[A comparative study of therapy effects between esomeprazole plus mosapride citrate and botulinum toxin injection on vocal process granuloma]

Objective:Anti-reflux medications or botulinum toxin A injections are the main current therapies for the definite vocal process granuloma. This studies is focusing on comparing the effects of proton pump inhibitors plus prokinetic agents with botulinum toxin A injections on vocal process granuloma. Method:Adult patients in our outpatient department (from December 2014 to June 2016) complaining of trachyphonia and/or abnormal pharyngeal sensations who were found to have contact granulomas (38 cases) were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment selected by themselves: esomeprazole with mosapride citrate (n=28) or botulinum toxin A injection (n=20). The reflux symptom index and reflux finding score determined by electronic fibrolaryngoscopy were utilized to assess efficacy. Result:There was no statistical difference on age, sex and reflux symptom index and reflux finding score before treatment between the two groups. Total effective rate in the esomeprazole with mosapride citrate group and the botulinum toxin A group were 96.43% and 45.00%, separately. The recorded symptoms after therapy resolved with a statistically significant improvement in the esomeprazole with mosapride citrate group. Conclusion:Combined proton pump inhibitor plus prokinetic drug therapy plays a significant role in the treatment of vocal process granulomas.

ANGPTL4 participates in gestational diabetes mellitus via regulating Akt pathway

OBJECTIVE

To explore ANGPTL4 expressions in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We first detected serum expressions of ANGPTL4 in GDM patients and healthy pregnancies. Subsequently, effects of ANGPTL4 knockdown on apoptosis, proliferation, and cell cycle in 3T3-L1 cells were determined, respectively. Effects of ANGPTL4 on glucose uptake and adipocyte differentiation were also evaluated, respectively. The cytokine secretion in adipocytes transfected with sh-ANGPTL4 was detected by quantitative Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, effects of ANGPTL4 knockdown on NF-kB and Akt pathway were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

ANGPTL4 was down-regulated in serum of GDM patients. In vitro experiments suggested that down-regulated ANGPTL4 inhibited apoptosis and promoted proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells. Meanwhile, down-regulated ANGPTL4 significantly inhibited glucose uptake and Akt pathway. However, ANGPTL4 expression did not affect cell cycle and adipocyte differentiation. Detection of inflammatory cytokines suggested that down-regulated ANGPTL4 resulted in increased expressions of inflammatory cytokines and activation of NF-kB pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

ANGPTL4 is down-regulated in GDM and may participate in the GDM development by promoting insulin resistance and secretion of inflammatory cytokines.

[Correlation between laryngopharyngeal reflux and otitis media with effusion in adults patients]

Objective:Using the pepsin A concentration to investigate the relationship among gastroesophageal Reflux/laryngopharyngeal reflux and otitis media with effusion in adults patients.Method: Adults with OME underwent myringotomy with tube placement or eardrum puncturing suction were collected in the study group and the patients with coclear implatation were collected as control group. A standard sandwich Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method was applied to measure pepsin A concentration in the middle ear fluid.RSI and GERD-Q were used for the patients in study group.Result: Pepsin A concentration was (23.72±26.64; 2.00-84.47 ng/ml) in study group.The positive rates of pepsin A in the patients and samples were 21.69%(18/83) and 17.27%(19/110) respectively.In the control group, no pepsin A was detected in 26 samples. In the study group, 5 (6.02%) were diagnozid with GERD and 19 out of 83 patients (22.89%,19/83) were diagnosed with LPRD.LPRD, 8 out of 18 patients (44.44%) in the pepsin A positive group, was much higher than that in the pepsin A negative group (16.92%)(P<0.01).Conclusion: Laryngopharyngeal reflux was an important pathogeny of OME in adults patients, although those patients maybe have no any symptoms of GERD. The fat maybe be one of a indirect risk factor of OME in adults.

Activity of Streptococcus mutans VicR Is Modulated by Antisense RNA

The VicRK 2-component system of Streptococcus mutans regulates genes associated with cell wall biogenesis and biofilm formation. A putative RNase III-encoding gene ( rnc) is located downstream from the vicRKX operon. The goals of this study were to investigate the potential role of VicR in the regulation of adjacent downstream genes and evaluate transcription levels of vicR during planktonic and biofilm growth. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to investigate whether vicRKX and adjacent downstream genes were cotranscribed. Binding of purified recombinant VicR protein to promoter regions of vicR, rnc, and syfA genes was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and by chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses. VicR antisense (AS vicR) RNA was detected by Northern blotting and qRT-PCR assays. AS vicR overexpression mutants were constructed, and the biofilm biomass was determined by crystal violet microtiter assay. Adjacent downstream genes rnc, smc, syfA, smu.1511, and syfB were cotranscribed with vicRKX. The predicted promoter regions of vicR, rnc, and syfA genes were directly regulated by VicR. An AS vicR RNA transcript was detected upstream of the rnc gene. Expression of the AS vicR RNA transcript was elevated in planktonic cultures and repressed during biofilm growth. In addition, Western blot data showed that expression of the VicR protein decreased by 35% in planktonic as compared with biofilm cultures. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of AS vicR led to a reduction in biofilm formation. The downstream genes rnc, smc, syfA, smu.1511, and syfB are cotranscribed with vicRKX. VicR is autophosphorylated, and rnc and syfA are directly regulated by VicR. Expression of VicR protein correlated inversely with different levels of AS vicR RNA transcript and growth conditions. The biofilm biomass decreased in the AS vicR overexpression mutant. These data suggest a role for the AS vicR RNA transcript in posttranscriptional regulation of VicR protein production in S. mutans.

Effect of Deltex-1 on proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into smooth muscle cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Deltex-1 on proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) into smooth muscle cells (SMCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

bMSCs of rat were isolated from bone marrow, cultured and identified. The effect of Deltex-1 on the proliferation of bMSCs infected with adenovirus vector pAd/Deltex-1 was detected by cell count kit-8 (CCK-8). The expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC), that is one of the markers of SMCs in bMSCs without treatment, with Deltex-1 virus infection or empty virus infection and co-cultured with SMCs, were detected by immunofluorescence cytochemistry staining, RT-PCR and Western blotting. The same detection of bMSCs and SMCs without treatment was used as normal control, respectively.

RESULTS

bMSCs of rat were isolated from bone marrow, cultured and identified. Compared with the control, the results of CCK-8 showed that the growth of bMSCs infected by Deltex-1 virus was slower, and began to appear more significant especially at 48 (p<0.05, p<0.01). The results of immunofluorescence cytochemistry, Real-time PCR and Western blot showed that bMSCs with Deltex-1 virus infection and co-cultured with SMCs significantly expressed SM-MHC, and weakly expressed Notch-1.

CONCLUSIONS

The proliferation of bMSCs with Deltex-1 over-expression could be inhibited and its differentiation into smooth muscle cells could be promoted.

Aggregates of octenylsuccinate oat β-glucan as novel capsules to stabilize curcumin over food processing, storage and digestive fluids and to enhance its bioavailability

Self-aggregates of octenylsuccinate oat β-glucan (A_OSG) have been verified as nanocapsules to load curcumin, a representative of hydrophobic phytochemicals. This study primarily investigated the stability of curcumin-loaded A_OSGs over food processing, storage and digestive fluids. Curcumin in A_OSGs showed better stability over storage and thermal treatment than its free form. Curcumin loaded in A_OSGs stored at 4 °C in the dark exhibited higher stability than that at higher temperatures or exposed to light. Approximately 18% of curcumin was lost after five freeze-thaw cycles. Curcumin in A_OSG was more stable than its free form in mimetic intestinal fluids, attesting to the effective protection of A_OSG for curcumin over digestive environments. When curcumin-loaded A_OSG travelled across mimetic gastric and intestinal fluids, curcumin was tightly accommodated in the capsule, while it rapidly escaped as the capsule reached the colon. Interestingly, the curcumin loaded in A_OSG generated higher values of C_max and area under the curve than did its free counterpart. These observations showed that A_OSG is a powerful vehicle for stabilizing hydrophobic phytochemicals in food processing and storage, facilitating their colon-targeted delivery and enhancing their bioavailability.

[The characteristics of CT scan and MRI images of middle ear adenomas]

Objective:To analyze characteristics of CT scan and MRI images of middle ear adenomas,and provide pre-operation diagnosis and differential diagnosis combined with clinical manifestation.Method:Retrospective analysis of 8 cases of middle ear adenomas which were diagnosed and treated with surgery in Beijing Tongren Hospital between 2004 and 2014, patients' complain, clinical manifestation, physical examination, pure tone analysis, CT scan and MRI images were collected.Result:A total of 8 cases were included in this study with 5 females and 3 males. Age of onset ranged from 21 to 51 years old, with an average age of 37.5 years old, and middle age of 37 years old. All patients suffered from single side middle ear adenomas, 5 of left side and 3 of right side. All 8 patients suffered from hearing loss with tinnitus or stuffy feelings, 2 cases with otalgia, 1 with facial nerve paralysis. Physical examination showed 5 cases of bulging of tympanic membrane, 2 cases of out growth of mass into the external ear canal, and 1 with normal tympanic membrane. CT scan of 7 patients showed mass in tympanum and mastoid, with packaged ossicular chain and with no significant bone damage. 2 cases showed out growth of mass into the external ear canal, and 1 case showed limited mass in middle tympanum. MRI images of 5 cases showed equal T1 and T2 signals with intensifying in tympanum. Long T1 or equal T1 and long T2 signal in mastoid showed obstructive inflammation.Conclusion:Characters of middle ear adenomas includes mass in tympanum without bone damage in CT scan, and equal T1 and T2 signal with significant intensifying in tympanum in MRI images. Combined with clinical manifestation, this radiological information may provide benefit for pre-operation diagnosis.

[The advances of probiotics treatment of allergic rhinitis]

In recent years, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis faces an explosion. People's understanding about the pathogenesis of this disease goes profound. Probiotics is competent to regulate the balance of immune system, and also can reduce susceptibility towards allergens. Now it is right a hot topic that applying probiotics to remedy allergic rhinitis. Since the data of many researches in this field is at hand, further discuss is needed from experimental methods to molecular mechanisms.

Necroptosis in the periodontal homeostasis: Signals emanating from dying cells

Periodontal tissues are constantly exposed to microbial stimuli. The equilibrium between microbes and host defense system helps maintain the homeostasis in the periodontal microenvironment. Growth of pathogenic bacteria in dental biofilms may induce proinflammatory cytokine production to recruit sentinel cells, mainly neutrophils and monocytes into the gingival sulcus or the periodontal pocket. Moreover, dysbiosis with overgrowth of anaerobic pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia, may induce death of both immune cells and host resident cells. Necroptosis is one newly characterized programmed cell death mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK)-1, RIPK3, and mixed lineage kinase like (MLKL). With its release of death-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) into extracellular environment, necroptosis may help transmit the danger signal and amplify the inflammatory responses. In this review, we present recent advances on how necroptosis influences bacterial infection progression and what a role necroptosis plays in maintaining the homeostasis in the periodontal niche. Until we fully decipher the signals emanated from dying cells, we cannot completely understand the mechanism of disease progression.

[Clinical features and risk factors for recurrence in mucinous breast cancer]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristic and risk factors for recurrence in different subtypes of mucinous breast cancer(MBC). Methods: Clinical data of 97 MBC patients at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from August 2005 to November 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All of patients were divided into 3 subtypes according to the mucinous components in the tumors, named as partial mixed MBC with less than 50% of mucinous components, main mixed MBC where the mucinous component accounted for 50% to 90%, and pure MBC with more than 90% of mucinous components. In this study, 43, 16 and 38 patients were included in partial mixed MBC, main mixed MBC, and pure MBC, respectively. Follow-up was collected by out-patient, in-patient system and phone call. The relationship between different subtypes and clinicopathological significance were analyzed by χ(2) test. Kaplan-Meier curve combined with Log-rank test was used to evaluate the risk factors of relapse free survival(RFS) at 3- and 5-year. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: The median follow-up time was 65 months (range 24-125). Of the 97 patients, 14 patients were relapse or metastasis at the end point. The 3- and 5-year RFS were 90.7% and 85.7%, respectively. Tumor size, number of involved lymph nodes (LN), axillary LN metastasis, TNM stages and p53 mutant status were all related with subtypes of MBC(all of P<0.05). There was no correlation between subtypes of MBC and the other parameters, including age at surgery, estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) overexpression, menstruation status, and the relapse of disease(all of P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed menstruation status and TNM stages were associated with the relapse of breast cancer(P<0.05). The patients with menopause and stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ showed significantly shorter RFS time(both of P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that tumor size, PR status and postoperative radiotherapy were the independent prognostic factors for the relapse of MBC. Conclusions: Tumor size, status of axillary LN metastasis, TNM stages, and p53 mutation status are differ among different subtypes of MBC. The tumor size (>30 mm), PR status and postoperative radiotherapy are the independent risk factors for recurrence, whereas the proportion of the mucinous component is not associated with relapse in MBC patients.

An integrated analysis identifies STAT4 as a key regulator of ovarian cancer metastasis

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most common gynecological cancers, with diagnosis often at a late stage. Metastasis is a major cause of death in patients with EOC, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we utilized an integrated approach to find potential key transcription factors involved in ovarian cancer metastasis and identified STAT4 as a critical player in ovarian cancer metastasis. We found that activated STAT4 was overexpressed in epithelial cells of ovarian cancer and STAT4 overexpression was associated with poor outcome of ovarian cancer patients, which promoted metastasis of ovarian cancer in both in vivo and in vitro. Although STAT4 mediated EOC metastasis via inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ovarian cancer cells in vivo, STAT4 failed to induce EMT directly in vitro, suggesting that STAT4 might mediate EMT process via cancer-stroma interactions. Further functional analysis revealed that STAT4 overexpression induced normal omental fibroblasts and adipose- and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to obtain cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF)-like features via induction of tumor-derived Wnt7a. Reciprocally, increased production of CAF-induced CXCL12, IL6 and VEGFA within tumor microenvironment could enable peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer via induction of EMT program. In summary, our study established a model that STAT4 promotes ovarian cancer metastasis via tumor-derived Wnt7a-induced activation of CAFs.

Reevaluation of Two Quantitative Trait Loci for Type II Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat Germplasm PI 672538

Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a destructive disease in wheat. A population consisting of 229 F₂ and F_2:3 plants derived from the cross PI 672538 × L661 was used to evaluate the reactions to FHB. The FHB resistance data distribution in the F₂ population indicates that some quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were controlling the FHB resistance in PI 672538. We further detected two major QTLs (Qfhs-2B, Qfhs-3B) from analysis of the resistance data and the PCR-amplified results using WinQTLCart 2.5 software. Qfhs-2B, flanked by Xbarc55-2B and Xbarc1155-2B, explained more than 11.6% of the phenotypic variation of the percentage of diseased spikelets (PDS), and Qfhs-3B, flanked by Xwmc54-3B and Xgwm566-3B, explained more than 10% of the PDS phenotypic variation in the F_2:3 population. In addition, Qfhs-3B was different from Fhb1 in terms of the pedigree, inheritance, resistance response, chromosomal location, and marker diagnosis. We also detected QTLs for other disease resistance indices, including the percentage of damaged kernels and 1,000-grain weight, in similar chromosomal regions. Therefore, the FHB resistance of PI 672538 was mainly controlled by two major QTLs, mapped on 2B (FhbL693a) and 3B (FhbL693b). PI 672538 could be a useful germplasm for improving wheat FHB resistance.

[Efficacy of Bailemian capsule combined with self-help cognitive behavioral therapy in treatment of chronic insomnia]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Bailemian capsule combined with self-help cognitive behavioral therapy (CBTI-SH) in treatment of chronic insomnia. Methods: Approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital, 60 patients with chronic insomnia were randomly divided into two groups, the test group (Bailemian capsule combined with CBTI-SH) and the control group (CBTI-SH alone). Each group contained 30 cases. After 4 weeks for therapy, the sleep quality, mood and adverse reactions of treatment in patients were evaluated by sleep diary, sleep severity index scale (ISI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) respectively. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: The total effective rate in the test group was significantly higher than that of the control group (73.3% vs 46.7%, P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the sleep onset latency was significantly shorten [(38.3±13.1) vs (27.5±9.8) min, P<0.05], while the sleep efficiency were increased markedly [(76.6±5.7)% vs (80.5±6.6)%, P<0.05] in the test group. In the test group, the sleep onset latency, the total sleep time, the time in bed and sleep efficiency both improved significantly after treatment [(27.5±9.8) vs (56.2±19.4) min, (334.4±41.6) vs (310.8±31.7) min, (415.6±38.9) vs (446.9±39.9) min, (80.5±6.6)% vs (69.6±4.9)%, all P<0.05], while in the control group, the sleep onset latency, the time in bed and sleep efficiency also improved significantly after therapy [(38.3±13.1) vs (55.2±16.2) min, (430.4±32.6) vs (452.4±34.4) min, (76.6±5.7)% vs (69.9±5.2)%, all P<0.05]. After combined treatment, the SAS and SDS scores [(51.5±6.5) vs (55.0±5.8), (52.0±5.3) vs (55.3±4.4), both P<0.05] both decreased significantly than those of the control group, at the same time, the SAS and SDS scores decreased significantly after treatment in both the test group and the control group [(51.5±6.5) vs (61.5±4.8), (52.0±5.3) vs (60.2±4.5), (55.0±5.8) vs (62.5±3.7), (55.3±4.4) vs (62.2±3.7), all P<0.01]. Conclusion: The efficacy of Bailemian capsule combined with CBTI-SH in the treatment of chronic insomnia is more effective.

Mannan Derivatives Instruct Dendritic Cells to Induce Th1/Th2 Cells Polarization via Differential Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation

Mannan derived from fungal cell walls have potential uses as immunomodulating agents and vaccine adjuvants. Immunization with antigen conjugated to oxidized mannan (OM) or reduced mannan (RM) have induced differential immune responses in mice. Yet, the adjuvant effect and differences in molecular profiles of OM and RM on APCs is unresolved. Here, we investigated the response of mouse bone marrow-derived DCs to OM and RM. OM and RM stimulated DCs to produce differential Th1/Th2-inducing cytokines in vitro. OM and RM-activated DCs stimulated allogeneic T-cell Th1 and Th2 polarization reaction. OM instruct DCs to stimulate Th1 responses via IL-12p70 production, which depends on the phosphorylation of p38, RM barely induce IL-12p70, but IL-10 and IL-4, and magnitude of ERK phosphorylation, which results in a Th2 bias. These findings indicate that OM and RM were potent adjuvant capable of directly initiating DC activation Th1 and Th2 polarization respectively.

Effects of β-hydroxybutyricacid on the synthesis and assembly of very low-density lipoprotein in bovine hepatocytes in vitro

β-Hydroxybutyricacid (BHBA) is an important metabolite that involved in the development of ketosis and fatty liver in dairy cows. Dairy cows with fatty liver displayed high blood concentration of BHBA and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) assembly. The effects of BHBA on VLDL synthesis and assembly in hepatocytes of cows were unclear. In this study, bovine hepatocytes were cultured and treated with different concentrations of BHBA. We found that BHBA treatment upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB 100), apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) and showed in a firstly increased and then decreased trend. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein levels of LDLR showed in a reverse trend. Consequently, VLDL content was significantly increased in medium-dose BHBA treatment group, while decreased in high-dose group. These results indicate that the effects of BHBA on the VLDL synthesis showed in a dose-dependent manner that low levels of BHBA increase VLDL synthesis and high levels of BHBA decrease VLDL synthesis.