Reference Interval of Thyroidal Function of Women in the Early,Middle and Late Pregnancy in Jingzhou City,Hubei Province

[Objectives]To study the reference value of thyroid function in healthy women of childbearing age during different pregnancies(early,middle and late pregnancy)in Jingzhou City.[Methods]362 healthy women of childbearing age during different pregnancies(early,middle and late pregnancy)were selected as the study group,and 360 non-pregnant women were selected as the control group.Serum thyroid hormone levels in the two groups were detected,and the reference value was expressed as the median(M)and 95%confidence interval(CI).On this basis,the chart of changing trend of thyroid hormone in the early,middle and late pregnancy were plotted.[Results]Compared with the control group,FT3,TT4,TT3,FT4and TSH in the early,middle and late pregnancy were significantly different in the study group(P<0.05).In the study group,there were significant differences in the early,middle and late pregnancy(P<0.05).[Conclusions]This trend chart has certain reference value in the screening,diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases in healthy women of childbearing age during different pregnancies(early,middle and late pregnancy)in Jingzhou City of Hubei Province.

The Effect of TSH Suppression Therapy on the Efficacy and Immune Function of Postoperative Patients with Thyroid Cancer

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and immune function of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)suppression therapy in postoperative thyroid cancer patients.Methods:Sixty thyroid cancer patients admitted from July 2020–July 2022 were recruited and randomly divided into two groups.The control group(30 patients)received hormone replacement therapy,while the study group(30 patients)received TSH suppression therapy.The thyroid function,clinical efficacy,immune function,and tumor markers of the two groups were compared.Results:After treatment,the levels of free triiodothyronine(FT3)and thyroxine(FT4)in both groups increased significantly,while TSH levels decreased significantly.Moreover,the magnitude of change in the study group was greater than that in the control group(P<0.05).The total effective rate in the study group was significantly higher as compared to the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of CD3+and CD4+cells in both groups of patients increased significantly,with the study group showing significantly higher levels than the control group,whereas the level of CD8+cells decreased significantly,with the study group having lower levels than the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of Tg and CEA in both groups were significantly lowered as compared to before treatment,and the levels of Tg and CEA in the study group were significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:TSH suppression therapy in postoperative thyroid cancer patients can improve thyroid function,suppress the levels of tumor markers,and enhance immune function,thereby achieving good clinical outcomes.

Age- and Gender-Specific Changes in Thyroid Size and Thyroid Function Test Values of Euthyroid Subjects

Background: The thyroid status is evaluated by two clinical diagnostic tests which are thyroid ultrasonography and thyroid function tests. The objective of this research is to critically analyze the age and gender based variations of thyroid volume and thyroid hormone levels in the hospital based euthyroid subjects. Methodology: A total of 221 euthyroid subjects aged 1 - 86 years were selected to observe the normal thyroid size by ultrasonography at Department of Radiology and the thyroid function test values (FT3, FT4 and TSH) of 2413 euthyroid subjects aged (Results: The best fitted equations with significant correlation coefficients and p Conclusion: The thyroid size first increases and then decreases whereas the thyroxin level first decreases and then increases with aging. Left lobe volume is almost same for both genders and right lobe volume is higher in males. The thyroid size in menarche and menopause periods of females is larger than that of males. Such age- and gender-specific changes recommend the new refer-ence ranges for the normal thyroid functions.

Frequentist and Bayesian Sample Size Determination for Single-Arm Clinical Trials Based on a Binary Response Variable: A Shiny App to Implement Exact Methods

Sample size determination typically relies on a power analysis based on a frequentist conditional approach. This latter can be seen as a particular case of the two-priors approach, which allows to build four distinct power functions to select the optimal sample size. We revise this approach when the focus is on testing a single binomial proportion. We consider exact methods and introduce a conservative criterion to account for the typical non-monotonic behavior of the power functions, when dealing with discrete data. The main purpose of this paper is to present a Shiny App providing a user-friendly, interactive tool to apply these criteria. The app also provides specific tools to elicit the analysis and the design prior distributions, which are the core of the two-priors approach.

Prognostic value of cortisol and thyroid function tests in poisoned patients admitted to toxicology ICU

BACKGROUND: Prognostic value of cortisol and thyroid function tests(TFTs) has previously been evaluated in medical ICUs. We aimed to evaluate prognostic efficacy of cortisol and TFTs in critically ill poisoned patients admitted to toxicology intensive care unit(ICU).METHODS: In a prospective study of consecutively enrolled subjects admitted to the toxicology ICU, lab analyses included TFTs(total T3 and T4 as well as TSH) and cortisol levels drawn between 8 am–10 am during period of the first 24 hours post-ingestion/exposure. Simplified Acute Physiology Score Ⅱ(SAPS Ⅱ) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) were recorded. All scores were compared to detect the best prognostic factor. Type of poisoning was also included.RESULTS: In 200 patients evaluated, 129 were male and mean age was 31 years. In general, SAPS Ⅱ, T4, and cortisol could prognosticate death. After regression analysis, only cortisol had such efficacy(P=0.04; OR=1.06; 95%CI=1.05–1.08; cut-off=42 μg/d L; sensitivity=70%; specificity=82%). Between aluminium phosphide(ALP)-and non ALP-poisoned patients, level of consciousness, mean arterial pressure, and cortisol level could prognosticate death in ALP poisoning(all Ps<0.001 in both uni and multivariate analyses). Median(interquartile range; IQR) GCS was 7(6, 10) and 15(8, 15) in non-ALP and ALP-poisoned patients(P<0.003). SAPS Ⅱ and APACHE Ⅱ could not prognosticate death at all.CONCLUSION: Cortisol best prognosticated outcomes for subjects admitted to the toxicology ICU. Its level is higher in ALP-poisoned patients probably due to the higher stress while they remain conscious till the final stages of toxicity and are aware of deterioration of their clinical condition or may be due to their significantly lower blood pressures.

Association between thyroid function and gallstone disease

AIM： To investigate those associations using data of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania. METHODS： A study population of 3 749 residents aged 20-79 years without previously diagnosed thyroid disease was available for analyses. Serum TSH was used to assess thyroid function. Cholelithiasis was defined by either a prior history of cholecystectomy or the presence of gallstones on ultrasound. Logistic regression was performed to analyze independent associations between thyroid function and cholelithiasis. RESULTS： There were 385 persons （10.3%） with low （〈0.3 mIU/L）, 3 321 persons （88.6%） with normal and 43 persons （1.2%） with high serum TSH levels （〉3 mIU/L）. The proportion of cholelithiasis among males and females was 14.4% and 25.3%, respectively. Among males, there was an independent relation between high serum TSH and cholelithiasis （OR 3.77; 95%-CI 1.06-13.41; P〈0.05）. Also among males, there was a tendency towards an elevated risk of cholelithiasis in persons with low serum TSH （OR 1.40; 95%-CI 0.96-2.02; P= 0.07）. In the female population, no such relation was identified. CONCLUSION： There is an association between thyroid and gallstone disease with a gender-specific relation between hypothyroidism and cholelithiasis.

Effects of High Fluoride and Low Iodine on Thyroid Function in Offspring Rats

Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight with six females and two males in each group. The rats were exposed to high fluoride drinking water （45 mg F-L^-1 from 100 mg NaF L-1）, low dietary iodine （0.0855 mg kg-1）, or both together in order to assess the effects of these three regimens on the thyroid function of the offspring rats. After the animal model was established, the offspring rats were bred and 10-, 20-, 30-, 60-, and 90-d-old rats were used for the experiment. The treatments for the offspring rats were the same as those of their parents. In comparison with control rats, the relative thyroid glands were changed by three regimens, but the mean values of thyroid weight in the experimental groups saw no marked difference. Serum TT3 levels were increased in all stages in the low iodine （LI） group. In the high fluoride （HiF） group, increase in TT3 levels was observed except in 20-d-old rats. Decrease in TT3 at 20- and 90-d and increase in TT3 at 30- and 60-d were found in HiF＋LI group. Serum TT4 levels first saw an increase, and then dropped in the LI and HiF＋LI group. However, an increase in TT4 was found in the HiF group. The levels of TSH in serum rocketed at d 20, and then dropped in the next stages in experimental groups. The results suggested that thyroid disorder could be induced by high flroride in drinking water, low iodine diet, or both of them. Exposure time to fluoride or low iodine diet was one of the important factors that fluoride can induce the development of thyroid dyfunction.

Effect of source size and emission time on the p–p momentum correlation function in the two-proton emission process

The effect of source size and emission time on the proton-proton(p-p)momentum correlation function(Cpp(q))has been studied systematically.Assuming a spherical Gaussian source with space and time profile according to the function S(r,t)~exp(-r2/2 r02-t/τ)in the correlation function calculation code(CRAB),the results indicate that one Cpp(q)distribution corresponds to a unique combination of source size r0 and emission timeτ.Considering the possible nuclear deformation from a spherical nucleus,an ellipsoidal Gaussian source characterized by the deformation parameter∈=ΔR/R has been simulated.There is almost no difference of Cpp(q)between the results of spherically and ellipsoidally shaped sources with small deformation.These results indicate that a unique source size r0 and emission time could be extracted from the p-p momentum correlation function,which is especially important for identifying the mechanism of twoproton emission from proton-rich nuclei.Furthermore,considering the possible existence of cluster structures within a nucleus,the double Gaussian source is assumed.The results show that the p-p momentum correlation function for a source with or without cluster structures has large systematical differences with the variance of r0 andτ.This may provide a possible method for experimentally observing the cluster structures in proton-rich nuclei.

Stability of the Dividing Distribution Function Method for ParticleSize Distribution Analysis in Small Angle X－Ray Scattering

The Dividing Distribution Function (DDF) method is one of the methods by which the particle size distribution of ultrafine powder can be evaluated from its small angle X-ray scattering data. In this paper, the stability of the solution obtained from DDF method has been investigated through optimizing the coefficient matrix, introducing a damping factor and a least square treatment. All calculations were accomplished with a microcomputer. It was shown that the average deviations of the size distribution obtained are not larger than the assigned random errors to the scattering intensities as long as the corresponding requirements are satisfied.

Size-dependent behaviors of viscoelastic axially functionally graded Timoshenko micro-beam considering Poisson effects

A size-dependent continuum-based model is developed for the functionally graded(FG)Timoshenko micro-beams with viscoelastic properties,in which material parameters vary according to the power law along its axial direction.The size effect is incorporated by employing the modified couple stress theory and Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic model,so that viscous components are included in the stress and the deviatoric segments of the symmetric couple stress tensors.The components of strain,curvature,stress and couple stress are formulated by combining them with the Timoshenko beam theory.Based on the Hamilton principle,the governing differential equations and boundary conditions for the micro-beam are expressed with arbitrary beam section shape and arbitrary type of loads.The size effect,FG effect,Poisson effect,and the influence of the beam section shape on the mechanical behaviors of viscoelastic FG micro-beams are investigated by taking the simply supported micro-beam subjected to point load as an example.Results show that the size effect on deflection,normal stress and couple stress are obvious when the size of the micro-beam is small enough,and the FG effects are obvious when the size of the micro-beam is large enough.Moreover,the Poisson ratio influences the size effect significantly and the beam section shape is also an important factor influencing the mechanical behavior of the micro-beam.

Impact of Nonlethal Levels of Metacid-50 and Carbaryl on Thyroid Function and Cholinergic System of Channa punctatus

With regard to brain acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine and serum triiodothyronine(T_3) and thyroxine(T_4)profiles,a biphasic response pattern was elicited in Channa punctatus chroni- cally exposed to nonlethal doses of locally used pesticides,namely,Metacid-50 and Carbaryl. Data revealed that these xenobiotics caused significant inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase activity and a decrease in thyroxine level accompanied by a concurrent increase in acetylcholine accumulation and T_3 level.It is surmised that Metacid-50 and Carbaryl influence both neural and hormonal functions.1989 Academic Press.Inc.

CRITERION AND APPRAISABLE FUNCTION OF SIZE CHARACTERISTICS

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GU'S FUNCTION SCALE OF ION HYDRATION FORCE AND CHARGE SIZE

Water Vapor Chemistry" as a new science was discovered and established from trace analysis in Gu’s laboratory(Gu, 1991; Gu et al., 1991). Gu’s Function shows that the trace metal ion concentration in water vapor has positive correlation to"specific electron affinity constant"last ionization potential Iz/ion valence Z and negative correlation to ion volume V and coordination number N(Gu, 1994). Gu’s Func-tion C=f[(Iz/Z)/VN]of the bond parameter in water vapor chemistry corresponds to the potential energy function Z’ e2/r in the Schrodinger Equation of quantum chemistry. In different ions with the same 2+ charge, the ion concentration of water-water vapor transfer may be much different. This shows that the 2+ charge of different ions has different attractive force (hydration force). This different attractive force of the charge can be scaled with the relative energy or charge size from Gu’s Function.

Peripheral blood NKT cell number and function in patients with Graves disease and their correlation with hyperthyroidism

Objective:To assess the peripheral blood NKT cell number and function in patients with Graves disease and study their correlation with hyperthyroidism.Methods: The patients who were diagnosed with Graves disease in our hospital between May 2014 and September 2016 were selected as GD group, and 55 healthy volunteers who received physical examination in our hospital during the same period were selected as control group. Peripheral blood was collected to determine the number of CD3+CD56+NKT cells, and serum was collected to detect the contents of cytokines and thyroid function indexes.Results: Peripheral blood CD3+CD56+NKT cell number in Graves disease group was significantly lower than that in control group;serum IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10 and TGF-β contents in GD group were significantly lower than those in control group and positively correlated with peripheral blood CD3+CD56+NKT cell number while IL-4, IL-5, IL-17, FT3, FT4, TPOAb, TgAb and TRAb contents were significantly higher than those in control group and negatively correlated with peripheral blood CD3+CD56+NKT cell number.Conclusion:The abnormal reduction of peripheral blood NKT cell number in patients with Graves disease can affect the balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg and increase the TRAb secretion to cause hyperthyroidism.

TSH RECEPTOR GENETIC ALTERATIONS IN THE AUTONOMOUSLY FUNCTIONING THYROID ADENOMAS

Objective To determine the relationship between TSH receptor gene mutations and autonomously functioning thyroid adenomas (AFTAs). Methods The thyroid samples from 14 cases of diagnosed AFTAs were analyzed, with normal thyroid specimens adjacent to the tumors as controls. The 155 base pairs DNA fragments which encompassed the third cytoplasmic loop and the sixth transmembrane segments in the TSH receptor gene exon 10 were amplified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed by the single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Direct sequencing of the PCR products was performed with Prism Dye Terminator Cycle Sequencing Core Kit. Results 6 of 14 AFTA specimens displayed abnormal migration in SSCP analysis. In sequence analysis of 3 abnormally migrated samples, one base substitution at nucleotide 1957 (A to C) and two same insertion mutations of one adenosine nucleotide between nucleotide 1972 and 1973 were identified. No mutations were found in controls. Conclusion This study confirmed the presence of TSH receptor gene mutations in AFTAs; both one-point substitution mutation and one-base insertion mutation were found to be responsible for the pathogenesis of AFTAs.

Investigating the Association of Smoking with Thyroid Volume and Function

This study was conducted to explore possible correlation between smoking habit and thyroid volume and function in Jeddah. A total of 226 volunteers i.e. 128 male and 98 female were screened at Radiology Department King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital. They were categorized as smokers and non- smokers;the number of smokers was 99 cases i.e. 48 Cigarette smokers and 51 Shisha smokers, and the non-smokers were 127 cases. The information was gathered via a questionnaire distributed at the radiology department. Ultrasonography of thyroid and thyroid function test were performed for 166 participants;and data were analyzed Using SPSS version 22 and Microsoft excel. The study was carried out based on random selection and findings revealed that most of the cases were in the age group between 20 to 30 years old, high body mass index (BMI) was 33.1 kg/m2 in persons above 60 years old and the highest percentage smokers in the age group from 20 to 30 years (40.02%). Ultrasonography of thyroid showed 96 (58%) normal cases, 46 (28%) abnormal “solid” cases and 24 (14%) abnormal “cyst” cases. A lower proportion of cigarette and shisha smokers (15.4% and 5.6% respectively) had an enlarged thyroid gland compared to no cigarettes or shisha smokers (47.9% and 47.3% respectively). The difference between these frequencies was statistically significant (Chi-square = 9.446 and 11.424, p = 0.002 and p = 0.001 for cigarette and shisha smoking respectively). Consequently, it can be concluded from this research that there are no direct significant values correlating smoking habit to thyroid volume or function. However, it is always recommended not smoke due to other well-known threats.

Changing pattern of thyroid and adrenal function in postmenopausal women after hormone replacement therapy

Objective:To investigate the changing pattern of thyroid and adrenal function in postmenopa-usal women;and the relationship between hormone replacement therapy(HRT)and thyroid andadrenal function.Methods:The levels of tT_3,tT_4,fT_3,fT4,TSH and cortisol were measured in 60 postmeno-pausal women(30 cases in HRT group;30 cases in control group)before and 12 months afterHRT.Results:The serum levels of tT_3,tT_4,fT_3,fT_4,TSH and cortisol had no significant differ-ence before and 12 months after HRT in postmenopausal women.The values of them were all innormal ranges.Conclusion:Changing pattern of thyroid and adrenal function was not as significant as that ofgonads in postmenopausal women and the impact of HRT on it was not so significantly evident.

Thyroid function profile, and its association to consumption of cassava and <i>Moringa stenopetala</i>in pregnant women

Background: Pregnancy is associated with the change in thyroid function. Thyroid function is also affected by goitrogenic substances in some plant foods, like cassava. Aim: This study aims to assess thyroid function status and its association to consumption of foods containing goitrogenic substances. Methods: A cross sectional study was done on a total of 65 pregnant women attending Sawla Health Center, South Ethiopia. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for TSH, total T4 and total T3 by using ELISA kit. Data on consumption of foods containing were obtained from food frequency questionnaire. Results: The median TSH of the first, second and third trimesters, respectively are 2.57, 1.86 and 2.42 mIU/L, which are within the reference interval (0.30-6.20 mIU/L) of the test kit. The median total T4 values (9.8, 10.0 and 10.3 μg/dl in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively) were also within the reference interval (4.8-11.6 μg/dl) of the test kits. The median total T3 in the first (2.60 ng/ml) and third (2.35 ng/ml) trimesters were elevated, but it was within the reference interval (0.69-2.02 ng/ml) in the second trimester (1.92 ng/ml). Though statistically non-significant median TSH was increased in women grouped as cassava consumers and M. stenopetala consumers while median total T4 values were decreased in these groups. Conclusion: The study subjects have normal thyroid function as the median values of TSH and total T4 were within the reference interval of the test kit. Frequent consumption of cassava and Moringa stenopetala may affect thyroid function.

Using density functional calculations to elucidate atomic ordering of Pd-Rh nanoparticles at sizes relevant for catalytic applications

Pd-Rh nanoparticles are known to easily undergo surface restructuring in reactive environment. This study quantifies, with the help of density functional(DFT) calculations and a novel topological approach, atomic ordering and surface segregation effects in Pd-Rh particles with compositions 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 containing up to 201 atoms(ca. 1.7 nm). The obtained data are used to reliably optimise energetically preferred atomic orderings in inaccessible by DFT Pd-Rh particles containing thousands of atoms and exhibiting sizes exceeding 5 nm, which are typical for catalytic metal particles. It is outlined, how segregation effects on the surface arrangement of Pd-Rh nanoalloy catalysts induced by adsorbates can be evaluated in a simple way within the present modelling setup.

Simulation of the pore size distribution function for a deformable soil

In order to obtain an indirect estimation method of the pore size distribution function(PSDF)for a deformable soil,both the soil-water characteristic curve in the form of gravimetric water content(w-SWCC)and the shrinkage curve(SC)are used as the input parameters.The w-SWCC defines the relationship between the gravimetric water content and soil suction.The SC illustrates the variation of the void ratio with respect to different water contents.10 points in the w-SWCC were selected as initial conditions.By adopting different void ratios,a group of soil-water characteristic curve in the form of the degree of saturation(S-SWCC)can be obtained.Based on Kelvin's capillary law,the S-SWCCs can be converted into a group of PSDFs.In the group of PSDFs,each PSDF represents the geometric pore space in soil corresponding to a given void ratio.From the proposed methodology,it is observed that a bimodal PSDF can be gradually changed into a unimodal PSDF when the soil is compressed.The Chataignier clay is selected as the verification and it shows that the simulation results agree well with the measured results from the mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP)test.In addition,the discrepancies between both direct measurement data using the MIP test and the indirect estimated results from the proposed method are also discussed.