Thyroid status two decades after salt iodization: country-wide data in school children from India

Objective Country‐wide evaluation of thyroid disorders in school children following two decades of universal salt iodization (USI) has not been carried out till date. This study was planned with aim to assess thyroid status of school children two decades after the launch of USI programme. Design Population survey. Patients We collected data from 25 schools in 19 cities across five different geographical zones of India. Those children who were evaluated for anthropometry, and goitre status by palpation formed ‘total population’. Children who consented to give blood samples were defined as ‘study population’. Measurements Serum free T3, free T4, TSH, anti‐TPO antibody and thyroid ultrasound. Results A total of 38 961 children aged 5–15 years formed total population. Goitre rate was 15·5% while thyroid hypoechogenicity was found in 4404 (11·3%) children. In the study population (13 790 children), 2258 (16·4%) had goitre, 505 (3·7%) had positive anti‐TPO antibody titres, 1001 (7·3%) had hypothyroidism (TSH > 5·2 μIU/ml) and 41 (0·3%) had thyrotoxicosis (TSH < 0·1 μIU/ml). Among goitrous children, 203 (9·0%) had anti‐TPO positivity, 365 (16·1%) had hypoechogenicity of thyroid and either of these were present in 488 (21·6%) children. Conclusions Endemic goitre in school children persisted nationwide, despite more than two decades of USI programme. Thyroid autoimmunity only partially explains the increase in goitre prevalence.     

Barriers and Facilitators of Addiction Treatment: a Qualitative Study

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Addictive disorders affect a considerable proportion of the population worldwide and in India. Treatment-related barriers and facilitators...     

Development and Characterization of Gastroretentive High-Density Pellets Lodged With Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles

The objective of the present study is to improve iron bioavailability using high-density gastroretentive pellets of zero valent iron nanoparticles (ZVINPs). ZVINPs were prepared by the chemical reduction method and were characterized for surface morphology, surface charge, and thermal properties. High-density gastroretentive pellets of iron nanoparticles were prepared using spheronization technique. Pellets were characterized for its micromeritic properties, in vitro drug release, and ex vivo permeability. The pharmacokinetic parameters, organ distribution, and toxicity of the optimized pellets were investigated in Wistar rats. In vivo results revealed more than 2-fold increases in oral bioavailability of iron by pellets compared to plane ferrous sulfate. Toxicological studies of the carriers indicated no evidence of liver damage in acute treatment; however, few complications were observed in chronic treatment groups. These results indicated that ZVINPs pellets successfully improve the oral iron bioavailability but need to obtain more information on repeated dose toxicity to initiate the clinical evaluation of investigational products.     

Hydroxyapatite nanorods loaded with parathyroid hormone (PTH) synergistically enhance the net formative effect of PTH anabolic therapy

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been a major contributor to the anabolic therapy for osteoporosis, but its delivery to bone without losing activity and avoiding adverse local effects remain a challenge. Being the natural component of bone, use of hydroxyapatite for this purpose brings a major breakthrough in synergistic anabolism. This study focuses on synthesis, characterization and evaluation of in vitro and in vivo efficacy of PTH (1-34) adsorbed hydroxyapatite nanocarrier for synergistic enhancement in the anabolic activity of PTH for bone regeneration. The negative zeta potential of this nanocarrier facilitated its affinity to the Ca²⁺ rich bone tissue and solubilization at low pH enhanced specific delivery of PTH to the resorption pits in osteoporotic bone. In this process, PTH retained its anabolic effect and at the same time an increase in bone mineral content indicated enhancement of the net formative effect of the PTH anabolic therapy.     

Radical prostatectomy then and now: Surgical overtreatment of prostate cancer is declining from 2009 to 2016 at a tertiary referral center

Background

In the era of increasing scrutiny of delivery of quality care, efforts to decrease surgical overtreatment of insignificant prostate cancer (iCaP) continue.