Trace elements, such as iodine and selenium (Se), are vital to human health and play an essential role in metabolism. They are also important to thyroid metabolism and function, and correlate with thyroid autoimmunity and tumors. Other minerals such as iron (Ir), lithium (Li), copper (Co), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), cadmium (Cd), and molybdenum (Mo), may related to thyroid function and disease. Normal thyroid function depends on a variety of trace elements for thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism. These trace elements interact with each other and are in a dynamic balance. However, this balance may be disturbed by the excess or deficiency of one or more elements, leading to abnormal thyroid function and the promotion of autoimmune thyroid diseases and thyroid tumors.The relationship between trace elements and thyroid disorders is still unclear, and further research is needed to clarify this issue and improve our understanding of how trace elements mediate thyroid function and metabolism. This paper systematically reviewed recently published literature on the relationship between various trace elements and thyroid function to provide a preliminary theoretical basis for future research.

Background: Previous observational studies have shown that there is a controversial association between selenium levels and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim was to assess the causal relationship between selenium levels and CKD using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: We used the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method to analyze the causal role of selenium levels on CKD risk. The variants associated with selenium levels were extracted from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of circulating selenium levels (n = 5477) and toenail selenium levels (n = 4162) in the European population. Outcome data were from the largest GWAS meta-analysis of European-ancestry participants for kidney function to date. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main analysis and a series of sensitivity analyses were carried out to detect potential violations of MR assumptions. Results: The MR analysis results indicate that the genetically predicted selenium levels were associated with decreased estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) (effect = −0.0042, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.0053–0.0031, p = 2.186 × 10⁻¹³) and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (effect = 0.0029, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0006–0.0052, p = 0.0136) with no pleiotropy detected. Conclusions: The MR study indicated that an increased level of selenium is a causative factor for kidney function impairment.

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Treating renal anemia with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) or erythropoietin analogs is effective but has side effects. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of roxadustat in treating CKD-induced anemia. We searched publications online and conducted a meta-analysis and calculated relative risks with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous data and mean differences (MD) with 95% CIs for continuous data. Of 110 articles, nine were included that contained 12 data sets and 11 randomized control trials on roxadustat. In the non-dialysis-dependent (NDD) high-dose/low-dose subgroups, the change in hemoglobin (Hb) levels was significantly higher in the roxadustat group than in the placebo group (P<0.0001, P=0.001, respectively). The Hb response rate of the roxadustat is higher in the NDD subgroup than in the placebo group (P<0.00001, MD=6.92, 95% CI: 4.03, 11.89). However, in the dialysis-dependent subgroup, there was no significant difference in the change in Hb levels or the Hb response rate between the roxadustat and ESA groups. There was no change in the mortality in the roxadustat group compared to that in the placebo/ESA group. Hyperkalemia may be a side effect of roxadustat. Roxadustat elevated the serum Hb levels in a manner similar to that observed for ESAs. Roxadustat raised the Hb levels more significantly than the placebo and showed a higher Hb response rate than the placebo group in NDD patients. Roxadustat is a safe and effective drug for anemia in CKD patients.

Background: Gross strap muscle invasion (gSMI) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) was defined as high-risk recurrent group in the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines. However, controversy persists because several studies suggested gSMI had little effect on disease outcome. Herein, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate impact of gSMI on outcome of DTC. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE) for studies published until February 2020 was performed. Case-control studies and randomized controlled trials that studied the impact of gSMI on outcome of DTC were included. Results: Six studies (all retrospective studies) involving 13,639 patients met final inclusion criteria. Compared with no extrathyroidal extension (ETE), patients with gSMI were associated with increased risk of recurrence (P = 0.0004, OR, 1.46; 95% CI: 1.18–1.80) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) (P < 0.00001, OR 4.19; 95% CI: 2.53–6.96). For mortality (P = 0.34, OR 1.47; 95% CI: 0.67–3.25), 10 year disease-specific survival (P = 0.80, OR 0.91; 95% CI: 0.44–1.88), and distant metastasis (DM) (P = 0.21, OR 2.94; 95% CI: 0.54–15.93), there was no significant difference between gSMI and no ETE group. In contrast with maximal ETE(extension of the primary tumor to the trachea, esophagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve, larynx, subcutaneous soft tissue, skin, internal jugular vein, or carotid artery), patients with gSMI were associated with decreased risk of recurrence (P < 0.0001, OR, 0.58; 95% CI: 0.44–0.76), mortality (P = 0.0003, OR 0.20; 95% CI: 0.08–0.48), LNM (P = 0.0003, OR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.50–0.81), and DM (P = 0.0009, OR 0.28; 95% CI: 0.13–0.59). Conclusions : DTC patients with gSMI had a higher risk of recurrence and LNM than those without ETE. However, in contrast with maximal ETE, a much better prognosis was observed in DTC patients with only gSMI.

Rationale: Thyroglossal duct carcinoma, a rare clinical condition characterized by ectopic thyroid adenocarcinoma within thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs), typically confirmed through intraoperative rapid pathology, this condition generally has a favorable prognosis. Nevertheless, comprehensive treatment guidelines across all disease stages are lacking, the purpose of this study is to report 1 case of the disease and propose the treatment plan for each stage of the disease. Patient concerns: A patient presented with thyroid swelling, classified as C-TIRADS 4A following a physical examination. Preoperative thyroid puncture identified papillary thyroid carcinoma, and genetic testing revealed a BRAF gene exon 15-point mutation. Ancillary tests showed a slightly decreased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level (0.172) with no other significant abnormalities. Diagnoses: Preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) confirmed right-side thyroid cancer. Intraoperative exploration uncovered a TGDC and intraoperative rapid pathology confirmed thyroglossal duct carcinoma. Interventions: A Sistrunk operation and ipsilateral thyroidectomy were performed. Outcomes: Postoperative recovery was satisfactory. Lessons: Thyroglossal duct carcinoma is a rare disease affecting the neck. Due to limited clinical cases and the favorable prognosis associated with this condition, there is currently no established set of diagnostic and treatment guidelines. According to tumor size, lymph node metastasis, thyroid status and other factors, the corresponding treatment methods were established for each stage of thyroglossal duct cancer, which laid the foundation for the subsequent treatment development of this disease.