Gastric cancer (GC) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. Chinese agarwood comprises the resin-containing wood of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg., traditionally utilized for treating asthma, cardiac ischemia, and tumors. However, comprehensive research regarding its anti-GC effects and underlying mechanisms remains limited. In this study, Chinese agarwood petroleum ether extract (CAPEE) demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against human GC cells, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for AGS, HGC27, and MGC803 cells of 2.89, 2.46, and 2.37 μg·mL^-1, respectively, at 48 h. CAPEE significantly induced apoptosis in these GC cells, with B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) associated X protein (BAX)/BCL-2 antagonist killer 1 (BAK) likely mediating CAPEE-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, CAPEE induced G₀/G₁ phase cell cycle arrest in human GC cells via activation of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage-p21-cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) signaling axis, and increased Fe²⁺, lipid peroxides and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, thereby inducing ferroptosis. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Western blotting analyses revealed CAPEE-mediated upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in human GC cells. RNA interference studies demonstrated that HO-1 knockdown reduced CAPEE sensitivity and inhibited CAPEE-induced ferroptosis in human GC cells. Additionally, CAPEE administration exhibited robust in vivo anti-GC activity without significant toxicity in nude mice while inhibiting tumor cell growth and promoting apoptosis in tumor tissues. These findings indicate that CAPEE suppresses human GC cell growth through upregulation of the DNA damage-p21-cyclin D1/CDK4 signaling axis and HO-1-mediated ferroptosis, suggesting its potential as a candidate drug for GC treatment.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin D1/genetics* ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/genetics* ; DNA Damage/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Thymelaeaceae/chemistry* ; Up-Regulation/drug effects*

Objective To screen small fragments with high antigenicity in order to overcome the defects of the full-length Marburg virus GP as a vaccine antigen.Methods Based on the structure and function of GP sequence [amino acids(aa) 1-681], three small fragments,including GP1△(aa 25-239), GPM(aa 250-520) and GP2△(aa 436-648), were expressed by prokaryotic cells and immunized into mice, and the serum specific antibodies were detected after different immunization time.The proliferation of spleen lymphocytes and the concentration of cytokines of immunized mice were also measured.Results ELISA test results showed that high humoral immunity of GP2△ was produced as the full-length GP group did, and was higher than that of GP1△ and GPM (P<0.05).GP2△ immunization groups exhibited a higher SI value in mouse splenic lymphocytes stimulated by ConA than the mixed GP immunization groups did(P<0.05), but the effect was the opposite when mouse splenic lymphocytes were stimulated by the mixed GP.In addition, the amount of cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ of mouse splenic lymphocytes in the GP2△ group was larger than that of the saline group (P<0.05), but smaller than that of the mixed GP group.Conclusion The fragment GP2△ can induce not only the high humoral immunity as GP does,but also moderate cellular immunity, which can be used for vaccine design.

Objective To discover novel conopeptides which are the antagonists of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in order to contribute to the development of novel analgesic drugs and neuropharmacological probes.Methods Based on the conserved untranslated region and intron of A-superfamily conotoxins,a novel α-conotoxin Lt1.1 was cloned from Conus litteratus.The peptide-resin was synthesized using the solid-phased method and was cleaved.The resulting linear peptide was oxidized by air to give the product containing disulfide bridges.The folding product was finally purified by HPLC.The disulfide bond connectivity was determined using the two-step oxidative folding methods.The cRNA of rat nAChRs was expressed on the membrane of Xenopus oocyte.Membrane currents were recorded using the two electrode voltage-clamp technique.Results A novel α-conotoxin designated as Lt1.1(GCCSHPACNVNNPDIC-NH2) was cloned and its disulfide connectivity was C1-C3,C2-C4.Lt1.1 selectively inhibited the α3β2 and α3β4 nAChRs with an IC50 of 166.76 and 190.00 nmol/L,respectively.Conclusion Lt1.1 is a novel 4/7 α-conotoxin that selectively targets α3β2 and α3β4 nAChRs.

Marburg virus (MARV) is a member of the Filoviridae family and belongs to a non-segmented, single-strand and negative-sense RNA virus.Since the first discovery of virus in 1967, infections have broken out 14 times, causing the infection of 588 people and 482 deaths.The mortality is up to 82%.Marburg virus results in multiple organ infections , severe hemorrhagic fever and death .Currently, there are no available licensed vaccines or post-exposure treatment , but the vaccines have proved effective in experimental animals .This review briefly summarizes the structure , infection mechanism and the progress in vaccines of this virus .

Objective To clone a new conotoxin Bt14.10 from Conus betulinus derived from the South China Sea, synthesize the peptide , and to determine linkage of its disulfide bridges .Methods The genomic DNA was extracted from C.betulinus venom duct while the Bt14.10 sequence was cloned using primers designed based on the untranslated region and intron.The peptide was then synthesized using solid-phase method and folded into the target product whose disulfide bridge connection was further determined by two-step oxidative folding .Results A novel conotoxin designated as Bt 14.10 (CAHSVPGMHPCKCNNTC-NH2) was obtained,the disulfide connectivity of which was C1-C3,C2-C4.Conclusion Bt14.10 is a new A-superfamily conotoxin and has a distinct loop spacing pattern between cysteines in A-superfamily conotoxins.

Objective To detect the expression of Beclin1 and Bcl2 in invasive pituitary adenomas and to explore the relationship of Beclin1 and Bci2 in invasive pituitary adenomas and the relativity between the 2 genes.Methods 61 specimens were classified into invasive group (32 cases) and non-invasive group (29 cases) according to the comprehensive evaluation of invasive pituitary adenomas.lmmunofluorescence analysis and RT-PCR were adopted respectively to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of Beclinl and Bcl2.The difference and relativity of Beclin1 and Bcl2 expression in invasive group and non-invasive group were analyzed.Results 32 specimens of pituitary adenoma were invasive and 29 were non-invasive.Beclin1 protein and mRNA expressions were lower in the invasive group than in the non-invasive group (P ＜0.01 ).Bcl2 protein and mRNA expressions were higher in the invasive group than in the non-invasive group (P ＜0.01 ).Pearson related analysis showed that Beclin1 mRNA expression was negtively correlated with Bcl2 mRNA expression in the invasive group ( r =-0.42,P =0.028 ).Conclusions Beclinl expression is decreased in invasive pituitary adenomas.The invasiveness of pituitary adenoma is closely related to the high expression of Bcl2 protein and mRNA,and the low expression of Beclin1 protein and mRNA.The inhibition of the autophagy may lead to the enhancement of the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas and that inhibition may come from the interaction of Beclin1 and Bcl2.

Objective To explore the imaging features and clinical significance of solitary costal hot spots on bone scintigraphy (BS). Methods Eighty-four patients with single costal hot spots were enrolled in the study. The sites of lesions were classified into four types: junction betweenaor rib. The shapes of hot spots were classified into three forms: Punctiform, clumping and strip. The above data were respectively analyzed. Results Single hot spots were mainly showed in the punctiform and strip shapes, and the distribution of punctiform spots were mainly in the sites of junction between costal cartilage and rib and frontal ribs, also mainly due to costal fractures (42/61, 68.85%). The majority of spots in strip shape were costal metastases(18/19, 94.74%). Hot spots in posterior ribs were also mainly costal metastases (24/29,82.76%). Conclusion Useful imaging features can be obtained from BS with al diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions.

The s tr ucture of a micromovement external fixture for treatment of diaphyseal long bo ne fracture is presented in this paper.Minisize DC geared motor and screw drive are used to transmit the power.Micro controller is used to control the micromove ment extent and frequency.This device can give the fractured bone ends micromo vement stress stimulation,so as to improve the forming and calcifying of the ca llus,and to accelerate the fracture healing process.This device can be applied t o the research on micromovement treatment of bone fracture.

Objective:Our aim was to study the levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and pulmonary perfusion imaging in determining of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Methods: We measured ANP levels by using radioimmunoassay after making various types of PAH in rabbits. Catheterization and pulmonary perfusion tomographic imaging were used in the control group. Results: When the pulmonary artery pressure increased slightly, the ANP levels were lower in PAH group than that of control group, but the difference was not significant (t=1, P>0.05). At the same time, pressure measured by catheterization did not change as the control group, but the ratio of back/abdomen radiopharmaceuticals distribution which was measured with pulmonary perfusion tomographic imaging was significantly higher in PAH group than that of the control (t=2.5, P<0.05). The difference between the ANP levels when the pulmonary artery pressure increased medially and seriously was significant (t＝4.0 and 6.5, P＜0.05). The other two methods got the same result (P＜0.05). Results of three examining methods were positively related. Conclusion:The ANP levels can determine the degree of PAH, and it was simple. But it was not as sensitive as that of pulmonary perfusion tomographic imaging.

Finite element method (FEM)is a calculating method for stress and strain analysis in the field of mechanical engineering.FEM has already been used in the design of medical apparatus,especially of the fixer for fracture treatment.The external fixer taken as an example,the anti-compression,anti-blending and anti-torsion characteristics of a certain type of external fixer are analyzed using FEM.This paper shows that by using FEM,the mechanical property of medical apparatus can be revealed at the designing stage.The strength and rigidity weak pocket can be found,and thus the improvement and optimization of medical apparatus can be made.