The efficacy of function?preservation in treating paranasal sinus and nasal cavity neoplasms

Background: Craniofacial resection (CFR) has been regarded as the gold standard for paranasal sinus and nasal cavity (PNSNC) neoplasms. The improvement of surgical procedures has been ongoing in recent years. We analyzed the clinical curative effects of the function-preservation therapy that was mainly using nasal endoscopic surgery along with appropriate radiotherapy and chemotherapy as applicable. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of factors that influence the survival time of the 28 patients with PNSNC neoplasms who underwent nasal endoscopic surgery. All patients with tumor lesions underwent a complete resection in en bloc or piecemeal resection. Five cases did not undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy; the remaining 23 patients had multimodality therapy. Results: The median follow-up time was 41.5 (range = 14–97) months. The overall 3-year survival rate was 78.57% for T3 cancer and 50% for those with T4. T classification (P = 0.031) and multimodality therapy (P = 0.038) were independent prognostic factors for postoperative 3-year survival rate of patients with PNSNC neoplasms. Conclusion: Function-preservation therapy based on the minimally invasive endoscopic resection (MIER) with appropriate adjuvant therapy not only prolonged the overall survival time but also provided an opportunity to preserve organ function at the same time, which helped to improve the patients’ quality of life

Correlation analysis of tactile abnormality and clinical symptoms of children in autism spectrum disorders / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore whether children in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have more obvious tactile abnormalities than healthy children, and to analyze the correlation between tactile abnormalities and clinical symptoms of autism, so as to provide a scientific basis for intervening and treating tactile abnormalities among the children with autism.@*Methods@#Totally 265 ASD children aged 3.02-10.66 years who received rehabilitation training in designated rehabilitation institutions for autism in Heilongjiang Province were collected as case group, and 223 healthy children aged 3.15-10.99 years were recruited as control group in Harbin kindergartens and primary schools according to the principle of gender and age matching. The Short Sensory Profile (SSP) was used to evaluate children s tactile behavior, and the differences between the two groups, as well as the scores of different genders and ages were analyzed. At the same time, Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) was used to evaluate the clinical manifestations of ASD children. Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between tactile behavior and autism symptoms.@*Results@#The tactile score of SSP in ASD group [33(33,35)] was lower than that in control group[34(31,35)], and the difference was statistically significant(Z=-2.73, P<0.05); And the proportion of tactile abnormality grade (possible abnormality and obvious abnormality) in ASD group (19.6%) was higher than that in control group(11.7%)(χ 2=5.72, P<0.05). At the same time, the tactile sensation between the two groups of boys was significantly different(Z=-2.17, P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between SSP tactile scores in ASD group and clinical scale scores including SRS social cognition, social communication and scale scores, Autism Behavior Checklist(ABC), Childhood Autism Behavior Scale(CARS), non-verbal communication of Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised(ADI-R)(r=-0.23, -0.28, -0.28, -0.35, -0.17, -0.27, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Autistic children show more obvious tactile abnormalities than healthy children, which is more significant in boys. And there is a correlation between tactile abnormalities and clinical manifestations such as autism social disorder.

Connectivity between visual brain regions and whole brain among children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the functional connectivity between the visual brain regions and whole brain in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at resting state, and to further analyze the correlation with their clinical manifestations.@*Methods@#The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of 34 boys with ASD enrolled from ASD designated rehabilitation institutions and 29 healthy boys enrolled from several kindergartens in Heilongjiang were collected. Based on the resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fc MRI) analysis, the BA17 of the primary visual brain region and the BA18/19 of the higher visual brain region were taken as the regions of interest (ROI) to calculate the functional connectivity level between the visual brain regions and whole brain, and the differences between the two groups were compared. Multiple developmental scales were used to evaluate the behavior of ASD children, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between functional connection strength and autistic behavior.@*Results@#The ASD group had decreased positive connectivity between BA17 and the right fusiform gyrus (FFG), and was negatively correlated with social interaction of ADI-R and the total scores of CARS (r=-0.41, -0.48, P<0.05); ASD group had decreased positive connectivity between BA17 and the left FFG, there was a negative correlation with social motivation of SRS (r=-0.43, P<0.05); ASD group had decreased positive connectivity between BA17 and the left posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG). Children with ASD had decreased positive connectivity between BA18/19 and left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex (CAL), which was positively correlated with attention conversion of AQ, total scores of CARS (r=0.43, 0.40, P<0.05), and the children with ASD had deceased positive connectivity between BA18/19 and right precuneus (PCUN).@*Conclusion@#In resting state, the functional connectivity of primary and higher visual brain regions and whole brain of ASD children is different from that in healthy children, and there is a significant correlation between abnormal level and autistic behaviors.

Homeobox B2 is a potential prognostic biomarker of glioblastoma

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES HOXB2 is a new prognostic indicator for lung cancer. But it is unclear whether HOXB2 holds an effect in glioblastoma (GBM) progression. The purpose of this article was to probe the influences of HOXB2 on GBM pathogenesis. METHODS HOXB2 expression level and prognostic power in GBM patients were analyzed. Then the mRNA and protein expression levels of HOXB2 in GBM cell lines were tested by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were determined by CCK8 and transwell assay, severally. The protein levels of PI3K/AKT-pathway associated proteins were analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS The results indicated that HOXB2 was distinctly overexpressed in GBM patients and high expression of HOXB2 was related to a poor prognosis. Moreover, the expression of HOXB2 was higher in all GBM cell lines U251, U-87MG, GOS-3 than that in HEB cells (normal control). Meanwhile, decreased expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT were identified after HOXB2 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrated that HOXB2 had a vital role in GBM progression and could serve as a promising target for GBM treatment.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS A HOXB2 é um novo indicador prognóstico para o câncer de pulmão. Mas não está claro se a HOXB2 tem algum efeito na progressão do glioblastoma (GBM). O objetivo deste artigo foi sondar as influências da HOXB2 na patogênese do GBM. MÉTODOS Foram analisados o nível de expressão e o poder prognóstico da HOXB2 em pacientes com GBM. Em seguida, os níveis de expressão proteica e mRNA da HOXB2 em linhagens de células de GBM foram testados por qRT-PCR e western blotting. A proliferação, a invasão e migração celular foram determinadas por CCK8 e ensaios transwell, várias vezes. Os níveis proteicos das proteínas associadas à via PI3K/AKT foram analisados pelo método western blotting. RESULTADOS Os resultados indicaram que havia uma clara superrexpressão da HOXB2 em pacientes com GBM e que a alta expressão da HOXB2 estava relacionada a um prognóstico negativo. Além disso, a expressão da HOXB2 foi mais elevada em todas as linhagens de células do GBM U251, U-87MG, GOS-3 do que nas células HEB (controle normal). Entretanto, a diminuição da expressão de P-PI3K e p-AKT foi identificada após a redução da expressão da HOXB2. CONCLUSÕES Esses dados demonstram que a HOXB2 desempenha um papel vital na progressão do GBM, podendo ser um alvo promissor para o tratamento do GBM.

Study on the characteristics of auditory in children with autism spectrum disorders / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the characteristics of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) in children with ASD, and analyze their relation with the core symptoms of ASD.@*Methods@#Ninty children aged 2-6 with ASD were recruited from Harbin in this study. The data of ABR was collected by using BAEP, and the association among children’s absolute latency and interpeak latency of ABR, core symptoms of ASD children’s behavior and clinical manifestation was analyzed.@*Results@#Compared with the normal average value, children with ASD had longer the absolute latency of wave Ⅰ,Ⅲ,Ⅴ in bilateral ears, which were (1.51±0.20)(3.83±0.34)(5.63±0.23)ms, (1.54±0.16) (3.78±0.23) (5.63±0.22)ms, respectively(P<0.05). Some children’s interpeak latency of Ⅰ-Ⅲ, Ⅲ-Ⅴ, Ⅰ-Ⅴ were longer than normal values. Children younger than 3 years old showed prolonged peak intervals of Ⅰ-Ⅲ and Ⅰ-Ⅴ than children in 3-7 years old. The study has also showed that there was positive correlation between the absolute latency of waveⅠin left ear and the social function defect(r=0.45, P<0.05); there was positive correlation between the latency of wave Ⅴin right ear or the latency of waveⅠin left ear or the Ⅰ-Ⅲ peakinterval and nonverbal communication ability dysfunction(r=0.35, 0.39, 0.34, P<0.05); there was positive correlation between the Ⅰ-Ⅲ peak interval and the repeated stereotyped symptoms(r=0.39, 0.35, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Children with ASD have abnormal auditory behavior. The absolute latency and interpeak latency of ABR is correlated to some parts of core symptoms of ASD.

Knowledge, attitude and behavior of tuberculosis among primary and middle school students in 10 counties of Heilongjiang province / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate knowledge, attitude and behavior related to tuberculosis prevention among primary and elementary school students in Heilongjiang province, and to provide evidence for school-based tuberculosis prevention and control.@*Methods@#A cross-sectional survey method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among 3 033 middle and elementary school students in 10 counties (districts) of Heilongjiang province, including knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to tuberculosis prevention and treatment.@*Results@#In the survey, 61.5% of the students understand the core information of tuberculosis. The core knowledge awareness rate was higher in primary school students (64.8%) than in middle school students(58.1%)(χ2=85.41，P<0.05). Primary and middle school students indicated that the attitude-taking rate of concerns about the tuberculosis patients was 47.5%. Primary school students had more general attitude than middle school students towards willingness to participate in publicity activities compared with primary school students(χ2=39.26，P<0.05). About 85% of students reported personal hygiene habits. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that tuberculosis-related knowledge was mainly associated with factors including urban and rural, parental education, health education courses in school(P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#There is a gap in tuberculosis-related knowledge among primary and middle school students between Heilongjiang province and national level. There’s a need for the improvement of tuberculosis control programs to inform a better understanding and social dissemination of TB information.

Psoralen inhibits malignant proliferation and induces apoptosis through triggering endoplasmic reticulum stress in human SMMC7721 hepatoma cells

BACKGROUND: Psoralen is a coumarin-like and coumarin-related benzofuran glycoside, which is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients with kidney and spleen-yang deficiency symptom. Psoralen has been reported to show estrogen-like activity, antioxidant activity, osteoblastic proliferation accelerating activity, antitumor effects and antibacterial activity. However, the antitumor mechanism of psoralen is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of psoralen in human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721 and the mechanism of antitumor effects. RESULTS: Psoralen inhibited proliferation of SMMC7721 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and promoted apoptosis. Further, psoralen activated the ER stress signal pathway, including the expansion of endoplasmic reticulum, increasing the mRNA levels of GRP78, DDIT3, ATF4, XBP1, GADD34 and the protein levels of GDF15, GRP78, IRE1α, XBP-1s in a time-dependent manner. Psoralen induces cell cycle arrest at G1 phase by enhancing CyclinD1 and reducing CyclinE1 expression. Moreover, TUDC couldn't inhibit the psoralen-induced ER stress in SMMC7721 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Psoralen can inhibit the proliferation of SMMC7721 cells and induce ER stress response to induce cell apoptosis, suggesting that psoralen may represent a novel therapeutic option for the prevention and treatment hepatocellular carcinoma.