The effect of wet-cupping therapy (hijama) in modulating autoimmune activity of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A pilot controlled study

Objectives:To investigate the possible effects of wet-cupping therapy (hijama) on autoimmune activity and thyroid hormonal profiles of Hashimoto’s disease (HD) patients.Methods:A prospective pilot controlled trial was carried out among adult females following HD at the Endocrinology Clinic of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from February 2014 until March 2017. A total of 13 patients (intervention group) underwent 3 hijama sessions at 3-week interval with a 6-month follow-up. Blood tests were carried out for both pre- and post-hijama, including: thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO), thyroglobulin antibody (TG), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine-4 (T4), and prolactin. Control group included 13 randomly selected HD patients following usual care with 2 consecutive measurements of TPO and TG at 2-3 months interval.Results:Changes in anti-TPO and anti-TG showed a decrease in hijama group versus an increase in control group, and intervention group comparison was statistically significant. On a fixed thyroxine supplement for each patient, significant decrease in levels of anti-TPO, anti-TG, TSH, prolactin, and erythrocyte sedi-mentation rate (ESR) occurred.Conclusion:These findings are presumptive to the efficacy of hijama on the pathogenesis of HD in modulating the immune inflammatory process demonstrated by the reduction in ESR, TPO, and TSH levels on a fixed thyroxin supplementation dose, along with patient-reported clinical improvement and positive changes in ultrasound including regaining of gland physiological size, echogenicity, and vascularity.     

Graves病131 I治疗中的细胞因子变化

目的：研究放射性碘（^131 I）治疗Graves病过程中的血清细胞因子的变化,并探讨其临床应用价值。方法：采用ELISA法分别测定初诊甲亢患者（初诊组,n=61）以及甲亢患者131I治愈后（治愈组,n=65）的血清细胞因子白细胞介素（IL）-1β、sIL-2R、IL-5、IL-6以及肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）的水平,并与健康对照组（n=68）比较;分析各种细胞因子水平与甲状腺激素之间的相关性。结果：初诊组及治愈组患者血清IL-1β、sIL-2R、IL-5、IL-6及TNF-α的水平均显著高于健康对照组（ P〈0.05-P〈0.01）;治愈组的血清细胞因子IL-1β、sIL-2R、IL-5、IL-6及TNF-α与初诊组相比显著下降（P〈0.01）,而TNF-α的水平与健康对照组差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;IL-1β与FT4,sIL-2R与TRAb,以及TNF-α与TRAb均呈正相关关系（P〈0.01）。结论：细胞因子IL-1β、sIL-2R、IL-5、IL-6以及TNF-α水平与甲状腺的功能密切相关,可作为评判甲亢患者131 I治疗效果的有价值的指标。     

甲状腺摄碘率测定在亚急性甲状腺炎和甲状腺功能亢进症诊断与鉴别诊断

目的探讨甲状腺摄碘(131I)率测定在亚急性甲状腺炎(亚甲炎)和甲状腺功能亢进症(甲亢)诊断与鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法 34例亚甲炎患者用化学发光免疫分析法(CLIA)测定血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3),血清游离甲状腺素(FT4),采用甲状腺功能仪进行甲状腺摄131I率测定,并与甲亢组患者和正常对照组进行对比分析。结果亚甲炎组患者血清FT3、FT4值均高于正常对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),与甲亢组差异无统计学意义(P0.05);亚甲炎组患者2 h、6 h、24 h甲状腺摄131I率(RAIU)明显低于对照组和甲亢组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),与血清FT3、FT4升高呈现"分离现象"。结论核医学检查的"分离现象"是早期诊断亚甲炎的灵敏度高、特异性强的方法。对初诊可疑的亚甲炎患者应首选甲状腺摄131I率测定,同时测定血清FT3、FT4,以免误诊、漏诊。     

放射性甲状腺癌合并慢性放射性甲状腺炎的相关问题探讨

目的探讨放射性甲状腺癌合并慢性放射性甲状腺炎的病理特点、诊断及两者的相关性。方法回顾分析汉中市中心医院肿瘤外科2011年6月~2013年7月收治的3例放射性甲状腺癌合并慢性放射性甲状腺炎患者的临床资料,对照国家制定的放射性甲状腺癌与慢性放射性甲状腺炎的诊断标准,进行分析探讨。结果 3例患者术后病理类型为甲状腺乳头状癌合并慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎;根据最新诊断标准,2例诊断为放射性甲状腺癌合并慢性放射性甲状腺炎,1例仅诊断为甲状腺乳头状癌合并慢性放射性甲状腺炎,不能诊断为放射性甲状腺癌。结论放射性甲状腺癌的绝大多数病理类型为甲状腺乳头状癌;慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎是慢性放射性甲状腺炎是一种病理类型;从事放射介入工作时间3年8个月,甚至更短时间,就能发生放射性甲状腺癌;慢性放射性甲状腺炎可以转变为放射性甲状腺癌。     

The occurrence of hypothyroidism following radioactive iodine treatment of toxic nodular goiter is related to the TSH level

Background  Strategies to increase frequency of euthyroidism following radioactive (RAI) treatment of hyperthyroidism are required. Aims  To examine the role of TSH in development of hypothyroidism post RAI treatment in patients with Graves’ disease (N = 98) or toxic nodular goiter, TNG (N = 88). Design  This retrospective study examined thyroid status over a mean of 3.7 years post-RAI. Results  Although RAI dose was significantly higher in TNG group, hypothyroidism occurred more frequently in Graves’ disease (71.4 and 22.7%) P < 0.001. The TSH levels at the time of RAI treatment were lower in TNG patients who remained euthyroid, (0.4±0.1 vs. 1.2±0.5 mU/l, P < 0.0022). Conclusions  A higher frequency of euthyroidism occurs in patients with TNG than with Graves’ disease following RAI, particularly when suppressed TSH levels were suppressed at time of RAI-treatment.     

Chinese patients with Lewy body dementia had shorter survival and developed complications earlier than those with Alzheimer’s disease

INTRODUCTIONAlzheimer’s disease (AD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD) are two common forms of dementia. There are still controversies regarding whether LBD patients have a worse clinical course than AD patients.METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed all biomarkers that supported AD and LBD patients presenting to the Memory Clinic of Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, between 1 January 2008 and 30 December 2016. Diagnoses of AD and LBD were supported by clinical diagnostic criteria and biomarkers. LBD patients included those with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Baseline demographics, presenting clinical features, degree of cognitive impairment and specified clinical outcomes were compared.RESULTSWe recruited 31 AD and 25 LBD patients (18 DLB, 7 PDD). When measured from disease onset, LBD patients were noted to have shorter overall survival (p = 0.02) with earlier occurrence of falls (p < 0.001), dysphagia (p < 0.001), pneumonia (p = 0.01), pressure injuries (p = 0.003) and institutionalisation (p = 0.03) than AD patients. Cox regression analyses showed that LBD predicted falls (hazard ratio [HR] 5.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.29–15.01, p < 0.001), dysphagia (HR 10.06, 95% CI 2.50–40.44, p = 0.001), pressure injuries (HR 17.39, 95% CI 1.51–200.10, p = 0.02), institutionalisation (HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.12–6.60, p = 0.03) and death (HR 2.96, 95% CI 1.18–7.42, p = 0.02).CONCLUSIONLBD patients had shorter overall survival with earlier occurrence of pre-specified long-term events compared with AD patients. LBD also independently predicted pre-specified long-term events.     

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a bedridden patient with dementia and communication difficulties due to Alzheimer’s disease

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a transient wall motion abnormality of the left ventricular apex, accompanied by emotional or physical stress. Although Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is generally considered a benign disease, severe clinical complications may occur, and early detection of the disease is important. In this report, we present the case of an 86-year-old bedridden woman with a history of bronchial asthma who was transferred to our hospital because of wheezing. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and had communication difficulties. After an asthma attack and improvement, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was identified via electrocardiography. She was unable to complain of any symptoms but showed serial electrocardiographic changes, elevated myocardial markers, and transient left ventricular apical ballooning. The prevalence of dementia increases dramatically with age. This case indicates that Takotsubo cardiomyopathy may occur even in patients with severe dementia, who are bedridden and show communication difficulties in a clinical setting.     

碳酸锂配合131I治疗低摄碘率甲状腺功能亢进

目的：观察碳酸锂对甲状腺摄碘率（radioactive iodineuptake,RAIU）的影响,探讨碳酸锂配合131I治疗低摄碘率Graves’病患者的临床疗效。方法：对36例RAIU〈50％的Graves’病患者,给予碳酸锂0．25g口服,每天3次,共7天,测定RAIU,根据RAIU的变化,比较服用131I剂量的差别。结果：36例在服用碳酸锂后,最高RAIU由（45．58±4．01）％上升至（64．36±4．66）％,有统计学意义（P〈0．001）,服锂前平均需服131I量为（991．6±577．2）MBq,服锂后降至（503．2±288．6）MBq。结论：碳酸锂能够提高Graves’病患者的RAIU,从而使部分不适合131I治疗的患者可能采用131I治疗,并在一定程度上减少了放射性131I的治疗用量。     

分化型甲状腺癌细胞株FTC-133失分化现象与^131I辐射的关系

目的研究体外培养的分化型甲状腺癌细胞株FTC-133失分化现象与放射性碘（^131I）辐射的关系。方法体外培养的甲状腺癌细胞株FTC-133分为实验组（以经筛选不造成细胞增殖抑制剂量的Na^131I辐射细胞48h,长期传代培养）、对照组（不加入Na^131I,长期传代培养）和空白组（细胞冻存,实验时复苏）。测定各组细胞摄碘率;分别采用RT—PCR、Western blotting和放射免疫分析法（RIA）检测各组细胞甲状腺球蛋白（Tg）、甲状腺过氧化物酶（TPO）、钠碘转运体（NIS）、促甲状腺激素受体（TSHR）mRNA和蛋白表达。结果细胞摄碘率为空白组〉对照组〉实验组,组间比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。与空白组比较,实验组和对照组细胞Tg、TPO、NIS、TSHR蛋白表达均明显下降,且以实验组下降尤为显著,组间比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;三组Tg、TPO、NIS和TSHRmRNA与蛋白表达变化一致。结论分化型甲状腺癌细胞FTC-133长期体外培养自动经历失分化过程,^131I辐射促进这一过程的发展,可能与甲状腺特异蛋白表达下降有关。     

三亚市2017年居民饮用水水碘含量监测

目的 了解三亚市居民饮用水水碘分布情况,为推进科学补碘提供数据支持依据。方法 2017年5月—6月按照《全国外环境水碘分布调查方案》在全市以乡（镇、街道办事处）为单位采集居民生活饮用水进行水碘含量调查。集中供水乡（镇、街道办事处）采集1份末梢水水样;分散供水乡（镇、街道办事处）,在东、西、南、北、中5部分各随机抽取1个行政村,每个行政村按东、西、南、北、中各随机抽取1口井,少于5口井的行政村全部抽取;部分集中供水乡（镇、街道办事处）在东、西、南、北、中5部分各随机抽取1个行政村,集中供水行政村采集1份末梢水水样,分散供水行政村抽样按东、西、南、北、中各随机抽取1口井,少于5口井的行政村全部抽取。水碘检测采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法。结果 三亚市13个乡（镇、街道办事处）,只有1个乡（镇、街道办事处）水碘中位数大于10.0 μg/L。全市共采集水样137份,其中分散供水水样103份、集中供水水样34份,所有集中供水水样水碘均低于10.0 μg/L。137份水样中水碘在10.0 μg/L以下的比例为69.34%,10.0~91.0 μg/L比例为30.66%,无水样水碘超过100.0 μg/L。浅井水碘中位数高于泉水水碘中位数（P<0.05）和集中供水水碘中位数（P<0.05）、插管井水碘中位数高于泉水水碘中位数（P<0.05）。结论 三亚市生活饮用水水碘含量总体上处于较低水平,三亚绝大部分地区属于碘缺乏地区,人们需继续食用碘盐。     

Neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba dropping pills in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world; however, it lacks effective and safe treatments. Ginkgo biloba dropping pill (GBDP), a unique Chinese G. biloba leaf extract preparation, exhibits antioxidant and neuroprotective effects and has a potential as an alternative therapy for PD. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of GBDP in in vitro and in vivo PD models and to compare the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of GBDP and the G. biloba extract EGb 761. Using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry, 46 GBDP constituents were identified. Principal component analysis identified differences in the chemical profiles of GBDP and EGb 761. A quantitative analysis of 12 constituents showed that GBDP had higher levels of several flavonoids and terpene trilactones than EGb 761, whereas EGb 761 had higher levels of organic acids. Moreover, we found that GBDP prevented 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic neuron loss in zebrafish and improved cognitive impairment and neuronal damage in methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced PD mice. Although similar effects were observed after EGb 761 treatment, the neuroprotective effects were greater after GBDP treatment on several endpoints. In addition, in vitro results suggested that the Akt/GSK3β pathway may be involved in the neuroprotective effects of GBDP. These findings demonstrated that GBDP have potential neuroprotective effects in the treatment of PD.     

^131I治疗老年与中青年Graves病患者临床分析

目的：分析老年与中青年Graves病（GD）患者临床特点及^131I治疗效果。方法：726例接受^131I治疗并且随访1年以上的GD患者中,老年组（年龄≥60岁）74例,中青年组（年龄〈60岁）652例,对其临床特点及^131I治疗效果进行对比研究。结果：老年GD患者FT3、FT4、甲状腺重量、甲状腺最高吸^131I率与中青年患者比较其差别有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,而有效半衰期无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;老年患者合并心房颤动、心力衰竭、肝功能损害、白细胞减少症、糖代谢异常等较为常见,结果显示两组比较差别有高度统计学意义（P〈0．001）;^131I治疗后1年老年组与中青年组GD患者临床痊愈率、好转率、无效及甲低发生率分别为66．2％、71．3％;14．9％、21．6％;5．4％、1．7％;13．5％、5．4％,其差别有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：^131I治疗可作为老年GD患者的首选治疗方法。     

99mTcO4-甲状腺显像对甲状腺摄碘-131 率测定的影响

目的 观察Na^99mTcO^-₄甲状腺显像对甲状腺¹³¹I放射性计数的影响及其随时间变化的规律。方法 以2013年3月至5月在北京协和医院核医学科就诊并已行甲状腺摄碘率(RAIU)测定的40例Graves病甲状腺功能亢进患者为研究对象,静脉注射Na^99mTcO^-₄(185MBq)行甲状腺显像以测定甲状腺面积,采用甲状腺功能仪分别测定患者注射Na^99mTcO^-₄后1、25、49、73、169 h甲状腺内放射性计数,并利用半衰期公式推算25、49、73 h时甲状腺内来自于¹³¹I及^99mTc的放射性计数,以^99mTc/室本底计数(1200)相对值为参考,观察^99mTc放射性计数随时间的变化规律及其对RAIU的影响,同时计算出⁹⁹Tc^m在甲状腺内的有效半衰期(Teff ^99mTc),观察其与游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、¹³¹I有效半衰期(Teff ¹³¹I)间的相关性。结果 静脉注射Na^99mTcO^-₄后第1、25、49、73h,通过甲状腺功能仪测定出来自^99mTc的放射性计数分别为(440.16±247.35)×10⁴、(11.37±10.67)×10⁴、(0.13±0.36)×10⁴、(-0.10±0.19)×10⁴,其与室本底比值分别为3668.00、94.75、1.08、NA。Teff ^99mTc为(4.41±0.49)h,与FT3、FT4和Teff ¹³¹I均无明显相关;Teff ¹³¹I与FT3(r=-0.503,P=0.003)、FT4(r=-0.516,P=0.002)则呈负相关。结论 甲状腺功能亢进患者甲状腺内Teff ^99mTc为4.41 h。注射Na^99mTcO^-₄ 3 d后,Na^99mTcO^-₄甲状腺显像对RAIU测定已无影响。^99mTc的有效半衰期与患者甲状腺激素水平和摄碘功能无明显相关性。     

Kaposi’s sarcoma associated with adult dermatomyositis

We report a case involving a 73-year-old Saudi man diagnosed with dermatomyositis who subsequently developed Kaposi’s sarcoma one month later. He had difficulty in rising from a chair and increased leg weakness while climbing stairs or walking. He was unable to comb his hair and had greater dysphagia with liquids than with solid foods. Laboratory tests showed elevated liver enzyme and creatine kinase levels. Right quadriceps muscle biopsy indicated inflammatory myopathy, which was consistent with adult dermatomyositis. We administered 1-g/day methylprednisolone intravenously for 3 days, followed by 60-mg oral prednisolone daily, which led to significant improvements in his muscle strength and dysphagia symptoms. The creatine phosphokinase level normalized. Computed tomography and endoscopic examinations did not reveal any evidence of an underlying malignancy. The patient was discharged and underwent close monitoring at a rheumatology clinic. We subsequently added 50-mg oral azathioprine daily to the treatment regimen. At one month after emergency room presentation, multiple new dusky violaceous macules and plaques appeared on his chest, face, upper back, neck, and upper limbs. A biopsy of one of these lesions showed findings consistent withKaposi’s sarcoma. He was referred to an oncology center for chemotherapy, following which his skin lesions significantly regressed. Dermatomyositis may be considered a paraneoplastic syndrome of Kaposi’s sarcoma.     

表观遗传修饰在神经退行性变性疾病中的作用研究进展

表观遗传修饰对神经发育、神经干细胞命运决定和神经系统的生理功能发挥具有重要的调节作用。异常的表观遗传修饰与阿尔茨海默病、帕金森病和亨廷顿病等神经退行性变性疾病的发生和发展有密切关系：异常升高的DNA甲基化修饰抑制了一些修复基因的表达，影响亨廷顿病进展；阿尔茨海默病患者大脑中H3K27ac和H3K9ac组蛋白修饰增加，影响神经变性；RNA甲基化修饰在阿尔茨海默病和帕金森病两种疾病动物模型中呈现差异化的改变。因此，表观遗传修饰可能作为神经系统疾病的潜在治疗靶点。本文综述了表观遗传修饰参与神经退行性变性疾病及其分子机制的最新研究进展。     

~(131)I对甲状腺功能亢进症的治疗评价

自1958～1985年间用~(131)I治疗甲状腺功能亢进705例,其中随访1～12年的367例治愈率为76.84％,好转率7.90％,甲状腺功能低下发生率10.35％。作者认为长期随访经~(131)I治疗后的患者非常重要,并提出了随访的客观指标。     

Disease phenotype and diagnostic delay in Saudi patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome: An exploratory cross-sectional study

Objectives:To describe primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) cohort in Saudi Arabiain view in of clinical/serological/histopathological phentotype, and, diagnostic delay.Methods:A cross-sectional study conducted between October 2018 and May 2019. Diagnostic delay was calculated from symptoms onset to clinical diagnosis. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) and EULAR Sjogren’s Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) were calculated.Results:Forty-one patients were included in the study. There were predominantly females (78%) with a mean (±SD) age of 58.76±12.7 and disease duration of 4.6±2.28 years. The mean diagnostic delay was 2.2±2.4 (range 1-11) years. Minor salivary gland biopsy was performed on 38 (92.7%) patients with a mean focus score of 2.3± 1.2 points. Interstitial lung disease and arthritis were the most common extra-glandular manifestations (EGM) affecting 27 (65.9%) patients for both. The mean ESSDAI was 9.95±7.73 and ESSPRI was 5.17±2.4.Conclusion:Saudi primary Sjogren’s syndrome patients have a high prevalence of EGM predominantly arthritis and ILD. The diagnostic delay is variable in our cohort.     

分化型甲状腺癌细胞株FTC-133失分化现象与131I辐射的关系

目的 研究体外培养的分化型甲状腺癌细胞株FTC-133失分化现象与放射性碘(131Ⅰ)辐射的关系.方法 体外培养的甲状腺癌细胞株FTC-133分为实验组(以经筛选不造成细胞增殖抑制剂量的Na131Ⅰ辐射细胞48 h,长期传代培养)、对照组(不加入Na131Ⅰ,长期传代培养)和空白组(细胞冻存,实验时复苏).测定各组细胞摄碘率;分别采用RT-PCR、Western blotting和放射免疫分析法(RIA)检测各组细胞甲状腺球蛋白(Tg)、甲状腺过氧化物酶(TPO)、钠碘转运体(NIS)、促甲状腺激素受体(TSHR)mRNA和蛋白表达.结果 细胞摄碘率为空白组>对照组>实验组,组间比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01).与空白组比较,实验组和对照组细胞Tg、TPO、NIS、TSHR蛋白表达均明显下降,且以实验组下降尤为显著.组间比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);三组Tg、TPO、NIS和TSHR mRNA与蛋白表达变化一致.结论 分化型甲状腺癌细胞FTC-133长期体外培养自动经历失分化过程,131Ⅰ辐射促进这一过程的发展,可能与甲状腺特异蛋白表达下降有关.     

甲状腺自身抗体对放射性碘治疗 甲状腺功能亢进症疗效的影响

目的 研究甲状腺自身抗体对放射性碘（131I）治疗甲状腺功能亢进症（以下简称甲亢）临床转归 的影响。方法 选取2016 年7 月—2017 年4 月华北理工大学附属医院收治的194 例经131I 治疗的甲亢患者作 为研究对象。根据治疗前甲状腺自身抗体结果分为A 组[ 促甲状腺素受体抗体（TRAb）、甲状腺过氧化物酶 抗体（TPOAb）均阴性）]、B 组（TRAb 阳性、TPOAb 阴性）、C 组（TRAb 阴性、TPOAb 阳性）及D 组 （TRAb、TPOAb 均阳性）。随访1 年后比较甲亢患者治疗前不同甲状腺自身抗体与131I 治疗后临床转归的关 系。结果 ①经131I 治疗1 年的甲亢患者有效率为80.4%,其中甲状腺功能正常为52.0%,甲状腺功能减退症（以 下简称甲减）（包括亚临床甲减）为28.4% ;无效率即甲亢（包括亚临床甲亢）为19.6%。②甲亢患者不同甲 状腺自身抗体经131I 治疗后的临床转归的构成比不同（P <0.05）。③ B、D 组甲亢结果与A、C 组比较,差异 有统计学意义（P <0.05）,而B 组甲亢结果与D、A 及C 组比较, 差异无统计学意义（P >0.05）;B、C 组甲 减结果与A、D 组比较,差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）,而B 组甲减结果与C、A 及D 组比较,差异无统计学 意义（P >0.05）;4 组甲状腺功能正常结果比较,差异无统计学意义（P >0.05）。结论 治疗前TRAb 阳性、 TPOAb 阴性的甲亢患者治疗后无效率高,而TRAb 阴性、TPOAb 阳性的甲亢患者治疗后甲减发生率高。