AHNAK2 Regulates NF-κB/MMP-9 Signaling to Promote Pancreatic Cancer Progression.

Early metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PaC) is a major cause of its high mortality rate. Previous studies have shown that AHNAK2 is involved in the progression of some tumors and is predicted to be an independent prognostic factor for PaC; however, the specific mechanisms through which AHNAK2 regulates PaC remain unclear. In this study, we examined the role of AHNAK2 in PaC and its potential molecular mechanisms. AHNAK2 mRNA and protein expression in PaC tissues and cells were measured using qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. After AHNAK2 knockdown using small interfering RNA, PaC cells were subjected to CCK-8 scratch, and Transwell assays to assess cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, respectively. Furthermore, the validation of the mechanistic pathway was achieved by western blot analysis. AHNAK2 mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated in PaC and silencing AHNAK2 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PaC cells. Mechanistically, AHNAK2 knockdown decreased the expression of phosphorylated p65, phosphorylated IκBα, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), suggesting that activation of the NF-κB/MMP-9 signaling pathway was inhibited. Importantly, activation of NF-κB reversed the effects of AHNAK2 knockdown. Our findings indicate that AHNAK2 promotes PaC progression through the NF-kB/MMP-9 pathway and provides a theoretical basis for targeting AHNAK2 for the treatment of PaC.

Knockdown of tankyrase 1 inhibits the progression of gastric adenocarcinoma via regulating human telomerase reverse transcriptase and telomeric repeat binding factor 1.

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the most lethal cancers. Aberrant expression levels of genes are frequently associated with cell immortalization and the occurrence of tumors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of tankyrase 1 (TANK1) in gastric adenocarcinoma and clarify the underlying mechanism. Methods: The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of TANK1, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (h-TERT), and telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1) in clinical specimens and SGC-7901 cells were measured via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were utilized to observe the cell apoptosis as well as Ki67 and h-TERT expression in tumor-bearing models. The effects of TANK1 antisense oligonucleotides (TANK1 ASODN) on viability and apoptosis of SGC 7901 cells were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry analysis. Results: We found that TANK1 and h-TERT were both increased in gastric adenocarcinoma, while TRF1 was decreased. Tumor-bearing models demonstrated that TANK1 ASODN appeared to be effective in inhibiting tumor growth and decreasing the expression of h-TERT. Additionally, TANK1 ASODN inhibited the viability and promoted apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells. Moreover, the mRNA levels of h-TERT and TRF1 were modulated by TANK1 ASODN. Conclusions: This study revealed that TANK1 ASODN inhibits the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of gastric adenocarcinoma cells via manipulating the expression levels of h-TERT and TRF1.

Development of high transferability cpSSR markers for individual identification and genetic investigation in Cupressaceae species.

Given the low substitution rate in plastomes, the polymorphic and codominant nature of chloroplast SSRs (cpSSRs) makes them ideal markers, complementing their nuclear counterpart. In Cupressaceae, cpSSRs are mostly paternally inherited, thus, they are useful in mating systems and pollen flow studies. Using e-PCR, 92 SSR loci were identified across six Cupressaceae plastomes, and primers were designed for 26 loci with potential interspecific transferability. The 26 developed cpSSRs were polymorphic in four genera, Platycladus, Sabina, Juniperus, and Cupressus and are suitable for Cupressaceae molecular genetic studies and utilization. We genotyped 192 Platycladus orientalis samples from a core breeding population using 10 of the developed cpSSRs and 10 nuclear SSRs, and these individuals were identified with high confidence. The developed cpSSRs can be used in (1) a marker-assisted breeding scheme, specifically when paternity identification is required, (2) population genetics investigations, and (3) biogeography of Cupressaceae and unraveling the genetic relationships between related species.

[Therapeutic schemes for refractory ascites of advanced schistosomiasis: a clinical control study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic schemes for refractory ascites of advanced schistosomiasis. METHODS: The advanced schistosomiasis patients with refractory ascites were randomly divided into 4 groups: a conventional group, high-dose albumin group, high-dose diuretic group, and comprehensive group, and the course of the treatment was 4 weeks. The abdominal circumference, urine volume, and weight changes were observed daily, and B-ultrasound, liver function, and renal function were performed weekly. RESULTS: In the total effective rates, recurrence rates and A/G and renal function changes, the high-dose albumin group and comprehensive group were superior to the conventional group and high-dose diuretic group (P < 0.01). The death rate of the comprehensive group was the lowest among the 4 groups. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic scheme of the comprehensive group is optimum.