Overexpressed circRANBP17 acts as an oncogene to facilitate nasopharyngeal carcinoma via the miR-635/RUNX2 axis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in the initiation and progress of several diseases, including cancer. However, the precise role of circRNAs in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. In this research, we found a new circRNA hsa_circ_0001554 (circRANBP17), which was derived from the RAN binding protein 17 (RANBP17). Our qRT-PCR data found that circRANBP17 expression was up-regulated in NPC tissue and cells. Functional silencing studies revealed that circRANBP17 inhibited NPC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro, and circRANBP17 down-regulation also reduced tumor growth in nude mice. MiR-635 was demonstrated as a direct target of circRANBP17; circRANBP17 up-regulated RUNX2 expression levels by sponging miR-635, thereby promoting NPC proliferation and invasion. Thus, our data provide the evidence for the first time that circRANBP17 is a new onco-circRNA via miR-635/RUNX2 axis regulation, and may function as a novel therapeutic target for NPC treatment.

[Perioperative airway management of nasal endoscopic surgery].

Objective:To evaluate the perioperative airway management process of nasal endoscopic surgery, and find clinical evidence for accelerating recovery and reducing respiratory complications. Methods:The perioperative airway management process for nasal endoscopic surgery was developed according to the patient's preoperative risk factors and preoperative pulmonary function. 512 patients who entered the airway management process from March 2019 to May 2020 were included. The improvement of pulmonary function and the occurrence of adverse respiratory events during the perioperative period were analyzed. Results:265 of 512 patients showed abnormal pulmonary function, including 203 cases with ventilatory dysfunction; 103 cases with positive bronchial provocation test; 59 cases with positive bronchodilation test. Patients with abnormal lung function were treated with aerosol inhalation for 3 to 5 days before surgery, the pulmonary function indicators were greatly improved（P<0.01）. After individualized airway management, patients were then treated with surgery, and there was no perioperative dyspnea event. Conclusion:Perioperative airway management can improve pulmonary function and reduce the risk of nasal endoscopic surgery.

Synergistic non-bonding interactions based on diketopyrrolo-pyrrole for elevated photoacoustic imaging-guided photothermal therapy.

Conjugated polymers have excellent properties and can be used in photothermal therapy (PTT). Nevertheless, the concept to design and optimize the photothermal performance by cooperative non-bonding interactions is still in its infancy. Herein, a series of diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) derivatives containing chalcogen and fluorine atoms were synthesized to reveal how intra- and intermolecular interactions affect the therapeutic performance of cancer in vitro and in vivo. The synergistic π-π and FH interactions facilitate fluorine and selenium-substituted DPP-SeF to elevate their photothermal conversion efficiency up to 62% from 32% without fluorine and selenium-substituted DPP-SS, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration drops to ∼8.36 µg mL-1 for DPP-SeF from 15.14 µg mL-1 for DPP-SS on A549 cells under 808 nm light irradiation. More interestingly, efficient tumor killing ability and magnificent biocompatibility on an animal model of A549 transplanted tumor reassert that DPP-SeF nanoagents have immense potential as photoacoustic/PTT agents. Thus, this work presents an efficient phototherapeutic agent, and meanwhile demonstrates the facile concept of accessing the synergistic effect of non-bonding interactions to promote antitumor efficiency by ingenious molecular engineering.

[Nasal manifestations of Sjogren's syndrome].

We reported a case of a 43-year-old female patient with nasal Sjogren's syndrome（SS）. She complained of dry and tingling nose for 5 months. Physical examination: bilateral nasal stenosis, swelling of the mucosa at the front of the nasal septum, dry oral mucosa, and strawberry tongue. Sinus CT showed: bilateral nasal cavity stenosis, nasal septal mucosa and bilateral nasal mucosa hypertrophy. Salivary gland dynamic imaging: the maximum excretion percentage of the left salivary gland is 4.05%, and the maximum excretion percentage of the right salivary gland is 1.81%. Labial gland biopsy showed that the salivary gland lobular structure existed, and multiple lymphocyte foci（>50/each foci） were seen in the focal interstitium, which was consistent with the labial gland performance of SS. Immunohistochemistry showed: CD3+, CD20+, AE1/AE3+, Ki-67+, IgG+. After symptomatic treatment, the patient's dry nose and tingling symptoms disappeared. The swelling of the nasal mucosa disappeared, and the bilateral nasal cavity was well ventilated. Follow-up for half a year, no symptoms of nasal manifestations about Sjogren's syndrome has occurred.

[Clinical analysis of 35 cases of adult rhabdomyosarcoma of nasal cavity and sinuses].

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of adult rhabdomyosarcoma（RMS） of nasal cavity and sinus. Method:There were 35 adult patients with RMS, including 22 with embryonal type and 13 with acinar type. Surgery + chemoradiotherapy（17 cases）, surgery + radiotherapy（6 cases）, surgery + chemotherapy（7 cases）（4 cases of seed implantation after surgery and chemotherapy）; Five patients were treated with antitumor drugs instead of surgery. Result:The study follow-up 9-62 months, adult nasal sinuses RMS total 5 years survival rate was 2.9%, among them the IRS stage>Ⅱ period, the infiltration of the skull base tumor, local lymph node metastasis, tumor diameter of 5 cm or more, 50% or higher Ki-67 are poor prognosis factor. Conclusion:RMS in nasal cavity and sinus are mostly embryonal type in adults, and the 5-year overall survival rate is low, which is related to larger primary tumor volume, local lymph node metastasis, skull base infiltration and higher ki-67 ratio at the first diagnosis in adults.

[Clinical treatment experience of perioperative nasal endoscopic surgery in patients with cardiovascular disease].

Objective:To investigate the perioperative management of endoscopic nasal surgery in patients with cardiovascular disease. Method:Sixty-two patients with cardiovascular disease underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. Individualized medical treatment was used according to the patient's perioperative condition, followed by functional endoscopic surgery. Result:Two patients had cardiovascular complications after endoscopic surgery and were transferred to internal medicine. One patient developed massive hemorrhage after operation, and hemostasis was performed again under nasal endoscopic surgery. The remaining 59 patients had no adverse cardiovascular events after operation. There are no complications such as massive hemorrhage, visual impairment, and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. All patients were followed up for more than half a year, 39 cases（62.90%） of nasal sinus disease were completely controlled, 18 cases（29.03%） of nasal sinus disease were partially controlled, and the effective rate was 91.94%. Conclusion:Reasonable perioperative management measures can reduce the risk of nasal sinus surgery in patients with cardiovascular disease, ensure the successfully implementation of surgery and achieve a successful prognosis.

Cell proliferation and invasion is promoted by circSERPINA3 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by regulating miR-944/MDM2 axis.

Growing evidence has demonstrated that in tumor progression, circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles. However, the roles of circRNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have not been fully elucidated. In this study, it was demonstrated that that hsa_circ_0033074 (circSERPINA3) expression was found to be significantly upregulated in NPC tissues and cell lines. CircSERPINA3 inhibition significantly attenuated the invasion and proliferation abilities of NPC cells. The mechanism by which circSERPINA3 interacted with miR-944 was identified and MDM2 was demonstrated to function as a target gene of miR-944. Rescue experiments showed that miR-944 inhibitors or MDM2 overexpression reserved the effects of circSERPINA3 knockdown on NPC progression. Therefore, our study uncovered the circSERPINA3/miR-944/MDM2 axis in NPC, which may be a potential NPC therapeutic target.

Discovery of novel selective norepinephrine inhibitors: 1-(2-morpholin-2-ylethyl)-3-aryl-1,3-dihydro-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole 2,2-dioxides (WYE-114152).

Sequential modification of the previously identified 4-[3-aryl-2,2-dioxido-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-1(3H)-yl]-1-(methylamino)butan-2-ols led to the identification of a new series of 1-(2-morpholin-2-ylethyl)-3-aryl-1,3-dihydro-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole 2,2-dioxides that are potent and selective inhibitors of the norepinephrine transporter over both the serotonin and dopamine transporters. One representative compound 10b (WYE-114152) had low nanomolar hNET potency (IC(50) = 15 nM) and good selectivity for hNET over hSERT (>430-fold) and hDAT (>548-fold). 10b was additionally bioavailable following oral dosing and demonstrated efficacy in rat models of acute, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain.

1-Methyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonitrile containing tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives as non-steroidal progesterone receptor antagonists.

Non-steroidal 1-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonitrile containing tetrahydronaphthalenes and acyclic derivatives were evaluated as novel series of progesterone receptor (PR) antagonists using the T47D cell alkaline phosphatase assay. Moderate to potent PR antagonists were achieved with these scaffolds. Several compounds (e.g., 15 and 20) demonstrated low nanomolar PR antagonist potency and good selectivity versus other steroid receptors.

Discovery of novel selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: 4-[3-aryl-2,2-dioxido-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-1(3H)-yl]-1-(methylamino)butan-2-ols (WYE-103231).

Structural modification of a virtual screening hit led to the identification of a new series of 4-[3-aryl-2,2-dioxido-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-1(3H)-yl]-1-(methylamino)butan-2-ols which are potent and selective inhibitors of the norepinephrine transporter over both the serotonin and dopamine transporters. One representative compound S-17b (WYE-103231) had low nanomolar hNET potency (IC(50) = 1.2 nM) and excellent selectivity for hNET over hSERT (>1600-fold) and hDAT (>600-fold). S-17b additionally had a good pharmacokinetic profile and demonstrated oral efficacy in rat models of ovariectomized-induced thermoregulatory dysfunction and morphine dependent flush as well as the hot plate and spinal nerve ligation (SNL) models of acute and neuropathic pain.

1-(Indolin-1-yl)-1-phenyl-3-propan-2-olamines as potent and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Efforts to identify new selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) for multiple indications by structural modification of the previous 3-(arylamino)-3-phenylpropan-2-olamine scaffold led to the discovery of a novel series of 1-(indolin-1-yl)-1-phenyl-3-propan-2-olamines (9). Investigation of the structure-activity relationships revealed that small alkyl substitution at the C3 position of the indoline ring enhanced selectivity for the norepinephrine transporter (NET) over the serotonin transporter (SERT). Several compounds bearing a 3,3-dimethyl group on the indoline ring, 9k, 9o,p, and 9s,t, exhibited potent inhibition of NET (IC(50) = 2.7-6.5 nM) and excellent selectivity over both serotonin and dopamine transporters. The best example from this series, 9p, a potent and highly selective NRI, displayed oral efficacy in a telemetric rat model of ovariectomized-induced thermoregulatory dysfunction, a mouse p-phenylquinone (PPQ) model of acute visceral pain, and a rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model of neuropathic pain.

Structure-activity relationships of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors with benzothiadiazine dioxide or dihydrosulfostyril cores.

Two related series of selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors were synthesized based on 3,4-dihydro-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazine 2,2-dioxide or 3,4-dihydrosulfostyril cores, and screened for monoamine reuptake inhibition. Structure-activity relationships were determined for the series' in vitro potency and selectivity versus serotonin or dopamine transporter inhibition, and analogs based on both cores were identified as potent and selective NRIs. The 3,4-dihydrosulfostyril series was further tested for microsome stability, and compound 16j, which was optimized for both potency and stability, showed efficacy in an in vivo model of thermoregulatory dysfunction.

5-Aryl indanones and derivatives as non-steroidal progesterone receptor modulators.

Novel 5-aryl indanones, inden-1-one oximes, and inden-1-ols were synthesized and evaluated as progesterone receptor (PR) modulators using the T47D cell alkaline phosphatase assay. Both PR agonists and antagonists were achieved with appropriate 3- and 5-substitution from indanones and inden-1-ols while inden-1-one oximes provided only PR antagonists. Several compounds such as 10 and 11 demonstrated potent in vitro PR agonist potency similar to that of steroidal progesterone (1). In addition, a number of compounds (e.g., 12, 13, 17, 18) showed potent PR antagonist activity indicating the indanones and derivatives are promising PR modulator templates.

1- or 3-(3-Amino-2-hydroxy-1-phenyl propyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-ones: potent, selective, and orally efficacious norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Sequential structural modifications of the aryloxypropanamine template (e.g., atomoxetine, 2) led to a novel series of 1-(3-amino-2-hydroxy-1-phenyl propyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-ones as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs). In general, this series of compounds potently blocked the human norepinephrine transporter (hNET) while exhibiting selectivity at hNET against both the human serotonin (hSERT) and dopamine transporters (hDAT). Numerous compounds (e.g., 19-22) had low nonamolar hNET potency with IC(50) values of 7-10 nM and excellent selectivity (>500 fold) at hNET over hSERT and hDAT. Several compounds, such as 20 and 22, were tested in a telemetric rat model of ovariectomized-induced thermoregulatory dysfunction and were efficacious at oral doses of 3 mg/kg in reducing the tail skin temperature. In addition, compound 20 was also studied in the rat hot plate and spinal nerve ligation (SNL) models of acute and neuropathic pain, respectively, and was orally efficacious at doses of 3-10 mg/kg.

Structure-activity relationships of the 1-amino-3-(1H-indol-1-yl)-3-phenylpropan-2-ol series of monoamine reuptake inhibitors.

The SAR of a series of 1-amino-3-(1H-indol-1-yl)-3-phenylpropan-2-ols as monoamine reuptake inhibitors, with a goal to improve both potency toward inhibiting the norepinephrine transporter and selectivity over the serotonin transporter, is reported. The effect of specific substitution on both the 3-phenyl group and the indole moiety were explored. This study led to the discovery of compound 20 which inhibited the norepinephrine transporter with an IC50 value of 4 nM while exhibiting 86-fold selectivity over the serotonin transporter.

3-(Arylamino)-3-phenylpropan-2-olamines as a new series of dual norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

A series of 3-(arylamino)-3-phenylpropan-2-olamines was prepared and screened for their ability to inhibit monoamine reuptake. A number of analogues displayed significant dual norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibition. Compounds in this class exhibited minimal affinity for the dopamine transporter.

Synthesis and activity of novel 1- or 3-(3-amino-1-phenyl propyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-ones as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

A series of novel 1- or 3-(3-amino-1-phenyl propyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-ones as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors was discovered. Several compounds such as 15 and 20 showed good hNET potency. Compounds 15 and 20 also displayed excellent selectivity at hNET that appeared superior to those of reboxetine and atomoxetine (4 and 5).

Synthesis and activity of 1-(3-amino-1-phenylpropyl)indolin-2-ones: a new class of selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Norepinephrine and serotonin play an important role in a wide variety of biological processes and are implicated in a number of neurological disorders. A novel class of 1-(3-amino-1-phenylpropyl)indolin-2-ones was designed and synthesized that displays potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibition while maintaining high selectivity (>100-fold) against the human serotonin and dopamine transporters.

1,5-Dihydro-benzo[e][1,4]oxazepin-2(1H)-ones containing a 7-(5'-cyanopyrrol-2-yl) group as nonsteroidal progesterone receptor modulators.

A series of novel 7-(5'-cyanopyrrol-2-yl) substituted benzo[1,4]oxazepin-2-ones were prepared and tested for their progesterone receptor (PR) agonist or antagonist activity in the alkaline phosphatase assay using the human T47D breast carcinoma cell line. Both PR agonists and antagonists were achieved with an appropriate choice of 5-substitution. Several analogs were potent PR agonists (e.g., 12 and 13) or PR antagonists (e.g., 18) with good selectivity over other steroid receptors.

7-aryl 1,5-dihydro-benzo[e][1,4]oxazepin-2-ones and analogs as non-steroidal progesterone receptor antagonists.

Novel 7-aryl benzo[1,4]oxazepin-2-ones were synthesized and evaluated as non-steroidal progesterone receptor (PR) modulators. The structure activity relationship of 7-aryl benzo[1,4]oxazepinones was examined using the T47D cell alkaline phosphatase assay. A number of 7-aryl benzo[1,4]oxazepinones such as 10j and 10v demonstrated good in vitro potency (IC(50) of 10-30 nM) and selectivity (over 100-fold) at PR over other steroidal receptors such as glucocorticoid and androgen receptors (GR and AR). Several 7-aryl benzo[1,4]oxazepinones were active in the rat uterine decidualization model. In this in vivo model, compounds 10j and 10u were active at 3 mg/kg when dosed orally.