The role of SPI1/VSIG4/THBS1 on glioblastoma progression through modulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) poses a significant challenge in terms of treatment due to its high malignancy, necessitating the identification of additional molecular targets. VSIG4, an oncogenic gene participates in tumor growth and migration in various cancer types. Nevertheless, the precise process through which VSIG4 facilitates the malignant progression of glioma remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVES: This research aims to explore the function and molecular mechanism involving VSIG4 in the malignant progression of glioma. METHODS: The amount of VSIG4 was measured using qPCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Lentivirus infections were applied for upregulating or downregulating molecules within glioma cells. The incorporation of 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine, Transwell, cell counting kit-8, and clone formation experiments, were applied to assess the biological functions of molecules on glioma cells. Dual luciferase reporter gene, RNA immunoprecipitation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to explore the functional relationship among relevant molecules. RESULTS: The upregulation of VSIG4 was observed in GBM tissues, indicating an adverse prognosis. Silencing VSIG4 in glioma cells resulted in a decrease in cell viability, invasion, proliferation, and tumorigenesis, an increase in cell apoptosis, and a stagnation in the cell cycle progression at the G0/G1 phase. Mechanistically, SPI1-mediated upregulation of VSIG4 expression led to binding between VSIG4 and THBS1 protein, ultimately facilitating the malignant progression of glioma cells through the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. The inhibited proliferative and invasive capabilities of glioma cells were reversed by overexpressing THBS1 following the knockdown of VSIG4. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence for the role of VSIG4 as an oncogene and reveal the previously unidentified contribution of the SPI1/VSIG4/THBS1 axis in the malignant progression of glioma. This signaling cascade enhances tumor growth and invasion by modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. VSIG4 as a potential biomarker may be a viable strategy in the development of tailored molecular therapies for GBM.

miR-183-5p promotes proliferation, invasion, and glycolysis of thyroid carcinoma cells by targeting FOXO1.

The aim of this study was to research the influences of miR-183-5p on the proliferation, invasion, and glycolysis of thyroid cancer (THCA) cells. Clinical specimens from 84 THCA patients were included. THCA cell lines (K1, SW1736, and TPC1) were cultured. siFOXO1, miR-183-5p mimic, or miR-183-5p inhibitors were transfected into THCA cells by Lipofectamine ™ 2000. qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry assays were used to detect miR-183-5p and FOXO1 expression. CCK-8 assay, colony formation, flow cytometry, Transwell, and wound healing experiment were utilized, respectively, to detect cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration. Glycolysis was evaluated by detecting glucose uptake, lactate production, ATP level, and glycolysis-related proteins expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were employed to verify the target relationship between miR-183-5p and FOXO1. The effect of miR-183-5p on THCA cells growth in vivo was researched using nude mice. miR-183-5p was highly expressed in THCA tissues and cells, correlating with poor outcome. miR-183-5p up-regulation attenuated apoptosis, and accelerated proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis of THCA cells. Opposite results were found by miR-183-5p down-regulation. FOXO1 was a target gene of miR-183-5p, where expression was directly inhibited by miR-183-5p. FOXO1 silencing reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-183-5p inhibitor on THCA cells malignant phenotype. miR-183-5p down-regulation inhibited THCA cells growth in vivo. miR-183-5p accelerates progression and glycolysis of THCA by targeting FOXO1. miR-183-5p was a novel target for THCA treatment.

Parathyroid Hormone Reduction Predicts Transient Hypocalcemia after Total Thyroidectomy: A Single-Center Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to investigate the risk factors for postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection (CLND). Study Design. This was a single-center prospective study based on 176 consecutive patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Setting. Patients were recruited between January 2016 and June 2018. Subjects and Methods. Patients who underwent bilateral (n = 155, bilateral group) and ipsilateral CLND (n = 21) after total thyroidectomy were included. The preoperative and postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium levels were detected. The risk factors for transient hypocalcemia were identified using logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-one (28.98%) patients developed transient hypocalcemia, and 2 patients (1.14%) developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. There was no difference in the gender ratio or the morbidity of hypocalcemia between the patients who underwent bilateral and ipsilateral CLND. On postoperative day 1, PTH decrease was a risk factor for transient hypocalcemia in the whole cohort (ß = 0.043, OR = 1.044, 95% CI 1.023-1.065, p < 0.001), bilateral group (ß = 0.042, OR = 1.043, 95% CI 1.022-1.064, p < 0.001), and female patients (ß = 0.049, OR = 1.050, 95% CI 1.026-1.075, p < 0.001). Tumor diameter was a risk factor for transient hypocalcemia in female patients (ß = 0.499, OR = 1.647, 95% CI 1.003-2.704, p=0.049). The ROC curve analysis illustrated that 65.58%, 71.00%, and 71.00% PTH level reduction had high accuracy in predicting transient hypocalcemia in the whole cohort, bilateral group, and female patients, respectively (AUC = 0.986, 0.987, and 0.987). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic female patients with bilateral CLND and a 71.00% PTH level reduction were at a high risk of transient hypocalcemia.

Comparison of endoscopic thyroidectomy via a modified axillo-breast approach with the conventional breast approach for treatment of unilateral papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) via an axillo-breast (ABA), axillary or breast approach (BA) is effective for treatment of unilateral papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). However, several disadvantages still exist, including inconvenience for using endoscopic instruments and poor cosmetic results. Here, we introduced a modified ABA (MABA) to overcome these disadvantages and evaluated its therapeutic outcomes by comparison with conventional BA.Fifty-five patients undergoing ET via MABA (n = 22) or BA (n = 33) for PTMC were retrospectively enrolled between June 2012 and June 2015. Surgical outcomes, including the operation time, blood loss, amount of drainage, number of dissected lymph nodes, complications, cosmetic satisfaction and prognosis (recurrence and survival), were analyzed.The operation time (87.1 ±â€Š9.3 min vs 93.2 ±â€Š8.3 min; P = .014) and drainage tube removal time (4.4 ±â€Š1.0 days vs 5.1 ±â€Š1.1 days; P = .018) were shorter in the MABA group than those in the BA group. There was less postoperative drainage (54.3 ±â€Š35.7 mL vs 137.6 ±â€Š87.0 mL; P < .01) in the MABA group compared with the BA group. No significant differences in the blood loss (15.9 ±â€Š7.5 mL vs 19.2 ±â€Š11.7 mL, P = .243) and the number of dissected lymph nodes (1.8 ±â€Š1.5 vs 2.3 ±â€Š2.1, P = .309) were observed between the 2 groups. Subcutaneous ecchymosis occurred more frequently in the BA group than that in the MABA group (33.3% vs 9.1%; P = .038). Patients treated by MABA were more satisfied with their cosmetic results than those undergoing BA (100% vs 81.8%; P = .034). At the last follow-up time, all patients were alive although 1 patient in the BA group developed cervical lymph node recurrence ipsilateral to the original tumor at 4 years after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed MABA surgery was a protective factor for postoperative complications (OR = 0.209, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.054-0.817, P = .024).ET via the MABA strategy may be a good choice for unilateral PTMC because of shorter operation time, fewer complications, greater cosmetic satisfaction, and excellent prognosis.

[Study of the correlation between Streptococcus mutans' adhesion and surface corrosion in casting titanium and Ti alloy].

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between Streptococcus mutans' adhesion and surface corrosion of the casting titanium and Ti alloy with different kinds of polishing. METHODS: The casting titanium and Ti alloy were respectively processed into size of 30 mm x 8mm x 1mm in tablets. Each material was prepared for 32 specimens, randomly divided into two groups, dealt with mechanical polishing and electrochemistry polishing, and then randomly divided into four groups (blank control, media control, inoculated media control for three months and six months).Four specimens were used in each group under hypoxia conditions. The labeled specimen surfaces were then aseptically placed in the test tube with one transfer per week. The specimens were removed and sterilized. The surface roughness of specimens was measured by FTS i120 contourgraph and the alteration of the surface was observed under SIRION scanning electron microscope. One-way ANOVA was performed with SPSS11.O software package. RESULTS: In casting titanium, blank control media control, inoculated media control for three months and six months showed no influence on Ra value(P>0.05).In Ti alloy, the Ra value of the inoculated media control group was significantly different from those of blank control group(P<0.05) and metal control group(P<0.05). All the specimen surfaces had pits in disorder and in different size. CONCLUSIONS: Streptococcus mutans' adhesion causes surface corrosion of the casting titanium and Ti alloy, and mechanical polishing and electrochemistry polishing have no influence on corrosion.