SNHG15, a p53-regulated lncRNA, suppresses cisplatin-induced apoptosis and ROS accumulation through the miR-335-3p/ZNF32 axis.

Small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (SNHG15) is upregulated in many malignancies and mediates the development of multiple cancers, including osteosarcoma (OS). However, data on the regulatory mechanisms and role of SNHG15 in the chemoresistance of OS remain scarce. Here, we show that p53 binds to the SNHG15 promoter, leading to decreased SNHG15 expression. Decreased SNHG15 expression promotes cisplatin-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in OS cells. Furthermore, SNHG15 sponges and inhibits the activity of endogenous miR-335-3p, leading to the upregulation of zinc finger protein 32 (ZNF32). Taken together, these findings reveal that p53 downregulates SNHG15 expression in OS. In addition, SNHG15 suppresses cisplatin-induced apoptosis and ROS accumulation through the miR-335-3p/ZNF32 pathway.

KIF15 Promotes Proliferation and Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Liver cancer is thought as the most common human malignancy worldwide, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for nearly 90% liver cancer. Due to its poor early diagnosis and limited treatment, HCC has therefore become the most lethal malignant cancers in the world. Recently, molecular targeted therapies showed great promise in the treatment of HCC, and novel molecular therapeutic targets is urgently needed. KIF15 is a microtubule-dependent motor protein involved in multiple cell processes, such as cell division. Additionally, KIF15 has been reported to participate in the growth of various types of tumors; however, the relation between KIF15 and HCC is unclear. Herein, our study investigated the possible role of KIF15 on the progression of HCC and found that KIF15 has high expression in tumor samples from HCC patients. KIF15 could play a critical role in the regulation of cell proliferation of HCC, which was proved by in vitro and in vivo assays. In conclusion, this study confirmed that KIF15 could be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.

Antiviral activity of merimepodib against foot and mouth disease virus in vitro and in vivo.

Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV), a member of family Picornaviridae, belongs to the genus Aphthovirus, which causes foot and mouth disease (FMD), a highly transmissible disease that affects cloven-hoof animals. In spite of the fact that efficient vaccines are available, effective antiviral molecules for FMD are needed to reduce viral infection during early stages of infection. In this study, merimepodib was found to efficiently inhibit FMDV replication in a dose-dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of merimepodib antiviral activity against two distinct FMDV strains (O/MYA98/BY/2010 and A/GD/MM/CHA/2013) was estimated to be 7.859 and 2.876 µM, respectively, while the 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of merimepodib was found to be 47.74 µM. Furthermore, treatment with 30 µg merimepodib efficiently prolonged the survival time of suckling mice infected with FMDV. Taken together, these results suggested that merimepodib has the potential to be a novel antiviral agent against FMDV.

In Vitro and in Vivo Antiviral Activity of Mizoribine Against Foot-And-Mouth Disease Virus.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, which has significant economic consequences in affected countries. As the currently available vaccines against FMD provide no protection until 4-7 days post-vaccination, the only alternative method to control the spread of FMD virus (FMDV) during outbreaks is the application of antiviral agents. Hence, it is important to identify effective antiviral agents against FMDV infection. In this study, we found that mizoribine has potent antiviral activity against FMDV replication in IBRS-2 cells. A time-of-drug-addition assay demonstrated that mizoribine functions at the early stage of replication. Moreover, mizoribine also showed antiviral effect on FMDV in vivo. In summary, these results revealed that mizoribine could be a potential antiviral drug against FMDV.

Antiviral activity of brequinar against foot-and-mouth disease virus infection in vitro and in vivo.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most highly contagious animal disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals. However, the FMD vaccine does not provide effective protection until adaptive immune protection elicited by the vaccination occurs. Therefore, an alternative application of antiviral agents for inhibition of the FMD virus (FMDV) is needed. Here, we demonstrated that brequinar could exhibit antiviral activity in swine kidney cells (IBRS-2 cells) infected with two different FMDV serotypes. Subsequently, in vivo activity of brequinar was confirmed in a mouse model of infection. Specifically, brequinar at a concentration of 50 µg, provided 25% protection for 5 days following FMDV challenge. These results suggested that brequinar could be used as effective antiviral agent against FMD.

Treatment of infantile subglottic hemangioma with oral propranolol.

Infantile subglottic hemangioma (SH) can cause biphasic stridor, respiratory distress and even life-threatening airway compromise. Treatment of SH in infants has traditionally been characterized as a challenging situation with multiple therapeutic options without consensus as to which one is the best and with risks of severe side-effects. Four infants with SH were treated with propranolol. Treatment with oral propranolol resulted in resolution of symptoms within 2 days, followed by complete recovery. Propranolol appears to be an effective treatment for SH and should be used as a first-line treatment for SH when intervention is required.

[Anesthetic management for pediatric congenital laryngomalacia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore our experience of anesthetic management for pediatric congenital laryngomalacia operation. METHODS: A total of 27 pediatric patients with congenital laryngomalacia were treated at our hospital between December 2010 and November 2012. All patients were anesthetized by intravenous anesthesia of propofol-remifentanil and spontaneous breathing. Oxygen was insufflated at a rate of 4 L/min through an endotracheal tube near glottis. Propofol was set at a constant rate of 100 µg · kg(-1) · min(-1). The initial dose of remifentanil at 0.05 µg·kg(-1)·min(-1) was adjusted in 0.05 µg·kg(-1)·min(-1) increments to titrate a 50% reduction in baseline respiratory rate. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR), operation time, anesthesia time and remifentanil rate were recorded. Adverse events and interventions were also examined. RESULTS: Comparison with induction of anesthesia, HR and RR changed significantly intraoperatively (P < 0.05). MAP, SpO2 were no significantly change during operation (P > 0.05). The induction time was 9-12 min and the highest remifentanil rate stood at (0.18 ± 0.03) µg·kg(-1)·min(-1). Body movements occurred in 3 (11%) patients and a bolus of propofol was administered. Desaturation below 95% occurred in 2 (7%) patients in which interventions were offered by decreasing the remifentanil infusion rate. No complications such as cough, hypoxemia, laryngospasm or bronchospasm, nausea or vomiting, arrhythmia were observed. CONCLUSION: Key points of anesthetic management for pediatric congenital laryngomalacia include sufficient preoperative evaluation, spontaneous respiration anesthesia technique with total intravenous anesthesia, suitable anesthesia depth and intensive intraoperative monitoring.

[Detection of human papillomavirus in the upper respiratory tract in children without recurrent respiratory papillomatosis].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy specimens from pediatric patients without juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP), so as to understand the effect of HPV infection in the upper respiratory tract in children. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-one pediatric patients without known JORRP or other HPV-related diseases undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for hypertrophy or chronic tonsillitis were enrolled in this prospective study. One hundred and seventy-seven fresh samples of tonsillar tissues and 195 samples of adenoid tissues were collected and then examined for the presence of HPV DNA with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and typing. Laryngeal papilloma specimens from 17 patients obtained during routine debulking procedures were also analyzed and served as positive controls. RESULTS: All 17 papilloma specimens were positive for HPV DNA and the type was 6 or 11. This result confirmed that the methods used were valid for detecting HPV infection. HPV DNA was detected in 2 of the 177 tonsillar specimens and zero of the 195 adenoid specimens. The two positive samples were confirmed with typing. One was positive for HPV6 and the other for HPV11. Review of the medical records of these two cases confirmed that there were no history of HPV-related diseases. Histologic analysis of their specimens showed lymphoid hyperplasia, no specific changes suggesting HPV infection and no signs of malignancy. The HPV infection rate in upper respiratory tract was 0.8% (2/241). CONCLUSION: There is HPV infection in upper respiratory tract in Chinese children without JORRP, but maybe is not sufficient for the formation of JORRP.

[Hearing screening in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of congenital cytomegalovirus infection on the hearing ability in infants. METHODS: By using the tools of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and auditory brain-stem response (ABR), the hearing ability of 38 infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection and 16 cases of normal controls during neonatal periods was screened with a follow-up study at 6 and 24 months. RESULT: In infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection, 86.8% (66/76) ears at neonatal stage and 76.3% (58/76) ears at 6 months passed the tests; while in normal controls, 96.9% (31/32) ears passed the tests. The reaction threshold of ABR V in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection was higher than that in normal controls (P<0.005). Furthermore,in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection, 13 ears (17.1%) were extreme hearing loss, 5 ears (6.6%) were severe hearing loss, and 6 ears (7.9%) were moderately severe hearing loss. The incidence of hearing loss during the follow-up was 7.9% (3/38) at neonatal stage, 23.7% (9/38) at 3-4 months, and 7.9% (3/38) after 6 months. CONCLUSION: The congenital cytomegalovirus infection could cause the prompt and late-onset hearing loss. The combination of the laboratory evidence with the dynamic hearing screening may contribute to the early detection of hearing loss in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.