Deficiency Disorders Research Articles

MBAT: a newly developed mobile application for self-screening of pediatric bleeding disorders - a multi-center study.

Bleeding assessment tools (BATs) are used by trained medical personnel for screening bleeding disorders on a one-to-one basis with patients; hence, they are time-consuming and limited in use for large-population screening. The aims of the study wereto develop, validate, and demonstrate a Thai BAT mobile application (mBAT) for self-screening of bleeding disorders. mBAT was developed and validated using the paper-based Thaiversion of pediatric bleeding questionnaire (TPBQ). Then, mBAT was applied to 916 subjects from communities and hematology clinics. Those with scores of ≥3 consented to further investigation of bleeding disorders. mBAT was developed for Thai children using simple sentences, a video introduction, pictures, and auto-calculation. It showed a high correlation with the TPBQ: r = 0.96 and 0.97 in the PBQ and ISTH scoring systems, respectively (P<0.01). A score ≥3 was considered abnormal. The mBAT was applied to 916 subjects, with a mean (range) age of 10.5 (0.07-18.0) years. Most subjects (97.3%) were from the community, and the rest (2.7%) were from hematology clinics. The results showed 41 subjects had abnormal scores, and 35 (16 from the community and 19 from clinics) consented to diagnostic investigation. Eleven subjects (31.4%) were found to have bleeding disorders, including four with VWD, two each with hemophilia A and thrombocytopenia, and one each with factor VII deficiency, platelet dysfunction, and MYH9-related disorder. Thus, the prevalence rates of bleeding disorders in the subjects whose scores ≥3 from community and hematology clinics were 6.25% and 52.6%, respectively. Inconclusions,the mBAT had a high correlation with the TPBQ. As a self-screening tool, it could enhance the diagnosis of bleeding disorders.

Analysis of study Global Burden of Disease in 2021: global, regional, and national burden of nutritional deficiency from 1990 to 2021

BackgroundNutrient deficiency disorders (NDs) harm growth, causing economic losses. Addressing NDs is a global priority, yet recent data is limited. This study examines latest NDs data across 204 countries and 21 regions from 1990 to 2021.MethodsData from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study were used to analyze NDs-related incidence, prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) at global, national, and regional levels. Joinpoint regression analysis was applied to evaluate temporal trends, with Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) assessing long-term patterns.ResultsIn 2021, the global burden of NDs remained substantial, with a total of 1,845,246,558 cases with an ASPR of 23,858.99 cases per 100,000 individuals (95% UI: 23,445.77–24,320.82). The ASIR was 7,725.1 per 100,000 people (95% UI: 7,404.01–8,109.01), while the ASMR was 3.03 per 100,000 persons (95% UI: 2.69–3.4). Additionally, age-standardized DALYs rate was 657.62 per 100,000 individuals (95% UI: 489.93–869.58). Regionally, areas with low SDI exhibited the greatest ASPR, ASIR, ASDR, and age-standardized DALYs rates, whereas high SDI regions had the lowest rates.ConclusionsAlthough global NDs burden has declined from 1990 to 2021, regional and demographic disparities remain. Enhanced healthcare access in high-risk SDI regions is essential to further mitigate NDs's global impact.

Ganaxolone: A Review in Epileptic Seizures Associated with Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 5 Deficiency Disorder.

Oral ganaxolone (ZTALMY®), a synthetic analogue of the endogenous neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone, acts as a positive allosteric modulator of synaptic and extra-synaptic γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA) type A receptor function in the CNS. In the EU and the UK, it is approved for the adjunctive treatment of epileptic seizures associated with cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) in patients aged 2-17 years. In a multinational phase III study (Marigold), 17weeks' therapy with adjunctive ganaxolone, administered orally three times daily with food, significantly reduced 28-day major motor seizure frequency from baseline versus placebo in patients aged 2-19years with CDD-associated refractory epilepsy. Antiepileptic efficacy was generally sustained through 2years of treatment. Ganaxolone was generally well tolerated in Marigold. While somnolence and sedation are related to the dose of ganaxolone, they appear early in treatment and may decrease with continued therapy. Thus, although current evidence is somewhat limited,adjunctive ganaxolone could be a valuable therapeutic option for patients aged 2-17years with epileptic seizures associated with CDD.

Molecular Mechanisms of Vitamin E in Ocular Neurodegenerative Disorders: An Update on the Emerging Evidence and Therapeutic Implications.

Vitamin E is renowned for its potent antioxidant properties, crucial for shielding cells against oxidative stress and damage. Deficiency in this vitamin can lead to various health issues, including neurodegenerative diseases, due to its pivotal role in preserving cell membrane integrity and combating cellular oxidative damage. While its importance for overall health, including neurodegeneration, is acknowledged, the specific correlation between vitamin E deficiency and distinct ocular neurodegenerative disorders need to be further explored. This review delves into the molecular mechanisms of vitamin E in ocular neurodegenerative disorders; diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts, and emphasising the therapeutic implications drawn from existing evidence. Relationship between vitamin E and ocular neurodegenerative disorders is widely researched on, with its primary protective mechanisms attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, studies on the supplementation of vitamin E among human subjects present mixed results, suggesting its complexities and variability depending on factors such as the specific disorder, disease stage, genetic differences, and form of vitamin E utilized. In conclusion, while vitamin E holds promise in mitigating ocular neurodegeneration through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its supplementation's efficacy remains nuanced and context dependent. More research works are essential to elucidate its precise role and therapeutic potential in combating various ocular neurodegenerative disorders.

Thiamine Deficiency Is Common and Underrecognized in Emergency Department Oncology Patients.

Background: Wernicke's encephalopathy can occur in oncology patients independent of alcohol use, likely resulting from poor dietary thiamine intake. High metabolic demands, such as those in acute illnesses seen in the emergency department (ED), can exacerbate thiamine deficiency. In this study, our objective was to assess the incidence of thiamine deficiency in ED oncology patients, which could lead to Wernicke's encephalopathy or other thiamine deficiency disorders if left untreated. Methods: This was a single-center prospective cohort study. We included patients with acute illness and a history of active cancer management in the ED of a large, urban hospital. We also included age and sex-matched control patients with no history of cancer who sought ED care. We excluded patients with a history of alcohol use or parenteral thiamine administration before enrollment. We recorded whole blood thiamine levels to measure total body thiamine stores and collected data on clinical variables, thiamine treatment, and adverse events. Results: In total, 87 oncology and 71 control patients were included in the study. The mean age was 62.1 ± 13.7 and 58.9 ± 12.6 years, respectively, and 48% of oncology vs. 55% of control participants were female. The most common cancers represented were colon (23%), lung (25%), prostate (10%), and breast (9%). Thiamine deficiency was significantly higher in ED oncology patients (25, 28.7%) compared to controls (6, 8.5%), odds ratio 4.4 (95% CI 1.7-11.4). None of the oncology patients with deficiency received thiamine treatment in the ED. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that thiamine deficiency is prevalent in acutely ill oncology patients, yet rarely treated in the ED.

The multiple facets of Rab proteins modulating the cellular distribution of cholesterol from the late endosomal compartment.

Cholesterol is an essential lipid that ensures the functional integrity of mammalian cells. Most cells acquire cholesterol via endocytosis of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Upon reaching late endosomes/lysosomes (LE/Lys), incoming ligands, including LDL-derived cholesterol, are distributed to other organelles. Niemann-Pick Type C1/2 (NPC1/2) proteins, members of the steroidogenic acute regulatory-related lipid transfer domain (StARD) and oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) families facilitate the cellular distribution of cholesterol. NPC disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by LE/Lys-cholesterol accumulation due to loss-of-function NPC1/2 mutations, underscores the physiological importance of LE/Lys-cholesterol distribution. Several Rab-GTPase family members, which play fundamental roles in directional membrane and lipid transport, including Rab7, 8 and 9, are critical for the delivery of cholesterol from LE/Lys to other organelles along vesicular and non-vesicular pathways. The insights gained from these regulatory circuits provide a foundation for the development of therapeutic strategies that could effectively address the cellular pathogenesis triggered by NPC1 deficiency and other lysosomal storage disorders.

Effects of Magnesium Forms on the Magnesium Balance and Jejunal Transporters in Healthy Rats.

Magnesium (Mg) is a mineral necessary for many biological activities in mammals. Here, we compared the effect of two Mg compounds [Mg picolinate (MgPic) to Mg oxide (MgO)] on Mg bioavailability and intestinal Mg and calcium transporter protein levels. Three groups of 21 male Wistar-Albino rats were randomly allocated and fed a standard diet (control) or a 500 mg/kg Mg-supplemented (MgPic or MgO) diet for 8 weeks. The serum and liver Mg levels, Mg absorptivity, and retentivity were augmented in the MgPic group compared with the MgO group (P<0.05). Only MgPic supplementation elevated the expression of the genes encoding CLDN2, CLDN15, CNNM4, NCX1, PMCA1b, NCX2, and Calbindin-D9k in the jejunum by 1.59, 1.58, 1.70, 1.82, 2.02, 2.03, and 2.31 fold, respectively (P<0.05). Compared to the MgO-fed rats, MgPic rats had higher expression of the genes encoding NCX1, NCX2, PMCA1b, and Calbindin-D9k in the jejunum by 1.43, 1.72, 1.54, and 1.69 fold, respectively (P<0.01). These results suggest that MgPic increases Mg absorptivity and retentivity more than Mg bioavailability. In addition, MgPic can improve the paracellular and transcellular cationic mineral transport process. Thus, Mg deficiency disorders might be alleviated by MgPic more effectively than MgO.

Successful management of refractory epilepsy in creatine transporter deficiency with cannabidiol and clobazam: Acase report.

Creatine transporter deficiency (CRTR-D) is a rare X-linked inherited disease belonging to the group of cerebral creatine deficiency disorders. Major clinical features include developmental delay and epilepsy. To date, fewer than 200 individuals with CRTR-D have been reported. As a result, there is little evidence for effective treatment. Available therapies are creatine precursors, with a mild effect on disease progression. Concerning epilepsy, standard management is recommended and no specific anti-seizure medication (ASM) has been shown to be effective in refractory cases. We report the case of a 28-year-old male patient with CRTR-D and childhood-onset refractory epilepsy. He had an average of 10-20 focal motor seizures with impaired consciousness per month. He had tried several ASMs without significant improvement. Treatment with cannabidiol (CBD) and clobazam (CLB) in combination was added. The patient became seizure-free from the first week, and up to 1 year of follow-up. Behavioral improvement was also noted by his caregivers. No adverse effects were reported. Very few cases of CRTR-D with refractory epilepsy have been reported. This calls for more extensive research and suggests a possible role for CBD in cerebral creatine metabolism and transport and valuable option for future studies. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Creatine transporter deficiency (CRTR-D) is a rare genetic disorder causing mental, behavioral, and movement problems. More than half of patients also have seizures, but because there are fewer than 200 known cases, it is difficult to know the best treatment options. We present a 28-year-old man with CRTR-D who had severe developmental delays and frequent seizures since childhood, despite trying many medications. After starting cannabidiol and clobazam, he has been seizure-free for a year. Sharing this success might help other people with CRTR-D benefit from similar treatments.

Impact of dopamine deficiency and REM sleep behavior disorder on cognition in early neuronal synuclein disease with hyposmia.

To determine the impact of dopamine deficiency and isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) on cognitive performance in early neuronal alpha-synuclein disease (NSD) with hyposmia. Using Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative baseline data, cognitive performance was assessed with a cognitive summary score (CSS) developed by applying regression-based internal norms derived from a robust healthy control (HC) group. Performance was examined for participants with hyposmia classified as NSD-Integrated Staging System (NSD-ISS) Stage 2, either Stage 2A (CSF alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay [SAA]+, SPECT dopamine transporter scan [DaTscan]-) or 2B (SAA+, DaTscan+). Participants were Stage 2A (N=101), Stage 2B (N=227) and HCs (N=158). Although Stage 2 overall had intact Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores (mean (SD) =27.0 (2.3)), Stage 2A had a numerically worse CSS (z-score mean difference =0.05, p-value NS; effect size=0.09) and Stage 2B had a statistically worse CSS (z-score mean difference =0.23, p-value <0.05; effect size=0.40) compared with HCs. In Stage 2A participants with hyposmia alone had normal cognition, but presence of comorbid iRBD was associated with significantly worse cognition (z-score mean difference =0.33, p-value <0.05, effect size =0.50). In Stage 2B participants with hyposmia had abnormal cognition (z-score mean difference =0.18, p-value =.0078, effect size =0.29), and superimposed iRBD had a non-statistically significant additive effect. Using a CSS, early NSD with hyposmia is associated with measurable cognitive deficits compared with robust HCs, particularly in presence of dopamine system impairment or comorbid iRBD, highlighting the importance of focusing on cognition in early-stage synuclein disease.

Using Deep Learning Techniques to Enhance Blood Cell Detection in Patients with Leukemia

Medical diagnosis plays a critical role in the early detection and treatment of diseases by examining symptoms and supporting findings through advanced laboratory testing. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for detecting medical problems and then prescribing the most effective treatment strategies, especially in life-threatening diseases such as leukemia. Leukemia, a blood malignancy, is one of the most prevalent cancer types affecting both adults and children. It is caused by the rapid and uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow. This accumulation interferes with the production of normal blood cells, leading to a weakened immune deficiency, anemia, and bleeding disorders. Conventional leukemia diagnostic methods are time-consuming, manually intensive, and inefficient. This research study proposes an automatic diagnostics prediction of leukemia by analyzing blood images according to the shape of the blast cells using digital image processing and machine learning. The purpose of blood cell detection is to precisely identify and classify diverse blood cells, detecting anomalies associated with blood cancers like leukemia. This supports early diagnosis and monitoring, which leads to more effective treatments and improved results for cancer patients. To accomplish this task, we use digital image processing techniques and then apply the convolutional neural network (CNN) deep learning algorithm to blood sample images. This research employs a multi-stage methodology, including data preparation, data preprocessing, feature extraction, and then classification. While our model is built on a typical CNN architecture, we make significant advances by using preprocessing techniques and hyperparameter tuning. We have modified its layers combination to include convolutional, pooling, and fully connected layers that are optimized for image characteristics. These layers are fine-tuned for better feature extraction and classification accuracy. This study showed that blood cell detection for diagnosing acute leukemia based on images had 99% accuracy and outperformed other advanced models, including DenseNet121, ResNet-50, Incep-tionv3, MobileNet, and EfficientNet. The comprehensive analysis of the results reveals the highest accuracy of leukemia detection as compared to existing studies in the relevant literature.

Salt, iodine, fortification and public health manipulation against iodine deficiency disorder

Salt, iodine, fortification and public health manipulation against iodine deficiency disorder

Severe Isolated Bilateral Posterior Semicircular Canal Hypofunction inducing Perverted Head Shaking Downbeat Nystagmus

Downbeat nystagmus evoked by horizontal head shaking is most often a sign of central vestibular pathology. Rarely, however, such a sign may be present in peripheral pathologies that are well recognized clinically and semeiologically. Isolated hypofunction of the two posterior semicircular canals is also a very rarely described condition, often idiopathic or mainly due to deficiency, traumatic, autoimmune or ototoxic disorders. A 77-year-old man presented to our observation with a history of severe unsteadiness. The clinical and instrumental examination showed a downbeat nystagmus elicited by a horizontal head shaking test (perverted) and an impairment of both posterior semicircular canals. Findings suggesting other peripheral vestibular pathologies responsible for this sign or even a central vestibular lesion were absent. Clinical evaluation and blood testing ruled out the conditions reported as potentially responsible for bilateral posterior canal hypofunction. The case described should lead us to consider isolated idiopathic hypofunction of both posterior semicircular canals associated only with the nystagmus finding of a head shaking downbeat nystagmus, among the peripheral vestibular pathologies already described in the literature that could be responsible for perverted Head Shaking Down Beat Nystagmus (p-HSDBN). Therefore, when faced with the latter finding in a non-emergent outpatient setting, among the various etiopathogenetic hypotheses, this type of peripheral cause should be carefully excluded before sending patients for more invasive and costly tests that may be useless and may delay healing and recovery. The aim of our study is to present the unique case of a patient with downbeat nystagmus elicited by a horizontal head shaking test (perverted) due to an impairment of both posterior.

Rural Adolescents and Anemia: Exploring the Role of Deworming.

Background and objective Anemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiency disorders worldwide. In the developing world, such as a low-to-middle-income country like India, anemia is a major public health concern. India is home to 253 million adolescents, out of which 72 million were anemic in 2018. Uttar Pradesh has the largest adolescent population in India and has twice the number of anemia cases compared to other Indian states. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia in the adolescent age group, its relation to gender, and the role of deworming tablets in the prevention of anemia. Methods This study was conducted in a rural area of Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. Adolescent beneficiaries of the Anemia Mukt Bharat scheme were eligible to be included. The sample size was calculated to be170. Hemoglobin evaluation was performed using a TrueHb hemoglobinometer. Results The overall prevalence of anemia was 102 (60.0%). There was a higher prevalence among females (n=75, 68.2%), compared to males (n=27, 45.0%). Moderate anemia was the most common entity, affecting 69 (67.6%) participants. Among individuals who had consumed deworming tablets in the last six months, 65 (59.1%) had anemia. Conclusions Anemia was significantly higher among females. Three-fourths of the anemic females and half of the anemic males had moderate anemia. Deworming alone is not effective in the prevention of anemia.

Exploring the association between serum magnesium level and autism spectrum disorder using validated spectrofluorimetric method.

Magnesium is an essential mineral in biological systems and has a significant impact on brain health. Its deficiency has been found to correlate with irregular metabolic processes and neurodevelopmental disorders. The objective of this research was to establish and validate an analytical approach based on the standard addition methodology for determining endogenous magnesium levels in the serum of autistic and healthy children. Analytically, the approach involved functionalizing fluorescent graphene quantum dots with a magnesium-phosphomolybdic acid ion pair complex, followed by measuring magnesium-induced fluorescence quenching on the functionalized graphene quantum dots, which is concentration-dependent. The approach was validated in accordance with the ICH M10 requirements for bioanalytical technique validation, and it reliably quantified magnesium concentrations in the serum of both autistic and healthy children. The study found that autistic children have considerably lower serum magnesium concentrations than healthy children (P < 0.01), indicating a correlation between magnesium deficiency and autism spectrum disorder. The average serum magnesium levels (mg/dl) recorded for the autistic and healthy groups were 2.03 ± 0.33 and 2.28 ± 0.26, respectively.

Evaluation of Immune Deficiency Disorders in the Clinic-A Case for Routine Testing of Monocyte Subsets with CD14 and CD16 Expression.

Evaluation of Immune Deficiency Disorders in the Clinic-A Case for Routine Testing of Monocyte Subsets with CD14 and CD16 Expression.

Modification of a parent-report sleep scale for individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder: a psychometric study.

Sleep difficulties are common in CDKL5 deficiency disorder, a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. This study evaluated the factor structure of the Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep (DIMS), Disorders of Excessive Somnolence (DOES), and Sleep Breathing Disorders domains of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children for CDKL5 deficiency disorder. A cross-sectional psychometric study design was used. Data were collected for 125 individuals aged 3 years or older who attended a United States Centers of Excellence clinic or registered with the International CDKL5 Disorder Database. The median age was 10.3 years (range 3.2-40.7 years) and 105 (84%) were female. Two of the 3 Sleep Breathing Disorders items were not observed by most respondents and analysis was restricted to the DIMS and DOES domains. Using all items in the initial confirmatory factor analysis, 2 items in the DIMS domain and 1 item in the DOES domain loaded poorly. After deleting these items and repeating the analysis, item loading (.524-.814) and internal consistency (DIMS: .78, DOES: .76) statistics were good. The square of the interdomain correlation coefficient was .17, less than average variance extracted values for both domains and indicating good discriminant validity. The Tucker-Lewis and Comparative Fit indices were slightly lower than the threshold of > .9 for establishing goodness of fit. The modified DIMS and DOES domains from the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children could be suitable clinical outcome assessments of insomnia and related impairments in CDKL5 deficiency disorder and potentially other developmental and epileptic encephalopathy conditions. Saldaris JM, Demarest S, Jacoby P, etal. Modification of a parent-report sleep scale for individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder: a psychometric study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20 (12):1887-1893.

Determination of Iodine Concentration in Commonly Consumed Salt and Its Potential Impact on Household Consumers: An Examination and Assessment of Consumed Salt

ABSTRACTIntroductionIodine deficiency disorder (IDD) can lead to health issues as it is necessary for metabolic functions. This study investigated the iodine content of commonly consumed salt and the potential impact on daily iodine requirements and IDDs.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was employed using multistage cluster sampling among 240 households, dividing them into eight clusters from four stratified areas. The sampled salts were analyzed using the World Health Organization's iodometric titration method.ResultsThe study revealed that most salt samples from the studied brands had an iodine content within the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) recommended range of 20–50 ppm, with two exceptions. The study found that most socioeconomic groups in cities, towns, and semirural areas meet their daily iodine requirements at over 100%. At the same time, many rural homes, regardless of income, fail to meet these requirements. However, the study found iodized salt in 97.9% of all surveyed households. Although 48.3% of unions, that is, rural respondents, was knowledgeable about the existence of iodized salt, 66.7% of respondents was not aware of the health benefits of iodized salt. Surprisingly, 63.3% of the town's household members and 61.7% of the rural population still consume raw salt. Additionally, 79.6% of individuals reported having no IDDs. However, only 44.2% of thyroid patients used iodine supplements.ConclusionAlthough salt usage and consumption practices are satisfactory, there are still a few concerns about the 100% iodization of branded and raw salts. As a result, many households need help to satisfy their daily iodine requirements.

Effects of a ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) small-molecule peptide mimetic in an in vitro and in vivo model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder

BackgroundMutations in the X-linked CDKL5 gene underlie a severe epileptic encephalopathy, CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), characterized by gross motor impairment, autistic features and intellectual disability. Absence of Cdkl5 negatively impacts neuronal proliferation, survival, and maturation in in vitro and in vivo models, resulting in behavioral deficits in the Cdkl5 KO mouse. While there is no targeted therapy for CDD, several studies showed that treatments enabling an increase in brain BDNF levels give rise to structural and behavioral improvements in Cdkl5 KO mice. P021, a tetra-peptide derived from the biologically active region of the human ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), was found to enhance neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity by promoting an increase in BDNF expression in preclinical models of brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome, resulting in a beneficial therapeutic effect. Considering the positive actions of P021 on brain development and cognition associated with increased BDNF expression, the present study aimed to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of treatment with P021 in an in vitro and in vivo model of CDD.MethodsWe used SH-CDKL5-KO cells as an in vitro model of CDD to test the efficacy of P021 on neuronal proliferation, survival, and maturation. In addition, both young and adult Cdkl5 KO mice were used to evaluate the in vivo effects of P021, on neuroanatomical and behavioral defects.ResultsWe found that P021 treatment was effective in restoring neuronal proliferation, survival, and maturation deficits, as well as alterations in the GSK3β signaling pathway, features that characterize a human neuronal model of CDKL5 deficiency. Unexpectedly, chronic in vivo P021 treatment failed to increase BDNF levels and did not improve neuroanatomical defects in Cdkl5 KO mice, resulting in limited behavioral benefit.ConclusionsAt present, it remains to be understood whether initiating the treatment prenatally, or prolonging the duration of treatment will be necessary in order to achieve similar results in vivo in CDD mice to those obtained in vitro.

Household Salt consumption and urinary iodine levels in Schoolchildren aged 8-10 in Darab City, Iran: 2022.

Iodized salt serves as an effective intervention strategy, combating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) and promoting overall health. This study aimed to assess the household salt consumption status and its relationship with urinary iodine (UI) levels among school-aged children. This is a descriptive-cross-sectional study that was selected by cluster-random sampling from 5 girls' schools (182) and 5 boys' schools (169), with a total of 351 primary school students (8-10 years old) of Darab. To explore the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable, urinary iodine (UI) levels, linear regression model was applied. A significance level of 0.05 was adopted for all analyses. The median UI level was 138µg/L (IQR = 111). Our findings revealed that 66% of used iodized salt. A significant majority of participants properly stored their salt in containers with lids. Nearly half of the students in Darab have insufficient iodine intake. Despite controlling for the effect of iodized foods consumption, no significant association (P-value = 0.693) was observed between the storage method and iodized foods. Our study showed that students do not receive enough iodine or have received more than the required amount of iodine. Therefore, efforts should be focused on increasing awareness of diseases caused by iodine deficiency.

Colour vision deficiency is associated with increased prevalence of amblyopia, strabismus and ametropia: a large population study

AimsTo examine the association between colour vision deficiency (CVD) and other ophthalmic disorders including amblyopia, strabismus and ametropia in a large population study.MethodsThe retrospective, cross-sectional study included 916 388 Israeli...