CpG island methylator phenotype and Helicobacter pylori infection associated with gastric cancer.

Aim: To investigate the association between the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) and serum Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) levels for clinical prediction of gastric cancer (GC) progression.

Methods: We analyzed the serum CIMP status of 75 patients with GC using a methylation marker panel and a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction.

CpG island methylator phenotype in plasma is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical significance of CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) in plasma and its association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progress.

Methods: CIMP status of 108 HCC patients was analyzed using a methylation marker panel in tumor tissues and plasma with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Fifteen samples of non-neoplastic liver tissues and 60 of plasma from healthy persons were examined simultaneously.

Plasma DNA methylation of Wnt antagonists predicts recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aim: To detect the effects of plasma DNA methylation of Wnt antagonists/inhibitors on recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: We used methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction to detect hypermethylation of the promoter of four Wnt antagonists/inhibitors (SFRP-1, WIF-1, DKK-3 and RUNX3) using DNA from the plasma of ESCC patients (n = 81) and analyzed the association between promoter hypermethylation of Wnt pathway modulator genes and the two-year recurrence of ESCC.

Results: Hypermethylation of SFRP-1, DKK-3 and RUNX-3 was significantly associated with an increased risk of ESCC recurrence (P = 0.

The chemosensilla on tarsi of Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae): distribution, ultrastructure, expression of chemosensory proteins.

The chemosensilla on the tarsi of Locusta migratoria were mapped using light microscopy, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Only chemosensilla chaetica were found on the tarsi. On the basis of their ultrastructure, these can be grouped into three main subtypes: short, long, and sunken sensilla chaetica.