Preventing Data Poisoning Attacks By Using Generative Models

At the present time, machine learning methods have been becoming popular and the usage areas of these methods have also increased with this popularity. The machine learning methods are expected to increase in the cyber security components like firewalls, antivirus software etc. Nowadays, the use of this type of machine learning methods brings with it various risks. Attackers develop different methods to manipulate different systems, not only cyber security components, but also image detection systems. Therefore, securing machine learning models has become critical. In this paper, we demonstrate a data poisoning attack towards classification method of machine learning models and we also proposed a defense algorithm which makes machine learning models more robust against data poisoning attacks. In this study, we have conducted data poisoning attacks on MNIST, a widely used character detection data set. Using the poisoned MNIST dataset, we built classification models more reliable by using a generative model such as AutoEncoder

Can eosinophil to monocyte ratio be a new marker for recurrence in graves' disease?

Prognostic parameters are crucial in the choice of treatment in Graves' disease (GD), thus,these parameters may not be easily achievable in all situations. However hematological parameters is important in inflammation and easy to obtain. In this study we aimed to elucidate whether these parameters could determine the prognosis in patients with Graves Disease. This retrospective analysis consisted of 114 individuals with a diagnosed with GD. The enrolled patients were treated with anti-thyroid drugs for an average of 14 months and the mean follow-up period after treatment discontinuation was 17.4 months. After the follow-up period subjects have been segmented to 2 groups as: Group 1 relapsed (n:61) and Group 2 non-relapsed (n:53). The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of the relapsing individual was statistically significantly higher compared to other group, while the eosinophil to monocytes ratio (EMR) was lower. In the multiregression analysis, both parameters were found to be independent risk factors in predicting relapse [(OR=3.1, p:0.026 for NLR) (OR=1.5, p [Med-Science 2022; 11(4.000): 1436-40

Laboratory Parameters Predict Complications in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

Aim: There is no study predicts the development of complications with laboratory parameters in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). We aimed to determine the laboratory parameters that predict the development of osteoporosis or nephrolithiasis in patients with PHPT and identify high-risk patients. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2018 and January 2020. The study group consisted of 389 patients who were diagnosed with PHPT (68 patients without surgical indications and 321 patients with PHPT who underwent surgery), and 451 individuals without any additional disease as a control group. Patients' data was obtained from the hospital automation system. All patients were divided into three groups (control, unoperated and operated), and laboratory parameters were compared. Results: The Wisconsin index (WIN), which is used to detect hyperfunctional glands in addition to parathyroid adenoma in PHPT, and the Parathyroid functional index (PFIndex), which is used to differentiate HPT secondary to vitamin D deficiency, can identify patients at high risk of nephrolithiasis or osteoporosis in patients with PHPT. In patients who have been operated on due to PHPT-related complications, the WIN value of 283.29 showed 95% sensitivity and 72% specificity in predicting osteoporosis, while the PFIndex of 36.43 had 86% sensitivity and 68% specificity for predicting nephrolithiasis. Conclusion: The WIN and PFIndex can be used to refer patients with PHPT for surgery before the onset of osteoporosis or nephrolithiasis. Although no risk factor could be found for nephrolithiasis, WIN was found as an independent risk factor for osteoporosis

The Detection of Preoperative Parathyroid Lesions: The Success of Ultrasonography, Technetium-99m Methoxyisobutylisonitrile Parathyroid Scintigraphy, and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography

Objective: We aimed to find and compare the efficacy of ultrasonography (US), technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile parathyroid scintigraphy (MIBI-S), and single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) in detecting the localization of parathyroid adenomas in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Methods: In total, 348 patients were included in this study. Preoperative parathyroid imaging with US, MIBI-S, and SPECT-CT was evaluated and compared with operative findings. The results of the imaging methods were compared with pathology and operation reports. Results: In 318 patients (91.3%), one of the imaging methods was able to localize the lesion correctly. US detected the localization of the parathyroid lesions correctly in 268 patients (77%), whereas SPECT-CT and MIBI-S were correct in 254 (73%) and 209 (60%) patients, respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between the parathyroid hormone (PTH) level and 3 imaging methods' success rates (P < .05). The PTH cut-off value, which best determined the correct localization, was 152.5 pg/mL for US, 143 pg/mL for MIBI-S, and 143 pg/mL for SPECT-CT. It was observed that the correct localization rate for parathyroid lesions increased with higher PTH levels. Conclusion: In our study population, US was more successful, in most cases, than other imaging methods in localizing parathyroid lesions but SPECT-CT was more accurate in localizing mediastinal lesions. In addition, it was found that preoperative PTH levels affect the accuracy of imaging methods. (c) 2021 AACE. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

The role of therapeutic plasmapheresis in patients with hyperthyroidism

Background: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by excess hormone secretion from the thyroid gland. Anti-thyroid drugs (ATDs), surgery, and radioactive iodine can be used in treatment. Plasmapheresis is a rapid and effective treatment option in cases where rapid euthyroidism is needed to be obtained due to complications of thyrotoxicosis and major adverse effects of ATDs. Material and method: We present patients receiving plasmapheresis to provide immediate euthyroidism due to severe hyperthyroidism, adverse effects of ATDs, or non-thyroid surgery from January 2012 to December 2016. Results: This study included 18 patients. The etiology of hyperthyroidism was TDG in seven patients, TDMNG in two, TA in two, TMNG in four, and one patient had AIT. Plasmapheresis was performed to achieve euthyroidism before surgery in two patients. The mean plasmapheresis session was 5.35. The mean number of sessions needed for patients with TDG and TDMNG was 4, whereas it was 6.5 for patients with TA and TMNG (p = 0.07). The decrease of mean free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were 57 % and 73 %, respectively (p < 0.001). After plasmapheresis, total thyroidectomy was performed in 14 patients. Euthyroidism was achieved with RAI in one patient and with medical therapy in three patients. Conclusions: Plasmapheresis therapy is a reliable and effective treatment option for patients who cannot use ATDs because of their adverse events and those with hyperthyroidism that does not resolve with these drugs, or to achieve euthyroidism before total thyroidectomy, RAI or non-thyroid emergency surgery. However, it cannot be used widely because it is expensive and invasive

Benign cytology does not rule out malignancy in thyroid nodules larger than 4 cm

Background For thyroid nodules >= 4 cm, the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is controversial and the approach is unclear. We aimed to compare FNAB and operation of thyroid nodules and to determine the accuracy of FNAB. Material and Methods All total thyroidectomies performed between January 2015 and December 2021 were evaluated. In the study, 301 patients were included. Euthyroid patients with preoperative thyroid ultrasound, FNAB results and operation results were recorded retrospectively. Results The nodule size was = 4 cm in 20.9%. In patients with nodule size >= 4 cm, 50.8% of FNAB results were reported as benign, and 43.7% of these patients were found to be malignant at the end of the operation. In nodules = 4 cm nodules. Conclusions For thyroid nodules, diagnostic lobectomy may be necessary because the false-negative rate of FNAB was high, especially in nodules >= 4 cm. In addition, intermediate results, such as AUS/FN, have a higher risk of malignancy in nodules of >= 4 cm compared to nodules of <4 cm

The Relationship of Thyroid Functions With ADMA, IMA, and Metabolic Laboratory Parameters in Euthyroid Adults With and Without Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Objective To investigate the relationship between thyroid functions and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), and other metabolic laboratory markers in euthyroid adults and whether narrower thyroidal targets are required for lower metabolic risk. Materials and Methods Thyroid functions, antithyroid autoantibodies, and metabolic parameters were measured for 115 patients. Forty-seven had autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). Analyses were performed according to cutoff values of 1, 2, 2.5, and 3 mIU/L for thyrotropin, 0.84 ng/dL for free thyroxine (fT(4)), and 3.59 ng/dL for free tri-iodothyronine (fT(3)). Results There was no relationship between thyrotropin and fT(3) cutoff values and metabolic parameters. Only C-reactive protein was lower in the group with thyrotropin <= 2.5 mu IU/L. A weak positive correlation was found between fT(4) with IMA and IMA corrected for albumin (r = 0.187, P = .05; r = 0.204, P = .034, respectively). There was no difference between AIT and the metabolic laboratory parameters examined in the study. Conclusion This study is the first to evaluate ADMA in AIT. Narrower thyroid function targets are not required for better metabolic control in euthyroid adults

Serum zonulin level is not elevated in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome without metabolic syndrome

Aim Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder with gynecological, metabolic and carcinogenic effects. Increased intestinal permeability is related with obesity, insulin resistance, type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. The existence of such a relationship between PCOS and intestinal permeability has come to an end. Zonulin can change intestinal permeability, and this effect is reversible. We studied the relation between zonulin and the hormonal and metabolic parameters of PCOS. Method A total of 45 women with PCOS and 17 healthy women were included in the study. Histories were taken from all the participants, body mass indexes were calculated, and biochemical tests and suprapubic over ultrasonography were made. Zonulin was studied with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Serum zonulin levels were similar between PCOS and control groups (p = 0.893). In all participants, there were negative correlations between zonulin and the total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and non-HDL-cholesterol (respectively, p = 0.00, 0.018, 0.004, 0.002), there were boundary correlations with age and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (respectively, p = 0.052 and 0.058). No statistically significant was detected in the PCOS group except negative correlation between zonulin and age (p = 0.046), boundary correlation between zonulin and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.064). Conclusion PCOS patients did not have metabolic syndrome. Zonulin was not higher in PCOS then controls, and it had only negative relation with age. The negative relation between zonulin and some metabolic parameters in all participants was not detected in PCOS group. So zonulin is not a useful molecule for the diagnosis of PCOS without metabolic syndrome