Probiotic Bacillus subtilis 29,784 improved weight gain and enhanced gut health status of broilers under necrotic enteritis condition.

The study investigated the benefit of a Bacillus subtilis probiotic (Bs 29,784) in necrotic enteritis (NE)-challenged broilers. Four treatments were performed with 312 male day-old Ross 308 reared in floor pens from day 0 to day 35: 2 groups fed control diet without or with NE challenge (CtrlNC and CtrlNE); 2 groups fed probiotic and antibiotic supplements in the control diet with NE challenge (ProNE and AntNE). Necrotic enteritis challenge procedures commenced with inoculation of Eimeria spp 1 mL/bird per os at day 9 and Clostridium perfringens EHE-NE18 (approximately 108 cfu/mL) 1 mL/bird per os at day 14 and day 15. Performance parameters were measured on day 16 and day 35. Lesion, cecal microbiota, and jejunal gene expression were analyzed on day 16. Necrotic enteritis challenge significantly suppressed the performance parameters compared with CtrlNC: 27% weight gain reduction, 11 points feed conversion ratio (FCR) increase at day 16, and 12% weight gain reduction, 5-point FCR increase at day 35. By day 35, ProNE and AntNE treatments enabled significantly higher weight gain (4 and 9%, respectively) than CtrlNE. Compared with CtlrNE and contrary to AntNE, ProNE treatment exhibited upregulation of genes coding for tight junctions proteins (CLDN1, JAM2, TJP1), cytokines (IL12, interferon gamma, TGFß), and Toll-like receptors (TLR5, TLR21) suggesting enhanced immunity and intestinal integrity. 16S NGS analysis of cecal microbiota at day 16 showed a decreased alpha diversity in challenged groups. Principal component analysis of operational taxonomic unit (OTU) abundance revealed that ProNE and AntNE grouped closely while both distantly from CtrlNC and CtrlNE, which were separately grouped, indicating the similar effects of ProNE and AntNE on the OTU diversity that were however different from both CtrlNC and CtrlNE. Microbiota analysis revealed an increase of genera Faecalibacterium, Oscillospira, and Butyricicoccus; and a decrease of genera Ruminococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides; and an increase of the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio in ProNE and AntNE groups compared with the CtlrNE group. It is concluded that Bs 29,784 may enable improved health of broiler chickens under NE conditions thus performance implications.

Upregulation of long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 promotes cell growth and metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via targeting miR-577.

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "Upregulation of long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 promotes cell growth and metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via targeting miR-577, by S.-B. Wu, H.-Q. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (3): 1195-1201-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202002_20171-PMID: 32096208" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/20171.

Upregulation of long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 promotes cell growth and metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via targeting miR-577.

OBJECTIVE: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most malignant type of esophageal cancer. Although significant advances have been made in ESCC diagnosis and therapy, its poor pathogenesis and prognosis remain a life-threatening problem. Meanwhile, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert a pivotal function in tumorigenesis. In this research, we aimed to explore the association between the aberrant expression of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 and the development and metastasis of ESCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: DLX6-AS1 expression was monitored by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) in ESCC specimens. Moreover, experiments were conducted to detect the effect of DLX6-AS1 on the cell proliferation and metastasis of ESCC. In addition, the underlying mechanism was further explored through luciferase assays and RNA immunoprecipitation assay (RIP). RESULTS: DLX6-AS1 expression level was significantly higher in ESCC specimens. Moreover, cell proliferation and metastasis of ESCC cells could be inhibited via reducing DLX6-AS1 expression. Besides, DLX6-AS1 was regarded as an oncogene in ESCC. Furthermore, DLX6-AS1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA via sponging miR-577 in ESCC. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, DLX6-AS1 promotes development and metastasis of ESCC by sponging miR-577 and could be a potential therapeutic target.

Two different Clostridium perfringens strains produce different levels of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens.

Subclinical necrotic enteritis (NE) is primarily caused by the gram-positive bacterium, Clostridium perfringens (Cp). The trend towards removal of in-feed antimicrobials and subsequent increased emergence of infection in poultry has resulted in a wide interest in better understanding of the mechanism behind this disease. The virulence of NE, to a large extent, depends on the virulence of Cp strains. Thus, this study was to assess how 2 different strains of Cp affect performance and gut characteristics of broiler chickens. Ross 308 male broilers (n = 468) were assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with antibiotics (Salinomycin at 72 ppm and zinc bacitracin at 50 ppm -, or +) and challenge (non-challenge, Cp EHE-NE18, or Cp WER-NE36). Oral administration of Eimeria oocysts (day 9) followed by inoculation with 1 mL 108 CFU Cp strains (day 14 and 15) were used to induce NE. Broiler performance was analyzed at day 10, 24, and 35. On day 16, intestinal lesion score and intestinal pH were evaluated and samples of cecal content were analyzed for bacterial counts and short-chain fatty acid concentrations (SCFA). Birds in both challenged groups showed higher feed conversion ratio (FCR), lower weight gain (P < 0.001), increased lesion scores in the jejunum (P < 0.01), and reduced pH in the ileum and cecum (P < 0.01), compared to the non-challenged birds. They also showed decreased numbers of Bacillus spp. (P < 0.001), and Ruminococcus spp. (P < 0.01) in the cecal content. On day 35, the NE36 challenged birds had a lower weight gain (P < 0.001) and higher FCR (P < 0.001) compared to the NE18 challenged birds. Interestingly, cecal Lactobacillus and lactate were increased by the NE challenge (P < 0.001), and to a greater extent in birds challenged with NE36 compared to the NE18 strain (P < 0.001). This study suggests that Cp strains varying in virulence produce different levels of disease in broiler chickens through modulating the gut environment, intestinal microbiota, and SCFA profile to different extents.

miR-590-3p promotes colon cancer cell proliferation via Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway by inhibiting WIF1 and DKK1.

OBJECTIVE: Colon cancer is one of the most common and deadly types of gastrointestinal tumor. Despite progressive treatments, the patient prognosis has not been improved effectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of miRNA and mRNA were tested by Realtime PCR. Cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell spheroid formation was determined by colony assay. Wnt signaling pathway activity was evaluated by TOP/FOP ratio. Protein expression was tested using Western blot. ß-catenin binding ability was detected by ChIP assay. miRNA target gene was confirmed by luciferase assay. RESULTS: miR-590-3p was found to be overexpressed in both glioma tissues and cell lines. miR-590-3p is upregulated in colon cancer cells and tissues compared to non-tumorigenic colon cells and normal colon tissues. miR-590-3p positively regulated cell proliferation, spheroid formation, and cell cycle in LS174T cells. Conversely, inhibition of miR-590-3p reduced these effects. We confirmed that WIF1 and DKK1 are targets of miR-590-3p. Overexpression of miR-590-3p promoted TOP flash luciferase activity, enhanced nuclear ß-catenin levels and increased target genes expression of Wnt signaling pathway. The results indicated that miR-590-3p activates the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that miR-590-3p regulates colon cancer progression via WIF1 and DKK1, which suggests that miR-590-3p may be a promising candidate for therapeutic applications in colon cancer treatment.

[Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of thyroid: a case report].

A elderly woman patient，with a unclear boundary,solid,smooth surface,moderately active mass that estimated 0.4 cm at its greatest diameter in the left lobe of thyroid. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic mass in the left lobe and Computed Tomography showed a 38 mm×25 mm×23 mm oval lesion with uniform density in the left lobe also. The surgical findings revealed tumor located in the inner side of left thyroid lobe near the isthmus,with unclear boundary. Pathological examination showed unclear boundaries between thyroid and tumor,the tumor cells attack into the muscle tissue,braided/ fascicles spindle shaped or star shaped myofibroblasts cells in the tumor area with myxedema inflammatory background and the lesion did not have any mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the spindle cells were positive for Vim,ACT,SMA,Bcl2 and ClyD1,and focal lesion histiocytes showed focal positive for CD68,CK and S-100,but negative for DES,Mgo,CD99,CD34,CD117,IgG4,ALK-1.The pathological diagnosis supports inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of thyroid. Imaging and immunohistochemistry and others are useful in differential diagnosis.

Flaxseed oil supplementation alters the expression of inflammatory-related genes in dogs.

Long chain n-3 fatty acids are beneficial to mammals because of their anti-inflammatory role. However, whether flaxseed oil, which is rich in short chain n-3 fatty acids, has such a role, it has not been extensively examined. This study investigated the supplementation of flaxseed oil on the regulation of genes involved in inflammatory responses such as heat shock proteins (HSP90 and HSP70) and interleukin (IL1ß) in the white blood cells of dogs. Five beagles and 5 greyhounds were supplemented with Melrose(®) flaxseed oil at the rate of 100 mL/kg food for 21 days. The blood was collected at day 0, 15, and 22 following supplementation. The expression of 3 genes was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Plasma concentrations of fatty acids such as alpha linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid were measured, and their correlations with changes in gene expression were determined. Flaxseed oil supplementation downregulated the expression of HSP90 and IL1ßin greyhounds but showed no significant effect on these genes in beagles. HSP70 remained unchanged in both breeds following the supplementation. Correlations of HSP90 and IL1ßexpression levels with the plasma fatty acid concentrations on day 22 showed a significant negative correlation in greyhounds. Dietary flaxseed oil altered the expression of genes involved in inflammation in white blood cells. Because the expression of the genes may vary in different breeds, it will be useful to consider breed responses to dietary manipulation in canine nutrition management.

Suppression of 5-lipoxygenase gene is involved in triptolide-induced apoptosis in pancreatic tumor cell lines.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is characterized by a poor prognosis and lack of response to conventional therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of triptolide (TL) on proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. We found that TL induced prominent growth inhibition and apoptosis in human pancreatic cell lines. In addition, TL treatment significantly down-regulated 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) expression, as well as downstream leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production, in these cell lines. Furthermore, overexpression of 5-LOX in SW1990 cell lines or exogenous LTB4 made them more resistant to TL-induced apoptosis, which was correlated with increased Bcl-2 expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that inhibition of the 5-LOX pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism is associated with the anti-proliferation activity of TL. We also provide evidence that TL has clinical therapeutic value for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) frequency among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwan.

In order to assess the association between human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a total of 10 familial and 10 sporadic NPC patients and 171 unrelated healthy controls were studied. HLA typing was performed using commercial trays which defined 30 specificities of HLA-A, B and C loci and 10 specificities of HLA-D locus according to the method of Tiwari and Terasaki. HLA-A2, B16 and DR1 were found to be higher among patients with NPC than unrelated healthy controls with an odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval of 5.91 (2.1-16.6), 6.00 (2.0-18.0) and 6.89 (1.3-37.5), respectively. Further analysis showed that A2(+) B16(+) haplotype was significantly associated with a much higher risk of NPC (OR = 15.5) as compared with A2(-) B16(-) haplotype. No difference in frequency distributions of HLA-A, B, C and D antigens was observed between familial and sporadic NPC patients.

Discovery and epidemiology of PCB poisoning in Taiwan: a four-year followup.

An outbreak of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) poisoning from the consumption of contaminated rice oil, covering four counties in central Taiwan, was investigated. There were 1843 cases by the end of 1980. The highest frequency of incidence occurred during the period from March to July 1979. The severity of clinical manifestations varied. Most patients showed symptoms of mild or moderate severity. The major age group affected was between 11 and 20 years old. Most of the victims were students and factory workers. The amount of PCB intake in each victim was estimated to be 0.7 to 1.84 g and the latent period from the time of intake to the onset of clinical manifestations was approximately 3 to 4 months. The patients' blood PCB concentrations ranged from 3 ppb to 1156 ppb; 44.27% of 613 patients had levels of 51 to 100 ppb and 27.6% PCB blood levels over 100 ppb. In the course of 3.5 years, 2061 persons were determined to be PCB poisoning victims. Now, except for a few severe cases, their skin symptoms are very much improved. Thirty-nine babies showing hyperpigmentation were born from PCB-poisoned mothers. The fatality rate was high: eight of them died. Another 24 deaths were reported among the PCB-poisoned group, almost half of them (12) from hepatoma, liver cirrhosis or liver diseases with hepatomegaly.