Epigenetic network of EZH2/SFRP1/Wnt in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of laryngeal carcinoma cells.

Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2) as a histone methyltransferase epigenetically regulates laryngeal carcinoma (LGC) progression. The present study sought to explore the role and mechanism of EZH2 in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of LGC cells. Expressions of EZH2, secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1), and trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3) in LGC tissues or cells were detected via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. Upon transfection of si-EZH2, si-SFRP1, oe-SFRP1, or H3K27me3 upregulation, cell viability was assessed via cell counting kit-8, protein levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, ß-catenin, c-Myc, and Cyclin D1 were determined via western blotting, and Vimentin expression was determined via immunofluorescence. The enrichment level of H3K27me3 in the SFRP1 promoter was measured via chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR. EZH2 was highly expressed in LGC tissues and cells. Silencing EZH2 repelled the EMT of LGC cells. Mechanically, EZH2 upregulated H3K27me3 in the SFRP1 promotor to inhibit SFRP1 expression, and SFRP1 overexpression inactivated the Wnt pathway. H3K27me3 upregulation or SFRP1 downregulation reversed the inhibition of silencing EZH2 in the EMT of LGC cells. Overall, EZH2 upregulated H3K27me3 in the SFRP1 promoter to inhibit SFRP1 expression and activate the Wnt pathway, thereby facilitating the EMT of LGC cells.

Pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase senses cellular stress and modulates metabolism by regulating mitochondrial respiration.

Pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) catalyzes the synthesis of pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C), a key precursor for the synthesis of proline and ornithine. P5CS malfunction leads to multiple human diseases; however, the molecular mechanism underlying these diseases is unknown. We found that P5CS localizes in mitochondria in rod- and ring-like patterns but diffuses inside the mitochondria upon cellular starvation or exposure to oxidizing agents. Some of the human disease-related mutant forms of P5CS also exhibit diffused distribution. Multimerization (but not the catalytic activity) of P5CS regulates its localization. P5CS mutant cells have a reduced proliferation rate and are sensitive to cellular stresses. Flies lacking P5CS have reduced eclosion rates. Lipid droplets accumulate in the eyes of the newly eclosed P5CS mutant flies, which degenerate with aging. The loss of P5CS in cells leads to abnormal purine metabolism and lipid-droplet accumulation. The reduced lipid-droplet consumption is likely due to decreased expression of the fatty acid transporter, CPT1, and few ß-oxidation-related genes following P5CS knockdown. Surprisingly, we found that P5CS is required for mitochondrial respiratory complex organization and that the respiration defects in P5CS knockout cells likely contribute to the metabolic defects in purine synthesis and lipid consumption. This study links amino acid synthesis with mitochondrial respiration and other key metabolic processes, whose imbalance might contribute to P5CS-related disease conditions.

Analyses and treatments of postoperative nasal complications after endonasal transsphenoidal resection of pituitary neoplasms.

In this study, we analyze and discuss the treatments of postoperative nasal complications after endonasal transsphenoidal resection of pituitary neoplasms (PNs). We performed 129 endonasal transsphenoidal resections of PNs and analyzed and treated cases with nasal complications. After endonasal transsphenoidal resection of PNs, there were 26 cases of postoperative nasal complications (20.1%), including nasal hemorrhage (4.8%), cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea (6.9%), sphenoid sinusitis (2.3%), atrophic rhinitis (1.6%), olfactory disorder (1.6%), perforation of nasal septum (0.8%), and nasal adhesion (2.3%). All patients clinically recovered after therapy, which included treatment of the cavity through nasal endoscopy, intranasal corticosteroids, and nasal irrigation. We propose that regular nasal endoscopic review, specific nasal medications, and regular nasal irrigation can effectively clear nasal mucosal hyperemia-induced edema and nasal/nasoantral secretions, as well as promote regeneration of nasal mucosa, prevent nasal adhesion, maintain the sinus cavity drainage, and accelerate the recovery of the physiological function of the paranasal sinus. Timely treatment of patients with nasal complications after endonasal transsphenoidal resections of PNs could greatly relieve the clinical symptoms. Nasal cleaning is very beneficial to patients after surgery recovery.

[The effect of nasal irrigation in the treatment of allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the symptoms and lower airway inflammatory factors of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), and to observe the effect of nasal irrigation in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Sixty-one cases diagnosed as AR after skin prick test (SPT)were selected and randomly divided into three groups: 17 patients in group A used nasal steroid spray; 21 cases in group B used nasal irrigation; 23 patients in group C combined ir rigation with nasal steroid. Before and after 3 months treatment, nasal visual analogue scale (VAS) score, rhino conjunctivtis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) values were observed and compared in each group. RESULT: Before treatment, there is no statistically difference between three groups (P > 0.05). After 3 months of treatment, VAS, RQLQ, FENO of all patients was significantly decreased (P < 0.05); VAS, RQLQ score was not significantly different among the three groups (P > 0.05), FENO value has no statistically significant difference between group A and group B (P > 0.05), but were less than that in group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Nasal irrigation can ameliorate nasal symptoms, improve quality of life, decrease lower airway inflammation of allergic rhinitis patients. Nasal irrigation is an effective treatment of allergic rhinitis. Nasal irrigation combined with nasal steroid can achieve more significant efficacy.

Isolated frontal sinusitis treated using an anterior-to-ethmoidal bulla surgical approach.

Traditional frontal sinus surgery is associated with a significant trauma. Herein, we have discussed the feasibility, technique, and efficacy of a minimally invasive anterior-to-ethmoidal bulla surgical approach performed under nasal endoscopy to treat isolated frontal sinusitis. Fifteen patients with isolated frontal sinusitis underwent the anterior-to-ethmoidal bulla surgical procedure under general anesthesia. The opening of the frontal sinus was located by frontal mini-trephination in 1 patient. The effects of the operation were evaluated by regular postoperative follow-up. The average postoperative follow-up period was 12.7 months (range 6-24 months). The postoperative symptom of headache was completely resolved in all 15 patients, and 12 patients had good opening of the frontal sinus and complete epithelization was observed by nasal endoscopy. The frontal sinus of 3 patients was not opened, but these patients did not show subjective symptoms. The anterior-to-ethmoidal bulla surgical approach is ideal for isolated frontal sinusitis.

Repair of ear cartilage defects with allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rabbits.

The study aims to investigate the feasibility of repairing cartilaginous defects with chondrocytes induced from allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) in rabbits' ear. BMMSCs were isolated and purified from New Zealand rabbits, in vitro amplified, and cultured in chondrocyte induction medium in order to acquire chondrocytes. After 3 weeks of induction, their phenotypes were confirmed as chondrocytes, then they were implanted onto novel polymeric scaffolds made from Poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) embedded with chitosan nonwoven cloth. The experimental group was transplanted with tissue engineering cartilaginous grafts composed of chondrogenetic BMMSC/scaffolds; the scaffold group was treated with scaffolds without cells, while in the control group, nothing was implanted. Specimens were taken at 6, 12, and 18 weeks after implantation, and the healing condition was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and toluidine blue staining. The right and left ears with cartilage defects of eighteen rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. In the experimental group, after 18 weeks of transplantation, the gross observation indicated that the cartilaginous defects were completely repaired by chondrocytes with smooth surface and similar color with the surrounding tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and toluidine blue staining suggested that the defective area was filled with mature cartilage cells with obvious lacunae but without obvious boundaries with the normal cartilage tissue, and that the new cartilage cells were evenly distributed with homogeneously dyed cytoplasm and smaller in size. The chondrocyte induced from allogenic BMMSC can be used to repair cartilage defects in rabbit's ear.

GSTM1 null polymorphisms is associated with laryngeal cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Many studies have examined the association between the GSTM1 (null or non-null genotype) polymorphism and laryngeal cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. To assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed. PubMed was searched for case-control studies published up to December 2013. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Ultimately, 23 studies, comprising 2,562 laryngeal cancer cases and 4,091 controls, were included. Overall, for null versus present, the pooled OR was 1.22 (95 % CI = 1.10-1.36), and the heterogeneity was found in all studies. In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, significant risks were found among Asians (OR = 1.71; 95 % CI = 1.34-2.19; P = 0.011 for heterogeneity) and in Caucasians (OR = 1.13, 95 % CI = 1.00-1.27; P = 0.036 for heterogeneity). In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrates that the GSTM1 null gene polymorphism is an increased risk of laryngeal cancer in Asians and Caucasians.

Transplantation of fetal instead of adult fibroblasts reduces the probability of ectopic ossification during tendon repair.

Although cell transplantation therapy can effectively promote functional tendon repair, occasional ectopic ossification during tendon regeneration undermines its efficacy. The effect of transplanted cell types on ectopic ossification has not yet been systematically evaluated. This study compared the rate of ectopic ossification during tendon repair upon transplantation with mouse fetal fibroblasts (FFs) and their adult counterparts (adult fibroblasts [AFs]). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, immunofluorescence, and gene expression analysis were used to compare the spontaneous osteogenic differentiation of FFs and AFs in vitro. X-ray, histology, and gene expression analysis were used to investigate the ectopic ossification in a mouse Achilles tendon repair model in vivo. ALP staining and immunofluorescence data in vitro showed that FFs had less spontaneous osteogenic differentiation capacity, and lower expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (runx2). For the in vivo study, the FFs transplant group displayed reduced ectopic ossification (2/7 vs. 7/7, Mann-Whitney test p<0.01) at 14 weeks post-transplantation and enhanced tendon repair (general histological score at week 6, 7.53 vs. 10.56, p<0.05). More chondrocytes formed at 6 weeks, and all mice developed bone marrow at 14 weeks post-transplantation in the AFs transplant group. Gene expression analysis of the regenerated tissue showed significantly higher expression levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-ß1) and transforming growth factor beta3 (TGF-ß3) in the AFs group during the early stages of tendon repair. Our study demonstrates that transplantation of fetal instead of AFs is more promising for tendon repair, underscoring the importance of the origin of seed cells for tendon repair.

[Quantifying the influence of different matrices on Pb accumulation in the soil from Nanjing and suspended matter from the lower of the Yangtze River with Pb isotopic technique].

Lead pollution and its geochemical behavior have an influence on ecological environment and human health. It is of significance to study the characteristics and mechanism of Pb accumulation and to quantify the contributions of different environmental matrices to Pb accumulation in soils and river suspended matter in the representative fluvial delta area, such as the lower of the Yangtze River. The results showed that lead was enriched in the urban topsoil in Nanjing and the suspended matter in the lower of the Yangtze River. The urban topsoil and the river suspended matter showed higher 206Pb/207Pb and lower 208Pb/206Pb relative to the natural matrices, and this was resulted from the influence of the anthropogenic lead. The relative contribution of separate Pb sources was assessed with the Pb geochemical model, 18%-56% (average 35%) Pb in Nanjing urban soil was derived from the anthropogenic matrices, and anthropogenic Pb contributed 22%-46% (average 32%) of total Pb in the Yangtze River suspended matter.

The effect of decellularized matrices on human tendon stem/progenitor cell differentiation and tendon repair.

It is reported that decellularized collagen matrices derived from dermal skin and bone have been clinically used for tendon repair. However, the varying biological and physical properties of matrices originating from different tissues may influence the differentiation of tendon stem cells, which has not been systematically evaluated. In this study, the effects of collagenous matrices derived from different tissues (tendon, bone and dermis) on the cell differentiation of human tendon stem/progenitor cells (hTSPCs) were investigated, in the context of tendon repair. It was found that all three matrices supported the adhesion and proliferation of hTSPCs despite differences in topography. Interestingly, tendon-derived decellularized matrix promoted the tendinous phenotype in hTSPCs and inhibited their osteogenesis, even under osteogenic induction conditions, through modulation of the teno- and osteolineage-specific transcription factors Scleraxis and Runx2. Bone-derived decellularized matrix robustly induced osteogenic differentiation of hTSPCs, whereas dermal skin-derived collagen matrix had no apparent effect on hTSPC differentiation. Based on the specific biological function of the tendon-derived decellularized matrix, a tissue-engineered tendon comprising TSPCs and tendon-derived matrix was successfully fabricated for Achilles tendon reconstruction. Implantation of this cell-scaffold construct led to a more mature structure (histology score: 4.08 ± 0.61 vs. 8.51 ± 1.66), larger collagen fibrils (52.2 ± 1.6 nm vs. 47.5 ± 2.8 nm) and stronger mechanical properties (stiffness: 21.68 ± 7.1 Nm m(-1) vs.13.2 ± 5.9 Nm m(-1)) of repaired tendons compared to the control group. The results suggest that stem cells promote the rate of repair of Achilles tendon in the presence of a tendinous matrix. This study thus highlights the potential of decellularized matrix for future tissue engineering applications, as well as developing a practical strategy for functional tendon regeneration by utilizing TSPCs combined with tendon-derived decellularized matrix.

[Quantitative prediction of soil salinity content with visible-near infrared hyper-spectra in northeast China].

Studying the spectral property of salinized soil is an important work, for it is the base of monitoring soil salinization by remote sense. To investigate the spectral property of salinized soil and the relationship between the soil salinity and the hyperspectral data, the field soil samples were collected in the region of Northeast China and then reflectance spectra were measured. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) model was established based on the statistical analysis of the soil salinity content and the reflectance of hyperspectra. The feasibility of soil salinity prediction by hyperspectra was decided by analyzed calibration model and independent validation. Models accuracy was also analyzed, which was established in the conditions of different treatment methods and different re-sampling intervals. The results showed that it was feasible to predict soil salinity content based on measured reflectance spectrum. The results also revealed that it was necessary to smooth measured hyperspectra for spectral prediction accuracy to be improved significantly after smoothing. The best model was established based on smoothed and log(l/x) transformed hyperspectra with high determination coefficients (R2) of 0.6677 and RPD = 1.61, which showed that this math transformation could eliminate noise effectively and so as to improve the prediction accuracy. The largest re-sampling interval is 8 nm that could meet the accuracy of the soil salinity prediction. Therefore, it provided scientific reference of monitoring soil salinization by remote sensing from satellite platform.

Expression of endothelin receptor subtypes in the spiral ganglion neurons of the guinea pig.

OBJECTIVE: Endothelin 1 has many biological activities including regulating the functions of auditory system. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of the endothelin receptors in spiral ganglion neurons and its significance in the auditory transmission. METHODS: The cochleae of healthy guinea pigs were fixed, decalcified, embedded in paraffin and serially sectioned. The expression of endothelin receptor subunits, ET receptor A (ET-A) and ET receptor B (ET-B), was examined in the spiral ganglion neurons of guinea pig using immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: Different degrees of ET-A and ET-B positive reactivity appeared in all spiral ganglion neurons from the basal turn to the apical turn. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the suggestion that endothelin via the endothelin receptor may play a physiological role in the spiral ganglion neurons.

{Bis[4-(2-pyrid-yl)pyrimidin-2-yl]sulfane}dichloridocobalt(II).

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [CoCl(2)(C(18)H(12)N(6)S)], contains one half-mol-ecule situated on a twofold rotation axis which passes through the Co and S atoms. The metal centre is in a distorted octahedral CoCl(2)N(4) coordination with the Cl atoms in the axial positions. In the crystal structure, inter-molecular C-H⋯Cl inter-actions help to establish the packing.

4,4'-Di-3-pyridyl-2,2'-dithio-dipyrimidine.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(18)H(12)N(6)S(2), contains one half-mol-ecule situated on a twofold rotational axis that passes through the mid-point of the S-S bond. In the mol-ecule, the C-S-S-C torsion angle is 81.33 (7)°. The crystal packing exhibits no significantly short inter-molecular contacts.

[Characteristics of heavy metals in sediments from different sources and their ecological risks in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River].

Characteristics of heavy metals in sediments from different sources are significant varied,which impact on the degree of damage for aquatic system. Samples from municipal, mining, industrial and port sources in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River were analyzed for major elements and Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr by ICP-AES and AAS. The results showed that the concentrations were moderately and relatively uniform for heavy metals in the municipal source, Cu, Pb were dominated for the mine source. Five metals had higher concentrations in industrial source, and Cd was the highest in sediments from port source. The enrichment factors of heavy metals in sediments were high, especially Cd, up to 7.3.Through principal component analysis of major elements and heavy metals, it is concluded that heavy metals of municipal source stem from the erosion of road surface and inner pipeline in cities, heavy metals of mine source come from the mining and the leaching of tailings, heavy metals of industrial source are mostly generated by mechanical debris and metal dissolution, heavy metals of port sources are mainly from the transport ships and the intensive gas emissions from vehicles. The ecological risks of these sediments were evaluated with the Hakanson ecological risk index. It is concluded that the single factors of the ecological hazards for metals are Cd > Cu > Pb > Cr > Zn, the comprehensive index of potential ecological risks for metals from different sources decrease with port source > industrial source > mine source > municipal source.

1,3,4,6-Tetra-chloro-7,7-bis-(4-chloro-phen-yl)bicyclo-[4.2.0]oct-3-ene-2,5-dione.

The title compound, C(20)H(10)Cl(6)O(2), a quinone derivative, was obtained by the irradiation of 2,3,5,6-tetra-chloro-benzo-quinone and 4,4'-(ethene-1,1-di-yl)bis-(chloro-benzene). The six- and four-membered rings are fused in a cis configuration. The dihedral angle between them is 53.4 (3)°.

3-{[4-(4-Pyrid-yl)pyrimidin-2-yl]sulfanylmeth-yl}benzoic acid.

The title compound, C(17)H(13)N(3)O(2)S, was prepared by reaction of 4-(4-pyrid-yl)pyrimidine-2-thiol with 3-(bromo-meth-yl)benzoic acid under basic conditions. Each pair of mol-ecules is mutually linked via O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming a dimer. The packing of the dimers is stablized by C-H⋯π inter-actions involving the methyl-ene unit of the -CH(2)S- linkage and benzene rings.

(S)-1-[3,5-Bis-(trifluoro-meth-yl)phen-yl]-N-methylethyl-amine-(R)-2-hydroxy-butane-dioic acid (1/1).

In the title compound, C(11)H(11)F(6)N·C(4)H(6)O(5), a key inter-mediate in the synthesis of the NK1 receptor antagonist of casopitant, the F atoms of the trifluoro-methyl groups are disordered over two sites with equal occupancies. In the crystal, the components are linked by bifurcated N-H⋯(O,O) hydrogen bonds.

Relatively light general anesthesia is more effective than fluid expansion in reducing the severity of epinephrine-induced hypotension during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Epinephrine infiltration of the nasal mucosa causes hypotension during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) under general anesthesia. A prospective randomized-controlled study was designed to determine whether relatively light general anesthesia is superior to fluid expansion in reducing epinephrine-induced hypotension during FESS. METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing elective FESS under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to three groups with 30 patients in each. Each patient received local infiltration with adrenaline-containing (5 microg/ml) lidocaine (1%, 4 ml) under different conditions. For Group I, anesthesia was maintained with propofol 2 microg/ml and rimifentanil 2 ng/ml by TCI. Group II (control group) and Group III received propofol 4 microg/ml and rimifentanil 4 ng/ml, respectively. In Groups I and II, fluid expansion was performed with hetastarch 5 ml/kg within 20 minutes; hetastarch 10 ml/kg was used in Group III. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded at 30-second-intervals for 5 minutes after the beginning of local infiltration. Simultaneously, the lowest and the highest MAP were recorded to calculate the mean maximum increase or decrease percent in MAP for all patients in each group. Data analysis was performed by chi(2) test, one-way analysis of variance, or one-way analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Hemodynamic changes, particularly a decrease in MAP accompanied by an increase in HR at 1.5 minutes (P < 0.05), were observed in all groups. The mean maximum decrease in MAP below baseline was 14% in Group I, 24% in Group III and 26% in Group II. There were statistically significant differences between Group I and Groups II and III (P < 0.05). The mean maximum increase in MAP above baseline was 9% in Group I, 6% in Group III and 2% in Group II. CONCLUSION: Relatively light general anesthesia can reduce the severity of epinephrine-induced hypotension more effectively than fluid expansion during FESS under general anesthesia.