X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 Arg399Gln genetic polymorphism and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in an Iranian population

Background: The association between X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 [XRCC1] Arg399Gln gene polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] has been investigated in several populations. However, the findings are controversial. The aim of this study was to address the association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and HCC in an Iranian population

Methods: We have evaluated the association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln gene polymorphism and HCC in 151 Iranian individuals [50 patients with HCC and 101 healthy matched controls] using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms [PCR-RFLP] method

Results: Significant association was found for the XRCC1 A allele and HCC [OR = 1.93, 95% CI [1.16 - 3.25], P = 0.0099]. Also, genotype analysis by SNPStats online software showed a significant association between XRCC1 gene polymorphisms and HCC under co-dominant, dominant, and recessive genetic models

Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism may be associated with the risk of HCC development in Iranian population

Association of the epidermal growth factor gene +61A>G polymorphism with hepatocellular carcinoma in an Iranian population

Aim: The aim of this study was to address the association of the EGF gene +61A/G polymorphisms and HCC susceptibility in an Iranian population

Background: The association of epidermal growth factor [EGF] gene +61A/G polymorphism [rs4444903] and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] has been investigated in several populations. However, the findings are controversial

Methods: A total of 40 unrelated HCC patients and 106 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA of HCC patients was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples using CinnaPure DNA kit according to manufacturer's instructions. Genomic DNA of healthy individuals, also, was extracted from peripheral blood cells using the boiling method. The rs4444903 [A/G] polymorphism was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] method

Results: Significant association was found for the EGF +61A allele and HCC risk [OR = 1.72, 95% CI [1.02 - 2.90], P value = 0.04]. Also, significant association was observed for the EGF +61A/G genotypes and HCC risk under codominant and dominant models by SNPStats software analysis

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the EGF gene +61A/G polymorphism [rs4444903] might be a risk factor for susceptibility to HCC in Iranian population. However, further studies using more samples are needed

Prognostic significance of MMP2 and MMP9 functional promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Matrix metalloproteinases comprise a family of enzyme that is able to degrade components of extra cellular matrix. There are single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter regions of several genes with ability to influence cancer susceptibility. The aim of this study was to analyses association between MMP2 and MMP9 promoter polymorphisms and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma occurrence and progression. A case- control study was performed including 80 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients and healthy controls for MMP2 and 86 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients and 72 healthy controls for MMAP9. Blood samples were genotyped for MMP2 and MMP9 using polymerization chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method [PCR-RFLP]. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 12.0 software. Our results showed that distribution of MMP2 genotype between controls and patients was significantly different [Chi[2] = 10.3, P= 0.005]. Comparison between CC genotype in HNSCC patients and controls showed that C allele modified the risk of HNSCC progression [OR= 2.6, 95% CI, 1.0046-6.729]. The MMP9 genotype distribution among HNSCC patients was significantly different [Chi[2] = 14.56, P= 0.0007]. The frequency of TT genotype in HNSCC patients was different from healthy controls and was more common genotype in HNSCC cases [OR= 2.18, 95% CI, 0.7052-6.7854]. Our results suggested an association of the MMP2 and MMP9SNP with the development of HNSCC. Also, our results showed that MMP, MMP9 genotypes and smoking were related to HNSCC progression

Co-infection by hepatitis C virus in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients in southwest in Iran

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] has emerged as the cause of the second major epidemic of viral infection after human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] within the past two decades, and co-infection of HIV and HCV represents a growing problem for the future. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HCV antibodies [anti-HCV] in patients with HIV in Fars province. A total of 101 HIV-1-positive individuals [89 males, 12 females] from Fars province [Counseling Behavioral Modification Center in Shiraz] were included in the study. They were distributed according to risk factors for HIV infection as follows: 35[34.6%] IVDUs, 2[2%] sexual high-risk behavior, 50[49.5%] a combination of IVDUs and sexual behavior, 12[12%] from HIV positive partners and 2[2%] unknown. Detection of HCV antibodies was carried out by a third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Totally, 87 [84 males, 3 females] of 101 HIV-infected patients [86.1%] had antibodies to HCV. The prevalence of HCV antibodies was higher among the males [83.2%] than the females [3%]. The prevalence of HCV antibodies was 94.4% in IVDUs, 96% in individuals with both IVDUs and sexual behavior risk factors and 25% in women who had HIV-positive partner. All unknown cases were positive for HCV and none of individuals who had sexual high-risk behavior were infected with HCV. The overall prevalence of HCV infection in HIV-positive individuals was 84.1%. The consistently high prevalence of HCV infection observed in HIV infected individuals supports the routine screening for HCV and continuous educational programs in these patients, especially among IVDUs in Iran

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination compliance among health care workers in Fars Province, Iran

Health care workers [HCWs] are at high risk for acquisition of hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection due to occupational exposure to potentially infectious body fluids. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HBV markers and vaccination compliance among different categories of HCWs in Fars Province, Iran. A total of 346 HCWs working at Gerash and Evaz hospitals, were included. Serological HBV markers were detected in serum samples of HCWs by ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significant difference. The study population included 114 males and 232 females with their age ranged 20-59 years. Totally, 299 cases had received HBV vaccine. The overall prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc among HCWs was 2.6%, 78.6% and 6.4%, respectively. The prevalence of HBsAg was higher in non-professional staff group [5%] but the anti-HBc rate was higher among aid-nurse group [12%]. No significant difference was found for HBsAg and anti-HBc positivity between different variables including gender, age group and occupation. Significantly higher prevalence of compliance rate was observed among technician [96.8%] and nurses [88.4%] than non-professional staff [74.3%]. Results revealed that HCWs are at higher risk for acquiring HBV infection than general population, thus, an intense program for education, vaccination and post vaccination assessment is mandatory

Genotypic correlation of a virologic response to lamivudine, stavudine and nevirapine in patients for whom combination therapy had failed

Resistance is the consequence of mutations that emerge in the viral proteins targeted by antiretroviral agents. Thus, we focused our attention on mutations in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase to define their association with specific NRTIs and NRTI resistance mutations at therapeutic failure. The study population included 5 Iranian HIV-positive patients referring to Counseling Behavioral Modification Center in Shiraz who received a combination of antiretroviral therapy [lamivudine, stavudine and nevirapine]. PBMC DNA was isolated from blood and PCR was performed to produce a 1200 bp amplicon and resolved by electrophoresis on a 0.7% agarose TBE gel, visualized with ethidium bromide. PCR products from HIV-1-infected patients were cloned into pCR2.1TOPO, then sequenced. Finally, sequence data were analyzed. Results showed drug resistance in 2 patients, of whom one had NNRTI resistance mutations [M230G, L234R and K238H] and other had both NRTI [V75M] and NNRTI [F227L] resistance mutations. Confirmation of genetic resistance in HIV-positive patients who show therapy failure can help physicians to change their drug regime in order to achieve better outcome