Seroepidemiology of HBV infection in South-East of iran; a population based study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major risk factor of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma affecting billions of people globally. Since information on its prevalence in general population is mandatory for formulating effective policies, this population based serological survey was conducted in Sistan and Baluchistan, where no previous epidemiological data were available. METHODS: Using random cluster sampling 3989 healthy subjects were selected from 9 districts of Sistan and Baluchistan Province in southeastern Iran. The subjects' age ranged from 6 to 65 years old. Serum samples were tested for HBcAb, HBsAg. Screening tests were carried out by the third generation of ELISA. Various risk factors were recorded and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb in Sistan and Baluchistan was 3.38% (95% CI 2.85; 3.98) and 23.58% (95% CI 22.29; 24.93) respectively. We found 8 cases of positive anti-HDV antibody. Predictors of HBsAg or HBcAb in multivariate analysis were age, marital status and addiction. CONCLUSION: The rate of HBV infection in Sistan and Baluchistan was higher than other parts of Iran. Approximately 25% of general population in this province had previous exposure to HBV and 3% were HBsAg carriers. Intrafamilial and addiction were major routes of HBV transmission in this province.

Direct short-term cytotoxic effects of BIBR 1532 on acute promyelocytic leukemia cells through induction of p21 coupled with downregulation of c-Myc and hTERT transcription.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by specific t(15;17), distinct morphologic picture, and clinical coagulopathy that contribute to the morbidity and mortality of the disease. This study aims to investigate the effects of antitelomerase compound BIBR1532 on APL cells (NB4). BIBR 1532 exerts a direct short-term growth suppressive effect in a concentration-dependent manner probably through downregulation of c-Myc and hTERT expression. Our results also suggest that induction of p21 and subsequent disturbance of Bax/Bcl-2 balanced ratio as well as decreased telomerase activity may be rational mechanisms for the potent/direct short-term cytotoxicity of high doses of BIBR1532 against NB4 cells.

Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy blood donors in Tehran Regional Educational Blood Transfusion Centre.

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common pathogen in the world often causing upper or lower respiratory tract infection and may also be linked to some chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that a high percentage of healthy blood donors harbour Chlamydia DNA and antigens. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of this microorganism among blood donors. Blood samples were collected between November 2004 and March 2005 from 196 healthy blood donors. Ten millilitre of blood was collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) tube. Reverse transcription of RNA was performed with Moloney murine leukaemia virus (MMLV) reverse transcriptase and random primers hexamer. Polymerase chain reaction products were evaluated by electrophoresis. Data were analysed using the chi(2) test and t-test. Of the 196 healthy blood donors, 7.1% were C. pneumoniae DNA positive (CI 95 % = 3.51- 10.69), which is slightly higher in female (8.5%) than male (6.5%) donors; this difference was not found to be significant (P = 0.4). The average age of study groups was 40.84 (SD +/- 10.80) years; significant association was not found between age groups and the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA. There was no significant differences between positive rate and first-time [37 (19.3%)] and repeat [155 (80.7%)] donors. C. pneumoniae DNA seems to be frequent in apparently healthy blood donors; therefore, it can be a threat for blood safety. But further studies are needed to evaluate the survival of C. pneumoniae in blood bank conditions and in blood recipients to define the clinical importance of such findings. Elimination of intracellular bacteria by filtration is an effective strategy for risk reduction.

Assessment of physicians knowledge in transfusion medicine, Iran, 2007.

Knowledge of physicians has an important role in optimal use of blood products. This study was carried out to assess Iranian physicians' knowledge in transfusion medicine. In this cross-sectional study, 1242 physicians were selected through multistage sampling method in March 2007. Physicians' knowledge was assessed by the questionnaire comprising of 50 questions addressing basic knowledge, clinical aspects of blood use and transfusion reactions. One point was awarded for each correct answer. Approximately 22%, 37%, and 40% of the questions referring to basic knowledge, clinical aspects of blood use and transfusion reactions, respectively, were replied correctly. Thirty three percent came out to be the average figure for the questions receiving correct answers. Knowledge score of the specialists who were more frequently involved in blood use was not significantly different from other specialists (radiologists or psychiatrics) and general practitioners. Knowledge score decreased with increasing years in practice (P < 0.001). Ninety nine percent of physicians under the study believed that they required special education to raise their transfusion medicine knowledge. Knowledge of physicians was about one-third lower than the expected level. Therefore, educational materials concerning transfusion medicine should be provided for medical students, residents and fellows. For practicing physicians, continuous medical education programmes should be offered so that the level of transfusion medicine knowledge can be improved.

Functional hepatocyte-like cells derived from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on a novel 3-dimensional biocompatible nanofibrous scaffold.

AIM: To supporting growth and functional differentiation of adult stem cells into hepatocytes in a well-controlled manner, we performed differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) to hepatocytes-like cells on a constructed 3-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous biocompatible scaffold. METHODS: After characterization of the hBMSCs isolated from human bone marrow, the performance of the cells seeded and their proliferation on the scaffold was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Different approaches such as immunocytochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and biochemical assays were used to estimate the ability of hBMSC-derived cells to express hepatocyte-specific markers. RESULTS: Scanning electron micrographs and MTT analysis revealed the cells were able to expand and remained biologically and metabolically active for 21 days. Immunocytochemical analysis of albumin and alfa-fetoprotein showing the accumulation of these markers in differentiated cells was confirmed by RT-PCR. Additional markers such as cytochrome P450 3A4, cytokeratin-18, and cytokeratin-19 detected by RT-PCR showed progressive expression during 3 weeks of differentiation on 3D scaffold. The hepatocyte-like cells displayed several characteristics of metabolic functions as judged by production of albumin, urea, transferrin, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and serum oxaloacetate aminotransferase (SGOT). Levels of above-mentioned markers, except SGOT in differentiated cells on scaffold, were found to be significantly greater than in the 2D culture system (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall data suggest that the engineered nanofibrous scaffold is a conductive matrix for functional hBMSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells and is promising for maintenance of hepatocytes suitable for implantation.

Efficient replacing of fetal bovine serum with human platelet releasate during propagation and differentiation of human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to functional hepatocyte-like cells.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to find out substitution effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) with human platelet releasate (HPR) as a major growth factor source during expansion and differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSC) into hepatocytes. METHODS: Propagation and differentiation potential of hBMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells in a medium fortified with HPR instead of FBS were investigated with morphological, cytochemical and molecular experiments. RESULTS: Multiplex analysis showed that HPR was more efficient than FBS in supporting hBMSC outgrowth. The proliferation rate of MSC in presence of HPR (derived from 10(9) platelets/ml) was about threefold greater than that of FBS (P < 0.001). Despite the differences in MTT value, hBMSCs-driven HPR or FBS did not differ in terms of gross morphology, immunophenotype and osteogenic differentiation potential. Hepatic differentiation of hBMSCs was successfully performed in the media enriched with HPR. Immunoreactivity of cells with monoclonal antibodies against for albumin and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was even more positive in hepatocytes differentiated in presence of HPR as compared to that of FBS. The gene expression of albumin, AFP and cytokeratin-18 at mRNA levels in differentiated cells attest to supporting role of HPR in hepatic differentiation media. These findings were further confirmed with greater urea production (approximately twofold) in the culture media of cells differentiated under HPR compared to that in FBS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Human platelet releasate is an efficient and safe substitute for FBS in culture media used for expansion and differentiation of hBMSCs to hepatocyte.