Iodine and zinc, but not selenium and copper, deficiency exists in a male Turkish population with endemic goiter.

Although endemic goiter has been shown to have a high prevalence in Turkey, little is known about the concentration of urinary iodine, plasma selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in these patients. We studied on 140 male patient with endemic goiter (mean age: 22.2 +/- 0.19 yr) and 140 healthy male subjects (mean age: 21.8 +/- 0.28 yr). Daily urinary iodine excretion was determined by the ionometric method. Plasma Se, Zn, and Cu were determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry. Daily urinary iodine excretion was found to be significantly lower in the patient group (38.7 +/- 2.26 microg/d) than that of controls (50.73 +/- 2.56 microg/day, p = 0.001). Plasma Zn concentrations were also found to be significantly lower in the patient group (1.04 +/- 0.03 microg/mL) than that of controls (1.16 +/- 0.02 microg/mL, p = 0.001). No significant difference was determined in Se and Cu concentrations between the patient and control groups. Our study shows that a moderate iodine deficiency exists in both patients with endemic goiter and control subjects, which indicates the important role of iodine deficiency in the etiopathogenesis of endemic goiter in Turkey. Zinc deficiency may also contribute to the pathogenesis of endemic goiter. However, Se and Cu do not seem to have any role in the etiopathogenesis of endemic goiter in Turkey. A community-based iodine fortification program throughout the country may be proposed to take over the problem, which also can prevent the contributing effects of other element deficiencies that occur when iodine deficiency is the prevailing factor.

A case of Noonan's syndrome with numerous cardiac abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of Noonan's syndrome in a patient with numerous cardiac abnormalities. METHODS: We present a case report of a patient with Noonan's syndrome, including clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings, and discuss the characteristic features of this condition. RESULTS: A 19-year-old male patient had most of the typical clinical findings of Noonan's syndrome-dysmorphic face, short stature, ear abnormalities, cryptorchidism, webbed neck, and high palate. In addition, mitral valve prolapse, secondary mitral insufficiency, left ventricular hypertrophy, and secondary tricuspid insufficiency were diagnosed. Although some cardiac abnormalities have been reported in patients with this syndrome, a case with numerous cardiac abnormalities has not been described previously. CONCLUSION: Noonan's syndrome is a rare disorder with characteristic clinical features and cardiac abnormalities. Although previously reported cases have described cardiovascular anomalies, on review of the literature we found no other case with numerous cardiac abnormalities.

[The microstructure of leucite-reinforced glass ceramics]. / Mikrogefüge Leucit-verstärkter Glaskeramiken.

The dentine materials of the metal ceramic systems VMK 68 and Biodent as well as the ceramics of all ceramic systems Duceram, Cosmotech, Optec, IPS-Empress and Corum were tested for their leucite content. The structure analysed in the scanning electron microscope showed leucite in the dendritic and idiomorphic form. X-ray diffraction analyses verified the leucite content in metal ceramic systems and ceramics of the nonbonded systems. Comparing the metal ceramic systems with the nonbonded systems, an increase in leucite content was observed in the nonbonded systems.