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Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are defined as clinical conditions that involve the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or both. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum 17β-oestradiol and progesterone levels in menstruating women affected by internal derangement of the TMJ. A total of 142 women (mean age 30·2 ± 6·7) who referred to medical diagnostic laboratory of Iranian Academic Centre for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Mashhad Branch, were enrolled during 2007 and 2008. Forty-seven individuals had disc displacement with reduction (Group IIa) according to Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC)/TMD Axis I diagnosis. Radioimmunoassay was used for the detection of serum 17β-oestradiol and progesterone levels in all 142 subjects. The mean progesterone level was significantly higher in control group (11·6 ± 10·4 ng mL(-1) ) compared to women with TMD (8·4 ± 6·8 ng mL(-1) , P = 0·03). No significant difference was found in two groups regarding 17β-oestradiol level. Lower progesterone level in women with TMD can suggest the more important role of this hormone in the development of the disorder.

Background: Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection has known to be endemic in various regions of the world, including northeastern Iran. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection and its related factors among hemodialysis (HD) patients in Neyshabur, northeast of Iran. Methods: Serum samples of 138 HD patients were screened for HTLV-1 antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and seroreactive samples were confirmed by a line immunoassay. Results: The participants included 76 (55.1%) males and 62 (44.9%) females aged 12-84 years. HTLV-1 seropositivity was detected in 20 (14.5%) cases, all of which were confirmed by the line immunoassay. No significant difference was observed between males and females (10.5% vs. 19.3%; P = 0.143). However, there was a significant association between HTLV-1 seropositivity and patients' age (P = 0.028). Conclusions: The prevalence of HTLV-1 infection among HD patients in northeastern Iran was considerably higher than that reported from other endemic areas. It seems that more specific preventive measures are required to be applied by local health authorities to control the infection.

Background: Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide, mostly in developing countries.Objectives: This population-based survey was performed to investigate HAV seroprevalence in Mashhad, northeast of Iran. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 1563 randomly selected individuals from general population of Mashhad, Iran, between May to September 2009. Serum samples were tested for total anti-HAV antibody using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Data was analyzed using SPSS ver. 18.0 by Chi-square and student t tests. Results: Seroprevalence of HAV infection was 69.6% (95% CI: 67.3-71.9%) with no difference between males and females. Anti-HAV seropositivity increased with rising age from 9.4% in subjects younger than five years to 100.0% in individuals older than 65 years old (P < 0.001). Conclusions: As it was previously reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) on HAV infection in the country, this study revealed a high prevalence of HAV infection in Mashhad city, Northeastern Iran.

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