MEK inhibitor PD-0325901 overcomes resistance to CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 and exhibits anti-tumor activity in head and neck cancer.

The serine-threonine kinase CK2 exhibits genomic alterations and aberrant overexpression in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Here, we investigated the effects of CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 in human HNSCC cell lines and xenograft models. The IC50's of CX-4945 for 9 UM-SCC cell lines measured by MTT assay ranged from 3.

TMEM16A-Mediated Mucin Secretion in IL-13-Induced Nasal Epithelial Cells From Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients.

Purpose: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), a mainly Th2 cytokine-mediated disease, often involves mucus secretion. Recent evidence suggests that transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A), a calcium-activated Cl- channel (CaCC), can regulate mucus secretion from airway epithelium by transepithelial electrolyte transport and hydration. However, the role of TMEM16A in mucin production/secretion in the airway epithelium is not clear.

Prevalence of allergic rhinitis among adults in urban and rural areas of china: a population-based cross-sectional survey.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence of self-reported and confirmable allergic rhinitis (AR) with positive skin prick test (SPT) results among adults living in urban and rural areas of China.

Methods: Adults from a community in Beijing and a village in Baoding were selected as representative urban and rural dwellers, respectively. All eligible residents were enrolled from the population register and received a face-to-face interview using modified validated questionnaires.

Distinguishing the dominant species of pathogen in maxillary sinusitis by sequencing DNA dataset analysis.

This study determined the microbial composition in maxillary sinusitis and determined the predominant fungal and bacterial species. Samples were obtained from 11 patients with fungal sinusitis and 2 healthy patients. The 13 samples were sequenced using an Illumina Hi-Seq 2000, and mapping to the human, bacterial, and the fungal genomes were based on several steps.

TRAF6 is required for the GM-CSF-induced JNK, p38 and Akt activation.

JNK, p38 and Akt signalings have been shown to be activated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and are pivotal for GM-CSF-mediated survival, proliferation and differentiation of macrophages and their progenitors. However, the detailed mechanism of how these signalings is activated by GM-CSF is not fully elucidated. We report here that E3 ligase TRAF6 is required for the GM-CSF-induced activation of JNK, p38 and Akt.

[The impact of allergic rhinitis on state-trait anxiety].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the different types of allergic rhinitis and anxiety.

Methods: State-trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI) was adopted to 98 cases, moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR, male 43 cases, female 55 cases ) and 165 cases of moderate to severe intermittent allergic rhinitis (IAR, male 89 cases, female 76 cases ) and compared with the Chinese standard norm.SPSS 15.

Sushi Domain-Containing Protein 3: A Potential Target for Breast Cancer.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the most effective endocrine treatment for estrogen receptor α-positive (ERα+) postmenopausal breast cancer. Identification of biomarkers that are able to predict AIs responsiveness of patients is a key for successful treatment. The currently used biomarkers for tamoxifen responsiveness, which including ERα as well as progesterone receptor can only predict part of the potential responders to AIs treatment.

Dormant Cells: The Original Cause of Tumor Recurrence and Metastasis.

Tumor dormancy is one of the stages in tumor development without clinical symptoms. Tumor dormant cells may appear in early stages of tumor development, as well as in micrometastasis and minimal residual disease. The mechanism for the switch of dormant cells between quiescent and proliferative stages is still largely unknown.

Uptake kinetics and translocation of selenite and selenate as affected by iron plaque on root surfaces of rice seedlings.

Iron plaque on root surfaces greatly influenced selenium uptake and played different roles in selenite and selenate uptake. Iron plaque commonly forms on rice root surfaces under flooded conditions, but little is known about the relationship between iron plaque and selenium (Se) accumulation. Here, we investigate the effects of iron plaque on Se uptake by and translocation within rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings, and the kinetics of selenite and selenate influx into rice roots (with or without iron plaque) were determined in short-term (30 min) experiments.

Effect of budesonide transnasal nebulization in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Background: There is little evidence on the efficacy of glucocorticoid transnasal nebulization therapy in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Objective: We sought to evaluate the immunologic and remodeling effects of budesonide transnasal nebulization in patients with eosinophilic CRSwNP.

Methods: Sixty patients with eosinophilic CRSwNP were randomized to receive budesonide or placebo treatment for 14 days by means of transnasal nebulization in a double-blind manner.

Characterization of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in full-term newborns.

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) in full-term newborns.

Methods: A total of 236 ears from 147 randomly selected full-term Chinese neonates (82 females and 65 males), who had passed the initial newborn hearing screening, were assessed for SOAEs using the Capella OAE equipment (Madsen, Denmark). The test was performed in a sound booth.

Upregulation of interleukin-35 subunits in regulatory T cells in a murine model of allergic rhinitis.

Objective: Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a critical role in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis (AR). We investigated the regulatory roles of interleukin (IL)-35, an immunosuppressive cytokine expressed by CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells, in a murine model of AR.

Methods: The expression of IL-35 subunits (Ebi3, encoded by Ebi3, and IL-12p35, encoded by IL12a) and IL-35 receptor chains (IL12rb and IL6st) in nasal mucosa and in spleen-derived Treg cells from ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized AR was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time RT-PCR techniques.

The microbiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps.

Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Enterobacter, and Corynebacterium appear to be more frequently associated with patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) than with patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) or control subjects. Furthermore, the isolation rate of Staphylococcus aureus appears to be much lower in Chinese CRSwNP patients compared with their caucasian counterparts.

Objectives: To compare the predominant bacteriologic profiles in middle meatus of patients with CRSwNP, those with CRSsNP, and control subjects.

ICON: chronic rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a public health problem that has a significant socio-economic impact. Moreover, the complexity of this disease due to its heterogeneous nature based on the underlying pathophysiology - leading to different disease variants - further complicates our understanding and directions for the most appropriate targeted treatment strategies. Several International/national guidelines/position papers and/or consensus documents are available that present the current knowledge and treatment strategies for CRS.

[Association study between single nucleotide polymorphism in AOAH gene and chronic rhinosinusitis in a Chinese population].

Objective: To replicate the polymorphisms in risk genes of chronic rhinosinusitis in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: Enrolled in this study were CRS patients with nasal polyps (n = 306, CRSwNP), CRS patients without nasal polyps (n = 332, CRSsNP), and controls (n = 315) in a Chinese population. All the patients were recruited from clinic of the department of Otorhinolaryngology of Beijing Tongren Hospital between 2008 February and 2009 July.

Discovering susceptibility genes for allergic rhinitis and allergy using a genome-wide association study strategy.

Purpose Of Review: Allergic rhinitis and allergy are complex conditions, in which both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) employing common single-nucleotide polymorphisms have accelerated the search for novel and interesting genes, and also confirmed the role of some previously described genes which may be involved in the cause of allergic rhinitis and allergy. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the genetic basis of allergic rhinitis and the associated allergic phenotypes, with particular focus on GWASs.

The development of auditory skills in young children with Mondini dysplasia after cochlear implantation.

The aim of this study is to survey and compare the development of auditory skills in young children with Mondini dysplasia and profoundly-deaf young children with radiologically normal inner ears over a period of 3 years after cochlear implantation. A total of 545 young children (age 7 to 36 months) with prelingual, severe to profound hearing loss participated in this study. All children received cochlear implantation.

Specific immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis in children.

Purpose Of Review: Allergic rhinitis is a highly prevalent inflammatory disease affecting 20-40% of the children worldwide. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis. This article reviews the recent advances in SIT for children.

[Imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cells in cord blood is influenced by maternal allergic rhinitis and associated with atopic dermatitis during the first two years of life].

Objective: To investigate the influence of maternal atopy on cord blood effector T cells and to identify these biologic markers as predictors of atopic dermatitis (AD).

Methods: Seventy mother-infant pairs were recruited in this prospective birth cohort study. Suspected factors for allergy, including maternal allergic history, total serum IgE, and maternal age at birth, were collected.

The effect of topical corticosteroids, topical antihistamines, and preservatives on human ciliary beat frequency.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the corticosteroids, the antihistamines, and the preservatives benzalkonium chloride (BKC) and potassium sorbate (PS) in intranasal medications on human nasal epithelial ciliary beat frequency (CBF).

Methods: Primary ciliated epithelial cell cultures from the human nasal mucosa of chronic sinusitis patients were established. Changes in CBF of epithelial cell cultures treated/untreated with intranasal medications or preservatives were assessed using high-speed digital imaging methods.

[Onset feature and efficacy of early interventional treatment of Artemisia pollinosis].

Objective: To analyze the clinical feature and treatment methods of Artemisia pollinosis.

Methods: Skin prick test results of 14 426 cases from Beijing Tongren hospital and pollen concentration of Beijing observatory from 2007 to 2011 were analyzed to identify the clinical feature of Artemisia pollinosis patients and its correlation with the pollen concentration. Patients were given leukotriene receptor antagonists (Montelukast) for 2 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of mometasone furoate nasal spray (EIT group: n = 21), or only 4 weeks of mometasone furoate nasal spray (POT group: n = 16).

The expression of epithelial intercellular junctional proteins in the sinonasal tissue of subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis: a histopathologic study.

Objective: To evaluate the expression of five epithelial intercellular junctional proteins in the sinonasal tissue of subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods: Forty-one samples of nasal polyp tissue of CRS patients with nasal polyps (wNP), 20 ethmoid sinus mucosa of CRS patients without nasal polyps (sNP) and 19 nasal mucosa of controls were collected and assessed for the expression of zonulae occludens (ZO-1), claudin-1, E-cadherin and desmoglein-1 and -2 (DSG1, DSG2) using immunohistochemical staining. Interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in the tissues were also measured using ELISA.

CKIP-1 regulates macrophage proliferation by inhibiting TRAF6-mediated Akt activation.

Macrophages play pivotal roles in development, homeostasis, tissue repair and immunity. Macrophage proliferation is promoted by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-induced Akt signaling; yet, how this process is terminated remains unclear. Here, we identify casein kinase 2-interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) as a novel inhibitor of macrophage proliferation.