Retraction Note: METTL3 promotes the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through mediating M6A modification of EZH2.

The article "METTL3 promotes the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through mediating M6A modification of EZH2, by Q.-Z. Meng, C.-H. Cong, X.-J. Li, F. Zhu, X. Zhao, F.-W. Chen, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (8): 4328-4336-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202004_21014-PMID: 32373970" has been retracted by the authors. After publication, several issues were raised on PubPeer about the reliability of the published results. The same authors stated that the study was not performed in accordance with the standard procedures required. In particular, Figure 1 also presents some concerns as it does not reflect the experimental data reported in the study. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/21014.

MiR-142-5p reverses the resistance to gefitinib through targeting HOXD8 in lung cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and potential mechanism of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-142-5p in the acquired resistance to gefitinib in lung cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The drug resistance of PC9/G cells was detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Expression levels of miR-142-5p and HOXD8 in PC9 and PC9/G cells were detected via quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. PC9/G cells were transfected with miR-142-5p mimic, while PC9 cells were transfected with miR-142-5p inhibitor. Subsequently, expression changes of HOXD8 were determined using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, cell sensitivity to gefitinib was detected through MTT assay, and the apoptosis was detected via flow cytometry. Moreover, Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to determine the relationship between HOXD8 and miR-142-5p. Finally, potential involvement of HOXD8 in miR-142-5p-regulated gefitinib sensitivity was confirmed via rescue tests. RESULTS: PC9/G cells were more significantly resistant to gefitinib compared with its parental PC9 cells. MiR-142-5p was down-regulated in PC9/G cells, while that of HOXD8 was up-regulated in PC9/G cells. Transfection of miR-142-5p mimic could inhibit the expression level of HOXD8 in PC9/G cells and reverse its resistance to gefitinib. Conversely, transfection of miR-142-5p inhibitor could upregulate HOXD8 in PC9 cells and promote its resistance to gefitinib. According to the Dual-Luciferase reporter assay, miR-142-5p could suppress the expression of HOXD8 through the targeted binding to the HOXD8 3'UTR. Moreover, miR-142-5p could regulate mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by targeting HOXD8. Finally, rescue tests confirmed that miR-142-5p regulated the sensitivity of PC9 cells to gefitinib by acting on the target gene HOXD8. CONCLUSIONS: Down-regulation of miR-142-5p induces the resistance of lung cancer PC9 cells to gefitinib by upregulating HOXD8.

METTL3 promotes the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through mediating M6A modification of EZH2.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether METTL3 promoted the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by silencing CDKN1C through EZH2. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine the expression level of METTL3 in 48 pairs of NPC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. METTL3 expression in patients with different tumor lymph node metastasis (TNM) stages was detected by qRT-PCR as well. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the interplay between METTL3 expression and the prognosis of patients with NPC. At the same time, METTL3 expression in normal epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and NPC cell lines (SUNE-1 and C666-1) was examined using qRT-PCR. After METTL3 was knocked down in SUNE-1 cells, cell viability and migration abilities were analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) test and wound healing assay, respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of EZH2 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay was applied to detect the binding of METTL3 to EZH2 mRNA and the m6A modification on EZH2 mRNA. After knockdown of EZH2 in SUNE-1 cells, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of CDKN1C. Meanwhile, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was conducted to analyze the binding of EZH2 to the CDKN1C promoter region. After down-regulation of METTL3 in SUNE-1 cells, the protein expressions of EZH2 and CDKN1C were detected using Western blot. After simultaneous knockdown of METTL3 and CDKN1C in SUNE-1 cells, CCK8 assay and wound healing assay were applied to examine cell viability and migration abilities. RESULTS: METTL3 expression in NPC tissues was remarkably higher than that of adjacent normal tissues. Meanwhile, METTL3 expression in T3 and T4 tumors was significantly higher than that of T1 and T2 tumors. In patients with lymph node metastasis, the expression of METTL3 was remarkably higher than those without metastasis. Survival analysis demonstrated that patients with higher expression of METTL3 exhibited significantly longer overall survival time than those with lower METTL3 expression. QRT-PCR revealed that METTL3 was highly expressed in NPC cell lines, including SUNE-1 and C666-1. After knock-down of METTL3 in SUNE-1 cells, cell viability and migration abilities were both markedly weakened. Meanwhile, the protein expression of EZH2 was remarkably reduced. However, no significant changes were observed in EZH2 mRNA level. RIP assay revealed that METTL3 could bind to EZH2 mRNA, and a m6A modification was verified on EZH2 mRNA. After knockdown of EZH2, the mRNA level of CDKN1C in SUNE-1 cells was significantly up-regulated. CHIP assay indicated that EZH2 could bind to CDKN1C. Western blot showed that, after interfering with METTL3 in SUNE-1 cells, the protein expression of EZH2 decreased significantly, while CDKN1C was up-regulated. In addition, simultaneous downregulation of METTL3 and CDKN1C in SUNE-1 cells reversed the influence of METTL3 on cell viability and migration abilities. CONCLUSIONS: METTL3 was highly expressed in NPC tissues, which might inhibit EZH2 expression by mediating M6A modification of EZH2 mRNA. Furthermore, CDKN1C could increase the malignancy of NPC cells and promote the progression of NPC.

Three new taxane diterpenoids from the seeds of the Chinese yew, Taxus chinensis var mairei.

Three new taxoids were isolated from the seeds of the Chinese yew, Taxus chinesis var mairei, their structures were established as 9alpha, 13alpha-diacetoxy-5alpha-cinnamoyloxy-11(15-->1)-abeo-taxa-4(20),11-diene-10beta, 15-diol, 2alpha,9alpha,10beta-triacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene-5alpha,13alpha-diol and 2alpha,7beta,10beta-triacetoxy-5alpha-cinnamyloxy-9alpha-hydroxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene-13-one on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, and MS spectral analyses.

[Reconstruction of traumatic auricular defect].

Auricle is liable to be injured, owing to its position and structural conditions. Since 1977, 48 cases (52 ears) with traumatic auricular defect have been reconstructed by the use of different operative techniques. The results have been satisfactory for most of them. Loss of a major portion of the auricle or the entire ear itself can be reconstructed by use of framework of costal cartilage graft (autologous or homologous). The joint between remaining auricle and framework must be smooth and secure. Helical defect can be repaired by the use of advancement of auricular skin and cartilage, composite graft, free skin graft with subdermal vascular plexus or tube flap according to specific conditions. Unnecessary injury to tissue should be avoided during the operation. Earlobe defect can be repaired by the use of double subcutaneous pedicle skin flaps. The retroauricular subcutaneous pedicle composite flap including conchal cartilage and the pretragus subcutaneous skin flap are formed. They pass through respective subcutaneous tunnels to reach the defect area. The two flaps and remained auricular fresh edge are sutured together. A flat, new earlobe is reconstructed. The earlobe reconstructed by the use of this technique overcomes the unsightly "spherical earlobe". This technique is an ideal operative method. In brief, there are many forms of traumatic auricular defects. According to the size and extent of defect, careful planning is essential before the actual surgery takes place.

[Effect of injections of huoxue huayu on hemodynamics of the canine small intestine].

The effect of Huoxue Huayu injection(HHI) on hemodynamics of canine small intestine was investigated in 25 healthy mongrel dogs. SMA was used for intestinal blood flow measurement with an electronic magnetic flowmeter. After measuring the arterial and venous oxygen saturation the intestinal oxygen consumption and vascular resistance were calculated. In the control group (n = 8) the dog was infused with normal saline (NS) and in the experimental group (n = 9) HHI was used with the same dosage of 3.75 ml per kg body weight per hour. Small molecular weight dextran (SMD) was administered in the third group as a known vasodilator agent. The results showed no effect of NS on intestinal hemodynamics. At the periods of 20, 40 and 60 minutes following HHI the mean values of intestinal blood flow were 291.22 +/- 98.12, 307.56 +/- 106.64 and 283.33 +/- 96.84 ml.min-1 respectively. They were statistically different against the premedication values (181.56 +/- 62.38 ml.min-1). The values of intestinal oxygen consumption at the corresponding periods were 6.97 +/- 3.62, 6.97 +/- 3.80 and 7.11 +/- 3.04 ml.min-1. They were markedly greater than those before HHI (4.85 +/- 2.23 ml.min-1). Analysis proved that blood flow and vascular resistance had a dependent relationship. HHI was marked by stronger effect than SMD when used in smaller dosage. It was believed that both the increase of blood flow and oxygen consumption might be an important pharmacological basis of the application of Huoxue Huayu principle in the treatment of acute abdominal diseases.

[Treatment of macrodactyly with epiphyseal plate excision in growth retardation].

Macrodactyly, the overgrowth of one or more fingers or toes, is a comparatively rare congenital deformity. The enlargement includes skin, subcutaneous tissue, nerve, joint and bone. The bony involvement is usually limited to phalanges and the metacarpus is rarely involved. Since 1979, 10 cases have been seen in our hospital. Among them, there were 6 cases whose giant fingers or toes were treated with epiphyseal plates removing. The postoperative results (the longest follow-up period was 9 years) were satisfying. The growth of fingers or toes was completely stopped but in one case whose toes became longer because his epiphyseal plates were not removed thoroughly. According to the experiences of two cases, when the gigantism occurred in the thumb, the first metacarpus was also involved. The excision of epiphyseal plates was an effective method to halt further growth of macrodactyly for children and teenagers. And this method is simply and easily to be performed.