Thyroid cancer cell metabolism: A glance into cell culture system-based metabolomics approaches.

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system and the seventh most prevalent cancer in women worldwide. It is a complex and diverse disease characterized by heterogeneity, underscoring the importance of understanding the underlying metabolic alterations within tumor cells. Metabolomics technologies offer a powerful toolset to explore and identify endogenous and exogenous biochemical reaction products, providing crucial insights into the intricate metabolic pathways and processes within living cells. Metabolism plays a central role in cell function, making metabolomics a valuable reflection of a cell's phenotype. In the OMICs era, metabolomics analysis of cells brings numerous advantages over existing methods, propelling cell metabolomics as an emerging field with vast potential for investigating metabolic pathways and their perturbation in pathophysiological conditions. This review article aims to look into recent developments in applying metabolomics for characterizing and interpreting the cellular metabolome in thyroid cancer cell lines, exploring their unique metabolic characteristics. Understanding the metabolic alterations in tumor cells can lead to the identification of critical nodes in the metabolic network that could be targeted for therapeutic intervention.

AS1411aptamer conjugated liposomes for targeted delivery of arsenic trioxide in mouse xenograft model of melanoma cancer.

Development of AS1411aptamer-conjugated liposomes for targeted delivery of arsenic trioxide is the primary goal of this study. AS1411aptamer was used as ligand to target nucleolin, which is highly expressed on the surface of melanoma cancer cells. The targeted liposomes were constructed by the thin film method, and arsenic trioxide was loaded as cobalt (II) hydrogen arsenite (CHA) to increase the loading efficiency and stability of the liposomes. The liposomal structure was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). In addition, particle sizes and zeta potential of the CHA-loaded liposomes (CHAL) and aptamer-functionalized CHA-loaded liposomes (AP-CHAL) were determined. In vitro cytotoxicity of CHAL and AP-CHAL were evaluated using MTT assay in murine melanoma (B16) and mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell lines. The encapsulation efficiency of CHAL and AP-CHAL was reported as 60.2 ± 6.5% and 58.7 ± 4.2%, respectively. In vivo antitumor activity of CHAL and AP-CHAL in the B16 tumor-xenograft mouse model was dramatically observed. All mice of both groups survived until the end of treatment and showed body weight gain. The tumor protrusion completely disappeared in 50% of the mice in these groups. Furthermore, histopathology studies demonstrated that CHAL and AP-CHAL did not induce significant toxicity in healthy mice tissues. However, unlike the CHAL group, which showed an initial increase in tumor volume, a specific antitumor effect was observed in the AP-CHAL group from the beginning of treatment. The results showed that AP-CHAL can be used as an effective drug delivery system with high potential in the treatment of solid tumors.

Insufficient Level of Physical Activity and Its Effect on Health Costs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Evidence suggests that mortality attributed to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) will increase from 38 million in 2012 to 52 million by 2030. The recent epidemiological data show that these diseases are increasing in low- and middle-income countries so that about 80% of all deaths of NCDs occurred in low- and middle-income countries. It has been estimated that an insufficient level of physical activity leads to a large share of the burden of these diseases. Evidence suggests that the rate of insufficient levels of physical activity in low- and middle-income countries has increased over the past 15 years. The authorities and policymakers must be advocated with consistent evidence from low- and middle-income countries on productivity loss and increased healthcare costs due to the absence or insufficient levels of physical activity. It is also necessary to include physical activity across all policies to prevent possible escalation of the economic burden related to physical inactivity in the near future.

Green synthesis of SrFe12O19@Ag and SrFe12O19@Au as magnetic plasmonic nanocomposites with high photocatalytic performance for degradation of organic pollutants.

Magnetic-plasmonic nanocomposites are suitable candidates for photocatalytic activity due to both optical and magnetic properties. So initially, we synthesized strontium hexaferrite nanoparticles (NPs) by three different methods: microwave, sol-gel Pechini, sol-gel auto-combustion, and SrFe12O19@Ag, SrFe12O19@Au core-shell by ultrasound-assisted auto-combustion in the presence of beetroot juice. X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) analyses were utilized to examine their purity, morphology, optical and magnetic properties. The nanoproducts were applied as photocatalysts to degrade the anionic dyes with different chromophores under various visible light sources within 2 h. Among different dyes (mono-azo, diazo, anthraquinone, and triaryl methane), Eosin as a triaryl methane dye had the maximum degradation by SrFe12O19@Ag and SrFe12O19@Au, which are about 95.9%, 93.88%, respectively. Indeed, produced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) electrons by the noble metals facilitate the formation of active radicals to destruct the dyes.

Evaluating the relationship between high-resolution computed tomography findings and their extent in eosinophilic lung diseases with peripheral blood eosinophil level.

PURPOSE: Eosinophilic lung diseases are a group of pulmonary disorders associated with peripheral or tissue eosinophilia. They can be classified into primary (idiopathic) and secondary groups based on their aetiology. On the other hand, blood eosinophilia is a common clinical problem with various causes. In many cases the lung infiltrations in patients with peripheral eosinophilia are non-eosinophilic. Herein, we aim to assess the relationship between blood eosinophilia and abnormal high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features and their extent in idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (ICEP) (the most common form of idiopathic eosinophilic lung disease). This can help in differentiating eosinophilic from non-eosinophilic lung infiltrations in patients with blood eosinophilia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this descriptive-correlational study, all patients with proven ICEP, who were referred to Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2012 to 2019, were included. The ICEP diagnosis was based on lung infiltrations on imaging, in addition to increased numbers of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood or lung biopsy samples, and rapid response to corticosteroids. Patients with known aetiologies for eosinophilic lung diseases were excluded. The HRCT findings and their extent in each patient were compared with the blood eosinophil level. RESULTS: Positive correlation was found only between blood eosinophil level and frequency and extent of consolidation, and with frequency of lymphadenopathy. CONCLUSIONS: HRCT can help to differentiate eosinophilic from non-eosinophilic lung infiltrations in patients with blood eosinophilia by comparing the extent of consolidation with the blood eosinophil level.

A glance at the actual role of glutamine metabolism in thyroid tumorigenesis.

Thyroid cancers (TCs) are the most prevalent malignancy of the endocrine system and the seventh most common cancer in women. According to estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) in 2020, the incidence of thyroid cancer globally was 586,000 cases. As thyroid cancer incidences have dramatically increased, identifying the most important metabolic pathways and biochemical markers involved in thyroid tumorigenesis can be critical strategies for controlling the prevalence and ultimately treatment of this disease. Cancer cells undergo cellular metabolism and energy alteration in order to promote cell proliferation and invasion. Glutamine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the human body that contributes to cancer metabolic remodeling as a carbon and nitrogen source to sustain cell growth and proliferation. In the present review, glutamine metabolism and its regulation in cancer cells are highlighted. Thereafter, emphasis is given to the perturbation of glutamine metabolism in thyroid cancer, focusing on metabolomics studies.

Identification of Sonographic Features for Predicting Benign Versus Malignant Mediastinal or Hilar Lymph Nodes Using Endobronchial Ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: In countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis, such as Iran, the differentiation of malignant from non-malignant tumors is crucial. We attempted to find a reliable model in determining malignant nodes by investigating the sonographic characteristics of lymph nodes (LNs). METHODS: In this prospective study, the morphologic characteristics of LNs, including size, shape, vascular pattern, echogenicity, margin, coagulation necrosis sign, calcification, and central hilar structure, which had been obtained during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, were compared with the final pathology results. RESULTS: We examined 253 LNs from 93 patients. Round shape, non-hilar vascular pattern, heterogeneous echogenicity, hyperechogenicity, distinct margin, and the existence of necrosis signs were significantly higher in malignant nodes. On the other hand, the existence of calcification, as well as the presence of central hilar structure, were highly suggestive of benign nodes (p < 0.050). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that size > 1 cm, heterogeneous echogenicity, hyperechogenicity, the existence of necrosis signs, and the lack of central hilar structure are independent predictive factors for malignancy. The accuracy of each of the aforementioned characteristics are 42.3%, 71.5%, 71.9%, 73.5%, and 65.6%, respectively. Of 74 malignant LNs, 100% had at least one of these independent factors. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological features of LNs based on endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration can play a role in predicting malignancy.

The utility of elastography during EBUS-TBNA in a population with a high prevalence of anthracosis.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound elastography, is a pioneer sonographic modality that is conducted during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in order to increase the accuracy of sampling location. The current study aims to evaluate the usefulness of elastography during EBUS-TBNA in a population with a high prevalence of anthracosis. METHODS: This prospective single-blinded study was performed on 69 lymph nodes (LNs) of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy undergoing EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-elastography from October 2017 to July 2018. The stiffness level of the tissue was translated into a color to demonstrate the hardness of tissue. Blue and total areas of each section were measured to calculate the hardness of each LN. RESULTS: Sixty-nine LNs were evaluated by elastography. Twenty percent of LNs were malignant. There was a statistical difference between malignant and non-malignant nodes based on color dominancy (P = 0.032). However, with the exclusion of anthracosis nodes from the analysis, the difference was more significant (P < 0.001). Moreover, when the blue dominancy was used as the predictor of malignancy or anthracosis, the results showed a significant correlation (P < 001). CONCLUSION: The usefulness of elastography in selecting the hardest area of tissue that is appropriate for diagnosing diseases has been proven previously. Since in countries with a high prevalence of anthracosis, blue color achieved using elastography predicts either malignancy or anthracosis so, cases with blue dominancy of LNs in elastography and the white color in the EBUS-TBNA indicate anthracosis-caused calcification should be reconsidered.

Diagnostic values of bronchodilator response versus 9-question questionnaire for asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have investigated different tools for asthma diagnosis in order to reduce the cost and improve its early recognition. The goal of this study is to establish ashort questionnaire to be used in practice for asthma screening and compare diagnostic values between this method and spirometric response to bronchodilators. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 208 patients presenting with chronic stable dyspnea (> 6 months) and definite clinical diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis or asthma, were enrolled. 9 questions out of 43 based on the literature search were selected by regression analysis. Patients were asked to complete the questionnaire and then their spirometric responses to bronchodilators were evaluated. RESULTS: Of all, 53.8% of cases were diagnosed clinically to have asthma. For establishing diagnosis of asthma, the bronchodilator test had 48.2% sensitivity, 78.1% specificity, 72% positive, 56.4% negative predictive values, 2.2 positive, 0.66 negative likeli-hood ratios, and false positive, false negative and accuracy of 21.9%, 51.8% and 62.01%, respectively. The revised 9 questions from the questionnaire had 97.3% sensitivity, 77.1% specificity, 83.2% positive, 96.1% negative predictive values, 4.24 positive, 0.03 negative likelihood ratios, 22.9% false positive, 2.7% false negative and 87.98% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: The 9-question questionnaire had better diagnostic values in defining asthma in patients with chronic dyspnea than reversibility of airway obstruction to salbutamol and can be used as auseful screening test for diagnosis of asthma in clinical practice and for investigational purposes.

Spirometry, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and the six-minute walk test results in sarcoidosis patients.

Background: The 6-minute walking test, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and spirometry are useful tools for evaluation of respiratory impairment and functional capacity in patients with lung disease. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Objectives: Since the pulmonary involvement can affect the quality of life in sarcoidosis patients, this study is aimed to evaluate the tests mentioned above in order to examine the functional capacity of sarcoidosis patients in different stages as well as the cause of exercise intolerance. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 50 Iranian patients with sarcoidosis. Patients were classified into three groups based on the findings of the chest radiography as well as the pulmonary CT scan, reported by an expert radiologist. Pulmonary, cardiac, and activity function have been evaluated in the patients, using cardiopulmonary exercise testing, the 6-minutes walking test, and spirometry. Results: In cardiopulmonary exercise testing, percent-predicted peak VO2 (57.75±15.49, p=0.015) and percent-predicted O2 pulse (70.54±17.37, p=0.013) were significantly lower in the third group, in comparison with the others. Also, VE/CO2 (AT) (34.99±5.67, p=0.000) was significantly higher in the third group, in comparison with the other ones. Percent-predicted VO2 showed a strong positive correlation with age (r=0.377, p=0.009), TSH (r= 0.404, p=0.007), and percent-predicted FVC (r=0.443, p=0.002). In addition, O2 pulse had a positive correlation with BMI (r=0.324, p=0.026), percent-predicted FVC (r=0.557, p= 0.000), and percent-predicted FEV1 (r=0.316, p=0.032). Conclusions: According to this study, ventilatory limitation, pulmonary involvement, and deconditioning are the main causes of activity limitations in sarcoidosis patients.

An eleven-year retrospective cross-sectional study on pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease in the field of pulmonary medicine. The efficacy of whole-lung lavage (WLL) as the treatment of PAP had never been evaluated in the Iranian population. Therefore, there is a real need to investigate the characteristics of PAP and also to evaluate the efficacy of WLL in this rare disease. The study aimed to investigate demographic features, clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of the disease in Iranian PAP patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 45 patients with definite diagnosis of PAP, who had regular follow-ups from March 2004 to March 2015 at an Iranian referral respiratory hospital, were collected. Whole-lung lavages (WLL) efficacy was assessed by comparing spirometric, arterial blood gas parameters and six-minute walk test (6MWT) results before and after all lavages. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis of disease was 30.33 ± 14.56 years. Four patients (8.8%) reported non-massive hemoptysis and three subjects (6.6%) had concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis. In 71.1% of cases, transbronchial lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage were sufficient for diagnosis. Spirometric results and arterial blood gas parameters and 6MWD improved significantly after all the lavages. Four patients (8.8%) died because of respiratory failure. The only variable capable of predicting treatment failure was the history of hemoptysis. CONCLUSION: The study revealed sufficiency of WLL as the PAP patients' treatment. Also hemoptysis was found to be the independent factor that can predict treatment failure.

Photorefractive keratectomy in mild to moderate keratoconus: outcomes in over 40-year-old patients.

BACKGROUND: Keratoconus is a contraindication for photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). In the recent decade, some efforts have been made to perform PRK in patients with keratoconus whose corneas are stable naturally or by doing corneal collagen crosslinking. These studies have suggested residual central corneal thickness (CCT) ≥450 µm. AIMS: The aim was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of PRK in patients with mild to moderate keratoconus in patients older than 40 with residual CCT ≥ 400 µm. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This prospective study was conducted in our Cornea Research Center, Mashhad, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients over 40 years old, with a grade I/II keratoconus without progression in the last 2 years were recruited. Patients with a predicted postoperative CCT < 400 µm were excluded. PRK with tissue saving protocol was performed with Tecnolas 217 Z. Mitomycin-C was applied after ablation. The final endpoints were refraction parameters the last follow-up visit (mean: 35 months). Paired t-test and Chi-square were used for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 38 eyes of 21 patients were studied; 20 eyes (52.6%) with a grade I and 18 eyes (47.4%) with grade II keratoconus. The mean uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent, cylindrical power and keratometric readings were significantly improved at the final endpoint compared to preoperation measurements (P < 0.001). Two eyes (5%) lost two lines of BCVA at the final visit. No case of ectasia occurred during the follow-up course. CONCLUSIONS: PRK did not induce keratoconus progression in patients older than 40 with a grade I/II keratoconus. Residual CCT ≥ 450 µm seems to be sufficient to prevent the ectasia.