Search

Thyroid tumors occur in many domestic species, but are most common in the dog, in which they are classified as follicular or medullary. During 2012–2016, we received tissue specimens or whole carcasses of 4 dogs with variable enlargement of the thyroid glands. The 2 males and 2 females were of mixed (mongrel) inbreeding, 3–4.5-y-old. All tumors had lobulated architecture forming follicular structures variably containing colloid. On immunohistochemistry of the tumors from 3 of the dogs, 2 were thyroglobulin positive, and all 3 were negative for calcitonin, confirming follicular thyroid carcinoma in 2 of the dogs. Thyroid carcinomas have not been reported previously in related mongrel dogs, to our knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the correlation between pentraxin-3 and procalcitonin levels with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores in septic patients. Design: This observational analysis with a cross-sectional method assessed the correlation between pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels and the SOFA scores of septic patients. Setting: We conducted this study in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital and Medical Laboratory Center of Hasanuddin University from December 2023 to April 2024. Patients and participants: Thirty-two patients with clinical sepsis were admitted to the ICU of Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital. Intervention: Blood samples were collected on day 1 and day 2 of ICU care in septic patients to measure pentraxin-3 and procalcitonin levels. Measurements and results: The Wilcoxon test showed a significant difference in pentraxin-3 levels on ICU care's first and second days (p=0.036). Similarly, there was a significant difference in procalcitonin levels on the first and second days of ICU care. The Spearman correlation test found a significant correlation between procalcitonin and SOFA scores (p=0.008) with a correlation value r=0.462 on the first and second days. The resulting correlation value showed a positive correlation, which meant that the higher the procalcitonin level in septic patients, the higher the SOFA scores with moderate strength (correlation value 0.4-<0.6). The correlation of pentraxin- 3 with the Spearman test showed a positive correlation on the first day. In contrast, on the second day, there was no significant statistical value with the SOFA scores with a correlation value p=0.093 (p>0.05). Conclusion: Pentraxin-3 and procalcitonin levels correlate with SOFA scores in septic patients admitted to the ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

>Les cancers thyroïdiens sont souvent diagnostiqués lors de l'exploration d'un nodule thyroïdien. Ils se développent aux dépens des cellules folliculaires et sont majoritairement différenciés (papillaire ou vésiculaire) et de bon pronostic, plus rarement peu différenciés et exceptionnellement anaplasiques de pronostic sombre. Les carcinomes médullaires se développent aux dépens des cellules C et s'intègrent dans 25 % des cas à une NEM2 associée à une mutation du proto-oncogène RET. Le bilan thyroïdien est souvent normal. Le diagnostic repose sur l'échographie, qui caractérisera le ou les nodules thyroïdiens à ponctionner ainsi que les adénopathies cervicales. L'examen cyto-histologique établit le diagnostic et la classification de la tumeur déterminant traitement et suivi. On réalisera une thyroïdectomie totale ou partielle, associée ou non à un curage ganglionnaire. L'hypothyroïdie est quasi constante en post-opératoire et justifie une supplémentation à vie par L-thyroxine. Pour les cancers différenciés, une posologie freinatrice associée à un traitement adjuvant par irathérapie (131I) est indiquée dans les formes à haut risque de récidive. La surveillance biologique repose sur la thyroglobuline sérique, indétectable en l'absence de récidive. Pour les carcinomes médullaires, le suivi biologique repose sur la calcitonine, indétectable en l'absence de persistance ou de récidive, et sur l'antigène carcino-embryonaire (ACE) sériques. La recherche d'une mutation du gène RET doit être systématique. Thyroid cancers are often diagnosed during the exploration of a thyroid nodule. They are developed at the expense of follicular cells mainly differentiated of papillary or vesicular types and associated with a good prognosis, more rarely of oncocytic type and exceptionally of anaplastic type, associated with a poor prognosis. Medullary thyroid carcinomas are developed at the expense of C cells and are part of a MEN 2, associated with a proto-oncogene RET mutation in 25% of cases. Thyroid function is generally conserved. Diagnosis is based on ultrasound, which will characterize the thyroid nodule(s) and the cervical adenopathies to be punctured. The cyto-histological examination establishes the definitive diagnosis and the classification of the tumor determining the management and follow-up. A total or partial thyroidectomy is performed, possibly associated with lymph node removal. Hypothyroidism is quasi-systematic after surgery requiring a supplementation by L-thyroxine. In thyroid differentiated carcinomas, a high L-thyroxine dosage to suppress TSH and an adjuvant iratherapy (1131) are recommended in the forms with high risk of recurrence. Biological follow-up relies on serum thyroglobulin, indetectable in the absence of relapse. In the case of medullary carcinoma, biological follow-up relies on serum calcitonin, indetectable in the absence of persistence or recurrence and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The search for a RET mutation is always recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the absorption-enhancing effect (AEE) of lysine-alanine-leucine-alanine (KALA) repeating unit peptide upon pulmonary absorption of peptide and protein medicines among rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Absorption of insulin and calcitonin in the lung was evaluated using varying concentrations of KALA peptide from 0.1% to 1.0% (w/v). The study also examined the lung damage caused by the KALA peptide. RESULTS: KALA peptide with various concentrations improved the absorption of insulin and calcitonin in the lungs. It also reduced glucose and calcium levels in the blood compared to the control, with the AEE increasing in a concentration-dependent manner due to the KALA peptide. In toxicity assays, test results for protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) did not show a significant increase in the presence of KALA peptide at various concentrations. This implies that the KALA peptide did not cause any membrane damage to lung tissues. In transmembrane electrical resistance (TEER) and permeability detection, a decrease in TEER value and an increase in papp value by the addition of KALA peptide indicated that KALA peptide had the ability to aid the drug delivery through epithelial cells via both paracellular and transcellular pathways. CONCLUSIONS: KALA peptides are suitable as an absorption enhancer at lower concentrations (below 1.0%, w/v) for improving the absorption of insulin and calcitonin from the lung with no observed toxic impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumonia is an infectious disease with high mortality rates despite early diagnosis and adequate treatment. Therefore, the use of biological infection parameters is expected to improve patients' clinical outcome prognostic accuracy. In this study, we proposed a combination of decreased procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) to predict the clinical outcome of severe pneumonia. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of severe pneumonia patients treated in the single-center Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital from December 2023 to February 2024. Subjects who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were examined for PCT and CRP within the first 24 hours of admission and repeated 96 hours later (day five). Clinical outcomes, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute kidney injury (AKI), septic shock, and 30-day mortality, were observed. Results: Thirty-five patients were enrolled for this study. Five subjects did not survive until the fifth day, and 30 subjects were eligible for analysis. A decrease of PCT >50% within five days was associated with a reduction of 30-day mortality (p=0.013) and septic shock incidence (p=0.005), whereas the decrease in CRP alone did not show any significant relationship towards any clinical outcome. The combination of a decreased PCT >50% and decreased CRP within five days could increase the prognostic specificity up to 88.9% in predicting 30-day mortality. Conclusion: Decreased PCT by more than 50% within 96 hours may predict the 30-day mortality rate and septic shock incidence in patients with severe pneumonia, while combining it with a decreased CRP expression would elevate prognostic specificity for severe pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgery for breast malignancy is linked to severe perioperative discomfort. Pain management reduces the need for opioids and general anesthesia. The "erector spinae plane block" (ESPB) recently became an effective choice in this concern. Our trial assessed the effectiveness of calcitonin as an LA adjuvant in ESPB for pain control in patients underwent cancer breast surgery. Patients and Methods: One hundred and thirty patients were randomly allocated into two groups, BC and B. BC group received ESPB with 20 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% in addition to 50 IU of calcitonin in 2 mL of saline, while the other group received the same bupivacaine dose in addition to saline (2 ml). Main outcome was time for first rescue analgesia. Secondary outcomes included 24-h total morphine consumption postoperatively, postoperative VAS scores, levels of inflammatory cytokines, total intraoperative fentanyl consumption, and side effects. Results: The period before the first-time analgesia was required was extended (12.18 ± 4.969 h vs 6.60 ± 3.116 h, P < 0.001), with less postoperative opioid consumption in the BC group (6.40 ± 1.876 mg vs 7.74 ± 2.117 mg, P < 0.001). Pain scores and the number of patients who asked for painkillers after surgery were less in the BC group. Patients in the BC group had a significant decline in serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-6), while IL-10 showed a significant increase in the BC group (P < 0.001). Intraoperative fentanyl and postoperative adverse effects recorded were statistically comparable in the two studied groups. Conclusion: The addition of calcitonin to bupivacaine in the ESPB block can give an extended analgesic effect with lower inflammatory cytokine indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a global health burden that is usually simple to diagnose, but concomitant respiratory infections are difficult to distinguish clinically. Inflammatory markers can be used to differentiate between the two conditions, especially procalcitonin (PCT), one of the most specific markers for bacterial infections. PCT-guided antibiotic treatment has shown good results and could help in decreasing the indiscriminate prescription of antibiotics in HF patients. Methodology: A prospective observational study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Western India. Three hundred HF patients were separated into either high-or low-PCT level groups. A novel clinical score for clinically suspecting superimposed respiratory infection in acute HF patients was devised and its association with PCT level was measured. Results: 62.87 years was the average age of the study population with a male preponderance. While breathlessness was the presenting complaint in all 300 patients, the presence of fever and edema was significantly associated with raised PCT. A higher total leukocyte count and neutrophil count were seen in patients with high PCT. A higher incidence of consolidation, pulmonary edema, and pulmonary hypertension was noted in those with high PCT. A significant association was found between the clinical scoring system and the PCT level. Conclusion: The novel clinical scoring system has a satisfactory sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value in diagnosing superimposed respiratory infections in acute HF patients. It can aid in the judicious use of the PCT test in resource-limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a rare phenomenon in which primary tumor cells metastasize to other tumors. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of tumor-to-tumor metastasis of medullary thyroid carcinoma to a paraganglioma in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B. Based on genetic examination, a 36-year-old woman was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B when she was 24 years old. She had a history of total thyroidectomy for medullary thyroid carcinoma and bilateral adrenalectomy for pheochromocytomas, which were performed when she was 15 years and 29 years old, respectively. Follow-up computed tomography demonstrated a retroperitoneal tumor of 30 mm in diameter beside the left kidney and a liver tumor of 16 mm in diameter located in segment 6. The retroperitoneal and liver tumors were surgically resected and examined by a pathologist. Histological examination revealed the classic Zellballen pattern in the retroperitoneal tumor, rendering the diagnosis of a paraganglioma recurrence. Inside the tumor, a white nodule positive for carcinoembryonic antigen, weakly positive for calcitonin, and negative for tyrosine hydroxylase, was identified and diagnosed as a metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma with high malignant potential. The liver lesion was diagnosed as a metastasis of the medullary thyroid carcinoma. This is the first report of tumor-to-tumor metastasis of medullary thyroid carcinoma to paraganglioma in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B twenty years after total thyroidectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the application of heparin-binding protein along with albumin (HBP+ALB) in evaluating the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and compares it with single HBP, white blood cells (WBCs), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT). Methods: A total of 226 patients with CAP admitted to the Emergency Department of Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China, between March 1, 2021, and March 1, 2022, were enrolled. The patients were grouped into two groups: mild CAP (n=175) and severe CAP (sCAP)(n=51). Patients' characteristics and laboratory data were obtained. ROC curve and the value of the area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive values of HBP, ALB, WBC, CRP, and PCT. Results: WBC count, CRP, PCT, HBP, creatinine, and D-dimer were higher in the sCAP group, while ALB was lower in the sCAP group (P<0.05) than those in the mild CAP group. The AUCs of WBC, CRP, PCT, HBP, and HBP+ALB were 0.633 (95% CI: 0.545-0.722, P<0.05), 0.635 (95% CI: 0.542-0.729, P<0.05), 0.705 (95% CI: 0.619-0.791, P<0.05), 0.809 (95% CI: 0.736-0.883, P<0.05), and 0.889 (95% CI: 0.842-0.936, P<0.05), respectively. Conclusions: HBP+ALB has a higher predictive value than single HBP, PCT, CRP and WBC used alone for the early assessment of CAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between famotidine treatment and severity, as well as mortality, for patients with COVID-19. In addition, to investigate whether this association was changed in cases of concomitant treatment with corticosteroids, remdesivir, clarithromycin, low molecular weight heparin, or statin. Material and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted by analyzing electronic medical records of 171 hospitalized patients into the Infectious DiseaseWard of a 2068-bed tertiary care medical center, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 between May 01, 2021 and August 31, 2021. Patients were classified as receiving famotidine if they were treated with oral drug, at any dose, within ± 7 days of COVID-19 screening and/or hospital admission. Famotidine use was extracted directly fromthe electronic medical record. Results: Current study failed to identify famotidine as a protective factor associated with a significant reduction in the risk of in-hospitalmortality (odds ratio 1.573, 95%confidence interval (CI) 0.464--5.325, p = 0.467) or a significant reduction in the risk of ICU admission (odds ratio 0.547, 95%confidence interval (CI) 0.286--1.045, p = 0.068).However, non-significant trend towards a lower rate of ICU admission in association with famotidine prescription was observed. Conclusions: The results of this study reflect the real-world use of famotidine does not reduce the risk of in-hospital-mortality or ICU admission of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Cientifica de la Facultade de Veterinaria is the property of Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Multifocal growth is characteristic of hereditary medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), whereas origin and impact of multifocal growth is enigmatic for sporadic MTC. To address this, 460 RET-negative patients with sporadic MTC, stratified by 1 (93.3 %), 2 (5.7 %) and 3 (1.1 %) thyroid tumor foci, were compared with 219 RET-positive patients with hereditary MTC, stratified by 1 (38.4 %), 2 (45.7 %), 3 (6.4 %), 4 (6.8 %) and ≥5 (2.7 %) thyroid tumor foci. For sporadic MTC, significant associations were identified with bilateral thyroid lobe involvement, microscopic lymphatic invasion, extrathyroid extension, node and distant metastases, number of node metastases, preoperative basal calcitonin level, and decreasing biochemical cure. For hereditary MTC, significant associations were limited to bilateral thyroid lobe involvement, largest thyroid tumor diameter, and preoperative basal calcitonin level. In sporadic MTC, multifocal growth is due to lymphatic invasion with frequent node metastases, whereas in hereditary MTC, it reflects malignant progression from C-cell hyperplasia to cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of measuring C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR- ProADM) at 2-time points (i.e., day 1 and day 5) in predicting 28-day mortality. Design: This was a cohort, cross-sectional study. Setting: In Zagazig University Hospitals from June 2019 to June 2020 as a collaboration between Clinical Pathology Department and the Intensive Care Unit. Patients and participants: The study included 32 septic intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Measurements and results: Blood samples (for serum separation) were collected from each patient on the first day of sepsis diagnosis (day 1) and then 5 days later (day 5). The serum was analyzed for CRP, PCT, and MR-ProADM. At the end of 28 days of observation, patients were classified as survivors or non-survivors. Comparing the level of each biomarker between survivors and non-survivors on day 1 and day 5 showed that only MR-ProADM was significantly different between groups at both measuring points. Meanwhile, PCT showed a significant difference only on day 5. On day 1, using 245.9 pg/ml as a cutoff point, MR-ProADM had 75% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity. Meanwhile on day 5, using 124.4 pg/ml as the cutoff for MR-ProADM, it had 80% sensitivity and 85.2% specificity. Conclusion: Based upon our findings in our study setting, MR-ProADM was a good mortality predictor for ICU patients with sepsis on both the first and fifth day of sepsis detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 12-y-old, castrated male Weimaraner dog was presented for a wellness examination. A 7-cm, firm mass was palpated on the left, ventral, mid-lateral neck. The neck mass was removed surgically and submitted for histopathology. A thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed based on microscopic examination. Immunohistochemistry for chromogranin-A, calcitonin, and thyroglobulin identified dual immunoreactivity of the latter two, and a final diagnosis was of a well-differentiated, compact, mixed medullary and follicular cell thyroid carcinoma. These neoplasms are rare in humans and have not been reported in dogs, to our knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the clinical symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with and without B.1.1.7 mutation. Methods: This retrospective observational study included COVID-19 patients who were divided into two groups, the mutation and the non-mutation group. Demographics characteristics, clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, and mortality rates were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 196 patients were included in the study. The relationship between the mutant virus status and sex, age, comorbidity, survival status, and disease severity was not significant (P>0.05). No significant differences were found in duration of hospitalization between the mutation and the non-mutation group (P>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between patients with and without mutant viruses in hemoglobin, mean platelet volume, procalcitonin, low density lipoprotein, ironbinding capacity, potassium, calcium, C-reactive protein, folate, creatine kinase myocardial band, D-dimer, and international normalized ratio (P<0.05). Conclusions: No significant difference is found in mortality rate, disease severity or duration of hospitalization between the patients with and without variant B.1.1.7. Careful monitoring of COVID-19 patients is required for all variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are deemed to be at a high risk of severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Herein, we describe the clinical, laboratory profiles, management, and outcomes of 26 KTRs who developed COVID-19 during the first and second waves of the pandemic from a tertiary care center in northern India. Methods: This retrospective observational study included KTRs detected with COVID-19 infection during the first wave (March--November 2020) and the second wave (March--July 2021). Their clinical and laboratory investigations, management aspects, and outcomes were compared, using data retrieved from clinical and telenephrology records, and the hospital information system. Results: Of the 23 KTRs, 20 were male (86%), 20 patients had fever (86%), and cough and breathlessness were seen in 19 (82%) and 12 (52%), respectively. Acute graft dysfunction was seen in 6 (26%) patients, and the need for renal replacement was seen in 4 (17%) patients. Supplemental oxygen by reservoir mask was utilized in 10 (43%) patients, high-flow nasal cannula in 3 (13%), noninvasive mechanical ventilation in 4 (17%), and invasive mechanical ventilation in 6 (26%) patients. All the KTRs with moderate and severe COVID illness and 6/7 nonsurvivors were infected during the second wave. Overall mortality in this group of patients was very high at 27%, and the mortality in the group on mechanical ventilation was 100%. Conclusions: The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with greater severity of illness and high mortality in KTRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Geriatric patients with COVID-19 have had poor clinical outcomes globally, especially during the first wave of the pandemic. In Taiwan, the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred from May to July 2021. This retrospective study aimed to compare the characteristics and outcomes between geriatric and younger patients with COVID-19 infection. Methods: A total of 257 confirmed COVID-19 cases who were hospitalized from May to June 2021 were included. Their characteristics and outcomes, including in-hospital mortality, use of mechanical ventilation, and hospital stay, were collected for analysis. Results: There were 98 elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years, median, 72.5 (interquartile range, 69.0-78.0) years) and 159 younger patients (aged < 65 years, median 55.0 (46.0-60.0) years). The elderly patients had a significantly higher Charlson comorbidity score (4.0 (3.0-5.0) vs. 1.0 (1.0-2.0), p < 0.001), and significantly higher D-dimer, procalcitonin, ferritin, and creatinine levels, but lower albumin level than the younger patients. The elderly group also had higher in-hospital mortality (7.1% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.05), were more likely to develop severe disease (83.7% vs. 67.9%, p < 0.01), and had a longer hospital stay (15.0 (11.0-23.0) vs. 12.0 (9.0-16.5) days, p < 0.001). Nevertheless, the elderly patients did not have a higher risk of using high-flow nasal cannulas (17.3% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.63) or mechanic ventilation (23.5% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.20). Conclusion: Elderly COVID-19 patients had significant higher risks of severe disease, mortality, and longer duration of hospitalization, possible due higher rates of comorbidities and pro-inflammatory status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Konuralp Medical Journal / Konuralp Tip Dergisi is the property of Duzce University Medical School and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The digital single-particle assay has emerged as a highly promising technology in various detection applications, such as food safety inspection, environmental monitoring, and in vitro diagnosis. Conventional digital assays rely on pre-amplification and expensive equipment, which limits their practical applications to point-of-care testing. Herein, we report a deep-learning-assisted digital single-particle counting biosensing platform for nucleic acid detection without pre-amplification using a portable and low-cost lens-free holography microscope. This device can perceive the number change of signal probes and capture microsphere probe holograms, which is ultra-lightweight (∼ 318 g), and has a low cost (∼ $70) and an ultrawide field of view of 24.396 mm2. The improved YOLOv7-based deep learning algorithm is trained to detect small objects (∼ 10 μm) in high-resolution images with high throughput. As a proof of concept, our strategy has successfully distinguished viable and nonviable Salmonella typhimurium quantitatively with high sensitivity (72 CFU/mL) without pre-amplification using phage-mediated DNA extraction and has been verified in various real samples. It has also been successfully applied to detecting non-nucleic acid targets in real samples, including procalcitonin and chloramphenicol. As a versatile and multi-functional platform, this platform exhibits excellent potential for point-of-care multi-type target detection in resource-limited settings. [Display omitted] • A biosensing platform integrated with holography and CRISPR/Cas12a system for amplification-free nucleic acid detection. • A low-cost, highly sensitive, ultra-wide FOV, and portable imaging device for the compatibility of the CRISPR/Cas12a system. • High accuracy and ultra-fast deep-learning-assisted YOLOv7 object detection algorithm for PS microsphere signal readout. • A versatile detection platform capable of not only detecting pathogenic bacteria but also detecting non-nucleic acid target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the impact of laboratory and imaging tests in predicting central and lateral neck lymph node/LN involvement and in decision making for surgical extent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus search was performed according to PRISMA criteria. The relationship between nodule size, diagnostic biomarkers and imaging with LN involvement were evaluated. RESULTS: The available data analysis did not yield clear indications of the relationship between each of these topics and the presence, number, and location of LN involved. There was no conclusive data for the selective indication of central neck dissection in the preoperative diagnosis of microMTC. CONCLUSIONS: There is no justification for less invasive interventions than total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As lung ultrasound (LUS) has emerged as a diagnostic tool in patients with COVID-19, we sought to investigate the association between LUS findings and the composite inhospital outcome of ARDS incidence, ICU admission, and all-cause mortality. METHODS: In this prospective, multi-center, observational study, adults with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled from non-ICU in-patient units. Subjects underwent an LUS evaluating a total of 8 zones. Images were analyzed off-line, blinded to clinical variables and outcomes. A LUS score was developed to integrate LUS findings: ≥ 3 B-lines corresponded to a score of 1, confluent B-lines to a score of 2, and subpleural or lobar consolidation to a score of 3. The total LUS score ranged from 0-24 per subject. RESULTS: Among 215 enrolled subjects, 168 with LUS data and no current signs of ARDS or ICU admission (mean age 59 y, 56% male) were included. One hundred thirty-six (81%) subjects had pathologic LUS findings in ≥ 1 zone (≥ 3 B-lines, confluent Blines, or consolidations). Markers of disease severity at baseline were higher in subjects with the composite outcome (n = 31, 18%), including higher median C-reactive protein (90 mg/L vs 55, P < .001) and procalcitonin levels (0.35 µg/L vs 0.13, P = .033) and higher supplemental oxygen requirements (median 4 L/min vs 2, P = .001). However, LUS findings and score did not differ significantly between subjects with the composite outcome and those without, and were not associated with outcomes in unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Pathologic findings on LUS were common a median of 3 d after admission in this cohort of non-ICU hospitalized subjects with COVID-19 and did not differ among subjects who experienced the composite outcome of incident ARDS, ICU admission, and all-cause mortality compared to subjects who did not. These findings should be confirmed in future investigations. The study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04377035). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We want to evaluate the possible presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in semen samples and semen quality, looking for a possible relationship between the infectious disease and fertility. In this prospective study, we enrolled 15 consecutive men (age 18–50 years) with positive oropharyngeal swab to SARS-CoV-2 and classified, according to WHO criteria, in mild to moderate disease. A semen sample was collected to detect SARS-CoV viral RNA by the automated Real-Time PCR ELITe InGenius® system and the GeneFinderTM COVID-19 Plus RealAmp Kit assay (ELITechGroup, France). Analysis of semen characteristics was performed according to WHO laboratory manual 5th ed. for the examination and processing of human semen. Blood samples for the dosage of hormonal assay, procalcitonin, interleukin 6, C-reactive protein were obtained. SARS-CoV-2 RNA has not been detected in semen samples from any of the subjects analysed. Sperm analysis exhibited abnormal seminal values in 14 out of 15 patients (93.3%). Furthermore, no difference was detected regarding sperm quality between mild and moderate SARS-CoV-2 patients. No alteration in the inflammatory indices was observed in the studied population, as well gonadotropins and testosterone levels. COVID patients studied exhibits alteration of the seminal fluid both in microscopic and macroscopic characteristics such as hypoposia and increased viscosity, which have not been detected in previous studies. The presence of viral RNA within the seminal fluid was excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis is mostly good in pediatric patients with no underlying diseases, there are a few reports on children with oncological underlying malignancies. This study aimed to describe the clinical and laboratory features of 20 children with COVID-19 who had underlying malignancies in an Iranian referral pediatrics hospital. All children under 15-year-old of age with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and presence of an underlying malignancy were included in the study. In this study, among 20 patients, 11 were male (55%). The mean age of the patients was 6.0 ± 4.1 years. Twelve patients (60%) had acute lymphocytic leukemia, two had acute myeloid leukemia (10%), and six had solid organ tumors (30%). The most common symptoms were fever (65%) and cough (65%). We reported severe pneumonia in seven hospitalized patients (35%) and three patients (20%) required intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation. Procalcitonin was normal in 73% of the cases (11 out of 15), but it was highly elevated in four cases (27%). Five patients (25%) had positive blood cultures and a mortality of 20% was reported. This is the largest study on SARS-CoV-2 infected pediatric patients with underlying malignancies in Iran. Since the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and even death in children with malignancy, either in the hospital or community setting during the pandemic is high, special precautions to reduce the risk of transmission are highly suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]