Data derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) showed that the expression of seven of these genes including EGR1 (early growth response protein 1) and FLNA (filamin A) significantly correlated with the therapy outcome in cisplatin-treated cancer patients. Further analysis indicated the relevance of nuclear factor erythroid 2related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signalling for the favourable effect of PEA-15AA on cisplatin sensitivity. The results warrant further evaluation of the PEA-15 phosphorylation status as a potential candidate biomarker of response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy.A series of polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) polymers were synthesized from acrylic acid (AA) and isoprenyloxy polyethylene glycol ether (IPEG) at the mole ratios of 3.0, 4.2, 5.0 and 6.0. In this study, the molecular weight properties of PCE polymers were recorded by size exclusion chromatography with the time interval of 1 h. Mini slump test was used to detect the dispersing effectiveness of PCE polymer in cement paste. The results indicated that the reaction rate of monomers, conversion of 52IPEG macromonomer and molecular weight of PCE polymers increased with the general adding ratio of AA to IPEG macromonomers while the side chain density of PCE polymers decreased. PCE polymers possessed molecular weight around 30,000 g/mol with low side chain density, and long main chain length presented high initial dispersing effectiveness at the low dosage around 0.12%. The majority of effective PCE polymers were formed during the adding period of acrylic acid in the first 3 h.Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanomaterials with multiple possible uses as drug carriers or in nanovaccine development. However, the toxicity of CNTs administered intravenously in in vivo models has not been fully described to date. This work aimed to evaluate the toxic effect of pristine multi-walled CNTs (UP-CNTs), purified (P-CNTs), or CNTs functionalized with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-CNTs) administered by intravenous injection in BALB/c mice. Biochemical and histopathological parameters were analyzed at 1, 14, 29, and 60 days post-exposure. Pristine CNTs were the most toxic nanoparticles in comparison with P-CNTs or FITC-CNTs, increasing serum AST (≈ 180%), ALT (≈ 300%), and LDH (≈ 200%) levels at one day post-exposure. The urea/creatinine ratio suggested pre-renal injury at the 14th day accompanied of extensive lesions in kidneys, lungs, and liver. Biochemical and histological findings in mice exposed to P-CNTs had not significant differences compared to the controls. A lower toxic effect was detected in animals exposed to FITC-CNTs which was attributable to FITC toxicity. These results demonstrate that the purification process of CNTs reduces in vivo toxicity, and that toxicity in functionalized CNTs is dependent on the functionalized compound. Therefore, P-CNTs are postulated as potential candidates for safe biomedical applications using an intravenous pathway.Islet dysfunction mediated by oxidative and mitochondrial stress contributes to the development of type 1 and 2 diabetes.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/unc-3230.html  Acetate and butyrate, produced by gut microbiota via fermentation, have been shown to protect against oxidative and mitochondrial stress in many cell types, but their effect on pancreatic β-cell metabolism has not been studied. Here, human islets and the mouse insulinoma cell line MIN6 were pre-incubated with 1, 2, and 4 mM of acetate or butyrate with and without exposure to the apoptosis inducer and metabolic stressor streptozotocin (STZ). Both short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) enhanced the viability of islets and β-cells, but the beneficial effects were more pronounced in the presence of STZ. Both SCFAs prevented STZ-induced cell apoptosis, viability reduction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) at a concentration of 1 mM but not at higher concentrations. These rescue effects of SCFAs were accompanied by preventing reduction of the mitochondrial fusion genes MFN, MFN2, and OPA1. In addition, elevation of the fission genes DRP1 and FIS1 during STZ exposure was prevented. Acetate showed more efficiency in enhancing metabolism and inhibiting ROS, while butyrate had less effect but was stronger in inhibiting the SCFA receptor GPR41 and NO generation. Our data suggest that SCFAs play an essential role in supporting β-cell metabolism and promoting survival under stressful conditions. It therewith provides a novel mechanism by which enhanced dietary fiber intake contributes to the reduction of Western diseases such as diabetes.Reduced balance function has been observed during balance challenging conditions in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population and is associated with an increased risk of falls. This study aimed to examine postural balance during quiet standing with eyes open and functional balance in a heterogeneous group of COPD and non-COPD (control) subjects, and to identify risk factors underlying balance impairment using a large panel of methods. In COPD and control subjects, who were mostly overweight and sedentary, postural and functional balance were assessed using center-of-pressure displacement in anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), respectively. COPD showed 23% greater AP sway velocity (p = 0.049). The presence of oxygen therapy, fat mass, reduced neurocognitive function, and the presence of (pre)diabetes explained 71% of the variation in postural balance in COPD. Transcutaneous oxygen saturation, a history of exacerbation, and gait speed explained 83% of the variation in functional balance in COPD. Neurocognitive dysfunction was the main risk factor for postural balance impairment in the control group. This suggests that specific phenotypes of COPD patients can be identified based on their type of balance impairment.A Zn/Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) hosting carbon nanotubes (80% of CNTs) was synthesized and dispersed into a commercial biodegradable highly amorphous vinyl alcohol polymer at different loading (i.e., 1; 3; 5; 10 wt%). In order to improve the degree of dispersion of the filler into the polymer matrix, an ionic liquid (IL) based on 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethyl-5-sodiosulfoisophthalate was added to the composites' mixtures. Structural characterization of filler and polymeric composites was carried out. The analysis of thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of the composites, resulted improved compared to the unfilled material, allowed to hypothesize a good dispersion of the LDH-CNTs lamellar filler into the polymer matrix-assisted by the ionic liquid. This was demonstrated comparing electrical conductivity of composite at 5% of LDH-CNTs in the presence and in the absence of IL. The experimental results showed that the electrical conductivity of the sample with IL is four orders of magnitude higher than the one without IL.