[Monitoring of 131-Iodine Contamination in Saliva and Perspiration of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Treated by 131-Iodine].

Objective To investigate the radioactivity of 131-iodine (131I) in saliva and perspiration of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after treatment with 131I,and thereby to provide evidence for the control of radioactive contamination.Methods Fifteen patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who would be treated with 131I were enrolled.Samples of saliva and perspiration of them were collected 2-48 h after the oral administration of 3.70-5.55 GBq (100-150 mCi) 131I,and radioactivity was measured with a multichannel detector.Results In the 15 patients treated with 131I,the average specific activity in the saliva collected 2 h,4 h,8 h,24 h,and 48 h after administration was (553.58±478.94)×104 Bq/g,(484.72±431.76)×104 Bq/g,(389.78±254.63)×104 Bq/g,(141.15±104.83)×104 Bq/g,and (53.23±49.8)×104 Bq/g,respectively.The radioactivity in the perspiration from hand was higher than that from the forehead,left-side neck,chest,and left axilla,and 131I in perspiration gradually decreased over time.Conclusion There is radioactive 131I in saliva and perspiration of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after the administration of 131I,which may cause potential radioactive contamination to the environment.

Case Report: A Programmed Cell Death-1 Inhibitor-Related Abdominal Fibroinflammatory Reaction Affecting Multiple Organs in A Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patient.

Immunotherapy utilizing programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 inhibitors has been regarded as a rising hope for tumor patients, and their effects have been demonstrated in many clinical trials. However, immune-related adverse events also occur in patients and can sometimes have severe consequences. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is a humanized monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibody that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for non-small-cell lung cancer. Here, we report a rare case of an abdominal fibroinflammatory reaction that affected multiple organs during anti-PD-1 immunotherapy using pembrolizumab in a non-small-cell lung cancer patient. The patient's case demonstrates that immunotherapy-related abdominal fibroinflammatory reactions need to be considered, especially for patients with a history of pre-existing conditions in the abdomen. Glucocorticoids may be useful as a treatment when a diagnosis is confirmed.

Bioactive PLGA/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds incorporating phytomolecule icaritin developed for calvarial defect repair in rat model.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: For treatment of large bone defects challenging in orthopaedic clinics, bone graft substitutes are commonly used for the majority of surgeons. It would be proposed in the current study that our bioactive scaffolds could additionally serve as a local delivery system for therapeutic small molecule agents capable of providing support to enhance biological bone repair. METHODS: In this study, composite scaffolds made of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) named by P/T was fabricated by a low-temperature rapid prototyping technique. For optimizing the scaffolds, the phytomolecule icaritin (ICT) was incorporated into P/T scaffolds called P/T/ICT. The osteogenic efficacies of the two groups of scaffolds were compared in a successfully established calvarial defect model in rats. Bone regeneration was evaluated by X-ray, micro-computerised tomography (micro-CT), and histology at weeks 4 and/or 8 post-implantation. In vitro induction of osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis was established for identification of differentiation potentials evoked by icaritin in primary cultured precursor cells. RESULTS: The results of radiographies and decalcified histology demonstrated more area and volume fractions of newly formed bone within bone defect sites implanted with P/T/ICT scaffold than that with P/T scaffold. Undecalcified histological results presented more osteoid and mineralized bone tissues, and also more active bone remodeling in P/T/ICT group than that in P/T group. The results of histological staining in osteoclast-like cells and newly formed vessels indicated favorable biocompatibility, rapid bioresorption and more new vessel growth in P/T/ICT scaffolds in contrast to P/T scaffolds. Based on in vitro induction, the results presented that icaritin could significantly facilitate osteogenic differentiation, while suppressed adipogenic differentiation. Meanwhile, icaritin demonstrated remarkable inhibition of osteoclastogenic differentiation. CONCLUSION: The finding that P/T/ICT composite scaffold can enhance bone regeneration in calvarial bone defects through facilitating effective bone formation and restraining excessive bone resorption. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: The osteogenic bioactivity of icaritin facilitated PLGA/TCP/icartin composite scaffold to exert significant bone regeneration in calvarial defects in rat model. It might form an optimized foundation for potential clinical validation in bone defects application.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the thyroid complicated by papillary thyroid carcinoma: A case report and brief literature review.

RATIONALE: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) involves mainly the skin and bone and rarely the thyroid. Meanwhile, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common subtype of thyroid cancer. Both LCH and PTC could make the thyroid enlarged and hypermetabolic. The coincidence of these 2 events in a patient is rare, and this paper aimed to report such case. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 40-year-old man presented with polyuria and polydipsia for 5 years. The symptoms had been relieved well by drug therapy for >4 years, until the drugs could not control the symptoms anymore and an extensively enlarged thyroid gland was noticed. DIAGNOSES: Thyroid ultrasound showed a nodule with microcalcification in the upper right lobe, positron emission tomography/computer tomography scan demonstrated thyroid hypermetabolism, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) revealed PTC. Right lobectomy of the thyroid and cervical lymph node biopsy verified the diagnosis "LCH of the thyroid complicated by PTC." INTERVENTIONS: The ultrasound-guided FNA biopsy was performed prior to right lobectomy of the thyroid and cervical lymph node biopsy. Postoperative histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis, after which the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. OUTCOMES: After 5 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient had been followed up for 2 years. LCH was controlled satisfactorily and there was no significant sign of recurrence or metastasis of PTC. LESSONS: LCH of the thyroid complicated by PTC is rare. Thyroid involvement should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of LCH patients. Surgery for PTC followed by chemotherapy for LCH may be the suitable treatment.

[Effect of American Ginseng Capsule on the liver oxidative injury and the Nrf2 protein expression in rats exposed by electromagnetic radiation of frequency of cell phone].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of American Ginseng Capsule (AGC) on the liver oxidative injury and the Nrf2 protein expression in the liver tissue of rats exposed by 900 MHz cell phone electromagnetic radiation. METHODS: Totally 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, the Shuifei Jibin Capsule (SJC) group, and the AGC group,10 in each group. Rats in the normal control group were not irradiated. Rats in the rest three groups were exposed by imitated 900 MHz cellular phone for 4 h in 12 consecutive days. Meanwhile, rats in the SJC group and the AGC group were intragastrically administrated with suspension of SJC and AGC (1 mL/200 g body weight) respectively. Normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. The histolomorphological changes of the liver tissue were observed by HE staining. Contents of malonic dialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX)were detected by colorimetry. The Nrf2 protein expression of hepatocytes was detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, hepatocyte nucleus was atrophied or partially disappeared, the contents of liver MDA and Nrf2 protein obviously increased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01); contents of liver SOD and GSH decreased (P <0. 05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, karyopyknosis was obviously attenuated and approached to the normal level in the SJC group and the AGC group. The contents of liver MDA and Nrf2 protein expression decreased (P <0. 05), and the contents of liver SOD, GSH, and GSH-PX obviously increased (P < 0.05) in the SJC group. The contents of liver MDA and the Nrf2 protein expression decreased (P < 0.05), and contents of SOD and GSH obviously increased in the AGC group (P <0.01, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The electromagnetic radiation induced by 900 MHz cell phone could affect the expression of Nrf2 protein, induce oxidative injury, and induce abnormal morphology of liver cells. SJC and AGC could promote the morphological recovery of the liver cells. Its mechanism might be related to affecting the expression of Nrf2 protein and attenuating oxidative damage of liver cells.

[Effect of Guilingji Capsule on the fertility, liver functions, and serum LDH of male SD rats exposed by 900 mhz cell phone].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Guilingji Capsule (GC) on the fertility, liver functions, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of adult male SD rats exposed by 900 MHz cell phone. METHODS: Totally 18 adult male SD rats and 36 adult female rats in child-bearing period were selected and randomly divided into three groups according to weight equilibrium principle, i.e., the normal group, the radiated group, and the GC group, 6 males and 12 females in each group. Male rats in the normal group and all female rats were not radiated. Male rats in the radiated group and the GC group received radiation for 4 h per day, lasting for 18 successive days. Rats in the GC group received GC suspension at the daily dose of 0. 15 g/kg by gastrogavage at the same time. Equal volume of normal saline was administrated to other male rats. Then male rats were mated with corresponding female rats from the 14th radiation night to the 18th radiation night in the ratio of 1:2. Male rats were killed following on the next morning of ending the radiation. Female rats were normally fed and then killed before delivery. The pregnant outcomes of female rats in responding groups (the rates of pregnancy and the number of death fetus, birth weight, body length, and tail length) were observed and compared. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), AST/ALT, and LDH levels of the male rats were detected by colorimetry. Histological and morphological changes of liver were observed by HE staining. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the pregnancy rates of female rats decreased and the number of death fetus increased, the serum LDH level obviously increased in the radiated group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of ALT, AST, and AST/ALT were no significantly changed in the radiated group. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration appeared. Compared with the radiated group, the pregnancy rates increased, the number of death fetus dropped, and the serum level of LDH decreased in the GC group (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in serum levels of ALT, AST, or AST/ALT. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration were significantly attenuated. The histomorphological structures recovered to normal basically in the GC group. CONCLUSIONS: The pregnancy rates could be decreased, the number of death fetus increased, histomorphological structures abnormal, and serum LDH level increased by exposure toy GSM 900 MHz cell phone. GC could prevent and treat the aforesaid lesion. But there was no statistical difference in serum ALT or AST levels.

Evaluation of DFO/PVP and its application to latent fingermarks development on thermal paper.

A new method for improved development of latent fingermarks on thermal paper by 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DFO) treatment is described. Compared with conventional DFO solution, the mixed solution of DFO/PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) described here reduces black background staining without removing the thermosensitive layer and develops fingermarks by the reaction of DFO with amino acid deposited on the thermal paper's surface. An advantage of this approach is that the developed fluorescent fingermarks have high contrast and can be observed and photographed when excited in the 515 nm region and observed through an orange-red barrier long-pass filter with no background coloration. In addition, the method reported here does not involve any pre- or post treatment of the substrate and exhibits high sensitivity with good stability. Experimental results showed that the method was able to develop very old fingermarks, up to 154 days old, demonstrating the feasibility of using the method to develop identifiable latent fingermarks operationally. Furthermore, we extended our experiments to various types of thermal papers. Notably, this method exhibits several very attractive features, namely time saving, simple procedures, inexpensive, convenient operation, and PVP is non-toxic and reasonably priced. Finally, in this study an attempt has been made to explain the reaction mechanism of the process and the effects of PVP.

Genetic polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes-CYP1A1, CYP2D6, GSTM1, and GSTT1, and gastric carcinoma susceptibility.

Genetic polymorphisms in metabolic enzymes are associated with numerous cancers. In this study, the relationships between genetic polymorphisms of phase I metabolic enzymes including cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), CYP2D6 and phase II metabolic enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and GSTT1 and gastric carcinoma susceptibility were investigated. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of 129 healthy controls and 123 gastric carcinoma patients from Han ethnic group of Hunan Province located in Central South China. The genetic polymorphisms of the above mentioned enzymes were analyzed using PCR-RFLP techniques. There was no significant difference among the frequencies of CYP1A1 and/or CYP2D6 gene's wild type, heterozygous or homozygous mutations between the gastric carcinoma group and control group. But the differences among the frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype between the gastric carcinoma and control group were significant (both P < 0.05). Also there were significant differences in the frequencies of GSTM1 null in high/high-middle differentiated, middle differentiated, middle-low differentiated and low differentiated gastric tumor separately. GSTM1 null showed an increased risk in middle-low differentiated and low differentiated gastric carcinoma type, but GSTT1 null was not a risk factor for the four pathological types of gastric carcinoma mentioned above. We report here that the genotypes of CYP1A1 and CYP2D6 are not associated with gastric carcinoma risk; GSTM1 null, but not GSTT1 null inheritably increases risk of some pathological types of gastric carcinoma in Han ethnic population of Hunan Province.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on lipid metabolism in metabolic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention for lipid metabolism of metabolic syndrome patients. METHODS: Eighty cases of metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture combined with western medicine group (observation group) and a simple western medicine group (control group), 40 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with electroacupuncture at Back shu points, Zusanli (ST 36),Zhongwan (CV 12),Sanyinjiao (SP 6) etc. as main combined with oral administration of Simvastatin, Glipizide XL, and Felodipine sustained-release tablets for lipid-lowering, glucose-lowering and antihypertensive treatment; the control group was treated with oral administration of western medicine only (the medicine was the same with observation group). The Body Mass Index (BMI) and the blood lipid of the patients were detected respectively before and after treatment. RESULTS: The BMI, Three Acids Glyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol(TC), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) were compared respectively before and after treatment, there were significant differences between them in observation group (all P < 0.01); while in control group, there were significant differences of TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C before and after treatment (all P < 0.01), and with no significant difference in BMI before and after treatment. There were significant differences of BMI,TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C between two groups after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The electroacupuncture has an obvious effect to reduce body mass, and acupuncture combined with medication has a better effect of improving the lipid metabolism than simple medication.

[Inhibitory effects of RNA interference on MMP-24 expression and invasiveness of ovarian cancer SKOV(3) cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of RNA interference (RNAi) on MMP-24 expression and invasiveness of ovarian cancer SKOV(3) cells. METHOD: Two pairs of small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific to MMP-24 mRNA were designed and transfected into SKOV(3) cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-24, and the cell invasiveness was assessed using an in vitro invasion test. RESULTS: After transfection with siRNA, the mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-24 were obviously reduced in SKOV(3) cells, which also showed significantly decreased invasiveness in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-24 gene silencing by RNAi can suppress the invasiveness of ovarian cancer SKOV(3) cells in vitro, which may provide a new therapeutic approach of ovarian cancer.

Genetic polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes CYP1A1, CYP2D6, GSTM1 and GSTT1 and leukemia susceptibility.

The genetic polymorphisms of biotransformation phase I enzymes, cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1 and CYP2D6), and phase II enzymes, glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1), were analyzed in 204 healthy persons and 348 leukemia patients, who suffered from also acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), from the Han ethnic group in Changsha City of Hunan Province of China. Our results showed that the frequencies of polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP2D6 and GSTT1 among the groups including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ANLL, chronic myelogenous leukemia and healthy control have no significant differences. The variation of GSTM1-null genotype alone correlated with the development of ANLL. The combined genotypes of GSTM1-null with GSTT1-null, or GSTM1-null with CYP1A1 heterozygous mutant, or GSTM1-null with CYP1A1 heterozygous mutant and CYP2D6 heterozygous mutant, or GSTM1-null with CYP1A1 heterozygous mutant, CYP2D6 heterozygous mutant and GSTT1-null were found in individuals with high risk of ANLL. All these findings suggest that GSTM1-null genotype alone or in coordination with the relevant genotypes of other metabolic enzymes might be susceptibility factors in the etiology of ANLL.