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International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Hypoxia is often associated with glioma chemoresistance, and alleviating hypoxia is also crucial for improving treatment efficacy. However, although there are already...
PURPOSE
Hypoxia is often associated with glioma chemoresistance, and alleviating hypoxia is also crucial for improving treatment efficacy. However, although there are already some methods that can improve efficacy by alleviating hypoxia, real-time monitoring that can truly achieve hypoxia relief and efficacy feedback still needs to be explored.
METHODS
AQ4N/Gd@PDA-FA nanoparticles (AGPF NPs) were synthesized using a one-pot method and were characterized. The effects of AGPF NPs on cell viability, cellular uptake, and apoptosis were investigated using the U87 cell line. Moreover, the effectiveness of AGPF NPs in alleviating hypoxia was explored in tumor-bearing mice through photoacoustic imaging. In addition, the diagnosis and treatment effect of AGPF NPs were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bioluminescent imaging (BLI) on orthotopic glioma mice respectively.
RESULTS
In vitro experiments showed that AGPF NPs had good dispersion, stability, and controlled release. AGPF NPs were internalized by cells through endocytosis, and could significantly reduce the survival rate of U87 cells and increase apoptosis under irradiation. In addition, we monitored blood oxygen saturation at the tumor site in real-time through photoacoustic imaging (PAI), and the results showed that synergistic mild-photothermal therapy/chemotherapy effectively alleviated tumor hypoxia. Finally, in vivo anti-tumor experiments have shown that synergistic therapy can effectively alleviate hypoxia and inhibit the growth of orthotopic gliomas.
CONCLUSION
This work not only provides an effective means for real-time monitoring of the dynamic feedback between tumor hypoxia relief and therapeutic efficacy, but also offers a potential approach for the clinical treatment of gliomas.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Photothermal Therapy; Glioma; Folic Acid; Hypoxia; Anthraquinones
PubMed: 38617794
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S451921 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Oral cancer is a common malignancy with a high mortality rate. Although surgery is the best treatment option for patients with cancer, this approach is ineffective for... (Review)
Review
Oral cancer is a common malignancy with a high mortality rate. Although surgery is the best treatment option for patients with cancer, this approach is ineffective for advanced metastases. Molecular agents are irreplaceable in preventing and treating distant metastases. This review aims to summarise the molecular agents used for the treatment of oral cancer in the last decade and describe their sources and curative effects. These agents are classified into phenols, isothiocyanates, anthraquinones, statins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and steroids. The mechanisms of action of these agents include regulating the expression of cell signalling pathways and related proteases to affect the proliferation, autophagy, migration, apoptosis, and other biological aspects of oral cancer cells. This paper may serve as a reference for subsequent studies on the treatment of oral cancer.
Topics: Humans; Mouth Neoplasms; Anthraquinones; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Endopeptidases
PubMed: 38611874
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071594 -
ACS Applied Energy Materials Apr 2024An increasing number of studies focus on organic flow batteries (OFBs) as possible substitutes for the vanadium flow battery (VFB), featuring anthraquinone derivatives,...
An increasing number of studies focus on organic flow batteries (OFBs) as possible substitutes for the vanadium flow battery (VFB), featuring anthraquinone derivatives, such as anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonic acid (2,7-AQDS). VFBs have been postulated as a promising energy storage technology. However, the fluctuating cost of vanadium minerals and risky supply chains have hampered their implementation, while OFBs could be prepared from renewable raw materials. A critical component of flow batteries is the electrode material, which can determine the power density and energy efficiency. Yet, and in contrast to VFBs, studies on electrodes tailored for OFBs are scarce. Hence, in this work, we propose the modification of commercial carbon felts with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and poly(ethylene glycol) for the 2,7-AQDS redox couple and to preliminarily assess its effects on the efficiency of a 2,7-AQDS/ferrocyanide flow battery. Results are compared to those of a VFB to evaluate if the benefits of the modification are transferable to OFBs. The modification of carbon felts with surface oxygen groups introduced by the presence of rGO enhanced both its hydrophilicity and surface area, favoring the catalytic activity toward VFB and OFB reactions. The results are promising, given the improved behavior of the modified electrodes. Parallels are established between the electrodes of both FB technologies.
PubMed: 38606034
DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.3c03223 -
BMC Plant Biology Apr 2024Rhubarb is one of common traditional Chinese medicine with a diverse array of therapeutic efficacies. Despite its widespread use, molecular research into rhubarb...
BACKGROUND
Rhubarb is one of common traditional Chinese medicine with a diverse array of therapeutic efficacies. Despite its widespread use, molecular research into rhubarb remains limited, constraining our comprehension of the geoherbalism.
RESULTS
We assembled the genome of Rheum palmatum L., one of the source plants of rhubarb, to elucidate its genome evolution and unpack the biosynthetic pathways of its bioactive compounds using a combination of PacBio HiFi, Oxford Nanopore, Illumina, and Hi-C scaffolding approaches. Around 2.8 Gb genome was obtained after assembly with more than 99.9% sequences anchored to 11 pseudochromosomes (scaffold N50 = 259.19 Mb). Transposable elements (TE) with a continuous expansion of long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTRs) is predominant in genome size, contributing to the genome expansion of R. palmatum. Totally 30,480 genes were predicted to be protein-coding genes with 473 significantly expanded gene families enriched in diverse pathways associated with high-altitude adaptation for this species. Two successive rounds of whole genome duplication event (WGD) shared by Fagopyrum tataricum and R. palmatum were confirmed. We also identified 54 genes involved in anthraquinone biosynthesis and other 97 genes entangled in flavonoid biosynthesis. Notably, RpALS emerged as a compelling candidate gene for the octaketide biosynthesis after the key residual screening.
CONCLUSION
Overall, our findings offer not only an enhanced understanding of this remarkable medicinal plant but also pave the way for future innovations in its genetic breeding, molecular design, and functional genomic studies.
Topics: Rheum; Plant Breeding; Anthraquinones; Chromosomes; Genome Size; Evolution, Molecular
PubMed: 38594606
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04972-2 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024known as the "plant antibiotic" is a facultative root hemi-parasitic herb while can serve as its host. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the communication...
BACKGROUND
known as the "plant antibiotic" is a facultative root hemi-parasitic herb while can serve as its host. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the communication between and its host remained largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive view of transferred metabolites and mobile mRNAs exchanged between and .
RESULTS
The wide-target metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis identified 5 transferred metabolites (ethylsalicylate, eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside, aromadendrin-7-O-glucoside, pruvuloside B, 2-ethylpyrazine) and 50 mobile genes between and , as well as haustoria formation related 56 metabolites and 44 genes. There were 4 metabolites (ethylsalicylate, eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside, aromadendrin-7-O-glucoside and pruvuloside B) that are transferred from to , whereas 2-ethylpyrazine was transferred in the opposite direction. Furthermore, we inferred a regulatory network potentially involved in haustoria formation, where three metabolites (N,N'-Dimethylarginine/SDMA, NG,NG-Dimethyl-L-arginine, 2-Acetoxymethyl-anthraquinone) showed significant positive correlations with the majority of haustoria formation-related genes.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that there was an extensive exchange of information with including transferred metabolites and mobile mRNAs, which might facilitate the haustoria formation and parasition of .
PubMed: 38592814
DOI: 10.3390/plants13060804 -
A simple protocol for the synthesis of perylene bisimides from perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride.RSC Advances Apr 2024Perylene bisimides are highly attractive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons due to their photostability associated to unique and characteristic photochemical properties....
Perylene bisimides are highly attractive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons due to their photostability associated to unique and characteristic photochemical properties. They have been widely used for analytical purposes, despite the hydrophobicity of most of these compounds. The ring substitution pattern plays an important role in fine-tuning the physicochemical properties that govern solubility and aggregation. In this work, a selection of perylene bisimides were prepared from the reaction of perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride with α-amino acids or primary aliphatic and aromatic amines. These molecules were obtained in good yield by a simple synthetic protocol based on the use of imidazole as a green solvent and avoiding the need for complex purification methods, a major advantage for future applications. Functionalization of the exocyclic substituent can also be performed and was exemplified by the incorporation of the maleimide and anthraquinone moieties.
PubMed: 38590355
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra01576b -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2024musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders account for approximately 20% of all years lived with disability worldwide however studies of MSK disorders in Africa are scarce. This...
INTRODUCTION
musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders account for approximately 20% of all years lived with disability worldwide however studies of MSK disorders in Africa are scarce. This pilot study aimed to estimate the community-based prevalence of MSK disorders, identify predictors, and assess the associated disability in a Tanzanian population.
METHODS
a cross-sectional study was conducted in one village in the Kilimanjaro region from March to June 2019. The Gait, Arms, Legs, Spine (GALS) or paediatric GALS (pGALS) examinations were used during household and school visits. Individuals positive in GALS/pGALS screening were assessed by the regional examination of the musculoskeletal system (REMS) and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ).
RESULTS
among the 1,172 individuals enrolled in households, 95 (8.1%, 95% CI: 6.6 - 9.8) showed signs of MSK disorders using the GALS/pGALS examination and 37 (3.2%, 95% CI: 2.2 - 4.3) using the REMS. Among 682 schools enrolled children, seven showed signs of MSK disorders using the GALS/pGALS examination (1.0%, 95% CI: 0.4 - 2.1) and three using the REMS (0.4%, 95% CI: 0.0 - 1.3). In the household-enrolled adult population, female gender and increasing age were associated with GALS and REMS-positive findings. Among GALS-positive adults, increasing age was associated with REMS-positive status and increasing MHAQ score.
CONCLUSION
this Tanzanian study demonstrates a prevalence of MSK disorders and identifies predictors of MSK disorders comparable to those seen globally. These findings can inform the development of rheumatology services and interventions in Tanzania and the design of future investigations of the determinants of MSK disorders, and their impacts on health, livelihoods, and well-being.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Tanzania; Pilot Projects; Prevalence; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Gait; Mitoxantrone
PubMed: 38586069
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.36.38258 -
Mycological Progress 2024(Fr.) Fr. is one of the most species-rich genera in the (). subgen. (Fr.) Trog includes brightly coloured Cortinarii with anthraquinone pigments. The chemotaxonomic...
UNLABELLED
(Fr.) Fr. is one of the most species-rich genera in the (). subgen. (Fr.) Trog includes brightly coloured Cortinarii with anthraquinone pigments. The chemotaxonomic approach has always been as important as classical methods for species definition of and helped to improve overall species concepts. However, some species concepts within this group remain unclear. We therefore address this topic based on a combined phylogenetic, morphological, and pigment-chemical approach. For this, sequence data, HPLC-MS pigment profiles and spore sizes were included were included to obtain a better resolution of taxa. The study was based on 173 recent collections and 12 type specimens. A total of 117 rDNA ITS sequences were produced from the collections in this study, 102 sequences were retrieved from databases. We could detect and clearly delimit 19 species occurring in central European habitats, from which 16 are discussed in detail. Additionally, we grouped the detected anthraquinone pigments into four groups. This detailed analysis of dermocyboid species occurring in a restricted number of habitat types confirmed our hypothesis that species diversity is much higher than currently assumed. This high diversity is blurred by too wide and incorrect species concepts of several classical species like and . Molecular and chemotaxonomical studies carried out together with careful phenotypical analyses resulted in a good differentiation of species. A key is presented for these taxa to allow a better identification of subgenus spp. occurring in Central Europe mainly in the alpine range.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11557-024-01959-z.
PubMed: 38585620
DOI: 10.1007/s11557-024-01959-z -
The Lancet. Haematology May 2024Whether high-dose cytarabine-based salvage chemotherapy, administered to induce complete remission in patients with poor responsive or relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Remission induction versus immediate allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with relapsed or poor responsive acute myeloid leukaemia (ASAP): a randomised, open-label, phase 3, non-inferiority trial.
BACKGROUND
Whether high-dose cytarabine-based salvage chemotherapy, administered to induce complete remission in patients with poor responsive or relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia scheduled for allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) after intensive conditioning confers a survival advantage, is unclear.
METHODS
To test salvage chemotherapy before allogeneic HSCT, patients aged between 18 and 75 years with non-favourable-risk acute myeloid leukaemia not in complete remission after first induction or untreated first relapse were randomly assigned 1:1 to remission induction with high-dose cytarabine (3 g/m intravenously, 1 g/m intravenously for patients >60 years or with a substantial comorbidity) twice daily on days 1-3 plus mitoxantrone (10 mg/m intravenously) on days 3-5 or immediate allogeneic HSCT for the disease control group. Block randomisation with variable block lengths was used and patients were stratified by age, acute myeloid leukaemia risk, and disease status. The study was open label. The primary endpoint was treatment success, defined as complete remission on day 56 after allogeneic HSCT, with the aim to show non-inferiority for disease control compared with remission induction with a non-inferiority-margin of 5% and one-sided type 1 error of 2·5%. The primary endpoint was analysed in both the intention-to-treat (ITT) population and in the per-protocol population. The trial is completed and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02461537.
FINDINGS
281 patients were enrolled between Sept 17, 2015, and Jan 12, 2022. Of 140 patients randomly assigned to disease control, 135 (96%) proceeded to allogeneic HSCT, 97 (69%) after watchful waiting only. Of 141 patients randomly assigned to remission induction, 134 (95%) received salvage chemotherapy and 128 (91%) patients subsequently proceeded to allogeneic HSCT. In the ITT population, treatment success was observed in 116 (83%) of 140 patients in the disease control group versus 112 (79%) of 141 patients with remission induction (test for non-inferiority, p=0·036). Among per-protocol treated patients, treatment success was observed in 116 (84%) of 138 patients with disease control versus 109 (81%) of 134 patients in the remission induction group (test for non-inferiority, p=0·047). The difference in treatment success between disease control and remission induction was estimated as 3·4% (95% CI -5·8 to 12·6) for the ITT population and 2·7% (-6·3 to 11·8) for the per-protocol population. Fewer patients with disease control compared with remission induction had non-haematological adverse events grade 3 or worse (30 [21%] of 140 patients vs 86 [61%] of 141 patients, χ test p<0·0001). Between randomisation and the start of conditioning, with disease control two patients died from progressive acute myeloid leukaemia and zero from treatment-related complications, and with remission induction two patients died from progressive acute myeloid leukaemia and two from treatment-related complications. Between randomisation and allogeneic HSCT, patients with disease control spent a median of 27 days less in hospital than those with remission induction, ie, the median time in hospital was 15 days (range 7-64) versus 42 days (27-121, U test p<0·0001), respectively.
INTERPRETATION
Non-inferiority of disease control could not be shown at the 2·5% significance level. The rate of treatment success was also not statistically better for patients with remission induction. Watchful waiting and immediate transplantation could be an alternative for fit patients with poor response or relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia who have a stem cell donor available. More randomised controlled intention-to-transplant trials are needed to define the optimal treatment before transplantation for patients with active acute myeloid leukaemia.
FUNDING
DKMS and the Gert and Susanna Mayer Stiftung Foundation.
Topics: Humans; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Middle Aged; Male; Female; Remission Induction; Adult; Transplantation, Homologous; Aged; Cytarabine; Young Adult; Adolescent; Mitoxantrone; Salvage Therapy; Treatment Outcome; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Recurrence
PubMed: 38583455
DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3026(24)00065-6