ASIC1/RIP1 accelerates atherosclerosis via disrupting lipophagy.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, remains a significant health concern worldwide. While previous research has shown that acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1) impedes macrophage cholesterol efflux, its precise role in atherogenesis and the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the role of ASIC1 in atherosclerosis and its underlying mechanisms.

An enzymatic on/off switch-mediated assay for KRAS hotspot point mutation detection of circulating tumor DNA.

Background: To detect the mutations of KRAS gene in colorectal cancer patients and other cancer patients, it is of value to develop non-invasive, sensitive, specific, easy, and low-cost assays.

Methods: Templates harboring hotspot mutations of the KRAS gene were constructed, and primers were designed for evaluation of the specificity, and sensitivity of detection system consisted of exonuclease polymerase-mediated on/off switch; then, gel electrophoresis and real-time PCR were performed for verification. The assay was verified by testing the DNA pool of normal controls and circulating DNA (ctDNA) samples from 14 tumor patients, as compared to Sanger sequencing.

Acid-sensing ion channels: Linking extracellular acidification with atherosclerosis.

Extracellular acidification in atherosclerosis-prone regions of arterial walls is considered pro-atherosclerotic by exerting detrimental effect on macrophages, endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), a family of extracellular H (proton)-gated cation channels, are present extensively in the nervous system and other tissues, implying physiologic as well as pathophysiologic importance. Aberrant activation of ASICs is thought to be associated in EC dysfunction, macrophage phenotypic switch, and VSMC migration and proliferation.

A Novel Assay Coupling Dephosphorylation and Blue/White Colony Screening for the G > A Hotspot Mutation at Codon 13 of Gene.

Development of sensitive assay for detection of hotspot mutations of cancer driving gene is crucial for circulating tumor DNA analysis. This study tested the possibilities of applying restriction enzyme digestion and dephosphorylation coupled with blue/white screening technology for analyzing a hotspot point mutation in codon 13 of KRAS gene. The present study has documented that the combination of PCR with restriction digestion, dephosphorylation, blue/white screening and Sanger's sequencing can identify rare mutations with sensitivities at 0.

Oncogenic fibulin-5 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell metastasis through the FLJ10540/AKT pathway and correlates with poor prognosis.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is known for its high metastatic potential and locoregional recurrence, although the molecular alterations that are driving NPC metastasis remain unclear at this time. This study aimed to examine the expression of fibulin-5 in NPC, correlate the results with clinicopathological variables and survival, and to investigate the role of fibulin-5 in human NPC cell lines.

Material And Methods: Standard semi-quantitative-RT-PCR, quantitative-RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the mRNA and protein expression profiles of fibulin-5 in normal and NPC tissues.

FLJ10540 is associated with tumor progression in nasopharyngeal carcinomas and contributes to nasopharyngeal cell proliferation, and metastasis via osteopontin/CD44 pathway.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is well-known for its highly metastatic characteristics, but little is known of its molecular mechanisms. New biomarkers that predict clinical outcome, in particular the ability of the primary tumor to develop metastatic tumors are urgently needed. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of FLJ10540 in human NPC development.

Fibulin-3 is associated with tumour progression and a poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinomas and inhibits cell migration and invasion via suppressed AKT activity.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is known for its highly metastatic character. Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment have not improved the high mortality rate that is attributable to early metastasis. Although several biomarkers correlate with metastasis and prognosis, the molecular mechanisms of NPC development and progression remain unclear.

Enhancement of esculetin on arsenic trioxide-provoked apoptosis in human leukemia U937 cells.

In order to overcome chemotherapy resistance, many laboratories are searching for agents that increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to anticancer drugs. Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) is widely used in treating human acute polymyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, solid tumors and other leukemia cells such as U937 promonocytic leukemia cells are insensitive to As(2)O(3).

Protective effects of leaf extract of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides on oxidation of low-density lipoprotein and accumulation of lipid in differentiated THP-1 cells.

It has been reported that extracts of stem and leaf of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides (ZLE) possess antioxidative properties. However, the biological importance of the ZLE is not well known. In our preliminary study, it showed that ZLE prepared from 75% alcohol highly contains flavonoids (5.

Promoting neoplastic transformation of humic acid in mouse epidermal JB6 Cl41 cells.

Humic acid (HA), a group of high-molecular weight polymer, resulting from the decomposition of organic matter has been implicated as a possible etiological factor for Blackfoot disease and cancer. In this study, we evaluate the promotion effect of HA on the transformation in mouse epidermal JB6 clone 41 (JB6 Cl41) cells that have been used to identify the tumor promoting activity of various compounds. Our preliminary assay demonstrated that JB6 Cl41 cells with the treatment of HA at the concentration of 100 microg/ml for 72 and 96 h significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) as compared to the untreated control.

Anti-inflammatory potential of flavonoid contents from dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida in vitro and in vivo.

The dried fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida, a local soft drink material and medical herb, demonstrated antioxidant effect in a previous study. The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory potential of flavonoid contents from dried fruit of C. pinnatifida (CF-Fs).

Inhibitory effect of hot-water extract from dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in cell and cell-free systems.

The dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida, a local soft drink material and medical herb, was found to possess potential against oxidative stress. In the preliminary study, the antioxidant potential of a hot-water extract obtained from the dried fruit of C. pinnatifida (CF-H) was evaluated in terms of its capacity of quenching 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals (EC(50) = 0.