ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Iodine deficiency in a geographical area can be quantified, not only by urinary iodine\r\nexcretion, but also through the incidence of elevated TSH levels measured in newborns. We\r\nmeasured the TSH level in 3015 newborns, in a partial screening realized in Mures County\r\nduring the years 2001–2006. The law for the universal salt iodization with increased KIO3\r\nlevel (34 ? 8.5 mg/kg) was adopted in Romania in 2002, and implemented in practice\r\nstarting with December 2003. We compared TSH levels of 2,454 children born in the years\r\n2001-2003, before the universal salt iodization, with those of 561 children born in 2004-\r\n2006 after the implementation of the law of universal salt iodization. An elevated TSH\r\nlevels (over 10 mUI/L, according to the WHO criteria) was revealed in 8.23 %( 199/2,454)\r\nnewborns during 2001-2003, as compared to 9.62% (54/561) subjects born during 2004-\r\n2006 (p=NS). Based on both criteria and results, Mures County is a region with a\r\nmoderately mild iodine deficiency. However, the mean value of TSH levels (over 12\r\nmUI/L) obtained during 2001-2003, (19.81 ? 2.63 mUI/L, X ? SD, n= 145) significantly\r\ndecreased in the second period (15.63 ?7.35 mUI/L, n=34) (p= 0.02), i.e. a medium decrease\r\nwith 4.18 mUI/L. While the moderate increase of TSH levels (10-12 mUI/L) is an indicator\r\nof iodine deficiency, higher concentrations (>20 mUI/L) usually indicate the coexistence of\r\na hypothyroidism due to the low iodine supply. We observed an important decrease of the\r\nhypothyroidism induced by iodine deficiency: when during the first period its incidence was\r\n2.49%, in the second one it decreased to 1.46% (p=ns). In conclusion, after increasing the\r\niodine-content by universal salt iodization, the incidence of elevated TSH level (and the\r\ncorresponding hypothyroidism) did not decrease in newborns, but the mean value of higher\r\nthan normal TSH presented a statistically significant decrease, reflecting the improvement\r\nin iodine supplementation.

Background. Paget Disease (PD) is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, it is known that it is exhibited low to high grade increased F-18 FDG uptake. Aim. In this study, we investigated the distinguishability of FDG PET/CT in incidental PD cases from other bone diseases and at different stages of the disease. Patients and Methods. In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, “Paget” identification associated with PET/ CT reports was found in 69 of 18,119 studies (~3.8%). Of the 45 patients (33 males and 12 females) eligible for inclusion in the study, 35.6% had monostotic and 64.4% had polyostotic disease (p>0.5). There was no statistically significant difference in biochemical parameters between groups. Results. According to the radiological appearance of the patients, 36 were in the mixed stage and 9 were in the blastic stage. Only the difference in ALP and creatinine values between the groups was statistically significant. SUVmax, SUVmean and HU values were found to be statistically significantly higher in pagetoid bones compared to control bone lesions. For SUVmax for PD bone lesion we found the 2.55 cutoff point with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 84%. Conclusion. The specific radiological appearance of bone lesions and the evaluation of metabolic activity compared to normal bone seem to help differentiate PD from other lesions. Prospective studies are needed in the differentiation of FDG's disease stage and treatment response evaluation. The ability to differentiate between benign and malignant FDG avid bone lesions in oncological patients’ enables appropriate patient management, including avoiding unnecessary additional invasive procedures such as bone biopsy.

Objective. Both obesity and periodontal diseases are significant diseases that affect the quality of life. Recent studies have focused on the relationship between obesity and periodontal disease. The aim of this study is to determine the pathophysiological relationship between obesity and periodontal disease by evaluating the clinical periodontal parameters and oxidative status. Subjects and Methods. The study included 80 individuals divided into four groups including 20 individuals in each group as following; periodontally healthy patients with normal weight, (NH), patients with chronic periodontitis and normal weight (NCP), periodontally healthy patients with obesity (OH) and patients with chronic periodontitis and obesity (OCP). Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded, and serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were obtained. Local and systemic levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) were assessed biochemically. Results. No statistically significant difference was found among the groups regarding TAS, TOS and OSI values in serum and saliva samples (p>0.05). GCF-TAS values in NH group were statistically significantly higher compared with other groups (p<0,05) . GCF TOS values increased in obese groups (OH, OCP) compared with non-obese groups (NH, NCP) (p<0.05). Our results suggest that obesity and chronic periodontitis do not effect oxidant/antioxidant levels in serum and saliva. Conclusions. Many factors such as daily living conditions of the individual, stress and nutritional habits TAS and TOS levels of the individual may affect oxidative stress parameters. However, these factors could not be standardized in the study.

Context. Peripheral nerve lesions are a major complication of diabetes mellitus, the main clinical manifestations of which are numbness and pain involving the limbs. Objective. To determine the correlation between pregabalin treatment and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. Design. An experimental animal study in BALB/c mice. Subjects and Methods. Diabetes models are established by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) into the abdominal cavities of mice. The correlation between the treatment effect, time, and dosage of pregabalin was determined. The effect of a type 1 organic cation transporter (Octn1) in the absorption of pregabalin was evaluated. Results. Pregabalin reduced tactile allodynia in diabetic mice. The best analgesic effect occurred when intestinal absorption was increased. Octn1 mediated pregabalin entry into intestinal epithelial cells, which influenced the absorption of pregabalin with a timedependent fluctuation in the small intestine. Peripheral nerve damage caused by diabetes was dependent on time and dose of pregabalin, which was related to the regular expression of Octn1 in small intestinal epithelium. Conclusions. Peripheral nerve damage caused by diabetes was dependent on time and dosage of pregabalin, which was related to the regular expression of Octn1 in small intestinal epithelium.

Introduction. Vitamin D (VD) levels were correlated with different health conditions, including reproductive disorders in males. Vitamin D action is mediated through vitamin D receptor (VDR), which acts as a transcription factor. VDR gene promoter is embedded in a GC-rich island. The VDR gene has been shown to have several polymorphisms that affect the receptor function. Aim. To examine the relationship between Cdx- 2 polymorphism (rs17883968), the methylation status of VDR’s promoter and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in male infertility. Patients and Methods. A total of 69 infertile men and 37 age-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Vitamin D level assessments were detected using the electrochemiluminescent method. Cdx-2 VDR polymorphism identification was performed by PCR on DNA samples from blood, followed by restriction. Methylation of VDR gene promoter was assessed by qMS-PCR using bisulfite-treated DNA from fresh sperm. Results. Vitamin D levels was found to be significantly decreased in infertile groups compared the controls (p=0.0279). The GG genotype was found in a higher percentage in controls and the AA genotype was higher in infertile group (p=0.0056). Infertile homozygote (GG) and heterozygote (GA) individuals had significantly higher vitamin D levels than AA homozygote. Methylation is higher in individuals with lower vitamin D levels and AA genotype is characterized by higher methylation values. Conclusion. The results provide new insights of Cdx-2 polymorphism is involved in vitamin D deficiency, highlighting the important role of epigenetic modification of vitamin D receptor and male infertility along with the genetic context.

Objectives. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) occurs in 6-10% of all women in their reproductive age. In women with PCOS, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) often results in an increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocyte is an alternative technique for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The aim of this study was to compare the morphometric analysis and morphology of oocytes after invitro maturation (IVM) between normal women and those suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Material and Methods. Thirty two women of 20 to 35 years of age that were undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation by the ICSI/IVF protocol were chosen for the study. The immature oocytes (n=108) were divided into two groups: the first oocyte group was comprised of 16 normal women (n=54); and the second group included 16 women with PCOS (n=54); then the oocytes were matured in vitro. After 24-48h of incubation, the oocyte maturation rate and morphometric and morphological characteristics were assessed using an inverted microscope, and then the images were compared. Results. There were significant differences in the maturity of oocytes between normal women and those with PCOS after IVM (P<0.05). Moreover, morphometric assessments revealed that there were no significant difference in the total diameter (μm) (zona thickness (ZPT) + perivitelline space width (PVS) + cytoplasm (CD) of oocytes between normal women and those with PCOS (156.3±6.8 and 137.7±9.9), respectively (P>0.05). Evaluation of morphological oocytes showed that morphological abnormalities, including ooplasmic vacuolization and granulation were higher in PCOS women compared to normal women (P<0.05). Conclusion. The increased quality of oocytes after IVM reflected a positive impact of IVM oocytes on normal women as compared to women with PCOS.