[Analysis of asymmetric hearing loss in both ears of patients with occupational noise-induced deafness].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of asymmetric hearing loss in left and right ears of patients with occupational noise-induced deafness and to explore the possible causes of asymmetric hearing loss. Methods: A total of 423 cases of occupational noise-induced deafness diagnosed in Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment from May 2015 to May 2018 were investigated retrospectively. On the basis of three consecutive pure tone audiometry (PTA) with intervals of more than 3 d in hospital, the minimum of hearing threshold of each frequency and the frequency response threshold of auditory steady-state response (ASSR) , and based on the GBZ 49-2014 "Diagnosis of Occupational Noise-induced Deafness". The statistical analysis of Wilcoxon signed rank test and Spearman correlation analysis were carried out by nonparametric test. The hearing threshold weight of PTA and the response threshold of ASSR were tested and compared from different dimensions according to sex, age, length of service of exposure noise, diagnosis grade and so on. Results: There were 369 male (87.23%) and 54 female (12.77%) ; the age was (41.8±7.6) years; the length of service was (10.1±6.2) years. The weighted values of left ear PTA and ASSR were higher than those of right ear (P<0.001) . The weighted values of left ear PTA and ASSR were higher than those of right ear (P<0.05) in men, patients with age ≤ 40 and 41-60 years, 3-9 years of service, and patients with mild grade (P<0.05) . After the equalization of characteristic variables, the weighted values of left ear PTA and ASSR were also higher than those of right ear (P<0.05) . There was a positive correlation between the weighted value of PTA and the weighted value of ASSR (P<0.001) . Conclusion: There is asymmetry in hearing loss of patients with occupational noise deafness, and hearing loss in the left ear is higher than that in the right ear.

Identification of cervical cancer markers using cDNA subtraction approach.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: Cervical cancer markers are not well known for accurate detection of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, cervical cancer samples were collected from the 42 patients in the Department of Surgery and Medicine of Weifang People's Hospital and Medical College, Shandong, China. The cDNA subtraction approach was performed to find out the specific transcripts, which are responsible for cervical cancer. The specific differentially expressed transcripts were identified by Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis and the results were validated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Following differentially expressed specific transcripts, such as ID-1, Hif 1a, and the Y-box were usefully employed as a marker to accurately detect cervical cancer. CONCLUSION. The identified markers are promising in the accurate detection of cervical cancer in terms of its molecular basis and management of the disease.

MiR-4513 mediates the proliferation and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells via targeting CXCL17.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence has indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating cancer carcinogenesis; however, its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains largely unknown. Our work was aimed to investigate the role of miR-4513 in regulating OSCC cells behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MiR-4513 expression in OSCC cells was analyzed by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were analyzed by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, wound-healing assay, transwell invasion assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The connections of miR-4513 and CXC ligand 17 (CXCL17) were analyzed by luciferase reporter assay and Western blot assay. RESULTS: MiR-4513 expression was found elevated in the OSCC cell lines. The downregulation of miR-4513 expression inhibits cell proliferation, migration, invasion and, at the same time, promotes apoptosis. Furthermore, we validated CXCL17 as a direct target of miR-4513. Knocking down the expression of CXCL17, inhibited the effects of miR-4513 on OSCC cell behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested the oncogenic role of miR-4513 in OSCC, and therefore it might be used as a target for the OSCC treatment.

Nucleofection is highly efficient for transfecting genes into murine embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells in primary culture.

Non-syndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate is one of the most common birth defects in humans. Embryonic palatal mesenchymal (EPM) cells are an attractive source for investigating embryonic palatal development. In this study, we developed a highly efficient transfection method for murine EPM (MEPM) cells. MEPM cells were transfected with the plasmid pEGFP-N1 using two non-viral methods: nucleofection and lipofection. Nucleofection provided a much better rate of gene transfer than lipofection particularly in MEPM cells. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is an important candidate for involvement in the pathogenesis of this birth defect. The RNA interference plasmid of MTHFR was constructed and nucleofected into MEPM cells. Successful transfection resulted in a remarkable reduction in the expression of MTHFR. Taken together, the results indicate that nucleofection is highly efficient for MEPM cell transfection, and that this approach may be useful for investigating gene function in the process of palatogenesis.

Osteogenesis effect of guided bone regeneration combined with alveolar cleft grafting: assessment by cone beam computed tomography.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) allows for a significantly lower radiation dose than conventional computed tomography (CT) scans and provides accurate images of the alveolar cleft area. The osteogenic effect of guided bone regeneration (GBR) vs. conventional alveolar bone grafting alone for alveolar cleft defects was evaluated in this study. Sixty alveolar cleft patients were divided randomly into two groups. One group underwent GBR using acellular dermal matrix film combined with alveolar bone grafting using iliac crest bone grafts (GBR group), while the other group underwent alveolar bone grafting only (non-GBR group). CBCT images were obtained at 1 week and at 3 months following the procedure. Using Simplant 11.04 software, the bone resorption rate was calculated and compared between the two groups. The bone resorption rate from 1 week to 3 months following bone grafting without the GBR technique was 36.50±5.04%, whereas the bone resorption rate using the GBR technique was 31.69±5.50% (P=0.017). The application of autogenous iliac bone combined with the GBR technique for alveolar bone grafting of alveolar cleft patients can reduce bone resorption and result in better osteogenesis.

Adenanthin targets peroxiredoxin I/II to kill hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Adenanthin, a natural diterpenoid isolated from the leaves of Isodon adenanthus, has recently been reported to induce leukemic cell differentiation by targeting peroxiredoxins (Prx) I and II. On the other hand, increasing lines of evidence propose that these Prx proteins would become potential targets to screen drugs for the prevention and treatment of solid tumors. Therefore, it is of significance to explore the potential activities of adenanthin on solid tumor cells. Here, we demonstrate that Prx I protein is essential for the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and adenanthin can kill these malignant liver cells in vitro and xenografts. We also show that the cell death-inducing activity of adenanthin on HCC cells is mediated by the increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, the silencing of Prx I or Prx II significantly enhances the cytotoxic activity of adenanthin on HCC, whereas the ectopic expression of Prx I and Prx II but not their mutants of adenanthin-bound cysteines can rescue adenanthin-induced cytotoxicity in Prxs-silenced HCC cells. Taken together, our results propose that adenanthin targets Prx I/II to kill HCC cells and its therapeutic significance warrants to be further explored in HCC patients.

Three new triterpenoid saponins from the rhizomes of Impatiens pritzellii var. hupehensis.

Three new triterpenoid saponins, impatiprins A-C (1-3), together with a known triterpenoid (4) and two known triterpenoid saponins (5, 6), were isolated from the rhizomes of Impatiens pritzellii Hook. f. var. hupehensis Hook. f. The structures of 1-3 were determined by 1D and 2D NMR, FAB-MS techniques and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 2 showed weak cytotoxicities against S-180, HeLa and HepG2 cell lines.