Thiocyanate in excess develops goiter followed by auto immune thyroid diseases even after effective salt iodization in a rural community of north east India.

PURPOSE: Salt iodization in Manipur of north-east India failed to prevent endemic goiter, therefore an in depth study carried out to evaluate thyroid functions of goitrous subjects in a randomly selected region. METHODS: Goiter survey conducted in children and women of reproductive ages by palpation followed by measurement of urinary iodine, thiocyanate and house-hold salt iodine to evaluate iodine nutritional status and consumption pattern of bamboo-shoots (BS). In all grade-2 goitrous subjects, free thyroxine, triiodothyronine, TSH, TPO and Tg antibodies, thyroid volume and echogenecity by ultrasonography and cytomorphology of thyroid by FNAC studied. RESULTS: Study population was 2486 children and 1506 women, goiter prevalence was 12.59% and 16.27% respectively; median urinary iodine and mean thiocyanate were 166 µg/l and 0.729 ± 0.408 mg/dl while salt iodine was ≥30 ppm. Serum thyroid hormones and TSH profiles of all grade-2 goitrous subjects showed 16.21% were subclinically hypothyroid, 2.16% overt hypothyroid, 4.86% subclinically hyperthyroid and 6.48% overt hyperthyroid, serum TPO- and Tg-antibodies found positive in 41.62%. Ultrasonographic results showed 24% had enlarged thyroid and 86.4% hypoechoic. Cytomorphological studies showed prevalence of colloid goiter (41.08%), lymphocytic thyroiditis (37.83%), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (8.10%), autoimmune thyroiditis (4.32%), sub-acute thyroiditis (2.16%) and 1.62% each papillary, medullary carcinoma, simple diffused hyperplasia and adenomoid nodular goiter. CONCLUSIONS: Grade-2 goitrous individuals in this mild goiter endemic region were affected by hypo- and hyperthyroidism with hypoechoic thyroid and thyroiditis. Thiocyanate that originates from BS even in presence of adequate iodine developed goiter and led goitrous population towards such diseases.

Securing the Exchange of Synthetic Genetic Constructs Using Digital Signatures.

The field of synthetic biology relies on an ever-growing supply chain of synthetic genetic material. Technologies to secure the exchange of this material are still in their infancy. Solutions proposed thus far have focused on watermarks, a dated security approach that can be used to claim authorship, but is subject to counterfeit, and does not provide any information about the integrity of the genetic material itself. In this manuscript, we describe how data encryption and digital signature algorithms can be used to ensure the integrity and authenticity of synthetic genetic constructs. Using a pilot software that generates digital signatures and other encrypted data for plasmids, we demonstrate that we can predictably extract information about the author, the identity, the integrity of plasmid sequences, and even annotations from sequencing data alone without a reference sequence, all without compromising the function of the plasmids. Encoding a digital signature into a DNA molecule provides an avenue for genetic designers to claim authorship of DNA molecules. This technology could help compliance with material transfer agreements and other licensing agreements.

Effects of bamboo shoots (Bambusa balcooa) on thyroid hormone synthesizing regulatory elements at cellular and molecular levels in thyrocytes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bamboo shoots (BS) are consumed in various forms and used largely in naturopathy for curing ailments since ancient times to present days. It is eaten in South East Asian countries in several indigenous preparations. In north east India, it is consumed predominantly and used as natural cure to treat various diseases. Although known for its beneficial effects, adverse effects including goitrogenic/antithyroidal potential are emerging. AIM OF THE STUDY: Endemic goiter exists in Manipur, India even after adequate iodine intake for consumption of BS. It is thus important to study the impact of this goitrogenic food on certain thyroid hormone synthesizing regulatory factors at cellular and molecular level in thyrocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phytochemical analysis of BS - Bambusa balcooa Roxb (BSBR) extract conducted. IC50 of the extract on thyrocytes in culture was determined. To study the antithyroid effects of this goitrogenic food, activity status of Na+-K+-ATPase, TPO and Deiodinase, mRNA and protein expressions of NIS, TPO and PAX8 were investigated with and without extra iodine in culture media. Simultaneously ROS generation in terms of H2O2 and antioxidant status, NO, LPO were assayed. RESULTS: Activities of the studied enzymes decreased depending on dose and time with increased H2O2, decreased antioxidants followed by increased NO with LPO. DNA damage and LDH also increased while mRNA and protein expression of NIS, TPO and PAX8 were downregulated. Extra iodine ameliorated all such effects partially. CONCLUSIONS: Bioactive constituents of the extract imbalances oxidative status of thyrocytes impairing action of hormone synthesizing elements at cellular and molecular level.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of salt iodization status in Tripura, north east India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Universal salt iodization programme was initiated during 1988-89 in the goitre endemic state of Tripura. However, no decline in goitre prevalence was found about a decade after the initiation of programme. The present work evaluates the quality of implementation of the salt iodization programme and the possible involvement of dietary goitrogens in the process. METHODS: The study areas were selected at random and in the selected areas only, school children were chosen purposively instead of the entire population. Iodine nutritional status was evaluated by measuring the urinary iodine excretion. The iodine content of salt collected from households was tested by iodometric titration, urinary iodine was measured by dry ashing method and thiocyanate by oxidising bromine and then developing colour by benzedine hydrochloride. RESULTS: Urinary iodine level was measured in 1,123 samples from 22 study areas. In 17 areas, the median urinary iodine values were > 100 micrograms/l indicating no biochemical iodine deficiency. However, the iodine intake of about 40 per cent of the studied population was below the cut-off level i.e., iodine level were < 100 micrograms/l. About two-thirds of salt samples were found to contain iodine less than the adequacy level of 15 ppm. Thiocyanate was present in the 1,032 urine samples studied, in different concentrations. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The people of region are exposed to inadequately iodized salt in spite of the salt iodization programme. Further, they are exposed to a thiocyanate load. This study suggests that monitoring of salt iodization programme is essential to ensure the recommended level of iodine (15 ppm) in at least 90 per cent salt samples. The goitrogenic/antithyroid potential of cyanogenic foods used in the region need to be ascertained to understand the nature of action on thyroid function.