Objective To investigate the relationship between serum 25-(OH) D3 and autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD).Methods Serum levels of 25-(OH) D3, thyroid antibodies (thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb), TGAb (thyroid globulin antibody), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroid function of 32 cases patients with Graves' diseases (GD), 17 cases patients without remission of GD,10 cases patients with remission of GD,35 cases patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT),and 58 cases healthy subjects were measured,and the relationships between serum 25-(OH) D3 and the above clinical index were analyzed.Results The serum level of 25-(OH) D3 in patients with GD or HT were obviously lower than that in healthy subjects((50.75±17.60) μg/L, (36.40±21.65) μg/L, (43.05±19.53) μg/L,P＜0.05).No significant difference of the serum level of 25-(OH) D3 was found between patients refractory of GD and those with GD in remission((32.43±17.50) μg/L, (31.88±14.48) μg/L,P=0.866).However,compared with the normal control group,both diseased groups showed significantly decrease (P＜0.05).No correlation was found between serum 25-(OH) D3 and TRAb, FT3, Fr4 as well as TSH in GD group.No correlation was found between serum 25-(OH) D3 and TGAb, TPOAb (P＞ 0.05).Conclusion Serum vitamin D levels are decreased in patients with AITD, which has been speculated as a potential therapeutic method for AITD, though further investigations are needed to establish the precise role of 25-(OH) D3 in AITD.

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of transvaginal ultrasound(TVS)and thin-section oblique axial T2WI in deep infiltrating endometriosis(DIE)of uterosacral ligaments(USL).Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on preoperative TVS and MRI images from 74 patients with USL-DIE.The diagnostic efficacy of TVS and thin-section oblique axial T2WI for USL-DIE was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve based on pathological findings,and area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value(PPV)and negative predictive value(NPV)were further calculated.The McNemar two-tailed test was used to analyze the difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two methods for USL-DIE.Results The AUCs of TVS and thin-section oblique axial T2WI for diagnosing left and right USL-DIE were 0.721 vs 0.842 and 0.640 vs 0.901,respectively.Thin-section oblique axial T2WI demonstrated higher sensitivity,accuracy,PPV,and NPV compared to TVS in diagnosing USL-DIE.The diagnostic accuracy was found to be statistically different between the two methods(Pleft =0.026,χ2=4.966;Pright<0.001,χ2=16.531).Conclusion Thin-section oblique axial T2WI outperformed TVS in terms of diagnostic value for USL-DIE,providing valuable imaging support for accurate clinical diagnosis.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the blood lead level of 3 - 5 year old children living in the cities in China and to provide scientific data for making policy on environmental lead pollution for children health protection.

METHODSSix thousand five hundred and two vein blood samples from 3 - 5 year old children in nineteen cities of nine provinces were sampled. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were employed to determine lead level in whole blood after microwave digestion for sample preparation and questionnaire survey was also performed. Data were analyzed with multiple regression on factors which affecting blood lead levels.

RESULTSResults showed that mean blood lead level was 88.3 micro g/L for 3 - 5 year old children living in the cities in China and mean blood lead level of boys (91.1 micro g/L) was higher than that of girls (87.3 micro g/L). Twenty-nine point nine one per cent of the children's blood lead level exceeded 100 micro g/L. The research finding showed: (1) higher blood lead levels had negative effects on children's physical growth, language ability etc. (2) behavior of parents had certain effects on children's blood lead levels. (3) blood lead levels of children were affected by unhealthy habits.

CONCLUSIONSProblem of childhood lead poisoning in China has become more serious. During the past ten years, blood lead levels of children has been increased in China while decreasing in developed countries. Blood lead levels of children in China are higher than that of developed countries, which called for special concern by government and society.

Child, Preschool ; China ; Environmental Pollutants ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lead ; blood ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Sex Factors ; Urban Health ; Urban Population