Dual‐function fluorescent probe for cancer imaging and therapy

To date, several fluorescent probes modified by a single targeting agent have been explored. However, studies on the preparation of dual‐function quantum dot (QD) fluorescent probes with dual‐targeting action and a therapeutic effect are rare. Here, a dual‐targeting CdTe/CdS QD fluorescent probe with a bovine serum albumin–glycyrrhetinic acid conjugate and arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid was successfully prepared that could induce the apoptosis of liver cancer cells and showed enhanced targeting in in vitro cell imaging. Therefore, the as‐prepared fluorescent probe in this work is an efficient diagnostic tool for the simultaneous detection of liver cancer and breast cancer cells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stage 2 Process Performance Qualification (PPQ): a Scientific Approach to Determine the Number of PPQ Batches

The approach documented in this article reviews data from earlier process validation lifecycle stages with a described statistical model to provide the “best estimate” on the number of process performance qualification (PPQ) batches that should generate sufficient information to make a scientific and risk-based decision on product robustness. This approach is based upon estimation of a statistical confidence from the current product knowledge (Stage 1), historical variability for similar products/processes (batch-to-batch), and label claim specifications such as strength. The analysis is to determine the confidence level with the measurements of the product quality attributes and to compare them with the specifications. The projected minimum number of PPQ batches required will vary depending on the product, process understanding, and attributes, which are critical input parameters for the current statistical model. This new approach considers the critical finished product CQAs (assay, dissolution, and content uniformity), primarily because assay/content uniformity and dissolution as well as strength are the components of the label claim. The key CQAs determine the number of PPQ batches. This approach will ensure that sufficient scientific data is generated to demonstrate process robustness as desired by the 2011 FDA guidance.     

High glucose concentration induces endothelial cell proliferation by regulating cyclin‐D2‐related miR‐98

Cyclin D2 is involved in the pathology of vascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated the role of cyclin‐D2‐regulated miRNAs in endothelial cell proliferation of T2DM. Results showed that higher glucose concentration (4.5 g/l) significantly promoted the proliferation of rat aortic endothelial cells (RAOECs), and significantly increased the expression of cyclin D2 and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma 1 (p‐RB1) in RAOECs compared with those under low glucose concentration. The cyclin D2‐3′ untranslated region is targeted by miR‐98, as demonstrated by miRNA analysis software. Western blot also confirmed that cyclin D2 and p‐RB1 expression was regulated by miR‐98. The results indicated that miR‐98 treatment can induce RAOEC apoptosis. The suppression of RAOEC growth by miR‐98 might be related to regulation of Bcl‐2, Bax and Caspase 9 expression. Furthermore, the expression levels of miR‐98 decreased in 4.5 g/l glucose‐treated cells compared with those treated by low glucose concentration. Similarly, the expression of miR‐98 significantly decreased in aortas of established streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rat model compared with that in control rats; but cyclin D2 and p‐RB1 levels remarkably increased in aortas of STZ‐induced diabetic rats compared with those in healthy control rats. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that high glucose concentration induces cyclin D2 up‐regulation and miR‐98 down‐regulation in the RAOECs. By regulating cyclin D2, miR‐98 can inhibit human endothelial cell growth, thereby providing novel therapeutic targets for vascular complication of T2DM.     

毛竹7个新近发表种下类型的AFLP分析

为了解毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)种下类型的遗传关系,对花龟竹(P.edulis‘Mira’)、斑毛竹(‘Porphyrosticta’)、安吉锦毛竹(‘Anjiensis’)、麻衣竹(‘Exaurita’)、黄皮毛竹(‘Holochrysa’)、绿槽龟甲竹(‘Lücaoguijiazhu’)、孝丰紫筋毛竹(‘Purpureosulcata’)等7个新近发表的种下类型进行了AFLP分子标记分析。结果表明,采用筛选的8对引物组合共扩增了1728条条带,多态性条带百分率达98.77%,检测到多态性位点881个。Nei’s遗传多样性指数(H)为0.2736,Shannon信息指数(I)为0.4291。这丰富了毛竹所有23个种下类型的分子亲缘关系研究数据。     

外阴阴道假丝酵母菌病伴发支原体及沙眼衣原体感染的研究

为研究外阴阴道假丝酵母菌病(Vulvovaginal Candidiasis,VVC)患者合并支原体和衣原体感染情况,对86例复发性VVC(recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis,RVVC)患者、219例单纯性VVC患者以及健康妇女200例,分别进行解脲脲原体(Ureaplasma urealyticum,Uu)、人型支原体(mycoplasma hominis,Mh)和沙眼衣原体(Chlamydia trachomatis,CT)检测;所有VVC病例均进行真菌培养。RVVC组和单纯VVC组与对照组之间Uu、Mh及Uu混合Mh阳性率比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。而三组之间CT和CT混合支原体阳性率比较,均无显著性差异(P0.05)。真菌培养阳性组与阴性组之间,Uu阳性率比较有显著性差异(P0.05),而CT阳性率比较无显著性差异(P0.05)。结果表明,VVC患者合并Uu感染较正常人群明显增高,假丝酵母菌与Uu混合感染可能导致VVC的发生和复发。