OBJECTIVES: Hearing impairment can have major impacts on behavior, educational attainment, social status, and quality of life. In congenital hypothyroidism, the incidence of hearing impairment reaches 35-50%, while in acquired hypothyroidism there is a reported incidence of 25%. Despite this, knowledge of the pathogenesis, incidence and severity of hearing impairment remains greatly lacking. The aim of our study was to evaluate hearing in patients with acquired hypothyroidism. METHODS: 30 patients with untreated and newly diagnosed peripheral hypothyroidism (H) and a control group of 30 healthy probands (C) were enrolled in the study. Biochemical markers were measured, including median iodine urine concentrations (IUC) µg/L. The hearing examination included a subjective complaint assessment, otomicroscopy, tympanometry, transitory otoacoustic emission (TOAE), tone audiometry, and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BERA) examinations. The Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher's Exact test and multivariate regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The H and C groups had significantly different thyroid hormone levels (medians with 95% CI) TSH mU/L 13.3 (8.1, 19.3) vs. 1.97 (1.21, 2.25) p = 0 and fT4 pmol/L 10.4 (9.51, 11.1) vs. 15 (13.8, 16.7) p = 0. The groups did not significantly differ in age 39 (34, 43) vs. 41 (36,44) p = 0.767 and IUC 142 (113, 159) vs. 123 (101, 157) p = 0.814. None of the hearing examinations showed differences between the H and C groups: otomicroscopy (p = 1), tympanometry (p = 1), TOAE (p = 1), audiometry (p = 0.179), and BERA (p = 0.505). CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe any hearing impairment in adults with acquired hypothyroidism, and there were no associations found between hearing impairment and the severity of hypothyroidism or iodine status. However, some forms of hearing impairment, mostly mild, were very common in both studied groups.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Hypothyroidism * complications   urine   blood   physiopathology   MeSH
• Iodine * urine   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Hearing Loss * etiology   urine   complications   MeSH
• Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous MeSH
• Pilot Projects MeSH
• Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Iodine * MeSH

UNLABELLED: The shape of the glycemic curve during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), interpreted in the correct context, can predict impaired glucose homeostasis. Our aim was to reveal information inherent in the 3 h glycemic trajectory that is of physiological relevance concerning the disruption of glycoregulation and complications beyond, such as components of metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: In 1262 subjects (1035 women, 227 men) with a wide range of glucose tolerance, glycemic curves were categorized into four groups: monophasic, biphasic, triphasic, and multiphasic. The groups were then monitored in terms of anthropometry, biochemistry, and timing of the glycemic peak. RESULTS: Most curves were monophasic (50%), then triphasic (28%), biphasic (17.5%), and multiphasic (4.5%). Men had more biphasic curves than women (33 vs. 14%, respectively), while women had more triphasic curves than men (30 vs. 19%, respectively) (p < 0.01). Monophasic curves were more frequent in people with impaired glucose regulation and MS compared to bi-, tri-, and multiphasic ones. Peak delay was the most common in monophasic curves, in which it was also most strongly associated with the deterioration of glucose tolerance and other components of MS. CONCLUSION: The shape of the glycemic curve is gender dependent. A monophasic curve is associated with an unfavorable metabolic profile, especially when combined with a delayed peak.

• Keywords
• beta cell function, delayed glucose peak, glucose curve shape, glucose tolerance, glycemic curve, insulin sensitivity, oral glucose tolerance test, type 2 diabetes mellitus,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Vitamin D is no longer considered an agent only affecting calcium phosphate metabolism. A number of studies over the past few years have demonstrated its role in immunomodulation and its influence on the development and functioning of the brain and nervous system. In the current epidemiological crisis caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the immunoprotective role of vitamin D has been discussed by some authors regarding whether it contributes to protection against this serious disease or whether its use does not play a role. Non-standard approaches taken by laboratories in examining the serum levels of the vitamin D metabolite calcidiol have contributed to inconsistent results. We examined the serum of 60 volunteers in the spring and autumn of 2021 who declared whether they were taking vitamin D at the time of sampling. Furthermore, the tested participants noted whether they had experienced COVID-19. A newly developed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was used to measure calcidiol levels. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) model of Statgraphics Centurion 18 statistical software from Statgraphics Technologies was used for calculations. The results of this study showed that those who took vitamin D suffered significantly less often from COVID-19 than those who did not take vitamin D.

• Keywords
• COVID-19, LC-MS/MS determination, vitamin D,
• MeSH
• Chromatography, Liquid methods   MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Calcifediol MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Tandem Mass Spectrometry methods   MeSH
• Vitamin D * metabolism   MeSH
• Vitamins MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Calcifediol MeSH
• Vitamin D * MeSH
• Vitamins MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Body balance control represents a key factor preventing falls and subsequent injuries in seniors aged 65+. Intervention based on yoga exercises seem to be effective in improving balance. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to analyse and compare changes in static, dynamic, and total balance scores, changes in body composition and social indices as effects of yoga-based intervention. METHODS: A total of 500 participants (234 men aged 74.5 SD±7.74 and 266 women aged 76.9 SD±7.23) were assessed using the Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool, the InBody 230 bioimpedance body composition analyser, and the SF-36 Health Survey, applied to pre and post-testing. The experimental group (n=262; 122 males; 140 females) underwent a four-week yoga-based intervention, 30 minutes daily, while the control group (n=238; 112 males; 126 females) underwent its usual daily programme at senior homes or centres. The ANOVA model, consisting of the Group, Stage, Subject and Group × Stage interaction factors, was used for data evaluation. RESULTS: Intervention led to improvements in the static, dynamic and total balance scores in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results of SF-36 showed positive changes in the psychosocial aspects of health, such as promoting of calmness and happiness in male seniors and reducing fatigue, nervousness and depression in female seniors. The post-intervention decrease in body fat percentage and increase in muscle mass in seniors is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The four-week yoga-based intervention had positive effects on the static, dynamic and total balance scores, body composition and social status.

UVOD: Nadzor telesnega ravnotežja je ključni dejavnik za preprečevanje padcev in posledičnih poškodb pri starejših od 65 let. Videti je, da ukrep na osnovi vaj joge učinkovito pripomore k izboljšanju ravnotežja. CILJ: Cilj je analizirati in primerjati spremembe ocene statičnega, dinamičnega in skupnega ravnotežja, spremembe sestave telesa ter spremembe socialnih kazalnikov po izvedbi ukrepa na osnovi vaj joge. METODE: 500 udeležencev (234 moških povprečne starosti 74,5 leta, SD ± 7,74 leta, in 266 žensk povprečne starosti 76,9 leta, SD ± 7,23 leta) je bilo v predhodnem in naknadnem testiranju ocenjenih z orodjem Tinetti za oceno ravnotežja (Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool), analizatorjem bioelektrične impedance InBody 230 in vprašalnikom o zdravju SF-36. Pri eksperimentalni skupini (n = 262; 122 moških; 140 žensk) je bil izveden 4-tedenski ukrep na osnovi vaj joge, ki so se izvajale 30 minut na dan, medtem ko je kontrolna skupina (n = 238; 112 moških; 126 žensk) izvajala svoj običajen dnevni program v domovih ali centrih za starejše. Za oceno podatkov je bil uporabljen model ANOVA s faktorji Skupina, Stopnja in Subjekt ter interakcijo Skupina × Stopnja. REZULTATI: Ukrep je v eksperimentalni skupini privedel do izboljšanja ocene statičnega, dinamičnega in skupnega ravnotežja v primerjavi s kontrolno skupino. Rezultati vprašalnika SF-36 so pokazali pozitivne spremembe na področju psihosocialnih vidikov zdravja, kot sta povečanje mirnosti in sreče pri starejših moških ter zmanjšanje utrujenosti, živčnosti in depresivnosti pri starejših ženskah. Opisano je zmanjšanje odstotka telesne maščobe in povečanje mišične mase pri starejših po izvedbi ukrepa. ZAKLJUČKI: 4-tedensko izvajanje ukrepa na osnovi vaj joge je pozitivno vplivalo na oceno statičnega, dinamičnega in skupnega ravnotežja, sestavo telesa in socialni status.

• Keywords
• ageing, balance control, chair yoga, health promotion, social health,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The aim of our study was to address the potential for improvements in thyroid cancer detection in routine clinical settings using a clinical examination, the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Database System (ACR TI-RADS), and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) concurrently with molecular diagnostics. A prospective cohort study was performed on 178 patients. DNA from FNA samples was used for next-generation sequencing to identify mutations in the genes BRAF, HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, and TERT. RNA was used for real-time PCR to detect fusion genes. The strongest relevant positive predictors for malignancy were the presence of genetic mutations (p < 0.01), followed by FNAC (p < 0.01) and ACR TI-RADS (p < 0.01). Overall, FNAC, ACR TI-RADS, and genetic testing reached a sensitivity of up to 96.1% and a specificity of 88.3%, with a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 183.6. Sensitivity, specificity, and DOR decreased to 75.0%, 88.9%, and 24.0, respectively, for indeterminate (Bethesda III, IV) FNAC results. FNA molecular testing has substantial potential for thyroid malignancy detection and could lead to improvements in our approaches to patients. However, clinical examination, ACR TI-RADS, and FNAC remained relevant factors.

• Keywords
• ACR-TIRADS, BRAF, FNAC, RAS, TERT, fusions, molecular testing, thyroid cancer, thyroid nodule,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complication in pregnancy, but studies focused on the steroidome in patients with GDM are not available in the public domain. This article evaluates the steroidome in GDM+ and GDM- women and its changes from 24 weeks (± of gestation) to labor. The study included GDM+ (n = 44) and GDM- women (n = 33), in weeks 24-28, 30-36 of gestation and at labor and mixed umbilical blood after delivery. Steroidomic data (101 steroids quantified by GC-MS/MS) support the concept that the increasing diabetogenic effects with the approaching term are associated with mounting progesterone levels. The GDM+ group showed lower levels of testosterone (due to reduced AKR1C3 activity), estradiol (due to a shift from the HSD17B1 towards HSD17B2 activity), 7-oxygenated androgens (competing with cortisone for HSD11B1 and shifting the balance from diabetogenic cortisol towards the inactive cortisone), reduced activities of SRD5As, and CYP17A1 in the hydroxylase but higher CYP17A1 activity in the lyase step. With the approaching term, the authors found rising activities of CYP3A7, AKR1C1, CYP17A1 in its hydroxylase step, but a decline in its lyase step, rising conjugation of neuroinhibitory and pregnancy-stabilizing steroids and weakening AKR1D1 activity.

• Keywords
• gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, gestational age, gestational diabetes mellitus, immunoprotective steroids, maternal blood, mixed cord blood, neuroactive steroids, steroidome,
• MeSH
• 20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases metabolism   MeSH
• Chromatography, Gas MeSH
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A metabolism   MeSH
• Pregnancy Trimester, Second metabolism   MeSH
• Diabetes, Gestational metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Metabolomics methods   MeSH
• Oxidoreductases metabolism   MeSH
• Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase metabolism   MeSH
• Steroids analysis   MeSH
• Tandem Mass Spectrometry MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• 20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases MeSH
• 3 alpha-beta, 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase MeSH Browser
• 3-oxo-5 beta-steroid delta 4-dehydrogenase MeSH Browser
• CYP17A1 protein, human MeSH Browser
• CYP3A7 protein, human MeSH Browser
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A MeSH
• Oxidoreductases MeSH
• Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase MeSH
• Steroids MeSH

BACKGROUND: Increased oxidative/dicarbonyl stress and chronic inflammation are considered key pathophysiological mediators in the progression of complications in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Lifestyle and diet composition have a major impact. In this study, we tested the effects of a vegan (V) and a conventional meat containg (M) meal, matched for energy and macronutrients, on postprandial oxidative and dicarbonyl stress, inflammatory markers and appetite hormones. METHODS: A randomised crossover design was used to evaluate T2D, obese with normal glucose tolerance and control participants (n = 20 in each group), with serum concentrations of analytes determined at 0, 120 and 180 min. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In T2D subjects, we observed decreased postprandial concentrations of oxidised glutathione (p ˂ 0.001) and increased glutathione peroxidase activity (p = 0.045) after the V-meal consumption, compared with the M-meal. In obese participants, V-meal consumption increased postprandial concentrations of reduced glutathione (p = 0.041) and decreased methylglyoxal concentrations (p = 0.023). There were no differences in postprandial secretion of TNFα, MCP-1 or ghrelin in T2D or obese men, but we did observe higher postprandial secretion of leptin after the V-meal in T2D men (p = 0.002) compared with the M-meal. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that a plant-based meal is efficient in ameliorating the postprandial oxidative and dicarbonyl stress compared to a conventional energy- and macronutrient-matched meal, indicating the therapeutic potential of plant-based nutrition in improving the progression of complications in T2D and obese patients. Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier No. NCT02474147.

• Keywords
• Appetite hormones, Inflammation, Methylglyoxal, Oxidative stress, Plant-based diet, Postprandial state, Type 2 diabetes,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The aim of this prospective study was the validation of the risk stratification of thyroid nodules using ultrasonography with the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) and partly in comparison to American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines in a secondary referral center. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) (n=605) and histological examinations (n=63) were the reference standards for the statistical analysis. ACR TI-RADS cut-off value: TR4 with sensitivity 85.7 %, specificity 54.1 %, PPV 58.5 %, accuracy 67.7 % (AUC 0.738; p<0.001). ATA cut-off value: "high suspicion" with sensitivity 80 %, specificity 83.3 %, PPV 80 %, accuracy 81.8 % (AUC 0.800; p=0.0025). 18.4 % nodules (3 malignant) could not be assigned to a proper ATA US pattern group (p<0.0001). Both ACR TI-RADS and ATA have allowed fair selection of nodules requiring FNA with superiority of ACR TI-RADS according to classification of all thyroid nodules to the proper group. According to ACR TI-RADS almost one third of the patients were incorrectly classified with 17.9 % missed thyroid carcinomas, exclusively micropapillary carcinomas, even though, the amount of FNA would be reduced to 48 %.

• MeSH
• Secondary Care Centers standards   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Thyroid Neoplasms diagnosis   diagnostic imaging   surgery   MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Reference Standards MeSH
• Thyroid Gland diagnostic imaging   pathology   surgery   MeSH
• Biopsy, Fine-Needle MeSH
• Ultrasonography methods   MeSH
• Thyroid Nodule diagnosis   diagnostic imaging   surgery   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Obesity increases the incidence of hypogonadism in men, and hypogonadism in turn plays a role in obesity. One of the first mechanisms proposed to explain this was a hypothesis based on the principle that obese men have higher estrogen levels, and that increased estrogens provide feedback to the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, reducing the secretion of gonadotropins and leading to a decrease of overall testosterone levels. This concept has since been questioned, though never completely disproven. In this study we compared hormone levels in three groups of men with differing BMI levels (between 18-25, 25-29, and 30-39), and found correlations between lowering overall testosterone, SHBG and increased BMI. At the same time, there were no significant changes to levels of free androgens, estradiol or the gonadotropins LH and FSH. These findings are in line with the idea that estrogen production in overweight and obese men with BMI up to 39 kg/m(2) does not significantly influence endocrine testicular function.

• MeSH
• Androgens blood   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Estradiol blood   MeSH
• Estrogens blood   MeSH
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone blood   MeSH
• Hypogonadism blood   epidemiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Luteinizing Hormone blood   MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Obesity blood   epidemiology   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Androgens MeSH
• Estradiol MeSH
• Estrogens MeSH
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone MeSH
• Luteinizing Hormone MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) generally experience a higher incidence of cancer. However, the association between T2DM and thyroid cancer is inconclusive. METHODS: Case-control prospective study, where 722 patients were screened for T2DM and prediabetes (PDM) and underwent thyroid ultrasound and biochemical tests. The patients were assigned to groups of PDM (n = 55), T2DM (n = 79) or a non-diabetes group (NDM) (n = 588). Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was carried out in 263 patients. Histological examinations were done for 109 patients after surgery, with findings of 52 benign (BS) and 57 malignant tumors (MS). RESULTS: Thirty-three percent of patients with T2DM and especially PDM were newly diagnosed by our screening: 6.5% with T2DM and 72% with PDM, respectively. The percentage of thyroid cancers did not significantly differ between the groups (χ2 test = 0.461; P = 0.794). Relevant positive thyroid predictors for T2DM (t-statistic = 25.87; P < 0.01) and PDM (21.69; P < 0.01) contrary to NDM (-26.9; P < 0.01) were thyroid volume (4.79; P < 0.01), thyroid nodule volume (3.25; P < 0.01) and multinodular thyroid gland (4.83; P < 0.01), while negative relevant predictors included the occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) (-2.01; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In general, we did not observe an increased risk for thyroid cancer in the diabetic and prediabetic groups in comparison to controls, in spite of well-established increased risk for other malignancies. Structural and benign changes such as larger and multinodular thyroid glands, in comparison to autoimmune thyroid disease, are present more often in diabetics.

• Keywords
• insulin resistance, obesity, prediabetes, thyroid cancer, thyroid disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH