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1.
Environ Int ; 189: 108803, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38870578

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with a significant number of deaths. Much of the evidence associating air pollution with adverse effects is from North American and Europe, partially due to incomplete data in other regions limiting location specific examinations. The aim of the current paper is to leverage satellite derived air quality data to examine the relationship between ambient particulate matter and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Asia. METHODS: Six cohorts from the Asia Cohort Consortium provided residential information for participants, recruited between 1991 and 2008, across six countries (Bangladesh, India, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). Ambient particulate material (PM2·5) levels for the year of enrolment (or 1998 if enrolled earlier) were assigned utilizing satellite and sensor-based maps. Cox proportional models were used to examine the association between ambient air pollution and all-cause and cause-specific mortality (all cancer, lung cancer, cardiovascular and lung disease). Models were additionally adjusted for urbanicity (representing urban and built characteristics) and stratified by smoking status in secondary analyses. Country-specific findings were pooled via random-effects meta-analysis. FINDINGS: More than 300,000 participants across six cohorts were included, representing more than 4-million-person years. A positive relationship was observed between a 5 µg/m (Dockery et al., 1993) increase in PM2·5 and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1·06, 95 % CI: 0.99, 1·13). The additional adjustment for urbanicity resulted in increased associations between PM2.5 and mortality outcomes, including all-cause mortality (1·04, 95 % CI: 0·97, 1·11). Results were generally similar regardless of whether one was a current, never, or ex-smoker. INTERPRETATION: Using satellite and remote sensing technology we showed that associations between PM2.5 and all-cause and cause-specific Hazard Ratios estimated are similar to those reported for U.S. and European cohorts. FUNDING: This project was supported by the Health Effects Institute. Grant number #4963-RFA/18-5. Specific funding support for individual cohorts is described in the Acknowledgements.


Subject(s)
Air Pollutants , Air Pollution , Environmental Exposure , Particulate Matter , Humans , Particulate Matter/analysis , Asia , Environmental Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Male , Cohort Studies , Female , Air Pollution/statistics & numerical data , Air Pollution/adverse effects , Air Pollutants/analysis , Middle Aged , Adult , Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality , Aged , Neoplasms/mortality , Lung Neoplasms/mortality , Lung Diseases/mortality , Proportional Hazards Models , Cause of Death
2.
Public Health ; 231: 166-172, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38701659

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between lung cancer and waterpipe smoking, which is an emerging global public health concern. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentre case-control study. METHODS: This study included 627 cases and 3477 controls from the Iranian Study of Opium and Cancer (IROPICAN) study, which was conducted between 2017 and 2020. One frequency-matched control for each lung cancer patient was selected by age, gender and residential place; however, this study used controls of four cancer types in the analyses. The multivariable logistic regression model estimated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additional analyses were performed among 181 lung cancer cases and 2141 controls who were not cigarette smokers or opium or nass/pipe users. RESULTS: The odds of lung cancer were higher among waterpipe smokers than never-smokers (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.7). Results showed a higher OR of lung cancer for those who smoked the waterpipe daily (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.0), smoked more than two heads per day (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8-4.0), had smoked for >20 years (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3-2.7), smoked more than 20 head-years (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.9-4.1) and initiated smoking before the age of 30 years (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.5). The association was only statistically significant for squamous cell carcinomas (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7). Furthermore, this study observed a higher OR of lung cancer among exclusive waterpipe smokers (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.6, 3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Waterpipe smoking was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. The association was stronger with higher frequency, duration and intensity of exposure to waterpipe smoking. The association increases in exclusive waterpipe smokers, which is likely due to controlling for residual confounding by cigarette smoking and opium consumption, and higher exposure levels in this subpopulation.


Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms , Water Pipe Smoking , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Lung Neoplasms/epidemiology , Lung Neoplasms/etiology , Male , Case-Control Studies , Female , Water Pipe Smoking/epidemiology , Water Pipe Smoking/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Adult , Risk Factors , Aged
3.
Eur J Neurol ; 26(10): 1252-1265, 2019 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31006162

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is experiencing a demographic shift towards rapid aging at a time of political unrest. We aimed to estimate the burden of neurodegenerative disorders and its relationship with sociodemographic index in the EMR countries from 1990 to 2016. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016, we calculated country-specific trends for prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALY), years of life lost and years lived with disability (YLD) for Alzheimer's disease/other dementias and Parkinson's disease in the EMR during 1990-2016. RESULTS: In the EMR, the age-standardized prevalence rate of Alzheimer's disease/other dementias and Parkinson's disease was estimated at 759.8/100 000 (95% uncertainty intervals, 642.9-899.9) and 87.1/100 000 (95% uncertainty intervals, 69.8-108.2) people in 2016, demonstrating 0.01% and 42.3% change from 1990, respectively. Neurodegenerative disorders contributed to 5.4% of total DALY and 4.6% of total YLD among the older EMR population (70 years of age or older in 2016). Age-standardized DALY due to Parkinson's disease were strongly correlated with the sociodemographic index level (r = 0.823, P < 0.001). The YLD:DALY ratio of neurodegenerative diseases declined during this period in the low-income but not the high-income EMR countries. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated an increasing trend in the burden of dementias and Parkinson's disease in most EMR countries between 1990 and 2016. With aging of the EMR populations, countries should target the modifiable risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases to control their increasing burden.


Subject(s)
Neurodegenerative Diseases/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alzheimer Disease/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Dementia/epidemiology , Female , Global Burden of Disease , Humans , Income , Infant , Male , Mediterranean Region , Middle Aged , Parkinson Disease/epidemiology , Prevalence , Quality-Adjusted Life Years , Socioeconomic Factors , Young Adult
4.
Int J Obes (Lond) ; 42(4): 835-840, 2018 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29633983

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Beneficial effects of replacing diet beverages (DBs) with water on weight loss, during a 24-week hypoenergetic diet were previously observed. However, it is not known whether this difference is sustained during a subsequent 12-month weight maintenance period. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of replacing DBs with water on body weight maintenance over a 12-month period in participants who undertook a 6-month weight loss plan. DESIGN: Seventy-one obese and overweight adult women (body mass index (BMI): 27-40 kg m-2; age: 18-50 years) who usually consumed DBs in their diet were randomly assigned to either substitute water for DBs (water group: 35) or continue drinking DBs five times per week (DBs group: 36) after their lunch for the 6-month weight loss intervention and subsequent 12-month weight maintenance program. RESULTS: A total of 71 participants who were randomly assigned were included in the study by using an intention-to-treat analysis. Greater additional weight loss (mean±s.d.) in the water group was observed compared with the DBs group after the 12-month follow-up period (-1.7±2.8 vs -0.1±2.7 kg, P=0.001). BMI decreased more in the water group than in the DBs group (-0.7±1 vs -0.05±1.1 kg m-2, P=0.003). There was also a greater reduction in fasting insulin levels (-0.5±1.4 vs -0.02±1.5 mmol l-1, P=0.023), better improvement in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (-0.2±0.4 vs -0.1±0.3, P=0.013) and a greater decrease in 2-h postprandial plasma glucose (-0.2±0.3 vs -0.1±0.3 mmol l-1, P<0.001) in the water group compared with the DBs over the 12-month weight maintenance period. CONCLUSIONS: Replacement of DBs with water after the main meal in women who were regular users of DBs may cause further weight reduction during a 12-month weight maintenance program. It may also offer benefits in carbohydrate metabolism including improvement of insulin resistance over the long-term weight maintenance period.


Subject(s)
Beverages/statistics & numerical data , Diet, Reducing/methods , Drinking Water , Obesity/therapy , Weight Loss/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Eating , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Glucose/metabolism , Humans , Lipids/blood , Middle Aged , Obesity/epidemiology , Young Adult
6.
Ann Oncol ; 28(9): 2086-2093, 2017 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28911061

ABSTRACT

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) have initiated a series of cancer-focused seminars [Scelo G, Hofmann JN, Banks RE et al. International cancer seminars: a focus on kidney cancer. Ann Oncol 2016; 27(8): 1382-1385]. In this, the second seminar, IARC and NCI convened a workshop in order to examine the state of the current science on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma etiology, genetics, early detection, treatment, and palliation, was reviewed to identify the most critical open research questions. The results of these discussions were summarized by formulating a series of 'difficult questions', which should inform and prioritize future research efforts.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Esophageal Neoplasms , Internationality , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/epidemiology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy , Early Detection of Cancer , Esophageal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/therapy , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma , Humans , Risk Factors
7.
Public Health ; 144: 42-47, 2017 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28274383

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: As a developing country, Iran is experiencing the increasing burden of cancers, which are currently the third leading cause of mortality in Iran. This study aims to demonstrate that cancer research in Iran concentrates on the cancer research priorities based on the global burden of disease (GBD) reports. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive evaluation of all cancers disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) was performed using GBD data. Also a comprehensive search was conducted using cancer-associated keywords to obtain all cancer-related publications from Iran, indexed in Web of Science. METHOD: Multiple regression analysis and correlation coefficients (R2) were used to evaluate the possible associations between cancer research publications and GBD. RESULTS: During 1996-2014, the majority of cancer-related publications in Iran focused on breast cancer, leukaemia and stomach cancer, respectively. This study found hypothetical correlations between cancer publications in Iran in line with the burden of cancer as reported by GBD. Particularly, correlations between years lived with disability (YLD) and cancer-related publications were more obvious. CONCLUSION: This study introduces a new outline in setting cancer research priorities in the region.


Subject(s)
Disabled Persons/statistics & numerical data , Global Burden of Disease/trends , Neoplasms/mortality , Research , Cost of Illness , Female , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Male , Neoplasms/ethnology , Quality-Adjusted Life Years , Regression Analysis
8.
J Viral Hepat ; 23(10): 805-11, 2016 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27126365

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the immune response to neonatal HBV immunization in children of infected parents 10-18 years after primary vaccination. Healthy individuals immunized with an infantile course of three doses of HBV vaccine were tested for persistence of anti-HB surface antibody (HBsAb). Those with an HBsAb level of <10 IU/mL received a booster dose of the vaccine with subsequent doses to those without protective titres. HBsAb concentrations were determined 4 weeks after each dose of the booster vaccine. The data were analysed separately for three age groups: 10-11, 12-14 and 15-18 years old. A total of 541 healthy individuals were studied. The highest seroprotection rate of 48% was observed in the youngest vaccinees (10-11 years old). This declined to 26.5% in the oldest (15-18 years old) group (P = 0.008). The youngest vaccinees showed the highest rate of anamnestic immune responses (96%). However, 25% of oldest individuals failed to mount an anamnestic immune response in challenge with a booster dose of the vaccine (P = 0.005), suggesting waning immunity with increasing age. Age (OR: 0.80; P = 0.01) and prebooster HBsAb levels (OR: 0.37; P = 0.01) identified responders to first booster doses of the vaccine by logistic regression analysis. The majority of high-risk vaccinees showed anamnestic immune response 10-11 years after primary immunization. However, we found a significant proportion (25%) of older individuals with no anamnetic response, which suggests a waning of immune memory. Detailed long-term follow-up studies are necessary to determine the risk of natural infection among these individuals before a booster schedule can be recommended.


Subject(s)
Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/immunology , Hepatitis B Vaccines/immunology , Hepatitis B/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Child , Cohort Studies , Female , Healthy Volunteers , Hepatitis B Vaccines/administration & dosage , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies
9.
Surg Innov ; 23(1): 30-5, 2016 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26220675

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The spiral intestinal lengthening and tailoring (SILT) procedure is a new surgical technique for autologous intestinal reconstruction in patients with short bowel syndrome. The aim of this work is to present a first description of a modified SILT technique by which the mucosal layer is left intact to possibly reduce the severe postoperative complications of intestinal leakage and abdominal abscess formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The modified SILT technique was performed on a 10-cm-long intestinal segment in 2 pigs to determine the technical feasibility. Thereafter, the short-term clinical feasibility was monitored clinically in 2 dogs by gastrointestinal X-ray series at postoperative day 4 and by relaparotomy postoperative day 10. RESULTS: It was technically feasible to lengthen the intestinal segment from 10 cm to 20 cm and tailoring it from 3 cm to 1.7 cm in diameter, while leaving the intestinal mucosal layer intact. The postoperative course was uneventful for both dogs. The gastrointestinal X-ray series showed an inconspicuous intestinal transit time without any signs of stricture, perforation, or leakage. In the relaparotomy, the initially achieved lengthening and tailoring extents were preserved and the operated intestinal segment was well perfused with no early signs of necrosis, stenosis, or leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Leaving the mucosal layer intact during SILT is technically and clinically feasible in the short term in a large animal model. Further studies are needed to fully assess the impact of this technical modification on the long-term outcome of larger series.


Subject(s)
Digestive System Surgical Procedures/methods , Intestines/surgery , Short Bowel Syndrome/surgery , Animals , Dogs , Feasibility Studies , Female , Plastic Surgery Procedures , Swine
10.
J Hum Hypertens ; 30(4): 260-7, 2016 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26063561

ABSTRACT

High blood pressure has been the second most important determinant of disease burden in Iran since the 1990s. Despite well-recognized evidence on the association of high blood pressure and mortality in other countries, this relationship has not been fully investigated in the demographic setting of Iran. The current study is the first large-scale longitudinal study of this association in Iran. Briefly, 50 045 subjects between 40 and 75 years of age have been recruited and followed. Blood pressure measurements were carried out at baseline. Causes of death were reported and verified by verbal autopsy throughout the follow-up period. The outcomes of interest were all-cause deaths and deaths due to ischemic heart disease (IHD) or stroke. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). A total of 46 674 subjects free from cardiovascular disease at baseline were analyzed. Absolute mortality rates increased along with increasing systolic or diastolic blood pressure above 120 and 80 mm Hg, respectively. Adjusted HRs (95% confidence intervals) for each 20 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure in all age groups were 1.18 (1.13-1.23) for all-cause mortality, 1.21 (1.13-1.31) for deaths due to IHD and 1.50 (1.39-1.63) for deaths due to stroke. Unadjusted and adjusted HRs were higher in younger subjects and decreased with increasing age of the participants. High blood pressure is a serious threat to the health of Iranians. The entire health-care system of Iran should be involved in a comprehensive action plan for controlling blood pressure.


Subject(s)
Blood Pressure , Hypertension/mortality , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Cause of Death , Female , Health Status , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , Hypertension/physiopathology , Iran/epidemiology , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Proportional Hazards Models , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Time Factors
11.
Genes Immun ; 16(8): 514-8, 2015 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26378651

ABSTRACT

Although most hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals develop chronic infection, about 25% of them are able to clear the virus spontaneously without any therapeutic intervention. The aim of the present study was to identify genes associated with spontaneous HCV clearance in a population of Iranian patients. We genotyped 110 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 59 selected--candidate--genes in a cohort of 107 HCV-infected participants who spontaneously cleared the infection and 176 participants whose infection persisted. Three out of the 110 SNPs were found to be associated with HCV outcome (P-values<0.03). rs11506105 in EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor gene), and rs11881222 and rs12979860 in IL28B (interferon-λ3 gene). Multivariate logistic regression of the three markers showed that the A/A genotypes in both rs11506105 (EFGR) and rs11881222 (IL28B), and the C/C genotype in rs12979860 (IL28B) are associated with HCV clearance (recessive model: odds ratio (OR)=2.06, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.09-3.88, P=0.025; OR=2.09, 95% CI=1.23-3.60, P=0.007; and OR=1.95, 95% CI=1.15-3.35, P=0.014 for rs11506105, rs12979860 and rs11881222, respectively). In conclusion, EGFR and IL28B SNPs are strong independent predictive markers of spontaneous viral clearance.


Subject(s)
ErbB Receptors/genetics , Hepacivirus/physiology , Hepatitis C/genetics , Interleukins/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Genetic Markers , Hepatitis C/immunology , Humans , Interferons , Iran , Multivariate Analysis , Remission, Spontaneous
12.
Br J Cancer ; 111(12): 2235-41, 2014 Dec 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25247319

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a fatal disease with 5-year survival rates of <5% in Northern Iran. Oesophageal squamous dysplasia (ESD) is the precursor histologic lesion of ESCC. This pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of non-endoscopic cytological examination of the oesophagus and to provide initial data on the accuracy of cytological atypia for identifying patients with ESD in this very-high-risk area. METHODS: Randomly selected asymptomatic participants of the Golestan Cohort Study were recruited. A cytological specimen was taken using a capsule sponge device and evaluated for atypical cells. Sections of the cytological specimen were also stained for p53 protein. Patient acceptability was assessed using a visual analogue scale. The cytological diagnosis was compared with a chromoendoscopic examination using Lugol's solution. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-four subjects (43% male, mean (s.d.) age 55.6 (7.9) years) were referred to the study clinic. Three hundred and twelve met eligibility criteria and consented, of which 301 subjects (96.5%) completed both cytological and endoscopic examinations. There were no complications. Most of the participants (279; 92.7%) were satisfied with the examination. The sensitivity and specificity of the cytological examination for identifying subjects with high-grade ESD were 100 and 97%, respectively. We found an accuracy of 100% (95% CI=99-100%) for a combination of cytological examination and p53 staining to detect high-grade ESD. CONCLUSIONS: The capsule sponge methodology seems to be a feasible, safe, and acceptable method for diagnosing precancerous lesions of the oesophagus in this population, with promising initial accuracy data for the detection of high-grade ESD.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnosis , Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Precancerous Conditions/diagnosis , Carcinoma in Situ/diagnosis , Carcinoma in Situ/pathology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Cohort Studies , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma , Female , Humans , Iran , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Precancerous Conditions/pathology , Risk Factors
14.
Dis Esophagus ; 27(7): 611-6, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23927485

ABSTRACT

Idiopathic achalasia (IA) is a primary motor disorder of the esophagus. Recently, ethanolamine oleate (EO) has been introduced as a novel therapy in IA. We investigate the long-term efficacy of EO injection in the selected IA patients. Two hundred twenty patients with IA were evaluated prospectively. Thirty-one patients who were resistant to or poor candidate of pneumatic balloon dilation and/or cardiomyotomy were enrolled in this study. EO was injected into the lower esophageal sphincter three times at 2-week intervals. Patients were evaluated with the achalasia symptom score (ASS), timed barium esophagogram, and manometry before and after the injections. A good response was defined as a greater than 50% reduction from baseline in the ASS, height and/or volume of barium in TBE, and absence of severe dysphagia or regurgitation at 1.5 months after the last injection. Relapse was defined as two or more points increase in dysphagia score after an initial good response. The mean age of patients was 49.32 ± 19.3 years. Twenty-nine patients had a good response and two had a poor response. The mean ASS decreased from 12.48 (±2.06) to 4.50 (±2.96) (P = 0.0001), and the mean volume of barium decreased from 115.35 (±93.40) to 45.50 (±60.86) mL at 1.5 months after the last injection (P = 0.0001).The mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure was 30.47 ± 13.95 before the treatment and decreased to 14.30 ± 11.89 at 1.5 months after the treatment. (P = 0.0001). The mean duration of follow up was 30.16 ± 11.3 (18-68) months. Twelve patients in whom symptoms relapsed were treated effectively with reinjection. In some patients, minor complications (chest pain and erosion in the distal esophagus) occurred. This study indicates that EO has a long-term effect and can be considered for use in the selected IA patients.


Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders/drug therapy , Esophageal Achalasia/drug therapy , Esophageal Sphincter, Lower , Oleic Acids/therapeutic use , Sclerosing Solutions/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cohort Studies , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Esophageal Achalasia/complications , Female , Humans , Injections , Male , Manometry , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Treatment Failure , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
15.
J Viral Hepat ; 20(7): 494-501, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23730843

ABSTRACT

Mutations within the coding region of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) have been found naturally in chronic carriers. To characterize the mutations of HBsAg from Iranian chronic carriers who were vaccine and/or medication naive. The surface genes from 360 patients were amplified and directly sequenced. The distribution of amino acid substitutions was classified according to different immune epitopes of the surface protein. All isolates belonged to genotype D. 222 (61.6%) of 360 patients contained at least one amino acid substitution. 404 (74.5%) of 542 amino acid changes occurred in different immune epitopes of HBsAg, of which 112 (27.7%) in 32 residues of B-cell epitopes (62 in the 'a' determinant); 111 (27.4%) in 32 residues of T helper; and 197 (48.7%) in 32 residues inside cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. One Th (186-197) and two CTL (28-51 and 206-215) epitopes were found to be hotspot motifs for the occurrence of 213 (52.7%) substitutions. 20 stop codons were identified in different epitopes. There was a significant association between amino acid substitutions and anti-HBe seropositivity; however, the correlation between such changes with viral load and ALT levels was not significant. In chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) carriers, positive selection in particular outside the 'a' determinant appeared to exert influence on the surface proteins. These changes could be immune escape mutations naturally occurring due to the host immune surveillance especially at the T-cell level.


Subject(s)
Carrier State/virology , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/genetics , Hepatitis B virus/genetics , Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology , Mutation, Missense , Adult , Amino Acid Substitution , Cross-Sectional Studies , DNA, Viral/chemistry , DNA, Viral/genetics , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Female , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/immunology , Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification , Humans , Immune Evasion , Iran , Male , Middle Aged , Sequence Analysis, DNA , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
17.
Iran J Public Health ; 41(3): 104-11, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23113154

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene and protein variations are frequently been seen in chronic patients. The aims of study were to determine the genotypes as well as the patterns of variations distribution in chronically-infected patients from the central part of Iran. METHODS: The surface gene was amplified, sequenced and subsequently aligned using international and national Iranian database. RESULTS: All strains belonged to genotype D, subgenotype D1 and subtype ayw2. Of all 62 mutations occurred at 39 nucleotide positions, 31 (50%) were missense (amino acid altering) and 31 (50%) were silent (no amino acid changing). At the amino acid level, 30 substitutions occurred, however, 3 were in positions 122 and 127, corresponded to subtypic determination. 22 (73%) out of 30 amino acid mutations occurred in different immune epitopes within surface protein, of which 12 (54.54%) in B cell epitopes in 10 residues; 5 (45.45%) in T helper epitopes in positions; 5 (22.73%) in inside CTL epitopes in 4 residues. CONCLUSION: The distribution of amino acid mutations as well as the ratio between silent and missense nucleotide mutations showed a narrowly focused immune pressure had already been on the surface protein in these patients, led to the emergence of escape mutants in these patients.

18.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther ; 36(9): 824-32, 2012 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22966946

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis is the end result of many types of chronic liver diseases. Recent developments in the understanding of the process of hepatic fibrogenesis have revealed that the process is a dynamic one and a capacity for recovery from any degree of fibrosis including those associated with cirrhosis is plausible. AIM: To review current evidence of histopathological reversibility following drug therapy of more common aetiologies of cirrhosis. METHODS: A PubMed search was performed and the evidence for histopathological regression of advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis following drug therapy was reviewed as of the end of February 2012. RESULTS: There is abundant clinical evidence in support of the idea of the reversibility of cirrhosis in patients with different aetiologies of advanced hepatic disease including viral, autoimmune and metabolic/infiltrative liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of cirrhosis has changed from being a form of static and irreversible entity to a dynamic and reversible diseases stage. Novel therapeutic strategies are under investigation to target specific steps in the process of fibrogenesis with the aim of reversing advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis.


Subject(s)
Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , Disease Progression , Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/physiopathology , Recovery of Function , Severity of Illness Index
19.
Br J Cancer ; 107(5): 888-94, 2012 Aug 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22814581

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gastric fundal atrophy has been hypothesised to increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but studies have shown inconsistent results. METHODS: We measured serum pepsinogen I (PGI) and pepsinogen II (PGII) among 293 incident cases and 524 matched neighbourhood controls in a high-risk area of Northern Iran. Conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: After controlling for age, sex, residence area and other potential confounders, gastric atrophy (defined by a validated criterion, PGI <55 µg dl(-1)) was associated with a two-fold increased risk (OR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.18, 3.45) of OSCC in the absence of nonatrophic pangastritis (defined as PGII <11.8 µg dl(-1)). Stratification by PGII decreased the misclassification errors due to cancer-induced gastritis. Presence of both poor dental health, indicated by higher than median sum of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT score), and gastric atrophy further increased the risk of OSCC (OR=4.15, 95% CI: 2.04, 8.42) with relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) of 1.47 (95% CI: -1.15, 4.1). Coexistence of poor oral hygiene habit with gastric atrophy elevated OSCC risk eight times (OR=8.65, 95% CI: 3.65, 20.46) and the additive interaction index was marginally statistically significant (RERI=4.34, 95% CI: -1.07, 9.76). CONCLUSION: Gastric atrophy is a risk factor for OSCC, and poor dental health and oral hygiene habit may act synergistically in increasing the risk.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Gastritis, Atrophic/pathology , Oral Hygiene/methods , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/blood , Case-Control Studies , Esophageal Neoplasms/blood , Female , Gastritis, Atrophic/blood , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pepsinogen A/blood , Pepsinogen C/blood , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires
20.
Ann Oncol ; 23(6): 1593-600, 2012 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22052987

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association of obesity and physical activity at young ages with subsequent risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2007, we conducted a case-control study in a high-risk population in northeastern Iran. Three hundred ESCC cases and 571 matched controls were recruited. Each individual was shown a standard pictogram, to report body size at ages 15 and 30. Demographic and health-related information, including physical activity at these ages was also collected. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted models, very obese body size (last two pictograms) at age 15 [odds ratio (OR) 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-7.7] and age 30 (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.1-8.5) were associated with ESCC in women, but not in men. Sedentary work at age 15 (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3-8.3) and 30 (OR 18.2, 95% CI 3.9-86.2) were also associated with ESCC risk in women only. The increased risk in women at age 15 remained high after later reduction in body size, while women who became very obese only at age 30 did not show a significantly increased risk. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the importance of early lifestyle modifications in the context of cancer prevention, particularly in women.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/etiology , Esophageal Neoplasms/etiology , Obesity/complications , Sedentary Behavior , Adult , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Child , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Odds Ratio , Risk Factors , Rural Population
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