Mineral deficiencies in tule elk, Owens Valley, California

Male tule elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes) are susceptible to high rates of antler breakage in Owens Valley, California. We hypothesized that a mineral deficiency in the diet predisposed male elk to antler breakage. We analyzed elk antler, liver, and forage samples to identify mineral imbalances. We compared the mineral content of livers and antlers from elk in Owens Valley to samples taken from tule elk at Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, a population experiencing normal rates (<5%) of antler breakage. Antler and liver samples were collected from 1989 to 1993, and in 2002, and were tested for calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn). Mineral levels from antler and liver samples were compared to reference values established for elk and deer. We also compared the mineral content of elk forage in Owens Valley, collected in 2002-03, to dietary reference values established for cattle. In antlers, Ca, Fe, and Mg levels were higher in Owens Valley elk than in Grizzly Island elk, although all mineral levels were lower than reference values established for deer antlers. In liver samples, Cu levels from elk in Owens Valley were lower than those from Grizzly Island and lower than minimum reference values; liver Ca and Mo levels were higher in elk from Owens Valley than in those from Grizzly Island. Compared to reference values, elk forage in Owens Valley had high levels of Ca and Mo, and low levels of Cu, P, and Zn. Mineral analyses from antlers, livers, and forage suggest that tule elk in the Owens Valley are Cu and/or P deficient. High levels of Mo and Ca may exacerbate Cu and P deficiencies, respectively. Bone fragility is a symptom of both deficiencies, and an imbalance in Cu, P, or a combination of both, may predispose male tule elk in the Owens Valley to antler breakage.     

Effects of yak dung patch dropped in cold season on soil and pasture on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

To clarify how dung patches from grazing yaks affect soil and pasture in the alpine meadow of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, yak dung was collected, mixed and redistributed in a cold grazing season. The soil physical and chemical properties and forage growth were then monitored under the yak dung patch, and 10 cm and 50 cm from the edge of yak dung patches. The result has shown that yak dung significantly improved soil moisture, total organic matter, and soil available N and P under or close to the dung patches. The forage production at 10 cm from the dung patch (303 g/m²) was significantly higher than that at 50 cm from the dung patch (control) (284 g/m²) in the second year, while the production was similar to the control in the first and the third year. The process of yak dung decomposition was slow and yak dung remains were observed 3 years after the drop. The dung patches also formed a strong ‘shell’, very difficult for plant underneath to penetrate and grow. Therefore, almost all plants under yak dung patches died, leading to decline in forage yield in the first, second, and the third year. In practice in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau regions, yak dung is often collected as fuel by the local farmers. Removing yak dung from alpine meadow may on one hand lead to losses in soil nutrients, but on the other hand reduces some of the negative effects, e.g. the reduction of forage yield under yak dung patches.     

高寒小嵩草草甸牦牛优化放牧强度的研究

高寒小嵩草草甸牦牛放牧强度试验表明:(1)不同放牧强度下各植物类群的地上生物量和总的地上生物量之间差异极显著,莎草科植物地上生物量的百分比组成之间差异极显著,禾本科和杂类草地上生物量的百分比组成之间差异显著,而且禾本科和莎草科(除对照外)植物的地上生物量及其百分比组成随放牧强度的增加而减小,杂类草的变化与之相反;(2)优良牧草比例和草地质量指数与放牧强度之间均呈负相关,而优良牧草比例的年度变化和牦牛个体增重的年度变化之间呈正相关;(3)群落的相似性系数随放牧强度的增加而减小.通过建立植被变化度量指标,认为优良牧草比例的年度变化是评价高寒小嵩草草甸放牧价值的直接度量指标,而相似性系数的变化和草地质量指数的变化与牦牛生产力没有明显的联系,不能反映草场植被放牧价值的变化,只能指示植物群落整体的相对变化程度;牦牛的放牧强度约为1.86头/hm2是小嵩草高寒草甸暖季草场可持续生产而不退化的最大放牧强度.     

Impaired biliary secretion of immunoglobulin A in vitamin A-deficient rats

The effect of vitamin A deficiency on biliary secretion of IgA was investigated. Rats used in this study were rendered vitamin A deficient following withdrawal of retinoic acid from the diet of retinoate-cycled animals. This procedure allows a precise control of both the onset of deficiency and dietary protein-energy input. Defective synthesis and transport of IgA antibodies into the bile was evident when vitamin A-deficient rats (A-) were immunized by injections of either Brucella abortus or sheep red blood cells directly into the Peyer's patches. Antibody titers in the bile of A- animals were significantly lower than those of A+ controls (P less than 0.01). These A- rats also had significantly lower levels of total IgA in the bile compared with A+ controls (P less than 0.05). Moreover, the transport of labeled rat IgA injected intravenously was adversely affected in these animals. These results, together with our previous report on the impaired intestinal antibody in A- rats, clearly indicate that vitamin A deficiency interferes with the transport of IgA antibodies into the bile of these animals.     

Energy status and functioning of phosphorus-deficient soybean nodules

Characterization of the effects of long-term P deficiency and of onset and recovery from P deficiency on bacteroid mass and number per unit nodule mass and energy status of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) nodules was used to investigate the mechanisms by which P deficiency decreases symbiotic N₂ fixation. The continuous P deficiency treatment (0.05 millimolar P) significantly decreased the whole plant dry mass, P, and N by 62, 90, and 78%, respectively, relative to the P-sufficient control (1.0 millimolar) at 44 days after transplanting. Specific nitrogenase activity was decreased an average of 28% over a 16-day experimental period by P deficiency. Whole nodules of P-deficient controls contained 70 to 75% lower ATP concentrations than nodules of P-sufficient controls. Energy charge and ATP concentrations in the bacteroid fraction of nodules were not significantly affected by P treatment. However, ATP and total adenylate concentrations and energy charge in the plant cell fraction of nodules were significantly decreased 91, 62, and 50%, respectively, by the P deficiency treatment. Specific nitrogenase activity, energy charge, and ATP concentration in the plant cell fraction increased to the levels of nonstressed controls within 2, 2, and 4 days, respectively, after alleviation of external P limitation, whereas bacteroid mass per unit nodule mass and bacteroid N concentration did not increase to the level of nonstressed controls until 7 days after alleviation of external P limitation. All of these parameters except bacteroid mass per unit nodule mass decreased to the levels of the P-deficient controls by 11 days after onset of external P limitation. Concentration of ATP in the bacteroid fraction was not significantly affected by alteration in the external P supply. Energy charge in the bacteroid fraction from plants recovering from P deficiency was decreased to a small (10%) but significant extent (P < 0.05) at two sampling dates relative to P-sufficient controls. These ATP concentration and energy charge measurements indicate that P deficiency impaired oxidative phosphorylation in the plant cell fraction of nodules to a much greater extent than in the bacteroids. The concurrence of significant changes in specific nitrogenase activity (2 days) and in the energy charge (2 days) and ATP concentration (4 days) in the plant cell fraction during recovery from external P limitation is consistent with the conclusion that P deficiency decreases the specific nitrogenase activity by inhibiting an energy-dependent reaction(s) in the plant cell fraction of the nodules.     

Differences in mitochondrial gene expression profiles, enzyme activities and myosin heavy chain types in yak versus bovine skeletal muscles

Hypoxia can affect energy metabolism. We examined gene expression and enzyme activity related to mitochondrial energy metabolism, as well as myosin heavy chain (MyHC) types in yaks (Bos grunniens) living at high altitudes. Real-time quantitative PCR assays indicated that the yak has significantly lower levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) mRNA in the biceps femoris and lower levels of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) mRNA in both biceps femoris and longissimus dorsi than in Yellow cattle. No significant differences between yak and Yellow cattle were observed in the activities of mitochondrial β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase in the same muscles. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the MyHC 1 mRNA levels in yak biceps femoris was lower than in Yellow cattle. We conclude that the yak has significantly lower mRNA levels of CPT, UCP3, and MyHC 1 in biceps femoris than in Yellow cattle, suggesting that the yak biceps femoris has lower fatty acid oxidation capacity and greater glycolytic metabolic potential.     

Blubber testosterone: A potential marker of male reproductive status in short-beaked common dolphins

A novel molecular technique was used to measure blubber testosterone (BT) in 114 male short-beaked common dolphins, Delphinus delphis , collected from incidental fishery bycatch and strandings. When these concentrations were compared across maturity states, the mean (± SEM) BT levels of mature D. delphis (14.3 ± 3.0 ng/g) were significantly higher than those of pubertal (2.5 ± 0.5 ng/g, P = 0.006) and immature animals (2.2 ± 0.3 ng/g, P < 0.0001). BT concentrations in mature males were significantly higher in summer months (53.9 ± 2.0 ng/g) than during the rest of the year (7.9 ± 0.69 ng/g, P < 0.0001), indicating reproductive seasonality. An analysis of BT in different anatomical locations showed that hormone concentrations were not homogenous throughout the body; the levels in the dorsal fin were significantly lower than in most other areas ( F = 5.39, P = 0.043). Conversely, we found no significant differences in BT concentration with respect to subepidermal depth ( F = 2.09, P = 0.146). Finally, testosterone levels in biopsies from 138 free-swimming male D. delphis , of unknown maturity state, sampled off California were found to be of concentrations similar to those from the fishery bycatch and stranding samples and revealed an analogous trend with respect to ordinal date.     

类风湿关节炎患者血清维生素D水平与疾病活动度相关

目的:探讨类风湿关节炎(Rheumatoid arthritis,RA)患者血清维生素D(25(OH)D)水平与疾病活动度的关系。方法:总共纳入180例RA患者,同时纳入60例年龄、性别相匹配的健康对照。检测所有参与者的血清25(OH)D水平及所有RA患者C反应蛋白和血沉。同时获取RA患者晨僵时间、疼痛视觉模拟表评分、乏力视觉模拟表评分、压痛关节数、肿胀关节数、健康评估量表得分、情绪变化量表得分等。利用RA患者28个关节疾病活动评分(Disease activity score in 28 joints,DAS28)评估RA疾病活动度。结果:相对于健康对照组(43.89±16.28 ng/m L),RA患者的血清25(OH)D明显降低(28.52±8.95 ng/m L)(P=0.000)。RA患者的血清25(OH)D水平越低,压痛关节数、肿胀关节数越多(P=0.043,r=-0.132;P=0.017,r=-0.177),血沉、C反应蛋白越高(P=0.018,r=-0.177;P=0.007,r=-0.200),同时DAS28评分越高(P=0.007,r=-0.201);患者的晨僵时间、疼痛评分、乏力评分、健康评估量表得分及情绪量表得分与血清维生素D水平负相关(P=0.043,r=-0.151;P=0.019,r=-0.175;P=0.006,r=-0.205;P=0.048,r=-0.147;P=0.017,r=-0.178)。结论:RA患者血清维生素D普遍缺乏,并且与RA患者疾病活动度负相关。     

Plant growth and cation composition of two cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) differing in P uptake efficiency.

Phosphorus (P)-zinc (Zn) interactions were investigated in two wheat cultivars (Brookton versus Krichauff) differing in P uptake efficiency. The experiment was done in a growth chamber. Rock phosphate (RP) or CaHPO4 (CaP) were used as P sources, and ammonium nitrate (AN) or nitrate only (NO) were used as nitrogen sources. Two Zn levels were used, 0.22 mg x kg(-1) (LZ) and 2.2 mg ZnSO4.7H2O x kg(-1) (HZ), respectively. P availability significantly affected plant biomass production, but Zn supply had little effect. Plants fed ammonium nitrate had significantly lower concentrations of cations than those fed nitrate only. Cultivar Brookton (with higher P uptake efficiency) consistently had lower concentrations of cations than cv. Krichauff (with low P uptake efficiency) under limited P supply. The differences in concentrations of cations increased with the decrease in P availability, but were not affected by Zn supply. The ratio of potassium in roots to shoots of cultivar Brookton was always higher than in cultivar Krichauff. Based on these findings, it is postulated that the lower concentrations of cations in cultivar Brookton are related to root exudation of organic anions, and a conceptual model is established to describe the regulation of root exudation of organic anions and concentrations of cations.     

Application of sensitive enzymeimmunoassays for oxytocin and prolactin determination in blood plasma of yaks (Poephagus grunniens L.) during milk let down and cyclicity

Highly sensitive and specific enzymeimmunoassays for oxytocin and prolactin determination in yak plasma using the biotin-streptavidin amplification system and the second antibody coating technique were validated and applied for determining their profiles during milk let down and cyclicity in yaks. Oxytocin EIA was conducted taking duplicate 200 microl of unknown plasma samples and standards per well. The lowest detection limit was 0.2 pg/well, which corresponded to 1pg/ml plasma. Prolactin EIA was carried out directly in 50 microl of yak plasma. The sensitivity of EIA procedure was 5 pg/well prolactin, which corresponded to 0.1 ng/ml plasma. Mean plasma prolactin concentrations although high at estrus were not statistically different (P > 0.05) from the hormone concentrations on other days. Mean plasma prolactin concentrations during non-breeding season were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that recorded in breeding season. Oxytocin and prolactin profiles were also obtained in two yaks before, during and after milking. A sharp release of oxytocin and prolactin shortly after udder stimulation was observed. High levels of oxytocin and prolactin were maintained during milking, falling sharply thereafter.     

元谋干热河谷燥红土和变性土上植物叶片的元素含量及其重吸收效率

采用盆栽试验,研究元谋干热河谷燥红土和变性土上生长的植物叶片以及凋落叶营养元素含量,并分析养分重吸收效率对土壤类型与物种互作的响应.结果表明: 土壤类型对叶片N、P、Ca、Mg、Cu、Zn、Fe、N∶P以及凋落叶N、P、Mn、N∶P均有显著影响;燥红土植物叶片与凋落叶N、Mn含量和N∶P显著高于变性土,而燥红土植物叶片P、Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu、Zn和凋落叶P含量显著低于变性土.燥红土植物叶片N含量较变性土高34.8%,而P含量低40.0%;在叶片凋落时,N、P、K表现为重吸收,而其他元素呈富集状态.燥红土凋落叶Ca、Mg、Mn富集系数显著高于变性土.物种仅对叶片N含量有显著影响,物种与土壤交互作用对植物叶片和凋落叶元素含量影响不显著,表明各土壤类型对不同物种元素含量的影响方式较为一致.土壤类型对植物元素含量的影响可进一步作用于干热河谷植物凋落物分解、植物-土壤的养分反馈以及生物地球化学循环.     

Some effects of experimentally-induced diabetes on pituitary-testicular relationships in rats.

The effect of experimentally-induced diabetes mellitus on reproductive organ weights, serum and pituitary gonadotropin levels and serum testosterone levels was studied in 3-month old rats. In experiment 1, intact rats were treated with alloxan monohydrate or streptozotocin. In experiments 2 and 3, intact and castrated rats were rendered diabetic with alloxan (experiment 2) or streptozotocin (experiment 3). The duration of each experiment was 3 weeks. In each experiment diabetes resulted in body weight losses or reduced body weight gain, elevated serum glucose concentrations and reduced assessory sex gland weights (intact rats). Serum levels of testosterone were depressed (P less than 0.05 or P less than 0.01) in diabetic rats. Serum levels of LH were significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in intact diabetics than in controls when pooled data from the three experiments were compared. Serum levels of FSH were not affected by diabetes. Pituitary concentrations of FSH were elevated (P less than 0.05) in diabetics in two of the three experiments, while LH concentrations were elevated (P less than 0.05 or P less than 0.01) in diabetics in all experiments. The hypersecretion of gonadotropins in castrated rats was not affected by diabetes.     

叶酸缺乏对小鼠胚胎干细胞Nespas DMR区甲基化修饰的影响

目的：探讨叶酸缺乏对小鼠胚胎干细胞（ESCs）中Nespas差异甲基化区域（Differentially Methylated Region,DMR）甲基化修饰的影响以及叶酸浓度与甲基化水平的关系。方法：多种不同浓度叶酸处理小鼠ESCs,化学发光免疫分析法检测ESCs细胞内叶酸浓度。利用MassARRAY技术平台检测三种不同叶酸浓度处理后的ESCs中Nespas DMR启动子区,外显子区和内含子区甲基化修饰状态,并且分析Nespas DMR启动子区,外显子区和内含子区甲基化水平与叶酸浓度之间的关系。结果：无叶酸组（FF）小鼠ESCs细胞内叶酸浓度显著低于低叶酸组（FD）与正常叶酸组（FN）（P〈0.05）。Nespas DMR中启动子区、外显子区以及内含子区甲基化水平在FF组显著低于FD和FN组（P〈0.05）,并且Nespas DMR中启动子区以及内含子区甲基化水平与叶酸浓度存在显著的正相关（P〈0.05）。结论：叶酸缺乏影响小鼠ESCs中Nespas DMR区甲基化修饰的建立。     

Significance of complement activation in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia of "warm type"

To study possible relationships between serum C3 and C4 levels and fixation of complement components (C) on red cells, 79 patients of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia of warm type (AIHA) and 7 patients of various diseases with positive direct antiglobulintest (DAT) but without haemolysis were investigated. 23 out of 79 patients with AIHA were analyzed repeatedly during the course of the disease. There were no significant differences of C levels between the various clinical types. However, the number of patients with reduced levels of C3 and C4 was significantly higher among cases with C fixation on the red cells than among those with fixation of immunoglobulins alone. Changes were more pronounced for C4 than C3 and mean values of serum C4 were significantly lower in the group with C fixation. If incomplete warm haemolysins were demonstrable, C4 levels were lower than in cases without warm haemolysins. During the clinical course, C3 and C4 concentrations showed a close correlation to the severity of haemolysis.     

Developmental changes of hypothalamic, pituitary and striatal tachykinins in response to testosterone: influence of prenatal melatonin.

Substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA), members of the family of mammalian tachykinins, are involved in the regulation of many physiological functions and are widely distributed in mammalian tissues. In this report, the effects of prenatal melatonin on the postnatal developmental pattern of NKA, and SP, and on testosterone secretion were investigated. Also, tachykinin response to the administration of testosterone propionate (TP) was studied. The brain areas studied were medio-basal-hypothalamus, pituitary gland and striatum. Male rat offspring of control or melatonin treated mother rats were studied at different ages of the sexual development: infantile, juvenile or prepubertal periods, and pubertal period. Both groups received exogenous TP (control-offspring+TP and MEL-offspring+TP), or the vehicle (control-offspring+placebo and MEL-offspring+placebo). Hypothalamic concentrations of all peptides studied in control-offspring+placebo remained at low levels until the juvenile period, days 30-31 of age. After this age, increasing concentrations of these peptides were found, with peak values at puberty, 40-41 days of age, then declining until adulthood. In the MEL-offspring+placebo a different pattern of development was observed; hypothalamic concentrations of NKA and SP from the infantile period until the end of juvenile period were significantly higher than in control-offspring+placebo. TP administration exerted a more marked influence on MEL-offspring than on control-offspring and prevented the elevation in tachykinin concentrations associated with prenatal melatonin treatment. TP administration to control-offspring resulted in significantly reduced (P < 0.05) tachykinin concentration only at 40-41 days of age, and increased (P < 0.01) during infantile period as compared to control-offspring+placebo. Pituitary NKA concentrations were lower than in the hypothalamus. In control-offspring+placebo pituitary NKA levels did not show significant changes throughout sexual development. A different developmental pattern was observed in MEL-offspring+placebo, with significantly increased (P < 0.05) pituitary NKA concentrations at 35-36 days of age than in control-offspring+placebo. TP administration to control-offspring influenced pituitary NKA levels at the end of the infantile and pubertal periods, showing at both stages significantly higher (P < 0.05) NKA levels as compared to control-offspring+placebo. NKA levels in MEL-offspring+TP were only affected at 21-22 days of age, showing significantly increased (P < 0.01) values as compared to MEL-offspring+placebo. Striatal tachykinin concentrations in control-offspring did not undergo important modifications throughout sexual development, but during the prepubertal period they started to increase. Maternal melatonin and TP injections produced short-lived alterations during the infantile period. The results showed that prenatal melatonin delayed the postnatal testosterone secretion pattern until the end of the pubertal period and postnatal peptide secretion in brain structures. Consequently, all functions depending of the affected areas will in turn, be affected.     

Selenium, boron, and germanium deficiency in the etiology of Kashin-Beck disease

Concentrations of selenium (Se), boron (B), and germanium (Ge) were determined in scalp hair of children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD), in healthy children in KBD-disease endemic areas, and in healthy children in non-KBD areas. Mean Se, B, and Ge concentrations were low in children with KBD; in hair of healthy children in KBD areas, Se levels were normal but B and Ge levels were lower than in KBD-free areas. The hair levels of B and Ge were unaffected by selenium supplementation. It is suggested that B and Ge deficiency may be contributing factors in the etiology of KBD.     

Reference ranges of copper and zinc and the prevalence of their deficiencies in an Arab population aged 15-80 years

Serum concentrations of copper and zinc were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 560 Kuwaitis aged from 15 to 80 yr who were in apparent good health to establish reference ranges and determine the prevalence of the deficiency of the trace metals. Zinc/copper ratios were derived by calculation. Because the mean +/- SD (microM) for copper in females (24.9 +/- 7) was significantly higher (p<0.0001) than in males (21.0 +/- 5.8) and vice versa for zinc (17.0 +/- 3.5 [males] vs 15.5 +/- 3.4 [females]) and zinc/copper ratios (0.87 +/- 0.28 [males] vs 0.67 +/- 0.27 [females]), gender-specific reference ranges were established in addition to reference ranges for the total population. The reference range for zinc was closer to those reported for other populations than was copper. Body mass index (BMI) and copper values were lower and the zinc/copper ratio was higher in the young (15-24 yr) compared to the older subjects. Copper concentrations were positively associated with BMI values (r=0.302, p<0.0001). Smokers had significantly lower (p=0.011) BMI than nonsmokers. The prevalence of copper and zinc deficiency, 0.36% and 0.53%, respectively, was low. Generally, the values for serum copper and zinc obtained for the Kuwaiti population studied suggest adequate dietary intake of the trace metals.     

Voluntary run training but not estradiol deficiency alters the tibial bone-soleus muscle functional relationship in mice

The study's objective was to investigate how estrogen deficiency and run training affect the tibial bone-soleus muscle functional relationship in mice. Female mice were assigned into one of two surgical conditions, ovariectomy (OVX) or sham ovariectomy (sham), and one of two activity conditions, voluntary wheel running (Run) or sedentary (Sed). To determine whether differences observed between OVX and sham conditions could be attributed to estradiol (E(2)), additional OVX mice were supplemented with E(2). Tibial bones were analyzed for their functional capacities, ultimate load, and stiffness. Soleus muscles were analyzed for their functional capacities, maximal isometric tetanic force (P(o)), and peak eccentric force. The ratios of bone functional capacities to those of muscle were calculated. The bone functional capacities were affected by both surgical condition and activity but more strongly by surgical condition. Ultimate load and stiffness for the sham group were 7-12% greater than those for OVX animals (P = 0.002), whereas only stiffness was greater for Run than for Sed animals (9%; P = 0.015). The muscle functional capacities were affected by both surgical condition and activity; however, in contrast to the bone, the muscle was more affected by activity. P(o) and peak eccentric force were 10-21% greater for Run than for Sed animals (P < or = 0.016), whereas only P(o) was greater in sham than in OVX animals (9%; P = 0.011). The bone-to-muscle ratios of functional capacities were affected by activity but not by surgical condition or E(2) supplementation. Thus a mismatch of bone-muscle function occurred in mice that voluntarily ran on wheels, irrespective of estrogen status.     

Selenoprotein P and Yunnan Endemic Sudden Cardiac Death—an Ecological Study

The aim of the present study was to explore the role of selenoprotein P (SePP) in the etiology of the endemic sudden cardiac death in Yunnan, China. The levels of SePP of 124 subjects and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) of 119 subjects were measured. The subjects were from the old and new endemic areas and non-endemic areas. The levels of SePP and GPx of the subjects of the old endemic area were significantly higher than those of the subjects of the new endemic area and the non-endemic areas, respectively. The Pearson’s correlation among SePP, GPx, and the number of the incident cases of the disease were statistically significant. These correlations show that there is an inverse relationship among the number of patients and the levels of SePP (r? = ?? 0.9800, P ?= ?0.0200) and GPx (r? = ?? 0.961, P ?= ?0.009). The results show that selenium deficiency might play an important role in the incidence of the disease.