Risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Shiraz,southern Iran

AIM: To determine the prevalence and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in a healthy general population in relation to demographic,lifestyle and health-seeking behaviors in Shiraz,southern Iran. METHODS: A total of 1978 subjects aged > 35 years who referred to Gastroenterohepatology Research Center and who completed a questionnaire consisting of 27 questions for GERD in relation to demographic,lifestyle and health-seeking behaviors were included in this study for a period of five months. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of GERD was 15.4%,which was higher in females (17.3%),in rural areas (19.8%),and in illiterate subjects (21.5%) and those with a mean age of 50.25 years. The prevalence was significantly lower in subjects having fried food (14.8%),and fruit and vegetables (14.6%). More symptoms were noticed in subjects consuming pickles (22.1%),taking aspirin (21%) and in subjects with psychological distresses (27.2%) and headaches (22%). The correlation was statistically significant between GERD and halitosis (18.3%),dyspepsia (30.6%),anxiety (19.5%),nightmares (23.9%) and restlessness (18.5%). Their health seeking behavior showed that there was a significant restriction of diet (20%),consumption of herbal medicine (19%),using over-the-counter drugs (29.9%) and consulting with physicians (24.8%). Presence of GERD symptoms was also significantly related to a previous family history of the disease (22.3%).CONCLUSION: GERD is more common in females,rural and illiterate subjects and correlated with consumption of pickles,occurrence of headache,psychological distress,dyspepsia,halitosis,anxiety,nightmare and restlessness,and a family history of GERD and aspirin intake,but the correlation was negative with consumption of fat and fiber intake.

Hepatitis B virus genotypes in southwest Iran: Molecular, serological and clinical outcomes

AIM: To investigate the associations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype with HBeAg and anti-HBe status, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and HBV-DNA detection in different groups of HBV-infected patients in southwest Iran. METHODS: A total of 89 HBsAg-positive serum samples were collected from the same number of patients. All sera were then investigated to determine HBV DNA and serological markers. For all the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive samples, biochemical, histopathological assays and genotyping were also performed. RESULTS: Genotype D was the only type of HBV foundin different clinical forms of acute and chronic infections. There was a high prevalence of HBeAg-negative HBV- infected patients with chronic hepatitis (52.7%). Out of 55 patients with chronic hepatitis, seven (12.7%) were diagnosed with cirrhosis. A significant association between the presence of anti-HBe antibody and an increase in ALT level, among either HBeAg-negative (P = 0.01) or HBeAg-positive (P = 0.026) patients, was demonstrated. No significant differences were observed between the clinical outcomes of HBeAg-positive and -negative individuals (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Genotype D has been recognized as the only type of HBV found in different clinical forms of HBV infections, including cirrhosis, among the residents of southwest Iran. Anti-HBe possibly plays a role in disease progression in some patients with chronic hepatitis, at least for a period of disease.

Prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Qashqai migrating nomads, southern Iran

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal re? ux disease (GERD) symptoms in Qashqai migrating nomads with a different life style in Fars province, southern Iran. METHODS: In summer 2006, 748 Qashqai migrating nomads aged 25 years or more were enrolled using a multiple-stage stratified cluster random sampling method. A questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, lifestyle and GERD symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia, hoarseness and cough) as completed for each subject. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed in 717 subjects. The prevalence rate of GERD, defined as reflux occurring at least one time per week in the preceding year, was 33% (237 subjects). The prevalence was higher in older individuals (36.0% vs 28.9%, P < 0.05) and in those with other gastrointestinal complaints (51.0% vs 27.8%, P < 0.001), but not different in obese and non-obese subjects. It was also higher in those consuming fruitsand vegetables more than once a week (36.2% vs 17.3%, P < 0.001). GERD had a positive correlation with smoking (42.1% vs 27.8%, P < 0.001), but a negative relation with non-alcoholic beverages. The association between GERD and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) consumption was also signifi cant (40.2% vs 25.4%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GERD (33%) is very high in Qashqai migrating nomads which may be due to a lower socioeconomic and educational level of these people and difference in the life style. Older age, frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking and NSAIDs are risk factors for GERD in this population.

MRI tracking of human Wharton’s jelly stem cells seeded onto acellular dermal matrix labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in burn wounds

Background:In vivo cell tracking after transplantation in regenerative medicine remains an unmet challenge and limits current understanding of the wound healing mechanism through cell-based therapies.This study investigated tracking of human Wharton’s jelly stem cells(hWJSCs)seeded onto an acellular dermal matrix(ADM)and labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparti-cles(SPIONs)by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in burn injury.Method:The hWJSCs were characterized and assessed for growth kinetics.A total of 30 rats were enrolled in three equal groups.Group 1 underwent scald burn injury left without treatment,the group 2 was treated by an ADM that was prepared from cosmetic surgery skin samples and the group 3 received hWJSCs labeled with SPIONs seeded onto an ADM.Tensile strength was evaluated before and after interventions,real time PCR assessed apoptosis,and Prussian blue staining,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and MRI were used for the tracking of labeled cells.Results:The hWJSCs exhibited mesenchymal stem cell properties.Population doubling time was 40.1 hours.SPIONs did not show any toxic effect.The hWJSCs seeded onto an ADM decreased Bax and increased Bcl-2 gene expression.Internalization of SPIONs within hWJSCs was confirmed by Prussian blue staining,SEM and MRI until day 21.There was a significant difference between the Young’s moduli of normal skin and the group receiving hWJSCs seeded onto an ADM.Histological observations and SEM imaging confirmed that MRI is an accurate method to track SPION-labeled hWJSCs in vivo.Conclusions:This study showed that SPION labeling coupled with MRI can be used to further understand the fate of stem cells after transplantation in a burn model.