Association of body mass index and serum vitamin D level in healthy Iranian adolescents

Introduction: In studies of obese adolescents in various countries, vitamin D deficiency has been correlated with greater weight and elevated BMI. However, there is insufficient data on the relation between vitamin D status and body fat indexes in adolescence. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum (25OHD) concentrations with body mass index of healthy Iranian subjects to understand whether specific data on the relation between vitamin D status and body mass index is common in all populations. Material and methods: Data was collected from 259 ambulant medical staff adults, students and other subjects who met the inclusion criteria of the study. Body mass index and fasting 25-Hydroxy vitamin D level were measured. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as having a 25(OH)D concentration < 25 nmol/L. Results: Participants were aged 20-64 years, mean age 34 ± 9 years, and about 57.5% of the participants were women. The mean (± SD) body mass index (kg/m 2) was 24.2 ± 3.8 kg/m2 (median = 23.7 kg/m 2), the mean (± SD) vitamin D level of the participants was 29 ± 16 nmol/L (median = 26 nmol/L), and 48% of the participants had vitamin D deficiency. In this study, there was no significant association between vitamin D level and BMI (r = 0.064; p = 0.307) (age adjusted). Moreover, there was no association between vitamin D level and sex of the participants. In addition, no association between BMI and sex of the adolescents was seen (p; NS), but a significant association between age and vitamin D level was found (r = 0.002). Conclusion: Our data suggests that various mechanisms could potentially contribute to the robust association of vitamin D with adiposity; in normal or near normal BMI, vitamin D status may not be correlated with age

Lipids in association with leptin in maintenance hemodialysis patients

To consider the association of serum leptin with dyslipidemia in hemodialysis patients. For maintenance hemodialysis patients levels of serum pre and post dialysis blood urea nitrogen, lipid profiles and serum Leptin were measured. For the adequacy of hemodialysis the urea reduction rate was calculated. A significant difference of serum leptin between males and females of diabetics with more values in female dialysis patients was seen. In total patients a near significant and inverse correlation of serum leptin with serum LDL was seen. In male hemodialysis group a significant positive correlation of serum leptin with duration of hemodialysis and with the ages of the patients were seen, in this group also a near significant positive correlation of serum leptin with serum triglyceride levels was seen too. In total patients there was a near significant positive correlation of serum leptin with serum cholesterol of patients who had a cholesterol levels of more than 100 mg dL-1. Present data supports the hypothesis that in patients on hemodialysis, the association of leptin with cholesterol and triglyceride levels could show the positive effects of leptin on nutrition in hemodialysis patients which is in contrast to normal population

Effect of supplementary Vitamin D on improvement of glycemic parameters in patients with Type 2 Diabetic

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Vitamin D deficiency, are too common disorders in the world. Various investigations argues the association between two diseases, however, findings are contradictory and controversial. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of complementary vitamin D supplementation on improvement of various glycemic parameters in T2DM. Methods: In a double blind randomized clinical trial, 60 persons of T2DM patients were selected and divided into 2 groups with 30 patients. Group 1 were treated with oral Vitamin D (50,000 unit /week for 12 week), and group 2 were treated with placebo drug. Findings: The age of studied population were between 34 to 76 years and the mean age was 55 ± 10.7 years. Age, sex, BMI and serum levels of HbA1c and 25(OH) vitamin D were not significantly different between two groups before the study. After 12 weeks treatment intervention, no significant difference was found in serum HbA1c and lipids between two groups. Conclusion: In this study weekly vitamin D supplementation for 12 weeks had not significant decremental effect on HbA1c and lipid profiles, however, further studies needs to evaluate clinical usefulness of our findings

Effects of spironolactone on proteinuria of patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of kidney failure. We investigated the beneficial effects of spironolactone, alone and in combination with hydrochlorothiazide, on diabetic nephropathy. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy. The patients were allocated to three groups of 20 to receive spironolactone (50 mg/d) plus placebo, spironolactone (50 mg/d) plus hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/d), or placebo plus hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/d). The duration of the study was three months. Measurements of 24-hour urine protein and other markers were performed at start and end of the study. Findings: Of 60 patients, 43 were male. The mean age of patients was 56.8 ± 8.3 years. The three groups were homogeneous regarding general factors. At the end of the study, a significant difference in proteinuria was observed between the groups. In the groups that received spironolactone, the mean 24-hour urine protein was reduced (200 mg/24h). However, there was no significant change in the last group. The mean serum potassium in the first group showed a significant increase (0.26 meq/l). However, there were no significant increases in the second and third groups. Conclusion: This investigation showed that spironolactone plus hydrochlorothiazide had a significant effect on reducing proteinuria without causing hyperkalemia and renal failure in patients with glomerular filtration rate > 50 cc/min. Therefore, spironolactone can serve as a renoprotective drug in diabetic nephropathy

Water osmolarity effect on spermatocrit and its relations to spermatozoan count in male breeders of Rutilus frisii kutum in the south-westen of the Caspian Sea

The relationship between morphometric characteristics, motile spermatozoan percentage and sperm motility duration among male breeders of Rutilus frisii kutum in four different rivers (Shirud, Khoshkrud, Sefidrud and Chalevand) of the southwestern part of the Caspian Sea and water osmolarity, pH and temperature in four region of each river (estuary, river entrance to sea, artificial reproduction site and upstream) were considered. The mean motility duration time was 37.2±4.2, 41.4±3.9, 52.9±2.1 and 47.8±3.4 in the four rivers respectively. Also, the percentage of motile cells was found to be 49±4.1, 58.2±6.8, 74±4.8 and 68.1±5.9 % for the rivers respectively. The mean osmolarity, temperature and pH were 71.7±66, 62.5±85.5, 40.2±34.2, 36.7±34.4 mOsml/l, 14, 15, 13.6±0.2, 14 degree C and 7.6~c0.1, 7.2±0.1, 7.4±0.1 and 7.2±0.1 respectively. Our findings showed that there is a positive relationship between motile spermatozoan percentage and duration of motility. With the decrease in river water osmolarity from estuaries up to the river upstream, the motile spermatozoan percentage and their duration increased. According to anadromous behavior of the fish, with increasing distance from artificial breeding sites toward river upstream, quantity of spermatozoa and spermatozoan activity increased enhancing success in fertilization attempts

Association of serum uric acid with proteinuria in type 2 diabetic patients

Background: Various findings suggest that uric acid is an inflammatory factor and may have a role in endothelial dysfunction and act as a mediator of diabetic nephropathy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships between serum uric acid level and level of proteinuria in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 60 patients with T2D without a history of gout. None was treated with allopurinol. Venous blood samples were obtained in fasting state for determinations of serum creatinine, uric acid, and hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) (reference range 3.8-5.5%); 24-h urine proteinuria was also measured. Results: Mean age of the patients was 57 +/- 8.3 years. Mean +/- standard error (SE) of serum creatinine was 0.98 +/- 0.028 mg/dL, mean +/- SE of serum uric acid was 4.5 +/- 0.15 mg/dL, and mean +/- SE of proteinuria was 388 +/- 28.7 mg/day (median = 303.5 mg/day). There was no significant difference in serum uric acid, HbA(1c), and creatinine level between males and females (P > 0.05). There was a significant positive association between body mass index (BMI) and serum uric acid levels (r = 0.428, P = 0.001). After adjustment for weight, a significant positive association of serum uric acid with level of proteinuria was seen (r = 0.47, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Serum uric acid had a significant positive association with diabetic nephropathy. It might be hypothesized that serum uric acid plays a role in diabetic nephropathy in T2D

Fertilizing ability of cryopreserved spermatozoa in the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) and stellate sturgeon (A. stellatus)

Motility of spermatozoa was studied on 12 and 7 specimens of Acipenser persicus and A. stellatus, respectively. The density measured to be 2.22±0.65x109ml-1 in A. persicus and 2.21±0.55x109ml-1 in A. stellatus. Semen samples were diluted with two extenders containing tris 118mM, sucrose 23.4mM, pH=8, egg yolk (20%), dimethyl sulfoxide (15%) and penicillin potassium (500IU/ml) and biociphus extender containing glycerol as a cryoprotectant at a ratio of 1:1 and then transferred to 0.5ml straws and frozen in a computer controlled low temperature apparatus and stored in liquid nitrogen for one week. To study fertilizing ability, the spermatozoa were then used to inseminate eggs after thawing. Mean sperm motility in fresh spermatozoa was 86.6% in A. persicus and 73.75% in A. stellatus which decreased to 32.2% (P<0.001) and 37.5% (P<0.001) in frozen spermatozoa, respectively. Also mean fertilization rate decreased from 90.4% to 30.7% in A. persicus and from 72% to 36.8% in A. stellatus

Identification of bester hybrids (female Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758 and male sterlet Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus, 1758) using AFLP molecular technique

In this study Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) was applied to species identification of bester hybrids. Hybrids identification was performed by comparison of electrophoresis profiles with parental species. The simultaneous occurrence of diagnostic bands fixed in the parental species, genetic distance and identification and cluster analyses (UPGMA) allow a correct identification. We used 8 primer combinations (Eco+3, Mse+4) and a total of 250 bands (size range 40-1000 bp) were generated. Primer combinations of (E-AAT, M-CGAT) and (E-AAG, M-CGAT) produced diagnostic bands in hybrids and parental species. Moreover, the results of genetic identification showed that Bester hybrids are more similar to beluga (Huso huso) (0.68) in comparison with sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) (0.45).The results suggested that this technique could be suitable for precise identification of species and inter-generic hybrids like bester

Comparison of quality of clinical supervision as perceived by attending physicians and residents in university teaching hospitals in Tehran

Background: Clinical supervision is an important factor in the development of competency in residency program. Attending physicians play a key role in supervision of residents. However little is known about how attending physicians and residents perceive the quality of clinical supervision. The aim of this study was to explore the differences between perceived qualities of supervision in these two groups in different wards in teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Methods: A valid questionnaire were completed by 219 attending physicians and residents from surgery, psychiatry, gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, orthopedics and radiology wards in two teaching hospital affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. This questionnaire contained 15 items in regards to supervisory roles, rated on a five point Likert scale (1=never, 2=seldom, 3=sometimes, 4=often, 5=always). Results: Out of 219 participants, 90 (41) were attending physicians and 129 (59) were residents. The overall mean±SD scores of perceived clinical supervision achieved by attending physicians and residents were respectively, 4.20±0.5 and 3.00±0.7 which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Attending physicians and residents acquired minimum scores (mean=4.06 and 2.7, respectively) regarding expectation from their supervisor to know and do during training period of residency. Conclusion: It seems that the clinical supervisory does not have an efficient performance in teaching hospitals which needs to be more assessed and improved. Therefore it is suggested that policymakers in medical education system pay more attention to this important issue and enhance some faculty development programs for clinical educators in Iran

Current approaches for combination therapy of cancer: The role of immunogenic cell death

Cell death resistance is a key feature of tumor cells. One of the main anticancer therapies is increasing the susceptibility of cells to death. Cancer cells have developed a capability of tumor immune escape. Hence, restoring the immunogenicity of cancer cells can be suggested as an effective approach against cancer. Accumulating evidence proposes that several anticancer agents provoke the release of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that are determinants of immunogenicity and stimulate immunogenic cell death (ICD). It has been suggested that ICD inducers are two different types according to their various activities. Here, we review the well-characterized DAMPs and focus on the different types of ICD inducers and recent combination therapies that can augment the immunogenicity of cancer cells