Association of vitamin D levels with anthropometric and adiposity indicators across all age groups: a systematic review of epidemiologic studies

Objectives

It has not been established whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with anthropometric state; therefore, this systematic review examined the relationship between serum vitamin D levels with anthropometrics and adiposity across different ages.

Methods

Studies that examined vitamin D deficiency with adiposity measures in different age groups were searched in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases until November 2023. Two investigators independently reviewed titles and abstracts, examined full-text articles, extracted data, and rated the quality in accordance with the Newcastle-Ottawa criteria.

Results

Seventy-two studies, with a total of 59,430 subjects, were included. Of these studies, 27 cross-sectional studies and one longitudinal study (with 25,615 participants) evaluated the possible link between 25(OH)D serum concentrations and anthropometric/adiposity indices in the pediatric population. Forty-two cross-sectional studies and two cohort investigations (with 33,815 participants) investigated the relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and adiposity measures in adults and/or the elderly population. There is evidence supporting links between vitamin D deficiency and obesity, and revealed an inverse association between vitamin D and adiposity indicators, specifically in female subjects. However, the effects of several confounding factors should also be considered.

Conclusion

Most published studies, most of which were cross-sectional, reported a negative association between vitamin D and female adiposity indicators. Therefore, serum vitamin D levels should be monitored in overweight/obese individuals.

Nuts, vegetables, fruits, and protein dietary pattern during pregnancy is inversely associated with risk of childhood allergies: a case-control study

Allergic diseases are prevalent chronic conditions among children and can lead to significant health and economic issues. It is hypothesized that healthy and high quality diet during pregnancy can prevent the onset of allergic diseases in offspring. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between major dietary patterns during pregnancy and allergies in children under one year of age. This case-control study was conducted involving 244 participants (122 mothers of allergic children and 122 healthy controls) who visited pediatricians and allergy outpatient clinics in Khuzestan Province, Iran, between June 2022 and March 2023. Demographic information was recorded using a socio-demographic questionnaire. A food frequency questionnaire was used to identify the foods consumed during pregnancy. Major dietary patterns were extracted using principal component analysis, and the potential relationship between these patterns and childhood allergies was investigated using multivariable logistic regression models. The crude odds ratio (OR) analysis showed that the fourth quartile of "Nut, vegetables, fruits, and protein" dietary pattern was associated with lower occurrence of childhood allergies (OR: 0.214, 95% CI = 0.068-0.679; P trend = 0.211). After adjusting for cofactors in Model 3, this association was still observed in the fourth quartile (OR = 0.108, 95% CI = 0.019-0.613; P trend, 0.001). However, no significant association was observed between "Carbohydrate and cereals" and "Salty" dietary patterns and childhood allergies. The study findings suggest that a maternal dietary pattern rich in nuts, vegetables, and fruits during pregnancy may reduce the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.

Tea's anti-obesity properties, cardiometabolic health-promoting potentials, bioactive compounds, and adverse effects: A review focusing on white and green teas

Tea is one of the most commonly consumed beverages in the world. Morocco, Japan, and China have consumed green tea for centuries. White tea, which is a variety of green teas, is very popular in China and is highly revered for its taste. Presently, both teas are consumed in other countries around the world, even as functional ingredients, and novel research is constantly being conducted in these areas. We provide an update on the health benefits of white and green teas in this review, based on recent research done to present. After a general introduction, we focused on tea's anti-obesity and human health-promoting potential, adverse effects, and new approaches to tea and its bioactive compounds. It has been found that the health benefits of tea are due to its bioactive components, mainly phenolic compounds. Of these, catechins are the most abundant. This beverage (or its extracts) has potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could contribute to body weight control and the improvement of several chronic diseases. However, some studies have mentioned the possibility of toxic effects; therefore, reducing tea consumption is a good idea, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, new evidence will provide insight into the possible effects of tea on the human gut microbiota, and even on the viruses responsible for SARS-CoV-2. A beverage such as this may favor beneficial gut microbes, which may have important implications due to the influence of gut microbiota on human health.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Iranian population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Politicians and practitioners should be aware of the dramatic increase in obesity and its subsequent complications to prevent associated health risks. This systematic review aimed to provide better insight into the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Iranian population.

METHOD

An evaluation was conducted on all published observational studies from both national (SID, Irandoc, Iranmedex) and international (Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus) sources, which reported the prevalence of overweight/obesity among normal population samples, between January 2012 and December 2021.

RESULT

A total of 152 eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. Of the 152 selected studies, 74 reported the prevalence of overweight/obesity in patients aged ≤ 18 years, and 61 studies in adults. In the rest of the articles (17 studies), the results were reported for a combination of these age groups. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Iran was estimated at 20.1 (95% CI 17.92-22.30) and 13.44 (95% CI 11.76-15.22), respectively. This percentage (95% CI) was 11.71 (10.98-12.46) for overweight and 8.08 (7.02-9.22) for obesity in those aged ≤ 18 years, and 35.26 (32.61-37.99) for overweight and 21.38 (19.61-23.20) for obesity in those aged > 18 years. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity in the entire population was 35.09% (95% CI 31.31-38.98).

CONCLUSION

As obesity is on the rise in Iran, we should seek both weight loss strategies and ways to control comorbidities associated with high BMI.

Evaluation of dietary food intakes and anthropometric measures in middle-aged men with aggressive symptoms

BACKGROUND

Aggression is one of the most prevalent behavioral disorders in men.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the possible association between dietary intake of food groups and aggression in middle-aged married men.

METHODS

This case-control study included 336 participants (168 men with aggressive behaviors and 168 healthy controls) aged 35-55 years. Demographic information was collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire. A food frequency questionnaire was used to investigate the diet group intake last year. Based on the normality of the data distribution, Independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare quantitative variables between the two groups. Categorical variables were compared between cases and controls using the Chi-squared test. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the possible association between food intake and aggression.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, aggressive men had significantly higher mean weight, height, and waist circumference (WC), p = 0.007, p = 0.001, and p = 0.043, respectively. After adjusting WC, energy intake, and educational level, in Model 1, intake of milk, cheese, poultry, red meat, legumes, egg, fruits, and vegetables had a significant protective role on the occurrence of aggression, (Odd Ratio (OR) = 0.36; 95% (Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.204, 0.670; P = 0.001), (OR = 0.440; 95% CI = 0.284, 0.781; P = 0.005), (OR = 0.621; 95% CI = 0.284, 0.781; P = 0.046), (OR = 0.358; 95% CI = 0.198, 0.647; P = 0.001), (OR = 0.434; 95% CI = 0.243, 0.773; P = 0.005), (OR = 0.411; 95% CI = 0.229, 0.736; P = 0.003), (OR = 0.332; 95% CI = 0.180, 0.614; P < 0.001), (OR = 0.310; 95% CI = 0.168, 0.572; P < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower WC and a diet containing high-quality protein, fruits, and vegetables can have a protective role against aggression and are recommended for men with an aggressive mood. This diet can affect plasma levels of tryptophan and, therefore, brain levels of serotonin.

Risk factors, cutoff points, and definition of metabolically healthy/unhealthy obesity in children and adolescents: A scoping review of the literature

Diagnosis of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and its definition do not have universal criteria in the pediatric age group. Hence, this scoping review aims to identify the components, the cutoff points, and the definition of MHO in children and adolescents. A comprehensive, systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases. A consensus-based definition of MHO was developed through a Delphi process involving an international panel of 23 experts. This review included a total of 63 non-randomized studies, published between 2007 and 2022. According to our consensus (≥80% agreement), the proposed definition for MHO included the following components: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol >40 mg/dl (or >1.03 mmol/l), triglycerides ≤150 mg/dl (or ≤1.7 mmol/l), fasting plasma glucose <100 mg/dl (or <5.6 mmol/l), a measure of insulin, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≤90th percentile. Therefore, MHO was defined as the absence of the above metabolic risk factors; and those children and adolescents with one or more criteria were considered as metabolically unhealthy. A universal definition of MHO will allow comparisons between studies in the field of childhood obesity and can be useful in clinical practice.

The Implication of Nutrition on the Prevention and Improvement of Age-Related Sarcopenic Obesity: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of sarcopenic obesity, making it a critical focus for preventing and treating this condition. However, the specific dietary components that effectively combat sarcopenic obesity remain poorly understood. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the potential nutritional and dietary factors that may play a role in the development of sarcopenic obesity in the elderly population.

METHODS

To identify relevant studies investigating the association/effects of dietary pattern/single foods/nutrients or supplements with sarcopenic obesity-related outcomes, a comprehensive literature search was conducted until April 2023. The search encompassed multiple databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Two researchers performed rigorous assessments that included screening titles and abstracts, reviewing full-text studies, extracting data, and evaluating the quality of the studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for observational studies, while the Jadad-Oxford Scale was employed for clinical trials.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies (14 observational studies and 9 trials) with 37078 participants, published between 2012 and 2022, were eligible for the systematic review. Of the 14 observational articles, two focused on dietary patterns and 12 on food/calorie/macro- and micronutrient intake. The nutritional interventions included the intake of supplements (i.e., protein, amino acids, tea catechin, and vitamin D) and dietary management (calorie restriction, very low-calorie ketogenic diet, and high-protein diet). Appropriate dietary factors, such as appropriate intake of calories, macronutrients, micronutrients, antioxidant nutrients, vegetables, fruits, and overall dietary quality, have been shown to be effective in preventing and treating sarcopenic obesity-related parameters. A combined approach of hypocaloric diet and high protein intake may be necessary for managing both obesity and sarcopenia in older individuals.

CONCLUSION

Studies suggest that dietary factors, such as overall dietary quality, appropriate intake of calories and protein, consumption of antioxidant nutrients, vegetables, fruits, and protein, may be linked to sarcopenic obesity.

Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, and Metabolic Syndrome: Review in the Era of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now at pandemic levels leading to considerable morbidity and mortality throughout the globe. Patients with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are mainly susceptible and more probably to get severe side effects when affected by this virus. The pathophysiologic mechanisms for these notions have not been completely known. The pro-inflammatory milieu observed in patients with metabolic disruption could lead to COVID-19-mediated host immune dysregulation, such as immune dysfunction, severe inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and thrombosis. The present review expresses the current knowledge regarding the influence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and MetS on COVID-19 infection and severity, and their pathophysiological mechanisms.

Methodologies for the Design of University Teaching Spaces in Covid/19 Regime. A BIM Oriented Approach, Defined for the Case Study of the Buildings of the Department of Architecture of the University of Florence (DiDA)

The research, carried out at the University of Florence, investigated the tools and methodologies needed to manage the setting up of educational environments in a dynamic-emergency regime. It tested the interoperability of the digital tools deemed necessary for an integrated management of space management activities. And defining a methodology for setting up the spaces assisted by the use of digital systems capable of automating the design activities.

Retrospective evaluation of failure rate of 1,000 immediate implants placed in fresh extraction sockets and their risk factors

PURPOSE

To evaluate the failure rate of 1,000 immediately placed implants in fresh extraction sockets and their risk factors.

METHODS

The data comprised files of 1,000 fresh socket implants placed during the 2014-2019 interval in three Tehran-based private dental clinics. The statistical method was survival analysis consisting of shared frailty and intra-cluster correlation. Moreover, Chi-squared test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to statistically analyze the relationship between each independent variable and the response variable (immediate implant failure).

RESULTS

40 cases of failures among the implants were found, accounting for a 4% failure rate. Shared frailty survival model indicated that only the implant system significantly affects the failure rate. Intra-clustered correlation was 0.41. Chi-squared analysis showed that gender and implant system both significantly affect immediate implant failure. None of the quantitative variables were significantly related to immediate implant failure according to the Mann-Whitney U test.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The data was gathered using a relatively large sample size to perform a reliable evaluation on success and predictability of implants placed into fresh extraction sites. A brief review on articles focusing on fresh socket implant success or failure published from years 2000-2020 is presented.

Fatty acid composition, phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of Capparis spinosa sedes

The present study evaluates the contents in bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, oil content and fatty acid composition of Capparis spinosa seeds. Samples were collected from 5 different habitats (AH: Ahar; KU: Kurdistan; U1, U2 and U3: Urmia) in Iran. The oil content in the seeds ranged from 16 to 27%. The predominant fatty acid was linoleic acid (45-50%) followed by oleic acid (30-39%), palmitic acid (2-8%) and stearic acid (2-3%). Total phenolic content (TPC) varied from 16.3 to 24.2 mg GAE/ g DW; total flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 1.48 to 3.05 mg QE/g DW; and the antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) of the seeds was between 35 and 63%. The compounds obtained from different genotypes of C. spinosa seeds had different compositions, great antioxidant capacity and unsaturated fatty acids, and therefore could be a prospective source of natural bioactive molecules for the food and health industry.

Vitamin D, testosterone and depression in middle-aged and elderly men: a systematic review

Depression is one of the common psychiatric disorders during elderly. This systematic review aims to present the relationship between vitamin D deficiency, depression and testosterone serum concentration in the middle-aged and elderly men. We performed a comprehensive search in the Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Cochrane, Science Direct, and Scopus databases to collect any relevant published studies. The data of the articles that had been investigated the relationship between depression and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) serum concentration (nine studies), or testosterone and 25[OH]D (six studies), as the primary outcomes, were included in our review. The results of the cohort and cross-sectional studies have shown that vitamin-D deficiency is associated with the incidence of depression in older men. In addition, documents have reported the positive association between vitamin D and testosterone, and previous studies have shown that testosterone can involve in the mood. We have proposed scientific mechanisms that have shown vitamin D may also play a protective role in depression through its effect on the testosterone. Therefore, it is a low risk and safe recommendation for the middle-aged and elderly men to use the vitamin D supplement or exposure to the sunlight to prevent depression.

The relationship between history of dietary nutrients intakes and incidence of aggressive behavior in adolescent girls: A case-control study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Aggressive behavior (AB) progress to a major concern among adolescents. The present study is designed to assess possible association between dietary intake of macronutrient, some micronutrient, cholesterol, and antioxidants with AB in adolescent girls, from age 9-13 years old.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the case-control study, a total 212 primary school girls between 9 and 13 years of age were divided into two groups (106 with AB and 106 healthy) base on aggression score of the Buss-Perry questionnaire. A 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to evaluate nutritional intake of subjects. Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test was used to compare quantitative variables between the two groups according to the normality of data distribution. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables between case and control groups. Logistic regression models were used to assess possible association of nutrients intake with AB.

RESULTS

The consumption of more simple carbohydrate [odds ratios (OR): 14.53, confidence interval (CI): (13.23, 17.56)] total fat [OR: 13.31, CI: (8.50, 16.47)], SFAs [OR: 11.831, CI: (8.94, 15.36)], TFAs [OR: 9.10, CI: (6.87, 10.12)], and caffeine [OR: 16.26, CI: (14.53, 17.88)] significantly increase the occurrence of aggressive behaviors. Conversely, intake of fiber [OR: 0.997, CI: (0.012, 0.999)], W3 [OR: 0.991, CI: (0.040, 0.999)], and vitamin K [OR: 0.994, CI: (0.990, 0.999)] were marginal associated with reduced odds of AB.

CONCLUSIONS

The intake of caffeine, simple carbohydrate, total fat, SFAs, TFAs, could increase the occurrence of AB.

Are history of dietary intake and food habits of patients with clinical symptoms of COVID 19 different from healthy controls? A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that put unprecedented significant strain on clinical services and healthcare systems. The aim of the present research was to assess dietary food groups and also food habits of patients with clinical symptoms of COVID 19 and healthy controls.

METHODS

This case-control research was carried out on 505 participants (279 subjects with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 and 226 controls), in age 18-65 years. Dietary food group's intake last year was investigated by a food frequency questionnaire. Food habits were asked by a general information questionnaire. The strength of the association between food group's intakes with the odds ratios (ORs) of COVID-19 was assessed using Logistic regression models.

RESULTS

After adjusting for physical activity in the logistic regression models, intake of dough and yogurt had a significantly protective role on occurrence of COVID19 (OR = 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.44-0.87; P = 0.006) (OR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.56-0.98; P = 0.044), respectively. No significant differences were seen in food habits between the two groups in the last year ago.

CONCLUSIONS

High risk population for COVID19, advised to consume enough amount of yogurt and dough at the time of this pandemic.

Do body mass index (BMI) and history of nutritional supplementation play a role in the severity of COVID-19? A retrospective study

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that puts strain on health-care systems. Obesity is considered as a risk factor for the severity of infection. Hypotheses also suggested some nutritional supplements may be useful in COVID-19. This paper aims to assess the role of body mass index (BMI) and nutritional supplements on the severity of COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted on 603 participants (in five groups including: exposure to virus and healthy, COVID-19 positive patients with severity of mild, moderate, severe and death from COVID-19), in age 18 to 65 years. Demographic data and history of nutritional supplements were asked. Anthropometric measurements were measured in a healthy group and in a patient. They were collected by referring to patients' medical records.

Findings

The mean of BMI in groups with severity symptoms of moderate (27.57 kg/m2), severe (29.70 kg/m2) and death persons (28.13 kg/m2), was significantly higher than healthy (26.70 kg/m2) and mild symptoms (26.57 kg/m2) groups (p = 0.001). The logistic regression shown, the fourth quartile of BMI was significantly associated with occurrence of COVID19, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI): [OR: 1.81, (95% CI: 1.13– 2.89), p-for trend = 0.55]. There was no significant difference in the percentage of vitamin C, D3, Zinc, Iron and multivitamin supplements intake, between groups, in the past six months (p = 0.11).

Originality/value

This study indicated the role of higher BMI in the occurrence and severity of COVID-19. Researches are not enough to recommend consumption of nutritional supplements for the prevention of COVID-19.

The effect of acute consumption of resistant starch on appetite in healthy adults; a systematic review and meta-analysis of the controlled clinical trials

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although several clinical trials have assessed the effect of Resistant Starch (RS) supplementation on appetite, the results have been inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of RS on the healthy adults' rating of appetite.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To this end, Pubmed, CENTRAL, Web of science, Scopus, Medline, and Proquest were systematically searched to find the relevant randomized, and placebo-controlled human trials up to June 2019. As a result, the area under curve (AUC) and standard deviations of the participants' rating appetite were extracted from four eligible studies.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis showed a lower appetite in RS group compared to the controls (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -1.375 mm min, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: -1.673, -1.076). Since high heterogeneity was observed among the included studies (I² = 94.5%, P < 0.001), subgroup analysis was carried out by RS dose, RS type, duration of supplementation, and time of AUC measuring. In studies that used RS dose of ≥25 gr, heterogeneity disappeared (P = 0.560, I² = 0%). In such studies, a significant reduction was observed in rating of appetite (WMD = -4.513 mm min, 95%CI: -5.270, -3.755; P < 0.001) than studies with RS dose of <25 gr (WMD = -0.799 mm min, 95%CI: -1.123,-0.474; P < 0.001). Additionally, subgroup analysis based on the type of RS showed a significant decrease of appetite in studies that used RS2 (WMD = -4.808 mm min, 95%CI: -5.834, -3.782; P < 0.001) than RS1 (WMD = -0.128 mm min, 95%CI: -0.457, 0.202; P = 0.448).

CONCLUSIONS

To decrease the rate of appetite more effectively, we suggest other researchers to identify RS dose and type.

Rifampin resistance among individuals with extrapulmonary tuberculosis: 4 years of experience from a reference laboratory

Information is limited about the drug resistance patterns in extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in Iran. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of EPTB and to investigate the drug-resistance pattern in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains collected from extrapulmonary samples at the Tehran regional TB reference laboratory. Extrapulmonary specimens from individuals with suspected TB referred to the TB reference laboratories in five cities of Iran were collected. Both standard conventional methods (culture and direct smear microscopy) and Xpert MTB/RIF assay were used for the identification of mycobacteria. Drug susceptibility testing was done using Xpert MTB/RIF. The proportion method on Lowenstein–Jensen medium was performed for confirmation. Between 2016 and 2020, a total of 12 050 clinical specimens from individuals with suspected TB were collected, of which 10 380 (86%) were pulmonary specimens and 1670 (14%) were extrapulmonary. Of the extrapulmonary specimens, 85 (5.0%) were positive for M. tuberculosis, and the remaining 1585 (95.0%) samples were negative by standard methods. Of 85 M. tuberculosis isolates, drug susceptibility testing was performed for 32 isolates, of which 1 (3.1%, 95% CI 0.0%–9.4%) was rifampin resistant and 31 (96.9%, 95% CI 90.1%–100%) were pan-susceptible. The rifampin-resistant isolate was also resistant to isoniazid, so was assigned as a multidrug-resistant TB. Our study indicated the frequency of drug-resistance among EPTB in Iran. Establishing rapid diagnostic methods for detection of drug-resistance in EPTB, performing drug susceptibility testing for all EPTB cases to provide effective treatment, and continuous monitoring of drug resistance, are suggested for prevention and control of drug resistance in EPTB in Iran.

Traditional and Dairy Products and Vegetables Dietary Patterns Are Inversely Associated with the Risk of Cataract in the Middle Age and Aged Population: A Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVES

Cataract is one of the most common causes of visual impairment and blindness in the world. In the present study, we have been trying to investigate the relationship between major dietary patterns and cataract.

DESIGN

This was a case-control study.

SETTING

An ophthalmology outpatient clinic of Khatam al-Anbia Hospital, in Shoushtar city.

PARTICIPANTS

336 subjects (168 patients with cataract and 168 healthy ones), from 40 to 80 years old, were recruited.

MEASUREMENTS

A socio-demographic questionnaire was used to record the demographic information. A food frequency questionnaire was used to determine the foods consumed during the last year. The principal component analysis was used to extract major dietary patterns. The possible relationship between the major dietary patterns and cataract was assessed by multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

We tried to eliminate the effect of cofactors. The results showed "dairy products and vegetables" dietary pattern had a negative association with cataract (OR: 0.301, 95%CI =0.137-0.658, P trend =0.002). The fourth quartile of the "traditional" dietary pattern also showed a protective role against the cataract (OR: 0.393, 95%CI =0.184-0.842, P trend = 0.036). The third and fourth quartiles of "carbohydrate and simple sugar" pattern were more related with cataract compared to the first quartile (OR: 3.574, 95%CI =1.665-7.671, and OR: 5.067, 95%CI =2.265-11.335, P trend <0.001 respectively). No significant association was found between «nuts, seeds and simple sugar" dietary pattern and cataract.

CONCLUSION

It seems a dietary pattern rich in proteins and vegetables can decrease the risk of cataract in middle-aged and aged subjects.

Genotyping and drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Iran: a multi-centre study

Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infection and caused 1.4 million deaths in 2018. Assessing the geographic distribution of major lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis can contribute greatly to TB control. Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing is commonly used to differentiate various lineages of M. tuberculosis. A total of 2747 clinical specimens were collected consecutively from October 2018 through June 2019. Clinical isolates were identified as M. tuberculosis using standard biochemical tests. The standard 15-locus MIRU-VNTR typing was used for the genotyping of clinical isolates. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using the conventional proportion method. From the collected specimens, 100 were culture positive for M. tuberculosis. Using MIRU-VNTR, 99 different patterns were detected among the 100 isolates. They were distributed in one cluster comprising two strains and 98 unique patterns. Most of our isolates were similar to New-1 and Delhi/CAS strains. Of the M. tuberculosis isolates, 83 (83.0%) were pan-susceptible and 17 (17.0%) were resistant to at least one drug. Our study showed that MIRU-VNTR is a useful method for studying the genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis isolates in different regional settings and will help the health authorities to construct a preventive programme for TB.

Global, Regional, and National Levels and Trends in Burden of Oral Conditions from 1990 to 2017: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study

Government and nongovernmental organizations need national and global estimates on the descriptive epidemiology of common oral conditions for policy planning and evaluation. The aim of this component of the Global Burden of Disease study was to produce estimates on prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability for oral conditions from 1990 to 2017 by sex, age, and countries. In addition, this study reports the global socioeconomic pattern in burden of oral conditions by the standard World Bank classification of economies as well as the Global Burden of Disease Socio-demographic Index. The findings show that oral conditions remain a substantial population health challenge. Globally, there were 3.5 billion cases (95% uncertainty interval [95% UI], 3.2 to 3.7 billion) of oral conditions, of which 2.3 billion (95% UI, 2.1 to 2.5 billion) had untreated caries in permanent teeth, 796 million (95% UI, 671 to 930 million) had severe periodontitis, 532 million (95% UI, 443 to 622 million) had untreated caries in deciduous teeth, 267 million (95% UI, 235 to 300 million) had total tooth loss, and 139 million (95% UI, 133 to 146 million) had other oral conditions in 2017. Several patterns emerged when the World Bank’s classification of economies and the Socio-demographic Index were used as indicators of economic development. In general, more economically developed countries have the lowest burden of untreated dental caries and severe periodontitis and the highest burden of total tooth loss. The findings offer an opportunity for policy makers to identify successful oral health strategies and strengthen them; introduce and monitor different approaches where oral diseases are increasing; plan integration of oral health in the agenda for prevention of noncommunicable diseases; and estimate the cost of providing universal coverage for dental care.

The effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers, estradiol levels and severity of symptoms in women with postpartum depression: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Objectives: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major depressive disorder. Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in PPD pathogenesis. This study was designed to determine the effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on the severity of symptoms and some related inflammatory biomarkers in women with PPD.Materials and Methods: Eighty-one women with a PPD score >12 participated in this study. A total of 27 patients were randomly assigned into three groups (1:1:1 ratio) to receive either 50,000 IU vitamin D3 fortnightly + 500 mg calcium carbonate daily; or 50,000 IU vitamin D3 fortnightly + placebo of calcium carbonate daily, or placebo of vitamin D3 fortnightly + placebo of calcium carbonate daily (placebo group) for 8 weeks. At the baseline and end of the study, the severity score of PPD, levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, calcium, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL6) and estradiol were measured.Results: The PPD score had more reduction in the vitamin D + calcium and vitamin D + calcium placebo groups than that of the placebo group (-1.7 ± 3.44, -4.16 ± 5.90 and 0.25 ± 2.81, respectively; p = 0.008). The effect of vitamin D on the PPD score was larger when vitamin D was given alone than given together with calcium (p = 0.042 and p = 0.004, respectively). No significant differences in estradiol, IL6 and TNFα were observed between the three groups.Discussion: Vitamin D may be effective in improving the clinical symptoms of PPD; however, the mechanism of the effect might not entirely operate through inflammatory and/or hormonal changes.

MicroRNA-221: biogenesis, function and signatures in human cancers

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs of 18-25 nucleotides that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through binding to the 3´-UTR of mRNAs and block mRNA transcription or regulate its resistance. Increasing evidence indicates that dysregulation of miRNA is a hallmark of cancer. The miRNAs have an essential role in the regulation of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in cell signaling pathways. MiR-221 and miR-222 are two homologous microRNAs, the high expression levels of which have been commonly demonstrated in multiple human cancer types. The miR-221/miR-222 functions have been verified as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Here, we reviewed the roles of miR-221/miR-222 in various kinds of cancer progression and development: controlling proliferative signaling pathways, avoiding cell deaths resulted from tumor suppressors, monitoring angiogenesis and even supporting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We discussed that miR-221/miR-222 act as promising biomarkers for detection of human cancer types and suggested a new pathway for molecular targeted cancer therapy.

Are Lipid Profile, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Blood Pressure of Depressed Elderly Patients Different from Healthy Subjects?

Background

Depression and obesity are among the increasingly publicized health problems, both being related to critical complications, and increasing the risk of substantial morbidity and mortality. An increasing number of documents indicate that obesity affects mental status, low serum cholesterol levels, and is related to depressive symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possible significant difference in lipid profile levels, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure (BP), between depressive and nondepressive older adults.

Methods

This was a case-control study where 107 patients, over 65-year-old, were enrolled in this study. Serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), BP, and fasting blood sugar were measured. Data were analyzed using the statistical SPSS software version 22. Independent t-test was used to compare the results between the two groups and the Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. In addition, nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate the data.

Results

The depressive group showed significant lower BMI, WC, LDL-C, and TG (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.016, and P < 0.014). Furthermore, the findings showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic BP in participants who had shown depressive symptoms (P < 0.035 and P < 0.024).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that a low BMI, serum LDL-C, and TG are related to depressive symptoms the Iranian elderly.

Postpartum depression and vitamin D: A systematic review

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mood disorder estimated to affect 20%-40% of women worldwide after childbirth. In recent studies, the effect of vitamin D on prevention of mood disorders and depression has been investigated, but it is still unclear how vitamin D may affect PPD. The evidence on the relevance between vitamin D deficiency and PPD is inconsistent, and assessment of the recent literature has not previously been carried out. Moreover, there are few clinical studies on PPD and vitamin D supplementation. Five studies have so far assessed the relationship between the levels of vitamin D and PPD. Findings from cohort studies suggest that vitamin-D deficiency is related to the incidence of PPD and vitamin D may play a significant role in the recovery of women with PPD, but it is uncertain whether these actions are the effect of vitamin D on the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the levels of estradiol, serotonin, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and/or of other mechanisms involved in PPD.

High rates of nontuberculous mycobacteria isolation from patients with presumptive tuberculosis in Iran

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can cause disease which can be indistinguishable from tuberculosis (TB), posing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. We aimed to investigate the mycobacterial agents associated with presumptive clinical pulmonary TB in Iran. A total of 410 mycobacterial isolates, obtained between March 2014 and January 2016, from 7600 clinical samples taken from consecutive cases of presumptive diagnosis of TB were identified. Phenotypic and molecular tests were used to identify the isolated organisms to the species level. Single-locus and multilocus sequence analysis based on 16S rRNA, rpoB, hsp65 and ITS locus were used to confirm the results. Of 410 consecutive strains isolated from suspected TB subjects, 62 isolates (15.1%) were identified as NTM. Patients with positive NTM cultures met American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for NTM disease. Mycobacterium simiae was the most frequently encountered (38.7%), followed by Mycobacterium fortuitum (19.3%), M. kansasii (17.7%) and M. avium complex (8.0%). Isolation of NTM, including M. simiae, from suspected TB cases is a serious public health problem and merits further attention by health authorities, physicians and microbiologists.

Association between Helicobacter pylori hopQI genotypes and human gastric cancer risk

The Helicobacter pylori use a number of mechanisms to survive in the stomach lumen and can lead to gastritis and reduction in stomach acid secretion. It has been found that the risk of developing gastric carcinoma is associated to heterogeneity of H. pylori virulence factors such as HopQ. The HopQ is one of the outer membrane proteins involved in bacterial adherence to gastric mucosa and has been suggested to also main role in the virulence of H. pylori. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between different H. pylori virulence hopQI (types I) genotyping and patients with gastroduodenal disorders. For this purpose 58 stomach biopsies of the patients with gastric cancer and 100 saliva samples from healthy and H. pylori infected individuals were collected and studied. Then genomic DNA was purified and PCR was done for desired gene via specific primers. The H. pylori infections were diagnosed using PCR for GlmM gene. Then frequencies of hopQI+ and hopQI- genotypes were determined in H. pylori infected cases. Statistical analysis showed that there were not significant differences between healthy and diseased ones for genotypes hopQI+ and hopQI-. Then the hopQI+ cannot be as a risk factor genotype for gastric cancer.

Built-up edge investigation in vibration drilling of Al2024-T6

Adding ultrasonic vibrations to drilling process results in an advanced hybrid machining process, entitled "vibration drilling". This study presents the design and fabrication of a vibration drilling tool by which both rotary and vibrating motions are applied to drill simultaneously. High frequency and low amplitude vibrations were generated by an ultrasonic transducer with frequency of 19.65 kHz. Ultrasonic transducer was controlled by a MPI ultrasonic generator with 3 kW power. The drilling tool and workpiece material were HSS two-flute twist drill and Al2024-T6, respectively. The aim of this study was investigating on the effect of ultrasonic vibrations on built-up edge, surface quality, chip morphology and wear mechanisms of drill edges. Therefore, these factors were studied in both vibration and ordinary drilling. Based on the achieved results, vibration drilling offers less built-up edge and better surface quality compared to ordinary drilling.

Emdogain effect on gingival fibroblast adhesion in bioabsorbable and non-resorbable barrier membranes: An in vitro study

BACKGROUND

Tissue engineering represents very exciting advances in regenerative medicine; however, periodontal literature only contains few reports. Emdogain (EMD) consists of functional molecules that have shown many advantages in regenerative treatments. This study investigated EMD effect on gingival fibroblast adhesion to different membranes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two dense polytetrafluoroethylene membranes (GBR-200, TXT-200), Alloderm and a collagenous membrane (RTM Collagen) were used in this experimental study. Each membrane was cut into four pieces and placed at the bottom of a well in a 48-well plate. 10 μg/mL of EMD was added to two wells of each group. Two wells were left EMD free. Gingival fibroblasts were seeded to all the wells. Cell adhesion was evaluated by means of a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope after 24 hours incubation. Data was analyzed by independent t-test, one-way and two-way ANOVA and post hoc LSD test. P < 0.05 in independent t-test analysis and P < 0.001 in one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA and post hoc LSD analysis was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Alloderm had the highest cell adhesion capacity in EMD+ group and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In EMD- group, cell adhesion to TXT-200 and Alloderm was significantly higher than GBR-200 and collagenous membrane (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that EMD may decrease the cell adhesion efficacy of GBR-200, TXT-200 and collagenous membrane but it can promote this efficacy in Alloderm. It also showed the composition of biomaterials, their surface textures and internal structures can play an important role in their cell adhesion efficacy.

Cost analysis and safety comparison of Cisatracurium and Atracurium in patients undergoing general anesthesia

BACKGROUND

Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMB) differ in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. An anesthesiologist according to these similarities and differences is able to choose the least costly one if the same safety profile and same clinical benefit achieved with the different alternatives.

AIM

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the economic and adverse drug reactions prevalence and differences between cisatracurium and atracurium the two non-depolarizing NMB drugs, which are widely used in adult patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia in a teaching Hospital in Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cost analysis and adverse drug reactions (ADR) monitoring were performed. Only direct costs were considered and data were collected through a prospective randomized study. Regardless of the type of surgery, 100 patients were randomly divided into two equal groups to receive either cisatracurium or atracurium by anesthesiologists. ADRs prevalence and cost differences between patients receiving one of the two non-depolarizing NMB agents were evaluated by independent sample t-test and Chi-square test respectively.

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed between the two groups of patients in demographic data. There was no statistical difference in the ADR prevalence in both groups. The numbers of ADR within atracurium group was higher than cisatracurium group, but this distinction was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). It was significant difference in cost between the two neuromuscular blocking drugs (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

According to our study it seems that atracurium and cisatracurium had similar safety profile and atracurium had a cost benefit relative to cisatracurium in initial loading doses. In patients with instability in hemodynamic parameters the cisatracurium was the appropriate choice.  

A novel rat model for chemotherapy-induced alopecia

BACKGROUND

More than half of all people diagnosed with cancer receive chemotherapy, and approximately 65% of these develop chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), a side-effect that can have considerable negative psychological repercussions. Currently, there are very few animal models available to study the mechanism and prevention of CIA.

AIM

To develop a clinically relevant adult rat model for CIA.

METHODS

We first tested whether neonatal pigmented Long-Evans (LE) rats developed alopecia in response to the chemotherapeutic agents etoposide and cyclophosphamide. We then determined whether the rats developed CIA as adults. In the latter experiment, rat dorsal hair was clipped during the early telogen stage to synchronize the hair cycle, and starting 15 days later, the rats were treated with etoposide for 3 days.

RESULTS

Neonatal LE pups developed CIA in response to etoposide and cyclophosphamide, similar to other murine models for CIA. Clipping of the hair shaft during early telogen resulted in synchronized anagen induction and subsequent alopecia after etoposide treatment in the clipped areas only. Hair follicles in the clipped areas had the typical chemotherapy-induced follicular dystrophy (dystrophic catagen). When the hair in the pigmented alopecic areas regrew, it had normal pigmentation.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel, pigmented adult rat model has been established for CIA. By hair-shaft clipping during early telogen, synchronized anagen entry was induced, which resulted in alopecia in response to chemotherapy. This is the first clinically relevant adult rat model for CIA, and will be a useful tool to test agents for the prevention and treatment of CIA.

Expression and characterization of Escherichia coli derived hepatitis C virus ARFP/F protein

Genome of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains a long open reading frame encoding a polyprotein that is cleaved into 10 proteins. Recently, a novel, so called "ARFP/F", or "core+1", protein, which is expressed through a ribosomal frame shift within the capsid-coding sequence, has been described. Herein, to produce and characterize a recombinant form of this protein, the DNA sequence corresponding to the ARFP/F protein (amino acid 11-161) was amplified using a frame-shifted forward primer exploiting the capsid sequence of the 1b-subtype as a template. The amplicon was cloned into the pET-24a vector and expressed in different Escherichia coli strains. The expressed protein (mostly as insoluble inclusion bodies) was purified under denaturing conditions on a nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity column in a single step with a yield of 5 mg/L of culture media. After refolding steps, characterization of expressed ARFP/F was performed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot assay using specific antibodies. Antigenic properties of the protein were verified by ELISA using HCV-infected human sera and by its ability for a strong and specific interaction with sera of mice immunized with the peptide encoding a dominant ARFP/F B-cell epitope. The antigenicity plot revealed 3 major antigenic domains in the first half of the ARFP/F sequence. Immunization of BALB/c mice with the ARFP/F protein elicited high titers of IgG indicating the relevance of produced protein for induction of a humoral response. In conclusion, possibility of ARFP/F expression with a high yield and immunogenic potency of this protein in a mouse model have been demonstrated.

Early spontaneous immortalization and loss of plasticity of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

OBJECTIVES

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) have been widely used for cell therapy and tissue engineering purposes. However, there are still controversies concerning safety of application of these cells after in vitro expansion. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of rabbit BM-MSC during long-term culture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we have examined growth kinetics, morphological changes, differentiation potential and chromosomal abnormalities, as well as tumour formation potential of rabbit BM-MSC in long-term culture.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

We found that shortly after isolation, proliferation rate of rabbit BM-MSC decreases until they enter a dormant phase. During this period of quiescence, the cells are large and multinucleate. After some weeks of dormancy we found that several small mononuclear cells originated from each large multinucleate cell. These newly formed cells proliferated rapidly but had inferior differentiation potential. Although they were immortal, they did not have the capability for tumour formation in soft agar assay or in nude mice. This is the first report of spontaneous, non-tumorigenic immortalization of BM-MSC in rabbits. The phenomenon raises more concern for meticulous monitoring and quality control for using rabbit BM-MSC in cell-based therapies and tissue engineering experiments.

Periodontal Disease and Tooth Loss as Risks for Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Periodontal disease is a chronic destructive disease which occurs in adults, young people, and children. Periodontal disease and periodontal pathogens have been associated with several systemic diseases and more recently, several studies have suggested the relationship between periodontal disease and cancer. Studies with adjustment for the effect of smoking exposure, have found significant positive associations with different cancer sites. This review has outlined recent epidemiologic researches pointing to a possible role for tooth loss and periodontal disease in carcinogenesis.

METHODS

In this review, articles were selected from PubMed between1995 and June 2010 including human. Amongst 5,984 articles identified from the electronic search, 17 articles were selected for a full-text reading based on the inclusion and the exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Nine out of 10 case-control studies reported a significant increase in the risk of oral cancer in patients with periodontitis and one with no significant association. Among 6 studies examining esophageal cancer and periodontal disease, 5 studies found a significant association between them and one study failed to find a significant increased risk of cancer. Also amongst 5 studies which focused on upper gastrointestinal, gastric cancer, and periodontal disease, 4 studies found an increased risk of cancer while one study did not report any relationship. In lung cancer evaluations, 3 out of 4 studies showed some levels of association between lung cancer and periodontal disease but after adjustment for smoking, no relationship were found. Three cohort studies have evaluated overall cancer rates in periodontal patients; two of them found small but significant association between cancers and periodontal disease.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that there is a possible link between cancer and severe periodontal disease after adjustment for smoking and drinking habits.

Comparison of the Intersurgical Solus laryngeal mask airway and the i-gel supralaryngeal device

Summary We compared the performance of the Intersurgical Solus laryngeal mask airway (LMA) with that of the i-gel in 120 patients of ASA physical status during general anaesthesia with respect to oropharyngeal leak pressure, peak airway pressure, airway manipulation, insertion time, fibreoptic view, ventilatory parameters, and peri-operative complications. After receiving a standardised induction of anaesthesia, either a Solus LMA (60 patients) or an i-gel (60 patients) was inserted. One hundred and fifteen patients completed the study. The leak pressure was significantly higher in the LMA group than the i-gel group (mean (SD) 22.7 (7.7) cmH(2)O vs 19.3 (7.1) cmH(2)O; p = 0.02). A better fibreoptic view of the larynx was obtained in patients in the LMA group (p = 0.02) compared to those in the i-gel group and less airway manipulation was required in the LMA group (p < 0.01). Both devices have good performance with very low peri-operative complications. However, the Solus LMA provides a better oropharyngeal seal, provides a better fibreoptic view, and requires less manipulation to secure the airway than the i-gel.

Do postsurgical interventions optimize ultimate scar cosmesis

Keloids and other scars are different manifestations of the normal wound healing process. If located in visible areas, scars may have a psychological impact that could affect the quality of life of the scar-bearing population. Good preoperatory planning including hiding incisions in natural anatomical landmarks or placing them parallel to relaxed skin tension lines are among the techniques used to improve the cosmesis of scars. Once a prominent or noticeable scar has developed, multiple therapeutic modalities can be applied including surgical excision, although high recurrence rates precludes its use as monotherapy. Several advanced surgical correction techniques including Z-plasty and W-plasty may be useful in repositioning scars. Other modalities that have been reported to improve scar cosmesis include cryosurgery, radiotherapy, lasers, and skin substitute grafts. Adjuvant postsurgical treatment modalities have reduced dramatically the recurrence rates associated with the removal of the scar. In this review of the literature the authors discuss evidence based data related to the abovementioned modalities and other topical and intralesional therapies including occlusion, compression, silicone, corticosteroids, interferons, imiquimod, resiquimod, tacrolimus, 5-fluorouracil, retinoids, as well as the role of several over-the-counter agents such as onion extract, vitamin E and the combination of hydrocortisone, vitamin E and silicone. Finally, they address newer modalities including vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, transforming growth factor-3, interleukin-10, mannose-6-phosphate, UVA-1, narrowband UVB, intense pulsed light and photodynamic therapy. Ultimately, the decision of choosing the most appropriate postexcisional management treatment should be taken by physicians on a case-by-case basis in order to obtain the best cosmetically acceptable results.

Molecular mimicry in inducing DNA damage between HIV-1 Vpr and the anticancer agent, cisplatin

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral protein R (vpr) gene is an evolutionarily conserved gene among the primate lentiviruses. Several functions are attributed to Vpr including the ability to cause cell death, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and DNA damage. The Vpr domain responsible for DNA damage as well as the mechanism(s) through which Vpr induces this damage is unknown. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we identified the helical domain II within Vpr (aa 37-50) as the region responsible for causing DNA damage. Interestingly, Vpr Delta(37-50) failed to cause cell cycle arrest or apoptosis, to induce Ku70 or Ku80 and to suppress tumor growth, but maintained its capability to activate the HIV-1 LTR, to localize to the nucleus and to promote nonhomologous end-joining. In addition, our cytogenetic data indicated that helical domain II induced chromosomal aberrations, which mimicked those induced by cisplatin, an anticancer agent. This novel molecular mimicry function of Vpr might lead to its potential therapeutic use as a tumor suppressor.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene promoter polymorphism in Iranian patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection requires a good host immune response. Cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- alpha) may play a role in such immune response. Genetic changes in TNF-a gene promoter region are known to influence TNF- alpha expression. We therefore studied the role of one such mutation in chronic HBV infection.

METHODS

Presence of -308 G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of TNF- alpha gene was looked for in 100 patients with chronic HBV infection, 91 subjects with spontaneously recovered HBV infection and 89 healthy controls, using a PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTS

Variant alleles (A/A or A/G) were found in 22 of 100 (22%) patients with chronic HBV infection, 21 of 91 (23%) subjects with spontaneous HBV clearance and 14 of 89 (15.7%) control subjects (p=ns for inter-group comparisons).

CONCLUSION

TNF- alpha promoter polymorphism -308A is common in Iranian population, but has no association with development of chronic HBV infection.