BackgroundThe postoperative typing of thyroid lesions, which is instrumental in adequate patient treatment, is currently based on histologic examination. However, it depends on pathologist’s qualification and can be difficult in some cases. Numerous studies have shown that molecular markers such as microRNAs and somatic mutations may be useful to assist in these cases, but no consensus exists on the set of markers that is optimal for that purpose. The aim of the study was to discriminate between different thyroid neoplasms by RT-PCR, using a limited set of microRNAs selected from literature.MethodsBy RT-PCR we evaluated the relative levels of 15 microRNAs (miR-221, −222, −146b, −181b, −21, −187, −199b, −144, −192, −200a, −200b, −205, −141, −31, −375) and the presence of BRAF(V600E) mutation and RET-PTC1 translocation in surgically resected lesions from 208 patients from Novosibirsk oblast (Russia) with different types of thyroid neoplasms. Expression of each microRNA was normalized to adjacent non-tumor tissue. Three pieces of lesion tissue from each patient (39 goiters, 41 follicular adenomas, 16 follicular thyroid cancers, 108 papillary thyroid cancers, 4 medullary thyroid cancers) were analyzed independently to take into account method variation.ResultsThe diagnostic classifier based on profiling of 13 microRNAs was proposed, with total estimated accuracy varying from 82.7 to 99 % for different nodule types. Relative expression of six microRNAs (miR-146b, −21, −221, −222, 375, −199b) appeared significantly different in BRAF(V600E)-positive samples (all classified as papillary thyroid carcinomas) compared to BRAF(V600E)-negative papillary carcinoma samples.ConclusionsThe results confirm practical feasibility of using molecular markers for typing of thyroid neoplasms and clarification of controversial cases.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2240-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Институт молекулярной и клеточной биологии СО РАН, г. Новосибирск, Россия Резюме. Исследования архивного цитологического материала, полученного врачами цитологами за ряд лет в ходе выполнения тонкоигольной аспирационной пункционной биопсии при аутоиммунном тиреоидите и доброкачественных образованиях щитовидной железы человека (киста и зоб), позволили обнаружить одновременное присутствие в разных сочетаниях патоморфологических признаков обоих состояний в препаратах долей щитовидной железы. В этой связи возник вопрос о возможной общей этиологии вышеуказанных процессов. Исследованиями цитологического материала при аутоиммунном тиреоидите и доброкачественных образований щитовидной железы человека (киста и зоб), окрашенных изначально в медицинских лабораториях по Романовскому-Гимзе, выявлена гемоспоридийная (кровепаразитарная) инфекция. В процессе длительного детального изучения мазков с цитологическим материалом удалось проследить эволюцию развития гемоспоридий в тироцитах щитовидной железы. Для уточнения локализации ДНК тироцитов и гемоспоридийной инфекции после изучения всего массива мазков было решено окрасить (перекрасить) выборочный ряд оригинальных архивных мазков реактивом Шиффа по Фельгену. Метод окрашивания мазков по Романовскому-Гимзе является адсорбционным, что позволило повторно использовать эти же мазки для окраски реактивом Шиффа по Фельгену, где краситель фуксин после гидролиза ДНК соляной кислотой встраивается в ДНК и окрашивает ее в малиново-сиреневый цвет. Окрашивание ДНК по Фельгену позволило в «медузоподобных» структурах из содержимого кист, являющихся, по всей вероятности, экзо эритроцитарной стадией развития гемоспоридий, локализовать находящуюся в них и некоторых эритроцитах паразитарную ДНК. При аутоиммунном тиреоидите удалось локализовать ядерную ДНК тироцитов и паразитарную ДНК в виде точечных включений и диффузно распределенной в цитоплазме тироцитов, а также ДНК в эрит роцитах крови в виде ядер разных размеров, окрашенных в малиново-сиреневый цвет. При узловом зобе удалось локализовать ядерную ДНК тироцитов, и ДНК гемоспоридий в виде точечных включений и диффузно распределенной в цитоплазме тироцитов. ДНК гемоспоридий в эритроцитах крови проявилась в виде ядер разных размеров, окрашенных в малиново-сиреневый цвет, неокрашенная протоплазма кровепаразитарной инфекции выявлялась виде светлой полосы вокруг ядер в эритроцитах. Ядерный материал гемоспоридий в эритроцитах был раз-Адрес для переписки:

<p><strong>Aim.</strong> To identify novel microRNA markers as survival predictors in patients with supratentorial gliomas.<br /><strong>Methods.</strong> This study involved the analysis of tumour and normal brain tissue biopsy samples obtained from patients undergoing combination treatment for supratentorial gliomas of different World Health Organization (WHO) grades. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression profiles of ten microRNAs, following comparison with clinical treatment results: tumour morphology, WHO grade, patient age, Karnofsky scale, treatment type, postsurgical survival rate and histological diagnosis. The mean age of surgically treated patients [62 (57.9%) males and 45 (42.1%) females] was 48.8 ± 14 years. There were 17 (16%), 30 (28%) and 60 (56%) patients with grade II, III and IV (glioblastoma) gliomas, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica version 10.0 and GraphPad Prism version 5.<br /><strong>Results.</strong> Four microRNAs (miRNA-31, miRNA-21, miRNA-223 and miRNA-221) were strongly correlated with worse survival, when over-expressed, indicating their potential utility as survival predictors in glioma patients. Overexpression of these microRNAs in glioma tissue, lack of adjuvant therapy such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy and age &gt; 48 years were identified as factors for worse prognosis.</p><p><strong>Funding:</strong> This work was supported by the program of fundamental scientific research on the topic 0310-2019-0003.</p><p><strong>Conflict of interest:</strong> The authors declare no conflict of interest.</p>

Testicular endocrine function and morphometric characteristics of the genital system are examined in W/SSM (galactose sensitive) and R (galactose resistant) rats aging 3 and 10 months. Testicular hypertrophy (in comparison with R rats) is found in W/SSM rats of both ages. Basal plasma testosterone levels in young and old rats of both strains did not differ. After in vivo stimulation of the testes with chorionic gonadotropin, the increment of plasma testosterone in 10-month-old W/SSM rats was 2-fold lower than in young rats and in age-matching R rats. Premature decrease of testicular endocrine function in W/ SSM may reflect a more intense aging of these animals. Key Words: testosterone; testes; chorionic gonadotropin; galactosemic ratsThe W/SSM (S) rat strain was obtained by selection and inbreeding of Wistar rats sensitive to the galactosemic effect of galactose [4]. These rats exhibit the signs of hereditary galactosemia. Simultaneously, the R strain characterized by low incidence of spontaneous galactosemia was created. In galactosemic rats, the activity of galactose-l-phosphate uridyl transferase, an enzyme converting galactose into glucose, is lowered, while the intracellular galactose transport is increased [3]. The free-radical processes in these rats are more intense [2], probably due to oxidation of excessive monosaccharides entering the cells. Multiple DNA rearrangements were detected in W/SSM (S) rats [10]. These rats often develop cataracts and tumors and are characterized by low fertility and premature ageing [2]. Ageing of the reproductive system in these rats is not studied. The available data suggest the presence of age-related differences in endocrine activity of testes of S and R rats. The weight of the testes and accessory glands provides additional information regarding functional activity of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk reproductive system of S and R rats. As the testes, the accessory glands are androgen-dependent organs [1]. Therefore, their weight is often employed as a morphometric parameter reflecting hormonal activity of the reproductive system.We compared age-related changes in the testicular endocrine function and morphometric parameters of the reproductive system in rats sensitive and resistant to galactose. MATERIALS AND METHODSExperiments were performed on adult male S and R rats aging 3 and 10 months. Hormonal reactivity of the testes was assessed from the increment of blood testosterone (TS) level 1 h after intraperitoneal injection of chorionic gonadotropin (CG) in a dose of 50 U. Control animals of both strains were injected with normal saline. Plasma TS concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay with the use of highly specific anti-TS antiserum. After blood collection, the testes, seminal vesicles, and preputial glands were removed, stripped of fat tissue, and weighed with an accuracy of 0,5 mg.The results were analyzed using Student's t test.