Given the increasing concern regarding antibacterial resistance, the antimicrobial properties of naphthoquinones have recently attracted significant attention. While 1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives have been extensively studied, the antibacterial properties of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives remain relatively unexplored. This study presents a comprehensive in vitro and in vivo analysis of the antibacterial activity of 35 naturally sourced and chemically synthesized derivatives of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. Kirby-Bauer antibiotic testing identified three compounds with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with one compound (PNP-02) demonstrating activity comparable to vancomycin in minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill assays. Microscopic and biochemical analyses revealed that PNP-02 adversely affects the cell wall and cell membrane of MRSA. Mechanistic investigations, including proteomic sequencing analyses, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR assays, indicated that PNP-02 compromises cell membrane integrity by inhibiting arginine biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism pathways, thereby increasing membrane permeability and inducing bacterial death. In an in vivo mouse model of skin wound healing, PNP-02 exhibited antibacterial efficacy similar to vancomycin. The compound demonstrated low toxicity to cultured human cells and in hemolysis assays and remained stable during serum incubation. These findings suggest that PNP-02 possesses promising bioactivity against MRSA and represents a potential novel antibacterial agent.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry* ; Naphthoquinones/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mice ; Humans ; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology* ; Molecular Structure

Objective: To investigate the effects of thrombopoietin (TPO) on proliferation and collagen synthesis in pulmonary fibro-blasts induced by TGFβ1. Methods: Cultured human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HFLs) were treated with recombinant human TGF-β1 to induce myofibroblast differentiation. Different concentrations of recombinant human TPO were applied individually or in combina-tion. Cell proliferation rate was determined using the CCK8 assay. Q-PCR and immunofluorescence assay were employed to examine the mRNA and protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and type I collagen (COL1)A2. Results: TGFβ1 treatment induced HFL transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts was determined by the expression of αSMA, a myofibroblast-specific marker. Cell prolifera-tion increased during the induction. COL1 gene and protein expression were upregulated by TGFβ1 induction (P<0.05). The TGFβ1-in-duced mRNA and protein expression of αSMA and COL1A2 was decreased by TPO treatment (P<0.05), as determined by reverse tran-scription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence analysis, respectively. The inhibitory rate showed a dose de-pendent effect within a certain TPO concentration range. The CCK8 assay demonstrated that TPO downregulated the TGFβ1-induced proliferation (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was downregulated in TGFβ1-induced lung fibro-blasts, and these effects were attenuated by TPO administration (P<0.05). Conclusions: TPO can inhibit the TGFβ1-induced prolifera-tion and differentiation of human lung fibroblasts. These effects may be mediated in part by HO-1-related signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the polymorphism of cytochrome P450 19 (CYP19) gene rs10046 and the risk of colon and rectal cancer.Methods Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to analyze gene polymorphism in CYP 19 gene rs10046 in 198 cases of colon and rectal cancer patients (case group) and 309 cases of healthy controls (control group).The genotype frequency and relative risk of CYP19 gene rs10046 between the two groups were compared and the relationship with the clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer was analyzed.Results In case group,the prevalence rates of CYP19 rs10046 genotypes C/C,C/T and T/T were 28.3％,44.4％ and 27.3％,respectively,and 17.2％,51.8％ and 31.1％ in the control group,respectively,with statistical significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with wild-type C/C,the susceptibility of colorectal cancer with the genotypes of C/T and T/T was decreased by 0.521 (95％ CI:0.330-0.822)and 0.532 (95 ％ CI:0.322-0.880) respectively.Moveover,in the non-smoking group,the risk of colorectal cancer with genotype T/T or C/T was decreased by 0.409 (95％ CI:0.210-0.798) compared with genotype C/C.The interaction was not exist in smoking group.Conclusions The polymorphism of CYP19 gene rs10046 is related to the susceptibility of colon and rectal cancer.The T/T,C/T genotype of CYP19 rs10046 decrease the risk of colon and rectal cancer,and which might be the protective factor of colon and rectal cancer.

Objective To detect the expression and significance of serum miRNA-183 and TK1 in patients with colorectal cancer, and the mechanism thereof. Methods Fifty-two serum samples of colorectal cancer patients and paired health serum samples were collected. The expression of miRNA-183 was detected by real-time quantitative PCR, and TK1 was detected by Western blot enhanced chemiluminescence assay. The correlation between miRNA-183 and TK1 and their relations with the clinicpathologic characteristics were analyzed. Results The serum miRNA-183 expression was significantly higher in colorectal cancer group than that in normal control group (P<0.01). The expression of serum miRNA-183 was significantly higher in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ group than that in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ group (P < 0.01). There was more significant increase in serum miRNA-183 in lymphatic metastasis group than that without lymphatic metastasis group (P < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that of there was a diagnostic value for serum miRNA-183 in colorectal cancer, with an optimal value of 1.15. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 78.8%and 67.3%, and the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 78.9%and 70.2%. The serum TK1 expression was also higher in colorectal cancer group compared with that of normal control group (P<0.01). And the TK1 expression was also higher in stageⅢ-Ⅳgroup than that in stageⅠ-Ⅱgroup (P<0.01). Furthermore, miRNA-183 expression was positively correlated with TK1 expression (rs=0.692, P<0.01). Conclusion The serum expression levels of miR-183 and TK1 may act as tumor markers for early colorectal cancer diagnosis, and also can be used to predict the malignant degree and prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Objective To explore the miRNA regulating the potential cancer-promoting gene CCL18 in cutaneous malignant melanoma.Methods Bioinformatics analysis was conducted by using online software miRanda and TargetScan,so as to predict the miRNA targeting CCL18 gene.Three kinds of C CL18 3'UTR dual-luciferase reporter vectors,including mutant 3'UTR vector (mutant 3'UTR group),wildtype 3'UTR vector (wild-type 3'UTR group) and empty vector (blank control group),as well as miRNA vectors carring selected miRNAs were constructed according to human gene sequence analysis,and then were used to co-transfect 293T cells.After 48-hour treatment,the cells were lysed for detection of luciferase activity.Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR was performed to measure the expression of CCL 18 and selected miRNA in 14 fresh malignant melanoma tissue specimens and 14 paracancerous normal skin tissue specimens (control tissues),and their correlations were analyzed.Results Online software analysis showed that some miRNAs were identified to target the 3'UTR of CCL18 gene,including miR-183,miR-128 and miR-33a.Luciferase reporter vectors and miRNA vectors were constructed successfully.As luciferase activity assay showed,when miR-183 and miR-128 were bound to the CCL18 3'UTR,the luciferase activities were significantly higher in their mutant 3'UTR groups (11.63 ± 0.42;8.80 ± 0.49) than in their wild-type 3'UTR groups (4.86 ± 0.39;5.01 ± 0.54;both P ＜ 0.05) and blank control groups (2.41 ± 0.13;2.39 ± 0.05;both P ＜ 0.01),while there were no significant differences between miR-33a-hinding mutant 3'UTR group (6.41 ± 0.47) and miR-33a-binding wild-type 3'UTR group (6.16 ± 0.22,P ＞ 0.05).Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR revealed higher mRNA expression of the CCL18 gene (3.52 ± 1.68),but lower expression of miR-183 (0.49 ± 0.32),miR-128 (0.30 ± 0.20) and miR-33a (0.46 ± 0.40) in the malignant melanoma tissues compared with the control tissues.The mRNA expression of the CCL18 gene was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-128 (rs =-0548,P ＜ 0.05),but showed no significant correlations with the expression of miR-183 and miR-33a (both P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion miR-128 may play a role in regulating the potential malignant melanoma-promoting gene CCL18.

Background and purpose: Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) may be a precursor lesion of inifltrating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The mutation of the phenotypic impact of K-ras G12D alone, silencing of p53 and p16 could promote this process. The role of Smad4 in this progression was poorly understood. In our previous studies, we investigated that RNA interference silence of Smad4 to promote the PanIN cell malignant transformation. In the present study, we investigate. The further explores the siRNA interference of Smad4 expression on PanIN cells could lead to proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Methods:Smad4 knock-down PanIN cells (PanIN-S) were established by stable transfection with lentiviral-mediated Smad4 RNA interference. In vitro,silence of Smad4 enhanced the proliferation of PanIN cells as determined by cell counting. A soft agar assay was used to assess the anchorage-independent growth ability of cells. Cell migration and invasion assays were performed using transwell chambers with or without Matrigel. In xenograft model experiments, PCNA, VEGF and MMP-9 staining was separately used to evaluate cell proliferation and angiogenesis and migration (VEGF and MMP-9). Results:Effect of siRNA of Smad4 gene in PanIN cells was conifrmed by real-time RT-PCR and western blot. In vitro, silence of Smad4 enhanced the proliferation of PanIN cells as determined by cell counting. Soft agar assay showed that there were more colony cell numbers in PanIN-S cells compared with PanIN cells (P<0.05). Using the transwell assay, we observed that PanIN-S cells migrated faster than PanIN cells and similar results were obtained by Matrigel assay (P<0.05). Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of the harvested tumors suggested that Smad4 silencing was associated with cell proliferation (PCNA reactivity) and angiogenesis and migration (VEGF and MMP-9), and the expressions of PCNA, VEGF and MMP-9 in PanIN-S group were signiifcantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Silence of Smad4 in PanIN cells enhanced progression to invasive adenocarcinoma of the pancreas by promoting cell growth, migration and invasion. Smad4 might be a new diagnostic marker in pancreatic cancer and prove to be a feasible and novel target for therapeutic intervention.

Objective To explore the effect of simple pelvic floor vibration therapy combined with pelvic floor muscle training on patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods 72 women with SUI were divided into control group (n=36) and treatment group (n=36). The control group received pelvic floor muscle training, and the treatment group received pelvic floor vibration therapy in addition.Their incontinence quality of life (I-QOL) and urodynamic indexes were assessed. Results 8 weeks after treatment, the score of I-QOL and urodynamic indexes significantly improved in both groups (P<0.001), and were better in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.001), as well as the effective rate (P<0.05). Conclusion Simple pelvic floor vibration therapy combined with pelvic floor muscle training is effective on patients with SUI.

Objective To observe the effect of constraint-induced movement therapy combined with motor imagery on unilateral spatial neglect (USN) in stroke patients. Methods Fifty stroke patients with USN were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n = 27 ) and a control group ( n = 23 ). Both groups received routine physical therapy training, including with the Bobath technique and low frequency electrotherapy, while the treatment group received constraint-induced movement therapy and motor imagery in addition. All the patients were assessed with 4 scales of the regular USN assessment ( cancellation tests, line bisection tests, clock drawing tests,copying drawing tests) and with the Barthel index (BI) before and after 8 weeks of treatment. Results After 8 weeks of treatment, both groups' average USN assessments and Barthel indices improved significantly. Furthermore, both the USN results and the Barthel index scores in the treatment group were, on average, significantly better than those in the control group. Conclusion For USN stroke patients, constraint-induced movement therapy combined with motor imagery improves the symptoms of USN and ADL ability significantly better than routine physical therapy treatment alone.

A mouse-anti-human monoclonal antibody was produced by using the membrane proteins of human lung carcinoma cell line A549 as the immunogen to generate monoclonal antibodies against lung carcinoma with the use of hybridoma techniques. McAb4E7 was prepared successfully. To identify its antigen, proteomic technologies such as two-dimenstional electrophoresis, western blotting and mass spectrometry were employed. The targeting antigen of McAb4E7 expressed positive in human lung cancer cell lines A549 and human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2, moreover, the expression of the antigen was stronger in A549 cells. Finally, we obtained one positive protein in A549 cell line that has strong affinity and specificity for McAb4E7, which was identified to be ATP synthase beta subunit. We identified ATP synthase beta subunit as the targeting antigen of lung carcinoma special monoclonal antibody McAb4E7.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; immunology ; Antibodies, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; immunology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; immunology ; Membrane Proteins ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases ; immunology

Objective To investigate the effects of caveolin-1 overexpressing on the growth of cervical squamous cell cancer Hela cell line. Methods Eukaryotic expression vector of human caveolin-1 gene was introduced into Hela cells by Lipofectamine. The clones stably overexpressed caveolin-1 were identiffed by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence cell staining techniques and Westernblotting. Cells proliferation viabihty was tested by MTT assay, and flow cytometry was used to assay the cell cycle and apoptosis, and the relative phosphorylation level of extracellular regulated protein kinases (Erk1/2) were detected by Westernblotting. Results The clones stably overexpressed caveolin-1 were obtained. Compared with the parental Hela cells, the tranfected cells exhibited a slower rate of growth. FAGS analysis results revealed that overexpression of caveolin-1 resulted in the cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 [ ( 68. 04 ± 2. 57 ) % vs ( 53.41 ±1.01)%] phase and increased the apoptotic cell fraction[ (19. 18 ±2.20)% vs (5.63 ±0.55)%, P <0. 05 ]. Western blotting results showed that overexpression of caveolin-1 reduced the phosphorylation of Erk1/2(0.28 ±0.05 vs 0.81 ±0.07, P <0.05). Conclusions Overexpression of caveolin-1 suppressed the growth of Hela cells and induced apoptosis, down-regulation of Erk1/2 phosphorylation might be involved in its mechanism.