Bioaccumulation and Distribution of Metals in Sediments and Avicenna marina Tissues in the Hara Biosphere Reserve, Iran

The metal pollution in Sediments and Avicenna marina tissues in the Hara Biosphere Reserve was monitored for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), and Nickel (Ni) with atomic absorption spectrometer. The results showed that the mean concentration of Pb, Cd, and Ni in the water and sediments were much higher than the recommended threshold limits in the most stations, also the highest means of Pb, Cd, and Ni were observed in Avicenna roots and it were 25.26?±?4.86, 2.17?±?0.74, and 26.72?±?6.17 (μg?g(-1)) respectively. Calculating BCF (bioconcentration factor) index illustrates that A. marina accumulates Pb, Cd, and Ni 1.62, 1.52 and 0.73 times greater than sediment levels respectively, So it can show that A. marina may be employed as a biological indicator exposure of Cd, Pb, and Ni with temporal monitoring, also the factories were main sources of metals contamination in the Hara Biosphere Reserve.     

Traumatic hyoid bone fracture �C a case report and review of the literature

Objective:

To present a case of traumatic hyoid bone fracture and a review of the literature

Rationale:

Traumatic hyoid bone fractures are rare, however with the increasing popularity of martial arts the incidence of traumatic hyoid bone fracture may increase in prevalence.

Clinical Features:

A thirteen year old taekwondo athlete collapsed after receiving a kick to the anterior neck. Following first aid emergency care the athlete reported pain with speaking and swallowing and was suffering from dyspnea. Ecchymosis and tenderness were noted over the hyoid bone.

Intervention and Outcome:

Lateral radiographs revealed fracture of the hyoid. Patient was sent home with analgesics and instructed to rest. The athlete was cleared for sport at 4 weeks post injury.

Conclusion:

Ensuring airway integrity and screening for signs of laryngeal laceration are essential in the management of suspected hyoid bone fractures. Observation for 48–72 hours is highly recommended.     

Predictors of non-alcoholic fatty liver in a group of non-obese and non-diabetic Iranian adults

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not uncommon in non-obese people. We examined the independent predictors of NAFLD in a group of non-obese and non-diabetic men and women in Rasht, Iran. Sixty-one adults aged 38.4 ± 8.4 years (32 men and 29 women) with body mass index (BMI) <30 kg/m² and non-diabetic with clinical features of NAFLD who visited our center between 2007 and 2009 were compared to 147 non-obese, non-diabetic and normal liver subjects (40 men and 107 women) aged 40.8 ± 9.1. Data on blood lipids, anthropometry, fasting blood glucose, exercise, and educational levels were gathered using a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis revealed that weight gain during adulthood [OR = 1.90 (95% CI = 1.03–1.84), P < 0.04] and high serum triglyceride levels [OR = 1.19 (95% CI = 1.09–1.28), P < 0.0001] were independent predictors of NAFLD in this group of non-obese subjects. BMI, educational levels, gender, and habitual physical activity were not independently related to NAFLD in this study. These data suggest that weight gain after 20 years of age rather than BMI and high levels of triglyceride may serve as screening tool for NAFLD in clinical practice in this population. In nutritional management of these apparently normal weight subjects with NAFLD modest weight loss is necessary.     

Prevalence of ATP7B Gene Mutations in Iranian Patients With Wilson Disease

Background

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder. The WD gene, ATP7B, encodes a copper-transporting ATPase involved in the transport of copper into the plasma protein ceruloplasmin and in excretion of copper from the liver. ATP7B mutations cause copper to accumulate in the liver and brain.

Objectives

We examined the ATP7B mutation spectrum in Wilson disease patients in Iran.

Patients and Methods

Genomic DNA was extracted from patients with Wilson disease. The entire coding region of the ATP7B gene was amplified using PCR and analyzed using direct sequencing.

Results

We identified five novel mutations in 5 Iranian patients with Wilson disease. The first was a transversion, c.2363C > T, which led to an amino acid change from threonine to isoleucine. The second mutation was a deletion, c.2532delA (Val845Ser), which occurred in exon 10. The third mutation was a transition mutation, c.2311C > G (Leu770Leu), which occurred in the TM4 domain of the ATP7B protein. The fourth mutation was a transversion, (c.3061G > A) (Lys1020Lys), in exon 14. Lastly, we identified a transversion, c.3206C > A (His1069Asn) in exon 14 which led to a change in function of the ATP loop domain of the ATP7B protein. The H1069Q mutation was identified as the most common mutation in our study population.

Conclusions

Based on our findings, the H1069Q may be a biomarker that can be used in a rapid detection assay for diagnosing WD patients     

Diabetes and impaired glucose regulation in first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes in isfahan, iran: prevalence and risk factors

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in first-degree relatives (FDR) of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of FDR of type 2 diabetes patients was conducted between 2003 and 2005. A total of 2,368 FDR of type 2 diabetes outpatients aged 30-60 years (614 men and 1754 women) from Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center (Iran) were examined. All subjects underwent a standard 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). IGT, IFG and type 2 diabetes were diagnosed according to the criteria of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The mean (SD) age of participants was 43.1 (6.9) years. RESULTS: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes, IGT and IFG were 10.3% (95% CI: 9.1-11.5), 19.5% (17.9-21.1) and 17.3% (15.8-18.8) respectively. The prevalence rates were significantly higher than those reported for a control population of the same age (type 2 diabetes, 6.0% (95% CI: 5.7-6.2) and IGT 9.6 (95% CI: 9.3-9.9)). IGT was more frequent among women (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.51-0.87), whereas diabetes (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.96-1.78) and IFG (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.10-1.80) were higher in men. Multivariate analysis revealed that age and obesity or abdominal obesity were significantly associated with diabetes, IGT and IFG. CONCLUSIONS: FDR of people with type 2 diabetes in Iran are at higher risk of IGT and type 2 diabetes than the population at large. Risk increases with age and obesity. These findings may be useful for the identification of persons at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and strongly support the regular screening of FDR of type 2 diabetes patients.     

Successful treatment of molluscum contagiosum with topical imiquimod in a severely immunocompromised HIV-positive patient

Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral infection in the immuno-compromised HIV-positive patient where it is often severe and affecting the face and neck. It is frequently resistant to conventional, locally destructive therapies. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the immunomodulatory drug imiquimod might be a valid therapeutic option in this group of patients. We report the case of a severely immunocompromised HIV-positive patient with resistant facial molluscum contagiosum lesions that responded to topical imiquimod. The response to therapy and the possible implications for pathogenesis are discussed.