Flavokawain C inhibits glucose metabolism and tumor angiogenesis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by targeting the HSP90B1/STAT3/HK2 signaling axis.

Objective: Over the past decade, heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors have emerged as promising anticancer drugs in solid and hematological malignancies. Flavokawain C (FKC) is a naturally occurring chalcone that has been found to exert considerable anti-tumor efficacy by targeting multiple molecular pathways. However, the efficacy of FKC has not been studied in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

A chromosome-level genome assembly for the Silkie chicken resolves complete sequences for key chicken metabolic, reproductive, and immunity genes.

A set of high-quality pan-genomes would help identify important genes that are still hidden/incomplete in bird reference genomes. In an attempt to address these issues, we have assembled a de novo chromosome-level reference genome of the Silkie (Gallus gallus domesticus), which is an important avian model for unique traits, like fibromelanosis, with unclear genetic foundation. This Silkie genome includes the complete genomic sequences of well-known, but unresolved, evolutionarily, endocrinologically, and immunologically important genes, including leptin, ovocleidin-17, and tumor-necrosis factor-α.

Flexible endoscopy in the visualization of 3D-printed maxillary sinus and clinical application.

Background: During postoperative follow-up, the visible range of maxillary sinus (MS) is limited, even combining 0° and 70° rigid endoscopes together. Flexible endoscope has been used in larynx examinations for a long time, but rarely in nasal cavity and sinus. We aimed to evaluate the application values of rigid and flexible endoscopes for visualization of MS.

Two entry tunnels in mouse TAAR9 suggest the possibility of multi-entry tunnels in olfactory receptors.

Orthosteric binding sites of olfactory receptors have been well understood for ligand-receptor interactions. However, a lack of explanation for subtle differences in ligand profile of olfactory receptors even with similar orthosteric binding sites promotes more exploration into the entry tunnels of the receptors. An important question regarding entry tunnels is the number of entry tunnels, which was previously believed to be one.

The correlation between FeNO and nNO in allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma.

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and nasal nitric oxide (nNO) in allergic rhinitis (AR) and patients with or without bronchial asthma (BA).A total of 90 patients who were diagnosed with persistent AR (AR group, n = 30), BA (BA group, n = 30), or allergic rhinitis with bronchial asthma (AR-BA) (AR-BA group, n = 30), were enrolled in this study, along with 30 healthy adult volunteers (control group, n = 30). The participants were further divided into 2 groups based on the results of a skin-prick test (SPT): a highly atopic group (SPT = 3+ and above) and a moderately atopic group (SPT = 2+ and below).

A novel Rap-Phr system in Bacillus velezensis NAU-B3 regulates surfactin production and sporulation via interaction with ComA.

Several quorum sensing systems occurring in Bacillus subtilis, e.g. Rap-Phr systems, were reported to interact with major regulatory proteins, such as ComA, DegU, and Spo0A, in order to regulate competence, sporulation, and synthesis of secondary metabolites.

Effects of glucocorticoid on the expression and regulation of aquaporin 5 in the paranasal sinus of rats with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are water-specific membrane channel proteins that regulate water homeostasis for cells and organisms. AQP5 serves an important role in the maintenance of mucosal water homeostasis, and potentially contributes to mucosal edema and inflammation formation in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The aim of the present study was to explore the expression pattern of AQP5 and the effect of glucocorticoids on AQP5 expression in rats with CRS.

Increased expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and related cytokines in persistent allergic rhinitis.

Objectives: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the crucial components of host defenses and supposed to play a role in nasal inflammation such as chronic rhinosinusitis and seasonal allergic rhinitis. This study was performed to investigate the expression patterns of TLRs and related cytokines in persistent allergic rhinitis (PER).

Study Design: Experimental study of human nasal tissue.

Inhibition of Myo6 gene expression by co‑expression of a mutant of transcription factor POU4F3 (BRN‑3C) in hair cells.

An eight‑base pair (bp) deletion in the Pou4f3 gene in hair cells is associated with DFNA15, a hereditary form of hearing loss. To explore the pathological mechanisms underlying the development of DFNA15, the effect of the mutation in Pou4f3 on the activity of the myosin VI (Myo6) promoter, was investigated. The upstream regulatory sequence of Myo6 (2625 bp), consisting of an 1899 bp upstream sequence and a 727 bp intron 1 sequence, was amplified using polymerase chain reaction and subcloned into the pGL3‑Basic vector expressing firefly luciferase.

Myosin light chain kinase regulates hearing in mice by influencing the F-actin cytoskeleton of outer hair cells and cochleae.

Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) phosphorylates myosin regulatory light chains to facilitate its interaction with actin filaments and produce contractile activity. The outer hair cells (OHCs) in the ear contain large amounts of actin and a variety myosins. The stereociliary and somatic motility of OHCs are closely related to hearing.

[A guinea pigs model of otitis media with effusion caused by reversible Eustachian tube obstruction].

Objective: To develop a animal model for acute otitis media with effusion (OME).

Methods: In 22 guinea pigs, the left nasal orifice of Eustachian tube was approached via a transpalatal incision and obstructed with polyvinyl acetal material. Right ears were set as the control.

[Clinicopathologic characteristics and chromosomal abnormalities in salivary mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas].

Objective: To study the morphological and genetic characteristics in salivary gland marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas.

Methods: Twenty-eight cases of MALT lymphomas of salivary gland were collected from Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of Fudan University. Morphological review based on HE sections, and specific chromosomal abnormalities were detected by two-color interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

Anti-tumor immunity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma by means of LMP2A-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced by dendritic cells.

Objective: Adoptive immunotherapy with specific cytotoxicity T lymphocytes (CTLs) induced by dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with tumor antigens plays a crucial role in the immunity against tumor. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A)-specific CTLs immunity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: DCs were generated by culturing the monocytes purified from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in cytokine cocktail containing granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

[Anti-nasopharyngeal carcinoma effect in vivo and in vitro of cytotoxicity T lymphocyte induced by Ad5-latent membrane protein 2A].

Objective: To study the biological characteristics of cytotoxicity T lymphocyte (CTL) induced by dendritic cell (DC) transfected with the Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 2A (EBV-LMP2A) recombinant adenovirus. To establish nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) animal models expressing LMP2A and investigate the anti-tumor effect of LMP2A specific CTL in vivo.

Methods: The mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cultured with the cytokines [granulocyto-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-alpha].