Yuanyong Wang

Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Recurrent Hyperthyroidism Caused by Graves’ Disease: A Prospective Pilot Study

The effect of selenium supplementation on recurrent hyperthyroidism caused by Graves disease is unclear. Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of selenium supplementation therapy on recurrent Graves disease. Forty-one patients with recurrent Graves disease were enrolled in this study. All patients received the routine treatment using methimazole (MMI), while patients allocated to the selenium group received additional selenium therapy for 6 months. The influence of selenium supplementation on the concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-TSH-receptor antibodies (TRAb), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were assessed. The remission rate was also compared between 2 groups. There was no obvious difference in the demographic data and the levels of serum FT4, FT3, TSH, and TRAb between the 2 groups at baseline. Both FT4 and FT3 decreased more at 2 months in the selenium group than the controls, while the TSH level increased more in patients receiving selenium supplementation (p<0.05). The TRAb level was significantly lower in patients receiving selenium supplementation (2.4u2009IU/l vs. 5.6u2009IU/l, p=0.04). The percentages of patients with normal TRAb level at 6 months was also significantly higher in the selenium group (19.0 vs. 0%, p=0.016). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed patients receiving selenium supplementation had a significantly higher rate of remission than controls (Log-rank test p=0.008). In conclusion, selenium supplementation can enhance the effect of antithyroid drugs in patients with recurrent Graves disease. Randomized trials with large number of participants are needed to validate the finding above.

CUG-binding protein 1 (CUGBP1) expression and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer

Background and aimsNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. As CUGBP1 may also play a great role in tumor genesis and deterioration, the purpose of this study was to detect the expression of CUGBP1 mRNA and CUGBP1 and assess the prognostic significance of CUGBP1 in NSCLC.MethodsExpression of CUGBP1 mRNA and CUGBP was detected by Semi-quantitative PCR and Immunohistochemistry, respectively, from 57 NSCLC patients. The percentage of CUGBP1 mRNA and CUGBP1 expression was correlated with clinical characteristics using χ2 test. The prognostic significance was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses in the Cox hazard model.ResultsThe expression of CUGBP1 mRNA and CUGBP1 was over-expressed in cancer group and was correlated with TNM stage and Differentiation. By both univariate and multivariate survival analyses, CUGBP1 expression (Pxa0=xa00.0074, HRxa0=xa03.701, 95xa0% CI 1.420–9.648), TNM-stage (HRxa0=xa04.043, 95xa0% CI 2.098–7.794) and age (HRxa0=xa03.207, 95xa0% CI 1.544–6.664) were noted to be independent indicators of a shorter postsurgical survival.ConclusionsThe expression of CUGBP1 independently predicted a shorter postsurgical survival in NSCLC.

Positive Association Between Betatrophin and Diabetic Retinopathy Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Betatrophin is a recently identified protein that has been shown to be associated with lipid metabolism and insulin resistance. This study aimed to measure serum betatrophin concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and evaluate the association of betatrophin with diabetic retinopthy (DR). Serum betatrophin concentrations were compared between (1) gender-, age- and body mass index-matched T2DM patients with (n=17) or without (n=33) DR; (2) gender-, age-, and body mass index-matched healthy subjects (n=31), newly-diagnosed T2DM patients before treatment (n=24), and T2DM patients under antidiabetic treatment (n=35). Serum betatrophin concentrations were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association between betatrophin concentration and DR. Serum betatrophin concentration was significantly associated with DR in T2DM patients under treatment (Odds Ratio 2.01; 95% Confidence Interval 1.12-3.60; p=0.019). Betatrophin concentrations were significantly increased in treated T2DM patients compared to the healthy subjects (4.17±0.60 vs. 0.54±0.07u2009ng/ml; p<0.001). Serum betatrophin concentrations are increased in T2DM patients under antidiabetic treatment and positively associated with diabetic retinopathy.

Prognostic significance of NSE mRNA in advanced NSCLC treated with gefitinib

PurposeCurrent knowledge of the prognostic biomarkers of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with gefitinib is poor. NSE mRNA as a potential prognostic biomarker of the effectiveness of gefitinib treatment in NSCLC, especially in the Chinese population, needs to be further validated.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 168 advanced NSCLC patients treated with gefitinib between May 2006 and July 2010. NSE mRNA was measured using quantitative RT-PCR analysis for correlation with the clinical outcomes.Results We found that NSE mRNA expression was inversely correlated with sensitivity to gefitinib in NSCLC patients. Patients without elevated NSE mRNA had a more RR (CRxa0+xa0RR) 45.1xa0% than elevated 18.9xa0% (Pxa0=xa00.0005). Moreover, the time to progression was 6.0 versus 4.2xa0months, respectively. Log-rank test was marginally significant (χ2xa0=xa012.11, Pxa0=xa00.0007) and Cox multivariate analysis revealed that NSE mRNA (HRxa0=xa03.076; 95xa0% CI 1.943–4.870; Pxa0<xa00.0001) was an independent prognostic factor of NSCLC patients in the Chinese population.ConclusionFor NSCLC patients treated with gefitinib, patients without elevated NSE mRNA had a better prognosis than those with elevated NSE mRNA. Pretreatment NSE mRNA holds great potential as a prognostic biomarker in advanced NSCLC. Therefore, it is proposed that NSE mRNA should be routinely detected to screen patients who are more likely to benefit from gefitinib-based treatment.

Quality of life and survival after II stage nonsmall cell carcinoma surgery: Video-assisted thoracic surgery versus thoracotomy lobectomy.

PURPOSEnDue to the improvement of thoracoscopic technology and surgeons ability, plenty of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was treated by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). This study was designed to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and survival in II stage NSCLC patients following lobectomy, comparing VATS with thoracotomy.nnnMETHODSnBetween 2010 and 2012, 217 II stage NSCLC patients (VATS: 114 patients, OPEN: 103 patients) were enrolled in a long-standing, prospective observational lung cancer surgery outcomes study. Short-form 36 health survey (SF-36) and time to progression (TTP) were measured to evaluate the QOL and postoperative survival.nnnRESULTSnThere were significant differences between the two groups in the preoperative radiation therapy and differentiation, and the VATS group had less postoperative complication, blood loss, intraoperative fluid administration, and shorter length of stay. Statistical analysis of SF-36 questionnaire revealed that VATS group score was higher on seven health dimensions: Bodily pain (BP), energy (EG), general health, physical functioning, mental health, SF, and role-physical (RP), but only BP, EG, and RP have statistical significance. Using survival analysis, there was no significant difference between VATS and OPEN group, in which the mean TTP of VATS group is 18.5 months, while OPEN group is 20 months.nnnCONCLUSIONSnVATS lobectomy tends to score higher on the QOL and functioning scales and has equivalent postsurgical survival compared with OPEN lobectomy for II stage nonsmall cell carcinoma patients.

Lymph node evaluation in totally thoracoscopic lobectomy with two-port for clinical early-stage nonsmall-cell lung cancer: Single-center experience of 1086 cases.

OBJECTIVESnAlthough more and more video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomies via two-port have been performed to treat early-stage nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in recent years, concern remains whether it can achieve satisfactory adequacy of lymphadenectomy. This retrospective study was aimed to evaluate the adequacy of lymphadenectomy by VATS via two-port, compared with three-port.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe clinical and pathological data of patients who underwent VATS lobectomy via two-port or three-port with systematic lymphadenectomy for clinical early-stage NSCLC were reviewed. As the main evaluation criterion, the number of mediastinal nodes and node stations, and the total number of nodes and node stations was compared by approach.nnnRESULTSn1872 patients with NSCLC underwent VATS lobectomy, 1086 via a two-port approach and 786 through a three-port approach. In the two-port and three-port groups, the baseline patient characteristics were similar, and there was no significant difference in the mean number of dissected mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) (12.3 ± 2.2 and 13.1 ± 1.7, P > 0.05) and the mean number of dissected MLN stations (3.5 ± 0.7 and 3.4 ± 0.8, P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the mean total number of dissected lymph nodes (24.1 ± 4.2 and 25.7 ± 4.3, P > 0.05) and the mean total number of dissected lymph node stations (6.8 ± 1.3 and 6.9 ± 1.1, P > 0.05) were also similar. Otherwise, in terms of postoperative complications, there was no obvious difference in the two groups.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe adequacy of lymphadenectomy including MLN dissection by VATS via two-port is similar to that via three-port for patients undergoing lobectomy for clinical early-stage NSCLC.

Anastomosis in minimally invasive Ivor lewis esophagectomy via two ports provides equivalent perioperative outcomes to open

OBJECTIVEnMinimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is becoming a selective treatment of esophageal cancer; however, its a complex and technically demanding surgical operation. MIE can be performed in high volume centers in a variety of ways using different techniques. Transthoracic staplers have traditionally been used in open transthoracic Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy (ILE) with good success. An investigation of the safety and utility of transthoracic stapler via two ports on thorax for esophageal anastomosis in minimally invasive ILE is reviewed.nnnMETHODSnPatients of esophageal cancer were selected between November 2012 and July 2014. All the patients received minimally invasive (MIE) or open transthoracic ILE. Transthoracic stapler for MIE anastomosis was performed through the major port located at subaxillary region. Patients demographics, indications for esophagectomy, perioperative treatments, intraoperative data, postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, 7 and in-hospital mortality were evaluated.nnnRESULTSnTotally, 63 consecutive patients underwent MIE or ILE. All the patients were Han with a mean age of 60 years (52-74). The indication of surgery is esophageal cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma was defined by pathologist before operation. None of the patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation. All the MIE patients were no conversions to open thoracotomy or laparotomy. Mean operative time was 4.5 h. One patient (3.03%) suffered postoperative pneumonia, no leak from the gastric conduit staple line or esophageal anastomoses, no postoperative complication required surgical intervention was observed. The median hospital length of stay was 13 days (range 7-18). There were no in-hospital mortalities.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn our study, transthoracic stapler through the major port at subaxillary seems technically feasible and safe for minimally invasive ILE with comparable morbidity and oncologic data to open.

Overexpression of S100A13 protein is associated with tumor angiogenesis and poor survival in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: S100A13 protein in early-stage NSCLC

S100A13 plays a key role in tumor growth and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of S100A13 expression, microvessel density (MVD), and survival in early stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Overexpression of long non-coding RNA KCNQ1OT1 is related to good prognosis via inhibiting cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer: KCNQ1OT1 inhibits lung cancer growth

Lung cancer (LC) is the most common malignancy in the world. Many long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be associated with LC; however, the function of KCNQ1OT1 in LC requires exploration.

hsa_circ_0000729, a potential prognostic biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma: CircRNA as a biomarker in LUAD

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) may play an important role in oncogenesis and tumor development; however, their role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. We identified the differentially expressed circRNAs in LUAD and investigated the potential mechanisms for cancer progression.