Insects are one of the major sources of antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs). Since observation of antimicrobial activity in the hemolymph of pupae from the giant silk moths Samia Cynthia and ...Hyalophora cecropia in 1974 and purification of first insect AMP (cecropin) from H. cecropia pupae in 1980, over 150 insect AMPs have been purified or identified. Most insect AMPs are small and cationic, and they show activities against bacteria and/or fungi, as well as some parasites and viruses. Insect AMPs can be classified into four families based on their structures or unique sequences: the α-helical peptides (cecropin and moricin), cysteine-rich peptides (insect defensin and drosomycin), proline-rich peptides (apidaecin, drosocin, and lebocin), and glycine-rich peptides/proteins (attacin and gloverin). Among insect AMPs, defensins, cecropins, proline-rich peptides, and attacins are common, while gloverins and moricins have been identified only in Lepidoptera. Most active AMPs are small peptides of 20–50 residues, which are generated from larger inactive precursor proteins or pro-proteins, but gloverins (~14 kDa) and attacins (~20 kDa) are large antimicrobial proteins. In this mini-review, we will discuss current knowledge and recent progress in several classes of insect AMPs, including insect defensins, cecropins, attacins, lebocins and other proline-rich peptides, gloverins, and moricins, with a focus on structural-functional relationships and their potential applications.
This four-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of
PS128 (PS128) on boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 7-15 in Taiwan. All subjects fulfilled ...the criteria for ASD diagnosis of DSM-V and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Questionnaires used for the primary outcome measure include the Autism Behavior Checklist-Taiwan version (ABC-T), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV-Taiwan version (SNAP-IV) and the Clinical Global Impression-improvement (CGI-I) were used for the secondary outcome measure. The results showed that PS128 ameliorated opposition/defiance behaviors, and that the total score of SNAP-IV for younger children (aged 712) improved significantly compared with the placebo group. Additionally, several elements were also notably improved in the PS128 group after 28-day consumption of PS128. Further studies are needed to better clarify the effects of PS128 for younger children with ASD on broader symptoms.
Online health information is critical during pandemics. Previous research has focused on examining antecedents or consequences of particular information behaviors (e.g., seeking, sharing), but the ...process by which one information behavior influences or transforms into other information behaviors remains poorly understood. Guided by theories of information behavior and the literature on online misinformation, this study proposes an interaction model of online information behaviors that theorizes relationships among online information scanning, misinformation exposure, misinformation elaboration, information sharing, and information avoidance. Conducting a two-wave representative panel survey in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 1501), we found that online information scanning at Wave 1 had a direct, positive impact on misinformation exposure and information sharing at Wave 2, while it did not have an impact on information avoidance at Wave 2. Additionally, misinformation exposure was positively related to both information sharing and information avoidance at Wave 2. Importantly, we underlined that evaluations of crisis-related misinformation are aided by misinformation elaboration, which plays a moderating role in catalyzing appropriate information behaviors. Results of this study could help scholars and practitioners propose evidence-based interventions for enhancing the public's ability to manage crisis information on the Internet in times of heightened uncertainty.
•This study proposes an interaction model of online information behaviors during crises.•A two-wave representative panel survey was conducted in Hong Kong to test the model.•Online information scanning increased information sharing.•Misinformation exposure increased information sharing and avoidance.•We highlighted the moderating role of misinformation elaboration in information management.
Ovarian cancer has a unique tumor microenvironment (TME) that enables cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to interact with cellular and matrix constituents and influence tumor development and ...migration into the peritoneal cavity. Collagen type XI alpha 1 (COL11A1) is overexpressed in CAFs; therefore this study examines its role during CAF activation in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Coculturing human ovarian fibroblasts (HOFs) with high COL11A1-expressing EOC cells or exposure to the conditioned medium of these cells prompted the expression of COL11A1 and CAF phenotypes. Conversely, coculturing HOFs with low COL11A1-expressing EOC cells or COL11A1-knockdown abrogated COL11A1 overexpression and secretion, in addition to CAF activation. Increased p-SP1 expression attributed to COL11A1-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation (ERK) induced p65 translocation into the nucleus and augmented its binding to the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) promoter, ultimately inducing TGF-β3 activation. The CAF-cancer cell crosstalk triggered interleukin-6 release, which in turn promoted EOC cell proliferation and invasiveness. These in vitro results were confirmed by in vivo findings in a mouse model, showing that COL11A1 overexpression in EOC cells promoted tumor formation and CAF activation, which was inhibited by TGF-β3 antibody. Human tumors with high TGF-β3 levels showed elevated expression of COL11A1 and IGFBP2, which was associated with poor survival. Our findings suggest the possibility that anti-TGF-β3 treatment strategy may be effective in targeting CAFs in COL11A1-positive ovarian tumors.
Background
Nuclear grade is of importance for treatment selection and prognosis in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
Purpose
To develop and validate an MRI‐based radiomic model ...for preoperative predicting WHO/ISUP nuclear grade in ccRCC.
Study Type
Retrospective.
Population
In all, 379 patients with histologically confirmed ccRCC. Training cohort (n = 252) and validation cohort (n = 127) were randomly assigned.
Field Strength/Sequence
Pretreatment 3.0T renal MRI. Imaging sequences were fat‐suppressed T2WI, contrast‐enhanced T1WI, and diffusion weighted imaging.
Assessment
Three prediction models were developed using selected radiomic features, radiomic and clinicoradiologic characteristics, and a model containing only clinicoradiologic characteristics. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) were used to assess the predictive performance of these models in predicting high‐grade ccRCC.
Statistical Tests
The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) method were used for the selection of radiomic features and clinicoradiologic characteristics, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to develop the radiomic signature of radiomic features and clinicoradiologic model of clinicoradiologic characteristics.
Results
The radiomic signature showed good performance in discriminating high‐grade (grades 3 and 4) from low‐grade (grades 1 and 2) ccRCC, with sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 77.3%, 80.0%, and 0.842, respectively, in the validation cohort. The radiomic model, combining radiomic signature and clinicoradiologic characteristics, displayed good predictive ability for high‐grade with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 63.6%, 93.3%, and 88.2%, respectively, in the validation cohort. The radiomic model showed a significantly better performance than the clinicoradiologic model (P < 0.05).
Data Conclusion
Multiparametric MRI‐based radiomic model can predict WHO/ISUP grade in patients with ccRCC with satisfying performance, and thus could help the physician to improve treatment decisions.
Level of Evidence
3
Technical Efficacy Stage
2
We have shown that collagen type XI alpha 1 (COL11A1) promotes ovarian cancer progression and is associated with chemoresistance to cisplatin and paclitaxel in ovarian cancer cells. Here, we ...demonstrate how COL11A1 regulates twist family basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor 1‐related protein 1 (TWIST1) to induce chemoresistance and inhibit apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. Small interfering RNA‐mediated reduction in COL11A1 protein levels increased the chemosensitivity to cisplatin and paclitaxel via downregulated TWIST1 expression. TWIST1 messenger RNA levels positively associated with COL11A1 messenger RNA expression levels in ovarian tumors. High TWIST1 expression levels were significantly associated with a progression‐free interval of ≤ 6 months (p = 0.001) and death (p = 0.040). In addition, patients with high TWIST1 mRNA levels had significantly shorter 5‐year overall‐survival (p = 0.004) and progression‐free survival (p = 0.009) rates, compared to patients with low TWIST1 levels. Increased TWIST1 expression caused by COL11A1‐induced transcription of the inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase subunit beta (IKKβ) gene occurred via increased SP1 phosphorylation and binding to the IKKβ promoter. COL11A1‐mediated nuclear factor‐kappa B activation, via transcriptional activation of IKKβ, promoted TWIST1, Mcl‐1, and GAS6 expression, which were associated with chemoresistance and anti‐apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. We suggest that IKKβ and TWIST1 can potentially be targeted in patients with COL11A1‐positive ovarian cancer.
What's new?
COL11A1 and TWIST1 were previously found to be among the most differentially upregulated genes in chemoresistant ovarian tumors. Here, the authors examined the role of COL11A1‐dependent TWIST1 expression in chemoresistance and clinical outcome of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). TWIST1 upregulation caused by COL11A1‐induced IKKβ transcription occurred via increased SP1 binding to the IKKβ promoter. COL11A1‐mediated NF‐κB activation, via IKKβ transcriptional activation, promoted TWIST1 and Mcl‐1 or GAS6 expression, which were associated with chemoresistance and apoptosis inhibition. EOC patients with TWIST1 overexpression had higher chemotherapy resistance and shorter survival, highlighting TWIST1 as an important chemoresistance and poor prognosis marker in EOC.
Abstract
The incidence of endometrial cancer has been rising in recent years. Gene mutation and high protein expression of β‐catenin are commonly detected in endometrioid endometrial cancer. ICG‐001 ...is a β‐catenin inhibitor via blocking the complex formation of β‐catenin and cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB)‐binding protein (CBP). This study aims to investigate the effect of ICG‐001 on endometrial cancer inhibition. First, endometrial carcinoma patient‐derived xenograft (PDX)‐derived organoids and primary cells were used to verify the inhibiting ability of ICG‐001 on endometrial cancer. Furthermore, endometrial cancer cell lines were used to investigate the anticancer mechanism of ICG‐001. Using MTT assay and tumor spheroid formation assay, ICG‐001 significantly reduced the cell viability of HEC‐59 and HEC‐1A cells. ICG‐001 enhanced cisplatin‐mediated cytotoxicity. ICG‐001 decreased cancer stem cell sphere formation. ICG‐001 decreased the protein expressions of CD44, hexokinase 2 (HK2), and cyclin A. ICG‐001 lowered the cell cycle progression by flow cytometer analysis. Autophagy, but no apoptosis, was activated by ICG‐001 in endometrial cancer cells. Autophagy inhibition by ATG5 silencing enhanced ICG‐001‐mediated suppression of cell viability, tumor spheroid formation, and protein expression of cyclin A and CD44. This study clarified the mechanism and revealed the clinical potential of ICG‐001 against endometrial cancer.
During the COVID-19 surge in Taiwan, the Far East Memorial Hospital established a system including a centralized quarantine unit and triage admission protocol to facilitate acute care surgical ...inpatient services, prevent nosocomial COVID-19 infection and maintain the efficiency and quality of health care service during the pandemics.
This retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing acute care surgery. The triage admission protocol was based on rapid antigen tests, Liat® PCR and RT-PCT tests. Type of surgical procedure, patient characteristics, and efficacy indices of the centralized quarantine unit and emergency department (ED) were collected and analyzed before (Phase I: May 11 to July 2, 2021) and after (Phase II: July 3 to July 31, 2021) the system started.
A total of 287 patients (105 in Phase I and 182 in Phase II) were enrolled. Nosocomial COVID-19 infection occur in 27 patients in phase I but zero in phase II. More patients received traumatological, orthopedic, and neurologic surgeries in phase II than in phase I. The patients' surgical risk classification, median total hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and the number of patients requiring postoperative ICU care were similar in both groups. The duration of ED stay and waiting time for acute care surgery were longer in Phase II (397 vs. 532 minutes, p < 0.0001). The duration of ED stay was positively correlated with the number of surgical patients visiting the ED (median = 66 patients, Spearman's ρ = 0.207) and the occupancy ratio in the centralized quarantine unit on that day (median = 90.63%, Spearman's ρ = 0.191).
The triage admission protocol provided resilient quarantine needs and sustainable acute care surgical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The efficiency was related to the number of medical staff dedicated to the centralized quarantine unit and number of surgical patients visited in ED.
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