Association between (GT)n Repeats in Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Promoter and 3-Year Survival of Patients with Acute Leukemia: a Controlled, Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Acute leukemia is a common pediatric cancer. Novel strategies for treatment of acute leukemia have been developed, but treatment resistance is remained as the most problematic issue. It is hypothesized that the HO-1 gene up-regulation is responsible for tumor resistance to chemotherapy or radiotherapy-induced apoptosis. The levels of HO-1 expression are related to (GT)n microsatellite polymorphisms in the location of its promoter. This study designed to compare allelic frequencies of (GT)n microsatellite polymorphisms in HO-1 gene between acute leukemia patients and healthy controls. Indeed, 3-year disease-free survival was also evaluated. Methods: Sixty-three patients with acute leukemia and seventy healthy infants were included in this study. We used the medical records of patients to collect information about survival after chemotherapy. The number of GT repeats in HO-1 promoter was determined by an ABI 3100 sequencer. Results: The HO-1 GT repeats ranged from 14 to 34 with peaks at 27 repeats in both cases and controls. Children with longer alleles ((GT)n ≥ 27) had enhanced 3-year survival rate after treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although no significant differences were observed between leukemia patients and controls regarding allelic frequency, we found elevated frequency of "LL" genotype in leukemia patients with good prognosis and 3-year surveillance. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy might elevate the expression levels of HO-1 with subsequent increased resistance of leukemia patients to therapy.

Demographic and psychological predictors of recovery from coronary artery bypass graft.

OBJECTIVES: Worldwide, i.e. in Iran, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most common and expensive surgeries. This study was designed to explore the demographic and psychological factors which predict the recovery process in CABG patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a prospective correlational study, 250 CABG patients, in two public and private hospitals, investigated for indexes of recovery during hospital stay and 4 weeks after discharge. Demographic and psychological variables were collected through checklist and Farsi validated and reliable versions of type D personality, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support, revised illness perception questionnaire (IPQ-R). Data were analyzed through statistical tests through SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Considering the total recovery index, 91.2% of CABG patients have not been recovered 4 weeks after surgery. Furthermore, 99% of them reported high scores of depression and anxiety. Marital and insurance status, and perceived personal control, showed significant difference between recovered and unrecovered patients based on total recovery index (P < 0.05); however, in regression analysis, they did not identify as predictor variables. Age, gender, insurance status, and perceived personal control were the most frequent variables identified as predictors of recovery indexes, separately. CONCLUSION: The correlation between depression, anxiety, perceived personal control, and recovery status among our patients reveals the importance of considering psychological and mood assessment in developing guidelines for CABG patients. Our findings will assist clinicians for designing of psychological interventions for promotion of perceived personal and illness control and better recovery post-CABG.

Corrigendum to "Exposure assessment of Bisphenol A intake from polymeric babybottles in formula-fed infants aged less than one year" [Toxicology Reports 2 (2015) 1273-1280].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2015.09.002.].

Exposure assessment of Bisphenol A intake from polymeric baby bottles in formula-fed infants aged less than one year.

BisphenolA (BPA) or 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanepresent in polycarbonate baby bottles may have harmful effects for formula-fed infants. This study evaluated the risks associated with exposure to BPA among Iranian formula-fed infants in an urban society in Isfahan. New and used baby bottles (n = 7 and 8, respectively) as well as BPA-free marked bottles (n = 2) were collected from a retail outlet, and leaching of BPA was examined by conducting a migration test. Concentrations of BPA released from the new and used baby bottles were in the range of 0.49â¿¿8.58 and 0.63â¿¿2.47 µg/l, respectively. Next, probabilistic exposure estimation was performed. In all, 200 mothers registered with 11 health centres in Isfahan were interviewed. Data on feeding pattern, washing and sterilization practices, bottles types and manufacturers as well as the sex and weight of the infants were collected using a questionnaire. The results showed that majority of the surveyed infants were exposed to 0.1â¿¿0.3 µg/kg body weight (bw)/d of BPA, which corresponded to approximately 2â¿¿7.5% of the defined t-TDI (4 µg/kgbw/d). These results suggested that the risk of the adverse effects caused by exposure to BPA was very low in formula-fed Iranian infants even in the worst-case scenario.

Prevalence of HBsAg and high-risk behaviors in pregnant women rerring to Urban Health Centers in Isfahan province.

BACKGROUND: About 5% of the world population are carriers of the hepatitis B virus which is not the same in different areas of the world. Iran, with a rate of 2-3%, is among the countries with average prevalence. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBsAg and its associated factors in pregnant women who referred to urban health centers in Isfahan Province. METHODS: This was a descriptive study conducted on 1078 pregnant women who had referred to the urban health centers of Isfahan, Borkhar, Meymeh, Khomeini Shahr, Lenjan and Najaf Abad in 2009 in order to register their physical condition and receive pregnancy care. Random sampling method by quota was done. First, a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and history of high-risk behaviors in mothers and their husbands was completed. Then, a blood sample was taken and evaluated for the HB virus surface antigen. Finally, the data was analyzed using SPSS software, Chi-square, Fisher and Logistic Regression tests. RESULTS: HB virus surface antigen was traced in the serum of 0.5% of the participants. The average age of subjects was 26.1± 4.9 (mean±sd) years old and the average pregnancy number was 1.79 + 1.0 (mean±sd). Using Fisher's test as well as logistic regression test and based on the previous history of high-risk sexual behaviors and tattooing, a significant difference was observed between the two groups with positive and negative HBsAg (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Instructing the target groups and close monitoring of the high-risk centers such as beauty shops, tattooing centers and etc, and also staff training on how to use disposable and sterilized equipments have to be accomplished at the right time.

The study of Prevalence of Antigen HBs Positive and High-risk Behaviors in Pregnant Women Referring to Urban Health Centers of Isfahan Province in 2009.

BACKGROUND: Around 5% of the world populations are the carriers of the hepatitis B virus. Prevalence of carriers in many different areas of the world is various. Iran, including the rate of 2 to 3%, is among countries, which has the average prevalence. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of antigen HBs positive and associated factors in pregnant women who had referred to urban health centers of Isfahan Province in 2009. METHODS: A descriptive study conducted on 1078 pregnant women who had referred to the urban health centers of Isfahan, Barkhovar, Meymeh, Khomeini Shahr, Lenjan and Najaf Abad in 2009 in order to register their physical condition and conducting pregnancy care. Random sampling method by quota was systematic. First, a questionnaire completed including demographic characteristics and records of high-risk behaviors in mothers and wives. Then, 4 cc of their blood drawn and evaluated the antigen surface in serum. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS15 software, Chi-square, Fisher and Logistic Regression tests. RESULTS: According to the findings, serum of 0.5% of pregnant women under the study was HBsAg-positive. The average age of subjects was 26.1 (4.9) years old and the average pregnancy number was 1.79 (1.0). Using Fisher's test as well as logistic regression test and based on the previous records of high-risk sexual behaviors and tattooing, a significant difference was observed in positive-HBsAg group in comparison with negative-HBsAg group (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Instructing target groups and giving awareness in large-scale, close monitoring in high-risk centers such as beauty shops, tattooing centers and etc, and also staff training in how to use disposable and sterilized equipments have to be accomplished at the right time.