Diagnostic performance of ACR-TIRADS combined with superb microvascular imaging for differential diagnosis of mummified thyroid nodules and papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the ability of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) to improve the differential diagnosis of mummified thyroid nodules (MTNs) and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) using the 2017 American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR-TIRADS). Materials and methods: We enrolled 110 cases of MTNs and 110 cases of PTCs confirmed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) or surgery. Conventional ultrasound (US) and the quantity of microvessels detected by SMI were analyzed for all nodules. Thyroid nodules were initially categorized by ACR-TIRADS based on US imaging features and then reclassified based on ACR-TIRADS combined with SMI blood-flow grade (SMI-TIRADS). We compared the diagnostic performances of ACR-TIRADS and SMI-TIRADS by receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Results: US-detected margin, shape, and echogenic foci differed between MTNs and PTCs (P < 0.05). The SMI blood-flow grade was significantly greater in PTCs compared with MTNs (Χ2 = 158.78, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ACR-TIRADS indicators between MTNs and PTCs (Χ2 = 1.585, P = 0.453); however, reclassification by SMI-TIRADS showed significant differences between the groups (Χ2 = 129.521, P < 0.001). The area under the curve was significantly lower for ACR-TIRADS compared with SMI-TIRADS (0.517 vs 0.887, P < 0.05). SMI-TIRADS had significantly higher diagnostic value for distinguishing MTNs and PTCs than ACR-TIRADS (sensitivity: 91.82% vs 74.55%, P < 0.05; specificity: 84.55% vs 21.82%, P < 0.05; accuracy: 88.18% vs 48.18%, P < 0.05; PPV: 85.59% vs 48.81%, P < 0.05; and NPV: 91.18% vs 46.15%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The detection of microvascular flow and large vessels in thyroid nodules by SMI resulted in high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. ACR-TIRADS combined with SMI could effectively distinguish between MTNs and PTCs, to avoid unnecessary FNA or surgical excision.

Radiosynthesis of a novel antisense imaging probe targeting LncRNA HOTAIR in malignant glioma.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) HOTAIR was amplified and overexpressed in many human carcinomas, which could serve as a useful target for cancer early detection and treatment. The 99mTc radiolabeled antisense oligonucleotides (ASON) could visualize the expression of HOTAIR and provide a diagnostic value for malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether liposome-coated antisense oligonucleotide probe 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON targeting HOTAIR can be used in in vivo imaging of HOTAIR in malignant glioma xenografts. METHODS: The ASON targeting LncRNA HOTAIR as well as mismatched ASON (ASONM) were designed and modified. The radiolabeling of 99mTc with two probes were via the conjugation of bifunctional chelator HYNIC. Then probes were purified by Sephadex G25 and tested for their radiolabeling efficiency and purity, as well as stability by ITLC (Instant thin-layer chromatography) and gel electrophoresis. Then the radiolabeled probes were transfected with lipofectamine 2000 for cellular uptake test and the next experimental use. Furthermore, biodistribution study and SPECT imaging were performed at different times after liposome-coated 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON/ASONM were intravenously injected in glioma tumor-bearing mice models. All data were analyzed by statistical software. RESULTS: The labeling efficiencies of 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON and 99mTc-HYNIC-ASONM measured by ITLC were (91 ± 1.5) % and (90 ± 0.6) %, respectively, and both radiochemical purities were more than 89%. Two probes showed good stability within 12 h. Gel electrophoresis confirmed that the oligomers were successfully radiolabeled no significant degradation were found. Biodistribution study demonstrated that liposome-coated antisense probes were excreted mainly through the kidney and bladder and has higher uptake in the tumor. Meanwhile, the tumor was clearly shown after injection of liposome coated 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON, and its T/M ratio was higher than that in the non-transfection group and mismatched group. No tumor was seen in mismatched and blocking group. CONCLUSION: The liposome encapsulated 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON probe can be used in the in vivo, real-time imaging of LncRNA HOTAIR expression in malignant glioma.

[Effect of blocking endogenous miR-23a on the proliferation and invasion in gastric adenocarcinoma cell line MGC803].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of functional blocking of endogenous miR-23a with a specific antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) on the proliferation and invasiveness of gastric adenocarcinoma cell line MGC803 in vitro. METHODS: A specific ASO targeting miR-23a, namely ASO-23a, was transfected into MGC803 cells to block endogenous miR-23a. The mRNA level of miR-23a in the transfected cells was detected with quantitative real-time PCR. The changes of cell proliferation following the transfection were detected with MTT assay and colony formation assay, and TUNEL assay and Transwell assay were employed to evaluate the changes in cell apoptosis and invasiveness, respectively. RESULTS: Quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated efficient functional blocking of endogenous miR-23a in MGC803 cells by ASO-23a. Suppression of miR-23a with ASO-23a obviously inhibited cell growth, colony formation and invasiveness of MGC803 cells and significantly enhanced the cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: ASO-23a can efficiently block the function of endogenous miR-23a in MGC803 cells to inhibit cell proliferation and invasion and promote cell apoptosis.

[Study on antiinflammatory effect of a compound TCM agent containing ant extractive in animal models].

OBJECTIVE: To study the antiinflammatory effect of a compound TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) agent on animal models. The agent contains ant extractive and a blent of three herbal products, herba epimedii, fructus cnidii, and fructus lycii. METHOD: Three animal models to induce experimental inflammation in rats, including carrageenin--induced paw edema, cotton-ball granuloma and adjuvant induced arthritis, were chosen to study the antiinflammatory effect of the TCM agent. RESULT: The TCM agent showed a marked inhibitory effect on edema induced by all three types of inflammation in rats, the inhibitory rate of the TCM agent at the dose of 0.20, 0.40 and 0.80 g.kg-1 in granuloma model bing over 25% at 1 hour post oral administration, and being 23.8%, 22.7%, 39.7% at 6 hour. In addition, the TCM agent also showed a significant preventive as well as therapeutic effect on adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, and improved the pathological changes of the animal joints with the induced arthritis. CONCLUSION: TCM agent has significant antiinflammatory effects on the three above mentioned animal models.