Showing papers by "Massimo Tonacchera published in 2017"

Low Elasticity of Thyroid Nodules on Ultrasound Elastography Is Correlated with Malignancy, Degree of Fibrosis, and High Expression of Galectin-3 and Fibronectin-1.

Abstract: Background: Thyroid ultrasound (US) elastography provides an estimation of tissue stiffness and is helpful to differentiate malignant from benign lesions. Tissue proprieties and molecules causing stiffness are not established. The aim of the study was to correlate US elastography findings with tissue properties in thyroid nodules. Methods: A total of 115 thyroid nodules from 112 patients who underwent surgery for the presence of Thy 3 (indeterminate) cytology (n = 67), Thy 4–5 (suspicious—indicative of carcinoma) cytology (n = 47), or large goiter in the presence of Thy 2 cytology (n = 1) and suspicious US features were examined by US elastography. Tissues obtained after surgery were characterized for cell number, microvessel density, fibrosis, and expression of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and fibronectin-1 (FN-1). Results: Low elasticity on qualitative US elastography (LoEl) was found in 66 nodules (one benign and 65 carcinomas); high elasticity (HiEl) was found in 49 nodules (46 benign and three carcinomas; p < ...

The way forward in Italy for iodine.

Abstract: Italy is dealing with iodine deficiency since ancient times. In 1848 an ad hoc committee appointed by the king of Sardinia, identified extensive areas afflicted by endemic goiter and endemic cretinism in Piedmont, Liguria and Sardinia. Since then many epidemiological studies have been conducted in our country. These showed that iodine deficiency was present not only in mountain areas but also in coastal areas. In 1972 the iodization of salt at 15 mg/kg was allowed by law and iodized salt was distributed on request to selected endemic areas. Five years later the distribution was extended to the whole country. However the sale of iodized salt was not mandatory at that time and only a small fraction of the Italian population started using iodized salt. In 1991 the content of iodine in the salt was raised to 30 mg/kg and in 2005 a nationwide salt iodization program was finally implemented. Some years later a nationwide monitoring program of iodine prophylaxis was also implemented. Since 2005 the sale of iodized salt in Italian supermarkets has increased (34% in 2006, 55% in 2012), although it has been observed that the use of iodized salt is still low in the communal eating areas and in the food industry. These data are coherent with recent epidemiological studies showing that some regions in our country are still characterized by mild iodine deficiency and a high frequency of goiter and other iodine deficiency disorders. This implies that further efforts should be made to successfully correct iodine deficiency in Italy.

Iodoprofilassi 11 anni dopo: progressi e prospettive

Abstract: Quasi undici anni fa è stata approvata la legge 55/2005 “Disposizioni finalizzate alla prevenzione del gozzo endemico e di altre patologie da carenza iodica” che, di fatto, ha introdotto il programma nazionale di iodoprofilassi nel nostro Paese. Gli ultimi dati di monitoraggio relativi allo stato nutrizionale iodico della popolazione raccolti dall’Osservatorio Nazionale per il Monitoraggio della Iodoprofilassi in Italia-OSNAMI in collaborazione con gli Osservatori Regionali per la Prevenzione del Gozzo, riguardano studi condotti in 9 Regioni (Piemonte, Lombardia, Veneto, Liguria, Toscana, Molise, Puglia, Calabria, Sicilia) tra il 2007 ed il 2012 [1]. Da questi dati è emerso che solo Liguria, Toscana e Sicilia, risultavano iodosufficienti.