Objective Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NS-CL/P) are among the most common congenital birth defects worldwide. Several lines of evidence point to the involvement of folate, as well as folate metabolizing enzymes in risk reduction of orofacial clefts. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzyme participates in the metabolic cycle of folate and has a crucial role in DNA synthesis, a fundamental feature of gestation and development. A functional polymorphic 19-bp deletion within intron-1 of DHFR has been associated with the risk of common congenital malformations. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible association between DHFR 19-bp deletion polymorphism and susceptibility to NS-CL/P in an Iranian population.Material and Methods The current study recruited 100 NS-CL/P patients and 100 healthy controls. DHFR 19-bp deletion was determined using an allele specific-PCR method.Results We observed the DHFR 19-bp homozygous deletion genotype (D/D) vs. homozygous wild genotype (WW) was more frequent in controls than in NS-CL/P patients (25% vs. 13%), being associated with a reduced risk of NS-CL/P in both codominant (OR=0.33, P=0.027) and recessive (OR=0.45, P=0.046) tested inheritance models. We also stratified the cleft patients and reanalyzed the data. The association trend for CL+CL/P group compared to the controls revealed that the DD genotype in both codominant (OR=0.30, P=0.032) and recessive models (OR=0.35, P=0.031) was associated with a reduced risk of CL+CL/P.Conclusions Our results for the first time suggested the DHFR 19-bp D/D genotype may confer a reduced risk of NS-CL/P and might act as a protective factor against NS-CL/P in the Iranian subjects.

Background:Acute heart failure (AHF) is defined as the new onset or recurrence of gradual or rapidly worsening signs and symptoms of heart failure, requiring urgent or emergent therapy.Objectives:This study attempts to assess the association of liver function tests (LFT) and uric acid level with in hospital outcome and echocardiography parameters, in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.Patients and Methods:A total of 100 patients (aged 16 - 90 years, 60% men) admitted with AHF were enrolled. LFTs and uric acid levels were assessed on first day and before discharge, and patients were followed for 3 months.Results:In-hospital outcomes were considered. Mean Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) was 35% (20 - 45%). Mean Uric acid level was 8.4 mg/dL, significantly higher than chronic HF and normal groups (P < 0.02). Elevated liver enzymes were seen in 52% patients, mostly (87%) in transaminases. Liver enzymes were decreased in 85% patients before discharge. LFT and uric acid levels were inversely and significantly correlated with LVEF on echocardiography (P = 0.02), but not with diastolic parameters. Although there was no significant correlation between uric acid level and in-hospital mortality, risk of intubation and rehospitalization in 3 months, enzyme levels increased in these groups. Increased aspartate transaminase (AST level) was associated with inotrope infusion in AHF patients (42 vs. 82 mg/dL, P = 0.03).Conclusions:Abnormal transaminases and uric acid levels are seen in AHF patients. Increased AST levels may be a predictor of the need for inotrope during hospital course in these patients.

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