Glycyrrhiza glabra suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation through inhibiting the expression of lncRNA, AK027294.

Glycyrrhiza glabra is considered as potential drug for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, whether the long noncoding RNAs' (lncRNAs) contributes to the anti-cancer function of this herb is unknown. In present study, we analyzed the differential expression of lncRNA between G. glabra-treated and untreated C666-1 cells. Out of those tumor-related lncRNAs, AK027294 had a strongest down-regulation upon G. glabra treatment. Knockdown of AK027294 suppresses the proliferation of C666-1 cells by inducing the apoptosis. Moreover, either G. glabra treatment or knockdown of AK027294 significantly increases the production of EZH1 (Enhancer of zeste 1 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit). Collectively, we have identified a potential mechanism that the down-regulation of AK027294 contributes to the anti-cancer function of G. glabra and also provide the potential inter-relationship between AK027294 and EZH1.

A two-stage inversion technique for total auricular reconstruction: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of a total amputated auricle is aesthetically demanding for otorhinolaryngology surgeons. Although various reattachment methods have been introduced since 1898, only a few have achieved satisfactory aesthetic outcomes. This study aimed to present a successful case of auricular reconstruction using a two-stage inversion technique. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient's left ear was extensively lacerated in a violent event 3 h before admission. The first-stage surgery was performed within 6 h of ischemic time. The amputated segment was prepared and trimmed carefully, and the anterior aspect of the avulsed auricle was directly sutured. The posterior skin of the ear was separated from the cartilage to close the wound. Then, using an inversion maneuver, the cartilage was pushed into a postauricular underlying muscle bed. In the second-stage surgery 27 days after the first procedure, the auricle was released and the normal ear structure was restored using full-thickness skin grafting. During a follow-up of more than 9 years, the patient showed satisfactory postoperative results in terms of cosmetic and functional outcomes of the reattached auricle. The size of his left ear was about 90% of the size of his right ear. CONCLUSIONS: The reconstruction of a total amputated auricle is challenging. The key to surgery lies in the sufficient preservation of the meticulous shape of the cartilage. The microsurgical anastomosis is a good choice only in selected cases. It is believed that the two-stage inversion technique can be a simple alternative to reconstruct the auricle in most situations when it is lacerated and contaminated.

Anti-tumor effect of HOTAIR-miR-613-SNAI2 axis through suppressing EMT and drug resistance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the main pathological type of laryngeal cancer, which attacks the head and neck. Our present study aims to investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug resistance in LSCC. Firstly, the level of HOTAIR was found to be overexpressed in LSCC tissues compared with normal healthy tissues. Then, increased EMT and drug resistance were suppressed by specific HOTAIR shRNA effectively in LSCC cell lines. Besides, miR-613 was predicted to be a target of HOTAIR through bioinformatics analysis. Meanwhile, we found that a down-regulated level of miR-613 could be increased by HOTAIR shRNA and suppressed by LncRNA HOTAIR transfection in LSCC cells. The targeting relationship between miR-613 and HOTAIR was further demonstrated by a luciferase report assay. What is more, the inhibiting effect of HOTAIR shRNA on EMT and drug resistance was obviously abolished by the miR-613 inhibitor. Moreover, SNAI2, a critical regulator of EMT, was predicted as a target of miR-613 through bioinformatics analysis and luciferase report assays. As expected, the level of SNAI2 could be suppressed by HOTAIR shRNA and increased by the miR-613 inhibitor. Additionally, we discovered that SANI2 shRNA had similar inhibiting effect on EMT and drug resistance with HOTAIR shRNA in LSCC cells. Finally, the in vivo experiment further demonstrated that HOTAIR shRNA restricted tumor growth, EMT and drug resistance. Additionally, HOTAIR shRNA transfection could also increase the level of miR-613 and decrease the level of SNAI2 in vivo. Taken together, our research for the first time revealed the effect of the HOTAIR-miR-613-SNAI2 axis on EMT and drug resistance in LSCC, providing new targets for LSCC diagnosis and treatment.

Downregulation of miR-204 is associated with poor prognosis and promotes cell proliferation in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC).

MircroRNAs (miRNAs) were identified to be involved in tumor progression and prognosis. However, the clinical significance and biological function of miR-204 in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) are not well appreciated. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the role of miR-204 in HSCC. The miR-204 expression was determined in 56 pairs of HSCC tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptive-PCR (qRT-PCR). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and log-rank test were used to analyze the association between miR-204 expression and clinicopathological parameters and the over survival (OS) time in HSCC patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis was applied to investigate the predicted risk factors for OS. Moreover, CCK8 cell proliferation assays, flow cytometry analysis and western-blot analysis were performed to examine the cell growth and cell cycle related protein expression in FaDu cells. In the study, our results reported that miR-204 was down-regulated in HSCC tissues. The patients with lower miR-204 expression had significantly poor OS time. Multivariable Cox analysis demonstrated that lower miR-204 expression was an independent risk factor in HSCC patients. Furthermore, CCK8 cells assays and cell cycle analysis showed that over-expression of miR-204 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, S phase cell number and inhibited the cell cycle related protein expression of CyclinD1, CDK4 and CDK6, but up-regulated the p21 expression in FaDu cells. Thus, our study demonstrated that miR-204 was downregulated in HSCC and upregulation of miR-204 suppressed cell proliferation, which highlighted that miR-204 could have potential therapeutic applications in HSCC.

[A clinical and pathological analysis on laryngeal contact granuloma among 18 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinicopathologic feature and diagnostic and therapeutic experience of laryngeal contact granuloma. METHOD: A retrospective study was carried out among 18 cases with this disease through careful analysis on their clinical and pathological data. RESULT: All of 18 cases were male, aged 34 to 78 years,The most common symptoms were hoarseness. In general the granuloma located on the posterior of the larynx unilaterally. The histological appearances of the lesions were typical inflammatory granuloma. Little allotype cell were found in one histologic sample. Fifteen cases received surgical excision and the recurrence rate was 60% after operation. Recidivist received operation again,4 cases among these cases received antireflux therapy after operation but 3 cases recurrences again. Among those follow-up cases(3 cases), 1 case was self-cure and other 2 cases appeared no marked change during observation period. CONCLUSION: Laryngeal contact granuloma predilected the middle-aged male. The localization and appearance of the granuloma is very characteristic. The correct diagnosis can be established by clinical examination alone, but the histological examination is necessary in order to avoid missed diagnosis. There is a high recurrence rate after operation and the effect of antireflux therapy need further research.

[An experimental study of mucociliary clearance of trachea reconstructed with free jejunum].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate tracheal mucociliary transport change after reconstructed with free jejunum. METHODS: Twelve canine models of extensive circumferential tracheal defects reconstructed with revascularized jejuno combined with Ni-Ti alloy mesh tube were established. Every canine model was marked in cervical skin projecting the lower resected margin of trachea lumen and was injected 50% barium sulfate mucilage as a tracer into the trachea lumen under bronchoscopy. Record the time from tracer injected into trachea lumen to its arriving glottis (mucociliary transit time, MTT) and the length from tracer injected into trachea lumen to glottis (mucociliary transport length, MTL). Mucociliary transit rate (MTR), as MTL/ MTT, was calculated. The same procedure was performed at preoperative and postoperative 7th day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: There were statistical significance between preoperative MTR and 1 month postoperative MTR (P < 0.05). There were no differences between preoperative MTR and postoperative MTR at the 7th day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. There were also no differences between postoperative MTR at the 7th day and 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. CONCLUSION: In new tracheal tract reconstructed with free jejunum, MTR becomes normal at 3 months postoperatively.

[Experimental reconstruction of the canine trachea with shape-memory titanium-nickel alloy stent coupled with free jejunal graft].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the reconstruction method of extensive circumferential tracheal defects longer than 6.0 cm and evaluate the influence on pulmonary function from jejunal secretion. METHODS: Jejunal secretion model without extraneous nerve were established. 10 mongrel dogs were randomly divided into two groups. In group A, the nude stent made by shape-memory titanium-nickel alloy (SMA stent) was placed in the interior of the intestinal lumen. In group B, the SMA stent with silicone membrane was placed in the interior of the intestinal lumen. The secretion and histological chance of these jejunal were observed regularly. The cervical tracheal segment (6.5 cm) was replaced by the intestinal graft. In group C (6 mongrel dogs), the nude stent made by SMA stent was placed in the interior of the intestinal lumen. In group D (6 mongrel dogs and 6 Beagle dogs), the SMA stent with silicone membrane was placed in the interior of the intestinal lumen, the nude "C-shaped" SMA stent was placed out of the intestinal lumen, and the silicone stent was removed the fourth week after operation. In group C and group D, endoscopic and histological examinations were performed between the first week and eighth month. RESULTS: The secretory peak of Jejunal secretion model without extraneous nerve ranged from the first day to seventh day after operation. The jejunal secretion reduced gradually from 7th days after operation. The jejunal secretion remained steady after postoperative two months. In group C, endoscopic examination showed heavy proliferation of granulation in the tracheo-intestinal anastomosis. 4 dogs died between seventh day to second month. In group D, one dog died from ileus third month after operation. The other all survived operation. Gentle pneumonia happened to some dogs during 1-2 months after operation by X-ray examination. No one died of pneumonia result from hypersecretion. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of the canine trachea with SMA stent with silicone membrane placed in the interior of the intestinal lumen together with the nude "C-shaped" SMA stent placed out of the intestinal lumen achieve satisfactory effect, the reconstructed trachea remain unblocked and this method of tracheal reconstruction may be relatively perfect and be expected for clinical application in future. The jejunal secretion didn't have severe influence on pulmonary function of experimental canine and couldn't cause experimental canine death.