The potentiometric anion responses of polymeric membranes doped with various indium (111)-porphyrin structures are examined. The appropriate membranes are prepared by incorporating 1.0 wt % of the In(II1)-porphyrins in plasticized poly(viny1 chloride) films. When such membranes are incorporated within standard ion selective electrode bodies, the resulting electrodes display non-Hofmeister anion selectivity, with a particularly enhanced and super-Nernstian response to chloride. Among those porphyrins investigated, membranes doped with chloro(octaethylporphyrinato)indium( 111) yield the largest and most reproducible potentiometric anion responses. These same membrane electrodes exhibit negligible response to protons (or hydroxide) in the range of pH 4.5-9.0. When utilized as a flowinjection detector in conjunction with a protein diluenVbuffer stream, the In( 111)-porphyrinbased electrodes may be used to determine chloride levels in human serum samples.

The amperometric determination of glucose can b e performed using a flow injection system with a wall-jet flow-through cell and a graphite paste electrode. The working electrode is prepared from a mixture of graphite powder, silicone oil and glucose oxidase and exhibits a linear response in a single-line manifold for glucose concentrations u p to 30 r n M with a sampling rate of 120 s a m p l e s per hour. The detection limit calculated for a 750-p1 s a m p l e volume injected is 20 p~ glucose. The average lifetime of t h e developed sensor is 3 weeks without a significant decrease in sensitivity.

(1) Background: Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is an autoimmune inflammation of the orbital tissues and the most common extra-thyroid symptom of Graves’ disease (GD). Mild cases of GO are often misdiagnosed, which prolongs the diagnostic and therapeutic process, leading to exacerbation of the disease. A severe course of GO may cause permanent vision loss. (2) Methods: The article presents an analysis of GO—its etiopathogenesis, diagnostics, current treatment and potential future therapeutic options based on a review of the currently available literature of the subject. (3) Results: Current treatment of the active GO consists predominantly in intravenous glucocorticoids (GCs) administration in combination with orbital radiotherapy. The growing knowledge on the pathogenesis of the disease has contributed to multiple trials of the use of immunosuppressive drugs and monoclonal antibodies which may be potentially effective in the treatment of GO. Immunosuppressive treatment is not effective in patients in whom a chronic inflammatory process has caused fibrous changes in the orbits. In such cases surgical treatment is performed—including orbital decompression, adipose tissue removal, oculomotor muscle surgery, eyelid alignment and blepharoplasty. (4) Conclusions: Management of GO is difficult and requires interdisciplinary cooperation in endocrinology; ophthalmology, radiation oncology and surgery. The possibilities of undertaking a reliable assessment and comparison of the efficacy and safety of the therapeutic strategies are limited due to the heterogeneity of the available studies conducted mostly on small group of patients, with no comparison with classic systemic steroid therapy. The registration by FDA of Teprotumumab, an IGF1-R antagonist, in January 2020 may be a milestone in future management of active GO. However, many clinical questions require to be investigated first.

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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is defined as a state of hyperglycemia that is first recognized during pregnancy, is currently the most common medical complication in pregnancy. GDM affects approximately 15% of pregnancies worldwide, accounting for approximately 18 million births annually. Mothers with GDM are at risk of developing gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia and termination of pregnancy via Caesarean section. In addition, GDM increases the risk of complications, including cardiovascular disease, obesity and impaired carbohydrate metabolism, leading to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in both the mother and infant. The increase in the incidence of GDM also leads to a significant economic burden and deserves greater attention and awareness. A deeper understanding of the risk factors and pathogenesis becomes a necessity, with particular emphasis on the influence of SARS-CoV-2 and diagnostics, as well as an effective treatment, which may reduce perinatal and metabolic complications. The primary treatments for GDM are diet and increased exercise. Insulin, glibenclamide and metformin can be used to intensify the treatment. This paper provides an overview of the latest reports on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of GDM based on the literature.