Predictive factors for central lymph node and lateral cervical lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Central lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is common. But the association between primary tumor characteristics and specific features of metastatic lymph nodes in PTC has not been fully identified. Determining risk factors for LNM may help surgeons determine rational extent of lymph node dissection. METHODS: Data from 432 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with cervical lymph node dissection for PTC were retrospectively analyzed. The relationships between LNM to central compartment or lateral compartment and clinicopathologic factors were analyzed. Cox regression model was used to determine the risk factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: Central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) were found in 216 (50.0%) and 65 (15.0%) patients, respectively. In the multivariate analysis for CLNM, patients < 45 years of age (OR 2.037, 95% CI 1.388-2.988, P < 0.001), extrathyroidal invasion (OR: 2.144, 95% CI 0.824-5.457, P = 0.011), vascular invasion (OR 13.817, 95% CI 1.694-112.693, P = 0.014), LLNM (OR 2.851, 95% CI 1.196-6.797, P = 0.014) and TNM Stage III-IV (OR 465.307, 95% CI 113.903-1900.826, P < 0.001) were independent predictors for high prevalence of CLNM. In the multivariate analysis for LLNM, tumor size more than 1cm (OR 3.474, 95% CI 1.728-6.985, P < 0.001) and CLNM (OR 5.532, 95% CI 2.679-11.425, P < 0.001) were independent predictors for high prevalence of LLNM. Moreover, tumor with T3-T4 stage, extrathyroidal invasion and CLNM were the significant factors related to the RFS. CONCLUSION: For patients with pre-operative risk factors of LNM, an accurate preoperative evaluation of central compartment or lateral compartment is needed to find suspicious lymph nodes. And prophylactic lymph node dissection should be performed in patients with high risk of CLNM. Moreover, we suggest performing close follow-up for patients with high risk of RFS.

Reproductive Biology of Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is an invasive pest in Eucalyptus plantations around the world. The successful colonization of L. invasa is possibly related to its reproductive biology. The objective of this study was to examine the reproductive biology of L. invasa. In Guangxi Province, the sex ratio (proportion of female, 0.99) of L. invasa was female-dominant throughout the year based on natural and artificial infestation. This result was similar to the ratios observed for other geographic populations in China, including those in Fujian (0.99), Guangdong (0.98), Hainan (0.95), Jiangxi (0.96), and Sichuan (0.99). The offspring sex ratio favored females. A large number of females emerged from the galls produced by females, with few males found. Galls on the petioles and midribs of Eucalyptus plants could be caused by newly emerged females with mature eggs. The lengths of the ovariole, spermatheca, common oviduct, and reproductive glands did not differ among L. invasa females, but their lateral oviducts showed differences from 0 to 42 h after emergence, indicating that this insect is proovigenic. These results could explain why L. invasa populations can rapidly increase in invaded areas.

Regulating effect of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in pituitary adenoma invasion.

Pituitary adenomas can cause endocrine disorder and organ damage, with some aggressive ones leading to a high postoperative recurrence rate. The occurrence and development of these type of tumors is closely related with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and endogenous specific tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMPs). In this study, the relationship between pituitary adenoma invasion and the changes in MMP-8 and TIMP-1 expressions is analyzed. Specimens from sixty patients with pituitary adenoma were collected in our hospital after surgery, including thirty cases of invasive pituitary adenomas and thirty cases of noninvasive pituitary adenomas. Western blotting and real-time PCR were used to detect MMP-8/TIMP-1 protein and mRNA levels, respectively, in the two types of pituitary adenomas, while ELISA was used to detect both compounds' levels in the patient's serum. Compared with noninvasive pituitary adenomas, MMP-8 was significantly overexpressed in invasive pituitary adenomas, while TIMP-1 was obviously lower (P < 0.05 for both). Moreover, MMP-8 mRNA expression in invasive pituitary adenomas was significantly higher than in noninvasive pituitary adenomas, while TIMP-1 mRNA expression was markedly lower (P < 0.05 for both). Finally, MMP-8 expression in the serum is upregulated in patients with invasive pituitary adenomas relative to the noninvasive ones, and the expression of TIMP-1 significantly reduced (P < 0.05 for both). These results show that increased MMP-8 and decreased TIMP-1 expressions are closely related to the invasive pituitary adenoma, and can be helpful for the evaluation.

Genome-wide transcriptional profiling reveals molecular signatures of secondary xylem differentiation in Populus tomentosa.

Wood formation occurs via cell division, primary cell wall and secondary wall formation, and programmed cell death in the vascular cambium. Transcriptional profiling of secondary xylem differentiation is essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying wood formation. Differential gene expression in secondary xylem differentiation of Populus has been previously investigated using cDNA microarray analysis. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms from a genome-wide perspective. In this study, the Affymetrix poplar genome chips containing 61,413 probes were used to investigate the changes in the transcriptome during secondary xylem differentiation in Chinese white poplar (Populus tomentosa). Two xylem tissues (newly formed and lignified) were sampled for genome-wide transcriptional profiling. In total, 6843 genes (~11%) were identified with differential expression in the two xylem tissues. Many genes involved in cell division, primary wall modification, and cellulose synthesis were preferentially expressed in the newly formed xylem. In contrast, many genes, including 4-coumarate:cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H), 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), and caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), associated with lignin biosynthesis were more transcribed in the lignified xylem. The two xylem tissues also showed differential expression of genes related to various hormones; thus, the secondary xylem differentiation could be regulated by hormone signaling. Furthermore, many transcription factor genes were preferentially expressed in the lignified xylem, suggesting that wood lignification involves extensive transcription regulation. The genome-wide transcriptional profiling of secondary xylem differentiation could provide additional insights into the molecular basis of wood formation in poplar species.

Up-regulation of nuclear receptor coactivator amplified in breast cancer-1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma correlates with lymph node metastasis.

INTRODUCTION: Nuclear receptor coactivator amplified in breast cancer-1 (AIB1), a new oncogenic coactivator, is commonly overexpressed and amplified in variety of human cancers. However, the expression of AIB1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the major histologic type of thyroid cancer, and its clinical significance are still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AIB1 expression in PTC was examined by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays comprised of 90 primary PTC, 46 matched lymph node, and 20 normal thyroid tissue specimens in this study. RESULTS: In the normal thyroid specimens, AIB1 expression was either absent or at low levels. In contrast, AIB1 overexpression was detected in 50 of 83 (60.2 %) primary PTC specimens. Up-regulated AIB1 was evident in 39 of 46 (73.5 %) matched lymph nodes. Overexpression of AIB1 was observed more frequently in PTCs with lymph node metastasis [N1a/N1b, 39/46 (73.5 %)] versus PTCs without lymph node metastasis [N0, 14/34 (41.2 %)]. Furthermore, high-level AIB1 expression was only observed in the lymph node-positive specimens. Moreover, we found no correlation between AIB1 expression and ER expression in PTC tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that overexpression of AIB1 may be a biomarker for tumorigenesis and progression of PTC and may play an important role in its acquisition of a metastatic phenotype.

Angiotensin II stimulates MCP-1 production in rat glomerular endothelial cells via NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent nuclear factor-kappa B signaling

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible inflammatory effect of Ang II on glomerular endothelial cells and the underlying mechanism. We isolated and characterized primary cultures of rat glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) and observed that Ang II induced the synthesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in GECs as demonstrated by Western blot. Ang II stimulation, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 µm, of rat GECs induced a rapid increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species as indicated by laser fluoroscopy. The level of p47phox protein, an NAD(P)H oxidase subunit, was also increased by Ang II treatment. These effects of Ang II on GECs were all reduced by diphenyleneiodonium (1.0 µm), an NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor. Ang II stimulation also promoted the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Telmisartan (1.0 µm), an AT1 receptor blocker, blocked all the effects of Ang II on rat GECs. These data suggest that the inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent NF-κB signaling reduces the increase in MCP-1 production by GECs induced by Ang II. This may provide a mechanistic basis for the benefits of selective AT1 blockade in dealing with chronic renal disease.

Angiotensin II stimulates MCP-1 production in rat glomerular endothelial cells via NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent nuclear factor-kappa B signaling.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible inflammatory effect of Ang II on glomerular endothelial cells and the underlying mechanism. We isolated and characterized primary cultures of rat glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) and observed that Ang II induced the synthesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in GECs as demonstrated by Western blot. Ang II stimulation, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 microm, of rat GECs induced a rapid increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species as indicated by laser fluoroscopy. The level of p47phox protein, an NAD(P)H oxidase subunit, was also increased by Ang II treatment. These effects of Ang II on GECs were all reduced by diphenyleneiodonium (1.0 microm), an NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor. Ang II stimulation also promoted the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). Telmisartan (1.0 microm), an AT1 receptor blocker, blocked all the effects of Ang II on rat GECs. These data suggest that the inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent NF-kappaB signaling reduces the increase in MCP-1 production by GECs induced by Ang II. This may provide a mechanistic basis for the benefits of selective AT1 blockade in dealing with chronic renal disease.

Immunoglobulin A antibodies directed against Campylobacter jejuni flagellin present in breast-milk.

We studied the relationship between IgA anti-campylobacter flagellin antibodies in breast milk samples and protection of breastfed infants living in a rural Mexican village from campylobacter infection. There were fewer episodes of campylobacter infection (symptomatic and asymptomatic combined) in infants breastfed with milk containing specific anti-flagellin antibodies (1.2/child/year, 95% CI 0.6-1.8) versus non-breastfed children (3.3/child/year, 95% CI 1.8-4.8; P < 0.01). Infants breastfed with milk that was anti-flagellin antibody negative by ELISA also had fewer episodes of infection compared with non-breastfed children, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (1.8/child/year, 95% CI 0.7-3.0 versus 3.3/child/year, 95% CI 1.8-4.8, P > 0.05). Breastfeeding has a protective effect against campylobacter infection and is associated with the presence of specific antibodies directed against campylobacter flagellin.