ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Context. Oxytocin has been investigated as a potential medication for psychiatric disorders. Objective and design. This study prospectively investigates correlations between oxytocin and other neuropeptides plasma levels in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) according to severity and treatment, as compared to controls. Subjects and methods. Thirty-one children (6 neurotypical as control) participated in this study. The patients were classified into mildly and severely-affected, according to Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores. Oxytocin, orexin A and B, α-MSH, β-endorphins, neurotensin and substance P were investigated using a quantitative multiplex assay or a competitive-ELISA method. Results. Plasma oxytocin levels differed between the groups (F (2, 24) =6.48, p=0.006, η2=0.35, observed power=86%): patients with the mild ASD had higher values of plasma oxytocin than those with the severe form (average difference=74.56±20.74pg/mL, p=0.004). Conclusions. These results show a negative correlation between plasma levels of oxytocin and the severity of ASD and support the involvement of oxytocinergic mechanisms in ASD.

Context. Clinical research suggests that vitamin D deficiency correlates with mental illnesses. Objective. The aim was to prove that the patients from the psychiatric health care service in Serbia had higher vitamin D deficiency than patients from general practice. Design. The study had a cross-sectional design. Methods. The study included 47 patients aged 19 – 76 of both sexes with different mental disorders. We performed sample size calculation on available data for vitamin D deficiency in patients in health care facilities compared with the general population. The concentrations of vitamin D in serums were measured by HPLC (high performance/pressure liquid chromatography). Results. The mean value of vitamin D (standard deviation) in the whole group of study subjects was 16.27(10.62) ng/mL; 68.1% of the patients had a deficiency of vitamin D (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL). The difference is statistically significant from expected proportion of people with vitamin D deficiency in general practice (p=0.040). Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were significantly correlated with serum concentrations of phosphorus (ϱ=0.336, p=0.024) and sodium (ϱ=0.304, p=0.038). Conclusions. The patients of psychiatry health care had significantly higher frequency of vitamin D deficiency than expected. There is a significant association between serum levels of vitamin D, and phosphate and sodium.

Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most common type of cancer globally, representing approximately 25% of all cancer cases and leading in cancer-related mortality among women. In Romania, breast cancer accounts for 26.9% of all female cancer diagnoses, with an increasing incidence and significant mortality rate despite one of the lowest incidence rates in Europe. The study highlights the disparities in breast cancer outcomes across Europe, with Romania showing lower survival rates compared to Western European countries. This disparity is partly attributed to the low participation in breast cancer screening programs, where only 9% of eligible Romanian women underwent mammography in 2020, far below the European average of 60%. The World Health Organization (WHO) and European Commission emphasize the importance of organized population-based screening for women aged 50-69, yet many barriers, including low health literacy, lack of awareness, and socio-economic challenges, hinder effective participation, especially among vulnerable populations. This study, conducted over three years at the “Alessandrescu Rusescu” National Institute for Mother and Child Health, involved 1,705 patients and aims to provide insights into improving breast cancer screening participation and outcomes in Romania.

Objective. The extremely negative effects of diabetic neuropathy over the entire human organism make the detection of modifications in early stages very important. Introduction. The purpose of this study is to establish a correlation between early modifications appeared at the level of corneal nerves fibers and the glycemic values of patients with type 2 diabetes. The affection of corneal nerves fibers has been emphasized with the help of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). Method. A total number of 70 subjects have been evaluated of which 55 suffered from type 2 diabetes (group A) and 15 have been subject to control (group B). The ophthalmologic control also contained a confocal microscopy that has highlighted the decrease of the number of nerves filets of the sub-basal plexus, modifications associated with type 2 diabetes. Results. The density of nerves fibers (12.11± 1.064 n/mm2 compared to 28.33 ± 2.101 n/mm2, P= 0.001); the density of nerves branches (29.94 ± 3.980 n/mm2 compared to 43.75 ± 4.605 n/mm2, P<0.001); the length of nerves fibers (11.77 ± 0.638 mm/mm2 compared to 17.82 ± 0.479 mm/mm2, P=0.002), the total density of nerves fibers (23.25 ± 3.213 n/ mm2 compared to 63.75 ± 8.278 n/mm2, P=0.042) and the area of corneal nerves fibers (0.0044 ± 0.000247 mm2 /mm2 compared to 0.007893 ± 0.00054 mm2 /mm2, P=0.014) have been significantly smaller in patients with diabetes compared to healthy subjects. Conclusions. Being a non invasive technique, corneal confocal microscopy represents a technique that can be easily used in the detection of early modifications of fibers of subbasal corneal nerves stratum, in the case of patients suffering from type 2 diabetes.

Insulinoma is the most common endocrine tumor of the pancreas. The diagnosis suspicion is usually based on clinical symptoms and is confirmed by biochemical tests. Because the majority of insulinomas have a small size, the real problem is the localization of these tumors before surgery. We present the diagnostic and therapy difficulties, the value of available imaging techniques as well as our experience in five consecutive insulinoma patients from our clinic.

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Introduction. The polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PAS) type III is a rare condition defined as the coexistence of autoimmune thyroid disorder with other endocrine autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, without adrenal dysfunction. PAS may associate with other non-endocrine autoimmune diseases, overlapping with the multiple autoimmune syndromes (MAS). We present a case of PAS III/ MAS type 3, including autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune diabetes, vitiligo, lupus erythematosus, associated with adult-onset atopic dermatitis, a combination not reported previously. Case report. A 40 years old woman, registered as nurse working in dialysis unit, previously diagnosed with vitiligo, euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis and disseminated granuloma annulare, with personal and familial history of atopic disorders, presented in our clinic for disseminated eczematous and lichenoid cutaneous rashes. She was tested positive for antinuclear, anti-double stranded DNA and anti-histone antibodies, with inflammatory syndrome and marginal lymphopenia and she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Subsequently, moderate hyperglycemia, positive anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies and low C-peptide level prompted the diagnosis of autoimmune diabetes. Recurrent flexural eczematous rashes, with negative epicutaneous tests but positive specific IgE tests for common allergens fulfilled the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis. The clinical, immunological and glycemic status were controlled with low doses of oral prednisone (<0.5 mg/kg), methotrexate (10mg/week), antimalarials, metformin, emollients and photoprotection. After changing her workplace, the immunosuppressive treatment could be discontinued, and the patient maintained normal immunological and biochemical profile at 6 months follow-up. This case brings a unique perspective on the evolution, associations spectrum and the management challenges of endocrine polyautoimmunity associated with atopic diathesis.

Craniopharyngioma is part of a spectrum of suprasellar cystic neoplasms, with two distinct clinicopathological entities: most are adamantinomatous tumors occurring more\r\noften in children and young adults, and radiographically are calcified, while papillary form develops more often in adults, lacks calcification, and have a better outcome.\r\nIn this report we describe clinical, CT and MRI features, together with histopathological findings of an early recurrent papillary craniopharyngioma. Reviewing the\r\nCT and MRI findings and microscopic specimens of both the initial and the recurred craniopharyngioma, we identified the rapid relapse of the solid tumoral component and\r\ncorrelate it with low-grade basal cell dysplasia of the epithelial component that evolves from small patchy foci to more extensive areas in length and width. While low-grade basal cell dysplasia is not clearly malignant, once the pathologist sees these cellular changes in a papillary cranyopharyngioma, he must note them in his report as basal cell dysplasia could be the cause of an early tumoral recurrence. Although low-grade basal cell dysplasia in\r\nsquamo-papillary craniopharyngioma is uncommon, when such a diagnosis is established, the radiologist must pay attention to MRI characteristic findings of the solid part (maximum diameters, enhancing aspects, shape, and location) and compare them with those from the previous data.

Cervical lymph nodes could be a starting sign for a complex diagnosis work-up. Depending on co-morbidities, medical unit and physician’s previous experience, the differential diagnosis includes thyroid malignancy, lymphoma, chronic infectious disorders, etc.