Hepatitis C Seroprevalence and Risk Factors in Adult Population of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province of Iran in 2013

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis C is the second leading viral infectious disease worldwide. In Iran, hepatitis C is the most important and prevalent reason for chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis in the multi transfused population.

AIM

This study was conducted to determine seroprevalence and burden of hepatitis C in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province and to plan for controlling it.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this analytical, population-based study, 3000 samples were older than 15 years old and were enrolled from urban and rural areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, southwest Iran per cluster sampling. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants and the demographic data, transmission route and risk factors were collected after blood sample taking. Hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab) and western blotting were consecutively run.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Data analysis was done by SPSS 19 using descriptive statistics, and chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression Ap value of 0.05 was considered as the level of significance.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HCV Ab was obtained 1.4% (95% CI, 0.95-1.7) and that of positive hepatitis C by western blotting 0.9% (95% CI, 0.65-1.3). The prevalence in men (1.2%) was obtained two times higher than women. The highest prevalence was obtained in 35 to 44-year-old population (2%). The prevalence was higher in married individuals and less in higher educated. History of hospital stay, first degree relatives infected with HCV, jaundice, history of blood transfusion, tattoo, outpatient surgery, imprisonment, contact with the infected, intravenous (IV) drug abuse, and smoking had significant association with disease prevalence (p<0.05). The highest odds ratio was obtained for history of IV drug abuse (OR=38.2, 95% CI, 14.06-103.9) followed by imprisonment (OR=8.9, 95% CI, 2.97-26.6). However, by logistic regression only history of IV drug abuse was obtained as significant (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hepatitis C is growing and emerging as the most prevalent chronic, viral hepatic disease, so further consideration of risk factors and routes of transmission is crucial for appropriate planning for, and preventing, treating, and controlling hepatitis C. IV drug abusers as the most important group need special consideration and surveillance in order to cut infection chain and decrease the disease incidence.

Prevalence of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Types I and II in Patients With Hematological Disorders in Isfahan, Iran

Background:

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus types Ι and ΙΙ (HTLV-Ι and HTLV-II) are deltaretroviruses which may cause leukemia, lymphoma and HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). In addition, HTLV-1 may be related to thalassemia and hemophilia cases after blood transfusion.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was evaluation of the prevalence of HTLVs in patients with hematological disorders (leukemia, thalassemia, lymphoma and hemophilia).

Patients and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted during April to October 2012. A total of 101 serum samples were collected from patients and were stored at -20ºC. DNA was extracted from serum by an extraction kit. The extracted DNA was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of HTLV-Ι and HTLV-II pol and tax gene sequences, respectively. Samples were collected from 67 (66.33%), 20 (19.80%), 4 (3.96%), and 10 (9.90%) patients with thalassemia, leukemia, lymphoma and hemophilia, respectively.

Results:

One thalassemia sample was HTLV-Ι positive, but none of the samples contained the genome of HTLV-II. The prevalence of HTLV-Ι in this study in patients with hematological disorders was 0.99%.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of HTLV-Ι in hematological disorders was similar to that of other parts of Iran. The present study revealed that HTLV-Ι screening should be performed before blood transfusion to reduce the risk of virus transmission in patients with hematological disorders. More study should be performed to detect these viruses in blood donors.

A preliminary study of inherited thrombophilic risk factors in different clinical manifestations of venous thromboembolism in central Iran

Background & objectives:

Inherited thrombophilia is known to be an important risk factor for developing venous thromboembolism. Whether such abnormalities may impact the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) differently is not well defined. This preliminary study was undertaken to compare thrombophilic polymorphism in patients with DVT and PE.

Methods:

A total of 35 DVT, 23 DVT/PE, and 37 PE patients admitted to the Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord, Iran, between October 2009 and February 2011 were included in the study and 306 healthy volunteers matched by age and sex from the same geographical area with no history of venous or arterial diseases were included as control group. Factor V Leiden (FV 1691G/A, rs6025), prothrombin (FII 20210G/A), methylene tetrahydrofulate reductase (MTHFR 677C/T, rs1801133), and PLA2 polymorphisms of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GpIIIa 1565T/C, rs5918) were investigated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results:

The number of patients with the investigated polymorphisms and homozygous carriers was significantly different among the groups (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the presence of FV 1691G/A and FII 20210G/A between any of the patients groups and the control group. GpIIIa 1565T/C and homozygous MTHFR 677C/T polymorphisms were higher in DVT patients compared with the control group (OR=6.65, 95% CI=3.09-14.30 and OR=4.08, 95% CI=1.35-12.38, respectively).

Interpretation & conclusions:

As none of the investigated polymorphisms were associated with PE, other thrombophilia polymorphisms may have a role in the pathogenesis of PE in these patients and should be investigated. Because of different prognostic risk factors among different types of patients, the treatment approach could be different.

A Case of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in Association With Craniopharyngioma

Introduction:

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is characterized by the slippage of the proximal femoral epiphysis on the metaphysis, which is sometimes associated with an underlying endocrine disorder. Panhypopituitarism due to craniopharyngioma has been reported several times. We report a case of craniopharyngioma recurrence leading to slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Case Presentation:

A 28-year-old man diagnosed with recurrent craniopharyngioma presented with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. He was treated with gentle manipulation, capsulotomy, and placement of one screw as fixation per side. No complications showed up in a follow-up duration of 4 months.

Conclusions:

We underscored the importance of endocrinologic disorders in craniopharyngioma cases. Such disorders should be taken into consideration and be followed up.

Hydrogen production via supercritical water gasification of bagasse using Ni-Cu/γ-Al2O3 nano-catalysts

Biomass gasification in supercritical water media is a promising method for the production of hydrogen. In this research, Cu-promoted Ni/γ-Al2O3 nano-catalysts were prepared with 2.5-30 wt% Ni and 0.6-7.5 wt% Cu loadings via the microemulsion method. Nano-catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) technique, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), H2 chemisorption and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) technique, as well as Carbon-Hydrogen-Nitrogen-Sulfur (CHNS) analysis was carried out for elemental analysis of bagasse. Nano-catalysts were assessed in a batch micro-reactor under 400°C and 240 bar. The microemulsion method decreased the catalyst average particle size and increased the percentage dispersion and reduction of the catalysts. The total gas yield increased with an increase in Ni and Cu loadings up to 20 wt% Ni and 5 wt% Cu and then started to decrease. Using the microemulsion technique for the preparation of Ni-Cu/γ-Al2O3 nano-catalyst, increased the hydrogen yield to 11.76 (mmol of H2/g of bagasse), CO yield to 2.67 (mmol of CO/g of bagasse) and light gaseous hydrocarbons to 0.6 (mmol of light gaseous hydrocarbons/g of bagasse). Promotion of Ni/γ-Al2O3 with copper increased the mole fraction of hydrogen in the final gasification products to 58.1 mol%.

ZAP70 Expression Within del6q21, del11q13 and del17p13 Cytogenetic Subgroups of Iranian Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Background:

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is the most common form of leukemia in adults. Some reports showed that expression of ZAP70 gene and chromosomal abnormality are two prognostic factors in management of B-CLL

Objectives:

In this study, we determined ZAP70 mRNA expression level in the del17p13, del6q21 and del11q13 subgroups of Iranian B-CLL patients to investigate prognostic value of ZAP70 expression.

Patients and Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis was carried out on 66 Iranian B-CLL patients. Zap70 mRNA expression was evaluated by using Real Time RT-PCR.

Results:

Molecular analysis showed that ZAP70 expression increased 2.46 fold in the del11q13 subgroup, 2.87 fold in the del17p13 and 1.87 fold in the del6q21, compared to the 15 patients in the control group. Comparison of standard deviation and mean of the ZAP70 expression profile within the subgroups showed more variability among the cases of the del11q13 and del17p13 versus tight clustering for the del6q21. Therefore, there is a relation between del6q21 aberrations; which has good prognosis with normal levels of ZAP70 expression.

Conclusions:

The results of ANOVA test showed that ZAP70 expression gene was significantly increased in del17p13 and del11q13 subgroups compared to control group. Thus, ZAP70 may play an important role in the prognosis of B-CLL patients.

High Prevalence of Symptomatic Hepatitis A Infection in Rural Area of Chaharmahal VA Bakhtiari Province, Iran

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of hepatitis during childhood and is an important public health problem. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate an outbreak of symptomatic viral hepatitis in children and in young adults in a rural area from Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari Province, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum samples from the 70 patients with icterus, who were suspected for HAV infection, referred to a therapeutic center in a central province of Iran from February to July, 2010 were tested for IgM specific antibody to HAV, using Enzyme linked Fluorscent assay (ELFA) Kit (General Biological Corp., Hsinchu, Taiwan).

RESULTS

All of the 70 children had jaundice. The ELFA results showed that 48 out of 70 (68.6%) tested positive for anti-HAV specific antibody (IgM). The mean age of the individuals were 12.81+12.2 and 23 of them (32.8%) were females. There was significant relationship between seropositivity for IgM anti-HAV antibody and age group in the patients studied (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The high number of cases identified, may indicate an outbreak of hepatitis A in this region with the children as the most susceptible age group to this symptomatic infection.

Sequence-based genotyping of hepatitis B virus in general population

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic liver disease worldwide. HBV has eight genotypes (A to H) which is the reflection of its genome with their characteristic geographical distribution. Each genotype could have different pathogenic and therapeutic characteristics. There have been few records on HBV genotyping in general population from our region. This study aimed to determine hepatitis B genotypes using sequencing in the general population of Shahrekord, a Southwestern region of Iran.

METHODS

A total of 3000 serum samples (cluster sampling method) were enrolled from general population tested for HBsAg using ELISA. Using appropriate extraction kit, HBV DNA was extracted from HBsAg positive samples and each was subjected to nested PCR for detection of HBV DNA. Finally, using sequencing, the samples were used for HBV genotyping. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19 using descriptive statistics, chi square, and Fisher's exact test. P-value < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance.

RESULTS

Out of 3000 serum samples, 40 (1.3%) were positive for HBsAg. HBV DNA was detected in 10 out of 40 (25%) of the samples studied. Genotype D was the predominant HBV type found in all of these 10 HBV positive samples.

CONCLUSION

Genotype D is probably the predominant HBV type in our region.

Prevalence study of genital tract infections in pregnant women referred to health centers in Iran

AIM

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Pregnancy has its own complications such as premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, premature birth, low-birth-weight children, and infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of reproductive tract infections among pregnant women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 85 randomly selected pregnant women referred to the ambulatory care facilities of Ardal County, Iran, were recruited via a systematic classified random sampling. Questionnaires, clinical examination by midwives, and laboratory assessments were used to gather the required data.

RESULTS

According to the laboratory tests, 71.76% of samples were infectious. Candida albicans (35.76%), Escherichia coli (17.97%), and Streptococcus (13.06%) were the most observed infections, with a higher prevalence rate of reproductive tract infections during the second half of pregnancy compared to the first half.

CONCLUSION

Since the prevalence rate of vaginal infections was high among pregnant women, and apparent symptoms and clinical examinations alone could not be used for diagnosing these infections, considering vaginal tests during pregnancy in additionto other routine tests could be helpful.

Interplay of physical mechanisms and biofilm processes: review of microfluidic methods

Bacteria in natural and artificial environments often reside in self-organized, integrated communities known as biofilms. Biofilms are highly structured entities consisting of bacterial cells embedded in a matrix of self-produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The EPS matrix acts like a biological 'glue' enabling microbes to adhere to and colonize a wide range of surfaces. Once integrated into biofilms, bacterial cells can withstand various forms of stress such as antibiotics, hydrodynamic shear and other environmental challenges. Because of this, biofilms of pathogenic bacteria can be a significant health hazard often leading to recurrent infections. Biofilms can also lead to clogging and material degradation; on the other hand they are an integral part of various environmental processes such as carbon sequestration and nitrogen cycles. There are several determinants of biofilm morphology and dynamics, including the genotypic and phenotypic states of constituent cells and various environmental conditions. Here, we present an overview of the role of relevant physical processes in biofilm formation, including propulsion mechanisms, hydrodynamic effects, and transport of quorum sensing signals. We also provide a survey of microfluidic techniques utilized to unravel the associated physical mechanisms. Further, we discuss the future research areas for exploring new ways to extend the scope of the microfluidic approach in biofilm studies.

Assessing the relationship between maternal and neonatal factors and low birth weight in Iran; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction. Low birth weight is an important indicator of the health of babies. A low birth weight is a leading health problem and a major reason for death in newborns. This study targeted to assess the relationship between maternal and infant factors and low birth weight in Iran through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods. This paper was a systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between maternal/ infant factors and low birth weight based on the published research papers conducted in Iran. To achieve this goal, two trained researchers independently elicited all the relevant articles by using the appropriate keywords and their combinations in SID, Madlib, Iranmedex, Irandoc, Google Scholar, Pubmed, ISI, Scopus and Magiran databases. The results of the study were combined with SPSS 20 and STATA software. Results. In the initial stage, 25 more relevant articles out of 46 papers were selected. The gestational age with less than 37 weeks and prenatal care had the most (CI: 27- 14. 53, OR: 19.81) and the least (CI: 1.86, OR: 1.5) effect on the low birth weight in newborns, respectively. Conclusion. This study showed that there is a significant relationship between the low birth weight and multiple births, pre-eclampsia, maternal weight gaining during pregnancy, baby's gender, and pregnancy age. Hence, controlling the factors above in mothers during pregnancy by the health authorities could lead to the birth of infants with a healthy weight and consequently the number of infants with low birth weight will decrease.

Effect of solid boundaries on swimming dynamics of microorganisms in a viscoelastic fluid

We numerically study the effect of solid boundaries on the swimming behavior of a motile microorganism in viscoelastic media. Understanding the swimmer-wall hydrodynamic interactions is crucial to elucidate the adhesion of bacterial cells to nearby substrates which is precursor to the formation of the microbial biofilms. The microorganism is simulated using a squirmer model that captures the major swimming mechanisms of potential, extensile, and contractile types of swimmers, while neglecting the biological complexities. A Giesekus constitutive equation is utilized to describe both viscoelasticity and shear-thinning behavior of the background fluid. We found that the viscoelasticity strongly affects the near-wall motion of a squirmer by generating an opposing polymeric torque which impedes the rotation of the swimmer away from the wall. In particular, the time a neutral squirmer spends at the close proximity of the wall is shown to increase with polymer relaxation time and reaches a maximum at Weissenberg number of unity. The shear-thinning effect is found to weaken the solvent stress and therefore, increases the swimmer-wall contact time. For a puller swimmer, the polymer stretching mainly occurs around its lateral sides, leading to reduced elastic resistance against its locomotion. The neutral and puller swimmers eventually escape the wall attraction effect due to a releasing force generated by the Newtonian viscous stress. In contrast, the pusher is found to be perpetually trapped near the wall as a result of the formation of a highly stretched region behind its body. It is shown that the shear-thinning property of the fluid weakens the wall-trapping effect for the pusher squirmer.

Evaluation of the effects of injection velocity and different gel concentrations on nanoparticles in hyperthermia therapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In magnetic fluid hyperthermia therapy, controlling temperature elevation and optimizing heat generation is an immense challenge in practice. The resultant heating configuration by magnetic fluid in the tumor is closely related to the dispersion of particles, frequency and intensity of magnetic field, and biological tissue properties.

METHODS

In this study, to solve heat transfer equation, we used COMSOL Multiphysics and to verify the model, an experimental setup has been used.  To show the accuracy of the model, simulations have been compared with experimental results. In the second part, by using experimental results of nanoparticles distribution inside Agarose gel according to various gel concentration, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4%, as well as the injection velocity, 4 µL/min, 10 µL/min, 20 µL/min, and 40 µL/min, for 0.3 cc magnetite fluid, power dissipation inside gel has been calculated and used for temperature prediction inside of the gel.

RESULTS

The Outcomes demonstrated that by increasing the flow rate injection at determined concentrations, mean temperature drops. In addition, 2% concentration has a higher mean temperature than semi spherical nanoparticles distribution.

CONCLUSION

The results may have implications for treatment of the tumor and any kind of cancer diseases.

The role of critical shear stress on acute coronary syndrome

Increased aggregation of RBC is associated with many vascular diseases, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Critical shear-stress (CSS) as in index of red cell aggregation is defined as either the minimum shear-stress required dispersing the aggregates. The objective of this study is to access the role of CSS in ACS comparing to SA, and to evaluate the correlation with usual biomarkers for atherosclerosis such as fibrinogen, hs-CRP. 169 SA and 223 ACS patients were finally enrolled. A detailed medical history and laboratory data were obtained for each participant from clinical records. CSS is measured by simultaneous measurement of shear stress and light backscattering using a small disposable kit with a microfluidic hemorheometer. We hypothesized that higher value of CSS might be associated increased thrombosis in ACS. As results, relatively younger age was shown and more male in ACS patients, and inflammatory markers (WBC, hs-CRP) were higher in ACS. Whole blood viscosities were significantly higher in ACS than SA along at all shear rates. CSS was 25.7% higher in ACS (333.8 ± 147.8) than in SA (265.4 ± 149.9 mPa) (p < 0.001). CSS was highly correlated white blood cell counts, hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Among those variables, fibrinogen, and ESR were strongly correlated with CSS. We may suggest that CSS could be used as a novel risk marker for ACS.

Hepatitis B seroprevalence and risk factors in adult population of chaharmahal and bakhtiari province in 2013

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus is one of the important viral causes of liver inflammation with high worldwide prevalence and important hepatic and extra hepatic complications.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

For this descriptive, analytical, population-based study, 3000 participants older than 15 years were enrolled according to the clustering method. After obtaining written informed consent and taking required blood samples, we gathered data on demographic status and probable transmission routes of disease using questionnaire between 2012 and 2013. The data was analyzed using SPSS software (descriptive parameters and chi-square). P value below 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 38.4 ± 16.3. The seroprevalence rate of hepatitis B was found to be 1.3% (95% CI, 0.95%-1.81%). Prevalence of HBeAg among HBsAg positive participants was 2.5% (only 1 of 40). Seroprevalence was higher in male group (2.5 times higher than women), age group of over 55 years, farmers, and non-public occupations. Positive seroprevalence was associated with a history of renal disease, familial transmission, transfusion, surgery in hospital, circumcision, contact with hepatitis B infected individuals, imprisonment, intravenous (IV) drug abuse, and smoking (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the highest odds ratio (OR) was obtained for history of renal disease (OR = 7.64: 3.01-18.4), followed by imprisonment (OR = 5.4: 1.86 -15.7) and IV drug abuse (OR = 5.68: 1.3-24.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province could be categorized as a low endemic region for hepatitis B infection, with a seroprevalence similar to that in other provinces of western Iran. Vaccination seems to influence its decrease, especially in adolescents and youth. More surveillance and attention to risk factors are suggested to identify high-risk groups and to implement vaccination.

Effect of different concentrations of ginger root powder and its essential oil on growth performance, serum metabolites and antioxidant status in broiler chicks under heat stress

1. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of ginger (Zingiber officinale) feed supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, carcass characteristics and blood parameters in broiler chicks under conditions of heat stress (32 ± 2ºC for 8 h per d). 2. A total of 336 d-old male broiler chicks (Cobb-500) were randomly assigned to one of 6 dietary groups representing: basal diet with no supplement as control, basal diet containing 100 mg/kg vitamin E as positive control, basal diets containing either 7.5 or 15 g/kg of ginger root powder, and diets containing 75 or 150 mg/kg of ginger essential oil. 3. The results indicated that at 22 d of age, the group receiving 7.5 g/kg of ginger root powder experienced significantly increased body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) compared to the control group. There were no significant difference among the diet groups regarding BW, BWG, feed intake (FI) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 42 and 49 d of age. 4. The inclusion of powder and essential oil of ginger in broiler diets did not affect carcass characteristics and blood parameters of the chickens. However, in the group receiving 150 mg/kg ginger essential oil, the total superoxide dismutase (TSOD) activity in liver increased compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in liver also decreased in the groups receiving ginger powder and essential oil compared to that in the control group. There were no significant difference between experimental groups regarding glutathione peroxidise (Gpx), TSOD and catalase (CAT) enzymes in red blood cells. All dietary groups increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and decreased MDA concentration in serum compared to the control group. 5. The results of this study suggest that ginger powder and essential oils may be a suitable replacement for synthetic antioxidants in broiler diets. Results also suggest that ginger powder might be better than extracted essential oil for improving antioxidant status in broilers.