[Factors influencing the selection of study field in students of Qazvin university of medical sciences]

One of the important choices of the young people after high school period is to make decision about their future field of study. The aim of this study was to assess the factors affecting the selection of educational field among the students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. In this a cross-sectional study, 400 students [24.4% male and 75.6% female] were interviewed in 2009-2010. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and Fisher exact test. Of total students, 71.6% mentioned the reason to choose their field of study was the need of the society, 70.8% interested in the future income of the field, and 34.2% for personal interests. Students should be properly oriented toward their fields of study during pre-university period

[Effect of interleukin-12 p40 subunit gene 3'-untranslated region polymorphism in chronic HCV infection]

Production of unusual cytokine levels in hepatitis C infection appears to be associated with progression of the disease, persistence of the virus in host, and establishment of chronic disease. Interleukin-12 as a heterodimeric immunoregulating cytokine is important in the generation of a Th1-based immune response. In this study we investigated the role of IL-12B 3'UTR polymorphism in susceptibility to chronic hepatitis C infection. A total of 126 chronic hepatitis C patients and 136 healthy blood donors were genotyped for IL12-p 40-3' UTR polymorphism. Genotyping was carried out by PCR-RFLP method. The results were confirmed by analyzing 10% of the samples by direct sequencing. We found no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of the 3'UTR polymorphism between chronic hepatitis C patients and healthy controls. There was no association between IL12B-3'UTR polymorphism and chronic hepatitis C infection. Our study can be useful in regard to the factors regulating IL-12 production, and its consequent impact on chronic hepatitis C infection susceptibility in Iranian population

[Seroepidemiologic study of HAV infection in Tehran province: a population based study]

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which is transmitted via fecal-oral route and its prevalence is directly related to the public health standards. The prevalence rate of this infection is different in different populations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis A antibody and assess the need for vaccination against hepatitis A in Tehran Province. This descriptive analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from 2006 to 2007 in Tehran Province. 448 subjects were selected by random cluster sampling. Blood samples were collected and demographic data were recorded in a questionnaire. Anti-HAV antibodies were measured by ELISA competitive method. Chi-square test and student t-test were used for statistical analysis. This study included 287 women and 161 men. Anti-HAV antibody was positive in 405 subjects [90.4%]. There were no significant relationships between HAV seropositivity and different age groups or gender. The results of our study showed a high prevalence of antibody in this region which is compatible with those of WHO results. Our results were similar to those obtained in Zabol City and eastern parts of Golestan Province but were not compatible with the results of the studies from Isfahan and Tabriz. At the present time there is no need for vaccination in this region

[Prevalence and molecular characterization of rotaviruses from children with acute diarrhea in Tabriz]

Rotavirus is the common cause of acute diarrhea in infants and young children. Hence it is required to investigate rotavirus infection in diarrheal samples in order to determine the prevalence and predominant genotypes for controlling the misusage of antibiotics and vaccination. To determine the prevalence and predominant genotypes of rotavirus in children under five years of age with acute diarrhea in Tabriz. Rotaviruses were detected by ELISA in stool samples collected during one year [2005-2006] from children under five years old, admitted to Pediatric Center, in Tabriz. Positive samples in standard condition transferred in our laboratory [RCGLD] and RT-PCR were used for genotyping. In total of 213 samples, 113 samples were positive for group A rotavirus. Prevalence of rotavirus infection was 54%. Samples were typed as follows: G1 [21.4%], G2[3.1%], G4[42.9%], G2+G4[5.1%], G1+G4[17.3%] and G1+G2+G4[3.1%]. Genotype G9+G4 was detected in one sample [1%]. P [8] was found in 68.4% of samples, P [4+8] 12.2%, P [4] 12.2%, P [6] 2%. The major finding of our study was that the main cause of infectious gastroenteritis in Tabriz occurs by rotavirus. The most prevalent genotyping were G4 P[8], vaccination may be the best way to control rotavirus

Global genome methylation status in gastritis lesion in comparison with normal adjacent tissue and its relationship with clinicopathologic findings

To determine the role of global genome methylation in gastritis lesion and its relation with clinicopathologic finding. The study was conducted on 44 gastritis and normal adjacent specimens using a technique composed of restriction enzyme digestion and pyrosequencing known as LUMA [LUminometric Methylation Assay]. At first, DNA extracted from gastritis lesion and normal tissue was digested with HpaII [sensitive to methylation in recognition site] and MspI [insensitive]. These enzymes leave an overhang after cutting which are then filled in a polymerase extension assay with stepwise addition of dNTPs using pyrosequencing. The comparison of the height of picks obtained form both enzymes provides the possibility to evaluate and compare global genome methylation level of normal and gastritis tissues. If the target site is fully methylated, the HpaII/MspI will approach toward zero .If not, this ratio will go around one. In the other conditions the ratio varies between 0-1. According to our findings, gastritis tissue was significantly more hypomethylated [p = 0.04] than the nornal tissue and Global genome methylation had no correlation with sex, age, microsatellite instability [MSI] and gastritis severity. Global DNA hypomethylation occurs in the gastritis lesion. Presumably the process of hypomethylation keeps falling in the next steps leading to gastric cancer

Association between genetic polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase with non familial Colorectal Cancer in Iranian population

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] is a key enzyme regulating folate metabolism, which affects DNA methylation and synthesis. One of the most important polymorphisms identified in the MTHFR gene is C677T. MTHFR activity is lowered in individuals with 677TT genotype. Using pyrosequencing, we analyzed the MTHFR genotypes in 118 colorectal cancer patients and 189 normal matched controls. Whereas the CC, CT and TT genotypes of MTHFR among the colorectal cancer patients were 51.7%, 28.0% and 20.3% respectively, we were able to find 47.1% of 677CC, 27.0% of 677CT and 25.9% of 677TT in normal controls. An inverse association was observed between the risk of colorectal cancer and TT genotype with the odds ratios [OR] of 1, 0.94 and 0.71 for CC, CT, and TT genotypes, respectively. This association was similar in both sexes, but in patients with high levels of folate intake. Our study corroborates previous findings of an inverse association between MTHFR 677TT genotype and colorectal cancer, especially at high levels of folate

Evaluation of diarrhea in Iranian children under five years of age

Diarrhea is still one of the leading causes of death among children. The descriptive study was conducted to evaluate epidemiologic and clinical factors in diarrheal children under five living in Tehran from April 2005 for one year. Totally 617 subjects including 551 [89%] children with acute diarrhea and 66 [11%] with chronic diarrhea were enrolled in the study. Watery elimination was the most common manifestation of diarrhea [62.5% of subjects]. The highest frequency of watery and bloody diarrhea was detected in autumn and of mucoid diarrhea in winter. Nausea, vomiting and fever were significantly higher at watery form of diarrhea [P= 0.0001, P=0.0001, and P= 0.03 respectively] but there was no correlation between these symptoms and mucoid or bloody form of diarrhea. Significant increase of anorexia was detected during the autumn, mainly at the ages of 5, 1.5 and 2 respectively [P=0.001]. Fever and dehydration were significantly higher in those with more severe diarrhea over 1 day [P= 0.03 and P= 0.0001 respectively]. Although many new findings about clinical characteristics of community-acquired diarrhea among young children in Tehran were revealed, our lack of understanding regarding the etiology of most episodes in this common pediatric disease was evident. Further studies to assess other environmental determinants, feeding patterns, immunization status of children and gastrointestinal pathogens in pediatric diarrhea are also recommended

[Association of the vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with inflammatory bowel disease in Iran]

Different genes such as vitamin D receptor [VDR] gene have some roles in IBD susceptibility. Some studies have recognized the relation of VDR gene polymorphisms with inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Determining the frequency of these polymorphisms and their possible relation with IBD can improve understandings about genetic background of these diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the association of VDR gene polymorphisms [Apa I, Taq I, Bsm I, Fok I] with IBD in Iran. In this case-control designed study 100 UC, 50 CD patients and 150 sex and age matched healthy controls, hospital base, were selected. These patients were referred to [Taleghani Hospital] during a one year period [2004-2005]. Assessment of VDR gene polymorphisms was performed by PCR-RFLP method. Only the frequency of the Fok I polymorphism was significantly higher in UC and CD groups. The frequency of the polymorphic allele f was higher in UC and CD groups comparing with controls [p=0.019, OR=1.581 and p<0.001, OR=2.642, respectively]. The f/f genotype was significantly more frequent in UC and CD patients comparing with controls [p=0.010, OR=2.774 and p<0.001, OR = 5.947, respectively]. There were no significant differences between frequencies in patients and controls in other polymorphisms. There is a relation between Fok I polymorphism in VDR receptor gene and IBD in Iran but no association was observed with other 3 polymorphisms