National Chung Hsing University

About: National Chung Hsing University is a education organization based out in Taichung, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Thin film. The organization has 19443 authors who have published 24060 publications receiving 540154 citations. The organization is also known as: NCHU.

Model for perianth formation in orchids

Abstract: Orchidaceae, the orchid family under the order Asparagales, contains more than 20,000 accepted species in approximately 880 genera1–3. In contrast to most flowers of actinomorphic symmetry, orchid flowers typically have zygomorphic symmetry with a striking well-differentiated labellum (lip) that acts as the main pollinator attractant by employing visual, fragrance and tactile cues4–7. Genetics models controlling patterning formation of actinomorphic flowers, such as Arabidopsis, are well known. However, the mechanisms of sepal/petal/lip determination remain obscure. Here, we demonstrate a conserved principle, called the Perianth (P) code, which involves competition between two protein complexes containing different AP3/AGL6 homologues to determine the formation of the complex perianth patterns in orchids. In the P code, the higher-order heterotetrameric SP (sepal/petal) complex (OAP3-1/OAGL6-1/OAGL6-1/OPI) specifies sepal/petal formation, whereas the L (lip) complex (OAP3-2/OAGL6-2/OAGL6-2/OPI) is exclusively required for lip formation. This model is validated by the conversion of lips into sepal/petal structures in Oncidium and Phalaenopsis orchids through the suppression of the proposed L complex activity in lips using the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) strategy. A comprehensive examination of four different subfamilies of Orchidaceae further validates the P code and significantly extends the current knowledge regarding the mechanism and pathways of perianth formation in orchids. The mechanisms of sepal/petal/lip determination in orchids remain obscure. Now a study reveals competition between two protein complexes containing different AP3/AGL6 homologues determine the formation of the complex perianth patterns in orchids.

Antioxidant properties of three extracts from Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Abstract: Pleurotus citrinopileatus Sing. (Lentinaceae) was successfully cultivated and commercially available in Taiwan. The ethanolic, cold and hot water extracts were prepared from P. citrinopileatus fruit bodies, mycelia and fermentation filtrate and their antioxidant properties studied. For three samples, ethanolic extracts exhibited higher antioxidant activities than water extracts. Reducing powers of three extracts from fruit bodies were effective and 1.03–1.10 at 5 mg/ml. With regard to EC 50 values of scavenging abilities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, the effectiveness was in a descending order: ethanolic>hot water>cold water extracts. Scavenging abilities of water extracts from three samples on hydroxyl radicals were 53.4–80.1% at 20 mg/ml. Chelating abilities of cold and hot water extracts on ferrous ions were higher than those of ethanolic extracts. Contents of total phenols were in the descending order: fruit bodies (8.62–12.38 mg/g)>mycelia (5.84–7.85 mg/g)>filtrate (4.80–5.57 mg/g). Overall, three extracts from fruit bodies were more effective in antioxidant properties assayed than those from mycelia and filtrate. Ethanolic extracts were more effective in antioxidant properties assayed, except for scavenging abilities on hydroxyl radicals.

Chrysophanol induces necrosis through the production of ROS and alteration of ATP levels in J5 human liver cancer cells

Abstract: Anthraquinone compounds have been shown to induce apoptosis in different cancer cell types Effects of chrysophanol, an anthraquinone compound, on cancer cell death have not been well studied The goal of this study was to examine if chrysophanol had cytotoxic effects and if such effects involved apoptosis or necrosis in J5 human liver cancer cells Chrysophanol induced necrosis in J5 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner Non-apoptotic cell death was induced by chrysophanol in J5 cells and was characterized by caspase independence, delayed externalization of phosphatidylserine and plasma membrane disruption Blockage of apoptotic induction by a general caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) failed to protect cells against chrysophanol-induced cell death The levels of reactive oxygen species production and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) were also determined to assess the effects of chrysophanol However, reductions in adenosine triphosphate levels and increases in lactate dehydrogenase activity indicated that chrysophanol stimulated necrotic cell death In summary, human liver cancer cells treated with chrysophanol exhibited a cellular pattern associated with necrosis and not apoptosis

Oestrogen-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of endometrial epithelial cells contributes to the development of adenomyosis

Abstract: Adenomyosis is an oestrogen-dependent disease caused by a downward extension of the endometrium into the uterine myometrium. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) endows cells with migratory and invasive properties and can be induced by oestrogen. We hypothesized that oestrogen-induced EMT is critical in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis. We first investigated whether EMT occurred in adenomyotic lesions and whether it correlated with serum 17β-oestradiol (E2) levels. Immunohistochemistry was performed on adenomyotic lesions and corresponding eutopic endometrium samples from women with adenomyosis. Endometria from women without endometrial disorders were used as a control. In the epithelial component of adenomyotic lesions, vimentin expression was up-regulated and E-cadherin expression was down-regulated compared to the eutopic endometrium, suggesting that EMT occurs in adenomyosis. In adenomyosis, the serum E2 level was negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression in the epithelial components of the eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic lesions, suggesting the involvement of oestrogen-induced EMT in endometrial cells. In oestrogen receptor-positive Ishikawa endometrial epithelial cells, oestrogen induced a morphological change to a fibroblast-like phenotype, a shift from epithelial marker expression to mesenchymal marker expression, increased migration and invasion, and up-regulation of the EMT regulator Slug. Raloxifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator, abrogated these effects. To determine the role of oestrogen-induced EMT in the implantation of ectopic endometrium, we xenotransplanted eutopic endometrium or adenomyotic lesions from adenomyosis patients into ovariectomized SCID mice. The implantation of endometrium was oestrogen-dependent and was suppressed by raloxifene. Collectively, these data highlight the crucial role of oestrogen-induced EMT in the development of adenomyosis and suggest that raloxifene may be a potential therapeutic agent for adenomyosis patients.

Flavonoids, a ubiquitous dietary phenolic subclass, exert extensive in vitro anti-invasive and in vivo anti-metastatic activities.

Abstract: Cancer metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from the primary neoplasm to distant sites, where secondary tumors are formed, and is the major cause of death from cancer. Natural phytochemicals containing phenolic compounds have been widely demonstrated to have the capability to prevent cancer metastasis. Among phenolic compounds, flavonoids are a very large subclass, and they are abundant in food and nutraceuticals. The number of reports demonstrating that flavonoids are an effective natural inhibitor of cancer invasion and metastasis is increasing in the scientific literature. Catechin derivatives, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, (−)-epigallocatechin, (−)-epicatechin-3-gallate, and (−)-epicatechin, are the most studied compounds in this topic so far; genistein/genistin, silibinin, quercetin, and anthocyanin have also been widely investigated for their inhibitory activities on invasion/metastasis. Other flavonoids in dietary vegetable foods that are responsible for anti-invasive and anti-metastatic activities of tumors include luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, tangeretin, kaempferol, glycitein, licoricidin, daidzein, and naringenin. To effectively overcome the metastatic cascade, including cell–cell attachment, tissue-barrier degradation, migration, invasion, cell–matrix adhesion, and angiogenesis, it is essential that a bioactive compound prevent tumor cells from metastasizing. This review summarizes the effects of flavonoids on the metastatic cascade and the related proteins, the in vitro anti-invasive activity of flavonoids against cancer cells, and the effects of flavonoids on anti-angiogenic and in vivo anti-metastatic models. The available scientific evidence indicates that flavonoids are a ubiquitous dietary phenolics subclass and exert extensive in vitro anti-invasive and in vivo anti-metastatic activities.