• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.73-80
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• 2021

Objectives: Household overcrowding (HC) can contribute to both physical and mental disorders among the members of overcrowded households. This study aimed to measure the status of HC and its main determinants across the provinces of Iran. Methods: Data from 39 864 households from the 2016 Iranian Household Income and Expenditures Survey were used in this study. The Equivalized Crowding Index (ECI) and HC index were applied to measure the overcrowding of households. Regression models were estimated to show the relationships between different variables and the ECI. Results: The overall, urban, and rural prevalence of HC was 8.2%, 6.3%, and 10.1%, respectively. The highest prevalence of HC was found in Sistan and Baluchestan Province (28.7%), while the lowest was found in Guilan Province (1.8%). The number of men in the household, rural residency, the average age of household members, yearly income, and the household wealth index were identified as the main determinants of the ECI and HC. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the ECI and HC were higher in regions near the borders of Iran than in other regions. Therefore, health promotion and empowerment strategies are required to avoid the negative consequences of HC, and screening programs are needed to identify at-risk families.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.385-398
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• 2022

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the influence of different dietary crude protein (CP) levels during the growth phase on reproductive characteristics and reproductive efficiency as well as the body development of adult male Japanese quail. Methods: Three hundred one-day-old male quails were distributed into five treatments with diets containing different CP levels (18%, 20%, 22%, 24%, and 26%) in a completely randomized design, with six replicates of ten birds each. The CP diets were applied only during the growth phase (1 to 35 days). At 36 days of age, the birds were transferred to 30 laying cages with three males and nine females each, and all birds received the same diet formulated to meet production-phase requirements until 96 days of age. Results: The growth rate of the birds increased linearly (p<0.01) with increasing dietary CP, but the age of maximum growth decreased (p<0.05). At growth maturity, all birds had the same body weight (p>0.05). At 35 days of age, higher weight gain was obtained (p<0.05) with diets containing 22% CP or higher. No effects on feed conversion were observed in this phase. The increase in dietary CP enhanced (p<0.01) nitrogen intake and nitrogen excretion but did not affect (p>0.05) nitrogen retention. Testis size, seminiferous tubular area, number of spermatogonia, and germinal epithelial height at 35 days of age increased linearly (p<0.05) with dietary CP, while the number of Leydig cells decreased (p<0.01). The Sertoli cell number at 60 days of age increased linearly (p<0.01) with dietary CP. Dietary CP levels did not affect cloacal gland size, foam weight, foam protein concentration, semen volume, or flock fertility at 90 days of age. Conclusion: Dietary CP concentration affected body and testicular development in male Japanese quails but did not affect reproductive efficiency.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.20-26
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) with genetic origin is common (1/2000 births). ARNSHL can be associated with mutations in gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2). To this end, this cohort investigation aimed to find the contribution of GJB2 gene mutations with the genotype-phenotype correlations in 45 ARNSHL cases in the Kurdish population. Subjects and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 45 ARNSHL families. The linkage analysis with 3 short tandem repeat markers linked to GJB2 was performed on 45 ARNSHL families. Only 9 of these families were linked to the DFNB1 locus. All the 45 families who took part were sequenced for confirmation linkage analysis (to perform a large project). Results: A total of three different mutations were determined. Two of which [c.35delG and c.-23+1G>A (IVS1+1G>A)] were previously reported but (c.299-300delAT) mutation was novel in the Kurdish population. The homozygous pathogenic mutations of GJB2 gene was observed in nine out of the 45 families (20%), also heterozygous genotype (c.35delG/N)+(c.-23+1G>A/c.-23+1G>A) were observed in 4/45 families (8.8%). The degree of hearing loss (HL) in patients with other mutations was less severe than patients with c.35delG homozygous mutation (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our data suggest that GJB2 mutations constitute 20% of the etiology of ARNSHL in Iran; moreover, the c.35delG mutation is the most common HL cause in the Kurdish population. Therefore, these mutations should be included in the molecular testing of HL in this population.

• 대한청각학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.20-26
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) with genetic origin is common (1/2000 births). ARNSHL can be associated with mutations in gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2). To this end, this cohort investigation aimed to find the contribution of GJB2 gene mutations with the genotype-phenotype correlations in 45 ARNSHL cases in the Kurdish population. Subjects and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 45 ARNSHL families. The linkage analysis with 3 short tandem repeat markers linked to GJB2 was performed on 45 ARNSHL families. Only 9 of these families were linked to the DFNB1 locus. All the 45 families who took part were sequenced for confirmation linkage analysis (to perform a large project). Results: A total of three different mutations were determined. Two of which [c.35delG and c.-23+1G>A (IVS1+1G>A)] were previously reported but (c.299-300delAT) mutation was novel in the Kurdish population. The homozygous pathogenic mutations of GJB2 gene was observed in nine out of the 45 families (20%), also heterozygous genotype (c.35delG/N)+(c.-23+1G>A/c.-23+1G>A) were observed in 4/45 families (8.8%). The degree of hearing loss (HL) in patients with other mutations was less severe than patients with c.35delG homozygous mutation (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our data suggest that GJB2 mutations constitute 20% of the etiology of ARNSHL in Iran; moreover, the c.35delG mutation is the most common HL cause in the Kurdish population. Therefore, these mutations should be included in the molecular testing of HL in this population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.2499-2506
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• 2016

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Several environmental, genetic and epigenetic factors have been suggested to have a role in GC development. Epigenetic mechanisms like histone changes and promoter hyper-methylation are now being increasingly studied. Associations between methylation of many gene promoters with the risk of gastric cancer have been investigated worldwide. Such aberrant methylation may result in silencing of specific genes related to cell cycling, cell adhesion, apoptosis and DNA repair. Thus this molecular mechanism might have a key role in proliferation and migration of cancerous cells. Materials and Methods: In this review article we included studies conducted on DNA methylation and gastric cancer in Iranian populations. Using Science direct, Pubmed/PMC, Springer, Wiley online library and SciELO databases, all published data until 31 January 2016 were gathered. We also searched Science direct data base for similar investigations around the world to make a comparison between Iran and other countries. Results: By searching these databases, we found that the association between methylation of seven gene promoters and gastric cancer had been studied in Iran until 31 January 2016. These genes were p16, hLMH1, E-cadherin, CTLA4, $THR{\beta}$, mir9 and APC. Searching in science direct database also showed that 92 articles had been published around the world till January 2016. Our investigation revealed that despite the importance of GC and its high prevalence in Iran, the methylation status of only a few gene promoters has been studied so far. More studies with higher sample numbers are needed to reveal the relation of methylation status of gene promoters to gastric cancer in Iran. Conclusions: Further studies will be helpful in identifying associations of DNA methylation in candidate genes with gastric cancer risk in Iranian populations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.33-38
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• 2014

Background: Meningiomas are the second most common primary intracranial tumors after gliomas. Epigenetic biomarkers such as DNA methylation, which is found in many tumors and is thus important in tumorigenesis can help diagnose meningiomas and predict response to adjuvant chemotherapy. We investigated aberrant O6-methyl guanine methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation in meningiomas. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one patients were classified according to the WHO grading, and MGMT promoter methylation status was examined via the methylation-Specific PCR(MSP) method. Results: MGMT promoter methylation was found in 22.2% of grade I, 35% of grade I with atypical features, 36% of grade II, and 42.9% of grade III tumors. Conclusions: There was an increase, albeit not statistically significant, in MGMT methylation with a rise in the tumor grade. Higher methylation levels were also observed in the male gender.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권21호
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• pp.9355-9360
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• 2014

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains as one of the most difficult malignancies to control because of its high propensity for local invasion and cervical lymph node dissemination. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of our novel pH and temperature sensitive doxorubicin-methotrexate-loaded nanoparticles (DOX-MTX NP) in affecting HER2 expression profile in OSCC model in rat. Results: DOX-MTX- nanoparticle complexes caused significant decrease in mRNA level of HER2 compared to untreated cancers (p<0.05) and this finding was more pronounced with the IV mode (p<0.000). Surprisingly, HER2 mRNA was not affected in DOX treated as compared to the control group (p>0.05). On the other hand, in the DOX-MTX NP treated group, fewer tumors characterized with advanced stage and decreased HER2 paralleled improved clinical outcome (P<0.05). Moreover, the effectiveness of the oral route in the group treated with nanodrug accounted for the enhanced bioavailability of nanoparticulated DOX-MTX compared to free DOX. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in mRNA level of HER2 (p>0.05). Conclusions: Influence of HER2 gene expression is a new feature and mechanism of action observed only in dual action DOX-MTX-NPs treated groups. Down-regulation of HER2 mRNA as a promising marker and prognosticator of OSCC adds to the cytotoxic benefits of DOX in its new formulation. Both oral and IV application of this nanodrug could be used, with no preferences in term of their safety or toxicity. As HER2 is expressed abundantly by a wide spectrum of tumors, i DOX-MTX NPs may be useful for a wide-spectrum of lesions. However, molecular mechanisms underlying HER2 down regulation induced by DOX-MTX NPs remain to be addressed.

• 한국어병학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2017

Parasitic leeches could directly (through causing poor growth, anemia and wound in the fish) and indirectly (by predisposition of the fish to secondary bacterial and fungal infections) affects their hosts. In the present study, fishes that were attacked by leeches in natural and experimental environment were studied. Pathologic samples were obtained from damages at the site of leech bite, as well as kidney and liver of the fish. Histopathological examination revealed numerous lesions at the site of leech bite including tissue demolition, detachment at the site of leech bite in the epidermis of epithelial tissue in the skin, destructed nucleus in epithelial cells of the skin plus necrosis in the damaged skin and weak inflammatory penetration to acute necrotic damages along with piercing dermis layer. Pathologic lesions in the kidney included some changes such as proliferation by increasing glomerular cells and membrane cells in capillary vein of the kidney, blood cell necrosis in kidney with infiltration of white blood cells mainly mononuclear and less polymorphonuclear which are the symptoms of anemia due to blood feeding and sucking by leeches. There was also a chronic kidney infection probably originated from another part of body such as skin. Moreover, leeches caused hemorrhagic anemia due to blood consumption of the hosts, which led to observation of immature red blood cells. Also results showed that diseases induced by leeched in fish could be acute or chronic, which depends on size of fish, species of leech and severity of infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.3923-3926
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• 2015

Background: Lung cancer is a fatal malignancy with high mortality and short survival time. The aim of this study was to estimate survival rates of Iranian patients with lung cancer and its associate predictive factors. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 355 patients admitted to hospitals of West Azerbaijan in the year 2007. The patients were followed up by phone calls until the end of June 2014. The survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test for comparison. The Cox's proportional hazard model was used to investigate the effect of various variables on patient survival time, including age, sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance, smoking status, tumor type, tumor stage, treatment, metastasis, and blood hemoglobin concentration. Results: Of the 355 patients under study, 240 died and 115 were censored. The mean and median survival time of patients was 13 and 4.8 months, respectively. According to the results of Kaplan-Meier method, 1, 2, and 3 years survival rates were 39%, 18%, and 0.07%, respectively. Based on Cox regression analysis, the risk of death was associated with ECOG group V (1.83, 95% CI: 1 Conclusions: The survival time of the patients with lung cancer is very short. While early diagnosis may improve the life expectancy effective treatment is not available.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.4289-4294
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• 2016

Background: Studies have shown that a return to spirituality is a major coping response in cancer patients so that therapists can adopt a holistic approach by addressing spirituality in their patient care. The present study was conducted to develop a guideline in the spiritual field for healthcare providers who serve cancer patients in Iran. Materials and Methods: Relevant statements were extracted from scientific documents that through study questions were reviewed and modified by a consensus panel. Results: The statements were arranged in six areas, including spiritual needs assessment, spiritual care candidates, the main components of spiritual care, spiritual care providers, the settings of spiritual care and the resources and facilities for spiritual care. Conclusions: In addition to the development and preparation of these guidelines, health policy-makers should also seek to motivate and train health service providers to offer these services and facilitate their provision and help with widespread implementation.