Retrospective analysis of thyroid incidentalomas detected by [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer patients, undergo imaging procedures, with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT (prostate-specific membrane antigen based positron emission tomography/computed tomography) utilized for primary and secondary staging. PSMA thyroid incidentalomas (PTI) are discovered in the thyroid gland while imaging prostate cancer patients with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. AIMS: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical significance of PTIs detected on [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Another goal was to identify a possible threshold for the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), above which a malignant growth could be suspected. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: 769 patients with prostat cancer who underwent [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scans in the nuclear medicine department of a tertiary care hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively screened in this study. We analyzed 67 patients in whom PTI was detected. Patients who exceeded the inclusion criteria had their thyroid ultrasonography and ultrasonography -guided fine needle aspiration findings analyzed. RESULTS: PTI was discovered in 67 patients (8%). 42 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Of the 4 malignant patients (9.5%) in the study population, 2 were classified as TIRADS 3 and 2 were classified as TIRADS 4. The cut-off SUVmax value was found to be 5.6. With 100% sensitivity and 47.37% specificity, a cutoff SUVmax of 5.3 was determined through receiver-operator characteristic analysis in order to predict malignant cytology. CONCLUSION: PTI is a significant clinical finding; most of diffuse and focal uptakes are frequently related to benign diseases. Each center should establish its own a possible SUVmax cut-off over which a malignant lesion should be suspected.

Cardiac phenotype in familial partial lipodystrophy.

OBJECTIVES: LMNA variants have been previously associated with cardiac abnormalities independent of lipodystrophy. We aimed to assess cardiac impact of familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) to understand the role of laminopathy in cardiac manifestations. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Clinical data from 122 patients (age range: 13-77, 101 females) with FPLD were analysed. Mature human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) from a patient with an LMNA variant were studied as proof-of-concept for future studies. RESULTS: Subjects with LMNA variants had a higher prevalence of overall cardiac events than others. The likelihood of having an arrhythmia was significantly higher in patients with LMNA variants (OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.45-9.83). These patients were at higher risk for atrial fibrillation or flutter (OR: 5.78, 95% CI: 1.04-32.16). The time to the first arrhythmia was significantly shorter in the LMNA group, with a higher HR of 3.52 (95% CI: 1.34-9.27). Non-codon 482 LMNA variants were more likely to be associated with cardiac events (vs. 482 LMNA: OR: 4.74, 95% CI: 1.41-15.98 for arrhythmia; OR: 17.67, 95% CI: 2.45-127.68 for atrial fibrillation or flutter; OR: 5.71, 95% CI: 1.37-23.76 for conduction disease). LMNA mutant hiPSC-CMs showed a higher frequency of spontaneous activity and shorter action potential duration. Functional syncytia of hiPSC-CMs displayed several rhythm alterations such as early afterdepolarizations, spontaneous quiescence and spontaneous tachyarrhythmia, and significantly slower recovery in chronotropic changes induced by isoproterenol exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the need for vigilant cardiac monitoring in FPLD, especially in patients with LMNA variants who have an increased risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, hiPSC-CMs can be studied to understand the basic mechanisms for the arrhythmias in patients with lipodystrophy to understand the impact of specific mutations.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess hepatic steatosis in patients with lipodystrophy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lipodystrophy is a rare metabolic disorder characterized by near total or partial lack of subcutaneous adipose tissue and associated with insulin resistance. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRS) to explore the fat content of the liver in patients with lipodystrophy and to determine the relationship between the liver fat accumulation and clinical presentations of lipodystrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2014 and February 2016, 34 patients with lipodystrophy were assessed by MRS for quantification of hepatic steatosis. All patients had metabolic abnormalities associated with insulin resistance. Metabolic parameters and the MRS findings were analyzed to identify potential correlations between the liver fat content and disease severity. RESULTS: The MRS fat ratios (MRS-FR) were markedly higher, indicating severe hepatic steatosis in lipodystrophy. Patients with generalized and partial lipodystrophy had comparable levels of MRS-FRs, although patients with generalized lipodystrophy were significantly younger. Patients with genetically based lipodystrophy had elevated MRS-FR compared to those with acquired lipodystrophy (p=0.042). The MRS-FR was positively correlated with liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (p=0.028) and serum adiponectin (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that MRS might be an effective, noninvasive imaging method to quantify hepatic fat content in patients with lipodystrophy. Further studies are needed to validate the technique and threshold values which would allow accurate comparison of data acquired by different machines and centers.

Renal complications of lipodystrophy: A closer look at the natural history of kidney disease.

OBJECTIVES: Lipodystrophy syndromes are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by adipose tissue loss. Proteinuria is a remarkable finding in previous reports. STUDY DESIGN: In this multicentre study, prospective follow-up data were collected from 103 subjects with non-HIV-associated lipodystrophy registered in the Turkish Lipodystrophy Study Group database to study renal complications in treatment naïve patients with lipodystrophy. METHODS: Main outcome measures included ascertainment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by studying the level of proteinuria and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Kidney volume was measured. Percutaneous renal biopsies were performed in 9 patients. RESULTS: Seventeen of 37 patients with generalized and 29 of 66 patients with partial lipodystrophy had CKD characterized by proteinuria, of those 12 progressed to renal failure subsequently. The onset of renal complications was significantly earlier in patients with generalized lipodystrophy. Patients with CKD were older and more insulin resistant and had worse metabolic control. Increased kidney volume was associated with poor metabolic control and suppressed leptin levels. Renal biopsies revealed thickening of glomerular basal membranes, mesangial matrix abnormalities, podocyte injury, focal segmental sclerosis, ischaemic changes and tubular abnormalities at various levels. Lipid vacuoles were visualized in electron microscopy images. CONCLUSIONS: CKD is conspicuously frequent in patients with lipodystrophy which has an early onset. Renal involvement appears multifactorial. While poorly controlled diabetes caused by severe insulin resistance may drive the disease in some cases, inherent underlying genetic defects may also lead to cell autonomous mechanisms contributory to the pathogenesis of kidney disease.

Clinical presentations, metabolic abnormalities and end-organ complications in patients with familial partial lipodystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by partial lack of subcutaneous fat. METHODS: This multicenter prospective observational study included data from 56 subjects with FPLD (18 independent Turkish families). Thirty healthy controls were enrolled for comparison. RESULTS: Pathogenic variants of the LMNA gene were determined in nine families. Of those, typical exon 8 codon 482 pathogenic variants were identified in four families. Analysis of the LMNA gene also revealed exon 1 codon 47, exon 5 codon 306, exon 6 codon 349, exon 9 codon 528, and exon 11 codon 582 pathogenic variants. Analysis of the PPARG gene revealed exon 3 p.Y151C pathogenic variant in two families and exon 7 p.H477L pathogenic variant in one family. A non-pathogenic exon 5 p.R215Q variant of the LMNB2 gene was detected in another family. Five other families harbored no mutation in any of the genes sequenced. MRI studies showed slightly different fat distribution patterns among subjects with different point mutations, though it was strikingly different in subjects with LMNA p.R349W pathogenic variant. Subjects with pathogenic variants of the PPARG gene were associated with less prominent fat loss and relatively higher levels of leptin compared to those with pathogenic variants in the LMNA gene. Various metabolic abnormalities associated with insulin resistance were detected in all subjects. End-organ complications were observed. CONCLUSION: We have identified various pathogenic variants scattered throughout the LMNA and PPARG genes in Turkish patients with FPLD. Phenotypic heterogeneity is remarkable in patients with LMNA pathogenic variants related to the site of missense mutations. FPLD, caused by pathogenic variants either in LMNA or PPARG is associated with metabolic abnormalities associated with insulin resistance that lead to increased morbidity.

Effects of Hypericum perforatum on an Experimentally Induced Diabetic Wound in a Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the probable effects of Hypericum perforatum (HP) on wound healing in diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided evenly into 5 groups. Diabetes formation was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) administration for groups 1 (HP extract in olive oil), 2 (HP extract in ethanol), 3 (povidone-iodine application), and 4 (diabetic rats without any applied medication); group 5 was the control. Dorsal dermoepidermal incision was performed on each rat after 48 hours. The aforementioned solutions were applied only to groups 1, 2, and 3; groups 4 and 5 did not receive solution applications. At the end of the 7-day period, the cutaneous tissue was resected from the center of the incised and sutured region and divided into 3 pieces for biomechanical, biochemical, and histopathological assessments. RESULTS: Ultimate stress and toughness significantly decreased in groups 3, 4, and 5 compared to group 1. There was a significant difference between groups 2 and 3 for the same parameters (P < .05). Compared with group 4, tissue malondialdehyde levels were found to be lower in the HP groups (P < .05). Histopathological evaluation revealed the fibroblast count was reduced considerably in the HP-applied rats compared with other groups (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Application of HP may be recommended as effective on wound healing in diabetic rats, but further investigation is needed to adapt the findings for clinical use.

Assessment of Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus Aureus and Axillar Flora in Patients With Acromegaly.

PURPOSE: Recent study showed that patients with acromegaly have typical skin findings including increased sebum secretion, decreased transepidermal water loss, more alkaline, and colder skin surface correlated with serum growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels. Different anatomic localizations and texture of the skin differ in bacterial concentrations.Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and axillar flora in patients with acromegaly was compared with normal population with regard to duration of acromegaly as well as the growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels. METHODS: This patient-control prospective study was conducted in university hospitals in Mersin, Turkey. The study consisted of 30 active acromegalic patients and 60 healthy adults who had no previously diagnosed chronic illness as a control group. A total of 90 volunteers were enrolled in this study; nasal and axillar cultures were obtained. Axillar and nasal specimens from anterior nares of the individuals were taken using sterile swabs. RESULTS: Nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus was 13.3% in acromegalic patients, but 43.4% in control group. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.004). Patients and control group compared according to axillar cultures, the authors determined proteus colonization 16.7% in patients with acromegaly but no proteus colonization in control group. This result was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Proteus colonization was negatively correlated only with disease duration in acromegalic patients (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: The authors demonstrated that compared with healthy subjects, acromegalic patients had low percentage of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and more gram-negative basili in the axillar flora. These nasal and axillar flora changes should be considered for prophylactic antibiotics use before surgery and ampiric antibiotics use after surgery.

Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer Diagnosed and Treated during Pregnancy.

Physiological changes of the thyroid gland encountered during pregnancy can cause previously diagnosed thyroid nodules to grow or new nodules to form. Surgery of the slowly growing, localized, non-metastatic, well-differentiated, thyroid cancers diagnosed during pregnancy can be delayed to after delivery, whereas rapidly growing and metastatic cancers with compressive symptoms may be a candidate for surgery during pregnancy. In this case report, we present a case of cervical metastatic papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed and treated by total thyroidectomy and right functional neck dissection during pregnancy in a 22-year-old pregnant woman at 23-week pregnancy. In this case report, the optimal treatment for papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed during pregnancy is discussed under the light of current endocrine guidelines and previous case reports and series.

Thyroid isthmus agenesis associated with thyroid papillary carcinoma. [corrected].

A wide range of morphological varieties and developmental anomalies of the thyroid gland have been reported in literature such as hypoplasia, ectopy, hemiagenesis, and agenesis. Out of these, the incidence of agenesis of the thyroid isthmus is rare, and very few cases have been reported. In the present case report, a female patient was found with agenesis of thyroid isthmus with thyroid papillary carcinoma in the right lobe. In this article, we report a case of thyroid isthmus agenesis and reviewed the associated literature.

Assessment of the elasticity properties of the ascending aorta in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism by tissue Doppler imaging.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether aortic elastic properties were affected in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) by using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with newly diagnosed SCH and forty-eight healthy controls were included to the study. Systolic and diastolic diameters of the ascending aorta were measured by M-mode transthoracic echocardiography, and the upper wall velocities of ascending aorta and mitral annulus velocities were measured by TDI. Aortic stiffness index (ASI) and aortic distensibility were computed using the formulas accepted in literature. RESULTS: The clinical and demographic features of both groups were comparable. Aortic distensibility was significantly lower, and ASI was significantly higher in SCH patients than in controls. Systolic aortic upper wall velocity (Sao) was also significantly lower in SCH patients. Early (Eao) and late diastolic aortic upper wall (Aao) velocities did not differ between the two groups. Mitral annulus (Sm, Em, and Am) velocities were also similar between the groups. Sao was negatively correlated with ASI, and positively correlated with aortic distensibility. TSH level was positively correlated with ASI, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and negatively correlated with aortic distensibility and Sao. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, our results showed that SCH is associated with impaired elasticity of the ascending aorta. Elastic properties of the ascending aorta can be directly evaluated by the reproducibly measurement of the upper wall movements of the ascending aorta by TDI in SCH patients.

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening fungal infection that occurs in immunocompromised patients. The most common predisposing risk factor for mucormycosis is diabetes mellitus. Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis is the most common form in diabetic patients and is characterized by paranasal sinusitis, ophthalmoplegia with blindness, and unilateral proptosis with cellulitis, facial pain with swelling, headache, fever, rhinitis, granular or purulent nasal discharge, nasal ulceration, epistaxis, hemiplegia or stroke, and decreased mental function. Diabetic ketoacidosis is the most common and serious acute complication of diabetic patients. We herein report 2 cases of fatal rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Assessment of the elasticity properties of the ascending aorta in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism by tissue Doppler imaging / Avaliação das propriedades de elasticidade da aorta ascendente por Doppler tecidual em pacientes com hipotireoidismo subclínico

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether aortic elastic properties were affected in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) by using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with newly diagnosed SCH and forty-eight healthy controls were included to the study. Systolic and diastolic diameters of the ascending aorta were measured by M-mode transthoracic echocardiography, and the upper wall velocities of ascending aorta and mitral annulus velocities were measured by TDI. Aortic stiffness index (ASI) and aortic distensibility were computed using the formulas accepted in literature. RESULTS: The clinical and demographic features of both groups were comparable. Aortic distensibility was significantly lower, and ASI was significantly higher in SCH patients than in controls. Systolic aortic upper wall velocity (Sao) was also significantly lower in SCH patients. Early (Eao) and late diastolic aortic upper wall (Aao) velocities did not differ between the two groups. Mitral annulus (Sm, Em, and Am) velocities were also similar between the groups. Sao was negatively correlated with ASI, and positively correlated with aortic distensibility. TSH level was positively correlated with ASI, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and negatively correlated with aortic distensibility and Sao. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, our results showed that SCH is associated with impaired elasticity of the ascending aorta. Elastic properties of the ascending aorta can be directly evaluated by the reproducibly measurement of the upper wall movements of the ascending aorta by TDI in SCH patients.

OBJETIVO: Nosso objetivo foi investigar se as propriedades elásticas da aorta são afetadas no hipotireoidismo subclínico (HSC), utilizando o Doppler tecidual (UDT). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Quarenta e três pacientes com diagnóstico recente de HSC e 48 indivíduos saudáveis ​​foram incluídos no estudo. Os diâmetros sistólico e diastólico da aorta foram medidos por ecocardiografia transtorácica modo M e as velocidades de fluxo da parede superior da aorta ascendente e de fluxo transvalvar mitral foram medidas por UDT. O índice de rigidez da aorta (IRA) e a distensibilidade aórtica foram calculados usando fórmulas aceitas na literatura. RESULTADOS: As características clínicas e demográficas dos dois grupos foram comparáveis. A distensibilidade aórtica foi significativamente menor e IRA significativamente maior nos pacientes com HSC do que nos controles. A velocidade de fluxo sistólico na parede aórtica superior (Sao) foi significantemente menor em pacientes com HSC. A velocidade de fluxo diastólico inicial (Eao) e tardio (Aao) na parede aórtica superior e as velocidades de fluxo transvalvar (Sm, Em e Am) não diferiram entre os dois grupos. Sao foi negativamente correlacionada com IRA e positivamente correlacionada com a distensibilidade aórtica. O nível de TSH foi positivamente correlacionado com IRA, colesterol total e lipoproteína de baixa densidade-colesterol e negativamente correlacionado com a distensibilidade aórtica e Sao. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados do presente estudo demonstraram que o HSC é associado com elasticidade deficiente da aorta ascendente. Propriedades elásticas da aorta ascendente podem ser diretamente avaliadas por medições reprodutíveis dos movimentos da parede superior da aorta por UDT em pacientes com HSC.

Small cell lung cancer with metastasis to the thyroid in a patient with toxic multinodular goiter.

Thyroid metastasis of lung cancer is rarely observed in clinical practice. The primary cancers which metastasize to the thyroid gland are mostly renal cell carcinoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Transient destructive thyrotoxicosis is caused by massive metastasis of extrathyroid tumors. We herein present a case report of a patient with small cell carcinoma of lung with metastasis to the thyroid and thyrotoxicosis due to toxic multinodular goiter. A 66-year-old man complained of swelling around the right side of the neck, dyspnea, progressive weight loss, and palpitation starting since 3 months before his admission. The patient was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of lung with metastasis to the thyroid and thyrotoxicosis due to toxic multinodular goiter. The case report presented here illustrates the challenge of making a definitive and adequate diagnosis, particularly if the patient presents with 2 potential causes of thyrotoxicosis. Thyroid scintigraphy is an important tool for differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis.

Lung function impairment in women aged over 40 years: The critical role of abdominal obesity.

SUMMARY: It is known that obesity causes to impairment of pulmonary functions. This impairment worsens with aging. There are studies about obesity showing that the uses of abdominal measurements instead of BMI are more accurate.: PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to investigate the correlation of waist circumference in the women aged over 40 years with obesity to the respiratory function tests and chest expansion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, BMI, waist circumference and chest expansion of 64 women over 40-year old were measured and the values obtained were compared with the results of respiratory function tests. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the age of the patients with waist circumference and DLCO/VA. A negative correlation was found between the age and MVV. The weight increase was associated with an increase in waist circumference and DLCO/VA. It was observed that waist circumference and DLCO/VA were increased and chest expansion was decreased when BMI was increased. A positive correlation was determined between MVV and the other respiratory function parameters, FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and FIVC (p < 0.01). Similarly, the increase in DLCO was found to be correlated with the values of FEV1, FVC and FIVC. FIVC was correlated only with FEV1 and FVC. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was observed that respiratory function tests of women over 40-year old with obesity were associated with anthropometric measurements. But, studies with larger sample sizes and prospective studies are needed to provide more accurate information about the importance of DLCO/VA for the assessment of pulmonary function in obese women.

Effect of sequential treatment as a first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: The Maastricht III Consensus agreed that effective treatment for Helicobacter pylori (HP) should achieve an intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rate above 80%, which is still lacking in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This pilot study was designed to confirm the efficacy of a 14-day sequential treatment regimen in patients with type 2 DM. METHODS: This is a prospective, open-label, single-center pilot study. All patients included in this study underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. HP status was evaluated in each patient by a rapid urease test and histopathologic examination. For seven days, all patients received pantoprazole 40 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) and amoxicillin 1000 mg b.i.d., followed by pantoprazole 40 mg b.i.d., metronidazole 500 mg b.i.d., and tetracycline 500 mg four times per day (q.i.d.) [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] for the remaining seven days. The study population consisted of 38 consecutive patients with type 2 DM (18 female, 20 male; mean age 48.0 ± 12.2 years), 30 of whom had non-ulcer dyspepsia, four had gastritis, one had gastric ulcer, and three had duodenal ulcer disease. Eradication was defined as the absence of HP as assessed with the 14C-urea breath test. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 38 patients completed the study. All side effects were observed in eight patients (21.1%). None of the patients discontinued treatment because of side effects. The eradication rate in the DM group was 22/38 (57.9%) for the ITT analysis and 22/37 (59.5%) for the per-protocol (PP) analysis. CONCLUSION: The results of 14-day sequential therapy for the first-line treatment of HP in patients with type 2 DM were disappointing. Further studies with new antibiotic combinations are needed to find better methods of eradicating HP in patients with type 2 DM.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on insulin resistance, serum lipids and low-grade inflammation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Many studies have revealed a close relationship between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HP eradication on insulin resistance, serum lipids and low-grade inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, open-label, single-center study which consisted of 159 patients. The patients with HP infection received a 14-day sequential regimen. A HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) level was used to assess insulin resistance. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients with HP infection and seventy-one patients without HP infection were studied. HOMA-IR, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and C reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower in patients with HP infection compared to the patients without HP infection (P<0.05). The HP eradication rates with a sequential regimen in dyspeptic patients were 53.4%. Six weeks after the end of eradication therapy, the mean fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, LDL-C, and CRP levels in patients with successful eradication were significantly decreased from the pretreatment levels (P<0.05) and HDL-C level was significantly increased from the pretreatment levels (P<0.05). The mean fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, LDL-C, CRP levels and HDL-C levels in patients with unsuccessful eradication were not significantly changed from pretreatment levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed beneficial effects of HP eradication on insulin resistance, atherogenic lipid abnormalities and low-grade inflammation. The results suggest that HP eradication may prevent coronary artery disease and metabolic syndrome.

Insulin receptor substrate-2 gene polymorphism: is it associated with endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVE: The G1057D polymorphism in the insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) gene has been reported to be associated with insulin resistance, obesity and type 2 diabetes. However little is known about its possible association with cancer. To investigate this association, we determined the distribution of its genotypes and frequency of alleles in endometrial cancer patients. METHODS: The study population consisted of 184 subjects: 44 patients with endometrial cancer and 140 controls without cancer. All the patients were primarily treated with surgical intervention. DNA was extracted from the leucocytes by high pure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) template preparation kit. Genetic polymorphism of IRS-2 G1057D was detected by using PCR-based restriction fragment-length polymorphism. RESULTS: For IRS-2 G1057D polymorphism, there was a significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency between endometrial cancer patients and controls (p < 0.001). The risk for endometrial cancer was 4.87 times higher in the individuals with the IRS-2 DD genotype compared to the GG genotype [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.74-13.63 p = 0.003]. Also individuals with the IRS-2 D allele had a significantly higher risk of endometrium cancer compared with individuals with the IRS-2 G allele, with a relative risk of 2.23 (95% CI: 1.36-3.67, p = 0.001) for cases compared with population controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IRS-2 G1057D polymorphism may be associated with endometrial cancer.

Use of Chinese herbal medicine 'meizitanc' in pregnancy: report of three cases.

The Chinese herbal medicine 'meizitanc', known as 'LiDa Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang' (Kunming Dali Industry and Trade, Kunming, Yunnan, China) has been used by many women to support weight loss, even though life-threatening side-effects and deaths have been reported. We report the outcomes of three cases of exposure to 'meizitanc' during early pregnancy. In the first case, the pregnancy continued after the patient stopped taking the drug and at 38 weeks of gestation, the patient delivered a healthy infant. However, in the second and third cases fetal cardiac activities were not detected on obstetric follow-up and both pregnancies were terminated due to missed abortion. To our knowledge, this is the first report of exposure to meizitanc during pregnancy. Although herbal medicines are presumed to be safe because of their natural origin, consumption of such products may be dangerous due to the content of undeclared drugs, adulteration with multiple substances and contamination with toxic metals.