Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: diagnostic challenges,histopathologic features and ancillary testing

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive thyroid malignancy with high mortality rate. This malignancy arises in thyroid follicular cells either denovo or with an associated differentiated thyroid carcinoma component. Clinically, it usually presents as a rapidly enlarging mass, pain and locally compressive symptoms. Histopathologic variability and heterogeneity often pose diagnostic challenges, especially in scant and paucicellular specimens. This article describes the clinical, histopathologic and molecular features of ATC and also addresses the associated diagnostic limitations and challenges.     

Thyroid Embolization for Nonsurgical Treatment of Nodular Goiter: A Single-Center Experience in 56 Consecutive Patients

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of thyroid artery embolization (TAE) in the treatment of nodular goiter (NG).MethodsDuring a 5.5-year period, 56 consecutive patients with a NG underwent TAE. In Group A, there were 20 patients with a solitary/dominant 5–11-cm nodule, and in Group B, there were 36 patients with numerous nodules. Of the 56 patients, 47 (84%) had a retrosternal goiter and 25 had hyperthyroidism. In all patients, clinical and radiological evaluations were made at baseline and 6 months after TAE, and these parameters were statistically compared.ResultsIn 56 patients, 145 of the 146 thyroid arteries were successfully embolized. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.8%. Minor and major complications occurred in 25 and 2 patients, respectively. Six months after the TAE, the mean nodule volume was reduced from 80.2 mL to 25.0 mL, the mean thyroid volume was reduced from 147.0 mL to 62.6 mL, and the mean intrathoracic extension was reduced from 31.7 mm to 15.9 mm (P < .001). Of the 22 patients with non–Graves hyperthyroidism, 19 (86%) became euthyroid. The mean thyroid-related patient-reported outcome scores improved from 155.4 to 70.4 (P < .001). Of the 51 patients, 50 (98%) declared that they would recommend TAE to other patients with NG.ConclusionsTAE is safe and effective for the treatment of NG, with a significant volume reduction of the nodule(s) and thyroid gland.     

m6A去甲基化酶ALKBH5与弱精症的相关性研究

目的探究N⁶-甲基腺嘌呤(m⁶A)去甲基化酶ALKBH5与弱精症的相关性。方法收集精液标本30份,包括弱精症患者与健康者精液标本各15份,密度梯度离心纯化精子,使用液相色谱与质谱联用(LC-MS/MS)检测精子RNA的m⁶A水平,使用实时荧光定量PCR法检测ALKBH5相对表达水平。结果弱精症患者m⁶A水平明显高于健康者,ALKBH5相对表达水平低于健康者,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。精子活动度参数相关性分析结果显示,ALKBH5相对表达水平与前向运动精子数和非前向运动精子数呈正相关(r=0.512、0.377,P<0.05),与不动精子数呈负相关(r=-0.497,P<0.05);m⁶A与前向运动精子数和非前向运动精子数呈负相关(r=-0.442、-0.425,P<0.05),与不动精子数呈正相关(r=0.528,P<0.05)。结论在弱精症患者中,m⁶A及其去甲基化酶ALKBH5与精子活动度具有相关性。