Azathioprine in the treatment of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

1990 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petros Perros ◽  
David R. Weightman ◽  
Alex L. Crombie ◽  
Pat Kendall-Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
The Other ◽  
Hormone Binding ◽  
Moderate Severity ◽  
Azathioprine Treatment ◽  
Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy ◽  
Thyroid Microsomal Antibodies ◽  
Matched Control Population

Abstract Azathioprine is used in the treatment of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, but its effectiveness has not been evaluated. In the present study 20 patients with moderately severe ophthalmopathy were recruited; 10 patients received azathioprine and the other 10 matched patients served as controls. During the treatment period (lasting 1 year) and 1 year later, no changes were detected in exophthalmometer readings, visual acuity or measurement of palpebral aperture. Differential intraocular pressure fell with time in both groups. Azathioprine treatment did not significantly influence these parameters, although it did induce significant decrease in thyroid microsomal antibodies and in thyroid-stimulating hormone binding inhibiting immunoglobulin index. The study demonstrates that thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy of moderate severity, often improves with time without treatment. Azathioprine is not an effective treatment for patients with moderately severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. The study emphasises the necessity for an adequately matched control population in the evaluation of therapy.

The inhibition by calmodulin of thyroid-stimulating hormone binding to epididymal fat, testis and thyroid membranes in the guinea-pig

1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Inui ◽  
Y. Ochi ◽  
T. Hachiya ◽  
Y. Kajita ◽  
M. Ishida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Epidermal Growth Factor ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
The Other ◽  
Hormone Binding ◽  
Epididymal Fat ◽  
Direct Binding ◽  
Epidermal Growth

ABSTRACT Calmodulin inhibited 125I-labelled TSH binding to the membranes of various target tissues for TSH (thyroid, epididymal fat and testis) of the guinea-pig. This inhibition was abolished by adding EGTA (1 mmol/l). Calmodulin did not inhibit the binding of 125I-labelled epidermal growth factor (EGF) to these membranes. It is suggested that the inhibitory effect of calmodulin on the binding of TSH to the receptor is specific and that this mechanism is due to the direct binding of calmodulin to receptor membranes. The ability of calmodulin to bind to the membranes was calciumsensitive while that of TSH was not. The binding of 125I-labelled calmodulin to these membranes increased significantly when the endogenous calmodulin in the membranes was removed by EGTA. It was not inhibited by a pure preparation of TSH, but it was inhibited by contaminated calmodulin in a crude TSH preparation. On the other hand, 125I-labelled TSH binding to these membranes did not change after the removal of endogenous calmodulin. In conclusion, exogenous calmodulin has an inhibitory effect on the binding of TSH but not of EGF to the membranes of guinea-pig thyroid, epididymal fat and testis. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 125, 103–107

Abstract P156: Assessing the Effect of the Heart of New Ulm Project: a Population-Based Program to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease

Circulation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbey C Sidebottom ◽  
Arthur Sillah ◽  
David M Vock ◽  
Michael M Miedema ◽  
Raquel Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Health System ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Control Population ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Matched Control Population

Background: Despite a highly recognized priority for public health and healthcare to implement population-level strategies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), limited evidence exists on the most effective strategies. Data collection and evaluation of large scale, community based-prevention programs can be challenging and costly to achieve. The Heart of New Ulm (HONU) Project, begun in 2009, is a population-based initiative with healthcare, community, and workplace interventions addressing multiple levels of the social-ecological model designed to reduce modifiable CVD risk factors in rural New Ulm, MN. The community is served by one health system, enabling the use of electronic health record (EHR) data for surveillance. Objective: To assess trends for CVD risk factors, events, and healthcare utilization for New Ulm residents compared to a matched control population. Methods: We matched New Ulm residents (n = 4,077) with controls (n = 4,077) from a regional community served by the same health system using refined covariate balance techniques to match on baseline demographics, CVD risk factors, and health care utilization. Mixed effects longitudinal models with adjustment for age and gender, and an interaction for time by community, were run. Model based estimates were constructed for the entire cohort at each time period. Results: Over the first 6 years of the HONU Project,blood pressure, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were managed better in New Ulm than the matched comparison community. The proportion of New Ulm residents with controlled blood pressure increased by 6.2 percentage points while the control group increased by 2 points. 10-year ASCVD risk scores showed less decline for New Ulm residents than controls (16 vs. 18.4). The intervention and control groups did not differ with regard to inpatient stays, CVD events, smoking, or glucose. Conclusions: Compared to a matched control population, we found improved control of CVD risk factors in the New Ulm Population exposed to the HONU Project.

scholarly journals Alphafetoprotein in screening for congenital hypothyroidism

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 171-180
Author(s):  
R. M. Shawky ◽  
S. Abdel Fattah ◽  
M. E. El Din Azzam ◽  
M. M. Rafik ◽  
A. Osman
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Hypothyroidism ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
The Other ◽  
Thyroid Status ◽  
Term Neonates ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Persistent Elevation

This study was conducted on 500 full-term neonates and 25 older patients with congenital hypothyroidism [CH], newly or previously diagnosed. Alphafetoprotein [AFP] was elevated in two neonates. In one, persistent elevation of AFP and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] with low thyroxine [T4] were found [congenital hypothyroidism]. In the other, AFP, TSH and T4 levels normalized [transient hypothyroidism]. The mean AFP level in new CH patients was significantly higher than in previously diagnosed patients, and was higher in CH patients than in controls. Significant relationships were found between AFP and T4, AFP and TSH, and AFP and age. AFP is a sensitive indicator of thyroid status and can be used as a screening test for hypothyroidism from the first day of life and in follow-up of CH patients.

scholarly journals Predation selects for smaller eye size in a vertebrate: effects of environmental conditions and sex

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1897) ◽  
pp. 20182625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Svanbäck ◽  
Frank Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Retinal Image ◽  
The Other ◽  
Eye Size ◽  
Fish Predators ◽  
Resource Levels

Increased eye size in animals results in a larger retinal image and thus improves visual acuity. Thus, larger eyes should aid both in finding food as well as detecting predators. On the other hand, eyes are usually very conspicuous and several studies have suggested that eye size is associated with predation risk. However, experimental evidence is scant. In this study, we address how predation affects variation in eye size by performing two experiments using Eurasian perch juveniles as prey and either larger perch or pike as predators. First, we used large outdoor tanks to compare selection due to predators on relative eye size in open and artificial vegetated habitats. Second, we studied the effects of both predation risk and resource levels on phenotypic plasticity in relative eye size in indoor aquaria experiments. In the first experiment, we found that habitat altered selection due to predators, since predators selected for smaller eye size in a non-vegetated habitat, but not in a vegetated habitat. In the plasticity experiment, we found that fish predators induced smaller eye size in males, but not in females, while resource levels had no effect on eye size plasticity. Our experiments provide evidence that predation risk could be one of the driving factors behind variation in eye size within species.

scholarly journals Rubeola keratitis emergence during a recent measles outbreak in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 289
Author(s):  
Aaron P.C. Ong ◽  
Adam Watson ◽  
Shanu Subbiah
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
The Other ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Eye Drops ◽  
Corneal Perforation ◽  
Ocular Complications ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
Recent Outbreak ◽  
Baseline Visual Acuity

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONMeasles is a highly contagious disease caused by the rubeola virus. It can result in ocular complications such as conjunctivitis and keratitis, which will be encountered in general practice. Cases usually resolve without sequelae, but may progress to corneal perforation if left untreated. AIMWe present two cases of rubeola keratitis secondary to measles infection. METHODSThis report is about a retrospective review of data from two patients who presented to the eye department with rubeola keratitis in the midst of the recent measles outbreak in New Zealand. RESULTSBoth patients presented with decreased visual acuity approximately 2 weeks after being diagnosed with measles. One of them was unvaccinated, whereas the other had no documentation of previous vaccination. Both were healthy and immunocompetent individuals. There was no evidence of corneal perforation or retinopathy on examination. Both patients regained their baseline visual acuity after treatment with fluorometholone eye drops. DISCUSSIONDespite the existence of a safe and effective vaccine, there were more than 2000 cases of measles in the recent outbreak in New Zealand. The lack of vaccination is one of the primary causes of rubeola keratitis. These cases highlight the effects of measles infection from an ophthalmology perspective and reinforce the paramount importance of getting vaccinated.

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