Expression of pendrin and NIS iodide transporters in human breast tumor and peri-tumoral tissue

IntroductionThyroid iodide transporters, Na⁺/I^– symporter (NIS) and pendrin (PDS), are responsible for supplying this vital micronutrient for thyroid hormone synthesis by thyroid peroxidase (TPO). Both proteins were shown to be expressed, apart from the thyroid, also in other human tissues, including lactating mammary gland. NIS expression in human breast cancers has been widely studied. On the other hand, until now PDS mRNA levels in breast tumor tissue have been estimated only in high throughput analyses. Previously, we have observed that TPO is expressed in normal and cancerous human breast tissues and shows enzymatic activity. However, biochemical activity of TPO in human breast cancer cells requires iodide transport by NIS and PDS. Therefore, to extend our previous study on TPO expression and function in human breast tumors we performed analysis of NIS and PDS levels in the same group of patients.Material and methodsThe study involved detection of NIS and PDS protein levels by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, as well as mRNA levels by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsHere we provide direct evidence that NIS and PDS are expressed in human breast cancer tissue, with NIS levels being increased and PDS levels decreased in tumor tissue. Interestingly, PDS mRNA levels in breast cancer tissue seem to be influenced by the estrogen receptor status and age of the patients, while NIS mRNA levels were dependent on histological type of the tumor.ConclusionsThis study provides valuable information important for consideration in diagnostic or therapeutic application of radioiodine in breast cancer management.     

Changes in thyroid morphology and function in children in western Poland as a result of intensified iodine prophylaxis

AIM: To determine the changes in thyroid pathology resulting from obligatory salt iodization in a group of children aged 8-12 years from the rural and urban areas of Wielkopolska Region, Poland. POPULATION AND METHODS: The survey was conducted on 1215 children, of both sexes, 402 of whom were examined in 1992 (before salt iodization), 408 in 2000, and 405 in 2005 (after salt iodization beginning in 1996). Thyroid ultrasound, urinary iodine, FT4, FT3, TSH and antithyroid antibodies were measured. RESULTS: A significant drop in goiter cases was observed (35.4% in 1992 vs 6.3% in 2005), coupled with a marked increase of urinary iodine. There were also changes in ultrasonography and elevated levels of antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The study proves the high efficacy of iodine prophylaxis. Despite a growing number of children with elevated antithyroid antibody titers, only a slight increase of autoimmune thyroid disorders was observed.     

Validation of the SAA-102 home blood pressure monitor according to the protocols of the European Society of Hypertension, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation and the British Society of Hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of a new oscillometric home blood pressure (BP) monitor for arm BP measurement, the SAA-102, developed by the Sensacare Company. DESIGN: Evaluation of the SAA-102 was performed using validation protocols of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), and the British Hypertension Society (BHS). METHODS: The SAA-102 monitor was assessed on 33 participants according to ESH requirements, which are based on four zones of accuracy differing from the mercury standard by 5, 10, 15 mmHg or more. Then the oscillometric monitor was tested on 85 participants according to AAMI criteria which require a mean device-observers discrepancy within 5+/-8 mmHg. Finally, the electronic device was evaluated on 93 participants according to BHS requirements, which are based on five phases: before-use calibration, in-use assessment, after-use calibration, static device validation and report of the results. RESULTS: The SAA-102 passed all phases of the ESH international protocol for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). The SAA-102 passed also AAMI criteria for SBP and DBP. The mean discrepancy between the SAA-102 and observers was 0.1+/-4.6 and -2.7+/-5.2 mmHg, for SBP and DBP, respectively. According to BHS protocol, the oscillometric monitor achieved final grading of A/A for SBP and DBP, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data show that the SAA-102 device satisfies ESH, AAMI, and BHS protocols for both SBP and DBP and may be recommended for everyday use for BP monitoring at home and in clinical practice.     

Antibodies to malondialdehyde oxidized low-density lipoproteins predict long term cardiovascular mortality in high risk patients

Aims

Antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLAbs) are detectable in the serum of patients with and without atherosclerosis, but it is unclear if they play a pathogenic or a protective role in atherogenesis or if they are simply a marker of atherosclerosis. Therefore, in a prospective cohort study we investigated if oxLDLAbs titer predicts cardiovascular (CV) events in high-risk coronary artery disease patients.

Methods and results

The titer of IgG antibodies to malondialdehyde modified oxidized low-density lipoproteins was measured in 748 randomly selected patients of the GENICA study who underwent coronary angiography and assessment of incident CV events at follow-up. Patients were classified by oxLDLAbs into a low and a high titer group, corresponding to the first three and the last quartile, respectively. Cardiovascular event-free survival was compared between oxLDLAbs groups by Kaplan–Meier and multivariate technique including propensity score matching analysis. During long-term follow-up (median 7.2 years) CV deaths were observed in 65 patients (11.6%), more commonly in the high than in the low oxLDLAbs group (patients free from CV death 83.1% vs. 89% respectively, p = 0.025). The incidence of CV events was also higher in the former than in latter (event-free survival 69.2% vs. 77.7% respectively, p = 0.030).

Conclusions

An oxLDLAbs titer above the 75th percentile is a marker of LDL oxidation which predicts a worse CV prognosis at long term follow-up in high-risk Caucasian patients referred for coronary angiography.     

Persistent ductus arteriosus in a 72-year-old woman with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and depression syndrome: a therapeutic and diagnostic problem

Treating the elderly is often problematic, especially when congenital heart disease is diagnosed. The aim of this study is to present the case of a 72-year old woman with depression syndrome, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and past cerebral stroke, in whom persistent ductus arteriosus Botalli was diagnosed. Due to exacerbation of the depressive syndrome, she did not give her consent to further diagnostics, possible interventional procedures and treatment with oral anticoagulants. After intermission of the therapy she was treated with dabigatran. The patient is still undergoing outpatient treatment and so far, no cerebrovascular episodes have been recorded.