These findings suggest that heteronemin may constitute a novel c-Met/STAT3-targeting agent for prostate cancer. Prostate 76:1469-1483, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Nanohole array-based biosensors integrated with a microfluidic concentration gradient generator were used for imaging detection and quantification of ovarian cancer markers. Calibration curves based on controlled concentrations of the analyte were created using a microfluidic stepped diffusive mixing scheme. Quantification of samples with unknown concentration of analyte was achieved by image-intensity comparison with the calibration curves. The biosensors were first used to detect the immobilization of ovarian cancer marker antibodies, and subsequently applied for the quantification of the ovarian cancer marker r-PAX8 (with a limit of detection of about 5 nM and a dynamic range from 0.25 to 9.0 μg.mL(-1)). The proposed biosensor demonstrated the ability of self-generating calibration curves on-chip in an integrated microfluidic platform, representing a further step towards the development of comprehensive lab-on-chip biomedical diagnostics based on nanohole array technology.

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A sulfated beta-cyclodextrin (sulfated beta-CD)-mediated capillary electrophoresis method is described for the enantioseparation of cetirizine using achiral cefazolin as an internal standard. The enantioseparation of the drug was performed in a borate buffer (5 mM, pH 8.7) with 1% sulfated beta-CD (w/v) as chiral selector at 10 kV. Several parameters affecting the separation were studied, including the pH and the concentration of borate buffer and chiral selector. Under optimized conditions, a baseline separation of two enantiomers was achieved in less than 7 min. Using cefazolin as an internal standard (IS), the linear range of the method for the determination of levocetirizine was over 1.0 to 50.0 microg/mL; the detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of levocetirizine was 0.5 microg/mL. The method allowed the enantioseparation of cetirizine in bulk samples and enantiomeric purity evaluation of levocetirizine (R-enantiomer) in pharmaceutical tablets (Xyzal), and it was also found to be suitable for enantioseparation in human plasma.

Novel bicyclic[1,2,3]triazoles (4, 7, 11, 15) have been synthesized using a one-pot metal free strategy with high structural diversity as photoprotective agents, and their effect on UVA-induced senescence in human dermal fibroblast cells (FB) and the associated mechanism are delineated. 11d plus UVA can induce a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity but an increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨmt). The mRNA levels of six senescence-associated genes, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), was decreased, while elastin, procollagen I type I, fibronectin, COL1α1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were increased. 11d plus UVA also decreased MMP-1 and increased TIMP-1 protein levels. Additionally, the thickness of the murine dorsal skin and epidermis, by UVA, was decreased by topical 11d treatment. Our results indicate that bicyclic[1,2,3]triazoles protect UVA-induced senescence-like characteristics in FB cells, which may provide potential prevention against photoaging.

A simple and sensitive HPLC method has been developed for trace determination of kanamycin A by derivatization. Plasma proteins are precipitated by acetonitrile and chemical derivatization is performed on the supernatant containing kanamycin A with 1-naphthyl isothiocyanate in pyridine at 70 degrees C. After the derivatization reaction, a methylamine/acetonitrile solution was added to the reaction mixture to eliminate the excess of derivatizing agent and shorten the analysis time. The resulting derivative was separated using a Lichrocart Purospher STAR RP-18e column and water/methanol (33:67, v/v) as a mobile phase (detection at 230 nm). Optimization conditions for the derivatization of kanamycin A were investigated by HPLC. The linear range for the quantitation of kanamycin A in spiked plasma was over 1.2-40 microg/mL; the detection limit (signal to noise ratio = 3; injection volume, 10 microL) was about 0.3 microg/mL. The relative standard deviation was less than 2.9% for intra-day assay (n = 6) and inter-day assay (n = 6) and relative recoveries were found to be greater than 98%. Preliminary application of the method for monitoring kanamycin A in humans upon intramuscular injection of the injection product demonstrated the usefulness of the assay for clinical studies. The proposed method can also be used to analyze the compound in pharmaceutical formulations.

A simple micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with UV detection at 254 nm for analysis of ceftazidime in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by direct injection without any sample pretreatment is described. The separation of ceftazidime from biological matrix was performed at 25 degrees C using a background electrolyte consisting of Tris buffer with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the electrolyte solution. Under optimal MEKC condition, good separation with high efficiency and short analyses time is achieved. Several parameters affecting the separation of the drug from biological matrix were studied, including pH and concentration of the Tris buffer and SDS. Using cefazolin as an internal standard (IS), the linear ranges of the method for the determination of ceftazidime in plasma and in CSF were all over the range of 3-90 microg/mL; the detection limit of the drug in plasma and in CSF (signal-to-noise ratio = 3; injection 0.5 psi, 5 s) was 2.0 microg/mL. The applicability of the proposed method for determination of ceftazidime in plasma and CSF collected after intravenous administration of 2 g ceftazidime in patients with meningitis was demonstrated.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and aggressive malignancies worldwide. Treatment outcomes remain poor mainly due to lack of good diagnostic/prognostic markers and limited therapeutic strategies. We previously characterized aberrant activation of the TF/FVII/PAR2 pathway, which subsequently results in decreased autophagy, as a crucial event in malignant progression of HCC.Here, we identified miR-135a as a highly upregulated miRNA in HCC in response to TF/FVII/PAR2 activation. Analyzing 103 HCC patient specimens, we confirmed that miR-135a was frequently elevated in HCC tissues with higher FVII expression compared to adjacent non-cancerous counterparts. Increased miR-135a levels in HCC were also associated with tumor staging, recurrence, microvascular invasion, and decreased disease-free survival. We subsequently identified Atg14, a key component that regulates the formation of autophagosome as a direct target of miR-135a. Ectopic expression of miR-135a suppressed Atg14 levels and inhibited the autophagic processes. Our results indicate strong positive correlations between miR-135a levels and malignant behaviors in HCC patients and also suggest novel functions of miR-135a in regulation of autophagy, which could be useful as a potential target for prognostic and therapeutic uses.