Cytology in China developed from nothing and underwent a long journey from gynecologic cytology to that of all organs, laying a solid foundation for new developments in the 21st century. Thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was primarily developed in an endocrinology department and then in the clinical laboratory department or pathology department in the 1970–80s. Wrights staining is popular in endocrine and clinical laboratory departments, while hematoxylin and eosin staining is common in pathology. Liquid based cytology is not common in thyroid FNA cytology, while BRAF(V600E) mutation analysis has been the most popular molecular test. The history and practice of thyroid FNA practice in China were reviewed based on retrospective study of the practice in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; China* ; Endocrinology ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Hematoxylin ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies* ; Thyroid Gland*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of thyroglobulin measurement in ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration(FNA-Tg)for detecting neck node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)after thyroidectomy.

METHODSA total of 128 suspicious metastatic lymph nodes in 112 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative pathologic results were taken as the gold standard. The values of FNA and FNA-Tg combined FNA in the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes were compared with different ultrasonic features.

RESULTSThe sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of single FNA for the diagnosis of neck node metastasis were 67.5%, 98.0% and 79.7% respectively, and those of FNA-Tg combined FNA were 87.0%, 100.0% and 92.2% respectively. Compared with single FNA, the sensitivity and accuracy of FNA-Tg combined FNA were increased significantly(χ(2)=8.319, P=0.004; χ(2)=8.275, P=0.004). When the ultrasonographic characteristics met any one of five indicators for neck node metastasis, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of single FNA for the diagnosis of neck node metastasis were 38.1%, 95.7% and 68.2% respectively, and those of FNA-Tg combined FNA were 71.0%, 100.0% and 86.4% respectively. Compared with single FNA, the sensitivity and accuracy of FNA-Tg combined FNA were increased significantly(χ(2)=4.709, P=0.030; χ(2)=4.141, P=0.042). When the ultrasonographic characteristics met any two of five indicators for neck node metastasis, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of single FNA for the diagnosis of neck node metastasis were 55.0%, 100.0% and 73.5% respectively, and those of FNA-Tg combined FNA were 90.0%, 100.0% and 94.1% respectively. Compared with single FNA, the sensitivity and accuracy of FNA-Tg combined FNA were increased significantly(χ(2)=6.140, P=0.013; χ(2)=5.314, P=0.021). The ultrasonographic characteristics met any three, four or five of five indicators or did not meet any of the indicators, there was no significant difference in the value of the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes between single FNA and FNA-Tg combined FNA(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of FNA with FNA-Tg could be helpful in diagnosis of lymph node metastasis. When the suspicious lymph nodes had one or two ultrasound characteristics for neck node metastasis, FNA-Tg could raise the sensitivity and accuracy of FNA, and FNA-Tg could not significantly improve in the diagnosis of FNA when presenting with no or with more than 2 ultrasonographic features.

Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroglobulin ; analysis ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; Thyroidectomy

Some transcriptional regulators contribute to the expression of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) cariogenic virulence factors. Although the target sequence transcriptional regulators anchored on the cell wall and the molecular mechanism of the regulation of S. mutans are yet to be clarified, certain global regulators potentially associated with the cariogenicity of S. mutans have been identified. This review is about these related transcriptional regulators, their function, and possible mechanisms.
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Myocarditis ; Streptococcal Infections ; Streptococcus mutans ; Transcription, Genetic ; Virulence ; Virulence Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in assessing the high-risk population of hepatic malignant tumor (HMT).

METHODSThree hundred patients with high-risk of HMT were enrolled and examined by CEUS. The clinical data of these patients were collected. A comparative analysis was performed to assess the ability of CEUS for detecting and characterizing lesions in the liver. Kappa test was used for assessing the intra-and inter-observer reliability of CEUS.

RESULTSIn 87 enrolled patients with 119 malignant lesions detected by contrast-enhanced MRI, 112 lesions were detected by CEUS and 95 lesions were detected by unenhanced ultrasonography (US). The detection rate of CEUS for HMT was significant higher than that of US (94.1% vs. 79.8%; P < 0.01). More HMT lesions were detected by CEUS than by US in 17.2% patients. One hundred and seventy-seven patients with 215 lesions were confirmed by pathological diagnosis or long-time follow-up. There were 118 malignant and 97 benign lesions. The accuracy of CEUS for differential diagnosis of the liver lesions was 91.6% (197/215), significantly higher than that by US (59.1%, 127/215) (P < 0.01). CEUS improved the accuracy for 35.0% (62/177) patients. For 96 patients with 105 lesions detected for the first time, the agreement of diagnosis by CEUS was 92.4% (97/105). The reliability of CEUS was high (Kappainter = 0.866; Kappaintra = 0.934).

CONCLUSIONSCEUS improves the detection rate and diagnostic accuracy rate of the HMT high-risk population, with a high agreement for diagnosing the new lesions. CEUS may be considered as a first-line method to assess the high-risk population of HMT conveniently, accurately and reliably.

Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP or MMP14) plays the pivotal role in tumor development and metastasis, so it is a promising drug target in malignancy. To acquire MT1-MMP specific binding peptides, we first analyzed MMPs sequences to find the divergent and specific sequence of MT1-MMP by bioinformatics approach, then set the specific sequence as the sense peptide target and designed antisense peptide library. Finally, by means of molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and in vitro cell assays, we screened the antisense peptide library against MT1-MMP and further studied the obtained specific peptides. Here, we identified the divergent and specific sequence of AYIREGHE (Named MT1-loop) located in MT1-MMP loop by multiple sequence alignment and established the antisense peptides library with capacity of 1 536 sequences. After two rounds of virtual screening, we obtained five antisense peptides with Rerankscores in the top for further screening. They all interacted with MT1-MMP, and docked well at the active site composed of MT1-loop sequence. Analysis of the affinities of these five antisense peptides to other MMPs (MMP1-3, MMP7-13, MMP14 HPX, MMP16) revealed that the peptide FVTFPYIR was more specific to MT1-MMP. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that the peptide FVTFPYIR might affect the stability of MT1-MMP and thus have effects on its activities. Meanwhile, the peptide FVTFPYIR could specifically inhibit the growth of MG63 and MDA-MB-231 tumor cells both of which expressed MT1-MMP. The work provides a new insight and way for the development of antitumor lead peptides targeting MT1-MMP.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 ; chemistry ; Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; Neoplasms ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of integrating cancer gene therapy with therapeutic effect evaluation using siRNA-loaded nano-scale microbubbles (siRNA-NBs).

METHODSsiRNA-NBs were prepared by hetero-assembly of polymeric siRNA micelles and liposomal microbubbles, and the particle sizes and surface potentials were examined with dynamic light scattering. The distributions of cy3-labled siRNA in the tumor tissues were evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy. A siRNA targeting the anti-apoptosis gene SIRT2 was designed and its gene silencing effects was tested in vivo using siRNA-NBs with ultrasound exposure. The therapeutic effect of the loaded siRNA-NBs was evaluated by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

RESULTSThe siRNA-NBs had a mean diameter of 400.7 ± 30.5 nm with a weak positive charge of +8.8 ± 0.8 mV. With ultrasound exposure, siRNA-NBs effectively delivered cy3-siRNA into the cytoplasm of cancer cells and caused SIRT2 suppression and cell apoptosis in tumor tissues, resulting in significantly suppressed tumor growth. In addition, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of siRNA-NBs provided good imaging quality to allow real-time observation of blood supply during gene therapy.

CONCLUSIONSAs a novel ultrasound contrast agent, siRNA-NBs make possible the integration of tumor gene therapy and therapeutic effect evaluation for cancer.

Apoptosis ; Contrast Media ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Liposomes ; Micelles ; Microbubbles ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Particle Size ; Polymers ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Sirtuin 2 ; genetics ; Ultrasonics

Tooth agenesis, belonging to the abnormal tooth development, is a common disease in clinic. The disease not only affects the person's chewing function, but also influences the pronunciation, appearance and mental health. In the past, genetic linkage and molecular biology research have made clear of part of the genetic mutations' sites of the syndromic and non-syndromic tooth agenesis. Although the mechanism was not clear yet, but the important mutations are now known to be involved in many factors. Thesyndromic and non-syndromic tooth agenesis related gene are reviewed in this paper.
Anodontia ; Humans ; Mutation ; Odontogenesis ; Tooth

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of polysaccharides in processed Sibiraea on the immunologic function of immunosuppression mice.

METHODThe immunosuppressed mice were induced by cyclophosphamide. After the treatment, the organ weight index and the delayed type hypersensitivity of the mice were investigated. The humoral immune function was determined by serum hemolysin assay. Non-specific immune function was determined by carbon clearance method. Cellular immune function was determined by spleen lymphocyte proliferation test. Two hundred kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal controls, model group, low-dose group (110 mg x kg(-1)), middle-dose group (220 mg x kg(-1)), high-dose group (440 mg x kg(-1)). Drugs were given to the mice by oral gavage every day.

RESULTThe immunosuppressed mice treated with Sibiraea polysibcharide at intragastrica dose of 110-440 mg x kg(-1) have increased weight of the immune organs, increased content of DTH and content in serum hemolysin lgG and lgM. Mean while the rate of carbon clearance was enhanced and the proliferation of spleen lymphocyte was increased.

CONCLUSIONPolysaccharides in processed Sibiraea can increase the weight of the immune organs. At the same time, non-specific immune, DTH, humoral immune and cellular immune function were enhanced significantly.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity ; drug effects ; Immunocompromised Host ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; Random Allocation ; Rosaceae ; chemistry ; Spleen ; drug effects ; immunology