Analysis of the clonal origin and differences in the biological behavior of multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) exhibits a trend of multifocal growth. However, the clonal origin of multiple cancer foci in the thyroid gland remains an issue of ongoing debate. In order to investigate the clonal origin and biological behavior differences of multifocal PTC (MPTC) from a unique perspective, a combination of dual gene and dual protein detection methods was used. The present study included 52 patients with MPTC. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the expression of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) proteins, while quantitative PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to identify BRAF and TERT gene mutations. Based on the results, MPTC cases were classified into two clonal origins, namely intraglandular metastatic (71.2%) and independent multicentric origin (28.8%). BRAF protein expression and BRAF gene mutation were significantly higher in the intraglandular metastasis group than in the multicentric cancer group. However, no significant differences in TERT protein expression and TERT gene mutation were observed between the two groups. Sex, central lymph node metastasis rate, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and tumor distribution laterality were not found to differ significantly between the two groups. However, significant differences were detected in age at initial diagnosis, lateral cervical lymph node metastasis rate, tumor capsule invasion rate and maximum tumor diameter. The study found that MPTC predominantly occurs due to intraglandular metastasis, which is associated with stronger tumor invasiveness than cancer foci with multiple independent origins, as it is more likely to exhibit pathogenic gene mutations and abnormal protein expression, cervical lymph node metastasis and capsule invasion. Therefore, it is recommended that the surgical approaches and follow-up strategies for intraglandular metastatic MPTC should be aggressive and individualized.

Novel secondary assembled micro/nano porous spheres ZnCo2O4 with superior electrochemical performances as lithium ion anode material.

In this work, novel secondary assembled micro/nano porous spheres ZnCo2O4 were firstly prepared by combining the hydrothermal method with post-synthesis calcinations. The structure and morphology of the obtained powder were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction and field emission-scanning electron microscopy. As the anode material of lithium-ion half-cells, the as-prepared ZnCo2O4 delivered a very high capacity, extra cycling stability and excellent rate capability. A discharge capacity of 950 mAh g-1 with up to 99.7% retention corresponding to the second cycle at 0.1 C was achieved after 90 cycles, which was an improved cyclability over previous reports. The higher current charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data indicate that the material's integrity was maintained. Therefore constructing the secondary assembled 3D micro/nano structure is an effective strategy to obtain the superior electrochemical performances.