Genetic polymorphisms of glucocorticoid receptor and their association with new-onset diabetes mellitus in kidney transplant recipients.

INTRODUCTION: The variability in developing New-onset Diabetes Mellitus After Transplantation (NODAT), together with previously well-established interindividual variation in glucocorticoid sensitivity, led us to hypothesize that polymorphisms in the NR3C1 gene encoding glucocorticoid receptor may alter glucose balance in kidney transplant recipients. This study aimed to evaluate the association of three functional polymorphisms, BclI, N363S, and ER22/23EK, on the NR3C1 gene with NODAT in kidney allograft recipients. METHODS: From Jun 2020 to July 2022 in Shiraz, 52 patients with NODAT (case group) and 52 non-diabetic kidney transplant recipients (control group) were randomly screened and recruited in this case-control study. The PCR-RFLP technique determined the genotypes of BclI, N363S, and ER22/23EK polymorphisms. RESULTS: The allelic frequencies of the mutant alleles of BclI, N363S, and ER22/23EK polymorphisms in all patients were 0.36, 0.03, and 0.009, respectively. BclI mutant genotypes (CG and GG) were significantly associated with an increased risk of NODAT (P = 0.016), while the two other polymorphisms disclosed no significant association with NODAT development. In the case group, no significant association was detected between the onset time of NODAT and studied polymorphisms, including BclI (P = 0.43), N363S (P = 0.30), and ER22/23EK. P value was not reported for the last polymorphism because all patients with NODAT had the wild-type genotype (GG/GG) and performing statistical analysis was not feasible. Among studied demographic/clinical/paraclinical variables, factors such as higher mean trough level of tacrolimus during the first month after transplantation and higher mean daily dose of prednisolone significantly linked with NODAT development. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that BclI polymorphism significantly affects NODAT development among Iranian kidney allograft recipients.

A historical profile of diphtheria in Iran during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Diphtheria is a contagious and life-threatening disease historically regarded as a major cause of mortality, particularly in children. Over the past centuries, frequent diphtheria outbreaks have occurred. Herein, after a quick look at the history of diphtheria throughout the world, a historical account of this lethal disease in Iran during the 19th and 20th centuries is presented.

Comparative effects of silymarin and vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress markers, and hemoglobin levels among patients on hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of accelerated atherosclerosis among patients on hemodialysis is very high and oxidative stress (OS) is a potentially major contributor to their morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Silymarin and/or vitamin E on OS markers and hemoglobin levels in patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: Eighty patients on hemodialysis were randomized into four groups: Group 1 received silymarin 140 mg 3 times daily; Group 2 received vitamin E 400 IU/day; Group 3 received silymarin 140 mg 3 times daily and vitamin E 400 IU/day; and Group 4 was the control. Samples were obtained at baseline and on day 21 for measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), red blood cell (RBC) glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and hemoglobin. RESULTS: Combination of silymarin and vitamin E led to a reduction in the MDA levels (7.84 ± 1.84 vs. 9.20 ± 2.74 nmol/mL; p = 0.008). There was a significant increase in RBC GPX levels in all treatment groups compared with controls after 3 weeks. This was more pronounced in the group receiving combination compared with the group receiving vitamin E or the control group (5.78 ± 3.51, 4.22 ± 1.63, and 3.16 ± 1.89 IU/grHb, respectively; p < 0.001). There was also a significant increase in mean hemoglobin of all treatment groups compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: Oral supplementation with silymarin and vitamin E leads to reduction in MDA, increase in RBC GPX, and increase in hemoglobin levels in patients with end-stage renal disease. Studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are required to investigate the effect of silymarin on cardiovascular outcomes and erythropoietin requirement.

A history of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic and its impact on Iran.

Approximately ninety two years ago, the worst influenza pandemic or "Spanish flu" occurred in 1918, at the end of the First World War (WWI, 1914-1918) which resulted in the deaths of millions of people worldwide. The death toll exceeded the total number of victims of WWI. The 1918 Spanish flu was a deadly, major global event that affected many countries, including Iran. In Iran, it was accompanied by a high mortality rate estimated to be more than one million. However, detailed information on the impact of this outbreak in Iran is scarce. The present paper describes a brief history of the influenza pandemics in the world as well as the spread of the 1918 Spanish flu to Iran.

In commemoration of Haj Mohammad Nemazee (1895-1972): the founder of Nemazee Hospital in Shiraz.

Nemazee Hospital in Shiraz, Fars Province, in southern Iran is a well-equipped modern hospital, which was founded in 1955. It is one of the greatest memorials of a Shirazi beneficent merchant, the late Haj Mohammad Nemazee (1895-1972), who dedicated much of his wealth to charitable affairs in his birthplace. This paper briefly explores the history of the establishment of Nemazee Hospital in Shiraz.

A brief history of the publication of Biomedical Journals in Iran between 1901 and 1979.

The history of the publication of biomedical journals parallels the development of modern medicine in Iran. Modern medicine was introduced to Iran in the mid-nineteenth century, particularly after the establishment of the Dar al-Fonun School in 1851. The foundation of this collage of higher education was instrumental in further advancement of modern medicine together with the publication of medical textbooks, but the biomedical journals were published later i.e. at the beginning of twentieth century and the first weekly public health periodical was established in 1901. From that point onwards, especially following the inauguration of the Faculty of Medicine of Tehran in 1934, the number and diversity of biomedical journals was gradually increased and their scientific quality was also improved. The present paper explores briefly the history of publication of 105 medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and public health journals from the early twentieth century up to the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Professor Joseph Tomasch, the founder of the anatomy department of Shiraz Medical School.

Shiraz Faculty of Medicine was officially inaugurated in 1952. In 1958, an eminent Austrian anatomist Professor Joseph Tomasch joined Shiraz Medical School. Professor Tomasch was a great teacher and an active researcher. He published about 40 original papers mainly on neuroanatomy in some reputable international journals. Presented here is a brief account of his fruitful academic efforts in Iran.