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Experimental and epidemiological studies have revealed that chronic inflammation contributes to cancer progression and even predisposes to cellular transformation. Inflammatory infiltrates in papillary thyroid cancer include lymphocytes, macrophages and cytokines. High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a late inflammatory cytokine that signals danger to the immune system through the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and Toll-like receptor. The activation of the above receptors results in the secretion of growth, chemotactic and angiogenic factors that contribute to chronic inflammation. In this study, we suggest that apart from the activation of signal transduction pathways by the activation of RAGE, the indirect inhibition of cell cycle regulators [such as phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)] may also cause an increase in cell growth and motility. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have increasingly been implicated in regulating the malignant progression of cancer. MiR-221 and miR-222 have been found to be deregulated in human papillary thyroid carcinomas. They are involved in cell proliferation through the inhibition of the cell cycle regulator, p27kip1, in human papillary carcinomas. In this study, we show that HMGB1 increases the expression of miR-221 and miR-222 in primary cultures of excised papillary lesions and in an established papillary cancer cell line (BC PAP). The overexpression of oncogenic miR-221 and miR-222 caused by HMGB1 is associated with an increase in malignancy scores, namely cell growth and motility.

Objective. To compare the quality of resulting scar at 6 weeks after total thyroidectomy with the use of the tissue adhesive octyl-cyanoacrylate or subcuticular absorbable suture for the closure of cervicotomy. Material and Methods. There are 50 patients undergoing a cervicotomy for total thyroidectomy. Twenty-five patients were randomly assigned to closure with tissue adhesive and 25 with subcuticular absorbable suture. At week 6 the scar was evaluated by blinded assessors with the Italian version of POSAS questionnaire, a validated wound scale composed of an observer's and a patient's subscale. Results. Assessment of scar appearance showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0. 038) in favor of subcuticular suture with respect to tissue adhesive on observer's assessment. The difference on patients' self-assessment was not significant. A multivariate analysis of six qualitative features of scars showed a significant influence on assessment for hyperpigmentation and relief of scar. The Italian version of POSAS proved to be reliable. Conclusion. Though tissue adhesive represents a valid method of skin closure, subcuticular absorbable suture provides a better aesthetic outcome in small cervical incisions in the early phase after thyroid surgery.