Duck TRIM32 Functions in IFN-ß Signaling Against the Infection of H5N6 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus.

In mammals, tripartite motif 32 (TRIM32) is essential for regulating host innate immune responses to viral infections. However, the antiviral effect of TRIM32 in birds has not been reported. Here, we cloned the full-length duck TRIM32 (duTRIM32) cDNA from total spleen RNA of Peking duck. DuTRIM32 consists of 682 amino acids and has 95.5% similarity in amino acid sequences with chicken TRIM32 and 84.9% similarity with human TRIM32, respectively. DuTRIM32 mRNA was found to be ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues from healthy ducks. Overexpression of duTRIM32 significantly activated the IFN-ß promoter and upregulated the mRNA levels of IFN-ß, IRF7, and Mx, which indicates that duTRIM32 is involved in the type I IFN pathway. Furthermore, duTRIM32 was found to directly interact with duck STING (duSTING) and to contribute to the expression of IFN-ß mediated by duSTING. The mRNA level of duTRIM32 was significantly upregulated in the lungs and spleens of H5N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infected ducks 3 days post-infection (DPI). Furthermore, overexpression of duTRIM32 could inhibit the replication of H5N6 HPAIV in duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs). Therefore, these results indicate that duTRIM32 is involved in the type I IFN pathway and exhibit an antiviral effect against H5N6 HPAIV infection.

Inhibitory effect of Ginkgol C17:1 on the biological behavior of tumor cells.

Ginkgol C17:1 is a bioactive compound derived from Ginkgo biloba. In the present study, the effect and possible mechanisms of action of Ginkgol C17:1 on the biological behaviors of tumor cells were investigated. Whilst cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT assay, the behaviors of cell migration and invasion were explored using Transwell and modified Transwell assays. The results revealed that Ginkgol C17:1 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of human tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, due to their associations with the biological behaviors of tumor cells, the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7, Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA) and phosphorylated-protein kinase B (Akt) was analyzed by western blotting. The results showed that the expression of the aforementioned proteins was decreased markedly following Ginkgol C17:1 treatment. The results of the present study suggested that Ginkgol C17:1 suppresses the biological behaviors of tumor cells by inhibiting the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/MMP, Rho/Rho-associated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathways.

Surgical treatment of thoracic esophageal carcinoma: report of 326 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience in surgical treatment of 326 cases of thoracic esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: The clinical data of 326 patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma from January 1990 to January 2001 were analyzed retrospectively. Among the 326 patients, the lesions of 32 patients were identified in the upper thoracic segment of the esophagus, and were found in the middle segment in 213 cases with the left 81 cases having lesions in the lower segment. Left cervical esophagogastrostomy was performed through triple incision (left cervical, right thoracic and abdominal) in 79 cases. Esophagocolostomy through triple incision was performed in 5 cases. Another 156 patients received left cervical esophagogastrostomy through two incisions (left cervical and left thoracic). Supra-aorticarch esophagogastrostomy through left posterola- teral thoracotomy was performed in 53 cases, and sub-arch esophagogastrostomy through left posterolateral thoracotomy in 33 cases. RESULTS: The post-operative mortality was 1.23% (4/326), with a five-year survival rate of 35.3%. CONCLUSION: Subtotal esophagectomy combined with thorough lymph node dissection can be the first choice for thoracic esophageal carcinoma to improve the postoperative survival rate and the quality-of life-of the patients.