Risk factors associated with the prevalence of thyroid nodules in adults in Northeast China: a cross-sectional population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between anthropometric measurements, lifestyle factors and the prevalence of thyroid nodules among adults in Northeast China. DESIGN: We employed a cross-sectional approach involving a questionnaire survey, which focused on participants' living habits, and a physical examination that included anthropometry and ultrasound imaging. SETTING: The data were procured during multiple trips by medical teams from the first hospital of China Medical University to towns in Northeast China. PARTICIPANTS: Of the 1092 participants, 489 did not have thyroid nodules (mean age: 54.02±11.49 years; 297 females (60.7%)), 99 had single thyroid nodules (mean age: 58.19±10.77 years; 59 females (59.6%)) and 504 had multiple thyroid nodules (mean age: 60.05±10.68 years; 394 females (78.2%)). Inclusion criteria mandated participants be over 20 years old without other medical conditions. We excluded individuals who had undergone surgical resection for thyroid nodules. RESULTS: The prevalence of thyroid nodules was significantly associated with being female (OR 2.569, 95% CI 1.937 to 3.405, p<0.001) and increased age (OR 1.054, 95% CI 1.041 to 1.066, p<0.001). This association was more pronounced in those with multiple thyroid nodules. For males under 60, non-smoking was inversely correlated with the prevalence of multiple thyroid nodules (OR 0.321, 95%CI 0.149 to 0.69, p<0.05). For females under 60, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significantly linked with the prevalence of thyroid nodules (OR 0.978, 95% CI 2.614 to 2.705, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Besides gender and age, the prevalence of thyroid nodules in Northeast China correlates with smoking habits and DBP.

Low-intensity ultrasound combined with arsenic trioxide induced apoptosis of glioma via EGFR/AKT/mTOR.

AIMS: This study aimed to explore whether low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) combined with low-concentration arsenic trioxide (ATO) could inhibit the proliferation of glioma and, if so, to clarify the potential mechanism. MAIN METHODS: The effects of ATO and LIUS alone or in combination on glioma were examined by CCK8, EdU, and flow cytometry assays. Western blot analysis was used to detect changes in expression of apoptosis-related proteins and their effects on the EGFR/AKT/mTOR pathway. The effects of ATO and LIUS were verified in vivo in orthotopic xenograft models, and tumor size, arsenic content in brain tissue, survival, and immunohistochemical changes were observed. KEY FINDINGS: LIUS enhanced the inhibitory effect of ATO on the proliferation of glioma, and EGF reversed the proliferation inhibition and protein changes induced by ATO and LIUS. The anti-glioma effect of ATO combined with LIUS was related to downstream AKT/mTOR pathway changes caused by inhibition of EGFR activation, which enhanced apoptosis of U87MG and U373 cells. In vivo experiments showed significant increases in arsenic content in brain tissue, as well as decreased tumor sizes and longer survival times in the combined treatment group compared with other groups. The trends of immunohistochemical protein changes were consistent with the in vitro results. SIGNIFICANCE: This study showed that LIUS enables ATO to exert anti-glioma effects at a safe dose by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and the downstream AKT/mTOR pathway to regulate apoptosis. LIUS in combination with ATO is a promising novel method for treating glioma and could improve patient prognosis.

The effects of GPER on age-associated memory impairment induced by decreased estrogen levels.

Estrogen, as a pleiotropic endocrine hormone, not only regulates the physiological functions of peripheral tissues but also exerts vital neuroregulatory effects in the central nervous system (CNS), such as the development of neurons and the formation of neural network connections, wherein rapid estrogen-mediated reactions positively stimulate spinogenesis and regulate synaptic plasticity and synaptic transmission to facilitate cognitive and memory performance. These fast non-genomic effects can be initiated by membrane-bound estrogen receptors (ERs), three best known of which are ERα, ERß, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). To date, the effects of ERα and ERß have been well studied in age-associated memory impairment, whereas there is still a lack of attention to the role of GPER in age-associated memory impairment, and there are still disputes about whether GPER indeed functions as an ER to enhance learning and memory. In this review, we provide a systematic overview of the role of GPER in age-associated memory impairment based on its expression, distribution, and signaling pathways, which might bring some inspiration for translational drugs targeting GPER for age-related diseases and update knowledge on the role of estrogen and its receptor system in the brain.

Inhibition of Angiogenesis by MiR-524-5p through Suppression of AKT and ERK Activation by Targeting CXCR7 in Colon Cancer Cells.

Increasing evidence shows that alterations in microRNA (miRNA) expression are involved in the occurrence and development of various malignant tumors, including colon cancer. MiRNA-524-5p has been reported to have anticancer activity in colon cancer. This study explored the influence of the miRNA-524-5p/CXCR7 axis on angiogenesis using colon cancer cells and further studied the mechanisms involved. We found that changing the expression of miRNA-524-5p can affect colonic proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. Furthermore, angiogenesis induced by miRNA-524-5p overexpression was reversed by overexpression of CXCR7 in HT-29 cells, while the opposite was observed in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, miRNA-524-5p inhibited the activation of AKT and ERK signaling by targeting CXCR7. Overall, our results indicated that the miRNA-524-5p/CXCR7 axis regulated angiogenesis in colon cancer cells through the AKT and ERK pathways.

Low-intensity ultrasound: A novel technique for adjuvant treatment of gliomas.

Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Although surgical treatment combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy are commonly used for glioma treatment, the prognosis of glioma is still unsatisfactory. The poor effect of glioma treatment could be due to the blocking effect of blood-brain barrier (BBB) on most drugs and the multidrug resistance in tumor cells. In recent years, preclinical trials have shown that low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) can reversibly open the BBB, inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells, and improve the delivery of drugs to brain tissue. This technology has also recently been used in clinical trials, and achieved encouraging preliminary results. In this review, the existing research results, the effect of LIUS on the adjuvant therapy of glioma under safe conditions, and the physical and biological mechanisms have been discussed. This review aims to show the potential and prospect of LIUS technique in the clinical treatment of glioma.

The CXCL12/CXCR4/ACKR3 Response Axis in Chronic Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Central Nervous System: Therapeutic Target and Biomarker.

There has been an increase in the incidence of chronic neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, over the recent years mostly due to the rise in the number of elderly individuals. In addition, various neurodegenerative disorders are related to imbalances in the CXCL12/CXCR4/ACKR3 response axis. Notably, the CXC Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12) is essential for the development of the central nervous system. Moreover, the expression and distribution of CXCL12 and its receptors are associated with the aggravation or alleviation of symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the current review sought to highlight the specific functions of CXCL12 and its receptors in various neurodegenerative disorders, in order to provide new insights for future research.