[Risk factors of recurrence or metastasis in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of recurrence or metastasis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and the influencing factors of disease-free survival (DFS). Methods: The clinicopathological data of MTC patients who visited Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and underwent surgery from August 2014 to August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into recurrence or metastasis group and no recurrence or metastasis group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for recurrence or metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors of DFS. Results: A total of 158 MTC patients were enrolled in final analysis, including 83 females and 75 males, with a median age of 52 (19-74) years. There were 146 cases of sporadic MTC (92.4%) and 12 cases of familial MTC (7.6%), respectively. Bilateral thyroid lesions presented in 33 cases (20.9%) and multiple lesions presented in 57 cases (36.1%), respectively. The median follow-up time was 59.7 (10.0-93.0) months and the median DFS was 55.5 (0-92.9) months. Presence of multifocality, the largest tumor size>2 cm, T3/4, N1b, clinical stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ, lymph node metastasis ratio (LNR)>0.3, preoperative calcitonin>2 000 ng/L, postoperative calcitonin>40 ng/L and no biochemical cure were significantly correlated with the recurrence or metastasis and DFS of MTC (all P<0.05). Clinical stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ (OR=36.57, 95%CI: 1.33-1 006.98, P=0.033), the largest tumor size>2 cm (OR=5.81, 95%CI: 1.01-33.33, P=0.049), multifocality (OR=3.64, 95%CI: 1.03-12.88, P=0.045) and postoperative calcitonin>40 ng/L (OR=15.03, 95%CI: 1.39-162.61, P=0.026) were independent risk factors of recurrence or metastasis. Clinical stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ (HR=19.39, 95%CI:1.40-268.19, P=0.027), the largest tumor size>2 cm (HR=3.64, 95%CI: 1.02-13.02, P=0.047) and postoperative calcitonin>40 ng/L (HR=10.68, 95%CI: 1.34-84.95, P=0.025) were influencing factors for DFS (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The larger tumor size, advanced clinical stage and higher postoperative calcitonin at the initial treatment of MTC are risk factors for recurrence or metastasis and influencing factors for DFS.

[Correlation between dyslipidemia and the risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between dyslipidemia and the risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A case-control study was conducted. PTC patients diagnosed by pathology in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from April 2014 to August 2019 were enrolled as the experimental group, and healthy controls in the physical examination center at the same time were also enrolled as the control group. The demographic data and blood lipid parameters of the subjects were collected. Multivariate logistic analyses were used to assess the correlation between dyslipidemia and the risk of PTC. Results: A total of 2 000 cases of PTC were enrolled, with a mean age of (42±12) years, including 1 419 females (71.0%) and 581 males (29.0%). There were 4 524 cases in the control group, with a mean age of (42±9) years, including 3 311 females (73.2%) and 1 213 males (26.8%). There was no statistically difference in age and gender between the two groups (both P>0.05). Compared with the control group, triglyceride (TG) [(1.7±1.1) vs (1.4±1.0) mmol/L, P<0.001] and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) [(2.9±0.8) vs (2.8±0.7) mmol/L, P=0.015] increased in peripheral blood of PTC patients, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [(1.3±0.4) vs (1.4±0.3) mmol/L, P<0.001] decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant in total cholesterol (TC) [(4.9±1.0) vs (4.9±0.8) mmol/L, P=0.172]. After adjusting for age and gender, increase of TC (OR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.06-1.34, P=0.003), TG (OR=1.73, 95%CI: 1.55-1.94, P<0.001), LDL (OR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.08-1.36, P=0.001), LDL/HDL (OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.56-2.02, P<0.001) and decrease of HDL (OR=3.15, 95%CI: 2.78-3.58, P<0.001) were the related factors of PTC. Conclusions: Compared with the control group, patients with PTC have higher level of TG and LDL and lower level of HDL. Dyslipidemia is an important factor related to the risk of PTC.

[Effects of one-stop hybrid operation on the risk and prognosis of brain arteriovenous malformations with posterior feeding artery].

Objective: To explore the effect of the combination of posterior circulation embolization and micro-resection on the risk and prognosis in patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) supplied by posterior circulation in a one-stop hybrid operation setting. Methods: Patients with bAVMs supplied by posterior circulation who received surgical treatment in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, were enrolled from January 2016 to December 2019 from a prospective, multicentral cohort (NCT03209804). The patients were divided into the posterior circulation embolization group and the non-posterior circulation embolization group. Propensity score matching (PSM) (1∶1) was performed according to the baseline information, the morphology of bAVMs, vascular architecture, and Spetzler-Martin grade of brain lesions. The primary endpoint was the deterioration of neurological function. The secondary endpoints were perioperative complications. The differences in surgical risk and clinical prognosis between the two groups were compared. Results: Five hundred and forty-five patients were enrolled in the cohort, and 38.3% met the included criteria (n=209 cases), with 42 cases in the posterior circulation embolization group and 167 cases in the non-posterior circulation embolization group. Depending on whether the patients were posterior circulation embolized, 39 patients in the posterior circulation embolization group and 39 patients in the non-posterior circulation embolization group were finally included after performing PSM. There were 50 males and 28 females, aged 5-58 (30±13) years. The exacerbation rate of neurological dysfunction in the posterior circulation embolization group was higher than that in the non-posterior circulation embolization group three months after surgery, however there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups [15.4% (6/39) vs 2.6% (1/39), P=0.107]. The intraoperative blood loss in the embolization group was significantly less than that in the non-embolization group [650 (500, 1 500) ml vs 1 200 (800, 2 000) ml, P=0.002]. There was no significant difference in microsurgery time between the two groups [437 (374, 521) min vs 424 (359, 601) min, P=0.865]. Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications and aggravation of neurological dysfunction, including postoperative bAVMs residual [5.1%(2/39) vs 7.7%(3/39), P=1.000], hemorrhagic complications [5.1%(2/39) vs 0(0), P=0.494], postoperative ischemic complications [10.3%(4/39) vs 5.1%(2/39), P=0.675], neurological dysfunction at discharge (17.9% vs 15.4%, P=0.755), and one-year neurological dysfunction [5.1%(2/39) vs 2.6%(1/39), P=1.000]. Conclusions: Posterior circulation embolization of bAVMs in a one-stop hybrid operation can effectively reduce intraoperative bleeding and surgical risk. Embolization of the feeding artery has no significant impact on the perioperative complications and neurological outcomes.

[Clinical trials considerations for patients with immune-tolerant phase chronic hepatitis B].

Most patients with early stage chronic hepatitis B virus infection are in the immune-tolerant phase. Therefore, previously been generally believed that there is no disease progression or liver injury-related events, and poor antiviral efficacy in patients with immune-tolerant phase. With that in mind, antiviral therapy is generally not recommended in current domestic and foreign guidelines. However, more and more studies have shown that patients in the immune-tolerant phase may develop liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma without treatment, so clinical treatment is urgently needed. Currently, drugs based on nucleocapsid inhibitor, immune modulation, and other novel mechanisms for viral replication are being developed to reduce hepatitis B surface antigen, which offers the possibility to achieve viral suppression or even functional cure in these patients. This paper mainly reviews and discusses the latest research progress, population characteristics, treatment needs, and design strategies of clinical trials of new drug for immune-tolerant phase population.

[Correlations of serum TgAb and TPOAb and clinicopathological features of PTC in children and adolescents].

Objective: To analyze the correlations between serum thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and clinicopathological features in children and adolescents with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conduced on the clinicopathological data of children and adolescents (age≤21 years old) with PTC admitted to Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital from 2011 to 2019, and then, we used χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability test to compare the differences in clinicopathological characteristics between groups with different TgAb and TPOAb status and multivariate logistic regression model analysis to evaluate independent predictors of cervical lymph node metastasis. Results: A total of 304 patients, including 89 males and 215 females, aged 5-21 years (median age 19 years), were enrolled in this study. The comparison between groups with different TgAb and TPOAb status showed that there were significant differences in gender, preoperative thyroglobulin (Tg) level, primary tumor location, number of primary tumors and maximum tumor diameter (all P<0.05), which suggested that TgAb+group (n=81) and TPOAb+group (n=84) had relatively better primary tumor characteristics. Patitents with TgAb+and TPOAb+were more common in females and their preoperative Tg level was mostly within the normal range, and there were significant differences in primary tumor location, number of primary tumors and maximum tumor diameter between TgAb+and TgAb-(223 cases) groups (all P<0.05). There was significant difference in the maximum tumor diameter between TPOAb+and TPOAb-(220 cases) groups (P<0.05). Analysis of risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis showed that independent risk factors for central lymph node metastasis were maximum tumor diameter>2 cm (OR=2.84, 95%CI: 1.59-5.07, P<0.001) and extra-thyroid extension (OR=0.32, 95%CI: 0.17-0.60, P<0.001), and independent risk factors for lateral neck lymph node metastasis included age≤14 years old (OR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.18-0.67, P=0.002), preoperative Tg+(OR=2.16, 95%CI: 1.10-4.24, P=0.026) and maximum tumor diameter>2 cm (OR=3.99, 95%CI: 2.33-6.82, P<0.001). Conclusion: It is recommended to test routinely serum TgAb and TPOAb before surgery in children and adolescents with PTC. Preoperative Tg+, age≤14 years, maximum tumor diameter>2 cm, and extra-thyroid extension are risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis.

[Clinical application of supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flap in the repair of tracheal defects].

Objective: To explore the clinical application of supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flap (SIF) in the repair of tracheal defect. Methods: From May 2016 to March 2021, the clinical data of 10 patients (8 males,2 females,aged 27-73 years old) were retrospectively analyzed who underwent repair surgery with SIF for trachea defects after resection of cervical or thoracic tumors, including 2 cases of laryngotracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma, 2 cases of laryngeal carcinoma, 3 cases of esophageal carcinoma, 2 cases of thyroid carcinoma and one case of parathyroid carcinoma. All of the primary tumors were at T4. The outcomes of 10 cases with tracheal defect repaired by SIF were evaluated. Results: The areas of the SIF were (3-7) cm × (6-10) cm, the thicknesses of the flaps were 8-11 mm, and the lengths of the pedicles were 10-15 cm. The blood supply of the SIF came from the transverse carotid artery. The skin defects of the donor areas of the shoulders were directly closed. After 1-60 months of follow-up, all the flaps survived. The flaps, tracheas as well as shoulder wounds healed well. Conclusion: The SIF is suitable for the repair of tracheal defects. It has perfect thickness compatible with the trachea. The technique is simple and microsurgical technique is not needed, with a good application prospect.

Long non-coding RNA UCA1 regulates the proliferation, migration and invasion of human lung cancer cells by modulating the expression of microRNA-143.

OBJECTIVE: Accounting for 25% of all the cancers and 20% of the cancer-related mortality, lung cancer is one of the devastating types of cancers. Due to an increase in the incidence of lung cancer and limited treatment options, there is a pressing need to look for novel drug options and to identify potential therapeutic targets. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been considered to be important therapeutic targets due to their plethora of cellular roles. Herein, we investigated the therapeutic potential of UCA1 in lung cancer and also attempted to examine the underlying mechanism through UCA1 exerts its growth inhibitory effects on cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The quantitative Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to perform the expression analysis. The CCK-8 assay was used to monitor the growth of the cells. The AO/EB assay was used to check apoptosis and flow cytometry was used for cell cycle distribution. The wound heal and transwell assays were used to monitor the cell migration and invasion. RESULTS: It was found that the lncRNA UCA was significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in the lung cancer cells and silencing of UCA1 could inhibit the proliferation of the SK-MES-1 lung cancer cells via induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, UCA1 silencing could also suppress the migration and invasion of the SK-MES-1 cells. The LncRNA UCA1 was also found to upregulate the expression of miR-143, and overexpression of miR-143 could also suppress the proliferation, migration, and invasion of the SK-MES-1 lung cancer cells. Both UCA1 silencing and miR-143 overexpression could cause a significant decrease in the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1). Therefore, it is concluded that UCA1 regulates the growth of the SK-MES-1 lung cancer by inhibition of MAPK1 via miR-143 upregulation. CONCLUSIONS: UCA1, as well as miR-143, may be essential therapeutic targets for the management of lung cancer and warrant further investigations.

Suppression of long non-coding RNA UCA1 inhibits proliferation and invasion and induces apoptosis in human lung cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers responsible for significant mortality and morbidity across the globe. The unavailability of efficient treatments, lack of reliable biomarkers and potent therapeutic targets, limit the treatment of lung cancer. In this study, we explored the potential of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (UCA1) as the therapeutic target for lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression analysis was carried out by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability was monitored by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay. The 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), annexin-V/Propidium iodide staining and comet assays were used to detect apoptosis. Boyden chamber and wound heal assays were used for cell to asses cell invasion and migration respectively. Protein expression was determined by immunoblotting. RESULTS: The expression of lncRNA UCA1 was determined by qRT-PCR in six different types of lung cancer cell lines. It was observed that lncRNA UCA1 was significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in all the lung cancer cell lines. To investigate the role of lncRNA UCA1 in lung cancer, its expression was suppressed by transfection of the lung cancer NCI-H23 cells by si-UCA1. The results showed that suppression of lncRNA UCA1 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the viability of NCI-H23 cancer cells via induction of the apoptosis. Furthermore, the lncRNA UCA1 suppression (p < 0.05) significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of the NCI-H23 lung cancer at least in part via inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1). Additionally, the suppression of MAPK1 exhibited similar effects on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of the NCI-H23 cells as that of UCA1 silencing. Finally, the co-suppression of lncRNA UCA1 and MAPK1 exhibited synergistic effects on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that lncRNA UCA1 could be an important therapeutic target for curbing lung cancer.

[A review on the RET proto-oncogene mutation in medullary thyroid carcinoma].

Medullary thyroid carcinoma（MTC） is a special type of neuroendocrine tumor originated from C-cells of the thyroid gland, MTC can be divided into sporadic(70%-80%)and hereditary(20%-30%), about 98% of the hereditary MTC patients have RET proto-oncogene germline mutation in exon 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16. The mutation of RET proto oncogene is closely related to the pathogenesis of MTC, and different mutation of RET proto oncogene exon may lead to different MTC phenotypes.More than 100 kinds of mutations in the RET gene were reported. This paper reviews the research progress of RET proto-oncogene mutation in MTC.

[Peripheral blood circulating tumor cells in local advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the value of detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with local advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC). Methods: Twenty cases of LAHNSCC and eight healthy cases as the negative control were collected. The clinicopathological factors were evaluated. The LAHNSCC CTCs were enriched by specific antibody nanofluidic chip immunoassay using CytoSorter CTCs sorting system. LAHNSCC CTCs were identified by immunofluorescence staining. The relationships between CTCs and the clinicopathological features of LAHNSCC were analyzed. The numbers of CTCs were monitored and compared two weeks after inductive chemotherapy and at the end of the treatment. Results: CTCs were detect in 15 (75%) 20 patients with LASHNCC, with an average number of 22.4 CTCs. There was a correlation between the numbers of CTCs and age or N staging (P<0.05). Among the 15 cases with CTCs, 13 cases received inductive chemotherapy, for whom CTCs were detected again after inductive chemotherapy in all of these 13 patients, with an average number of 9.5 CTCs. Ten of the fourteen cases (71.4%) were still CTCs detected After whole treatments CTCs were detected in 14 patients, of them, 10 (71.4%) patients showed positive CTCs, with an average 1.6 CTCs. The numbers of CTCs decreased after either inductive chemotherapy or the whole treatment. The number of detected CTCs after whole treatment decreased nearly to background levels. Conclusions: CTCs have a high detection rate in the peripheral blood of patients with LAHNSCC, especially in patients ≥60 years old and with ≥ N2 stage before treatment. Real-time detection of dynamic change of CTCs may assist to evaluate therapeutic effect.

[Effect of polydimethylsiloxane matrix elasticity on osteogenic differentiation of rat marrow stromal cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix elasticity on osteogenic differentiation of rat marrow stromal cells (rBMSC). Methods: A series of PDMS composite substrates with different elastic modulus were constructed by adjusting the relative concentrations of cross-linking agent. The Young's modulus was used to describe the elasticity of PDMS after measurement by atomic force microscope (AFM). After surface modification, rBMSC was seeded on PDMS matrix, and 7 days after rBMSC was cultured on the five different Young's moduli matrix, the differences of osteogenic differentiation of rBMSC were observed by the method of real-time PCR, Western blotting, and alkaline phosphatase assay. Results: The PDMS was suitable for cell culture after surface modification, and by altering the concentration of cross-linking agent, PDMS could mimic the majority of the tissues' elasticity in vivo. The related osteogenic differentiation markers expression showed significant difference between the five matrixes (P<0.05), including type Ⅰ collagen (Col-Ⅰ), osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). The expression of osteogenic markers was up-regulated in the group that the Young's modulus was (354.1±40.9) kPa (P<0.05). Conclusions: PDMS is a tunable elasticity matrix which could be used in the investigation of inducing rBMSCs into osteoblastic lineages. PDMS substrate stiffness has an obvious influence on rBMSC osteogenic differentiation.

[Association between single nucleotide polymorphism of BARD1 gene and BRCA1 gene mutation in epithelial ovarian cancer].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of BARD1 gene and BRCA1 gene in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: Nineteen EOC patients with BRCA1 gene mutation and 50 EOC cases without BRCA1 gene mutation between January 2016 and October 2016 were collected, and all EOC were diagnosed by pathological method. BARD1 gene variants were detected by next generation sequencing (NGS). The SNP of BARD1 gene was analyzed by Pearson linear correlation. Logistic regression analysis was used to research the clinicopathologic features and BRCA1 gene mutation associated with BARD1 gene SNP. Pearson's chi-square test was used to analyze the association between BARD1 gene Val507Met, Arg378Ser and Pro24Ser with different clinicopathologic features and BRCA1 gene mutation risk. Results: (1) Eight BARD1 gene variants were found in 69 ovarian cancer patients, in which Val507Met, Arg378Ser and Pro24Ser were common variants, and the rate of mutation were all 54% (37/69). (2) There was a significant linear correlation among Val507Met, Arg378Ser and Pro24Ser (all P<0.01). (3) Obvious differences were found in Val507Met, Arg378Ser and Pro24Ser of BARD1 gene between BRCA1(+) and BRCA1(-) (all P<0.05) . (4) No differences were found between BARD1 gene Val507Met, Arg378Ser and Pro24Ser and the clinicopathologic features (all P>0.05), while obvious differences were found in BRCA1 gene mutation compared to the controls group. The risk of BRCA1 mutation in Val507Met and Arg378Ser were more evident in subjects with negative family history, positive menopause history, negative tubal ligation, onset age (≤60 years old) and sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy in EOC (all P<0.05), while Pro24Ser was only more evident in positive menopause history of EOC (P<0.05). Conclusions: BARD1 Val507Met, Arg378Ser and Pro24Ser are the common genotypes, which are associated with BRCA1 mutation in EOC. The family history, menopause history, tubal ligation, onset age and sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy have effects on BARD1 SNP in the risk of BRCA1 gene mutation.

[Clinical significance and distribution of BRCA genes mutation in sporadic high grade serous ovarian cancer].

Objective: To investigate the mutations of BRCA genes in sporadic high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and study its clinical significance. Methods: Sixty-eight patients between January 2015 and January 2016 from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University were collected who were based on pathological diagnosis of ovarian cancer and had no reported family history, and all patients firstly hospitalized were untreated in other hospitals before. (1) The BRCA genes were detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS) method. (2) The serum tumor markers included carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA(125), CA(199), and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) were detected by the chemiluminescence methods, and their correlation was analyzed by Pearson linear correlation. Descriptive statistics and comparisons were performed using two-tailed t-tests, Pearson's chi square test, Fisher's exact tests or logistic regression analysis as appropriate to research the clinicopathologic features associated with BRCA mutations, including age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, platinum-based chemotherapy sensitivity, distant metastases, serum tumor markers (STM) . Results: (1) Fifteen cases (22%, 15/68) BRCA mutations were identified (BRCA1: 11 cases; BRCA2: 4 cases), and four novel mutations were observed. (2) The levels of CEA, CA(199), and HE4 were lower in BRCA mutations compared to that in control group, while no significant differences were found (P>0.05), but the level of CA(125) was much higher in BRCA mutation group than that in controls (t=-3.536, P=0.003). Further linear regression analysis found that there was a significant linear correlation between CA(125) and HE4 group (r=0.494, P<0.01), and the same correlation as CEA and CA(199) group (r=0.897, P<0.01). (3) Single factor analysis showed that no significant differences were observed in onset age, FIGO stage, distant metastasis, and STM between BRCA(+) and BRCA(-) group (P>0.05), while significant differences were found in CA(125) and sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy between the patients with BRCA mutation and wild type (P<0.05). The multiple factors analysis showed that the high level of CA(125) was a independent risk factor of BRCA mutations in sporadic HGSOC (P=0.007). Conclusion: The combination of CA(125) with BRCA have great clinical significance, the mutation of BRCA gene could guild the clinical chemotherapy regiments.

[Next generation sequencing technology for susceptible gene screening in familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To screen genes related to familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma (FNMTC) using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Methods: A panel of NGS was designed and sequencing was performed for DNA samples extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of FNMTC patients and sporadic non-medullary thyroid carcinoma (SNMTC) cases, respectively, and gene mutations were screened. In addition, the clinicopathological characteristics, including tumor size, extension of surgery, lymph node metastasis and extra-thyroidal extension, were compared between patients with or without mutations. Results: In 63 NMTC samples, 45 mutations were detected on 13 genes. 37 germline mutations were detected in 47 FNMTC patients, while 8 germline mutations were detected in 16 SNMTC patients. In 8 FNMTC family lineages, the same mutations were carried by FNMTC patients from the same pedigree. The number of carriers of mutations was 29 in the 47 FNMTC patients and 6 in the 16 SNMTC patients, with a non-significant difference (P= 0.092). Among the FNMTC patients, there were 22 patients with central lymph node metastasis in the 29 mutation-positive patients, significantly more than 7 in the 16 mutation-negative cases (P= 0.031). As for the parentage, there were 3 patients with central lymph node involvement among the 7 patients of parent generation, while all the 9 patients of offspring generation had central lymph node metastasis (P=0.019). Conclusions: This panel of NGS can be used to screen mutant susceptibility gene of FNMTC patients, and the findings may be helpful for early detection of FNMTC patients and predicting the disease risk to familial members of FNMTC patients.

[Research progress of suppressor gene PTEN].

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a lipid and protein phosphatase that functions as a tumor suppressor. PTEN regulates the multiple biological processes such as cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis and stem cell self-renewal through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/ protein kinase B signaling pathway. PTEN activity can be modulated by mutations, epigenetic silencing, transcriptional repression, post-transcriptional contral and post-translational modifications.

Association between the X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and thyroid carcinoma susceptibility: A meta-analysis.

Previous case-control studies having investigated the relationship between the X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) Arg194Trp polymorphism and thyroid cancer (TC) have drawn inconsistent conclusions. The current study aimed to clarify the role of this polymorphism in susceptibility to TC. An up-to-date search of PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted, including articles published up to August 2015. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95%CIs were calculated to establish the association between the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and TC risk. Five studies were used, comprising 911 patients and 1476 controls. Our meta-analysis indicated that this polymorphism is associated with TC risk in Caucasians (TrpTrp vs ArgArg: OR = 5.72, 95%CI = 1.39-23.54; ArgTrp vs ArgArg: OR = 1.20, 95%CI = 0.87-1.66; dominant model: OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 0.96-1.79; recessive model: OR = 0.18, 95%CI = 0.04-0.73). This investigation demonstrates that the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism constitutes a risk factor for TC in Caucasian individuals.

[Expression of major histocompatibility complex class â chain-related protein A and B in operable lung adenocarcinoma and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of major histocompatibility complex classⅠchain-related protein A and B (MICA/B) in operable lung adenocarcinoma and its clinical significance. METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2003, 100 patients with operable lung adenocarcinoma in People's Hospital of Zhengzhou were collected. The expression of MICA/B was examined by immunohistochemistry staining.According to immunohistochemical staining, the cases with score ≥5 points were high expression of MICA/B while <5 points were low expression of MICA/B.Chi-square test was utilized to analyze the relationship between MICA/B expression and clinicopathologic features. The association between MICA/B protein and overall survival in the patients with operable lung adenocarcinoma was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve, together with Log-Rank test. The COX regression model was established to analyze the single and combined effects of these covariants. RESULTS: The percentage with high expression of MICA/B protein in operable lung adenocarcinoma tissue was 38% (38/100). The over-expression rate of MICA/B protein in the group with mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene was significantly higher than that in the group with wild EGFR gene (93.8% vs 11.8%, P<0.001). No statistical significance was observed between the expression of MICA/B protein and other clinicopathologic parameters, including age, sex, TNM stage, T- staging, histological grade and lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that overexpression of MICA/B protein was closely associated with shorter survival time (10.4 vs 28.9 months, P=0.005). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of MICA/B in operable lung adenocarcinoma tissue is closely related to the mutations of EGFR and overall survival, which may be a poor prognosis indicator in patients with operable lung adenocarcinoma.