Evaluation of the reliability and readability of ChatGPT-4 responses regarding hypothyroidism during pregnancy.

Hypothyroidism is characterized by thyroid hormone deficiency and has adverse effects on both pregnancy and fetal health. Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is a large language model trained with a very large database from many sources. Our study was aimed to evaluate the reliability and readability of ChatGPT-4 answers about hypothyroidism in pregnancy. A total of 19 questions were created in line with the recommendations in the latest guideline of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) on hypothyroidism in pregnancy and were asked to ChatGPT-4. The reliability and quality of the responses were scored by two independent researchers using the global quality scale (GQS) and modified DISCERN tools. The readability of ChatGPT was assessed used Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) Score, Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL), Gunning Fog Index (GFI), Coleman-Liau Index (CLI), and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) tools. No misleading information was found in any of the answers. The mean mDISCERN score of the responses was 30.26 ± 3.14; the median GQS score was 4 (2-4). In terms of reliability, most of the answers showed moderate (78.9%) followed by good (21.1%) reliability. In the readability analysis, the median FRE was 32.20 (13.00-37.10). The years of education required to read the answers were mostly found at the university level [9 (47.3%)]. Although ChatGPT-4 has significant potential, it can be used as an auxiliary information source for counseling by creating a bridge between patients and clinicians about hypothyroidism in pregnancy. Efforts should be made to improve the reliability and readability of ChatGPT.

HIGH THYROPEROXIDASE ANTIBODY TITERS MAY PREDICT RESPONSE TO ANTITHYROID DRUG TREATMENT IN GRAVES DISEASE: A PRELIMINARY STUDY.

Background and aim: Antithyroid drugs are first treatment for Graves hyperthyroidism worldwide. Although remission can be achieved in approximately 40-50% of patients in 12-18 months with antithyroid drugs, this period can be extended up to 24 months. We aimed to evaluate the effect of individual clinical/biochemical variables and GREAT score in predicting response to antithyroid drug in Graves disease. Material and methods: This is a retrospective single-center study including 99 patients with the first episode of Graves disease treated for at least 18 months. The patients were classified into two groups as those who responded to antithyroid medication at 18-24 months (group 1) and those who did not respond at 24 months and continued with low-dose antithyroid medication (group 2). Results: Medical treatment response was obtained in 38 (38.3%) of the patients at 18 months, and in 19 (19.1%) patients at 24 months. Long-term medical treatment (>24 months) was given to the remaining 43 patients due to the lack of response to medical treatment. Thyroid volume and free T4 levels were higher in those followed up with long-term antithyroid drugs, and orbitopathy was more common in this group. Median anti TPO value was significantly higher in group 1 when compared to group 2 (593 U/l and 191.6 U/l respectively). More patients were classified as GREAT class 3 in group 2 when compared to group 1 (46.5% and 12,5% respectively). We analyzed the Thyroperoxidase Antibody(anti TPO) titers, which we divided into three levels, according to groups 1 and 2. Post-hoc Chi-Square analysis revealed that falling into the highest anti TPO category was significantly associated with response to medical therapy in 24 months (p <0.05). Conclusion: According to our study, GREAT score and anti TPO Ab titers at presentation may help predict response to ATD in Graves disease.

Evaluation of the effects of empagliflozin on acute lung injury in rat intestinal ischemia-reperfusion model.

BACKGROUND: Empagliflozin is a selective sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT2) inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The beneficial effects of empagliflozin on other organ systems including the heart and kidneys have been proven. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of empagliflozin on acute lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 27 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham, I/R, and I/R + empagliflozin; each group containing nine animals. Sham group rats underwent laparotomy without I/R injury. Rats in the I/R group underwent laparotomy, 1 h of after ischemia-reperfusion injury (superior mesenteric artery ligation was followed by 2 h of reperfusion). Rats in I/R were given empagliflozin (30 mg/kg) by gastric gavage for 7 days before the ischemia-reperfusion injury. All animals were killed at the end of reperfusion and lung tissue samples were obtained for immunohistochemical staining and histopathological investigation in all groups. RESULTS: Serum glucose, AST, ALT, creatinine, native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels and disulfide-native thiol, disulfide-total thiol, and native thiol-total thiol ratios as well as the IMA levels were analyzed and compared among the groups. While intestinal I/R significantly increases serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatinine levels; did not cause any change in homeostasis parameters and IMA level. Empagliflozin treatment had no significant effect on biochemical parameters. Empagliflozin treatment induced a significant decrease in positive immunostaining for IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, caspase 3, caspase 8, and caspase 9 compared to the I/R group in lung tissue samples. Intestinal I/R caused severe histopathological injury including edema, hemorrhage, increased thickness of the alveolar wall, and infiltration of inflammatory cells into alveolar spaces. Empagliflozin treatment significantly attenuated the severity of intestinal I/R injury. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that empagliflozin treatment may have beneficial effects in acute lung injury, and, therefore, has the potential for clinical use.

Sonographic evaluation of subclinical entheseal involvement in patients with hypoparathyroidism: a case control study.

PURPOSE: Hypoparathyroidism is a disease characterized by low serum calcium, increased serum phosphorus and low PTH levels. Although patients are treated with active vitamin D and calcium, a proper serum calcium phosphorus balance cannot always be achieved. Ectopic calcifications that develop in organs during treatment are the most common complications. To date, there is not any published study on enthesopathy in patients with hypoparathyroidism. The aim of this study was to evaluate subclinical enthesopathy in patients with hypoparathyroidism with ultrasound and to compare the results with those of the control group. METHODS: The study included patients aged 18-65 years with postoperative hypoparathyroidism and hypothyroidism (group hypoP + hypoT), patients with postoperative hypothyroidism (group hypoT), and healthy age and sex-matched volunteers (group C). Ultrasonographic findings of enthesopathy in both extremities were documented according to the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System (GUESS). RESULTS: GUESS scores in group hypoP + hypoT, were significantly higher when compared to the other groups. There was a statistically significant correlation between the total GUESS scores and total enthesophyte scores and the duration of hypoparathyroidism (p < 0.05, r = 0.43) (p < 0.05, r = 0.39) respectively. In the correlation analysis of all groups, a significant negative correlation was found between serum Ca and PTH levels and the total GUESS scores (p < 0.01, r = - 0.37; p < 0.01, r = - 0.54, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study showed that GUESS scores were significantly higher in patients with hypoparathyroidism compared to those with hypothyroidism and control subjects. GUESS scores were positively correlated with disease duration. Patients with hypoparathyroidism need to be evaluated for subclinical enthesopathy during follow-up.

A CASE OF HYPONATREMIA DUE TO PITUITARY METASTASIS OF LUNG CANCER.

Context: Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality. Objective: We report a patient who presented with hyponatremia and diagnosed as small cell lung cancer metastatic to hypothalamus and pituitary. Case report: A 68 year old male patient was admitted with fever and cough and pneumonia was considered. Serum sodium level was 113 mmol/L. Syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH) is considered. Thyroid function tests and cortisol levels pointed out a central deficiency in both axes. Pituitary MRI was performed and a hypothalamic and pituitary mass were observed. Prednisolone therapy was started followed by L thyroxine replacement. A chest computer tomography (CT) was taken 2 weeks later revealed a mass lesion. Bronchoscopic biopsy was performed and histopathological diagnosis of the tumor was reported as small cell lung cancer. Result: Many mechanisms were considered as the cause of hyponatremia in our patient. SIADH, secondary adrenal insufficiency and secondary hypothyroidism due to pituitary metastasis are possible causes. Conclusion: The reason of hyponatremia is sometimes complex. When the underlying causes of hyponatremia are not evaluated in detail, many diagnoses can be missed.

Factors that affect the Glycemic Control Achieved by Switching to Insulin Degludec/ Aspart in Insulin-Treated Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in a Real-World Setting: a Non-interventional, Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Insulin degludec/aspart (IDegAsp) is a co-formulation with IDeg and IAsp. Different insulin regimens may be switched to IDegAsp. In this study, we aimed to find out the effect of switch to IDegAsp on glycemic control and whether the basal characteristics and treatment modalities of the patients affect the change in glycemic control brought by switch to IDegAsp. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 78 patients whose insulin therapies (basal+bolus, premixed analogues or basal only) were switched on a 1:1 unit basis to IDegAsp±bolus insulin. Oral antidiabetic agents (OADs) given were recorded. At the end of 12th and 24th week, total insulin doses of patients and HbA1c were compared to the baseline. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease at HbA1c at 12 weeks (1.4%; p<0.001). There was not a significant difference in HbA1c between the OAD added group and the group with no new OADs(p=0.1). Basal insulin dose was not statistically different from baseline, whereas bolus insulin dose was significantly lower (p=0.007). At the end of 24 weeks the decrease in HbA1c level from baseline was preserved. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the baseline insulin regimen, diabetes type and oral antidiabetic drugs given, HbA1c is significantly lowered after switching to IDegAsp.

A retrospective analysis of blood gases with two different insulin infusion protocols in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

AIM: Intraoperative blood glucose concentration is known to be an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Arterial blood gas analysis is an important investigation to monitor the acid-base balance and gas exchange in these patients. Hyperglycemia leads to a series of metabolic changes which affect acid-base balance and serum electrolytes. In this study, we aimed to look into the effect of glycemic control on arterial blood gas parameters, serum electrolytes, and hemoglobin (Hb). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected data from diabetic patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery between 2010 and 2014. The patients were divided into two groups according to the insulin infusion protocols applied such as with conventional (180-250 mg/dl) (n = 17) (Group 1) and tighter glycemic targets (121-180 mg/dl) (n = 51) (Group 2). We retrospectively analyzed arterial blood gas results taken at different perioperative time points from these patients. RESULTS: We found that pH HCO3and base excess, serum sodium, potassium, calcium, and Hb were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that a tighter intraoperative glycemic control does not affect arterial blood gas parameters, serum electrolytes, or Hb when compared to the conventional glycemic control.

A case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia still taking etanercept for ankylosing spondylitis.

The possible risk of hematologic malignancies in anti TNF users is a matter of debate. Whether associated with the drug or not, how to behave when a hematologic malignancy is discovered in the course of anti TNF treatment remains unanswered. Here we present a 66 year old male patient who had AS for 30 years and had been on etanercept for the last two years and who is diagnosed with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) stage 1. The patient is still on etanercept for 5 years after the diagnosis without any progression in CLL.

Effects of iron overload and exenatide on erythrocyte deformability in a rat model.

Iron overload is known to affect erythrocyte membrane properties and erythrocyte shape. We hypothesized that iron overload which directly affects the erythrocyte morphology may also interfere with erythrocyte deformability (ED). Exenatide, a glucagon like peptide -1 (GLP-1) analogue used in the treatment of diabetes, is known to have beneficial pleiotropic effects on endothelial function and blood flow which are different from its glucose-lowering effects. In our study we aimed to test the effect of iron overload on ED in a rat model (1) and to evaluate the effect of exenatide on ED in the same model (2). For this purpose, the animals were randomly divided into three groups, each containing 6 rats. Rats in the control group (Group C) were given intraperitoneal injections of saline as placebo. The second group (Group Fe) was given intraperitoneal iron dextran (60 mg/kg/day) five days a week for 4 weeks to develop iron overload. The third group (Group Fe +E) received subcutaneous injections of 10 mcg exenatide (Byetta® Lilly Pharma) in two divided doses for 4 weeks in addition to iron dextran. We observed that ED index was significantly higher in Group Fe when compared to Group C and Group Fe+E (p Keywords: erythrocyte deformability, iron, exenatide.