Cancer has become clear that not merely gene variations but also epigenetic modifications may contribute to it. Epigenetic changes refer to stable alterations in gene expression with unrelated to changes in the underlying genetic sequence,resulting in heritable. DNA methylation is one of the common epigenetic changes. It control the gene expression through changing DNA conformation and stability, chromatin structer, DNA-protein interaction. The reversal of dysregulated DNA methylation has emerged as a potential strategy for the treatment of thyroid carcinoma. The artical will provide an overview of how DNA methylation contribute to thyroid carcinoma dissemination,invasion and metastasis and we will summarize the latest epigenetic therapies for thyroid carcinoma.
Chromatin ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Sun's tip-flexible ureterorenoscopy (tf-URS) combined with holmium laser lithotripsy in treatment of renal and upper ureteral calculi.MethodsClinical data of 48 patients (29 males and 19 females) with renal and upper ureteral calculi treated by tf-URS with holmium laser lithotripsy in our hospital from November 2015 to May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Among 48 patients there were 29 males and 19 females with a mean age of (37.8±12.5) years (21-67), including 31 cases of upper ureteral calculi and 17 cases of renal calculi with a mean stone size of (1.4±0.6) cm (0.8-2.1).The tf-URS was advanced through the ureter under visual direction with rigid mode.When the endoscope reached the ueteropelvic junction, the inner flexible part was extended out to explore the pelvicaliceal stones and then the holmium laser lithotripsy was performed.The therapeutic results were evaluated by KUB 2 days after operation and color ultrasonography or CT 4 weeks after operation.Results The success rate of insertion of tf-URS was 94% (45/48).The calculi were detected in 45 cases, and laser lithotripsy succeeded in 43 cases (96%).The rate of total stone clearance was 87% (39/45).The procedure was transformed to laparoscopic or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in 3 patients with ureterostenosis or ureteral distortion.No serious complications occurred.Conclusion The tf-URS with holmium laser in the treatment of renal and upper ureteral calculi is safe,reliable and effective.

Objective To study the influence of CRT brightness on image reading. Methods Both physical testing and compared viewing were used in the study. (1) Setting the CRT brightness at high and low grade (the blank brightness of CRT was 112 cd/m 2 and 82 cd/m 2, respectively). (2) 21 films with the density ranging from 0.27 to 2.71 were digitized by a scanner and displayed on the CRT. The brightness of CRT that varied with film density was measured by a bright meter, then the relation chart between CRT brightness and the film density was drawn. (3) Thirteen films on which there were many small and low contrast signals were viewed on CRT by three doctors. The tested data were calculated by statistics (? 2 test, the difference was significantly marked when P 0.05), but the signals viewed in the lung were 87 and 29, and the difference was significantly marked (? 2=53.73, P

Objective: To investigate whether cancer-associated- fibroblasts (CAF), the key component of tumor microenvironment, regulate the chemoresistant capacity of lung cancer cell line A549 through SDF-1 secretion. Methods: Primary cell isolation techniques was used to isolate cancer-associated-fibroblasts from lung cancer patients. MTT assay was applied to determine the proliferation and chemoresistance of A549 cells. Quantative PCR was used to detect the mRNA changes of Bcl-xL. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of Bcl-xL. ELISA was applied to detect the SDF-1 secretion from normal fibroblasts (NF) and CAF. Results: CAF promoted the proliferation of A549 cells, while NF had no significant effect on them. After 72 hrs incubation, the absorbance value of A549+ CAF medium group was 0.814±0.006, significantly different from the 0.753±0.006 of the A549+ NF medium group (P<0.05). The Q-PCR assay indicated that mRNA expressions of Bcl-xL in the A549 group, A549+ NF medium group and A549+ CAF medium group were 1.00±0.11, 1.10±0.09 and 3.50±0.30, respectively, showing a significant difference between the A549+ NF medium group and A549+ CAF medium group (P<0.05). The Western blot showed that protein expressions of Bcl-xL in the A549 group, A549+ NF medium group and A549+ CAF medium group were 1.00±0.08, 1.10±0.12 and 3.10±0.25, respectively, with a significant difference between the A549+ NF medium group and A549+ CAF medium group (P<0.05). The ELISA results showed that the SDF-1 concentrations in the A549+ NF medium group and A549+ CAF medium group were 3.23±0.02 and 9.53±0.10, respectively, significantly different from each other (P<0.05). The MTT assay indicated that the absorbance values of OD of A549 group, A549+ AMD3100 group, A549+ NF medium group, A549+ NF medium+ AMD3100 group, A549+ CAF medium and A549+ CA Fmedium+ AMD3100 group were 0.43±0.03, 0.25±0.02, 0.48±0.03, 0.31±0.03, 0.72±0.06 and 0.45±0.03, respectively. The data of A549+ NF medium group was significantly different from that of A549+ CAF medium group (P<0.05). Conclusions Cancer-associated-fibroblasts enhance the drug resistance of A549 cells through SDF-1 secretion, upregulating the expression level of Bcl-xL through interaction with CXCR4. Our study not only illustrates that tumor microenvironment is able to enhance drug resistance of tumor, but also provides experimental evidence for the cancer-associated-fibroblasts as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of lung cancer.