Evaluation of the Relationship Between Mobile Phone Usage and miRNA-574-5p and miRNA-30C-5p Levels in Thyroid Cancer Patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mobile phone usage and miRNA-574-5p and miRNA-30C-5p levels in patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with DTC and 50 healthy volunteers were included in the study. miRNA-574-5p and miRNA-30C-5p gene expression levels in the blood of all subjects were analyzed by real time-polymerase chain reaction, and a questionnaire including various questions was administered to both groups. Results: Although there was a 7.60-fold increase in miRNA-30C-5p gene expression levels in the patient group compared with the control group, it was not found to be statistically significant. Considering the miRNA-574-5p gene expression levels, although there was a 2.96-fold increase in the patient group compared with the control group, no significant relationship was found. In our study, 85% of our patients were using mobile phones with internet access, whereas 98% of our healthy volunteers were using mobile phones (p<0.05). While 53.5% of the patients had their mobile phones with them while they were sleeping, this rate was 83.7% in healthy volunteers (p<0.05). However, 93.9% of the healthy volunteers did not have a Wi-Fi device in their bedrooms, and this rate was 75% in the patient group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although miRNA-30C-5p and miRNA-574-5p gene expression levels were higher in patients than in healthy volunteers, the differences were not statistically significant. Although there was no significant difference in miRNA levels, we believe that due to the higher rate of Wi-Fi device presence in bedrooms in patients compared with healthy volunteers, the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the thyroid can be reduced by paying attention to this simple change.

Breast metastasis in follicular thyroid cancer patient.

In this case report, we aimed to present the findings of a follicular thyroid carcinoma patient with breast metastasis, which is rarely reported in the literature. A 33-year-old female who had been operated for thyroid cancer 17 years ago, but whose pathology report could not be reached was suspected of recurrence in the left lobe region of the thyroid gland. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was done in this region, and the biopsy result was reported as thyroid follicular carcinoma. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed for re-staging before surgery. In the PET/CT, it was found that there was residual thyroid tissue in the right and left lobe region and superior to these lesions in the left side, there were lesions which destruct to the hyoid bone, and there were multiple nodular lesions in both lungs which measured with maximum 15 mm × 12 mm, and all these lesions have increased 18F-FDG uptake. In addition to these lesions, a nodular lesion with the size of ~11 mm ×10 mm in the upper-middle quadrant of the right breast, and it was showing increased 18F-FDG uptake (maximum standardized uptake value: 3). Pathology results of the left neck region operation materials were reported as papillary and follicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Right lumpectomy was performed for the lesion in the right breast during the same session with thyroid operation. The pathology result of this lesion was also reported as metastasis of thyroid follicular cancer. Posttreatment iodine-131 whole-body scan after surgery was reported as there was abnormal accumulation in residual thyroid tissues on the right side of the neck and lung metastases. In patients with thyroid cancer, the possibility of metastasis of the breasts should be considered when there is a lesion in the breast tissue.

The impact of Dicer, Drosha, and Exportin-5 levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis and phenotyping.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common heterogeneous endocrine and gynaecological disease in reproductive women. Early identification and treatment of patients are necessary to prevent future cardiometabolic and reproductive complications. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether Drosha, Exportin-5 (XPO5), and Dicer, which are involved in miRNA formation, are useful markers in the diagnosis of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who presented to our clinic with complaints such as menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, and acne were diagnosed with polycystic ovary after excluding other possible diagnoses, and if they meet two-thirds of the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria, they were included in the study. Thirty patients with polycystic ovaries and 35 healthy controls were included in this study. RESULTS: The mean values of XPO5, Drosha, and Dicer markers were significantly higher in the PCOS group when compared with the control group. With an XPO5 value > 1.70, we found the PCOS with 94% probability, 86.7% sensitivity, and 91.4% specificity. Moreover, if the Drosha value was > 0.166, it was expected that the patient would be diagnosed as PCOS with a probability of 75%, with 66.7% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. A statistically significant cut-off value could not be obtained for Dicer. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the levels of all three markers were found to be significantly higher in the PCOS group compared to the control group. It suggests that they can be used in the early diagnosis of PCOS patients without full-blown disease. However, this preliminary study should be supported by larger-scale studies.

Necroptosis mediated by receptor interacting protein kinase 3 as critical players in experimental congenital hypothyroidism related neuronal damage.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is literally described as congenital thyroid hormone imperfection. The primary objective of this research was to reveal the possible relation between receptor-acting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) activity and neuronal damages in rat pups with CH. In addition, we evaluated the favorable impacts of 3.6-dibromo-α-([phenylamino] methyl)-9H-carbazole-9-ethanol (P7C3) reducing RIPK3 activity. METHODS: Adult rats were accordingly assigned into four groups: Group 1, which is called congenital hypothyroid; Group 2, which is called congenital hypothyroid administered P7C3; Group 3, called CH administered P7C3 and L-thyroxine; and Group 4, control group. RIPK3 level in plasma concentration and its expression in tissue was determined in all groups. RESULTS: Increased RIPK3 expressions were detected as high in the CH group when it is compared to the control group. Furthermore; the expressions in neuronal cytoplasm were found similar among Groups II and III. RIPK3 expressions in those two groups were relatively higher than in the control group. Most reacted parts of the brain were especially Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that there is excellent parallelism among damaged neurons and high RIPK3 activity in CH pathogenesis. P7C3 compounds may have a safeguarding impact on CH due to decreasing RIPK3 activity.

Thyroid Nodules Located in the Lower Pole Have a Higher Risk of Malignancy than Located in the Isthmus: A Single-Center Experience.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to investigate whether thyroid nodules (TNs) localization has value as a predictor of malignancy. Ultrasonography provides very valuable information in the evaluation of TNs, but it does not correlate perfectly with histopathologic findings. Therefore, studies that will include new diagnostic methods that can improve these unknowns can be welcomed gratefully. METHODS: This study was carried out retrospectively in a tertiary care center from September 2016 to January 2020. The study included 862 adult patients who have one or more nodules. Ultrasonography of characteristics of nodules such as echogenicity, content, margins, calcifications, size, and localization was recorded. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed on dominant and suspicious 1142 nodules. RESULTS: The patients were composed of 692 (80.3%) females and 170 (19.7%) males. Compared to nodules located in the isthmus; the malignancy risk increased 8.39 (OR: 8.39 (2.34-30.12), p = 0.001) times in the lower pole, 4.27 (OR: 4.27 (1.16-15.72), p = 0.029), times in the middle pole, 8.09 (OR: 8.09 (2.11-30.94), p = 0.002) times in the upper pole, and 7.63 (OR: 7.63 (1.95-29.81), p = 0.003) times in the nodules covering the whole of the lobe. Although the most nodular location was in the middle pole, the risk of malignancy was less than that in the lower and upper poles. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the other localization studies, we found a higher risk of malignancy in the lower and similarly upper thyroid poles. Besides well-defined malignancy indicators in the literature and guidelines, localization information is promising for this purpose in the future.

Effects of Treatment Adherence on Quality of Life in Hypoparathyroid Patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the current situation of hypoparathyroid patients and to investigate the relationship between treatment adherence and quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, multicentre study. METHODS: Adult patients presenting with the diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism to 20 different endocrinology clinics were included. They were receiving conventional therapies for hypoparathyroidism, using calcium, active vitamin D, and magnesium. We collected data on demographic features, disease- and treatment-related information, and results of routine laboratory tests, treatment adherence, and presence of complications. Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Short Form-36 quality of life assessments were administered. RESULTS: Among the 300 patients studied, 60.7% were adherent to their treatment, and 34.1% had complications. Anxiety and depression scores were significantly higher in non-adherent versus treatment-adherent patients (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). Most of the domains of quality-of-life scores were also significantly lower in non-adherent patients. Both anxiety and depression scores showed significant, negative correlations with serum calcium and magnesium concentrations (r=-0.336, p<0.001 and r=-0.258, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 40% of the patients were non-adherent to conventional treatment for hypoparathyroidism, and such patients had higher anxiety and depression scores and poorer quality of life scores. Conventional treatment might not be sufficient to meet the needs of patients with hypoparathyroidism. In addition to seeking new therapeutic options, factors influencing quality of life should also be investigated and strategies to improve treatment adherence should be developed.

Association between colchicine resistance and vitamin D in familial Mediterranean fever.

Although colchicines are the only effective treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), resistance to colchicines (CR) which is observed in up to 30% of the patients is still a problem. Clinically, resistance to colchicine is defined as three or more attacks within the last 6 months period while using ≥2 mg/day colchicine. Previous studies have shown decreased vitamin D levels in FMF patients compared with healthy controls. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether vitamin D levels differ between CR and non-CR FMF patients. This study included 64 FMF patients who were being followed in Nephrology Clinic of Samsun Research and Education Hospital for at least 1 year. FMF was diagnosed according to the criteria defined by Livneh et al. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) concentration (ng/mL) was detected in all FMF patients who were not in an acute attack period. From 64 patients 29 were accepted as CR. Mean 25-OHD level was 9.39 ± 1.00 ng/mL in CR patients and 18.48 ± 1.09 ng/mL in colchicine responsive patients (p < 0.001). Plasma vitamin D levels were significantly lower in colchicine resistant patients. Vitamin D deficiency may be a factor in etiopathogenesis of CR. Studies in larger patient samples that particularly evaluate the response to vitamin D replacement in CR FMF patients are needed.

A Case of Primary Hyperparathyroidism due to Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Cyst.

Parathyroid cysts constitute 0.08-3.41% of all parathyroid masses. Intrathyroidal parathyroid cysts, however, are rare conditions with only a few cases being reported. Most of the parathyroid cysts are found to be nonfunctional and functional cysts are generally thought to be due to cystic degeneration of parathyroid adenomas. A cystic, smooth contoured lesion of 24 × 19 × 16 mm was observed in left thyroid lobe of a 76-year-old woman during ultrasonography which was performed as routine workup for primary hyperparathyroidism. It was defined as a cystic thyroid nodule at first. Tc(99m) sestamibi scintigraphy was performed to see any parathyroid lesions, but no radioactive uptake was observed. Intact parathormone (iPTH) level was found to be >600 pg/mL in cyst aspiration fluid. Left lobectomy was performed, with a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism due to functional parathyroid cyst. Serum iPTH level was decreased >50% postoperatively and histopathological evaluation was consistent with an encapsulated parathyroid adenoma with a cystic center. Parathyroid cysts are among rare causes of primary hyperparathyroidism. Diagnosis is made by markedly increased iPTH level in cyst fluid and observation of parathyroid epithelium lining the cyst wall.