Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent schoolgirls from Kermanshah,Western Iran

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is a major health problem in developing countries. Anemia reduces physical work capacity and cognitive function and adversely affects learning and scholastic performance in schoolgirls entering adolescence. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia and anemia among adolescent school girls aged 14–20 years from 20 different high schools located in three educational areas of Kermanshah, the capital of Kermanshah province in Western Iran. The prevalence of anemia (Hb<12 mg/dl) among adolescent school girls was 21·4%. Iron deficiency using a ferritin level <12 μg/l was found in 23·7% of studied girls. There were 47 girls (12·2%) with iron deficiency anemia (Hb<12 g/dl and ferritin <20 μg/l). Around 57·3% of anemic girls were iron deficient. There were no significant differences between the presence of anemia and the level of education of parents. The mean levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in studied adolescent girls from Western Iran were found to be lower than those reported for females aged 12–18 years. In conclusion, regarding the detrimental long-term effects and high prevalence of iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia and anemia in Kermanshah, Western Iran its prevention could be a high priority in the programs of health system of the country and supplementation of a weekly iron dose is recommended.     

Functional characterization of piggyBat from the bat Myotis lucifugus unveils an active mammalian DNA transposon

A revelation of the genomic age has been the contributions of the mobile DNA segments called transposable elements to chromosome structure, function, and evolution in virtually all organisms. Substantial fractions of vertebrate genomes derive from transposable elements, being dominated by retroelements that move via RNA intermediates. Although many of these elements have been inactivated by mutation, several active retroelements remain. Vertebrate genomes also contain substantial quantities and a high diversity of cut-and-paste DNA transposons, but no active representative of this class has been identified in mammals. Here we show that a cut-and-paste element called piggyBat, which has recently invaded the genome of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and is a member of the piggyBac superfamily, is active in its native form in transposition assays in bat and human cultured cells, as well as in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our study suggests that some DNA transposons are still actively shaping some mammalian genomes and reveals an unprecedented opportunity to study the mechanism, regulation, and genomic impact of cut-and-paste transposition in a natural mammalian host.     

Massive amplification of rolling-circle transposons in the lineage of the bat Myotis lucifugus

Rolling-circle (RC) transposons, or Helitrons, are a newly recognized group of eukaryotic transposable elements abundant in the genomes of plants, invertebrates, and zebrafish. We provide evidence for the colonization of a mammalian genome by Helitrons, which has not been reported previously. We identified and characterized two families of Helitrons in the little brown bat Myotis lucifugus. The consensus sequence for the first family, HeliBat1, displays the hallmarks of an autonomous Helitron, including coding capacity for an approximately 1,500-aa protein with an RC replication motif and a region related to the SF1 superfamily of DNA helicases. The HeliBatN1 family is a nonautonomous Helitron family that is only distantly related to HeliBat1. The two HeliBat families have attained high copy numbers (approximately 15,000 and > 100,000 copies, respectively) and make up at least approximately 3% of the M. lucifugus genome. Sequence divergence and cross-species analyses indicate that both HeliBat families have amplified within the last approximately 30-36 million years and are restricted to the lineage of vesper bats. We could not detect the presence of Helitrons in any other order of placental mammals, despite the broad representation of these taxa in the databases. We describe an instance of HeliBat-mediated transduction of a host gene fragment that was subsequently dispersed in approximately 1,000 copies throughout the M. lucifugus genome. Given the demonstrated propensity of RC transposons to mediate the duplication and shuffling of host genes in bacteria and maize, it is tempting to speculate that the massive amplification of Helitrons in vesper bats has influenced the evolutionary trajectory of these mammals.     

Inhibition of trophoblast invasiveness in vitro by immunoneutralization of leptin in the bat, Myotis lucifugus (Chiroptera)

In addition to effects on metabolism and appetite, leptin is a reproductive hormone produced and secreted by the placenta of many, but not all mammalian species. In mice, in which the placenta does not secrete leptin, exogenously added leptin stimulates invasiveness of early (but not late)-gestation trophoblast cells. We report a similar phenomenon occurs in Myotis lucifugus (little brown myotis), a species in which the placenta synthesizes and secretes leptin. Immunoneutralization of endogenously secreted leptin from cultured M. lucifugus trophoblast cells inhibited the ability of these cells to invade a matrigel matrix. The effect was not due to an inhibitory effect of the antibody on cell proliferation, nor was it a non-specific effect of antibody administration. Cell invasion was significantly reduced in untreated cells obtained from late-gestation placentas, and the antibody had no effect at that time. This occurred despite continued expression throughout gestation of the long (OBRb) and short (OBRa) isoforms of leptin receptor mRNA. This study suggests that an important function of leptin during pregnancy is an effect on trophoblast cell invasiveness, at a time when the placenta is becoming established. That this occurs in two phylogenetically unrelated and distant species, regardless of whether the placenta is a source of secreted leptin, suggests that this is a highly conserved reproductive action of leptin.     

Identification of a specific binding protein for sex steroids in the plasma of the male little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus lucifugus

Molecular differences of the hyperglycemic hormone have been reported previously for several decapod crustaceans. The relationships of these neuropeptides have been tested now, comparing their biological response by cross-injection experiments and their immunological properties by immunodiffusion. The data revealed cross-reactivity between several species within the appropriate group.     

Genetic divergence of rabies viruses from bat species of Colorado, USA

Molecular epidemiological studies have linked many cryptic human rabies cases in the United States with exposure to rabies virus (RV) variants associated with insectivorous bats. In Colorado, bats accounted for 98% of all reported animal rabies cases between 1977 and 1996. The genetic divergence of RV was investigated in bat and terrestrial animal specimens that were submitted for rabies diagnosis to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado, USA. RV isolates from animal specimens across the United States were also included in the analysis. Phylogenetic analyses were performed on partial nucleoprotein (N) gene sequences, which revealed seven principal clades. RV associated with the colonial big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, an bats of the genus Myotis were found to segregate into two distinct clades (I and IV). Clade I was harbored by E. fuscus and Myotis species, but was also identified in terrestrial animals such as domestic cats and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis). Clade IV was divided into subclades IVA, IVB, and IVC; IVA was identified in E. fuscus, and Myotis species bats, and also in a fox; subclades IVB and IVC circulated predominantly in E. fuscus. Clade II was formed by big free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) samples. Clade III included RVs that are maintained by generally solitary, migratory bats such as the silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) and bats of the genus Lasiurus. Big brown bats were found to harbor this RV variant. None of the Colorado specimens segregated with clades V and VII that harbor RVs associated with terrestrial animals. Different species of bats had the same RV variant, indicating active inter-species rabies transmission. In Colorado, animal rabies occurs principally in bats, and the identification of bat RVs in cat, gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and striped skunks demonstrated the importance of rabies spillover from bats to domestic and terrestrial wildlife species.     

Seasonal cycle and physiological correlates of pinealocyte nuclear and nucleolar diameters in the bats,Myotis lucifugus and Myotis sodalis

An annual or seasonal cycle was suggested in the activity of pinealocytes of bats (Myotis lucifugus and M. sodalis) collected at the same place within the same cave (Bat Cave, Carter Co., Ky.) at six times of the year. Seasonal changes were statistically significant in both pinealocyte nuclear and nucleolar diameters, but the greatest amplitude and consistency of change were in the latter. The annual peak in nucleolar size occurred in March, at about the time of arousal and dispersal from hibernation. The nadir occurred in early fall just before hibernation. The pattern of seasonal changes in pinealocyte activity suggested by nucleolar size is the inverse of that of pituitary LH cells in related species. Experimental evaluation of a possible pineal role during or following spring arousal and dispersal of bats is suggested in the light of recent studies showing a pineal contribution to regulation of the timing of sympatheto-adrenomedullary activity in laboratory rats.     

Role of prolactin in a pheromone-like sexual inhibition in the male lesser mouse lemur

Sexual activity of the male lesser mouse lemur can be induced by a long photoperiod, and plasma testosterone concentrations increase from 20 to 220 nmol/l within 3 weeks of photoperiodic stimulation. When isolated males were exposed to the volatile compounds from the urine of an active dominant male for 4 weeks at the beginning of the long daylight period, they demonstrated a significant decrease in testosterone concentrations (134 +/- 11 nmol/l) compared with controls (210 +/- 26 nmol/l) within 2 weeks. Lowering concentrations of prolactin by daily injections of bromocriptine prevented the decrease in testosterone in males simultaneously exposed to the odorant stimulation. Increasing concentrations of prolactin by daily injections of sulpiride mimicked the effect of the odorant stimulation in males receiving only fresh non-odorized air. The decrease in testosterone was strengthened when sulpiride was administered concurrently with exposure to urine. These results support the conclusion that variations in the concentration of prolactin are involved in the neuroendocrinological process mediating the pheromone-like sexual inhibition in the male lesser mouse lemur. However, daily injections of bromocriptine in males which were photoperiodically stimulated but not exposed to dominant male urine odour, also induced a significant decrease in testosterone concentrations. This finding suggests that two different systems involving prolactin and leading to opposite effects might be implicated in the regulation by environmental factors of sexual activity in the male lesser mouse lemur.     

Alpha thalassemia gene mutations in neonates from Mazandaran,Iran, 2012

Aim

Alpha thalassemia is one of the most prevalent disorders worldwide and carrier frequency of the disease is varied in different parts of the world. Although different studies in Iran and Mazandaran province have been carried out to identify different mutations of alpha globin gene among people with low hematological indices, frequencies of these mutations were unknown in general population, and thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the carrier frequencies of alpha globin gene mutations among neonates in Mazandaran.

Material and methods

Four hundred and twelve neonates were collected from a delivery ward of a hospital in Sari. DNA was extracted from their cord blood samples using phenol-chloroform-based method. For the detection of five common alpha thalassemia gene mutations, multiplex-GAP-PCR and PCR-RFLP methods were applied.

Results

Sixty three (15.29%, confidence interval, CI 95%: 11.81–18.77) of investigated neonates had at least one of the five evaluated mutations. The -α^3.7 deletion had the highest frequency (9.7%, CI 95%: 6.84–12.56) and none of the neonates had –^Med double gene deletion. The -α^4.2 deletion, ααα^anti3.7 triplication, and α^?5nt mutations had frequencies of 4.1% (CI 95%: 2.19–36.01), 2.2% (CI 95%: 0.78–3.62), and 0.49% (CI 95%: ?0.18–1.16), respectively.

Discussion

Our study showed that in most of the alpha thalassemia carriers just one copy of alpha globin gene was absent and they are not at risk of having children with Hb H disease or hydrops fetalis; however, up to 2.2% of neonates were carriers for ααα^anti3.7 triplication and they will be at risk for having a child with thalassemia intermediate if they marry a person which is a carrier of beta thalassemia.     

A case of Castleman's disease arising from the lesser omentum

A 29-year-old female presented with upper abdominal pain. An upper gastrointestinal radiograph and endoscopy revealed an extra compression in the lesser curvature of the body of the stomach. A computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor located between the left lobe of the liver and the lesser omentum of the stomach. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed high uptake at the tumor in the upper abdomen. In an angiogram, a large hypervascular mass had a prominent vascular supply from the left gastric artery; venous pooling and an enlarged feeding vessel were also apparent. From these results, we suspected that the patient had Castleman's disease arising from the lesser omentum. The patient underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic tumor resection. The resected tumor was an encapsulated mass, the surface of which was smooth and the dimensions of which were 77 x 51 x 43 mm. Based on microscopic findings, we diagnosed hyaline vascular type Castleman's disease. Since surgical intervention, the patient has remained asymptomatic, with no pathologic clinical or laboratory findings. Castleman's disease that occurs in the lesser omentum is extremely rare, and the preoperative diagnosis is very difficult. For the localized type of Castleman's disease, clinical findings are usually improved by complete surgical resection.     

中国云南洱海周边地带斯氏家鼠体表寄生虫的研究

目的 研究斯氏家鼠体表寄生虫的主要种类. 方法用U榆验和相关分析的统计方法对2003-2004 年云南洱海(中国滇西北著名的淡水湖泊) 周边88只斯氏家鼠体表寄生虫进行了调查,对斯氏家鼠的体表寄生虫群落和体表寄生虫医学和兽医学的重要性进行描述. 结果有70只斯氏家鼠寄生有体表寄生虫,侵染率为80%.采集到的体表寄生虫有54种,包括34种恙螨、15种革螨、4种蚤和1种吸虱.其中11种以前已经被证明是人类疾病的主要媒介. 结论斯氏家鼠很可能成为鼠疫、流行性出血热和恙虫病等病原体的贮存宿主.     

Histocompatibility antigens in patients with leprosy from Azarbaijan, Iran.

The distribution of 24 histocompatibility antigens in 88 Azerbaijani patients with leprosy was determined and compared with those of 125 normal, ethnically matched individuals. HLA-BW35 was increased in frequency among the Kurdish patients as compared to the controls; HLA-A1, however, displayed decreased frequency in patients with the lepromatous form of the disease. Among the Turks, diminished frequency of HLA-BW15 was noted in the total patient population. None of these comparisons, however, reached statistical significance when corrected for the number of antigens tested. Across the two ethnic groups, differences in the frequencies of HLA antigens between the patients and the controls were only marginal.