Intrathyroidal ectopic thymus: an important entity in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: Intrathyroidal ectopic thymus (IET), a benign lesion due to aberrant thymic migration during embryogenesis, is often discovered incidentally. We aimed to present the ultrasound (US) features, diagnostic methods, and follow-up of IET in children and adolescents. METHODS: We searched our database of patients with a nodular thyroid lesion detected by US, between January 2007 and December 2019. In 30/255 (11.7%), IET was diagnosed. RESULTS: The study included 30 patients (20 males/10 females), mean age 5 years (0.1-12.2, median 5.6) with 34 lesions diagnosed by US as `incidentalomas.` None of the patients had palpable nodules. On US, IET appeared as a hypoechoic lesion, with multiple punctuate internal echoes. 29/34 of lesions had well-defined margins. The most common location of IET was in the middle part (27/34) of the left lobe (19/34). The mean longest diameter at diagnosis was 6.4 mm (2.5-21, median 4.5). Sonographic follow-up was available in 25 patients with 27 lesions. The mean time of observation was 2.7 years (0.3-7.5, median 2.1). While 13/27 cases showed decreased size or regression during follow-up, the other 13 increased in size, and there was no change in size in one. Pubertal progression was associated with both increment and decrease in size of IET. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed in 5 patients and surgery in one. CONCLUSIONS: IET should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric thyroid nodules as a cause of FNA and/or surgery. Regular US monitoring can be used safely in the follow-up of this lesion. We present one of the largest series in the literature with long-term follow-up and description of patients` pubertal status. IET prevalence was 11.7% among children and adolescents with a nodular thyroid lesion, higher than that stated in the literature.

Computational investigation of molecular structures, spectroscopic properties and antitumor-antibacterial activities of some Schiff bases.

Molecular structures, spectroscopic properties (IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR, UV-VIS), molecular electrostatic potential maps and some molecular properties (ionization energy, electron affinity, energy gap, hardness, electronegativity, electrophilicity index, static dipole moment and average linear polarizability) of three Schiff bases which are 2-((ethylamino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol (HL1), 2-((ethylamino) methyl)-6-methylphenol (HL2) and 2-((ethylamino)methyl)-6-chlorophenol (HL3) were computed at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level in aqueous phase. The effects of methoxy, methyl and chloro substituents on Schiff bases were examined and it was found that the electron donating property of methyl and chlorine substituents was higher than the methoxy substituent. In order to investigate the antitumor activities of Schiff bases were docked against the breast cancer (MCF7) cell line. Molecular docking results were compared with antitumor standard 5-fluorouracil. Antitumor activity of HL2 and HL3 molecule was found to be higher than HL1 against MCF-7 cell line. In addition, in order to predict the antibacterial activities of Schiff bases were docked against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv) cell line. Docking results were compared with the antibacterial reference N-(salicylidene)-2-hydroxyaniline. Antibacterial activity of HL2 and HL3 molecules was found to be higher than HL1. It is estimated that the binding of the electron donating group to the ortho position of the hydroxyl group in studied Schiff bases increases both antitumor and antibacterial activity.

Reference intervals for serum 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and ultrasonographic adrenal gland sizes in healthy newborns.

Background and objectives: Serum 17α- hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) and bilateral adrenal sizes are pivotal for clinical practice in both diagnosis and treatment of congenital adrenal disorders during the first month of life. Our aims were to determine the reference ranges for serum 17OHP and bilateral adrenal gland sizes according to sex and age groups in healthy term newborns.Materials and methods: A total of 156 healthy newborns, aged 4-7 days (Group 1) or 26-30 days old (Group 2) were included in the study. Serum 17OHP concentration was measured in the morning by radioimmunoassay. The right and left adrenal glands' width, length, and depth were measured with ultrasonography by the same radiologist and the volumes were calculated.Results: The clinical characteristics and serum 17OHP concentrations were similar in male and female newborns. Percentiles for serum 17OHP concentration and the volume of adrenal glands according to age groups and sexes were obtained. Mean 17OHP concentration was 4.67 ± 2.6 ng/ml and 4.49 ± 2.7 ng/ml at the first and fourth week of life, respectively (p > .05). There was a significant decrease in adrenal sizes during the fourth week of life. There was no significant correlation between serum 17OHP concentration and adrenal gland sizes.Conclusions: We have determined reference intervals for serum 17OHP concentration and bilateral adrenal gland sizes for healthy newborns. Although serum concentrations of 17OHP did not change significantly through the first month of life, our reference intervals for serum 17OHP concentration and adrenal sizes may improve clinical approach toward newborns who are suspected of adrenal disorder. We conclude that our reference intervals can guide for congenital adrenal screening regarding serum 17OHP concentration besides diagnosis of adrenal hypoplasia or hyperplasia with ultrasonographic adrenal gland sizes.

Structural, spectral characterization and molecular docking analyses of mer-ruthenium (II) complexes containing the bidentate chelating ligands.

In this study, we analyzed some monofunctional Ru (II) complexes containing chlorine, bromine and fluorine atoms around the central atom. The best calculation level among HF, B3LYP and M062X methods for [Ru (Cl-Ph-tpy)(NN)X]+ (X = F, Cl, Br) was determined in the light of Benchmark analysis and according to this analysis results, the best level is shown as B3LYP-LANL2DZ/6-31G(d). In addition to this, the spectroscopic data (IR, NMR and UV-Vis) were also obtained in agreement with experimental results. The tendency of anticancer activity and structural activity relationship (SAR) parameters are predicted with some quantum chemical methods. Surface and contour diagrams, as well as electron densities on mentioned complexes were interpreted through theoretically obtained results. Finally, the anticancer activity tendency of the relevant complexes on the human cervical carcinoma cell line (ID: 1 M17) is supported by molecular docking calculations.

The comparison of antimicrobial effectiveness of contact lens solutions.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of widely used multipurpose contact lens solutions against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in addition to cystic and trophozoite forms of Acanthamoeba castellanii and A. polyphaga, that cause microbial keratitis. METHODS: Three multipurpose solutions were tested: SOLO-care, ReNu, and Opti-Free Express. The test solutions were challenged with P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and S. aureus (ATCC 2913) based on the ISO stand-alone and regiment test procedure for disinfecting products, A. polyphaga (ATCC 30871) and A. castellanii (1501/1A) cystic and trophozoite forms. Multipurpose solutions were sampled for surviving microorganisms at manufacturer's minimum recommended disinfection time. The number of viable organisms was determined, and log reductions were calculated. RESULTS: ReNu and SOLO-care resulted in a reduction greater than the required mean 3.0 logarithmic reduction against S. aureus, and SOLO-care and Opti-Free Express resulted in a reduction more than the required mean 3.0 logarithmic reduction against P. aeruginosa. Against the cystic and trophozoite forms of A. castellanii, the log reduction provided by SOLO-care was 1.01 and 1.31 log, respectively. ReNu provided a 0.83 log reduction of the cystic form and a 1.21 log reduction of the trophozoite form. Using Opti-Free Express, the log reduction for both forms was 1.31. SOLO-care led to a 0.61 log reduction of the cystic form of A. polyphaga and a 1.01 log reduction of the trophozoite form. ReNu provided a 0.41 log reduction of the cystic form and a 4.99 log reduction of the trophozoite form. Opti-free Express resulted in a 0.89 log reduction of the cystic form and a 3.11 log reduction of the trophozoite form. CONCLUSIONS: Multipurpose contact lens solutions using similar regimens can show different disinfection abilities.

[Investigation of vectors for Borrelia burgdorferi and Lyme seropositivity in Sivas region]. / Sivas yöresinde Borrelia burgdorferi vektörlerinin ve lyme seropozitifliginin arastirilmasi.

The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of vector ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi and to determine the seropositivity of lyme disease in Sivas region of Middle Anatolia. A total of 10,303 ticks were collected and classified at genus level, however, none of them belonged to Ixodes genus, the vector of B. burgdorferi. For the seroepidemiological study, serum samples were collected from 270 subjects who inhabited in rural area and raised livestock, and from 135 subjects as the control group who inhabited in urban area and have no livestock story. The samples were screened for the presence of B. burgdorferi IgG antibodies with a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit (ImmunoWell Borrelia, Genbio, San Diego). As a result, one subject in the each group (0.4% and 0.7%, respectively) yielded positive result, however as these sera gave positive reaction in rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, these were evaluated as cross-reactivity (false positivity). These results indicated that lyme disease is not endemic in our region since neither Ixodes genus ticks nor seropositive subjects were detected.

Role of genital mycoplasmata and other bacteria in urolithiasis.

Urease-producing bacteria have been shown to affect the formation of infection stones by splitting urea into ammonia, bicarbonate and carbonate. An increase in alkaline pH results in urinary supersaturation of the ions. The increase in ammonia also causes injury to the urothelial glycosaminoglycan layer. Non-urease-producing bacteria have been speculated to form urinary stones. Midstream voided bladder urine and fractured stone nidus samples from 72 patients undergoing surgery for urolithiasis were cultured on specific media for genital mycoplasmata and on conventional media. Urine samples were obtained from a control group of 40 healthy subjects. Genital mycoplasmata and other bacteria were evaluated with regard to the composition of urinary stones. Compared with other origins of stones, the relation between isolation of Ureaplasma urealyticum and infection stone disease was statistically proven. Isolation of genital mycoplasmata was significantly higher in women than in men in the study group. The urinary stones comprised 84.7% calcium stones, 8.3% uric acid stones and 6.9% infection (magnesium ammonium phosphate) stones. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium spp., Enterobacterium spp. and U. urealyticum were cultured from stone samples. The results suggests that non-urease-producing bacteria, as well as urease-producing bacteria, may influence the formation of urinary stones.