MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that have important roles in numerous cellular processes. Recent studies have shown aberrant expression of miRNAs in prostate cancer tissues and cell ...lines. On the basis of miRNA microarray data, we found that miR-145 is significantly downregulated in prostate cancer.
We investigated the expression and functional significance of miR-145 in prostate cancer. The expression of miR-145 was low in all the prostate cell lines tested (PC3, LNCaP and DU145) compared with the normal cell line, PWR-1E, and in cancerous regions of human prostate tissue when compared with the matched adjacent normal. Overexpression of miR-145 in PC3-transfected cells resulted in increased apoptosis and an increase in cells in the G2/M phase, as detected by flow cytometry. Investigation of the mechanisms of inactivation of miR-145 through epigenetic pathways revealed significant DNA methylation of the miR-145 promoter region in prostate cancer cell lines. Microarray analyses of miR-145-overexpressing PC3 cells showed upregulation of the pro-apoptotic gene TNFSF10, which was confirmed by real-time PCR and western analysis.
One of the genes significantly upregulated by miR-145 overexpression is the proapoptotic gene TNFSF10. Therefore, modulation of miR-145 may be an important therapeutic approach for the management of prostate cancer.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
An experiment was conducted to investigate the supplementation of direct-fed microbials (DFM) as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, immune response, cecal microbial population, and ...ileal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 800 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross × Ross) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments with 4 replicate pens per treatment (50 birds/replicate pen). The 4 dietary treatments fed for 35 d were a corn-soybean meal basal diet (control); control plus 0.1% virginiamycin, as an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP); control plus 0.1% direct-fed microbials that contained Lactobacillus reuteri (DFM 1); and control plus 0.1% direct-fed microbials that contained a mixture of L. reuteri, Bacillus subtilis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (DFM 2). Results showed that dietary AGP and DFM supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the BW gain of broilers during 0 to 21 d. The feed intake was reduced, whereas the feed conversion was improved significantly when birds were fed DFM 2 at 0 to 7 d of age. The white blood cell and monocyte levels were significantly higher in the DFM 2 group compared with the control. In addition, feeding DFM significantly (P < 0.05) increased the plasma immunoglobulin levels where a higher level was observed in DFM 2 compared with those of the other treatments. Neither DFM nor AGP treatments affected the cecal Lactobacillus and Salmonella content; however, cecal Escherichia coli content significantly decreased in broiler chickens fed DFM and AGP. The ileal villus height, and width and total thickness of muscularis externa were significantly increased when birds were fed DFM compared with AGP and control. These results indicate that the dietary supplementation of DFM increases the growth performance of birds at an early age, stimulates the immune response, decreases the number of E. coli, and improves the ileal morphology of broiler chickens. Thus, DFM that contained a mixture of several beneficial microorganisms could be a viable alternative to antibiotics in the broiler diets.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
ABSTRACT To investigate host specialization in Macrophomina phaseolina, the fungus was isolated from soybean, corn, sorghum, and cotton root tissue and soil from fields cropped continuously to these ...species for 15 years in St. Joseph, LA. Chlorate phenotype of each isolate was determined after growing on a minimal medium containing 120 mM potassium chlorate. Consistent differences in chlorate sensitivity were detected among isolates from different hosts and from soil versus root. To further explore genetic differentiation among fungal isolates from each host, these isolates were examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. No variations were observed among isolates in restriction patterns of DNA fragments amplified by polymerase chain reaction covering the internal transcribed spacer region, 5.8S rRNA and part of 25S rRNA, suggesting that M. phaseolina constitutes a single species. Ten random primers were used to amplify the total DNA of 45 isolates, and banding patterns resulting from RAPD analysis were compared with the neighbor-joining method. Isolates from a given host were genetically similar to each other but distinctly different from those from other hosts. Chlorate-sensitive isolates were distinct from chlorate-resistant isolates within a given host. In greenhouse tests, soybean, sorghum, corn, and cotton were grown separately in soil infested with individual isolates of M. phaseolina that were chosen based on their host of origin and chlorate phenotype. Root colonization and plant weight were measured after harvesting. More colonization of corn roots occurred when corn was grown in soil containing corn isolates compared with isolates from other hosts. However, there was no host specialization in isolates from soybean, sorghum, or cotton. More root colonization in soybean occurred with chlorate-sensitive than with chlorate-resistant isolates.
β‐Amyloid peptide (Aβ), a 39 – 43 amino acid peptide, is believed to induce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, which are postulated to play important roles in the pathogenesis of ...Alzheimer's disease. Ferulic acid is an antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory agent derived from plants; therefore, the potential protective activity of ferulic acid against Aβ toxicity in vivo was examined.
Mice were allowed free access to drinking water (control) or water containing ferulic acid (0.006%). After 4 weeks, Aβ1‐42 (410 pmol) was administered via intracerebroventricular injection.
Injection of control mice with Aβ1‐42 impaired performance on the passive avoidance test (35% decrease in step‐through latency), the Y‐maze test (19% decrease in alternation behaviour), and the water maze test (32% decrease in percentage time in platform‐quadrant). In contrast, mice treated with ferulic acid prior to Aβ1‐42 administration were protected from these changes (9% decrease in step‐through latency; no decrease in alternation behaviour; 14% decrease in percentage time in platform‐quadrant). Aβ1‐42 induced 31% decrease in acetylcholine level in the cortex, which was tended to be ameliorated by ferulic acid.
In addition, Aβ1‐42 increased immunoreactivities of the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in the hippocampus, effects also suppressed by pretreatment with ferulic acid.
Administration of ferulic acid per se unexpectedly induced a transient and slight increase in GFAP and IL‐1β immunoreactivity in the hippocampus on day 14, which returned to basal levels on day 28. A slight (8%) decrease in alternation behaviour was observed on day 14.
These results demonstrate that long‐term administration of ferulic acid induces resistance to Aβ1‐42 toxicity in the brain, and suggest that ferulic acid may be a useful chemopreventive agent against Alzheimer's disease.
British Journal of Pharmacology (2001) 133, 89–96; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704047
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The objective of this study is to construct a preoperative nomogram predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early-cervical cancer patients.
Between 2009 and 2012, 493 early-cervical cancer patients ...received hysterectomy and pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Patients who were diagnosed during 2009-2010 were assigned to a model-development cohort (n=304) and the others were assigned to a validation cohort (n=189). A multivariate logistic model was created from preoperative clinicopathologic data, from which a nomogram was developed and validated. A predicted probability of LNM<5% was defined as low risk.
Age, tumour size assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, and LNM assessed by positron emission tomography/computed tomography were independent predictors of nodal metastasis. The nomogram incorporating these three predictors demonstrated good discrimination and calibration (concordance index=0.878; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.833-0.917). In the validation cohort, the discrimination accuracy was 0.825 (95% CI, 0.736-0.895). In the model-development cohort, 34% of them were classified as low risk and negative predictive value (NPV) was 99.0%. In the validation cohort, 38% were identified as low risk and NPV was 95.8%. Integrating the model-development and validation cohorts, negative likelihood ratio was 0.094 (95% CI, 0.036-0.248).
A robust nomogram predicting LNM in early cervical cancer was developed. This model may improve clinical trial design and help physicians to decide whether lymphadenectomy should be performed.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
SUMMARY
A study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris) to replace antibiotics in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 600 1-d-old ...male broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 5 treatments with 4 replicate pens per treatment (30 birds/replicate pen) for 4 wk. A corn-soybean meal basal diet (control) was formulated, and 0.1% virginiamycin as antibiotic growth promoters (AGP), 1.0% dried Chlorella powder (DCP), 1.0% Chlorella growth factor (CGF), and 1.0% fresh liquid Chlorella (FLC) were added to the basal diet to form 5 dietary treatments. No significant differences were found among the treatments for feed intake or feed conversion of broiler chickens during the whole experimental period, but the BW gain was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in AGP and Chlorella-supplemented groups compared with the control group. The number of white blood cells was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in broilers fed FLC compared with DCP, and the number of lymphocytes was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the FLC treatment compared with AGP and DCP treatments; however, supplemental AGP and Chlorella had no effect on other blood leucocytes of broiler chickens. Dietary supplementation of Chlorella significantly (P < 0.05) increased the plasma IgA concentration of chickens compared with AGP and control. In addition, plasma IgM concentration was higher in DCP and FLC treatments than the control treatment, and plasma IgG concentration was also higher in the FLC treatment compared with other treatments. Supplemental AGP and various forms of Chlorella did not affect the Escherichia coli and Salmonella concentration in the intestinal microflora of broiler chickens, but the population of Lactobacillus was significantly increased (P < 0.05) when birds were fed FLC. It is concluded that dietary supplementation of FLC improves BW gain, immune characteristics, and the production of Lactobacillus bacteria in the intestinal microflora of broiler chickens.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Human DJ-1 and Escherichia coli Hsp31 belong to ThiJ/PfpI family, whose members contain a conserved domain. DJ-1 is associated with autosomal recessive early onset parkinsonism and Hsp31 is a ...molecular chaperone. Structural comparisons between DJ-1, Hsp31, and an Archaea protease, a member of ThiJ/PfpI family, lead to the identification of the chaperone activity of DJ-1 and the proteolytic activity of Hsp31. Moreover, the comparisons provide insights into how the functional diversity is realized in proteins that share an evolutionarily conserved domain. On the basis of the chaperone activity the possible role of DJ-1 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is discussed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Abstract Background The incidence of positive cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG tests among Asian populations is high. Both universal prophylaxis and pre-emptive therapy (PT) have been recommended for the ...moderate-risk group (D+/R+), whose incidence of CMV infection has been reported variously, and for whom the optimal diagnostic method has not been firmly established. Herein, we sought to analyze our experience with CMV infections using PT and to discuss the optimal diagnostic method. Methods We retrospectively, analyzed 32 consecutive liver transplant recipients between December 2009 and April 2012 for clinicopathologic data including mortality and rejection rates, comparing 2 diagnostic tools for CMV: pp65 antigen assay and real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Twenty-one patients (65.6%) were positive for the CMV antigen assay, and 13 (40.6%) had positive RT-PCR results. There were no cases of CMV disease during the follow-up and no difference in rejection ( P = .529) or mortality ( P = .471) rates with regard to PCR positivity. The mean diagnosis time was 26.5 days postoperative. Among the patients who exhibited negative RT-PCR results, 7 (41.18%) were positive on the pp65 antigen assay. Conclusion CMV infection rates were higher when compared to same-risk population from Western countries. As a diagnostic tool for CMV infection, screening with the pp65 antigen assay and confirmation with real-time RT-PCR seemed to provide an optimal diagnostic tool.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
A total of 244 patients including 100 (41%) autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients and 144 (59%) allogeneic HCT recipients were enrolled over a 28‐month period. During the ...study period, no prophylaxis for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection was administrated. Of these, 201 (82%) had Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) scars or prior histories of BCG vaccination. The tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON‐TB Gold In‐Tube (QFT‐GIT) test were performed simultaneously in all 244 patients. TST indurations were ≥ 5 mm in 39 of these patients (15%), and in 25 (10%) indurations were ≥ 10 mm. In addition, 40 (16%) had positive QFT‐GIT outcomes, and 34 (14%) indeterminate outcomes. If the 34 patients with indeterminate QFT‐GIT results were excluded from the overall agreement analysis, the agreement between the TST results (induration size ≥ 5 mm) and the QFT‐GIT results in the 210 patients with clear QFT results was poor (κ = 0.08, 95% confidence interval CI −0.06 to 0.24), as it was for the patients with indurations ≥ 10 mm (κ = 0.15, 95% CI −0.004 to 0.31). During follow up, 2 patients developed TB after HCT. The incidence of TB in the patients with positive QFT‐GIT outcomes was 2.80 per 100 person‐years (95% CI 0.07–15.81), whereas among those with positive TST (≥ 5 mm) results, it was 0 per 100 person‐years (95% CI 0–8.00). However, this finding should be cautiously interpreted because of the relatively short follow up and the fact that the sample size of the study cohort did not have adequate power. In conclusion, our data show that, although the frequencies of positive outcomes in the 2 TB screening tests were similar, the overall agreement between the TST and the QFT‐GIT test was poor, regardless of BCG vaccination history.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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