mohammad reza khakzad

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by bronchospasm, airway inflammation. The occurrence of microbial infections is related to the severity of asthma symptoms; thus, their development can be prevented by controlling microbial agents. This study aims to determine the relationship of asthma symptoms severity with Haemophilus influenzae type A infection in patient with asthma compared to healthy people.

In this case-control study, sputum samples of 31 patients with asthma (16men and 15 women; mean age=58.58±14.13) and 31 healthy individuals (16 men and 15 women; mean age=52.03±14.72 years) who referred to a hospital were collected. DNA extraction was done using the kit (Cinnagen Co.). The prevalence of H. influenzae type A was investigated using the bexA gene primer by real-time PCR method. The collected data were analyzed in Excel and SPSS software, version 20.

24 sputum samples (77.4%) from patients and 13 samples (41.9%) from healthy people were positive for H. influenzae type A. The increase in the severity of asthma symptoms, cough and shortness of breath showed that the severity of the infection decreased with the increase in asthma symptoms. Also, in terms of the asthma control test (ACT) score, spirometry indices, fractional exhaled nitric oxide index, and percentages of lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils, there was a significant difference between patients and healthy people (P=0.0001).

Further studies are needed to determine the role of H. influenzae type A in the development of lung diseases, including asthma.

Asthma is one of the most common non-communicable diseases characterized by reversible obstruction of airflow. It poses many problems for all age groups from infancy to old age. Various studies have shown that the occurrence of viral infections is associated with the severity of asthma symptoms so it can be prevented by controlling viral agents. In this study, the severity of the symptoms of persistent severe asthma with Haemophilus influenza infection was investigated. 31 patients with asthma with different degrees of disease were studied in this study. The results showed that in patients with asthma, the percentage of people with Haemophilus influenza was 71% and in 29% of other asthma cases, Haemophilus influenza virus was not observed. The relationship between asthma, cough and dyspnea with Haemophilus influenza infection showed that with increasing asthma symptoms, the severity of infection increases, and no significant association was observed between cough and dyspnea with Haemophilus influenza. Therefore, the results of this study clearly show that Haemophilus influenzae virus causes asthma symptoms to worsen in patients.

Recent research has highlighted the potential interplay between human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections in gastric cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori and HPV co-infection and its association with tumor characteristics in individuals diagnosed with gastric cancer.

In this descriptive study, 32 gastric cancer tissue samples and 32 healthy gastric tissue samples were collected from people referred to a hospital in Iran. DNA extraction was performed using a Biogen kit, and Real-time PCR was utilized to detect HPV and H. pylori infections through L1 and cagA gene primers, respectively.

Over 50% of the cancer samples were classified as stage III. Helicobacter pylori infection was detected in 26 cancer tissues (81.2%) and 22 healthy tissues (67.8%). Additionally, four cancer tissue samples (12.5%) tested positive for HPV infection, while no HPV infection cases were observed in the control group. A significant association was found between H. pylori infection and various tumor characteristics, including staging, grade, tumor size, lymph node involvement, and histology in gastric cancer patients. Moreover, HPV infection showed a significant correlation with gastric cancer staging. However, no significant relationship was observed between the co-infection of H. pylori and HPV with gastric cancer.

The study results did not reveal a significant association between the co-infection of H. pylori and HPV with gastric cancer. Nevertheless, a notable relationship between H. pylori and HPV co-infection and gastric cancer staging was observed, highlighting the complexity of interactions between these infectious agents in gastric carcinogenesis.

Considering the possible role of fungal sensitization in the treatment of resistant asthma, which may lead to the remodeling of bronchial structure, we theorized that itraconazole could result in better control of asthma. In this regard, this study aimed to compare the effects of itraconazole and prednisolone (routinely prescribed) on clinical, structural, and biomarker findings of the remodeling of asthma.

This double-blind controlled randomized clinical trial was performed on 70 adult patients suffering from severe persistent asthma. The intervention group received 200 mg of itraconazole per day, and the control group received 10 mg of prednisolone per day, for 32 weeks, in addition to the classic treatment of asthma. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups, and assigned by sealed envelope. Blinding was performed by repacking the drug in a similar container. Primary outcomes were asthma control test score, fibroblast growth factor 2, and wall area percentage on RB1 bronchus measured by computed tomography. The outcomes were compared in subjects classified as allergic, eosinophilic, T2 low asthma, and four types of inflammatory cell classification in sputum.

Seventy subjects finished the 32-week trial (35 subjects in each group). Baseline data did not show significant differences between groups. A comparison of asthma variants showed significantly more severe cough and dyspnea in the allergic variant and higher spirometry results in T2-low asthma. Sputum cytology revealed a mixed pattern as the most frequent type (47%). After the trial, two groups improved in many parameters; however, FGF-2 improved more significantly by itraconazole (4.66±16.92 decreased to 1.14±2.98), and FEV1/FVC was significantly higher in the itraconazole group,compared to the control group. These results did not change in terms of asthma variants and sputum classification.

Itraconazole was superior to prednisolone in the treatment of many clinical and spirometry aspects in severe persistent asthma.

Stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide in 2020. Moderately increased risk of stomach cancer has been associated with tobacco smoking and Alcohol drinking. In this systematic review, we summarized the current knowledge on the relation between smoking and alcohol, both alone and in combination, to the risk of gastric cancer.

This study was conducted in 2023 with a structured overview in the Science Directe , PubMed, Web of Science (ISI) databases. We investigated the studies that were published between 2010 and 2023. In the first step, articles were extracted based on their titles and abstracts; the quality of 58 articles was evaluated using the STORBE tool. Inclusion criteria were English language (first step), year of the study and the study type (second step).

Of these 39 articles, 17 ones were case-control studies, 21 were cohort studies, one was a descriptive study. eleven articles were related to alcohol consumption and risk of gastric cancer, twenty-three articles were related to smoking and risk of gastric cancer, five articles were related smoking and alcohol consumption in combination and risk of gastric cancer. Many studies reported a significant association between alcohol and gastric cancer risk. Also, three studies showed that smoking acts as a risk factor for developing gastric cancer only in certain genotype and not in all people.

Based on the best our knowledge and present studies, consumption of alcohol and smoking are risk factors of gastric cancer. It is better to conduct more studies on this issue in different populations in the future. We also suggest that future studies focus more on the intracellular mechanisms of these associations than on epidemiological outcomes.

Rural communities play an important role in the balanced development of the country. Rural communities play an important role in the balanced development of the country. Given the issues and problems facing rural communities, the pursuit of sustainable social development in the form of participation, security, customs and public awareness of the villagers seems a necessity. The advent of modern technology, the change in the production structure, the social and economic indicators of rural life have changed and led to the emergence of social anomalies and migration to cities and the reduction of the young generation and consequently the erosion of rural fabric and housing. East Azerbaijan province, as one of the agricultural hubs of Iran, has 2591 villages. Of these, 1067 villages in the province are located in the mountains, so the statistical population of this study is 1067 villages, of which 25 villages have been selected as a sample that had the necessary characteristics for this study. In this study, to measure social and cultural sustainability, effective indicators and criteria have been identified in mountainous villages.By performing various tests using a researcher-made questionnaire in the form of 21 questions, the impact of social sustainability indicators on Empowerment of rural communities confirms the mountainous area of ​​the province. Therefore, the main question of the present study is that according to the heads of rural households in the mountainous area of ​​East Azerbaijan province, what criteria and indicators in terms of socio-cultural sustainability have the greatest impact on improving the quality of life in ?

Rapid design and reconstruction after natural disasters and rapid changes in materials and construction technology are among the factors that play a role in the disruption in the stability of the country's rural environment and also leads to the loss of rural architectural identity. And the factors affecting sustainable rural housing in the mountains. The present research method is descriptive-analytical and survey type. The statistical population of the study is the population of 20 villages equal to 6289 from Varzeqan and Harris counties. The sample size included 322 people obtained from Cochran's formula. The sampling method is simple random. Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate the reliability of the questionnaire. To test the research questions, first the normality of the data was examined using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and after confirming the normality of the data, the second-order confirmatory factor analysis was used. Calculations were performed in SPSS and Amos software.Based on the findings, the good fit index (GFI) is 0.915, which indicates the acceptability of this rate for optimal fit of the model. The root mean square of the estimation error (RMSEA) is 0.065, which is acceptable due to being smaller than 0.08 and indicates the confirmation of the research model. Also Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) 0.906; The adaptive fit index (CFI) is 0.903 and the normalized fit index (PNFI) is 0.71, all of which indicate the desired fit and approval of the research model. The results show that physical, environmental, economic and social factors in the region are effective in the sustainability of rural housing and among these factors; Physical index had the greatest impact on the stability of rural housing with a factor load of 0.92. The social index has the least impact on the sustainability of rural housing with a factor load of 0.81.

It has been shown that Nanogold particles have anti-inflammatory effects in different Rheumatologic, neurologic and gastrointestinal disease. They inhibit the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and also infiltration of inflammatory cells. Sublingual immunotherapy is a well-known effective, safe and clinically effective method way of immune response regulation which results in long-lasting symptoms reduction. This research was designed to find the immunological effects of sublingual immunotherapy using Nanogold in mice model of asthma.

Twenty BALB/c mice were divided into four groups including one group of non-sensitized mice and three groups of asthmatic mice which were treated sublingually with PBS, Nanogold and Beclomethasone. IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were measured in serum and spleen cells supernatant using ELISA. BAL fluid inflammatory cells differential counting and lungs histological analysis were also done.

The results revealed that there was significant increase in level of IFN-γ and decrease in level of IL-4 in serum and spleen cells supernatant of Nanogold treated group (p <0.05). These findings indicates the shift of Th2/Th1 balance towards Th1 cells which is protective against asthma. In addition, histological and BAL fluid analysis demonstrated the reduction of cells and eosinophilic infiltration.

Based on our results, sublingual immunotherapy by Nanogold has significant anti-inflammatory roll in asthmatic mice. Thus, Nanogold is a potentially valuable agent for controlling the underlying inflammation in asthma. However, further investigations is recommended to find more details about its effects.

Postoperative peritoneal adhesion occurs in more than 90% of intra-abdominal surgeries and can lead to intestinal obstruction, infertility, abdominal and pelvic pain. The extract of Malva sylvestris has shown to be safe and non-toxic with a wide range of biological activities. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal nebulization of M. sylvestris in the healing process of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion for the first time. For creating intra-abdominal adhesions, the rats were anesthetized to undergo surgery. Four lavage solutions including saline, ethanolic extract, hydroalcoholic extract, and aqueous extract of M. sylvestris were used for 2 min, and then the abdomen was closed. After 15 days, the rats underwent surgery and cecum and peritoneal samples were obtained for histopathological analysis. The severity of peritoneal adhesions based on the histopathological analysis and serum levels of TNF-α and Il-1β were compared in different groups. The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of M. sylvestris decreased significantly microscopic and macroscopic peritoneal adhesion while the ethanolic extract just reduced it microscopically. The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts were more potent than the ethanolic extract in the healing process. The concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers including IL-1β and TNF-α did not change significantly. The extract of M. sylvestris could decrease the severity of peritoneal adhesion compared to the control group but it could not decrease the level of systemic inflammatory mediators.

Inverse relationship between helminths infection and immune-mediated diseases has inspired researchers to investigate therapeutic potential of helminths in allergic asthma. Helminth unique ability to induce immunoregulatory responses has already been documented in several experimental studies. This study was designed to investigate whether excretory/secretory (ES) and somatic products of Marshallagia marshalli modulate the development of ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a mouse model.
This study was carried out at the laboratories of Immunology and Parasitology of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran during spring and summer 2015. Allergic airway inflammation was induced in mice by intraperitoneal (IP) injection with ovalbumin (OVA). The effects of ES and somatic products of M. marshalli were analyzed by inflammatory cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), pathological changes and IgE response.
Treatment with ES and somatic products of M. marshalli decreased cellular infiltration into BALF when they were administered during sensitization with allergen. Pathological changes were decreased in helminth-treated group, as demonstrated by reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia, epithelial lesion and smooth muscle hypertrophy. However, no significant differences were observed in IgE serum levels, cytokines and eosinophil counts between different groups.
This study provides new insights into anti-inflammatory effects of ES and somatic products of M. marshalli, during the development of non-eosinophilic model of asthma. Further study is necessary to characterize immunomodulatory molecules derived from M. marshalli as a candidate for the treatment of airway inflammation.

Abdominal adhesions are one of the most important problems, occurring after intra-abdominal surgery in more than 90% of cases. This condition is the leading cause of bowel obstruction, infertility, and abdominal/pelvic pain. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been shown to be non-toxic and exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antioxidant activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intraperitoneal lavage with GNP solutions on the development of postoperative peritoneal adhesion (PPA). In the current experimental study, thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to seven groups of five rats. After a standardized peritoneal injury, GNP solutions in different concentrations (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 50 and 100 ng/ml) were locally administered through nebulization; normal saline (NS) was administered to the control group. Two weeks later, the rats were sacrificed and cecum and peritoneal samples were harvested for histopathological assessment. Blood samples were obtained to determine serum concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The rats treated with GNPs had significantly lower microscopic and macroscopic peritoneal adhesion scores, compared to the control group (P<0.05). Score 5 of macroscopic adhesions was reported in all the rats of the control group, unlike the GNP groups. Furthermore, microscopic adhesions were reported with all rats in the control group, unlike the GNP groups (reported in 0 out of 5 rats in all GNP groups). In addition, serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and VEGF underwent no significant changes. Compared to the control group, GNPs decreased the severity of peritoneal adhesions, although they did not alter TNF-α, IL-1β or VEGF serum levels.

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has been found to play a crucial role in early central nervous system development. Several studies have illustrated decreased TGF-β1 levels in sera and brains of autistic children. Two point mutations in the TGF-β1 signal peptide at 869T/C and 915G/C have been reported to influence TGF-β1 expression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of TGF-β1 polymorphisms and their haplotypes with autism. This study was performed on 39 autistic patients and 35 age- and sex-matched normal controls in an Iranian population, using the sequence specific primed-polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP) technique. Patients were divided into mild-to-moderate and severe groups according to the childhood autism rating scale. No significant differences were observed for allele, genotype, or haplotype frequencies between the autistics and controls. Only a slight difference was observed in GC25 between the controls and all children with autism. Thus, these results indicate that the polymorphisms in TGF-β1 gene may not play an important role in the development of autism.

It is not yet known which types of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are most effective in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) recognition. It is also not known which gastric zones have the most prominent roles in TLR-mediated bacterial recognition. The aim of this work was to analyze the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in biopsy specimens from H. pylori-infected patients. Thirty-eight patients with gastrointestinal disorders were divided into four groups in this study. The groups were: (A) H. pylori infection and peptic ulcer (n=15), (B) peptic ulcer only (n=5), (C) H. pylori infection only (n=10) and (D) control, with neither H. pylori infection nor peptic ulcer (n=8). Biopsy specimens from sites of redness or atrophic mucosa from gastric antrum and body in patients with gastritis were collected. RNAs from the antrum and body specimens were isolated. TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA expression was assessed by RT-PCR and quantified as densitometric ratios of TLR2 and TLR4/β-actin mRNA. In the antral zones of H. pylori-infected patients (Groups A and C) TLR2 and TLR4 expression was significantly greater than in uninfected patients (Groups B and D) regardless of peptic ulcers (p < 0.05). In the gastric body samples TLR2 expression was significantly greater in Group C (H. pylori infection only) than in Group B (peptic ulcer only) and TLR4 expression was significantly greater in group A (H. pylori infection and peptic ulcer) than in Group B (peptic ulcer only) (p < 0.05). No significant differences in expression of TLR4 and TLR2 were observed between samples from the antrum and body in same groups. We conclude that H. pylori infection leads to significant increase in TLR2 and TLR4 molecules expression in antral region related to the control group. Considering the stimulatory effect of H. pylori on TLRs expression in the gastric tissue, we assume that colonization of H. pylori infection might occurs more in the gastric antral region than in the gastric body.

The effects of natural adjuvants were examined on total and differential WBC counts in lung lavage of sensitized guinea pigs. In three sensitized groups of guinea pigs including: untreated sensitized animals (S), sensitized animals treated with adjuvant G2 (S+G2) and G2F (S+G2F) as well as non-sensitized group (C) (n=6 for each group), total and differential WBC counts of lung lavage were examined. Sensitization of animals was achieved by injection and inhalation of ovalbumin (OA). The results showed increased total WBC, eosinophil, neutrophil, and basophil counts, and decreased lymphocytes in lung lavage of sensitized animals compared with the control group (p These results indicate important preventive effects of two natural adjuvants, especially G2, on lung inflammation of sensitized guinea pigs.

Despite many efforts, the etiology of autism remains unknown. Food allergy has been suggested as a pathogenic factor in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our aim in this study was to determine whether food allergy could be considered as a risk factor for autistic children. Thirty-nine autistic children were examined by the skin prick test (SPT), and total serum IgE was evaluated by ELISA. SPTs were performed for egg whites, oranges, peanuts, tomatoes, tuna fish, walnuts, aubergines, melons, grapes, and cow milk. Parents and teachers were then asked to exclude these items from the childrens’diets for six months. After the treatment period, the autistic children who tested positive for food allergies were re-assessed by a standard questionnaire to obtain further information about their medical histories. Three of the study’s 39 autistic children (7.7%) tested positive on the SPT. Total serum IgE levels were elevated in 56.4% of the subjects (mean=164±24.5, cut-off >155 IU/ml). The results showed a decreased mean in the childrens’autistic behaviors on the Children Autism Rating Scale (CARS) after both eight weeks and six months; however, this decrease was not statistically significant. Food allergy may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. We conclude that avoidance of certain foods benefits the behavior of autistic children.

Recently, reports have indicated a role for the membrane form of Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2) in asthma pathogenesis. In this study we examined soluble TLR2 levels in serum and sputum of asthmatic and healthy subjects. Serum and sputum samples were obtained from 33 asthmatic and 19 healthy subjects. The asthmatics were classified into four groups according to the Global Initiative for Asthma. A sandwich ELISA was developed to measure soluble TLR2 (sTLR2) in serum and sputum. TLR2 mRNA expression was determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR of all sputum samples. The mean sTLR2 levels from serum and sputum of asthmatics were significantly lower than healthy subjects. Moreover, sTLR2 concentration decreased concomitantly with asthma severity. The differences observed, however, were not statistically significant. TLR2/GAPDH mRNA of sputum leukocytes was also significantly lower in asthmatics than in healthy subjects. This study demonstrated for the first time that sTLR2 levels are lower in serum and sputum samples from asthmatic than from healthy subjects, and this could be an indicator of TLR2 expression. We also found that sTLR2 concentration in serum decreased concomitantly with an increase of asthma severity clinical score.

Two new adjuvants from natural animal lipids (G2) and bacterial polysaccharide extracts (PC) were previously prepared by our group and showed a reduction in tracheal responsiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of recently introduced natural products (G2 and PC) on the development of asthma. Asthma was induced using a standard method in four groups of BALB/c mice. A non-sensitized control group was also included in order to be compared with treated groups. Three groups were premedicated with novel agents named G2, PC, and a combination of these two for 20 days before starting the induction of asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and analyzed for inflammatory cells. Interferon-γ, and IL-4 and the histopathological of both lungs were also evaluated. In all pretreated groups, the inflammatory cells infiltration especially eosinophils and smooth muscle hyperplasia decreased significantly. BALF cytology also showed significant decrease in eosinophil count in all pretreated groups. There was a significant increase in the BALF and serum INF-γ in all pretreated groups but the combination of G2/PC was more effective. BALF IL-4 decreased significantly in the group pretreated with a combination of G2 and G2/PC (4.11±0.86 and 4.02±0.52 pg/ml in G2 and G2/PC, respectively). Serum IL-4 in the PC group was significantly higher than the sensitized control.G2 and PC may effectively prevent asthma development by activation of the type 1 T helper system.

Objective(s)Considering fair response to inhaled corticosteroids and reports of severe air way hyper responsiveness in chemical warfare victims (CWV), a role for eosinophilic inflammation (i.e. asthma) was postulated. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of eosinophilic inflammation in CWV by evaluation of Sputum cellularity and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP).Materials and MethodsForty CWV and 15 control subjects entered this cross sectional study. Demographic data, dyspnea severity scale, spirometry results and 6 min walk test were determined. Sputum was collected with inducing by nebulizing hypertonic saline and analyzed for total inflammatory cell count, the cellular differential count and ECP level. Control group was normal volunteers with PC20 more than 8 mg/ml.ResultsMean±SD of eosinophil percentage (11.7±11.1%) and ECP level in sputum of CWV (46.1±19.5 ng/ml) were significantly more than control group. Regression analysis showed significant correlation between ECP level and percentage of eosinophils in sputum (r= +0.43, P< 0.01). ECP level of CWV subjects with obstructive pattern did not show any significant difference from CWV with normal spirometry. ECP level in CWV subjects who revealed more than 12% improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was significantly higher than CWV who had improvement less than 12% (P= 0.01). BO and asthma as final clinical diagnosis of CWV did not show any significant difference of sputum ECP.ConclusionBronchial inflammation in different types of pulmonary complication of CWV is eosinophil dependent. ECP level of sputum in CWV could guide physician to select CWV who would respond to corticosteroids.

Spirometry has been used as a common diagnostic test in asthma. Most of the patients with a mild asthma have a FEV1 within normal range. Hence, other diagnostic methods are usually used. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP) could be an accurate diagnostic marker of mild asthma.In this study diagnosis of asthma was made according to internationally accepted criteria. Asthma severity was evaluated according to frequency of symptoms and FEV1. Adequate sputum samples were obtained in 50 untreated subjects. A control group of 12 normal subjects that showed PC20 more than 8 mg/dl was also examined. Sputum was induced by inhalation of hypertonic saline. Inflammatory cells in sputum smears were assessed semi-quantitatively. ECP and IgE concentrations, eosinophil (EO) percentage and ECP/EO ratio in serum and sputum were also determined. The results revealed that Cough and dyspnea were the most frequent clinical findings. Dyspnea and wheezing were the symptoms that correlated with staging of asthma. FEV1 was within normal range (more than 80% of predicted) in 22 (44%) subjects.Asthmatic patients showed significantly higher numbers of blood eosinophils (4.5± 3.1% vs. 1.2±0.2%, P=0.009), and higher levels of serum ECP than control group (3.1± 2.6 % and 22.6± 15.8 ng/ml, respectively). Sputum ECP level in asthmatics was significantly higher than non- asthmatics (55.3±29.8ng/mL vs. 25.0±24.7ng/mL, P=0.045). Regression analysis showed no significant correlation between spirometric parameters and biomarkers, the only exception was significant correlation between FEF25-75 and serum ECP (r= 0.28, P 0.041). Regarding clinical symptoms, wheezing was significantly correlated with elevation of most of biomarkers. Since, serum and sputum ECP levels are elevated in untreated asthmatics, the ECP level could be used for accurate diagnosis of mild form of asthma in which spirometry is unremarkable