Although some studies have investigated the clinicopathologic relationships between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), there is still no clear understanding of differences in tumor immune microenvironment for PTC with coexisting HT and HT effect on PTC progression. The aim of this study was to clarify immune-mediated mechanisms of coexisting HT, which might influence PTC progression. 30 patients with histologically confirmed conventional-type PTC and 30 patients with PTC and coexisting HT were enrolled in the study. To analyze the role of immune-mediated links between PTC and HT, immunohistochemical investigation was conducted to count the number of different immune cells including T-cytotoxic cells (CD8), plasma cells (CD138), Treg cells (FOXP3), mast cells (MCT), and M2 macrophages (CD163). It was shown that despite the high number of immune cells in the intact thyroid tissues of PTC patients with coexisting HT there were no significant differences in M2 macrophages, mast cells and Treg counts inside PTC with or without HT. PTC with HT was associated with a higher number of CD8þ cells (P < 0.001) reflecting the ability of immune system to generate and recruit T-cytotoxic cells in tumor area, which can explain the protective effect of HT on PTC progression. Lymph node metastases development was associated with an increased number of mast cells, M2 macrophages and Treg along with a decreased plasma cells count regardless of coexisting HT. However, we did not find significant differences in T-cytotoxic cells quantity in node-positive and node-negative patients with or without HT, which encourages further investigation of immune escape mechanisms in PTC.

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is the most widespread, persistent pollutant and endocrine disruptor on the planet. Although DDT has been found to block androgen receptors, the effects of its low-dose exposure in different periods of ontogeny on the male reproductive system remain unclear. We evaluate sex steroid hormone production in the pubertal period and after maturation in male Wistar rats exposed to low doses of o,p’-DDT, either during prenatal and postnatal development or postnatal development alone. Prenatally and postnatally exposed rats exhibit lower testosterone production and increased estradiol and estriol serum levels after maturation, associated with the delayed growth of gonads. Postnatally exposed rats demonstrate accelerated growth of gonads and higher testosterone production in the pubertal period. In contrast to the previous group, they do not present raised estradiol production. All of the exposed animals exhibit a reduced conversion of progesterone to 17OH-progesterone after sexual maturation, which indicates putative attenuation of sex steroid production. Thus, the study reveals age-dependent outcomes of low-dose exposure to DDT. Prenatal onset of exposure results in the later onset of androgen production and the enhanced conversion of androgens to estrogens after puberty, while postnatal exposure induces the earlier onset of androgen secretion.

TaqIB polymorphism of the gene encoding cholesterol ester transporting protein (CETP) was analyzed in the Caucasian population of West Siberia and in groups contrast by total serum cholesterol content. The patients were selected for the study from the main sample of HAPIEE project (9600 examined subjects aged 45-69 years, 50% men). Analysis was carried out in 293 patients with high levels of total cholesterol (>300 mg/dl), 293 patients with normal and low levels of total cholesterol (<200 mg/dl), and 265 patients represented the population sample (mean level of total cholesterol 235.8±43.9 mg/dl). The frequencies of B1B1, B1B2, and B2B2 genotypes in the population were 27.5, 54.8, and 17.7%, respectively. The incidence of allele B2 was 45.1, 45.2, and 50.2% in the population and in groups with normal and high total cholesterol levels, respectively (p>0.05). Associations of CETP gene TaqIB (rs708272) polymorphism with HDL cholesterol levels was detected in groups with high and low total cholesterol levels (p=0.014 and p=0.008). CETP gene TaqIB polymorphism B2B2 genotype was associated with high level of HDL cholesterol and a more favorable lipid profile.

A review of scientific literature data on clinical and epidemiological characterization of viral hepatitis B, C and Epstein-Barr viral infection is presented. Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, CyberLeninka, RSCI databases were used to find the necessary literature. It was shown that Epstein-Barr virus along with hepatitis B and C viruses plays a significant role in the development of virus-mediated autoimmune liver diseases, as well as other organs (intestine, heart, kidneys, thyroid gland, etc.). The similarity of these nosologies is also evident in the nature of the course of the disease: the presence of a primary infection in a manifest or latent form, with possible subsequent chronization of the process and its periodic reactivation. Wide distribution of pathogens in the human population determines the possibility of mixed infections with Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis B and C viruses, however, this problem has not been adequately described in the scientific literature. The review suggests that the role of Epstein-Barr virus in the development of liver diseases and extrahepatic pathology should not be ignored, and the combination of this pathogen with hepatitis B and C viruses required further in-depth studies.