Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, and its incidence has increased rapidly worldwide. The molecular mechanisms underlying thyroid cancer tumorigenesis still need to be further investigated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short RNA molecules of approximately 22 nucleotides in length, play crucial roles in tumorigenesis. In the present study, we found that the expression of miR-144 was significantly down-regulated in thyroid cancer as compared with that in normal thyroid tissues, suggesting that miR-144 may be involved in thyroid cancer tumorigenesis. Moreover, our results showed that restoration of miR-144 in K1 and WRO thyroid cancer cells could suppress the invasion and migration capability of these cells. We also demonstrated that miR-144 suppressed the expression of ZEB1 and ZEB2, two E-cadherin suppressors, by directly binding to their 3'-untranslated regions. Furthermore, restoration of ZEB1 or ZEB2 partially rescued the miR-144-induced inhibition of cell invasion. These data suggest miR-144 function as a tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) and its receptor agonist have been previously reported to play a positive role in bone metabolism in aged ovariectomized rats and insulinresistant models. However, whether GLP1 has a direct effect on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts or any cellular mechanism for this potential role is unknown. We examined the effects of the GLP1 receptor agonist exendin-4 on the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. GLP1 receptor was detected in MC3T3-E1 cells by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot assay. Cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay, revealing that exendin-4 increased cell proliferation at effective concentrations between 10 −10 and 10 −5 M. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that exendin-4 increased the mRNA expression of the differentiation markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen-1 (COL1), osteocalcin (OC), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) under osteogenic conditions. Alizarin red staining confirmed that 10 −7 M exendin-4 increased osteoblast mineralization by 18.7%. Exendin-4 upregulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK, with the peak effect at 1.5 h in the Western blot analysis. The use of selective MAPK inhibitors, namely PD98059, SB203580, and SP600125, blocked the effects of exendin-4 on kinase activation (ERK1/2, p38, and JNK), as well as cell proliferation and differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells. These findings demonstrate that exendin-4 promotes both the proliferation and differentiation of preosteoblasts MC3T3-E1 via activation of the MAPK pathway.

Type 2 diabetes [T2D] and thyroid dysfunction [TD] often co-occur, have overlapping pathologies, and their risk increases with age. Since 1995, universal salt iodization has been implemented in China to prevent disorders caused by iodine deficiency. However, after two decades of implementation of universal salt iodization, the prevalence of TD in elderly Chinese patients with T2D is not well described and may have been underestimated. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey across 24 endocrinology centers in China between December 2015 and July 2016. Demographic and clinical data from 1677 patients with T2D were obtained and analyzed to examine the prevalence of TD along with T2D in these patients. We assessed TD prevalence according to the four TD subtypes [subclinical hypothyroidism, clinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, and clinical hyperthyroidism], TD history, gender, and age. The diagnosis rates were calculated for TD and also for the TD subtype. The number of patients reaching treatment goals for T2D [hemoglobin A1c <7%] and TD [normal free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]] and the incidences of complications and comorbidities were recorded. Among the enrolled patients with T2D [N = 1677], TD was diagnosed in 23.79% [399/1677] out of which 61% (245/399) were previously diagnosed and 38.59% (154/399) were newly diagnosed cases. Subclinical hypothyroidism, clinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, and clinical hyperthyroidism were reported in 4.89%, 9.3%, 1.13%, and 3.16% of the total population, respectively. Among patients previously diagnosed with TD, the incidence in women [166/795; 20.88%] was higher than in men [79/882; 8.96%]. The treatment goals for TD and T2D were attained in 39.6% [97/245] and 34.41% [577/1677] of the cases, respectively. Diabetic complications and comorbidities were reported in 99.7% of patients, with peripheral neuropathy being the most common [43.46%] followed by cataract [24.73%]. We had found that the incidences of dyslipidemia, elevated LDL levels, and osteoporosis were significantly higher in patients with TD than those without TD. TD is underdiagnosed in elderly Chinese patients with T2D.

TMPRSS4 is overexpressed in thyroid cancer and TMPRSS4-CREB signaling is needed to sustain thyroid cancer cell proliferation.

The intensive GDM treatment regimen led to healthier outcomes for the women, the neonates, and the birth event and was associated with better maternal metabolic situations in the months and years after delivery.