In seventy-eight patients with alopecia areata, the incidence of auto-antibodies to smooth muscle was greater than that in an age and sex matched control population.

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Securities exchange being digitalised and online, security of information and data has become a major concern. Blockchain (BC) technology, being distributed and immutable in nature, has proved to the "Trust Machine" eliminating the need for third-parties. Authors of this paper investigate how Blockchain can be used to secure stock exchange transactions, with an especial focus to the technological as well as legal aspects of such applications. Considering the intricate operational structure of the securities exchange, the research proposes to design, develop and implement a hybrid BC, customised according to the need of the respective stock exchange. The study suggests that the use of such BC can bring many benefits which the other technologies currently being used cannot offer. However, during the design process of any such application using BC, the relevant laws and regulations of the corresponding country need to be considered.

A comparative study of the outcome of surgical treatment for thyrotoxicosis was carried out in two countries with dissimilar dietary iodine levels. In the area with a high iodine level (Iceland) the prevalence of post-operative hypothyroidism was five times lower, but recurrent hyperthyroidism was five times higher, than in the area with lower iodine levels (northeast Scotland). The total morbidity reached comparable levels in the two samples. The prevalence of positive thyroid antibody tests and serum thyrotrophin levels was lower and the functional capacity of the thyroid remnant higher in the area with the higher dietary iodine intake. The study provides further evidence that there are important regional differences in the prevalence of factors known to influence the response to surgical treatment of thyrotoxicosis which should be taken into account when planning treatment services.