Senior-Loken syndrome (SLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by nephronophthisis and early-onset retinal degeneration. We used a large Iranian family with SLS to establish a molecular genetic diagnosis. Following clinical evaluation, we undertook homozygosity mapping in two affected family members and mutational analysis in known SLS genes coinciding with regions of homozygos...

BACKGROUND Low-back pain is one of the most common human morbidities worldwide, which is damaging individually, socially and economically. Recent studies have shown that its prevalence is rising. Most of the low-back pains are non-specific though specific ones need more complicated and more expensive treatments. Sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy is one of these specific low-back pains and is exp...

Introduction: Nicotine is the psychoactive substance responsible for establishing and maintaining smoking dependence. CYP2A6 is the primary enzyme that converts nicotine to its inactive metabolite cotinine. Genetic variations in CYP2A6 accounts for some of the inter-individual variability in nicotine metabolism and has been indicated to influence smoking behavior and dependence. Therefore, the ...

OBJECTIVE Dental caries is a common infectious disease. Streptococcus mutans is the pre-valent decay microorganism. The anti Streptococcus mutans activity of non fermented and semi-fermented tea has been shown. The aim of this study was to determine the anti Streptococcus mutans activity of Iranian green and black tea (non fermented and fermented type). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was exp...

There is insufficient information about reference values for pulmonary volumes for Iranian populations. A study of lung function parameters was made on 302 non-smoking healthy Iranian students (152 male and 150 female). Lung function measures correlated strongly with height but not with body mass index. There were significant differences between some of the measured parameters and American Thor...

BACKGROUND Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors are a major health threat at the global level, notably for developing countries. The tracking of cardiometabolic risk factors from childhood to adulthood is well documented. Therefore, more attention needs to be directed at primordial and primary prevention of NCDs. Given the high prevalence of NCDs and their risk factors in Ira...