Changes in iodine status among US adults, 2001–2012

Urinary iodine concentrations (UICs) in the US have been reported to be stable since 1988–1994, although those in selected subgroups remained low. We aimed to investigate iodine status among adults (≥20 years) by two different criteria of assessing iodine deficiency in population. Utilizing National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2001–2012, we conducted linear logistic regressions adjusting for covariates. The prevalence of <50?μg/L UIC was higher in women than in men; increased from 11.6% (2001–2004) to 13.2% (2009–2012) at the national level and in young adults, non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) and non-users of iodine-containing supplements (all, p?<0.05); the adjusted odds ratios (95%CI) in young adults (1.54 [1.11–2.15], p =?0.0007) and NHBs (1.70 [1.15–2.52], p =?0.0078). Median UICs confirm women and NHBs being in borderline iodine status. Recognizing the critical consequence of iodine deficiency particularly in women and NHBs, regular monitoring of iodine status is important for public health in the US.     

Anatomical considerations of selective pudendal neurectomy

The pudendal nerve was examined in 100 cadavers of both sexes. Because of the variable number of trunks of the pudendal nerve, 5 types were distinguished: one-trunked; two-trunked, rectopudendal; two-trunked, pudendo-penile (or-clitoridal); three-trunked, recto-perineo-penile (or-clitoridal); four-trunked, recto-perineo-perineopenile (or-clitoridal). The authors' suggestions make it possible to perform selective pudendectomy, consisting in denervation of the sphincter urethrae muscle by neurectomy of the perineal branches of the pudendal nerve.     

Effects of prolonged administration of neurotensin, arginine-vasopressin, NPY, and bombesin on blood TSH, T3 and T4 levels in the rat

Adult female rats were i.p. infused (Alzet osmotic minipumps) with neurotensin (NT, 2 micrograms/rat/day for 7 days), arginine-vasopressin (AVP, 2 micrograms/rat/day for 8 days), bombesin (BM, 0.75 microgram/rat/day for 7 days) or injected with neuropeptide Y (NPY, 0.5 microgram/rat twice a day for 4 days). NT infusion increased absolute and relative thyroid gland weight and decreased serum T4 level, while serum TSH and T3 levels remained unchanged. AVP treatment increased thyroid gland weight and serum TSH and T4 levels and a similar effect was induced by prolonged BM infusion. On the other hand, NPY administration had no effect either on thyroid gland weight or on serum TSH, T4 and T3 levels. Results of the present study thus clearly demonstrate a potent stimulatory action of AVP and BM on thyroid gland function and suggest that this effect is mediated by the pituitary gland. On the contrary, prolonged NT infusion decrease serum T4 level while NPY had no effect on thyroid gland function.