Iodine deficiency in pregnancy: Still a health issue for the women of Cassino city, Italy

Research progress of fluorescent composites based on cyclodextrins: Preparation strategies, fluorescence properties and applications in sensing and bioimaging

Fluorescence analysis has been regarded as one of the commonly used analytical methods because of its advantages of simple operation, fast response, low cost and high sensitivity. So far, various fluorescent probes, with noble metal nanoclusters, quantum dots, organic dyes and metal organic frameworks as representatives, have been widely reported. However, single fluorescent probe often suffers from some deficiencies, such as low quantum yield, poor chemical stability, low water solubility and toxicity. To overcome these disadvantages, the introduction of cyclodextrins into fluorescent probes has become a fascinating approach. This review (with 218 references) systematically covers the research progress of fluorescent composites based on cyclodextrins in recent years. Preparation strategies, fluorescence properties, response mechanisms and applications in sensing (ions, organic pollutants, bio-related molecules, temperature, pH) and bioimaging of fluorescent composites based on cyclodextrins are summarized in detail. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives of these composites in relative research fields are discussed.

Nutritional awareness of pregnant women and the underlying influencing factors

Nutritional awareness is described as having knowledge or understanding of nutrition. It is often related to the ability of an individual to make an accurate estimate of their food intake, which involves comparing their actual nutritional behavior with the recommended food consumption. Nutritional awareness of women during the various phases of pregnancy may vary significantly across countries due to cultural and lifestyle differences. There has been extensive research on nutritional awareness of pregnant women in selected countries or regions; however, relatively few studies have explored it during different stages of pregnancy. To fill this gap, this article reviews the existing literature and draws together insights into the following areas: changes in nutritional awareness during various phases of pregnancy, nutritional awareness of pregnant women and its underlying factors in various nations, and the research methods used to study nutritional awareness of pregnant women.

Iodized Salt May Not Be Sufficient to Guarantee an Adequate Iodine Intake in Pregnant Women

Adequate iodine intake is of crucial importance in pregnancy to meet the thyroid hormone needs of both mother and fetus. In the present study, undertaken as a part of the surveillance actions following the introduction in Italy of a national salt iodination program in 2005, the iodine intake was investigated in 123 pregnant women and 49 control women living in the same area of central Italy. All the participants were screened for urinary iodine concentration (UIC), serum level of thyrotropin, free-thyroxine, free-triiodothyronine, and thyroid volume. Moreover, they were provided with a questionnaire on the use of iodine-containing salt or supplements. Control women had a median UIC of 102 µg/L, consistent with an iodine sufficiency, while in pregnant women the median UIC value was 108 µg/L, lower than the endorsed UIC of 150 µg/L. In addition, pregnant women showed a significantly increased median thyroid volume compared to controls. Interestingly, the median UIC did not differ between pregnant women not using iodine-containing salt or supplements and those regularly consuming iodized salt alone, while pregnant women with a daily intake of iodine-containing supplements had an adequate median UIC (168 µg/L). In conclusion, the data reported here showed that pregnant women and their fetuses are still exposed to the detrimental effects of iodine deficiency and that the consumption of iodine-containing supplements should be recommended in pregnancy.

Iodine: Its Role in Thyroid Hormone Biosynthesis and Beyond

The present review deals with the functional roles of iodine and its metabolism. The main biological function of iodine concerns its role in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones (THs) by the thyroid gland. In addition, however, further biological roles of iodine have emerged. Precisely, due to its significant action as scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS), iodine is thought to represent one of the oldest antioxidants in living organisms. Moreover, iodine oxidation to hypoiodite (IO-) has been shown to possess strong bactericidal as well as antiviral and antifungal activity. Finally, and importantly, iodine has been demonstrated to exert antineoplastic effects in human cancer cell lines. Thus, iodine, through the action of different tissue-specific peroxidases, may serve different evolutionarily conserved physiological functions that, beyond TH biosynthesis, encompass antioxidant activity and defense against pathogens and cancer progression.

Urea-doped carbon dots as fluorescent switches for the selective detection of iodide ions and their mechanistic study

A facile and green strategy for the fabrication of fluorescent urea-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) has been explored. Significantly, the fluorescent N-CDs could recognize iodide ions (I-) with high selectivity, and their photoluminescence could be efficiently quenched by the addition of I-. The sensitivity analysis for I- indicated a linear relationship in the range from 12.5 to 587 μM with the detection limit as low as 0.47 μM. Furthermore, the I- induced fluorescence (FL) quenching mechanism was investigated employing a combination of techniques, including UV-vis/fluorescence spectroscopy, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation, TEM and time-resolved fluorescence decay measurements. The DFT calculation results demonstrated that the amino- and amide groups of N-CDs play a significant role in iodide recognition through the formation of multiple N-H⋯I-, C-H⋯I- and C([double bond, length as m-dash]O)N-H⋯I- interactions with I-. The TEM experiment confirmed the aggregation process when I- was added to the N-CDs solution. Moreover, the radiative decay rate of N-CDs, which was first measured and reported the kinetic behaviors of the FL-quenching process, decreased from 3.30 × 107 s-1 to 1.95 × 107 s-1 after the coordination with I- ions. The reduced lifetime demonstrated that the excited energy dissipation led to a dynamic quenching process. Therefore, such carbon materials can function as effective fluorescent switches for the selective detection of I- ions.

Assessment of the Impact of Salt Iodisation Programmes on Urinary Iodine Concentrations and Goitre Rates: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Two main strategies are currently recommended for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency in the world: implementation of universal salt iodisation programmes and permanent monitoring of iodine consumption by the population. Although iodine intake and coverage iodised salt have increased in the world population, iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) may still be a public health problem in a few countries or communities.

Objective

To assess the impact of salt iodisation programmes on urinary iodine concentrations and goitre rates in the world population. Methodology. A systematic review based on the PRISMA method. We obtained articles from Scopus, Science Direct, MEDLINE databases, and other sources between March and April 2020, without limitation of dates. "Iodisation" AND "urinary iodine concentrations" AND "goitre" in English, Portuguese, and Spanish without filters and clinical trial, case-control, and cross-sectional studies were included in this review.

Results

Of 479 abstracts, twenty-three were eligible. Coverage on iodised salt was in the range of 16 to 98%, and 11 studies had been sufficient, whilst eight studies had adequate iodine concentration in salt and three excess. 81.8% of studies that had an adequate median of UIC had a good impact in their respective salt iodisation programmes.

Conclusion

After 18 years of salt iodisation programme implementation in the 13 countries, the majority achieved sustaining elimination of IDD whilst all had adequate median UIC; however, more detailed studies are still needed to confirm that all communities are equally protected of IDD.

Novel Active Food Packaging Films Based on Whey Protein Incorporated with Seaweed Extract: Development, Characterization, and Application in Fresh Poultry Meat

Algae and seaweeds are used in cookery since the beginnings of human civilization, particularly in several Asian cultures. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites produced by aquatic and terrestrial plants for their natural defense against external stimuli, which possess powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that can be very important for the food industry. The main objective of this study was to develop a whey protein concentrate active coating, incorporated with a Fucus vesiculosus extract in order to delay the lipid oxidation of chicken breasts. Ten hydroethanolic extracts from F. vesiculosus were obtained and their antioxidant capacity was evaluated through two antioxidant activity assays: the DPPH radical scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching assay. The total content in phenolics compounds was also determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. The chosen extract was the one obtained from the freeze-dried F. vesiculosus using 75% (v/v) ethanol as extraction solvent. The extract was successfully incorporated into a whey protein film and successfully strengthened the thickness, tensile strength, and elastic modulus. The active film also was able to inhibit the chicken breasts lipid oxidation for 25 days of storage.

Impact of Dietary Habit, Iodine Supplementation and Smoking Habit on Urinary Iodine Concentration During Pregnancy in a Catalonia Population

(1) Background: The nutritional status of women during pregnancy can have a considerable effect on maternal and fetal health, and on the perinatal outcome. Aim: to assess the changes occurring in dietary iodine intake, potassium iodide supplementation, and smoking habit, and the impact of these changes on the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) during pregnancy in a population of women in Catalonia (Spain). (2) Methods: Between 2009–2011, an observational study included a cohort of women whose pregnancies were monitored in the public health system in the Central and North Metropolitan areas of Catalonia. Women received individual educational counseling, a dietary questionnaire was completed, and a urine sample was collected for iodine determination at each trimester visit. (3) Results: 633 (67.9%) women answered the questionnaire at all 3 visits. The percentage of women with a desirable UIC (≥150 μg/L) increased from the first to the second trimester and remained stable in the third (57.3%, 68.9%, 68%; p < 0.001). Analysis of the relationship between UIC ≥ 150 μg/L and the women’s dietary habits showed that the percentage with UIC ≥ 150 μg/L increased with greater consumption of milk in the first trimester, and the same was true for iodized salt use in all three trimesters and iodine supplementation in all three. (4) Conclusion: During pregnancy, increased intake of milk, iodized salt, and iodine supplements were associated with an increase in the UIC.

Label-free iodide detection using functionalized carbon nanodots as fluorescent probes

A label-free fluorescent nanoprobe for iodide ion (I^-) detection was developed based on the direct fluorescence quenching of spermine-functionalized carbon dots (SC-dots), whether in complex biological fluids or living cells. The positively charged SC-dots were fabricated via one-step microwave synthesis and exhibited excellent optical properties. Due to the strong quenching ability of I^-, SC-dots were utilized for I^- detection with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity, which offered a relatively low detection limit of 0.18 μM. This strategy was also successfully applied for I^- detections in human serum and HeLa cells. The detection process is facile, highly sensitive and selective, providing a new insight into the potential applications of SC-dots for anion nanoprobe designs in clinical diagnosis and other biologically related areas. Graphical abstract.

Urinary Iodine Concentration in a Cohort of Adult Outpatients with Thyroid Diseases in Liguria 14 Years after the Law on Salt Iodization

Italy is considered a mildly iodine-deficient country. The aim of this study was to evaluate the iodine status of a cohort of adults living in Liguria after the 2005 salt iodization program. We searched all medical records of patients examined in two endocrine outpatient clinics in Genoa and Savona for data on urinary iodine. Subjects were under evaluation for thyroid diseases. Information on the type of salt used was found in few clinical records. Iodized salt use was reported in 29%, 20%, and 13% of records of people living in Genoa districts, the Savona district and nearby districts, respectively. The average urinary iodine concentration was 112.9 ± 62.3 µg/L (n = 415, median 101.0 µg/L). Non-significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between subjects with (median 103.5 µg/L) and without (median 97.5 µg/L) a thyroid gland, between the periods 2009–2013 (median 105.0 µg/L) and 2014–2018 (median 97.5 µg/L), and between Genoa (median 94.0 µg/L), Savona (median 105.0 µg/L) and the other districts (median 114.5 µg/L). No correlation with age, body mass index, creatinine, free thyroxine, thyroglobulin, levo-thyroxine dosage, or thyroid volume was observed. These data suggest a borderline status of iodine sufficiency in this cohort.

The Effects of Iodine Supplementation in Pregnancy on Iodine Status, Thyroglobulin Levels and Thyroid Function Parameters: Results from a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial in a Mild-to-Moderate Iodine Deficiency Area

BACKGROUND

Iodine supplementation during pregnancy in areas with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency is still debated.

METHODS

A single-center, randomized, single-blind and placebo-controlled (3:2) trial was conducted. We enrolled 90 women before 12 weeks of gestation. From enrollment up until 8 weeks after delivery, 52 women were given an iodine supplement (225 ug/day, potassium iodide tablets) and 38 were given placebo. At recruitment (T0), in the second (T1) and third trimesters (T2), and 8 weeks after delivery (T3), we measured participants' urinary iodine-to-creatinine ratio (UI/Creat), thyroid function parameters (thyroglobulin (Tg), TSH, FT3, and FT4), and thyroid volume (TV). The newborns' urinary iodine concentrations were evaluated in 16 cases.

RESULTS

Median UI/Creat at recruitment was 53.3 ug/g. UI/Creat was significantly higher in supplemented women at T1 and T2. Tg levels were lower at T1 and T2 in women with UI/Creat ≥ 150 ug/g, and in the Iodine group at T2 (p = 0.02). There was a negative correlation between Tg and UI/Creat throughout the study (p = 0.03, r = -0.1268). A lower TSH level was found in the Iodine group at T3 (p = 0.001). TV increased by +Δ7.43% in the Iodine group, and by +Δ11.17% in the Placebo group. No differences were found between the newborns' TSH levels on screening the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Tg proved a good parameter for measuring iodine intake in our placebo-controlled series. Iodine supplementation did not prove harmful to pregnancy in areas of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency, with no appreciable harmful effect on thyroid function.

Iodine Status in Schoolchildren and Pregnant Women of Lazio, a Central Region of Italy

The inhabitants of Lazio, similarly to those of other Italian regions, have been historically exposed to the detrimental effects of an inadequate intake of iodine. The latter is a micronutrient essential for the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones (TH). Iodine deficiency is responsible for a number of adverse effects on human health known as iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the most common of which worldwide are goiter and hypothyroidism. In order to reduce IDD, a national salt iodination program was started in Italy in 2005. In this article we reviewed the available data regarding iodine intake in the Lazio population before and after the introduction of the national salt iodination program, in order to evaluate its efficacy and the eventual problem(s) limiting its success. On the whole, the information acquired indicates that, following the introduction of the program, the dietary iodine intake in the Lazio population is improved. There is, however, still much work ahead to ameliorate the iodine prophylaxis in this region. In fact, although a generally adequate iodine intake in school-age children has been observed, there are still areas where a mild iodine insufficiency is present. Moreover, two independent epidemiological surveys on pregnant women evidenced a low urinary iodine concentration with respect to the reference range conceived by the World Health Organization. These findings demonstrate the need for greater attention to the iodine prophylaxis by health care providers (i.e., obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatricians, etc.), and the implementation of effective advertising campaigns aimed at increasing the knowledge and awareness of the favorable effects of iodine supplementation on population health.

Enhanced Z-isomerization of tomato lycopene through the optimal combination of food ingredients

In tomatoes, most lycopene is present in the all-E-configuration and shows very low bioavailability, whereas the Z-isomers show higher bioavailability. Hence, for health reasons, it is expected that the ingestion of lycopene Z-isomers is preferable. Very recently, it was reported that onion and possibly garlic promoted thermal Z-isomerization of (all-E)-lycopene but there are no reports for other food ingredients. Here we show new food ingredients that enhance thermal Z-isomerization of lycopene in tomatoes and from the results, we guessed some causative components having the Z-isomerization promoting effect. A comprehensive investigation of food ingredients revealed that some vegetables (Allium sp., Brassica sp., and Raphanus sp.), shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes), and some edible seaweeds (Saccharina sp. and Ecklonia sp.) markedly promoted Z-isomerization of (all-E)-lycopene in tomato puree with heating at 80 °C for 1 h. Moreover, it was revealed that polysulfides, isothiocyanates, carbon disulfide, and iodine, which were commonly contained in the above food ingredients in considerable quantity, enhanced thermal Z-isomerization of (all-E)-lycopene. Our findings on the food ingredients and the food-derived catalysts having a carotenoid Z-isomerization promoting effect are important, not only for the food, drink, and dietary supplement manufacturing industries, but also for daily home cooking.

Carbon Quantum Dots Prepared with Chitosan for Synthesis of CQDs/AuNPs for Iodine Ions Detection

Water-soluble and reductive carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were fabricated by the hydrothermal carbonization of chitosan. Acting as a reducing agent and stabilizer, the as-prepared CQDs were further used to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This synthetic process was carried out in aqueous solution, which was absolutely "green". Furthermore, the CQDs/AuNPs composite was used to detect iodine ions by the colorimetric method. A color change from pink to colorless was observed with the constant addition of I- ions, accompanied by a decrease in the absorbance of the CQDs/AuNPs composite. According to the absorbance change, a favorable linear relationship was obtained between ΔA and I- concentration in the range of 20⁻140 μM and 140⁻400 μM. The detection limit of iodide ions, depending on the 3δ/slope, was estimated to be 2.3 μM, indicating high sensitivity to the determination of iodide. More importantly, it also showed good selectivity toward I- over other anion ions, and was used for the analysis of salt samples. Moreover, TEM results indicated that I- ions induced the aggregation of CQDs/AuNPs, resulting in changes in color and absorbance.

A 2018 Italian and Romanian Survey on Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

Pregnancy induces changes in thyroid function, and thyroid dysfunction during gestation is associated with adverse outcomes. We examined the management of subclinical hypothyroidism and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis in pregnancy among Italian and Romanian endocrinologists.

METHODS

Members of the Associazione Medici Endocrinologi (AME) and Romanian Society of Endocrinology (RSE) were invited to participate in a web-based survey investigating the topic.

RESULTS

A total of 902 individuals participated in the survey, 759 of whom completed all sections. Among the respondents, 85.1% were aware of the 2017 American Thyroid Association guidelines about thyroid disease and pregnancy, and 82.9% declared that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) screening at the beginning of pregnancy should be warranted. In a patient negative for peroxidase antibodies, 53.6% considered 2.5 mIU/L and 26.2% considered 4.0 mIU/L as the upper normal limit of TSH, and 50% would treat a patient with TSH 3.5 mIU/L with levothyroxine. About 20% did not suggest iodine supplementation. Isolated hypothyroxinemia detected in the first trimester would be treated by 40.8%. In patients undergoing ovarian stimulation, a TSH < 2.5 mIU/L would be targeted by 70%.

CONCLUSIONS

Respondents globally appeared well informed about the management of thyroid autoimmunity and subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy. A more aggressive attitude in implementing iodine supplementation would be desirable. Most endocrinologists were convinced about an evident association between mild thyroid impairment and adverse outcomes in pregnancy, thus using a TSH value of 2.5 mIU/L as the threshold for diagnosing hypothyroidism and starting levothyroxine in pregnant women.

The catalytic role of iodine excess in loss of homeostasis in autoimmune thyroiditis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the latest developments concerning the role of iodine in the pathophysiology of autoimmune thyroiditis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have provided evidence that in areas with excess iodine intake, increased incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis marked by high titers of thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies has occurred. Investigations in the NOD.H2h4 mouse, a strain prone to AIT, showed that they are better adapted to the Wolff-Chaikoff effect.

SUMMARY

To provide an overview of the studies conducted during the last few years implicating iodine in the development and manifestation of autoimmune thyroiditis.