Background: The prognostic role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in esophageal cancer (EC) patients is controversial; therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to obtain a consensus.
Methods:The PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed effect or random effect models depending on the heterogeneity. Results: A total of 30 articles comprising 5,122 patients were included in this meta-analysis. High levels of generalized TIL infiltration were associated with better overall survival (OS) (HR =0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.95, P=0.02) in EC patients. High CD8+ T-cell infiltration and high CD4+ T-cell infiltration were associated with better OS (HR =0.68, 95% CI: 0.60-0.78, P<0.001; HR =0.70, 95% CI: 0.57-0.85, P<0.001, respectively). However, the pooled results showed that neither CD3+ nor FOXP3+ T-cell infiltration were associated with patient survival (P>0.05). Moreover, for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), high CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration in the TN (Tumor nest) or TS (Tumor stroma) significantly predicted better OS (pooled HR =0.70, 95% CI: 0.57-0.85; P=0.001; pooled HR =0.77, 95% CI: 0.65-0.91; P=0.003). Conclusions: High levels of generalized TILs, high CD8+ T-cell infiltration and high CD4+ T-cell infiltration have the potential to serve as prognostic markers in EC patients. Moreover, high CD8+ TIL in TNs or TS can predict better OS in ESCC patients.
82 melon NAC (CmNAC) genes were identified in melon. We putatively identified the function of CmNAC gene in melon under salt stress. NAC transcription factor proteins play important roles in many biological processes, including plant development and stress responses. To date, few full-length melon NAC proteins have been identified. In this study, 82 melon NAC (CmNAC) genes were identified in the Cucumis melo L. genome. By interrogating our cDNA libraries and transcriptome data from melon under salt stress, and comparison of their phylogenetic relationship with Arabidopsis NAC salt stress-related genes, we putatively identified that the fourth clade of CmNAC genes were involved in the salt stress response, especially the second clade of the group IV of the phylogenetic tree. Expression analysis confirmed that eleven of the twelve CmNAC genes from the group IV were induced in melon seedling roots by salt stress; the other gene was down regulated by salt stress. The expression of CmNAC14 continually increased in 12 h under salt stress, and was selected for transformation into Arabidopsis for functional verification. Overexpression of CmNAC14 increased the sensitivity of transgenic Arabidopsis lines to salt stress, which were simultaneously demonstrated by reduced expression of abiotic stress-response genes and variation in several physiological indices. This study increases our knowledge and may enable further characterization of the roles of CmNAC family in the response to salt stress.
Summary• The possible roles of K + channels in plant adaptation to high Na + conditions have not been extensively analyzed. Here, we characterize an inward Shaker K + channel, MIRK (melon inward rectifying K + channel), cloned in a salt-tolerant melon (Cucumis melo) cultivar, and show that this channel displays an unusual sensitivity to Na + .• MIRK expression localization was analyzed by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). MIRK functional analyses were performed in yeast (growth tests) and Xenopus oocytes (voltage-clamp). MIRK-type activity was revealed in guard cells using the patch-clamp technique.• MIRK is an inwardly rectifying Shaker channel belonging to the 'KAT' subgroup and expressed in melon leaves (especially in guard cells and vasculature), stems, flowers and fruits. Besides having similar features to its close homologs, MIRK displays a unique property: inhibition of K + transport by external Na + . In Xenopus oocytes, external Na + affected both inward and outward MIRK currents in a voltage-independent manner, suggesting a blocking site in the channel external mouth.• The degree of MIRK inhibition by Na + , which is dependent on the Na + ⁄ K + concentration ratio, is predicted to have an impact on the control of K + transport in planta upon salt stress. Expressed in guard cells, MIRK might control Na + arrival to the shoots via regulation of stomatal aperture by Na + .
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