MiR-296-5p inhibits cell invasion and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by downregulating STAT3 signaling.

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have emphasized the function of microRNA-296 (miR-296) that inhibits tumor formation. To some extent, the role of miR-296 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains misleading. Therefore, the current research was designed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of miR-296 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in ESCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The mRNA expression of miR-296-5p and STAT3 in ESCC tissues or cell lines was measured via quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The protein level of STAT3 was measured by Western blotting assay. The Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the binding sites between miR-296-5p and STAT3. The transwell assay was employed to identify cell migration and invasion. RESULTS: Down-regulation of miR-296-5p was detected in ESCC tissues and cell lines (p<0.01). Additionally, miR-296-5p was found to target STAT3 directly. Functionally, up-regulation of miR-296-5p or down-regulation of STAT3 significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion in ESCC. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-296-5p inhibited cell invasion and migration in ESCC by downregulating STAT3. The overexpression of miR-296-5p by targeting STAT3 suppressed tumorigenesis of ESCC cells.

[Clinical analyses of 263 patients with laryngeal leukoplakia].

Objective: To investigate the etiology, clinical and pathological characteristics of laryngeal leukoplakia and the predictive risk factors of recurrence and malignant transformation. Methods: Clinical data of 263 patients with laryngeal leukoplakia between January 2000 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The pathological diagnoses included squamous epithelial hyperplasia (54.4%), mild dysplasia (17.9%), moderate dysplasia (12.2%), severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ (12.5%), and invasive carcinoma (3.0%). Age and the extent of lesion were statistically different among different pathological groups (P<0.05). Gender, smoking and alcohol consumption did not show statistical differences among different pathological groups (P>0.05). Follow-up of 215 patients, excluding 6 cases of invasive carcinoma. The recurrence rate was 20.6%(43/209), and the malignant transformation rate was 5.3%(11/209). Multivariate analysis showed that pathological classification of moderate to severe dysplasia was the independent risk factor for recurrence and malignant transformation of laryngeal leukoplakia (P<0.05). In patients with severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, the recurrence proportion of conservative treatment, vocal cords (partial) resection and radiotherapy were 8/10, 0/10 and 2/11 respectively. Conclusions: Laryngeal leukoplakia occurs frequently in elderly men with long-term smoking history. Pathological diagnoses are different. The grade of dysplasia is the predictive risk factor for the recurrence and malignant transformation of laryngeal leukoplakia. More aggressive treatment and closer follow-up should be warranted for patients with moderate dysplasia, severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ.

[Gastric glomus tumors expressing synaptophysin: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses].

Objective: To investigate the clincopathologic and immunohistochemical features of gastric glomus tumors and their differences from gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms. Methods: Six cases of gastric glomus tumors, 8 cases of glomus tumors in other sites and 7 cases of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms were collected from the Department of Pathology, Taizhou Hospital. The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of these tumors were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The gastric glomus tumors were located in the muscularis propria of the antrum and most cases strongly expressed synaptophysin (5/6). However, no synaptophysin expression was seen in glomus tumors of other organs.Most gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms were located in the mucosa or submucosa of the fundus and corpus. In addition to the strong expression of synaptophysin (7/7), CgA (6/7) and CD56(5/7) were strongly positive, although SMA was negative. Conclusions: Gastric glomus tumors and neuroendocrine neoplasms have similar morphological characteristics and both show strongly expression of synaptophysin. However, the location and immunohistochemical characteristics of gastric glomus tumors differ from those of the neuroendocrine neoplasms.

[Laryngeal endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy for cricopharyngeal achalasia post stroke].

Objective: To explore the safety and validity of endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy in patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia. Methods: A total of 19 patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia suffered from sustained dysphagia were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy(CPM) group and endoscopic CPM (ECPM) group. Swallowing function and complications were evaluated.SPSS7.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The swallowing function improved significantly in seven patients in ECPM group, and 9 patients improved in CPM group.The video fluoroscopic swallowing study(VFSS)-swallowing score, VFSS-aspiration score and drinking test score were (3.1±1.1), (3.4±0.8) and (2.0±0.6)in post-ECPM, (3.4±1.4), (3.0±0.9) and (2.2±0.6)in post-CPM. No statistical difference was found in validity between CPM group and ECPM group(t=-0.435, t=1.086, t=-0.607, P>0.05). No statistical difference was observed on the occurrence of complication between two groups. Only one patient had subcutaneous emphysema after operation in ECPM. Conclusions: New surgical instruments and endoscopic surgical technique were safe and effective for cricopharyngeal achalasia. Because these instruments are cheaper, laryngeal endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy is easier to be popularized more easily than microscopic laser assistted CPM.

[Transoral coblation-assisted endoscopic minimally invasive surgery for superficial tongue base tumours].

Objective: To introduce the method of transoral coblation-assisted endoscopic minimally invasive surgery for superficial tongue base tumour. Methods: A total of 15 patients treated with transoral coblation-assisted endoscopic minimally invasive surgery from Mar. 2006 to Aug. 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 9 patients with malignant tumors, 6 patients with benign neoplasms. Adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy was applied in three cases of squamous cell carcinoma, neck was performed in four cases of cancer. One case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma received postoperative chemotherapy. Results: One case with ectopic thyroid gland was treated by subtotal resection and one case with squamous cell carcinoma changed into open surgery because of major lingual artery bleeding. The En bloc resection under edoscope was achieved in 92.86%(13/14)of patients. Fifteen cases of neoplasms were followed-up for 8-50 months(median 20 months), one patient with Cowden syndrome was lost to follow-up because of appendical carcinoid combined pulmonary metastasis, one patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma died of recurrence in other head neck areas 2 years after chemotherapy. Conclusion: Transoral coblation-assisted endoscopic surgery can successfully treat for the patients with superficial tongue base tumours.

Pathway crosstalk analysis in prostate cancer based on protein-protein network data.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the major leading cause in men and no effective biomarkers or therapy have been approved for it to date. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms and identify the potential molecular biomarkers of PCa. The microarray profile GSE38241 including 18 prostate cancer metastasis and 21 normal prostate samples was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by Limma. DEGs functions were investigated by Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis. Moreover, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was constructed, followed by functional analysis of modules. Additionally, pathway crosstalk network was constructed by integrating PPI network and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways. Totally, 334 up - and 703 down-regulated DEGs were identified. The functions of up-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in GO terms of cell cycle phase and cell cycle process. While down-regulated DEGs mainly participated in actin filament-based process. Among these pathways in the pathway crosstalk network, T cell receptor signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathways, endometrial cancer and glioma were found to play critical roles during PC progression. Cell division cycle 45 (CDC45), baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5) and cell division cycle associated 5 (CDCA5) may be useful markers for predicting tumor metastasis and therapeutic targets for the treatment of PCa patients. Moreover, the pathway crosstalk network provides the groundwork that targeting multiple pathways might be more effective than targeting one pathway alone.

[Expression difference of connexins in neural cells of Cx26 deficiency deafness].

Objective:Using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, neural cells from Cx26 deficiency deafness patients were derived, to investigate the influence of Cx26 deficiency on neural development and gene expression.Method:Fibroblasts were taken from profound deaf patients caused by Cx26 deficiency, and were induced to non-integration induced pluripotent stem cell lines, whose morphology, internal and external gene expression were characterized. Then these iPSC lines were differentiated into neural cells, whose expression change of pluripotent genes, neural markers and connexin genes were investigated.Result:Three iPSC lines with Cx26 deficiency were successfully established and differentiated into neural progenitor cells and neurons. The iPSC lines showed similar morphology, proliferation, internal and external gene expression with human embryonic stem cells. In iPSC-derived neurons, expression of Cx32 was up-regulated obviously, expression of Cx36 was up-regulated slightly, and expression of Cx26 showed no obvious change.Conclusion:TNeural differentiation of IPSC is not influenced by Cx26 deficiency, but expression of Cx32 and Cx36 are up-regulated, which may hint compensation from Cx32.

[Treatment of children's pharyngeal stenosis following pharyngeal surgery with coblation].

Objective:Pharyngeal stenosis as a postoperative complication following pharyngeal surgery (tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy) with coblation is rare and may be difficult to treat. This report is to explore the causes of pharyngeal stenosis and presents our successful treatment experience. Method:From Jan 2012 to July 2016, 5 children with pharyngeal stenosis (2 nasopharyngeal stenosis and 3 nasopharyngeal stenosis combined with oropharyngeal stenosis) secondary to pharyngeal surgery (tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were analyzed. Five cases with severe nasopharyngeal stenosis received surgery of scar resection, horizontal-to-vertical pharyngoplasty and local pharyngeal flap rotation; and three of them received free skin transplantation. After stenosis repair surgery, prolonged nasopharyngeal hollow stents were used for more than 6 months. To evaluate the therapeutic effect, pharyngeal cavities and symptoms of difficulty nasal breathing, mouth breathing, difficulty in blowing nose, hyponasal speech, snoring, restless sleep, anosmia, dysphagia were assessed and compared before and after surgery. Result:With 7-46 months follow-up, all symptoms of the 5 cases are ameliorated and the diameters of nasopharyx are more than 1.5 cm. No velopharyngeal insufficiency complication happened. Conclusion:Improper operation with coblation can cause severe pharyngeal stenosis. Flap rotation, horizontal-to-vertical pharyngoplasty and prolonged use nasopharyngeal hollow stents are reliable methods to correct pharyngeal stenosis following children's pharyngeal surgery.

[Reliability and validity analysis of simplified Chinese version of QOL questionnaire of olfactory disorders].

Objective:To cross-culturally translate the questionnaire of olfactory disorders(QOD)into a simplified Chinese version, and evaluate its reliability and validity in clinical.Method:A simplified Chinese version of the QOD was evaluated in test-retest reliability, split-half reliability and internal consistency.Then it was evaluated in validity test including content validity, criterion-related validity, responsibility. Criterion-related validity was using the medical outcome study's 36-item short rorm health survey(SF-36) and the World Health Organization quality of life-brief (WHOQOL-BREF) for comparison. Result: A total of 239 patients with olfactory dysfunction were enrolled and tested, in which 195 patients completed all three surveys(QOD, SF-36, WHOQOL-BREF). The test-retest reliabilities of the QOD-parosmia statements(QOD-P), QOD-quality of life(QOD-QoL), and the QOD-visual simulation(QOD-VAS)sections were 0.799(P<0.01),0.781(P<0.01),0.488(P<0.01), respectively, and the Cronbach' s α coefficients reliability were 0.477,0.812,0.889,respectively.The split-half reliability of QOD-QoL was 0.89. There was no correlation between the QOD-P section and the SF-36, but there were statistically significant correlations between the QOD-QoL and QOD-VAS sections with the SF-36. There was no correlation between the QOD-P section and the WHOQOL-BREF, but there were statistically significant correlations between the QOD-QoL and QOD-VAS sections with the SF-36 in most sections.Conclusion:The simplified Chinese version of the QOD was testified to be a reliable and valid questionnaire for evaluating patients with olfactory dysfunction living in mainland of China.The QOD-P section needs further modifications to properly adapt patients with Chinese cultural and knowledge background.

[Transoral endoscopic minimally invasive surgery for hypopharyngeal postcricoid and upper esophageal lesions].

Objective:To describe the therapeutic effect of transoral endoscopic minimally invasive surgery for hypopharyngeal postcricoidarea and upper esophageal lesions. Method:Transoral endoscopic minimally invastive surgery was carried out in fifteen patients.There were 7 patients with primary tumors on the postcricoid area, including three squamous cell carcinoma（2 cases T2N0M0，1 case T2N2cM0），two cavernous hemangioma, one giant fibrovascular polyp and one recurrent lipofibroma. The transoral endoscopic tumors resection en bloc was performed in all of them. Adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy was applied in cases of cancer, and bilateral neck dissections was performed in the T2N2cM0 case; There were other eight patients with upper esophageal lesions , seven cases dysphagia was caused by stroke and one case was Zenker diverticulum, treated by endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy ordiverticulotomy. Result:The en bloc resection endoscopically was achieved in all of patients with tumors on the postcricoid area. All surgical resection margins were negative.The two cases of postcricoid cancer and four benign tumor were followed up 16-30 months and 2-12 months respectively, and all of the cases were not local recurrence. A recent patient with postcricoid cancer had not finished postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy. The endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy was effective in 4 out of 7 patients,nasogastric feeding was no longer required.Significant improvement occurred in Zenker diverticulotomy patient, due to the return of physiological deglutition, and Barium swallow study showing disappearance of the diverticulum after one month.The effects of minimally invasive threatment were satisfactory,such as not need tracheotomy and early oral feeding, shorter hospital stay and less postoperative complications. Conclusion:Transoral endoscopic surgery is minimally invastive, safe and effective treatment alternative for some hypopharyngeal postcricoid area and upper esophageal lesions.

Association between the interleukin-6-174 G/C polymorphism and risk of ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis.

Numerous studies have evaluated the association between the -174 G/C polymorphism in the interleukin-6 (IL6) gene and ischemic stroke risk. However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the association of the IL6 -174 G/C polymorphism with ischemic stroke. Published literatures from PubMed and Embase databases were retrieved. Pooled ORs with 95%CIs were calculated using fixed- or random-effect models. A total of seven case-control studies containing 2025 patients and 2174 controls were enrolled into this meta-analysis. In combined analysis, the results showed no significant association between the IL6 -174 G/C polymorphism and ischemic stroke risk in the overall population (GG vs CC: OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 0.50-3.01; TT vs TC: OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.81-1.15; dominant: OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.70-1.38; or recessive: OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 0.57-2.70) models. In the subgroup analysis by race, no significant associations between the -174 G/C polymorphism in the IL6 gene and ischemic stroke risk were found in Caucasians or Asians. No publication bias was found in the present study (all P > 0.05). Overall, the meta-analysis results suggested that the IL6 -174 G/C polymorphism was not associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.