Exploring the oral-gut microbiota during thyroid cancer: Factors affecting the thyroid functions and cancer development

Thyroid cancer (TC) is categorized into papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. The TC is increasing in several countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, Japan, Spain, and Italy. Thus, this review comprehensively covers the factors that affect thyroid gland function, TC types, risk factors, and symptoms. Lifestyle factors (such as nutrient consumption and smoking) and pollutants (such as chemicals and heavy metals) increased the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels which are directly related to TC prevalence. The conventional and recent TC treatments are also highlighted. The role of the oral and gut microbiota as well as the application of probiotics on TC are also discussed. The variations in the composition of oral and gut microbes influence the thyroid function indirectly through alteration in metabolites (such as short-chain fatty acids) that are eminent for cellular energy metabolism. Maintenance of healthy gut and oral microbiota can help in regulating thyroid function by regulating iodine uptake. Oral or gut microbial dysbiosis can be considered as an early diagnosis factor or TC marker. High TSH during TC can increase the oral microbial diversity while disrupting the high ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the gut. Supplementation of probiotics as an adjuvant in TC treatment is beneficial. However, needs more extensive research to explore the direct effect of probiotics on thyroid function.

Surgical histopathologic findings of 232 Chinese children cases with drug-resistant seizures

OBJECTIVES

The drug-resistant seizures are characterized by frequent and severe onset of seizures in childhood. There is only little literature had extensively explored the types of pathological brain damage in Chinese children cases. The present study aims to investigate the histopathologic findings and seizure outcomes of drug-resistant seizures in cases of 0-14-year-old children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

About 232 children cases were retrospectively who underwent epilepsy surgery. The medical records, onset age, age of surgery, disease course, seizure type, pathological reports, and seizure outcomes of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The most common categories were malformations of cortical development (focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) was the most common type (94.36%, 67/71), found in 30.60% of the patients, tumors in 18.11%, glial scar in 12.50%, and encephalitis in 11.63%). It was found that the effective seizure outcome of FCD cases with shorter duration of epilepsy (<2 years, 87.23%) was better than that with longer duration (≥2 years, 60.00%) and the difference was statistically significant (χ²  = 4.76, p < .05). Patients with FCD I, FCD II, and tumor showed the relatively better postsurgical seizure outcome than patients with other pathological types.

CONCLUSION

The malformations of cortical development (MCD) (most FCD) were the most common pathological type for children cases in China with drug-resistant seizures. It was speculated further that the FCD patients with shorter duration of epilepsy before surgery seem to have a higher ratio of being seizure-free after surgery.

[Primary culture of cat intestinal epithelial cell and construction of its cDNA library]

Objective To establish the primary cat intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) culture methods and construct the cDNA library for the following yeast two-hybrid experiment, so as to screen the virulence interaction factors among the final host. Methods The primary cat IECs were cultured by the tissue cultivation and combined digestion with collagenase XI and dispase I separately. Then the cat IECs cultured was identified with the morphological observation and cyto-keratin detection, by using goat anti-cyto-keratin monoclonal antibodies. The mRNA of cat IECs was isolated and used as the template to synthesize the first strand cDNA by SMART™ technology, and then the double-strand cDNAs were acquired by LD-PCR, which were subsequently cloned into the plasmid PGADT7-Rec to construct yeast two-hybrid cDNA library in the yeast strain Y187 by homologous recombination. Matchmaker™ Insert Check PCR was used to detect the size distribution of cDNA fragments after the capacity calculation of the cDNA library. Results The comparison of the two cultivation methods indicated that the combined digestion of collagenase XI and dispase I was more effective than the tissue cultivation. The cat IECs system of continuous culture was established and the cat IECs with high purity were harvested for constructing the yeast two-hybrid cDNA library. The library contained 1.1×10⁶ independent clones. The titer was 2.8×10⁹ cfu/ml. The size of inserted fragments was among 0.5-2.0 kb. Conclusion The yeast two-hybrid cDNA library of cat IECs meets the requirements of further screen research, and this study lays the foundation of screening the Toxoplasma gondii virulence interaction factors among the cDNA libraries of its final hosts.

[Diagnostic knowledge and skills of parasitic diseases based on competition of professional personnel in Jiangsu Province, China]

Objective To understand the integrated ability of parasitic disease prevention and control of professional personnel of Jiangsu Province through the contest. Methods Totally 56 players from the whole province were selected, and all the players participated in the contest. The theory knowledge and skill scores were collected and the statistical analyses were conducted. Results The average theoretical score of the participants was 88.86±15.56 and the passing rate was 91.1%. The average skill operating score was 69.16±16.01 and the passing rate was 67.9%. The average Plasmodium microscopy score was 16.54±8.09 and the passing rate was 50%. The average helminth egg microscopy score was 34.27±10.66 and the passing rate was 67.9%. There were statistical differences among the age groups and different levels of schistosomiasis endemic situation (F = 5.10, 6.39, both P < 0.01). The theoretical knowledge including schistosomiasis, malaria, hydatid disease and others and the score rates were 91.07%, 90.94%, 85.83% and 90.93%, respectively. The hydatid disease score rate was lower (χ² = 19.17, P < 0.01). The radar chart displayed that the score rates of tabletting and microscopy test in Kato-Katz film production, malaria blood film production and microscopy test were all low. Conclusion In Jiangsu Province, the participants have higher score in the theory test. However, they have lower skill test score, especially in the parasite species identification. The operational skills still need to be strengthened for center for disease control (CDC) participants.

Bone Marrow MicroRNA-335 Level Predicts the Chemotherapy Response and Prognosis of Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of microRNA-335 (miR-335) in determining the treatment response and prognosis in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients receiving the cytarabine (Ara-C)-based chemotherapy.A total of 204 adult AML patients were collected. The miR-335 levels in serum and bone marrow samples from these patients were determined. All patients received Ara-C-based standard induction chemotherapy regimens. The treatment response to Ara-C-based chemotherapy was evaluated. All patients were followed for prognostic analyses.The levels of miR-335 in bone marrow and serum samples from adult AML patients achieving complete response were significantly higher than those without. The serum miR-335 level was not associated with the chemotherapy response and prognosis in these AML patients. In contrast, high bone marrow miR-335 level was significantly associated with a poor treatment response and also predicted a worse prognosis indicated by the relapse-free survival and overall survival periods in adult AML patients receiving Ara-C-based chemotherapy.Our finding suggests that bone marrow miR-335 level may be used as a marker to predict the chemotherapy response and prognosis in adult AML patients.

A rare case of malignant pediatric ectomesenchymoma arising from the cerebrum

Malignant ectomesenchymoma is a rare tumor that contains both ectodermal and mesenchymal elements. So far, only 7 patients with a manifestation in the cerebrum (with confirmed clinicopathological data) have been reported. A 4-year-old girl was present at our hospital with a 3-week history of intermittent sudden dizzy with no apparent cause. MRI showed an irregular enhanced lesion in the left frontal-parietal lobe and lateral ventricle with peripheral gadolinium-enhancement with a significant surrounding edema. Total removal of the tumor was performed. Histological examination of the resected tumor revealed a mixed astrocytoma and anaplastic ependymoma component with undifferentiated mesenchymal spindle cell component. Generally speaking, the main malignant part in most cases of malignant ectomesenchymoma (MEM) is the mesenchymal component. In the present case, the malignant component was both in the mesenchymal and ectodermal part. In particular, the mesenchymal part was mainly composed of spindle cells, and the ectodermal part primarily consisted of gliomatous component and anaplastic ependymoma component. The patient was then treated with chemotherapy and as regard to the prognosis, there was no evidence of tumor recurrence at the 5 months' follow-up. The long term follow-up is still in progress.

Preliminary observation on the effect of baking soda volume on controlling odour from discarded organic waste

Food wastes with high moisture and organic matter content are likely to emit odours as a result of the decomposition process. The management of odour from decomposing wastes is needed to sustain the interest of residents and local councils in the source separation of kitchen wastes. This study investigated the potential of baking soda (at 50 g, 75 g and 100g per kg food waste) to control odour from seven days stored food waste. It was found that 50 g of baking soda, spread at the bottom of 8l food wastes bin, can reduce the odour by about 70%. A higher amount (above 100g) is not advised as a pH higher than 9.0 may be induced leading to the volatilization of odorous ammonia. This research finding is expected to benefit the waste management sector, food processing industries as well as the local authorities where malodour from waste storage is a pressing issue.

Mitochondrial haplotype and phenotype of 13 Chinese families may suggest multi-original evolution of mitochondrial C1494T mutation

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are associated with sensorineural hearing loss. In this study, we traced the origin of the 12S rRNA C1494T mutation through analysis of the clinical, genetic, and molecular characteristics of 13 Han Chinese pedigrees with aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic bilateral hearing loss that were selected by C1494T screening in 3133 subjects with non-syndromic hearing impairment from 27 regions of China (13/3133). Clinical evaluation revealed the variable phenotypes of hearing impairment including severity, age-of-onset, and audiometric configuration in these subjects. Through the whole mitochondrial genome DNA sequence analysis, we identified two evolutionarily conservative variants in protein-coding genes: tRNA(Ala) T 5628C and tRNA(Tyr) A5836G mutations. However, the pedigrees with these mutations did not have a higher or lower penetrance of deafness than in other pedigrees. These results suggested that both T 5628C and A5836G mutations might not significantly modify the manifestation of the C1494T mutation. Sequencing analysis of the whole mitochondrial genome of the probands showed that 13 pedigrees from seven different provinces were classified into 10 haplogroups by the distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphisms, including haplogroups A, B, D, D4, D4b2, F1, M, M7c, N9a1, and H2b. This result suggested that the C1494T mutation occurred sporadically with multi-origins through the evolution of the mtDNA in China, and these mtDNA haplogroup-specific variants may not play an important role in the phenotypic expression of the C1494T mutation in these Chinese families with different penetrance of hearing loss. In addition, the lack of a significant mutation in the GJB2 gene ruled out the possible involvement of GJB2 in the phenotypic expression of the C1494T mutation in those affected subjects. Therefore, the aminoglycosides is solo well-established factor to contribute to the deafness manifestation of the C1494T mutation, and prevention by avoiding the administration of aminoglycosides in individuals carrying C1494T mutation is the most effective way to protect their vulnerability to deafness.

Individual and joint toxic effects of pentachlorophenol and bisphenol A on the development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo

Investigation of the toxicological effects of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and bisphenol A (BPA) alone and in combination was carried out following the method of the early life stage (ELS) test on zebrafish embryos. Both chemicals revealed lethal and sub-lethal effects, such as no blood flow, cardiac edema, delayed hatching, and tail malformations. According to their median effective concentrations (EC(50) values) in the single exposure, the toxic level of PCP was about two orders of magnitude higher than that of BPA. Result of the joint action modes varied depending on different endpoints. Synergistic action was observed based on the endpoint of 24h mortality and antagonistic effect displayed based on the endpoint of 72 h cardiac edema. It was also found that the toxicity of PCP would be enhanced with the addition of BPA even below its no observed effect concentration (NOEC) level at the endpoint of 32 h with no blood flow, and the level of the increase was influenced by the toxic unit (TU) ratio.

Enhanced induction of SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein-specific immune response using DNA vaccination followed by adenovirus boosting in BALB/c mice

Objective

To investigate immunogenicity in the induction of humoral and cellular immune responses to genetic vaccines of the recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-N gene expressing the same protein plasmid, pcDNA3.1-N, and replication-defective adenoviral vector, rAd-N, in a pcDNA3.1-N prime-rAd-N boost regimen and the reverse sequence in a rAd-N prime-pcDNA3.1-N boost regimen.

Method

After the mice had been immunized intramuscularly and/or intraperitoneally with pcDNA3.1-N and rAd-N in prime-triple boost immunization, humoral and cellular immune responses were detected.

Results

After detection, different levels of anti-N humoral and cellular responses are shown compared to controls. The humoral immune response was induced more effectively by the DNA priming and recombinant adenovirus boosting regimen and the reverse sequence of heterogeneous combinations. There is a significant difference between heterogeneous and homologous vaccinations. However, the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response was not significantly altered by the different prime-boost immunizations or the recombinant adenovirus of pcDNA3.1-N prime-rAd-N boost regimen alone, but lymphoproliferation and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion were all enhanced by heterologous combination immunizations compared to homologous combinations. For the reverse sequence immunization regimen, lymphoproliferation, IFN-γ and CTL responses were all significantly weaker compared with pcDNA3.1-N prime-rAd-N boost regimen.

Conclusion

Taken together, of all the combinations, the prime-triple boost immunization of pcDNA3.1-N/pcDNA3.1-N/pcDNA3.1-N/rAd-N can effectively induce SARS-CoV-N-specific and strong humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. The present results suggest that DNA immunization followed by recombinant adenovirus boosting could be used as a potential SARS-CoV vaccine in the induction of an enhanced humoral and cellular immune response.

In utero methylmercury exposure differentially affects the activities of selenoenzymes in the fetal mouse brain

Pregnant ICR mice were subcutaneously injected with 0,5, or 3x3 mg Hg/kg of methylmercury (MeHg) on days 12,13, and 14(G12-14) of gestation and were sacrificed on G17. Activity of selenoenzymes, including glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and 5'- or 5-iodothyronine deiodinases (5'-DI, 5-DI), was determined in fetal brain and placenta. MeHg did not affect the concentration of Se in these tissues, while it significantly inhibited the activity of GPx in the fetal brain and placenta, but not in the maternal brain. Although the levels of thyroid hormones in the maternal and fetal plasma were not affected by MeHg, 5-DI decreased and 5'-DI increased in the fetal brain, as if they had responded to hypothyroidism. Because the level of T4 in the fetal plasma was not affected by MeHg, these changes in enzymatic activities may result in a harmful excess of T3 in the fetal brain. In addition, 5-DI activity was increased in the placenta of MeHg-treated mice. These effects of prenatal MeHg exposure on fetal and placental DIs differed from those of dietary-induced Se deficiency, where the activities of DIs were decreased or not affected. Further evaluation of the effect of MeHg on selenoenzymes, especially 5-DIs, is warranted.

[Changes of the arterial baroreflex sensitivity in one-kidney Grollman hypertensive rats]

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes of arterial baroreflex sensitivity (ABS) in one-kidney Grollman hypertensive rats. The blood pressure was altered with phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse interval were recorded simultaneously and the MAP-pulse interval regression line was constructed. All rats were divided into three groups: Grollman-operation group, sham-operated group and normal group. ABS was determined at the 3rd week after operation. The results were as follows: The ABS of the Grollman hypertensive group was significantly lower than that of the sham-operated group (P less than 0.01). After i.v.c. injection of 150 micrograms captopril the MAP of both groups are lowered, but more significantly in Grollman than in the sham-operated group (P less than 0.05, at 35 min after injection). From 35 to 60 min after injection, the MAP of the sham-operated group has practically reached a steady level while that of the Grollman group still shows significant tendency of decline. At 60th min, the ABS of the hypertensive was significantly increased than that measured 60 min before injection (P less than 0.05), while similar measurements for the sham-operated group showed only a slight or much less significant increase. MAP was increased and ABS was decreased by i.v.c. injection of 8 micrograms angiotension II in the normal group. The results of the present investigation indicate that ABS decreases during the development of one-kidney Grollman hypertensive rats, and that this change appears to be related to the increased concentration of angiotension II in the brain.