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ObjectiveTo reveal a novel pathological feature: heterotypic neutrophil-in-tumor structure (hNiT) first discovered in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), to analyze the prognostic role of hNiT in OPSCC patients and to explore the role of p16 in the formation of hNiT structures.MethodsClinically, 197 patients were enrolled. Clinicopathological information was extracted and analyzed. All pathologic sections made from primary tumors were re-evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunostaining. In vitro, we cocultured OPSCC cell line SCC-15 with neutrophils to form hNiT structures, which were then subject to fluorescence staining. By RNAi and overexpression techniques, we investigated the role of CDKN2A in the formation of hNiTs. We validated the two techniques by qPCR and Western Blot.ResultsThe hNiT as a novel pathological feature was first discovered in the tissues of OPSCC. The FNiT was significantly associated with tumor stage, disease stage, p16 and tumor grade. A total of 119 patients died of the disease, and the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate was 36%. The median survival time was 52.6 months. In patients with an FNiT=0.5%, the 5-year DSS was 28%, and the difference was significant (p=0.001). Cox model analysis showed that FNiT along with disease stage, p16 and tumor grade was an independent prognostic factor for DSS. Immunostaining results of p16 expression showed hNiT formation was negatively correlated to p16 in OPSCC as well as in the hNiT formation assays in vitro indicated by fluorescent staining. Function assays of CDKN2A implied that reduce CDKN2A promoted the formation of hNiT while elevated CDKN2A impeded the hNiT formation.ConclusionThe hNiT as a novel pathological feature is associated with the adverse prognosis of OPSCC patients with p16 inhibiting the formation of hNiT structures.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of high frequency ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy(US-FNAB) in the diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC), and to compare the characteristics and value of the two methods, so as to find a more convenient and non-invasive diagnostic method of PTMC, reduce unnecessary puncture and operation. METHODS: The data of 190 postoperative pathologically confirmed PTMC patients admitted to Henan Province Cancer Hospital and Henan Provincial Hospital from January to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, with a total of 305 nodules, including 198 PTMC nodules and 107 benign thyroid nodules(BTN). According to the postoperative pathological results, they were divided into groups, and the relationship between the ultrasound appearance of the nodules and whether the cervical lymph nodes could be explored and PTMC was analyzed by chi-square test and logistic regression, and its diagnostic value was evaluated. The Kappa consistency test was used to analyze the consistency between ultrasound, FNAB and surgical pathological diagnosis results. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of high-frequency ultrasound and US-FNAB were compared, and the ROC curve was used to calculate the maximum area under the curve to evaluate its effectiveness. RESULTS: The chi-square test showed that there were statistically significant differences in the morphology, margin, internal echo, echo uniformity, calcification, aspect ratio, blood flow signal, and whether the cervical lymph nodes can be detected and other ultrasound signs between the PTMC group and the BTN group. Logistic regression analysis showed that irregular shape, unclear edges, internal hypoechoic, intranodular calcification are independent risk factors for PTMC. By consistency test, the consistency between high-frequency ultrasound, US-FNAB examination and surgical pathological diagnosis was good, Kappa value was 0.802 and 0.893(P < 0.05). Each nodule was examined by high-frequency ultrasound, and the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUC were 95.45%, 83.18%, 91.15% and 0.877 respectively. US-FNAB was performed on 189 of 305 thyroid nodules, and the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUC were 96.03%, 93.65%, 95.24% and 0.948 respectively. CONCLUSION: High frequency ultrasonic features such as internal hypoechoic, calcification in the nodules, unclear edges, and irregular morphology are of high value for the diagnosis of PTMC. Through data analysis, both high-frequency ultrasound and US-FNAB examination have high diagnostic value for PTMC. Compared with US-FNAB, high-frequency ultrasound has the advantages of low examination cost, non-invasive, simple operation and so on. For some patients with PTMC who do not have high risk factors, ultrasound can be used to actively monitor disease progression to avoid some unnecessary surgery.

Mechanochromic luminophors with strong solid-state emission are promising candidates for high-contrast mechanochromic luminescence materials. Meanwhile, mechanically responsive luminogenic molecules with tricolor switching are highly desirable but are seldom reported. In this work, three anthracene-based donor-acceptor-π-donor (D-A-π-D) type benzothiadiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized. These luminogens showed remarkable aggregation-induced emission (AIE) or aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) effect. Furthermore, these luminogens exhibited bright and different solid state fluorescence involving yellow-green, yellow and orange colors, and the fluorescence of their solids could be effectively regulated by mechanical grinding. For luminogen 1, its solid displayed reversible two-color mechanofluorochromic property. As for luminogens 2 and 3, their solids displayed fluorescent colors change from yellow to yellow-green upon slight grinding, and the yellow-green light-emitting solids were converted into orange fluorescent solids after heavy grinding, demonstrating interesting three-color mechanofluorochromism features.

Objective: To analyze the prognostic value of frequency of heterotypic neutrophil-in-tumor structure(FNiT) in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma(TSCC).Methods: In vitro, we cocultured TSCC cell line-CAL33 with neutrophils to form heterotypic neutrophil-in-tumor structures, which were then subject to fluorescence staining. Clinically, 197 patients were enrolled. Information including age, sex, FNiT, ECOG PS(Performance Status), FH (family history) of cancer, complications, and pathological characteristics such as tumor stage, node stage, metastasis, disease stage, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, tumor grade, and follow-up results was extracted and analyzed.Results: Fluorescent staining results of typical heterotypic neutrophil-in-tumor structure showed that well-differentiated CAL-33-2 had stronger ability to internalize more neutrophils than poorly-differentiated CAL-33-1 did, the latter often internalizing only one neutrophil. The mean FNiT was 4.8‰,with a range from 2.1‰ to 8.9‰. The FNiT was significantly associated with tumor stage, disease stage and tumor grade. A total of 119 patients died of the disease, and the 5-year disease-specific survival(DSS) rate was 36%. The median survival time was 52.6 months. In patients with an FNiT=4.8‰, the 5-year DSS was 28%, and the difference was significant(P=0.001). Cox model analysis showed that FNiT along with disease stage, lymphovascular invasion and tumor grade was an independent prognostic factor for DSS.Conclusion: The FNiT as a novel predictor is positively correlated with adverse prognosis of patients with TSCC.

Purpose: Our goal was to analyze the feasibility of submandibular gland (SMG) preservation in cT1-2N0 floor of the mouth (FOM) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients. Methods: Patients with cT1-2N0 FOM SCC were retrospectively enrolled and divided into two groups according to the management of the SMG. Level 1b tissues were divided into six groups according to their location with respect to the SMG. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the locoregional control (LRC) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates. A Cox model was used to determine the independent risk factors. Results: Twenty-nine patients underwent SMG-preserving neck dissection, and lymph node metastasis occurred in the superior group in 3 of the 37 dissections with a prevalence of 8.1% and in the anterior group in 2 of the 37 dissections with a prevalence of 5.4%. In patients without SMG preservation, lymph node metastasis occurred in the superior group in 7 of the 137 dissections with a prevalence of 5.1% and in the anterior group in 6 of the 137 dissections with a prevalence of 4.4%. The only pattern of SMG involvement was invasion by positive lymph nodes. The 5-year LRC rates for patients with SMG preservation and patients with SMG excision were 84 and 73%, respectively, and the difference was not significant (p = 0.239). The 5-year DSS rates for patients with SMG preservation and patients with SMG excision were 88 and 84%, respectively, and the difference was not significant (p = 0.524). Conclusions: In early-stage FOM SCC patients, SMG involvement is rare, the most common metastatic site in level 1b is the superior group, and SMG preservation does not decrease the LRC or DSS rates. Therefore, the findings suggest that there might be high feasibility of SMG-preserving neck dissection in cT1-2N0 FOM SCC.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a kind of head-neck malignant tumor. lncRNA-PVT1 can promote the proliferation of carcinoma cells, and induce cells to have stem cell-like potentials. However, the function of PVT1 in NPC cells is not clear. The expressions of lncRNA-PVT1 and the expressions of the stem cell markers in NPC tissues or cell lines were investigated by qRT-PCR or western blot. The cell proliferation, and the ability of NPC cells to form spherical, clonal colonies were investigated by MTT assay, colony formation assay, and tumor-sphere formation assay. Cancer stem cells surface markers were detected by flow cytometry and western blot. PI3K/AKT signal activation in NPC cells was determined by western blot. PVT1 was significantly up-regulated in both NPC tissues and cell lines and associated with poor prognosis. PVT1 knockdown reduced NPC cells viability, clonogenicity, the cell surface CD44+/CD24- stem phenotype, and the expressions of the stem cell markers in NPC cells, including Oct4, c-Myc, SOX2, and ALDH. Furthermore, PVT1 negatively regulates the expression levels of miR-1207 in NPC cells and spheres cells, which is critical for NPC stemness. Knockdown of miR-1207 promoted stem phenotype and the expressions of the stem cell markers in NPC cells. Moreover, phosphor-PI3K (p-PI3K) and phosphor-AKT (p-AKT) were found to be down-regulated after PVT1 siRNAs transfection in NPC cells. And miR-1207 inhibitor transfection reversed the all the effects brought by PVT1 knockdown. Pvt1 promotes cancer stem cell-like properties in NPC cells via inhibiting miR-1207 and activating the PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

In this work, two structurally novel isomeric diarylethene chemosensors based on a styrene-linked pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine unit were synthesized by using Heck coupling reaction. Interestingly, the two reported chemosensors exhibited quick colorimetric sequential responses towards Hg2+ and then Sn2+. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity of the diarylethene-mercury dyad 1O′ was significantly quenched due to the formation of a new complex 1O-Hg2+. 1O-Hg2+ could be used as a new platform for rapid detection of Sn2+, which involved a conspicuous fluorescence enhancement in the detection progress. Based on the fact that the fluorescence of luminogen 1O could be effectively adjusted by the stimulations of light and metal ions, an integrated combinational logic circuit was constructed with 365 nm UV light, Hg2+ and Sn2+ as input signals and the fluorescence intensity at 560 nm as output signals.

Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in pediatric patients with parotid cancer. Materials and Methods: Pediatric patients with primary parotid cancer were retrospectively enrolled from several clinical centers. The associations between the clinical-pathologic variables and NLR and the prognostic significance of NLR for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were analyzed. Results: A total of 123 patients were included. The mean NLR was 2.51 and ranged from 1.7 to 6.1. The tumor stage and disease grade were significantly related to NLR. In patients with NLR < 2.51, the 10-year RFS rate was 97%, and in patients with NLR ≥ 2.51, the 10-year RFS rate was 84%; the difference was significant (p = 0.016). In patients with NLR < 2.51, the 10-year DSS rate was 98%, and in patients with NLR ≥ 2.51, the 10-year DSS rate was 83%; this difference was also significant (p = 0.035). Further Cox model analysis confirmed the independence of NLR in predicting the RFS and DSS rates. Conclusions: NLR is significantly associated with prognosis in pediatric patients with parotid cancer.

Purpose The occurrence of parotid cancer in pediatric patients is uncommon, and the significance of intraparotid lymph node (IPN) metastasis in the pediatric population remains unknown. Therefore, the main goal of the present study was to analyze the effect of IPN metastasis on survival in pediatric patients with parotid cancer. Patients and Methods Pediatric patients with parotid cancer were retrospectively enrolled from multiple medical centers. The association between IPN metastasis and clinicopathologic variables was analyzed using χ2 tests. The main study endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS), which was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Independent prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards method. Results IPN metastasis was noted in 15 of 77 patients (19.5%). A positive relationship was noted between IPN metastasis and tumor stage, lymphoma history, and disease grade. The 10-year RFS was 91%. Univariate analysis revealed that IPN metastasis, disease grade, resection extent, tumor stage, and lymphoma history were associated with RFS. Cox regression analysis revealed that IPN metastasis (odds ratio [OR], 2.805; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.697 to 5.119; P = .004) and lymphoma history (OR, 1.742; 95% CI, 1.027 to 3.687; P = .014) were the only 2 independent predictors of recurrence. Conclusions IPN metastasis significantly decreased survival in patients with pediatric parotid cancer.

BACKGROUND lncRNA-ATB plays an oncogenic role in various types of malignancies, but its involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cells, which is a main type of thyroid cancer, is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 76 patients with PTC and 28 people with normal physiological conditions were included in this study. Tumor tissues and adjacent healthy tissues were collected from PTC patients and blood was extracted from both patients and healthy controls. Expression of lncRNA-ATB in those tissues was detected by qRT-PCR. All patients were followed up for 5 years and diagnostic and prognostic values of serum lncRNA-ATB for PTC were investigated by ROC curve analysis and survival curve analysis, respectively. lncRNA-ATB overexpression PTC cell lines were established and effects of lncRNA-ATB overexpression on cell migration and invasion were investigated by Transwell cell migration and invasion assay, respectively. Effects of lncRNA-ATB overexpression on TGF-β1 expression were investigated by Western blot. RESULTS lncRNA-ATB expression level was higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent healthy tissues in most PTC patients. Serum level of lncRNA-ATB was higher in cancer patients than in healthy control. Serum lncRNA-ATB can be used to accurately predict PTC and its prognosis. lncRNA-ATB overexpression promoted tumor cell migration and invasion, lncRNA-ATB overexpression showed no significant effects on TGF-β1 expression, and TGF-β1 treatment increased the expression level of lncRNA-ATB. CONCLUSIONS Upregulation of lncRNA-ATB by TGF-b1 promotes migration and invasion of PTC cells.

The intra- and postoperative complications resulting from surgery for giant thyroid gland tumors (diameter greater than 10 cm) present serious challenges to patient recovery. Although there are a number of methods, all have limitations. In this study, we present our experience with several complications of surgical treatment of giant thyroid gland tumors to increase the awareness and aid the prevention of these complications. A total of 137 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment in Henan Tumor Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Statistics pertaining to the patients’ clinical factors were gathered. We found that the most common surgical complications were recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and symptomatic hypoparathyroidism. Other complications included incision site infections, bleeding, infection and chyle fistula, the incidence of which increased significantly with increasing extent of surgery from group I (near-total thyroidectomy) to group V (total thyroidectomy plus lateral neck dissection). Low complication rates may be achieved with more accurate knowledge of the surgical anatomy, skilled surgical treatment and experience. More extensive surgery results in a greater number of complications.

e18009Background: Effective therapy is not available for patients (pts) with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) that was previously treated with standard chemo...

e18101Background: For patients (pts) with recurrent/metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), treatment options are still unmet medical need. Apatinib, a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeti...

To study the clinical diagnosis and preoperative management of carotid body tumor.A total of 24 cases with carotid body tumors underwent surgery from 2003 to 2013 were reviewed. The clinical and imaging features, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively evaluated. Five of the 24 patients were males and 19 were females. Twenty-three cases were benign and one case was malignant. Seven of the 24 patients had bilateral tumors.Nineteen of twenty-four patients underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and temporary balloon occlusion (TBO) test, and one case of them was positive in the test. Twenty-three benign case were treated with operation. The malignant one treat with biopsy. Three cases underwent resection of tumors with both the internal and external carotid arteries without carotid reconstruction, and none of the three patients died or presented with hemiplegia after operation. Twenty-three benign cases were followed up for 6-122 months, the median was 75 months. The malignant patient died 6 months after operation.TBO and DSA are reliable and practical methods to determine the safety of carotid ligation and can be used as routine preoperative examinations.

Our goal was to introduce the application of submental island flap in reconstructing through-and-through cheek defects. From January 2009 to January 2013, 7 patients (5 men and 2 women) with full-thickness buccal defects due to tumor resection received submental flap reconstruction at the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University; surgical procedure and success rate as well as functional results were described. Distal partial necrosis occurred in 1 flap, but all flaps survived. All patients were capable of maintaining a regular oral diet, and no patients complained of an inability to eat in a public setting, microstomia, or drooling; the appearance was reported to be good or acceptable in all cases, and the mean postoperative mouth-open width was 4.2 (range, 3.7-5.0) cm. One patient had a local recurrence in the follow-up. Therefore, submental island flap is a reliable procedure for through-and-through buccal defects in selected patients.

The purpose of our study was to investigate (by postal questionnaire) the long-term quality of life (QoL) in Chinese patients who have had resections of head and neck cancer and immediate reconstruction by radial forearm free flaps. We performed a retrospective questionnaire survey and case series in the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The subjects were consecutive patients treated for head and neck cancers during a 13-year period. The patients completed the University of Washington Quality of Life (version 4) questionnaires. Among the 178 patients treated during the course of 13 years, 87 were alive and disease free. Fifty-six (64.4%) of the 87 questionnaires were returned. The mean follow-up duration was 7.9 years (range, 3-13 y). Of the 12 disease-specific domains on the University of Washington Quality of Life, the best-scoring domain was pain, followed by mood, anxiety, and shoulder, whereas the lowest scores were for saliva, taste, and speech. The domains considered as the most important were saliva, speech, and taste. We conclude that the radial forearm free flap for the reconstruction of defects of the head and neck after resection for cancer significantly influenced the patients' long-term QoL.

To investigate the clinical manifestations and diagnostic method of hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid tumors and to evaluate the intra-operative detection of parathyroid hormone in surgical treatment.Thirty-seven cases with functional parathyroid tumors from January 2003 to October 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical manifestation, examination and operation method, changes of parathyroid hormone before and after operation were collected.All cases were definitely diagnosed before operation. The sensitivity and the positively predictive values of neck ultrasonography were 86.5% and 97.6% respectively, and the same data of Tc-99m-MIBI was 97.2% and 100.0%. The PTH levels declined by 84.9% ten minutes after tumor resecting compared with the level before operation. The serum calcium and PTH returned to normal levels and symptomatic relief occurred after operation.Recurrent bone disease, long-term urinary calculus and obscure gastrointestinal symptoms were common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid tumors. The neck ultrasonography and Tc-99m-MIBI were suitable for location of parathyroid tumors. Surgical operation was an effective treatment for parathyroid tumor. Intra-operative PTH assay would be able to ensure the radical excision and the operative safety for functional parathyroid tumors.