Thyroid autoimmunity: is really associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma?

The incidence of thyroid cancer has been greatly increasing. Several studies aimed to investigate biomarkers for prediction of thyroid cancer. Some of these studies have suggested that thyroid autoantibodies (TAb) could be used as predictors of thyroid cancer risk, but the correlation between TAb and PTC is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study is to evaluate thyroid autoimmunity and TAbs in patients with PTC and benign multinodular goiter (MNG) to investigate if TAbs and autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) could predict thyroid malignancy. A total of 577 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) and 293 patients with benign MNG disease were enrolled postoperatively. Demographic features, thyroglobulin (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and histologic outcome of the patients were evaluated. The prevalence of ATD and TgAb or TPOAb measurements was not statistically different in PTC and MNG groups. However, tumors were significantly smaller and tumor capsule invasion was seen less frequently in patients with PTC and ATD than without ATD. Patients without ATD had more advanced stage (TNM stage III/IV) tumors than with ATD. Only one of the 11 patients with distant organ metastasis had ATD. The present study demonstrated that the prevalence of ATD diagnosed even with histology or TAb positivity was not different in patients with PTC and MNG. However, having ATD might be associated with a better prognosis in PTC patients.

The effect of hepcidin on components of metabolic syndrome in chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hepcidin is an important regulator of iron homeostasis. OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the association between hepcidin and components of metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). DESIGN AND SETTING: 103 CKD patients and 59 healthy volunteers were included in the study from the University Hospital. METHODS: Serum hepcidin levels were measured by enyzme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. As for the study parameters, age, sex, body mass index, renal diseases, serum biochemistry, complete blood count, iron and total iron-binding capacity, ferritin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), C- reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 58.63 ± 11.8 years. Hepcidin level was significantly associated with hypertension and higher uric acid levels (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between hepcidin and urea, uric acid, creatinine, ferritin, CRP, ESR, phosphorus, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), proteinuria and albuminuria in 24-hour urine collection. A negative correlation was found between hepcidin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, hematocrit, calcium, 25 OH vitamin D, pH, and bicarbonate levels. CONCLUSION: Hepcidin, a well-known hormone regulator of iron metabolism, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome in patients with CKD, and further studies might delineate in-depth its potential as a promising early marker in these patients.

The effect of hepcidin on components of metabolic syndrome in chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

SUMMARY BACKGROUND Hepcidin is an important regulator of iron homeostasis. OBJECTIVES This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the association between hepcidin and components of metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). DESIGN AND SETTING 103 CKD patients and 59 healthy volunteers were included in the study from the University Hospital. METHODS Serum hepcidin levels were measured by enyzme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. As for the study parameters, age, sex, body mass index, renal diseases, serum biochemistry, complete blood count, iron and total iron-binding capacity, ferritin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), C- reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were evaluated. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 58.63 ± 11.8 years. Hepcidin level was significantly associated with hypertension and higher uric acid levels (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between hepcidin and urea, uric acid, creatinine, ferritin, CRP, ESR, phosphorus, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), proteinuria and albuminuria in 24-hour urine collection. A negative correlation was found between hepcidin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, hematocrit, calcium, 25 OH vitamin D, pH, and bicarbonate levels. CONCLUSION Hepcidin, a well-known hormone regulator of iron metabolism, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome in patients with CKD, and further studies might delineate in-depth its potential as a promising early marker in these patients.

RESUMO FUNDAMENTO A hepcidina é um importante regulador da homeostase do ferro. OBJETIVOS Este estudo transversal foi realizado para avaliar a associação entre hepcidina e componentes da síndrome metabólica em pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC). PROJETO E LOCAL Cento e três pacientes com DRC e 59 voluntários saudáveis foram incluídos no estudo no Hospital Universitário. MÉTODOS Os níveis séricos de hepcidina foram medidos pelo teste imunoenzimático (Elisa). Quanto aos parâmetros do estudo, idade, sexo, índice de massa corporal, doenças renais, bioquímica sérica, hemograma completo, capacidade de ligação total de ferro e ferro, ferritina, proteína C reativa altamente sensível (hsCRP), proteína C reativa (PCR) e taxa de sedimentação de eritrócitos (VHS) foram avaliados. RESULTADOS A idade média dos pacientes foi de 58,63±11,8 anos. Número de pacientes em cada estágio da DRC, do estágio I ao estágio V (não em terapia renal substitutiva). O nível de hepcidina foi significativamente associado à hipertensão e níveis mais altos de ácido úrico (P <0,05). Houve correlação positiva entre hepcidina e ureia, ácido úrico, creatinina, ferritina, PCR, VHS, fósforo, triglicerídeo, lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL), proteinúria e albuminúria na coleta de urina de 24 horas. Foi encontrada correlação negativa entre hepcidina e taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (TFGe), hemoglobina, hematócrito, cálcio, 25 OH de vitamina D, pH e níveis de bicarbonato. CONCLUSÃO A hepcidina é um hormônio bem conhecido que regula o metabolismo do ferro, mas também pode ser um importante contribuinte para os componentes da síndrome metabólica em pacientes com DRC.

Primary synovial sarcoma of lung.

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a highly malignant tumor that accounts for 10% of all soft-tissue sarcomas. Primary SS arising from the lung is extremely rare, and the prognosis is poor. We report a case of pulmonary SS presenting with a mass lesion invading the right upper and middle lobes, extending to the mediastinum and the chest wall. After tru-cut biopsy, surgical resection was performed. The final diagnosis was SS (biphasic type) based on histological and immunohistochemical findings. There are no guidelines for optimal treatment due to the rarity of these tumors. Current treatment includes surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

The relationship between fibrosis level and blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in inactive hepatitis B carriers.

AIM: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been used as a simple, affordable, and easily accessible marker to predict prognosis in a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. However, there are few studies investigating their role in patients with hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between NLR and liver fibrosis in patients who were being followed as inactive hepatitis B carriers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 78 patients who were followed for 1 year as inactive hepatitis B carriers. Liver biopsy was performed and the fibrosis scores of the histological activity index were assessed according to the Metavir scoring system. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the fibrosis scores: those with a score below 2 and those with a score above 2. In both groups, demographic data such as sex, age, and BMI were similar. The NLR of patients was calculated from blood samples taken at the same time as the biopsy. RESULTS: Histopathologic analysis of 78 patients showed that 41 (53%) had fibrosis grade 0-1 and 37 (47%) patients had fibrosis grade greater than 2. According to the biopsy results, there were no cirrhotic patients. NLR was found to be statistically significantly lower in the group with fibrosis grade of at least 2 (1.51±0.61 vs. 1.79±0.64, P=0.043). Other biochemical and hematological data were found to be similar in both groups. No correlation was found between laboratory values and NLR. In addition, there was no correlation between NLR with histologic activity. Spearman correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between the fibrosis score and NLR (r=-0.279, P=0.013). CONCLUSION: In inactive hepatitis B carriers, the histological activity index and NLR were found to be correlated negatively. NLR can be used as a predictor of fibrosis in combination with other noninvasive markers.