Hyperthyroidism secondary to a hydatidiform mole

The case presented in the article is that of a 47-year-old female patient with hyperthyroidism induced by a hydatidiform mole. Attention was drawn to the necessity of preparing the patient for a procedure with drugs that stabilize the hormonal activity of the thyroid. The removal of the hydatidiform mole resulted in gradual normalization of thyroid hormone levels. The trophoblast has a hormonal activity, secrete hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).The  hCG partial structural homology causes affinity to the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) receptor. The higher the weight of the trophoblast, the higher the production and concentration of hCG in the blood. Therefore, gestational trophoblastic disease may be accompanied by hyperthyroidism. The problem is frequently described, however, due to the risk of developing thyroid storm, it cannot be overlooked [1].

Survey of Period Variations of Superhumps in SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae

We systematically surveyed period variations of superhumps in SU UMa-type dwarf novae based on newly obtained data and past publications. In many systems, the evolution of superhump period are found to be composed of three distinct stages: early evolutionary stage with a longer superhump period, middle stage with systematically varying periods, final stage with a shorter, stable superhump period. During the middle stage, many systems with superhump periods less than 0.08 d show positive period derivatives. Contrary to the earlier claim, we found no clear evidence for variation of period derivatives between superoutburst of the same object. We present an interpretation that the lengthening of the superhump period is a result of outward propagation of the eccentricity wave and is limited by the radius near the tidal truncation. We interpret that late stage superhumps are rejuvenized excitation of 3:1 resonance when the superhumps in the outer disk is effectively quenched. Many of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae showed long-enduring superhumps during the post-superoutburst stage having periods longer than those during the main superoutburst. The period derivatives in WZ Sge-type dwarf novae are found to be strongly correlated with the fractional superhump excess, or consequently, mass ratio. WZ Sge-type dwarf novae with a long-lasting rebrightening or with multiple rebrightenings tend to have smaller period derivatives and are excellent candidate for the systems around or after the period minimum of evolution of cataclysmic variables (abridged).Comment: 239 pages, 225 figures, PASJ accepte

Influence of Lower Atmosphere on the Radiometric Quality of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery has been widely used in remote sensing and photogrammetry for some time. Increasingly often, apart from recording images in the red-green-blue (RGB) range, multispectral images are also recorded. It is important to accurately assess the radiometric quality of UAV imagery to eliminate interference that might reduce the interpretation potential of the images and distort the results of remote sensing analyses. Such assessment should consider the influence of the atmosphere and the seasonal and weather conditions at the time of acquiring the imagery. The assessment of the radiometric quality of images acquired in different weather conditions is crucial in terms of improving the interpretation potential of the imagery and improving the accuracy of determining the indicators used in remote sensing and in environmental monitoring. Until now, the assessment of radiometric quality of UAV imagery did not consider the influence of meteorological conditions at different times of year. This paper presents an assessment of the influence of weather conditions on the quality of UAV imagery acquired in the visible range. This study presents the methodology for assessing image quality, considering the weather conditions characteristic of autumn in Central and Eastern Europe. The proposed solution facilitates the assessment of the radiometric quality of images acquired in the visible range. Using the objective indicator of quality assessment developed in this study, images were classified into appropriate categories, allowing, at a later stage, to improve the results of vegetation indices. The obtained results confirm that the proposed quality assessment methodology enables the objective assessment of the quality of imagery acquired in different meteorological conditions

Rare Coumarins Induce Apoptosis, G1 Cell Block and Reduce RNA Content in HL60 Cells

The rare coumarins stenocarpin, stenocarpin isobutyrate, oficinalin, oficinalin isobutyrate, 8-methoxypeucedanin and the known xanthotoxin, isoimperatorin, bergapten, peucedanin and 8–methoxyisoimperatorin were isolated from Peucedanum luxurians Tamamsch. (Apiaceae) and identified by means of spectral data (1D and 2D NMR). Their immunomodulating activity was evaluated by flow cytometry and their influence on HL60 cells as well as on PHA-stimulated PBLs was tested. All tested coumarins induce apoptosis (maximal in the 48 h culture) and decrease cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner, especially in HL60 cells. They also induce partial G1 block, but only in HL60 cells (at 100 µM concentrations). Dose-dependent reduction of RNA content was also found in G1 cells treated by the coumarins. All of the tested coumarins also possessed immunomodulatory activities. Bergapten and xanthotoxin were found to be the best candidates for further evaluation as anti-cancer drugs