Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in type 1 diabetes mellitus: a new pattern from Khorasan province, Islamic Republic of Iran

Reported associations between vitamin D receptor [VDR] polymorphism and type 1 diabetes mellitus vary across ethnic groups. We studied the association between type 1 diabetes and 4 VDR gene polymorphisms [Bb, Ff, Aa and Tt] in an Iranian population. A group of 69 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 45 unrelated healthy subjects were recruited. The prevalence of VDR polymorphisms in 4 restriction fragment length polymorphism sites including BsmI, FokI, ApaI and TaqI were analysed in patients and controls. The frequencies of 3 genotypes [Aa, FF and Bb] were significantly higher in the patient group. The relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and onset pattern of diabetes was not significant. There were no significant difference between the genotype frequencies and chronic complications of diabetes, but the relationship between the Ff genotype and ketoacidosis was significant. Our results differ from previous polymorphism studies in other regions

Evaluating the effects of fertilizers on bioavailable metallic pollution of soils, case study of sistan farms, Iran

Present study determines not only the total amounts of metals [Cr, Cu and Pb] in superficial agricultural soil of Sistan area in Eastern Iran, but also the chemical partitioning of these elements in seven statistically selected cases. The analysis was run for local soil, soil treated by non-contaminated organic, compost and chemical fertilizers as well as soil treated by metal-contaminated fertilizers. The sampling campaign was done in Zabol University research farm in 2009. The grab samples were taken from seven different cases, the chemical partitioning analysis was performed and metallic concentrations were detected using FAAS. It may be concluded that the bioaccessibility of metals Cu and Cr would be increased in case of imposed contamination where the soil is treated with all three kinds of fertilizers. Although a relatively similar distribution pattern is seen between anthropogenic and geopogenic portions of bulk concentration in all three kinds of fertilizers, chemical fertilizer seems to manifest a more risky condition. According to the results achieved by cluster analysis, a close correlation exists between Cu and Cr behavior which may be attributed to the geological texture of the study area. In accordance with the results gained by partitioning analysis, IpOLL index values also show contaminated chemical fertilizer as the most risky case for all three metals in comparison with others

Serum 25 hydroxy vitamin d3 and laboratory risk markers of cardiovascular diseases in type 2 diabetic patients

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide. Low 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and probably cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate of association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular risk factors among diabetic patients. This cross-sectional study, which investigated 119 type 2 diabetes patients, was conducted in Mashhad between December 2007 and March 2008. Coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular diseases in the subjects were confirmed, and blood biochemical parameters, including laboratory risk markers of cardiovascular disease were determined. Serum 25 [OH] D was measured during winter to determine the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular prevalent and the laboratory variables. Mean patient age was 55.3 +/- 11.2 years. Mean 25 [OH] D concentration was 32.4+21.6 ng/ml. Prevalence of vitamin D level / deficiency D was 26.1% among diabetic patients, difference with control group not being significant [P=0.12]. Overall, 36 [30.3%] patients were positive for coronary vascular disease [CVD]. The correlation between hypovitaminosis D and CVD was not significant [p=0.11]. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had significant differences in body mass index [P=0.003], metabolic syndrome [P=0.05], high sensitive CRP [P=0.009], microalbuminuria [P=0.04], and glumerolar filtration rate [P=0.02] compared with patients with sufficient vitamin D; FBS, HbAiC, lipid profiles, homocysteine, uric acid and insulin resistance were not related to vitamin D deficiency. Results showed an association between hypovitaminous D and coronary risk markers indicating the importance of this vitamin in cardiovascular health

[Correlation between serum zinc level with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in major thalassemic patients]

Diabetes mellitus in thalassemic major patients is common. It is usually caused by secondary hemosiderosis but a long period of insulin resistance may be occur before occurrence of overt diabetes. Zinc deficiency, also common in thalassemic patients, it seems aggravates abnormal glucose metabolism in such patients. The aim of this study was to determine serum zinc level and the contributory effect of zinc deficiency on insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in thalassemic patients in Mashhad city. This descriptive study was conducted on patients with thalassemia major. Patients with diabetes, using medicines that interfere with serum zinc [except for iron chelators] and glucose levels were excluded. Blood samples for assessment of glucose, insulin, zinc, ferretin, albumin, PT, PTT levels were obtained and a standard glucose tolerance test was performed for all patients. Insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA- IR]. Complete insulin resistance was defined complete in HOMA- IR>3.9, partial in HOMA- IR between 2.5-3.9 and normal in HOMA- IR<2.5. Of the 109 thalassemic patients were enrolled, 4 [3.66%] patients had impaired glucose tolerance test, 2 [1.83%] had diabetes and the remaining were normal. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 38.5% in our patients. Mean serum zinc level in diabetic patients was 88.2 +/- 2.9 micgr/dl and in non-diabetic patients was 84.2 +/- 14.9 [p=0.34]. After exclusion of diabetic patients, insulin resistance was very high in the remaining patients. Of these, 68 [63.5%] of patients had complete insulin resistance, 31[28.9%] had partial resistance and only 8 [7.47%] had normal insulin sensitivity. No significant difference was found in ferretin levels, age and sex, between diabetic and non-diabetic patients [p=0.93, 0.35, 0.28 respectively]. A significant reverse correlation was found between serum zinc level and fasting blood sugar [p=0.002] and serum ferretin level [p=0.05]. The correlation with other variables was not significant. Zinc deficiency and insulin resistance are prevalent in thalassemic patients but no association was found between zinc deficiency and occurrence of diabetes in our study population

Efficacy of QTH and LED light sources, in polymerization of dual cure resin cement beneath a simulated ceramic onlay

The dual cured resin cements are conventionally used for cementing indirect restorations, such as composite and ceramic inlays and onlays. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of two light-curing units, LED and QTH in polymerization of dual cured resin cement that were placed beneath the ceramic onlays. This experimental study was conducted using 20 specimens. Ten specimens were cured with QTH and the rest with LED light curing devises. Metal rings with 5mm in diameter and 0.5mm in thickness were placed next to the surface of the curved dentin of the molar teeth that were mounte4 in self cured acrylic resin. A Mylar strip was placed beneath the metal rings and they were filled with Maxcem dual cured resin cement; they were then covered with another Mylar strip. Next, the ceramic onlays with 2mm thickness were placed over the Mylar strips. The specimens were stored in a dry and dark incubator at 37°C for 24 hours, after cemented onlays were cured for 60 seconds. The Vickers hardness was determined for each sample and data were analyzed by using student T-test and SPSS statistical software. The mean Vickers hardness for QTH cured specimens was [24.75 +/- 3.59], and this value was [33.92 +/- 2.28] for the LED light cured specimens. The mean group difference was statistically significant [P < 0.001. Based on these findings, the efficacy of LED light curing unit was significantly more efficient in polymerization of resin cements that were placed underneath the ceramic onlays compared with QTH light-curing unit

[Frequency of beijing genotype in mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from tuberculosis patients in city of Mashhad]

The Beijing genotype is one of the most important strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis involving outbreaks of tuberculosis in various parts of the world. Unsought regarding Beijing genotype in Iran, is the reason this study is undertaken in order to evaluate the frequency of this genotype in Mashhad. This descriptive study was carried out on 113 M.tuberculosis Specimens isolated from patient with pulmonary tuberculosis in hygienic centers, located at Ghaem and Imam Reza hospitals in the City of Mashhad. In this study, Beijing genotypes were detected with PCR-based method, and spoligotyping. Results were processed with descriptive statistics and CI was evaluated. Beijing genotype was detected in 8 specimens of all the 113 isolated M.tuberculosis strains [7.1%, CI 95%, 2.36-11.84]. Out of 8 isolated specimens, 5 isolates belonged to Afghan patients and 3 specimens were isolated from Iranian patients. Out of 8 patients that were infected with Beijing genotype, 2 patients were male and 6 patients were female. Although the rate of Beijing family is low in Iran, in comparison to other Asian countries, however, one needs to adopt a suitable policy in order to prevent its spread