Metabolomic screening of radioiodine refractory thyroid cancer patients and the underlying chemical mechanism of iodine resistance.

Radioiodine refractory (RAIR) patients do not benefit from iodine-131 therapy. Thus, timely identification of RAIR patients is critical for avoiding ineffective radioactive iodine therapy. In addition, determining the causes of iodine resistance will facilitate the development of novel treatment strategies. This study was comprised of 20 RAIR and 14 non-radioiodine refractory (non-RAIR) thyroid cancer patients. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify differences in the serum metabolites of RAIR and non-RAIR patients. In addition, chemical assays were performed to determine the effects of the differential metabolites on iodine uptake. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites revealed significant differences in the phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolic pathways. Notably, quinate and shikimic acid, metabolites of the tyrosine pathway, were significantly increased in the RAIR group. In contrast, the phenylalanine pathway metabolites, hippuric acid and 2-phenylacetamide, were markedly decreased in the RAIR group. Thyroid peroxidase plays an important role in catalyzing the iodination of tyrosine residues, while the ionic state of iodine promotes the iodination reaction. Quinate, shikimic acid, hippuric acid, and 2-phenylacetamide were found to be involved in the iodination of tyrosine, which is a key step in thyroid hormone synthesis. Specifically, quinate and shikimic acid were found to inhibit iodination, while hippuric acid and 2-phenylacetamide promoted iodination. Abnormalities in phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolic pathways are closely associated with iodine resistance. Tyrosine is required for thyroid hormone synthesis and could be a potential cause of iodine resistance.

Analysis of the Parotid Glands on an Energy Spectrum CT Iodine Map to Evaluate Irradiation-Induced Acute Xerostomia in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Objective: This prospective study aims to evaluate acute irradiation-induced xerostomia during radiotherapy by utilizing the normalized iodine concentration (NIC) derived from energy spectrum computed tomography (CT) iodine maps. Methods: In this prospective study, we evaluated 28 patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. At 4 distinct stages of radiotherapy (0, 10, 20, and 30 fractions), each patient underwent CT scans to generate iodine maps. The NIC of both the left and right parotid glands was obtained, with the NIC at the 0-fraction stage serving as the baseline measurement. After statistically comparing the NIC obtained in the arterial phase, early venous phase, late venous phase, and delayed phase, we chose the late venous iodine concentration as the NIC and proceeded to analyze the variations in NIC at each radiotherapy interval. Using the series of NIC values, we conducted hypothesis tests to evaluate the extent of change in NIC within the parotid gland across different stages. Furthermore, we identified the specific time point at which the NIC decay exhibited the most statistically significant results. In addition, we evaluated the xerostomia grades of the patients at these 4 stages, following the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) xerostomia evaluation standard, to draw comparisons with the changes observed in NIC. Results: The NIC in the late venous phase exhibited the highest level of statistical significance (P < .001). There was a noticeable attenuation in NIC as the RTOG dry mouth grade increased. Particularly, at the 20 fraction, the NIC experienced the most substantial attenuation (P < .001), a significant negative correlation was observed between the NIC of the left, right, and both parotid glands, and the RTOG evaluation grade of acute irradiation-induced xerostomia (P < .001, r = -0.46; P < .001, r = -0.45; P < .001, r = -0.47). The critical NIC values for the left, right, and both parotid glands when acute xerostomia occurred were 0.175, 0.185, and 0.345 mg/ml, respectively, with AUC = 0.73, AUC = 0.75, and AUC = 0.75. Conclusion: The NIC may be used to evaluate changes in parotid gland function during radiotherapy and acute irradiation-induced xerostomia.

Fat quantification in dual-layer detector spectral CT: How to handle iron overload, varying tube voltage and radiation dose Indices.

OBJECTIVES: Opposed to other spectral CT techniques, fat quantification in dual-layer detector CT (dlCT) has only recently been developed. The impact of concomitant iron overload and dlCT-specific protocol settings such as the dose right index (DRI), a measure of image noise and tube current, on dlCT fat quantification was unclear. Further, spectral information became newly available <120 kV. Therefore, this study's objective was to evaluate the impact of iron, changing tube voltage, and DRI on dlCT fat quantification. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phantoms with 0 and 8mg/cm3 iron; 0 and 5mg/cm3 iodine; 0, 10, 20, 35, 50, and 100% fat and liver equivalent, respectively, were scanned with a dlCT (CT7500, Philips, the Netherlands) at 100kV/20DRI, 120kV/20DRI, 140kV/20DRI, and at 120kV/16DRI, 120kV/24DRI. Material decomposition was done for fat, liver, and iodine (A1); for fat, liver, and iron (A2); and for fat, liver, and combined reference values of iodine and iron (A3). All scans were analyzed with reference values from 120kV/20DRI. For statistics, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analyses were used. RESULTS: In phantoms with iron and iodine, results were best for A3 with a mean deviation to phantom fat of 1.3±2.6% (ICC 0.999 [95%-confidence interval 0.996-1]). The standard approach A1 yielded a deviation of -2.5±3.0% (0.998[0.994-0.999]), A2 of 6.1±4.8% (0.991[0.974-0.997]). With A3 and changing tube voltage, the maximal difference between quantified fat and the phantom ground truth occurred at 100kV with 4.6±2.1%. Differences between scans were largest between 100kV and 140kV (2.0%[-7.1-11.2]). The maximal difference of changing DRI occurred between 16 and 24 DRI with 0.4%[-2.2-3.0]. CONCLUSION: For dlCT fat quantification in the presence of iron, material decomposition with combined reference values for iodine and iron delivers the most accurate results. Tube voltage-specific calibration of reference values is advisable while the impact of the DRI on dlCT fat quantification is neglectable.

Thymol, a Monoterpenoid within Polymeric Iodophor Formulations and Their Antimicrobial Activities.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an emanating threat to humanity's future. The effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics against microbial infections is declining at an alarming rate. As a result, morbidity and mortality rates are soaring, particularly among immunocompromised populations. Exploring alternative solutions, such as medicinal plants and iodine, shows promise in combating resistant pathogens. Such antimicrobials could effectively inhibit microbial proliferation through synergistic combinations. In our study, we prepared a formulation consisting of Aloe barbadensis Miller (AV), Thymol, iodine (I2), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Various analytical methods including SEM/EDS, UV-vis, Raman, FTIR, and XRD were carried out to verify the purity, composition, and morphology of AV-PVP-Thymol-I2. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of this formulation against 10 selected reference strains using impregnated sterile discs, surgical sutures, gauze bandages, surgical face masks, and KN95 masks. The antimicrobial properties of AV-PVP-Thymol-I2 were assessed through disc diffusion methods against 10 reference strains in comparison with two common antibiotics. The 25-month-old formulation exhibited slightly lower inhibitory zones, indicating changes in the sustained-iodine-release reservoir. Our findings confirm AV-PVP-Thymol-I2 as a potent antifungal and antibacterial agent against the reference strains, demonstrating particularly strong inhibitory action on surgical sutures, cotton bandages, and face masks. These results enable the potential use of the formulation AV-PVP-Thymol-I2 as a promising antimicrobial agent against wound infections and as a spray-on contact-killing agent.

Prevalence of iodine deficiency and associated factors among school-age children in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Currently, iodine deficiency has become a significant burden globally; where 2 billion people and 29.8% of school-age children are iodine deficient. It is a leading cause of preventable brain damage among children, resulting in impaired cognitive and motor development. Even though salt iodization was started to be implemented to alleviate this burden in Ethiopia, primary studies assessing iodine deficiency in the country show highly variable findings, and no systematic review was conducted to determine the pooled prevalence of the problem which makes it difficult to assess the effect of the intervention as well as to design appropriate and timely measures. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of iodine deficiency and the common factors affecting its occurrence among school-age children in Ethiopia. METHOD: To obtain the eligible studies, databases (EMBASE, Scopus, Hinari, and PubMed), websites (Google and Google Scholar), and references of the eligible studies were searched systematically. Data were extracted using an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using the STATA 17 version. The I2 test was used to assess heterogeneity between the studies. A DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and pooled odds ratio. A funnel plot and Egger's test were used to detect publication bias. RESULT: A total of 15 eligible studies, representing 15,611 school-age children, were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of iodine deficiency among school-age children in Ethiopia was found to be 58% (95%CI 44.00-77.00), while the highest prevalence was recorded in the Oromia Region, which was 64% (95% CI 49-79). Goitrogenic food consumption (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.93, 95% CI 1.60-5.35) and being female (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.87, 95% CI 1.43-2.44) showed a significant association with the prevalence of iodine deficiency. CONCLUSION: Iodine deficiency among school-age children in Ethiopia was noticeably high. Goitrogenic food consumption and the sex of the child were determinant factors for the occurrence of iodine deficiency among the children. Therefore, appropriate advice should be given to households to limit goitrogenic foods in the diet of their children by giving due attention to their female children.

Freeze-induced acceleration of iodide oxidation and consequent iodination of dissolved organic matter to form organoiodine compounds.

Freeze-induced acceleration of I- oxidation and the consequent iodination of dissolved organic matter (DOM) contribute to the formation of organoiodine compounds (OICs) in cold regions. The formed OICs may be a potentially important source of risk and are very closely with the environment and human health. Herein, we investigated the acceleration effects of the freeze process on I- oxidation and the formation of OICs. In comparison to reactive iodine species (RIS) formed in aqueous solutions, I- oxidation and RIS formation were greatly enhanced in frozen solution and were affected by pH, and the content of I- and O2. Freeze-thaw process further promoted I- oxidation and the concentration of RIS reached 45.7 µmol/L after 6 freeze-thaw cycles. The consequent products of DOM iodination were greatly promoted in terms of both concentration and number. The total content of OICs ranged from 0.02 to 2.83 µmol/L under various conditions. About 183-1197 OICs were detected by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, and more than 96.2% contained one or two iodine atoms. Most OICs had aromatic structures and were formed via substitution and addition reactions. Our findings reveal an important formation pathway for OICs and shed light on the biogeochemical cycling of iodine in the natural aquatic environment.

Effect of multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon on micronutrient status among women and children in the Northern Region of Ghana: Protocol for the Condiment Micronutrient Innovation Trial (CoMIT), a community-based randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in West Africa, particularly among women of reproductive age (WRA) and young children. Bouillon is a promising food fortification vehicle due to its widespread consumption. This study aims to evaluate the impact of multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon cubes, compared to control bouillon cubes (fortified with iodine only), on micronutrient status and hemoglobin concentrations among lactating and non-lactating WRA and young children in northern Ghana. METHODS: This randomized, controlled doubly-masked trial will be conducted in the Kumbungu and Tolon districts in the Northern Region of Ghana, where prior data indicate multiple micronutrient deficiencies are common. Participants will be: 1) non-pregnant non-lactating WRA (15-49 y), 2) children 2-5 y, and 3) non-pregnant lactating women 4-18 months postpartum. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive household rations of one of two types of bouillon cubes: 1) a multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon cube containing vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and iodine, or 2) a control cube containing iodine only. Each participant's household will receive a ration of bouillon cubes every 2 weeks, and households will be advised to prepare meals as usual, using the study-provided cubes. The trial duration will be 9 months for non-pregnant non-lactating WRA and children, and 3 months for lactating women. The primary outcomes will be changes in biomarkers of micronutrient status and hemoglobin among WRA and children and milk micronutrient concentrations among lactating women. Secondary outcomes will include change in prevalence of micronutrient deficiency and anemia; dietary intake of bouillon and micronutrients; inflammation, malaria, and morbidity symptoms; and child growth and development. DISCUSSION: Evidence from this study will inform discussions about bouillon fortification in Ghana and West Africa. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05178407) and the Pan-African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202206868437931). This manuscript reflects protocol version 4 (August 29, 2022).

Hidden Role of Organic Matter in the Immobilization and Transformation of Iodine on Fe-OM Associations.

The biogeochemical processes of iodine are typically coupled with organic matter (OM) and the dynamic transformation of iron (Fe) minerals in aquifer systems, which are further regulated by the association of OM with Fe minerals. However, the roles of OM in the mobility of iodine on Fe-OM associations remain poorly understood. Based on batch adsorption experiments and subsequent solid-phase characterization, we delved into the immobilization and transformation of iodate and iodide on Fe-OM associations with different C/Fe ratios under anaerobic conditions. The results indicated that the Fe-OM associations with a higher C/Fe ratio (=1) exhibited greater capacity for immobilizing iodine (∼60-80% for iodate), which was attributed to the higher affinity of iodine to OM and the significantly decreased extent of Fe(II)-catalyzed transformation caused by associated OM. The organic compounds abundant in oxygen with high unsaturation were more preferentially associated with ferrihydrite than those with poor oxygen and low unsaturation; thus, the associated OM was capable of binding with 28.1-45.4% of reactive iodine. At comparable C/Fe ratios, the mobilization of iodine and aromatic organic compounds was more susceptible in the adsorption complexes compared to the coprecipitates. These new findings contribute to a deeper understanding of iodine cycling that is controlled by Fe-OM associations in anaerobic environments.

Simple and scalable preparation of lignin based porous carbon coated nano-clay composites and their efficient removal for the diversified iodine.

Here, lignin and nano-clay were used to prepare novel composite adsorbents by one-step carbonization without adding activators for radioactive iodine capture. Specially, 1D nano-clay such as halloysite (Hal), palygorskite (Pal) and sepiolite (Sep) were selected as skeleton components, respectively, enzymatic hydrolysis lignin (EHL) as carbon source, lignin based porous carbon/nano-clay composites (ELC-X) were prepared through ultrasonic impregnation, freeze drying, and carbonization. Characterization results indicated lignin based porous carbon (ELC) well coated on the surface of nano-clay, and made its surface areas increase to 252 m2/g. These composites appeared the micro-mesoporous hierarchical structure, considerable N doping and good chemical stability. Results of adsorption experiments showed that the introduction of ELC could well promote iodine vapor uptake of nano-clay, and up to 435.0 mg/g. Meanwhile, the synergistic effect between lignin based carbon and nano-clay was very significant for the adsorption of iodine/n-hexane and iodine ions, their capacity were far exceed those of a single material, respectively. The relevant adsorption kinetic and thermodynamics, and mechanism of ELC-X composites were clarified. This work provided a class of low-cost and environmentally friendly adsorbents for radioactive iodine capture, and opened up ideas for the comprehensive utilization of waste lignin and natural clay minerals.

Pregnant women at risk for iodine deficiency but adequate iodine intake in school-aged children of Zhejiang Province, China.

The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of school-aged children has been commonly used as a surrogate to assess iodine status of a population including pregnant women. However, pregnant women have higher iodine requirements than children due to increased production of thyroid hormones. The aim of the study was to evaluate the iodine status of pregnant women and children as well as their household salt iodine concentration (SIC) in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Eligible pregnant women and children from all six counties of Quzhou in 2021 were recruited into the study. They were asked to complete a socio-demographic questionnaire and provide both a spot urine and a household table salt sample for the determination of UIC and SIC. A total of 629 pregnant women (mean age and gestation weeks of 29.6 years and 21.6 weeks, respectively) and 1273 school-aged children (mean age of 9 years and 49.8% of them were females) were included in the study. The overall median UIC of pregnant women and children in our sample was 127 (82, 193) µg/L and 222 (147, 327) µg/L, respectively, indicating sufficient iodine status in children but a risk of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency in pregnant women. Distribution of iodine nutrition in children varied significantly according to their sex and age (P < 0.05). The rate of adequately household iodised salt samples (18-33 mg/kg) provided by pregnant women and children was 92.4% and 90.6%, respectively. In conclusion, our results indicated a risk of insufficient iodine status in pregnant population of China, but iodine sufficiency in school-aged children. Our data also suggested that median UIC of children may not be used as a surrogate to assess iodine status in pregnant women.

Reaction Pattern and Mechanistic Aspects of Iodine and Iodine-Based Reagents in Selenylation of Aliphatic, Aromatic, and (Hetero)Cyclic Systems.

Organoselenium compounds have been the subject of extensive research since the discovery of the biologically active compound ebselen. Ebselen has recently been found to show activity against the main protease of the virus responsible for COVID-19. Other organoselenium compounds are also well-known for their diverse biological activities, with such compounds exhibiting interesting physical properties relevant to the fields of electronics, materials, and polymer chemistry. In addition, the incorporation of selenium into various organic molecules has garnered significant attention due to the potential of selenium to enhance the biological activity of these molecules, particularly in conjunction with bioactive heterocycles. Iodine and iodine-based reagents play a prominent role in the synthesis of organoselenium compounds, being valued for their cost-effectiveness, non-toxicity, and ease of handling. These reagents efficiently selenylate a broad range of organic substrates, encompassing alkenes, alkynes, and cyclic, aromatic, and heterocyclic molecules. They serve as catalysts, additives, inducers, and oxidizing agents, facilitating the introduction of different functional groups at alternate positions in the molecules, thereby allowing for regioselective and stereoselective approaches. Specific iodine reagents and their combinations can be tailored to follow the desired reaction pathways. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the progress in the selenylation of organic molecules using iodine reagents over the past decade, with a focus on reaction patterns, solvent effects, heating, microwave, and ultrasonic conditions. Detailed discussions on mechanistic aspects, such as electrophilic, nucleophilic, radical, electrochemical, and ring expansion reactions via selenylation, multiselenylation, and difunctionalization, are included. The review also highlights the formation of various cyclic, heterocyclic, and heteroarenes resulting from the in situ generation of selenium intermediates, encompassing cyclic ketones, cyclic ethers, cyclic lactones, selenophenes, chromones, pyrazolines, pyrrolidines, piperidines, indolines, oxazolines, isooxazolines, lactones, dihydrofurans, and isoxazolidines. To enhance the reader's interest, the review is structured into different sections covering the selenylation of aliphatic sp2/sp carbon and cyclic sp2 carbon, and then is further subdivided into various heterocyclic molecules.

Iodine Nutrition, Thyroid-stimulating Hormone, and Related Factors of Postpartum Women from three Different Areas in China: A Cross-sectional Survey.

Objective: Studies on the relationship between iodine, vitamin A (VA), and vitamin D (VD) and thyroid function are limited. This study aimed to analyze iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) status and their possible relationships with VA, VD, and other factors in postpartum women. Methods: A total of 1,311 mothers (896 lactating and 415 non-lactating) from Hebei, Zhejiang, and Guangxi provinces were included in this study. The urinary iodine concentration (UIC), TSH, VA, and VD were measured. Results: The median UIC of total and lactating participants were 142.00 µg/L and 139.95 µg/L, respectively. The median TSH, VA, and VD levels in all the participants were 1.89 mIU/L, 0.44 µg/mL, and 24.04 ng/mL, respectively. No differences in the UIC were found between lactating and non-lactating mothers. UIC and TSH levels were significantly different among the three provinces. The rural UIC was higher than the urban UIC. Obese mothers had a higher UIC and a higher prevalence of excessive TSH. Higher UICs and TSHs levels were observed in both the VD deficiency and insufficiency groups than in the VD-sufficient group. After adjustment, no linear correlation was observed between UIC and VA/VD. No interaction was found between vitamins A/D and UIC on TSH levels. Conclusion: The mothers in the present study had no iodine deficiency. Region, area type, BMI, and VD may be related to the iodine status or TSH levels.

Evaluation of the Universal Salt Iodization (USI) surveillance system in Tanzania, 2022.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of surveillance systems has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify the performance and areas for improvement. Universal salt iodization (USI) as one of the surveillance systems in Tanzania needs periodic evaluation for its optimal function. This study aimed at evaluating the universal salt iodization (USI) surveillance system in Tanzania from January to December 2021 to find out if the system meets its intended objectives by evaluating its attributes as this was the first evaluation of the USI surveillance system since its establishment in 2010. The USI surveillance system is key for monitoring the performance towards the attainment of universal salt iodization (90%). METHODOLOGY: This evaluation was guided by the Center for Disease Control Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems, (MMWR) to evaluate USI 2021 data. The study was conducted in Kigoma region in March 2022. Both Purposive and Convenient sampling was used to select the region, district, and ward for the study. The study involved reviewing documents used in the USI system and interviewing the key informants in the USI program. Data analysis was done by Microsoft Excel and presented in tables and graphs. RESULTS: A total of 1715 salt samples were collected in the year 2021 with 279 (16%) of non-iodized salt identified. The majority of the system attributes 66.7% had a good performance with a score of three, 22.2% had a moderate performance with a score of two and one attribute with poor performance with a score of one. Data quality, completeness and sensitivity were 100%, acceptability 91.6%, simplicity 83% were able to collect data on a single sample in < 2 minutes, the system stability in terms of performance was >75% and the usefulness of the system had poor performance. CONCLUSION: Although the system attributes were found to be working overall well, for proper surveillance of the USI system, the core attributes need to be strengthened. Key variables that measure the system performance must be included from the primary data source and well-integrated with the Local Government (district and regions) to Ministry of Health information systems.

Are the elements zinc, copper, magnesium, and rubidium related to nutrition and iodine deficiency in pregnant Bulgarian women from iodine deficient region?

OBJECTIVE: Trace elements are essential for the biochemistry of the cell. Their reference values have been found to differ considerably in pregnant women stratified by age, place of residence, anthropometric status, and length of pregnancy. In optimal amounts, these elements reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), and rubidium (Rb) on pregnant women in an iodine deficiency region and find the relationship with the thyroid status and nutrition. METHODS: We evaluated the iodine status of 61 healthy pregnant women from an iodine deficient region in Bulgaria. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxin free (FT4) levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: We found elevated levels of copper that differed the most between the first and second trimesters; Cu and TSH were found to be positively correlated (р < 0.05). Lower Cu levels were found in pregnant women consuming pulses more than 2-3 times a week (р = 0.033). The women consuming fish more than 2-3 times a week had higher levels of Rb. We found a pronounced iodine deficiency in more than half of the examined women in the first to third trimesters, without any effect of pregnancy on the ioduria (р=0.834). All second and third trimester cases were associated with severe ioduria (< 150 µg/L). CONCLUSION: The high Cu levels were associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and less pulse consumption during pregnancy in an iodine deficiency endemic area. SCH was found in 24% of the pregnant women in such an area while in 13% of them SCH had progressed to overt hypothyroidism.

IDDSI-compliant recipes containing oral contrast agents for radiological dysphagia diagnostics.

Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), alongside flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, represents the gold standard for diagnosing swallowing disorders and to determine severity, pathophysiology, and effective interventions, including texture modification. The clinical swallowing examination and assessment supplements these instrumental methods and serves as the basis for the modules of swallowing diagnostics. The adaptation of food and drink consistencies in dysphagia management has become widespread. For valid results of a VFSS with respect to confirming swallowing safety and efficiency of different liquid and food consistencies and textures, the use of uniform recipes containing radio-opaque contrast media is important. Our goal was to identify recipes that would produce consistencies that conform to the liquid and food levels of 0-7, as defined by the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI), with barium- and iodine-based contrast media, xanthan gum-based thickeners, and other edible components, which also show sufficient contrast on VFSS. In this study, we determined the different recipes using IDDSI testing methods and explored their radiological characteristics using a Philips MultiDiagnost Eleva fluoroscopy system and two different fluid contrast agents: barium- (Micropaque®) and iodine-based (Telebrix®). All recipes showed sufficient contrast on fluoroscopy and could be visualized in the amounts used for swallowing examinations. They were practical and easy to implement in terms of production and availability of the components. The homogeneity of the recipes diminished with higher IDDSI levels, which represent transitional food, but appeared still sufficient for fluoroscopic examination. The opacity did not significantly differ between the barium- and iodine-based contrast media.

Impact of consuming an environmentally protective diet on micronutrients: a systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: A global move toward consumption of diets from sustainable sources is required to protect planetary health. As this dietary transition will result in greater reliance on plant-based protein sources, the impact on micronutrient (MN) intakes and status is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the evidence of effects on intakes and status of selected MNs resulting from changes in dietary intakes to reduce environmental impact. Selected MNs of public health concern were vitamins A, D, and B12, folate, calcium, iron, iodine, and zinc. METHODS: We systematically searched 7 databases from January 2011 to October 2022 and followed the PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies had to report individual MN intake and/or status data collected in free-living individuals from the year 2000 onward and environmental outcomes. RESULTS: From the 10,965 studies identified, 56 studies were included, mostly from high-income countries (n = 49). Iron (all 56) and iodine (n = 20) were the most and least reported MNs, respectively. There was one randomized controlled trial (RCT) that also provided the only biomarker data, 10 dietary intake studies, and 45 dietary modeling studies, including 29 diet optimization studies. Most studies sought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or intake of animal-sourced foods. Most results suggested that intakes of zinc, calcium, iodine, and vitamins B12, A, and D would decrease, and total iron and folate would increase in a dietary transition to reduce environmental impacts. Risk of inadequate intakes of zinc, calcium, vitamins A, B12 and D were more likely to increase in the 10 studies that reported nutrient adequacy. Diet optimization (n = 29) demonstrated that meeting nutritional and environmental targets is technically feasible, although acceptability is not guaranteed. CONCLUSIONS: Lower intakes and status of MNs of public health concern are a potential outcome of dietary changes to reduce environmental impacts. Adequate consideration of context and nutritional requirements is required to develop evidence-based recommendations. This study was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD42021239713).

Photon-Counting Detector CT: Potential for 75% Reduction in Contrast Medium Amount: A Phantom Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential reduction in contrast medium utilization using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT). One PCD-CT scan (CT1) and three conventional (non-PCD-CT) CT scans (CT2-CT4) were performed using a multi-energy CT phantom that contained eight rods with different iodine concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/ml). The CT values of the seven groups (CT1 for 40, 50, 60, and 70 keV; and CT2-4) were measured. Noise and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were assessed for the eight rods at various iodine concentrations. CT2 and CT1 (40 keV) respectively required 20 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml of iodine, indicating that a comparable contrast effect could be obtained with approximately one-fourth of the contrast medium amount. The standard deviation values increased at lower energy levels irrespective of the iodine concentration. The CNR exhibited a decreasing trend with lower iodine concentrations, while it remained relatively stable across all iodine levels (40-70 keV). This study demonstrated that virtual monochromatic 40 keV images offer a similar contrast effect with a reduced contrast medium amount when compared to conventional CT systems at 120 kV.

Film Formation of Iodinated Latex Dispersions and Its Role in Their Antimicrobial Activity.

Waterborne coatings with intrinsic antibacterial attributes have attracted significant attention due to their potential in mitigating microbial contamination while simultaneously addressing the environmental drawbacks of their solvent-based counterparts. Typically, antimicrobial coatings are designed to resist and eliminate microbial threats, encompassing challenges such as biofilm formation, fungal contamination, and proliferation of black mold. Iodine, when solubilized using ethylene glycol and incorporated as a complex into waterborne latex dispersions, has shown remarkable antimicrobial activity. Here, we demonstrate the effect of the film formation process of these iodinated latex dispersions on their antimicrobial properties. The effect of iodine on the surface morphology and mechanical, adhesion, and antimicrobial properties of the generated films was investigated. Complete integration and uniform distribution of iodine in the films were confirmed through UV-vis spectrophotometry and a laser Raman imaging system (LRIS). In terms of properties, iodinated films showed improved mechanical strength and adhesion compared with blank films. Further, the presence of iodine rendered the films rougher, making them susceptible to bacterial adhesion, but interestingly provided enhanced antibiofilm activity. Moreover, thicker films had a lower surface roughness and reduced biofilm growth. These observations are elucidated through the complex interplay among film thickness, surface morphology, and iodine properties. The insights into the interlink between the film formation process and antimicrobial properties of iodinated latex dispersions will facilitate their enhanced application as sustainable alternatives to solvent-based coatings.

Role of Iodine-Assisted Aerosol Particle Formation in Antarctica.

New particle formation via the ion-mediated sulfuric acid and ammonia molecular clustering mechanism remains the most widely observed and experimentally verified pathway. Recent laboratory and molecular level observations indicate iodine-driven nucleation as a potentially important source of new particles, especially in coastal areas. In this study, we assess the role of iodine species in particle formation using the best available molecular thermochemistry data and coupled to a detailed 1-d column model which is run along air mass trajectories over the Southern Ocean and the coast of Antarctica. In the air masses traversing the open ocean, ion-mediated SA-NH3 clustering appears insufficient to explain the observed particle size distribution, wherein the simulated Aitken mode is lacking. Including the iodine-assisted particle formation improves the modeled Aitken mode representation with an increase in the number of freshly formed particles. This implies that more particles survive and grow to Aitken mode sizes via condensation of gaseous precursors and heterogeneous reactions. Under certain meteorological conditions, iodine-assisted particle formation can increase cloud condensation nuclei concentrations by 20%-100%.

Comparativa de los métodos de evComparativa de los métodos de evaluación de la reserva de yodo corporal previamente a la realización de tratamiento con radioyodoaluación de la reserva de yodo corporal previamente a la realización de tratamiento con radioyodo / Comparison of Body Iodine Pool Assessment Methods Before Radioiodine Therapy

Introducción y objetivos: El tratamiento con yodo radiactivo (RAIT) se recomienda para reducir el riesgo de recurrencia y de metástasis en personas con cáncer diferenciado de tiroides (CDT) de riesgo intermedio-alto. En la preparación para la RAIT, la estimulación de la tirotropina y la reducción en la reserva corporal de yodo son elementos importantes para contribuir al éxito de la terapia. Para ello, se pide a los pacientes que reduzcan la ingesta de este mineral antes de la RAIT, y puede evaluarse su reserva corporal midiendo su excreción por la orina (yoduria) antes del tratamiento. El objetivo de nuestro estudio ha sido comparar los métodos utilizados para medir la reserva de yodo corporal en la evaluación de la eficacia de la dieta con bajo contenido en yodo (RID) aplicada a la preparación del paciente para la RAIT. Pacientes y métodos: Suspendieron la levotiroxina tres semanas antes de la RAIT y fueron controlados con una RID durante las dos semanas previas a la realización del tratamiento 80 pacientes con CDT. Tras dos semanas de RID, en todos se llevó a cabo una recolección de orina de 24h el día previo a la fecha de administración de la RAIT. Los sujetos finalizaron dicha recolección en la mañana de la fecha de RAIT y suministraron una muestra puntual de orina. Se calculó la excreción estimada de creatinina en orina de 24 horas de los pacientes. La estimación de la excreción urinaria de yodo o yoduria (UIE) de 24 horas oras se determinó a partir del índice yodo/creatinina (I/C) obtenido en la muestra de orina puntual de los individuos. Se compararon los resultados de la yoduria de 24 horas, la concentración de yodo en la muestra puntual de orina, el cociente I/C en la muestra puntual de orina y la estimación de la yoduria de 24 horas en los pacientes. Resultados: En 99%, la eficacia de la RID fue suficiente según la yoduria de 24 horas obtenida previamente a la RAIT...(AU)

Introduction and Objectives: Radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) is recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis in patients with intermediate-high risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). In preparation for RAIT, stimulation of thyroid-stimulating hormone and reduction of body iodine pool are important for treatment success. For this purpose, patients are asked to reduce their iodine intake before RAIT, and the body iodine pool can be evaluated by measuring iodine excretion in urine before treatment. The aim of our study is to compare the methods used to measure the body iodine pool in the evaluation of the restricted iodine diet (RID) effectiveness applied in the RAIT preparation. Patients and methods: Eighty DTC patients discontinued levothyroxine three weeks before RAIT and followed up with a RID two weeks before treatment. After two weeks of RID, all patients collected their 24-hour urine the day before the RAIT date. Patients completed 24-hour urine samples on the morning of the RAIT date and also provided a spot urine sample. The estimated 24-hour creatinine excretion of the patients was calculated. Estimated 24-hour urinary iodine excretion (UIE) was calculated using the spot urine iodine/creatinine (I/C) ratio of the patients. 24-hour UIE, iodine concentration in spot urine, I/C ratios in spot urine and estimated 24-hour UIE of the patients were analyzed by comparing with each other. Results: In 99% of the patients, RID efficiency was sufficient according to 24-hour UIE before RAIT. The mean 24-hour UIE was 48.81 micrograms/day (mcg/day) in 24-hour urine samples taken from the patients to evaluate the body iodine pool. The patients’ iodine concentrations in spot urine, I/C ratios in spot urine, and estimated 24-hour UIE were all statistically significantly lower than actual 24-hour UIE, which was the reference method (p: 0.026 vs <0.001 vs 0.041)..... (AU)