Identification of Novel Genes Necessary for p-Benzoquinone Biosynthesis in the Larval Oral Secretion Participating in External Immune Defense in the Red Palm Weevil.

External secretions, composed of a variety of chemical components, are among the most important traits that endow insects with the ability to defend themselves against predators, parasites, or other adversities, especially pathogens. Thus, these exudates play a crucial role in external immunity. Red palm weevil larvae are prolific in this regard, producing large quantities of p-benzoquinone, which is present in their oral secretion.

Functional conservation and division of two single-carbohydrate-recognition domain C-type lectins from the nipa palm hispid beetle Octodonta nipae (Maulik).

As an invasive pest, the complete and effective innate immune system is crucial for the nipa palm hispid beetle Octodonta nipae (Maulik) to adjust to new environments. C-type lectins (CTLs) are large families of carbohydrate-binding proteins that possess one or more characteristic carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRD) and function as pattern-recognition receptors, which play important roles in mediating humoral and cellular immunity. In the present study, for the first time, we report two CTL-Ss (single-CRD CTLs) from O.

Increased lysyl oxidase-like 2 associates with a poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is a member of the lysyl oxidase family and is associated with invasiveness and metastasis in breast cancer. However, its relevance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remained largely unknown.

Methods: LOXL2 protein levels in a cohort of NSCLC and adjacent normal lung tissues were evaluated and analyzed their clinicopathologic and prognostic significance.

Prognostic significance of TP53 expression for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Background: Various studies evaluated the relationship between p53 expression and the clinical outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but yielded conflicting results.

Methods: Electronic databases updated to Dec 2013 were searched to find relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with eligible studies which quantitatively evaluated the relationship between p53 expression and survival of patients with HCC.

TP53 mutation is associated with a poor outcome for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: evidence from a meta-analysis.

Background: Various studies examined the relationship between p53 mutation with the clinical outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but yielded conflicting results.

Methods: Electronic databases updated to July 2013 were searched to find relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with eligible studies which quantitatively evaluated the relationship between p53 mutation and survival of patients with HCC.

Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor A expression in gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is considered as a prime mediator of angiogenesis and has been implicated in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Various studies examined the relationship between VEGF-A overexpression with the clinical outcome in patients with gastric cancer, but yielded conflicting results. Electronic databases updated to September 2013 were searched to find relevant studies.

TP53 immunohistochemical expression is associated with the poor outcome for hepatocellular carcinoma: evidence from a meta-analysis.

Various studies examined the relationship between p53 expression with the clinical outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but yielded conflicting results. Electronic databases updated to July 2013 were searched to find relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with eligible studies which quantitatively evaluated the relationship between p53 expression and survival of patients with HCC.

VEGF is associated with the poor survival of patients with prostate cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered as a prime mediator of angiogenesis, and has been implicated in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Various studies examined the relationship between VEGF overexpression with the clinical outcome in patients with prostate cancer, but yielded conflicting results.

Methods: Electronic databases updated to July 2013 were searched to find relevant studies.

CYP1A1 Ile462Val polymorphism contributes to lung cancer susceptibility among lung squamous carcinoma and smokers: a meta-analysis.

Many studies have examined the association between the CYP1A1 Ile462Val gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. To assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed. Ultimately, 43 case-control studies, comprising 19,228 subjects were included.

CYP1A1 MspI polymorphisms and lung cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis involving 20,209 subjects.

Published data describing the association between CYP1A1 MspI gene polymorphism and lung cancer risk are inconclusive. To determine a more conclusive relationship, we performed an updated meta-analysis of all eligible studies and conducted the subgroup analysis by stratification according to the ethnicity source, histological types of lung cancer, gender and smoking status of case and control populations. A total of 51 studies comprising 20,209 subjects were included in the analysis.

Cytomegalovirus infection and coronary heart disease risk: a meta-analysis.

The chronic inflammatory process including cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been hypothesized to induce the progression of atherosclerosis in coronary heart disease (CHD). Numbers studies were conducted to analyze the association between CMV infection and risk of CHD, but no clear consensus had been reached. To assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed.

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene K469E polymorphism is associated with coronary heart disease risk: a meta-analysis involving 12 studies.

Coronary atherosclerosis is a leading cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). Atherosclerotic lesion is a complex polygenic disease in which gene-environment interactions play a critical role in disease onset and progression. The ICAM1 gene-E469K polymorphism has been reported to be associated with CHD, but results were conflicting.

APE1 Asp148Glu gene polymorphism and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Many studies have examined the association between the APE1 T1349G (Asp148Glu) gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. To assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed. The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI database was searched for case-control studies published up to June 2010.

[Ischemic myocardial viability assessment with interleaved T1-T2* magnetic resonance imaging].

Objective: To investigate the value of ischemic myocardial viability assessment using interleaved T1-T2* magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: The left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD) were occluded for 2 hours, followed by 1-hour reperfusion in 7 pigs. The hearts were then removed and perfused with a mixture of pig blood and crystalloid solution in 1:1 ratio.