MiR-29 regulates retinopathy in diabetic mice via the AMPK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: This work aims to study the influence of micro-ribonucleic acid (miR)-29 on the retinopathy in diabetic mice via the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group (n=12) and model group (n=12). Mice in the normal group were given to normal diet, and those in the model group were prepared for establishing diabetes mouse model. After animal procedures, electroretinogram was performed to detect the latent period and amplitude of b-wave. The expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were detected via immunohistochemistry. The protein levels of the phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) were determined using Western blotting. Moreover, miR-29 expression and cell apoptosis were detected via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), respectively. RESULTS: Compared with those in the normal group, the latent period prolonged and amplitude of b-wave decreased in the model group (p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with normal group, mice in the model group exhibited increased Bax expression and decreased Bcl-2 expression (p<0.05). The Western blotting analysis showed that the protein levels of p-AMPK decreased and p-mTOR increased in the model group compared with those in the normal group (p<0.05). The qPCR revealed that compared with the normal group, the model group had notably decreased miR-29 expression (p<0.05). TUNEL detection displayed that the apoptotic rate was remarkably elevated in the model group compared with that in the normal group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of miR-17-5p up-regulates the expression of VEGF-A and GDNF in MSCs, and promotes the repair of spinal cord injury by MSCs.

[Diagnostic values of BRAF(V600E) mutation analysis and Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology in thyroid nodules with TIRADS 4 and 5].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacies of BRAF(V600E) testing and Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (BSRTC) in thyroid nodules with thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) category 4 and 5. Methods: A total of 187 thyroid nodules in 187 patients underwent the examinations of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and BRAF(V600E) mutation were analyzed retrospectively. Receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the diagnostic values of both methods and the clinical application of BRAF(V600E) combined with BSRTC was evaluated. SPSS17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: Among 187 thyroid nodules, 123 were malignant nodules confirmed with histopathological examination and 64 benign nodules determined by FNAC, histopathological examination, or long-term follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of BRAF(V600E) test were better than those of BSRTC [69.1%, 98.4%, 98.8%, 62.4%(χ(2)=77.3, P=0.000) vs 62.6%, 93.8%, 95.1%, 56.6%(χ(2)=54.4, P=0.000)]. While the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the combined test of BRAF(V600E) and BSRTC for diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules were 87.8%, 92.2%, 95.6%, 79.7%(χ(2)=112.6, P=0.000), respectively. The area under the ROC curve for the combined test was higher than that for each of tests (0.900 vs 0.858 or 0.838). Conclusions: The combined test of BRAF(V600E) mutation and BSRTC has a higher diagnostic efficacy for malignant thyroid nodules compared with BRAF(V600E) mutation or BSRTC alone.

[Prediction of occult carcinoma in contralateral nodules based on the ultrasonic features of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of occult carcinoma in contralateral lobes based on the ultrasonic features of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: The study included 202 consecutives cases of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma with benign nodules in the contralateral lobe identified by preoperative ultrasound or fine-needle aspiration from June 2014 to December 2015. All patients received total thyroidectomies, and with postoperative pathological examination they were divided into two groups, one including 60 cases with positive occult cancer and another one consisting of 142 cases with negative occult cancer. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the sonographic features of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma relevant to the occurrence of occult carcinoma in the contralateral nodules. Results: Univariate analysis indicated occult carcinoma in the contralateral lobes was associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis(χ(2)=3.955, P=0.047), unclear border (χ(2)=4.375, P=0.036)and multifocality in the ipsilateral(χ(2)=7.375, P=0.007), but not with tumors maximum size, location, A/T, shape, internal structure, internal echo, acoustic halo, calcification, capsular invasion and blood flow signal in the lobe with carcinoma on another side. Multivariate analysis showed unclear border (OR=2.727, P=0.010) and multifocality in the ipsilateral(OR=2.807, P=0.005)of carcinoma were independent predictive factor for contralateral occult PTC. Conclusions: Unclear border and multifocality of PTC in the ipsilateral were closely relevant to the occurrence of occult carcinoma in the contralateral nodules.