Gustatory processing differences in PTC tasters and non-tasters: a reaction time analysis

The present study examined differences in gustatory processing for tasters and non-tasters of phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) by assessing intensity judgment reaction times in these two groups. After prescreening for sensitivity to PTC, subjects were asked to judge whether solutions of sucrose, sodium chloride, quinine sulfate, hydrochloric acid and PTC were weak, medium or strong as quickly as they were able. Based on the reaction time and PTC sensitivity data, three groups of subjects were identified; tasters, sensitive non-tasters and less sensitive non-tasters. The taster population was characterized by their high sensitivity to PTC and a typical, negatively skewed distribution of reaction times. Sensitive non-tasters demonstrated a distribution of reaction times that was similar to that observed with tasters. However, these subjects were insensitive to PTC. The less sensitive non-tasters were insensitive to PTC and produced reaction times that were significantly slower than those produced for the other two groups across all of the substances tested. It is hypothesized that two groups of PTC non-tasters exist. One group has a specific deficit involving PTC and related compounds. The other group demonstrates sensitivity deficits for a wide range of gustatory stimuli.     

高密度聚乙烯／石墨导电复合物的PTC行为及其热循环稳定性

研究了高密度乙烯／石墨导电复合物的PTC行为及其影响因素,揭示了内应力随温度升高而松驰对PTC效应的贡献。复合物的导电性能与PTC行为是电导网络的总体结构及其随温度的变化所决定的,与材料组分性质以及各组分之间的相互作用关系不大。当环境温度趋于基体熔点时,复合物热学性质的变化造成导电网络的大规模破坏,是PTC行为产生的根源。热处理等物理手段可改变导电网络的微观结构,但不影响PTC行为赖以产生的物理机制,也不能有效改善PTC行为的热循环稳定性。     

Investigation of BRAF mutation in a series of papillary thyroid carcinoma and matched-lymph node metastasis with ARMS PCR

Objectives

To figure out that if there is a consistency relationship of the BRAF^V600E mutation in matched-lymph node metastasis and original papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) specimen for the same patient.

甲状腺乳头状癌组织中miR-129表达情况及其与临床病理特征的相关性分析

目的 分析甲状腺乳头状癌(Papillary thyroid carcinoma,PTC)组织中微小RNA-129(miR-129)的表达情况,并探讨miR-129与PTC患者临床病理特征的相关性。方法 选取本院2010年11月至2014年2月收治的125例PTC患者作为研究对象,采用回顾性分析法分析所有患者的临床资料,收集125例PTC患者其125份癌组织(研究者)及125份癌旁正常甲状腺组织标本(对照组)作为研究对象,所有组织标本均行miR-129 mRNA检测,分析PTC组织中miR-129的表达与患者临床病理特征的关系。结果 ①PTC患者PTC癌变组织中miR-129 mRNA表达水平低于癌旁正常组织(P<0.05);②miR-129的表达与PTC患者其年龄、性别、肿瘤大小情况均无明显关系(P>0.05),miR-129的表达与PTC患者临床分期、淋巴结转移及病理分级的表达有显著关系(P<0.05);③经单因素分析得出：临床分期Ⅲ~Ⅳ期、有淋巴结转移及病理分级2级及miR-129水平低表达时患者生存时间均显著缩短(P<0.05);④经多因素Cox分析得出：临床分期Ⅲ~Ⅳ期、有淋巴结转移及病理分级2级及miR-129水平低表达均为影响PTC患者预后的独立危险因素(HR=2.219,3.511,2.323,2.102)(P<0.05)。结论 miR-129在PTC患者组织中以低水平表达,临床分期Ⅲ~Ⅳ期、有淋巴结转移及病理分级2级时miR-129低表达率均上升,miR-129低表达PTC患者预后较差。     

乳头状甲状腺癌患者血清和甲状腺组织中白细胞介素6 水平的检测及其意义

目的：探讨白细胞介素6（IL-6）与乳头状甲状腺癌（PTC）发病的关系,阐明IL-6在PTC发生发展中的作用及其可能机制。方法：收集5例PTC患者（病例1组）、5例桥本甲状腺炎（HT）并发PTC患者（病例2组）和5名查体正常人（正常组）的血清,采用酶联免疫吸附（ELISA）法检测各组研究对象血清中IL-6水平。收集20例PTC （PTC组）、15例HT并发PTC患者（HT+PTC组）病变甲状腺组织和18名正常人（对照组）甲状腺组织,采用免疫组织化学（IHC）法检测各组研究对象甲状腺组织中IL-6、IL-6受体（IL-6R）、核因子κB （NF-κB）和RET/PTC蛋白表达阳性率;分析IL-6、IL-6R与RET/PTC、NF-κB表达的关联性。结果：PTC患者甲状腺组织内上皮细胞复杂乳头状增生伴细胞核毛玻璃样,并见核沟及核内包涵体;HT并发PTC患者甲状腺组织中除了PTC典型病变外,还可以看见弥漫淋巴组织浸润伴淋巴滤泡形成,增生与萎缩甲状泡上皮共存伴甲状腺上皮嗜酸性变,间质纤维化;正常甲状腺组织小叶结构存在,滤泡细胞大小一致。ELISA法检测,PTC组和HT并发PTC组患者血清IL-6水平高于正常组（P<0.05）;IHC法检测,PTC组患者甲状腺组织中IL-6、IL-6R、NF-κB和RET/PTC表达阳性率高于对照组（P<0.05）。IL-6、IL-6R与NF-κB、RET/PTC蛋白表达有关联（P<0.05）。结论：IL-6可能通过RET/PTC-NF-κB信号通路参与PTC的发生发展。     

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: case of non-Hallopeau-Siemens variant with premature termination codons in both alleles

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is caused by mutations in the COL7A1 gene encoding collagen, the major component of anchoring fibrils. Premature termination codon (PTC) mutations in both alleles usually lead to the Hallopeau-Siemens variant that shows the most severe phenotype. We experienced a case of the non-Hallopeau-Siemens variant (nHS-RDEB), which had a mild clinical severity although it has PTC mutations in both alleles. Our patient was a compound heterozygote for a nonsense mutation (R669X) in exon 15 and a nonsense mutation (E2857X) in exon 116. But we confirmed the existence of some anchoring fibrils on electron micrograph. This suggested that a PTC close to the 3' end of COL7A1 does not completely abolish the collagen VII mRNA. We hypothesized that the truncated procollagen VII from the mutant allele with a nonsense mutation (E2857X) in exon 116 included two out of eight cysteines needed for disulfide bond formation, and hence a few functional anchoring fibrils could be formed.     

Targeted therapy of thyroid cancer

Systemic chemotherapies for advanced or metastatic thyroid carcinomas have been of only limited effectiveness. For patients with differentiated or medullary carcinomas unresponsive to conventional treatments, novel therapies are needed to improve disease outcomes. Multiple novel therapies primarily targeting angiogenesis have entered clinical trials for metastatic thyroid carcinoma. Partial response rates up to 30% have been reported in single agent studies, but prolonged disease stabilization is more commonly seen. The most successful agents target the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, with potential targets including the mutant kinases associated with papillary and medullary oncogenesis. Two drugs approved for other malignancies, sorafenib and sunitinib, have had promising preliminary results reported, and are being used selectively for patients who do not qualify for clinical trials. Additional agents targeting tumor vasculature, nuclear receptors, epigenetic abnormalities, and the immune response to neoplasia have also been investigated. Randomized trials for several agents are underway that may lead to eventual drug approval for thyroid cancer. Treatment for patients with metastatic or advanced thyroid carcinoma now emphasizes clinical trial opportunities for novel agents with considerable promise. Alternative options now exist for use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are well tolerated and may prove worthy of regulatory approval for this disease.     

The impact of bitter perception and genotypic variation of TAS2R38 on food choice

A variation exists in the ability of individuals to detect bitterness from a group of compounds called ‘thiourea’ which are found in foods such as cruciferous vegetables. This has led to people being categorised as either super, medium or non‐tasters, and is due in part to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of a bitter taste receptor gene, taste receptor, type 2 (TAS2R)38. The density of fungiform papillae (FP) which houses the taste buds may also affect taster status, and may lead to supertasters being more sensitive to oral sensations such as burn from chillies and textural properties from fats, and even fibre in bread. The TAS2R38 genotype and FP density may contribute to food choice, particularly glucosinolates which are found in cruciferous vegetables containing a thiourea component. This paper will review the literature available on supertasting and how it may influence food choices.     

细针吸取结合液基细胞学对甲状腺乳头状癌的免疫组化分析

目的 应用甲状腺细针吸取细胞学进行取样,通过液基细胞学方法对标本进行处理,结合免疫组化方法,探讨对甲状腺乳头状癌诊断有价值的诊断指标.方法 对85名甲状腺乳头状癌患者进行FNA取样后,应用液基薄层细胞学方法,分析一组免疫标记物CK-19、Galectin-3、HBME1、CD-44v、CD-56和E-Cadherin与甲状腺乳头状癌的关系.结果 CK-19、Galectin-3、HBME1、CD-44v表达阳性分别为78例(91.8％)、74例(87.1％)、64例(75.3％)和73例(85.9％),CD-56和E-cadherin的失表达分别为81例(95.3％)和80例(94.1％).结论 液基细胞学检查能提高甲状腺乳头状癌诊断的准确性;CK-19、Galectin-3、HBME-1和CD-44v的阳性表达对甲状腺乳头状癌有诊断意义,为诊断甲状腺乳头状癌提供了一种可靠而有前景的诊断方法.