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Family with sequence similarity 172, member A (FAM172A), was cloned from human aortic tissues and confirmed in our previous study in 2009, however, its functions remain to be fully elucidated. In our previous studies, the protein expression of FAM172A in human aortic smooth muscle cells was found to be upregulated by high glucose in a concentration‑ and time‑dependent manner. Several reports have shown that insulin resistance is associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Thus, in the present study, the protein expression levels of FAM172A in human papillary thyroid carcinoma were investigated, and the effect of the FAM172A protein on the proliferation of IHH‑4 human papillary thyroid carcinoma cells, and its potential molecular underlying mechanisms were examined. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting demonstrated that the protein expression of FAM172A in papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues was not only significantly higher than that in noncancerous tissues adjacent to the carcinoma tissues, but it was also markedly higher than that in normal thyroid and thyroid adenoma tissues. Overexpression of the FAM172A protein activated the p38 MAPK pathway, but not the PI3K and AMPK pathways, in the IHH‑4 cells. In addition, overexpression of the FAM172A protein accelerated IHH‑4 cell proliferation, compared with the control group, and the pro‑proliferative effect of FAM172A protein on IHH4 cells was markedly attenuated by SB202190, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK. Taken together, these results suggest that the FAM172A protein is expressed at high levels in human PTC, which may promote cell proliferation via activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, and be involved in the pathogenesis of PTC.

Background A diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis is readily considered when patients present with a particular set of typical clinical characteristics. Subacute thyroiditis sometimes presents as a solitary cold nodule; however, the presence of a hot nodule in patients with subacute thyroiditis is exceedingly rare. Case presentation Here, the case of a 57-year-old woman complaining of pain in the left neck and fatigue for two weeks is presented. Physical examination revealed a painful and tender nodule with a diameter of approximately 1.5 cm in the left neck, although all laboratory tests, including white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), thyroid function, and thyroglobin levels, were normal. A neck ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic mass (1.5 × 0.8 cm) in the left thyroid, and thyroid scintigraphy of the left thyroid with Technetium-99 m (99 m-Tc) demonstrated a focal accumulation of radiotracer. Furthermore, fine-needle aspiration biopsy from the nodule revealed the presence of multinuclear giant cells. The patient was well; there was no cervical mass detected upon palpation following two months of prednisone treatment, and follow-up ultrasound screening and scintigraphy demonstrated the disappearance of the nodule. Conclusion This case, presenting with a localized painful hot nodule, normal thyroid function, normal ESR, and normal serum thyroglobulin levels, is a rare case of subacute thyroiditis, which should be considered during differential diagnosis.

Objective. To evaluate the clinical outcome in childhood patients receiving postoperative high-dose radioiodine therapy for advanced differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Method. Patients under 18 years old with neck diseases (n = 4) or distant metastases (n = 10) received postoperative radioiodine ablation and repeated treatments for a median of 2 (0.8˜10) years with an averaged activity of 25.0 (7.0˜72.2) GBq. Results. Partial remission was achieved in 6, stable disease in 6 and progressive disease in 2 patients, without severe side effects except for two Grade 1 and one Grade 2 WHO haematological toxicity. The median survival time from diagnosis to the last treatment sessions was 5.3 (range, 0.7˜14.5) years. Conclusion. High-dose radioiodine treatment was well tolerated with satisfactory outcome in childhood patients with advanced differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to study the characteristics of fibrous dysplasia (FD) of bone on bone scans and to evaluate the diagnostic value of radionuclide bone scans in FD.Radionuclide bone scans were performed in 42 cases of histopathologically proven FD and the results were compared with other imaging modalities. A retrospective study method was used to analyze the imaging results.Although FD showed nonspecific increased 99m-Tc MDP uptake, its appearance is different than bone metastates and other bone diseases. Combining scans with x-rays and other imaging modalities can improve the diagnostic accuracy of this disease.Radionuclide bone scans are of certain value in the diagnosis of FD. The diagnostic specificity of FD with radionuclide bone scanning can be improved in association with other imaging modalities such as x-rays.

There is a lack of large-scale studies on vitamin D status and its relationship to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone turnover markers in adults living in Shanghai. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in Shanghai and to investigate the relationship of 25(OH)D with parathyroid function and bone turnover markers. This cross-sectional study involved 649 men and 1939 women aged 20–89 years who were randomly sampled in Shanghai. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, PTH, albumin, and bone turnover markers were measured. During the winter season, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (