Epigenetic Modifications: Novel Therapeutic Approach for Thyroid Cancer

The incidence of thyroid cancer is growing the fastest among all cancers in the United States, especially in women. The number of patients with thyroid neoplasm is part of an even larger number of patients who often need to undergo an operation to exclude a cancer diagnosis. While differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer) accounts for most cases of thyroid cancer and has a relatively good prognosis, effective treatments for patients with de-differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer are still gravely needed. Despite progress in the identification of genetic changes in thyroid cancer, the impact of aberrant epigenetic alterations on thyroid cancer remains to be fully elucidated. Understanding of the roles of epigenetic changes in thyroid cancer could open new opportunities for the identification of innovative molecular targets for novel treatment modalities, especially for anaplastic thyroid cancer for which treatment is very limited. This article briefly reviews the studies that exemplify the potential for and promise of using epigenetic regulators in the treatment of thyroid cancer.

Preparation of SiO2/Ni core-shell type nanoparticles and their magnetic properties / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Inhibitory coating can prevent nanoparticle oxidation, grain growth, corrosion and agglomeration, and endow nanoparticle with special properties. ABJECTIVE: To prepare SiO2/Ni core-shell type nanoparticles and assess their magnetic properties. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The observation experiment was performed between November 2005 and March 2006 at Nanometer Compound Material Research Laboratory of Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. MATERIALS: Nanometer nickel powder prepared by DC arc plasma jet method, Na2SiO3 produced by Bazhou Chemical Industry Branch Factory of Tianjin Quartz Clock Factory (China).METHODS: SiO2/Ni core-shell type nanoparticles were synthesized by coating a layer of SiO2 on the surface of manometer nickel powder via liquid deposition method using Na2SiO3 as the main source material. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Their microstructures and material properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and vibrating sample magnetometer. RESULTS: The experimental results showed that SiO2 shell was in an amorphous state around Ni cores and it avoided agglomeration of the Ni nanoparticles. The oxidation temperature of nanometer nickel powder coated by SiO2 elevated from 287 ℃ to 385 ℃. The analysis result of magnetic properties indicated that the hysteresis loop of Ni had an excursion for the existence of anti-ferromagnetic NiO, the silica coating reduced the saturation magnetization and improved the coercivity. CONCLUSION: Preparation of SiO2/Ni core-shell type nanopartieles was successful; silica coating improved the oxidation resistance of nanometer nickel powder, endowed nanometer nickel powder better ferromagnetism and improved the coercivity.