MicroRNA-384 inhibits nasopharyngeal carcinoma growth and metastasis via binding to Smad5 and suppressing the Wnt/ß-catenin axis.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a major otorhinolaryngological disease with limited effective therapeutic options. This work focused on the function of microRNA-384 (miR-384) on the NPC pathogenesis and the molecules involved. miR-384 expression in cancer tissues and cells was detected. Gain- and loss-of-functions of miR-384 were performed to identify its role in NPC progression. The target mRNA of miR-384 was predicted on an online system and validated through a luciferase reporter assay. The activity of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling was detected. Consequently, miR-384 was found to be poorly expressed in NPC tissues and cell lines and was linked to unfavorable survival rates in patients. Overexpression of miR-384 in 6-10B cells suppressed growth, migration, invasion and resistance to apoptosis of cells, but inverse trends were presented in C6661 cells where miR-384 was downregulated. miR-384 targeted Smad5 mRNA. Upregulation of Smad5 counteracted the roles of miR-384 mimic in cells. The NPC-inhibiting effects of miR-384 mimic were also blocked by Wnt/ß-catenin activation. To conclude, miR-384 targets Smad5 and inactivates the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, which exerts a suppressing role in NPC cell behaviors as well as tumor growth in vivo. The findings may offer novel thoughts into NPC therapy. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10616-021-00458-3.

[The value of treadmill exercise test for patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of treadmill exercise test in predicting patients with moderate OSAHS treated by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and tone base reduction or oral appliance. METHOD: Sixty-six patients were treated by UPPP and tone base reduction or oral appliance. The data including PSG (AHI, SaO2) and treadmill exercise test (METs) was analysed. RESULT: The success rate (percentage of patients with at least 50% reduction in AHI) of UPPP and tone base reduction was 86.7%, and 84.8% in oral appliance. The difference (AHI, SaO2, METs or the success rate) between the groups of postoperation or oral appliance was nonsignificant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: As to moderate OSAHS, the UPPP and tone base reduction or oral appliance may be one of the effective therapy. The data including PSG (AHI, SaO2) and METs may be very useful in predicting effectiveness of treatment to OSAHS.