No abstract

The aim of this study was the evaluation of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration as a marker of the inflammatory state in many different thyroid diseases and its dependence on the stage and duration of disease. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 444 randomly selected patients with different kinds of thyroid disease (106 men and 338 women, ranging 18–72 years of age; mean 56.2 ± 5.0 years; median 52 years). Group 1 (G1) comprised 250 patients with hyperthyroidism. Group 2 (G2) consisted of 72 euthyroid patients. Group 3 (G3) consisted of 122 patients with hypothyroidism. Free T4, free T3, and thyrotropin (TSH) levels were measured using the electrochemiluminescent method. Human serum thyroglobulin autoantibodies (Tg-Abs), thyroperoxidase autoantibodies (TPO-Abs), and autoantibodies against the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR-Abs) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The high-sensitive CRP (Hs-CRP) level (reference range <3 mg/L) was determined with a highly sensitive latex-based immunoassay. The mean value of Hs-CRP in G1 was 3.6 ± 2.8 mg/L, in G2 2.5 ± 1.5 mg/L and in G3 5.9 ± 5.8 mg/L. Hs-CRP (in mg/L) medians, interquartile and the total ranges in G1 were 3.0 (2.0 [0.1–21.0] 4.0); in G2: 2.3 [1.8 (0.2–9.2) 3.2]; and in G3: 4.3 [2.2 (0.3–31.5) 7.8]. We found statistically significant differences (Kruskal–Wallis test) in serum Hs-CRP values between G1 and G2 (P = 0.007), G1 and G3 (P = 0.001), G2 and G3 (P < 0.001). In G1, statistically significant correlation was confirmed between Hs-CRP and Tg-Abs (r = −0.22, P = 0.0016), CRP and TPO-Abs (r = −0.26, P < 0.001), and also between Hs-CRP and TSHR-Abs (r = −0.18, P = 0.02). In the remaining cases, differences between Hs-CRP and TSH levels (r = −0.09, P = 0.16) were not statistically significant. In G2, no statistically significant correlation was observed: Hs-CRP and Tg-Abs (r = −0.18, P = 0.13), Hs-CRP and TPO-Abs (r = −0.17, P = 0.15), Hs-CRP and TSH (r = 0.01, P = 0.91), Hs-CRP and TSHR-Abs (r = −0.19, P = 0.17). In G3, a statistically significant correlation was confirmed between Hs-CRP and Tg-Abs (r = 0.22, P = 0.012), Hs-CRP and TSH (r = −0.28, P = 0.001). No statistically significant correlation was observed between Hs-CRP and TPO-Abs (r = 0.20, P = 0.06) and between Hs-CRP and TSHR-Abs (r = −0.23, P = 0.11). Hs-CRP is increased in various types of hypothyroidism. This is particularly relevant in postpartum thyroiditis and in patients after radioiodine treatment. The impact of this situation on human health requires further research, however, one might assume that some types of thyroid disease may lead to systemic inflammatory reactions that are reflected in elevated CRP levels.

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Phytoecdysteroids are natural compounds with therapeutic benefits in both humans and animals. The effectiveness of natural products with health potential is based on the activities and potencies of their active ingredients. In this study, dominant ecdysteroids—ajugasterone C, 20-hydroxyecdysone and polypodine B—from the Serratula coronata (S. coronata) herb were separated by column chromatography, identified by spectroscopic data and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The obtained concentration of ecdysteroids (approximately 23%) in the S. coronatae herb extract enhances the possibility of their use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products with high levels of phytoecdysteroids. Moreover, this study has shown a positive effect of ecdysteroids-containing cream on changes in quality of life and a beneficial effect in reducing the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. It has been demonstrated that the application of the cream with phytoecdysteroids resulted in a statistically significant alleviation of symptoms (p < 0.05), especially in terms of itching, pain or burning sensations in the affected areas in comparison to previous symptoms.

(1) Background: According to the literature, most outcomes of neonates born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 are favorable. This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics of newborns born to infected women in a tertiary center in Poznan, Poland. (2) Methods: The study comprised 101 newborns delivered by women infected with SARS-CoV-2. The control group consisted of 101 newborns born before the pandemic. Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records. (3) Results: Most newborns of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers were delivered by cesarean section—83.17% vs. 40.59% in the control group (p < 0.05). The groups did not differ in Apgar scores and the need for resuscitation. Newborns of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers were more likely to present with respiratory distress and require respiratory support. The most common diagnosis was transient tachypnea of the newborn, not correlated with the mode of delivery. Newborns of the study group were never exclusively breastfed, 0% vs. 64.36% (p < 0.05). None of the patients in the study group was tested positive for the virus. (4) Conclusions: Infants born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers seem to be more at risk of moderate respiratory failure than other newborns. Separation of mother–baby dyads results in a dramatic fall in breastfeeding in the short-term post-partum period.