Prognostic value of fatty acid metabolism-related genes in colorectal cancer and their potential implications for immunotherapy.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal cancers and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Although colonoscopy screening has greatly improved the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer, its recurrence and metastasis are still significant problems. Tumour cells usually have the hallmark of metabolic reprogramming, while fatty acids play important roles in energy storage, cell membrane synthesis, and signal transduction.

Estrogen alleviates acute and chronic itch in mice.

Itching is associated with various skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis and allergic dermatitis, and leads to repeated scratching behavior and unpleasant sensation. Although clinical and laboratory research data have shown that estrogen is involved in regulating itch, the molecular and cellular basis of estrogen in itch sensation remains elusive. In the present study, it was found that estrogen-treated mice exhibited reduced scratching bouts when challenged with histamine, chloroquine, the proteinase-activated receptor-2 activating peptide SLIGRL-NH2 (SLIGRL), compound 48/80, and 5-hydroxytryptamine when compared with mice in the placebo group.

TRPV4 Overexpression Promotes Metastasis Through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gastric Cancer and Correlates with Poor Prognosis.

Purpose: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) has been reported to be involved in the progression of several human tumors. Nevertheless, clinical significance and molecular mechanism of TRPV4 in gastric cancer (GC) remain poorly defined.

Patients And Methods: Immunohistochemistry assays were used to investigate the correlation between the expression of TRPV4 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in human GC tissues.

A nicotine-induced positive feedback loop between HIF1A and YAP1 contributes to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Nicotine, an active ingredient in tobacco, can promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes that enhance the aggressiveness of a number of human cancers. In the present study, we investigated whether cigarette smoke/nicotine drives EMT in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence assays were used to evaluate Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression associated with cigarette smoking in human PDAC tissue samples and with nicotine exposure in PDAC cell lines.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori and expression of programmed death-1 and its ligand in gastric intraepithelial neoplasia and early-stage gastric cancer.

Many studies have shown that programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand, PD-L1, are expressed in advanced gastric cancer. Furthermore, detection of these proteins is associated with infiltrating CD8+ T-cells, indicating that an adaptive immune resistance mechanism occurs in advanced gastric cancer. However, PD-L1 and PD-1 expression in gastric intraepithelial neoplasia and early-stage gastric cancer (EGC) has yet to be elucidated.

TRPV4 Channel Signaling in Macrophages Promotes Gastrointestinal Motility via Direct Effects on Smooth Muscle Cells.

Intestinal macrophages are critical for gastrointestinal (GI) homeostasis, but our understanding of their role in regulating intestinal motility is incomplete. Here, we report that CX3C chemokine receptor 1-expressing muscularis macrophages (MMs) were required to maintain normal GI motility. MMs expressed the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel, which senses thermal, mechanical, and chemical cues.

Zinc Inhibits TRPV1 to Alleviate Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain.

Zinc is a transition metal that has a long history of use as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also soothes pain sensations in a number of animal models. However, the effects and mechanisms of zinc on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy remain unknown.

Comparison of esophageal motility in gastroesophageal reflux disease with and without globus sensation.

Backgrounds And Aims: This study aimed to compare the esophageal motility between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients with typical symptoms but without globus sensation and GERD patients only with globus symptoms.

Methods: A total of 57 consecutive GERD patients diagnosed by endoscopy or by 24-hour pH monitoring between May 2013 and September 2015 were included retrospectively into the study. The patients were grouped based on the presence or absence of globus.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4-expressing macrophages and keratinocytes contribute differentially to allergic and nonallergic chronic itch.

Background: Chronic itch is a highly debilitating symptom that underlies many medical disorders with no universally effective treatments. Although unique neuronal signaling cascades in the sensory ganglia and spinal cord have been shown to critically promote the pathogenesis of chronic itch, the role of skin-associated cells remains poorly understood.

Objective: We sought to examine the cutaneous mechanisms underlying transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4)-mediated allergic and nonallergic chronic itch.

Role of the potassium chloride cotransporter isoform 2-mediated spinal chloride homeostasis in a rat model of visceral hypersensitivity.

Visceral hypersensitivity represents an important hallmark in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), of which the mechanisms remain elusive. The present study was designed to examine whether cation-chloride cotransporter (CCC)-mediated chloride (Cl(-)) homeostasis of the spinal cord is involved in chronic stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity. Chronic visceral hypersensitivity was induced by exposing male Wistar rats to water avoidance stress (WAS).

Emodin has a protective effect in cases of severe acute pancreatitis via inhibition of nuclear factor‑κB activation resulting in antioxidation.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) accounts for up to 20% of acute pancreatitis (AP) cases. The absence of effective treatment options has resulted in a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Emodin is a major component of the Chinese herb rhubarb, which has been widely used in the treatment of numerous diseases, including inflammation and cancer.

Alcohol drinking and the risk of colorectal adenoma: a dose-response meta-analysis.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that alcohol consumption was positively related to colorectal cancer. However, the association between alcohol consumption and colorectal adenoma (CRA), the established precancerous lesion of colorectal cancer, remains unclear. We identified studies from a literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science through 31 October 2013, and by searching reference lists of pertinent articles.

A comparative study of routing protocols of heterogeneous wireless sensor networks.

Recently, heterogeneous wireless sensor network (HWSN) routing protocols have drawn more and more attention. Various HWSN routing protocols have been proposed to improve the performance of HWSNs. Among these protocols, hierarchical HWSN routing protocols can improve the performance of the network significantly.

LE135, a retinoid acid receptor antagonist, produces pain through direct activation of TRP channels.

Background And Purpose: Retinoids, through their activation of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors, regulate diverse cellular processes, and pharmacological intervention in their actions has been successful in the treatment of skin disorders and cancers. Despite the many beneficial effects, administration of retinoids causes irritating side effects with unknown mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that LE135 [4-(7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-5,7,7,10,10-pentamethyl-5H-benzo[e]naphtho[2,3-b][1,4]diazepin-13-yl)benzoic acid], a selective antagonist of RARβ , is a potent activator of the capsaicin (TRPV1) and wasabi (TRPA1) receptors, two critical pain-initiating cation channels.

Dietary fiber intake reduces risk for colorectal adenoma: a meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: Reports on the association between dietary fiber intake and risk of colorectal adenoma (CRA), the precursor of colorectal cancer, have been inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies to analyze this association.

Methods: We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to identify relevant studies published through July 2013.

Retinoids activate the irritant receptor TRPV1 and produce sensory hypersensitivity.

Retinoids are structurally related derivatives of vitamin A and are required for normal vision as well as cell proliferation and differentiation. Clinically, retinoids are effective in treating many skin disorders and cancers. Application of retinoids evokes substantial irritating side effects, including pain and inflammation; however, the precise mechanisms accounting for the sensory hypersensitivity are not understood.

Role of voltage gated Ca2+ channels in rat visceral hypersensitivity change induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

Background: Visceral pain is common symptom involved in many gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. The underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We investigated the molecular mechanisms and the role for voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC) in the pathogenesis in a rat model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced visceral inflammatory hypersensitivity.

CaMKII is essential for the function of the enteric nervous system.

Background: Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaMKs) are major downstream mediators of neuronal calcium signaling that regulate multiple neuronal functions. CaMKII, one of the key CaMKs, plays a significant role in mediating cellular responses to external signaling molecules. Although calcium signaling plays an essential role in the enteric nervous system (ENS), the role of CaMKII in neurogenic intestinal function has not been determined.

Voltage-gated potassium channels in IB4-positive colonic sensory neurons mediate visceral hypersensitivity in the rat.

Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with a state of chronic visceral hypersensitivity, but the underlying molecular mechanisms of visceral hyperalgesia remain elusive. This study was designed to examine changes in the excitability and alterations of voltage-gated K+ currents in subpopulations of colonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a rat model of IBS-like visceral hypersensitivity.

Methods: The model of IBS-like visceral hypersensitivity was induced by intracolonic infusion of 0.

Decreased expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is associated with tumor progression.

Angiotensin II (ANG II), the biologically active peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), is generated by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and is a regulator of cardiovascular homeostasis. Recently, there has been increasing evidence that ANG II is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and migration, as well as angiogenesis via the ANG II-type 1 receptor (AT1R). These findings suggest that the ACE-ANG II-AT1R pathway is related to cancer biology.