Medical therapy of Graves' disease: does thyroxine prevent recurrence of hyperthyroidism?

Sixty patients with Graves' disease (GD) hyperthyroidism were distributed in two randomized groups. Patients in group A (n = 30) received carbimazole by a titration regimen, and patients in group B (n = 30) were treated with higher doses of carbimazole plus T4. Clinical and analytical evaluations were done at baseline, during treatment (18.4 +/- 2.6 months), and after, until the relapse of hyperthyroidism, or for 4.98 +/- 1.6 yr in patients who did not relapse. There were no differences in clinical parameters, thyroid hormones, or TSH binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII) levels between the two groups, either at baseline or at the end of treatment. Serum TSH persisted undetectable in 16 out of 60 patients (group A: 9; group B: 7), after treatment. Relapse occurred in 38 patients (63.3%), (group A: 18 (60%) vs. group B: 20 (66.7%)). Patients who relapsed had bigger goiters at baseline (P = 0.02) and at the end of treatment (P = 0.03). Eighty-seven percent (14/16) of patients with undetectable TSH after therapy relapsed, vs. 54.5% (24/44) of those with normal TSH (P = 0.01). Undetectable TSH at the end of treatment was the only independent variable in the logistic analysis to predict relapse. Treatment modality did not influence the relapse rate. This study has found that, in Spanish patients, the use of high doses of carbimazole with T4 offers no advantages in the treatment of GD hyperthyroidism.     

Spherical near-field facility for microwave coupling assessments inthe 100 MHz-6 GHz frequency range

This paper describes a spherical near-field facility set up at the Centre d'Etudes de Gramat (CEG) to perform low-power microwave coupling assessments. Specifically, this facility has been designed to determine the coupling cross section of a complex object. However, it can also be used for the characterization of any radiating system in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) or high-power microwave (HPM) environments. The near-field approach is shown to be complementary and to offer increased flexibility when compared to other more conventional measurement techniques. More particularly, the use of a probe array in the upper part of the frequency band significantly speeds up the near-field measurement process. Consequently, broadband and multiparameter acquisitions can be performed within acceptable duration. The examples given in this paper provide a broad illustration of the capabilities of near-field techniques for EMC and HPM applications     

Efficient parallel algorithms for path problems in directed graphs

In this paper we describe a technique for finding efficient parallel algorithms for problems on directed graphs that involve checking the existence of certain kinds of paths in the graph. This technique provides efficient algorithms for finding dominators in flow graphs, performing interval and loop analysis on reducible flow graphs, and finding the feedback vertices of a digraph. Each of these algorithms takesO(log² n) time using the same number of processors needed for fast matrix multiplication. All of these bounds are for an EREW PRAM.     

ELLIPTIC CURVE CRYPTOGRAPHY BASED AUTHENTICATED KEY AGREEMENT WITH PRE-SHARED PASSWORD

Based on elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman algorithm, an Elliptic Curve Authenticated Key Agreement (ECAKA) protocol with pre-shared password is proposed. Its security relies on the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem (ECDLP). It provides identity authentication,key validation and perfect forward secrecy, and it can foil man-in-the-middle attacks.     

An optical fibre sensor for on-line temperature control of germicidal microwave plasma powered UV lamps

A fluorescent optical fibre sensor is reported which is capable of monitoring the output of a high intensity microwave powered UV light source as well as being implemented as part of an on-line controller of the lamp output. The sensor is a fibre which has had its cladding removed and replaced with a phosphor doped polymer coating. Spectroscopic measurements are used to show that the control of the lamp temperature is important in determining the optimum output power and dominant emission wavelength. The optical fibre sensor provides a practical means of lamp output control in this harsh electrical environment.     

A complex nine base pair deletion in RET exon 11 common in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma

Genetic alteration of the RET proto-oncogene is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A and 2B (MEN 2A and MEN 2B), familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) and Hirschprung's disease. Oncogenically activated RET has also been demonstrated in sporadic medullary thyroid tumors, which in some cases show somatic missense mutations. We have recently described a complex 9 bp deletion in RET exon 11 in a single case of sporadic MTC. In order to determine the prevalence of this mutation among sporadic MTC tumors, we have now analysed 15 cases and five normal controls by PCR-based nonradioactive single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP) and fragment size analysis of exon 11. DNA was extracted from microdissected tumor tissue or normal cells and subjected to nested PCR prior to analysis. A markedly divergent SSCP pattern and a PCR fragment 9 bp shorter than normal were demonstrated in 14 of the 15 MTC tumors. Sequencing revealed the deletion of nine bases encompassing a key cysteine at codon 634, often altered in MEN 2A. Four lymphocyte controls and normal thyroid tissue from one patient failed to show the deletion. Several factors in the DNA sequence environment immediately surrounding the deletions, including an extended inverted repeat, several direct repeats and a so-called symmetric element suggest that the deletional events may be non-random.     

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on infarct collagen deposition and remodelling during healing after transmural canine myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition for six weeks after myocardial infarction (MI) lowers the collagen content of infarct scars in dogs. However, temporal changes in collagen content of the infarct zone (IZ) with ACE inhibition during healing over six weeks after MI and their possible relation to IZ remodelling have not been determined. METHODS: IZ collagen (hydroxyproline) was measured over six to seven weeks in dogs treated with captopril (50 mg bid), enalapril (2.5 mg bid) or placebo, beginning on the second day following transmural anterior MI (or sham). In vivo changes in IZ and global left ventricular (LV) remodelling, mass and function (echocardiograms) and hemodynamics among six-week survivors were also measured. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, both inhibitors decreased IZ collagen (P < 0.001) over the seven weeks. Among the six-week survivors, both inhibitors lowered IZ collagen (P < or = 0.001) and increased the collagen type I:III ratio. However, preload was lower, increase in diastolic volume and mass were less and systolic function improved. Although the doses of captopril (but no enalapril) decreased afterload, inhibition of IZ collagen was less, IZ bulging and global LV dilation were less and systolic function was better with captopril than with enalapril. In all three MI groups, deaths over the seven weeks correlated with greater infarct size, LV volume and dysfunction and lower IZ collagen. CONCLUSIONS: ACE inhibition suppresses the temporal increase in IZ collagen and attenuates IZ expansion, thinning and bulging, and LV enlargement and aneurysm formation during healing after MI.