The thrombotic risk in Cushing's syndrome-questions, answers, and the algorithm to consider in its assessment: part I-thrombotic risk not related to surgery.

Introduction: Recently, it has been reported that there is a great diversity in strategies used for thromboprophylaxis in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). An aim of this review was to discuss these practices in light of the existing data on the thrombotic risk in patients with CS and guidelines for medically ill patients.

Methods: The four relevant topics and questions on thrombotic risk in CS were identified.

Clinical use of thyroglobulin: not only thyroid cancer.

Thyroglobulin (TG) is a dimeric glycoprotein produced exclusively by mature thyroid tissue and stored within the follicular lumen. It is essential for the organification of iodine and the production of thyroid hormones. The concentration of TG in the bloodstream varies between individuals and depends on factors such as thyroid mass, stimulation of the gland by thyrotropin or autoantibodies, and tissue destruction.

High maternal-fetal HLA eplet compatibility is associated with severe manifestation of preeclampsia.

Introduction: Preeclampsia is responsible for more than 70 000 and 500 000 maternal and fetal deaths, respectively each year. Incomplete remodelling of the spiral arteries in placenta is the most accepted theory of preeclampsia pathogenesis. However, the process is complexed with immunological background, as pregnancy resembles allograft transplantation.

Thyroglobulin levels in COVID-19-positive patients: Correlations with thyroid function tests, inflammatory markers, and glucocorticoid use.

COVID-19 often results in generalized inflammation and affects various organs and systems. Endocrine research focused on the possible sequelae of COVID-19, with special interest given to the thyroid gland. Clinical problems such as thyroid function in non-thyroidal illness (NTI), autoimmune thyroiditis, and COVID-19-related subacute thyroiditis (SAT) quickly gained wide coverage.

Vitamin D Metabolism and Its Role in Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases.

The aim of this review was to present the metabolism of vitamin D, as well as to discuss the role of vitamin D in bone metabolism, temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA), and autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) on the basis of the literature. Vitamin D plays a significant role in human health, as it affects the calcium-phosphate balance and regulates the bone metabolism. Calcitriol impresses the pleiotropic effect on human biology and metabolism.

Thyroid Function, Inflammatory Response, and Glucocorticoids in COVID-19.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic calls for extensive research on various medical topics. Since the beginning of the pandemic, multiple studies investigated the impact of SARS CoV-2 on thyroid function. However, crucial data, such as trend progression over time or influence of commonly used drugs, might still be missing.

KIR- Ligand Interactions in Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy.

Hypothesis: The activity of natural killer (NK) cells is considered an important factor for the tolerance of the fetus during pregnancy. The complications of pregnancy, such as hypertensive disorders (HDP), may be therefore associated with this immune compartment.

Methods: The current study included 41 pregnant women diagnosed with HDPs (Gestational Hypertension; GH or Preeclampsia; PE) and 21 healthy women.

Cortisol as an Independent Predictor of Unfavorable Outcomes in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

Most cases of COVID-19 are non-severe, but some patients require urgent hospital care. In the past, it has been established that adrenal hyperactivity predicts poorer prognosis in severely ill patients. We wanted to verify if cortisol levels can be tied to clinical outcomes and the degree of inflammation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Endocrine Autoimmunity in Pregnancy.

Human gestation leads to a number of physiological alterations which peak at the development of placentta known for, among many other functions, being a transient but highly potent endocrine organ. Hormonal activity of placenta is marked by its ability to continuously produce and secrete high levels of progesterone. Progesterone guards the well-being of the fetoplacental unit throughout the gestation and one of the proposed mechanisms of this principle involves the development of local and systemic immune tolerance mainly due to impediment of CD4+ lymphocyte activation.

Comorbidities in Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion - A Clinical Review of Literature.

Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (mACS) is a state of cortisol excess usually associated with existence of adrenal incidentaloma. Because of the lack of symptoms of the disease, the biochemical evaluation is the most important to determine a diagnosis. However, scientific societies have different diagnostic criteria for mACS, which makes the treatment of this disease and using results of original papers in daily practice more difficult.

Adrenal Tumors in Young Adults: Case Reports and Literature Review.

The current high detection rate of adrenal tumors (4-10% of general population) is attributable to a widespread use of variety of imaging studies, especially a computed tomography. Most of them represent clinically silent and biologically indolent incidentalomas, but some adrenal tumors may pose a significant clinical challenge. Thus, in every patient with an adrenal tumor, a decision on further management is made after careful hormonal and radiological evaluation.

Effect of Glucocorticoid Administration in Intravenous Pulses on Selected Parameters of the Coagulation System.

Background: Changes of the coagulation system are promoted by serious infectious or noninfectious diseases, surgical procedures, and exogenous substances, including drugs. This study aimed to assess the effect of methylprednisolone pulses on selected parameters of the coagulation system.

Methods: The study group consisted of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, thyroid orbitopathy, or sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Old Problem, New Concerns: Hypercortisolemia in the Time of COVID-19.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced a change in the way we provide medical treatment. Endocrinology in the era of COVID-19 had to transform and reduce its vast potential to the absolute necessities. Medical professionals needed to update their clinical practice to provide their patients as much support and as little harm as possible in these increasingly difficult times.

Cytokine Imprint in Preeclampsia.

The hallmark of preeclampsia (PE) is a shift toward persistent inflammatory response, accompanied by endothelial dysfunction. The driving forces in PE are proinflammatory cytokine and growth factors, in parallel with reduced functionality of anti-inflammatory effectors, like regulatory T cells are observed. Unfortunately, no conclusive mechanism underlying preeclampsia has been identified.

Perinatal and neonatal outcome in patients with preeclampsia.

Objectives: Preeclampsia (PE) affects 2-5% of pregnant women. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Material And Methods: This study included 88 women showing gestational hypertension (GH) or PE symptoms, and their newborns.

Cyclic Cushing's Syndrome - A Diagnostic Challenge.

Cyclic Cushing's syndrome (also known as intermittent or periodic) is a disease characterized by periods of transient hypercortisolemia shifting into periods of normo- and/or hypocortisolemia. Diagnosis of cyclic Cushing's syndrome is based on at least three periods of confirmed hypercortisolemia interspersed by two periods of normocortisolemia. Cyclic Cushing's syndrome is one of the greatest challenges in modern endocrinology due to its diverse clinical picture, unpredictable duration and frequency of phases, and various etiologies.

Comparisons of Dipstick Test, Urine Protein-to-Creatine Ratio, and Total Protein Measurement for the Diagnosis of Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia affects 2-5% of pregnant women and is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. We aimed to extensively evaluate proteinuria in women with preeclampsia and to determine the analytical sensitivity and specificity of and the cutoff values for urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) and total protein in 24 h urine samples. This study included 88 women.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in the Pathogenesis of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension.

Hypertension occurs in 7-10% of pregnant women. Despite the continuous development of medicine, it is still an important risk factor for perinatal mortality of both mothers and fetuses. Pregnant women with hypertension are at greater risk of complications such as: placental abruption, cerebral and cardiac incidents, multiorgan failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Bilateral Tolosa-Hunt syndrome mimicking pituitary adenoma.

The authors report a rare case of bilateral Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, which occurred in a 80-year-old female and remitted spontaneously. Inflammatory lesions were found not only in typical locations, i.e.

Diagnostic and prognostic role of SF1, IGF2, Ki67, p53, adiponectin, and leptin receptors in human adrenal cortical tumors.

Background: The authors have examined the immunohistochemical expression of several proteins and their relationship with adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) diagnosis and progression.

Materials And Methods: A total of 83 patients with benign and malignant adrenal cortex tumors operated on in a single center were included in the study. Expression of the following proteins was examined: steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), insulin growth factor 2 (IGF2), Ki67, p53, as well as adiponectin (Adipo R1, Adipo R2), and leptin (Ob-R) receptors.

Sunitinib treatment for multifocal renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) in patient with Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Case Report.

Objective: Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is an autosomal, dominant, hereditary disease occurring in approximately one in 36,000 births. VHL disease produces a variety of tumors and cysts in the central nervous system and visceral organs. Surgical management, when possible, improves prognosis and extends patient's life.

A case report of Gitelman syndrome resulting from two novel mutations in SLC12A3 gene.

Introduction: Hypokalaemia is a common clinical problem. A potential but commonly overlooked cause of hypokalaemia is Gitelman syndrome.

Material And Methods: A 26-year-old man was admitted to the hospital due to syncope with general and muscular weakness and muscle cramps.

Factors predisposing to acquired von Willebrand syndrome during the course of polycythemia vera - retrospective analysis of 142 consecutive cases.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to verify if PV patients with and without avWS differ in terms of their baseline clinical parameters.

Material And Methods: The study included 142 consecutive patients with PV. avWS was diagnosed on the basis of abnormally low levels of von Willebrand factor and other routine tests.

Assessment of platelet function in endogenous hypercortisolism.

Introduction: It is commonly known that glucocorticoids exert a significant effect on haemostasis. Studies that have analysed the plasmatic coagulation system and fibrinolysis parameters in hypercortisolaemic patients are abundant. Platelet function, which plays a vital role in primary haemostasis, is much less clear in this context.