J Res Med Sci
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Hepatitis B is one of the major causes of mortality among viral diseases. To reduce morbidity rate and increase knowledge of people about potential risk factors, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B among the general population and the risk factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Isfahan, Iran. ⋯ Our results demonstrated that there are still several risk factors for hepatitis B surface antigen infection among the Iranian adult population. Immunization programs should continue and focus on high-risk adults, and interventions should be directed toward to reduce risk factors associated with hepatitis B.
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing public health problem with a worldwide distribution, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing worldwide. Hence, this study aimed to compare the prevalence of MetS based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) diagnostic criteria. ⋯ The IDF diagnostic method has a higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of MetS in Iranian middle-aged people. It is recommended to use this method for identifying more people at risk of MetS.
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Environmental, genetic, and immunological factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In an attempt to better understand the pathogenesis of AMD, in this study, we evaluated the serum interferon (IFN) levels in patients with AMD and compared it with persons without AMD. ⋯ We found that serum beta IFN levels are higher in patients with AMD. This finding may have diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic value in AMD patients and can be a beginning for further evaluation.
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It should be assessed whether the polymorphisms on androgen receptor gene can affect therapeutic response to androgenetic alopecia (AGA) medications. We aimed to find a link between polymorphisms on the androgen receptor gene (including the number of triple sequences of cytosine, adenine, and guanine [CAG] and guanine-guanine-cytosine [GGC]) and response to treatment with finasteride in male patients. ⋯ Counting of GGC sequence in the gene encoding the androgen receptor is associated with an increase in odds of baldness and a decrease in the response rate to finasteride in AGA patients.
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Weight loss is the cornerstone of NAFLD management, but weight maintenance is difficult. Some studies have suggested that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) might have beneficial effects in NAFLD. We aim to compare the effects of a low-energy diet with n-3 PUFA supplementation on liver enzymes, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors in NAFLD. ⋯ We found that 1500 mg/d n-3 PUFA supplied for 12 weeks, in contrast to 3.40 ± 2.98% weight loss, does not improve liver enzymes, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors in NAFLD patients.