Peak bone mass of Iranian population: the Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study.

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem in the Western countries and is projected to have a similar impact in the Middle East. It has been suggested that peak bone mineral density (BMD), a major determinant of osteoporotic fractures later in life, may be lower in this part of the world compared with the Western world. The purpose of the Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study was to determine peak bone mass in a randomly chosen sample of healthy Iranian subjects. A total of 5201 participants (2340 males, mean age 42.7+/-13.8) were recruited based on randomized clustered sampling from all regions of five major cities across the country. In women, peak lumbar BMD (1.182+/-0.127 g/cm2) occurred in the 29- to 33-yr age group, whereas peak total femur BMD (1.006+/-0.126 g/cm2) occurred in the 32- to 36-yr age group. In men, peak lumbar BMD (1.181+/-0.153 g/cm2) and femoral BMD (1.096+/-0.159 g/cm2) both occurred in the 20- to 24-yr age group. When standardized to mg/cm2 units using established formulas, Iranian peak bone mass values are comparable with that of Western countries and are generally higher than that of Eastern Asian and Middle Eastern countries.     

Neural origins of the P300

A review of the literature investigating the neural origins of detection behavior in humans reveals two event-related potential components, P3a and P3b, each with a distinct neural organization and cognitive function.The P3a is involved in automatic novelty detection and characterized by a more anterior cortical distribution, whereas the P3b is concerned with volitional target detection and has a more posterior cortical distribution. Intracranial investigation, studies with patients with focal brain lesions, and functional neuroimaging (fMRI) studies converge with scalp-recorded event-related potential (ERP) data in suggesting that a widespread cortical network gives rise to both automatic and controlled detection behavior. The main regions consistently attributed to generating detection-related brain activation include the temporal-parietal junction, medial temporal complex, and the lateral prefrontal cortex. The extant human and animal literature addressing the neural networks, neuropharmacological underpinnings, and behavioral significance of the P300 potential will be reviewed.     

Bone mineral density is related to blood pressure in men

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between bone mineral density (BMD) and blood pressure in 214 men, age 20–76. BMD measurements were done by dual X‐ray absorptiometry using a Lunar DPXMD densitometer at the lumbar spine (L2–L4) and different femoral regions. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured using an MPC‐350 sphygmomanometer. Physicians gathered demographic data and participants' dietary intake of calcium were determined by using food frequency questionnaires. After adjusting for age, body mass index, dietary calcium, and exercise history, multiple linear regression models showed that DBP was negatively related to femoral neck BMD (β = ?0.145, P = 0.032) and just shy of significant association with femoral neck BMC (β = ?0.114, P = 0.079). SBP was correlated with femoral neck (r = ?0.171, P = 0.012) and Ward's (r = ?0.186, P = 0.006) BMD but not after adjusting for possible confounders. Further studies are needed to determine whether elevated blood pressure is causally related to the development of low bone mass. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:168–171, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fundamentals and recent progress relating to the fabrication,functionalization and characterization of mesostructured materials using diverse synthetic methodologies

Since 1990 and the invention of the very first generation of ordered mesoporous silica materials, several innovative methodologies have been applied to synthesize, characterize, and modify silica/non-silica mesoporous materials. The growth of the mesoporous materials field has generated significant environmental and economic advantages compared to various other industrial developments. According to the literature, there are several key synthesis approaches and parameters that can affect the structural, textural and morphological characteristics of mesoporous materials. To date, huge attempts have been made to maximize the activities and selectivities of these materials through either the in situ or post-synthesis functionalization of the large interior surface areas and internal mesostructured frameworks in the presence of specific organic/inorganic components. However, the main challenge is to provide good control over the incorporation and distribution of multiple guest components within the mesostructured hosts. Mesostructured materials have received great attention for various applications, such as being used in electronics, medicine, photocatalysis, catalyst supports, catalysis, absorbers, sensors, gas separation, etc. In the current paper, several recent developments have been highlighted and reviewed regarding the fabrication and characterization of siliceous/non-siliceous mesoporous materials via various synthetic approaches. Furthermore, the availability of diverse functionalization methods has been reviewed to provide comprehensive approaches for synthesizing new generations of suitably modified mesoporous materials with superior structural, physicochemical, and textural characteristics.

Since 1990 and the invention of the very first generation of ordered mesoporous silica materials, several innovative methodologies have been applied to synthesize, characterize, and modify silica/non-silica mesoporous materials.     

Breastfeeding and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Early Childhood: a Continuing Dilemma

Objective:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common chronic bacterial infection in humans. Chronic colonization increases the risk of duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. The risk factors for acquiring the infection have been extensively studied. However, there are conflicting results on the role of breastfeeding in the prevention of H. pylori infection. We conducted a study to evaluate the effects of breastfeeding on the H. Pylori infection in Kurdish children in Sanandaj, IR Iran.

Methods:

A historical cohort study was carried out from January 2011 through December 2012. Totally 221 children who were going to attain 2 years old during the study period were randomly enrolled. They were divided into two groups, i.e. breastfed and non-breastfed. We used H. pylori stool antigen test to detect infection in the selected group of children after age of 2 years and cessation of breastfeeding. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups, infected and non-infected. The associations of breastfeeding with H. pylori infection was assessed using statistical software.

Findings:

We found no difference in the odds of infection between breastfed and non-breastfed groups (OR=0.809, 95% CI [0.453–1.444]). An association between age and the prevalence of infection was found (P=0.008). There was an increase in the odds of infection as the family size grew (OR=1.93, 95% CI [1.04–3.6]) as well as increasing housing density (OR=2.12, 95% CI [1.10–4.10]).

Conclusion:

The data suggests that breastfeeding in infancy does not protect against H. pylori infection for long duration among studied children in Iran. The protective effects of breastfeeding, if any, are at most transient.     

Accuracy of stimulating electrode placement in paediatric pallidal deep brain stimulation for primary and secondary dystonia

Background

Accuracy of electrode placement is an important determinant of outcome following deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Data on accuracy of electrode placement into the globus pallidum interna (GPi) in paediatric patients is limited, particularly those with non-primary dystonia who often have smaller GPi. Pallidal DBS is known to be more effective in the treatment of primary dystonia compared with secondary dystonia.

Objectives

We aimed to determine if accuracy of pallidal electrode placement differed between primary, secondary and NBIA (neuronal degeneration and brain iron accumulation) associated dystonia and how this related to motor outcome following surgery.

Methods

A retrospective review of a consecutive cohort of children and young people undergoing DBS surgery in a single centre. Fused in frame preoperative planning magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and postoperative computed tomography (CT) brain scans were used to determine the accuracy of placement of DBS electrode tip in Leskell stereotactic system compared with the planned target. The differences along X, Y, and Z coordinates were calculated, as was the Euclidean distance of electrode tip from the target. The relationship between proximity to target and change in Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale at 1 year was also measured.

Results

Data were collected from 88 electrodes placed in 42 patients (14 primary dystonia, 18 secondary dystonia and 10 NBIA associated dystonia). Median differences between planned target and actual position were: left-side X-axis 1.05 mm, Y-axis 0.85 mm, Z-axis 0.94 mm and Euclidean difference 2.04 mm; right-side X-axis 1.28 mm, Y-axis 0.70 mm, Z-axis 0.70 mm and Euclidean difference 2.45 mm. Accuracy did not differ between left and right-sided electrodes. No difference in accuracy was seen between primary, secondary or NBIA associated dystonia. Dystonia reduction at 1 year post surgery did not appear to relate to proximity of implanted electrode to surgical target across the cohort.

Conclusions

Accuracy of surgical placement did not differ between primary, secondary or NBIA associated dystonia. Decreased efficacy of pallidal DBS in secondary and NBIA associated dystonia is unlikely to be related to difficulties in achieving the planned electrode placement.     

SLC34A3 intronic deletion in a new kindred with hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria

Objective: Hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH) is an autosomal recessive form of hypophosphatemia with hyperphosphaturia, hypercalciuria, and hypercalcemia. In two reports on six affected kindreds with HHRH, the disease was mapped to chromosome 9q34, which contains the SLC34A3 gene that encodes the renal type 2c sodium-phosphate cotransporter. Our objective was to define the clinical course of these cases in a family with HHRH and to screen for SLC34A3 gene in order to determine whether these mutations are responsible for HHRH.Methods: After clinical and biochemical evaluations, the entire SLC34A3 gene was screened using PCR amplification followed by direct sequencing technique. In this paper, we describe a new kindred with HHRH and a case of progressive and complicated HHRH presenting at age 27 years.Results: We found 101-bp deletion in intron 9 of the SLC34A3 gene. The index patient was homozygous for this mutation which has been previously reported in a Caucasian population. This is the first report for presence of SLC34A3 intron 9 deletion in an Iranian population.Conclusions: These data showed that HHRH can be easily missed or underdiagnosed. Genetic evaluation of patients with familial hypercalciuria, hypophosphatemia and nephrolithiasis is needed for further information on the prevalence and management of this rare disorder. Conflict of interest:None declared.