Prognostic biomarker IL17A correlated with immune infiltrates in head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: The underlying functions and mechanisms of the Th17 pathway in Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression and tumor immunology are still unclear. We investigated the correlation between IL17A expression and certain clinical parameters, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in TCGA HNSCC samples. METHODS: HNSCC files from the TCGA database were analyzed to obtain data on immune system infiltrates, gene expression, and related clinical information. R (Version 3.6.3) software, GEPIA, and TIMER online analysis tools were used to profile the relationship between the expression of IL17A and the prognosis, clinical stages, survival status and immune cell tumor-infiltrating levels of HNSCC patients. GEPIA and TIMER online analysis tools were used to verify the data. RESULTS: The expression of IL17A was significantly decreased in tumor tissues from HNSCC. IL17A expression was associated with M, N stage, lymphovascular invasion, and patients OS event. GSEA revealed that IL17A was closely related to humoral immune response, T cells response, and cytokine signal. TCGA database and TIMER online analysis indicated that the B cells and T cells levels were correlated with IL17A. The correlation between IL17A expression and correlated genes was analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: IL-17A plays a key role in HNSCC. The levels of IL17A are important values for the determination of the occurrence and development of the HNSCC. The IL17A and correlated genes may be potential immunotherapeutic targets for HNSCC.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and serum transthyretin in Chinese older adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Poor nutritional status is associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Transthyretin (TTR) is a more sensitive marker than is albumin for nutritional status assessment. This study was conducted to confirm an association between serum transthyretin levels and BPPV. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In total, 320 patients with BPPV and 320 age- and gender-matched controls were recruited between July 1, 2018, and July 1, 2020. All patients underwent audiovestibular tests, including the Dix-Hallpike test for the posterior semicircular canal and the supine roll test for the horizontal semicircular canal. Furthermore, serum transthyretin levels and other biochemical indicators were tested. Risk factors, including a history of heart and cerebral vascular diseases, were examined, and compared between groups. Hematolgical and biochemical tests were performed and subjected to between-group analysis. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the TTR-BPPV. Interaction and stratified analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Patients with BPPV had significantly lower TTR levels than controls (213±49.3 vs 284±56.4 p<0.001). Alcohol consumption and anemia played an interactive role in the association between BPPV and low TTR levels. After adjustments for triglycerides, BMI, uric acid, HbA1C, 25-OH vitamin D3, alcohol consumption, and anemia, the multiple logistic regression revealed that participants with low TTR levels had a significantly increased risk of BPPV (OR: 5.5; 95% CI, 2.55-11.9; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese older adults with low serum transthyretin levels have an increased risk of BPPV.

miR-339-5p Inhibits Autophagy to Reduce the Resistance of Laryngeal Carcinoma on Cisplatin via Targeting TAK1.

Laryngeal carcinoma is a malignant disease with high morbidity and mortality. Several studies have indicated that miRNA dysfunction involves in the development of laryngeal carcinoma. In this study, the connection of miR-339-5p and laryngeal carcinoma was investigated, and qRT-PCR, CCK-8, and flow cytometry assay were used to observe the function of miR-339-5p on laryngeal carcinoma. Besides, the target database, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and western blot were used to explore the regulation mechanism of miR-339-5p on the progression of laryngeal carcinoma. The results showed that miR-339-5p was significantly downregulated in cisplatin-resistant cells of laryngeal carcinoma, and miR-339-5p upregulation could weaken the resistance of laryngeal carcinoma cells on cisplatin. Moreover, miR-339-5p could directly react with 3'-UTR of TAK1, and TAK1 could reverse the effects of miR-339-5p on the progression of autophagy. In conclusion, this study suggests that miR-339-5p can inhibit the autophagy to decrease the cisplatin resistance of laryngeal carcinoma via targeting TAK1.

[Deep neck infection: clinical analyses of 95 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To review the recent diagnosis and treatment experience with deep neck infection and emphasize the importance of radiologic evaluation, microbiology and appropriate treatment selection in these patients. METHODS: A respective review was conducted in 95 cases who were diagnosed as having deep neck from Jan. 2006 to March 2015. RESULTS: The primary diseases in 95 patients with deep neck infection were acute tonsillitis or acute laryngitis (27 cases), infection of upper respiratory tract (23 cases), odontogenic infection or oral inflammation (16 cases), foreign bodies in esophagus (9 cases), acute cervical lymphadenitis (5 cases) and cause uncertain (15 cases). Computed tomography was performed in all of patients to identify the location, extent, and character (cellulitis in 47 cases or abscesses in 48 cases) of the infections. The locations of abscess were parapharyngeal abscess (25 cases), retropharyngeal abscess (9 cases), submaxillary space abscess (6 cases), pretracheal space abscess (5 cases) and esophageal abscess (3 cases). COMPLICATIONS: mediastinitis (2 cases), pericarditis (1 case), bilateral pneumothorax (2 cases), and upper digestive tract (1 case). Bacterial cultivation performed in 35 patients and positive results were detected in 21. All patients were given intravenous antibiotic therapy. Tracheotomy was performed in 4 cases. Preoperative contrast enhanced CT was performed in 42 patients and indicated the formation of abscess. Three cases with the symptoms of septic shock were transferred to ICU and one was cured. All the patients were cured except two who died of massive hemorrhage of upper digestive tract and septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: The airway patency in patients with deep neck infections must be ensured. Drainage may be mandatory in selected cases at presentation or in cases who fail to respond to parenteral antibiotics within the first 24-48 hours. Imaging evaluation plays a significant role in the diagnosis and rational therapeutic management in deep neck infection. Bacterial cultivation can help to make the effective treatment and provide reliable evidence for the etiopathogenisis.

[Clinal analysis of 202 nasal bone fractures cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the age, sex, etiology, diagnosis and treatment time of nasal bone fractures. METHOD: Clinical data of 202 cases with nasal bone fractures treated in the hospital were retrospectively analysed. RESULT: A total of 202 cases,163 men (80. 7%) and 39 women (19. 3%). Fifty-two patients had a relationship with alcohol consumption, and all of them were males. The most frequent reasons of the injury were fight 46. 5% (94 cases) followed by falling-down 21. 3% (43 cases), traffic accidents 19. 3% (39 cases), works related 6. 5% (13 cases), sport injuries 5. 9% (12 cases) and others 0. 5% (1 cases). Patients distribution in seasons were: spring 54 cases (26.7%), summer 42 cases (20.8%), autumn 58 cases (28.7%), winter 48 cases (23. 8%). Diagnosis of nasal bone fractures were made positively by x-ray films in 79. 7% of cases, but 100% by CT. Positive predictive value of CT was superior to that of X-ray films in the diagnosis of nasal bone fracture. CONCLUSION: High morbidity of nasal bone fracture was seen in the age group of 20-29 years, and predominantly in male. Fight was found to be the main etiologic factor. We think that CT is necessary for diagnosing nasal bone fracture.