Genesis of the Eastern Iranian bentonite deposits

Numerous bentonite deposits are located in Southern Khorasan (Eastern Iran), especially in Ferdows and Sarayan counties. We studied the genesis of these bentonites at seven deposits (Chah-Taleb, Chah-Keshmir, Chah-Golestan, Chah-Pirouz, Gholeh-Gelia, Kharman-Sar and Khal-Kooh) using petrological, mineralogical and geochemical data (including X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) from both bentonites and parent rock samples. The deposits mainly consist of Na-montmorillonite and opaline silica, with lesser amounts of quartz, feldspars, carbonates, halite, zeolites, and illite. The studied deposits formed in a volcanic arc setting and their magma series are calc-alkaline, except for the Kharman-Sar deposit, which is tholeiitic in composition. The presence of significant amounts of opaline silica indicates a low fluid flow rate in these systems, in spite of the high leaching of alkalis. The strata-bound nature of the studied deposits, as well as the high amount of montmorillonite, the presence of gypsum layers alternating with those of bentonite and the lack of hydrothermal alteration suggest that these Iranian bentonite deposits were formed through diagenetic processes in lagoon environments, by means of the alteration of intermediate to acidic precursors, trachy-andesite to rhyolite, belonging to two volcanic provinces: one pyroclastic realm in Ferdows, and another volcaniclastic in Sarayan.This research was partly funded by the Iran National Science Foundation (contract no. 90004849 ), Spanish Group CTS-946 (Junta de Andalucia) and MINECO project CGL2016-80833-R . We also acknowledge the School of Geology of the University of Tehran for sample preparation and some geochemical tests

Genesis of the Eastern Iranian bentonite deposits

Numerous bentonite deposits are located in Southern Khorasan (Eastern Iran), especially in Ferdows and Sarayan counties. We studied the genesis of these bentonites at seven deposits (Chah-Taleb, Chah-Keshmir, Chah- Golestan, Chah-Pirouz, Gholeh-Gelia, Kharman-Sar and Khal-Kooh) using petrological, mineralogical and geochemical data (including X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) from both bentonites and parent rock samples. The deposits mainly consist of Na-montmorillonite and opaline silica, with lesser amounts of quartz, feldspars, carbonates, halite, zeolites, and illite. The studied deposits formed in a volcanic arc setting and their magma series are calc-alkaline, except for the Kharman-Sar deposit, which is tholeiitic in composition. The presence of significant amounts of opaline silica indicates a low fluid flow rate in these systems, in spite of the high leaching of alkalis. The strata-bound nature of the studied deposits, as well as the high amount of montmorillonite, the presence of gypsum layers alternating with those of bentonite and the lack of hydrothermal alteration suggest that these Iranian bentonite deposits were formed through diagenetic processes in lagoon environments, by means of the alteration of intermediate to acidic precursors, trachy-andesite to rhyolite, belonging to two volcanic provinces: one pyroclastic realm in Ferdows, and another volcaniclastic in Sarayan

VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENT BLOCKS THE RESPONSE OF HDL TO LOVASTATIN THERAPY IN HYPERCHOLESTROLEMIC PATIENTS

HDL can prevent LDL-c oxidation. The low HDL-c State also may benefit clinically from supplemented antioxidant. This study was designed to evaluate the combination therapy of statin and vitamin E in hypercholesterolemic patients. The patients were randomized in a clinical trial aimed to avaluate the effect of vitamin E and/or statin.The life style of patients didn't alter during intervention. The subjects were randomized to two treatment groups A and B: (1) lovastatin 20mg daily at bedtime. (group A); (2) vitamin E 400 iu daily plus lovastatin 20 mg daily (group B). The lipid values of each patients at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment were compared by paired t test. The mean baseline lipid levels for 60 subjects were as follows: plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-c and HDL-c 285 ± 68, 268 ± 121, 158 ± 32, 49 ± 11 mg/dl respectively. Serum lipid levels changes in group A (statin only) and in group B (statin and vitamin E) were statistically significant. In comparison of lipid profiles changes between two groups we observed that HDL-c changes in group B were significantly lower than in group A. Vitamin E supplement blocks the respons of HDL-c to lovastatin therapy in hypercholestrolemic patients

Investigating the Periodontal Health in Patients with Coronary Heart Diseases

Introduction: Human studies have shown that patients with cardiovascular diseases have worse periodontal status. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the periodontal health in patients with coronary heart diseases who underwent angiography. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 135 patients with coronary artery disease participated who underwent angiography. Periodontal indices were assessed including bleeding on probing, plaque index, probing depth, furcation involvement, number of missing teeth and number of tooth with pathologic mobility. According to angiography results, the presence of coronary artery stenosis and its severity were recorded based on the number of involvement arteries. Data was analyzed by Mann-whitney test and N par test using spss software (version 16). Results: According to results of angiography, there were 106 patients with CHD that among them, 65% were with periodontitis, 6.6% with health periodontium. Out of the remaining 29 patients (with normal result of angiography) 44.8% had gingivitis and 44.8% had periodontitis. Probing depth index was significantly different in patients with and without coronary artery stenosis (p0.05). Conclusion: Patients with coronary artery disease have worse periodontal status compared to individual with normal angiography

Worldwide incidence and mortality of ovarian cancer and Human Development Index (HDI): GLOBOCAN sources and methods 2018

Objective. Ovarian cancer is known as the seventh most common cancer among women, accounting for about 4 of all cancers associated with the females. Method. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study based on cancer incidence data and cancer mortality rates from the Global Cancer Data in 2018. The incidence and mortality rates were estimated and ovarian cancer distribution maps for world countries were drawn. To analyze data, correlation and regression tests were used to evaluate association between its incidence and mortality with human development index (HDI) Results. Results revealed a direct and significant correlation between ovarian cancer incidence (R = 0.409, P < 0.0001) and mortality (R = 0.193, P < 0.05) with HDI. It also projected a direct and significant correlation between incidence with Gross National Income per 1,000 capita (GNI), mean years of schooling (MYS), life expectancy at birth (LEB) and expected years of schooling (EYS) (P < 0.0001). The findings also demonstrated a direct and significant correlation between mortality and GNI, MYS, LEB as well as EYS (P < 0.05). The linear regression model showed that a higher MYS B = 0.2, CI 95%: (-0.03, 0.5) can significantly augment the incidence of ovarian cancer while an increased MYS B = 0.2, CI 95% (0.03, 0.4) can induce mortality. Conclusions. Given the direct and significant correlation between ovarian cancer incidence and mortality with HDI, attention to risk factors in these countries can be effective in curbing its incidence and mortality. © 2021 Pacini Editore S.p.A.. All rights reserved

Association of pulp stones with coronary artery stenosis

Background: Dental pulp stones are discrete calcifications in the pulp chamber which are often seen in deciduous and permanent teeth. It has been hypothesised that atherosclerosis can be associated with their development. Objective: To determine whether a higher prevalence of dental pulp stones is correlated with coronary artery stenosis. Clinical setting: Sixty-one patients aged 20-55 years referred to Afshar Heart Center for invasive coronary angiography were invited to undergo panoramic dental radiography. The panoramic radiographs were independently examined for the presence of pulp stones. Results: Pulp stones were present in 82% (31/38) of patients with at least one clinically significant coronary artery stenosis and in 48% (11/23) of patients with normal coronary angiography. They were present in 13% of the teeth in the former group and in 5% of the teeth in the latter. The findings show a statistically significant association between coronary artery stenosis and presence of pulp stones (odds ratio 4.83, 95% confidence interval 1.5-15.4). Conclusion: Coronary artery stenosis and dental pulp calcification are significantly associated. Dental radiography has the potential to be used as a rapid screening method for the early detection of coronary artery stenosis

Abnormal Findings in Fetal Echocardiography and Maternal Disease: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Congenital cardiovascular malformation is the most common group of birth defects. Fetal echocardiography is highly sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease in low- and high-risk populations. Objective: This study aimed to assess abnormal findings in fetal echocardiography and maternal disease. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 114 pregnant women referred to Afshar hospital, Yazd, Iran from October 2016 to March 2017. All pregnant women underwent fetal echocardiography through fetal heart screening protocol, which is administered by the International society of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology guidelines. Data collected included referral cause, gestational age, maternal age, gravida, and final diagnosis after an accurate fetal echocardiography. Results: The mean gestational age was 20 wk. The most common referral cause of pregnant women included diabetes (36.8%), fetal arrhythmia (14%), high maternal age (7%), and echogenic focus on ultrasound (6.1%). The most common postpartum findings were normal (68.4%), cardiac abnormalities (17.6%), and arrhythmias (14%). In postnatal echocardiography, the results were consistent with fetal echocardiography except in 2 women. Conclusion: This study showed that fetal echocardiography can be used in the early diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart diseases. Key words: Fetus, Echocardiography, Heart defects, Congenital