Protection and safety of a repeated dosage of KI for iodine thyroid blocking during pregnancy.

In case of nuclear power plant accidents resulting in the release of radioactive iodine (131I) in large amounts, a single intake of stable iodine is recommended in order to prevent131I fixation to the thyroid gland. However, in situations of prolonged exposure to131I (e.g. Fukushima-Daiichi natural and nuclear disaster), repetitive administration of iodine may be necessary to ensure adequate protection, with acceptable safety in vulnerable populations including pregnant women. Here we conducted toxicological studies on adult rats progeny following prolonged exposure to potassium iodide (KI)in utero. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated with 1 mg kg d-1KI or saline water for 2 or 4 d either between gestation days gestational day (GD) GD 9-12, or GD13-16. Plasma samples from the progeny were tested 30 d post-weaning for clinical biochemistry, thyroid hormones, and anti-thyroid antibody levels. Thyroid and brain were collected for gene expression analysis. The hormonal status was similar for the mothers in all experimental conditions. In the offspring, while thyroid-stimulating hormone and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody levels were similar in all groups, a significant increase of FT3 and FT4 levels was observed in GD9-GD10 and in GD13-GD14 animals treated for 2 d, respectively. In addition, FT4 levels were mildly decreased in 4 d treated GD13-16 individuals. Moreover, a significant decrease in the expression level of thyroid genes involved in iodide metabolism, TPO and apical iodide transporter, was observed in GD13-GD14 animals treated for 2 d. We conclude that repeated KI administration for 2-4 d during gestation did not induce strong thyroid toxicity.

Introduction of guidelines for iodine thyroid blocking / 中国辐射卫生

During a radiological or nuclear emergency, iodine thyroid blocking is an urgent protection action to prevent or reduce the absorption of radioactive iodine by thyroid. Although potassium iodide (KI) administration is recommended by WHO guidelines for iodine prophylaxis following nuclear accidents and is also widely implemented in most national guidelines, the scientific evidence for the guidelines lacks as the guidelines are mostly based on expert opinions and recommendations. This paper introduces the development and revision of WHO guidelines for iodine thyroid blocking published in 1989 and 1999, as well as the revision methods and main recommendations of the guidelines published in 2017, which supports the use of iodine thyroid blocking during a radiological or nuclear emergency.

Starch film-coated microparticles for oral colon-specific drug delivery.

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize a novel type of starch-coated microparticles (MPs) allowing site-specific delivery of bioactives to the colon. An oral colon-specific controlled-release system was developed in the form of MPs coated with a resistant starch (RS2/RS3) film (RS@MPs) through an aqueous suspension coating process. The RS2 was chosen from a high-amylose cornstarch with 88.5% digestion resistibility. The RS3 was prepared by a high-temperature/pressure (HTP) treatment, with the following of enzymatic debranching, and retrogradation, resulting in a dramatic increase in enzymatic resistance (RS3 content: 76.6%). RS@MPs showed 40.7% of 5-aminosalicylic acid release within 8 h. The in vivo study of fluorescein-loaded RS@MPs indicated the high acidic and enzymatic resistibility of RS@MPs and a restrained release in the upper GIT. Therefore, RS@MPs has revealed to be a high potential system for accurately targeting bioactive compound delivery to the colon.

Supramolecular structure of jackfruit seed starch and its relationship with digestibility and physicochemical properties.

The influence of supramolecular structure on the physicochemical properties and digestibility of jackfruit seed starch (JSS) were investigated. Compared with maize and cassava starches (MS and CS), JSS had smaller granules and higher amylose content (JSS: 24.90%; CS: 16.68%; and MS: 22.42%), which contributed to higher gelatinization temperature (To: 81.11°C) and setback viscosity (548.9mPas). From scanning electron microscopy, the digestion of JSS was observed mainly at the granule surface. Due to its higher crystallinity (JSS: 30.6%; CS: 30.3%; and MS: 27.4%) and more ordered semi-crystalline lamellae, JSS had a high RS content (74.26%) and melting enthalpy (19.61J/g). In other words, the supramolecular structure of JSS extensively determined its digestibility and resistance to heat and mechanical shear treatment.

Subcutaneous zygomycosis of the cervicotemporal region: Due to Basidiobolus ranaram.

Basidiobolomycosis is a rare chronic subcutaneous infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. The disease usually occurs in children, less often in adolescent and rarely in adults. Males are more frequently affected than females. We report a case of subcutaneous zygomycosis of head and neck region caused by B. ranaram, in an immunocompetent adult female presenting with nontender firm swelling over the nape of neck and temporo-parietal region. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology, microbiology (culture) and DNA sequencing of molecular technique (sequencing). The patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B and potassium iodide.