Comparison of the recurrence rate of different surgical techniques for oral mucocele: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: There are different surgical techniques to remove Oral mucoceles, including conventional surgery with scalpel, removal of the lesion with CO2 laser, and micro marsupialization. The present systematic review was conducted with the aim of comparing the recurrence rate of different surgical techniques for treatment of the oral mucoceles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic search for randomized controlled trials published in English until September 2022 related to different surgical methods for the treatment of oral mucocele was performed in Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane databases. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to compare the recurrence rate of different techniques. RESULTS: Among 1204 papers initially identified, after the removal of duplicate articles and screening of the titles and abstracts, fourteen full-text articles were reviewed. Seven articles comparing the recurrence rate of oral mucocele in different surgical techniques were found. Seven studies were included in qualitative studies, and five articles were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of mucocele recurrence in the micro-marsupialization technique was 1.30 times that of the surgical excision with scalpel technique, which was not statistically significant. The risk of mucocele recurrence in the CO2 Laser Vaporization technique was 0.60 times that of the Surgical Excision with Scalpel technique, which was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic review showed that there is no significant difference between the recurrence rate of surgical excision, CO2 laser and marsupialization techniques for the treatment of oral mucoceles. Although more randomized clinical trials are needed for definitive results.

The Bayesian Virtual Epileptic Patient: A probabilistic framework designed to infer the spatial map of epileptogenicity in a personalized large-scale brain model of epilepsy spread.

Despite the importance and frequent use of Bayesian frameworks in brain network modeling for parameter inference and model prediction, the advanced sampling algorithms implemented in probabilistic programming languages to overcome the inference difficulties have received relatively little attention in this context. In this technical note, we propose a probabilistic framework, namely the Bayesian Virtual Epileptic Patient (BVEP), which relies on the fusion of structural data of individuals to infer the spatial map of epileptogenicity in a personalized large-scale brain model of epilepsy spread. To invert the individualized whole-brain model employed in this study, we use the recently developed algorithms known as No-U-Turn Sampler (NUTS) as well as Automatic Differentiation Variational Inference (ADVI). Our results indicate that NUTS and ADVI accurately estimate the degree of epileptogenicity of brain regions, therefore, the hypothetical brain areas responsible for the seizure initiation and propagation, while the convergence diagnostics and posterior behavior analysis validate the reliability of the estimations. Moreover, we illustrate the efficiency of the transformed non-centered parameters in comparison to centered form of parameterization. The Bayesian framework used in this work proposes an appropriate patient-specific strategy for estimating the epileptogenicity of the brain regions to improve outcome after epilepsy surgery.

Characterization of G protein ß subunit expression of human brain Glioma tumor.

Proteome indicates the protein content of a genome. Proteome analysis is effective in a new system formulation and prediction, prevention, and treatment based on protein. One of the purposes of proteomics researches is to know and understand the cancer mechanism. In this study, we separated the proteins by the Two-Dimensional Electrophorese method and analyzed and compared protein spots by statistical and software data. The spots were separated and identified by the proteins' Isoelectric PH differences, molecular weights, and data bank. In continuation, the protein profiles were clustered by MALDI-TOF-TOF and the main element was identified and confirmed. We have used site PhosphoSitePlus® to review post-translational modifications. The findings indicated that the G protein Beta subunit rate increased in the astrocytoma, oligodendroglia, and glioblastoma cerebral malignant tumors. The ßγ complex formation may prevent and activates many paths of cellular growth. The ßγ complex activity control of the changes after the conversion parallel to GTPase activity of this α subunit may be a formulation mechanism for the G signal path (Tab. 5, Fig. 4, Diagram 2, Ref. 29). Keywords: glioma, G protein ß subunit, proteomics.

Type 2 diabetes remission 2 years post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy: the role of the weight loss and comparison of DiaRem and DiaBetter scores.

AIMS: The comparative efficacy of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy on Type 2 diabetes remission and the role of weight loss are unclear. The DiaRem diabetes remission prediction score uses HbA1c , age and diabetes medications but not diabetes duration. The aim of this study was to compare the DiaRem with the DiaBetter score that includes diabetes duration, upon combined (complete plus partial) 2-year post-surgery diabetes remission in people following RYGB and sleeve gastrectomy, and to investigate the relationship between weight loss and diabetes remission. METHODS: A retrospective single-centre cohort study of obese people with diabetes who underwent RYGB (107) or sleeve gastrectomy (103) and a validation cohort study (173) were undertaken. Diabetes remission, % weight loss, DiaRem, DiaBetter scores and areas under receiving operator characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated. The relationship between % weight loss and diabetes remission was investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The proportion of people achieving diabetes remission was highest for those with the lowest DiaBetter and DiaRem scores. Areas under the ROC curves were comparable [DiaBetter: 0.867 (95%CI: 0.817-0.916); DiaRem: 0.865 (95%CI: 0.814-0.915), P=0.856]. Two-year % weight loss was higher post RYGB [26.6 (95%CI: 24.8-28.4)] vs post-sleeve gastrectomy [20.6 (95%CI: 18.3-22.8), P<0.001]. RYGB had 151% higher odds of diabetes remission [OR 2.51 (95%CI: 1.12-5.60), P=0.025]. This association became non-significant when adjusted for % weight loss. CONCLUSION: DiaBetter and DiaRem scores predict diabetes remission following both procedures. Two-year % weight loss plays a key role in determining diabetes remission.

The role of microRNAs in different types of thyroid carcinoma: a comprehensive analysis to find new miRNA supplementary therapies.

The most common endocrine malignancy is thyroid cancer, and researchers have made a great deal of progress in deciphering its molecular mechanisms in the recent years. Many of molecular changes observed in thyroid cancer can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets for treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important parts in biological and metabolic pathways such as regulation of developmental stages, signal transduction, cell maintenance, and differentiation. Therefore, their dysregulation can expose individuals to malignancies. It has been proved that miRNA expression is dysregulated in different types of tumors, like thyroid cancers, and can be the cause of tumor initiation and progression. In this paper, we have reviewed the available data on miRNA dysregulation in different thyroid tumors including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and medullary thyroid carcinomas aiming to introduce the last updates in miRNAs-thyroid cancer relation.

Association of SHMT1 gene polymorphisms with the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a sample of Iranian population.

The enzymes serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1 (SHMT1) regulate key reaction in folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism. In the current study we aimed to examine the possible association between SHMT1 gene polymorphisms and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in a sample of Iranian population. The rs9901160, rs2273027, rs9909104, rs1979277, and rs11868708 gene polymorphisms of SHMT1 were genotyped in 120 children diagnosed with ALL and 120 healthy children by the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The results showed that rs9901160, rs2273027 as well as rs1979277 polymorphism significantly increased the risk of childhood ALL (P<0.05). While, rs9909104 polymorphism significantly decreased the ALL risk (P<0.05). The rs11868708 variant was not associated with risk/protection of childhood ALL (P>0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that the polymorphisms of SHMT1 gene are associated with childhood ALL risk in a sample of Iranian population. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnicities are necessary to verify our findings.

ERBB4 gene polymorphisms and the risk of prostate cancer in a sample of Iranian Population.

Genetic polymorphisms in ERBB4 are thought to be associated with cancer susceptibility. In the present study, we aimed to assess the impact of ERBB4 rs12052398 T>C, rs13393577 A>G, rs13424871 A>T, rs16847082 A>G and rs6147150 (12-bp I/D) polymorphisms on risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in a sample of Iranian population. In a case-control study, we enrolled 169 patients with pathologically confirmed PCa and 182 subjects with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). No significant association was found among ERBB4 polymorphisms and risk of PCa. Subjects carrying TT/AA/AA/AG/ID, TC/AA/AA/AA/II, TT/AA/AT/AA/II and TT/AA/AT/AG/ID genotypes are associated with a decreased risk of PCa. Our findings suggest that haplotypes CAAAI and TAAAD (rs12052398, rs13393577, rs13424871, rs16847082 and rs6147150I) of the ERBB4 polymorphisms are associated with a significantly lower risk of PCa. Further studies with a larger sample sizes and diverse ethnicities are necessary to verify our findings.

HPV16 L2 improves HPV16 L1 gene delivery as an important approach for vaccine design against cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections have been associated with the development of cervical cancer. HPV16 is the most dominant high-risk types of HPV worldwide. L1 and L2 are the major and minor capsid proteins of HPV, respectively. Both proteins are able to self-assemble as a virus-like particle (VLP). METHODS: In the current study, the human embryonic kidney cells were transfected with the plasmid DNA encoding HPV 16 L1 or L1-L2 genes and their expression was compared using different transfection reagents. RESULTS: Our data showed that the recombinant L1-L2 DNAs were expressed in a high efficiency compared to L1 DNAs as detected by western blotting, fluorescent microscopy, and flow cytometry. In addition, Lipofectamine and Turbofect as the transfection reagents conferred more potent delivery than PEI 25 kDa indicating high toxicity of this system on HEK-293 cells. These results suggest the use of the full length of L2 as an efficient agent for overcoming the cell barriers and poor uptake of DNA in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: The high expression of HPV16 L1-L2 in HEK-293 cells using different delivery systems opens the way for new studies concerning to the use of L2 for DNA delivery via covalent linkage with the gene of interest (Fig. 5, Ref. 20).

Assessment of global ischemic/reperfusion and Tacrolimus administration on CA1 region of hippocampus: gene expression profiles of BAX and BCL2 genes.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that hippocampus has a pivotal role in learning, formation and consolidation of memory. Global cerebral ischemia causes severe damage to pyramidal neurons of the CA1 region and usually results in residual neurological deficits following a recovery from ischemia. Scientists investigate to find the molecular mechanism of apoptosis and to use this cell death for clinical treatment. OBJECTIVE: In this investigation, we evaluated the molecular mechanism of FK-506 in apoptosis using gene expression quantification of BAX and BCL-2 genes in hippocampus following global ischemic/reperfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present experimental study, adult male Wistar rats were obtained and housed under standard conditions. Each experimental group consisted of five rats and was equally distributed in the normal control, ischemia/reperfusion, ischemia/reperfusion followed by FK-506. Global ischemia was induced for animals in ischemia and drug groups. In the drug group, moreover, two doses of FK-506 were injected as IV injection and intra-peritoneal (IP) injection after 48 h. Then, hippocampus tissue was removed. Consequently, RNA isolated, cDNA was synthesized and Real-Time PCR was performed. Finally, the obtained data was analyzed statistically (p<0.05). RESULTS: The quantitative results showed the BAX expression ratio increased approximately 3-times in ischemia/reperfusion (3.11 ± 0.28) group compared to the untreated (NR) and the drug group (p<0.001). The statistical analysis showed a significant difference for BCL-2 expression between the experimental groups (p<0.001). The mRNA level of BCL-2 decreased in the ischemia/reperfusion group, while it was without alteration in the other groups. CONCLUSION: The results showed that global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion induced BAX as pro-apoptotic gene and tacrolimus a neuroprotective drug inhibited BAX gene expression and induced BCL-2 gene expression as anti-apoptotic gene (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 21).

Dapagliflozin-induced weight loss affects 24-week glycated haemoglobin and blood pressure levels.

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between dapagliflozin-mediated reductions in body weight and reductions in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood pressure. Data were pooled from seven studies evaluating dapagliflozin 10 mg as monotherapy or combination therapy over 24 weeks. Using linear regression to estimate the contribution of weight loss to HbA1c and blood pressure reductions, the ß-value estimate for HbA1c (%)/kg was 0.028 (p < 0.0001). Weight loss of 2 kg with dapagliflozin contributed to 6% of the total HbA1c reduction. For systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the ß-value (mmHg/kg) estimates were 0.606 (p < 0.0001) and 0.253 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Weight loss of 2 kg contributed to 28% of the overall SBP reduction, and 24% of the overall DBP reduction. In conclusion, dapagliflozin-mediated weight loss may contribute to overall reductions in HbA1c and blood pressure.

Association study of hsa-mir-603 rs11014002 polymorphism and risk of breast cancer in a sample of Iranian population.

Accumulated evidence have proposed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs (miRNAs) are connected to breast cancer (BC) risk. We have done a case-control study with 258 BC patients and 209 control women to examine the potential association of Hsa-mir-603 rs11014002 C>T polymorphisms with BC susceptibility. The polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Our findings showed that the rs11014002 C>T variant was not associated with an increased risk of BC in codominant (OR=0.67, 95%CI=0.42-1.08, P=0.121, CT vs CC; and OR=0.18, 95%CI=0.02-1.67, P=0.170, TT vs CC), dominant (OR=0.64, 95%CI=0.41-1.01, P=0.062, CT+TT vs CC), and recessive (OR=0.20, 95%CI=0.02-1.81, P=0.178, TT vs CC+CT) inheritance models tested. While, the T allele significantly decreased the risk of BC (OR= 0.63; 95% CI =0.41-0.95; P=0.032) compared to C allele. In conclusion, the findings indicated that Mir603 rs11014002 T allele might contribute to decrease the risk of BC in a sample of Iranian population. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnicities are warranted to confirm our findings.

Association of polymorphisms in PRKCI gene and risk of prostate cancer in a sample of Iranian Population.

The atypical protein kinase C iota (aPKCι) is an oncoprotein encoded by the PRKCI gene. It has been reported to play multifunctional roles in cellular maintenance, cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and apoptosis. In the present study we aimed to assess the impact of PRKCI rs546950 C>T and rs4955720 C>A polymorphisms on prostate cancer (PCa) risk in a sample of Iranian population. This case-control study was done on 169 patients with pathologically confirmed PCa and 182 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The PCR-RFLP method was used for detection rs546950 C>T and rs4955720 C>A polymorphisms. Our findings showed that rs546950 polymorphism of PRKCI decreased the risk of PCa in codominant (OR=0.35, 95%CI=0.19-0.64, P<0.001, CT vs CC) and dominant (OR=0.39, 95%CI=0.22-0.69, P=0.001, CT+TT vs CC) inheritance model tested. No significant association was found between rs4955720 C>A polymorphism and PCa. In the combined analysis of these two variants subjects carrying CT/CC, CT/CA, TT/AA and CT/AA significantly decreased the risk of PCa in comparison with rs546950 CC/rs4955720 CC genotype. Haplotype analysis indicated that rs546950T/rs4955720A decreased the risk of PCa compared to CC. In conclusion, the results revealed that PRKCI rs546950 variant decreased the risk of PCa in an Iranian population. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnicities are required to confirm our findings.

Generation and characterization of chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) against TNFR1.

TNF is from a big family of cytokines with different activities in different parts of the body. Among the various activities of TNFR1, induction of apoptosis by a receptor appears to be an attractive and promising one. This can be achieved through the death domain of the receptor in cells that are stimulated by ligand, to induce apoptosis. Activation of the receptor occurs through its occupation by ligands or its antagonists such as antibodies. Several kinds of antibodies, including antibodies of mammals and birds are used in the research and therapy field. Avian antibodies are highly regarded which is due to the many positive characteristics they have. Firstly, total protein of TNFR1 was cloned. Blood sampling was performed, white blood cell separation, extraction of RNA and at cDNA synthesis. After making sure from synthesis of cDNA, it was used as template for PCR reaction. The cloned fragment in the prokaryotic expression vector, pET28a, transferred to prokaryotic host, BL21(DE3) and the protein (TNFR1) expressed. After protein purification by affinity column were injected to immunize the chickens. Interestingly, antibodies purified from egg yolk of immunized chickens, in ELISA assay showed sufficient specificity. Such antibodies could able to ensure quick and immediate protection against several biotargets (Fig. 4, Ref. 37).

Changes in weight loss-related quality of life among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated with dapagliflozin.

AIMS: This study evaluated change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) associated with ongoing weight change among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with dapagliflozin, a highly selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that lowers blood glucose by increasing urinary glucose excretion and is associated with body weight reductions. METHODS: Patients with T2DM who had inadequate glycaemic control on metformin (MET) alone were enrolled in a 24-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with a 78-week extension to evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin + MET on body weight. Patients also completed the Study to Help Improve Early evaluation and management of risk factors Leading to Diabetes Weight Questionnaire-9 (SHIELD-WQ-9), a weight change-related HRQOL survey. Difference in proportions of patients treated with dapagliflozin 10 mg + MET (n = 89) or placebo + MET (n = 91) who reported improvement in HRQOL was analysed with Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Dapagliflozin patients had significantly greater weight loss than placebo patients over 102 weeks (p < 0.05). This corresponded to a numerically greater proportion of dapagliflozin-treated patients reporting ongoing weight loss and associated improvements in most HRQOL domains at three different evaluation points (weeks 24, 50 and 102) than placebo-treated patients. In a post-hoc analysis among patients who reported ongoing weight loss regardless of treatment arm, a significantly greater proportion of patients reporting weight loss versus weight gain reported improvements in physical health, self-esteem and overall HRQOL at weeks 24, 50 and 102. CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin-induced weight loss was associated with improvement in overall HRQOL. Overall, ongoing weight loss was associated with improvements in several HRQOL domains compared with weight gain.

In silico study of effects of polymorphisms on biophysical chemical properties of oxidized N-terminal domain of X-ray cross-complementing group 1 protein.

Base excision repair (BER) is the major pathway involved in removal of endogenous and mutagen-induced DNA damage. The X-ray cross-complementing group 1 protein (XRCC1), which participates in BER, is a scaffolding protein. The oxidized XRCC1 N-terminal domain (NTD) forms additional interactions with DNA polymerase ß (Pol ß). Any change in the residues of a protein (XRCC1, XRCC4, etc.) may alter its stability and function. Many coding regions of genes have single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that change the conformation of their products, and they are probably involved in some diseases. The R7L and R107H mutations are located in the XRCC1-NTD. In the present study, biophysical chemical properties of oxidized XRCC1-NTD (wild type or mutants) were investigated at different temperatures (290, 295, 298, 301, 304, 309, 310, 311, and 312 K) in water using in silico molecular mechanic computational methods. Comparison of the average calculated potential energies of oxidized XRCC1-NTD reveals that the R7L mutation increases stability, but the R107H and R7L&R107H mutations are destabilizing. Therefore, mutant types of this protein (R107H or R7L&R107H) may not function correctly. Furthermore, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) of oxidized XRCC1-NTD and docking assay showed that the R7L mutation is advantageous but the R107H and R7L&R107H mutations are disadvantageous for XRCC1-NTD, and in the latter cases it cannot interact with Pol ß as well as the wild type does. Hence, DNA repair may be defective. Also, using the equation dE = ∂Ε/(∂Τ)V·dT + ∂Ε/(∂V)T·dV, it was determined that the best temperature for normal activity of oxidized XRCC1-NTD is exactly the natural body temperature (310 K).

Vitamin D status of type 2 diabetic patients compared with healthy subjects in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

An inverse relationship has been shown between vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). In this cross-sectional study in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, a country with a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, we determined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among 90 type 2 DM patients and 90 healthy subjects. Based on serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the rates of deficiency (< 50 nmol/L) and insufficiency (50-75 nmol/L) were 59.0% and 27.0% respectively in patients with type 2 DM, and 47.0% and 24.0% respectively in healthy subjects. Using the national cut-offs for vitamin D deficiency, 64.0% women with DM and 47.4% of healthy women were suffering from different degrees of vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in men with type 2 DM and healthy men were 42.7% and 22.2% respectively. None of the differences between the 2 groups was statistically significant.

The virtual multiple sclerosis patient.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis typically involves assessing clinical symptoms, MRI findings, and ruling out alternative explanations. While myelin damage broadly affects conduction speeds, traditional tests focus on specific white-matter tracts, which may not reflect overall impairment accurately. In this study, we integrate diffusion tensor immaging (DTI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) data into individualized virtual brain models to estimate conduction velocities for MS patients and controls. Using Bayesian inference, we demonstrated a causal link between empirical spectral changes and inferred slower conduction velocities in patients. Remarkably, these velocities proved superior predictors of clinical disability compared to structural damage. Our findings underscore a nuanced relationship between conduction delays and large-scale brain dynamics, suggesting that individualized velocity alterations at the whole-brain level contribute causatively to clinical outcomes in MS.

Association of PTPN22 rs2476601 and EGFR rs17337023 Gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis in Zahedan, Southeast Iran.

In this study we aimed to evaluate the possible association of PTPN22 rs2476601 as well as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) rs17337023 gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a sample of Iranian population. This case-control study was performed on 120 patients with RA and 120 healthy subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and PTPN22 rs2476601 and EGFR rs17337023 polymorphisms were determined using tetra amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR). The results showed that PTPN22 rs2476601 CT genotype as well as rs2476601 T allele was a risk factor for susceptibility to RA (OR=5.89 95%CI = 1.78-19.48, P = 0.004 and OR = 4.78, 95%CI = 1.59-14.35, P = 0.003, respectively). We also found that EGFR rs17337023 AT and rs17337023 TT genotypes were risk factor for susceptibility to RA (OR = 9.94 95%CI = 3.65-26.73, P < 0.001 and OR = 3.66, 95%CI = 1.46-9.15, P = 0.005, respectively). In addition the EGFR rs17337023 T allele was a risk for predisposition to RA (OR = 1.56, 95%CI=1.06-2.30, P = 0.030). In conclusion, we found an association between PTPN22 rs2476601 and EGFR rs17337023 polymorphisms and the risk of RA in a sample of Iranian population.

Association of P2X7 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in Zahedan, Southeast Iran.

Susceptibility to tuberculosis may be influenced by variations in human genes. The P2X7 receptor is an ATP-gated cation channel expressed in immune cells, and it influences the release of proinflammatory cytokines from monocytes and macrophages. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of P2X7 gene rs2393799 (-762T/C) and rs1718119 (Thr348Ala) polymorphisms on patient susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a sample of the Iranian population. This case-control study was performed using 150 PTB cases and 150 controls. P2X7 receptor polymorphisms were determined using tetra-amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction. Genotype and allelic frequencies of the rs2393799 variant within the P2X7 gene were significantly higher in the PTB patients than in the healthy controls. The genotypes were CC in 71, CT in 54, and TT in 25 PTB patients. The genotypes were CC in 104, CT in 40, and TT in 6 healthy controls. The results indicate a significant association between rs2393799 polymorphism of the P2X7 gene and susceptibility to PTB (CT vs CC: OR = 6.5, 95%CI = 2.5-16.9, P < 0.0001; TT vs CC: OR = 3.3, 95%CI = 1.2-8.9, P = 0.018; TC+TT vs CC: OR = 2.56, 95%CI = 1.59-4.12, P < 0.0001). The rs2393799 T allele is a risk factor for predisposition to PTB (OR = 2.53, 95%CI = 1.73-3.71, P < 0.0001). No association between the rs1718119 polymorphism and PTB was found. In conclusion, the rs2393799 polymorphism in the P2X7 gene may contribute to patient susceptibility to PTB in our study population.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Akabane Virus Infection in Sheep and Goats in Fars Province, Iran.

Akabane disease is an arthropod-borne viral disease that affects ruminants. This teratogenic pathogen causes severe economic losses in ruminants worldwide and in Iran; however, it has not received enough attention in Fars province, Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the influence of age, gender, climate, farming system, and history of abortions on the seroprevalence of the Akabane disease in sheep and goats in Fars province. In the present study, Fars province was divided into three climates, and three cities were randomly selected from each climatic region. In each city, two epidemiologic units were selected, and all sheep and goats in each unit were sampled. Overall, 540 serum samples (391 sheep and 149 goats) were collected and examined with the commercial ELISA kit. The results showed that 83 out of 540 (15.4%) samples were seropositive and had antibodies against the Akabane virus (AKAV). The effect of gender and age on the rate of the AKAV was not significant. Animals in warm climates were 4.218 times more likely to have antibodies against the AKAV than animals in cold climates. Females were 1.32 times more likely to exhibit seropositivity. The odds of AKAV infection were higher in animals with an abortion history than in healthy animals. The findings of the present study indicated that the prevalence of the AKAV was high in small ruminants in Fars province. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct more studies to control the risk factors involved in the spread of this virus.