Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of thyroid nodules in adults of Northwest China.

Background: Thyroid nodules (TNs) are very common in the adults of Northwest China. The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in TNs is poorly investigated and even with controversial conclusions. Our study aimed at highlighting the relationship between H. pylori infection and the risk of TNs. Methods: 9,042 individuals were enrolled with thyroid ultrasonography and 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT). Baseline characteristics and relevant covariates were obtained, including basic and laboratory indicators. After applying the exclusion criteria, 8,839 patients were included and divided into 2 groups: a cross-sectional study of single follow-up (n=8,711) and a retrospective cohort study of multiple follow-ups for 5 years (n=139). Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection and TNs was 39.58% and 47.94% in the adults of Northwest China, respectively. The prevalence of TNs was significantly higher among H. pylori-positive individuals than those without infection (52.55% vs. 44.92%, p<0.01). The result of binary logistic regression revealed that the crude odds ratio (OR) was 1.624 (95% CI 1.242~2.123) in Model 1 without adjustment compared to H. pylori-negative group, and was also positive in Model 2, 3, and 4 (Model 2: OR=1.731, 95% CI 1.294~2.316; Model 3: OR=2.287, 95% CI 1.633~3.205; Model 4: OR=2.016, 95% CI 1.390~2.922) after the adjustment. The data of 5-year follow-up showed that the annual incidence of TNs was significantly higher in individuals with persistent H. pylori infection than non-infected counterparts (all p<0.05). Conclusions: H. pylori is an independent risk factor for TNs in the adults of Northwest China.

[Efficacy of 153Sm-EDTMP in the treatment of prostate cancer with bone metastasis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of 153Sm-EDTMP in the treatment of bone metastasis of prostate cancer (PCa) by comparison with zoledronic acid. METHODS: We assigned 55 PCa patients with bone metastasis to receive 153Sm-EDTMP (n = 31) and zoledronic acid (n = 24), the former injected intravenously at the dose of 37.0 MBq/kg body weight, and the latter administered by slow intravenous drip at 4 mg in 100 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride. We performed 99mTc-MDP bone scan before and 1 -2 months after the treatment. RESULTS: The rate of pain relief was 83.9% in the 153Sm-EDTMP group and 58.3% in the zoledronic acid group (P = 0.035), and that of bone metabolism change was 64.5% in the former and 33.3% in the latter (P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: 153Sm-EDTMP is an ideal agent for the treatment of prostate cancer with bone metastasis.

K+-Responsive Crown Ether-Based Amphiphilic Copolymer: Synthesis and Application in the Release of Drugs and Au Nanoparticles.

Due to unique chelating and macrocyclic effects, crown ether compounds exhibit wide application prospects. They could be introduced into amphiphilic copolymers to provide new trigger mode for drug delivery. In this work, new amphiphilic random polymers of poly(lipoic acid-methacrylate-co-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-co-N-isopropylacrylamide-co-benzo-18-crown-6-methacrylamide (abbrev. PLENB) containing a crown ether ring and disulphide bond were synthesized via RAFT polymerization. Using the solvent evaporation method, the PLENB micelles were formed and then used to load substances, such as doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and gold nanoparticles. The results showed that PLENB exhibited a variety of lowest critical solution temperature (LCST) in response to the presence of different ions, such as K+, Na+ and Mg2+. In particular, the addition of 150 mM K+ increased the LCST of PLENB from 31 to 37 °C and induced the release of DOX from the PLENB@DOX assemblies with a release rate of 99.84% within 12 h under 37 °C. However, Na+ and Mg2+ ions could not initiate the same response. Furthermore, K+ ions drove the disassembly of gold aggregates from the PLENB-SH@Au assemblies to achieve the transport of Au NPs, which is helpful to construct a K+-triggered carrier system.

AHNAK2 is a novel prognostic marker and correlates with immune infiltration in papillary thyroid cancer: Evidence from integrated analysis.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most prevalent endocrine tumor, and its incidence is still increasing. The mechanisms of PTC dedifferentiation and malignant progression remain unclear. In this study, we identified AHNAK2 as a key gene in PTC by differential expression analysis among four GEO datasets and validated its overexpression profile by data from the Oncomine, TCGA, and HPA databases and IHC staining analysis. AHNAK2 upregulation significantly correlated with advanced grades, stages, and lymph node events. Survival analysis suggested that AHNAK2 overexpression was coupled with poor overall survival. The immune infiltration analysis by TIMER and CIBERSORT indicated that AHNAK2 expression tightly correlated with the infiltration of diverse immune cell types, especially T cell subtypes. In addition, AHNAK2 is correlated with the expression of other conventional key genes of TC, such as PIK3CA, MAPK1, CTNNB1, and SLC5A5. AHNAK2 may be a novel prognostic marker for PTC.

Bioinformatics analysis of key genes and pathways in Hashimoto thyroiditis tissues.

Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases, and the incidence of HT continues to increase. Long-term, uncontrollable HT results in thyroid dysfunction and even increases carcinogenesis risks. Since the origin and development of HT involve many complex immune processes, there is no effective therapy for HT on a pathogenesis level. Although bioinformatics analysis has been utilized to seek key genes and pathways of thyroid cancer, only a few bioinformatics studies that focus on HT pathogenesis and mechanisms have been reported. In the present study, the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE29315) containing 6 HT and 8 thyroid physiological hyperplasia samples was downloaded, and differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis were performed. In total, 85 DEGs, containing 76 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated DEGS, were identified. The DEGs were mainly enriched in immune and inflammatory response, and the signaling pathways were involved in cytokine interaction and cytotoxicity. Moreover, ten hub genes were identified, and IFN-γ, IFN-α, IL6/JAK/STAT3, and inflammatory pathways may promote the origin and progression of HT. The present study indicated that exploring DEGs and pathways by bioinformatics analysis has important significance in understanding the molecular mechanisms of HT and providing potential targets for the prevention and treatment of HT.

miR-132 mediates a metabolic shift in prostate cancer cells by targeting Glut1.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men worldwide. Early diagnosis increases survival rates in patients but the survival rate has remained relatively poor over the past years. Increasing evidence shows that altered metabolism is a critical hallmark in prostate cancer. There is a strong need to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer metabolism for prostate cancer therapy. Whether the aberrant expression of microRNA (miRNA) contributes to cancer metabolism is not fully known. In this study, we found that microRNA-132 (miR-132) expression is reduced and thus leads to a metabolic switch in prostate cancer cells. miR-132 performs this role by increasing Glut1 expression, resulting in the enhanced rate of lactate production and glucose uptake. The altered metabolism induced by decreased miR-132 levels confers the rapid growth of the cancer cells. These data indicate that miR-132 is involved in regulating the Warburg effect in prostate cancer by inhibiting Glut1 expression.

[Treatment of benign lesions in thyroid with colloid (32)P under ultrasonic guidance: a clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effect of treatment of thyroid adenoma and cystic degeneration of thyroid adenoma by injection of colloid (32)P with ultrasonic guidance. METHODS: Diluted solutions of (32)P, 37 approximately 74 mBq/1.0 approximately 1.5 ml and 18.5 approximately 37 mBq/ml, were injected, with ultrasonic guidance, into the thyroid adenoma in 30 cases and degenerated cyst of thyroid adenoma in 30 cases, all confirmed by ultrasonography, thyroid scanning and pathologic paracentesis. The serum FT3, FT4, TT3, TT4, and TSH, and blood cells were examined before and after the treatment. Part of the patients was followed up for 6 approximately 36 months. RESULTS: The cure rate was 71.05% (27/38) for thyroid adenoma and 86.67% (26/30) for cystic degeneration of thyroid adenoma. The treatment effect was better for cystic degeneration of thyroid adenoma than for thyroid adenoma. The changes of blood cells and serum thyroid hormones were not significant before and after treatment. No obvious side effect was found in all patients. CONCLUSION: Injection of (32)P with ultrasonic guidance is effective in treatment of thyroid adenoma and cystic degeneration of thyroid adenoma. This method is easy, safe and highly practical clinically.