Potential of four marine-derived fungi extracts as anti-proliferative and cell death-inducing agents in seven human cancer cell lines

Objective:To evaluate the in vitro anticancer activity of crude ethyl acetate extracts of the culture of four marine-derived fungi Aspergillus similanensis KUFA 0013(E1),Neosartorya paulistemis KUFC 7897(E2),Neosartorya siamensis KUFA 0017(E4) and Talaromyces trachyspermus KUFC 0021(E3) on a panel of seven human cancer cell lines.Methods:Effects on cell proliferation,induction of DNA damage and cell death were assessed by MTT and clonogenic assays,comet assay and nuclear condensation assay,respectively.Results:The proliferation of HepG2,HCTl 16 and A375 cells decreased after incubation with the extracts E2 and E4.The anti-proliterative effect was confirmed by morphologic alterations and by clonogenic assay.Both extracts also induced cell death in HepG2 and HCT116 cells.Doxorubicin was used as a positive control and showed in vitro anticancer activity.Conclusions:This study demonstrated,for the first time,that extracts of Neosartorya paulistensis and Neosartorya siamensis have selective anti-proliferative and cell death activities in HepG2,HCT16 and A375 cells.The bioactivity of these extracts suggests a potential for biotechnological applications and substantiates that both should be further considered for the elucidation of the molecular targets and signal transduction pathways involved.

Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents, oral glucocorticoids, and laser photocoagulation combination therapy for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: preliminary report

AIM： To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined anti-vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） agents, oral glucocorticoid, and laser photocoagulation therapy for macular edema （ME） secondary to retinal vein occlusion （RVO）. METHODS： This study included 16 eyes of 16 patients with RVO-associated ME. Patients were initially treated with oral prednisone and an intravitreal anti-VEGF agent. Two weeks later, patients underwent standard laser photocoagulation. Best-corrected visual acuity （BCVA）, central retinal thickness （CRT）, and retinal vessel oxygenation were examined over 12mo. RESULTS： Patients received 1.43＋0.81 anti-VEGF injections. Mean baseline and 12-month IogMAR BCVA were 0.96±0.51 （20/178） and 0.31±0.88 （20/40）, respectively, in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion （CRVO） （P〈0.00）, and 1.02±0.45 （201209） and 0.60±0.49 （20/80）, respectively, in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion （BRVO） （P〈0.00）. At 12mo, CRT had significantly decreased in eyes with CRVO （P〈0.00） and BRVO （P〈0.00）. Venous oxygen saturation had significantly increased in eyes with CRVO （P〈0.00） and BRVO （P〈0.00）. No examined parameters were significantly different between the 2 RVO groups. No serious adverse effects occurred. CONCLUSION： Anti-VEGF, glucocorticoid, and photocoagulation combination therapy improves visual outcome, prolongs therapeutic effect, and reduces the number of intravitreal injections in eyes with RVO- associated ME.

Clinical Study on Ganbi Decoction (肝痹汤) in Treating Antituberculotic Agent-Caused Liver Injury

Objective： To study the effect and mechanism of Ganbi decoction （GBD, 肝痹汤 ） in treating patients with antituberculotic agent caused liver injury （ATB-LI）. Methods： One hundred and twenty-eight patients with ATB-LI were randomly assigned to the treated group （ n = 66） and the control group （ n = 62） with the envelop method. Meanwhile, 60 healthy persons were selected as the healthy control group. The treated group was treated by GBD one dose every day with the constituents modified depending on patients＇ symp- toms, and the control group was treated with glucuronolactone tablets and inosine injection. One week was taken as one treatment course. The changes of clinical syndromes, physical signs, T-lymphycyte sub-groups and serum level of nitric oxide （NO） were observed before and after treatment and the recovery time of liver function was recorded. The outcome was compared with that in the healthy control group. Results： In the treated group, 28 patients （42.4%） were cured, 30 （45.5%） improved and 8 （ 12.1% ） ineffectively cured, the total effective rate being 87.9% （58/66）. In the control group, 17 patients （27.4%） were cured, 24 （38.7%） improved, and21 （33.9%）ineffectively cured, the total effective rate being 66.1% （41/62）. The total effective rate in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group （ P〈0. 05）. Liver function was improved in both groups, recovery time in the treated group was 12.0±7.0 days, which was significantly shorter than that in the control group （16.0±8.0 days）, showing significant difference between the two groups （ P〈0.05）. The levels of CD3, CD4 and CD8 were significantly higher and level of NO significantly lower in the two groups of patients than those in the healthy control group （ P〈0. 05）, but these parameters were improved more significantly in the treated group after treatment, when compared with those before treatment or with those in the control group, all showing significant difference （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： GBD could prevent ATB-LI, and its mechanism could be by way of reducing NO production induced by endotoxin of macrophage and stimulating the proliferation of T-lymphycyte to elevate immunity.

Effect of K1, K2 Anti-Bacterial Agents on Tobacco Ralstonia Solanacearum

The tobacco Ralstonia Solanacearum were both cultured on nutrient agar plates and inoculated in seedling stage of tobacco, then treated with K1 and K2, two anti-bacterial agents, at a serial con-centrations to study their inhibitory efficiency. The result indicated that K1 can inhibit R. Solanacearum growth entirely, at the concentration range from 1/50 to 1/5000. K2 can reach the same result at the concentration range from 1/50 to 1/50000. Compared with the control plates, K1, at the concentration 1/50000, had no significant differences, and the average number of colony per plate was 112-115. The immature tobacco shown wilt as soon as inoculated with R. Solanacearum, and recovered gradually after using K1, K2. The densities of microbial suspension, handled by K1, K2 within 10 hs, were both significantly lower than the controlled ones. The optical microscopy also shown that handled microbial body differed from the controlled, whose body was regular short, rod shape as opposed to the handled ones with irregular rod shape and damaged body. All the results indicated that K1 and K2 both had inhibitory effects on tobacco R. Solanacearum, and K2 was more efficient than K1.

Novel anti-diabetic agents in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a mini-review

BACKGROUND:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)encompasses a spectrum that ranges from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)and to cirrhosis.The recommended treatment for this disease includes measures that target obesity and insulin resistance.The present review summarizes the role of newer anti-diabetic agents in treatment of NAFLD.DATA SOURCES:PubMed,MEDLINE and Ovid databases were searched to identify human studies between January 1990and January 2013 using specified key words.Original studies that enrolled patients with a diagnosis of NAFLD or NASH and involved use of newer classes of anti-diabetic agents for a duration of at least 3 months were included.RESULTS:Out of the screened articles,four met eligibility criteria and were included in our review.The classes of newer anti-diabetic medications described were dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues.CONCLUSIONS:Liraglutide and Exenatide showed improvement in transaminases as well as histology in patients with NASH.Sitagliptin showed improvement in transaminases but limited studies are there to access its effect on histology.Further studies are needed to support use of newer anti-diabetic medications in patients with NAFLD.

Challenges and opportunities of using stereotactic body radiotherapy with anti-angiogenesis agents in tumor therapy

Microvessels promote proliferation of tumor cells by delivering oxygen and nutrients, but rapid growth of tumors results in unmet demands for oxygen and nutrients, thereby creating a hypoxia microenvironment. Under hypoxic conditions, vascular endothelial cells（ECs） initiate the formation of immature and abnormal microvasculature. This results in leakage and tortuosity that facilitates tumor cell invasion, metastasis and resistance to cytotoxic treatment.Radiotherapy（RT） is a vital tumor treatment modality. Currently, more than 60% of patients with malignant tumors receive RT at certain points during their treatment. Hypoxia induced by abnormal microvessels can hamper the cytotoxic effect of ionizing radiation, particularly, stereotactic body radiotherapy（SBRT）. Anti-angiogenesis（AA） agents are known to reduce and renormalize microvessels in tumors, and hence alleviate hypoxia. The combination of AA agents with SBRT may have a synergistic role in inhibiting the growth of tumors. On the contrary, large doses of irradiation may affect tumor microvessels itself. In this review, we aim to clarify the relationship between SBRT and microvessel formation in tumors. In addition, we provide a retrospective analysis of the combination therapy involving SBRT and AA agents in preclinical and clinical practice to define its role in antitumor treatment.

Era of direct acting anti-viral agents for the treatment of hepatitis C

Hepatitis C infection is universal and the most common indication of liver transplantation in the United States. The period of less effective interferon therapy with intolerable side effects has gone. Now we have stepped into the era of direct acting anti-viral agents(DAAs) against hepatitis C virus. Treatment of hepatitis C is now extremely effective, tolerable and requires a short duration of intake of oral agents. Less monitoring is required with the current therapy and drug-drug interactions are less than the previous regimen. The current treatment options of chronic hepatitis C with various DAAs are discussed in this article.

Anti-angiogenic agents in metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a major public health concern being the third leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States. The availability of better therapeutic options has led to a decline in cancer mortality in these patients. Surgical resection should be considered in all stages of the disease. The use of conversion therapy has made surgery a potentially curative option even in patients with initially unresectable metastatic disease. In this review we discuss the role of various antiangiogenic agents in patients with metastatic CRC(m CRC). We describe the mechanism of action of these agents, and the rationale for their use in combination with chemotherapy. We also review important clinical studies that have evaluated the safety and efficacy of these agents in m CRC patients. Despite the discovery of several promising anti-angiogenic agents, m CRC remains an incurable disease with a median overall survival of just over 2 years in patients exposed to all available treatment regimens. Further insights into tumor biology and tumor microenvironment may help improve outcomes in these patients.

Toxicity Study of Anti-HABs Agents on Penaeus chinensis

In order to study the effect of anti-HABs agents on Penaeus chinensis, the toxicity experiments on clay, Ca(ClO)2, FeCl3, and AlCl3 to Penaeus chinensis are carried out. The results show that: (1) the clay isn't toxic to Penaeus chinensis; (2) Ca(ClO)2 has no toxicity to Penaeus chinensis at low levels, but has acute and chronic toxicity at high levels; (3) Penaeus chinensis can accumulate Fe and Al. The toxic effect needs further study.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Quinolino-Benzoxaboroles as Potential Antimicrobial Agents

Several quinolino-benzoxaborole derivatives have been prepared to start from aminobenzoxaboroles. These derivatives have been evaluated for their anti-cancer activity on human and murine cancer cell lines and based on their relative non-toxicity, these compounds were further evaluated for their antibacterial activity against E. coli, B. subtilis, and M. smegmatis. The synthesized compounds were also evaluated for antifungal activity in C. albicans and C. neoformans.

New innovation of moisturizers containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents for atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing and extremely pruritic eczematous disease which commonly affects children. The standard management consists of a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs in adjunctive with skin care management particular moisturizer application. A concern for the side effects associated with long term use of corticosteroids has also been considered. There has been an emerging interest in moisturizer containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as herbal extracts, vitamins, mineral and lipids. The in vitro and the in vivo studies of each agent were reviewed. The clinical study on the efficacy of moisturizers containing these agents were also demonstrated including the author's studies and clinicalexperience. These moisturizers might be considered as an alternative treatment in acute flare of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.

Development of a SGJ-1 of Water-Based Anti-Wax Agent

The phenomenon of petroleum wax deposition is very common during oil well production. When the wax molecule condenses on the surface of the pipeline, it will hinder the exploitation of crude oil, reduce the recovery rate of crude oil, and may lead to the blockage of the pipeline when it is serious, so that the oil recovery work will stop. This phenomenon can be obviously changed by using wax cleaning agent. However, the low ignition point and toxicity of oil-based wax remover are not conducive to oil recovery. Therefore, a new water-based paraffin remover SGJ-1 was developed in this paper. The best formula is: wax dispersant 15%, wetting reversion agent 1%, sodium silicate 1%, alcohol cosolvent 8% and 75% water. Condensation point, wax dissolution rate and anti-wax performance of SGJ-1 water-based dewaxing and anti-waxing agent were tested by self-assembly testing device. The experimental results show that the condensation point of SGJ-1 is -34°C, the viscosity reduction effect is good under 35°C, and the wax dissolution rate is 0.0512 g/min, The highest wax prevention rate can reach 89.58% and the wax removal and wax prevention ability is excellent. Compared with other paraffin removers, SGJ-1 can also reduce the viscosity of crude oil, so it has a good development prospect.

基于Agent的电液复合制动系统防抱死控制研究

针对纯电动汽车电液复合制动系统电机再生制动力与液压制动力动态响应特性的差异及其非线性特性问题,提出了一种基于Agent的电液复合制动防抱死控制方法。构建了由电机Agent、液压制动Agent和ABS Agent组成的复合制动系统,依据让步策略、竞争策略和协同策略对电机再生制动力和液压制动力协调分配。MATLAB/Simulink仿真结果表明:紧急制动状态下,各Agent间能有效协作,前轮始终先于后轮进入抱死趋势,复合制动系统可以准确识别路面附着系数变化并及时调整电机制动力与液压制动力,提高了制动稳定性与系统的自适应能力。

基于多agent系统的舰艇编队防空辅助决策系统

提出基于多agent系统（multi-agent system，MAS）技术的分布式编队防空辅助决策系统基本框架。在目标信息共享和平台间实时作战参数交换的前提下建立了基于平等协商的分布式目标协商算法，混合运用Tabu搜索算法和基于规则的计划算法。在目标分配协商中，采用Brown算法通过agent之间平等协商进行目标分配。在本舰防空计划中，采取软／硬防空计划并行比较消解冲突，实现本舰软／硬防空武器防空计划的协调。

基于多Agent仿真的编队协同反潜作战效能分析方法研究

编队协同反潜作战是一个复杂系统,能不能形成清晰的反潜效能分析思路,建立合适的反潜效能指标体系,并进一步确定合理的效能分析方法,成为编队协同反潜作战效能分析最为关键的环节。在给出编队协同反潜作战领域Agent定义及单个反潜兵力Agent形式化描述的基础上,提出了基于多Agent系统仿真(MASBS)的复杂系统效能分析法(MASBS-CSEA),给出了其定义,提取了三种作战任务模式下的效能分析指标,并基于HLA技术构建了MASBS仿真的联邦体系结构。

多agent理论和技术在自动避碰决策系统中的应用

将每艘船舶定义为一个agent,提出以互利和缓解整体碰撞危险局面为目标的多agent避碰决策系统,给出基于Visual C++中类框架的混合型agent的体系结构及其巴科斯范式(BNF)描述,并对多agent船舶避碰决策系统工作机制进行阐述,最后指出下一步的研究内容.

基于multi-agent的仿生物免疫:计算机抗病毒研究新思路

从控制论的角度论述了计算机免疫和生物免疫的相似性 ;讨论了在计算机防病毒领域中应用 m ulti- agent控制技术构筑计算机仿生物免疫系统的可行性和实用性 ;描述了系统实例及其优缺点 ;指出此项新技术的应用前景 。

基于多Agent的编队导弹攻击火力分配的优化研究

目前解决火力分配优化问题的更多的是运用静态的数学模型,忽略了作战是一个激烈对抗的过程。为了更全面地研究编队导弹攻击分配的优化问题,提出了一种基于多Agent的编队导弹攻击火力分配仿真优化研究的方法。首先建立了舰艇Agent的模型,研究了Agent的演化模型,建立了基于Agent的火力分配的优化模型。通过Agent自身的演化,从而达到整个编队导弹攻击的火力分配决策的优化目的。最后给出了仿真试验,对仿真结果数据的分析,验证了方法的可行性。

基于多Agent舰空导弹协同反导作战体系结构研究

舰艇编队中多个舰空导弹系统协同反导作战系统是一个异构、分布、开放和松散耦合的复杂分布式人工智能控制系统,而多智能体(Multi-Agent)原理与技术是研究复杂分布式人工智能控制系统的有效方法。从舰艇编队协同反导作战需求和多智能体结构特点分析入手,提出了舰艇编队协同反导防御作战"两层三网"的体系结构,阐明了系统组成和功能。

基于多AGENT联合意图的反潜编队仿真模型研究

分析了反潜编队的协同作战过程,提出了编队多Agent的形式化描述方法,给出了单个兵力Agent的行为模型,包括组成结构和控制策略。提出了多Agent联合意图的六元组模型,并应用于舰艇和直升机协同反潜过程进行了形式化描述。采用黑板模型,实现多Agent兵力的战场态势和作战状态共享;基于有穷状态自动机,给出了多Agent兵力协同作战过程描述模型。最后,指出多Agent联合意图理论在计算机兵力生成方面,尤其是兵力协同作战研究方面,具有理论和方法可行性和可实现性。