ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Vitamin D is provided through dietary intake or synthesis in the skin by ultraviolet ray from sunlight. Vitamin D has a significant role in calcium homeostasis and cellular growth and facilitating normal immune system function. High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is a particularly important public health in Iran. To the present study aimed at describing the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and identifying its related risk factors
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 200 healthy individuals from AqQala in Golestan province in Iran. Sociodemographic data, vitamin D and calcium intake and duration of outdoor activities were collected via a brief interview questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and serum level 25 [OH] D3 were measured using ELFA method. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software
Results: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was common in the studied population. Severe and intermediate vitamin D deficiency in the study population was 12% and 37.5%, respectively. Lower level of vitamin D deficiency was seen in 22% them. Men [81.7%] and women [65.5%] suffered vitamin D deficiency. Mean serum 25-[OH]D was significantly associated with age, sex, and duration of sunlight exposure; P<0.001. There was no significant difference in serum 25-[OH]D level in regard to age and physical activity [P<0.001]
Conclusion: Vitamin D is highly deficient in Agh Ghala inhabitants; particularly in men. This requires transferring the necessary information to the community and persuading them to improve their life style
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Thalassemia is considered as the most important monogenic disorders around the world. So far, about 60 mutations of this type have been reported in Iranian patients. Comparison between different provinces of the country reveals that the dispersion of the mutations is significantly various with respect to their types and frequencies. The current study aimed at assessing prevalent molecular mutations in beta Thalassemia carriers in Birjand and Amirabad at the suburb of the city
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive in-vitro study, 34 carriers [15 females and 19 males], who had been identified through marriage screening tests at the health centers in the South Khorasan province were assessed. After obtaining written informed consent of the subjects and completing the respective questionnaires, 2 cc of intravenous blood sample from each subject were collected into EDTA tubes. Salting out and Arms-PCR methods were used for DNA extraction and mutation detection, respectively. Finally, the obtained data was analysed by means of SPSS software [V;19] using Fisher's test at the significant level of P<0.05]
Results: It was found that among five mutations on 68 chromosomes, IVS 1-5 mutation with 47.1% frequency was the highest; and the mutations of Codon, Fr 8/9 , IVS II-1 5 , and Codon 37/38/39 had the frequency of 17.6%, 8.8%, 5.9% ,and 5.9% respectively. Out of the mutations, 14.7 % remained undetermined
Conclusion: The mutation patterns obtained in Birjand reveal an outstanding difference with the state of affairs in the north and west of IRAN. High frequency of consanguity marriages between thalassemia carrier individuals indicates the potential reason behind increasing the number of patients with major thalassemia
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Along with the development of cardiac diagnostic procedures, new risk factors, such as homocysteine role in cardiovascular disease, have been proposed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of homocysteine and total antioxidant capacity in patients with acute myocardial infarction compared with the control group
Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 45 patients with myocardial infarction admitted to Vali-e-asr hospital in Birjand and 45 healthy people matched with the case group. Total antioxidant capacity applying FRAP method and homocysteine levels were measured using ELISA. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software at the significant level P <0.05
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, sex, body mass index, lipid profile and fasting blood glucose between two groups. Total antioxidant capacity in case and control groups, respectively 837.86+/-175.07 and 981.91+/-276.57 micro mol/L and average level of homocysteine in the case and control groups, 15.77+/-8.09 and 12.19+/-6.75 respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the antioxidant capacity in the patient group was significantly lower than the control group [P=0.004] and no significant difference in the levels of homocysteine in both groups [P = 0.11]
Conclusion: The study showed that oxidative stress and low antioxidant capacity can be associated with the pathogenesis of MI; and more studies are required to confirm the relationship between homocysteine and cardiovascular disease