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ERJ Open Res 2022 Apr 16;8(2). Epub 2022 May 16.

Clinic for Pulmonology, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put pressure on healthcare services, forcing the reorganisation of traditional care pathways. We investigated how physicians taking care of severe asthma patients in Europe reorganised care, and how these changes affected patient satisfaction, asthma control and future care.

Methods: In this European-wide cross-sectional study, patient surveys were sent to patients with a physician-diagnosis of severe asthma, and physician surveys to severe asthma specialists between November 2020 and May 2021. Read More

Int J Med Sci 2022 21;19(4):631-639. Epub 2022 Mar 21.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, P. R. China.

To elucidate the effect of Schistosoma japonicum peptide (SJMHE1) on pyroptosis in thyroid follicular epithelial cells (TFCs) induced by excessive iodine and the potential mechanism, the effects of SJMHE1 were investigated in NaI-treated Nthy-ori 3-1 cells; and the involvement of the ROS/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways in these effects was evaluated by employing CCK-8 assays, flow cytometry, ELISA, and Western blotting experiments. We found that SJMHE1 significantly reduced NLRP3, N-terminus of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) and cleaved caspase-1 (C-caspase-1) expression, and decreased IL-1β secretion in TFCs. SJMHE1 also markedly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and decreased the phosphorylation levels of MAPK and NF-κB pathway members. Read More

Crit Care 2022 May 17;26(1):141. Epub 2022 May 17.

Institut dInvestigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain.

Background: The role of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is not fully elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate in COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS the impact of early use of NMBAs on 90-day mortality, through propensity score (PS) matching analysis.

Methods: We analyzed a convenience sample of patients with COVID-19 and moderate-to-severe ARDS, admitted to 244 intensive care units within the COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium, from February 1, 2020, through October 31, 2021. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 May 17;12(1):8202. Epub 2022 May 17.

Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan.

Cognitive frailty (CF) is a clinical condition defined by the presence of both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and physical frailty (PF). Elderly with CF are at greater risk of dementia than those with MCI or PF alone, but there are few known clinical or neuroimaging features to reliably distinguish CF from PF or MCI. We therefore conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of community elderly combining physical, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and multisequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluations. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 May 16;12(1):8108. Epub 2022 May 16.

Research Institute for Microbial Diseases and Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.

A cytokine storm induces acute respiratory distress syndrome, the main cause of death in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, the detailed mechanisms of cytokine induction due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remain unclear. To examine the cytokine production in COVID-19, we mimicked the disease in SARS-CoV-2-infected alveoli by adding the lysate of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells to cultured macrophages or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived myeloid cells. Read More

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2022 Apr-Jun;34(2):251-255

Aga Khan University Hospital,Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disorder of thyroid gland and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Its association with thyroid lymphoma is well established but with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the studies have shown inconsistent results.

Methods: It is a retrospective review of papillary thyroid cancer patients and 213 participants were included for final analysis. Read More

Int Heart J 2022 May 14. Epub 2022 May 14.

Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Hospital.

Surgical valve replacement improves the symptoms and prognosis of patients with valvular heart diseases. Aortic regurgitation elicits volume overload that causes enlargement of the left ventricle (LV), while the LV size often shrinks to near normal after aortic valve replacement (AVR), which is referred to as "reverse remodeling". We experienced a case in which LV outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction became apparent after AVR, resulting in worsening of heart failure. Read More

Am J Infect Control 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine.

Because extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) infections can cause life-threatening disease and effective treatments need to be developed, we examined the bactericidal effect of far-ultraviolet C (far-UVC) light therapy on ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli). The bactericidal effect on two types of ESBL-producing E. Read More

J Clin Med 2022 May 4;11(9). Epub 2022 May 4.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai 983-8536, Japan.

Osteoporosis is a common disease in elderly populations and is a major public health problem worldwide. It is not uncommon for spine surgeons to perform spinal instrumented fusion surgeries for osteoporotic patients. However, in patients with severe osteoporosis, instrumented fusion may result in screw loosening, implant failure or nonunion because of a poor bone quality and decreased pedicle screw stability as well as increased graft subsidence risk. Read More

Nutrients 2022 Apr 21;14(9). Epub 2022 Apr 21.

Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland.

The popularization of the gluten-free diet brings with it a fashion for its use, which can harm the treatment of Hashimoto's disease. The few studies in this regard do not confirm positive changes resulting from a gluten-free diet. At the same time, the presence of other comorbid autoimmune diseases in this group of patients is increasing. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2022 May 5;23(9). Epub 2022 May 5.

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Since the thyroid gland is one of the organs most affected by autoimmune processes, many patients with thyroiditis of Hashimoto (TH) seek medical advice on lifestyle variance and dietary modifications to improve and maintain their hyroid function. In this review, we aim to present and discuss some challenges associated with the nutritional management of TH, focusing on environmental and dietary deficits, inflammatory and toxic nutrients, cyanotoxins, etc. We discuss the relationships among different diets, chronic inflammation, and microbiota, and their impact on the development and exacerbation of TH in detail. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2022 Apr 29;23(9). Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.

It has been found that soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH; encoded by the gene) in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) plays a key role in inflammation, which, in turn, plays a part in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Meanwhile, epoxy fatty acids such as epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), epoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (EEQs), and epoxyeicosapentaenoic acids (EDPs) have been found to exert neuroprotective effects in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders through potent anti-inflammatory actions. Soluble expoxide hydrolase, an enzyme present in all living organisms, metabolizes epoxy fatty acids into the corresponding dihydroxy fatty acids, which are less active than the precursors. Read More

Indian J Pathol Microbiol 2022 May;65(Supplement):S198-S206

Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Autoimmune encephalitis is a group of non-infectious immune-mediated inflammatory disorders manifesting with epilepsy and encephalitis syndromes that are associated with autoantibodies in the serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Pathogenic autoantibodies have been discovered against intracellular onconeural antigens, surface neuronal, or synaptic antigens with distinctive pathogenesis that underlie differences in response to immunotherapy. The onconeural antigens incite cytotoxic T-cell-mediated neuronal destruction, whereas surface antigens trigger direct damage by autoantibodies via complement mediated pathways, and hence respond well to immunomodulatory therapy, in contrast to poor response in the former. Read More

Cancer Sci 2022 May 13. Epub 2022 May 13.

Division of Functional Immunology, Section of Disease Control, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan.

Neurokinin 2 receptor (NK2R), a G protein-coupled receptor for Neurokinin A (NKA), a tachykinin family member, regulates various physiological functions including pain response, relaxation of smooth muscle, dilation of blood vessels, and vascular permeability. However, the precise role and regulation of NK2R expression in cancer cells have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that high NK2R gene expression was correlated with the poor survival of colorectal cancer patients, and IFN-α/β stimulation significantly enhanced NK2R gene expression level of colon cancer cells in a JAK1/2-dependent manner. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2022 May 12;22(1):191. Epub 2022 May 12.

Department of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.

Background: Inflammatory myositis, such as dermatomyositis, is sometimes complicated by cancer and is recognized as cancer-associated myositis. Although some autoimmune antibodies are considered to be involved in the development of myositis in cancer patients, the precise mechanism has not been clarified. The findings of the present case shed light on the mechanism by which anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1 (TIF1)-γ Ab was produced and the pathogenesis of cancer-associated myositis. Read More

J Int Med Res 2022 May;50(5):3000605221096379

The First Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan Province 637000, China.

A giant cervical goiter, defined as a thyroid mass larger than 8 cm in diameter, is usually a nodular or adenomatous goiter. A giant cervical goiter can also be caused by hyperthyroidism (i.e. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2022 May 9. Epub 2022 May 9.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.

Aims: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based, secondary preventive strategy that improves mortality and morbidity rates in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the implementation and continuation of CR remains unsatisfactory, particularly for outpatients with physical frailty. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of a comprehensive home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) programme that combines patient education, exercise guidance, and nutritional guidance using information and communication technology (ICT). Read More

Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022 05 10;17(1):101. Epub 2022 May 10.

Laboratory for Statistical and Translational Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.

Background: Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent inflammation and destruction of cartilaginous tissues. RP has characteristics of autoimmune disease and some reports have noted co-occurrence with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), consisting of Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). However, there have been no detailed studies on the co-occurrence of RP and AITD. Read More

Int J Trichology 2022 Mar-Apr;14(2):62-64. Epub 2022 Apr 4.

Pediatrics I Clinic, Mureş Emergency Hospital, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease which affects hair follicles. It usually presents as a transient patchy hair loss, but it can sometimes progress into more severe forms such as AA totalis or AA universalis (AAU). Different autoimmune diseases, as well as autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS), have been associated with AA, especially with Type I and Type II APS. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022 22;13:860880. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Background: Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disease which may result in extensive damage of the thyroid gland. Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), is the most frequent HT-associated disorder, with anti-parietal cell autoantibodies (APCA) being a screening test for autoimmune CAG. The aim of this study was to investigate, in a cohort of HT patients: a) the prevalence of APCA in an attempt to define their clinical phenotype and b) any possible associations of APCA with other autoimmune diseases and malignancies. Read More

Int J Hematol 2022 May 6. Epub 2022 May 6.

Children's Cancer Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.

Although clinical trials have reported an improvement in the prognosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), current treatment outcomes are unsatisfactory, especially in severe cases. Most clinical trial patients with severe disease discontinue participation due to complications associated with HLH or treatment-related toxicity. A retrospective survey of patients who discontinued participation in the JPLSG HLH-2004 clinical trial was conducted to review the detailed course of these cases to optimize HLH treatment and supportive care. Read More

Wiad Lek 2022 ;75(3):577-583

UNIVERSITY OF AL-QADISIYAH, AL DIWANIYAH, IRAQ.

Objective: The aim: Evaluating serum concentration of IL-17 and IL-23 in autoimmune thyroiditis patient and control group along with the role of CTLA-4 rs3087243 gene polymorphism.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: A case control study was conducted in 30 HT (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), 30 GD (Graves' disease) who attended the consultant clinic for thyroiditis in AL-Diwaniyah teaching hospital and in 30 people as control group. Blood samples were processed for measurement of serum IL-17 and IL-23 using ELISA test. Read More

Surg Open Sci 2022 Jul 30;9:19-23. Epub 2022 Mar 30.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan.

Background: Despite endoscopic thyroid surgery contributing to excellent cosmetic outcomes, it requires longer surgical time than open surgery. This study evaluates the factors associated with operative time in video-assisted neck surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy by video-assisted neck surgery at a single hospital between 2017 and 2021. Read More

J Immunol Res 2022 26;2022:3881417. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, No. 1500 Zhouyuan Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, China 201318.

Objective: To explore the association of gene polymorphisms with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) including Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' illness (GD) as well as their clinical features.

Methods: rs6568431, rs548234, and rs6937876 were selected to investigate the correlation of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of gene with AITDs. Their frequencies in 824 AITD patients, including 271 HT patients and 553 GD patients, and 764 healthy controls were tested using both ligase detection reaction and multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Read More

J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022 May 5. Epub 2022 May 5.

H. H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, University of California.

Background And Aims: The portal pressure gradient (PPG) is a useful predictor of portal hypertension (PH) related complications. We previously showed the feasibility and safety of endoscopic ultrasound guided PPG measurement (EUS-PPG). Now EUS-guided liver biopsy (EUS-bx) has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to percutaneous or Interventional Radiology-guided liver biopsy for the diagnosis of chronic liver disease (CLD). Read More

Sci Rep 2022 May 4;12(1):7224. Epub 2022 May 4.

Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.

Recent effective therapies enable most rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to achieve remission; however, some patients experience relapse. We aimed to predict relapse in RA patients through machine learning (ML) using data on ultrasound (US) examination and blood test. Overall, 210 patients with RA in remission at baseline were dichotomized into remission (n = 150) and relapse (n = 60) based on the disease activity at 2-year follow-up. Read More

Med J Islam Repub Iran 2021 14;35:166. Epub 2021 Dec 14.

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.

Thyroid dysfunction is accompanied with significant metabolic alterations that affect body weight, appetite, and energy expenditure, as well as lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Leptin, an adipokine produced by adipocytes, regulates food intake and energy storage. Thyroid hormones and leptin share some physiological effects. Read More

Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2022 Apr 25;37(2):312-322. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is an entity that can involve the thyroid gland. The spectrum of IgG4-related thyroid disease (IgG4-RTD) includes Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) and its fibrotic variant, Riedel thyroiditis, as well as Graves' disease. The early diagnosis of IgG4-RTD is important because it is a medically treatable disease, and a delay in the diagnosis might result in unnecessary surgery. Read More

Acta Med Okayama 2022 Apr;76(2):113-119

Innoshima General Hospital.

This study aimed to investigate the link between prolonged sedentary bouts and health-related quality of life (QOL) in patients on chronic hemodialysis (CHD). A total of 84 outpatients on CHD, aged 71.6±11. Read More

Heart Vessels 2022 Apr 30. Epub 2022 Apr 30.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.

Coronary artery calcification is frequently observed in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Calcified nodule (CN) is recognized as one of the vulnerable plaque characteristics responsible for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although CN is a cause of ACS in only 10%, its prevalence may be higher in elderly patients and/or ESRD. Read More