SUMMARYAlthough vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common health problems throughout the world, including Iran, conflicting information exists on the potential association between serum vitamin D levels and semen quality. This study intended to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D [25(OH) D3] with semen quality and hormones in Iranian subfertile men. We also compared mean vitamin D and hormone levels in normospermic men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) men. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 278 men who were referred to Royan Infertility Clinic (Tehran, Iran) from March to September 2014. The participants were categorized into two groups; of 186 normospermic and 92 OAT patients according to World Health Organization 2010 criteria. Each participant provided informed consent prior to launching research. Participants completed two general questionnaires of nutritional status. Blood and semen samples were obtained for assessment, and all data were adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), and season. Vitamin D levels were classified according to Institute of Medicine guidelines. Vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and normal levels were observed in 8.6%, 43.6%, 47.8% of participants, respectively. No association was found between daily dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium with sperm parameters. Serum vitamin D was inversely correlated with PTH (p < 0.045). In normospermic men, serum vitamin D levels categorized were not correlated with semen parameters and reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone(T), and FT), whereas sperm motility showed a positive correlation with vitamin D categorized in OAT men (rs = 0.131, p = 0.028). In conclusion, there was a high incidence of deficiency and insufficiency 25(OH) D Levels (<20ng/ml) observed in Iranian men (52.2%). Moreover, our findings showed a correlation between vitamin D levels and sperm motility in OAT men, which requires further studies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of several dietary fatty acids (FAs) on semen quality and blood parameters in rams. We gave diet-supplemented treatments (35 g day(-1) ram(-1)) by C16:0 (palm oil), C18:2 [sunflower oil (SO)] and an n-3 source [fish oil (FO)] to 12 rams, who were fed for 15 weeks during their breeding season. Semen was collected once per week. Semen samples were extended with Tris-based cryoprotective diluents, then cooled to 5 °C and stored in liquid nitrogen. Positive responses were seen with FO after 4 weeks. The mean prefreezing semen characteristics improved with the intake of FO (P < 0.05). Interestingly, maximum sperm output in FO was achieved 7.5 × 10(9) when compared to palm oil 5.3 × 10(9). Rams that received FO had the highest total testosterone concentrations (11.3 ng ml(-1) for FO, 10.8 ng ml(-1) for SO and 10.2 ng ml(-1) for palm oil) during the experiment (P < 0.05). FO also improved the rams' sperm characteristics after thawing (P < 0.05). Although C16:0 is a major saturated FA in ram sperm and all rams have been fed isoenergetic rations, the unique FAs of FO improved fresh semen quality and freezing ability compared to other oils.

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IntroductionMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is defined as one of the inflammatory autoimmune disorders and is common. Its exact etiology is unclear. There are some evidences on the role of environmental factors in susceptible genetics. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible role of Selenium, Zinc, Copper, Lead and Magnesium metals in Multiple Sclerosis patients.MethodsIn the present analytical cross-sectional study, 56 individuals including 26 patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the evaluation. The serum level of Se, Zn, Cu, Pb were quantified in graphite furnace conditions and flame conditions by utilizing an atomic absorption Perkin Elmer spectrophotometer 3030. The serum levels of Mg were measured by auto analyzer 1500 BT. The mean level of minerals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Mg, Se) in serum samples were compared in both cases and controls. The mean level of minerals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Mg, Se) in serum samples were compared in both cases and controls by using independent-samples t-test for normal distribution and Mann-Whitney U test as a non-parametric test. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS 11.0.ResultsAs well as the Zn, Cu, and Se, there was no significant difference between MS patients and healthy individuals in Pb concentrations (p-value = 0.11, 0.14, 0.32, 0.20 respectively) but the level of Mg was significantly different (p= 0.001).ConclusionAll serum concentrations of Zn, Pb, Se, Cu in both groups were in normal ranges and there was no difference in MS patients compared with the healthy group who were matched in genetics. Blood level of Mg was significantly lower in MS patients. But it should be noted that even with the low level of serum magnesium in MS patients, this value is still in the normal range.

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The objective was to study the effects of partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with xylose-treated SBM (XSBM) as a source of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) in the starter concentrate of calves on performance, health status and selected blood metabolites. Twenty-one female Holstein dairy calves (body weight=39.6±2.3 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=7 each): i) starter concentrate with 25% SBM [control (CTR)]; ii) starter concentrate with 17.5% SBM +7.5% XSBM (7.5XSBM); and iii) starter concentrate with 12.5% SBM+12.5% XSBM (12.5XSBM). Calves received 2 L of milk twice daily, with ad libitum access to starter concentrates from d 4 until weaning (d 56). Performance and health status were recorded throughout the experiment. Blood samples collected on d 4, 35 and 56 were assayed for concentrations of glucose, total protein (TP), and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN). Starter intake (560, 400, and 420 g/d for CTR, 7.5XSBM, and 12.5XSBM, respectively), average daily gain (0.67, 0.6 and 0.57 kg/d), and feed to gain ratio (0.83, 0.67, and 0.74) were affected by treatments (P<0.05). Hearth girth, height at withers, body length, rectal temperature, faecal score, and respiratory score did not differ among treatments. Mean plasma glucose and TP were not affected by treatments, whereas PUN in the 12.5XSBM group was lower than in the other groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, the present results showed that partial replacement of SBM by XSBM may improve efficiency of dietary protein utilisation in pre-weaned calves, which warrants further studies.[page 139] growth performance, health status, and selected blood metabolites including glucose, total protein (TP) and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) in Holstein dairy calves.

BackgroundThe national board exam for residents in Iran is held in two parts: Multiple-choice and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The OSCE is a suitable method for evaluation of residents’ clinical qualifications. However, it requires experienced human resources, accurate planning, facilities and reliable evaluation tools.ObjectiveTo determine the challenges of the OSCE National Board Exam in Iran.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on all the final-year pediatrics and gynecology residents of Mashhad University of Medical Science, who participated in the board exam in September 2014. A questionnaire was designed to evaluate the residents’ opinion on challenges of the OSCE. Data was analyzed with SPSS16. We used U Mann–Whitney test independent t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient.ResultsFourteen pediatrics and eleven gynecology residents participated. In the gynecology group, there was no significant statistical correlation between the individual marks and questionnaire scores. However, in the pediatrics group, there was a significant correlation (p=0.046, r=−0.763). Based on pediatrics residents’ perspective, the main challenge of the OSCE part of the exam was the imbalance and disproportion between the allowed time and the task load in each exam stage. In other words, they believed that the tasks could not be fulfilled in the given time. In the gynecology group, the main challenge reported was the delay in announcing the exam results. In the pediatrics group, the main complaint was the disproportion of the allowed time and the task load in the exam stages.ConclusionSome of the challenges of the board exam were associated with the examiners and the exam environment, and some of them were related to the home university where the candidates had studied. To solve the problems, both aspects should be considered.

Background: Poisoning is dangerous and common in children. We evaluated the epidemiological pattern of acute pediatric poisoning and its recent changes in Mashhad. Objectives:The current study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological pattern and recent changes of APP in Mashhad city during 2011-2013. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional/descriptive study was performed based on the data (including age, sex, home address, and diagnosis) recorded in the hospital information system (HIS) regarding children admitted to pediatric toxicology unit of Imam Reza Hospital, the only referral hospital in Mashhad, during 2011 -2013.Results: Over the three years, 1701 children (53% male) aged 60.57 ± 1.95 months were hospitalized. The number of acutely poisoned children (APC) and the proportion of APC to the total number of pediatric admissions were 519 (14.1%) in 2011, 472 (13.5%) in 2012, and 710 (18.1%) in 2013 (P < 0.0001). However, the pediatric to adult poisoning ratio (9.7%, 8.9%, and 8.5%) did not change significantly (P = 0.0561) over the years. The APC cases became older from 55.6 ± 2.3 months in 2011 to 70.0 ± 2.7 months in 2013 (P < 0.0001). The leading cause of APC was opium (179) in 2011 that decreased to 117 in 2013 (P < 0.0001), whereas the methadone induced APC raised from 144 to 252 (P = 0.0303). Conclusions:The number of APC increased in this area over the period of the study. The pattern of pediatric poisoning changed from a traditional opium poisoning to methadone overdose from 2011 to 2013, which may be due to the changing pattern of addiction and increased availability of methadone in the houses of addicted parents.