The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Suboptimal treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) provides poor survival rate. The poor bioavailability, resistance to cetuximab (Cet), and the instability of small interfering RNA (siRNA) limit their efficacy in LSCC therapy. The present study has been aimed to develop a Cet and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) siRNA (siFAK) co-delivery nanosystem. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), with its large specific surface area and pH-responsive properties, is an ideal delivery carrier allowing controlled drug release in the acidic tumor microenvironment. Therefore, Cet was loaded onto ZIF-8 and encapsulated in a TU177 cell membrane (TCM) after the electrostatic adsorption of siFAK. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, and particle size analyses were deployed to characterize Cet/siFAK@ZIF-8@TCM. TU177 cells and subcutaneously transplanted tumor-bearing nude mice were used to evaluate the intracellular uptake, cytotoxicity, in vivo biocompatibility, biodistribution, biosafety, pH responsiveness, and anti-LSCC efficacy of Cet/siFAK@ZIF-8@TCM. After ZIF-8@TCM were loaded with Cet and siFAK, alterations in their physical and crystal structures, particle size, and zeta potential were observed. Meanwhile, the co-delivery system increased the loading of Cet through the electrostatic adsorption of siFAK to Cet-loaded ZIF-8. The intracellular uptake of Cet/siFAK@ZIF-8@TCM also protected siFAK from degradation, effectively decreasing the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels of FAK in LSCC cells. The ZIF-8@TCM nanosystem for co-delivery of Cet and siFAK exhibited pH-responsiveness and tumor-targeting capabilities, thereby exerting anti-LSCC effects. Co-delivery of Cet and siFAK via the pH-responsive ZIF-8@TCM system enabled the targeted release of the chemotherapeutic and gene, in turn maximizing their anti-LSCC effect while ensuring biosafety.

Odontogenic keratocyst(OKC)is a common jaw cyst with a high recurrence rate.OKC combined with basal cell carcinoma as well as skeletal and other developmental abnormalities is thought to be associated with Gorlin syndrome.Moreover,OKC needs to be differentiated from orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst and other jaw cysts.Because of the different prognosis,differential diagnosis of several cysts can contribute to clinical management.We collected 519 cases,comprising a total of 2157 hematoxylin and eosin-stained images,to develop digital pathology-based artificial intelligence(AI)models for the diagnosis and prognosis of OKC.The Inception_v3 neural network was utilized to train and test models developed from patch-level images.Finally,whole slide image-level AI models were developed by integrating deep learning-generated pathology features with several machine learning algorithms.The AI models showed great performance in the diagnosis(AUC=0.935,95%CI:0.898-0.973)and prognosis(AUC=0.840,95%CI:0.751-0.930)of OKC.The advantages of multiple slides model for integrating of histopathological information are demonstrated through a comparison with the single slide model.Furthermore,the study investigates the correlation between AI features generated by deep learning and pathological findings,highlighting the interpretative potential of AI models in the pathology.Here,we have developed the robust diagnostic and prognostic models for OKC.The AI model that is based on digital pathology shows promise potential for applications in odontogenic diseases of the jaw.

As an important complementary form of decoction pieces of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）， TCM dispensing granules has the advantages of being free of decoction， easy to take， easy to carry and easy to be dispensed， which greatly improves the capacity of emergency services of TCM and is more in line with the needs of modern society. With the end of the pilot project of TCM dispensing granules， the market has been fully liberalized， the competition has been intensified， and it is in the transition period of switching between the new standard and the old one， and there are some problems such as the shortage of varieties， the change of specifications and the difference of quality， and the production enterprises are facing new opportunities and challenges. Based on this， the authors intend to systematically sort out the policies and regulations， enterprise layout and standard formulation since the pilot of TCM dispensing granules. In view of the problems in the post-pilot stage and from the perspective of survival and development of enterprises， it is suggested that enterprises should establish a quality control system for the whole industry chain of TCM dispensing granules to reduce process costs and increase enterprise competitiveness， further increase the investment in scientific research， overcome the key technical problems of difficult varieties， actively and orderly promote the research of national standards， in order to ensure the integrity of clinical formula varieties， and establish and improve the efficacy evaluation mechanism of TCM dispensing granules， build a consistency evaluation system between TCM dispensing granules and decoction pieces. Government departments should strengthen the guidance， fully mobilize the enthusiasm of scientific research institutions， enterprises and hospitals， and explore the establishment of "government-industry-study-research-application" mode to promote the development of TCM dispensing granule industry.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression level of microRNA-145 (miR-145) in peripheral blood and clinicopathological characteristics of esophageal cancer patients and evaluate its significance in short-term efficacy of radiotherapy.Methods A total of 52 patients with esophageal.cancer diagnosed in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were collected,and all of the patients rec.eived radiotherapy alone.The relative expression level of miR-145 in peripheral blood was detected by using the method of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) before radiotherapy.The correlations between the expression of miR-145 and pathological characteristics as well as short-term efficacy of radiotherapy were analyzed.Results In the 52 patients,the relative expression of miR-145 [M(QR)] in peripheral blood of clinical stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ was 3.14 (1.44),higher than that of stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ [1.71 (0.48)],and the difference was statistically significant (Z =-3.002,P =0.003).The expression level of miR-145 was not related with the age (Z =-0.403,P =0.687),gender (Z =-1.179,P =0.238) and history of drinking (Z =-0.389,P =0.697).The expression levels of miR-145 in complete response (CR),partial response (PR) and no change (NC) groups were 3.27 (1.64),1.83 (1.26) and 1.40 (2.51),respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (H =6.567,P =0.038).Conclusion The expression level of miR-145 in peripheral blood is significantly correlated with the clinical stage of esophageal cancer.Its expression level is positively correlated with the short-term efficacy of esophageal cancer radiotherapy.High expression of miR-145 shows a better short-term efficacy of radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 5A (Wnt5A)/receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (Ror2) signal in the dental follicle cells during the normal eruption of the teeth as well as to explore the relationship between the expression of dental follicle cells and the formation of mature osteoclasts and eruption of the teeth.

METHODSThe mandibulars of 1-13 d old SD rats were separated to observe the growth and develop-ment of the teeth and alveolar bone through hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. Ror2 and Wnt5A expressions in rat dental follicle were also observed through immunohistochemistry. Dental follicle cells from the lower first intact molar germs of 5-6-day old SD rats were separated and cultured.

RESULTSOn the second day after birth, the dental follicle began to differentiate into periodontal tissues, but no obvious changes were observed in the alveolar bone one to three days after birth. On the fourth day, the number of osteoclasts increased significantly. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that Wnt5A was not significantly expressed in rat dental follicle tissues before the fourth day, but positive expression was expressed in the next day and continued to express to thirteenth days. Ror2 was expressed in the rat dental follicle at postnatal days 1-3, but weak expression was found in days 4-13.

CONCLUSIONSWnt5A and Ror2 expressions in the process of tooth eruption have specific time distributions, suggesting that these expressions may participate in the regulation of the eruption of the teeth.

Animals ; Dental Sac ; Molar ; Osteoclasts ; Periodontium ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors ; Tooth Eruption ; Wnt Proteins ; Wnt-5a Protein

Objective To investigate the relationship between Wnt5a gene and E-cadherin or vimentin gene in breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Methods RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Wnt5a, E-cadherin and vimentin in breast cancer MCF-7 cells and the normal human mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A, respectively, and their correlation was analyzed. Results The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a and E-cadherin in cell line MCF-7 were significantly lower than those in cell line MCF-10A [(16.93± 2.97)%vs. (27.47±2.76) %, (12.97±1.35) % vs. (20.43±2.60) %, both P<0.05]. The mRNA expression level of vimentin in cell line MCF-7 was significantly higher than that in cell line MCF-10A [(16.53±0.85)%(6.33± 2.08) %, P<0.05 ]. In cell line MCF-7, the expression of Wnt5a was positively related to E-cadherin (г=0.997, P<0.05), but it was negatively related to vimentin (г=-0.998, P<0.05). Conclusions The expression of Wnt5a in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 is significantly lower than that in cell line MCF-10A, which indicates that Wnt5a is a cancer suppressor gene in breast cancer. The expression of Wnt5a in cell line MCF-7 is positively related with E-cadherin, and it is negatively related with vimentin. Wnt5a may cause invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cell through the breast epithelial mesenchymal transitions.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding in treating perimenopausal insomnia in women.MethodSixty outpatients with perimenopausal insomnia were randomized into a thread-embedding group and an acupuncture group, 30 in each group. The thread-embedding group was intervened by acupoint thread-embedding by selecting Xinshu (BL15), Ganshu (BL18), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), and Sanyinjiao (SP6), once a week, successive 3 sessions as a treatment course; the acupuncture group was intervened by regular acupuncture by selecting the same acupoints following the same treatment course, 3sessions a week. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was adopted for evaluation, and a 30-d follow-up was conducted for observing the efficacy.ResultThere was no significant difference in comparing the total effective rate between the two groups (P>0.05). After intervention, the PSQI scores were significantly changed in both groups (P<0.01). In the follow-up, the PSQI global score, sleep quality, sleeping pills, and daytime function scores in the thread-embedding group were significantly differentfrom that in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). ConclusionThread-embedding can produce a more significant efficacy than using acupuncture in treating perimenopausal insomnia in women.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation treated by Halo-vest reduction combined with anterior decompression and internal fixation.Methods From January 2009 to December 2012,26 cases of lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation underwent Halovest reduction combined with anterior decompression and internal fixation.There were 18 males and 8 females,aged 19-64 years (mean,42.1 years).Injury resulted from traffic crashes in 11 cases,high falls in 9,and hit by heavy objects in 6.Segment of injury was C5/6in 10 cases,C6/7in 9,C3/4in 4,and C4/5in 3.Prior to anterior decompression/internal fixation and fusion,the Halo-vest external fixation was performed.Neurological performance was evaluated after operation.Results All the patients were followed up for 24-36 months (mean,27.4 months).According to the X-ray films and CT scan at the final follow-up,the alignment of the cervical spine was maintained and the implanted bone was completely fused without internal fixation breaking or loosening.Preoperative neurological status according to the Frankel grading was grade A in 6 cases,grade B in 8,grade C in 7,and grade E in 2.After operation,there were 5 cases in grade A,3 in grade B,4 in grade C,5 in grade D,and 9 in grade E.All together,6 cases presented two-grade improvement in neurological status,13 one-grade improvement,and 5 no changes (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Halo-vest reduction combined with anterior decompression and internal fixation is safe and effective in treatment of lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation.

BACKGROUND:There is controversial in choosing the treatment method for the treatment of traumatic subaxial cervical fracture-dislocation and spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical effect of implant internal fixation and Halo-vest external fixation on the stability after treatment of subaxial cervical fracture-dislocation.
METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 17 patients with subaxial cervical fracture-dislocation in the Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical Col ege between January 2009 to December 2011, including 13 male patients and 4 female patients, the age was ranged from 21-65 years, average 41.6 years. There were six cases of high fal ing injury, three cases of crush injury and eight cases of traffic accident injury. The hospitalization time after injury was 2 hours to 5 days, average 2.5 days. Al the patients received Halo-vest external fixation under local anesthesia, then distraction gradual y, and received anterior decompression graft and titanium screw fixation under reduction. The treatment effect was evaluated
through Frankel classification and imaging examination.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al the patients were fol owed-up for 12-24 months, average 15.4 months. Normal anteraposterior X-ray film showed fracture reduction, the cervical vertebra restored to the normal
sequence and physiological curvature;CT showed graft fusion without internal fixation fracture and loosing;
according to Frankel classification, marked effect (decreased for 2 grade) in five cases, effective (decreased for 1
grade) in 10 cases, and ineffective in two cases. Implant internal fixation combined with Halo-vest external fixation is safe and reliable in the instability fixation of subaxial cervical fracture-dislocation, and can better restore the spinal sagittal alignment.