Association between CETP Taq1B and LIPC -514C/T polymorphisms with the serum lipid levels in a group of Tehran's population: a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) has high prevalence in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) cohort. About 50% of the inter-individual variation in serum HDL-C levels is genetically determined. Polymorphisms in cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and hepatic lipase (LIPC) genes have been found to be associated with the metabolism and serum concentration of the HDL-C.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>To determine the association between Taq1B polymorphism in CETP gene and -514C/T polymorphism in LIPC gene with serum lipid levels and lipid peroxidation in a subgroup of the TLGS population.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Serum HDL-C level had significant association with CETP Taq1B polymorphism and B2B2 subjects had the highest HDL-C levels compared to B2B1 and B1B1 genotypes (37.9 vs. 36.9 and 35.3 mg/dl, respectively; <it>P </it>= 0.01). However, carriers of "B1" allele, in comparison to the non carriers (B2B2), had significantly lower levels of TC (200.1 vs. 215.2 mg/dl; <it>P </it>= 0.005), HDL-C (35.8 vs. 37.9 mg/dl; <it>P </it>= 0.009) and malondialdehyde MDA (4.5 vs. 5.0 nmol/mL; <it>P</it>=0.031). Carriers of the "T" allele in -514C/T polymorphism in LIPC gene had higher means of HDL-C than non carriers (37.7 vs. 35.7 mg/dl, <it>P </it>= 0.04). No other association was found between -514C/T polymorphism and any other serum lipids or MDA level.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study demonstrates the association between Taq1B and -514C/T polymorphisms in the CETP and LIPC genes with the serum HDL-C levels.</p

Proposing an Accreditation Model for Medical Universities of Iran

Introduction. Presenting an appropriate model for university accreditation is a great task for supervising and assessment system of higher education institutions. The present survey was conducted to design an appropriate model for the accreditation of medical universities in Iran. The objectives of this study were: to determine the components and performance indicators in medical universities, to design and propose a model for the accreditation of medical universities in Iran and, to determine the amount of national credibility for the proposed model. Methods. A descriptive survey was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, a questionnaire was used to determine the components and performance indicators. The questionnaire consisted of 16 main components and 216 performance indicators which were ranked from 0 to 7 based on their desirability. The second stage included designing a model by reviewing the literature and considering the special situation of the country. Then a questionnaire using Likert scale and two written questions was used in order to determine its national credibility. The findings were analyzed by descriptive statistics and factor analysis method. Results. Some of the components and performance indicators like publishing books and the existence of information systems were more important and had the priority compared to the rest of the factors. Findings of the second stage showed that the proposed model according to the view points of 30 experts in the field of medical education got a high approval (70.27% in high level). Conclusion. Despite many attempts regarding accreditation in higher education in Iran, these institutions suffer from a number of shortcomings in terms of quality. This model is semi-centralized and consists of four steps request for accreditation, determining the components and performance indicators, self - assessment process, and peer evaluation. This model can be implemented for the quality assessment or university accreditation in Iran

The effects of testosterone intrauterine disturbance on sperm quality and testis tissue in male rat\'s offspring after puberty

Background: Environmental factors and hormonal disorders during prenatal life can impair the evolution and differentiation of fetus&rsquo;s reproductive system. The aim of this study was to the examination of sperm quality and testis tissue in adult rats that had exposed to exogenous testosterone during their prenatal life. Materials & Methods: Pregnant rats divided into two experimental and control groups. In experimental group, pregnant rats daily were subcutaneously injected with 3 mg exogenous testosterone during gestational days 16-19, and controls received solvent. The reproductive system was examined in male offspring of these animals after puberty. Data analysis was performed by using the SPSS software (version 15). Distributions between groups are compared by using the Mann-Whitney test. Results: In the offspring of experimental group, motility and the number of sperm were significantly decreased (P<0.05). No morphological abnormality was observed in sperm in two groups. The numbers of sertoli cells, ratios of spermatocyte and round spermatid cells were significantly decreased in the offspring of experimental group (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in seminiferous tubules diameter between the two groups. Serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased in offspring from experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed that prenatal exposure to testosterone leads to decrease of sperm quality and changes in testis tissue in male rats, after puberty