MiRNA-296-5p promotes the sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to cisplatin via targeted inhibition of STAT3/KLF4 signaling axis.

Improving drug sensitivity is an important strategy in chemotherapy of cancer and accumulating evidence indicates that miRNAs are involved in the regulation of drug sensitivity, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Our previous study has found that miR-296-5p was significantly downregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we aim to explore whether miR-296-5p is involved in regulating cisplatin sensitivity in NPC by regulating STAT3/KLF4 signaling axis.

Surviving winter on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau: Extensive reversible protein phosphorylation plays a dominant role in regulating hypometabolism in hibernating .

Changes in protein abundance and reversible protein phosphorylation (RPP) play important roles in regulating hypometabolism but have never been documented in overwintering frogs at high altitudes. To test the hypothesis that protein abundance and phosphorylation change in response to winter hibernation, we conducted a comprehensive and quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of the liver of the Xizang plateau frog, , living on the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau (QTP). In total, 5 170 proteins and 5 695 phosphorylation sites in 1 938 proteins were quantified.

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Protect against High-Fat Diet-Induced Morphological and Functional Impairments of Brown Fat in Transgenic Mice.

The role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in the regulation of energy homeostasis remains poorly understood. In this study, we used a transgenic mouse model, which can produce n-3 PUFAs endogenously, to investigate how n-3 PUFAs regulate the morphology and function of brown adipose tissue (BAT). We found that high-fat diet (HFD) induced a remarkable morphological change in BAT, characterized by "whitening" due to large lipid droplet accumulation within BAT cells, associated with obesity in wild-type (WT) mice, whereas the changes in body fat mass and BAT morphology were significantly alleviated in mice.

DHA inhibits invasion and metastasis in NSCLC cells by interfering with CCL18/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Omega-3 has been proposed as an antitumor substance that suppresses the growth and metastasis of multiple types of tumor cells, including lung cancer, but the specific mechanisms involved remain obscure. Our previous studies showed that the expression of chemokine ligand 18 was related to the migration and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer. Here, we aim to explore whether omega-3 inhibits invasion and metastasis of NSCLC by regulating the expression of CCL18.

Decreased Tissue Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio Prevents Chemotherapy-Induced Gastrointestinal Toxicity Associated with Alterations of Gut Microbiome.

Gastrointestinal toxicity (GIT) is a debilitating side effect of Irinotecan (CPT-11) and limits its clinical utility. Gut dysbiosis has been shown to mediate this side effect of CPT-11 by increasing gut bacterial β-glucuronidase (GUSB) activity and impairing the intestinal mucosal barrier (IMB). We have recently shown the opposing effects of omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the gut microbiome.

Fish consumption, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids intake and risk of stroke: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: Although fish consumption or omega-3 intake is associated with cardio- cerebrovascular disease including stroke, their correlation is still controversial. Therefore, this meta-analysis is to identify the relationship between the risk of stroke and fish consumption or omega-3 intake.

Methods And Study Design: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases as of May 2019.

Cloning and characterization of two chlorophyll A/B binding protein genes and analysis of their gene family in Camellia sinensis.

In this study, two chlorophyll A/B binding protein (CAB) genes (CsCP1 and CsCP2) in tea plant were cloned. The proteins encoded by these genes belong to the external or internal antenna proteins of PS II, respectively. They may be the targets of physiological regulation for tea leaf cell PS II because they all contain multiple functional domains and modifiable sites.

Dynamic prediction of liver cirrhosis risk in chronic hepatitis B patients using longitudinal clinical data.

Objectives: In longitudinal studies, serum biomarkers are often measured longitudinally which is valuable to predict the risk of disease progression. Previous risk prediction models for liver cirrhosis restrict data to baseline or baseline and a single follow-up time point, which failed to incorporate the time-dependent marker information. The aim of this study is to develop risk model in patients with chronic hepatitis B for dynamic prediction of cirrhosis by incorporating longitudinal clinical data.

Multi-omic analysis in transgenic mice implicates omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid imbalance as a risk factor for chronic disease.

An unbalanced increase in dietary omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and decrease in omega-3 (n-3) PUFA in the Western diet coincides with the global rise in chronic diseases. Whether n-6 and n-3 PUFA oppositely contribute to the development of chronic disease remains controversial. By using transgenic mice capable of synthesizing PUFA to eliminate confounding factors of diet, we show here that alteration of the tissue n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio leads to correlated changes in the gut microbiome and fecal and serum metabolites.

Comparative analysis of mitochondrial DNA datasets indicates that Toxascaris leonina represents a species complex.

Background: Toxascaris leonina is one of the most common intestinal parasites of canids and felids. In this study, we characterised the entire mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence of T. leonina from the cheetah and compared it with that of T.

The serum level of CC chemokine ligand 18 correlates with the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) is a chemotactic cytokine involved in the pathogenesis and progression of various cancers. Our previous research showed that the expression of CCL18 is obviously higher in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than in the adjacent normal tissues, suggesting its role in NSCLC.

Methods: We further examined the serum level of CCL18 in 80 NSCLC patients with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and simultaneously analyzed the survival curve of these patients by the Kaplan-Meier method, and then utilized a log-rank test to evaluate the correlation of CCL18 expression with the malignant progression of NSCLC.

Positive expression of chemokine (C-C Motif) ligand 18 and prognosis in cancer: A meta-analysis.

Purpose: Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 18 (CCL18) is a chemotactic cytokine involved in the pathogenesis and progression of various cancers by activating downstream signaling pathways and affecting cellular behaviors. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the CCL18 as a prognostic marker for cancer and determine the relationship between CCL18 and clinicopathological features of cancer.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science and SinoMed databases for publications to investigate the association between CCL18 expression and survival outcome in cancer.

Suppression of Postprandial Blood Glucose Fluctuations by a Low-Carbohydrate, High-Protein, and High-Omega-3 Diet via Inhibition of Gluconeogenesis.

Hyperglycemia significantly contributes to the development and progression of metabolic diseases. Managing postprandial blood glucose fluctuations is of particular importance for patients with hyperglycemia, but safe and effective means of reducing blood glucose levels are still lacking. Five diets with varying macronutrient ratios and omega-3 fatty acid amounts were tested for their blood glucose-lowering effects in male C57BL/6J mice.

Identification of a sustainable two-plant diet that effectively prevents age-related metabolic syndrome and extends lifespan in aged mice.

The current system of food production is linked to both the increasing prevalence of chronic disease and the deterioration of the environment, and thereby calls for novel ways of producing nutritious foods in a sustainable manner. In the "longevity village" of Bama, China, we have identified two plant foods, hemp seed and bitter vegetable (Sonchus oleraceus), that are commonly consumed by its residents and grow abundantly in unfarmed land without fertilizers or pesticides. Here, we show that a diet composed of these two foods (the "HB diet") provides a sufficient variety of nutrients and confers significant health benefits.

Protection against fine particle-induced pulmonary and systemic inflammation by omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Background: Exposure to fine particulate matter, such as through air pollution, has been linked to the increased incidence of chronic diseases. However, few measures have been taken to reduce the health risks associated with fine particle exposure. The identification of safe and effective methods to protect against fine particle exposure-related damage is urgently needed.

Possible Source Populations of the White-backed Planthopper in the Greater Mekong Subregion Revealed by Mitochondrial DNA Analysis.

The white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is a serious pest of rice in Asia. However, little is known regarding the migration of this pest insect from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Vietnam, into China's Yunnan Province. To determine the migration patterns of S.

Meta-analysis of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus radiofrequency ablation versus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone for hepatocellular carcinoma.

This meta-analysis was conducted to compare transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with TACE alone for hepatocellular carcinoma. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL for all relative randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies until October 31 2016. Tumor response, recurrence-free survival, overall survival and postoperative complications were the major evaluation indices.

A host-microbiome interaction mediates the opposing effects of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids on metabolic endotoxemia.

Metabolic endotoxemia, commonly derived from gut dysbiosis, is a primary cause of chronic low grade inflammation that underlies many chronic diseases. Here we show that mice fed a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids exhibit higher levels of metabolic endotoxemia and systemic low-grade inflammation, while transgenic conversion of tissue omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids dramatically reduces endotoxemic and inflammatory status. These opposing effects of tissue omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can be eliminated by antibiotic treatment and animal co-housing, suggesting the involvement of the gut microbiota.

Entecavir Combined With Adefovir Ameliorates Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Who Fail to Respond to Nucleotide (Acid) Analog Monotherapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of entecavir (ETV) combined treatment with adefovir (ADV) on chronic hepatitic B (CHB) patients who failed to respond to nucleotide (acid) analog (NA) treatment. On this basis, the possible factors in the combined treatment of these patients will be analyzed. The safety, biochemical index, and the possible factors that might affect the ETV and ADV combined treatment at different points in time were retrospectively analyzed.

Omega-3 fatty acid intervention suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and weight loss in mice.

Bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis is a critical medical condition, characterized by a severe systemic inflammation and rapid loss of muscle mass. Preventive and therapeutic strategies for this complex disease are still lacking. Here, we evaluated the effect of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intervention on LPS-challenged mice with respect to inflammation, body weight and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway components.

EGCG decreases the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF and cell growth in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the expression of HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cell growth in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Methods: MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were pretreated with different concentrations of EGCG (25, 50, 100 mg/L) for 48 h. The growth and proliferation of cells were analyzed by trypan blue staining in the pretreated MCF-7 cells.

Construction and identification of the recombinant lentiviral expression vector targeting human BAX inhibitor-1 gene.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to construct a recombinant lentiviral expression vector targeting human BAX inhibitor- 1(BI-1) gene and observe its expression in NIH3T3 cells.

Methods: Human BI-1 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then cloned into the vector pLCMV- IG using DNA recombinant technique. After the inserted sequences in the recombinant plasmids were identified by PCR, and double digesting and DNA sequencing analysis, the recombinant lentivirus was packaged and administered into NIH3T3 cells.

Lentivirus-mediated RNA interference targeting Bax inhibitor-1 suppresses ex vivo cell proliferation and in vivo tumor growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Bax inhibitor-1 (Bi-1), an anti-apoptotic protein that belongs to the Bcl-2 family, plays an important role in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway to suppress Bax-induced apoptosis. In several human cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, its expression was found to be increased; however, up-regulated expression of this protein has been linked to increased cell proliferations. In this study, we down-regulated the gene expression of Bi-1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by using a lentivirus transfection system packed with short hairpin RNA targeting Bi-1 and used an in vivo model to assess its efficacy as a target in human gene therapy.