The mass cultivation of Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura as a summer feed for the abalone industry in Korea

The mass cultivation of Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura was studied as a possible summer feed for the abalone industry in Korea for the period between August and November when Undaria and Laminaria are not available. Experiments were conducted to investigate the optimal conditions for artificial seed production and mass cultivation of this species. Seedlings of E. stolonifera were reared in an indoor tank for 60 days until they were around 500 μm in length. Following indoor tank culture, the seedlings were transferred in situ to a nursery culture area for 2 months, before begin transferred to the main grow-out area. The maximum growth and development of young thalli in nursery culture area occurred at 2 m depth, whilst maximum growth of thalli in the main culture area occured at 1.5 m depth. Production of E. stolonifera was between 3 and 9 kg wet wt. m⁻¹ in the first year of culture after seeding and 12 to 13 kg wet wt. m⁻¹ in the second year of culture, after management (depth control and fouling organism removal, etc.) of the holdfast. The relationship between optimal water depth for culture and underwater irradiance during the E. stolonifera cultivation was defined as: y = −0.331x + 8.198 (r ² = 0.9903). The growth rates achieved in this trial indicate that E. stolonifera cultures could produce sufficient biomass to supply summer feed for the Korean abalone industry.     

Breeding of an elite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laminaria</Emphasis> variety 90-1 through inter-specific gametophyte crossing

Laminaria longissima and Zaohoucheng No.1 (a commercial variety selected from Laminaria japonica) differ to a certain extent in their morphological characteristics and biological habits. It was assumed that varieties bred through their hybridization should exhibit high yield potential and tolerate relatively high seawater temperatures. Female gametophyte clones isolated from L. longissima were crossed with male clones isolated from Zaohoucheng No.1. Laminaria variety 90-1 was obtained after gametophyte crossing, continuous self-crossing and selection. This variety was genetically homozygous; the indices of variation of blade length, width and thickness of the final two selection cycles were 7–8%; i.e., not different significantly. Variety 90-1 grew faster, lost less tissue and had higher yield potential than two widely used commercial varieties of L. japonica (all commercial varieties currently used in China originate from this latter species). The blade of variety 90-1 increased 3.71 cm day⁻¹ on average during the whole period of cultivation, almost two-fold that of two controls, and growth was maintained even when seawater temperature was higher than 18°C–3°C higher than the temperature tolerated by other Laminaria varieties. Variety 90-1 increased yield by more than 70% over two controls and also synthesized desirable amounts of iodine, mannitol and algin. In blade length, variety 90-1 was more similar to L. longissima than to L. japonica, but more similar to L. japonica in blade width and thickness. Since the adoption of variety 90-1 in 1999, its culturing area has increased each year to reach its current area of 7,000 ha, i.e., almost one-third of the total cultivation acreage of Laminaria in China. Breeding of variety 90-1 has demonstrated that it is feasible to develop elite Laminaria varieties by crossing gametophytes from different Laminaria species in combination with successive self-crossing and selection.     

Evidence of Intergenomic Relationships in Triploid Hybrids of Coffee (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea sp.)</Emphasis> as Revealed by Meiotic Behavior and Genomic in Situ Hybridization

Interspecific hybrids involving the cultivated C. arabica (2n = 4x = 44, E^aE^aC^aC^a) and two related diploid species (2n = 2x = 22), C. eugenioides (EE) and C. liberica (LL), were produced and analyzed for their relative genome affinity using different complementary approaches, including chromosome association analysis, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and pollen fertility. The mean arm pairing frequency (c) and the relative affinity index (x) of triploid hybrids with known genome combinations were used as a measure of chromosome homology. Triploid hybrids were highly sterile as a result of meiotic abnormalities (fertility ranged from 1 to 15 %). Nevertheless, all hybrids exhibited a significant occurrence of genome affinities (x = 0.96 for E^aC^aE and 0.81 for E^aC^aL). Further analysis using the GISH approach revealed that C. eugenioides was more closely related to C. arabica than to C. liberica, which was in agreement with the ancestral history of the allotetraploid C. arabica. The absence of incompatibility barriers at the stylar level in the flowers of the triploid hybrids indicates the possibility of desirable gene transfer through breeding strategies.     

Serum heat shock protein 27 antigen and antibody levels appear to be related to the macrovascular complications associated with insulin resistance: a pilot study

Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is over-expressed when cells are exposed to stressful conditions that include oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and insulin resistance. We have investigated the concentrations of serum Hsp27 antigen and antibodies in subjects from different glycaemic categories, who either did or did not have established CVD. Serum Hsp27 antigen and antibody levels (immunoglobulins M and G (IgM and IgG)) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) in 68 individuals: 26 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 10 with (+) and 16 without (−) a history of CVD and 42 individuals with varying degrees of glucose intolerance (GI; 21 with and 21 without a history of CVD). Insulin sensitivity was determined in each subject using indices derived from the homeostasis model assessment of sensitivity and the insulin sensitivity index for glycaemia. Serum Hsp27 concentrations were significantly higher in GI (+CVD) subjects compared to GI (−CVD) subjects (p = 0.03), NGT (−CVD) subjects (p = 0.02) and NGT (+CVD) subjects (p = 0.04) and were positively correlated to fasting plasma glucose for all subjects (r = 0.28, p = 0.03). IgM antibody levels were significantly higher in GI (+CVD) subjects compared to NGT (−CVD) group (p = 0.02) and were inversely related to fasting insulin concentrations (r = −0.27, p = 0.04) and the 2-h insulin concentrations (r = −0.29, p = 0.03) for all subjects. Serum IgG antibody levels were higher in GI (+CVD) group compared to GI (−CVD) group (p = 0.06). In conclusion, Hsp27 and its antibody concentrations appear to relate to the presence of cardiovascular complications in patients with GI.     

Trichuris Burdens in Zoo-Housed Colobus guereza

Trichuris spp. infect the majority of captive primate species along with an estimated 1049 million people worldwide, making it an important zoonosis [Stephenson, L. S., Holland, C. V., & Cooper, E. S. Parasitology, 121(Suppl.), S73–S95, 2000]. We investigated the efficacy of methods used to evaluate the prevalence of Trichuris spp. in 2 groups (n = 12) of socially housed Abyssinian colobus (Colobus guereza kikuyensis) at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park and the factors that may affect density. We collected individual and group fecal samples over 6 mo and estimated burden (egg counts/g of feces) of Trichuris spp. via the McMaster technique. Shedding was significantly higher in the afternoon than in the morning (matched-pairs t-test: t _[5] = −4.46, p < 0.01) and in dominant adult male colobus (Spearman rank: r _[5] = −0.94, p < 0.01; age: r _[5] = 0.89, p < 0.05). Parasitological studies of zoo-housed primates can be a useful tool to explore factors that may affect burdens of Trichuris spp. in them.     

Low Birth Weight and Normal Birth Weight Newborns of Kolkata, India: Comparison of Some Maternal Risk Factors

This study compared several maternal risk factors of low birth weight (LBW) between 204 normal birth weight (NBW) and 133 LBW newborns from Kolkata, India. Based on their birth weight (BW), newborns were classified as LBW (BW < 2.5 kg) and NBW (BW ≥ 2.5 kg). Results revealed that means for maternal age (MA, p < 0.05), gestational age (GA, p < 0.01), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (p < 0.05), and per capita daily income (PCDI, p < 0.05) were significantly higher among mothers of NBW. Correlation analyses revealed that MA (r = 0.119, p < 0.05), GA (r = 0.583, p < 0.01), PCDI (r = 0.118, p < 0.05), and Hb (r = 0.138, p < 0.05) were significantly positively correlated with BW; PCDI was also significantly positively correlated (r = 0.142, p < 0.01) with Hb. Stepwise regression analyses with BW as the dependent variable revealed that GA (t = 7.915, p < 0.001) and Hb (t = 2.057, p < 0.05) were the most important predictive variables. The effect of Hb, independent of GA, was statistically significant (change in F = 4.231, p < 0.05). Because GA is not modifiable in pregnant women, there is a need to increase Hb levels among pregnant mothers. Most importantly, appropriately targeted preventive strategies, including iron supplementation, need to be implemented for health promotion.     

Ovarian and Uterine Ultrasonography in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aotus azarai infulatus</Emphasis>

We evaluated the uterus and ovaries of owl monkeys (Aotus azarai infulatus) via gynecological ultrasound examination. We evaluated the subjects in 2 different time periods. The first period (P1) was characterized by the absence of mating, with daily examinations, during 4 mo (n = 10). At the end of P1, we paired the subjects for 30 d, but without ultrasonographic evaluation. The second period (P2) was characterized by the presence of mating, with examinations once a week, during 7 consecutive months (n = 9). We evaluated the uterus and ovaries in sagittal and transverse scans, using a 5–12 MHz linear array probe. The uterine volume (UV) was directly proportional to the number of previous parturitions. The right ovary volume (RtOV) is greater than the left (LtOV) in P1 and P2. There is a positive correlation (p < 0.05) between the females’ mass, RtOV (r = 0.28) and LtOV (r = 0.16).     

Comparison of phenotypic and molecular distances to predict heterosis and F1 performance in Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun)

Predicting heterosis and F₁ performance from the parental generation could largely enhance the efficiency of breeding hybrid or synthetic cultivars. This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between parental distances estimated from phenotypic traits or molecular markers with heterosis, F₁ performance and general combining ability (GCA) in Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata). Nine inbred lines representing seven different geographic regions of Ethiopia were crossed in half-diallel. The nine parents along with their 36 F₁s were evaluated in a replicated field trail at three locations in Ethiopia. Distances among the parents were calculated from 14 phenotypic traits (Euclidean distance, ED) and 182 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers (Jaccard’s distances, JD), and correlated with heterosis, F₁ performance and GCA sum of parents (GCA_sum). The correlation between phenotypic and molecular distances was low (r=0.34, P≤0.05). Parents with low molecular distance also had low phenotypic distance, but parents with high molecular distance had either high, intermediate or low phenotypic distance. Phenotypic distance was highly significantly correlated with mid-parent heterosis (r=0.53), F₁ performance (r=0.61) and GCA (r=0.79) for seed yield. Phenotypic distance was also positively correlated with (1) heterosis, F₁ performance and GCA for plant height and seeds plant⁻¹, (2) heterosis for number of pods plant⁻¹, and (3) F₁ performance for 1,000 seed weight. Molecular distance was correlated with GCA_sum (r=0.36, P≤0.05) but not significantly with heterosis and F₁ performance for seed yield. For each parent a mean distance was calculated by averaging the distances to the eight other parents. Likewise, mean heterosis was estimated by averaging the heterosis obtained when each parent is crossed with the other eight. For seed yield, both mean ED and JD were significantly correlated with GCA (r=0.90, P≤0.01 for ED and r=0.68, P≤0.05 for JD) and mean heterosis (r=0.79, P≤0.05 for ED and r=0.77, P≤0.05 for JD). In conclusion, parental distances estimated from phenotypic traits better predicted heterosis, F₁ performance and GCA than distances estimated from RAPD markers. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Iodine Deficiency Among Hypothyroid Patients Living in Jeddah

The objective was to determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency among hypothyroid patients and the effect of dietary goitrogens on indices of iodine and thyroid status. This is a case-control study of 106 subjects who were recruited from King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah. Blood and urine were collected for serum thyroid hormones, thyroid autoantibodies, thyroglobulin (Tg) and urinary iodine concentration (UIC). Dietary iodine and goitrogenic food intake were assessed by questionnaire. Using World Health Organization (WHO) cutoff values for UIC, both controls and cases were iodine deficient (85% and 83%, respectively). Furthermore, dietary iodine was deficient in 23% of controls and 36% of cases. In cases, there was a positive association between UIC levels and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (r = 0.405, p < 0.01) and a negative association with serum fT₄ (r = −0.358, p < 0.01). Serum Tg antibody titers were also positively associated with dietary iodine (r = 0.328, p < 0.05). Patients with elevated serum autoantibodies had lower UIC and dietary iodine than those with normal serum autoantibodies. UIC was associated with dietary goitrogens including turnip (r = 0.280, p < 0.05) and pine (r = 0.289, p < 0.05) among cases. Iodine deficiency is common and the consumption of dietary goitrogens is high among euthyroid and hypothyroid subjects living in Jeddah.     

A Pilot Study on Zinc Levels in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The aim of the study was to evaluate zinc levels in three biological compartments (serum, erythrocytes and hair) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as compared to healthy individuals. Zinc levels in serum, erythrocytes and hair (in 74 patients with RA and 30 healthy individuals) were assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mean hair zinc content was significantly lower in RA patients as compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.001). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed in the RA patient group between the erythrocyte zinc levels and the prednisone dose (r _s = 0.48, p < 0.05), and a negative correlation was found in this population between the serum zinc levels and disease duration (r _s = −0.42, p < 0.0006). In conclusion, it seems that hair may be a useful complementary study material for evaluating “zinc status” in rheumatoid arthritis patients.     

Advantages of the Use of Deciduous Teeth,Hair, and Blood Analysis for Lead and Cadmium Bio-Monitoring in Children. A Study of 6-Year-Old Children from Krakow (Poland)

The population of about 300 6-year-old preschool children was studied for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in deciduous teeth, scalp hair, and capillary blood. Zinc (Zn) content in hair was also measured due to its possible interferences with the elements studied. The Pb and Cd contents were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction, and Zn, by flame method. Metal levels found were comparable to those in European countries. Positive correlations between Pb and Cd in the same and different tissues were widespread (r = 0.23–0.68). A positive correlation was found between Pb in teeth and blood (r = 0.65, p < 0.001). Pb blood threshold 100 μg L⁻¹ referred to 2.6 μg g⁻¹ Pb in teeth. Predictability of this Pb teeth limit was 14% vs. 5% for Pb blood. Strong negative correlation was found between hair Pb and Zn (r = −0.68, p < 0.001). Enhanced Cd and Zn levels in hair were associated with the household drinking water hardness. The associations with some other environmental and behavioral factors were also presented and discussed. The results proved the advantage of analysis of primary teeth for Pb exposure screening of preschool children.     

Regulation of adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue by thyroid hormones

Available experimental data suggest that adiponectin and thyroid hormones have biological interaction in vivo. However, the effects of thyroid hormones on adipose adiponectin gene expression in thyroid dysfunction are unclear. We induced hyper- (HYPER) and hypothyroidism (HYPO) by daily administration of a 12 mg/l of levothyroxine and 250 mg/l of methimazole in drinking water of rats, respectively, for 42 days. The white adipose tissues and serum sample were taken on days 15, 28, 42 and also 2 weeks after treatment cessation. Analysis of adiponectin gene expression was performed by real-time PCR and 2^−ΔΔct method. The levels of adipose tissue adiponectin mRNA in the HYPO rats were decreased during the 6-week treatment when compared to control rats (<0.05) and were increased significantly 2 weeks after HYPO cessation (P < 0.05). This decline in adiponectin gene expression occurred in parallel with a decrease in T3, T4, fT3 and fT4 concentrations (P < 0.05). In opposite to HYPO rats, adipose adiponectin gene expression was increased in HYPER rats during the 6-week treatment in parallel with an increase the thyroid hormones concentrations (P < 0.05), and its expression was decreased 2 weeks after HYPER cessation (P < 0.05). Adiponectin gene expression levels showed significant negative correlations with concentrations of LDL (HYPO; r = −0.806, P = 0.001 and HYPER; r = −0.749, P = 0.002), triglyceride (HYPO; r = −0.825, P = 0.001 and HYPER; r = −0.824, P = 0.001) and significant positive correlations with concentrations of glucose (HYPO; r = 0.674, P = 0.004 and HYPER; r = 0.866, P = 0.001) and HDL (HYPO; r = 0.755, P = 0.001 and HYPER; r = 0.839, P = 0.001). The current study provides evidence that adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue is regulated by thyroid hormones at the translation level and that lipid and carbohydrate disturbances in a patient with thyroid dysfunction may be, in part, due to adiponectin gene expression changes.     

Increased serum HSP70 levels are associated with the duration of diabetes

The evolutionary conserved family of heat shock proteins (HSP) is responsible for protecting cells against different types of stress, including oxidative stress. Although the levels of HSPs can be readily measured in blood serum, the levels of HSP70 in patients with different durations of diabetes have not been studied before. We quantified serum HSP70 levels in a healthy control group (n = 36) and two groups of type 2 diabetic patients, defined as newly diagnosed diabetes (n = 36) and patients with diabetes duration of more than 5 years (n = 37). The clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters were evaluated in the studied population. We found that serum HSP70 levels were significantly higher in patients with diabetes when compared with controls (p < 0.001) and it was higher in patients with disease for more than 5 years than in newly diagnosed patients (p < 0.001). Serum HSP70 was inversely correlated with fasting blood sugar in patients with diabetes for more than 5 years (r = −0.500, p = 0.002), positively correlated with the history of hypertension in newly diagnosed patients (p < 0.001), and positively correlated with age in patients with diabetes (r = 0.531, p = 0.001). Serum level of HSP70 is significantly higher in patients with diabetes and correlates with the duration of disease. Higher HSP70 in prolonged diabetes versus newly diagnosed diabetes may be an indicator of metabolic derangement in the course of diabetes.     

SHBG,plasma, and urinary androgens in weight lifters after a strength training

Previous studies with different results have suggested that total and bioavailable testosterone levels are modified by physical exercise. Such changes may be related to modifications in cortisol levels and could be reflected in some urine androgens. To determine how weight lifting training may affect serum and urinary androgens, we measured total serum testosterone (T), cortisol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and urinary testosterone, epitestosterone, androsterone, and etiocholanolone, in a group of 19 elite weight lifters after 20 weeks of training. SHBG increased (from 27.5 ± 9.5 to 34.7 ± 8.1 nM, p < 0.05) whereas T/SHBG decreased significantly (from 1.10 ± 0.4 to 0.85 ± 0.3, p < 0.05). Serum total testosterone and cortisol did not change significantly. In urine, androsterone and etiocholanolone decreased significantly, whereas testosterone and epitestosterone remained unchanged. Changes in T/SHBG were related positively with changes in urinary androgens (r = 0.680, p < 0.01), and changes in SHBG were negatively related with changes in urinary androgens (r = −0.578, p < 0.01). These results suggest that intense physical activity may have an influence on the elimination of androgenic hormones due mainly to changes in their transporting protein SHBG.     

High throughput culture and gametogenesis induction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laminaria japonica</Emphasis> gametophyte clones

In anticipation of the application of a new sporeling-raising method using gametophyte clones to Laminaria commercial cultivation in China, techniques of mass culture and gametogenesis induction of L. japonica gametophyte clones were developed, as a mass of fertile gametophytes is a prerequisite for sporeling-raising with the new method. Gametophyte clones which were subjected to fed-batch culture exhibited a classical logistic growth curve. Growth rates decreased gradually after 2 months of culture, and were negatively correlated to cell density. UNOVA also showed that only cell density has a significant effect on the growth of gametophyte clones under the experimental conditions. Based on the dynamics models revealed, a culture strategy only directed at the control of cell density was adopted. By this strategy, a total of 36 kg wet weight from an initial weight of 0.75 kg was achieved after 3 months culture in 100 20-L bottles. The final average density reached 24 g L⁻¹. For the subsequent gametogenesis induction, amplificatory male and female gametophyte clones were cut, mixed and cultured in bottles under the same conditions used in amplification except for a change of photoperiod from continuous irradiance to 10 h light: 14 h dark cycle. Egg discharge occurred 10 days after the mixed culture and increased gradually with the culture duration. Most gametophytes gave rise to sporophytes 20 days after induction. Large-scale culture of gametophyte clones and gametogenesis induction for commercial cultivation in 2003–2005 have been conducted successfully.     

Relationships Between Respiratory Function Disorders and Serum Copper Levels in Copper Mineworkers

The aim of this study was to investigate the respiratory function disorders that could be related to dust exposure during the production of copper mine in copper mineworkers (CMWs). The study included 75 male CMWs (mean age, 32.0 ± 7.1 years, 58.6% smokers) and 75 male age- and smoking status-matched healthy control subjects. Serum Cu level was significantly higher in the CMW group (0.80 ± 0.62 μg/ml) than the control group (0.60 ± 0.39 μg/ml) (p = 0.017). Significant negative correlations were found between serum Cu level and forced expiratory volume in first second (r = −0.600; p < 0.001) and between serum Cu level and forced vital capacity (r = −0.593; p = <0.001) in CMWs. Serum Cu level was significantly higher in the restrictive type pulmonary function disorders group (1.36 ± 0.62 μg/ml) than obstructive type (0.90 ± 0.55 μg/ml) and normal pulmonary function pattern group (0.53 ± 0.43 μg/ml) (p < 0.001). Patients with radiological parenchymal abnormalities had significantly higher serum copper levels than those without abnormalities (1.53 ± 0.52 vs. 0.71 ± 0.52 μg/ml, respectively; p = 0.002). In conclusion, result of the study has shown a negative association between pulmonary functions disorders and radiological abnormalities and serum Cu levels in CMWs.     

Influence of Therapy with Metformin on the Concentration of Certain Divalent Cations in Patients with Non-insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Research was performed on a group of 30 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), who never received antidiabetic medication before, and on a group of 17 healthy adults. The patients were administered treatment with metformin, 1,000 mg/day. Plasmatic and urinary concentration of magnesium have been measured, copper and zinc along with the concentrations of glucose, HDL, LDL, cholesterol, tryglicerides, HbA1c, and total erythrocyte magnesium, in advance and after 3 months of treatment. Data showed significant differences in the NIDDM group vs the control group: for plasma magnesium—1.95 ± 0.19 vs 2.20 ± 0.18 mg/dl, p < 0.001; urine magnesium—237.28 ± 34.51 vs 126.25 ± 38.22 mg/24 h, p < 0.001; erythrocyte magnesium—5.09 ± 0.63 vs 6.38 ± 0.75 mg/dl, p < 0.001; plasma zinc—67.56 ± 6.21 vs 98.41 ± 20.47 μg/dl, p < 0.001; urine zinc—1,347.54 ± 158.24 vs 851.65 ± 209.75 μg/24 h, p < 0.001; plasma copper—111.91 ± 20.98 vs 96.33 ± 8.56 μg/dl, p < 0.001; and urine copper—51.70 ± 23.79 vs 36.00 ± 11.70 μg/24 h, p < 0.05. Treatment with metformin for 3 months modified significant erythrocyte magnesium—5.75 ± 0.61 vs 5.09 ± 0.63 mg/dl, p < 0.001 and urine magnesium—198.27 ± 27.07 vs 237.28 ± 34.51 mg/24 h, p < 0.001, whereas it did not modify significant the plasmatic and urinary concentration of the other cations. The erythrocyte magnesium concentration was inversely correlated with HbA1c (r = −0.438, p = 0.015). The plasma level of copper was positively correlated with HbA1c (r = 0.517, p < 0.003), tryglicerides (r = 0.534, p < 0.003), and cholesterol (r = 0.440, p < 0.05), and the plasma level of zinc was inversely correlated with glycemia (r = −0.399, p = 0.029). Our data show a significant action of metformin therapy, by increasing the total intraerythrocyte magnesium concentration and decreasing the urinary magnesium elimination, positively correlated with the decrease of glycemia and HbA1c in NIDDM patients.     

Evaluation of Iron in Serum and Urine and their Relation with Thyroid Function in Female Goitrous Patients

In many developing countries, women are at high risk of goiter and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Iron deficiency adversely affects thyroid metabolism and may decrease the efficiency of thyroid hormones in areas of endemic goiter. The aim of the present study was to compare the level of iron (Fe) in biological samples (serum and urine) and serum thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxin (FT4) of goitrous female patients (GFPs; n = 69) with those of nongoitrous women as control subjects (n = 117), age range 21–45 years. The biological samples were analyzed for Fe concentration using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, prior to microwave-assisted wet acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the method was checked by the certified sample and with those obtained by conventional wet acid digestion method on the same CRM and real samples. The overall recoveries of Fe in serum and urine were found in the range of 97.2–98.6% of certified values. The results of this study showed that the mean values of Fe in serum and urine samples of GFPs were significantly reduced as compared to control subjects (p = 0.002 and p = 0.015, respectively). The mean values of FT3 and FT4 were found to be lower in GFPs than in the age-matched healthy control women; in contrast, high mean values of TSH were detected in GFPs (p = 0.003). There was a positive correlation between serum Fe concentration and TSH (r = 0.85, p = 0.01), FT3 (r = 0.95, p = 0.003), and FT4 levels (r = 0.98, p = 0.007) in GFPs. It was observed that iron deficiency is prevalent in GFPs, so the need of Fe supplementation will be required to improve the efficacy of thyroid metabolism in goitrous women.     

Correlation Between Dietary Zinc Intakes and Its Serum Levels with Depression Scales in Young Female Students

It has been suggested that mood disorders and depressive status may be accompanied by lowered zinc status in the body, and adequate consumption of zinc increases a general perceived well-being. The main objective of this study was to assess the correlation between serum zinc concentrations and dietary zinc intakes with depression scores in university female students. In the first phase, Beck's depression questionnaire was applied in a random sampling of 308 selected 20–25-year-old female students (one third of total students in Ahvaz Jondi-Shapour University of Medical Sciences Golestan dormitories) to assess the major depressive disorder (MDD) scales. Then, in the second phase, 23 students who identified as having moderate and severe depression were selected as the case group, and 23 healthy age matched were chosen as the controls. Each of them completed a 12-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire containing the main food sources of zinc in the usual dietary patterns and also a 24-h food recall questionnaire to assure the daily zinc intakes. Daily zinc intakes were obtained by multiplying each portion size by its zinc content using food tables. A 5-ml blood sample was taken for further serum zinc status using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. Pearson's r was used to show the correlation between quantitative variables. Both daily zinc intake and serum zinc concentrations of MDD group were about two thirds of healthy index (p < 0.01). Depressed individuals used to eat lower servings of red meats and chicken as the main food sources of zinc in students' usual diets (p < 0.001). Consumption of other foods as the sources of zinc was not significantly different in two groups. A linear significant correlation between dietary zinc intakes and its serum levels was seen in samples (r = 0.62; p < 0.001) and MDD students (r = 0.55; p < 0.001). There was a linear inverse correlation between Beck questionnaire scores and serum zinc concentrations in all of the investigated students(r = -0.65; p < 0.001) and MDD girls (r = −0.71; p < 0.001). Beck questionnaire scores and diatary zinc intakes were also inversly correlated (r = −0.58; p < 0.001). However, no statistical correlation was seen between these two variables in MDD cases. In depressed female students, dietary zinc intake is correlated to its serum concentrations; however, the serum zinc levels are inversely correlated to depression scales. Consumption of the main dietary sources of zinc such as red meats and chicken should be encouraged in young depressed girls.     

Relationship Between Serum Calcium and Magnesium Concentrations and Metabolic Syndrome Diagnostic Components in Middle-Aged Korean Men

It is thought that calcium and magnesium may be related to metabolic disorders such as obesity and metabolic syndrome; however, to date, there have been few studies investigating the association between serum calcium and magnesium levels and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged male adults. We aimed to investigate the association between serum calcium and magnesium levels and metabolic syndrome in Korean middle-aged male adults. Study subjects included 213 men aged 30∼60 years. MetS risk score is determined by adding the number of risk factors, waist circumference, triacylglyceride (TG), HDL cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure (BP). The study population was divided into three groups according to the MetS risk score: group I (MetS risk score ≤1; n = 106), group II (MetS risk score = 2; n = 51), and group III (MetS risk score ≥3; n = 56). The serum Ca, according to increase of MetS risk score, was significantly higher (p < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in serum Mg concentration among the three groups. Subjects with high TG and high BP had higher serum calcium levels than those without such abnormalities. Subjects with higher glucose had lower serum magnesium levels than those without such abnormality. The correlation analysis indicated that the serum Ca had positive correlations with the MetS risk score (r = 0.1769, p < 0.01), serum TG (r = 0.2516, p < 0.001), and DBP (r = 0.2246, p < 0.01). The correlation analysis indicated that the serum Mg had an inverse relationship with serum glucose (r = −0.2404, p < 0.001). In conclusion, serum Ca had positive association with TG and BP, while serum Mg had negative association with serum glucose after adjusting age and BMI among the middle-aged Korean male adults.