MicroRNA-145-5p modulates Krüppel-like factor 5 and inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: In several human cancers, Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), a zinc finger transcription factor, can contribute to both tumor progression or suppression; however, the precise role of KLF5 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains poorly understood. In this study, the association between KLF5 and microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) in NPC cells was elucidated. RESULTS: Our results showed that KLF5 expression was up-regulated in NPC group compared to normal group. We found that KLF5 exhibited an oncogenic role in NPC cells. The upregulation of miR-145-5p inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NPC cells. It was observed that miR-145-5p could down-regulate the mRNA and protein expression of KLF5 in NPC cell lines. Additionally, the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a migration marker, was regulated by miR-145-5p and KLF5 in NPC cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that miR-145-5p could repress the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NPC cells via KLF5/FAK regulation, and could be a potential therapeutic target for patients with NPC.

Comparison of surgical outcomes of sleep surgeries preoperatively evaluated with drug-induced sleep endoscopy and Müller's maneuver.

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare surgical outcomes for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) when the procedure was based on the results of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) vs. the awake Müller's maneuver (MM). Methods Forty-seven patients with OSA who underwent sleep surgery were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their preoperative upper airway evaluation method. Twenty-five patients received only MM for surgical decision making (MM group), and 22 patients received both MM and DISE (DISE group) for surgical decision making. Results The surgical success rate of the DISE group was higher than that of the MM group (59% vs. 36%), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.118). The differences between pre- and postoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) values in both the MM and DISE group were highly significantly different (p < 0.001). Fifteen patients in the DISE group (68.2%) received multi-level surgery, while in the MM group only 7 patients (28%) received multi-level surgery. Patients with more severe OSA (AHI > 22 or lowest O2 saturation < 81%) had better surgical outcomes when their surgical procedures were based on the findings of DISE, rather than those of MM. Conclusion The results indicate that DISE provides no benefits with respect to surgical outcomes for patients with mild to moderate OSA; however, for patients with more severe OSA surgical procedures based on DISE result in better outcomes.

Deep neck abscess as the predominant initial presentation of carcinoma of unknown primary: A case report.

Malignancies, which present as deep neck abscesses are uncommon and may result in a delayed diagnosis or potentially a misdiagnosis. The present study describes a patient who exhibited a deep neck abscess as the initial manifestation of carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP). The aim of the present study was to raise awareness of this unusual presentation of CUP and emphasize the importance of repeating targeted fine-needle aspiration cytology or biopsies in patients presenting with a deep neck abscess suspicious for malignancy.

Ortner's syndrome--a rare cause of unilateral vocal cord paralysis: a case report.

Hoarseness attributed to vocal cord palsy is associated with injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Hoarseness resulting from left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, cardiovocal syndrome (Ortner's syndrome), has rarely been reported. We present the case of a 79-year-old male suffering from hoarseness in the absence of significant clinical manifestations. A flexible laryngoscope was used to identify a paralyzed left vocal cord, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a large thrombus-filled aneurysmal dilation of the aortic arch. The severity of the vocal cord paralysis was improved by surgical intervention. This case illustrates that life-threatening cardiovascular comorbidities can cause hoarseness and that an impaired recurrent laryngeal nerve might be correctable.

New synthesis of (S)-dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethenedioxy-biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate by configuration transform.

(R/S)-4,4'-Dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethenedioxy-2,2'-di-(4(S)-methyl-oxazoline-1)-biphenyl has been synthesized from dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethenedioxy-biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate, and then the diastereoisomer mixture was almost fully converted to a single diastereoisomer with S-configuration ((S)-3) through the key configuration transform promoted by CuI, which was confirmed by CD, HPLC and (13)C NMR. The C(2)-symmetric biphenyl, (S)-dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethenedioxy-biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate was prepared easily via the hydrolysis and ester exchange of (S)-3.

[Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-(4-acylamino-thiocarbamoyl-1-piperazinyl) fluoroquinolone analogues in vitro].

AIM: To synthesize new fluoroquinolone analogues as antibacterial compounds. METHODS AND RESULTS: By reaction of acryl chloride(chloro-carbonic ester) with sodium sulfocyanate, acyl isosulfocyanic ester were easily obtained. Twelve 7-(4-acylamino-thiocarbamoyl-1-piperazinyl) fluoroquinolone analogues (1-12) were synthesized through modifying the 7-piperazine of norflorxacin and ciprofloxacin with isosulfocyanic ester synthesized above. The structures of synthesized compounds were characterized by 1HNMR, IR and elemental analysis. CONCLUSION: Antibacterial activities of the new compounds were evaluated in vitro compared with norflorxacin. Compounds 5, 7, 10 and 12 showed antibacterial activities.