Iodine Concentration Research Articles

Assessing muscle invasion in bladder cancer via virtual biopsy: a study on quantitative parameters and classical radiomics features from dual-energy CT imaging

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prediction value of Dual-energy CT (DECT)-based quantitative parameters and radiomics model in preoperatively predicting muscle invasion in bladder cancer (BCa).Materials and methodsA retrospective study was performed on 126 patients with BCa who underwent DECT urography (DECTU) in our hospital. Patients were randomly divided into training and test cohorts with a ratio of 7:3. Quantitative parameters derived from DECTU were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to construct a DECT model. Radiomics features were extracted from the 40, 70, 100 keV and iodine-based material-decomposition (IMD) images in the venous phase to construct radiomics models from individual and combined images using a support vector machine classifier, and the optimal performing model was chosen as the final radiomics model. Subsequently, a fusion model combining the DECT parameters and the radiomics model was established. The diagnostic performances of all three models were evaluated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the clinical usefulness was estimated using decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsThe normalized iodine concentration (NIC) in DECT was an independent factor in diagnosing muscle invasion of BCa. The optimal multi-image radiomics model had predictive performance with an area-under-the-curve (AUC) of 0.867 in the test cohort, better than the AUC = 0.704 with NIC. The fusion model showed an increased level of performance, although the difference in AUC (0.893) was not statistically significant. Additionally, it demonstrated superior performance in DCA. For lesions smaller than 3 cm, the fusion model showed a high predictive capability, achieving an AUC value of 0.911. There was a slight improvement in model performance, although the difference was not statistically significant. This improvement was observed when comparing the AUC values of the DECT and radiomics models, which were 0.726 and 0.884, respectively.ConclusionThe proposed fusion model combing NIC and the optimal multi-image radiomics model in DECT showed good diagnostic capability in predicting muscle invasiveness of BCa.

Iodine nutrition among pregnant women in the Faroe Islands.

Ensuring adequate iodine nutrition during pregnancy is crucial for fetal brain development. Thus, the WHO recommend monitoring iodine nutrition in pregnant women. With changing dietary habits and declining iodine intake in coastal populations, iodine nutrition in pregnant Faroese women was a focus in newly established pregnancy cohorts. This study aimed to monitor the iodine status of pregnant women in the Faroe Islands by assessing urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and maternal iodine intake. For 2 years, all pregnant women were invited to participate in a nationwide study. Participants completed questionnaires addressing personal and lifestyle factors, supplement intake and dietary habits, Additionally, they provided spot urine samples for UIC measurements. Iodine was measured spectrophotometrically using the ceri/arsen method after alkaline-ashing. Among the 1030 invited, 654 participated and 647 provided a spot-urine sample. The average age was 30·4 years (18–47 years). The overall median UIC was 110 µg/l, declined from 117 to 101 µg/l over 2 years (P = 0·004). UIC was significantly impacted by diet. Women consuming fish and eggs had a higher median UIC compared with those whose primary iodine source was dairy: fish-dinner, 151 µg/l; dairy products, 112 µg/l (P < 0·001). Furthermore, there was a positive association between maternal age, reported intake of iodine-containing supplements and the UIC. This nationwide study of pregnant Faroese women found UIC below the WHO-recommended cut-off for pregnant women and decreasing with time. This decline highlights the importance of continuous monitoring to prompty identify shifts in iodine status, enabling timely intervention to address emerging deficiencies.

Standardization of Dual-Energy CT Iodine Uptake of the Abdomen and Pelvis: Defining Reference Values in a Big Data Cohort.

Background: To establish dual-energy-derived iodine density reference values in abdominopelvic organs in a large cohort of healthy subjects. Methods: 597 patients who underwent portal venous phase dual-energy CT scans of the abdomen were retrospectively enrolled. Iodine distribution maps were reconstructed, and regions of interest measurements were placed in abdominal and pelvic structures to obtain absolute iodine values. Subsequently, normalization of the abdominal aorta was conducted to obtain normalized iodine ratios. The values obtained were subsequently analyzed and differences were investigated in subgroups defined by sex, age and BMI. Results: Overall mean iodine uptake values and normalized iodine ratios ranged between 0.31 and 6.08 mg/mL and 0.06 and 1.20, respectively. Women exhibited higher absolute iodine concentration across all organs. With increasing age, normalized iodine ratios mostly tend to decrease, being most significant in the uterus, prostate, and kidneys (p < 0.015). BMI was the parameter less responsible for variations in iodine concentrations; normal weighted patients demonstrated higher values of both absolute and normalized iodine. Conclusions: Iodine concentration values and normalized iodine ratios of abdominal and pelvic organs reveal significant gender-, age-, and BMI-related differences, underscoring the necessity to integrate these variables into clinical practice.

A Comparative Study on the Dietary Iodine Intake and the Contribution Rates of Various Foods to the Dietary Iodine Intake among Residents in Zhejiang in 2010 and 2022.

We aim to analyze the changes in dietary iodine intake and the contribution rates of various foods to it after the reduction in salt iodine concentration in Zhejiang. We used data from two cross-sectional nutrition surveillance surveys conducted by the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2010 (9798 residents) and 2022 (5980 residents). In both surveys, multi-stage stratified and systematic sampling were adopted, and uniformly trained investigators conducted the dietary surveys using a 24 h dietary review and weighing record methods for 3 consecutive days. From 2010 to 2022, the median salt iodine concentration and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt in Zhejiang households dropped from 28.80 to 22.08 mg/kg and from 76.65% to 64.20%, respectively. Moreover, the residents' median dietary iodine intake decreased from 277.48 to 142.05 μg/d. Significant interregional differences in dietary iodine intake were found in 2010 and 2022 (H = 639.175, p < 0.001; H = 588.592, p < 0.001, respectively); however, no significant differences existed between urban and rural areas (p > 0.05). From 2010 to 2022, the proportion of residents with dietary iodine intake below the estimated average requirement increased from 15.10% to 34.80%, while that of residents with intake above the tolerable upper limit decreased from 15.00% to 2.90%. The contribution rate of salt to dietary iodine intake among residents in Zhejiang decreased from 74.92% to 48.54%, showing an apparent overall downward trend despite the dietary intake being generally adequate (markedly inadequate in coastal regions). The salt iodine concentration and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt in households in Zhejiang showed downward trends. Salt remained the main source of dietary iodine; however, its contribution decreased significantly. Zhejiang may need to reverse the trend of the continuous decline in the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt to protect the health of its residents.

Development of a new inversion-voltammetric technique in determining inorganic iodine in Laminariae thalli L. for the quality control of raw materials in factory laboratories

Objectives. To develop and validate a methodology for determining inorganic iodine in Laminariae thalli L., corresponding to the norms of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, 15th edition (SPh 15). The methodology needs to be valid and suitable for the quality control of pharmaceutical raw materials in factory laboratories.Methods. Cathode inversion voltammetry was used as an instrumental method for determining inorganic iodine using a graphite electrode capable of sorbing electroactive ion associates of surfactant–iodine.Results. When compared with the titrimetric technique recommended by SPh 15, the proposed technique is more selective, sensitive and less time-consuming. The efficiency and metrological characteristics of the technique were confirmed by validation in accordance with the requirements of SPh 15.Conclusion. The paper presents a new method for determining the gross content of inorganic iodine in Laminariae thalli L. This technique can be used not only in scientific research, but also in the routine quality control of medicinal plant raw materials in control and analytical laboratories engaged in pharmaceutical quality control.

Thyroid autoimmunity is associated with dietary fat consumption.

Dietary factors are crucial in the onset and development of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), but the relationship between specific fatty acids and AITD remains unexplored. We analyzed the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2012 data on 3949 men and 3964 women aged 20 years and over with valid data on TPOAb, TgAb and details of fat intake, using multivariable regression models to examine the relationship of fat intake and specific fatty acid intake with thyroid autoimmunity. Of the 7913 participants, 7.5% had TgAb seropositivity and 11.9% had TPOAb seropositivity. The seropositivity of TgAb and TPOAb was more common in low-fat intake participants. In the overall population and men, fats were associated with thyroid autoimmunity before and after full adjustment for age, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking status and urine iodine concentration (total fat: OR=0.64, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.83; SFA: OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.84; MUFA: OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.85; PUFA: OR=0.76, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.995, after full adjustment in men). Some specific fatty acids followed a similar pattern. The association between fats and TgAb seropositivity was significant in the overall population and men. The association between fats and TPOAb seropositivity was only found in the overall population. We found a strong association between fat consumption and thyroid autoimmunity in the overall population and men from the nationally representative population-based survey. Fat and fatty acid consumption may be of benefit to individuals with thyroid autoimmunity.

Evaluation of the Bioavailability of Iodine and Arsenic in Raw and Cooked Saccharina japonica Based on Simulated Digestion/Caco-2 Cell Model.

Kelp is a traditional healthy food due to its high nutritional content; however, its relatively high contents of iodine and arsenic have raised concerns about its edible safety. This study explored the effects of different cooking treatments on the contents of iodine and arsenic in kelp, evaluated the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of iodine and arsenic in kelp using in vitro digestion, and compared the differences in the transport characteristics of iodine in kelp and KIO3 using a Caco-2 monolayer cell transport model. The results show that the content of target elements that reached systemic circulation could be reduced by cooking and gastrointestinal digestion. The highest reductions in iodine and arsenic were 94.4% and 74.7%, respectively, which were achieved by boiling for 10 min. The bioaccessibility and bioavailability of iodine and arsenic were significantly improved by a cooking treatment. However, the contents of iodine and arsenic decreased significantly, with the bioaccessibility of iodine reducing from 3188.2 μg/L to 317.0 μg/L and that of arsenic reducing from 32.5 μg/L to 18.1 μg/L in the gastric phase after boiling. The findings also show that the efficiency of iodine transport in kelp and KIO3 was positively correlated with the transport time and negatively correlated with the concentration of iodine. With the increase in the iodine concentration, the rate of iodine transport in kelp decreased from 63.93% to 3.14%, but that of KIO3 was stable at around 35%, which indicates that the absorption efficiency of iodine from kelp was limited, even when too much kelp was ingested. In conclusion, the edible safety of kelp is significantly improved after cooking. The risk of excessive iodine and arsenic intake caused by consuming kelp is extremely low, and as an effective iodine supplement source, kelp has higher edible safety compared with KIO3. This study clarifies the safety of algae based on iodine and arsenic contents and also provides a basis for the formulation of food safety standards.

Middle Ordovician paleoenvironmental evolution of the western Laurentian carbonate platform: Evidence for persistent oxygenation of the shallow ocean and implications for biodiversification

The Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE) encompasses a series of rapid and sustained diversification pulses unparalleled in Earth history. Despite the uniqueness and magnitude of the GOBE, a singular driving force for this critical interval has not been identified. Multiple hypotheses have been presented, some pairing the GOBE as cause and effect with extrinsic factors such as changing global temperatures, ocean chemistry, or paleogeography, while others have pointed to factors intrinsic to biology itself, such as the proliferation of skeletonization, predator-prey escalation, or the development of complex tiered seafloor communities. Sufficient data are not available at present to ascertain what combination of these factors was the key to generating the GOBE.Here, we present new paired carbon and sulfur isotope data (δ13Ccarb, δ13Corg, and δ34SCAS), along with iodine concentration data from a Darriwilian carbonate sequence exposed at Meiklejohn Peak in southwestern Nevada, USA. Within a detailed lithologic and biostratigraphic framework, these new data provide a robust correlation to chemostratigraphic zonation established in Baltica and eastern Laurentia along with insights into the evolution of Middle Ordovician biogeochemical cycling. Carbon isotope data indicate a slight (2 ‰) increase in the fractionation between carbonate carbon and organic matter (Δ13C) during the onset of the middle Darriwilian carbon isotope excursion (MDICE), and new carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS) sulfur isotope data are consistent with a decrease in global pyrite burial during this time. Both of these observations support previous work arguing for a synchronous increase in the [O2] of the global oceans. New iodine concentration data from Meiklejohn Peak also suggest a progressive and sustained increase in the [O2] of regional waters throughout the Darriwilian during a period of relative sea-level highstand. This expansion of stable and well‑oxygenated ecospace could have laid the foundation for rapid diversification during one of the largest pulses of the GOBE.

Spatial distribution and hydrogeochemical processes of high iodine groundwater in the Hetao Basin, China

To understand the genesis and spatial distribution of high iodine groundwater in the Hetao Basin, 540 groundwater samples were analyzed for the chemistry and isotope. Total iodine concentrations in groundwater range from 1.32 to 2897 μg/L, with a mean value of 159.2 μg/L. The groundwater environment was mainly characterized by the weakly alkaline and reducing conditions, with the iodide as the main species of groundwater iodine. High iodine groundwater (I > 100 μg/L) was mainly distributed in shallow aquifers (< 30 m) of Hangjinhouqi near the Langshan Mountain and the discharge areas along the main drainage channels. The δ18O and δ2H values ranged from −12.09 ‰ to −3.99 ‰ and − 91.58 ‰ to −52.80 ‰, respectively, and the correlation between groundwater iodine and isotopes indicates the dominant role of evapotranspiration in the enrichment of iodine in the shallow groundwater with depth <30 m. It was further evidenced by the correlation between groundwater iodine and Cl/Br molar ratio, and significant contributions of climate factors identified from the random forest and XGBoost. Moreover, irrigation practices contribute to high iodine levels, with surface water used for irrigation containing up to 537.8 μg/L of iodine, which can be introduced into shallow aquifer directly. The iodine in irrigation water can be retained in the soil or shallow sediment, and later leach into groundwater under favorable conditions.

Decision Variables for the Use of Radioactive Iodine in Patients with Thyroid Cancer at Intermediate Risk of Recurrence.

The use of radioactive iodine (RAI) after total thyroidectomy for patients at the American Thyroid Association (ATA) who are at intermediate risk of recurrence is controversial. This is due to the lack of prospective randomized trials proving a benefit to recurrence or survival of RAI therapy in this group. In the absence of such evidence, clinicians struggle to recommend for or against this therapeutic approach which frequently results in overtreatment. This review describes key elements in the decision-making process that help clinicians more comprehensively evaluate the need for RAI therapy in patients with thyroid cancer at intermediate risk of recurrence. A clear definition of the purpose of RAI therapy should be conveyed to patients. In this sense, adjuvant RAI therapy intends to decrease recurrence, and ablation therapy is used to facilitate surveillance. Better stratification of the intermediate risk category into a low-intermediate subgroup and an intermediate-high-risk subgroup results in less heterogeneity and a more precise prediction of recurrence risk. The evaluation of post-operative thyroglobulin levels may prevent the overtreatment of low-intermediate-risk patients when their thyroglobulin level is <2.5 ng/mL. the integration of tumor genomics (when available) alongside pathologic features can enhance the ability of the clinician to predict iodine concentration in thyroid cancer cells. Finally, a detailed consideration of the adverse effects of RAI, patients' comorbidities, and patient preferences will result in a patient-centered personalized approach. Systematic examination of these variables will ultimately provide a framework for making more educated decisions on the use of RAI in patients at intermediate risk of recurrence that will prevent overtreatment and minimize harm.

In vivo Imaging and Pharmacokinetics of Percutaneously Injected Ultrasound and X-ray Imageable Thermosensitive Hydrogel loaded with Doxorubicin versus Free Drug in Swine.

Intratumoral injections often lack visibility, leading to unpredictable outcomes such as incomplete tumor coverage, off-target drug delivery and systemic toxicities. This study investigated an ultrasound (US) and x-ray imageable thermosensitive hydrogel based on poloxamer 407 (POL) percutaneously delivered in a healthy swine model. The primary objective was to assess the 2D and 3D distribution of the hydrogel within tissue across three different needle devices and injection sites: liver, kidney, and intercostal muscle region. Secondly, pharmacokinetics of POL loaded with doxorubicin (POLDOX) were evaluated and compared to free doxorubicin injection (DOXSoln) with a Single End Hole Needle. Utilizing 2D and 3D morphometrics from US and x-ray imaging techniques such as Computed Tomography (CT) and Cone Beam CT (CBCT), we monitored the localization and leakage of POLDOX over time. Relative iodine concentrations measured with CBCT following incorporation of an iodinated contrast agent in POL indicated potential drug diffusion and advection transport. Furthermore, US imaging revealed temporal changes, suggesting variations in acoustic intensity, heterogeneity, and echotextures. Notably, 3D reconstruction of the distribution of POL and POLDOX from 2D ultrasound frames was achieved and morphometric data obtained. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed lower systemic exposure of the drug in various organs with POLDOX formulation compared to DOXSoln formulation. This was demonstrated by a lower area under the curve (852.1 ± 409.1 ng/mL·h vs 2283.4 ± 377.2 ng/mL·h) in the plasma profile, suggesting a potential reduction in systemic toxicity. Overall, the use of POL formulation offers a promising strategy for precise and localized drug delivery, that may minimize adverse effects. Dual modality POL imaging enabled analysis of patterns of gel distribution and morphology, alongside of pharmacokinetics of local delivery. Incorporating hydrogels into drug delivery systems holds significant promise for improving the predictability of the delivered drug and enhancing spatial conformability. These advancements can potentially enhance the safety and precision of anticancer therapy.

Occurrence, distribution and fate of iodine during phosphate ore beneficiation process

Numerous beneficiation techniques, such as washing, grinding, flotation, digesting, and calcination, are used to concentrate the minerals found in phosphate rocks, which include apatite, carbonatites, and silicates. Significant iodine levels are often found in phosphate ore minerals, which have a distinctive geochemical occurrence. However, the exact occurrence and distribution of iodine in these minerals are not yet thoroughly understood. A study was carried out to investigate the iodine's distribution, occurrence modes (phases), and release rate in Moroccan phosphate as it undergoes the beneficiation process. The samples underwent a multi-analytical approach combining mineralogical and chemical characterization using ICP-MS, ICP-OES, XRD, elements titration, and Pearson correlation analysis for interelement relationships. Calcination, digestion, and Heavy liquid separation is used to study the fate of iodine. The analysis indicates that iodine is primarily found in fluorapatite, with local concentrations ranging from 35 to 130 ppm. The most enriched grains/zones are associated with fluorapatite, enriched in P2O5, F-. in addition, iodine is positively correlated with its main components, including P2O5, F-, SO3, Na2O, CaO, and REEs. The flotation and heavy liquid separation process used for calcite and silicate removal is acting as an iodine and P2O5 concentrator, given that 99 % of iodine occurs in the apatite phase. However, it has been demonstrated that iodine can be released during the digestion of phosphate rock. Where the initial iodine content is distributed among phosphoric acid, PG, and the gaseous phase, constituting 35 %, 25 %, and 40 %, respectively. Furthermore, the calcination of phosphate rock between 800–1000 °C shows that total iodine is released with gases in I2 form, leading to an increase in the concentration of iodine in the surrounding area. In this regard, an integrated pyrometallurgical process has been proposed for the valorization of iodine as silver iodide. This process involves trapping gaseous iodine in an alkaline solution, followed by precipitation, thereby contributing to the overarching objectives of the circular economy and environmental protection.

Analysis of risk factors for papillary thyroid carcinoma and the association with thyroid function indicators.

This study aims to analyze the relationship between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and various factors. The study involved two groups-PTC patients and non-PTC controls. We utilized binary logistic regression and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso) regression for variable selection and risk factor analysis. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman's rank correlation. The diagnostic value of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels for PTC was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. PTC patients exhibited higher body mass index (BMI) (23.71 vs. 22.66, p<0.05) and TSH levels (3.38 vs. 1.59, p<0.05). Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was an independent predictor of PTC (OR=1.005, p<0.05). The optimal TSH threshold for PTC diagnosis was 2.4 mIU/L [The Area Under the Curve (AUC)=67.3%, specificity=71.4%, sensitivity=70.1%]. TSH levels positively correlated with BMI (r=0.593, p<0.05) and UIC (r=0.737, p<0.05). UIC may be an independent predictor of PTC, and TSH levels have some diagnostic value for identifying PTC.

Spectral CT in the evaluation of perineural invasion status in rectal cancer.

To investigate whether preoperative spectral CT quantitative parameters can assess perineural invasion (PNI) status in rectal cancer. Sixty-two patients diagnosed with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative spectral CT were retrospectively enrolled and divided into positive and negative PNI groups according to histopathologic results. The CT attenuation value (HU) of virtual monochromatic images (40-70keV), spectral curve slope (K(HU)), effective atomic number (Zeff), and iodine concentration (IC) from spectral CT were compared between these two groups using t test or rank sum test. A nomogram was established by incorporating the independent predictors to assess the overall diagnostic efficacy. The area under the ROC curves (AUCs) were compared using the DeLong test. The preoperative spectral CT parameters (40-70keV attenuation, K(HU), Zeff, and IC) were significantly higher in the PNI-positive group compared to the PNI-negative group (all p < 0.05). The highest predictive efficiency of PNI was observed at 40keV attenuation, with an area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.847, 81.8%, 72.5%, and 75.8%, respectively. Binary logistic regression demonstrated that the clinical feature (cN stage) and 40keV attenuation were independent predictors of PNI status. The nomogram incorporating these two predictors (cN stage and 40keV attenuation) exhibited the best evaluation efficacy, with an AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.885, 86.4%, 77.5%, and 80.6%. Spectral CT quantitative parameters proved valuable in the preoperative assessment of PNI status in rectal cancer patients. The combination of spectral CT parameters and clinical features could further enhance the diagnostic efficiency.

Síntesis y caracterización de partículas poliméricas yodadas submicrométricas con efecto bioestimulante en la germinación y vigor de plántulas de maíz

Current agriculture faces challenges caused by climate change, which induce states of stress in plants, reducing crop productivity. Micro- or nanomaterials are biostimulants that mitigate these adverse effects, having greater efficiency compared to conventional materials. Iodine, at low concentrations, improves plant growth and production. This study aimed to: 1) synthesize and characterize polymeric particles functionalized with submicron iodine (PI), 2) evaluate the impact of pretreatment of corn seeds with these particles on the germination rate and growth of the seedlings, and 3) quantify the iodine in the PI and in the seedlings. The synthesis of the PI was carried out by a chemical reaction from iohexol with a crosslinker and the addition of a polyethylene glycol coating. The average hydrodynamic diameter of the PIs determined by dynamic light scattering was 217 nm, and the iodine content in the synthesized PIs was 1.67 %. For the germination test, four PI concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 50 mg∙L&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;) and a control (distilled water) were used; 50 seeds were imbibed in 10 mL of each solution and placed in a growth chamber at a temperature of 28 °C for 24 h. The results indicate that PIs do not negatively interfere with the seed germination process and the treatment with a concentration of 50 mg∙L&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; PI significantly favored some growth variables. The latter indicates that the synthesized PIs presented a biostimulant effect and may be a viable alternative as a biofortifier.

Role of Iodine Status and Lifestyle Behaviors on Goiter among Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study in Zhejiang Province, China.

Iodine deficiency is a well-established cause of goiter, while the impact of lifestyle factors on goiter development remains underexplored. The study aims to explore the associations between iodine status, lifestyle factors, and the prevalence of goiter among children and adolescents in Zhejiang Province, China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2022 using a stratified multistage sampling, involving 2261 children aged 6-17. Among these 1562 participants underwent both urinalysis and thyroid ultrasound. Lifestyle factors were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. The prevalence of goiter in the study population was 10.8%. A high urinary iodine concentration (UIC) (>300 μg/L) was significantly associated with a decreased risk of goiter (OR = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.27-0.88). Excessive recreational screen time and a high frequency of dining out were associated with an increased Tvol, while adequate physical activity and sleep were inversely associated with goiter risk, while the combined effect of high UIC and healthy lifestyle showed a protective effect against goiter. Ensuring adequate iodine status and promoting healthy lifestyles are crucial for preventing goiter and enhancing thyroid health in children and adolescents, suggesting that public health strategies should integrate nutritional and lifestyle interventions.

Iodine supply and thyroid function in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a cohort study.

Maternal urinary iodine concentration and blood neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration reflect iodine status in pregnancy and serve as markers of iodine deficiency. As dietary measures in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) could affect iodine intake, our study aimed to investigate iodine supply in women with GDM compared to healthy pregnant women and to evaluate its relationship to maternal and neonatal thyroid function. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and serum TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), and autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) were analyzed in 195 women with GDM and 88 healthy pregnant women in the second trimester. Subsequently, neonatal TSH concentrations measured 72 h after delivery in a subgroup of 154 newborns (115 of mothers with GDM and 39 controls) from the national register were analyzed. Median UIC was significantly lower in women with GDM compared to controls (89.50 µg/L vs. 150.05 µg/L; P < 0.001). Optimal iodine intake was found only in nine women with GDM (4.6%) and 33 healthy pregnant women (37.5%) (P < 0.001). Most pregnant women with GDM (88.7%) compared to one half of controls (50%) had iodine deficiency (P < 0.001). Although serum TSH and the prevalence of hypothyroidism (TSH > 4.0 mIU/L) were not different in both groups, hypothyroxinaemia was more prevalent in GDM compared to controls (12.3% vs 3.4%, P = 0.032). Consistently, neonatal TSH > 5.0 mIU/L indicating iodine deficiency, was found in 6 (5.2%) newborns of women with GDM as compared to none in controls. In women with GDM, the prevalence of perinatal complications was significantly lower in those who were taking dietary iodine supplements compared to those who were not (3/39 (7.69%) vs 46/156 (28.85%), P <0.001). In the multiple logistic and linear regression models in women with GDM, hypothyroxinaemia was associated with preterm births, and a negative association of serum FT4 and HbA1c was found. Iodine deficiency in pregnancy was more prevalent among women with GDM compared to healthy pregnant controls. Serum FT4 negatively correlated with HbA1c, and hypothyroxinaemia was associated with preterm births in women with GDM. Conversely, women with GDM who used dietary iodine supplements had a lower risk of perinatal complications.

Simultaneous high-pitch multi-energy CT pulmonary angiography using a dual-source photon-counting-detector CT: A phantom experiment.

A dual-source CT system can be operated in a high-pitch helical mode to provide a temporal resolution of 66ms, which reduces motion artifacts in CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). It can also be operated in a multi-energy (ME) mode to provide iodine maps, beneficial in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism (PE). No energy-integrating detector (EID) CT can perform simultaneous ME and high-pitch acquisition. This phantom study aimed to evaluate the ability of a photon-counting-detector (PCD) CT to perform simultaneous high-pitch and ME imaging for CTPA. A motion phantom was used to mimic the respiratory motion. Two tubes filled with iodine with intravascular thrombus mimicked by injecting glue within the tubes were placed along with 5, 10, and 15mg/mL iodine samples, on a motion phantom at 20 and 30 revolutions per minute. Separate high-pitch and ME EID-CT scans and a single high-pitch ME PCD scan were acquired and virtual monoenergetic images and iodine maps reconstructed. Percent thrombus occlusion was measured and compared between static and moving images. When there was motion, EID-CT ME suffered from significant motion artifacts. The measured iodine concentrations with PCD-CT in high-pitch ME were more stable when there was a motion, with a lower standard deviation than EID-CT in ME mode. The estimated percent thrombus occlusion dropped significantly with applied motion on EID-CT, while PCD-CT high-pitch ME mode showed good agreement between measurements on static or moving images. PCD-CT with combined ME and high-pitch mode facilitates simultaneous accurate iodine quantification and assessment of intravascular occlusion.

Exploring structural and optical properties of iodine-doped TiO2 nanoparticles in Rhodamine-B dye degradation: Experimental and theoretical investigation

Energy conversion and pollutant degradation are critical for advancing sustainable technologies, yet they often encounter challenges related to charge recombination and efficiency limitations. This study explores iodine-doped TiO2 nanoparticles as a potential solution for enhancing both energy conversion and pollutant degradation. The nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol-gel method with varying iodine precursor concentrations (0.025–0.1 M) and were characterized for their structural, compositional, and optical properties, particularly in relation to their photocatalytic performance in Rhodamine-B dye degradation. X-ray diffraction confirmed a tetragonal anatase crystal structure, with the average crystallite size decreasing from 10.06 nm to 8.82 nm with increase in iodine concentration. Selected area electron diffraction patterns verified the polycrystalline nature of the nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering analysis showed hydrodynamic radii ranging from 95 to 125 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy identified metal-oxygen vibrations at 441 cm⁻1, and electron microscopy confirmed the spherical morphology of the nanoparticles. Elemental analysis detected the presence of Ti, O, and I in the samples. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy indicated the optical absorption edges for the doped samples in the visible region from which the corresponding band gap values were deduced. Photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the sample with 0.1 M iodine exhibit the lowest emission intensity, suggesting reduced charge recombination. Notably, 0.1 M iodine doped TiO2 samples demonstrated the highest photocatalytic efficiency, achieving 82.36% degradation of Rhodamine-B dye within 140 min under visible light. Additionally, ab-initio density functional theory calculations were performed to investigate the structural, optical, and adsorption properties of TiO2, iodine-doped TiO2, Rhodamine-B, and their composites, providing further insight into the enhanced photocatalytic activity observed in the experiments.

Energy spectrum computed tomography multi-parameter imaging in preoperative assessment of vascular and neuroinvasive status in gastric cancer.

Vascular and nerve infiltration are important indicators for the progression and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC), but traditional imaging methods have some limitations in preoperative evaluation. In recent years, energy spectrum computed tomography (CT) multiparameter imaging technology has been gradually applied in clinical practice because of its advantages in tissue contrast and lesion detail display. To explore and analyze the value of multiparameter energy spectrum CT imaging in the preoperative assessment of vascular invasion (LVI) and nerve invasion (PNI) in GC patients. Data from 62 patients with GC confirmed by pathology and accompanied by energy spectrum CT scanning at our hospital between September 2022 and September 2023, including 46 males and 16 females aged 36-71 (57.5 ± 9.1) years, were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into a positive group (42 patients) and a negative group (20 patients) according to the presence of LVI/PNI. The CT values (CT40 keV, CT70 keV), iodine concentration (IC), and normalized IC (NIC) of lesions in the upper energy spectrum CT images of the arterial phase, venous phase, and delayed phase 40 and 70 keV were measured, and the slopes of the energy spectrum curves [K (40-70)] from 40 to 70 keV were calculated. Arterial phase combined parameter, venous phase combined parameters (VP-ALLs), and delayed phase association parameters were calculated for patients with late-stage disease. The differences in the energy spectrum parameters between the positive and negative groups were compared, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and optimal threshold were calculated to measure the diagnostic efficiency of each parameter. In the delayed phase, the CT40 keV, CT70 keV, K (40-70), IC, NIC, and CT70 keV and the NIC in the upper arterial and venous phases of energy spectrum CT were greater in the LVI/PNI-positive group than in the LVI-negative group. The representative parameters for the arterial phase NIC were 0.14 ± 0.04 in the positive group and 0.12 ± 0.04 in the negative group. The venous phase NIC was 0.5 (0.5, 0.6) in the positive group and 0.4 (0.4, 0.5) in the negative group. Last, for the delayed phase NIC, it was 0.6 ± 0.1 in the positive group and 0.5 ± 0.1 in the negative group (all P values are less than 0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the diagnostic efficacy of each parameter during the venous stage was superior to that during the arterial and delayed stages. Furthermore, the diagnostic efficacy of the combined parameter throughout all three stages was superior to that of any single parameter. The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the optimal parameter, VP-ALL, were 0.931 (95% confidence interval: 0.872-0.990), 80.95%, and 95.00%, respectively. When assessing the condition of LVI and PNI (perineural invasion) in patients with GC prior to surgery, the ability to diagnose these conditions using venous stage parameters was superior to that using arterial stage and delayed stage parameters. Furthermore, the diagnostic accuracy of using a combination of parameters was better than that of using individual parameters alone.