Survivin as a diagnostic and therapeutic marker for thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer (TC) is known as the most prevalent form of endocrine malignancy. With regard to high heterogeneity of the nodules, problem of discriminating between benign and malignant ones in terms of pathological characteristics, as well as lack of appropriate molecular markers; significant efforts are being made to identify molecular markers that able to detect tumorous lesions. Survivin, the newest member of the family of proteins inhibiting cell apoptosis, has been recently considered as a novel molecule marker for cancer. Studies on TC have also demonstrated distinctive expression of survivin and its splice variants in cancer cells compared to normal ones. Therefore, detection of survivin expression and its new splice variants can be utilized to identify tumor nodules and distinguish them from non-cancerous ones, along with other routine laboratory methods.     

Targeted literature review of the humanistic and economic burden of adult growth hormone deficiency

Background: Quality of life (QoL) and health economic data are becoming increasingly important factors in healthcare decision making. While there is a wealth of information establishing the benefit of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in adults with growth hormone deficiency (aGHD), recent reviews on the QoL and health economic impact of aGHD and the effect of treatment on these factors is limited.

Objective: The aim of this article is to summarize the impact of early and sustained treatment on the QoL and economic burden of aGHD by conducting a targeted literature review.

Methods: Standard electronic databases, including PubMed and the Cochrane collaboration website, were searched for publications between January 2006 and July 2016 for evidence of the humanistic and economic burden of aGHD. Search terms included growth hormone deficiency, health-related quality of life, HRQoL, patient-reported outcomes, outcome assessment, well-being and adherence.

Results: The literature search identified 732 initial hits and a final 14 publications were included. The analysis showed that the economic burden of aGHD is largely driven by the productivity losses associated with the disease. This is because most patients with aGHD are of working age and the QoL domains (memory & concentration and energy & vitality) most commonly affected by aGHD severely impair a person’s ability to work and may limit their contribution to society.

Conclusion: Untreated aGHD can seriously affect patients’ functioning. Early and continued treatment with GH replacement therapy could potentially improve the QoL and reduce the economic burden associated with aGHD. This review has limitations: only English language articles published since January 2006 were included and many of the studies were conducted in the Nordic countries; it is unclear how representative these studies are of the population as a whole. This was a literature review and not a systematic review, as it was thought to be unlikely that, in this rare disease, any additional publications would have been identified. Overall, this review reveals a paucity of data in this underserved population and points to research gaps which could be addressed with new studies.     

Glycine‐modified growth hormone secretagogues identified in seized doping material

A number of unknown pharmaceutical preparations seized by Danish customs authorities were submitted for liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) analysis. Comparison with reference standards unequivocally identified the content of the powders as analogs of the growth hormone secretagogues GHRP‐2 (Pralmorelin), GHRP‐6, Ipamorelin, and modified growth hormone releasing factor (modified GRF 1–29), which can be used as performance‐enhancing substances in sports. In all cases, the detected modification involved the addition of an extra glycine amino acid at the N‐terminus, and analytical methods targeting growth hormone secretagogues should hence be updated accordingly.     

甲状腺功能减退与子宫内膜癌的相关性分析

 目的 探讨甲状腺功能减退与子宫内膜癌（EC）的关系及EC患者癌组织分化程度和雌激素受体（ER）、孕激素受体（PR）的表达与甲状腺功能之间的关系。方法 选取2015年1月—2018年7月我院收治的EC患者113例，同时随机选取年龄与EC组相匹配的此段时间内我院健康体检的妇女156例作为对照组，检测血清促甲状腺激素（TSH）、甲状腺激素（FT4）。比较两组间甲状腺功能减退的患病率，并利用免疫组织化学法测定EC患者手术切除标本的癌组织中ER、PR的表达，分析EC患者癌组织分化程度及癌组织中ER、PR的表达与甲状腺功能之间的相关性。结果 EC组甲状腺功能减退的患病率较对照组高（P<0.000）。低分化EC患者的TSH高于中分化EC患者（P=0.025）。EC手术切除标本的癌组织中ER、PR阳性与阴性患者的TSH、FT4差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 甲状腺功能减退与EC具有相关性。     

改良Miccoli腔镜辅助下手术和经乳晕入路单孔法内镜下治疗甲状腺良性肿瘤效果观察

目的探讨改良Miccoli腔镜辅助下手术和经乳晕入路单孔法内镜下治疗甲状腺良性肿瘤的效果。方法对2015年8月～2017年3月我院60例甲状腺良性肿瘤患者进行筛选,依据患者意愿及要求选择手术治疗方式,对改良Miccoli组(30例)与经乳晕单孔组(30例)围术期机体创伤指标、手术指标、术后切口美容效果、术后疼痛指标等展开对比。结果两组创伤相关指标在术前均无差异(P0.05),术后WBC、TSH测验水平均上升,血钙、PTH测验水平下降,且改良Miccoli组波动幅度相较经乳晕单孔组更为轻微,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。改良Miccoli组手术切口大小、术中出血量、术后引流总量、手术时间、住院时间指标统计均较经乳晕单孔组显著下降(P0.05),住院费用远高于经乳晕单孔组(P0.05)。改良Miccoli组患者颈部活动恢复时间相较经乳晕单孔组明显缩短,术后6 h、12 h及24 h疼痛值低于经乳晕单孔组(P0.05)。对术后1周、1个月及1年切口的美容效果比较,改良Miccoli组均较经乳晕单孔组评分高(P0.05)。改良Miccoli组并发症总发生率(10%)低于经乳晕单孔组(20%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05);总满意度(93.33%)高于经乳晕单孔组(86.67%),但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论对甲状腺良性肿瘤患者予以改良Miccoli腔镜辅助手术及经乳晕入路单孔法内镜治疗,均可取得满意效果,但相对而言,前者对患者机体所造成的创伤应激更小,但费用更高,且后者手术切口位于隐秘部位,颈部无创,故临床在选择术式可充分考虑患者意愿,取更适宜术式。     

补肾活血汤对小卵泡排卵不孕症患者卵泡发育、卵巢动脉血流的影响

目的:观察补肾活血汤对小卵泡排卵(SFO)不孕症患者卵泡发育、卵巢动脉血流的影响。方法:将80例SFO不孕症患者随机分为两组,对照组40例接受枸橼酸氯米芬口服治疗,观察组40例,在对照组基础上加用补肾活血汤治疗,两组均治疗3个月经周期。统计两组临床疗效,并比较两组最大卵泡平均直径、子宫内膜厚度、成熟卵泡排卵率、未破裂卵泡黄素化综合征(LUFS)、妊娠率、早期自然流产率、性激素与卵巢动脉血流。结果:观察组治疗的临床总有效率为82.50%,明显高于对照组的62.50%(P<0.05)。与治疗前比较,两组治疗后最大卵泡平均直径、子宫内膜厚度均明显增加(P<0.05),且治疗后观察组以上指标均高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组成熟卵泡排卵率和妊娠率高于对照组(P<0.05),LUFS发生率、早期自然流产率低于对照组(P<0.05)。与治疗前比较,治疗后两组血清LH、E₂水平、卵巢动脉PSV、EDV均明显增加(P<0.05),血清FSH、RI均明显降低(P<0.05),且治疗后观察组上述指标均优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:补肾活血汤可明显促进SFO不孕症患者卵泡发育,增加成熟卵泡排卵率与妊娠率,并改善性激素与卵巢动脉血流循环。     

清热通利汤对宫颈炎并HPV感染患者生化指标与临床症状的影响研究

目的:观察清热通利汤对于宫颈炎合并人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染患者生化指标与临床症状的功效。方法:选取86例宫颈炎合并HPV感染患者作为观察资料,选取的患者按简单随机原则以数字表平均划分为对照组与治疗组,对照组给予常规治疗,治疗组给予清热通利汤外用; 治疗后3个月,对比临床疗效,统计临床症状的缓解时间; 评估治疗前、后患者生化指标、中医证候积分、血清炎性因子的变化情况。结果:治疗组显效率为53.49%、总有效率为95.35%,对照组依次为37.21%、72.09%,治疗组临床疗效优于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,治疗组患者HPV-DNA转阴率高于对照组,HPV-DNA转阴时间、HPV病毒载量均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05); 治疗组患者宫颈柱状上皮异位、接触性出血、阴道清洁度异常、白带化验异常的消退时间均短于对照组(P<0.05); 治疗后两组患者各项中医证候积分、血清炎性因子与生化指标均较治疗前改善且治疗组均优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:清热通利汤能够促进宫颈炎合并HPV感染患者HPV-DNA转阴,提高临床疗效,更有效的缓解临床症状、改善生化指标、减轻炎性反应程度。     

The effect of growth hormone treatment in a child with tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome: A case report and review of the literature

Tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is characterized by craniofacial and skeletal malformations including short stature, cone-shaped phalangeal epiphyses and Perthes-like changes of the hip. We describe the response to growth hormone (GH) treatment in a boy with TRPS. The patient presented at age 3.5 years for evaluation of short stature (−3.2SD). On physical examination, the characteristic facial phenotype of TRPS was noted. Radiographs showed cone-shaped phalangeal epiphyses and bilateral small and fragmented femoral heads. The diagnosis was confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the TRPS1 gene. Two GH stimulation tests revealed GH deficiency, and GH treatment was initiated. Subsequently, growth velocity improved, as did the radiographic appearance of the femoral epiphyses, as seen on sequential pelvis radiographs.This observation suggests the possibility of a beneficial effect of GH treatment on both height and epiphyses status in TRPS patient with GH deficiency. Further studies are needed to support the observation.     

电针、敷脐疗法联合 HCG 治疗黄素化未破裂卵泡综合征临床研究

目的:观察电针、敷脐疗法联合人绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)治疗对黄素化未破裂卵泡综合征(LUFS)患者血清雌二醇(E2)、黄体生成素(LH)、排卵率及妊娠率的影响。方法:将60例LUFS患者按随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组各30例。对照组单纯给予HCG治疗,观察组给予电针、敷脐疗法联合HCG治疗,2组均连续治疗3个月经周期。观察2组治疗前后血清E2、LH含量的变化及排卵、妊娠情况。结果:治疗后,2组LH、E2水平均较治疗前升高,观察组LH、E2水平均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组排卵率、妊娠率均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:电针、敷脐疗法联合HCG治疗LUFS,可以提升LH、E2水平,促进排卵,提高妊娠率。     

Clinical significance of CCNE2 protein and mRNA expression in thyroid cancer tissues

PurposeThyroid carcinoma (TC) is the most common endocrinal malignancy worldwide. Cyclin E2 (CCNE2), a member of the cyclin family, acts as a regulatory subunit of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). It controls the transition of quiescent cells into the cell cycle, regulates the G1/S transition, promotes DNA replication, and activates CDK2. This study explored the role and potential molecular mechanisms of CCNE2 expression in TC tissues.Material/methodsImmunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the CCNE2 protein expression levels in TC. High-throughput data on CCNE2 in TC were obtained from RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), microarray, and literature data. The CCNE2 expression levels in TC were comprehensively assessed through an integrated analysis. Analyses of Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein–protein interaction (PPIs) data facilitated the investigation of the relative molecular mechanisms of CCNE2 in TC.ResultsThe immunohistochemical experiment showed a significant increase in the expression of CCNE2 in the TC tissues. For 505 TC and 59 non-cancerous samples from RNA-seq data, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.8016 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.742–0.8612; p<0.001). With another 14 microarrays, the pool standard mean difference [SMD] was 1.01 (95% CI [0.82–1.19]). The pooled SMD of CCNE2 was 1.12 (95% CI [0.60–1.64]), and the AUC was 0.87 (95% CI [0.84–0.90]) for 1157 TC samples and 366 non-cancerous thyroid samples from all possible sources. Nine hub genes were upregulated in TC.ConclusionsA high expression of CCNE2 may lead to carcinogenesis and the development of TC.