The CCL27-CCR10 axis contributes to promoting proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Lung cancer is characterized by its high mortality and morbidity. A deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer tumorigenesis helps to develop novel lung cancer diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. However, the picture of the associated molecular landscape is not yet complete. As understood, chemokine-receptor interactions contribute much to lung cancer tumorigenesis, in which CCR10 also plays an important role. This study aimed to expand the knowledge of CCR10 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) in the manner of molecular mechanism and biological functions. Using GEPIA database, the survival analysis between LUSC patients with high and low CCR10 expressions was performed, showing that CCR10 could be regarded as a risk factor for LUSC patients. Subsequently, CCR10 protein and mRNA expressions in LUSC were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot respectively. The results indicated that CCR10 was highly expressed in LUSC cells. The results of CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays presented that CCL27, the ligand of CCR10, promoted proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of LUSC cells by activating CCR10. Also, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was verified as the involved pathway by western blot. Overall, it could be concluded that the CCL27-CCR10 regulatory axis can activate the PI3K/AKT pathway fostering the malignant features of LUSC cells.

Expression of Toll-like Receptor 2 and Toll-like Receptor 4 in Tuberculous Pleural Effusion.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) have been reported to play a crucial role in tuberculosis, however, little is known about their expression in tuberculous pleuritis. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this work is to explore the expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 in tuberculous pleuritis and their predominant expressions on cells. METHODS: Levels of soluble TLR2 and TLR4 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 58 patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (PE) and 43 patients with malignant PE were determined. The related genes were analyzed by RT-PCR and the membrane expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 on CD3+, CD14+, and CD19+ monocytes were assessed by using flow cytometry in 20 of 58 patients with tuberculous pleuritis. RESULTS: Our results showed that the levels of ADA, IL-27 and IFN-γ in tuberculous PE were obviously higher than in malignant PE. Moreover, the concentrations of soluble TLR2 and soluble TLR4 in PE were significantly higher than those in peripheral blood of the same patients, as well as the levels of soluble TLR2 in tuberculous PE were significantly higher than those in malignant effusions. Furthermore, the levels of TLR2, TLR4 and IFN-γ mRNA expression were marked increased in the tuberculous PE when compared with the correspondent serum. Importantly, we found that the predominant expressions of TLR2 in monocyte were on CD19 B cells, and the predominant expressions of TLR4 were on CD14 monocytes/macrophages. CONCLUSION: Our findings provided the evidence of a role for TLRs expression in tuberculous PE.

Prevalence of signs and symptoms suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Guangxi, China.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence, profiles, and potential risk factors of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in China are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the prevalence, profiles, and potential risk factors for snoring and OSAHS in Guangxi, China, and the association between OSAHS and ethnicity. METHODS: Urban and rural population-based cluster samples were randomly selected in each of eight counties/cities. All residents aged 14 years or older in the selected clusters were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. A subject was considered to have clinically diagnosed OSAHS if snoring was loud and habitual, breathing pauses were observed, and the subject experienced excessive daytime sleepiness. RESULTS: Among 12,742 sampled subjects, 10,819 completed the questionnaire (response rate = 84.9%). The overall OSAHS prevalence was 4.1% (men, 5.7% (5.1-6.3%); women, 2.4% (2.0-2.9%); Zhuang people, 3.2% (2.8-3.7%); Han people 6.0% (5.2-6.8%).The overall rate of habitual snoring was 11.5 % (men, 17.1% (16.1-18.1%); women, 5.6% (5.0-6.2%)). Univariate analysis showed that the OSAHS prevalence was significantly higher among the following groups: urban residents, elderly individuals, smokers, drinkers, those with higher body mass indexes (BMI), those with more years of schooling, those with nasal problems, those whose parents are Han, and those who usually sleep in prone position. However, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only urban residency, age, smoking status, drinking status, and BMI were the risk factors for OSAHS. CONCLUSIONS: OSAHS is prevalent in individuals aged 14 years or older in Guangxi, China. Han and Zhuang people differ significantly in their obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) prevalence, but this difference is explained by the combination of classic OSA risk factors.

[Study on the prevalence of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in Guangxi, China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and its high risk factors in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. METHODS: From January 2003 to March 2005, a total number of 11,163 persons aged > or =14 years Zhuang minority living in Guangxi (from Guinan, Guizhong and Guibei) were surveyed. Questionnaire was administered to draw information. Polysomnography(PSG) and in-home polygraphy were performed on participants being studied and who had reported snoring. RESULTS: Among all the surveyed people, 2940reported snoring with a prevalence of 27.3%. 448 (320 males and 128 females) people reported OSAHS with prevalence as 4.3% (5.9% in males and 2.5% in females). From 14 to 60 year olds, the prevalence of snoring and OSAHS increased with age. Among those above 60 years of age, both the prevalencerates ofsnoring and OSAHS werereduced with age. Among all the study population, 260 (21.6%) had habitual OSAHS a nd 188 (10.8%) hadoccasional OSAHS. The high risk factors of OSAHS were: position during sleep, disease of nose, drinking alcohol, smoking, gender, body mass index (BMI) and age. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates of snoring and OSAHS were 27.3% and 4.3% respectively. From 14 to 60 years of age, the prevalence rates of snoring and OSAHS were increasing with age while from 60 years of age on, the prevalence of snoring and OSAHS reduced with age. The prevalence rates of snoring and OSAHS in males were higher than females. The high risk factors of OSAHS were position during sleep,disease of nose, drinking, smoking,gender, BMI and age.

[A statistical study of the blood pressure in snoring population of Guangxi].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of snoring, the blood pressure in the snoring population and the correlating between hypertension and snoring in Guangxi. METHODS: From January 2003 to March 2005, people older than 14 from the south, central and north Guangxi were studied for the prevalence of snoring. A questionnaire was administered, and the blood pressure, height and weight of the participants were measured. RESULTS: A total of 2862 families, 11 163 persons (aged 14 - 99 years, mean, 39.6 +/- 17.5 years) were surveyed. The prevalence of snoring was 27.3% (2940/10 758). The systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure of the non-snoring were 122.73 +/- 21.71 mm Hg and 75.68 +/- 13.17 mm Hg respectively. The systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure of the snoring were 128.23 +/- 30.85 mm Hg and 79.27 +/- 12.42 mm Hg respectively. The prevalence of hypertension of the two groups was 19.9% and 32.1% respectively. With the increase of age, there was an increasing tendency of snoring rate (tendency chi(2) = 592.613, P = 0.000) and hypertension rate (tendency chi(2) = 1868.277, P = 0.000). The hypertension incidence of the occasional snorers, habitual snorers, mild snorers, moderate snorers, and severe snorers and persons who suffered from sleep apnea was 27.6%, 37.4%, 27.5%, 31.1%, 37.4% and 44.1% respectively. Multiple logistic regression models showed that the risk factors for hypertension were snoring, age, body mass index (BMI), nationality and alcohol consumption. The partial correlation analysis showed that snoring was positively correlated to the diastolic blood pressure but not correlated to the systolic blood pressure. The severity of snoring was positively correlated to both the diastolic and the systolic blood pressures. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of snoring was 27.3% in Guangxi. The systolic blood pressure, the diastolic blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension in snoring subjects were higher than those in non-snoring subjects. The prevalence of hypertension increased with increased severity of snoring. The severity of snoring was positively correlated to the diastolic and the systolic blood pressures. Snoring, age, BMI and alcohol consumption were the risk factors for hypertension.