Corrigendum: Use of autologous cord blood mononuclear cells infusion for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely preterm neonates: a study protocol for a placebo-controlled randomized multicenter trial [NCT03053076].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00136.].

[Y-box-binding protein 1 mediates sorafenib resistance via the extracellular signal regulated-protein kinase pathway in hepatoma cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Y-box-binding protein 1 (YB-1) on sorafenib resistance in hepatoma cells. Methods: Lentiviral vectors with YB-1 overexpression and knockdown were constructed, respectively, to stimulate human hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and Huh7) alone or in combination with sorafenib.The overexpression part of the experiment was divided into four groups: overexpression control group (Lv-NC), YB-1 overexpression group (Lv-YB-1), overexpression control combined with sorafenib resistance group (Lv-NC+sorafenib), YB-1 overexpression combined with sorafenib resistance group (Lv-YB-1 + sorafenib). The knockdown part of the experiment was also divided into four groups: knockdown control group (Lv-shNC), YB-1 knockdown group (Lv-shYB-1), knockdown control combined with sorafenib resistance group (Lv-shNC + sorafenib), YB-1 knockdown combined with sorafenib resistance group (Lv-shYB-1 + sorafenib). The occurrence of cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. The protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-ERK and ERK, key proteins in the extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, were detected by Western blot and quantified by ImageJ software. Subcutaneous tumorigenesis experiments were performed in nude mice. The effect of YB-1 on the efficacy of sorafenib was verified in vivo. The comparison between the two sets of data was carried out by an independent sample t-test. One-way ANOVA was used for comparisons between the three groups of data above. Results: Sorafenib had accelerated the occurrence of apoptosis in hepatoma cells, while YB-1 overexpression had inhibited cell apoptosis, and at the same time also inhibited the apoptosis-accelerating impact of sorafenib. On the contrary, YB-1 knockdown accelerated cell apoptosis and amplified the induction effect of sorafenib on apoptosis. Furthermore, sorafenib resistance had down-regulated p-ERK levels (HepG2: Lv-NC 0.685 ± 0.143, Lv-NC + sorafenib 0.315 ± 0.168, P < 0.05; Huh7: Lv-NC 0.576 ± 0.078, Lv-NC + sorafenib 0.150 ± 0.131, P < 0.01), whereas YB-1 overexpression had inhibited sorafenib resistance p-ERK reduction (HepG2: Lv-NC + sorafenib 0.315 ± 0.168, Lv-YB-1 + sorafenib 0.688 ± 0.042, P < 0.05; Huh7: Lv-NC + sorafenib 0.150 ± 0.131, Lv-YB-1 + sorafenib 0.553 ± 0.041, P < 0.05). YB-1 knockdown further increased sorafenib-induced p-ERK downregulation (HepG2: Lv-shNC + sorafenib 0.911 ± 0.252, Lv-shYB-1 + sorafenib 0.500 ± 0.201, P < 0.05; Huh7: Lv-shNC + sorafenib 0.577 ± 0.082, Lv-shYB-1 + sorafenib 0.350 ± 0.143, P < 0.05), which was further verified in naked mice (Lv-shNC + sorafenib 0.812 ± 0.279, Lv-shYB-1 + sorafenib 0.352 ± 0.109, P < 0.05). Conclusion: YB-1 mediates the occurrence of sorafenib resistance via the ERK signaling pathway in hepatoma cells.

[Analysis of influencing factors of KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA gene mutation consistency in patients with advanced colorectal cancer].

Objective: To analyze the consistency of plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and tumor tissue DNA in detecting KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA gene mutations in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, and to explore the factors affecting the consistency. Methods: Patients with advanced colorectal cancer who were treated in Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University from December 2018 to May 2020 were enrolled. The results of plasma and tissue gene detection, clinicopathological information and treatment were collected. The consistency and influencing factors of plasma and tissue KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA status were analyzed. Results: The patients enrolled in this study all received plasma gene detection. The mutation rates of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA in plasma were 27.30%, 2.42%, 6.06% and 9.70%, respectively. Among them, 128 patients underwent tissue gene testing, and the mutation rates of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA were 30.47%, 2.34%, 7.03% and 3.13%, respectively. The overall coincidence rate of KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA status by plasma and tissue was 62.50% (Kappa=0.200, P=0.023). Univariate analysis showed that the consistency of gene detection was higher in newly diagnosed untreated group and liver metastasis group, but lower in lung metastasis group. Conclusion: Our real-world study found that there are some differences in KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA status between plasma and tissue. Anti-tumor therapy and metastatic sites may be important factors affecting the inconsistency.

[Transnasal endoscopic surgery of choanal atresia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To discuss the effect of endoscopic dilatation and plasty for choanal atresia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Nineteen patients with choanal atresia who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from Jan. 2011 to Dec. 2018 were reviewed, with 12 males and 7 females aging from 33 to 59 years old. All of the patients had a history of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and were confirmed by electronic nasopharyngoscope and nasopharyngeal imaging. Among 19 patients, there were 3 cases of unilateral occlusion and 16 cases with bilateral atresia, and all of them were membranous atresia. All patients received the transnasal endoscopic surgery of resecting partial vomer bone while trying to keep normal mucosa tissues and using the septonasal mucoperiosteal flap to repair under general anesthesia. One week after operation, the patients were told to do physiological saline nasal irrigation and received regular clean and observation under endoscope. Descriptive statistical method was used to analyze the outcome. Results: The patients were followed up for 1 year postoperatively by electronic nasopharyngoscopic examination. There was no failure case in all the 19 patients including 16 patients with a wide choana and 3 patients had narrowing of the choana (<50%), with adequate and satisfactory airway. Conclusions: Transnasal endoscopic surgery was an effective treatment for choanal atresia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Application of septonasal mucoperiosteal flap for repairing nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa would avoid recurrence.

[Five cases of optic neuropathy associated with varicella zoster virus infection].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of optic neuropathy associated with varicella zoster virus (VZV). Methods: Five cases of optic neuropathy associated with VZV infection from Department of Neurology between January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2019 were retrospectively collected. The clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis were analyzed. Results: There were 7 eyes involved in 5 cases, 3 cases (3/5) involved only one eye, and 2 cases (2/5) involved both optic nerves. During the follow-up time, no recurrence was found. Severe visual impairment occurred in 4 eyes (4/7) and non-severe visual impairment in 3 eyes (3/7). Visual acuity improved significantly in 1 eye (1/7), turned better in 2 eyes (2/7), and remained unchanged in 4 eyes (4/7). In acute phase, abnormal signals of optic nerve and/or sheath were observed on MR images. Case 3 received antiviral and hormone therapy on the second day after the onset of the disease, and the visual acuity recovered well; the other 4 cases had poor prognosis. Conclusions: Head and face VZV infection can cause serious optic neuropathy, leading to severe visual dysfunction, and poor prognosis, but recurrence is rare. Early intravenous administration of antiviral drugs (acyclovir is the best) and hormones are recommended for VZV infection in this area. It is best to use drugs within 72 hours in order to avoid and reduce secondary optic neuropathy as far as possible.

Use of Autologous Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Infusion for the Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Extremely Preterm Neonates: A Study Protocol for a Placebo-Controlled Randomized Multicenter Trial [NCT03053076].

Background: Despite the rapid advance of neonatal care, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a significant burden for the preterm population, and there is a lack of effective intervention. Stem cell depletion because of preterm birth is regarded as one of the underlying pathological mechanisms for the arrest of alveolar and vascular development. Preclinical and small-sample clinical studies have proven the efficacy and safety of stem cells in treating and preventing lung injury. However, there are currently no randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the use of autologous cord blood mononuclear cells (ACBMNC) for the prevention of BPD in premature infants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of infusion of ACBMNC for the prevention of BPD in preterm neonates <28 weeks. Methods: In this prospective, randomized controlled double-blind multi-center clinical trial, 200 preterm neonates <28 weeks gestation will be randomly assigned to receive intravenous ACBMNC infusion (5 × 107 cells/kg) or placebo (normal saline) within 24 h after birth in a 1:1 ratio using a central randomization system. The primary outcome will be survival without BPD at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or at discharge, whichever comes first. The secondary outcomes will include the mortality rate, other common preterm complication rates, respiratory support duration, length, and cost of hospitalization, and long-term outcomes after a 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: This will be the first randomized, controlled, blinded trial to evaluate the efficacy of ACBMNC infusion as a prevention therapy for BPD. The results of this trial will provide valuable clinical evidence for recommendations on the management of BPD in extremely preterm infants. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03053076, registered 02/14/2017, retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S0006WN4&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0002PLA&ts=2&cx=9y23d4 (Additional File 2).

[Saccadic abnormalities and clinical significance in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder].

Objective: To characterize the ocular saccadic abnormality in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients, and explore the relationship between ocular saccadic abnormality and the overall disability and visual function state. Methods: For the 110 consecutive NMOSD patients who visited the Department of Neurology of Beijing Tongren Hospital from July 2015 to July 2017, a 120 Hz spatial resolution infrared video nystagmus system was used to perform a quantitative horizontal saccade examination. All patients were assessed for overall disability status using the extended disability status scale (EDSS). The subjective visual function status was evaluated using the National Eye Institute-Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ 25) and the 10-item neuro-ophthalmic supplement questionnaire (Suppl. 10). Results: A total of 68 (61.8%) of 110 NMOSD patients had horizontal saccadic abnormalities, including 50 cases (45.5%) with abnormal saccade latency, 34 cases (30.9%) with abnormal saccade accuracy and 22 cases (20.0%) with abnormal speed. Patients with abnormal saccade had more intracranial lesions and higher EDSS scores than those with normal eye movements (P=0.006 and P<0.001, respectively). Patients with abnormal saccade had lower Supp.10 scores than the normal patient (P=0.004), while there was no significant difference of NEI-VFQ 25 scores between the two groups (P=0.079). Conclusions: The horizontal saccadic abnormality is common in the NMOSD patients, and the overall disability status and visual function-related quality of life are worse. Quantitative horizontal saccade examination can provide important information on intracranial lesions and neuronal function impairment, and thus it should be emphasized in clinical settings.

[Renal clear cell carcinoma transferred to infratemporal fossa and pterygopalatine fossa: A case report].

SummaryRenal clear cell carcinoma is prone to distant metastasis, especially in the head and neck, but it is rare to transfer to infratemporal fossa and pterygopalatine fossa. We reported a 62-year-old male patient with complains of numbness and burning sensation on the left side of the face for more than 3 months. Left kidney removal was performed 8 years ago due to renal cancer. Preoperative enhancement CT showed a large blood-rich occupation in the left nasopharyngeal and pterygopalatine with adjacent paranasal sinus and skull base bone destruction. Under the general anesthesia, the anterior lacrimal recess approach was used for tumor resection. Preoperative interventional embolization of the feeding artery, intraoperative pathology, frozen section showed metastasis of renal cell carcinoma, and postoperative immunohistochemical examination, confirmed metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma（infratemporal fossa and pterygopalatine fossa）. The patients were transferred to the oncology department for further radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

[Clinical analysis of 36 cases of idiopathic intracranial hypertension complicated with iron deficiency anemia].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, imaging findings and prognosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients complicated with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Methods: A total of 307 cases of IIH patients hospitalized in Beijing Tongren Hospital were retrospectively screened between January 1, 2011 and February 28, 2018. There were 49 anemia cases (15.96%) and 45 IDA cases (14.66%), respectively. Finally, 36 IDA patients were enrolled. The clinical characteristics, imaging findings, treatment and prognosis of these patients were analyzed. Results: IIH combined with IDA was more common in women of childbearing age (34/36). There were 30 obese and overweight cases (83.33%), with multiple subacute or chronic course of disease. The visual symptoms in the early IIH patients were first diagnosed in the Department of Ophthalmology. The first symptom was headache with/without visual symptoms (27 cases (75%)). Head MRI detected empty sella or partial empty sella, and 2 cases of venous sinus thrombosis were found in DSA examination. Of the 34 female patients, 24 had simple menometrorrhagia or menstrual disorder. All patients were given methyl acetate to reduce the intracranial pressure and iron therapy. Five patients received low molecular weight heparin-warfarin sequential treatment, 5 cases underwent gynecologic surgery and 2 male cases received hemorrhoid operation. There were 7 cases underwent lumbar cisterna-peritoneal shunt for visual impairment. During the follow-up, intracranial pressure decreased and visual function of patients improved significantly. Conclusions: IIH is frequently found in obese or overweight women at childbearing age and IDA may be an important cause of IIH. IIH can cause serious irreversible visual impairment. Therefore, early identification and active treatment should be performed. Correction of anemia can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of IIH. Operation should be employed for IIH patients with poor visual function or rapid progress, in order to reduce intracranial pressure and improve prognosis as soon as possible.

[Relationship between the level of estrogen, calcium and phosphorus concentration in serum with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

Objective:To investigate relationship between the level of estrogen, calcium and phosphorus concentration in serum with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV). Method:A total of 84 patients with idiopathic BPPV were enrolled in the experimental group, including 32 non-menopausal women, 24 menopausal women, and 28 males; 83 healthy people without vertigo and vestibular disease were selected as the control group consisted with 32 non-menopausal women, 24 menopausal women and 27 males. The levels of estradiol, serum calcium and serum inorganic phosphorus were measured in all participants. The difference of estrogen level, serum calcium and serum inorganic phosphorus concentration between the experimental group and the control group was analyzed by t test. Result:The total number, age distribution and gender composition of the experimental group and the control group were basically paired, and the age difference was not statistically significant (P=0.71). The overall estrogen level in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). Among them, the female group's estrogen level, menopausal female estrogen level and male estrogen level in the experimental group were lower than the control group (P<0.01); there was no significant difference in serum calcium and serum inorganic phosphorus concentration between the experimental group and the control group (P=0.55, 0.11, respectively). Conclusion:The decrease of estrogen level may be a risk factor for idiopathic BPPV. The relationship between serum calcium and serum inorganic phosphorus concentration and BPPV needs further study.

[A case of facial paralysis caused by granulocytic sarcoma of the external auditory canal].

Summary A male patients at 11 years of age, was hospitalized for the right ear pain and mouth deviation for five days on August 30, 2016, accompanied by right hypophasis, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, without otorrhea and vertigo. Patient was diagnosed as acute promyelocytic leukemia in 2008. After standardized chemotherapy, it was completely relieved and the blood and bone marrow images were almost restored to normal. Physical examination: The skin of the right external auditory canal is obviously swollen, without rupture on the surface, and the tympanic membrane cannot be seen. The drooping of the left angle of the mouth, the right eyelid is not closed completely, the right nasolabial groove and forehead line is shallower. House-Brackmann facial nervous system Ⅲ. Routine blood: the leucocyte 10.31×109/L, more than in the normal range. Pure tone measurement showed that right ear conductive deafness, air-bone conduction difference of each frequency range 50 to 75 dB.Mastoid CT showed that right mastoid gasification is good, the right external auditory canal, middle ear cavity and mastoid airway are filled with low-density soft tissue shadows, the bone wall of the external auditory canal was not significantly enlarged or damaged. The auditory bone is intact, surrounded by a large number of soft tissue shadows, no obvious abnormalities in the inner ear. Primary diagnosis: Middle ear cholesteatoma (right);External auditory canal tumor (right);Peripheral facial paralysis (right).

[Clinical and immunological characteristics and predicted factors of vision outcome in patients with acute severe bilateral optic neuritis].

Objective: To analyze the clinical and immunological characteristics of acute severe bilateral optic neuritis, and to explore the predictive factors of vision outcome and relapse so as to save visual function and avoid or alleviate vision disability. Methods: Forty-eight inpatients confirmed with acute severe bilateral optic neuritis from January 2013 to June 2015 were included and followed up. The clinical features, immunological findings, optic nerve imaging, visual function outcome and predictors of relapse were statistically analyzed. Results: Acute severe bilateral optic neuritis accounted for 7.3% of the total number of optic neuritis in the same period. There were 35 cases (72.9%) with monophasic course, and 13 cases (27.1%) with recurrence or other central nervous system involvement during the follow-up period; 11 (22.9%) in 48 patients with positive AQP4-IgG; AQP4-IgG-positive patients had a higher recurrence rate (P<0.001) and poorer visual function prognosis (P=0.034) than antibody-negative patients; the baseline visual acuity (P=0.004), early treatment response (P=0.012) and number of involved optic nerve segments (P=0.016) were associated with end point visual function. Positive AQP4-IgG(OR 13.486, 95% CI 1.971-16.263)and combining with other autoimmune antibodies (OR 5.591, 95% CI 1.502-15.621)were independently associated with relapse. Conclusions: Acute severe bilateral optic neuritis is not unusual and may cause blindness or visual disability. The positive rate of AQP4-IgG and the recurrence rate of the disease are low in our study. The necessity for long-term immunotherapy requires individual consideration. The baseline visual acuity, involved segment number of optic nerve and response to early treatment are associated with prognosis of visual function. Patients with AQP4-IgG positive and other autoimmune antibodies are easy to relapse. Whether the antibody-negative bilateral optic neuritis is a heterogeneous disease and the relationship with classic NMO or NMOSD deserve further research.

Fisetin Exerts Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects in Multiple Mutant hSOD1 Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by Activating ERK.

Oxidative stress exhibits a central role in the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease commonly found to include a copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene mutation. Fisetin, a natural antioxidant, has shown benefits in varied neurodegenerative diseases. The possible effect of fisetin in ALS has not been clarified as of yet. We investigated whether fisetin affected mutant hSOD1 ALS models. Three different hSOD1-related mutant models were used: Drosophila expressing mutant hSOD1G85R, hSOD1G93A NSC34 cells, and transgenic mice. Fisetin treatment provided neuroprotection as demonstrated by an improved survival rate, attenuated motor impairment, reduced ROS damage and regulated redox homeostasis compared with those in controls. Furthermore, fisetin increased the expression of phosphorylated ERK and upregulated antioxidant factors, which were reversed by MEK/ERK inhibition. Finally, fisetin reduced the levels of both mutant and wild-type hSOD1 in vivo and in vitro, as well as the levels of detergent-insoluble hSOD1 proteins. The results indicate that fisetin protects cells from ROS damage and improves the pathological behaviors caused by oxidative stress in disease models related to SOD1 gene mutations probably by activating ERK, thereby providing a potential treatment for ALS.

[Clinical and imaging features and etiologic diagnosis value in patients with cavernous sinus lesion presenting with ophthalmoplegia].

Objective: To classify different causes of cavernous sinus lesion in patients with ophthalmoplegia and analyze their clinical and imaging features. Methods: We confirmed the etiological diagnosis of 137 hospitalized ophthalmoplegia patients with cavernous sinus lesion retrospectively from January 2005 to January 2014 in the Department of Neurology of Beijing Tongren Hospital.The diagnosis was made according to clinical feature, laboratory test, imaging studies and pathology.The clinical data of these patients were analyzed and compared among different groups. Results: Fifty-one cases (37.2%) were confirmed as inflammatory diseases of cavernous sinus, which were the most common cause in 137 patients.Early stage pain (OR 5.591, 95%CI 1.703-18.401) and involvement of oculomotor nerve (OR 4.902, 95%CI 1.015-24.630) were independently associated with inflammatory diseases.Forty-three cases (31.3%) were confirmed to have tumor, which was the second cause of cavernous sinus lesions, and meningioma was the most common tumor.The second branch of trigeminal nerve involvement was independently correlated (OR 1.017, 95%CI 1.005-1.071) with tumor.The percentage of male (OR 3.506, 95%CI 1.362-8.765) was significantly higher in 28 cases (20.4%) with cavernous sinus vascular lesions.Cavernous sinus infectious diseases were seen in 15 cases (10.9%), and fungal infection was the most common, mostly secondary to sinus infection. Conclusions: The common causes of cavernous sinus lesion include cavernous sinus inflammatory diseases, neoplastic diseases, vascular diseases and infectious diseases, and inflammatory diseases is the most commonly seen cause in this group of patients.Obvious facial sensory disturbances and the second branch of trigeminal nerve involvement are independent associated with tumor.The early course of pain and involvement of oculomotor nerve are associated with inflammatory diseases.Optimization of MRI examination method can better identify the cavernous sinus lesions.

[Clinical observation and related factors analysis of neonatal asphyxia complicated with retinal hemorrhage].

Objective: To observe and analyze related factors of neonatal asphyxia complicated with retinal hemorrhage. Methods: It was a retrospective case series. Seven hundred and twenty-one cases with neonatal asphyxia after 72 hours of birth were enrolled in this study. Fundus examination was performed on these newborns using the third generation wide-angle digital retina imaging system (RetCamⅢ), and the bleeding level was divided into level I, level Ⅱ and level Ⅲ. The conditions of the newborn and the mother during pregnancy were correlatively analyzed. The other factors were also analyzed including delivery mode, birth weight, gestational age, gender, grade of neonatal asphyxia, scalp hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, fetal intrauterine distress, mother's age and antenatal complications. Single factor χ(2) test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to screen and judge risk factors causing retinal hemorrhage related to neonatal asphyxia. Results: In 721 cases of neonatal asphyxia, retinal hemorrhage was found in 204 newborns (28.29%). The hemorrhage was at level Ⅰ in 77 cases (37.75%) , at level Ⅱ in 38 cases (18.63%) and at level Ⅲ in 89 cases (43.63%) . Four cases also had vitreous hemorrhage. Asphyxia was mild in 673 infants (93.34%) and severe in 48 infants (6.66%). The difference in the degree of retinal hemorrhage between the patients with mild and severe asphyxia was significant (χ(2)=22.336, P=0.000). When asphyxia was aggravated, the degree of retinal hemorrhage increased. Relative factors analysis showed that delivery mode (χ(2)=158.643, P<0.05), gestational age (χ(2)=24.522, P<0.05), birth weight (χ(2)=11.916, P<0.05) and grade of neonatal asphyxia (χ(2)=19.809, P<0.05) had correlations with retinal hemorrhage. Logistic regression analysis indicated that grade of neonatal asphyxia and delivery mode were risk factors of retinal hemorrhage in neonatal asphyxia (OR=0.304, 0.085). Conclusion: The incidence of retinal hemorrhage in neonatal asphyxia was 28.29%. The degree of neonatal asphyxia and delivery mode may play roles in the occurrence of retinal hemorrhage in newborns with asphyxia. With aggravation of asphyxia, the degree of retinal hemorrhage may increase. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 358-362).

[The progress of stem cells in the treatment of olfactory dysfunction].

Olfactory dysfunction is one of the common diseases in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Although the olfactory nerve has ability to regenerate in human central nervous system, if the damage involves nerve, only a few patients can restore the olfactory function. At present, there is no satisfactory treatment for sensorineural olfactory dysfunction. Therefore, it is urgent to explore new and effective method for treating sensorineural olfactory dysfunction. The progress of stem cells in the treatment of olfactory dysfunction is reviewed in this article.

Knockdown of eIF3a attenuates the pro-fibrogenic response of hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-ß1.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays an important role in the development of liver fibrosis. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 3a is the largest subunit of the eIF3 complex and has been involved in pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of eIF3a in liver fibrosis remains largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of eIF3a in transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)-induced HSC activation. Our results demonstrated that the expression of eIF3a was up-regulated in human liver fibrotic tissues and activated HSCs. In addition, knockdown of eIF3a suppressed TGF-ß-induced HSC proliferation and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I. Furthermore, knockdown of eIF3a inhibited the expression of p-Smad3 induced by TGF-ß1 in HSCs. These results suggest that eIF3a may function as a novel regulator to modulate HSC activation, potentially through inhibiting the TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

[Clinical analysis of two cases of imported children Zika virus infection in China].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics, outcome and diagnosis of two cases of imported children Zika virus infection in China. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of two cases of imported children with Zika virus infection in February 2016 in Enping People's Hospital of Guangdong. RESULT: Two cases of children with imported Zika virus infection resided in an affected area of Venezuela, 8-year-old girl and her 6 year-old brother. The main findings on physical examination included the following manifestations: fever, rash, and conjunctivitis. The rash was first limited to the abdomen, but extended to the torso, neck and face, and faded after 3-4 d. The total number of white blood cells was not high and liver function was normal. The diagnosis of two cases of Zika virus infection was confirmed by the expert group of Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the epidemiological history, clinical manifestations and Zika virus nucleic acid detection results.Treatment of Zika virus infection involves supportive care. Two Zika virus infection children had a relatively benign outcome. CONCLUSION: At present, Zika virus infection in children is an imported disease in China. No specific therapy is available for this disease. Information on long-term outcomes among infants and children with Zika virus disease is limited, routine pediatric care is advised for these infants and children.