Medullary thyroid cancer in MEN2 pediatric/adolescent carriers of RET mutation: genotype/phenotype correlation and outcome in a retrospective series of 23 patients.

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome (MEN2) is a hereditary disease resulting from mutations of the rearranged during transfection (RET) protooncogene subclassified into MEN2A [medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma, and primary hyperparathyroidism] and MEN2B (MTC, pheochromocytoma, Marfanoid habitus, mucous neuromas, and intestinal ganglioneuromatosis). Prophylactic thyroidectomy is recommended in RET-mutated patients. The age at which it should be performed depends on the type and aggressiveness of the mutation.

Gut TLRs and IFN pathways mRNA expression and frequencies of CD4T cell expressing CD38 or HLA-DR go in parallel during HIV immunopathogenesis.

While much is known about the expression of interferon (IFN) pathways in the blood of people living with HIV (PLWH), their role in the intesinal tract has only recently been appreciated. The aim of this study was to evaluate gut mRNA expression levels of innate immune genes involved in the HIV-host interaction and their association with CD4T cell immune activation in long-term HAART-experienced PLWH. PLWH had increased intestinal levels of TLR4, type I IFN (IFN-α2, IFN-α14, IFN-β) and IFNAR1 mRNAs, as well as increased frequencies of CD4T lymphocytes expressing CD38 or HLA-DR compared to the healthy donors.

Casual detection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm thanks to a trainee-made ultrasound with two subsequent "domino" diagnoses: case report and insights on the role of ultrasound courses.

Early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is crucial as untreated lesions can be life-threatening. We describe the case of a fortuitous ultrasound (US) detection of AAA by a trainee which allowed two subsequent "domino" diagnoses. A 69 y.

PEG Precipitation to Detect Macro-TSH in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review.

Unlabelled: Macro-thyroid-stimulating hormone (macro-TSH) is a complex formed by monomeric TSH with anti-TSH antibodies, causing falsely elevated TSH levels and potential misdiagnosis of hypothyroidism. Identification of macro-TSH is essential for proper treatment and patient follow-up. Its diagnostic gold standard is gel filtration chromatography (GFC), which is very expensive, time-consuming, and rarely available.

Clinical management of indeterminate thyroid nodules needs to be revisited. New evidence for a personalized approach to the problem.

Purpose: Thyroid nodules diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as TIR3A or Class III subgroup "other types of atypia" (indeterminate thyroid nodules - ITNs), are the only ones without a unique clinical action indicated for management. This leads to multiple FNAC repetitions (FNAC-reps) and lifelong follow-up, with huge consumption of time and resources. The aims of the study were to inquire the usefulness of repeating FNAC in ITNs and perform an evaluation of a long-term follow-up of a large cohort of ITNs.

MPXV infection impairs IFN response but is partially sensitive to IFN-γ antiviral effect.

The recent outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV) has caused global concern. How the virus evades the interferon (IFN) response is still poorly understood. We analyzed type I/II IFN (IFN-I/II) expression in clinical samples from MPXV-infected patients and measured IFN-I kinetics in MPXV-infected cells.

Rebound effect of hypothalamic-pituitary thyreotropic activity: a new model to better understand hypothyroidism.

Purpose: Hypothalamic-pituitary thyrotropic activity (HPta) is crucial since TSH is the mainstay for evaluating primary hypothyroidism (hT) and replacement therapy in clinical practice. Despite TSH values, some patients experience symptoms and metabolic alterations, raising several issues about hT. The aim of the study was to investigate factors influencing the TSH values achieved after a period of hT induced in a standardized and controlled manner (TSH_time1).

Sporadic and Familial Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Single Center Study on Presentation and Outcome.

Background: Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that arises from the thyroid C-cells. Most cases are sporadic (sMTC) while, approximately 25%, are hereditary (hMTC) due to germline mutations of REarranged during Transfection (RET) gene mutations and manifest in the framework of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 2A or 2B, or as pure familial MTC syndrome (FMTC).

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical, histopathological, biochemical and outcome differences between sMTC and hMTC.

Consider or not consider: the unsolved question on the use of radioactive iodine for differentiated thyroid cancer with low to intermediate risk of recurrence.

Background: Surgery stands as the cornerstone treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). After surgery, radioactive iodine (RAI) administration is primarily recommended for high-risk patients and commonly employed to address residual disease or mitigate the risk of recurrence. However, the optimal application of RAI in cases categorized as low to intermediate risk is still uncertain.

Pre-Operative Calcitonin and CEA Values May Predict the Extent of Metastases to the Lateral Neck Lymph Nodes in Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer.

: In medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), lymph node metastases are often present at diagnosis and the extent of surgery is usually based upon pre-operative calcitonin and CEA levels as well as ultrasound findings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of pre-operative calcitonin and CEA levels as predictive markers of the burden of lymph node metastases at diagnosis. : we conducted a retrospective study analyzing 87 MTC patients.

Therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance of levothyroxine liquid and softgel formulations taken with meals: a systematic review.

Purpose: Levothyroxine (L-T4) is the drug of choice for treating primary hypothyroidism. L-T4 tablets should be taken at least 30 min before breakfast. Several studies have suggested that serum thyroid profile is not affected by concomitant intake of liquid/softgel L-T4 with meals.

Brain Metastases in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management.

Brain metastases (BM) are the most common intracranial neoplasms in adults and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The brain is an unusual site for distant metastases of thyroid cancer; indeed, the most common sites are lungs and bones. In this narrative review, we discuss about the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with BM from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

Assessing microclimate thresholds for heritage preventive conservation to achieve sustainable and energy efficiency goals in a changing climate.

This research addresses the issue of the heritage preventive conservation in the perspective of energy sustainability, for contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and towards the EU Green Deal. The study analyses and compares four cases associated with different microclimate thresholds as suggested by the standard EN 16893:2018 (Cases 1-3) and as derived from the outputs of three degradation models for preserving paper, wood, and canvas paintings (Case 4). Weather-based indices (degree and gram days) were calculated to estimate trends in the potential energy demand of collection facilities in three European cities belonging to different Köppen-Geiger climate zones (Cfb, Csa, and Dfb), under recent past (1981-2010) and near/far future climate scenarios (2021-2050 and 2071-2100) from two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP2-4.

An Update on the Entomology, Virology, Pathogenesis, and Epidemiology Status of West Nile and Dengue Viruses in Europe (2018-2023).

In recent decades, increases in temperature and tropical rainfall have facilitated the spread of mosquito species into temperate zones. Mosquitoes are vectors for many viruses, including West Nile virus (WNV) and dengue virus (DENV), and pose a serious threat to public health. This review covers most of the current knowledge on the mosquito species associated with the transmission of WNV and DENV and their geographical distribution and discusses the main vertebrate hosts involved in the cycles of WNV or DENV.

Healthcare professionals' perspectives towards the digitalisation of paediatric growth hormone therapies: expert panels in Italy and Korea.

Introduction: To analyse the perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the acceptance of digital health solutions for growth hormone (GH) deficiency care. This study identified factors impacting HCPs' intent to use and recommend digital solutions supporting recombinant-human growth hormone (r-hGH) therapy in Italy and Korea with a use case of connected drug delivery system (Aluetta with Smartdot™) integrated in a platform for GH treatment support (the Growzen™ digital health ecosystem).

Methods: Participatory workshops were conducted in Rome, Italy, and Seoul, Korea, to collect the perspectives of 22 HCPs on various predefined topics.

Determinants of clinical outcome in patients with moderate/severe Graves' orbitopathy undergoing treatment with parenteral glucocorticoids: a retrospective study.

Background: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) occurs in approximately 25-40% of patients with Graves' disease (GD). High levels of anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAbs), smoking habit, sex, older age, longer duration and amount of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism are well-recognized risk factors for the occurrence, severity and clinical course of GO. Oxidative stress (OX) has recently been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of GO, and several clinical conditions related to OX have been investigated regarding the presentation and severity of GO.

Reappraising the role of thyroid scintigraphy in the era of TIRADS: A clinically-oriented viewpoint.

Thyroid nodules (TNs) are a common entity, with the majority being benign. Therefore, employing an accurate rule-out strategy in clinical practice is essential. In the thyroid field, the current era is significantly marked by the worldwide diffusion of ultrasound (US)-based malignancy risk stratification systems of TN, usually reported as Thyroid Imaging Reporting And Data System (TIRADS).

SARS-CoV-2-specific mucosal immune response in vaccinated versus infected children.

The anti-COVID-19 intramuscular vaccination induces a strong systemic but a weak mucosal immune response in adults. Little is known about the mucosal immune response in children infected or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. We found that 28% of children had detectable salivary IgA against SARS-CoV-2 even before vaccination, suggesting that, in children, SARS-CoV-2 infection may be undiagnosed.

Very low serum IGF-1 levels are associated with vertebral fractures in adult males with beta-thalassemia major.

Purpose: Patients with beta-thalassemia major (BTM) often develop several endocrine disorders due to chronic iron overload. They are also prone to osteoporosis and vertebral fractures. Plasmatic insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels are often low in subjects with BTM, which origin is multifactorial.

Age-related transcript changes in type I interferon signaling in children and adolescents with long COVID.

SARS-CoV-2 typically causes mild symptoms in children, but evidence suggests that persistent immunopathological changes may lead to long COVID (LC). To explore the interplay between LC and innate immunity, we assessed the type I interferon (IFN-I) response in children and adolescents with LC symptoms (LC; n = 28). This was compared with age-matched SARS-CoV-2 recovered participants without LC symptoms (MC; n = 28) and healthy controls (HC; n = 18).

Temporal trends in the clinical presentation of Graves' orbitopathy: a single-center retrospective study.

Purpose: Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is an autoimmune disease that affects orbital soft tissues and represents the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease (GD). The European Group of Graves' Ophthalmopathy (EUGOGO) has attempted to shed light on the European epidemiological picture of GO, suggesting that GO in newly diagnosed patients in recent years has a trend towards a less severe clinical presentation. There are no studies that focus this issue on the population of our area; we aimed to evaluate the trend of GO clinical presentation in our outpatient clinic through an observation period of 10 years.