Abstract. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 kinase-interacting protein 1 (p27 kip1 ) protein expression on the occurrence and development of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The protein expression levels of Skp2 and p27 kip1 were detected in 42 hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 15 normal hypopharyngeal mucous membrane specimens using the an immunohistochemical PV-9000 two-step method. The expression levels of Skp2 protein were significantly different in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas and normal hypopharyngeal mucous membranes (61.90 vs. 26.67%; P<0.05). By contrast, the protein expression levels of Skp2 were significantly positively correlated with tumor T stage (r s =0.329, P<0.05) and cervical lymph node metastasis (r s =0.402, P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of p27 kip1 protein were significantly different in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas and normal hypopharyngeal mucous membranes (11.9 vs. 53.33%; P<0.05), while p27 kip1 protein expression was significantly negatively correlated with tumor T-stage (r s =-0.351, P<0.05) and cervical lymph node metastasis (r s =-0.371, P<0.05). Notably, a significant negative correlation was observed between the expression levels of Skp2 and p27 kip1 proteins in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (P<0.05). In addition, abnormal expression levels of Skp2 and p27 kip1 proteins were observed in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues. Thus, Skp2 and p27 kip1 proteins may be involved in the development of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The current study proposed that combined detection of Skp2 and p27 kip1 may be useful for assessing the characteristics and prognosis of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background Few studies investigated the effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on the peripheral regulatory T cells (Tregs)/Th17 ratio. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of SLIT in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and the effects on the Tregs/Th17 ratio. Methods This was a retrospective study of children who were treated for AR between April 2017 and March 2018 at one hospital. The patients were grouped according to the treatments they received: SLIT + pharmacotherapy vs pharmacotherapy alone. Results Eighty children (51 boys and 29 girls; 40/group) were included. The visual analog scale (VAS) and medication scores at 1 year in the SLIT + pharmacotherapy group were 2.70 ± 1.08 and 1.1 ± 0.8, respectively, which were lower than at baseline (7.7 ± 1.2 and 3.6 ± 1.0, respectively) (both Ps < 0.05). For the pharmacotherapy group, the VAS score was decreased at 1 year vs baseline (3.3 ± 1.2 vs 7.4 ± 1.0; P < 0.05), but the medication score did not change (P > 0.05). In the SLIT + pharmacotherapy group, the Treg percentage increased, while the Th17 percentage decreased at 1 year (both Ps < 0.01). The percentages of Tregs and Th17s did not change in the pharmacotherapy group (both Ps > 0.05). Conclusions SLIT + pharmacotherapy can increase the Treg percentage and decrease the Th17 percentage in the peripheral blood of children with AR.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) can impact multiple organ systems in children. Objectives: To investigate the effects of OSAHS on T-lymphocyte subgroups and natural killer (NK) cell activity in the peripheral blood of affected children. Methods: A total of 85 children with OSAHS were enrolled into an experimental group (OSAHS) and 76 healthy children were placed in a control group (CON) to compare peripheral blood levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and NK cell activity using flow cytometry. Meanwhile, their polysomnography results were monitored to analyze the correlation between T-lymphocyte subgroups/NK cell activity and lowest pulse oxygen saturation (LSaO2)/apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Results: Compared to the CON group, the CD3+ percentage in the OSAHS group showed no significant difference (65.98 ± 6.54 vs 64.36 ± 5.32; P > 0.05), but the CD4+ percentage, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and NK cell activity decreased markedly (33.52 ± 3.04 vs 35.26 ± 3.68,1.29 ± 0.14 vs 1.43 ± 0.26, and 11.47 ± 4.58 vs 12.69 ± 2.36, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, the CD8+ percentage increased significantly (26.18 ± 4.76 vs 24.36 ± 2.32; P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that the CD3+ percentage was not related to LSaO2/AHI (P > 0.05), but the CD4+ and CD8+ percentages, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and NK cell activity were linearly related to LSaO2 and AHI (P < 0.05). Conclusions: OSAHS can affect the cellular immunity of children. The AHI and LSaO2 may be involved in cellular immunity function.