Investigation of the relationships among respiratory syncytial virus infection, T cell immune response and intestinal flora.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationships among respiratory syncytial virus infection, T cell immune response and intestinal flora. Peer-reviewed papers published in English were collected through extensive searches performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. The articles were reviewed to extract relevant information on the immune responses of Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 to respiratory syncytial virus infection in the body. RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus, RSV) infection leads to imbalance between Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 immune cells, resulting in Th2 or Th17 dominant immune responses, which can generate immune disorder and aggravate clinical symptoms. Intestinal micro-organisms play very important roles in maintaining stable immune environment, stimulating immune system maturation and balancing Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 immune systems in children. In our review of various papers from around the world, we speculated that the steady state of intestinal bacteria was disturbed after children got infected with RSV, resulting in intestinal flora disorder. Then, the imbalance between Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 immune cells was increased. Both intestinal flora disorder and RSV infection could cause cellular immunity imbalance of Th1/Th2 or Treg/Th17, eventually leading to disease deterioration and even a vicious cycle. Normal intestinal flora can maintain immune system stability, regulate the dynamic balance of Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 and prevent or mitigate adverse consequences of RSV infection. Because probiotics can improve intestinal barrier function and regulate immune response, they can effectively be used to treat children with recurrent respiratory tract infections. Using conventional antiviral therapy strategy supplemented with probiotics in the treatment of clinical RSV infection may be better for the body.

LINC00106 prevents against metastasis of thyroid cancer by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid cancer (TC) is a common malignant tumor of the endocrine system, and its morbidity and mortality are in the high places. Recent studies have focused on exploring biological markers and targeted therapy for TC. This research aims to elucidate the role of LINC00106 in the progression of TC and the regulatory mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Differential level of LINC00106 in a downloaded profile containing TC and normal tissues from GEPIA database was analyzed. Subsequently, its level in TC tissues and cell lines was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between LINC00106 level and clinical data of TC patients was assessed, including age, tumor staging, lymphatic metastasis, and overall survival. After transfection of si-LINC00106, TC cell metastasis was evaluated by wound healing and transwell assay. Relative levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, ß-catenin, and Vimentin regulated by LINC00106 were determined using qRT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: LINC00106 was downregulated in TC tissues than normal ones. Its level was correlated to tumor staging, lymphatic metastasis and overall survival in TC patients. The knockdown of LINC00106 in BCPCP and TPC-1 cells enhanced migratory and invasive abilities and triggered the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CONCLUSIONS: LINC00106 is lowly expressed in TC specimens, which attenuates migratory and invasive abilities in TC by inhibiting EMT as a tumor suppressor.

[Clinical significance of lymphatic metastasis between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle in papillary thyroid cancer].

Objective: To explore the clinical significance of metastasis of lymph nodes between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle (LNSS) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods: A total of 175 patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy with LNSS dissection were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent risk factors for LNSS metastasis in PTC. Results: The rate of detectable LNSS was 70.9% (124/175) and metastasis rate was 7.4% (13/175). Of 13 cases with LNSS metastasis, 10 with the coexistence of cervical lymph node metastasis. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that multiple focal cancer, tumor located in the lower pole of thyroid, belt-shaped muscle invasion, lateral cervical lymph node metastasis, cN+ , the number of cervical lymph nodes with metastasis and the number of lymph nodes with metastasis in level Ⅳwere the risk factors for LNSS metastasis (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis suggested that tumor located in the lower pole of thyroid and the number of cervical lymph nodes with metastasis >6 were the independent risk factors for LNSS metastasis (P<0.05). Given the number of cervical lymph nodes with metastasis as a predictor for the LNSS metastasis, the sensitivity was 92.3%, the specificity was 66.7% and the accuracy rate was 68.6%. Conclusions: LNSS metastasis is commom in PTC, with a metastasis rate of 7.4%. PTC in the lower pole of thyroid and the number of cervical lymph nodes with metastasis > 6 are independent risks for LNSS metastasis.

MicroRNA-200c represses migration and invasion of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells by inhibiting expression of fibronectin 1.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer remains a worldwide burden as a leading cause of cancer-related death. Drug resistance of chemotherapy looms as a major clinical challenge to effective treatment. Recent research data has suggested that microRNAs could be a potential gastric cancer treatment strategy. To further evaluate the role of microRNAs on gastric cancer cells and its underlying possible mechanism, we transfected human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells with microRNA-200c. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cell proliferation, migration and invasion of SGC-7901 were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Transwell assay and cell invasion assay. The expression of FN1 was detected by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. RESULTS: The cell proliferation, migration and invasion were all significantly decreased after microRNA-200c transfection. Moreover, Fibronectin 1 (FN1) expression was significantly inhibited by microRNA-200c transfection. These results indicated that the mechanism by which microRNA-200c impresses human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells may be mediated by its inhibition on FN1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the potential of using microRNA-200c as a new treatment strategy for human gastric cancer.

[The clinical significance of Delphian lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of Delphian lymph node (DLN) metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Method: A total of 505 cases with PTC confirmed pathologically in our hospital between January 2015 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. 208 patients with DLN assessed separately by histopathologic examination who underwent primary surgery for PTC were included for the following analysis. Results: In 208 patients, the detection rate of DLN was 63.0% and the metastasis rate of DLN was 21.4%. DLN metastasis was correlated with PTC multifocality (P=0.038), tumor size over 1cm (P=0.001), BRAFV600E mutation (P=0.017) and central neck node metastasis (P<0.001). Tumor size over 1cm (95%CI 1.308-9.909, OR=3.600, P=0.013) and the number of node with central neck metastasis (95%CI 1.313-2.163, OR=1.685, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for DLN metastasis. The presence of DLN metastasis was associated with an 8.8-fold higher frequency of central neck node metastasis compared to cases without DLN metastasis. Among patients with DLN metastases, central lymph node metastasis was more common in the cases with lateral neck node metastases compared to those without lateral neck node metastases (6.5±3.0 vs 1.5±0.7, P=0.009), and 5 of the 6 patients also presented with PTC multifocality and BRAFV600E mutation. Conclusion: DLN metastasis implies a higher possibility of central neck lymph node metastasis. DLN should be assessed during operation to provide information for neck dissection, post-operative administration and follow-up strategy.

Co-transfection of GK and mhPINS genes into HepG2 cells confers glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to construct an 'artificial beta cell' that can exhibit physiologic glucose-stimulated insulin secretion for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Retroviral vector containing the glucokinase (GK) gene and mutated human proinsulin (mhPINS) gene was constructed. HepG2 cells were first infected with recombinant retrovirus carrying the GK and mhPINS genes, then selectively cultured with G418 to obtain the positive clones. GK and mhPINS gene transcription and expression were identified by radioimmunity, Western blot and RT-PCR techniques. Finally, the dose-response effect of glucose on insulin secretion from those HepG2 cells that expressed both GK and mhPINS genes was tested with HepG2 cells that only expressed the mhPINS gene as a control. RESULTS: HepG2 cells with transferred GK and mhPINS genes were selectively cultured with G418 and the positive clones were obtained in 3 weeks. Four clones with GK and mhPINS gene expression were selected from 20 positive clones by radioimmunity and Western blot. We picked up one clone with a strong GK and mhPINS gene expression and named it clone Beta. In clone Beta, differences in insulin secretion at 0.5 and 0.75 mmol/L glucose concentrations were not significant (P>0.05) and differences in insulin secretion at 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 mmol/L glucose concentrations were not significant (P>0.05), while there were significant differences in insulin secretion at other glucose concentrations(P<0.05). The artificial beta cell, clone Beta, obtained a glucose-stimulated insulin secretion with maximal insulin secretion at 1.75-2.00 mmol/L glucose concentrations. DISCUSSION: An artificial beta cell that exhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion can be constructed successfully.