Comparative Proteomics Identified EXOSC1 as a Target Protein of Anticancer Peptide LVTX-8 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent malignancy that usually occurs among the nose and throat. Due to mild initial symptoms, most patients are diagnosed in the late stage, and the recurrence rate of tumors is high, resulting in many deaths every year. Traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy are prone to causing drug resistance and significant side effects. Therefore, searching for new bioactive drugs including anticancer peptides is necessary and urgent. LVTX-8 is a peptide toxin synthesized from the cDNA library of the spider Lycosa vittata, which is consisting of 25 amino acids. In this study, a series of in vitro cell experiments such as cell toxicity, colony formation, and cell migration assays were performed to exam the anticancer activity of LVTX-8 in NPC cells (5-8F and CNE-2). The results suggested that LVTX-8 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration of NPC cells. To find the potential molecular targets for the anticancer capability of LVTX-8, high-throughput proteomic and bioinformatics analysis were conducted on NPC cells. The results identified EXOSC1 as a potential target protein with significantly differential expression levels under LVTX-8+/LVTX-8- conditions. The results in this research indicate that spider peptide toxin LVTX-8 exhibits significant anticancer activity in NPC, and EXOSC1 may serve as a target protein for its anticancer activity. These findings provide a reference for the development of new therapeutic drugs for NPC and offer new ideas for the discovery of biomarkers related to NPC diagnosis. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium (https://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org) via the iProX partner repository with the data set identifier PXD050542.

Effects of modified posterior nasal nerve neurectomy combined with accessory posterior nasal nerve neurectomy on controlling intractable allergic rhinitis. / 改良鼻后神经切断术联合副鼻后神经切断术治疗难治型变应性鼻炎的效果（英文）.

OBJECTIVES: A subset of intractable allergic rhinitis (iAR) patients experience severe symptoms which cannot be effectively controlled by standard drug therapy and/or antigen specific immunotherapy. In recent decades, endoscopy vidian neurectomy and posterior nasal nerve neurectomy (PNNN) were introduced as treatments of iAR that have shown to be highly successful at symptom management in a number of patients. But some patients experience relapse or suboptimal symptom control postoperation. To improve the effectiveness of PNNN to control iAR, a modified PNNN surgical approach (mPNNN) combined with accessory posterior nasal nerve neurectomy (aPNNN), which called as mPNNN-aPNNN was used. This study aims to compare the effects between mPNNN-aPNNN and PNNN on controlling the symptoms of iAR and evaluate the surgical effectiveness and safety of mPNNN-aPNNN. METHODS: The patients with iAR experienced mPNNN-aPNNN or PNNN surgery at the department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2018 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The approach of PNNN, a selective resection of the posterior nasal nerve branches, was modified to the neurectomy of total branches of posterior nasal nerve at the sphenopalatine foramen, and combined the operation of aPNNN in which the accessory posterior nasal nerve at the palatine bone perpendicular plate was resect in our study. Daily Nasal Symptom Scores (DNSS), Total Rhinitis Medication Score (TRMS), and the Rhinoconjunctivitis Qualities of Life Questionnaires Scores (RQLQS) were used to evaluate the complications during the operation and after the operation at the 3rd, 6th, 12th, and 24th month postoperatively. Total Nasal Symptom Scores (TNSS) was used to assess the total effective rate and markedly effective rate of the operations. RESULTS: A total of 140 iAR patients experienced mPNNN-aPNNN or PNNN. Those with concomitant septoplasty and/or inferior turbinate reduction, and were absent during the postoperative follow-up were excluded. The final 62 patients with mPNNN-aPNNN and 34 with PNNN were enrolled. DNSS, TNSS, TRMS, and RQLQS at the postoperation were significantly improved compared with the preoperation in all patients (all P<0.001). Compared with PNNN, the postoperative DNSS, TNSS, and TRMS of mPNNN-aPNNN were obviously improved (all P<0.001). There was a persisted relief of symptoms at the postoperation in all patients with mPNNN-aPNNN. The total effective rate and markedly effective rate at the postoperative 24th month were 100% and 83.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the postoperative RQLQS decreased significantly (P<0.001). Only 5 sides of all patients (5/192, 2.6%) reported upper palate numbness during the first week after operation, with all recovered spontaneously in 1 month without treatment. No other postoperative complications occurred in mPNNN-aPNNN and PNNN. CONCLUSIONS: The surgery of mPNNN-aPNNN improve TNSS more significantly than PNNN. The operation of mPNNN-aPNNN is safe and effective to control iAR symptoms.

TGF-ß1 Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Chronic Sinusitis with Nasal Polyps through MicroRNA-21.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and to investigate the mechanism by which microRNA-21 (miR-21) regulates EMT in CRSwNP. METHOD: (1) Tissue experiments: Mucosa tissues were collected from 13 patients with CRSwNP and 12 patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), as well as 11 patients without CRS (controls). Protein localization and quantification were achieved by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting, involving the epithelial marker protein E-cadherin and the mesenchymal marker proteins α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, and vimentin. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of miR-21 and TGF-ß1 mRNAs. (2) Cellular experiments: Primary human nasal epithelial cells (PHNECs) treated with TGF-ß1, or TGF-ß1 with miR-21 inhibitor, or miR-21 mimics alone were observed for morphology changes under a phase-contrast microscope. The expression levels of epithelial/mesenchymal marker proteins were determined as aforementioned. PTEN and phosphorylated Akt were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: (1) Tissue experiments: Compared with the CRSsNP and control groups, the expression of E-cadherin was downregulated in the CRSwNP group, whereas the expression of TGF-ß1, α-SMA, fibronectin, and vimentin was upregulated. The expression levels of miR-21 and TGF-ß1 mRNAs in CRSwNP were significantly higher than those in CRSsNP and controls. (2) Cellular experiments: TGF-ß1 induced EMT-like transformation in PHNECs, featured by changes in cell morphology and upregulation of mesenchymal proteins and miR-21. The miR-21 inhibitor, as well as the Akt-specific -inhibitor, suppressed TGF-ß1-induced EMT. Mechanically, downregulation of miR-21 resulted in increased PTEN and decreased Akt phosphorylation. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-21 had the opposite effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the TGF-ß1-miR-21-PTEN-Akt axis may contribute to the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. miR-21 might be a reliable target for treating nasal polyp genesis through EMT suppression. Moreover, miR-21 inhibitors could be a novel class of antipolyp drug that modulates PTEN expression and Akt activation. In addition, further investigation regarding the reason underlying miR-21 overexpression in CRSwNP could provide a molecular target for novel treatment strategies for nasal polyposis.

Progressive hearing loss and degeneration of hair cell stereocilia in taperin gene knockout mice.

The TPRN gene encodes taperin, which is prominently present at the taper region of hair cell stereocilia. Mutations in TPRN have been reported to cause autosomal recessive nonsyndromic deafness 79(DFNB 79). To investigate the role of taperin in pathogenesis of hearing loss, we generated TPRN knockout mice using TALEN technique. Sanger sequencing confirmed an 11 bp deletion at nucleotide 177-187 in exon 1 of TPRN, which results in a truncated form of taperin protein. Heterozygous TPRN+/- mice showed apparently normal auditory phenotypes to their wide-type (WT) littermates. Homozygous TPRN-/- mice exhibited progressive sensorineural hearing loss as reflected by auditory brainstem response to both click and tone burst stimuli at postnatal days 15 (P15), 30 (P30), and 60 (P60). Alex Fluor-594 phalloidin labeling showed no obvious difference in hair cell numbers in the cochlea between TPRN-/- mice and WT mice under light microscope. However, scanning electronic microscopy revealed progressive degeneration of inner hair cell stereocilia, from apparently normal at postnatal days 3 (P3) to scattered absence at P15 and further to substantial loss at P30. The outer hair cell stereocilia also showed progressive degeneration, though much less severe, Collectively, we conclude that taperin plays an important role in maintenance of hair cell stereocilia. Establishment of TPRN knockout mice enables further investigation into the function of this gene.

Taurine enhances excitability of mouse cochlear neural stem cells by selectively promoting differentiation of glutamatergic neurons over GABAergic neurons.

Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid present in high concentrations in mammalian tissues, and has been implicated in several processes involving brain development and neurotransmission. However, the role of taurine in inner ear neural development is still largely unknown. Here we report that taurine enhanced the viability and proliferation of in vitro mouse cochlear neural stem cell culture, as well as improved neurite outgrowth. Moreover, prolonged taurine treatment also increased the neural electrical activity by escalating changes of intracellular calcium concentration, the number of spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations in cells, and the frequencies of Ca(2+) spikes. Most importantly, we found that this escalated neural excitability by taurine was due to combined effect of increase in the population of excitatory glutamatergic neuron and decrease in inhibitory GABAergic neuron population. This is the first report on the effect of taurine to selectively promote neural stem cell differentiation by altering neuron type commitment. Our study has supported the potential of taurine as treatment against hearing loss caused by neuron degeneration, or even as an agent to improve sensitivity of hearing by increasing overall excitability of auditory nervous system.

BMP4: a Possible Key Factor in Differentiation of Auditory Neuron-Like Cells from Bone-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that BMP4 may play an important part in the development of auditory neurons (ANs), which are degenerated in sensorineural hearing loss. However, whether BMP4 can promote sensory fate specification from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is unknown so far. METHODS: MSCs isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were confirmed by expression of MSC markers using flow cytometry and adipogenesis/osteogenesis using differentiation assays. MSCs treated with a complex of neurotrophic factors (BMP4 group and non-BMP4 group) were induced into auditory neuron-like cells, then the differences between the two groups were analyzed in morphological observation, cell growth curve, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Flow cytometric analysis showed that the isolated cells expressed typical MSC surface markers. After adipogenic and osteogenic induction, the cells were stained by oil red O and Alizarin Red. The neuronal induced cells were in the growth plateau and had special forms of neurons. In the presence of BMP4, the inner ear genes NF-M, Neurog1, GluR4, NeuroD, Calretinin, NeuN, Tau, and GATA3 were up-regulated in MSCs. CONCLUSIONS: MSCs have the capacity to differentiate into auditory neuron-like cells in vitro. As an effective inducer, BMP4 may play a key role in transdifferentiation.

[Clinical classification and genetic mutation study of two pedigrees with type II Waardenburg syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular etiology of two pedigrees affected with type II Waardenburg syndrome (WS2) and to provide genetic diagnosis and counseling. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from the proband and his family members. Following extraction of genomic DNA, the coding sequences of PAX3, MITF, SOX10 and SNAI2 genes were amplified with PCR and subjected to DNA sequencing to detect potential mutations. RESULTS: A heterozygous deletional mutation c.649_651delAGA in exon 7 of the MITF gene has been identified in all patients from the first family, while no mutation was found in the other WS2 related genes including PAX3, MITF, SOX10 and SNAI2. CONCLUSION: The heterozygous deletion mutation c.649_651delAGA in exon 7 of the MITF gene probably underlies the disease in the first family. It is expected that other genes may also underlie WS2.

Wave In in auditory brainstem response suggests a high possibility of a high jugular bulb.

Background: Wave In, which refers to the negativity between waves I and II in auditory brainstem response (ABR), is an electrophysiological phenomenon observed in previous studies. The term "high jugular bulb" (HJB) describes a jugular bulb that is located in a high position in the posterior aspect of the internal acoustic canal. The present study aimed to explore the correlation between wave In and the possibility of a HJB. Methods: This retrospective study included a cohort of pediatric patients diagnosed with profound hearing loss who were enrolled in a government-sponsored cochlear implantation program at an academic medical center between January 2019 and December 2022. The analysis involved examining the results obtained from the ABR test and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone in the patients. The position of the jugular bulb was classified according to the Manjila and Semaan classification. Results: A total of 221 pediatric patients were included in the study. Twenty-four patients, with a median age of 3 years and a range of 1-7 years, showed significant bilateral (n = 21) or unilateral (n = 3) wave In (mean latency: right ear, 2.16 ms ± 0.22 ms; left ear, 2.20 ms ± 0.22 ms). The remaining 197 patients showed an absence of ABR. The HRCT images revealed that 18 of the 24 patients (75%) had HJB, but only 41 of the 197 patients who lacked ABR (20.8%) showed signs of HJB. The ratio difference was considered statistically significant based on the chi-squared test (χ2 = 32.10, p < 0.01). More than 50% of the HJBs were categorized as type 4 jugular bulbs, which are located above the inferior margin of the internal auditory canal. Conclusion: ABR wave In in pediatric patients with profound hearing loss suggests a high possibility of HJB. The physiological mechanism underlying this correlation needs further investigation.

cdh23 affects congenital hearing loss through regulating purine metabolism.

Introduction: The pathogenic gene CDH23 plays a pivotal role in tip links, which is indispensable for mechanoelectrical transduction in the hair cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism and signal regulatory networks that influence deafness is still largely unknown. Methods: In this study, a congenital deafness family, whole exome sequencing revealed a new mutation in the pathogenic gene CDH23, subsequently; the mutation has been validated using Sanger sequencing method. Then CRISPR/Cas9 technology was employed to knockout zebrafish cdh23 gene. Startle response experiment was used to compare with wide-type, the response to sound stimulation between wide-type and cdh23-/-. To further illustrate the molecular mechanisms underlying congenital deafness, comparative transcriptomic profiling and multiple bioinformatics analyses were performed. Results: The YO-PRO-1 assay result showed that in cdh23 deficient embryos, the YO-PRO-1 signal in inner ear and lateral line neuromast hair cells were completely lost. Startle response experiment showed that compared with wide-type, the response to sound stimulation decreased significantly in cdh23 mutant larvae. Comparative transcriptomic showed that the candidate genes such as atp1b2b and myof could affect hearing by regulating ATP production and purine metabolism in a synergetic way with cdh23. RT-qPCR results further confirmed the transcriptomics results. Further compensatory experiment showed that ATP treated cdh23-/- embryos can partially recover the mutant phenotype. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study may shed light on deciphering the principal mechanism and provide a potential therapeutic method for congenital hearing loss under the condition of CDH23 mutation.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx: Literature review and report of a case who subsequently developed acute myeloid leukemia.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) of the larynx is an extremely rare plasma cell neoplasm outside of the bone marrow, which has not been previously well characterized. A case of laryngeal EMP who developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following treatment is described in the present study, as well as an extensive review of the relevant literature. An electronic literature search was performed in PubMed and all pertinent case reports and series in the English language from 1948-October 2017 were identified. A total of 99 cases including the present case were available for review. The mean age of the included patients was 53 years. Supraglottis was the most frequently involved site. The most common treatment modality was radiotherapy alone (n=41; 43%), followed by a combination of surgery and radiotherapy, then surgery alone. However, for cases published in recent years, the most common treatment modality was surgically based treatment. Overall the treatment outcome was favorable, as a total of 84% of patients were alive after a mean follow-up of 60 months. However, EMP outcomes for patients with cervical lymphadenopathy or multiple sites involvement were unfavorable with >40% of patients relapsing or developing metastasis during the limited follow-up period. A total of 6 subjects developed multiple myeloma and 1 patient converted to AML. The present study provides important insights on the treatment of EMP, which is a rare disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with laryngeal EMP who developed AML following treatment. It is recommended that secondary myeloid neoplasm should be considered besides multiple myeloma during the follow-up period.

c.464A>G variation in the GJB2 gene is detected in a Han Chinese family.

We report two heterozygous carriers of c.464A>G variation in the GJB2 gene in a Chinese pedigree. The proband with hearing loss most likely inherited the c.464A>G variation from his mother who also carries heterozygous c.79G>A variation and has normal hearing. The pathological significance of c.464A>G variation remains to be determined.

Clinical and genetic investigation of families with type II Waardenburg syndrome.

The present study aimed to investigate the molecular pathology of Waardenburg syndrome type II in three families, in order to provide genetic diagnosis and hereditary counseling for family members. Relevant clinical examinations were conducted on the probands of the three pedigrees. Peripheral blood samples of the probands and related family members were collected and genomic DNA was extracted. The coding sequences of paired box 3 (PAX3), microphthalmia­associated transcription factor (MITF), sex­determining region Y­box 10 (SOX10) and snail family zinc finger 2 (SNAI2) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. The heterozygous mutation, c.649_651delAGA in exon 7 of the MITF gene was detected in the proband and all patients of pedigree 1; however, no pathological mutation of the relevant genes (MITF, SNAI2, SOX10 or PAX3) was detected in pedigrees 2 and 3. The heterozygous mutation c.649_651delAGA in exon 7 of the MITF gene is therefore considered the disease­causing mutation in pedigree 1. However, there are novel disease­causing genes in Waardenburg syndrome type II, which require further research.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate protects cultured spiral ganglion cells from H2O2-induced oxidizing damage.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidants play an important role in many diseases, including hearing loss. We hypothesized that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) would protect spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) from H2O2-induced oxidizing damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: SGCs of postnatal day 1-3 mice were cultured in vitro. H2O2 and EGCG were used at various concentrations. The apoptotic rate of SGCs was evaluated using Hoechst 33 258 staining, and cell viability was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to observe manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene expression of SGCs treated with H2O2 and EGCG. RESULTS: The viability of cultured SGCs was significantly decreased, and the apoptotic rate of SGCs significantly increased, at H2O2 concentrations > or = 50 microM compared with the control (p < 0.05). MnSOD gene expression was upregulated with increasing H2O2 concentration in cultured SGCs, while this upregulation was suppressed by EGCG. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that EGCG, as an antioxidant, significantly protects auditory neurons against H2O2-induced oxidative damage.

[Effect of EGCG on H2O2-induced MnSOD gene expression in cultured spiral ganglion cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of EGCG on H2O2-induced gene expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD or SOD2) in cultured spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) in vitro. METHODS: SGCs were cultured in vitro, and H2O2 and/or EGCG in different concentrations were used. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was applied to observe MnSOD gene expression in SGCs after H2O2 and EGCG treatment. RESULTS: The expression of MnSOD gene was up-regulated with the increase of the concentration of H2O2 in cultured SGCs, and MnSOD gene expression was significantly up-regulated at a dose of H2O2 > or =100 micromol/L. However, this up-regulation was suppressed after simultaneously treated with 100 microg/ml EGCG. CONCLUSION: EGCG suppresses H2O2-induced up-regulation of MnSOD gene expression in cultured SGCs by getting rid of oxygen free radicals, reinforcing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as MnSOD, and protects cultured SGCs from H2O2-induced oxidizing damage.

[Treatment of esophageal perforation complicated with lethal massive hemorrhage induced by foreign body].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics and therapies for esophageal perforation complicated with lethal massive hemorrhage caused by esophageal foreign body. METHOD: To retrospective analysis the treatment of massive hemorrhage at the carotid artery or aorta caused by esophageal foreign body in forty seven patients, Foreign body characters, surgical approaches, and postsurgical management were summarized. RESULT: Among 24 patients with cervical esophageal foreign body, the object was removed either by esophagoscopy or through lateral cervical incision. After controlling carotid artery hemorrhage and repairing Fistula of artery from cervical incision, 19 patients survived. For the 23 patients with thoracic esophageal foreign body accompanied with aorta hemorrhea, thoracotomy was performed to remove the foreign body and repair the aortic fistula. Only 3 of these 23 patients recovered from the emergent surgery, other 20 patients died. CONCLUSION: For the patients with esophageal foreign body inducing large vessel impingement, the most reliable therapeutic method is surgical repairing of arterial perforation and extraction of the foreign body via cervical or thoracic incision. Carotid ligation should be considered in patients with recurrent carotid hemorrhage. For the patient with mediastinitis, esophageal exclusion is recommended to prevent infection and to promote healing of aortic perforation after aortic fistula repairing.

[Clinical diagnosis and treatment of nasal sinus mucoceles with visual loss].

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical manifestations and management of nasal sinus mucoceles with visual loss. METHOD: Medical records for 23 patients of paranasal sinus mucoceles with visual impairment were re viewed retrospectively during 8-year period (from 2002 to 2010). Ten mucoceles were found in the frontal or fronto-ethmoidal sinuses, 6 in the ethmoidal sinuses, 7 in the sphenoidal or spheno-ethmoidal sinuses. Because the majority of early chief complaints were problems related to vision, patients were often seen by ophthalmologists first. Poor vision was more common in patients with sphenoid or spheno-ethmoidal sinus mucoceles because of their proximity to the optic nerve. CT and MRI were important tools for diagnosing nasal sinus mucocele. The patients received endoscopic surgery to remove mucocele and to decompress the optic nerve. Steroid therapy was given postoperatively and routine examination with endoscopy were carried out during follow-up. RESULT: Postoperatively, the majority of symptoms, such as exophthalmos, epiphora, diplopia and headache, disappeared in all patients. However, vision recovery was observed only in some patients. Recovery of vision depended on the timing of surgery and severity of initial visual loss. Delay in treatment can seriously compromise recovery of vision impairment. Moreover, patients without light perception before surgery had poor visual recovery even if optic nerve decompressions were performed. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic surgery is effective to nasal sinus mucocele with visual loss. Because visual recovery depends on prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention, a good understanding of the disease and prompt imaging studies are important.