Personalized diagnosis can save unnecessary thyroid surgeries, in cases of indeterminate thyroid nodules, when clinicians tend to aggressively treat all these patients. Personalized diagnosis ...benefits from a combination of imagery and molecular biomarkers, as well as artificial intelligence algorithms, which are used more and more in our timeline. Functional imaging diagnosis such as SPECT, PET, or fused images (SPECT/CT, PET/CT, PET/MRI), is exploited at maximum in thyroid nodules, with a long history in the past and a bright future with many suitable radiotracers that could properly contribute to diagnosing malignancy in thyroid nodules. In this way, patients will be spared surgery complications, and apparently more expensive diagnostic workouts will financially compensate each patient and also the healthcare system. In this review we will summarize essential available diagnostic tools for malignant and benignant thyroid nodules, beginning with functional imaging, molecular analysis, and combinations of these two and other future strategies, including AI or NIS targeted gene therapy for thyroid carcinoma diagnosis and treatment as well.
Thyroid cancer (TC) represents a worldwide problem, the consistent growth of the incidence increment issues about management of risk factors and curative treatment. Updated statistical data are not ...complete in the North East region of Romania and need to be improved. Therefore, through this study, we aim to renew the existing data on thyroid cancer. We conducted a retrospective study covering a period of 10 years. Data were collected from a hospital information system (InfoWorld) between 2009 and 2019. Patients’ age groups were stratified in relation with the age at the moment of the Chernobyl event. A database was obtained (Microsoft Excel) and statistical correlations were applied. In the studied period, 1159 patients were diagnosed: 968 females and 191 males, distributed by region, with the highest addressability in Iasi (529), followed by neighboring counties. Age distribution displayed that most of the thyroid cancers were in the range 4060 years old (50.94%), followed by 60–80 years old (32.41%). Most patients were diagnosed with papillary carcinoma 63.10%, then follicular 14.7%, medullary 6.74% and undifferentiated 1.02%. Romania was in the vicinity of the radioactive cloud at Chernobyl fallout, so we must deliberate whether the increased incidence of thyroid cancer in the age group 40–60 years is associated with radiogenicity (iodine 131) given the fact that over has 35 years and the half-life of other radioisotopes like Caesium-137 and Strontium -90 is completed.
Methanol intoxication is a potentially fatal medical condition associated with basal ganglia and subcortical white matter necrosis. The authors present the case of a 34 years-old female with ...putaminal necrosis and haemorrhagic stroke secondary to methanol intoxication. The patient was hospitalized in the intensive care unit with severe metabolic acidosis and bilateral blindness after ingesting an unspecified amount of methanol. Computed tomography (CT) examination performed at hospital admission revealed a hypodense, inhomogeneous aspect of lenticular nuclei with ischemia in observation. In the 18th day post-ingestion the patient went into deep coma and a new CT examination was performed revealing an intracerebral hematoma involving the right lenticular nucleus, right external and extreme capsule, and right insula with uncal herniation. Neurosurgical decompression was attempted with unfavourable outcome and exitus. Necropsy examination revealed bilateral lenticular necrosis and a hematoma between the base of the right lenticular nucleus and insular cortex with destruction of the claustrum, external and extreme capsules. Methanol poisoning (mostly accidental) is not uncommon in our country and its metabolite, the formic acid, is a potent central nervous system toxin. Bilateral lenticular necrosis is a typical finding in methanol intoxication due to formic acid accumulation with decrease in mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis responsible for cellular toxicity.
Hypercholesterolemia has a major contribution to the occurrence and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Recent studies report the involvement of branched-chain amino acids in cholesterol ...methabolism. The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of valine, leucine and isoleucine on the occurrence and progression of atherosclerosis in rats receiving hypercholesterolic diet. Material and methods: 50 male Wistar rats distributed into five groups with the following type of diets: group I (control) received standard diet; group II - cholesterol; group III - cholesterol and valine; group IV - cholesterol and leucine; group V - cholesterol and isoleucine. The experimental study was conducted over a period of 2 months. The animals were evaluated for the serum levels of total cholesterol at the beginning of the experiment, after 1 month and after 2 months. The collected tissue fragments of heart and aorta were prepared for the examination by optical microscopy in order to identify the atherosclerotic changes. Results: The most increased values of serum cholesterol were recorded in rats from group II (p=0.001), for the second and third evaluation. The histological examination showed early histopathological lesions on the vascular intima for the groups treated with cholesterol, valine, leucine, and isoleucine. These early changes (the occurrence of some superficial endothelial erosions, adhesion of erythrocytes and platelets) were correlated with the degree of the arterial wall damage, of the leukocytes adhesion to the arterial intima, and the discontinuities of the internal elastic lamina. Conclusion: The comparative study of the effects of the three essential amino acids revealed that valine induced a faster response than leucine and isoleucine on the improvement of biochemical parameters, but there were no significant differences between the three amino acids in terms of their protective ability, demonstrated by the histopathological lesion assessment.
Intoxication with Ricin - Biochemical Weapon Diac, Madalina; Calipsoana Matei, Mioara; Manea, Cristiana ...
Revista de chimie (Bucuresti),
06/2017, Letnik:
68, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Ricin, a toxic glycoprotein found in the seeds of castor oil plant, is capable of irreversible cellular adhesion and inhibition of protein synthesis. The authors performed an up to date review ...concerning the chemical structure, mechanism of action, poisoning symptoms and treatment, and potential uses of ricin as a biochemical weapon. Castor oil plant is easy to cultivate and harvest worldwide and, except the United States of America, cultures and processing plants are not supervised. Ricin extraction does not require laborious and costly technique and it is undetectable once in the body (except for urine in case of ricin ingestion). Poisoning generates nonspecific symptoms and is potentially fatal with no antidote or specific treatment available. Forensic specialists must be aware of symptoms and post-mortem findings in order to make a correct diagnosis of ricin poisoning.
There are scientific evidences that the etiology of juvenile-onset myopia involves both genetic and environmental factors. Excessive near work represents the most frequently cited environmental ...factor associated with the development of this disease.
The aim of our study was to assess some epidemiological aspects of myopia in today`s medical students from “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, including the prevalence of this disorder, and the differences between generations.
A questionnaire was shared via the internet on the social groups of the University`s Medical Students. Five hundred and seventy-six (576) students filled the survey online: from the 1st year - 105 students; 2nd year - 86; 3rd year - 121; 4th year - 80; 5th year – 86, and from the 6th year - 98 students.
73.8% of the students included in the study suffer from myopia. At a first glance, the analysis of myopic students’ distribution by the university year showed no significant difference: 1st year – 73.3%; 2nd year – 74.4%; 3rd year – 71.9%; 4th year - 77.5%; 5th year - 68.6%, and 6th year – 77.6% (p<0.005). The percentage of the 6th year students that entered the university with myopia was 43.8%. Furthermore, we observed that the number of students that already had myopia before entering the university has progressively increased. To emphasize how important the difference is, this year 64% of the 1st year students already were diagnosed with myopia.
These results open a debate regarding the causes of the increasing number of students suffering from myopia, including the difficult academic requirements, the behavioral changes, the genetic factors or the poor quality of nutrition.
Of all the neoplastic sites, colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the family. Studies estimate that approximately 30% of all the CRC cases are a hereditary form of the disease ...with a potentially high impact on the quality of life (QoL), with a high risk of recurrence, and with bio–psycho–social functioning. The aim of the study was to assess the QoL of colorectal cancer patients with genetic risk by using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaire version QLQ-CR29. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional, single-center study was performed on a group of 32 patients with genetic risk of colorectal cancer, who underwent preoperative chemoradiation and surgery. Results: The series of values for the scores on the symptom scale varied between 15 and 30, and the average level of symptom scores did not differ significantly between gender (22.0 vs. 22.75; p = 0.636), highlighting a moderate impairment of QoL. Scores for the emotional functioning scale were significantly lower in men (10.33 vs. 13.25; p = 0.049), as were the scores for the physical functions (15.67 vs. 19.15; p = 0.039), showing a decrease in QoL. Conclusions: The overall score showed an average QoL in patients with colorectal cancer with genetic risk, highlighting significant differences in psycho-emotional functioning between women and men.
This study complements the national screening program for cervical cancer, implemented in Romania.
Inclusion criteria for this program of active detection of cervical cancer are women aged 25 to 64 ...years and exclusion criteria were other age groups and the diagnosis confirmed of cervical cancer. The testing was free and used the method of colored cervical smear Pap.
In 2013, 23.680 women were tested, that means only 10.13% of the total female population eligible for screening. In 2014, the test group was 6337 (one smear required retesting), of which 5852 were negative results and 484 positive results. Squamous cell abnormalities were detected in 433 women (6.84% of total group who attended the screening). Cervical smears with atypical squamous lesions were present at the most women included in the screening, regardless of age group (67.43%). The screening detected 21 lesions HSIL (4.84%), 2 HSIL with suspicion of invasion (0.46%) and 5 lesions of squamous carcinoma (1.15%).
The presence of a small number of people compared to the female population eligible to the test screening may show the need for a better spread of notions about the screening and the afferent national program, for the population in northeastern Romania, considering the ethical issues that this test assumes.
Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent gynecological malignancies worldwide. Romania has the highest incidence of this type of cancer in Europe. A successful prevention strategy has to consider ...the primary prevention measures (including health education on human papilloma virus (HPV) infection but also vaccination). The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of Romanian women about HPV and HPV vaccine. We conducted a cross-sectional study survey of 454 women using an anonymously completed questionnaire covering the awareness and knowledge of HPV infection and attitudes to vaccination. We also analyzed the discussions and conclusion from a focus group of healthcare professionals regarding (1) HPV and HPV awareness and attitude, and (2) suggestions for improving HPV vaccine knowledge and acceptance. 69.2% of women were aware about HPV but their knowledge was minimal and incomplete. While 62.3% had heard about HPV vaccine, only 50.7% had a positive attitude toward it. The main barriers to vaccination were the fear of side effects, the perception that is risky, and the financial concerns. Deficiencies in knowledge were noted for vaccine, genital warts, or risks factors for HPV infection like the early onset of sexual life. The information regarding HPV and vaccine is not always accurate and complete, and only 50.7% of women have a positive attitude toward the vaccine. More educational programs and clearer communication are needed to raise awareness and knowledge regarding HPV and HPV vaccine.
Vaccination is considered to be the most effective and the cheapest medical intervention through which individual and collective immunisation is achieved. Statistics show that, at present, ...immunisation annually saves 400 million lives and protects approximately 750,000 children against disabilities of varying degrees. Approximately 80% of worldwide children are vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, etc.; these diseases used to be considered incurable in the past. Vaccines help the body to produce antibodies; they help the immune system to detect germs and inactivate their cells. The immunological protection is installed after a variable period of time following the inoculation and is long lasting. Immunisations can be achieved in several ways: through national immunisation campaigns with general recommendation--they may be compulsory, optional or prophylactic (for the diseases for which a vaccine is available); vaccinations not included in the compulsory immunisation programmes; they may also be targeted to the contagious infectious outbreaks or to groups of population in certain situations. There is no guarantee that a vaccine will provide 100% protection. However, it will significantly reduce the risk of getting an infection. Vaccines have side effects which can be divided into reactions triggered by the vaccine or reactions exacerbated by it, without a causal relationship to the vaccine.
PDF
