Iodine status in schoolchildren and pregnant women of Lazio, a central Region of Italy

The inhabitants of Lazio, similarly to those of other Italian regions, have been historically exposed to the detrimental effects of an inadequate intake of iodine. The latter is a micronutrient essential for the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones (TH). Iodine deficiency is responsible for a number of adverse effects on human health known as iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the most common of which worldwide are goiter and hypothyroidism. In order to reduce IDD, a national salt iodination program was started in Italy in 2005. In this article we reviewed the available data regarding iodine intake in the Lazio population before and after the introduction of the national salt iodination program, in order to evaluate its efficacy and the eventual problem(s) limiting its success. On the whole, the information acquired indicates that, following the introduction of the program, the dietary iodine intake in the Lazio population is improved. There is, however, still much work ahead to ameliorate the iodine prophylaxis in this region. In fact, although a generally adequate iodine intake in school-age children has been observed, there are still areas where a mild iodine insufficiency is present. Moreover, two independent epidemiological surveys on pregnant women evidenced a low urinary iodine concentration with respect to the reference range conceived by the World Health Organization. These findings demonstrate the need for greater attention to the iodine prophylaxis by health care providers (i.e., obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatricians, etc.), and the implementation of effective advertising campaigns aimed at increasing the knowledge and awareness of the favorable effects of iodine supplementation on population health

Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility through Twitter: a topic model analysis on selected companies

[EN] Social media are fundamental in creating new opportunities for firms and they represent a relevant tool for the communication and the engagement with customers. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the communication of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities on Twitter. We consider the listed companies included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index and we implement a topic model analysis on their timelines. In order to identify the topic discussed, their correlation, and their evolution over time and sectors, we apply the Structural Topic Model algorithm, which allows estimating the model including document-level metadata. This model proves to be a powerful tool for topic detection and for estimating the effects of document-level metadata. Indeed, we find that the topics are overall well identified, and the model allows catching signals from the data. Finally, we discuss issues related to the validity of the analysis, including data quality problems.Salvatore, C.; Bianchi, A.; Biffignandi, S. (2020). Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility through Twitter: a topic model analysis on selected companies. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 269-277. https://doi.org/10.4995/CARMA2020.2020.11646OCS26927

Inference with non-probability samples and survey data integration: a science mapping study

In recent years, survey data integration and inference based on non-probability samples have gained considerable attention. Because large probability-based samples can be cost-prohibitive in many instances, combining a probabilistic survey with auxiliary data is appealing to enhance inferences while reducing the survey costs. Also, as new data sources emerge, such as big data, inference and statistical data integration will face new challenges. This study aims to describe and understand the evolution of this research field over the years with an original approach based on text mining and bibliometric analysis. In order to retrieve the publications of interest (books, journal articles, proceedings, etc.), the Scopus database is considered. A collection of 1023 documents is analyzed. Through the use of such methodologies, it is possible to characterize the literature and identify contemporary research trends as well as potential directions for future investigation. We propose a research agenda along with a discussion of the research gaps which need to be addressed

Serum thyroid hormone antibodies are frequent in patients with polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type 3, particularly in those who require thyroxine treatment

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PAS) type 3 consists of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) coexisting with ≥1 non-thyroidal autoimmune disease (NTAID) other than Addison’s disease and hypoparathyroidism. We evaluated the prevalence and repertoire of thyroid hormones antibodies (THAb) in PAS-3 patients. Using a radioimmunoprecipation technique, we measured THAb (T3IgM, T3IgG, T4IgM, and T4IgG) in 107 PAS-3 patients and 88 controls (patients with AITD without any NTAID). Based on the selective coexistence of AITD with one NTAID (chronic autoimmune gastritis, non-segmental vitiligo or celiac disease), patients were divided into group 1 (chronic autoimmune gastritis positive, n = 64), group 2 (non-segmental vitiligo positive, n = 24), and group 3 (celiac disease positive, n = 15). At least one of the four THAb was detected in 45 PAS-3 patients (42.1%) and 28 controls (31.8%, P = 0.14), with similar rates in the three PAS-3 groups. The rates of T3Ab, T4Ab, and T3 + T4Ab were similar in groups 1 and 2, while in group 3, T3Ab was undetected (P = 0.02). In PAS-3 patients, the rate of levothyroxine treatment was greater in THAb-positive patients compared to THAb-negative patients (76.7 vs. 56.1%, P = 0.03, RR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.03–1.81). Not unexpectedly, levothyroxine daily dose was significantly higher in group 1 and group 3, namely in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, compared to group 2 (1.9 ± 0.4 and 1.8 ± 0.3 vs. 1.5 ± 0.2 μg/kg body weight, P = 0.0005 and P = 0.004). Almost half of PAS-3 patients have THAb, whose repertoire is similar if chronic autoimmune gastritis or celiac disease is present. A prospective study would confirm whether THAb positivity predicts greater likelihood of requiring levothyroxine treatment

Myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion with endoscopic or microscopic technique in adults: a pilot study

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of endoscopic-assisted myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion in adults affected by chronic otitis media with effusion, comparing the outcomes of this approach with those obtained with the traditional microscopic technique. Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this trial and alternately assigned to 2 groups of 12 subjects each. In group A, patients underwent myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion under endoscopic view, whereas in group B, the same procedure was performed traditionally using a microscope. All cases were evaluated 1 week after surgery and then monthly until tube extrusion. Type A tympanogram was achieved in 10 of 13 ears in both groups (76.92%). No significant difference in operative times or complication rates was observed (P > .05). Endoscopic technique could be a viable alternative to the microscopic approach for myringotomy and ventilation tube positioning in adults affected by chronic otitis media with effusion

A comparison of community living versus non-hospital residential facilities chronic schizophrenics

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Collaborate for what: a structural topic model analysis on CDP data

[EN] The aim of this paper is to understand why firms engage with their suppliers to collaborate for sustainability. To this purpose, we use the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Supply Chain dataset and apply the Structural Topic Model to 1) identify the topics discussed in an open-ended question related to climate-related supplier engagement and 2) estimate the differences in the discussion of such topics between CDP members and non-members, respectively focal firms and first-tier suppliers. The analysis highlights that the two most prevalent reasons firms engage with their suppliers relate to several aspects of the management of the supply chain, and the services and goods mobility efficiency. It is further noted how first-tier suppliers do not dispose of established capabilities and, therefore, are still in the course of improving their processes. On the contrary, focal firms have more structured capabilities so to manage supplier engagement for information collection. This study demonstrates how big data and machine learning methods can be applied to analyse unstructured textual data from traditional surveys.Salvatore, C.; Madonna, A.; Bianchi, A.; Boffelli, A.; Kalchschmidt, M. (2022). Collaborate for what: a structural topic model analysis on CDP data. En 4th International Conference on Advanced Research Methods and Analytics (CARMA 2022). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 139-146. https://doi.org/10.4995/CARMA2022.2022.1507413914

Gastrointestinal Malabsorption of Thyroxine

Levothyroxine, a largely prescribed drug with a narrow therapeutic index, is often a lifelong treatment. The therapeutic efficacy of thyroxine may be marred by behavioral, pharmacologic and pathologic issues acting as interfering factors. Despite a continuous search for an optimal thyroxine treatment, a significant number of patients fail to show a complete chemical and/or clinical response to this reference dose of thyroxine. Gastrointestinal malabsorption of oral thyroxine represents an emerging cause of refractory hypothyroidism and may be more frequent than previously reputed.In this review article we aimed at examining the pharmacologic features of thyroxine preparations and their linkage with the intestinal absorption of the hormone. We have stressed the major biochemical and pharmacologic characteristics of thyroxine and its interaction with the putative transporter at the intestinal level. We have examined the interfering role of nutrients, foods, and drugs on thyroxine absorption at gastric and intestinal level. The impact of gastrointestinal disorders on thyroxine treatment efficacy has been also analyzed, in keeping with the site of action and the interfering mechanisms. Based on the evidence obtained from the literature, we also propose a schematic diagnostic workup for the most frequent and, often hidden, gastrointestinal diseases impairing thyroxine absorption

Augmenting Business Statistics Information by Combining Traditional Data with Textual Data: A Composite Indicator Approach

Combining traditional and digital trace data is an emerging trend in statistics. In this respect, new data sources represent the basis for multi-purpose extraction of different statistical indicators, which contribute to augmenting the statistical information, for feeding smart statistics. The production of business statistics can benefit from the use of unstructured data, especially to study novel aspects which are not covered by traditional data sources. This paper proposes a methodological general framework for augmenting information by combining data, both structured and non structured. The statistical challenges of using unstructured data and their integration with traditional data are discussed. The methodological general framework is applied to the construction of smart composite indicators using social media data and their metadata. An empirical exercise illustrates how to apply the methodology in practice