An esculentin-1 homolog from a dark-spotted frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) possesses antibacterial and immunoregulatory properties.

BACKGROUND: Esculentin-1, initially discovered in the skin secretions of pool frogs (Pelophylax lessonae), has demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity; however, its immunomodulatory properties have received little attention. RESULTS: In the present study, esculentin-1 cDNA was identified by analysing the skin transcriptome of the dark-spotted frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus). Esculentin-1 from this species (esculentin-1PN) encompasses a signal peptide, an acidic spacer peptide, and a mature peptide. Sequence alignments with other amphibian esculentins-1 demonstrated conservation of the peptide, and phylogenetic tree analysis revealed its closest genetic affinity to esculentin-1P, derived from the Fukien gold-striped pond frog (Pelophylax fukienensis). Esculentin-1PN transcripts were observed in various tissues, with the skin exhibiting the highest mRNA levels. Synthetic esculentin-1PN demonstrated antibacterial activity against various pathogens, and esculentin-1PN exhibited bactericidal activity by disrupting cell membrane integrity and hydrolyzing genomic DNA. Esculentin-1PN did not stimulate chemotaxis in RAW264.7, a murine leukemic monocyte/macrophage cell line. However, it amplified the respiratory burst and augmented the pro-inflammatory cytokine gene (TNF-α and IL-1ß) expression in RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: This novel finding highlights the immunomodulatory activity of esculentin-1PN on immune cells.

Thrombopoietin is associated with a prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE Thrombopoietin (THPO) is well-known as a megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) involved in megakaryocyte proliferation and maturation. To explore the biological effects of THPO in gastric adenocarcinoma, we conducted this study. Methods: By accessing the TCGA database, the expression level of THPO was determined in tumor tissues. The association between THPO expression and clinical features, or prognostic significance was described by Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier. The SiRNA method was used to decline the THPO expression; then cell viability, invasion, and migration were detected to verify the effects of the knockdown of THPO. qPCR and western blotting were implemented to examine the expression level of THPO. Results: The expression of THPO was increased in tumor tissue and cells, its high-regulation was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Cell viability, invasion, and migration were suppressed in AGS with the down-regulation of THPO. Furthermore, on the basis of si-THPO transfection, E-cadherin was promoted while N-cadherin and Vimentin were attenuated. CONCLUSION Our results revealed that THPO may be a potent marker of gastric adenocarcinoma, providing a novel potential screening method for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Thrombopoietin is associated with a prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE Thrombopoietin (THPO) is well-known as a megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) involved in megakaryocyte proliferation and maturation. To explore the biological effects of THPO in gastric adenocarcinoma, we conducted this study. Methods: By accessing the TCGA database, the expression level of THPO was determined in tumor tissues. The association between THPO expression and clinical features, or prognostic significance was described by Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier. The SiRNA method was used to decline the THPO expression; then cell viability, invasion, and migration were detected to verify the effects of the knockdown of THPO. qPCR and western blotting were implemented to examine the expression level of THPO. Results: The expression of THPO was increased in tumor tissue and cells, its high-regulation was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Cell viability, invasion, and migration were suppressed in AGS with the down-regulation of THPO. Furthermore, on the basis of si-THPO transfection, E-cadherin was promoted while N-cadherin and Vimentin were attenuated. CONCLUSION Our results revealed that THPO may be a potent marker of gastric adenocarcinoma, providing a novel potential screening method for gastric adenocarcinoma.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Trombopoetina (THPO) é um conhecido fator de desenvolvimento e crescimento megacariócito (MGDF) envolvido na proliferação e maturação de megacariócitos. Realizamos este estudo para explorar os efeitos biológicos do THPO no adenocarcinoma gástrico. Metodologia: O nível de expressão do THPO em tecidos tumorais foi determinado acessando a banco de dados TCGA. A associação entre a expressão de THPO e características clínicas ou relevância no prognóstico foi descrita através da análise de Kaplan-Meier e regressão de Cox. O método SiRNA foi utilizado para reduzir a expressão da THPO e, em seguida, a viabilidade, invasão, e migração celular foram detectadas para verificar os efeitos da redução do THPO. qPCR e western blotting foram utilizados para examinar o nível de expressão do THPO. Resultados: A expressão do THPO estava aumentada em tecido e células tumorais, esse aumento estava associado com um prognóstico negativo para pacientes com adenocarcinoma gástrico. A invasão e migração celular foram suprimidos em AGS com a redução do THPO. Além disso, com base na transfecção de si-THPO, a E-caderina foi promovida, enquanto a N-caderina e Vimentina foram atenuadas. Conclusão nossos resultados demonstram que o thpo pode ser um potente marcador de adenocarcinoma gástrico, com potencial para ser um novo tipo de triagem para adenocarcinoma gástrico.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy plus high-frequency diathermic therapy followed by intravenous chemotherapy versus intravenous chemotherapy alone for postoperative adjuvant treatment of gastrointestinal cancer: a comparative research study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) plus high-frequency diathermic therapy (HFDT) followed by intravenous chemotherapy vs intravenous chemotherapy alone for adjuvant treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal neoplasms. METHODS: Fifty-two gastrointestinal carcinoma patients who were radically operated were enrolled and divided into the treatment group and the control group. In the treatment group, 25 patients were treated with combination of HIPEC+HFDT and subsequent intravenous chemotherapy, while in the control group 27 patients received intravenous chemotherapy alone. Post-therapeutic complications and adverse reactions, time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Difference in toxic reactions between the two groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Postoperative progression- free survival (PFS) rate at 12 and 40 months after radical surgery was 72.0 and 54.0% respectively in the treatment group, and 65.8 and 11.5% respectively in the control group (p=0.108). TTP was statistically significantly longer in the treatment group than in the control group (median TTP 40.1 vs 18.5 months, p=0.027). Postoperative OS at 12 and 20 months after radical surgery was 88.0 and 78.0% respectively in the treatment group and 92.6 and 72.7% in the control group, without significant difference. CONCLUSION: After radical surgery, combination of HIPEC+HFDT and subsequent intravenous chemotherapy brings about superior PFS compared with intravenous adjuvant chemotherapy alone, while having no more complications and adverse reactions.

[Spatiotemporal differentiation of construction land expansion in a typical town of south Jiangsu Province].

Choosing Xinzhuang Town in south Jiangsu Province as study area, and by using 1980, 1991, 2001, and 2009 high-resolution remote sensing images and GIS spatial analysis technology, an integrated expansion degree index model was established based on the existing indicators of construction land expansion, and the general and spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics of construction land expansion in the Town in three time periods of 1980-2009 were quantitatively analyzed. In 1980-2009, with the acceleration of rural urbanization and industrialization, the area of construction land in the Town increased significantly by 19.24 km2, and especially in 2001-2009, the expanded area, expanded contribution rate, and expansion intensity reached the maximum. The construction land expansion had an obvious spatial differentiation characteristic. In 1980-1991, the newly increased construction land mainly concentrated in town area. After 1991, the focus of construction land gradually spread to the villages with developed industries. Most of the increased construction lands were converted from paddy field and dry land, accounting for 88.1% of the total increased area, while the contribution from other land types was relatively small.

The methylation status of the TMS1/ASC gene in cholangiocarcinoma and its clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: TMS1/ASC is a bipartite protein comprising two protein-protein interactive domains: pyrin (PYD) and caspase recruitment domain (CARD). Proteins containing these domains play pivotal roles in regulating apoptosis and immune response pathways. The absence of TMS1/ASC expression in some tumors is because methylation of the TMS1/ASC gene contributes to carcinogenesis and cancer development. We studied the methylation status of the TMS1/ASC gene and its clinical significance in cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: Target DNA was modified by sodium bisulfite, coverting all unmethylated, but not methylated, cytosines to uracil, and subsequently by a nested amplification with primers specific for methylated versus unmethylated DNA. The PCR product was detected by gel electrophoresis and combined with the clinical records of patients. RESULTS: Aberrant methylation of the TMS1/ASC gene was detected in specimens of colorectal cancer tissues from 13 (36.1%) of 36 patients, and specimens of adjacent normal tissues from 3 patients (8.3%). No statistical differences were seen in the extent of differentiation and invasion, lymph node metastasis, and pathologic type between the methylated and unmethylated tissues (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of TMS1/ASC gene methylation in cholangiocarcinoma is high, but it is not related to pathologic changes. The TMS1/ASC gene is probably suppressed by methylation, and is resistant to apoptosis and immunological surveillance. The gene epigenetically affected in methylated tissues could be associated with carcinogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Correlation of p53 gene mutation and expression of P53 protein in cholangiocarcinoma.

AIM: To characterize the tumor suppressor gene p53 mutations and study the correlation of p53 gene mutation and the expression of P53 protein in cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: A total of 36 unselected, frozen samples of cholangiocarcinoma were collected. p53 gene status (exon 5-8) and P53 protein were examined by automated sequencing and immunohistochemical staining, combined with the clinical parameters of patients. RESULTS: p53 gene mutations were found in 22 of 36 (61.1%) patients. Nineteen of 36 (52.8%) patients were positive for P53 protein expression. There were significant differences in extent of differentiation and invasion between the positive and negative expression of P53 protein. However, there were no significant differences in pathologic parameters between the mutations and non-mutations. CONCLUSION: The alterations of the p53 gene evaluated by DNA sequence analysis is relatively accurate. Expression of P53 protein could not act as an independent index to estimate the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma.