Identification of autophagy-associated genes and prognostic implications in adults with acute myeloid leukemia by integrated bioinformatics analysis

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common malignant blood neoplasma in adults. The prominent disease heterogeneity makes it challenging to foresee patient survival. Autophagy, a highly conserved degradative process, played indispensable and context-dependent roles in AML. However, it remains elusive whether autophagy-associated stratification could accurately predict prognosis of AML patients. Here, we developed a prognostic model based on autophagy-associated genes, and constructed scoring systems that help to predicte the survival of AML patients in both TCGA data and independent AML cohorts. The Nomogram model also confirmed the autophagy-associated model by showing the high concordance between observed and predicted survivals. Additionally, pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network unveiled functional signaling pathways that were associated with autophagy. Altogether, we constructed the autophagy-associated prognostic model that might be likely to predict outcome for AML patients, providing insights into the biological risk stratification strategies and potential therapeutic targets

Anticancer Activity of Tetrahydrocorysamine against Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cell Line PANC-1 In vitro and In vivo

Purpose: To investigate the cytotoxic activity of tetrahydrocorysamine (TCSM) from Corydalis Rhizoma W. T. Wang (Papaveraceae) against PANC-1 cells and its possible mechanisms.Methods: TCSM was isolated from Corydalis Rhizoma by column chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The effects of TCSM on the proliferation and apoptosis of PANC-1 cells were determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and flow cytometry assays. The effect of TCSM on the expressions of mitochondria-mediated apoptotic proteins were investigated by Western blot assay. Xenograft assay was used to evaluate the anticancer activity of TCSM in vivo.Results: TCSM showed cytotoxic activity against PANC-1 cells with half-maximal concentration (IC50) of 19.16 μM in MTT assay. TCSM (5, 10 and 20 μM) significantly (p < 0.01) increased the apoptosis rates of PANC-1 cells (24.45, 35.26 and 54.16 vs 6.12 %), compared with control group. The results of Western blot suggest that TCSM significantly (p < 0.01) down-regulated the expressions of antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Survivin), up-regulated the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, Smac, c-caspase-3 and c-caspase-9) and promoted the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria to the cytoplasm of PANC-1 cells, compared with control. TCSM (20 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited the growth of PANC-1 cell-induced tumor (384 vs 1138 mm3) by regulating the expressions of mitochondria-mediated apoptotic proteins as stated above for xenograft assay, compared with control.Conclusion: TCSM induces apoptosis in PANC-1 cells in vitro and in vivo via mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway.Keywords: Corydalis Rhizoma, Tetrahydrocorysamine, PANC-1 cells, Flow cytometry, Western blot, Xenograf

Ebracteolatain A and Ebracteolatain B Induce Apoptosis of Human Hepatoma Cell Line (HepG2)

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of ebracteolatain A (EA) and ebracteolatain B (EB) from Euphorbia ebracteolata Hyata (Euphorbiaceae) on the proliferation of HepG2 cells and the possible mechanisms.Methods: EA and EB from E. ebracteolata were obtained by column chromatography. 3-(4,5- Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry assays were used to study the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activities of EA and EB against HepG2 cells. Western blot assay was used to investigate the possible mechanisms of action.Results: EA and EB were successfully isolated from E. ebracteolata by column chromatography. The results of MTT assay indicate that EA and EB have significant anti-proliferative activities against HepG2 cells in dose- and time-dependent manners with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 28.48 and 31.72 μg/mL. respectively. The results of flow cytometry assay suggest that EA and EB significantly (p < 0.01) induced the apoptosis of HepG2 cells at the levels of 47.45 and 42.26 %, respectively. Western blot data indicate that EA and EB significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01) down-regulated the expression levels of anti-apoptotic proteins (survivin and Bcl-2) and up-regulated the expression levels of proapoptotic proteins (Smac, Bax, c-caspase-3 and c-caspase-9) in mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway.Conclusion: EA and EB inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells, the probable mechanisms being associated with mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.Keywords: Euphorbia ebracteolata, Phloroglucinol derivatives, Mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, Flow cytometry, Western blo

Colorectal cancer screening with fecal occult blood test: A 22-year cohort study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with a three-tier fecal occult blood test (FOBT) in the Chinese population. The study was performed between 1987 and 2008 at the Beijing Military General Hospital, in a cohort of army service males and females aged >50 years. Between 1987 and 2005, a three-tier screening program, comprising guaiac-based FOBTs (gFOBTs), followed by immunochemical FOBTs for positive guaiac test samples and then colonoscopy for positive immunochemical test subjects, was performed annually. The cohort was followed up until 2008. The cohort included 5,104 subjects, of which, 3,863 subjects participated in screening (screening group) and 1,241 did not (non-screening group). The two groups did not differ in age, gender or other major risk factors for colon cancer. Overall, 36 CRCs occurred in the screening group and 21 in the non-screening group. Compared with the non-screening group, the relative risk for the incidence and mortality of CRC was 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.30-0.87] and 0.36 (95% CI, 0.18-0.71), respectively, in the screening group. The general sensitivity of this three-tier FOBT was 80.6% (95% CI, 65.3-91.1). Thus, annual screening using the three-tier FOBT program may reduce the CRC incidence and mortality rate

Short-term and medium-term clinical outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted and open surgery for colorectal cancer: a single center retrospective case-control study

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic procedure is a rapid developed technique in colorectal surgery. In this investigation we aim at assessing the diversities of short-term and medium-term clinical outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted versus open surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total number of 519 patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled for this study. The patients underwent either laparoscopic-assisted surgery (LAP) (n = 254) or open surgery (OP) (n = 265). Surgical techniques, perioperative managements and clinical follow-ups were standardized. Short-term perioperative data and medium-term recurrence and survival were compared and analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no differences in perioperative parameters between the two groups except in regards to a trend of faster recovery in laparoscopic procedures. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative complications, reoperation rate, or perioperative mortality. Statistically significant differences in a faster return of gastrointestinal function and shorter hospital stay were identified in favor of laparoscopic-assisted resection. In colon and rectal cancer cases separately, the overall survival, cancer-free survival and recurrence rate were similar in two groups. There was also no tendency of significant differences in overall survival, cancer-free survival and recurrence in stage I-II and stage III patients in two cancer categories between the two groups, respectively. pT, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage were independent predictors of overall death risk, while pT, pN, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage were found to be the independent predictors of recurrence risk in enrolled patients database. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic-assisted procedure has more benefits on postoperative recovery, while has the same effects on medium-term recurrence and survival compared with open surgery in the treatment of non-metastatic colorectal cancer

Media Literasi: Upaya Bijak Menyikapi Terpaan Tayangan Televisi

The television media have transformed into industry. Tight competition among TV stations demands the media people to provide programs based on the market taste. Therefore, mostly TV stations design and produce their programs based on share and rating numbers, instead of quality. On the other side, TV stations have important roles in constructing social and cultural development. Currently, TV programs are merely produced based on the business orientation so that the quality of the TV programs is often ignored. Audience must be wise and smart to protect themselves from poor-quality TV programs exposure. This can be achieved by improving their Media Literacy. In the end, Audience is no longer treated as passive object, but actively takes control on the content selection

High-quality de novo assembly of the Eucommia ulmoides haploid genome provides new insights into evolution and rubber biosynthesis

We report the acquisition of a high-quality haploid chromosome-scale genome assembly for the first time in a tree species, Eucommia ulmoides, which is known for its rubber biosynthesis and medicinal applications. The assembly was obtained by applying PacBio and Hi–C technologies to a haploid that we specifically generated. Compared to the initial genome release, this one has significantly improved assembly quality. The scaffold N50 (53.15 MB) increased 28-fold, and the repetitive sequence content (520 Mb) increased by 158.24 Mb, whereas the number of gaps decreased from 104,772 to 128. A total of 92.87% of the 26,001 predicted protein-coding genes identified with multiple strategies were anchored to the 17 chromosomes. A new whole-genome duplication event was superimposed on the earlier γ paleohexaploidization event, and the expansion of long terminal repeats contributed greatly to the evolution of the genome. The more primitive rubber biosynthesis of this species, as opposed to that in Hevea brasiliensis, relies on the methylerythritol-phosphate pathway rather than the mevalonate pathway to synthesize isoprenyl diphosphate, as the MEP pathway operates predominantly in trans-polyisoprene-containing leaves and central peels. Chlorogenic acid biosynthesis pathway enzymes were preferentially expressed in leaves rather than in bark. This assembly with higher sequence contiguity can foster not only studies on genome structure and evolution, gene mapping, epigenetic analysis and functional genomics but also efforts to improve E. ulmoides for industrial and medical uses through genetic engineering

Experimental Realization of a Quantum Refrigerator Driven by Indefinite Causal Orders

Indefinite causal order (ICO) is playing a key role in recent quantum technologies. Here, we experimentally study quantum thermodynamics driven by ICO on nuclear spins using the nuclear magnetic resonance system. We realize the ICO of two thermalizing channels to exhibit how the mechanism works, and show that the working substance can be non-classically cooled or heated albeit it undergoes thermal contacts with reservoirs of the same temperature. Moreover, we construct a single cycle of the ICO refrigerator, and evaluate its efficiency by measuring the work consumption and the heat energy extracted from the low-temperature reservoir. Unlike classical refrigerators in which the efficiency is perversely higher the closer the temperature of the high-temperature and low-temperature reservoirs are to each other, the ICO refrigerator's efficiency of performance is always bounded to small values due to the non-unit success probability in projecting the ancillary qubit to the preferable subspace. Our experiment demonstrates that the ICO process may offer a new resource with non-classical heat exchange, and paves the way towards construction of quantum refrigerators on a quantum system.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure