Thyroid Hormones and Cancer: A Comprehensive Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Thyroid hormones take major part in normal growth, development and metabolism. Over a century of research has supported a relationship between thyroid hormones and the pathophysiology of various cancer types. In vitro studies as well as research in animal models demonstrated an effect of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 on cancer proliferation, apoptosis, invasiveness and angiogenesis. Thyroid hormones mediate their effects on the cancer cell through several non-genomic pathways including activation of the plasma membrane receptor integrin αvβ3. Furthermore, cancer development and progression are affected by dysregulation of local bioavailability of thyroid hormones. Case-control and population-based studies provide conflicting results regarding the association between thyroid hormones and cancer. However, a large body of evidence suggests that subclinical and clinical hyperthyroidism increase the risk of several solid malignancies while hypothyroidism may reduce aggressiveness or delay the onset of cancer. Additional support is provided from studies in which dysregulation of the thyroid hormone axis secondary to cancer treatment or thyroid hormone supplementation was shown to affect cancer outcomes. Recent preclinical and clinical studies in various cancer types have further shown promising outcomes following chemical reduction of thyroid hormones or inhibition or their binding to the integrin receptor. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the preclinical and clinical research conducted so far

Trichomonas vaginalis: Clinical relevance, pathogenicity and diagnosis

Trichomonas vaginalis is the etiological agent of trichomoniasis, the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Trichomoniasis is a widespread, global health concern and occurring at an increasing rate. Infections of the female genital tract can cause a range of symptoms, including vaginitis and cervicitis, while infections in males are generally asymptomatic. The relatively mild symptoms, and lack of evidence for any serious sequelae, have historically led to this disease being under diagnosed, and under researched. However, growing evidence that T. vaginalis infection is associated with other disease states with high morbidity in both men and women has increased the efforts to diagnose and treat patients harboring this parasite. The pathology of trichomoniasis results from damage to the host epithelia, caused by a variety of processes during infection and recent work has highlighted the complex interactions between the parasite and host, commensal microbiome and accompanying symbionts. The commercial release of a number of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) has added to the available diagnostic options. Immunoassay based Point of Care testing is currently available, and a recent initial evaluation of a NAAT Point of Care system has given promising results, which would enable testing and treatment in a single visit

Optic Atrophy as a Presenting Sign of Suprasellar Germinoma in a Patient With Klinefelter's Syndrome

Klinefelter's syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder associated with male hypogonadism and infertility,Occurring in approximately 1 in 1000 male births

Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting as Bilateral Orbital Inflammation Disease

Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is a systemic granulomatous vasculitis. Orbital inflammatory disease is an extremely rare presentation of GCA, and when it occurs, is typically unilateral. We present two cases of GCA presenting with bilateral orbital inflammation

Extended-release hydrocodone – gift or curse?

Daniel Krashin,1 Natalia Murinova,2 Andrea M Trescot31Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, 2Department of Neurology University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 3Algone Pain Center, Wasilla, AK, USAAbstract: Hydrocodone is a semisynthetic opioid, which has been used for decades as a short-acting analgesic combined with acetaminophen (or less commonly ibuprofen). Several long-acting, non-acetaminophen-containing hydrocodone formulations are undergoing trials in the US under the auspices of the US Food and Drug Administration, and may be available shortly. This article reviews some of the advantages (including drug familiarity and lack of acetaminophen toxicity) and potential disadvantages (including altered use patterns and high morphine equivalent dosing) of such a medication formulation. We also discuss the abuse potential of long-acting versus short-acting opioids in general and hydrocodone specifically, as well as the metabolism of hydrocodone.Keywords: hydrocodone, long-acting opioids, opioid abuse, acetaminophen toxicity, tamper-resistant opioid