Exosomal circMACF1 drives PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy suppression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common malignant tumor. The regulatory functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cancers have been broadly reported. The hsa_circ_0011773 (circMACF1) is reported to be overexpressed in LSCC tissues, while its biological function in LSCC remains unclear. CircMACF1 expression in LSCC tissues and cells was assessed via RT-qPCR. Exosomes extracted from cells were identified by TEM and NTA. Autophagy-related proteins were tested by western blot. Confocal microscope was employed for analyzing LC3 expression. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed by CCK-8 assay and transwell assay. The levels of main proteins on PI3K/AKT/mTOR were tested by western blot. We observed that circMACF1 was highly expressed in LSCC tissues and cells. Furthermore, circMACF1 expression was also upregulated in the exosomes derived from LSCC cells. CircMACF1 depletion promoted LC3 expression in cells. Additionally, we proved that circMACF1 knockdown suppressed LSCC cell proliferative, migratory and invasive capabilities via promoting autophagy. Exosomal circMACF1 was found to promote LSCC tumor growth. Then, we proved that circMACF1 could activate PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to regulate autophagy. Moreover, MACF1 was positively regulated by circMACF1 and its overexpression notably reversed the effects of circMACF1 depletion in LSCC progression. Exosomal circMACF1 can regulate PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy suppression to facilitate LSCC development.

Cell division cycle 42 positively correlates with T helper 2 cytokine, effusion viscosity, and hearing loss degree in otitis media with effusion patients.

OBJECTIVE: Cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) participates in the pathogenesis of some T-cell-mediated inflammatory diseases via regulating CD4+ T-cell differentiation and inflammation response. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of CDC42 and T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokines with disease risk, effusion viscosity, and hearing loss degree of otitis media with effusion (OME). METHODS: CDC42, interleukin (IL)-4, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in effusion and serum of 78 OME patients were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Besides, the effusion (irrigating fluid) and serum samples of 30 controls (adenoid hypertrophy patients without OME) were also obtained for CDC42, IL-4, and IFN-γ determination. RESULTS: Effusion CDC42 and IL-4 were elevated in OME patients compared with controls (both p < 0.001). Effusion CDC42 was positively correlated with effusion IL-4 in OME patients (p = 0.004) and controls (p = 0.012) but was not related to effusion IFN-γ (both p > 0.050). Additionally, effusion CDC42 (p = 0.025) and IL-4 (p = 0.023) were increased in OME patients with mucoid effusion compared to patients with serous effusion, while effusion IFN-γ was of no difference between those patients (p = 0.215). Meanwhile, elevated effusion CDC42 (p = 0.012) and IL-4 (p = 0.033) were linked with increased hearing loss degrees, whereas effusion IFN-γ was not related to hearing loss degrees (p = 0.057). Moreover, the findings of serum CDC42, IL-4, and IFN-γ showed similar trends as effusion ones; nonetheless, their correlation with disease features was generally weaker. CONCLUSION: OME patients present with elevated CDC42 and IL-4 levels; the latter factors are intercorrelated and positively associate with effusion viscosity and hearing loss degree.

Effects of COVID-19 infection in patients with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is a rare interstitial lung disease. COVID-19 is associated with worse prognosis in previous lung diseases patients. But the prognosis of aPAP patients after infection with COVID-19 is unclear. In December 2022, China experienced a large-scale outbreak of Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we aim to explore the clinical outcomes of aPAP patients infected with COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 39 aPAP patients were included in this study. 30.77% patients had a decrease in oxygen saturation after COVID-19 infection. We compared the two groups of patients with or without decreased oxygen saturation after COVID-19 infection and found that patients who had previous oxygen therapy (decreased oxygen saturation vs. non decreased oxygen saturation: 6/12 vs. 4/27, P = 0.043), with lower baseline arterial oxygen partial pressure (74.50 ± 13.61 mmHg vs. 86.49 ± 11.92 mmHg, P = 0.009), lower baseline DLCO/VA% [77.0 (74.3, 93.6) % vs. 89.5 (78.2, 97.4) %, P = 0.036], shorter baseline 6MWD [464 (406, 538) m vs. 532 (470, 575) m, P = 0.028], higher disease severity score (P = 0.017), were more likely to have decreased oxygen saturation after COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION: aPAP patients with poor baseline respiration have a higher probability of hypoxia after COVID-19 infection, but fatal events were rare.

MicroRNA-379-5p/YBX1 Axis Regulates Cellular EMT to Suppress Migration and Invasion of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major actor modulating the metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Increasing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRs) are the important regulators of EMT program. However, the potential roles and underlying mechanisms of miR­379-5p in regulating EMT of NPC cells remain unclear. METHODS: miR-379-5p expression levels in human NPC tissues and cell lines were detected via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, the correlations between miR-379-5p expression in NPC tissues and clinicopathologic features and patients' prognosis were analyzed. The effect of miR-379-5p on the expression of EMT markers in NPC cells was evaluated by Western blot and qRT-PCR. NPC cells' migration and invasion were evaluated in vitro by Transwell migration and invasion assays, respectively. The target of miR-379-5p was predicted with three publicly available databases and further validated with dual-luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. RESULTS: The expression of miR-379-5p was significantly decreased in NPC tissues, and its low expression was significantly associated with multiple unfavorable clinicopathological factors and poor prognosis of NPC patients. Meanwhile, miR-379-5p was downregulated in NPC cell lines, and its exotic expression inhibited EMT to reduce the migration and invasion of NPC cells. Furthermore, Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) was identified and validated as a direct target of miR-379-5p, and restoring YBX1 expression could reverse the inhibitive effect of miR-379-5p on NPC cell EMT, migration and invasion. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings indicate that miR-379-5p inhibits the EMT of NPC cells to reduce their migration and invasion abilities by post-transcriptionally suppressing YBX1 expression, providing a novel potential treatment target for NPC patients.

[Computer-assisted anatomical evaluation of the nasal sinuses in 1-2 years old children].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the anatomical and developmental characteristics of nasal sinuses in 1-2 years old children; and provide potential evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis in 1-2 years old children. METHOD: Coronal CT scans of 60 cases (1-2 years old children) were studied with the imaging station. Reference datas were identified on these images using imaging station. The gasification conditions of the sinuses were identified and measured. RESULT: 100% of the frontal sinuses were not developed, while 100% of the maxillary sinuses were developed. The mean of the transverse and vertical diameters for the left side of the maxillary sinuse was (13.32 ± 2.88) mm and (13.55 ± 2.43) mm, respectively. While those for the right side were (13.63 ± 2.75) mm and (13.59 ± 2.13) mm, respectively. The anterior and posterior ethmoid sinuses were 100% developed. The mean transverse and vertical diameters for the left side of the anterior ethmoid sinus were (3.94 ± 0.86) mm and (11.92 ± 1.67) mm, respectively. While those mean for its right side were (3.88 ± 0.88) mm and (12.18 ± 1.86) mm, respectively. The mean transverse and vertical diameters for the left side of the posterior ethmoid sinus were (6.02 ± 1.07) mm and (10.51 ± 1.43) mm, respectively. While those for the right side were (5.91 ± 1.20) mm and (10.51 ± 1.55) mm, respectively. 88.3% (106 sides) of the sphenoid sinuses were developed, while 11.7% (14 sides) were not developed. The mean transverse and vertical diameters for the left side of the sphenoid sinus were (5.18 ± 2.15) mm and (5.78 ± 1.86) mm, respectively. While those for the right side were (4.91 ± 2.24) mm and (5.89 ± 2.03) mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The nasal sinuses in 1-2 years old children have been already developed. The development of the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses was clear and definite. The pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus was defined in many babies; however, the pneumatization of the frontal sinus was not defined in all babies. Acute rhinosinusitis in 1-2 years old children is not uncommon. Therefore, definite diagnosis and positive treatment of such cases are essential for avoidance of serious complications.

[Bronchial foreign body of a 8-month infant: a case report].

A foreign body was found in left bronchi of a 8-month infant. A fish bone of 26 mm long was pulled out with bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. This kind of surgery done in infant is more challenging than that done in child.

[Computer-assisted anatomical evaluation of the nasal sinuses in infants].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the anatomical and developmental characteristics of nasal sinuses in infants; and provide potential evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis in infants. METHOD: Coronal CT scans for 36 infants (72 sides) were studied with the imaging station. Reference data were identified on these images using imaging station. The gasification conditions of the sinuses were identified and measured. RESULT: 100% of the frontal sinuses were absent, while 100% of the maxillary sinuses were developed. The mean of the transverse and vertical diameters for the left side of the maxillary sinuses was (8.69 +/- 3.75) mm and (9.37 +/- 2.36) mm, respectively. While those for the right side were (8.95 +/- 2.79) mm and (9.06 +/- 2.66) mm, respectively. All of the anterior and posterior ethmoid sinuses were developed. The mean transverse and vertical diameters for the left side of the anterior ethmoid sinus were (3.63 +/- 1.17) mm and (8.21 +/- 2.72) mm, respectively. While those mean for its right side were (3.48 +/- 1.32) and (8.28 +/- 2.62) mm, respectively. The mean transverse and vertical diameters for the left side of the posterior ethmoid sinus were (4.09 +/- 1.13) mm and (6.61 +/- 1.36) mm, respectively. While those for the right side were (4.01 +/- 1.28) mm and (6.63 +/- 1.97) mm, respectively. 30.6% (22 sides) of the sphenoid sinuses were developed, while 69.4% (50 sides) were not. CONCLUSION: The nasal sinuses in infants have already developed. The development of the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses was clear and definite. The pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus was defined in some babies, however, the pneumatization of the frontal sinus was not defined in all babies.

[Low-frequency tympanometry in normal neonates].

OBJECTIVE: To find the characteristic of tympanogram results obtained from normative neonates 2 - 7 days about low frequency (226 Hz) probe tone, and to determine the normative values for tympanometric variables. METHOD: Transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) screening were performed by using AccuScreen Pro instrument for 135 neonates. Among them, 105 neonates passed the TEOAE screening in both ears. The 226 Hz probe tone tympanograms and their normative values were obtained from them using GSI-33 middle ear analyzer. RESULT: The 226 Hz tympanometric data for the 105 neonates (210 ears) passed the TEOAE screening in both ears showed a double-peaked tympanogram in 202 ears (96.19%), a single-peaked tympanogram in 8 ears (3.81%). For double-peaked tympanogram in 202 ears, the tympanometric normative values was below: the first peak admittance is (0.91 +/- 0.18)mmho, Tpp is about (18.02 +/- 12.26)daPa; the second peak admittance is (1.05 +/- 0.23)mmho, Tpp is about (-35.05 +/- 16.80) daPa; the admittance of notch between the two peaks is (0.74 +/- 2.57)mmho, its pressure is about (0.37 +/- 7.61) daPa. Vec is about (0.50 +/- 0.08)ml. CONCLUSION: The 226 Hz tympanograms obtained from this cohort may serve as a guide for evaluating middle ear function in neonates.

[The character of pediatric chronic sinusitis with chronic cough].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and imaging character of chronic rhinosinusitis in the children with chronic cough and to discuss the treatment of them. METHOD: Fifty-three children with chronic cough were examined by otolaryngologists and evaluated by computed tomography (CT) scan. Some of them were also evaluated by nasal endoscope. There was not any finding of lung in chest X-ray in Adhese children and children with immunodeficiency were ruled out from the study. The children with chronic sinusitis were treated according to general protocols for 6 to 8 weeks, among them those with adenoid vegetation accepted adenoidectomy. RESULT: Forty-three cases of 53 children with chronic cough, aged from 2 years and 10 months to 13 years old (average 7 years old), were proved with sinusitis by CT. The main symptom of them was chronic cough. Thirty-five cases of these 43 children were with purulence, among them, 8 cases with mucoid in middle meatus, 28 cases with folliculosis in posterior oropharynx, and 6 children with adenoid vegetation. Clinical stage of 19 cases of 53 children were belonged to I type 3 stage, 19 cases belonged to I type 2 stage, 5 cases belonged to I type 1 stage. The maxillary sinus was most frequently involved, followed by the ethmoid sinus, the frontal sinus, the sphenoid sinus. All of the 43 children with sinusitis accepted treatment for 6 to 8 weeks. After treatment, 81.4% of patients were fully recovered, 18.6% significantly improved, 4 with adenoidectomy and 2 with tympanostomy tubes. CONCLUSION: The relationship between chronic sinusitis and chronic cough in children was closer than that in adults. It is very easy to make misdiagnosis because of other symptoms.