Impact of immunosuppression and chemotherapy on reactivation of viral hepatitis.

Chemotherapy drugs, biological medications that are used to treat cancer, may cause hepatic side effects. Patients with pre-existing viral hepatitis may be more susceptible to exacerbation of their underlying liver disease, and risk of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. We conducted a search on immunosuppression, and its impact on reactivation of viral hepatitis, using the electro-nic medical databases.

Liver histology and HBV DNA levels in chronically HBV infected patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase.

Background: Data on histological activity and HBV DNA levels in patients with chronic HBV infection and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels are sparse. We aimed to investigate the histological activity and HBV DNA levels in these patients.

Methods: There were 132 patients with HBeAg negative chronic HBV infection and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels that were included prospectively.

Distribution of different hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Aim: To investigate the presence of mixed infection and discrepancy between hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and liver biopsy specimens.

Methods: From September 2008 up to April 2009, 133 patients with chronic hepatitis C referred to Firouzgar Hospital for initiation of an antiviral therapy were recruited in the study. Five milliliters of peripheral blood was collected from each patient and liver biopsy was performed in those who gave consent or had indications.

Coeliac disease in autoimmune liver disease: a cross-sectional study and a systematic review.

Background: Several studies have reported an association between coeliac disease and autoimmune liver disease, but there is little information on the prevalence of coeliac disease in certain autoimmune liver diseases, particularly from non-European, non-American countries.

Aims: To investigate prevalence of coeliac disease in autoimmune liver disease in Iran and to summarize previous literature.

Methods: We investigated prevalence of coeliac disease among 100 autoimmune liver disease patients and compared it with the prevalence in healthy individuals.

Histopathological Study of Chronic Hepatitis B: A Comparative Study of Ishak and METAVIR Scoring Systems.

Background: Ishak and METAVIR scoring systems are among the most commonly used histopathological systems to evaluate chronic hepatitis.

Objective: To assess the level of agreement between these two scoring systems in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: Liver biopsy samples taken from 92 patients with chronic hepatitis B were considered as the training set; 57 more biopsy specimens were used as the validation set.

Gluten sensitivity enteropathy in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Background: Gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) is an autoimmune enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten-containing grains in susceptible individuals. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) may be the sole manifestation of GSE. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of gluten sensitivity enteropathy (GSE) in a large group of patients with RAS and assess the efficacy of gluten free diet (GFD) on the improvement of aphthous lesions in those who were diagnosed with GSE.

Hydroxyurea therapy in 49 patients with major beta-thalassemia.

Major thalassemia is one of the most common hemoglobinopathies in many Asian countries including Iran. Pharmacologic agents such as hydroxyurea have been known to enhance the production of fetal hemoglobin, and also an increase in total hemoglobin level has been repeatedly reported during hydroxyurea treatment in patients with sickle cell disease and in several patients with intermediate beta-thalassemia. We evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of hydroxyurea in major beta-thalassemic patients.

Celiac disease as a potential cause of idiopathic portal hypertension: a case report.

Introduction: Idiopathic portal hypertension is a disorder of unknown etiology, clinically characterized by portal hypertension, splenomegaly and anemia secondary to hypersplenism.

Case Presentation: A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of malaise, weight loss, abdominal swelling and lower limb edema. His paraclinical tests revealed pancytopenia, large ascites, splenomegaly and esophageal varices consistent with portal hypertension.

Gluten sensitive enteropathy in patients with iron deficiency anemia of unknown origin.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) in a large group of patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) of obscure origin.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with IDA of obscure origin were screened for GSE. Anti-endomysial antibody (EMA) and tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG) levels were evaluated and duodenal biopsies were taken and scored according to the Marsh classification.

Relationship between elevated liver enzyme with iron overload and viral hepatitis in thalassemia major patients in Northern Iran.

Objective: To determine the relationship between elevated liver enzymes with iron overload and viral hepatitis in thalassemic patients.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the thalassemic ward of Tonekabon Hospital, Mazandaran, Northern Iran from 20 April to 20 September of 2006. Patients were studied with respect to age, liver enzymes, anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) antibody, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), transferrin saturation (TSAT), and blood transfusion index (multiplication of frequency and units of transfusion).

Prevalence of celiac disease among patients with Behcet's disease in Iran.

Background: Behcet's disease and Celiac disease, both common in Iran, share many immunopathogenic and clinical features. Based on the possible association between these two diseases, this study is designed to determine the frequency of non-diagnosed celiac disease in patients with Behcet's disease.

Methods: The sera of 288 consecutive patients with Behcet's disease were screened with anti-endomysial antibody and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody for celiac disease.

Frequency of different types of ovarian cancer in Vali-e-Asr Hospital (Tehran University of Medical Sciences) 2001-2003.

Purpose of this study was to report histology specific age adjusted ovarian cancer incidence rates from 2001-2003 in Tehran University Hospital (valie-Asr hospital). This was a case series study including all microscopically confirmed cases of ovarian malignancies from 2001-2003. There were 152 cases of ovarian cancer, 102 (67.

Inter- and intra-observer variability of the Los Angeles classification: a reassessment.

Background: Los Angeles classification is widely adopted for reporting endoscopic gastroesophageal reflux disease. We assessed the inter- and intra-observer variability of the Los Angeles classification.

Methods: Still images (n = 254) of the lower esophagus were presented to 9 gastroenterologists (6 experts and 3 trainees) and they were asked to report the images according to the Los Angeles classification.

Noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis and inflammation in chronic hepatitis B-virus related liver disease.

Background/aims: Noninvasive markers for predicting significant fibrosis and inflammation have not yet been validated in an unselected group of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. The aim of this study was to create noninvasive models to predict significant fibrosis and inflammation in chronic HBV carriers.

Methods: A total of 276 (229 HBeAg negative, 47 HBeAg positive) unselected consecutive treatment naïve patients chronically infected with HBV who attended our center over a 36-month period underwent liver biopsy.

Abdominal pain as presentation of Takayasu's arteritis in an adolescent male patient.

We describe a boy with chronic abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss. The imaging was compatible with Takayasu's arteritis. Chronic mesenteric ischemia was the etiology of the patient's symptoms.

Serum hyaluronate as a non-invasive marker of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

Background: HBV infection is a serious global heath problem. It is crucial to monitor this disease more closely with a non-invasive marker in clinical trials. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum hyaluronate for the presence of extensive liver fibrosis and inflammation.

[Modified set back tongue flap: an alternative surgical approach in the reconstruction of defects of the base of the tongue].

The base of the tongue after tumor resection can be reconstructed in several ways. In addition to direct suturing of small defects, a variety of local or microvascularly anastomosed flaps have been described. The present paper is aimed at introducing a local tongue flap for the reconstruction of medium-sized defects.

Differences between trunk sway characteristics on a foam support surface and on the Equitest ankle-sway-referenced support surface.

Clinicians have sought ways to increase trunk sway so that it is easily observed and a balance deficit more easily identified. One technique often used for this purpose is to reduce the efficacy of ankle proprioceptive inputs on sway. To achieve this reduction either a foam mat is used as an unstable support surface or the subject stands on a surface made unstable with servo-driven ankle-sway-referencing.