Iodine 131 Treatment in Graves’ Disease in a West African Country: Preliminary Study about 25 Cases in Senegal

Introduction: Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Its treatment uses synthetic antithyroid drugs but the use of aggressive radical therapy such as surgery or non-aggressive therapy such as iodine-131 is not uncommon. Treatment of Graves’ disease with radioactive iodine or iratherapy is a simple, inexpensive, well-tolerated treatment. It was introduced in Senegal in 2016. We report through this work the preliminary assessment of the only nuclear medicine service in Senegal in the management of Graves’ disease by iodine-131. Patients and Methods: Retrospective study of the first cases of Graves’ disease treated with iratherapy in Senegal. Socio-demographic, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects were studied. Radiation protection rules have been implemented and contraception has been effective for six months in women of childbearing age. Results: 25 patients were collected with a mean age of 45 years, twenty women (80%), a family goiter in 24% and a psycho-affective context in 64% of cases. Thyrotoxicosis syndrome was associated with goiter in 68% of patients and exophthalmos in 64%. Thyroid ultrasound performed in 20 patients showed vascular goiter in 80% and thyroid scintigraphy in 3 patients, homogeneous and diffuse hyperfixation. TRAK dosed in 8 patients was still positive. All patients had received first-line medical treatment. The average duration of this treatment was more than 18 months in 92%. The empirically used iodine-131 activity averaged 15.35 mCi. Oral corticosteroid therapy was prescribed in 7 patients for the prevention of malignant orbitopathy. No early side effects were noted. The remission rate at 3 months was 52% and at 6 months was 88% to 92%. Conclusion: The effectiveness of radioactive iodine, in particular ablative doses in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, is no longer to be demonstrated. Taking into account our socioeconomic context, iratherapy should be a treatment of choice for hyperthyroidism with a good quality/price ratio and excellent tolerance.

Relationship between nutritional therapy and beneficial bacteria ratio in severe disease

Objective:To evaluate relationship between changes in the beneficial bacteria in intensive care unit(ICU)patients and nutritional therapy type.Methods:Ten patients aged≥18 years admitted to the ICU between January and December 2020,were included.Good enteral nutrition was defined as early achievement of target calorie intake through enteral feeding.The ratio of beneficial bacteria at the first and second bowel movements after each patient’s admission was calculated and the patients were classified into the increase or decrease group.Among all patients,five each were in the increase and decrease groups.We investigated patient background,changes in sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation(APACHE)Ⅱscores,nutritional doses or methods,and clinical outcomes.Results:No relationship was found between changes in the ratio of beneficial bacteria and changes in SOFA/APACHEⅡscores at the time of admission.The rate of good enteral nutrition was significantly higher in the increase group than in the decrease group(4/5 vs.0/5,P=0.01).Conclusions:An increase in beneficial bacteria may be significantly related to the early establishment of enteral nutrition.In the future,accumulating cases may make it possible to establish a new nutritional strategy for critically ill patients from an intestinal microbiota perspective.

Impact of interleukin 6 levels on acute lung injury risk and disease severity in critically ill sepsis patients

BACKGROUND Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulation of the host response to infection that can lead to acute lung injury(ALI)and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS).Interleukin 6(IL-6)is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and its complications.AIM To investigate the relationship among plasma IL-6 levels,risk of ALI,and disease severity in critically ill patients with sepsis.METHODS This prospective and observational study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital between January 2021 and December 2022.A total of 83 septic patients were enrolled.Plasma IL-6 levels were measured upon admission using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The development of ALI and MODS was monitored during hospitalization.Disease severity was evaluated by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II(APACHE II)and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)scores.RESULTS Among the 83 patients with sepsis,38(45.8%)developed ALI and 29(34.9%)developed MODS.Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients who developed ALI than in those without ALI(median:125.6 pg/mL vs 48.3 pg/mL;P<0.001).Similarly,patients with MODS had higher IL-6 levels than those without MODS(median:142.9 pg/mL vs 58.7 pg/mL;P<0.001).Plasma IL-6 levels were strongly and positively correlated with APACHE II(r=0.72;P<0.001)and SOFA scores(r=0.68;P<0.001).CONCLUSIONElevated plasma IL-6 levels in critically ill patients with sepsis were associated with an increased risk of ALI andMODS.Higher IL-6 levels were correlated with greater disease severity,as reflected by higher APACHE II andSOFA scores.These findings suggest that IL-6 may serve as a biomarker for predicting the development of ALI anddisease severity in patients with sepsis.

Thyrotoxicosis in patients with a history of Graves'disease after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination(adenovirus vector vaccine):Two case reports

BACKGROUND Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)which were approved for emergency use have been administered on a large scale globally to contain the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)and to save lives.Vaccine safety is one of the issues under surveillance and a possible correlation between vaccines and thyroid function has been reported.However,reports of the impact of coronavirus vaccines on those with Graves’disease(GD)are rare.CASE SUMMARY This paper presents two patients with underlying GD in remission,both developed thyrotoxicosis and one developed thyroid storm following the adenovirus-vectored vaccine(Oxford-AstraZeneca,United Kingdom).The objective of this article is to raise awareness regarding a possible association between COVID-19 vaccination and the onset of thyroid dysfunction in patients with underlying GD in remission.CONCLUSION Receiving either the mRNA or an adenovirus-vectored vaccine for SARS-CoV-2could be safe under effective treatment.Vaccine induced thyroid dysfunction has been reported,but the pathophysiology still not well understood.Further investigation is required to evaluate the possible predisposing factors for developing thyrotoxicosis especially in patients with underlying GD.However,early awareness of thyroid dysfunction following vaccination could avoid a lifethreatening event.

Multifocal papillary thyroid cancer in Graves’ disease: A case report

BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer is not commonly observed in patients with Graves’disease(GD).The presence of thyroid nodules in GD is not uncommon.However,a link bet-ween these two entities has been reported.Herein,we report the case of a patient with GD and thyroid cancer in Saudi Arabia,which has not been reported previously in our region.CASE SUMMARY A 26-year-old male patient with GD,receiving carbimazole for 2 years,presented to our hospital.His hyperthyroidism was controlled clinically and biochemically.On clinical examination,he was found to have a left-sided thyroid nodule.Ultra-sound revealed a 2.6 cm hypoechoic nodule with high vascularity.He was then referred for fine needle aspiration which showed that the nodule was highly suspicious for malignancy.The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and was diagnosed with multifocal classical micropapillary thyroid cancer.Post thyroid-ectomy he received radioactive iodine ablation along with levothyroxine replace-ment therapy.CONCLUSION Careful preoperative assessment and thyroid gland ultrasound might assist in screening and diagnosing thyroid cancer in patients with GD.

夏枯草制剂治疗Graves病的有效性与安全性的系统评价

目的系统评价口服夏枯草制剂联合西医治疗Graves病的疗效及安全性,以期为Graves病的临床诊治提供循证医学证据。方法文章全面系统检索中文学术期刊全文数据库(CNKI)、中国生物医学文献数据库(CBM)、万方数据库(WanfangData)、维普中文期刊全文数据库(VIP)四大中文数据库和PubMed、Embase、CochraneLibrary三大英文数据库,检索时间均从建库至2022年08月。采用Cochrane系统偏倚风险评估工具对纳入研究进行质量评估,并用RevMan 5.4.1软件对结局指标进行Meta分析。结果最终纳入8项随机对照试验,共784例患者。试验组均为口服夏枯草制剂联合西医治疗,对照组均为西医治疗。Meta分析结果表明,口服夏枯草制剂联合西医治疗在甲状腺功能及自身抗体的改善、缩小甲状腺腺体等方面的临床治疗总有效率高于对照组(RR=1.13,95%CI[1.10,1.26],P<0.00001),并且能够显著改善甲状腺肿的临床症状(MD=-0.39,95%CI[-0.67,-0.11],P=0.006),降低血清FT3水平(MD=-1.76,95%CI[-3.10,-0.43],P=0.01)及血清FT4水平(MD=-3.89,95%CI[-6.79,-1.00],P=0.008),提高血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平(MD=0.45,95%CI[0.05,0.86],P=0.03),改善甲状腺肿大情况(MD=-0.39,95%CI[-0.67,-0.11],P=0.006),缩小甲状腺左叶前后径(MD=-0.31,95%CI[-0.57,-0.06],P=0.02)、左叶左右径(MD=-0.24,95%CI[-0.32,-0.16],P<0.00001)、右叶前后径(MD=-0.30,95%CI[-0.47,-0.13],P=0.0004)、右叶左右径(MD=-0.21,95%CI[-0.33,-0.10],P=0.0004)。结论夏枯草制剂联合西医治疗对比单用西医治疗Graves病在整体疗效、改善甲状腺肿的临床症状、甲状腺激素水平,缩小甲状腺腺体有明显的优势,且较安全,但仍需后续大样本、高质量文献的支持。

血清CYR61、IL-17、Klotho蛋白对Graves眼病病情的评估价值

目的 探讨血清高半胱氨酸蛋白61(CYR61)、白细胞介素-17(IL-17)、单向跨膜蛋白(Klotho)对Graves眼病(GO)病情的评估价值。方法 收集2020年1月至2023年10月于郑州大学第一附属医院眼五科诊治的103例患者的临床资料为研究对象,根据临床活动性评分(CAS)评估患者病情,将其分为活动期组42例及非活动期组61例,比较两组患者一般资料、临床基础指标[肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)及TSH受体抗体(TRAb)、CYR61、IL-17、Klotho蛋白水平及CAS评分],并通过多因素回归分析和ROC曲线分析GO眼病活动期的相关影响因素以及预测价值。结果 活动组Klotho、TSH、FT3、FT4、TRAb、TNF-α、IFN-γ、CYR61水平及CAS评分相较于非活动组更高,差异有统计学意义(t=7.953,4.364,5.232,6.100,4.364,7.344,4.890,6.541,6.995,13.283,P<0.05);经多因素回归分析得出TSH、FT3、FT4、TRAb、TNF-α、IFN-γ、IL-17、Klotho、CYR61合并CAS评分为影响GO眼病活动期的独立危险因素(OR=1.730,1.667,1.689,1.692,1.742,1.791,1.863,1.887,1.828,1.842,P<0.05);CYR61、IL-17、Klotho联合预测GO活动期的预测价值均高于三者单一检测,曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.943,0.827,0.817,0.866(P<0.05)。结论 血清CYR61、IL-17、Klotho蛋白与GO活动期密切相关,三者联合联合检测对GO病情预测效能较好,评估价值确切。

多模态超声成像技术鉴别Graves病与慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎的研究进展

Graves病与慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎因缺乏典型临床症状极易误诊,及时诊断对改善患者生存质量至关重要,超声是评估甲状腺疾病的首要影像学手段。近年来,随着超微血流成像、剪切波弹性成像、计算机辅助诊断、超声造影等新技术出现,多模态超声诊断发展迅速,大量学者围绕甲状腺弥漫性病变展开研究。本文对多模态超声对Graves病与慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎鉴别诊断的国内外现状及面临的问题进行综述,以期为临床诊疗中最大程度发挥多模态超声成像的技术优势,早期精准鉴别Graves病与慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎提供理论依据。

Graves′病新型疗法的研究进展

Graves′病是一种自身免疫性疾病,其特征是存在刺激促甲状腺激素受体的自身抗体,导致甲状腺肿大及循环甲状腺激素过多。目前临床治疗Graves′病的主要方式包括抗甲状腺药物、放射性碘和甲状腺切除术,但药物治疗存在不良反应大、治疗周期长、复发率高等不足,而放射性碘和甲状腺切除术治疗患者无法避免地需要行终生甲状腺激素替代治疗,因此急需寻找新的治疗方案。目前正在研究的Graves′病的新型疗法包括生物制剂、小分子和肽免疫调节,这些疗法有望在不需要持续治疗的情况下成功使患者甲状腺功能趋于正常化。

Perianal Crohn’s disease:Still more questions than answers

In this editorial we comment on the article by Pacheco et al published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.We focus specifically on the burden of illness associated with perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease(PFCD)and the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the management of this condition.Evol-ving evidence has shifted the diagnostic framework for PFCD from anatomical classification systems,to one that is more nuanced and patient-focused to drive ongoing decision making.This editorial aims to reflect on these aspects to help clinicians face the challenge of PFCD in day-to-day clinical practice.

外周血CD4^(+)T、CD8^(+)T细胞及免疫活化分子CD38、IL-2R表达水平在Graves眼病患者中的临床意义

目的研究Graves眼病(GO)患者外周血CD4^(+)T、CD8^(+)T细胞及免疫活化分子CD38、IL-2R水平的临床意义。方法选取2022年1月至2023年1月我院收治的80例Graves病(GD)患者为GD组,65例GO患者为GO组,根据CAS评分将GO组患者分为活动期组(26例)和非活动期组(39例),另选50例体检中心健康者为对照组。比较各组血清甲状腺功能、甲状腺相关抗体及外周血各细胞因子水平,分析GO患者外周血各细胞因子水平与甲状腺功能、甲状腺相关抗体、CAS评分的相关性,并分析外周血各细胞因子对GO疾病活动性的预测价值。结果GO组FT3、FT4低于GD组,高于对照组,GD组高于对照组(P<0.05);GO组TSH高于GD组,低于对照组,GD组低于对照组(P<0.05);GO组、GD组TGAb、TPOAb、TRAb、CD4^(+)T高于对照组(P<0.05);GO组、GD组CD8^(+)T低于对照组(P<0.05);GO组CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)T、CD4^(+)CD38^(+)T、CD8^(+)CD38^(+)T、IL-2R高于GD组和对照组,GD组高于对照组(P<0.05)。GO患者活动期组CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)T、CD4^(+)CD38^(+)T、CD8^(+)CD38^(+)T、IL-2R高于非活动期组(P<0.05)。CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)T、CD8^(+)CD38^(+)T与CAS评分呈正相关(P<0.05);CD4^(+)CD38^(+)T与TRAb、CAS评分呈正相关(P<0.05);IL-2R与FT4、TRAb、TPOAb、CAS评分呈正相关(P<0.05)。CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)T、CD4^(+)CD38^(+)T、CD8^(+)CD38^(+)T、IL-2R联合检测预测GO患者疾病活动性的AUC值为0.930,高于外周血四者单独检测(AUC=0.736、0.749、0.668、0.699,P<0.05)。结论外周血CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)T、CD4^(+)CD38^(+)T、CD8^(+)CD38^(+)T、IL-2R联合预测GO活动性的临床价值更高。

糖皮质激素不同用药途径对Graves突眼患者疗效、复发和病情稳定时间的影响

目的探究糖皮质激素不同用药途径对Graves突眼(GO)患者疗效、复发和病情稳定时间的影响。方法收集2020年1月至2021年12月接受治疗的60例GO患者为研究对象,按照区组随机化分组法将其分为口服组和静脉组,各30例。口服组服用醋酸泼尼松片进行治疗,静脉组选用醋酸泼尼松龙注射液治疗。比较两组的临床疗效、复发和病情稳定时间;分析影响GO复发的因素。结果静脉组的临床疗效显著优于口服组(P<0.05)。两组停药后12个月内的复发率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);静脉组的病情稳定时间长于口服组(P<0.05)。复发者的年龄明显小于未复发者,病情重度占比、高碘饮食占比及治疗结束时游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)水平明显高于未复发组(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄是停药后GO复发的保护因素,高碘饮食和治疗结束时FT3水平是GO复发的危险因素(P<0.05)。结论与口服用药相比,糖皮质激素静脉冲击疗法能更好地治疗GO,延长病情稳定时间,但糖皮质用药途径并不会对复发率产生明显影响,停药后是否复发主要受患者年龄、是否高碘饮食和停药时机体FT3水平等影响。

Plant Disease Severity Assessment Based on Machine Learning and Deep Learning: A Survey

The world’s agricultural production suffers huge losses estimated between 20% and 40% annually. 40% to 50% of such losses are due to pest and diseases which cause significant economic losses every year. Precise assessment of severity is crucial for suitable management of crop diseases. It helps famers to avoid yield losses, reduce production costs, ensure good disease management and so on. This paper is a review of plant diseases severity estimation solutions proposed by researchers the last few years and based on Image Processing Techniques (IPT), classical Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms. The analysis of these solutions has allowed us to identify their limitations and potential challenges in plant disease severity assessment.

与Graves’Disease发病机制相关的基因研究

背景Graves’Disease(GD)是一种常见的自身免疫性疾病,但其发病机制尚不明确。目的通过对公共基因芯片数据的分析,找出与GD发病可能相关的基因。方法在GEO数据库和ArrayExpress数据库中检索“Graves’Disease”,得到GSE71956和E-MEXP-2612(截至2019-04-02)。利用R语言的“Limma”包对基因芯片的原始数据进行标准化处理并找出差异基因。差异基因共包括对照CD4细胞与GD患者CD4细胞的对比(C-GD CD4)、对照CD8细胞与GD患者CD8细胞的对比(C-GD CD8)、对照者甲状腺组织与短病程GD患者甲状腺组织的对比(C-S)、对照者甲状腺组织与长病程GD患者甲状腺组织的对比(C-L)、短病程GD患者甲状腺组织与长病程GD患者甲状腺组织的对比(S-L)。再对差异基因进行多重比较及功能注释分析。结果维恩图显示,KLF9、RGS1基因同时存在于C-GD CD4、C-GD CD8与C-L差异基因中。氨基酸和类固醇代谢基因可能与GD的发病相关。FMO2、CALHM6和C7基因同时存在于C-S、C-L、S-L差异基因中。长病程和短病程GD患者甲状腺组织CALHM6基因表达水平高于对照者,长病程GD患者CALHM6基因表达水平高于短病程GD患者;长病程和短病程GD患者甲状腺组织FMO2和C7基因表达水平低于对照者,长病程GD患者FMO2和C7基因表达水平低于短病程GD患者(P<0.05)。结论GD的发病可能与KLF9、RGS1的异常表达及氨基酸和类固醇代谢有关,FMO2、CALHM6、C7基因可能与GD的病程相关。

Cardiovascular Cast Model Fabrication and Casting Effectiveness Evaluation in Fetus with Severe Congenital Heart Disease or Normal Heart

To investigate the application and effectiveness of vascular corrosion technique in preparing fetal cardiovascular cast models, 10 normal fetal heart specimens with other congenital disease（control group） and 18 specimens with severe congenital heart disease（case group） from induced abortions were enrolled in this study from March 2013 to June 2015 in our hospital. Cast models were prepared by injecting casting material into vascular lumen to demonstrate real geometries of fetal cardiovascular system. Casting effectiveness was analyzed in terms of local anatomic structures and different anatomical levels（including overall level, atrioventricular and great vascular system, left-sided and right-sided heart）, as well as different trimesters of pregnancy. In our study, all specimens were successfully casted. Casting effectiveness analysis of local anatomic structures showed a mean score from 1.90±1.45 to 3.60±0.52, without significant differences between case and control groups in most local anatomic structures except left ventricle, which had a higher score in control group（P=0.027）. Inter-group comparison of casting effectiveness in different anatomical levels showed no significant differences between the two groups. Intra-group comparison also revealed undifferentiated casting effectiveness between atrioventricular and great vascular system, or left-sided and right-sided heart in corresponding group. Third-trimester group had a significantly higher perfusion score in great vascular system than second-trimester group（P=0.046）, while the other anatomical levels displayed no such difference. Vascular corrosion technique can be successfully used in fabrication of fetal cardiovascular cast model. It is also a reliable method to demonstrate three-dimensional anatomy of severe congenital heart disease and normal heart in fetus.

Association of Polymorphisms of rs179247 and rs12101255 in Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Receptor Intron 1 with an Increased Risk of Graves' Disease:A Meta-analysis

The polymorphisms of thyroid stimulating hormone receptor（TSHR） intron 1 rs179247 and rs12101255 have been found to be associated with Graves＇ disease（GD） in genetic studies. In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine this association. Two reviewers systematically searched eligible studies in Pub Med, Web of Science, Embase and China Biomedical Literature Database（CBM）. A meta-analysis on the association between GD and TSHR intron 1 rs179247 or rs12101255 was performed. The odd ratios（OR） were estimated with 95% confidence interval（CI）. Meta package in R was used for the analyses. Seven articles（13 studies） published between 2009 and 2014, involving 5754 GD patients and 5768 controls, were analyzed. The polymorphism of rs179247 was found to be associated with an increased GD risk in the allele analysis（A vs. G： OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.33–1.48） and all genetic models（AA vs. GG： OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.73–2.19; AA＋AG vs. GG： OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.41–1.74; AA vs. AG＋GG： OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.43–1.66）. The site rs12101255 also conferred a risk of GD in the allele analysis（T vs. C： OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.40–1.60） and all genetic models（TT vs. CC： OR=2.22, 95% CI=1.92–2.57; TT＋TC vs. CC： OR=1.66, 95% CI=1.50–1.83; TT vs. TC＋CC： OR=1.74, 95% CI=1.53–1.98）. Analysis of the relationship between rs179247 and Graves＇ ophthalmopathy（GO） showed no statistically significant correlation（A vs. G： OR=1.02, 95% CI=0.97–1.07）. Publication bias was not significant. In conclusion, GD is associated with polymorphisms of TSHR intron 1 rs179247 and rs12101255. There is no association between rs179247 SNPs and GO.

INTRACRANIAL ARTERIAL OCCLUSIVE LESION IN PATIENTS WITH GRAVES DISEASE

Objective To investigate the distribution and clinical manifestations of intracranial arterial occlusive lesions （IA- OLs）, and their correlation with thyroid function. Methods We enrolled 7 patients who had Graves＇ disease （GD） with IAOLs screened and evidenced by transcranial Doppler, then further confirmed with digital substract angiography in 2 patients and magnetic resonance angiography in 5 patients. Brain magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） was performed in all 7 patients. Three patients were followed up. Results Among 7 patients, 1 was male and 6 were females. The mean age was 32.0 ± 5.5 （ range from 11 to 49） years old. Six of them had symptoms of GD but one was asymptomatic with abnormality of I3, T4, and thyroid stimulating hormone. The lesions of intracranial arteries were symmetrical bilaterally in the intemal carotid artery system in 6 patients, as well as asymmetrical in 1 patient. Terminal internal carotid artery （TICA） were involved in all 7 patients. Middle cerebral artery （MCA） were involved in 3, anterior cerebral artery in 2, and basilar artery in 1 patient. Net-like collateral vessels and mimic moyamoya disease were observed in the vicinity of the occlusive arteries in 2 patients. All patients presented symptoms of ischemic stroke including transient ischemic attack and/or infarction while IA- OLs were found. Three patients had obvious involuntary movements. Brain MRI revealed infarctions located in the cortex, basal ganglion, or hemiovular center in 5 patients. The remaining 2 patients had normal brain MRI. The neurological symptoms were improved concomitant with relief of the thyroid function in 2 patients, while IAOLs were aggravated with deterioration of the thyroid function in 1 patient. Conclusion IAOLs in patients with GD mainly involve intracranial arteries, especially the TICA and MCA, which is similar to moyamoya disease. The neurological symptoms and severity of involved arteries may relieve while the hyperthyroidism is gradually under control.

Role of color Doppler in differentiation of Graves' disease and thyroiditis in thyrotoxicosis

AIM:To evaluate the role of thyroid blood flow assessment by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis and compare it to technetium pertechnetate thyroid scanning. METHODS:Twenty-six patients with thyrotoxicosis were included in the study. Clinical history was taken and physical examination and thyroid function tests were performed for all patients. Thyroid autoantibodies were measured. The thyroid glands of all patients were evaluated by gray scale ultrasonography for size, shape and echotexture. Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography of the thyroid tissue was performed and spectral flow analysis of both inferior thyroid arteries was assessed. Technetium99 pertechnetate scanning of the thyroid gland was done for all patients. According to thyroid scintigraphy, the patients were divided into two groups:18 cases with Graves' disease and 8 cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. All patients had suppressed thyrotropin. The diagnosis of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis was supported by the clinical picture and follow up of patients. RESULTS:Peak systolic velocities of the inferior thyroid arteries were significantly higher in patients with Graves' disease than in patients with thyroiditis (P = 0.004 in the right inferior thyroid artery and P = 0.001 in left inferior thyroid artery). Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography parameters demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 87.5% in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. CONCLUSION:Color Doppler flow of the inferior thyroid artery can be used in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, especially when there is a contraindication of thyroid scintigraphy by radioactive material in some patients.

Fear can be more harmful than the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in controlling the corona virus disease 2019 epidemic

The current corona virus disease 2019 outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 started in Wuhan,China in December 2019 and has put the world on alert.To safeguard Chinese citizens and to strengthen global health security,China has made great efforts to control the epidemic.Many in the global community have joined China to limit the epidemic.However,discrimination and prejudice driven by fear or misinformation have been flowing globally,superseding evidence and jeopardizing the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 efforts.We analyze this phenomenon and its underlying causes and suggest practical solutions.

Autoimmune thyroid diseases and Helicobacter pylori: The correlation is present only in Graves's disease

AIM: To investigate the correlation between autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATDs) and the prevalence of Cag-A positive strains of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in stool samples. METHODS: We investigated 112 consecutive Caucasian patients (48 females and 4 males with Graves' disease and 54 females and 6 males with Hashimoto' s thyroiditis HT), at their first diagnosis of ATDs. We tested for H. pylori in stool samples using an amplified enzyme immunoassay and Cag-A in serum samples using an enzyme-linked immunoassay method (ELISA). The results were analyzed using the two-sided Fisher' s exact test and the respective odds ratio (OR) was calculated. RESULTS: A marked correlation was found between the presence of H. pylori (P ≤ 0.0001, OR 6.3) and, in particular, Cag-A positive strains (P ≤ 0.005, OR 5.3)in Graves' disease, but not in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, where we found only a correlation with Cag-A strains (P ≤ 0.005, OR 8.73) but not when H. pylori was present. CONCLUSION: The marked correlation between H. pylori and Cag-A, found in ATDs, could be dependent on the different expression of adhesion molecules in the gastric mucosa.