Yanjun Wang
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Anti-Cancer Drugs | 2006
Kong W; Song Zhang; Guo Ck; Yanjun Wang; Xiong Chen; Su-Lin Zhang; Dan Zhang; Zheng Liu; Wen Kong
Death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) is a Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated serine/threonine kinase and a positive mediator of apoptosis. Loss of expression of the DAPK gene by aberrant promoter methylation may play an important role in cancer development and progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of gene promoter methylation of DAPK in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the effect of 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), a demethylating agent, on CNE cells, a human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line, and on xenografts of CNE cells. Methylation-specific PCR and RT-PCR were used to determine the promoter methylation status and mRNA expression of the DAPK gene in NPC. Furthermore, CNE cells were treated in vitro and in vivo with 5-Aza-CdR to explore the effect of demethylating agents on DAPK mRNA expression and tumor growth. Hypermethylation of the DAPK gene promoter was found in 35 (76.1%) of 46 NPC samples. There was no significant difference in the promoter hypermethylation rate among samples from patients with different TNM stages. No promoter hypermethylation of the DAPK gene was found in all six chronic inflammatory nasopharyngeal tissue specimens. DAPK mRNA expression was not detected in NPC tumor specimens with promoter hypermethylation. However, DAPK mRNA expression was observed in unmethylated NPC tumors and in the chronic inflammatory nasopharyngeal tissue specimens. Promoter hypermethylation of the DAPK gene was found and no DAPK mRNA expression was detected in CNE cells. DAPK mRNA expression in CNE cells and xenografts could be restored by treatment with 5-Aza-CdR. The CNE cell xenografts of nude mice treated with 5-Aza-CdR were obviously smaller in tumor volume than those of nude mice treated with PBS. These results demonstrate that loss of DAPK expression could be associated with promoter region methylation in NPC. 5-Aza-CdR may slow the growth of CNE cells in vitro and in vivo by reactivating the DAPK gene silenced by de novo methylation.
Acta Oto-laryngologica | 2012
Kong W; Hua-Mao Cheng; Hui Ma; Yanjun Wang; Ping Han
Abstract Conclusions: Computed tomography (CT) scan with three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the inner ear provides a more accurate image of the relationship of the electrode within the cochlear canal, with direct demonstration of electrode insertion depth in the cochlea in comparison with X-ray plain film. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the value of spiral CT scans with 3D reconstruction in determining the insertion site and depth of implanted cochlear implant electrodes. Methods: A total of 172 cochlear implant recipients were involved in this study. The implanted electrodes of all patients were examined by X-ray plain film, and 157 cochlear recipients were examined by spiral CT scans with axial 1 mm image slices. The data from the CT scans were transferred to a workstation for 3D reconstruction (direct volume rendering) of the inner ear. The pseudocolor technique was used to display the electrode. Results: The insertion depth of the electrode could be evaluated indirectly by the X-ray plain film. In contrast, the stereoscopic images from a CT scan with 3D reconstruction of the inner ear demonstrated the shape, position, and insertion depth of the electrode more accurately.
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Research | 2017
Jianjun Chen; Yue Zhou; Li Zhang; Yanjun Wang; Amber N. Pepper; Seong Ho Cho; Kong W
Purpose Nasal cytology is important in the diagnosis and treatment of nasal inflammatory diseases. Treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) according to nasal cytology has not been fully studied. We plan to explore the individualized treatment of AR according to nasal cytology. Methods Nasal cytology from 468 AR patients was examined for inflammatory cell quantity (grade 0-5) and the percentage of neutrophils and eosinophils. Results were subdivided into the following categories: AR(Eos), eosinophil ≥50% of the whole inflammatory cells; AR(Neu), neutrophils ≥90%; AR(Eos/Neu), 10%≤ eosinophil <50%; AR(Low), grade 0/1 inflammatory cell quantity. Nasal cytology-guided treatment was implemented: all AR(Eos) patients (n=22) and half of the AR(Neu) patients (AR[Neu1], n=22) were treated with mometasone furoate spray and oral loratadine. Another half of the AR(Neu) patients (AR[Neu2], n=22) were treated with oral clarithromycin. Visual analog scale (VAS), symptom scores, and nasal cytology were evaluated 2 weeks before and after treatment. Results There were 224/468 (47.86%) AR(Eos), 67/468 (14.32%) AR(Neu), 112/468 (23.93%) AR(Eos/Neu), and 65/468 (13.89%) AR(Low) of the AR patients studied. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics among these subgroups, except that the nasal blockage score was higher in AR(Eos) patients than in AR(Neu) patients (1.99 vs 1.50, P=0.02). Comparing AR(Eos) patients with AR(Neu1) patients 2 weeks after treatment, nasal symptoms and VAS were significantly lower in AR(Eos) patients, except for nasal blockage symptoms (P<0.05 of nasal itching and sneezing; P<0.01 for nasal secretion, total scores, and VAS). Comparing AR(Neu1) with AR(Neu2) patients, nasal symptoms, and VAS were significantly lower in AR(Neu2), except for nasal blockage and nasal itching symptoms (P<0.05 for nasal secretions, sneezing, total score, and VAS). Conclusions Nasal cytology may have important value in subtyping AR and optimizing AR treatment. Treating neutrophils is very important in AR patients with locally predominant neutrophils.
Experimental Biology and Medicine | 2015
Shan Chen; Yanjun Wang; Guoqing Gong; Chen J; Yongzhi Niu; Kong W
High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, a pro-inflammatory DNA-binding protein, meditates inflammatory responses through Toll-like receptor-4 signals and amplifies allergic inflammation by interacting with the receptor for advanced glycation end products. Previous studies have shown that HMGB1 is elevated in the nasal lavage fluids (NLF) of children suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR) and is associated with the severity of this disease. Furthermore, HMGB1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lower airway allergic diseases, such as asthma. Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has proven to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent for numerous airway diseases. Moreover, EP can inhibit the secretion of HMGB1. However, few studies have examined the effect of EP on AR. We hypothesized that HMGB1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AR and studied it using an AR mouse model. Forty BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: the control group, AR group, 50 mg/kg EP group, and 100 mg/kg EP group. The mice in the AR and EP administration groups received ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge, whereas those in the control group were given sterile saline instead of OVA. The mice in the EP administration group were given an intraperitoneal injection of EP 30 min before each OVA treatment. The number of nasal rubbings and sneezes of each mouse was counted after final treatment. Hematoxylin–eosin staining, AB-PAS staining, interleukin-4 and 13 in NLF, IgE, and the protein expression of HMGB1 were measured. Various features of the allergic inflammation after OVA exposure, including airway eosinophilia, Th-2 cytokine production, total IgE, and goblet cell hyperplasia were significantly inhibited by treatment with EP and the expression and release of HMGB1 were reduced after EP administration in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that HMGB1 is a potential therapeutic target of AR and that EP attenuates AR by decreasing HMGB1 expression.
American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy | 2014
Yanjun Wang; Liyan Xiong; Xiaoyan Yin; Jinghui Wang; Quanming Zhang; Zizhong Yu; Guoqing Gong; Yiwu Zheng; Chen J; Kong W
Background House dust mite (HDM) allergen is a risk factor for the development of allergic rhinitis (AR). Objectives To determine the levels of indoor allergens in the households of patients with AR in Wuhan city, identify the environmental risk factors for high allergen exposure, and investigate the correlations between allergen exposure and specific immunoglobulin E levels and symptoms. Methods The study examined 50 patients with AR. Two dust samples were collected from the bedding of each patient, one in summer and one in winter. Major allergens Der p 1 and Der f 1, from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Participants completed a standardized questionnaire about their living environments, and their rhinitis symptom scores were calculated. Specific immunoglobulin E levels against Der p and Der f were measured. Results The percentage of bedding samples with high HDM allergen (Der f 1 + Der p 1) levels (>10 μg/g) was 44% in summer and 46% in winter. There was no significant difference between the level of mite allergens in summer and winter; however, the level of Der f 1 was higher than that of Der p 1 (p < 0.05). The age of the mattress and pillow was significantly correlated with allergen concentration. Indoor HDM allergen level affected the severity of nasal itching. Conclusions HDMs are important indoor allergens in Wuhan. Mattresses and pillows that have been used for a long time contain high levels of allergens. High levels of exposure to HDM allergens correlates with the severity of nasal itching.
American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy | 2017
Jianjun Chen; Yue Zhou; Yanjun Wang; Yiwu Zheng; Xuxin Lai; Emma Westermann-Clark; Seong Ho Cho; Kong W
Background Specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and sIgG4 to house-dust mite (HDM) major allergens during allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and their clinical relevance remain unclear. Objective To investigate the variation of sIgE and sIgG4 to HDM major allergens and the correlation with clinical responses during AIT in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods Thirty-nine patients with HDM allergy were divided into the AIT group (taking immunotherapy) and the control group (medication only use). The AIT group was subdivided into negative clinical responses to AIT (nAIT) group and positive clinical responses to AIT (pAIT) group according to symptom relief and subjective evaluation. sIgE and sIgG4 to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), and their group 1 and group 2 major allergens (Dp1, Df1, Dp2, and Df2) were measured before AIT, at 6 months, and at 1 year after starting AIT. Results Dp2, Df, and Df2 sIgE values decreased significantly in the pAIT group versus the nAIT group after 1 year of AIT (median values of delta change were Dp2, -10.09 versus 5.89 kU/L, p = 0.001; median values of Df were —9.69 versus 17.54 kU/L, p = 0.004; median values of Df2 were -11.06 versus 20.08 kU/L, p = 0.013). There was a robust increase in the sIgG4 values to Dp, Df, and their major allergens in both the pAIT and the nAIT groups overall after 1 year of treatment. Conclusion Patients with a positive response to AIT showed a significant reduction of HDM group 2 sIgEs compared with those with a negative response to AIT, which indicated that a decrease in group 2 sIgEs could be a marker that reflected AIT clinical efficacy.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences | 2014
Yanjun Wang; Guoqing Gong; Shan Chen; Liyan Xiong; Xing-Xing Zhou; Xiang Huang; Weijia Kong
The NLR pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a crucial role in lung disease and may have a similar role in upper respiratory tract inflammation. We therefore constructed a C57BL/6 mouse model of acute rhinosinusitis induced by Staphylococcus aureus and investigated the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in this model. Mice were classified as non-inoculated group (group A) and inoculated groups (groups B, C, D and E, sacrificed 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after inoculation, respectively). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that each group had inflammatory cell infiltration, except group A. The damage of the nasal mucosa was aggravated gradually over time. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that the structural proteins of the NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD), procaspase-1) in groups B, C, D and E were increased gradually. But they were reduced in group B compared with group A, except for NLRP3. Western blot showed that the cleavage fragment of procaspase-1, p20 in groups B, C, D and E was increased gradually. Real-time PCR showed that the corresponding mRNAs of the structural proteins were changed the same as their proteins. IL-1β mRNA and mature IL-1β protein were increased gradually in groups A, B, C, D and E. These results indicate that NLRP3 inflammasome activation was associated with the acute rhinosinusitis, and that there was a positive correlation between the expression level of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the severity of acute rhinosinusitis.
Operations Research Letters | 2009
Kong W; Hua-Mao Cheng; Yanjun Wang; Su-Lin Zhang; Wei Liu; Hui Ma; Ping Han; Xiangquan Kong
Purpose: To evaluate the Integrated Cochlear Profile for Assessing Auditory Nerve-Auditory Pathway Integrity (ICP-API), as proposed by our group, in the selection of cochlear implant candidates. Procedures: The API of the candidates for cochlear implantation were assessed with the ICP-API, which consists of 5 categories including: audiological testing; radiological imaging study; ear-canal electric response audiometry; response to environmental sounds; speech development level. The auditory rehabilitation effects of the cochlear implantation receivers were evaluated postoperatively. Results: Sixty-six of 68 candidates who met the criteria of the ICP-API received cochlear implantation with improved hearing and speech development postoperatively. The remaining 2 of the 68 candidates were diagnosed with bilateral auditory nerves aplasia, and therefore failed cochlear implants were avoided. Conclusion: The ICP-API is valuable and feasible for the selection of cochlear implant candidates. The API should be considered as one of the most important criteria for cochlear implant candidate selection.
Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology-medical Sciences | 2014
Yongzhi Niu; Guoqing Gong; Shan Chen; Chen J; Kong W; Yanjun Wang
SummaryRecent studies indicated that interleukin (IL)-17, growth-related oncogene (GRO)-α and IL-8 play an important role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. However, the effects of the increased amount of IL-17 and the production of GRO-α and IL-8 in human nasal polyp fibroblasts are not completely understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of the increased IL-17 on the changes of GRO-α and IL-8 expression in human nasal polyp fibroblasts and further investigate the mechanism of neutrophil infiltration in nasal polyps. Nasal polyp fibroblasts were isolated from six cases of human nasal polyps, and the cells were stimulated with five different concentrations of IL-17. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of GRO-α and IL-8. The mRNA of GRO-α and IL-8 was expressed in unstimulated controls and remarkably increased by stimulation with IL-17. Moreover, the levels of GRO-α and IL-8 produced by fibroblasts were increased gradually with the increases in IL-17 concentrations. The present study showed that nasal fibroblasts can produce GRO-α and IL-8, and their production is remarkably enhanced by IL-17 stimulation, thereby clarifying the mechanism of the IL-17 mediated neutrophil infiltration in nasal polyps. These findings might provide a rationale for using IL-17 inhibitors as a treatment for nasal inflammatory diseases such as nasal polyps.Recent studies indicated that interleukin (IL)-17, growth-related oncogene (GRO)-α and IL-8 play an important role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. However, the effects of the increased amount of IL-17 and the production of GRO-α and IL-8 in human nasal polyp fibroblasts are not completely understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of the increased IL-17 on the changes of GRO-α and IL-8 expression in human nasal polyp fibroblasts and further investigate the mechanism of neutrophil infiltration in nasal polyps. Nasal polyp fibroblasts were isolated from six cases of human nasal polyps, and the cells were stimulated with five different concentrations of IL-17. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of GRO-α and IL-8. The mRNA of GRO-α and IL-8 was expressed in unstimulated controls and remarkably increased by stimulation with IL-17. Moreover, the levels of GRO-α and IL-8 produced by fibroblasts were increased gradually with the increases in IL-17 concentrations. The present study showed that nasal fibroblasts can produce GRO-α and IL-8, and their production is remarkably enhanced by IL-17 stimulation, thereby clarifying the mechanism of the IL-17 mediated neutrophil infiltration in nasal polyps. These findings might provide a rationale for using IL-17 inhibitors as a treatment for nasal inflammatory diseases such as nasal polyps.
Acta Oto-laryngologica | 2008
Yue J; Song Zhang; Kong W; Yanjun Wang; Xiong X; Zhu L
Conclusion. A trans-superior meatus endoscopic approach to treat diseases in the sphenoid sinus and sellar area is a safe, minimally traumatic, and effective method. Objective: To avoid complications, we explored the use of the superior meatus and superior turbinate in the endoscope approach to the sphenoid sinus and sellar area. Patients and methods. This was a retrospective analysis of the curative effect of the trans-superior meatus approach for diseases in the sphenoid sinus and sellar area in 138 cases. Results. All of 138 patients had successful operations and no serious complication occurred. All cases were followed up for a period of 1–3 years. No recurrence was found in 94 patients with isolated sphenoid sinus disease (sinusitis, mucoceles, or mycosis). Of 24 patients with pituitary adenoma, 17 patients had entire resection and no recurrence was found. Four patients had subtotal resection and three patients had partial resection with postoperative radiotherapy, and preoperative symptoms were improved. Of 13 cases of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea in the sphenoid sinus, 12 cases were successfully repaired by a single operation and 1 case was successfully repaired by a repeat operation. Among seven cases with decompression of the optic canal, four had obvious effect, two cases showed improvement, and there was no improvement in one case.