Risk of thyroid cancer and high prevalence of hepatitis C virus

Some studies report an increased risk of autoimmune thyroid disease in hepatitis C and B as well as in interferon therapy. Recently a new link between HCV and papillary thyroid cancer has been published. The mechanism responsible for the oncogenetic role of HCV is not well understood, but it involves immunity system and autoimmunity disorders. We designed a case-control study on HCV exposure. To assess the positivity to HCV ELISA test and polymerize chain reaction technique (PCR) were used. For statistical analysis an odds ratio and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed using unconditional multiple-logistic-regression models. Our findings show a statistically significant association between HCV and papillary thyroid cancer (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.5-7.4, p=0.003), overall in female gender (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.2-8.7, p=0.01) and in the > or =50 years age category the risk for thyroid cancer was confirmed by the OR = 3.2 (95% CI 1.3-7.9, p=0.01). Based on our study there is an association between HCV and thyroid cancer and it is more readily detectable in countries with a high prevalence of HCV.     

Enantioselective syntheses and cytotoxicity of N,O-nucleosides

Enantiomers of 4'-aza-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides have been prepared by two different synthetic approaches, on the basis of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a chiral nitrone. Cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity have been investigated. (5'S)-5-Fluoro-1-isoxazolidin-5-yl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione [(-)-AdFU], while showing low level of cytotoxicity, is a good inductor of apoptosis on lymphoid and monocytoid cells, acting as a strong potentiator of Fas-induced cell death.     

Does continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration concomitant with radiological procedures provide a significant and safe removal of the iodinated contrast ioversol?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to investigate whether continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) concomitant with radiological procedures (RxP) was feasible, well tolerated and could significantly remove iodinated contrast media (CM). METHODS: 26 patients with various degrees of renal insufficiency who were submitted to RxP were included in the study. The CVVHDF session was started immediately before CM administration. All the patients were evaluated for feasibility and tolerability; furthermore a pharmacokinetic study was done on 12 patients to calculate the amount of CM eliminated. The baseline incidence of CM nephropathy was studied in 25 consecutive historical controls. RESULTS: The CM administered was 208 +/- 146 g; the fractional removal of CM was 9.2 +/- 4.9% during RxP and 30.9 +/- 20.7% during the whole CVVHDF session. Hemodynamic tolerance was excellent. The incidence of CM nephropathy in the experimental and control groups was 37 and 24%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CVVHDF during RxP is feasible and well tolerated but ioversol removal is modest. This fact together with the high incidence of renal function impairment, the complexity of the procedure and its intrinsic risks, and the large amount of resources needed discourage the routine use of CVVHDF as a prophylactic tool to avoid CM nephropathy.