NGX6 gene mediated by promoter methylation as a potential molecular marker in colorectal cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nasopharyngeal carcinoma associated gene 6 (NGX6) is down-regulated in most colon cancer cell lines and tumor tissues when compared with their normal tissue samples. As a novel suppress tumor gene, it could inhibit colon cancer cell growth and cell cycle progression. However, little is known about the transcriptional mechanisms controlling NGX6 gene expression. Recent findings suggest that epigenetic inactivation of multiple tumor suppressor genes plays an important role in the tumorigenesis of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). In this study, we explored the role of DNA methylation in regulation of NGX6 transcription.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the present study, we cloned the NGX6 promoter with characteristics of a CpG island by luciferase reporter assay. Then, the CpG methylation status around the NGX6 promoter region in colon cancer cell lines and colorectal tumor tissues was examined by methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite DNA sequencing. Finally, 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) treatment was used to confirm the correlation between NGX6 promoter methylation and its gene inactivation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The sequence spanning positions -157 to +276 was identified as the NGX6 promoter, in which no canonical TATA boxes were found, while two CAAT boxes and GC boxes were discovered. Methylation status was observed more frequently in 40 colorectal cancer samples than in 40 adjacent normal mucosa samples (18/40 versus 7/40; P < 0.05). An analysis correlating gene methylation status with clinicopathological cancer features revealed that dense methylation of the NGX6 promoter was associated with colorectal cancer patients age (P < 0.05). Moreover, a trend was shown toward metastasis status and primary site in colorectal carcinomas with NGX6 promoter methylation (p = 0.056 and P = 0.067, respectively). In addition, 5-Aza-dC could induce NGX6 mRNA expression and NGX6 promoter demethylation in HT-29 cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Down-regulation of NGX6 gene is related to the promoter methylation. DNA methylation of NGX6 promoter might be a potential molecular marker for diagnosis or prognosis, or serve as a therapeutic target.</p

Effect of tenofovir disoproxil and telbivudine on the growth and development of infants by blocking mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus

Purpose: To investigate the effect of tenofovir disoproxil and telbivudine on the growth and development of infants after blocking mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods: Seventy pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were recruited and allocated to tenofovir disoproxil group (n = 35) and telbivudine group (n = 35) using random number table method. Tenofovir disoproxil group was given 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil orally four times daily, while telbivudine group was given telbivudine 600 mg orally four times daily. Results: After treatment, both groups showed no significant differences in serum HBV-DNA and ALT levels before delivery and 3 months after delivery (p &gt; 0.05). Both groups showed no remarkable differences in the incidence of hypohydramnios, cholestasis, hypothyroidism, anemia, prolonged labor, fetal distress, and placental adhesions (p &gt; 0.05). Both groups showed no significant differences in the rates of premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, vaginal delivery, and cesarean section (p &gt; 0.05). Both groups showed no significant differences in neonatal sex, gestational age at birth, weight, length, and Apgar scores (p &gt; 0.05). The differences in the positive rates of HBVsAg, HBsAb, and HBeAg at birth and at 12 months were not statistically noticeable (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Tenofovir disoproxil and telbivudine reduce HBV-DNA levels, effectively blocks MTCT, and have a similar safety profile for infants. Further investigations to confirm t

Association between Virulence Factors and TRAF1/4-1BB/Bcl-xL

Objective. CagA+/vacAs1+/vacAm1+ Helicobacter pylori upregulates the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 1 (TRAF1), tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9 (4-1BB), and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) in human gastric epithelial cells. We investigated the correlation between cagA/vacAs1/vacAm1 and TRAF1/4-1BB/Bcl-xL expression in gastric mucosal tissue of patients with gastric disorders. Methods. We collected gastric mucosa samples from 35 chronic, nonatrophic gastritis (CG) patients, 41 atrophic gastritis patients, 44 intestinal metaplasia with atypical hyperplasia (IM) patients, and 28 gastric carcinoma (Ca) patients. The expression of  TRAF1, 4-1BB, and Bcl-xL was determined using western blotting. The expression of cagA, vacAs1, and vacAm1 in H. pylori was examined with polymerase chain reaction. Results. The expression of TRAF1, 4-1BB, and Bcl-xL was significantly upregulated in IM and Ca patients (P<0.05 compared with CG). There were more cases of cagA+/vacAs1+/vacAm1+ H. pylori infection in samples with elevated TRAF1, 4-1BB, or Bcl-xL expression (P<0.05). Additionally, there were a remarkably large number of samples with upregulated TRAF1/4-1BB/Bcl-xL expression in cases of cagA+/vacAs1+/vacAm1+ H. pylori infection (44 cases, 67.7%; P<0.05). Conclusions. The pathogenesis of IM and Ca may be promoted by cagA+/vacAs1+/vacAm1+ H. pylori, possibly via upregulated TRAF1, 4-1BB, and Bcl-xL in gastric mucosal tissue

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ANTI-GASTRIC CANCER ACTIVITY BETWEEN AQUEOUS EXTRACT AND ETHANOL EXTRACT OF FOLIUM CORDYLINES FRUTICOSAE

The active components in Folium Cordylines Fruticosae were extracted by heat reflux method. The solvents used were distilled water and ethanol. The effects of two types of extracts on gastric cancer cells were compared; dry extract yields were calculated, as well as the inhibition rates of gastric cancer MGC-803 cell proliferation and the colony cell counts. The micro-Kjeldahl method was used to measure the cell protein contents and to make a comprehensive comparison. The results showed that the MGC-803 cell inhibition rates of three different concentrations (32.5, 75 and 150 mg/ml) of ethanol extracts increased with the increase of concentration, which was 48.9% at a concentration of 150 mg/ml; aqueous extract of Folium Cordylines Fruticosae had very low inhibitory activity at a low concentration (32.5 mg/ml), which was remained at about 20%. After being affected by two types of extracts, cells had uneven sizes, with very low brightness, while the normal cells presented a uniform full form, with high definition

Acinetobacter baumannii: an evolving and cunning opponent

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most common multidrug-resistant pathogens causing nosocomial infections. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infections is increasing because of several factors, including unregulated antibiotic use. A. baumannii drug resistance rate is high; in particular, its resistance rates for tigecycline and polymyxin—the drugs of last resort for extensively drug-resistant A. baumannii—has been increasing annually. Patients with a severe infection of extensively antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii demonstrate a high mortality rate along with a poor prognosis, which makes treating them challenging. Through carbapenem enzyme production and other relevant mechanisms, A. baumannii has rapidly acquired a strong resistance to carbapenem antibiotics—once considered a class of strong antibacterials for A. baumannii infection treatment. Therefore, understanding the resistance mechanism of A. baumannii is particularly crucial. This review summarizes mechanisms underlying common antimicrobial resistance in A. baumannii, particularly those underlying tigecycline and polymyxin resistance. This review will serve as a reference for reasonable antibiotic use at clinics, as well as new antibiotic development

Corylin suppresses metastasis of breast cancer cells by modulating miR-34c/LINC00963 target

Breast cancer is one of the cancers leading to most death cases among women and metastasis is the major cause of breast cancer mortality. In this study, Corylin, the flavonoid compound which is extracted and purified from Psoralea corylifolia&nbsp;L., the effect on breast cancer metastasis was investigated. Corylin showed inhibitory effect on migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells. Meanwhile, the epithelial–mesenchymal transition was also regulated by corylin. The long non-coding RNA LINC00963 was found to have a significantly high expression level in breast cancer while it can be down-regulated by corylin. In addition, both wound-healing assay and transwell assay showed that LINC00963 induced breast cancer cells metastasis. MiR-34c was increased by corylin treatment depending on p53, and it was firstly identified that the LINC00963 was a direct target of miR-34c. Corylin was verified here that it prohibited MCF-7 migration and invasion depending on miR-34c/LINC00963 target. In conclusion, corylin suppresses metastasis of breast cancer cells via increasing miR-34c expression, which was dependent on p53. LINC00963 was a direct target of miR-34c and the target axis was necessary for corylin function. Therefore, corylin is a promising drug candidate and LINC00963 can be seen as a promising target in breast cancer treatmen

Review of Wheat Disease Classification and Severity Detection Models

Wheat is an important cereal crop that feeds more than a third of the world's population. The yield of wheat depends on various factors. Among them, disease is an important factor affecting the yield and quality of wheat. To combat these diseases, researchers have been studying the use of advanced techniques such as deep plant disease learning and image processing methods for identification. In the current study, there are many researches for wheat disease classification, but less for wheat disease severity recognition or estimate. The existing wheat disease severity detection is basically achieved by classification. Moreover, the same disease shows different symptoms at different periods or at different degrees of infection, which increases the difficulty of disease identification. In order to fully grasp the core technology of wheat disease recognition, this paper reviews the research of deep learning technology in wheat leaf disease classification and wheat disease severity. Special attention is paid to the application of image segmentation technology in wheat disease severity recognition. This paper mainly aims to explain deep learning-based wheat diseases identification algorithm, and to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of present wheat disease detection approaches. The main conclusion is that the classification of wheat diseases and the severity of wheat diseases have made good progress, but they are still in the state of independent research. Hybrid algorithm is a new way and a new challenge to link the two tasks

Chitosan Nanoparticles to Enhance the Inhibitory Effect of Natamycin on Candida albicans

Fungal keratitis is a stubborn fungal infection that is widespread worldwide. It can even affect the health and life of a patient. At present, natamycin (NAT) is the first-line drug in the treatment of fungal keratitis, despite its disadvantages of clinical use, such as low drug bioavailability and poor water solubility. Herein, inspired by the adhesion properties of chitosan and its excellent drug loading and antifungal properties, we designed simple natamycin-chitosan nanoparticles (NAT-NPs) to investigate the feasibility of chitosan with NAT for eye treatment. Results showed that the NAT-NPs increased the antifungal effect of NAT due to the antifungal feature of chitosan NPs. Therefore, NAT-NPs are expected to become potential candidates for the treatment of fungal keratitis due to their high bacteriostasis

Adsorption of 4,4′-(Propane-2,2-diyl)diphenol from Aqueous Solution by a Covalent Triazine-Based Framework

4,4′-(Propane-2,2-diyl)­diphenol (4,4′-PDOL) as a common endocrine-disrupting is widely used in production and life. In this study, a covalent triazine-based framework (CTF) was synthesized, and its adsorption performance for 4,4′-PDOL from aqueous solution was evaluated by batch adsorption experiments. Characterization results demonstrated that CTF had an ordered microporous structure, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area is 782.4 m²·g^–1, and the pore volume is 0.40 cm³·g^–1. The batch adsorption experiment indicated that 4,4′-PDOL adsorption kinetics on CTF followed by pseudo-second-order kinetics and the adsorption isotherm could be well-described by the Freundlich adsorption model. 4,4′-PDOL exhibited a strong adsorption affinity because of several specific nonhydrophobic mechanisms, including hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, and the micropore-filling effect. The hypothesized mechanisms were further supported by the observed pH dependence adsorption. Nearly no influence was observed by solution ionic strength and dissolved humic acids. Findings in this study highlight the potential of using CTF as an effective adsorbent for 4,4′-PDOL removal