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OBJECTIVES: To assess free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti TPO abs) in adult Celiac disease patients and non-celiac controls and to find out any statistically significant difference in their corresponding means between the two groups. METHODOLOGY: The study design was analytical cross sectional. Sixty adult patients of celiac disease (CD) and 30 apparently healthy non-celiac adults were included in the study. CD patients had earlier been diagnosed by elevated levels of serological evidence of elevated (greater than 15X ULN) anti tissue transglutaminase (TTG) (IgA class) antibodies. CD was ruled out in the control group by normal levels of the antibodies. TSH, fT4 and anti TPO abs were obtained from all individuals of CD patient and control groups. RESULTS: Mean age of Celiac disease in patients was 23.85±5.43 years. Mean age of individuals in the control group was 24.26±5.55 years. Statistically significant difference in mean TSH and anti-TPO abs levels between the CD patient group and control group (p values of 0.03 and 0.038, respectively) was present. No statistically significant difference was seen between mean fT4 of patients and control group (p=0.74). Subclinical and overt hypothyroidism was present in 10% and 5% of CD patients, while anti TPO abs was positive in 16.6% of CD patients. CONCLUSION: There is a considerably high prevalence of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism as well as serological evidence of thyroid dysfunction in adult patients of CD.

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a metabolic disorder with prevalence about 4-10% in general population. This study was conducted to observe the pattern of fasting lipid profile in SCH and to correlate the components of it with thyroid stimulating hormone and free thyroxin level. This cross sectional observational study included 31 newly diagnosed cases of SCH and 17 age and BMI matched healthy control subjects with normal thyroid function test. Fasting lipid profile was recorded and compared. TSH was significantly higher in SCH compared to controls (9.09±2.79 vs 2.31±0.92 μIU/ml; p=0.001). FT4 was comparable between the groups (1.17±0.18 vs 1.28±0.20 ng/dl; p=0.938). Significantly higher level of Total cholesterol and LDL-C were observed in SCH compared to controls (TC 194.77±29.70 vs 156.59±20.45 mg/dl; p=0.042 and LDL-C 124.81±27.85 mg/dl vs 88.59±18.41mg/dl; p=0.045 respectively). Triglycerides and HDL-C were comparable between the groups (TG 134.90±80.97 vs 118.12±49.14 mg/dl; p=0.171 and HDL-C 42.87±4.83 vs 44.47±5.66; p=0.633 respectively). TSH showed significant positive correlation with TC and LDL-C (r=0.591, p

Does geriatric syndrome have an association with subclinical hypothyroidism. This study showed a greater incidence of GS in subjects 50 years and older with sub-clinical hypothyroidism, when compared to those with normal thyroid function. Endocrine assessment should be taken in account in frail individuals as part of an integral evaluation for patients. To determine the incidence of geriatric syndromes (GS) in community dwelling older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism. This is an analysis from the Mexican Health and Aging Study, of a subsample of 2089 subjects with TSH determination. From this last subsample, we included 1628 individuals with TSH levels in the subclinical range (4.5–10 µU/ml). The multivariate analysis showed that when comparing data obtained from the 2012 wave with the 2015 wave results, there was a significant incidence of some GS such as falls (OR 1.79, CI 1.16–2.77, p = 0.0116), fatigue (OR 2.17, CI 1.40–3.38, p = 0.0348) and depression (OR 1.70, CI 1.06–2.71, p = 0.0246) among the subclinical hypothyroidism group. This study showed a greater incidence of GS in subjects 50 years and older with sub-clinical hypothyroidism, when compared to those with normal thyroid function.

Objective Depressive disorders are common among adults with alcohol use disorder and with suicidality; however, demographic differences in comorbid alcohol use disorder, binge drinking, and suicidality are understudied. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which comorbid suicidality and alcohol use disorders and comorbid suicidality and binge drinking differ by age and gender among adults with depressive symptoms. Method The sample included adults (unweighted N=29,460) in the United States who completed the 2015-2018 National Survey of Drug Use and Heath and screened positively for depression. Gender and age groups odds of alcohol use disorder only, suicidality only, and alcohol use disorder+suicidality were compared to neither problem. Similar analyses were conducted for binge drinking. Results Men showed disproportional odds of alcohol use disorder only, all suicidality and alcohol use disorder comorbidities, and binge drinking+active suicidal ideation than women. Emerging adults showed higher odds of: passive and active suicidal ideation only and suicidality+alcohol use disorder than adults 35 and older; binge drinking only, binge drinking+passive suicidal ideation, and binge drinking+active suicidal ideation than all older adults; binge drinking+suicide planning and binge drinking+attempts than adults 50 and older. Limitations Because participants all reported depression symptoms either at the subclinical or clinical level, demographic differences in suicidality, alcohol use disorder, and binge drinking found in this study cannot be generalized to non-depressed samples. Conclusions Treatment providers should be aware of disproportionately higher odds of comorbid suicidality and alcohol use disorder, and suicidality and binge drinking among men and emerging adults.

Background Enthesopathy is a common feature of Spondyloarthritis (SpA) but can also be found in rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Recognizing enthesopathy could be challenging because of low sensitivity and specific clinical testing. To detect enthesopathy, The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommends magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasonography (US). Aim of the work To investigate the frequency and distribution of entheseal involvement in RA patients and its relation to disease activity. Patients and methods 100 RA patients with any symptom in foot and ankle were enrolled. Disease activity score (DAS28), Visual analogue scale (VAS), Health assessment questionnaire-Disability index (HAQ-DI) and Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System (GUESS) were assessed. Results The mean age of patients was 44.1 ± 12.2 years, disease duration was 7 ± 5.8 years and 86% were females. The mean DAS28 score was 4.3 ± 1.2 and GUESS score was 7.2 ± 4.2; all patients had variable degrees of enthesitis: 30% of patients had mild enthesitis, 42% had moderate enthesitis and 28% had marked enthesitis. GUESS was significantly higher in patients with moderate (7.8 ± 4.9) and high (7.2 ± 3.2) disease activity than in patients with low disease activity (5.2 ± 3.9) and those in remission (6.5 ± 1.9) (p = 0.015). HAQ, Age and ESR significantly correlated with GUESS score (r = 0.19, p = 0.049; r = 0.23, p = 0.023; r = 0.33, p = 0.001 respectively). Conclusion Subclinical enthesitis is remarkable in RA patients. Quadriceps tendon enthesis was mostly affected. Enthesitis is significantly related to age, ESR and HAQ. The presence of enthesitis in RA may represent a potential marker for disease activity.

The widely use of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) may lead to accidental findings and the discovery of malignancy in pregnancy, often in asymptomatic patients. Diagnosis of such subclinical malignancy during pregnancy in the asymptomatic patient poses a predicament for both doctor and patient. The risks and benefits of possible treatment for both mother and child have to be weighted, and there is often limited scientific evidence available. We present a case of an abnormal NIPT result, leading to the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in an asymptomatic pregnant patient. After multiple multidisciplinary meetings and an elaborate shared decision making (SDM) process, a watch and wait strategy was implemented, in contradiction with general treatment recommendations. Following this approach, it was possible to achieve a near term pregnancy before delivery of a healthy baby girl. The patient could subsequently commence treatment of her AML and is still in complete remission after a follow-up of 25 months. Our case report highlights the possibility of watch and wait strategy in selected cases and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and SDM, when faced with the accidental finding of AML through NIPT. J Hematol. 2021;10(5):228-231 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jh908

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs due to over production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland . It can be categorized according to thyroid hormone levels into overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism. Also could be classified into, normal (or high) and low thyroid radioactive iodine uptake according to radioiodine uptake. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in the clinical profile between hyperthyroid patients and its relation to thyroid scan imaging. Also to avoid prescribing antithyroid medications to patients with thyroiditis, this could lead to hypothyroidism . Materials and methods: This is a prospective cohort study for patients with hyperthyroidism. Patients have been enrolled from Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic at Zagazig University Hospitals in the period from December 2018 to October 2020. Results: patients were divided into two major groups, overt hyperthyroidism (group 1) and subclinical hyperthyroidism (group 2). All patients of group (1) had abnormal thyroid gland examination but, only 50 % of group (2) patients had showed abnormal gland examination (p=

Summary Objective Epidemiological data suggest that moderate habitual coffee consumption associates with lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; however scarce data exist regarding the association of coffee with subclinical vascular disease (SVD). We aimed at investigating the above association with habitual instant coffee consumption - a widely consumed coffee in Greece–in high CVD risk but free of established CVD adults. Research methods & procedures In a cross-sectional design study we measured: (i) two 24 h dietary recalls to assess coffee consumption, (ii) arterial stiffness, by carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity - (PWV) and carotid compliance, arterial remodeling by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), pressure wave reflection by augmentation index (AIx) and atheromatosis by carotid plaques. Results In 1041 participants (55.6% females, 53.6 ± 14.0 years), 30% habitually consumed instant coffee (0.53 ± 1.15 cups/day). Consumption of instant coffee was inversely associated with systolic blood pressure (β = −1.19, p = 0.007), AIx (β = −0.71, p = 0.043), PWV (β = −0.22, p = 0.000) and IMT (β = −0.01, p = 0.025), but these associations lost their significance after multiple adjustments for confounders. Instant coffee consumption was positively associated with carotid compliance independent from all possible confounders (β = 0.005, p = 0.003). Conclusion Habitual moderate instant coffee consumption is inversely associated with arterial stiffening and potential with arterial remodeling. These favorable vascular associations offer a potential pathophysiological link between habitual coffee consumption and lower incidence of CVD. Future studies are needed to examine the long-term effects of habitual instant coffee consumption on vascular structure and function.

Waterpipe (WP) smoking has rapidly grown in popularity in the United States and other Western countries with the fastest uptake among younger individuals. This growth has been encouraged by the misperception that WP smoke is harmless or less harmful than cigarette smoke. To better understand how WP affects the health of young people, we conducted a narrative review of the literature focusing on the adverse health effects of WP smoking in adolescents and younger adults. We searched scientific literature databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Web and selected papers that met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-three papers met the inclusion criteria and were selected for review. Data were abstracted from the selected papers into a standardized table. The evidence demonstrates that WP smoking can cause acute lung infection and injury, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, in adolescents and young adults. It is also associated with adverse subclinical effects in this sub-population, including oral and systemic genotoxicity, lung function decline, and the alteration of vascular and hemodynamic functions. Limited evidence that is available indicates associations with psychological and neurological effects and asthma. No identified publications examined the association between WP use and type 2 diabetes, a condition that is associated with cigarette smoking among young people. WP smoking by younger individuals can result in their hospitalization due to systemic CO poisoning and acute lung disease, and induce subclinical adverse effects in the oral cavity, pulmonary system, and in circulation, that are involved in the pathogenesis of local and systemic chronic diseases.

Aberrant DMN connectivity and activity have been robustly linked to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and risk for depression. This link has mostly been explained in terms of rumination, a form of negative, repetitive cognitive processing. Yet, accumulating findings are indicating altered DMN dynamics during emotional processing in MDD, pointing at a potential emotion-related DMN pathology in depression linked to inflexibly sustained emotional responses. Such a link might be especially important in understanding risk of depression. However, whether inflexible emotional processing (i.e. emotional inertia) is connecting aberrant DMN organization to risk of depression as well as how this might relate to rumination remains unclear. Addressing this gap, 34 participants underwent a resting-state fMRI and a 7-day Experience Sampling phase. Using regression and multiple mediation analysis we investigated the relations between negative emotional inertia, rumination, DMN organization and risk of depression as indicated by high subclinical depressive symptoms. The findings indicated that DMN efficiency at rest was positively associated with depressive symptoms and risk of depression. Both negative emotional inertia in daily life and rumination were independently mediating this relationship. While negative emotional inertia was connected to a broad increase in the coupling of DMN regions, rumination was only related to an increase in node strength of the dorsomedial Prefrontal Cortex. These findings are pointing towards an emotional-related DMN pathology contributing to risk of depression. Furthermore the findings are indicating that this relationship is independent from the rumination-related link between the DMN and depression - representing different aspects of DMN organization. ispartof: Journal Of Affective Disorders vol:293 pages:347-354 ispartof: location:Netherlands status: published

Background and objectives Subclinical acute rejection is associated with poor outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. As an alternative to surveillance biopsies, noninvasive screening has been established with a blood gene expression profile. Donor-derived cellfree DNA (cfDNA) has been used to detect rejection in patients with allograft dysfunction but not tested extensively in stable patients. We hypothesized that we could complement noninvasive diagnostic performance for subclinical rejection by combining a donor-derived cfDNA and a gene expression profile assay. Design, setting, participants, & measurements We performed a post hoc analysis of simultaneous blood gene expression profile and donor-derived cfDNA assays in 428 samples paired with surveillance biopsies from 208 subjects enrolled in an observational clinical trial (Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation-08). Assay results were analyzed as binary variables, and then, their continuous scores were combined using logistic regression. The performance of each assay alone and in combination was compared. Results For diagnosing subclinical rejection, the gene expression profile demonstrated a negative predictive value of 82%, a positive predictive value of 47%, a balanced accuracy of 64%, and an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.75. The donor-derived cfDNA assay showed similar negative predictive value (84%), positive predictive value (56%), balanced accuracy (68%), and area under the receiver operating curve (0.72). When both assays were negative, negative predictive value increased to 88%. When both assays were positive, positive predictive value increased to 81%. Combining assays using multivariable logistic regression, area under the receiver operating curve was 0.81, significantly higher than the gene expression profile (P Conclusions A combination of blood-based biomarkers can improve detection and provide less invasive monitoring for subclinical rejection. In this study, the gene expression profile detected more cellular rejection, whereas donor-derived cfDNA detected more antibody-mediated rejection.

Practical relevance: The feline cardiomyopathies are the most prevalent type of heart disease in adult domestic cats. Several forms have been identified (see Parts 2 and 3), with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) being the most common. Clinically the cardiomyopathies are often indistinguishable. Cats with subclinical cardiomyopathy may or may not have characteristic physical examination findings (eg, heart murmur, gallop sound), or radiographic cardiomegaly. Cats with severe disease may develop signs of heart failure (eg, dyspnea, tachypnea) or systemic arterial thromboembolism (ATE; eg, pain and paralysis). Sudden death is possible. Treatment usually does not alter the progression from subclinical to clinical disease and often the treatment approach, once clinical signs are apparent, is the same regardless of the type of cardiomyopathy. However, differentiating cardiomyopathy from normal variation may be important prognostically. Patient group: Domestic cats of any age from 3 months upward, of either sex and of any breed, can be affected. Mixed-breed cats are most commonly affected but certain breeds are disproportionately prone to developing HCM. Diagnostics: Subclinical feline cardiomyopathies may be suspected based on physical examination findings, thoracic radiographs and cardiac biomarker results but often the disease is clinically silent. The definitive clinical confirmatory test is echocardiography. Left heart failure (pulmonary edema and/or pleural effusion) is most commonly diagnosed radiographically, but point-of-care ultrasound and amino terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) biomarker testing can also be useful, especially when the stress of taking radiographs is best avoided. Key findings: Knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms helps the practitioner identify the feline cardiomyopathies and understand how these diseases progress and how they manifest clinically (heart failure, ATE). Existing diagnostic tests have strengths and limitations, and being aware of these can help a practitioner deliver optimal recommendations regarding referral. Conclusions: Several types of feline cardiomyopathies exist in both subclinical (mild to severe disease) and clinical (severe disease) phases. Heart failure and ATE are the most common clinical manifestations of severe cardiomyopathy and are therapeutic targets regardless of the type of cardiomyopathy. The long-term prognosis is often guarded or poor once overt clinical manifestations are present. Areas of uncertainty: Some cats with presumed cardiomyopathy do not have echocardiographic features that fit the classic cardiomyopathies (cardiomyopathy – nonspecific phenotype). Although no definitive treatment is usually available, understanding how cardiomyopathies evolve remains worthy of investigation.

Background: When it comes to barrier and pore creation in metazoans, especially vertebrates and tunicates. Claudins are an important family of transmembrane proteins. In epithelia and endothelia's apical junctional complex, chordate claudins are crucial architectural proteins for tight junction strands. Psoriasis patients often have some degree of subclinical intestinal irritation. In gastrointestinal mucosal biopsies, lymphocytic infiltration is found in about 60% of patients. Intestinal absorption is hampered by structural and functional changes in the colon caused by inflammatory cells. Those who have psoriasis have abnormalities in fecal fat excretion, decreased D-xylose absorption, and impaired lactase activity. Objective: To assess the relation between CLAUDIN-3 protein with dermatological diseases. Conclusion: Claudin-3 is a key component of tight junctions, which may serve as marker of gut barrier integrity. Claudin-3 level may be altered in patients with psoriasis.

We have presented the first description of acute bilateral neuropathy of the abducens nerve associated with COVID-19 in a child.A boy aged 2 years 2 months acutely developed bilateral convergent strabismus, the next day fatigue, drowsiness, and a single vomiting not associated with food intake, were joined. A differential diagnosis was performed between brainstem encephalitis, other organic (non-inflammatory) lesions of the brain stem, and idiopathic bilateral neuropathy of the abducens nerves. According to laboratory data, mild lymphocytosis, mild eosinophilia were detected, according to polymerase chain reaction DNA of the herpes virus type 1/2, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus type 6, Epstein-Barr, tick-borne encephalitis, borrelia, anaplasma, RNA ehrlichia were not detected. IgM and IgG to tick-borne encephalitis were not detected. Neurophysiological and neuroimaging examinations did not reveal any pathology. On the 6th day of the disease, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharynx and oropharynx discharge. The final diagnosis was formulated. — bilateral neuropathy of the abducens nerves. Bilateral convergent paralytic strabismus. Concomitant diagnosis: new coronavirus infection, subclini-cal form (positive by polymerase chain reaction in the discharge from the throat and nose of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) RNA). Decrease in the severity of strabismus was noted over time against the background of the therapy.Clinicians dealing with the COVID-19 should also pay attention to its ophthalmological manifestations and take into account that it can debut with them, as was in our case.

Background: To assess respiratory function in cervical chronic compressive myelopathy (CCM) patients in pre-operative period, post-operative period and to compare pre-operative status with post-operative status. Aims and Objectives: 1. To assess respiratory function in cervical CCM patients in pre-operative period. 2. To assess respiratory function in cervical CCM patients in post-operative period, following relief of compression. 3. To compare, pre-operative status with post-operative status. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was done in 50 patients with cervical CCM due to either cervical disc disease or ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) who were operated. None of the patients included in the study had any clinical signs & symptoms of respiratory dysfunction. Spirometry was performed in pre-operative and postoperative period after 3 months and results were analyzed. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), ratio of mean FEV1 to FVC (FEVI: FVC%) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were calculated. Results: Majority of the patients were in their fourth decade of life with male predominance. Thirty-six patients (72%) presented with prolapsed intervertebral disc and 14 patients (28%) had ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Patients were operated depending upon the pathology. The present study showed that there was significant reduction in preoperative FVC, FEV1, PEFR values as compared with predicted values and they showed significant improvement in post-operative period after surgical relief of compression. Conclusion: Significant yet occult respiratory dysfunction in form of impairment of various lung capacities exists in patients with cervical CCM. An objective evaluation of this occult respiratory dysfunction is essential to prognosticate, prevent respiratory complications and to improve post-operative respiratory rehabilitation. Institution of incentive spirometry as a routine in all cervical CCM cases will be of benefit in preventing respiratory complications.

People with focal epilepsies are known to under-document their seizures, but there is no data on self-documentation in adults with genetic (idiopathic) generalized epilepsy (GGE/IGE). We assessed the accuracy of self-evaluation of typical absences (TA) or myoclonic seizures (MS) in adults with IGE based on home video-EEG telemetry (HVET). Patients' own estimates were compared to the objective count of definite TA and MS, performed visually. We considered definite TA as generalized spike-wave discharges (GSWD) that met any of the following criteria: 1) coinciding with clear behavioural arrest on video, 2) followed after a few seconds by positive indication that an absence occurred, or 3) in the absence of video, consistently coinciding with clear motor arrest, as evidenced by interruption of continuous muscle activity. For each patient, we also classified probable TA as GSWDs that were longer than those corresponding to the shortest definite TA on HVET or based on the most recent sleep-deprived EEG (SDEEG). From the first 300 consecutive adults who had HVET, 24 had IGE with TA and / or MS; 23 were women. Only one patient had newly diagnosed IGE. Erroneous self-assessment of TA and MS was noted in 16/24 patients (66.7%). Seizures were overestimated in nine (37.5%) and underestimated in seven (29.2%). Only one patient (4.2%) documented all her TA and MS without false-positive estimates. Overestimation (but not underestimation) of TA on HVET could be predicted when patients reported daily or multiple weekly TA and a recent SDEEG was either normal or contained only subclinical GSWD (p=0.0095). Under- and over-self-documentation of TA and MS occurred in two thirds of adults with GGE/IGE, with substantial impact on their outpatient management and treatment. Diagnostic HVET is a useful tool for the detection of erroneous self-evaluation in these patients.

Human CMV infection is frequent in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Pretransplant Ag-specific T cells and adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells associate with reduced incidence of infection in CMV+ KTR. Expansions of adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells were reported in posttransplant CMV-infected KTR. To further explore this issue, NKG2C+ NK, CD8+, and TcRγδ T cells were analyzed pretransplant and at different time points posttransplant for ≥24 mo in a cohort of CMV+ KTR (n = 112), stratified according to CMV viremia detection. In cryopreserved samples from a subgroup (n = 49), adaptive NKG2C+ NK cell markers and T cell subsets were compared after a longer follow-up (median, 56 mo), assessing the frequencies of CMV-specific T cells and viremia at the last time point. Increased proportions of NKG2C+ NK, CD8+, and TcRγδ T cells were detected along posttransplant evolution in viremia(+) KTR. However, the individual magnitude and kinetics of the NKG2C+ NK response was variable and only exceptionally detected among viremia(–) KTR, presumably reflecting subclinical viral replication events. NKG2C+ expansions were independent of KLRC2 zygosity and associated with higher viral loads at diagnosis; no relation with other clinical parameters was perceived. Increased proportions of adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells (CD57+, ILT2+, FcεRIγ–) were observed after resolution of viremia long-term posttransplant, coinciding with increased CD8+ and Vδ2– γδ T cells; at that stage CMV-specific T cells were comparable to viremia(–) cases. These data suggest that adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells participate with T cells to restore CMV replication control, although their relative contribution cannot be discerned.

Premature cardiovascular disease and death with a functioning graft are leading causes of death and graft loss, respectively, in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Vascular stiffness and calcification are markers of cardiovascular disease that are prevalent in KTR and associated with subclinical vitamin K deficiency. We performed a single-center, phase II, parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (ISRCTN22012044) to test whether vitamin K supplementation reduced vascular stiffness (MRI-based aortic distensibility) or calcification (coronary artery calcium score on computed tomography) in KTR over 1 year of treatment. The primary outcome was between-group difference in vascular stiffness (ascending aortic distensibility). KTRs were recruited between September 2017 and June 2018, and randomized 1:1 to vitamin K (menadiol diphosphate 5 mg; n = 45) or placebo (n = 45) thrice weekly. Baseline demographics, clinical history, and immunosuppression regimens were similar between groups. There was no impact of vitamin K on vascular stiffness (treatment effect -0.23 [95% CI -0.75 to 0.29] × 10-3 mmHg-1 ; p = .377), vascular calcification (treatment effect -141 [95% CI - 320 to 38] units; p = .124), nor any other outcome measure. In this heterogeneous cohort of prevalent KTR, vitamin K supplementation did not reduce vascular stiffness or calcification over 1 year. Improving vascular health in KTR is likely to require a multifaceted approach.

Objective Mandatory universal salt iodization in China was implemented 20 years ago. However, the current iodine status and prevalence of thyroid disorders among childbearing-age women are unknown. Methods A nationally representative cross-sectional study with 26 166 enrolled participants aged 18 to 49 years from all 31 provincial regions of mainland China was performed. The participants were given a questionnaire and underwent B-mode ultrasonography of the thyroid. The serum concentrations of thyroid hormones and thyroid antibodies and the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) were measured. Results The median UIC was 178.7 μg/L, indicative of adequate iodine status. pHowever, 19.04% and 19.87% of the participants were classified as having iodine deficiency and excessive iodine, respectively. The weighted prevalence of thyroid disorders was as follows: 1.08% had overt hyperthyroidism, 0.58% had subclinical hyperthyroidism, 0.76% had Graves disease, 1.28% had overt hypothyroidism, 14.28% had subclinical hypothyroidism, 13.53% were positive for thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and 14.55% were positive for thyroglobulin antibodies. Excessive iodine and overweight were associated with higher odds of subclinical hypothyroidism. A family history of thyroid disorders and an age between 40 and 49 years were significantly associated with higher odds of positivity for thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies. Conclusion Iodine deficiency, excessive iodine, subclinical hypothyroidism, and positivity for thyroid autoantibodies remain prevalent among women of childbearing age in China. Women of childbearing age who are relatively older, are overweight, or have a family history of thyroid disorders are encouraged to undergo active screening of their UIC and thyroid function when planning a pregnancy.

Truc Thanh Thai,1 Thinh Huu Nguyen,2 Phuong Thu Thi Pham,3 Han Hy Thi Bui,4 Tam Ngoc Minh Bui2 1Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 2Training and Scientific Research Department, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 3Hospital for Rehabilitation - Occupational Diseases at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 4Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Hanoi, VietnamCorrespondence: Truc Thanh ThaiFaculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamTel +84 908 381 266Email thaithanhtruc@ump.edu.vnTam Ngoc Minh BuiTraining and Scientific Research Department, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamTel +84 906 951 668Email tam.bnm@umc.edu.vnPurpose: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are a crucial resource in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic but are vulnerable to both SARS-CoV-2 infection and negative psychological consequences. This study evaluated HCWs’ emotions, stressor experiences and coping strategies during the pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs at the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City. The questionnaire was adapted from the MERS-CoV Staff Questionnaire to measure HCWs’ emotions, stressor experiences and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Among the 1423 participants eligible in the data analysis, the majority were female (71.1%) with a mean age of 34.2 (standard deviation 7.8) years. While most participants reported that they did their job because of their professionalism and duty as HCWs (87.4%), a high number reported feeling nervous and scared (86.0%). Most participants reported worry about transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to their families or friends (76.6%) and concern that a small mistake or lapse in concentration could infect themselves and others (76.7%). The most common coping strategies were following strict personal protective measures (95.3%), avoiding going out (92.5%) and reading about SARS-CoV-2 (92.3%). Females who had a higher educational level and less than 5-years work experience and those who worked at clinical departments and subclinical departments were more vulnerable.Conclusion: This study indicates an urgent need for psychological support for HCWs, especially for those at high risk of having stress. Interventions and support should utilize psychological resources and approaches effectively to adapt to the new situation during the COVID-19 pandemic.Keywords: stressor experience, coping strategy, motivational factors, health care worker, COVID-19

Subclinical paranoia is associated with negative psychological and general health consequences including poorer social functioning. Despite extensive research on the outcomes of individuals with greater paranoia, the consequences of interacting with someone who is paranoid are less clear. As social functioning involves interactions between individuals, investigating associations between paranoia and relationship outcomes from a dyadic perspective may aid in elucidating the mechanisms underlying social dysfunction in subclinical paranoia. This study examined the trajectory of new roommate relationships over the course of the college semester. One hundred three same-sex roommate dyads were assessed on pathological personality traits at the beginning of the semester and on roommate relationship satisfaction and college adjustment at 2-week intervals. Individuals who were more paranoid reported lower satisfaction in their roommate relationship and poorer overall college adjustment. Importantly, individuals who lived with a more paranoid roommate also reported lower satisfaction in their roommate relationship. In contrast, elevated psychoticism, in either the individual or their roommate, was not associated with lower roommate relationship satisfaction. These findings demonstrate that the effects of subclinical paranoia extend beyond the paranoid individual to social partners as well. Further, poorer relationship satisfaction appears specifically related to paranoia and does not seem to be associated with increased psychoticism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is not only one of the most prevalent human autoimmune diseases, but also the most frequent cause of primary hypothyroidism. It is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland with subsequent gradual destruction and fibrous replacement of thyroid tissue. Genetic predisposition, epigenetic modifications and environmental factors are suspected as disease triggers. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, bradycardia, constipation and cold intolerance. In subclinical hypothyroidism, symptoms may be absent. The diagnosis of AIT is based on the presence of antibodies against thyroid specific antigens, primarily anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and on a sonographically proven reduced echogenicity of the thyroid parenchyma. The diagnosis of concomitant hypothyroidism is primarily based on clinical signs and symptoms as well as measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-concentration. Subclinical hypothyroidism is characterized by elevated TSH with normal serum free thyroxine (fT4) and triiodothyronine (fT3) levels, while in manifest hypothyroidism serum fT4 and fT3 levels are reduced. Levothyroxine (LT4) treatment in subclinical hypothyroidism is a controversy in the scientific literature and should be discussed individually. It not only depends on the level of TSH-elevation, but also on other factors, such as patient age, presence of comorbidities and clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism. In contrast, overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism with a TSH-level > 10 mIU/L is a strong indication for LT4 administration, aiming at rapid achievement of euthyroidism. In patients with dissatisfaction due to persistence of symptoms despite optimal LT4-treatment LT4/T3-combination therapy should be considered, based on expert opinion.

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is accompanied by substantial systemic dysregulations that comprise systemic inflammation and neurohormonal activation in addition to many neurological involvements, such as cerebrovascular diseases, polyneuropathies, motor neuron diseases, and cognitive impairment has been described in COPD patients. The aim of the current work was to detect the subclinical affection of the peripheral nervous system in patients with stable COPD. Results Forty COPD patients and 30 subjects as healthy control were enrolled. All included subjects were submitted to complete medical history, clinical evaluations, investigations in the form of; arterial blood gases, spirometry, in addition to nerve conduction study. The patients with COPD were classified according to GOLD criteria for severity in grade I in 7.5% grade II in 62.5%, grade III in 20%, and grade IV in 10%. The results show a statistically significant increase in distal latency and a statistically significant decrease of amplitude and conduction velocity in patients with COPD when compared to the examined nerves of control group. The demyelinating nerve affection was the most common. Conclusion In COPD patients the peripheral nervous system could be affected subclinically once the severity of COPD increased and the patient should be neurophysiologically observed for early recognition of peripheral nervous system affection.

To evaluate the association between thyroid echogenicity and heterogeneity seen on ultrasonography (US) and thyroid function in pediatric and adolescent populations with autoimmune diffuse thyroid diseases (AITD). From 2000 to 2020, we reviewed thyroid ultrasound (US) images and thyroid function statuses in 133 children and adolescent AITD patients. Our review of the images focused on decreased echogenicity and heterogeneity, which were classified into four grades. Among patients with overt hypothyroidism or overt hyperthyroidism, 94.2% (65/69) showed a US grade of 3 or 4. In patients with subclinical hyper/hypothyroidism or euthyroidism, 45.3% (29/64) showed grades 1 or 2. There were no overt hyper/hypothyroidism patients with US grade 1. When we compared US grades according to thyroid status, more severe thyroid dysfunction was significantly associated with higher US grade (p = 0.047). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level differed significantly according to US grades when we evaluated hyperthyroid (p = 0.035) and hypothyroid (p = 0.027) states independently. 11 patients showed both US grade and thyroid function status changes on follow-up US. In children and adolescent AITD patients, there was an association between decreased echogenicity and heterogeneity on US and thyroid dysfunction.

Ultrasonography is a useful technique to detect soft tissue changes of rheumatoid arthritisnot only synovitis, but also tenosynovitis, bursitis, and enthesitis-even at a subclinical stage. However, radiologists tend to focus on synovitis in daily practice, and unusual peri- or extraarticular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis are difficult to detect at the initial presentation. This pictorial essay describes a broad spectrum of ultrasonographic findings in tendons, bursae, ligaments, subcutaneous tissues, bones, and nerves to assist in the accurate diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The present study examined the association between nightmare distress and alexithymia in traumatized North Korean (NK) refugees resettled in South Korea and the effects of clinical or subclinical psychiatric symptoms on this association.Thirty-eight NK refugees living in South Korea who had traumatic experiences (15 males, 23 females; 29.50 ± 13.11 years of age) were recruited. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and the Clinician-Administered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale were conducted. All participants completed a series of questionnaires on the history of their previous traumatic experiences, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Nightmare Distress Questionnaire (NDQ), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), and the Impact of Event Scale. In total, 18 refugees were classified as having nightmare distress based on NDQ scores, and 20 refugees were not.Refugees with nightmares reported significantly higher TAS total scores and Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF; a subscale of TAS) scores compared to those without nightmares. In addition, NDQ scores were positively correlated with TAS total scores (r = 0.43, p 0.01) and DIF scores (r = 0.49, p 0.01). These correlations remained significant after excluding refugees with current axis I psychiatric disorders or clinical or subclinical depressive symptoms. However, there was no significant correlation between nightmares and alexithymia after excluding refugees with clinical or subclinical trauma-related symptoms.Nightmares in traumatized refugees were associated with alexithymia even in the absence of current psychiatric disorders or depressive symptoms. Trauma-related symptoms might be a mediating factor between nightmares and alexithymia in traumatized refugees.

The most recent high-sensitivity assays for troponins I and T (hs-TnI and hs-TnT) have made it possible to detect blood concentrations up to 10 times lower than previous assays, making troponins detectable even in asymptomatic subjects without manifest cardiovascular disease. For this reason, hs-Tn, initially introduced as markers of myocardial damage in an acute setting, have also become possible markers of subclinical myocardial damage in baseline conditions. In fact, recent evidence suggests that hs-TnT and hs-TnI predict the risk of future cardiovascular events also in the context of primary prevention, and offer incremental information when added to current risk stratification models. The different association highlighted with different outcome measures, such as coronary heart disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and death from all causes, seems to indicate that the risk observed in asymptomatic subjects with high levels of hs-Tn is an expression of subclinical damage secondary to multiple pathophysiological mechanisms, and not only to atherothrombosis. However, the ability of hs-TnT and hs-TnI (until now used interchangeably), to provide differential predictive information, and not redundant with respect to more traditional factors, remains to be definitively clarified, both for the purpose of predicting specific outcomes and for the implementation of specific preventive strategies. To date, evidences available allow us to hypothesize their role more as markers than as risk factors.

Background: Adequate assessment of fluid status is an imperative objective in the management of HD patients. An inaccurate assessment of dry weight leads to many complications. Objective: The aim was to assess applicability of clinical using inferior vena cava (IVC) and lung ultrasonography to assess dry weight and the adequacy of fluid removal in hemodialysis children with special relation between acute and chronic renal failure. Patients and methods: 75 children were classified into two groups: Group (1): Chronic renal failure and group (2): Acute renal failure. Results: A statistically positive significant correlation between percent of weight loss after dialysis among the studied patients and all of serum ferritin, creatinine, phosphorus and iron. There was statistically negative significant correlation between percent of weight loss after dialysis among the studied patients and serum creatinine. There was statistically significant negative correlation between percent of weight loss after dialysis among the studied patients and SPAP. There was statistically non-significant correlation between percent of weight loss after dialysis among the studied patients and percent change in IVC inspiratory diameter, expiratory diameter, collapse index and B lines. There was statistically significant difference between the studied groups and expiratory IVCD, collapse index before and after dialysis, difference in B lines. Conclusion: Lung ultrasound is an accurate and sensitive method of quantifying subclinical fluid overload in children on dialysis before its clinical manifestation. IVC measurement is reliable to assess intravascular fluid overload in children on HD and was not correlated with extracellular fluid volume as need more time (2-3h) after dialysis and maneuver difficult with young age.

Introduction Histopathological characteristics of cytomegalovirus (CMV) lymphadenitis have been well described. Rare studies have reported the immune status and clinical features. Clinically, experts believed that CMV lymphadenitis develops in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Infectious mononucleosis (IM)-like syndrome is the most well-known clinical presentation. Methods We reviewed archived CMV immunohistochemical stains on lymphoid tissues. The clinicopathological features of CMV-positive cases were studied. Results For lymph nodes, we detected CMV in 29% (5/17) allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) recipients, 29% (4/14) post-autologous PBSCT patients, 13% (6/47) patients treated with intravenous chemotherapy, and 9% (9/96) immunocompetent patients. We detected CMV in 7% (2/24) of tonsils but not in the nasopharynx, tongue base, or spleen specimens. The patients with iatrogenic immunodeficiency ranged from 37 to 76 years old. CMV infections developed a few years after lymphoma treatment (median duration after allogeneic PBSCT, 932 days; after autologous PBSCT, 370 days; and after chemotherapy, 626 days). The most common clinical presentation was neck mass (13/25, 42%), followed by asymptomatic image finding (10/25, 40%). Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan showed increased uptake compared to the liver in all patients (11/11, 100%). Of 10 lymphoma patients, 8 (80%) had a Deauville score of 4–5; they accounted for 30% (8/27) of lymphoma patients with false-positive PET/CT scan results. All cases were self-limiting. 96% (23/25) cases had Epstein–Barr virus coinfection, and EBER-positive cells were predominantly in a few germinal centers. Conclusions Cytomegalovirus (CMV) lymphadenitis and tonsillitis were subclinical infections, not primary CMV infection with IM-like syndrome. The lymphadenopathy typically developed a few years after lymphoma treatments in the middle-aged and the elderly. The lesions mimicked lymphoma relapse in PET scans. Therefore, recognizing CMV infection in lymphoid tissues is of clinical importance. Graphic abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become increasingly recognized as a cause of mortality, especially in patients with long-standing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Aim of the work: To detect subclinical cardiac involvement and its relation to clinical characteristics, disease activity and damage. Patients and methods: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed in 36 SLE patients. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) sections were obtained. T1-weighted inversion recovery scout images were obtained after injection of gadolinium. Results: Thirty-six patients were included with a mean age of 32.4 ± 8.5 years; 35 females and 1 male; with disease duration of 7.9 ± 5 years. The frequent cardiac presentations on TTE were tricuspid regurgitation (TR) (41.6%), mitral regurgitation (MR) (36.1%), mitral thickening (25%), early diastolic mitral flow/mitral flow during atrial contraction (E/A)

Aim of the work To study the frequency of cranial and peripheral neuropathies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), their clinical characteristics, electrophysiological pattern and relation to disease activity. Patients and methods The study included 30 SLE patients and 20 matched healthy controls. Electrophysiological assessment included routine nerve conduction studies for assessment of peripheral nerves and visual evoked potential, blink reflex, and brain stem auditory evoked potential for assessment of the second, fifth, seventh, and eighth cranial nerves, respectively. Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment–SLE Disease Activity Index (SELENA–SLEDAI) was assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 35.8 ± 8.6 years, 27 females and 3 males (9:1) with median disease duration 4.5(1.2–8) years and SELENA-SLEDAI of 12.09 ± 4.94. The mean complement-3 (C3) level was 81.2 ± 26.9 mg/dl and C4 was 11.5 ± 4.4 mg/dl. Peripheral neuropathy was detected electrophysiologically in 66.7% and clinically in 53.3% of the patients and was sensory more than motor. Sensory neuropathy was found in 9(30%), sensorimotor in 11(36.7%), demyelinating in 9(30%), axonal in 6(20%) and both axonal and demyelinating in 5(16.7%) patients. 13.3% had subclinical neuropathy. Sensorimotor and sensory neuropathies were detected in 36.7% and 30% of patients, respectively. Cranial neuropathy was not detected in any patient or control clinically or electrophysiologically. Peripheral neuropathy significantly correlated with SELENA-SLEDAI (r = 0.55, p = 0.002) and negatively with C3 and C4 (r = −0.65, p = 0.012 and r = −0.63, p = 0.015 respectively). Conclusion Peripheral neuropathy is a well-recognized but underestimated manifestation of neuropsychiatric SLE with predominance of sensorimotor variant. Peripheral neuropathy is associated with disease activity and complement consumption.

Allopurinol is the first-line agent for patients with gout, including those with moderate‐to‐severe chronic kidney disease. However, increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are observed in patients with long-term allopurinol treatment. This large-scale, nested case–control, retrospective observational study analysed the association between allopurinol use and increased TSH levels. A common data model based on an electronic medical record database of 19,200,973 patients from seven hospitals between January 1997 and September 2020 was used. Individuals aged > 19 years in South Korea with at least one record of a blood TSH test were included. Data of 59,307 cases with TSH levels > 4.5 mIU/L and 236,508 controls matched for sex, age (± 5), and cohort registration date (± 30 days) were analysed. An association between the risk of increased TSH and allopurinol use in participants from five hospitals was observed. A meta-analysis (I2 = 0) showed that the OR was 1.51 (95% confidence interval: 1.32–1.72) in both the fixed and random effects models. The allopurinol intake group demonstrated that increased TSH did not significantly affect free thyroxine and thyroxine levels. After the index date, some diseases were likely to occur in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism. Allopurinol administration may induce subclinical hypothyroidism.

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of deaths from an infectious disease worldwide. WHO's End TB Strategy is falling short of several 2020 targets. Undernutrition is the leading population-level risk factor for tuberculosis. Studies have consistently found that undernutrition is associated with increased tuberculosis incidence, increased severity, worse treatment outcomes, and increased mortality. Modelling studies support implementing nutritional interventions for people living with tuberculosis and those at risk of tuberculosis disease to ensure the success of the End TB Strategy. In this Personal View, we highlight nutrition-related immunocompromisation, implications of undernutrition for tuberculosis treatment and prevention, the role of nutritional supplementation, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antimycobacterial medications in undernourished people with tuberculosis, and the role of social protection interventions in addressing undernutrition as a tuberculosis risk factor. To catalyse action on this insufficiently addressed accelerant of the global tuberculosis epidemic, research should be prioritised to understand the immunological pathways that are impaired by nutrient deficiencies, develop tools to diagnose clinical and subclinical tuberculosis in people who are undernourished, and understand how nutritional status affects the efficacy of tuberculosis vaccine and therapy. Through primary research, modelling, and implementation research, policy change should also be accelerated, particularly in countries with a high burden of tuberculosis.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is closely associated with the aging process. However, changes in metabolic conditions and cardiac function that occur in middle aged population remain unclear. We evaluated longitudinal changes in metabolic parameters and cardiac function during a 3-year period in subjects with suspected MetS.Methods: We studied 191 participants with suspected MetS at baseline and after 3 years. Anthropometric parameters, including waist circumference (WC), and metabolic parameters, including fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were measured. Conventional echocardiography with two-dimensional speckle tracking was performed.Results: Mean age was 56.2±4.4 years, and there were 97 women (50.8%). Men had increased WC and triglycerides (TG) (WC 91.2±6.8 cm vs. 84.0±8.0 cm, P

Introduction: Healthcare workers are at the forefront in the Pandemic war against COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2). In this struggle, they have become high-risk by keeping in close contact with patients during their diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up with long working hours. The aim of this study was to contribute to epidemiological data of our country by examining the antibody status of our hospital healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM, COVID-19 ELISA kits were studied from sera samples of healthcare workers in Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Hospital between June 1 and November 30, 2020. Nasopharyngeal swab samples of these persons were also tested with the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 741 healthcare workers included in our study was found to be 17%. Seropositivity was detected in 6.4% (33/515) of the healthcare workers with negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test and in 3.9% (5/130) of the healthcare workers who did not have PCR test. Among the healthcare workers, the highest seroprevalence was observed in nurses (39.6%) followed by doctors (%23). Conclusion: It was evaluated that SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers is higher than in the population. This study shows that occupational exposure is a risk factor. 3.9% seropositivity was found in healthcare workers who never had a test. Considering that these workers have an asymptomatic or subclinical infection, there is a possible risk for nosocomial transmission. Therefore, healthcare professionals should use personal protective equipment and apply hygiene rules correctly and effectively in infectious diseases, especially during pandemic periods, while working in the hospital.

Background and Objective: The diabetic Mellitus common and spiking complication is Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). It is frequently associated with thyroid dysfunction. The subclinical hypothyroidism prevalence and clinical outcomes have been investigated by various studies. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 164 diabetic neuropathy patients attending the medicine department of Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex, Nowshera KPK during the study period from 2020 to 2021. Patients’ demographic details, clinical history, and neurological examination were recorded. Normal free thyroxin value was set as a referential standard for subclinical hypothyroidism diagnosis among all the patients. Diabetic neuropathy patients’ clinical manifestations were recorded as per neurological screening instrument. The clinical scoring system was utilized for DPN severity categorization into mild (6-8), moderate (9-11), and severe (>12). SPSS version 20 and a logistic regression model were used for data analysis. Results: This study enrolled 164 diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients. Of the total 164, 69 (42.1%) were male and 95 (57.9%) were female. The overall mean age was 49.61±13.72 years. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 32 [19.5%; 95% CI; 14.3%-23.7%]. The diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients with subclinical hypothyroidism had a higher prevalence of severity 86 [52.4%; 95%CI] compared to DNP patients without SCH 46 [28.04%; 95% CI] with a 3% level of significance. A higher HbA1c and HOMA-IR was found in patients with their respective values were (8.3±1.1 against 7.2±1.3) where p-value

Background: By the time of histological confirmation of rejection is achieved, renal scarring may for treatment as a realistic option . This study aims to study the subclinical pathological graft data and to evaluate the histopathological impact of different immunosuppression protocols in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Methods: This is a case series that included twenty living donor renal transplant recipients. All included cases received the classic triple immunotherapy for at least one month post-transplantation [Steroids, calconurine inhibitors (CNI), and mycofenlolic mofetile (MMF)]. Based on their immunological risk stratification; included cases were divided into 2 groups: group (A) continued on CNI based triple therapy protocol; group (B) shifted to evirolimus /low dose CNI protocol. Surveillance biopsies were done for all cases at one and four month post-transplantation. Results: One and four month biopsies revealed subclinical rejection (including borderline changes) in 4 (20%) cases and 6 (30%) cases respectively. The number of patients received tacrolimus/MMF therapy significantly increased (p=0.02) while that of patients on everloimus/low dose CNI significantly decreased (p=0.014) due to drug modifications based on four month surveillance biopsy data. Conclusion: Subclinical rejection is not uncommon in pediatric renal graft recipients which makes surveillance biopsy might be of help. Early usage of evirolimus/low CNI protocol is associated with higher rejection rate than triple therapy.

Nowadays, more than 485 million people in the world suffer from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). According to large epidemiological studies, the group of CVD is the leading cause of death in the world. One of the neurohumoral mechanisms that appears to be a risk factor for CVD is thyroid dysfunction. In this regard, in recent years, more and more attention is paid to the study the influence of subclinical hypothyroidism on the occurrence and development of cardiovascular disorders. MeSH words: cardiovascular diseases, subclinical hypothyroidism

Background: The aim our study was to identify factors affecting blood pressure in patients with hypertension (HTN) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). Material and methods: One hundred and thirty-eight patients aged from 25 to 59 years were examined and divided into control group (n = 30), euthyroid patients with HTN (n = 45) and patients with HTN in combination with SH (n = 63). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-a, C-reactive protein, total hydroperoxide content, total antioxidant activity, total uperoxide dismutase activity and sirtuin 1 were measured in addition to complete blood count and routine biochemical tests. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to test whether there was a significant difference between the independent and its dependent variables. Results: Fewer factors affected systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with HTN and SH compared with euthyroid patients. These included age, waist circumference, insulin, triglycerides, very high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and TAA. The opposite results were found in relation to the increase in pulse pressure: significant effects of gender, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase were observed in patients with SH and only the level of ACT had a significant influence in euthyroid patients. Conclusions: Factors associated with blood pressure and their overall number differed among patients with SH and HTN compared with euthyroid patients with HTN. Such results may be due to changes in anthropometric parameters, metabolic profile and oxidative status in patients with concomitant SH.

Introduction: The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) frequently leads to serious complications and prolonged hospitalizations requiring effective care after discharge. Aim of the study: Aim of this study was to identify feasible and cost-effective predictors of outcome among clinical characteristics, functional status, laboratory, echocardiographic and lung ultrasound data of COVID-19 patients. Material and methods: Patients affected by COVID-19 who experienced a prolonged hospitalization due to a severe form of the disease and that have been discharged from the COVID-19 rehabilitation unit (RU) were prospectively enrolled between April 6th and May 22nd, 2020. All the patients underwent a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) at the 30-day follow-up. Baseline characteristics, laboratory, functional exercise tests, echocardiographic and lung ultrasound (LUS) data collected between hospitalization, admission to RU, discharge from RU and follow-up were compared. Correlations with the predicted distance covered at the 6MWT (6MWD) were made. Results: 40 patients met inclusion criteria and presented to follow-up (13 women [32.5%] and 27 men [67.5%]; mean age 66 ± 10 years). Among all variables analysed, only functional tests at discharge showed a remarkable correlation with the 6MWD. Significant improvement in lung ultrasound score (LUSS) was also observed however without correlation with 6MWD. Conclusions: functional tests at discharge from RU identified patients with different 30-day outcomes that could deserve a stricter long-term follow-up. This may help in planning a personalized follow-up. The costs and effort were minimal. The severity of the acute phase did not significantly influence functional recovery. LUS was useful to identify subclinical lung damage and its evolution over time, however without clear functional correlation.

Objective: To investigate the risk of mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals of the voice-speech professions and the possibility of its impact on voice function and quality of life. Materials and Methods: The study involved 33 people of voice-speech professions who were treated at the University Clinic of Zaporizhzhia State Medical University in 2020. The presence of mental disorders was determined by questionnaires using the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). The patients were divided into 2 groups, depending on the absence and presence of significantly expressed symptoms. A specialized phoniatric examination using functional loads (measuring the time of maximum phonation (PMF), perceptual assessment of the voice according to the GRBAS scale), videostroboscopy of the larynx were carried out. The assessment of the mental impact of voice disorders on the quality of life was carried out according to the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire. The statistical significance of the comparative indicators and the connection of their changes were established using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: It was found that among the surveyed 33 people, 22 patients (group 1) had subclinical anxiety and depression, and 11 (group 2) had no significant symptoms. Patients with subclinically severe mental disorders (n = 22) showed a significant increase in the emotional indicator by 85.37% (p≤0.01). A high positive relationship was found between subclinical levels of anxiety and depression and disturbances in the phonatory cycle of the larynx. When conducting a Spearman correlation analysis between the data of perceptual assessment of the voice according to the GRBAS system, data of video stroboscopy of the larynx, indicators of anxiety and depression, and the results of the VHI questionnaire, a positive relationship of a high degree was established between the level of anxiety and vibratory insufficiency of the vocal folds (rs=0.95; p≤0.05), negative with the Navy (rs=-0.59; p≤0.05), as well as physical (rs=0.75; p≤0.05) and emotional (rs=0.79; p≤0.05) components of average quality of life. The data obtained indicate a significant effect of subclinical disorders of the mental state on impaired voice function and the emotional component of the quality of life in persons of vocal-speech professions. Conclusions: Screening of mental health in persons of voice-speech professions together with a baseline assessment of voice function and quality of life are important steps for monitoring potential voice disorders and the formation of risk groups in order to carry out preventive and therapeutic measures for voice disorders.

Background:Vesicoureteral reflux is a prominent congenital anomaly of the kidney and the urinary tract. Further, renal scarring is known to be related to chronic inflammation. However, there have been limited studies to date regarding the cardiovascular consequences of vesicoureteral reflux.Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications in children with vesicoureteral reflux.Methods:Patients with vesicoureteral reflux and age matched healthy controls were prospectively included in this case-control study. Patients were divided into two groups concerning renal scarring status. To assess cardiac functions, carotid artery intima media, epicardial adipose tissue, and periaortic adipose tissue thicknesses were evaluated.Results:There were 50 patients with vesicoureteral reflux; 26 patients without renal scarring and 24 patients with renal scarring, as well as 40 healthy controls. Myocardial performance indexes (Tei indexes) measured by tissue Doppler echocardiography from septum and left ventricle were significantly increased in study group (for all, p < 0.001). Also, intima media, epicardial adipose tissue, and periaortic adipose tissue thicknesses of the study groups were significantly higher than the control group (for all, p < 0.001). However, no statistical difference was observed between renal scarring (−) and renal scarring (+) groups.Conclusions:Results of our study showed early deterioration of cardiac systolic and diastolic functions in children with vesicoureteral reflux regardless of renal scarring. Also, diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux is an important risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis, independent of renal scarring, which should be considered in the follow-up of these patients.

Introduction. In patients with uncontrolled asthma, the stress-induced production of glucocorticosteroids in response to a cold bronchoprovocation test is increased, which is associated with an increase in the level of thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH), characteristic of the syndrome of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). The peculiarities of thyroid hormone metabolism and changes in pituitary-adrenal homeostasis that develop in asthma in a goiter-endemic region under the influence of cold stress factors on the respiratory system are poorly studied.Aim. To assess the activity of the pituitary-thyroid and pituitary-adrenal systems in response to bronchoprovocation with cold air in asthma patients with cold airway hyperresponsiveness (CAHR) and SH living in conditions of goiter endemic in the Amur Region.Materials and methods. In 34 asthma patients with CAHR, without symptoms of thyroid diseases, the level of disease control was assessed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire. Lung function and airway reaction to a cold stimulus (ΔFEV1IHCA) during 3-minute isocapnic hyperventilation with cold (-20ºC) air (IHCA) were measured. Methods of immunological diagnostics in the blood of patients before and after the IHCA test were used to measure the concentrations of thyroid-stimulating (TSH) and adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) hormones, common and active forms of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), thyroglobulin (TG), autoantibodies to thyroperoxidase (AB-TPO), cortisol. The content of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was determined in leukocytes.Results. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included 25 patients with an initially low (4, 0) TSH level (4.80±0.46 mU/L, p0.05), base FEV1 was 95.8±3.3 and 81.0±5.4% (p=0.026), ΔFEV1IHCA -11.9±0.96 and -13.5±2.7 (p>0.05), respectively. In group 1, in response to IHCA, the level of free T4 increased from 14.2±0.70 to 15.2±0.71 pmol/L (p1 and the T4 level before (r=0.54; p50 and the initial level of cortisol in the blood serum (r=0.50; p=0.002).Conclusion. In asthma patients with CAHR living in the region of cold climate and goiter endemic, the presence of SH can be considered as a prognostic sign of the development of dysadaptation of the respiratory system to cold exposure.

There is emerging evidence of prolonged recovery in survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), even in those with mild COVID-19. In this paper, we report a case of a 39-year-old male with excessive body weight and a history of borderline values of arterial hypertension without therapy, who was mainly complaining of progressive dyspnea after being diagnosed with mild COVID-19. According to the recent guidelines on the holistic assessment and management of patients who had COVID-19, all preferred diagnostic procedures, including multidetector computed tomography (CT), CT pulmonary angiogram, and echocardiography, should be conducted. However, in our patient, no underlying cardiopulmonary disorder has been established. Therefore, considering all additional symptoms our patient had beyond dyspnea, our initial differential diagnosis included anxiety-related dysfunctional breathing. However, psychiatric evaluation revealed that our patient had only a mild anxiety level, which was unlikely to provoke somatic complaints. We decided to perform further investigations considering that cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) represents a reliable diagnostic tool for patients with unexplained dyspnea. Finally, the CPET elucidated the diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, which was the most probable cause of progressive dyspnea in our patient. We suggested that, based on uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors our patient had, COVID-19 triggered a subclinical form of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) to become clinically manifest. Recently, the new onset, exacerbation, or transition from subclinical to clinical HFpEF has been associated with COVID-19. Therefore, in addition to the present literature, our case should warn physicians on HFpEF among survivors of COVID-19.

Артериальная гипертензия (АГ) и нарушения липидного обмена являются одними из главных причин неблагоприятного сердечно-сосудистого прогноза, каждая из которых способствует развитию и прогрессированию заболеваний, связанных с атеросклерозом. У многих пациентов эти факторы риска присутствуют вместе. В статье на основании клинического случая обоснована необходимость назначения статинов больному с артериальной гипертензией. Приведены клинический случай наблюдения и лечения АГ у 47-летнего пациента с дислипидемией на разных временных этапах с последующим анализом современной информации о комбинации статинов и антигипертензивных средств — сартанов в процессе ведения пациентов высокого кардиоваскулярного риска. После нескольких лет эффективного антигипертензивного лечения артериальное давление больного стабилизировалось на целевых уровнях. Он бросил курить, нормализовал массу тела. Осталась асимптомная дислипидемия, которую он медикаментозно не контролировал. Во время предпоследнего визита у пациента был обнаружен неокклюзивный атеросклероз сосудов нижних конечностей, протекающий асимптомно. С учетом признаков сосудистого атеросклероза пациент попадает в группу высокого кардиоваскулярного риска. Ему нужно назначить интенсивную статинотерапию. В этом случае важно выбрать наиболее эффективный и безопасный препарат и соответствующую дозу. При просмотре клинического случая комбинированного лечения нашего пациента кандесартаном (Кантаб) и аторвастатином (Толевас) следует обратить внимание на два момента, спровоцировавшие развитие периферического атеросклероза. Во-первых, к нам обратился пациент молодого возраста с симптомами гипертонии, которые считались основными для постановки диагноза и выбора терапии. В результате он и получал достаточно эффективное антигипертензивное лечение. Сопутствующая дислипидемия имела субклинический характер, и пациент самостоятельно перестал принимать статины. Высокий общий холестерин считался только фактором риска. Во-вторых, в своих медицинских рекомендациях мы руководствовались критериями оценки степени кардиоваскулярного риска у больных с АГ (Приказ МЗ Украины от 24.05.2012 № 384) и поэтому не настаивали на некоторых этапах лечения интенсивной статинотерапии, как это рекомендуется европейскими и североамериканскими рекомендациями 2017 года.

Objectives To describe the prevalence and associated risk factors of new onset anisocoria (new pupil size difference of at least 1 mm) and its subtypes: new onset anisocoria accompanied by abnormal and normal pupil reactivities in patients with acute neurologic injuries. Design We tested the association of patients who experienced new onset anisocoria subtypes with degree of midline shift using linear regression. We further explored differences between quantitative pupil characteristics associated with first-time new onset anisocoria and nonnew onset anisocoria at preceding observations using mixed effects logistic regression, adjusting for possible confounders. Setting All quantitative pupil observations were collected at two neuro-ICUs by nursing staff as standard of care. Patients We conducted a retrospective two-center study of adult patients with intracranial pathology in the ICU with at least a 24-hour stay and three or more quantitative pupil measurements between 2016 and 2018. Measurements and main results We studied 221 patients (mean age 58, 41% women). Sixty-three percent experienced new onset anisocoria. New onset anisocoria accompanied by objective evidence of abnormal pupil reactivity occurring at any point during hospitalization was significantly associated with maximum midline shift (β = 2.27 per mm; p = 0.01). The occurrence of new onset anisocoria accompanied by objective evidence of normal pupil reactivity was inversely associated with death (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16-0.71; p = 0.01) in adjusted analyses. Subclinical continuous pupil size difference distinguished first-time new onset anisocoria from nonnew onset anisocoria in up to four preceding pupil observations (or up to 8 hr prior). Minimum pupil reactivity between eyes also distinguished new onset anisocoria accompanied by objective evidence of abnormal pupil reactivity from new onset anisocoria accompanied by objective evidence of normal pupil reactivity prior to first-time new onset anisocoria occurrence. Conclusions New onset anisocoria occurs in over 60% of patients with neurologic emergencies. Pupil reactivity may be an important distinguishing characteristic of clinically relevant new onset anisocoria phenotypes. New onset anisocoria accompanied by objective evidence of abnormal pupil reactivity was associated with midline shift, and new onset anisocoria accompanied by objective evidence of normal pupil reactivity had an inverse relationship with death. Distinct quantitative pupil characteristics precede new onset anisocoria occurrence and may allow for earlier prediction of neurologic decline. Further work is needed to determine whether quantitative pupillometry sensitively/specifically predicts clinically relevant anisocoria, enabling possible earlier treatments.