Tetraphenylethene-based mononuclear aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active mechanofluorochromism gold(I) complexes with different auxiliary ligands.

In this study, a series of tetraphenylethene-containing gold(I) complexes with different auxiliary ligands have been synthesized. These complexes were characterized using a variety of techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Their aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behaviors were investigated through ultraviolet/visible and photoluminescence spectrum analyses, and dynamic light scattering measurements. Meanwhile, their mechanofluorochromic properties were also studied via solid-state photoluminescence spectroscopy. Intriguingly, all these mononuclear gold(I) molecules functionalized by tetraphenylethene group demonstrated AIE phenomena. Furthermore, five gold(I) complexes possessing diverse auxiliary ligands exhibited distinct fluorescence changes in response to mechanical grinding. For luminogens 2-5, their solids showed reversible mechanofluorochromic behaviors triggered by the mutual transformation of crystalline and amorphous states, while for luminogen 1, blue-green-cyan three-color solid fluorescence conversion was realized by sequential mechanical grinding and solvent fumigation. Based on this stimuli-responsive tricolored fluorescence feature of 1, an information encryption system was successfully constructed.

Force-triggered hypso- and bathochromic bidirectional fluorescence switching beyond 120 nm and its anticounterfeiting applications.

Achieving high-contrast tricolor emissive regulation of a single-component molecule using a single type of external stimulus is highly desirable but challenging. In the present study, we report a symmetric acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A)-type aggregation-induced emission-active luminogen, which displays a sequential high-contrast fluorescence switching just by anisotropic mechanical grinding. Specifically, upon light grinding, an orange-yellow-to-blue hypsochromic mechanofluorochromic response with a distinct color contrast (change in the maximum emission wavelength, Δλem,max = 122 nm) is noticed, and the slightly ground solid exhibits a blue-to-red high-contrast (Δλem,max = 185 nm) bathochromic mechanofluorochromic conversion upon vigorous grinding. Thus, using a single luminogen developed here, we can realize wide-range (Δλem,max > 100 nm) hypso- and bathochromic fluorescence mechanochromisms simultaneously. The tricolored mechanofluorochromic phenomenon is attributed to two different morphological transitions involving crystalline-to-crystalline and crystalline-to-amorphous states. Furthermore, three information anticounterfeiting systems are developed using the luminogen presented here.

Regulatory role of Chitinase 3-like 1 gene in papillary thyroid carcinoma proved by integration analyses of single-cell sequencing with cohort and experimental validations.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the most common thyroid carcinomas. The gross extrathyroidal extension and extensive metastases of PTC lead to high rates of recurrence and poor clinical outcomes. However, the mechanisms underlying PTC development are poorly understood. In this study, using single-cell RNA sequencing, the transcriptome profiles of two PTC patients were addressed, including PTC1 with low malignancy and good prognosis and PTC2 with high malignancy and poor prognosis. We found that epithelial subcluster Epi02 was the most associated with the malignant development of PTC cells, with which the fold change of Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) is on the top of the differentially expressed genes between PTC1 and PTC2 (P < 0.001). However CHI3L1 is rarely investigated in PTC as far. We then studied its role in PTC with a series of experiments. Firstly, qRT-PCR analysis of 14 PTC patients showed that the expression of CHI3L1 was positively correlated with malignancy. In addition, overexpression or silencing of CHI3L1 in TPC-1 cells, a PTC cell line, cultured in vitro showed that the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of the cells were promoted or alleviated by CHI3L1. Further, immunohistochemistry analysis of 110 PTC cases revealed a significant relationship between CHI3L1 protein expression and PTC progression, especially the T (P < 0.001), N (P < 0.001), M stages (P = 0.007) and gross ETE (P < 0.001). Together, our results prove that CHI3L1 is a positive regulator of malignant development of PTC, and it promotes proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of PTC cells. Our study improves understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of PTC and provides new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PTC.

CDCA3 promotes the proliferation and migration of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells by activating the Akt/mTOR pathway.

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is a highly invasive and fatal tumor with a poor prognosis in head and neck tumors. It is urgent to further study the molecular mechanism of HSCC progression and identify new effective therapeutic targets. Cell division cycle-related protein 3 (CDCA3) was reported overexpressed in several cancers and involved in tumor progression. However, the biological role of CDCA3 and its potential mechanism in HSCC remain undetermined. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of CDCA3 in HSCC tissue and matched peritumoral tissue. The effects of CDCA3 on cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were explored using the Celigo image cytometry assay, MTT assay, flow cytometric analysis, cell invasion, and migration assays. The results showed that CDCA3 was upregulated in HSCC tissue and FaDu cell line. Knockdown of CDCA3 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of FaDu cells and promoted apoptosis of FaDu cells. Furthermore, knockdown of CDCA3 blocked the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase. Mechanistically, CDCA3 may play a role in tumor progression of HSCC through the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In summary, these results suggest that CDCA3 serves as an oncogene in HSCC and may be used as a prognostic indicator and a potential therapeutic target for HSCC.

Heterotypic neutrophil-in-tumor structure: A novel pathological feature first discovered in the tissues of OPSCC.

Objective: To reveal a novel pathological feature: heterotypic neutrophil-in-tumor structure (hNiT) first discovered in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), to analyze the prognostic role of hNiT in OPSCC patients and to explore the role of p16 in the formation of hNiT structures. Methods: Clinically, 197 patients were enrolled. Clinicopathological information was extracted and analyzed. All pathologic sections made from primary tumors were re-evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunostaining. In vitro, we cocultured OPSCC cell line SCC-15 with neutrophils to form hNiT structures, which were then subject to fluorescence staining. By RNAi and overexpression techniques, we investigated the role of CDKN2A in the formation of hNiTs. We validated the two techniques by qPCR and Western Blot. Results: The hNiT as a novel pathological feature was first discovered in the tissues of OPSCC. The FNiT was significantly associated with tumor stage, disease stage, p16 and tumor grade. A total of 119 patients died of the disease, and the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate was 36%. The median survival time was 52.6 months. In patients with an FNiT<0.5%, the 5-year DSS rate was 40%; in patients with an FNiT>=0.5%, the 5-year DSS was 28%, and the difference was significant (p=0.001). Cox model analysis showed that FNiT along with disease stage, p16 and tumor grade was an independent prognostic factor for DSS. Immunostaining results of p16 expression showed hNiT formation was negatively correlated to p16 in OPSCC as well as in the hNiT formation assays in vitro indicated by fluorescent staining. Function assays of CDKN2A implied that reduce CDKN2A promoted the formation of hNiT while elevated CDKN2A impeded the hNiT formation. Conclusion: The hNiT as a novel pathological feature is associated with the adverse prognosis of OPSCC patients with p16 inhibiting the formation of hNiT structures.

Highly emissive D-A-π-D type aggregation-induced emission (AIE) or aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE)-active benzothiadiazole derivatives with contrasting mechanofluorochromic features.

Mechanochromic luminophors with strong solid-state emission are promising candidates for high-contrast mechanochromic luminescence materials. Meanwhile, mechanically responsive luminogenic molecules with tricolor switching are highly desirable but are seldom reported. In this work, three anthracene-based donor-acceptor-π-donor (D-A-π-D) type benzothiadiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized. These luminogens showed remarkable aggregation-induced emission (AIE) or aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) effect. Furthermore, these luminogens exhibited bright and different solid state fluorescence involving yellow-green, yellow and orange colors, and the fluorescence of their solids could be effectively regulated by mechanical grinding. For luminogen 1, its solid displayed reversible two-color mechanofluorochromic property. As for luminogens 2 and 3, their solids displayed fluorescent colors change from yellow to yellow-green upon slight grinding, and the yellow-green light-emitting solids were converted into orange fluorescent solids after heavy grinding, demonstrating interesting three-color mechanofluorochromism features.

Feasibility of Apatinib in Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma.

Objectives: Our aim was to describe our experience in using apatinib as treatment for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (RAIR-DTC). Methods: Forty-seven patients undergoing apatinib treatment for RAIR-DTC were prospectively enrolled in this study. The study endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and rate of adverse events. Results: No patients achieved complete response, while 36 (76.6%) and 8 (17.0%) patients achieved partial response and stable disease, respectively. The ORR and DCR were 76.6% and 93.6%, respectively. The median PFS and OS were 18 and 59 months, respectively. A total of 91 adverse events occurred, of which 21 were graded as grade 3 or higher. There were no drug-related deaths. Conclusions: Apatinib has distinct anti-RAIR-DTC efficacy in terms of ORR, PFS, and OS and has a favorable safety profile. It is a feasible treatment option for RAIR-DTC.

Corrigendum: Lateral Lymph Node Metastases in T1a Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Stratification by Tumor Location and Size.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.716082.].

The potential value of LC-MS non-targeted metabonomics in the diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Background: To explore the metabolic differences of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) by metabonomics, to find potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of FTC, and to explore the pathogenesis and diagnosis and treatment strategies of FTC. Method: The metabonomics of 15 patients with FTC and 15 patients with follicular thyroid nodules(FTN) treated in Henan Cancer Hospital were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: The analysis showed that the metabolite profiles of FTC tissues could be well distinguished from those of control tissues, and 6 kinds of lipids were identified respectively, including lysophosphatidic acid(LysoPA) [LysoPA(0:0/18:0),LysoPA(0:0/18:2(9Z,12Z)],LysoPA[20:4(8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)/0:0)]; phosphatidic acid(PA) [PA(20:3(8Z,11Z,14Z)/0:0),PA(20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)/0:0),PA(20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)/0:0)]; lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC) [LPC(18:1),LPC(16:0),LPC[16:1(9Z)/0:0],LPC(17:0),LPC[22:4(7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z),LPC(20:2(11Z,14Z); phosphatidylcholine(PC)(PC(14:0/0:0),PC(16:0/0:0); sphingomyelin(SM) (d18:0/12:0); fatty acid(FA)(18:1(OH3)]. There are 2 kinds of amino acids, including L-glutamate,L-glutamine.There are 3 other metabolites, including retinol,flavin adenine dinucleotide,androsterone glucuronide.Lipid metabolites are the main metabolites in these metabolites.The metabolic pathways related to FTC were analyzed by KEGG and HMDB, and 9 metabolic pathways were found, including 4 amino acid related metabolic pathways, 1 lipid metabolic pathways and 4 other related pathways. Conclusion: There are significant differences in many metabonomic characteristics between FTC and FTN, suggesting that these metabolites can be used as potential biomarkers. Further study found that LysoPA and its analogues can be used as biomarkers in the early diagnosis of FTC.It may be related to the abnormal metabolism of phospholipase D (PLD), the key enzyme of LysoPA synthesis caused by RAS pathway. At the same time, it was found that the metabolic pathway of amino acids and lipids was the main metabolic pathway of FTC. The abnormality of LysoPA may be the cause of follicular tumor carcinogenesis caused by lipid metabolic pathway.

Lateral Lymph Node Metastases in T1a Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Stratification by Tumor Location and Size.

Objective: To analyze the incidence and risk factors for lateral lymph node metastases (LNMs) in T1a papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with a focus on tumor location and size. Materials and Methods: The incidence of lateral LNM in 345 cases of T1a PTC was retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the relationships between lateral LNM and clinicopathological characteristics. Results: The incidence of skip metastasis to lateral LNM in T1a PTC located in the upper lobe was 12.1% (8/66). Logistic regression analysis indicated tumor size >5 mm (OR = 5.04, 95% CI = 1.79 to 14.18, P = 0.002), upper lobe location (OR = 7.68, 95% CI = 3.05-19.34, P < 0.001) and the number of central neck LNM (<2: OR = 24.79, 95% CI = 8.23-74.60, P < 0.001; ≥2: OR = 4.99, 95% CI = 1.95-12.73, P < 0.001) were independently associated with lateral LNM. Comparing the lateral and central LNM stratification based on tumor location revealed that both the incidences of lateral (33.3%) and central (30.3%) LNM of T1a PTC located in the upper lobe were higher than those of T1a PTC located in the middle and lower lobes. Of T1a PTC located in the upper lobe, the incidence of lateral LNM was 33.3% (22/66), which was higher than that [30.3% (20/66)] of central LNM. This finding is reversed in all T1a PTC cases and T1a PTC cases with tumor located in the middle and lower lobes. Conclusion: A particularly high likelihood of lateral LNM was observed in T1a PTC patients with tumor located in the upper lobe of the thyroid gland, especially the tumor >5 mm in size, which could be considered a risk factor for lateral LNM in the clinical management of T1a PTC.

DNA double-strand break repair gene mutation and the risk of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair gene mutations and the risk of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). METHODS: One hundred patients with PTMC or benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) at Henan Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The DSB repair capacity of peripheral blood T lymphocytes in the two groups was assessed by flow cytometry. Data were compared using Student's t-test to evaluate the relationship between DSB repair capacity and the risk of PTMC. Factors influencing DSB repair capacity were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The relationship between PTMC and DSB repair capacity was analyzed by univariate analysis. Targeted next-generation DNA sequencing was applied to screen and analyze DSB repair genes related to PTMC. RESULTS: The DSB repair capacity was 31.30% in the PTMC group and 44.40% in the BTN group, with that of the former being significantly lower (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of age, sex, obesity status, radiation and other factors showed that radiation exposure was positively correlated with reduced DSB repair capacity(OR = 3.642; 95% CI 1.484-8.935, P = 0.020). Moreover, univariate analysis showed that a reduction in DSB repair capacity was a risk factor for PTMC(OR = 2.333; 95% CI 1.027-5.300, P = 0.043).Targeted next-generation DNA sequencing was performed on the DSB repair genes discovered, and those that were mutated in association with PTMC were Rad50 and FANCA; Rad51 mutations were related to BTN. CONCLUSION: Radiation exposure is positively associated with induced DSB repair gene mutations, which may cause a reduced capacity for DSB repair and eventually lead to PTMC.

[Comparison of the diagnostic value of high frequency ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma].

Objective:To explore the application value of high frequency ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy（US-FNAB） in the diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma（PTMC）, and to compare the characteristics and value of the two methods, so as to find a more convenient and non-invasive diagnostic method of PTMC, reduce unnecessary puncture and operation. Methods:The data of 190 postoperative pathologically confirmed PTMC patients admitted to Henan Province Cancer Hospital and Henan Provincial Hospital from January to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, with a total of 305 nodules, including 198 PTMC nodules and 107 benign thyroid nodules（BTN）. According to the postoperative pathological results, they were divided into groups, and the relationship between the ultrasound appearance of the nodules and whether the cervical lymph nodes could be explored and PTMC was analyzed by chi-square test and logistic regression, and its diagnostic value was evaluated. The Kappa consistency test was used to analyze the consistency between ultrasound, FNAB and surgical pathological diagnosis results. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of high-frequency ultrasound and US-FNAB were compared, and the ROC curve was used to calculate the maximum area under the curve to evaluate its effectiveness. Results:The chi-square test showed that there were statistically significant differences in the morphology, margin, internal echo, echo uniformity, calcification, aspect ratio, blood flow signal, and whether the cervical lymph nodes can be detected and other ultrasound signs between the PTMC group and the BTN group. Logistic regression analysis showed that irregular shape, unclear edges, internal hypoechoic, intranodular calcification are independent risk factors for PTMC. By consistency test, the consistency between high-frequency ultrasound, US-FNAB examination and surgical pathological diagnosis was good, Kappa value was 0.802 and 0.893（P<0.05）. Each nodule was examined by high-frequency ultrasound, and the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUC were 95.45%, 83.18%, 91.15% and 0.877 respectively. US-FNAB was performed on 189 of 305 thyroid nodules, and the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUC were 96.03%, 93.65%, 95.24% and 0.948 respectively. Conclusion:High frequency ultrasonic features such as internal hypoechoic, calcification in the nodules, unclear edges, and irregular morphology are of high value for the diagnosis of PTMC. Through data analysis, both high-frequency ultrasound and US-FNAB examination have high diagnostic value for PTMC. Compared with US-FNAB, high-frequency ultrasound has the advantages of low examination cost, non-invasive, simple operation and so on. For some patients with PTMC who do not have high risk factors, ultrasound can be used to actively monitor disease progression to avoid some unnecessary surgery.

Genome-Wide Identification and Comparative Analysis of the ASR Gene Family in the Rosaceae and Expression Analysis of PbrASRs During Fruit Development.

The members of the Abscisic Acid (ABA) Stress and Ripening gene family (ASR) encode a class of plant-specific proteins with ABA/WDS domains that play important roles in fruit ripening, abiotic stress tolerance and biotic stress resistance in plants. The ASR gene family has been widely investigated in the monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Although the genome sequence is already available for eight fruit species of the Rosaceae, there is far less information about the evolutionary characteristics and the function of the ASR genes in the Rosaceae than in other plant families. Twenty-seven ASR genes were identified from species in the Rosaceae and divided into four subfamilies (I, II, III, and IV) on the basis of structural characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. Purifying selection was the primary force for ASR family gene evolution in eight Rosaceae species. qPCR experiments showed that the expression pattern of PbrASR genes from Pyrus bretschneideri was organ-specific, being mainly expressed in flower, fruit, leaf, and root. During fruit development, the mRNA abundance levels of different PbrASR genes were either down- or up-regulated, and were also induced by exogenous ABA. Furthermore, subcellular localization results showed that PbrASR proteins were mainly located in the nucleus and cytoplasm. These results provide a theoretical foundation for investigation of the evolution, expression, and functions of the ASR gene family in commercial fruit species of the Rosaceae family.

Role of Heterotypic Neutrophil-in-Tumor Structure in the Prognosis of Patients With Buccal Mucosa Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of frequency of heterotypic neutrophil-in-tumor structure (FNiT) in the prognosis of patients with buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (BMSCC). METHODS: In vitro, we cocultured BMSCC cell line-H157 with neutrophils to form heterotypic neutrophil-in-tumor structures, which were then subject to fluorescence staining. Clinically, 145 patients were retrospectively enrolled. Associations between FNiT and clinicopathological variables including age, sex, smoking history, drinking history, betel nut chewing, tumor stage, node stage, metastasis, disease stage, lymphovascular invasion, extranodal extension, perineural invasion, and tumor grade were analyzed by chi-square test, and the main endpoints of interest were recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) which were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox model. RESULTS: Fluorescent staining results of typical heterotypic neutrophil-in-tumor structure showed that well-differentiated H157 cells had a stronger ability to internalize more neutrophils than poorly-differentiated H157 cells, with the latter often internalizing only one neutrophil or nothing. The mean FNiT was 4.2‰, with a range from 2.3‰ to 7.8‰. A total of 80 patients relapsed and 84 patients died of the disease. The 5-year RFS and DSS rate was 42% and 42%, respectively. Patients with an FNiT≥4.2‰ had a significantly higher risk for locoregional recurrence and cancer-caused death than those with an FNiT<4.2‰ (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The FNiT alone was independently significant in predicting poor RFS, and the FNiT along with tumor grade was an independent predictor for DSS. CONCLUSION: The FNiT as a novel predictor is significantly negatively associated with both the RFS and DSS of patients with BMSCC.

Feasibility of Submandibular Gland Preservation in cT1-2N0 Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Floor of the Mouth.

Purpose: Our goal was to analyze the feasibility of submandibular gland (SMG) preservation in cT1-2N0 floor of the mouth (FOM) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients. Methods: Patients with cT1-2N0 FOM SCC were retrospectively enrolled and divided into two groups according to the management of the SMG. Level 1b tissues were divided into six groups according to their location with respect to the SMG. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the locoregional control (LRC) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates. A Cox model was used to determine the independent risk factors. Results: Twenty-nine patients underwent SMG-preserving neck dissection, and lymph node metastasis occurred in the superior group in 3 of the 37 dissections with a prevalence of 8.1% and in the anterior group in 2 of the 37 dissections with a prevalence of 5.4%. In patients without SMG preservation, lymph node metastasis occurred in the superior group in 7 of the 137 dissections with a prevalence of 5.1% and in the anterior group in 6 of the 137 dissections with a prevalence of 4.4%. The only pattern of SMG involvement was invasion by positive lymph nodes. The 5-year LRC rates for patients with SMG preservation and patients with SMG excision were 84 and 73%, respectively, and the difference was not significant (p = 0.239). The 5-year DSS rates for patients with SMG preservation and patients with SMG excision were 88 and 84%, respectively, and the difference was not significant (p = 0.524). Conclusions: In early-stage FOM SCC patients, SMG involvement is rare, the most common metastatic site in level 1b is the superior group, and SMG preservation does not decrease the LRC or DSS rates. Therefore, the findings suggest that there might be high feasibility of SMG-preserving neck dissection in cT1-2N0 FOM SCC.

Intraparotid Lymph Node Metastasis Decreases Survival in Pediatric Patients With Parotid Cancer.

PURPOSE: The occurrence of parotid cancer in pediatric patients is uncommon, and the significance of intraparotid lymph node (IPN) metastasis in the pediatric population remains unknown. Therefore, the main goal of the present study was to analyze the effect of IPN metastasis on survival in pediatric patients with parotid cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pediatric patients with parotid cancer were retrospectively enrolled from multiple medical centers. The association between IPN metastasis and clinicopathologic variables was analyzed using χ2 tests. The main study endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS), which was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Independent prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards method. RESULTS: IPN metastasis was noted in 15 of 77 patients (19.5%). A positive relationship was noted between IPN metastasis and tumor stage, lymphoma history, and disease grade. The 10-year RFS was 91%. Univariate analysis revealed that IPN metastasis, disease grade, resection extent, tumor stage, and lymphoma history were associated with RFS. Cox regression analysis revealed that IPN metastasis (odds ratio [OR], 2.805; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.697 to 5.119; P = .004) and lymphoma history (OR, 1.742; 95% CI, 1.027 to 3.687; P = .014) were the only 2 independent predictors of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: IPN metastasis significantly decreased survival in patients with pediatric parotid cancer.

Prognostic Value of the Pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Pediatric Parotid Cancer.

Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in pediatric patients with parotid cancer. Materials and Methods: Pediatric patients with primary parotid cancer were retrospectively enrolled from several clinical centers. The associations between the clinical-pathologic variables and NLR and the prognostic significance of NLR for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were analyzed. Results: A total of 123 patients were included. The mean NLR was 2.51 and ranged from 1.7 to 6.1. The tumor stage and disease grade were significantly related to NLR. In patients with NLR < 2.51, the 10-year RFS rate was 97%, and in patients with NLR ≥ 2.51, the 10-year RFS rate was 84%; the difference was significant (p = 0.016). In patients with NLR < 2.51, the 10-year DSS rate was 98%, and in patients with NLR ≥ 2.51, the 10-year DSS rate was 83%; this difference was also significant (p = 0.035). Further Cox model analysis confirmed the independence of NLR in predicting the RFS and DSS rates. Conclusions: NLR is significantly associated with prognosis in pediatric patients with parotid cancer.

Non-Coding RNA Pvt1 Promotes Cancer Stem Cell-Like Traits in Nasopharyngeal Cancer via Inhibiting miR-1207.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a kind of head-neck malignant tumor. lncRNA-PVT1 can promote the proliferation of carcinoma cells, and induce cells to have stem cell-like potentials. However, the function of PVT1 in NPC cells is not clear. The expressions of lncRNA-PVT1 and the expressions of the stem cell markers in NPC tissues or cell lines were investigated by qRT-PCR or western blot. The cell proliferation, and the ability of NPC cells to form spherical, clonal colonies were investigated by MTT assay, colony formation assay, and tumor-sphere formation assay. Cancer stem cells surface markers were detected by flow cytometry and western blot. PI3K/AKT signal activation in NPC cells was determined by western blot. PVT1 was significantly up-regulated in both NPC tissues and cell lines and associated with poor prognosis. PVT1 knockdown reduced NPC cells viability, clonogenicity, the cell surface CD44+/CD24- stem phenotype, and the expressions of the stem cell markers in NPC cells, including Oct4, c-Myc, SOX2, and ALDH. Furthermore, PVT1 negatively regulates the expression levels of miR-1207 in NPC cells and spheres cells, which is critical for NPC stemness. Knockdown of miR-1207 promoted stem phenotype and the expressions of the stem cell markers in NPC cells. Moreover, phosphor-PI3K (p-PI3K) and phosphor-AKT (p-AKT) were found to be down-regulated after PVT1 siRNAs transfection in NPC cells. And miR-1207 inhibitor transfection reversed the all the effects brought by PVT1 knockdown. Pvt1 promotes cancer stem cell-like properties in NPC cells via inhibiting miR-1207 and activating the PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

Upregulation of lncRNA-ATB by Transforming Growth Factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) Promotes Migration and Invasion of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cells.

BACKGROUND lncRNA-ATB plays an oncogenic role in various types of malignancies, but its involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cells, which is a main type of thyroid cancer, is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 76 patients with PTC and 28 people with normal physiological conditions were included in this study. Tumor tissues and adjacent healthy tissues were collected from PTC patients and blood was extracted from both patients and healthy controls. Expression of lncRNA-ATB in those tissues was detected by qRT-PCR. All patients were followed up for 5 years and diagnostic and prognostic values of serum lncRNA-ATB for PTC were investigated by ROC curve analysis and survival curve analysis, respectively. lncRNA-ATB overexpression PTC cell lines were established and effects of lncRNA-ATB overexpression on cell migration and invasion were investigated by Transwell cell migration and invasion assay, respectively. Effects of lncRNA-ATB overexpression on TGF-ß1 expression were investigated by Western blot. RESULTS lncRNA-ATB expression level was higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent healthy tissues in most PTC patients. Serum level of lncRNA-ATB was higher in cancer patients than in healthy control. Serum lncRNA-ATB can be used to accurately predict PTC and its prognosis. lncRNA-ATB overexpression promoted tumor cell migration and invasion, lncRNA-ATB overexpression showed no significant effects on TGF-ß1 expression, and TGF-ß1 treatment increased the expression level of lncRNA-ATB. CONCLUSIONS Upregulation of lncRNA-ATB by TGF-b1 promotes migration and invasion of PTC cells.

Surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid tumor: A 15-year experience.

The aim of this study was to highlight our experience over a 15-year period in dealing with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) due to a parathyroid tumor. Parathyroidectomy is the standard therapy for patients with PHPT. Our study included all patients with PHPT treated by parathyroidectomy at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, China. Between 1998 and 2013, a total of 107 patients were recruited. Their clinical data, presentation, laboratory examinations, imageological diagnoses and surgical approaches were analyzed retrospectively. Eighty-four cases (78.5%) were followed up. During a median follow-up period of 5.7 years, a total of 80 patients were without recurrence and metastasis. The main symptoms of PHPT patients were palpable neck mass, joint pains and pathological fracture. The high levels of preoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium in PHPT patients decreased to below the normal upper limit within 3 days of surgery. The sensitivity of neck ultrasonography, sestamibi scanning, CT, MRI and the combination of three or four types of test were 86.0%, 90.4%, 80.8%, 79.6% and 96.1%, respectively. A 50% or greater drop in PTH levels within 20 min compared with the highest PTH levels before surgery occurred in 95/107 cases (88.8%). Transient hypocalcemia was the most common surgical complication. The ultrasonography and sestamibi scan is the most effective examination for parathyroid tumor. The 20 min PTH measurement appears to be extremely useful, and avoids unnecessary bilateral exploration.