Cleavage of gasdermin by apoptotic caspases triggers pyroptosis restricting bacterial colonization in Hydra.

Gasdermin (GSDM) proteins, as the direct executors of pyroptosis, are structurally and functionally conserved among vertebrates and play crucial roles in host defense against infection, inflammation, and cancer. However, the origin of functional GSDMs remains elusive in the animal kingdom. Here, we found that functional GSDME homologs first appeared in the cnidarian.

A nomogram for predicting prognosis in patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation based on deep learning-derived spleen volume-to-platelet ratio.

Objectives: The objective of our study was to develop a nomogram to predict post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) survival in patients with cirrhosis based on CT images.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who had received TIPS operation at the Wenzhou Medical University First Affiliated Hospital between November 2013 and April 2017. To predict prognosis, a nomogram and Web-based probability were developed to assess the overall survival (OS) rates at 1, 3, and 5 years based on multivariate analyses.

mir-1 inhibits migration of gastric cancer cells.

Gastric cancer is the fourth most common malignancy world-wide that bears a high mortality by invasiveness and metastases. To this end, we examined the role of miR-1 in mobility and migration of gastric cancer cells. miR-1 was down-regulated and Sorcin, which supports invasion, was highly expressed in gastric cancer cell lines as compared to the control.

[Association of vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms with Crohn's disease among Chinese patients].

Objective: To assess the association of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD) in a Chinese population.

Methods: For 275 CD patients and 495 controls, the genotypes of VEGF gene rs699947 and rs3025039 loci were determined with a SNaPshot method.

Results: The allelic and genotypic frequencies of the rs699947 and rs3025039 loci did not differ between the two groups (all P>0.

[Association of transcobalamine II gene polymorphisms and serum homocysteine, vitamin B and folate levels with ulcerative colitis among Chinese patients].

Objective: To assess the association of transcobalamine II (TCN2) gene polymorphisms and serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B and folate with ulcerative colitis (UC) among Chinese patients.

Methods: For 397 UC patients and 574 controls, two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the TCN2 gene (rs1801198, rs9606756) were tested with an improved multiple ligase detection reaction method. Serum Hcy, vitamin B and folate were measured with an enzymatic cycling assay and an chemiluminescence immunoassay, respectively.

Elevated fibrinogen‑like protein 2 in TNBS‑induced colitis mice: Association with Th17 and regulatory T cells.

The etiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex and remains to be completely elucidated. Numerous cytokines are associated with the initiation and development of IBD. Fibrinogen‑like protein 2 (FGL2), an immunosuppressive cytokine expressed by regulatory cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ T (Treg) cells, has been identified to be important for immunomodulatory activity in the inflammatory state.

Association of ulcerative colitis with transcobalamin II gene polymorphisms and serum homocysteine, vitamin B, and folate levels in Chinese patients.

It has been reported that abnormal elevation of homocysteine is quite prevalent in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. We attempted to explore the relationship of UC with transcobalamin II (TCN2) gene polymorphisms and serum homocysteine, vitamin B, and folate levels in Chinese patients. TCN2 (rs1801198, rs9606756) genotypes were detected by the improved multiple ligase detection reaction (iMLDR) technique in 527 UC patients and 574 controls.

An Analysis of Transcobalamin II Gene Polymorphisms and Serum Levels of Homocysteine, Folate and Vitamin B12 in Chinese Patients with Crohn's Disease.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the association of Crohn's disease (CD) with transcobalamin II (TCN2) polymorphisms and serum homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels.

Methods: TCN2 (rs1801198, rs9606756) were genotyped by iMLDR in 389 CD patients and 746 controls. Furthermore, 102 CD patients and 153 controls were randomly selected for examination of serum homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels by enzymatic cycling assay and chemiluminescence immunoassay, respectively.

REG3A promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells.

The mechanism underlying the metastasis of gastric cancer (GC) cells remains elusive. REG3A is considered an oncogene in various cancers, but in GC its role is unclear. Here, we report that the expression of REG3A was significantly increased in the tumor tissues of patients with GC compared with the matched normal tissues.

[Association of solute-linked carrier family 26 member A3 gene polymorphisms with ulcerative colitis among Chinese patients].

Objective: To assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes of solute-linked carrier family 26 member A3 (SLC26A3) gene with ulcerative colitis (UC) among Chinese patients.

Methods: For 416 UC patients and 584 controls, 5 SNPs of the SLC26A3 gene (rs17154444, rs7810937, rs7785539, rs2108225 and rs6951457) were determined with a SNaPshot method. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype were analyzed for all subjects.

The association between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with ulcerative colitis in Chinese Han population.

There is now growing evidence suggesting that Vitamin D is playing a critical role in modulating the innate and adaptive immune responses. Several polymorphisms have been identified in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene but their association with ulcerative colitis (UC) susceptibility remained controversy. In the current study, we examined the association between VDR polymorphisms and serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with UC in Chinese Han population.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in tumor immunity.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining peripheral tolerance, preventing autoimmune diseases and limiting chronic inflammatory diseases. Depletion of Tregs results in the onset of a variety of autoimmune diseases. Tregs are defined based on expression of CD4, CD25, and the transcription factor, FoxP3.

[Association of inflammatory bowel disease with the polymorphisms and haplotypes of fucosyltransferase 3 gene].

Objective: To assess the association of inflammatory bowel disease with polymorphisms and haplotypes of Fucosyltransferase 3 (FUT3) gene.

Methods: A total of 389 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 274 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 492 controls were collected. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the FUT3 gene (rs28362459, rs3745635 and rs3894326) were determined by direct sequencing.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with Crohn's disease in Chinese patients.

Background And Aim: The vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulates immune responses and inflammation through binding with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the active form of vitamin D. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level clinically reflects vitamin D status in the human body. We investigated the association of VDR polymorphisms and 25(OH)D levels in Chinese patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

[Associations of Crohn's disease with DR4 and DR5 gene polymorphisms].

Objective: To assess the associations of death receptor DR4 and DR5 gene polymorphisms with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: A total of 295 CD patients and 490 healthy controls were recruited. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the DR4 (rs13278062, rs20575) and DR5 (rs1047266) genes were determined with a SNaPshot method.

[An analysis of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with Crohn's disease].

Objective: To investigate the association of Crohn's disease (CD) with vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level.

Methods: A total of 297 CD patients and 446 healthy controls were enrolled in our study. Four single nucleosides of VDR (Fok I, Bsm I, Apa I and Taq I) were genotyped by SNaPshot.

Tumor-derived CD4+CD25+ Tregs inhibit the maturation and antigen-presenting function of dendritic cells.

CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in regulation of immnue response and maintenance of self-tolerance. Studies have found Tregs could suppress tumor-specific T cell-mediated immune response and promote cancer progression. Depletion of Tregs can enhance antitumor immunity.

[The associations of ulcerative colitis with vascular endothelial growth factor (-2578C/A) and (+936C/T) single nucleotide polymorphisms].

Objective: To investigate the association of (-2578C/A) and (+936C/T) single nucleotide polymorphism(SNPs) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene with the susceptibility to ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: A total of 373 UC patients and 503 healthy controls were recruited. The (-2578C/A) and (+936C/T) polymorphism of VEGF gene were detected using a mini-sequencing technique.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to ulcerative colitis in patients from Southeast China.

The association studies from different ethnic groups showed that vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms might be connected with the susceptibility to ulcerative colitis (UC); however, the conclusions were less consistent. Our study aimed to analyze the associations of UC with common mutations of VDR in Chinese patients. A total of 382 UC patients and 489 healthy controls were recruited.

[Associations of the decoy receptor and osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms with ulcerative colitis in Chinese patients].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between decoy receptor (DcR)1, DcR2 and osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to ulcerative colitis (UC) in Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 352 patients with UC as well as 463 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were recruited in the study. The genetic polymorphisms of DcR1 (rs12549481), DcR2 (rs1133782) and OPG (rs3102735) were determined using a mini-sequencing technique method.

[Associations of ulcerative colitis with vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and serum levels of 25-hydroxyl vitamin D].

Objective: To explore the associations of ulcerative colitis (UC) with vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and serum levels of 25-hydroxyl vitamin D[25(OH)D].

Methods: From July 2004 to July 2013, a total of 404 UC patients were recruited from 4 hospitals of Wenzhou City. A total of 612 controls were collected from Health Examination Center of Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University.

Associations of FUT2 and FUT3 gene polymorphisms with Crohn's disease in Chinese patients.

Background And Aim: FUT2 and FUT3 genes are responsible for the formation of histo-blood group antigens, which act as binding sites for some intestinal microbes. Several studies suggested that FUT2 gene might affect the intestinal microbiota composition and modulate innate immune responses. However, the effect of FUT2 polymorphisms on Crohn's disease (CD) is uncertain.

[Correlations of genetic polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand gene and its plasma phenotype with ulcerative colitis].

Objective: To explore the correlations of genetic polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) gene and the plasma levels of soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL) with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: From May 2004 to April 2011, a total of 393 UC patients were recruited from Second and First Affiliated Hospitals of Wenzhou Medical College and Second Renmin Hospital of Wenzhou City. During the same period, a total of 1292 healthy controls were recruited from Physical Examination Center at Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College.

[The associations of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and ulcerative colitis].

Objective: To investigate the association between the genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and ulcerative colitis (UC) of Han ethnic population in Zhejiang, China.

Methods: Two hundred and seventy-four consecutive patients with UC and 726 healthy controls (HC) were studied. The genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) were genotyped using PCR-RELP methods.