Objective To discuss the molecular structures and functions of βCatenin and APC (Adenomatous polyposis coli) genes, as well as the roles they played during the carcinogenesis and progression of tumors. MethodsAdvances in molecular biology and oncology of βCatenin and APC genes in recent years has been reviewed. ResultsHigh expression of βCatenin and APC genes was an early event during the carcinogenesis due to the abnormal regulation of βCatenin and APC genes. But on the contrary, the low expression of these two genes was probably associated with the progression of tumors. Moreover, βCatenin and APC genes could also regulate the expression of p53,cmyc genes and cyclin D1. Conclusion βCatenin and APC genes may play a key role during the carcinogenesis and progression of tumors and modulate other oncogen/suppressor gene and factors.
The classification of thymoma has always been controversial topil in recent years. It hasn’t been unified because of the morphological diversity of thymoma, the heterogeneity of tumour cells and the lack of simple and effective observation index. With the development of diagnostic technique and oncobiology research, several classification methods have been drawn off, including its World Health Organization(WHO) lassification. We reviewed the main classification and discussed the problems of each classification method and their clinical guiding significamce, summarized the development tendency, methods assist the classification and clinical research of thymoma.
Objective To develop a radiomics nomogram based on contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) for preoperative prediction of high-risk and low-risk thymomas. Methods Clinical data of patients with thymoma who underwent surgical resection and pathological confirmation at Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital from January 2018 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Feature selection was performed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. An ExtraTrees classifier was used to construct the radiomics signature model and the radiomics signature. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was applied to analyze clinical-radiological characteristics and identify variables for developing a clinical model. The radiomics nomogram model was developed by combining the radiomics signature and clinical features. Model performance was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value. Calibration curves and decision curves were plotted to assess model accuracy and clinical values. Results A total of 120 patients including 59 females and 61 males with an average age of 56.30±12.10 years. There were 84 patients in the training group and 36 in the validation group, 62 in the low-risk thymoma group and 58 in the high-risk thymoma group. Radiomics features (1 038 in total) were extracted from the arterial phase of CECT scans, among which 6 radiomics features were used to construct the radiomics signature. The radiomics nomogram model, combining clinical-radiological characteristics and the radiomics signature, achieved an AUC of 0.872 in the training group and 0.833 in the validation group. Decision curve analysis demonstrated better clinical efficacy of the radiomics nomogram than the radiomics signature and clinical model. Conclusion The radiomics nomogram based on CECT showed good diagnostic value in distinguishing high-risk and low-risk thymoma, which may provide a noninvasive and efficient method for clinical decision-making.
Thymectomy is a major surgical procedure for patients with non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis，and can enhance their symptomatic remission rate and cure rate. There is still much controversy about appropriate surgical approach and extent of resection of thymectomy. The majority of thoracic surgeons believe that the completeness of thymectomy is closely associated with clinical symptom improvement，and perform complete resection of encapsulated thymus and surroun-ding fat tissues via mid-sternotomy. But minimally invasive thymectomies are often more acceptable by patients. On the contrary，in view of common existence of ectopic thymus tissue，some thoracic surgeons advocate a combination of cervical incision and sternotomy in order to further completely remove all thymus tissue.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of the usage of artificial bone of tricalcium phophate in sellar floor reconstruction after transsphenoidal microsurgery for pituitary adeoma.
MethodsBetween January and December 2014, 85 patients with pituitary adema underwent transsphenoidal microsurgery, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. "Sandiwich" was used for sellar floor reconstruction in 46 cases (control group), and "sandiwich" combined with the artificial bone of tricalcium phophate in 39 cases (trial group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, size of tumor, invasiveness, and the degree of damage to the sellar floor between 2 groups (P>0.05).
ResultsTotal removal and subtotal removal of tumors were achieved in 39 cases and 7 cases of the control group, and in 33 cases and 6 cases of the trial group, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (Z=-1.303, P=0.193). Cerebrospinal leakage occurred in 8 cases of the control group and in 10 cases of the trial group during operation, showing no significant difference (Z=-1.748, P=0.080). The case number of cerebrospinal leakage in the control group (4 cases) was significantly more than that in the trial group (0) after operation (P=0.020). The time of gauze removal in the trial group (3 days) was significant shorter than that in the control group[(4.3±1.6) days] (t=2.236, P=0.033). The patients were followed up 3-14 months in the control group and 5-13 months in the trial group. No cerebrospinal leakage occurred during follow-up.
ConclusionSellar floor reconstruction with artificial bone of tricalcium phophate is safe, and it can reduce cerebrospinal leakage and shorten the time of gauze removal.
