Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) transcription factor is related to the pathogenesis of various malignancies and recent evidence indicates that FoxM1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer. Metformin can inhibit the progression of cancer. However, whether FoxM1 plays a role in EMT in prostate cancer (PCa) and whether metformin can suppress EMT through FoxM1 in PCa remain unresolved issues. In this study, we investigated the expression levels of the FoxM1 protein in 62 PCa and 39 benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) samples and found that the expression levels of FoxM1 were higher in the PCa tissues (66.1%) compared with the BPH tissues (28.2%) (p<0.05). We observed that FoxM1 was expressed in the PCa cell lines and that metformin suppressed cell proliferation and the expression of FoxM1. We induced EMT in the PCa cells by the addition of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and verified the process by examining EMT-related gene (E-cadherin, vimentin and Slug) expression. In addition, the knockdown of FoxM1 by shRNA in the PCa cells reversed EMT and markedly reduced cell migration. These results indicate that metformin suppresses EMT by inhibiting FoxM1. We demonstrate that the suppression of FoxM1 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for PCa and provide further evidence of the anticancer effects of metformin.

Background The exogenous application of low-intensity electric stimulation (ES) may mimic a natural endogenous bioelectric current and accelerate the repair process of skin wounds. This study designed a novel microcurrent dressing (MCD) and evaluated its potential effects on wound healing in a rat skin defect model. Methods First, wireless ES was integrated into a medical cotton cushion to fabricate the MCD, and its electrical property was examined by using a universal power meter. Then, animal experiments were conducted to evaluate the MCD’s effect. Forty-five rats were randomized into control (Con) group, Vaseline gauze (VG) group and MCD group. A full-thickness round skin incision 1.5 cm in diameter was made on the back of each animal. Apart from routine disinfection, the Con rats were untreated, whereas the other two groups were treated with VG or MCD. On days 3, 7 and 14 post injury, the wound areas were observed and measured using image analysis software following photography, and the skin samples were harvested from wound tissue. Then, histopathological morphology was observed routinely by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining; tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β expression were detected by Western blotting. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression were detected with immunohistochemistry. Results The MCD generated a sf electric potential greater than 0.95 V. Animal experiments showed that the wound-healing rate in the MCD group was significantly increased compared with the Con and VG groups ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Histopathological observation revealed an alleviated inflammatory response, induced vascular proliferation and accelerated epithelization in the MCD group. Moreover, samples from the MCD group expressed reduced TNF-α and IL-1β levels and increased VEGF and EGF levels compared with those of the other two groups ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, no significant difference was noted between the Con and VG groups at each time point. Conclusions The MCD generates a stable and lasting ES and significantly promotes wound healing by reducing inflammation duration and increasing growth factors expression. Thus, MCD may act as a promising biomaterial device for skin wound healing.

Atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Macrophages uptake modified lipoproteins and transform into foam cells, triggering an inflammatory response and thereby promoting plaque formation. Here we show that casein kinase 2-interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) is a suppressor of foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. Ckip-1 deficiency in mice leads to increased lipoprotein uptake and foam cell formation, indicating a protective role of CKIP-1 in this process. Ablation of Ckip-1 specifically upregulates the transcription of scavenger receptor LOX-1, but not that of CD36 and SR-A. Mechanistically, CKIP-1 interacts with the proteasome activator REGγ and targets the transcriptional factor Oct-1 for degradation, thereby suppressing the transcription of LOX-1 by Oct-1. Moreover, Ckip-1-deficient mice undergo accelerated atherosclerosis, and bone marrow transplantation reveals that Ckip-1 deficiency in hematopoietic cells is sufficient to increase atherosclerotic plaque formation. Therefore, CKIP-1 plays an essential anti-atherosclerotic role through regulation of foam cell formation and cholesterol metabolism.

Shear wave elastography is a novel useful technology for showing the elasticity of human prostate cancer xenograft implantation tumors. Collagen fibers, especially collagen type I, play a crucial role in the elasticity in the human prostate cancer xenograft implantation model.

Terahertz (THz) radiation is a valuable imaging and sensing tool which is widely used in industry and medicine. However, it biological effects including genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are lacking of research, particularly on the nervous system. In this study, we investigated how terahertz radiation with 10mW (0.12 THz) and 50 mW (0.157 THz) would affect the morphology, cell growth and function of rat hippocampal neurons in vitro.