The clinicopathological features, treatment outcomes and follow-up results of 47 ectopic thyroid gland cases: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Ectopic thyroid gland (ETG) is an uncommon clinical condition, presenting various challenges and limitations in its regulate diagnosis and treatment currently. This study aims to enhance our understanding of ETG and improve the strategies for its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: The retrospective single-center study was conducted, encompassing clinical data from ETG patients screened at our institution between 2013 and 2022. Patients were categorized based on the location of the disease, and follow-ups were performed on each. Results: This study included a total of 47 patients who were confirmed to hav confirmed to have ETG. Among them, we found 29 cases of accessory thyroid and 18 cases of aberrant thyroid. Furthermore, 42 cases exhibited the single ETG, while 5 cases displayed the double ETG. The distribution of the ETG was as follows: 20 were lingual, 10 were submandibular, 10 were lateral cervical, 4 were thoracic mediastinal, 1 was esophageal, and 7 were ovarian. Of these cases, 22 patients underwent surgery, 18 received thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and 7 were placed under observation. All patients were followed up for 59.4 (12-117) months. No significant abnormalities were detected at the conclusion of the follow-up period. Conclusion: ETG is frequently observed in the head and neck, particularly in lingual. Accessory thyroid glands are commonly reported, with most cases being single ETG. Notably, these glands usually do not manifest specific clinical symptoms. Therefore, the appropriate and comprehensive examinations during the initial diagnosis are crucial to avoid misdiagnosis. Treatment should be individualized, and long-term follow-up is essential for managing ETG effectively.

Clinicopathological features and prognostic factors analysis of multiple synchronous distinct subtypes of primary thyroid carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of multiple synchronous distinct subtypes of primary thyroid carcinomas. METHODS: The clinical data of 68 cases of synchronous carcinomas of the thyroid (STC) admitted to the Department of Thyroid Surgery in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2021 were reviewed. According to the pathological type, they were divided into the Synchronous differentiated and differentiated thyroid Carcinoma (SDDTC) group (42 cases), the Synchronous medullary and differentiated thyroid Carcinoma (SMDTC) group (18 cases), and the Synchronous Anaplastic and differentiated thyroid Carcinoma (SADTC)group (8 cases). The diagnosis, treatment, and survival of patients in each group were analyzed. RESULTS: Women with coexisting thyroid cancer were predominant (59 cases). Most of the symptoms were found on physical examination (47.1%) and neck mass (45.6%). The median age of patients in the SDDTC group, SADTC group, and SMDTC group was 47.5 (28-74) years old, 68.5 (26-75) years old, and 56.5 (39-74) years old. The age of the SADTC group and SMDTC group was older than that of the SDDTC group (P = 0.04, P = 0.03), and the rate of lymph node metastasis in groups SADTC (62.5%) and SMDTC (55.6%) was higher than in group SDDTC (21.4%). The disease course time, tumor location, clinical stage, and mortality of the SADTC group were significantly different from those of the SDDTC group and SMDTC group (P < 0.05). The overall survival of patients with synchronous carcinomas of the thyroid was 6-105 months, and the median overall survival was 38.5 months. The tumor-free survival was 0-90 months, 19.1% of patients developed distant metastasis, 11.8% of patients had postoperative recurrence, as well as the survival rate was estimated 91.18%. Cox model multivariate analysis showed that cervical lateral lymph node metastasis and tumor stage III/IV were independent risk factors for progression-free survival(PFS). The comparison results of the survival curves showed that the overall survival (OS)of the patients in the SADTC group was significantly worse (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference in the PFS of different pathological types (χ2 = 5.024, P = 0.081).The OS of different treatment methods was significantly different (P = 0.002), but there was no significant difference in OS between local recurrence and distant metastases with or without surgery (χ2 = 0.954, P = 0.329). CONCLUSIONS: The STC has relatively unique clinical characteristics, and most patients can get a better prognosis after radical surgery. Pathological type, lateral cervical lymph node metastasis, tumor stage, and treatment are important factors which affect the prognosis of the disease. Since there are two distinct tumors with different aggressiveness, treatment options, and prognosis, individualized management is required.

[Mechanism of MgO/GAC Catalyzed Ozonation of Organic Compounds].

MgO/granular activated carbon (MgO/GAC-1) was prepared via an impregnation method, and its activity in ozonation of diuron and acetic acid was investigated. MgO/GAC-1 was also compared in stability to the same catalyst prepared via precipitation according to the literature (MgO/GAC-2). The results showed that MgO/GAC-1 could increase efficiency of ozonation by 15%-35% in the process of degradation of diuron and acetic acid. When the pH of the solution was neutral or alkaline, MgO/GAC-1 could effectively retard the decrease in pH owing to formation of small molecular organic acids, thus ensuring the efficiency of ozone. When the pH of the solution was acidic, MgO/GAC-1 could increase the pH of the solution to a certain extent, thereby enhancing the efficiency of ozonation. The adjusting effect of pH value is the reason why MgO can significantly improve the efficiency of ozonation, a fact that was ignored in the relevant literature. Although MgO/GAC-1 had a larger specific surface area, MgO/GAC-1 had better activity in ozonation. A recycling test also indicated that MgO/GAC-1 had better stability, showing a good prospect for application.

[Evaluation of uncertainty for determination of tin and its compounds in air of workplace by flame atomic absorption spectrometry].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the method for uncertainty evaluation of determination of tin and its compounds in the air of workplace by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. METHODS: The national occupational health standards, GBZ/T160.28-2004 and JJF1059-1999, were used to build a mathematical model of determination of tin and its compounds in the air of workplace and to calculate the components of uncertainty. RESULTS: In determination of tin and its compounds in the air of workplace using flame atomic absorption spectrometry, the uncertainty for the concentration of the standard solution, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, sample digestion, parallel determination, least square fitting of the calibration curve, and sample collection was 0.436%, 0.13%, 1.07%, 1.65%, 3.05%, and 2.89%, respectively. The combined uncertainty was 9.3%.The concentration of tin in the test sample was 0.132 mg/m³, and the expanded uncertainty for the measurement was 0.012 mg/m³ (K=2). CONCLUSION: The dominant uncertainty for determination of tin and its compounds in the air of workplace comes from least squares fitting of the calibration curve and sample collection. Quality control should be improved in the process of calibration curve fitting and sample collection.