[Effect of bleaching combined with Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser on shear bond strength and microleakage of resin restoration].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of bleaching combined with Er:YAG laser or Nd:YAG laser on bond strength and microleakage of resin fillings on enamel surface. METHODS: Sixty-four pieces of enamel specimens prepared from isolated teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=16): control group, simple bleaching group, bleaching combined with Er: YAG laser group and bleaching combined with Nd:YAG laser group. Then the shear bond strength and the depth of microleakage were tested, and the fracture mode of the specimen was observed under microscope. SPSS 26.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: After bleaching simply, the bond strength of the restoration was significantly decreased, and the marginal microleakage was significantly increased(P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in shear bond strength and microleakage depth between the group bleaching combined with Er: YAG laser and control group(P＞0.05). The shear bond strength after bleaching combined with Nd:YAG laser was significantly reduced (P＜0.05), but there was no significant difference in the depth of microleakage compared with unbleached microleakage(P＞0.05). Bonding interface fracture was the main fracture mode for all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to traditional bleaching, bleaching combined with laser has certain clinical advantages due to its less influence on bond strength and microleakage of resin fillings.

Serum Irisin is Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal T2dm Patients Complicated with Osteoporosis and in Mice with Diabetic Osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease with low bone mass, destruction of bone microstructure, and increased bone fragility. Gender and metabolic status are well-known risk factors for osteoporosis. Irisin is a newly discovered myokine that is secreted by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Serum Irisin was reported to be decreased in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or osteoporosis patients, and it is correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) of neck bone, but its role in postmenopausal T2DM with osteoporosis remains largely unknown. METHODS: Postmenopausal T2DM patients with or without osteoporosis were recruited, and 50 agematched healthy postmenopausal women were employed as healthy control. C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with 65 mg/kg Streptozotocin (STZ) daily for consecutive 5 days to induce diabetes, and 1 mg/kg recombinant Irisin protein was injected into diabetic mice through the tail vein once a week for 4 months. RESULTS: Compared to that of healthy control, serum Irisin levels and BMD in L1-L4 lumbar spine, femoral neck, total hip, and Wards were decreased in postmenopausal T2DM patients and further decreased in T2DM patients with osteoporosis. Moreover, serum Irisin levels were also correlated with BMD in the above body parts in T2DM patients. Furthermore, recombinant Irisin protein improved diabetic osteoporosis and inflammation in STZ-induced diabetic mice with osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: Serum Irisin levels in postmenopausal T2DM patients with osteoporosis were significantly decreased, which may be related to the decreased BMD and the occurrence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal T2DM patients. The combined measurement of serum Irisin levels and BMD in patients with T2DM in the early stage has a certain effect on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

A novel sternoclavicular hook plate for treatment of proximal clavicle fracture with dislocation of sternoclavicular join.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of sternoclavicular hook plate for treatment of proximal clavicle fracture with dislocation of sternoclavicular joint. METHODS: Between October 2016 and December 2020, 16 cases (9 male and 7 female patient, with a mean age of (42 ± 10) years) of proximal clavicle fracture with dislocation of sternoclavicular joint were included in the study. Injured side, injury mechanism, time to surgery, Complications and duration of follow-up were recorded. The outcomes were evaluated with radiographic assessment, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons' Form (ASES). All the patients were evaluated on postoperative 3rd, 6th, and 12th months. RESULTS: According to the ASES scoring system, the average score was 49 ± 4 (preoperative score), 87 ± 5 (3 months follow-up), 88 ± 3 (6 months follow-up) and 91 ± 3 (12 months follow-up). Statistics differences was showed between preoperative and 3,6,12 months follow-up score of ASES score (p < 0.001). The postoperative physical function was better than the preoperative function. Internal fixation failure and fracture non-union complications in two patients. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that open reduction and sternoclavicular hook plate fixation for the treatment of traumatic sternoclavicular fracture is a safe, relatively straightforward surgical procedure that can lead to satisfactory outcomes.

Pinocembrin relieves hip fracture-induced pain by repressing spinal substance P signaling in aged rats.

Whether pinocembrin (PCN) could be used to alleviate hip fracture-induced pain is investigated in this research. Aged rats with hip fractures were treated with vehicle or 80 mg/kg/day PCN from week 3 to week 4. Then, hind paw mechanical allodynia, unweighting, warmth, and thickness were measured. The microglia and astrocytes activation and proliferation markers in the spinal dorsal horn were detected with real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining. The relative expression of substance P and its receptor, tachykinin receptor 1 (Tacr1), was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blots. The antinociceptive effect of Tacr1 inhibitor LY303870 was also testified. PCN alleviated hip fracture-induced hind paw nociceptive (allodynia and unweighting) and vascular changes (warmth and thickness) in aged rats with diminished microglia and astrocytes activation and proliferation in the spinal dorsal horn. Upregulated substance P and Tacr1 were induced after hip fracture, which could be reversed by PCN treatment. Furthermore, LY303870 treatment partially reversed both spinal nociceptive sensitization and vascular changes after hip fracture. Substance P signaling contributes to the nociceptive and vascular changes observed in the hip fracture, which could be alleviated by PCN.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Substance P signaling contributes to the nociceptive and vascular changes observed in hip fracture, which could be alleviated by PCN.

Digital analysis of external fixation area of proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose is based on anatomical basis, combined with three-dimensional measurement, to guide the clinical repositioning of proximal humeral fractures, select the appropriate pin entry point and angle, and simulate surgery. METHODS: 11 fresh cadaveric specimens were collected, the distance of the marked points around the shoulder joint was measured anatomically, and the vertical distance between the inferior border of the acromion and the superior border of the axillary nerve, the vertical distance between the apex of the humeral head and the superior border of the axillary nerve, the vertical distance between the inferior border of the acromion and the superior border of the anterior rotator humeral artery, and the vertical distance between the apex of the humeral head and the superior border of the anterior rotator humeral artery were marked on the 3D model based on the anatomical data to find the relative safety zone for pin placement. RESULTS: Contralateral data can be used to guide the repositioning and fixation of that side of the proximal humerus fracture, and uniform data cannot be used between male and female patients. For lateral pining, the distance of the inferior border of the acromion from the axillary nerve (5.90 ± 0.43) cm, range (5.3-6.9) cm, was selected for pining along the medial axis of the humeral head, close to the medial cervical cortex, and the pining angle was measured in the coronal plane (42.84 ± 2.45)°, range (37.02° ~ 46.31°), and in the sagittal plane (28.24 ± 2.25)°, range (19.22° ~ 28.51°). The pin was advanced laterally in front of the same level of the lateral approach point to form a cross-fixed support with the lateral pin, and the pin angle was measured in the coronal plane (36.14 ± 1.75)°, range (30.32° ~ 39.61°), and in the sagittal plane (28.64 ± 1.37)°, range (22.82° ~ 32.11°). Two pins were taken at the greater humeral tuberosity for fixation, with the proximal pin at an angle (159.26 ± 1.98) to the coronal surface of the humeral stem, range (155.79° ~ 165.08°), and the sagittal angle (161.76 ± 2.15)°, with the pin end between the superior surface of the humeral talus and the inferior surface of the humeral talus. The distal needle of the greater humeral tuberosity was parallel to the proximal approach trajectory, and the needle end was on the inferior surface of the humeral talus. CONCLUSION: Based on the anatomical data, we can accurately identify the corresponding bony structures of the proximal humerus and mark the location of the pin on the 3D model for pin placement, which is simple and practical to meet the relevant individual parameters.

Comparison of three methods of Müller type C2 and C3 distal femoral fracture repair.

BACKGROUND: We compared the outcomes of three fixation techniques for Müller type C2 and C3 distal femoral fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing internal fixation for Müller type C2 and C3 distal femoral fractures via locking plate (Group A), lateral locking condylar plate and medial contoured reconstruction plate (Group B), and lateral locking condylar plate and anterior reconstruction plate (Group C). Knee joint functional recovery and functional outcomes were evaluated 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients included 34 men and 24 women aged 25 to 74 years (mean, 50.3 ± 10.73 years). Operating times were longest in Group B and similar in Groups A and C. Bleeding volume in Group A was smaller than in Group B and similar to that of Group C. Functional outcomes were excellent in 18 (31%) fractures, good in 24 (41%), moderate in 11 (19%), and poor in 5 (9%). Good-to-excellent results were achieved in 56%, 82%, and 83% of patients (Groups A, B, and C, respectively). Groups B and C's outcomes were superior to Group A's outcomes. No significant difference in postoperative complications between the groups existed. CONCLUSION: Lateral locking condylar and anterior reconstruction plating was useful for complex type C distal femoral fractures.

Effects of Bleaching Associated with Er:YAG and Nd:YAG Laser on Enamel Structure and Bacterial Biofilm Formation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of bleaching associated with Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser on enamel structure and mixed biofilm formation on teeth surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight enamel samples were randomly divided into four groups (n = 17), control, Opalescence Boost only, Opalescence Boost plus Er: YAG laser, and Opalescence Boost plus Nd:YAG laser. The structure was observed using SEM after bleaching. Subsequently, the treated enamel samples were also cultured in suspensions of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus, and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) for 24 and 48 h. Biofilm formation was quantified by crystal violet staining, and the structure was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis method. RESULTS: The enamel structure significantly changed after bleaching. There was no obvious difference in the biofilm formation after 24 h; however, after 48 hours, the amount of biofilm increased significantly. Remarkably, the amount was significantly higher on enamel bleached only, however, there was no significant difference between samples bleached with Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: Bleaching only appeared to markedly promote biofilm formation after 48 h, and the biofilms on samples bleached with Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser did not change significantly, showing that bleaching with Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser can be safely applied in clinical practice.

Expression of PIM-1 in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma: Association with tumor progression and patients' prognosis.

Pim-1 proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (PIM-1) phosphorylates a series of substrates to exert its oncogenic function in numerous malignancies. The present study investigated the clinical significance of the PIM-1 protein, apoptosis status and apoptosis-associated proteins, including forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a), B cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and BCL-2-associted agonist of cell death (BAD), were investigated in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) tissues. PIM-1 expression levels in 4 pairs of ACC tissues and corresponding normal salivary gland tissues were determined by western blot analysis. PIM-1, FOXO3a, BAD and BCL-2 expression levels in 60 ACC tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). A terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay was performed to detect the apoptosis status of ACC tissues. PIM-1 was revealed to be highly expressed in ACC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. IHC staining results demonstrated high expression ratios of PIM-1, FOXO3a, BCL-2 and BAD [33.33% (20/60), 51.67% (31/60), 51.67% (31/60) and 55% (33/60)], respectively, and significant correlations between the expression of PIM-1 and FOXO3a and BCL-2 (P<0.05). Apoptotic rates were significantly associated with PIM-1, FOXO3a, BCL-2 and BAD expression levels (P<0.05). PIM-1 expression levels were significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node involvement, nerve invasion, distant metastasis and weakly associated with tumor node metastasis stage. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that PIM-1 expression level was significantly associated with disease-free survival of patients with ACC (P=0.009). Cox regression multivariate analysis results revealed that histotype, distant metastasis and apoptotic rate were independent prognosis factors for ACC. Assessment of PIM-1 may be useful in investigating the malignant behaviors of ACC and predicting the outcome of patients with ACC.

Biochemical changes of salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma cells induced by SGI-1776.

Provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus 1 (Pim-1) has proved to be an oncogene and it is known that to depress Pim-1 activity may be a novel oncological treatment strategy. SGI-1776, a small molecule, is the first clinically tested inhibitor of the Pim kinase family. Here, we aimed to explore the effect of SGI-1776 on salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). Expression of Pim-1 was confirmed in SACC and control tissues by qRT-PCR. After SGI-1776 treatment, the Pim-1 expressions and Pim-1 kinase activity in both SACC-83 and SACC-LM cell lines were measured. Cell proliferation, cell invasion, cell cycle, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed. Also, the expression of FOXO3a, p-FOXO3a, RUNX3, Bcl-2, BAD, p-BAD, Bim and p-Bim were detected by Western blot. The results showed that Pim-1 was significantly overexpressed in SACC tissues. SGI-1776 down-regulated the Pim-1 expression, inhibited Pim-1 kinase activity, reduced cell proliferation, decreased invasive ability, increased caspase-3 activity and induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial depolarization. Reduced expression was also seen in p-FOXO3a, RUNX3, Bcl-2, p-BAD and p-Bim, whereas no significant changes were observed from FOXO3a, BAD and Bim. These results confirm the pivotal role of Pim-1 in SACC and suggest that targeting Pim-1 kinase signal pathway by SGI-1776 might be a promising therapeutic modality for SACC.

Cell-Free RNA Content in Peripheral Blood as Potential Biomarkers for Detecting Circulating Tumor Cells in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been implicated in tumor progression and prognosis. Techniques detecting CTCs in the peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) may help to identify individuals likely to benefit from early systemic treatment. However, the detection of CTCs with a single marker is challenging, owing to low specificity and sensitivity and due to the heterogeneity and rareness of CTCs. Herein, the probability of cell-free RNA content in the peripheral blood as a potential biomarker for detecting CTCs in cancer patients was investigated. An immunomagnetic enrichment of real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) technology for analysis of CTCs in NSCLC patients was also developed. The mRNA levels of four candidate genes, cytokeratin 7 (CK7), E74-like factor 3 (ELF3), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor B4 (EphB4) that were significantly elevated in tumor tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were determined. The expression of CK7 and ELF3 in tumor tissues and EGFR in PBMCs was associated with lymph node metastasis (all p < 0.05). The expression of CK7 in PBMCs was correlated with age and EphB4 in PBMCs correlated with histopathological type, respectively (all p < 0.05). The expression of all four genes in tumor tissues and PBMCs was significantly correlated with the clinical stage (all p < 0.01). Survival analysis showed that the patients with enhanced expression of CK7, ELF3, EGFR, and EphB4 mRNA in PBMCs had poorer disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) than those without (all p < 0.0001). The present study showed that this alteration of cell-free RNA content in peripheral blood might have clinical ramifications in the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC patients.

miR-21 regulates tumor progression through the miR-21-PDCD4-Stat3 pathway in human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma.

miR-21, which is a putative tumor onco-miR and frequently overexpressed microRNA in various tumors, has been linked to tumor progression through targeting of tumor-suppressor genes. In this study, we sought to determine whether miR-21 has any role on tumor progression of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) and the possible mechanisms. We found that the level of miR-21 expression was significantly higher in SACC than that in normal salivary tissues, and it is also higher in tumors with metastasis than that without metastasis. Using an anti-miR-21 inhibitor in an in vitro model, downregulation of miR-21 significantly decreased the capacity of invasion and migration of SACC cells, whereas a pre-miR-21 increased the capacity of invasion and migration of SACC cells. To explore the potential mechanisms by which miR-21 regulate invasion and migration, we identified one direct miR-21 target gene, programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), which has been implicated in invasion and metastasis. The suppression of miR-21 in metastatic SACC-LM cells significantly increased the report activity of PDCD4 promoter and the expression of PDCD4 protein. This subsequently resulted in downregulation of the p-STAT3 protein. The level of miR-21 expression positively related to the expression of PDCD4 protein and negatively related to the expression of p-STAT3 protein in SACC specimens, respectively, indicating the potential role of the STAT3-miR-21-PDCD4 pathway in these tumors. Dysregulation of miR-21 has an important role in tumor growth and invasion by targeting PDCD4. Therefore, suppression of miR-21 may provide a potential approach for the treatment of advanced SACC patients.

Different Expression of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-reactive Protein in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Nodular Goiter.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is the seventh hallmark of cancer. Growing evidence indicated inflammation was linked to the progression and prognosis of many malignancies. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as two inflammation markers, reported frequently in the incidence and progress of solid cancers, but little research has concerned these markers in thyroid disease. In this study, the expression of ESR and CRP both in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and nodular goiter was investigated. METHODS: 512 patients were recruited to this study, including 341 PTC and 171 nodular goiters. Serum ESR and CRP were tested before operation. The clinical pathological factors such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, capsule invasion, lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis, and other thyroid specific markers were subanalyzed in the PTC group. RESULTS: In patients with PTC, the mean level of ESR was 14.24 ± 11.35 mm/h, which was lower than patients with nodular goiter (16.90 ± 12.00 mm/h, p = 0.006). Meanwhile the mean level of CRP was 1.81 ± 3.51 mg/L in PTC, which was lower than patients with nodular goiter (2.09 ± 3.34 mg/L, p = 0.008). Subanalysis in PTC showed that the ESR/CRP level has no significant difference concerning the capsule invasion, extrathyroidal extension, T grades, lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis, Tumor Nodulus Metastases (TNM) and tumor sizes (p > 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between ESR and CRP (r = 0.416, p = 0.000), ESR and Tg (r = 0.140, p = 0.002), CRP and Tg (r = 0.187, p = 0.000). The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed that gender and age were the independent risk factors of ESR, meanwhile age and BMI were the independent risk factors of CRP. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated a different expression of ESR and CRP between PTC and nodular goiter. Even though the difference in absolute figures between them was very small, it could help clinicians to distinguish the difference between nodular goiter and PTC to some extent. ESR/CRP may have potential value in distinguishing thyroid benign disease from malignant tumors. However, ESR and CRP had no effect on the progress of PTC. They may not have potential value currently in PTC staging and predicting prognosis.

Circulating miRNAs is a potential marker for gefitinib sensitivity and correlation with EGFR mutational status in human lung cancers.

miRNA expression is deregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and some miRNAs are associated with gefitinib sensitivity. Here, we investigated if circulating miRNAs could be a useful biomarker for the prediction of EGFR mutation and the patient's prognosis. The differential miRNAs related to gefitinib sensitivity were screened and identified by microRNA array. Using Taqman-based real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed the expression of selected miRNAs in tumor tissues and plasma of 150 NSCLC patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to determine the association between miRNAs expression and survival. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was also performed. Compared with PC9 cell line, 41 microRNAs detected by microarray were significantly differentially expressed in A549 and H1299 cells. The 5 selected hsa-miRNAs were all found differently expressed between wild and mutant EGFR carriers (all P<0.01). Down-regulation of 5 selected miRNAs were independently associated with lymphatic invasion (all P<0.01) and clinical stage (all P<0.01), respectively. Both down-regulation of has-miR-195 (P=0.012) and has-miR-21 (P=0.004) were associated with poor differentiation. All up-regulation of 5 has-miRNAs were associated with smoking (All P<0.05). 5 hsa-miRNAs were up-regulated both in plasma and tissue samples. A model including 4 hsa-miRNAs may predict EGFR mutational status and gefitinib-sensitivity (both AUC: 0.869). Plasma levels of has-miR-125b expression were associated with disease-free survival (P=0.033) and overall survival in the patients (P=0.028). In a word, Circulating 5 selected miRNAs may especially be useful in predicting EGFR mutation, and circulating hsa-miR-125b may have prognostic values in NSCLC patients.

Abnormal Expression of DNA Double-Strand Breaks Related Genes, ATM and GammaH2AX, in Thyroid Carcinoma.

ATM and γH2AX play a vital role in the detection of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and DNA damage response (DDR). This study aims to investigate ATM and γH2AX expression in thyroid cancer and discuss possible relationship between thyroid function tests and DNA damage. The expression of ATM and γH2AX was detected by immunohistochemistry in 30 cases of benign nodular goiter, 110 cases of well differentiated thyroid cancer, 22 cases of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer, and 21 cases of anaplastic thyroid cancer. Clinicopathological features, including differentiation stages, distant metastasis, lymph node metastasis, T classification, TNM stage, and tests of thyroid functions (TPOAb, Tg Ab, T3, FT3, T4, FT4, TSH, and Tg), were reviewed and their associations with γH2AX and ATM were analyzed. γH2AX and ATM expressed higher in thyroid cancer tissues than in benign nodular goiter and normal adjacent tissues. γH2AX was correlated with ATM in thyroid cancer. Both γH2AX and ATM expression were associated with FT3. γH2AX was also associated with T classification, TNM stage, FT4, TSH, and differentiation status. Therefore both of ATM and γH2AX seem to correlate with thyroid hormones and γH2AX plays a role in the differentiation status of thyroid cancer.

Clinical Characteristics Related to Central Lymph Node Metastasis in cN0 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study of 916 Patients.

Background. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a form of thyroid cancer with high risk of cervical lymph node metastasis. Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and the predictive factors for occult ipsilateral central lymph node (CLN) metastasis in the patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods. A total of 916 PTC patients (1017 lesions) undergoing central lymph node dissection in our hospital from 2005 to 2011 were enrolled. The relationship between CLN metastasis and clinical factors such as gender, age, tumor size, tumor number, capsule invasion, and tumor location was analyzed. Results. Occult CLN metastasis was observed in 52.41% (533/1017) of PTC lesions, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≤ 35 years, tumor size > 1.5 cm, present capsule invasion/extracapsular invasion, and tumor located in upper/middle pole/whole lobe were risk factors of CLN metastasis. Conclusions. Tumor located in upper/middle pole/whole lobe, less than 35 years old, tumor size > 1.5 cm, and present capsule invasion/extracapsular invasion were risk factors of CLN metastasis. We recommend performing ipsilateral prophylactic CLN dissection in cN0 PTC patients.

Pim-1 acts as an oncogene in human salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pim-1 (Provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus 1) belongs to the Ser/Thr kinase family and plays a pivotal role in occurrence and development of oncogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that Pim-1 phosphorylates RUNX3 and alters its subcellular localization. However, few studies have concerned the implications of Pim-1 in the salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). In this study, we aimed to clarify the function of Pim-1 in ACC in vitro. Meanwhile, we measured the levels of Pim-1 and RUNX3 in the ACC tissues. The correlations between Pim-1/RUNX3 levels and clinical parameters were also analyzed. METHODS: SACC-83 and SACC-LM cells were transfected with the Pim-1 siRNA. Pim-1 mRNA and protein expression were measured using real-time PCR and immnuoblot, respectively. Cell proliferation was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. Effects of Pim-1 on cells' invasion were evaluated by transwell migration assay. Pim-1 and RUNX3 levels in ACC tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Pim-1 siRNA reduces cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, causes cell cycle arrest through cell cycle related proteins (Cyclin D1 and CDK4), mitochondrial depolarization, and decreases invasive ability in SACC-83 and SACC-LM cells. Pim-1 and RUNX3 levels are significantly relevant and associated with T-stage and nerve invasion in the ACC tissues. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the oncogenic role of Pim-1 in ACC. The findings also suggest that Pim-1 may serve as a neoteric therapeutic target and potential prognostic marker for ACC cancer.

Disparity expression of gammaH2AX in papillary thyroid cancer and nodular goiter.

BACKGROUND: H2AX, one of the variants of histone H2A with conserved sequence, plays a vital role in maintaining genomic stability. DNA double-strand break (DSB) induces H2AX phosphorylation (γH2AX). Growing evidence indicated γH2AX was linked to thyroid disease. However, the precise expression of γH2AX in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and nodular goiter was unknown. In this study, the yH2AX expression in PTC and nodular goiter and the significance of the aberrant expression were investigated. METHODS: The γH2AX expression level was evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining in 140 specimens with thyroid diseases (30 cases of nodular goiter, 30 cases of PTC, and 80 cases of PTC coexisting with nodular goiter). The possible relationships between γH2AX expression and patients' clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: In the set of nodular goiter, 20.0% (6/30) of nodular goiter component and 10.0% (3/30) of normal adjacent tissues exhibited high expression of γH2AX (p > 0.05). In the set of PTC, 70.0% (21/30) of PTC component and 0.0% (0/30) of normal adjacent tissues showed high expression of γH2AX (p < 0.05). In the set of PTC coexisting with nodular goiter, 95.0% (76/80) of PTC component, 12.5% (10/80) of nodular goiter component, and 8.8% (7/80) of normal adjacent specimens showed high expression of γH2AX (p < 0.05). 85.5% (65/76) of PTC patients with lymph node metastasis were found to have a high expression level of γH2AX, and the proportion was lower than that in patients without lymph node metastasis (34/34, 100.0%) (p = 0.003). High γH2AX expression was also found in 76.2% (16/21) of stage IV patients and the proportion was lower than that in stage I - III patients (83/89, 93.3%) (p = 0.034). No statistically significant correlation was found between yH2AX expression level and other clinicopathological features, including age, gender, capsular invasion, tumor size, tumor focus number, distant metastasis, and T status. CONCLUSIONS: γH2AX expression was increased in PTC patients, while nodular goiter and normal adjacent tissues exhibited no statistically significant difference in γH2AX expression. yH2AX expression had a negative correlation with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. γH2AX seems to play a more critical role in early-stage PTC rather than late-stage PTC and might inhibit lymph node metastasis.