Lack of Association Between Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 -509C/T and +915G/C Polymorphisms and Chronic Hepatitis B in Iranian Patients

Background:

Chronic hepatitis B is one of the world''s major health concern. The etiological agent of this infection is hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can evade the immune system response. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) can act against HBV by suppressing the viral replication. The TGF-β1 also plays an important role in preventing liver damage in chronically HBV infected patients.

Objectives:

In this study, the association of TGF-β1 +915G/C and -509C/T gene polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B was evaluated in Iranian patients.

Materials and Methods:

A population-based case–control study was conducted in Taleghani Hospital, Tehran. A number of 220 patients with chronic hepatitis B and the same number of healthy control subjects were designated the case and the control groups. The PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Method (PCR-RFLP) method was used for genotyping both polymorphisms. Ten percent of the control samples were sequenced to confirm the results.

Results:

No statically significant differences in genotype distribution and allele frequency were observed for both polymorphisms between healthy controls and patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Conclusions:

There was no association between TGF-β1 -509C/T and +915G/C polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B and it seems that these changes don not play a significant role in increasing the risk of chronic infection in Iranian patients.     

MACVIA-LR,Reference site of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) in Languedoc Roussillon

The Région Languedoc-Roussillon is the umbrella organisation for an interconnected and integrated project on AHA covering the 3 pillars of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. All sub-activities (A1: electronic pharmaceutical file, A2: falls prevention initiative, A3: frailty, B3: chronic respiratory diseases, chronic diseases with comorbidities, oral health and hepatitis virus C chronic infection, C2 and D4 active and independent living and handicap) are included in MACVIA-LR that has a strong political commitment and includes all stakeholders (public, private, patients, policy makers). It is one of the Reference Sites of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing built around chronic diseases, ageing and handicap. The framework of MACVIA-LR has the vision that the prevention and management of CDs is essential for AHA promotion and for the reduction of handicap. The main objective of MACVIA-LR is to develop innovative solutions for a network of Living Labs in order to improve the care of patients affected by CDs in the Languedoc-Roussillon area and to disseminate the innovation.     

A Randomized Comparison of Novel Biodegradable Polymer- and Durable Polymer–Coated Cobalt-Chromium Sirolimus-Eluting Stents

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that a novel biodegradable polymer–coated, cobalt-chromium (CoCr), sirolimus-eluting stent (BP-SES) is noninferior in safety and efficacy outcomes compared with a durable polymer (DP)-SES.BackgroundNo randomized trials have the compared safety and efficacy of BP-SES versus DP-SES on similar CoCr platforms, thereby isolating the effect of the polymer type.MethodsIn this prospective, single-blind, randomized trial conducted at 32 Chinese sites, 2,737 patients eligible for coronary stenting were treated with BP- or DP-SES in a 2:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was 12-month target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or clinically indicated target lesion revascularization. Secondary endpoints included TLF components, and definite/probable stent thrombosis.ResultsAt 12 months, the difference in the primary endpoint of TLF between BP-SES (6.3%) and DP-SES (6.1%) groups was 0.25% (95% confidence interval: −1.67% to 2.17%, p for noninferiority = 0.0002), demonstrating noninferiority of BP-SES to DP-SES. Individual TLF components of cardiac death (0.7% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.62), target vessel myocardial infarction (3.6% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.39), and clinically indicated target lesion revascularization (2.6% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.50) were similar, as were low definite/probable stent thrombosis rates (0.4% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.55).ConclusionsIn this large-scale real-world trial, BP-SES was noninferior to DP-SES for 1-year TLF. (Evaluate Safety and Effectiveness of the Tivoli ® DES and the Firebird ® DES for Treatment of Coronary Revascularization; NCT01681381)     

A Retrospective Evaluation of the Survival Rates of Splinted and Non‐Splinted Short Dental Implants in Posterior Partially Edentulous Jaws

Background: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the survival rate and bone loss around short implants (≤10 mm) supporting splinted or non‐splinted posterior prostheses during a follow‐up period of 3 to 16 years. Methods: A total of 453 implants from 198 patients was divided into splinted or non‐splinted groups. Implant survival rate was calculated for each group, and potential risk was represented as odds ratio (OR). The final linear distance from implant platform level to the first bone‐to‐implant contact was compared to this same reference just after loading by digital periapical radiographs to determine the marginal bone loss (BL). Results: The splinted group comprised 219 implants in 86 patients, whereas the non‐splinted group included 234 implants from 112 patients. The mean follow‐up period was 9.7 ± 3.7 years. Although different success rates were found for splinted (97.7%) and non‐splinted (93.2%) groups, they exhibited similar BL (1.22 ± 0.95 mm and 1.27 ± 1.15 mm, respectively). The success of splinted implants was associated with no other variable, whereas non‐splinted implants exhibited higher risk of failure when placed in men (OR = 3.2) and when implants shorter than 10 mm were used (OR = 3.6 and 4.1 for 8.5 mm and 7 mm, respectively). Regardless of group, 71.4% of the unsuccessful implants failed before the end of the first year after loading. Conclusion: Non‐splinted posterior short implants had a somewhat lower success rate than splinted short implants, and the failure rate in non‐splinted short implants appeared to be greater in males as well as in implants ≤10 mm.     

Whole Salivary Interleukin‐6 and Matrix Metalloproteinase‐8 Levels in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis With and Without Prediabetes

Background: The cytokine profile in unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) of patients with prediabetes and chronic periodontitis (CP) remains uninvestigated. The aim of this study is to assess interleukin (IL)‐6 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 levels in UWS of patients with CP with and without prediabetes. Methods: Eighty‐eight males (aged 39 to 51 years) were divided into three groups: group 1: 28 patients with CP and prediabetes; group 2: 30 patients with CP and without prediabetes; and group 3: 30 controls. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, periodontal parameters (plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, attachment loss, and marginal bone loss), and number of missing teeth were recorded. UWS samples were collected, and UWS flow rate (UWSFR) was measured. IL‐6 and MMP‐8 were measured in UWS using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Mean FBG and HbA1c levels were significantly higher in group 1 (119.3 ± 3.1 mg/dL and 6.1% ± 0.2%) than group 2 (80.1 ± 3.5 mg/dL and 4.8% ± 0.5%; P <0.001) and group 3 (75.3 ± 2.2 mg/dL and 4.3% ± 0.2%; P <0.05). UWSFR was significantly higher in groups 2 (0.53 ± 0.1 mL/minute; P <0.05) and 3 (0.51 ± 0.1 mL/minute; P <0.01) than group 1 (0.33 ± 0.05 mL/minute). Periodontal parameters were worse in group 1 (P <0.05) and group 2 (P <0.05) than group 3. There was no difference in periodontal parameters, numbers of missing teeth, or salivary IL‐6 and MMP‐8 levels between patients in groups 1 and 2. Conclusion: Salivary IL‐6 and MMP‐8 levels are elevated in patients with CP with and without prediabetes.