[Prevalence of common point mutations of alpha globin gene in Babol, Iran [2005-09]]

Alpha thalassemia is one of the most common hemoglobin disorders. Some combination of alpha globin gene mutations may cause HbH disease with severe anemia or intermediate thalassemia. genotype common deletions are routinely tested for suspicious alpha thalassemia couples but because of lack of information about the nature and frequency of point mutations and higher expenosor of sequencing, less attention was paid to them. This study was done to determine the prevalence of common point mutations of alpha globin gene in Babol, Iran. This descriptive study was carried out on DNA of 153 adult suspected to alpha-thalasemia with deleted alpha-golobolin gene referred to genetic laboratory in Babol, Iran during 2005-09. alpha 1 and alpha 2 genes were amplified by using specific biotinilated primers by PCR method. PCR products were assayed using 11 specific probs corresponding to common point mutations in alpha gene [C19, IVSI [-5nt], C59, Hb constant spring, Hb Icaria, Hb seal Rock, IVSI [148], C14, poly A [-2bp], poly A2, Poly A1] and fixed on byodine C membrabe. Hybridization between the probes and PCR products was visualized after a colorimetric reaction using of conjugated streptavidin peroxidase and TMB [tetra methyle Benzidine] and H[2]O[2]. The prevalence of point mutations in poly A2, 5nt, Hb constant spring and poly A1 were 28.75%, 14.38%, 7.84% and 2.61%, respectively. Point mutation in alpha globin genes was detected in%53.60 out of 153 adults suspected with alpha thalassemia without common deletion mutations

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among military personnel in southern Iran

The incidence of cardiovascular disease [CVD] is rapidly increasing at an alarming rate worldwide and is currently considered as the leading cause of death in both developing and developed countries. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence and clear analysis of cardiovascular risk factors among army population and provide a guideline for improving the health status of army personnel. This is a cross-sectional study on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among 341 male subjects from a military population in southern Iran. Each eligible participant was evaluated in the military clinic in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Information regarding demographic and life style were obtained from each subject. Arterial blood pressure, weight, height, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC] and hip circumference [HC], fasting blood glucose, lipid profile consisting of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride were measured by standard methods. Mean age of the population under study was 35.1 +/- 7.5 years. Twenty-nine [8.8%] individuals were hypertensive whereas 108 [32.9%] had blood pressure in the range of pre-hypertension. According to laboratory investigations, 29 [8.5%] participants had glucose intolerance while 6 [1.8%] of them had diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia were 104 [30.5%] and 114 [33.4%] respectively. Twenty-eight [8.2%] subjects had criteria for metabolic syndrome. Clinical and Para-clinical data indicated that army population in southern Iran had a low level of CVD risk factors that may be related to their life styles

association of elevated serum Alanine aminotransferase with metabolic syndrome in a military population in Southern Iran

Metabolic syndrome [MetS] is rapidly rising at an alarming rate through all parts of the world. Elevated serum aminotransferase was proposed as a marker for early detection of MetS. In this investigation we primarily aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MetS and its components among army and secondly to explore the association between elevated serum aminotransferase and the components of metabolic syndrome. A total of 380 army personnel from a military camp in Southern Iran participated in this cross-sectional study. Life style related characteristics, anthropometric features, serum aminotransferase and components of MetS, based on National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III, were measured. Statistical significant was set as p value less than 0.05. The mean age of participants was 35.0 +/- 7.5 year-old and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 8.1%. The prevalence of the components of MetS including; central obesity, abnormal fasting blood glucose, hypertension, hypertriglycridemia and low HDL cholesterol level was 8.6%, 10.4%, 18.5%, 31%, and 45.5% respectively. MetS had significant relationship with obesity [P<0.001] and abnormal Waist Circumferance/Hip Circumference ratio [P<0.001]. Twenty-six percent of subjects had ALT >/= 41 U/L and 4.9% of them had ALT >/= 81. Elevated serum aminotransferase had significant association with presence of MetS [P= 0.007]. Although prevalence of metabolic syndrome among the studied army population was not high, life style modification of army members is recommended. Liver function tests should be included in routine health checkup of military personnel