Trends in contrast media research the last 100 years.

This review focuses on the trends in contrast media (CM) research published in Acta Radiologica during the last 100 years, since the first edition in 1921. The main topics covered are the developments of iodine- and gadolinium-based CM. Other topics include manganese-based CM for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and barium for the investigation of the alimentary tract. From a historic point of view, special CM for use in cholegraphy and myelography are addressed in the review. Today, these imaging procedures are obsolete due to the development of computed tomography, MRI, and ultrasound. The historical use of radioactive thorium-based CM for angiography is also addressed. Furthermore, publications on adverse reactions to CM are reviewed.

De la antigua historia de los métodos iodométricos: de los inicios a Robert Bunsen / From the early history of iodometric methods: from its inception to Robert Bunsen

Los halógenos han constituido un campo de batalla particular de los investigadores farmacéuticos. Cloro, bromo y iodo, se encuentran estrechamente relacionados con los métodos volumétricos, en sus comienzos. El color azul del complejo iodo-almidón que sirve como indicador para la detección de cantidades traza de iodo, es observado por Colin y Gaultier de Claubry, y Stromeyer (1814). Houtou de Labillardière (1825), introduce el uso del iodo en volumetría, proponiendo un procedimiento alternativo para la estimación del contenido de cloro en hipoclorito cálcico comercial. Dupasquier (1840), advierte la posibilidad de valorar exacta y rápidamente sulfuro de hidrógeno (gas hepático) libre o combinado, con la ayuda de una disolución valorada de iodo en presencia de almidón como indicador. Fordos y Gelis muestran en 1843 que dos átomos de iodo oxidan cuantitativamente dos moléculas de hiposulfito (tiosulfato) de sodio, reacción que constituye la base fundamental de la iodometría. En este trabajo se pasa revista a los métodos iodométricos de análisis desde sus inicios hasta Bunsen, cubriendo aspectos de la vida y obra de los investigadores implicados, así como sus mutuas conexiones, incluidas las transnacionales

Halogens have been a particular battlefield of pharmaceutical researchers. Chlorine, bromine and iodine, are closely related to the volumetric methods, in its beginnings. The blue colour of the iodine-starch complex observed by Colin and Gaultier de Claubry, and Stromeyer (1814), serves as an indicator for the detection of trace quantities of iodine. Houtou de Labillardière (1825) introduces the use of iodine in volumetry, proposing an alternative procedure for the estimation of the chlorine content in commercial calcium hypochlorite. Dupasquier (1840) warns the possibility of accurately and quickly assessing hydrogen sulfide (hepatic gas) free or combined, with the help of a titrated solution of iodine in the presence of starch as an indicator. Fordos and Gelis show in 1843 that two iodine atoms quantitatively oxidize two molecules of sodium hyposulfite (thiosulfate), a reaction that constitutes the fundamental basis of iodometry. This paper reviews the iodometric methods of analysis from its inception to Bunsen, covering aspects of the life and work of the researchers involved, as well as their mutual connections, including transnational ones

[Iodine prophylaxis, voices from the past after 65 years]. / Yodoprofilaxis, 65 años después suenan las voces del pasado.

In 1953, Dr. Felipe Rodríguez Moreno joined the Granada Research Group on Endemic Goiter, which was led by Dr. Ortiz de Landázuri. A high goiter prevalence (62% in women) was found out within the area, and that prevalence was observed to be related to the dietary habits of the time, being the most disadvantaged those who were showing a greater prevalence. A relationship between the high goiter prevalence and the family of the subjects with goiter was also found out, as they usually had a first-degree relative with affection. Iodine content of drinking water was poor throughout the area, so the prevalence was not significantly different between individuals who drank from different water sources. There were only two females with cretinism and two males affected by "idiocy", so the goiters were probably euthyroid. After introducing iodine prophylaxis with iodized salt in Güejar-Sierra, prevalence decreased from 53% to 13% between 1953 and 1958.

En el año 1953, el Dr. Felipe Rodríguez Moreno se incorpora para continuar el trabajo sobre endemia bociosa de la escuela de Granada, liderada por el Dr. Ortiz de Landázuri. En ese paisaje descubre una alta prevalencia de bocio (62% en mujeres), que se relacionaba con el tipo de dieta consumida, de tal forma que los más desfavorecidos tenían una prevalencia de bocio aún mayor. Así mismo, se encuentra una relación familiar en cuanto al bocio, de manera que los sujetos con bocio normalmente tienen un familiar en primer grado también afectado. El agua de bebida es pobre en yodo de forma generalizada, por lo que no hay diferencias significativas en la prevalencia de bocio según la fuente de la que se surtan los paisanos.  Solo se encontraron dos mujeres con cretinismo y dos varones afectados de "idiocia". Por ello, cabe pensar que se trata de bocios normofuncionantes.  Tras iniciar yodoprofilaxis con sal yodada en Güejar Sierra, se produce un descenso de la prevalencia de bocio de un 53% a un 13% entre los años 1953-1958.

Historical aspects of iodine deficiency control.

In 1895, iodine was characterized as an essential element of thyroid tissue by Baumann. The efficacy of iodine to prevent goiter was demonstrated by Marine in Northern USA in 1916-1920. Severe endemic goiter and cretinism had been almost entirely eliminated from continental Western Europe and Northern America before the 1930's; however large populations elsewhere and even some places in Western Europe (Sicily) were still affected up to the 2000's. Public health consequences of iodine deficiency are not limited to endemic goiter and cretinism. Iodine deficiency disorders include also increased neonatal death rate and decreased intellectual development, although these consequences are not included in the current estimation of the Global Burden Disease related to iodine deficiency. Severe iodine deficiency as a public health problem is now largely under control worldwide, but can still affect isolated places, in hard-to-reach and/or politically neglected populations. We emphasize the importance of maintaining international cooperation efforts, in order to monitor iodine status where iodine deficiency is now adequately controlled, and identify at-risk population where it is not. The goal should be now global eradication of severe iodine deficiency. Commercial distribution of iodized salt remains the most appropriate strategy. A randomized clinical trial in New Guinea clearly showed in the 1970's that correcting severe iodine deficiency early in pregnancy prevents endemic neurological cretinism. This supports the essential role of thyroid hormones of maternal origin on the normal fetal development, during the first trimester of pregnancy (i.e. when fetal thyroid is still not functional). A randomized clinical trial in Congo (RD) in the 1970's also showed that correcting severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy prevents myxœdematous cretinism, particularly prevalent in affected Congolese areas.

The Rise and Fall of Universal Salt Iodization in Vietnam: Lessons Learned for Designing Sustainable Food Fortification Programs With a Public Health Impact.

BACKGROUND: In 2005, more than 90% of Vietnamese households were using adequately iodized salt, and urinary iodine concentration among women of reproductive age was in the optimal range. However, household coverage declined thereafter to 45% in 2011, and urinary iodine concentration levels indicated inadequate iodine intake. OBJECTIVE: To review the strengths and weaknesses of the Vietnamese universal salt iodization program from its inception to the current day and to discuss why achievements made by 2005 were not sustained. METHODS: Qualitative review of program documents and semistructured interviews with national stakeholders. RESULTS: National legislation for mandatory salt iodization was revoked in 2005, and the political importance of the program was downgraded with consequential effects on budget, staff, and authority. CONCLUSIONS: The Vietnamese salt iodization program, as it was initially designed and implemented, was unsustainable, as salt iodization was not practiced as an industry norm but as a government-funded activity. An effective and sustainable salt iodization program needs to be reestablished for the long-term elimination of iodine deficiency, building upon lessons learned from the past and programs in neighboring countries. The new program will need to include mandatory legislation, including salt for food processing; industry responsibility for the cost of fortificant; government commitment for enforcement through routine food control systems and monitoring of iodine status through existing health/nutrition assessments; and intersectoral collaboration and management of the program. Many of the lessons would apply equally to universal salt iodization programs in other countries and indeed to food fortification programs in general.

History of U.S. iodine fortification and supplementation.

Iodine is a micronutrient required for thyroid hormone production. This review highlights the history of the discovery of iodine and its uses, discusses the sources of iodine nutrition, and summarizes the current recommendations for iodine intake with a focus on women of childbearing age.

INCAP studies of endemic goiter and its prevention.

The high prevalence of goiter among adults in its member countries of Central America and Panama was observed as soon as INCAP began field studies. This led to systematic studies of goiter in schoolchildren in all of the countries as described, beginning with Guatemala where the rate was 38% nationally. However, efforts to eliminate the consequences of iodine with iodized salt using the water soluble potassium iodate and a process that had proved successful in Switzerland and the United States could not be used with the crude moist salt of the region. INCAP identified potassium iodate that is insoluble in water, and in four schools (two each in El Salvador and Guatemala) proved that the iodine in this compound was as available as that in potassium iodate. It remained evenly distributed in moist salt. When added to salt in Guatemala, goiter rate dropped to 15% in four years and less than 5% in eight years. Compulsory iodation of salt in other developing countries followed with comparable results. This method is now used in worldwide campaigns against iodine deficiency in developing countries.

From prophylaxis to atomic cocktail: circulation of radioiodine.

This paper is a history of iodine. To trace the trajectory of this element, goiter is used as a guideline for the articulation of a historical account, as a representation of thyroid disorders and of the spaces of knowledge and practices related to iodine. Iodine's journey from goiter treatment and prophylaxis in the late interwar period took on a new course after WWII by including the element's radioactive isotopes. I intend to show how the introduction of radioiodine contributed to stabilize the epistemic role of iodine, in both its non-radioactive and radioactive form, in thyroid gland studies and in the treatment of its disorders.

The story of the Croatian village of Rude after fifty years of compulsory salt iodination in Croatia.

The village of Rude is situated near Zagreb, the capital of Croatia in the last Alpine valley on Balkan. In the past, the village was well-known area of severe iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). In 1952', distinguished Croatian endocrinologist Professor Josip Matovinovic carried out detailed village survey. Goiter prevalence in school-age children was 85.0% (with 2.3% of cretins in the village). In 1953, the first regulation on compulsory salt iodination with 10 mg of KI/kg of salt was established in former Yugoslavia. Ten years later a dramatic decrease in goiter prevalence was recorded in all endangered areas of the country and no new cretins appeared. However, at the beginning of 1990' mild to moderate iodine deficiency still persisted in Croatia. In 1991, the village of Rude survey demonstrated goiter prevalence in school-age children of 35.0% and median of urinary iodine excretion (UIE) of 7.4 microg/dL. In 1996, the new obligatory regulation with 25 mg of KI/kg of salt was established in Croatia. The study aim was to monitor IDD status in the village after the new law on compulsory salt iodination. Measurements of UIE and thyroid volumes (Tvol) by ultrasound were performed in 7-11-y-old schoolchildren living in the village of Rude. Medians of UIE and body surface area (BSA)-adjusted Tvol in boys and girls were calculated. The study included 84 children in 1997, 132 in 2000, 72 in 2002, 85 in 2003 and 46 in 2004 for UIE measurement. Thyroid volumes were measured in 1999 (43 boys and 26 girls) and in 2005 (22 boys and 26 girls). Data were compared with the new WHO/ICCIDD reference values. Medians of UIE in schoolchildren from the village of Rude demonstrated rising values in microg/dL: 11.4 in 1997, 14.3 in 2000, 17.3 in 2002, 15.4 in 2003 and 19.0 in 2004. Significant decrease in BSA-adjusted Tvol was recorded from 1999-2005 in boys and girls from the village of Rude and in 2005 Tvol were within the normal range according to the new international reference values for Tvol in iodine-sufficient schoolchildren. As a result of increased iodine prophylaxis, IDD no longer exist in Croatia. Monitoring of IDD status in the village of Rude after new law on compulsory salt iodination in Croatia demonstrated rising medians of UIE together with significant reduction of Tvol. In 2005, Tvol in schoolchildren from the village of Rude were within the normal range according to the new international reference values for Tvol in iodine-sufficient schoolchildren.

[Jean Guillaume Auguste Lugol (1788-1851): his life and his works: a brief encounter, 150 years after his death]. / Jean Guillaume Auguste Lugol (1788-1851): his life and his works. A brief encounter, 150 years after his death.

J.G.A. Lugol was born on August 18th, 1788 at Montauban. Medical student in Paris, he was admitted as an intern of the hospital 1807. Medical doctor in 1812, he was appointed acting physician at Saint-Louis hospital of Paris in 1819 and named head of a department in the same establishment, a post he held till he retired in 1851. After his death on September 16th, 1851 at Neuilly-sur-Seine, his elder child, his daughter Adèle-Augustine, married Paul Broca in 1857. French pioneer of iodine therapy, Lugol is famous for his iodine-iodurretted solution, still registered in the French Codex and present in most foreign Pharmacopoeia, and also for his four books on scrofulous diseases and their treatment (1829, 1830, 1831, 1834) These publications gather a wealth of the detailed observations of an excellent practitioner who constantly proved a great independence of spirit towards some medical concepts "à la mode", especially those sustained by Broussais. He was very close to his patients and to his medical students, who admired the quality of his lessons, the efficiency of his therapeutic innovations, his intellectual uprightness as well as his success in private practice.