GSK-3 inhibitors enhance TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells.

Resistance to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis has been reported in some cancer cells, including AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Reducing this resistance might shed light on the treatment of human gastric adenocarcinoma. In this study, we examined whether glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibitors can restore TRAIL responsiveness in gastric adenocarcinoma cells.

Recruitment of CCR6 Foxp3 regulatory gastric infiltrating lymphocytes in Helicobacter pylori gastritis.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with an inflammatory response in the gastric mucosa, leading to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Increased T-cell infiltration is found at sites of H.

A paeonol derivative, YPH-PA3 promotes the differentiation of monocyte/macrophage lineage precursor cells into osteoblasts and enhances their autophagy.

Previous studies have indicated that paeonol inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting the ERK, p38, and NF-κB pathway. We modified paeonol to form a new compound, YPH-PA3, and found that it promoted osteoclastogenesis rather than inhibited it the way paeonol does. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms involved in YPH-PA3-promoted osteoclastogenesis.

Interleukin-32 plays an essential role in human calcified aortic valve cells.

Interleukin-32 (IL-32) is an inflammatory cytokine produced mainly by T, natural killer, and epithelial cells. Previous studies on IL-32 have primarily investigated its proinflammatory properties. The IL-32 also has been described as an activator of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-κB, and induces several cytokines.

Radix Paeoniae Rubra stimulates osteoclast differentiation by activation of the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

Background: Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR), a traditional Chinese herb, has anti-inflammatory and immuno-regulatory properties. This study explored the effects of RPR on stimulation of osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)s.

PD-1 and PD-L1 Up-regulation Promotes T-cell Apoptosis in Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

Background/aim: The programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand (PD-L1) play pivotal roles in regulating host immune responses. However, the inhibitory effects of this pathway on the function of tumor infiltrating T lymphocytes in gastric adenocarcinoma patients are not well-defined.

Materials And Methods: We characterized the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in peripheral blood and tumor infiltrating cells and analyzed the association between PD-1/PD-L1 expression and disease progression in a cohort of 60 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, including 18 with gastric adenocarcinoma, 23 with gastritis, and 19 asymptomatic controls.

Gallic Acid Induces Apoptosis in Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Background/aim: Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate worldwide. Current treatment of gastric cancer includes surgery and chemotherapy as the main modalities, but the potentially severe side-effects of chemotherapy present a considerable challenge. Gallic acid is a trihydroxybenzoic acid found to exert an anticancer effect against a variety of cancer cells.

Expression of CD25(high) regulatory T cells and PD-1 in gastric infiltrating CD4(+) T lymphocytes in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

We observed by flow cytometry that the frequency of both gastric infiltrating Tregs and PD-1-positive CD4 T cells is correlated with the density of Helicobacter pylori, suggesting that cellular immunity against this pathogen is inhibited.

Increased PD-1 and decreased CD28 expression in chronic hepatitis B patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: Hepatitis B infection is a well-known cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to investigate the role that the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 and co-inhibitory molecule programmed death-1 (PD-1) play in compromising the function of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC.

Methods: A total of 45 patients with HBV-related HCC were enrolled during the period February 2008 to March 2010.

Clinical course and outcome of children with status asthmaticus treated in a pediatric intensive care unit: a 15-year review.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical course and outcomes of children with status asthmaticus treated in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Taiwan.

Methods: The medical charts of all patients aged from 2 to 18 years with status asthmaticus who were admitted to the PICU National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, from 1990 to 2006 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Twenty eight children were admitted on 33 occasions; 4 patients had more than 1 admission.

Early detection of glutaric aciduria type I by newborn screening in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) is an inborn error of lysine and tryptophan metabolism. There is a lack of initial diagnostic signs of the disease, but late treatment often results in severe neurologic impairment. In this study, we analyzed the results of screening for GA1 in a Chinese population.

Seizure associated with total parenteral nutrition-related hypermanganesemia.

The trace element manganese is usually supplied when total parenteral nutrition is used. However, long-term parenteral administration of manganese, which bypasses the normal regulatory mechanism, may cause hypermanganesemia. Manganese poisoning presents clinically with parkinsonian-like symptoms and psychological changes.