Genetic Associations of () and () with Prediabetes in the Ethnic Kazakh Population.

Background: This study aims to investigate the genetic contribution of polymorphic variants of the () and () genes to the risk of developing prediabetes in individuals of Kazakh ethnicity.

Materials And Methods: This was a case-control study involving 200 cases with prediabetes and 200 prediabetes-free controls, aged 16-60 years ( = 400). Real-time polymerase chain reaction on a StepOnePlus instrument (Applied Biosystems, USA), employing the TaqMan method for site-specific amplification and genotyping of the () and () genes was used.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Maternal Diseases as Risk Factors for the Development of Macrosomia in Newborns.

The aim is to assess the association between the level of vitamin D, maternal diseases, and macrosomia in newborns. : This study included 258 full-term newborns (86 newborns with macrosomia; and 172 newborns with normal weight). Enzyme immunoassays for the determination of vitamin D were performed.

Gene polymorphisms and serum levels of BDNF and CRH in vitiligo patients.

Background: Vitiligo is one of the most common hypomelanoses, in which the destruction of functioning melanocytes causes depigmentation of the skin, hair and mucous membranes. The genes encrypting brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) might be the conceivable contributors to the development of vitiligo. This study was aimed at investigation of the serum levels of BDNF and CRH as well as their selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitiligo patients in comparison with the healthy controls.

Are Kazakhstani Women Satisfied with Antenatal Care? Implementing the WHO Tool to Assess the Quality of Antenatal Services.

Women's satisfaction is a part of the quality assurance process with potential to improve antenatal health services. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of women's satisfaction with antenatal care in an urban Kazakhstani setting and investigate associated factors. A total of 1496 women who delivered in all maternity clinics from 6 February through 11 July 2013 in Semey, East Kazakhstan, filled out a standardized pretested questionnaire on satisfaction with antenatal care.