Lack of Association between rs4331426 Polymorphism in the Chr18q11.2 Locus and Pulmonary Tuberculosis in an Iranian Population / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The effect of rs4331426 polymorphism in the Chr18q11.2 locus on pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) risk was evaluated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This case-control study included 208 PTB patients and 204 healthy subjects. Genotyping of the rs4331426 variant was conducted using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of genotypes AA, AG, and GG polymorphisms were 83.1%, 15.9%, and 1.0% in the PTB group and 84.3%, 15.2%, and 0.5% in the control group, respectively. The frequency of the minor (G) allele was 8.9% in the PTB group and 8.1% in controls. Neither genotype nor allele frequencies of the rs4331426 variant showed statistically significant differences between PTB and controls. In addition, stratification by sex showed no significant association between the rs4331426 variant and PTB risk in males or females.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In conclusion, the results of this study do not support an association between the rs4331426 polymorphism and risk of PTB in an Iranian population.</p>

Toll-like Receptor 1 Polymorphisms Increased the Risk of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in an Iranian Population Sample / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

A case-control study was carried out that involved 203 individuals diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and 203 healthy subjects. Genotyping of TLR1 rs5743551 and rs5743618 polymorphisms was done using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragments length polymorphism assay. We found that TLR1 rs5743551 variant affected the risk of PTB in the codominant (OR=3.28, 95% CI=1.98-5.45, P<0.0001, GA vs. GG; OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.05-3.28, P=0.033, AA vs. GG) and dominant (OR=2.69, 95% CI=1.67-4.34, P<0.0001, GA+AA vs. GG) inheritance models tested. The A allele was associated with a higher risk of PTB than the G allele (OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.01-1.75, P=0.049). The TG genotype of the rs5743618 variant significantly increased the risk of PTB compared to the risk associated with the TT genotype (OR=3.29, 95% CI=1.82-5.97, P<0.0001). The G allele was associated with a higher risk of PTB than the T allele (OR=3.00, 95% CI=1.69-5.31, P=0.0001). Our findings revealed that TLR1 rs5743551 and rs5743618 polymorphisms affected the risk of PTB in an Iranian population sample. Additional studies with larger sample sizes and involving subjects of different ethnicities are required to validate our present findings.

use of herbal extracts and essential oils as a potential antimicrobial in meat and meat products; a review

Meat and meat products are highly prone to microbial deterioration since they are rich in essential nutrients and perishable in nature and if they are not properly preserved, public health problems may occur. Recently, in order to increase the microbial quality of meat and meat products, novel ingredient systems that are associated with natural and organic foods, are applied. Many studies have demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of plant-origin natural antimicrobials in meat and meat products. Nevertheless, advanced technologies can improve the microbial stability and the sensory quality of meat products containing natural extracts and essential oils through different techniques. This paper first reviews the microbial deterioration of meat and meat products and their traditional storage techniques and then discusses the manner and extent of the use of herbal extracts and essential oils in these products

TIRAP rs8177374 gene polymorphism increased the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in Zahedan, southeast Iran

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the possible association between Toll-interleukin 1 receptor (TIR) domain containing adaptor protein (TIRAP; also known as MAL) rs1893352 and rs8177374 (S180L) gene polymorphisms and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a sample of Iranian population.@*METHODS@#This case-control study was performed on 174 PTB and 177 healthy subjects. Tetra amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) was used to detect the polymorphisms.@*RESULTS@#Our finding showed that neither the overall Chi-square comparison of PTB and control subjects nor the logistic regression analysis indicated any association between rs1893352 polymorphism and PTB. Regarding rs8177374 polymorphism, the CT genotype as well as CT+TT increased the risk of PTB in comparison with CC genotype (OR=4.73, 95% CI=2.65-8.45, P<0.0001 and OR=6.47, 95% CI=3.68-11.38, P<0.0001, respectively). The rs8177374 T allele increased the risk of PTB in comparison with C allele (OR=4.21, 95% CI=2.43-7.26, P<0.0001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our finding indicates that TIRAP rs8177374 polymorphism is associated with PTB in a sample of Iranian population.

40-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism of murine double minute2 [MDM2] increased the risk of breast cancer in Zahedan, southeast Iran

MDM2 [Murine Double Minute2] is an oncoprotein that inhibits the P53 activity. Overexpression of MDM2 gene has been reported in several human tumors. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of 40-bp insertion/deletion [ins/del] polymorphism on the promoter of MDM2 and susceptibility to breast cancer in a sample of Iranian population. Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 236 patients with breast cancer and 203 healthy individuals. Genomic DNA was extracted from the whole blood by the salting-out method. The 40-bp ins/del polymorphism was determined by using polymerase chain reaction. The findings indicated that MDM2 ins/del variant increased the risk of breast cancer in co-dominant- [odds ratio [OR] = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.14-3.85, P = 0.018, del/del vs. ins/ins], dominant- [OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.02-2.18, P = 0.038, ins/del + del/del vs. ins/ins], and recessive- [OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.03-3.34, P = 0.038, del/del vs. ins/ins + ins/del] tested inheritance models. The del allele increased the risk of breast cancer [OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.11-1.98, P = 0.008] compared with ins allele. Our result revealed that 40-bp ins/del polymorphism in the promoter of MDM2 increased the risk of breast cancer in an Iranian population. Further investigations with larger sample sizes and diverse ethnicities are needed to verify our findings

Target antigens for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in Iranian patients with ulcerative colitis

Patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] carry autoantibodies such as perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies [p-ANCA]. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the target antigens for p-ANCA in Iranian patients with UC. p-ANCA target antigens including elastase, lactoferrin, cathepsin G, myeloproxidase, lysozyme, and bactericidal permeability increasing protein [BPI] were determined in 113 patients with UC using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. 59.2% of the patients were positive for at least one antigen and p-ANCA directed against lactoferrin, elastase, lysozyme, cathepsin G, Bactericidal permeability increasing protein, and myeloproxidase in 31.5%, 25.9%, 8.3%, 7.4%, 5.6%, and 0% of the patients, respectively. The highest prevalence of p-ANCA was observed against lactoferrin and elastase. Also, myeloproxidase was not an antigen for p-ANCA among our patients

Association between TNF-alpha [-308 G - A] gene polymorphism and chronic periodontitis

Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by environmental and genetic factors. It leads to destruction of tooth supporting tissues and may cause tooth loss. Cytokine TNF-alpha plays a role in the development of inflammatory lesions and development and progression of the chronic periodontitis disease. Some polymorphisms of this gene are accompanied with change in expression level. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between TNF-alpha -308 G>A [rs1800629] polymorphism and chronic periodontitis. In this case-control study, 100 patients with chronic periodontitis and 100 normal subjects, referring to the clinic of Zahedan Dental School, were evaluated. Venous blood samples of participants were taken. DNA was extracted using salting-out technique and gene polymorphism was studied at this position using specific primers by T-ARMS PCR method. To investigate the frequency of genotypes and alleles in both groups, chi[2] test was employed and p<0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. The frequencies of AA, GA, and GG genotypes in the patient and control groups were, 1%, 8%, and 91%, and 0%, 16%, and 85%. The frequencies of A and G allele in patient and control groups were 5% and 95%, and 7.9% and 92.1% respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles between the groups. The present study indicates that there is no association between TNF-alpha [-308 G>A] polymorphism and chronic periodontitis in this population

Aberrant promoter methylation profile of niemann-pick type C1 gene in cardiovascular disease

Background: the protein of Niemann-pick type C1 [NPC1] gene promotes the egress of cholesterol from late endosomes and lysosomes to other cellular compartments and contributes to a process known as reverse cholesterol transport. This study aimed to examine whether promoter methylation of NPC1 is associated with risk of cardiovascular disease [CVD]

Methods: fifty CVD patients and 50 healthy subjects as the control group were recruited in this study. Promoter methylation of NPC1 gene was defined using a nested-methylation specific polymerase chain reaction method. Statistical analyses were done using the chi-square, t-test or ANOVA tests

Results: our study showed that the frequency of semi-methylated promoter [methylated/unmethylated status] was significantly higher in CVD patients than that in controls [OR = 6.521, 95% CI = 2.211-19.215, P = 0.008]. However, a completely methylated promoter [methylated/methylated status] was not detected in any subjects in either of the two groups tested. Additionally, the analysis of clinical data according to the methylation status of NPC1 gene demonstrated that serum levels of total cholesterol, total triglycerides, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] are influenced by NPC1 methylation, so that subjects with a completely unmethylated promoter [Unmethylated/unmethylated status] held lower levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C and higher levels of HDL-C

Conclusion: our findings propose that the NPC1 promoter methylation is a probable mechanism that can result in reduced/impaired NPC1 expression/activity and may thus contribute to progression of CVD. Iran. Biomed. J. 17 [2]: 77-83, 2013

study on oxidative stress in patients with angina pectoris admitted to coronary care unit

The oxidative stress causes biological damages in addition to the increase of cardiovascular system diseases such as angina pectoris. The present study aims to determine the oxidant and anti-oxidant [enzymatic and non-enzymatic] status in patients with angina pectoris. In this descriptive-analytical study, 24 hospitalized patients with angina pectoris and 63 healthy people, as control group, were selected. Blood fats including cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL were determined through the enzymatic method and the LDL was determined using Friedewald formula. The heparinized blood was used to measure superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase [GPx], and plasma to determine malondialdehyde [MDA] and vitamin C through spectrophotometeric method and total antioxidant capacity [TAC] through ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP]. Vitamins A and E of serum were determined through the chromatography method in two groups and SPSS-11.5 software was used for statistical analysis. The degree of error in the tests was calculated as p<0.05. A significant difference was observed in blood fat contents as well as the oxidant and anti-oxidant [enzymatic and non-enzymatic] indices between the two groups [p<0.001]. A positive and significant relationship was observed between superoxide dismutase and vitamin C, MDA and LDL. However, this relationship with HDL and TAC was negative and significant [p<0.05]. With respect to the significant decrease of anti-oxidants and TAC and the increase of lipid peroxidation as well as the relationship between the different indices, the oxidative stress caused anti-oxidants system suppression in patients

CD226 rs763361 [Gly307Ser] polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in Zahedan, southeast Iran

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a chronic inflammatory disease with many genetic factors predisposing to disease susceptibility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of CD226 rs727088 and rs763361 polymorphisms and susceptibility to RA in a sample of the Iranian population. This case-control study was carried out on 100 patients with RA and 104 healthy subjects. The polymorphisms were determined using tetra amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction assay. The rs763361 [Gly307Ser] polymorphism increased the risk of RA in codominant, dominant and recessive-tested inheritance models [odds ratio [OR] = 3.18, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 1.44-7.02, P = 0.004, CC vs. TT, and OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.10-3.57, P = 0.023, CC vs. CT-TT, and OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.26-5.37, P = 0.010, CC + CT vs. TT, respectively]. In addition, the rs763361 T allele increased the risk of RA [OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.38-3.08, P<0.001]. However, no significant difference was observed among the groups regarding CD226 rs727088 polymorphism [Chi[2] = 3.20, P = 0.202]. Our finding showed that CD226 rs763361, but not rs727088, gene polymorphism increased the risk of RA in a sample of the Iranian population

Kidney function tests in children with beta-thalassemia minor in Zahedan, Southeast of Iran

There is little information regarding kidney function in patients with beta-thalassemia minor. In this study we investigated kidney function tests in 50 children with beta-thalassemia minor [22 boys and 28 girls]. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected and analyzed for sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, creatinine, phosphate, uric acid, protein, and beta 2-microglobulin. Blood samples were obtained for hematologic and biochemical analyses including complete blood count, serum ferritin, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, creatinine, and uric acid. This group of children with beta-thalassemia showed some evidence of tubulopathy such as proteinuria [32%], beta 2-microglobulin excretion [36%], calciuria [4%], phosphaturia [4%], and uricosuria [20%]. Our findings support the existence of renal tubular dysfunction in beta-thalassemia minor. However, further studies in large series are needed to shed light on the possible relation of these two distinct diseases

Diagnostic accuracy of early computed tomographic angiography for visualizing medium sized inferior and posterior projecting carotid system aneurysms

Conventional angiography, generally referred to as intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography, still remains the gold standard reference method for the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms, helical computed tomography angiography [CTA] is a new non-invasive volumetric imaging method. This study was conducted to screen patients presenting with subarachnoid-hemorrhage by CTA before conventional digital subtraction angiography [DSA] and subsequently comparing the results for various aneurysm projections. In a prospective study, 99 consecutive patients with an initial diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage were screened for aneurysms with CTA followed by conventional DSA. There were 17 cases with negative angiograms in whom repeat angiograms, three months later were negative for 15 cases, while two cases were found to bear aneurysm on the repeat examination. Eighty two patients had at least one proven aneurysm on initial DSA and two on the repeat angiogram. Out of 84 patients, five underwent endovascular treatment and 79 patients who underwent surgical clipping were considered for projection evaluation. Sensitivity of CTA was 98.78% [95% confidence interval [CI], 93.4-99.7%], while the specificity was 100% [95% CI, 81.57-100%] and the kappa coefficient of agreement between CTA and DSA was 96.5%. The most significant discrepancies with DSA findings were for visualizing the projection of inferior and posterior projecting proximal anterior circulation aneurysms. Helical CTA was in good concordance with DSA for screening of cerebral aneurysms; however, for exact visualization of the aneurysm neck and its projection, especially if it is inferior or posterior, DSA remains the gold standard

IgG avidity test for the diagnosis of acute toxoplasma gondii infection in early pregnancy

Toxoplasmosis is well known as an important infection in pregnant women. Although many serologic methods are available, diagnosis of early Toxoplasmosis may be extremely difficult. To detect the Toxoplasma IgG antibodies developed at the early stage of infection in pregnant women. 225 pregnant women, who were in the 2[nd] to 4[th] month of their pregnancy, enrolled in this study. Anti-toxoplasma IgG, IgM and IgG avidity were evaluated by ELISA method. The patients were categorized into three groups as follows: Group A, 124 cases; IgG+, IgM+, 55.1%; group B, 99 cases; IgG+, IgM-, 44%; and group C, 2 cases; IgG -, IgM +, 0.9%. Fifty five percent of the pregnant women had positive IgG and IgM among which 7.1% had low avidity which revealed an active infection in the pregnant women. In the current study, 44% of pregnant women had positive IgG and negative IgM, all of which had high avidity, which is an indication that in our population the level of toxoplasmosis infection is high and most women have had contacts with this parasite before pregnancy. In this study, the low avidity test was 7.1% showing that the occurrence of toxoplasmosis infection is still a serious issue. Observation of 45.8% high avidity among group A suggests that either IgM has a high half-life or there is a false positive IgM as a result of rheumatologic disorders. Therefore, avidity test is important in predicting maternal toxoplasmosis which is of value in disease treatment

Frequency of HLA-DRB1 alleles in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Zahedan, southeast Iran

Analysis of the role of different alleles of human leukocyte antigen [HLA] in rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients is necessary in many populations and geographical areas. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of HLA-DRB1 alleles in RA patients, comparing with that in control group in southeast Iran. Case-control study of rheumatoid arthritis patients referred to rheumatology clinic at university hospital. The frequency of HLA-DRB1 alleles was determined in 79 RA patients and 93 healthy subjects in Zahedan, southeast Iran. HLA-DRB1 allele types were identified by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer [PCR-SSP]. The HLA-DRB1*10 allele showed a significantly higher frequency in patients with RA [OR=2.698, 95% CI=1.087-6.699, P=.045], while the frequency of DRB1*03 allele in these subjects was significantly lower than that in the control group [OR=0.447, 95% CI=0.2285-0.8729, P=.021]. The frequencies of DRB1*01, DRB1*04, DRB1*07, DRB1*09, DRB1*11, DRB1*13, DRB1*14, DRB1*15, DRB1*16 were not significantly different between RA subjects and the control group. The data suggest that the DRB1*10 allele is a risk factor and DRB1*03 is protective for RA in this population

Chronic Opium Treatment Can Differentially Induce Brain and Liver Cells Apoptosis in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Male and Female Rats

It has been shown that some opium derivatives promote cell death via apoptosis. This study was designed to examine the influence of opium addiction on brain and liver cells apoptosis in male and female diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats. This experimental study was performed on normal, opium-addicted, diabetic and diabetic opium-addicted male and female rats. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL and DNA fragmentation assays. Results of this study showed that apoptosis in opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted brain and liver cells were significantly higher than the both normal and diabetic rats. In addition, we found that apoptosis in brain cells of opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted male rats were significantly higher than opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted female, whereas apoptosis in liver cells of opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted female rats were significantly higher than opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted male. Overall, these results indicate that opium probably plays an important role in brain and liver cells apoptosis, therefore, leading neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. These findings also in away possibly means that male brain cells are more susceptible than female and interestingly liver of females are more sensitive than males in induction of apoptosis by opium.

Crude and age-specific incidence rate patterns for histopathologic subtypes of ovarian cancer in Iran

The purpose of this study was to report age-specific incidence rates of histopathological subtypes of ovarian cancer in Iran. Data published by the pathology-based Cancer Registry, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education for the year 2004, was utilized. This study included 793 new ovarian cancer cases which were analyzed by SPSS software [version 13]. There were 45 different histologies reported in 793 new cases which were categorized into ten major groups. Epithelial tumors displayed the highest age specific incidence rate, followed by germ cell tumors. Serous epithelial tumors were the most common in the epithelial group. The age-specific incidence rate of ovarian cancer varies based on histolo

[Comparison of diagnostic value of Uterobrush and Pipelle in the evaluation of endometrial samples]

Endometrial cancer is the most frequent cancer in the female genital system. Nowadays outpatient diagnostic procedures like pipelle and uterobrush have facilitated the diagnosis and treatment of endometrial cancer in early stages in high-risk patients. This study has been done to compare the accuracy and tissue sufficiency of biopsy by pipelle and uterobrush. Between 2005 and 2007, 70 candidates admitted for hysterectomy in Imam Hossein Hospital entered a clinical trial study. Under local or general anesthesia, biopsies were taken by pipelle and then uterobrush or vice versa. The order of using pipelle and uterobrush was selected randomly. The samples were sent to the pathology department and examined by an expert pathologist. The results of endometrial biopsies by pipelle and uterobrush were analyzed. After that the cases were grouped [each group consisted of 35 patients] according to the order of using the pipelle and uterobrush. The endometrial samples sufficiency from uterobrush and pipelle were 68.1% and 87.1%, respectively. The positive predictive value of pipelle was 100% and negative predictive value was 84%. These values for uterobrush were 100% and 90% respectively. It seems that pipelle is better for obtaining sufficient size samples. However in sufficient samples, uterobrush has higher sensitivity and accuracy. Order of using pipelle and uterobrush caused no significant difference in the results

[Monte Carlo simulation of a linear accelerator and electron beam parameters used in radiotherapy]

In recent decades, several Monte Carlo codes have been introduced for research and medical applications. These methods provide both accurate and detailed calculation of particle transport from linear accelerators. The main drawback of Monte Carlo techniques is the extremely long computing time that is required m order to obtain a dose distribution with good statistical accuracy. In this study, the MCNP-4C Monte Carlo code was used to simulate the electron beams generated by a Neptun 10 PC linear accelerator. The depth dose curves and related parameters to depth dose and beam profiles were calculated for 6, 8 and 10 MeV electron beams with different field sizes and these data were compared with the corresponding measured values. The actual dosimetry was performed by employing a Welhofer-Scanditronix dose scanning system, semiconductor detectors and ionization chambers. The result showed good agreement [better than 2%] between calculated and measured depth doses and lateral dose profiles for all energies in different field sizes. Also good agreements were achieved between calculated and measured related electron beam parameters such E[0], R[q], R[p] and R[50]. The simulated model of the linac developed in this study is capable of computing electron beam data in a water phantom for different field sizes and the resulting data can be used to predict the dose distributions in other complex geometries

Renal tubular and glomerular function in children with iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia [IDA] resulting from lack of sufficient iron for synthesis of hemoglobin is most common hematologic disease of infancy and childhood. There is little information about the renal function in iron deficiency anemia. The aim of the present study was to examine the renal function in children with iron deficiency anemia. This case-control study was performed in children with iron deficiency anemia [n=20] and healthy age matched subjects [n=20]. Blood and urine samples were obtained for hematological and biochemical investigation. Statistical analysis was performed by unpaired sample t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Fractional excretion of sodium [FENa+] was significantly higher in children with iron deficiency anemia than control subjects [P=0.006]. There was no significant difference in the level of urine specific gravity, calcium/creatinine ratio, beta 2-microglobulin and creatinine clearance between case and control groups [P>0.05]. There was no correlation between FENa and Hb [r=0.13, P=0.57], FENa+ and Fe+2 [r=0.079, P=0.72], FENa+ and TIBC [r=-0.083, P=0.71], FENa+ and ferritin [r=0.039, P=0.86] as well as Hb and beta 2-microglobulin [r=0.02, P=0.37] in IDA patients. The results showed that FENa+ was higher in children with iron deficiency anemia than in normal subjects. The findings revealed evidence of tubular damage in IDA; this needs confirmation by more investigation