[Relationship between post parturition serum beta-hydroxy butyric acid concentrations and periparturition diseases in dairy cows: a provincial study in Qom]

Negative energy balance [NEB] during first days of calving can cause metabolic and reproductive diseases in dairy cows. To evaluate the prevalence of hyperketonemis and its relationship with periparturient diseases in dairy cows of the Qom province, Iran. Two hundred and seven cows were being investigated over 2- 4 weeks after parturition in dairy farms of Qom. Serum levels of beta-hydroxy butyric acid [BHBA] concentrations of blood were measured to evaluate subclinical ketosis. All cows were clinically examined and any diseases which have been occurred during early two months after birth values were analyzed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare mean values of serum BHBA concentrations in different groups and Pearson test for finding any relationship between groups. Cows showed retained placenta [n= 20, 9.56%], metritis [n= 2, 0.95%], milk fever [n= 3, 1.44%], laminitis [n= 1, 0.47%], clinical ketosis [n= 2, 0.95%], mastitis [n= 3, 1.44%], hepatic lipidosis [n= 1, 0.47%] and left displacement of abomasums [LDA] [n= 2, 0.95%]. Parturition number, live bodyweight of newborn calves and previous open days in cows with higher than 1 mmol/L BHBA concentrations, were significantly greater than those cows with BHBA concentration lower than 1 mmol/L [p<0.05]. While 55.17% of the cows with higher than 1 mmol/L BHBA concentration showed different post parturition diseases, 6.8% cows with lower than 1 mmol/L BHBA concentrations have been involved with such diseases. In this respect, two groups showed significant difference [p<0.05]. Since periparturient diseases of dairy cows showes significant relationship with hyperketonemia, both condition should be cousidered in veterinary care

Association of IGF-1 gene [rs5742612] polymorphism with colorectal cancer

Background: Insulin-like growth factor 1 has an important role in cell proliferation and growth. Polymorphism in IGF-1 gene changes the level of this hormone and increases the risk of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of IGF-1 polymorphism rs5742612 in Iranian population and to investigate the influence of this polymorphism in increasing the risk of colorectal cancer

Methods and Materials: Genotyping of IGF-1 gene was performed in a series of 110 colorectal cancer patients and 110 controls by using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping [PCR-RFLP] assays. We calculated odds ratio and confidence interval [CI] of IGF-1 genotypes to determine if these polymorphisms are associated with colorectal cancer

Results: No significant association was found between polymorphism of IGF-1 gene [rs5742612] and increased risk of colorectal cancer [p=0.92]. The odds ratio for the heterozygous genotype CT versus the normal genotype CC was 1.3 [95% CI:0.3-6.27] and the odds ratio for the mutant genotype TT versus the normal genotype CC was 0.0. The frequency of the mutant allele was 2.5%

Conclusion: These findings suggest that IGF-1 rs5742612 polymorphism is not associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer

[Norovirus detection and genotyping in adult patients with acute gastroenteritis in Tehran]

Human Noroviruses [NoVs] are one of the important causes of acute gastroenteritis. NoVs are highly infectious and also spread by person to person transmission through the fecal-oral route. NoVs can be classified into five major genogroups, of which genogroups I and II are recognized as the major cause of NoVs infections in human. There is not enough information about Norovirus gastroenteritis in adult patients in Tehran. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of diarrhea caused by NoVs infection in adult patients with acute gastroenteritis referring to Shohada Hospital in Tehran. From May to February 2008 we collected 67 stool samples from the patients older than 18 years of age with acute gastroenteritis. RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed using specific primers which could distinguish between genogroups I and II of NoVs. Three stool samples [4.5%] were positive for NoVs RNA. All of three positive samples obtained in autumn belonged to genogroup I. The mean age of NoVs infected patients was 32+8.7 years. The results of our study revealed the role of NoVs as a cause of gastroenteritis in adult patients. It's also demonstrated that genogroup I of Norovirus is the most prevalent genogroup in adults with acute gastroenteritis in Tehran

[Prevalence and molecular characterization of rotaviruses from children with acute diarrhea in Tabriz]

Rotavirus is the common cause of acute diarrhea in infants and young children. Hence it is required to investigate rotavirus infection in diarrheal samples in order to determine the prevalence and predominant genotypes for controlling the misusage of antibiotics and vaccination. To determine the prevalence and predominant genotypes of rotavirus in children under five years of age with acute diarrhea in Tabriz. Rotaviruses were detected by ELISA in stool samples collected during one year [2005-2006] from children under five years old, admitted to Pediatric Center, in Tabriz. Positive samples in standard condition transferred in our laboratory [RCGLD] and RT-PCR were used for genotyping. In total of 213 samples, 113 samples were positive for group A rotavirus. Prevalence of rotavirus infection was 54%. Samples were typed as follows: G1 [21.4%], G2[3.1%], G4[42.9%], G2+G4[5.1%], G1+G4[17.3%] and G1+G2+G4[3.1%]. Genotype G9+G4 was detected in one sample [1%]. P [8] was found in 68.4% of samples, P [4+8] 12.2%, P [4] 12.2%, P [6] 2%. The major finding of our study was that the main cause of infectious gastroenteritis in Tabriz occurs by rotavirus. The most prevalent genotyping were G4 P[8], vaccination may be the best way to control rotavirus

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of DNAM methyltransferase 1 Gene and Gastric Cancer in Iranian patients: a case control study

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in Iran. Hypomethylation and/or hypermethylation of DNA have been described in Gastric cancer and is presumed to be an early event in this process. We hypothesized that Single nucleotide polymorphisms of DNMT1 gene may be associated with the genetic susceptibility to Gastric cancer. 200 patients and 200 controls, both with Iranian origin were studied. Three polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Allele frequencies and genotypes were compared between the cases and controls. Odds ratios were calculated and the interaction between polymorphisms, age and sex were examined. There was no significant association between DNMT1 polymorphisms and Gastric cancer. We could not show any association between DNMT1 polymorphisms and gastric cancer. Larger sets of polymorphisms and sample sizes are required to test the possibility of association between polymorphisms of this gene and gastric cancer

Prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in Tehran Provisam methodology and implementation program

To describe the methodology and implementation of the investigation for prevakaice causes of visual impairment in Tehran province.This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on all urban and rural residents of Tehran province in 2003. A stratified cluster random sampling with probability proportional procedure was used. First, best pinhole-corrected visual acuity [BPCVA] was determined habitual visual acuity [VA] by an optometrist. Cases of BPCVA 20/60 in either eye 'awe ophthalmologist for detection of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity [BSCVA] and mail visual impairment [VA< /- 0/60] including low vision [VA< 20/60-20/400] and blindness [VA< according to BPCVA and BSCVA. Epidemiologic aspects and response rates in each phase of the study are presented.Of 13 24% invited subjects, 1 l 975 persons participated in the first step of the stay primary response rate: 90.4%]. Of these, 760 cases [6.3%] with BPCVA /- 50 years. [P<0.001] No children below the age 4 years were referred. The referral rate was not different between male [6.8%] and female [6.0%] subjects. Secondary participation rate was greater in male [85.8%] than female [64.4%] subjects [P<0.001], but there was no difference between rural and urban residents or between the age groups in this aspect. Despite good primary participation rate, the age and sex distribution of the study population was different from the reference population which highlights the need for planning an effective sampling procedure. The prevalence rates should be standardized for age and sex