 at 24,48 and 72 h,respectively according to the MTT results.According to the in vivo results,compared with the tumor model group,Gem (ig),Gem (iv)and BAG polymeric micelles (iv and ig)had significant effect on the tumor weight of H22 cell xenograft mice (P<0.01 ).As for anti-tumor efficiency,BAG polymeric micelles (ig)were better than Gem (ig)(P<0.05);BAG polymeric micelles (iv)were better than BAG polymeric micelles (ig)(P<0.05),and BAG polymeric micelles (iv)were almostequaltoGem(iv).CONCLUSION ThelipidderivativeofGemcanbeloadedinthepoloxamer 1 88 polymeric micelles.BAG polymeric micelles show in vitro MCF-7 cell inhibition and in vivo inhibition of mouse H22 xerografts;iv or ig.BAG polymeric micelles (ig)show better anti-tumor effect than Gem (ig),indicating that BAG polymeric micelles are a promising novel anti-tumor oral preparation.

Objective To prepare and evaluate flutide-loaded PLGA nanoparticles modified with cell-penetrating peptide-TAT.Methods The sequence of TAT was synthesized with florenl methyoxycarbonyl amino acids .The purity and molecular weight of TAT were determined using RP-HPLC and MALDI-TOF-MS.PLGA was modified with the TAT peptide and then prepared into flutide-loaded nanoparticles ( TAT-PLGA NPs) with the double emulsion method .The physical and chemical properties were evaluated , including size distribution, Zeta potential, SEM of nanoparticles , loading ratio of drug content and release profiles of TAT-PLGA NPs in vitro.The cytotoxicity of TAT-PLGA NPs was evaluated by CCK-8 methods.Results The purity of synthesized TAT was 95.6%, and molecular weight was 1495.8.The mean diameter,Zeta potential, drug loading ratio of TAT-PLGA nanoparticals were (159.5 ±2.1) nm, -(1.87 ±0.6) mV, and (5.75 ±0.17)μg/mg, respectively.The nanoparticles observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) had a spherical shape and uniform size without aggregation .In vitro release test showed sustained release of flutide from TAT-PLGA nanoparticles .Cell proliferation assay revealed that the TAT-PLGA nanoparticles did not damage the cell growth in vitro and showed good compatibility.Conclusion TAT-PLGA nanoparticles are prepared successfully by double emulsion method,and have sustained-release effect and good compatibility in vitro.They have potential application prospect in prevention and treatment of influenza .

Objective To compare the circumferential approach and suprapubic approach for correcting the concealed penis. Methods Thirty-four patients received circumferential approach (group A,18 cases)or suprapubic approach(group B,15 cases)randomly for the concealed penis.The length of penis without erection before and after surgery treatment,patients'satisfaction and surgical complications were evaluated.All the patients were followed at least 6 months after operation.Results The penile length before and after surgery in group A were(1.78±0.41)cm vs(3.97±0.47)cm,the length of the postoperative penis was significantly longer than that of the preoperative penis(P<0.01).83%of those in group A(15 cases)were satisfied with the cosmic results.The length of preoperative and postoperative penis in group B were(2.07±0.53)cm vs(4.05±0.81)cm respectively,the length of the postoperative penis was significantly longer(P<0.01).Satisfaction was 87%(13 cases).The postoperative penile length between the 2 groups was not different(P> 0.05).Prepuce edema was reported to Occur in 56%and 13%in group A and group B and spontaneously disappeared within 3 months.Fat synchysis occurred in 2 of group B. Conclusions The cosmic effect of the 2 surgical approaches is similar,but circumferential approach is simpler.There is no serious complication in those receiving circumferential approach.

BACKGROUND:Combined radiation and wound injury appeared mainly in patients with tumor radiotherapy and nuclear radiation accidents.The radiation destroys the repair mechanism,resulting in delayed or prolonged wound healing.It still lacks an effective therapeutic strategy currently. OBJECTIVE:To prepare multifunctional wound dressings based on the multiple clinical symptoms of combined radiation and wound injury,which are designed to be antibacteria,promoted healing and analgesics. METHODS:Using levofloxacin,fibroin and lidocaine hydrochloride as raw materials,3D bioprinting technology was applied to prepare the multifunctional wound dressing.(1)The multifunctional dressing was placed on a fixed culture plate coated with Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and incubated at 37 ℃ overnight to detect the diameter of the antibacterial zone.(2)40 Kunming mice were randomly divided into trauma group,radiation and trauma model group,treatment group and positive drug group,with 10 mice in each group.Mice in the radiation and trauma model group,treatment group and positive drug group were irradiated by 60Co gamma rays.After 1 hour of radiation,a full-layer skin defect wound with a diameter of 1 cm was made on the back of each mouse in the four groups.Normal saline was applied to the wounds of the trauma group and the radiation and trauma model group.Trethanolamine cream was applied to the wounds of the positive drug group.Multifunctional dressing was applied to the wounds of the treatment group.The dressing was changed every 2 days,and the treatment was continued for 14 days.Wound healing rate and serum interleukin-6 level were measured at 3,7 and 14 days after wound modeling.14 days after the wound modeling,the skin tissue of the wound was obtained and received hematoxylin-eosin staining,Masson staining and cytokeratin-14 immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)3D-printed multifunctional wound dressing had good antibacterial activity.The antibacterial zone diameters against Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were(4.15±0.09),(4.18±0.23)and(4.35±0.13)cm,respectively.(2)With the extension of modeling time,the wound healed gradually.The wound healing rate of the treatment group and the positive drug group was higher than that of the radiation and trauma model group at 3,7 and 14 days after modeling(P<0.01,P<0.001).The wound healing rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the positive drug group.With the extension of modeling time,the serum interleukin level of mice increased first and then decreased.The serum interleukin level in the treatment group at 3,7 and 14 days after modeling was lower than that in the radiation and trauma model group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining exhibited that inflammatory cells infiltrated the granuloma tissue in the trauma group,and the dermal collagen fibers were densely arranged.The normal structure of epidermis and dermis was destroyed and inflammatory cells were infiltrated in the radiation and trauma model group.In the treatment group,normal skin mucosal tissue was observed,the epidermis was arranged closely,and the sweat glands,hair follicles and dermal collagen fibers were arranged regularly.In the positive drug group,the arrangement of epidermal layer was tight,and the arrangement of sweat glands,hair follicles and dermal collagen fibers was regular.Cytokeratin-14 immunohistochemical staining displayed that the epidermal tissue thickness in the treatment group was lower than that in the other three groups(P<0.01,P<0.001).(3)The results confirm that the 3D-printed multifunctional dressing has multiple functions of local anesthesia,anti-infection and promoting healing.

BACKGROUND:Frog active peptides have rich activities,such as antibacterial and anti-tumor,and are expected to solve the problem of antibiotic resistance. OBJECTIVE:The active peptide QUB2984 was discovered in the skin secretions of Agalychnis callidryas.Its structure and properties were simulated by bioinformatics.The peptide was synthesized,purified,and identified and its biological functions were investigated. METHODS:Agalychnis callidryas skin secretions were collected by electrostimulation.The sequence of QUB2984 was obtained through constructing a cDNA library with isolated mRNA.BLAST was used for peptide sequence alignment.Besides that,Iterative Threading ASSEmbly Refinement(I-TASSER)and HeliQuest tools were used for protein secondary structure simulation.It was synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis,purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography,and structurally confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.The purified peptide was used to evaluate its biological activity.Its antibacterial effect was evaluated by the minimum inhibitory concentration method.Its cytotoxic effect was detected by MTT assay.Its safety was investigated by a hemolysis test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Peptide QUB2984 had basically α-spiral structure,with a relatively intact hydrophobic surface,and a certain destructive ability to biofilm.The third amino acid position of QUB2984 was composed of W and had a G-X-G structure.(2)The minimum inhibitory concentration of QUB2984 against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus was 2 μmol/L,the minimum inhibitory concentration against gram-negative Escherichia coli was 2 μmol/L,and the minimum inhibitory concentration against the fungus Candida albicans was 8 μmol/L.(3)The active peptide QUB2984 had obvious inhibitory effect on human non-small cell lung cancer cells NCI-H838 at 10-5 mol/L concentration,and the hemolytic effect on horse red cells at 64 μmol/L concentration was 50%.(4)The results showed that QUB2984 had anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity,and it had a positive charge of +3,which was conducive to contact with bacteria or cells.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally and metastasis always leads to treatment failure. Here, we develop a versatile hydrogel loading photothermal agents, chemotherapeutics, and immune-adjuvants to eradicate orthotopic tumors and inhibit metastasis by combinational therapy. Hydrogel networks were synthesized via the thiol-Michael addition of polydopamine (PDA) with thiolated hyaluronic acid. PDA acted as a cross-linking agent and endowed the hydrogel with excellent photothermal property. Meanwhile, a chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin (DOX), was loaded in the hydrogel via π‒π stacking with PDA and an immune-adjuvant, CpG-ODN, was loaded via electrostatic interaction. The release of DOX from the hydrogel was initially slow but accelerated due to near infrared light irradiation. The hydrogels showed remarkably synergistic effect against 4T1 cancer cells and stimulated plenty of cytokines secreting from RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, the hydrogels eradicated orthotopic murine breast cancer xenografts and strongly inhibited metastasis after intratumoral injection and light irradiation. The high anticancer efficiency of this chemo-photothermal immunotherapy resulted from the strong synergistic effect of the versatile hydrogels, including the evoked host immune response. The combinational strategy of chemo-photothermal immunotherapy is promising for highly effective treatment of breast cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers. Traditional chemotherapy for this disease leads to serious side effects. Here we prepared an inhalable oridonin-loaded poly(lactic--glycolic)acid (PLGA) large porous microparticle (LPMP) fortreatment of NSCLC with the emulsion/solvent evaporation/freeze-drying method. The LPMPs were smooth spheres with many internal pores. Despite a geometric diameter of ~10 µm, the aerodynamic diameter of the spheres was only 2.72 µm, leading to highly efficient lung deposition.studies showed that most of oridonin was released after 1 h, whereas the alveolar macrophage uptake of LPMPs occurred after 8 h, so that most of oridonin would enter the surroundings without undergoing phagocytosis. Rat primary NSCLC models were built and administered with saline, oridonin powder, gemcitabine, and oridonin-loaded LPMPsairway, respectively. The LPMPs showed strong anticancer effects. Oridonin showed strong angiogenesis inhibition and apoptosis. Relevant mechanisms are thought to include oridonin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction accompanied by low mitochondrial membrane potentials, downregulation of BCL-2 expressions, upregulation of expressions of BAX, caspase-3 and caspase-9. The oridonin-loaded PLGA LPMPs showed high anti-NSCLC effects after pulmonary delivery. In conclusion, LPMPs are promising dry powder inhalations fortreatment of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Traditional chemotherapy causes serious toxicity due to the wide bodily distribution of these drugs. Curcumin is a potential anticancer agent but its low water solubility, poor bioavailability and rapid metabolism significantly limits clinical applications. Here we developed a liposomal curcumin dry powder inhaler (LCD) for inhalation treatment of primary lung cancer. LCDs were obtained from curcumin liposomes after freeze-drying. The LCDs had a mass mean aerodynamic diameter of 5.81 μm and a fine particle fraction of 46.71%, suitable for pulmonary delivery. The uptake of curcumin liposomes by human lung cancer A549 cells was markedly greater and faster than that of free curcumin. The high cytotoxicity on A549 cells and the low cytotoxicity of curcumin liposomes on normal human bronchial BEAS-2B epithelial cells yielded a high selection index partly due to increased cell apoptosis. Curcumin powders, LCDs and gemcitabine were directly sprayed into the lungs of rats with lung cancer through the trachea. LCDs showed higher anticancer effects than the other two medications with regard to pathology and the expression of many cancer-related markers including VEGF, malondialdehyde, TNF-, caspase-3 and BCL-2. LCDs are a promising medication for inhalation treatment of lung cancer with high therapeutic efficiency.