فهرست مطالب saeid abediankenari

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized mainly by recurrent oral ulcers, ocular involvement, genital ulcers, and skin lesions, presenting with remissions and exacerbations. Arthritis, gastrointestinal lesions, vasculitis, epididymitis, and central nervous system lesions are also frequently observed disease manifestations in BD patients. This disease is more common in the Asian, Mediterranean, and China regions. The age of onset of the disease is 20 to 40 years. Eye involvement in uveitis is one of the main factors of disability caused by this disease and one of its important complications thatted to blindness. Ocular symptoms of Behcet's disease occur in 40-80% of the etiology of this disease. Ocular Behcet's manifests as uveitis (inflammation of the eye). Uveitis is a prevalent disease that mainly affects young people. It leads to a significant number of visual losses. Uveitis is a common, sight-threatening inflammatory ocular disease and includes multiple heterogeneous clinical entities. The prevalence of various types of uveitis depends upon multiple factors, such as age, sex, race, geographic distribution, environmental influence, genetics, and social habits. Epidemiologic research on uveitis is necessary to understand the etiology and immunopathogenesis of this group of diseases. The prevalence of different types of uveitis depends on several factors such as age, sex, race, geographical distribution, environmental factors, genetics, anatomical location of the inflammatory process (anterior, intermediate, posterior uveitis, pan uveitis), histopathology (granulomatous, non-granulomatous), type of inflammatory process ( acute, chronic, recurrent) and cause (infectious, non-infectious) and social habits. Common sight-threatening ocular complications of Behçet Uveitis (BU) include edema, non-perfusion, neovascularization, and atrophy of the retina and/or optic disc. Among various genetic markers, class I, HLA-B5, and its subclass B51 allele have been reported to have the strongest association with BD, but their roles in idiopathic uveitis are unclear. Many studies have confirmed the association of B*51 with uveitis. In addition to this gene, other genes also play a small role in the occurrence of the disease. BD is associated with the B51 subtype of the HLA-B5 gene, especially the B*5101 allele. The association of HLA-B51 with various manifestations of BD has been reported to be conflicting, partly due to different regional and ethnic backgrounds in various studies. HLA-B27 is the most common type of HLA in patients with uveitis, especially in the anterior uveitis, and it is mostly prognostic because it renders the patients prone to recurrent disease. Genes involved included genes expressing interleukins, chemokines, chemokine receptors, and tumor necrosis factor and genes involved in the complement system. The geographic distribution, the familial forms, and the ethnic origin of patients with Behçet's disease (BD) are many evidence in favor of a genetic background. Although BD usually occurs sporadically, familial aggregation and a higher prevalence in siblings and parents of BD patients have been observed. Although the exact pathogenesis of specific uveitis entities is not clear, accumulating evidence supports a hypothesis that uveitis is caused by an imbalanced immune response induced by an interplay of infectious, traumatic, and environmental factors in individuals with particular genetic backgrounds. In this process, the tissue-resident myeloid cells and the lymphocytes play an important role in both the initiation and the expansion of ocular inflammation.

The immune system is closely related to human health. Accordingly, functional foods containing bioactive compounds can be considered as of the immune system bossters. The aim of the present study was to produce a functional beverage containing extracts of family Brassicaceae plants (white cabbage, red cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower) to improve the immune system in female laboratory mice. For this purpose, hydroethanolic extracts were prepared from four types of cabbage, then the amount of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds and antioxidant capacity by DPPH method for extracts were evaluated. The functional beverage were prepared by combining four extracts with concentrations of 400 and 800 mg/ml and laboratory mice were fed daily with doses of 1 cc for 15 consecutive days. Immune system was assessed by examining IgG, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-17 by Noncompetitive ELISA method. The results showed high levels of phenol (1.63±0.024 mg GA/g) and total flavonoids (0.426±0.004 mg QE/g) in white cabbage hydroethanolic extract. Also in DPPH method, the highest rate of free radical scavenging was related to red cabbage with 98.26% at a concentration of 800 mg/ml. The results of immune system evaluation showed that three factors of IgG, IL-10 and IL-17 in mice were increased by increasing the concentration of the extract to 800 mg/ml in the functional beverage; IgG factor increased to 10.81±6.68 mg/ml in the control group and to 27.35±20.86 mg/ml in the third group with 800 mg/ml extract concentration. The results showed that the extracts of plants of the Brassicaceae family have a high potential for use in food products with the aim of increasing the quality and nutritional value.

An individual with a genetic predisposition to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can experience inflammatory responses leading to conditions such as Crohn’s disease (CD) or Ulcerative colitis (UC). Currently, stem cell therapies, particularly those utilizing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are gaining attention due to their immunomodulatory properties, as demonstrated in clinical trials. Consequently, we decided to investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium (MSC-CM) and Abatacept in an experimental model of acute colitis. MSC-CM was extracted from female BALB/C mice and stored for future use. Acute colitis was induced in BALB/C mice through the intrarectal administration of 100 µL of 4% acetic acid. Following this procedure, CM and Abatacept were administered intraperitoneally. Throughout the study, various parameters were monitored, including changes in body weight, bleeding, stool consistency, disease activity index (DAI), mortality rate, as well as the weight and length of the colon. Histopathological analyses were also conducted, along with monitoring changes in the levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ. The data collected are presented as mean ± SD and were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA. According to the results of the study, CM with and without Abatacept significantly reduced weight loss and bleeding as well as improved fecal consistency and DAI. Macroscopic examination of the colon showed that after infusion, colon length was reduced and histopathological analysis showed a decrease in mucosal changes. The secretion of IL-10 was increased while the IFN-γ level was reduced. Research indicates that the immunomodulatory properties of MSC secretion can have positive effects. We propose a combination therapy with MSC, which we believe could lead to improved outcomes in the treatment of acute colitis.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes disability and death in many patients.

We investigated the effect of memantine on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), serum levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and its effect on sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score in TBI patients with GCS 6-12 on days 1, 3, and 7.

Fifty-nine patients were randomly divided into intervention (n = 29) and control (n = 30) groups who received 30mg drug/placebo every 12 hours for seven days with standard treatment, respectively. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II and head CT scan findings were collected on the first day, and the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended 90 was collected three months later.

Considering patients with GCS 6 - 12, the SOFA and NSE decreased from day 1 - 7 in both memantine and control groups, about NSE by 21% and 12.6%, respectively. In GCS6-8 subgroup, the NSE decreased by 19.1% in the memantine group and increased by 8.45%, in the control group. In GCS 9 - 12 subgroup, the NSE decreased by 52.6% and 24.43% in the memantine and control groups, respectively. The SOFA changes were significant between memantine and control groups on day 3 in GCS 9 - 12 subgroup (P = 0.01). In the memantine group with GCS 6 - 12, the increase of GCS from day 1 - 7 was significant (29.6%, P = 0.002), and also in both GCS subgroups. Comparing memantine and control groups, the improvement of GCS was significant on days 3 and 7 in GCS 9 - 12 subgroup.

This trial showed that memantine improved the neurohormonal and clinical status of TBI patients with GCS 6 - 12.

Retinopathy of diabetes is a chronic diabetes mellitus complication affecting retinal vessels, and some ocular complications’ molecular mechanisms remain obscure. To evaluate the expression of HLA-G1, HLA-G5, miRNA-181a, and miRNA-34a in the lens epithelial cells of patients with retinopathy of diabetes. In a case-control study, 30 diabetic patients with retinopathy, 30 diabetic patients without retinopathy, and 30 cataract patients without diabetes mellitus as the control group were enrolled after a full description with details about the study methods and objectives. The expression of HLA G1, HLA G5, miRNA-181a, and miRNA-34a in lens epithelial cells was assessed by quantitative RT PCR. Moreover, the levels of HLA-G protein in aqueous humor were evaluated by the ELISA method. HLA-G1 expression was significantly upregulated in the retinopathy group (P=0.003). The aqueous humor of diabetic retinopathy patients contained significantly higher levels of HLA-G protein compared with the non-diabetic patients (P=0.001). miRNA-181a was significantly downregulated in the diabetic retinopathy group compared with the patients without diabetes (P=0.001). In addition, miRNA-34a was upregulated in the retinopathy group (P=0.009). Taken together, the present results showed that HLA-G1 and miRNA-34a can be valuable markers for diabetic retinopathy. Our data offers new perspectives for improving the control of inflammation in the lens epithelial cells by considering HLA-G and miRNA.

A further understanding of the mechanisms linking inflammation to T2D and related complications can help prevent or control this silent but dangerous disease. This study was conducted to determine the association between paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and interleukin‑6 (IL‑6) in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Furthermore, we have evaluated the role of age and gender in the relationship between the PON1 activity and IL‑6.

A total of 105 people with T2D were enrolled in this study. IL‑6 levels were determined using ELISA. For the PON1 activity assay, the hydrolysis rate of the substrate phenylacetate was spectrophotometrically assayed in serum at 270 nm. The determined velocities were the initial velocities of substrate hydrolysis.

PON1 activity was negatively correlated with IL‑6 in total data (r = −0.34, P = 0.001). In both groups with age ≥50 and <50 years, PON1 activity was negatively correlated with IL‑6, but the correlation was significant in patients aged 50 years and above (r = −0.358, P = 0.005) compared with patients with age <50 years. In both women and men, PON1 activity was negatively correlated with IL‑6, but the correlation was significant in women (r = −0.318, P = 0.006) in comparison with men.

Inverse association between PON1 activity and IL‑6 in T2D may represent the oxidative–inflammatory interaction in this disease. Our findings highlight that at older ages and in women, the associations between lower PON1 activity and higher IL‑6 concentrations are more evident, and this should be considered in patients with T2D.

Vitamins and minerals play an important role in boosting the immune system, and their poor condition in the body leads to reduced resistance to infections such as COVID-19. In the present study, we aimed at examining and comparing the levels of minerals (iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium) and vitamins (B12, D) in women of reproductive age with COVID-19 and healthy women.

This case-control study was performed in 140 women of reproductive age attending Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital and Qaemshahr Razi Hospital selected via convenience sampling in 2020-2021. The participants included 70 women with COVID-19 and 70 healthy women who were matched according to age groups. Blood sampling was done in all groups and the levels of minerals and vitamins were measured using standard kits. Data were analyzed using t-test and Chi-square.

Most women in both groups were over 35 years of age and multiparous. Vitamin D levels in both groups were insufficient but was higher in women with COVID-19 than healthy women (P=0.03). Vitamin B12 and copper levels in women with COVID-19 were higher than those in healthy women (P<0.001). Magnesium levels were found to be lower in women with COVID-19 than that in healthy women (P<0.001). Iron and zinc levels were lower in women with COVID-19 than healthy women (P=0.09 and P=0.44), respectively.

Due to the insufficient levels of vitamin D in both groups, interventions are necessary to improve this condition. Also, further studies with larger sample size and considering interfering factors are needed to accurately assess the role of vitamins and minerals in COVID-19 and other infections.

Major histocompatibility antigens are the most polymorphic components of the immune system. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in a population in Mazandaran province, Iran.

In a cross sectional study, peripheral blood samples were obtained from 550 people in Immunogenetics Research Center affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2016-2021. The types of HLA class 1 antigens (A-B-C) were studied using SSP-PCR.

HLA-A * 24, HLA-B * 35 and HLA-C * 04 were found to be the most common alleles in the population studied.

HLA diversity plays a major role in developing some diseases. So, it should be investigated in anthropological studies and finding a suitable donor in bone marrow transplantation. In fact, more extensive studies are required to draw a new horizon in the association between HLA and diseases in different ethnicities.

There are various methods for molecular detection of SARS-CoV2 genome among which, PCR-based methods are the most reliable for making diagnosis. The majority of approved PCR kits for detection of Coronavirus are based on TaqMan real-time PCR which is expensive due to incorporating fluorescent and quencher-harboring probe. The aim of this study was to design a simple and affordable method for detection of SARS-CoV2 based on a more affordable SYBR green qPCR method.

Specific primers were designed for the virus nucleocapsid gene and the human control gene using Oligo software. The specificities of the primers were examined by Primer-BLAST capability according to NCBI database. Nasal swab samples were obtained from 10 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients and 10 healthy control people.

The designed reactions were performed in full compliance with the kit approved by the Ministry of Health to discriminate healthy individuals from COVID-19 patients. The Ct cut-off values calculated for N1 and N2 reactions were 39.72 and 39.69, respectively.

The designed SYBR green-based reaction showed a potential role for detection of SARS-CoV2 genome in clinical samples and this method can be considered as a less-expensive alternative to TaqMan real time PCR if the primers and standard reaction conditions are properly designed.

After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), in addition to clinical indices, the serum level of neurological biomarkers may provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information. The present study aimed to investigate the aldolase C (ALDOC) profile in serum for early diagnosis of brain damage in patients with mild TBI (mTBI) presented to the Emergency Department (ED). A single-center prospective cohort study was carried out in 2018-2019 at Imam Khomeini Hospital affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. A total of 89 patients with mTBI were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken within three hours after head trauma to measure ALDOC serum levels. Brain CT scan was used as the gold standard. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi square tests. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve plot was used to determine the optimal cutoff point for ALDOC. The sensitivity and specificity of the determined cutoff point were calculated. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Of the 89 patients, the CT scan findings showed a positive TBI in 30 (33.7%) of the patients and in 59 (66.3%) a negative TBI. The median ALDOC serum level in the patients with positive CT scan findings (8.35 ng/mL [IQR: 1.65]) was significantly higher than those with negative CT scan findings (5.3 ng/mL [IQR: 6.9]) (P<0.001). The optimal cutoff point for ALDOC serum level was 6.95 ng/mL, and the area under the curve was 99.6% (P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the determined cutoff point were 100% and 98%, respectively. The ALDOC serum level in patients with mTBI significantly correlates with the pathologic findings of the brain CT scan. This biomarker, with 100% sensitivity, is a suitable tool to detect brain structural abnormalities in mTBI patients.

Increasing prevalence of diabetes and its complications, including cardiovascular problems, increase the cost of health care. With proper planning to change lifestyle, like costs and complications of type 1 diabetes could be diminished. The present study investigated the effect of aerobic and resistance training on blood CRP level of type 1 diabetic patients as a protective marker on cardiovascular cells.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 32 patients with type 1 diabetes were divided into two groups of aerobic and resistance exercise training. Serum CRP levels were measured in all patients before and after exercise. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Bootstrap and SPSS tests.

In this study, for abnormal data, Bootstrap method was used, which created an acceptable confidence interval. And using analysis of variance to control the effect of CRP (interfering) level before and after exercise was not significant (P=0.37).

Considering the relationship between exercise training with CRP level in type 1 diabetic patients specially in aerobic training group as well as CRP level according to the training program condition, it can be concluded that there is not effective relationship between this biomarker and exercise training in type 1 diabetic patients.

Hyperglycemia is a common finding which is associated with increased mortality and morbidity among critically ill patients. There is currently no evidence that melatonin could improve stress induced hyperglycemia (SIH). In this study, we evaluated the effect of melatonin on blood sugar and insulin resistance (IR) in critically-ill patients.

104 critically-ill patients with SIH divided into two groups, receiving melatonin (6 mg BD for 3 days) or placebo. Changes of blood sugar, IR indices including homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and homeostasis model assessment adiponectin (HOMA-AD) ratios, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) were evaluated on the 4th day of melatonin prescription. On the 7Th day of study, changes of ventilator dependency and delirium were considered. Mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were also compared between groups.

On day 4, patients in the melatonin group had significantly lower blood glucose and HMOA-IR level compared with the placebo group (P=0.04 and P=0.03, respectively) whereas HOMA-AD level did not differ significantly from placebo group (p>0.2). Also, we did not observe any significant difference in GCS level at this time between groups (p>0.2). On day 7, melatonin could not improve ventilator dependency and delirium significantly (p>0.2) and also could not reduce mortality and ICU stay in comparison with placebo (p>0.2, P=0.2, respectively).

Melatonin supplementation showed positive effect on blood sugar and somehow insulin resistance whereas it could not improve ICU complications.

Mesenchymal stem cells are non-hematopoietic stromal cells that are used in the treatment of many chronic and autoimmune diseases by modulating the immune system. Due to the limitations of using autologous mesenchymal stem cells, the use of allogeneic stem cells is a promising therapeutic approach in the treatment of immunological disorders. This study aimed to investigate the ability of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to induce Programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1) expression on the surface of splenic lymphocytes and the role of this molecule in the mesenchymal stem cell-treated cells tolerogenicity. 

This study was conducted from February 2019 to December 2020 in the department of Immunology of Mazandaran University of medical sciences. Mesenchymal stromal cells were isolated from the femur and tibia of C57 mice. C57 bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with allogeneic BALB/c splenic cells. After 72 hours, the expression of PD-L1 on the surface of splenic lymphocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine assay were done in the cell culture supernatant. Mesenchymal stem cell-treated BALB/c lymphocytes were then exposed to allogeneic C57 splenocyte as stimuli in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and the rate of proliferation was assessed by CFSE.

The amount of PD-L1 positive BALB/c splenic lymphocytes were significantly increased after allogeneic C57 mesenchymal stem cells exposure (P=0.001). The levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokines in the supernatant of cell culture also increased significantly (respectively, P=0.0009, P=0.01). C57 splenocytes proliferation notably decreased after mesenchymal stem cell-treated BALB/c lymphocytes exposure compared to the group were cultured with naïve BALB/c lymphocytes (P=0.002).

Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells are capable to induce of PD-L1 on the surface of lymphocytes. PD-L1 expression on mesenchymal stem cell-treated cells makes them less immunogenic than naïve cells. These tolerogenic cells can reduce allogeneic responses. It seems that PD-L1 plays an important role in mesenchymal stem cell immunomodulation.

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a hereditary auto-inflammatory disorder that is caused by mutations in the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene and is associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), leading to excess inflammation. Colchicine is a common drug widely used for treatment of FMF attacks, but about 5–15% of the patients show resistance to the regular colchicine treatment. In this study, we used dimethylamino-parthenolide (DMAPT), as a small molecule inhibitor of Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), NLR family Pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), and cysteine-aspartic acid protease 1(Caspase-1) on FMF-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The effects of DMAPT and colchicine on metabolic activity and apoptosis of FMF-derived PBMCs were evaluated by MTT and Annexin V/PI assays, respectively. Also, the expression levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, MEFV, CASP1, and IL-1β mRNA were investigated using a TaqMan real-time PCR, and the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-37 were assessed via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in LPS/ ATP-stimulated PBMCs. DMAPT decreased the expression levels of NFκB (0.38±0.096, P<0.0001), NLRP3 (0.39±0.12, P<0.001), MEFV (0.384±0.145, P<0.001), CASP1 (0.48±0.13, P=0.0023), and IL-1β (0.09±0.09, P<0.0001) and reduced the secretion levels of IL-1β (8.92±5.3 vs. 149.85±20.92, P<0.0001), IL-18 (135±32.1 vs. 192±22.18, P=0.01), and IL-37 (27.5±6.3 vs. 78.19±14.3, P<0.0001) as compared to untreated cells. Given the obtained results in comparison with previous research, the future clinical development of DMAPT could result in the expansion of new anti-inflammatory therapeutics for FMF disorder.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) is one of the vegetables that has high nutritional value and bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of hydroethanolic and aqueous solvents on the functional potential and to investigate the bioactive compounds of Pumpkin extract. For functional evaluation of extracts, the amount of ascorbic acid, total phenol and flavonoids, antioxidant capacity were performed by DPPH and FRAP methods and also the chemical compounds in the extracts were identified by GC/MS. The results showed highest levels of ascorbic acid, total phenol and flavonoids in the hydroethanolic extract were 98.66±13.29 mg/100g, 1.663±0.004 mg GA/100g and 0.381±0.01 mg QU/100g, respectively. Hydroethanolic extract showed the highest ability to inhibit DPPH radicals compared to aqueous extract in all prepared concentrations; so that hydroethanolic extract with a concentration of 800 μg/ml with 61.866% inhibition had the highest inhibitory properties. Detected chemical compounds in hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts using GC/MS were identified 16 and 7 chemical compounds, respectively, when the highest compound content in hydroethanolic extract equal to 34.86767% related to D-erythro-pentose, 2-deoxy and the aqueous extract was related to 5,2-dichlorophenol (74,2053%). The results of this study suggest the use of hydroethanolic solvent for higher extraction of bioactive compounds from pumpkin.

The potential role of microRNAs (miRNA or MIR) as therapeutic molecules has moved them from basic research to the field of cancer therapy. High expression of miR-93 and low expression of miR-34a have previously been indicated in prostate cancer (PC), which is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) play key roles in the initiation and progression of this cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of the transfection and co-transfection of miR-34a mimic and miR-93 inhibitor with or without epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on prostate cancer cell line and also to evaluate their effects on the expression of AR, PSA. Human lymph node carcinoma of the prostate (LNCaP) cells were treated with miR-34a mimic or/and miR-93 inhibitor with or without EGCG. Gene or protein expressions were assessed by real-time PCR or western blotting of lysates. The transfection with miR-34a mimics significantly reduced the mRNA expression of AR (p=0.0016), and PSA (p=0.038) compared to the control. Also, the miR-93 inhibitor led to a decrease in the mRNA expression of AR (p=0.0057) and PSA (p>0.05) compared to the control group. Furthermore, the co-transfection, along with EGCG, caused more decrease in both the AR (p<0.001) and the PSA (p=0.003) expression compared with the co-transfection without EGCG. Our study indicates that the reduced expression of AR and PSA in PC cells followed by treatment with miR-34a mimic and miR-93 inhibitor and their combination with EGCG as a natural substance may be a promising therapeutic way for controlling the growth of these malignant cells.

In 2019, the world has witnessed the emergence of a virus that caused acute respiratory distress syndrome in human with high mortality rates (approximately 3.7%). So far, no effective treatment has been proven against COVID-19. This study aimed at designing a multi-epitope vaccine combining several T-cell and B-cell epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2.

Based on immunoinformatics strategies, B-cell and T-cell epitopes were predicted using immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB). Then, the appropriate predicted epitopes were joined to each other by suitable linkers, and the multi-epitope vaccine constructed was suggested as a vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2.

In this study, 28 B-cell epitopes and 33 T-cell epitopes were predicted. Then, to design the multi epitope vaccine, 5 epitopes were used from the virion surface of spike protein and one epitope was used from intravirion region of the Envelope, Membrane, and Nucleocapsid proteins that later on were joined with flexible glycine linker.

Based on the immunoinformatics results obtained, it seems that different epitopes from SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins have high ability to stimulate humoral and cellular immune responses, so the multi-epitope vaccine designed with these epitopes, can help to accelerate the production of effective vaccines against COVID-19.

Dendritic cells are professional antigen presenting cells that initiate and modulate immune responses. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is identified as a prophylactic agent that can suppress tumor formation. This research aimed at investigating the effect of EGCG on differentiation of dendritic cells from monocytes and as a potential substitute for IL-4 in this process.

In this experimental study, blood samples were drawn and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated using FICOL. The monocytes CD14 + were purified by MACS. EGCG was added in 5 μmol / l and 10 μmol / l. On days six and eight, the cells were analyzed and differentiation factors such as CD83, HLA-DR, and CD-b were evaluated using flow cytometry. In addition, IL-23 and IL-35 levels were measured.

CD-11 and CD11b levels in mature and immature dendritic cells were significantly different between the two paths (P<0.05), HLA-DR levels were also significantly different in dendritic cells (P<0.05). IL-23 and IL-35 levels in mature and immature dendritic cells were not significantly different, whereas these levels in mature dendritic cells showed significant differences between the two paths (P<0.05).

This study showed that EGCG compared to IL-4 can initiate monocyte differentiation to dendritic cells and this molecule can turn monocytes to dendritic cells with tolerogenic qualities compared to the classic path.

Functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) gene may be key determinants of humoral autoreactivity to ZnT8. The present study is expected to provide new information on the association of rs11558471 in ZnT8 gene with IL-17 levels and insulin resistance in an Iranian population [a high-risk population for type 2 diabetes (T2D)]. A total of 133 patients with T2D and 128 control subjects were included. Insulin and IL-17 concentrations were determined using ELISA. Insulin and fasting glucose levels were used to determine homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The genetic analyses were performed by the restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) after PCR amplification. The risk allele frequency of rs11558471 in this Iranian population was among the highest in different populations. In T2D patients, compared with the GG genotypes, IL-17 concentrations were significantly higher in the GA+AA group (p= 0.042). According to the genotypes of this SNP, IL-17 concentrations, fasting glucose and HOMA-IR increased with the following order:GG

Cancer is a significant public health problem. Some studies indicated the anti-cancer effects of mesenchymal stem cells. These effects are related to stem cells or secretory mediator of them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of condition medium of mesenchymal stem cells on A549 and JEG3 cancer cell lines.

In an experimental study, A549 and JEG3 cell lines provided and grown in the culture media of DMEM F12 containing 10% fetal bovine serum were then treated with different percentages of condition medium of mesenchymal stem cells (5, 10, 20, 40, 50, and 100) for 48 hours. Metabolic activity was evaluated by MTT assay in compare to untreated cells (control).

MTT assay showed that various percentages of condition medium of mesenchymal stem cell had inhibitory effects on A549 cell line. Significant differences were observed between treated cells to control (p<0.05(.While condition medium had no effects on JEG3 cell line.

The results of the present study have shown different effects of condition medium of mesenchymal stem cells on the various cancer cells. According to the inhibitory effects demonstrated in this study on the A549 cell line, proposed that the mesenchymal stem cells and secretory paracrine factors derived them considered as therapeutic targets in these cancers. It should investigate in more studies for confirmation.

Increasing prevalence of diabetes and its complications, including cardiovascular problems increase the cost of health care which could be diminished with proper planning to change lifestyle. The present study investigated the effect of aerobic and resistance trainings on blood GDF15 level as a protective marker on cardiovascular cells in patients with type 1 diabetes.

In this quasi-experimental study, 32 patients with type 1 diabetes were divided into aerobic training group and resistance exercise training group. Serum GDF15 levels were measured in all patients before and after the exercises. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Bootstrap in SPSS.

In this study, the GDF-15 levels significantly increased after the exercises (P <0.05) and the effect size was 15%. The GDF-15 levels were found to be significantly higher in aerobic training group than resistance exercise training group (P <0.05).

There is a positive relationship between exercise and GDF15 level in type 1 diabetic patients which is more significant in aerobic training group.

The emerging Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease and the definitive gold standard for its diagnosis in pregnancy has not yet been established. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of reviewing the diagnostic methods and clinical, laboratory and radiological symptoms of COVID-19 disease in pregnant women. The present study is a Narrative review. To do so, the keywords were searched in the Scopus, Google scholar, PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, WHO databases from April 1, 2020 to May 9, 2020. 34 articles were obtained and finally 6 articles were used to write this study. Evidence related to the purpose of this study was identified in three categories. The first category examines clinical findings (fever and cough), the second category examines laboratory findings (leukocytosis and lymphopenia), and a third category examines chest radiographic findings (Pure ground-glass opacity). Since infection is one of the most important causes of death in pregnant women and is one of the preventable and controllable factors, so by identifying the correct diagnostic methods of this infection, at-risk pregnant women will be identified and Prevent the consequences of this infection.

Stroke was the second most frequent cause of death after coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine and Intralipid Fat emulsion alone and in combination in patients with ischemic stroke. In a prospective, RCT, and double-blind study 100 patients with MCA ischemic cerebrovascular accident who were admitted in the first 24 hours of injury entered the study. Patients were randomly assigned into four groups of L-carnitine, Fat emulsion, L-carnitine plus Fat emulsion and control. 500 ml of Fat emulsion 10% was infused over 6 to 12 hours and 1 gr of l-carnitine was given orally to patients in addition to common therapies, according to the (AHA/ASA) guidelines. Blood samples before the intervention, then after 24 hours, 48 hours and 7 days later were taken and immunoenzymatic colorimetric method was used for quantitative determination of S100B concentration in patient’s serum. All of our treatment interventions have decreased S100B levels statistically significant (p < 0.05), Changes in observed levels of S100B before and after intervention were different between the groups and the observed differences were statistically significant (p= 0.01). In the GEE model, it was found that S100B levels in the L-carnitine plus Fat emulsion group decreased more than the control group and this decline has been statistically significant [20.47 (CI 95%: 6.25-34.41)]. Based on the results obtained from this study, it seems that L-carnitine with Intralipid Fat emulsion could lead to neuroprotective effects with a significant reduction in the S100B biomarker

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication with multiorgan involvement caused by the loss of mother's immune tolerance to the placenta and fetus antigen or the wrong adjustment. HLA-G is an immune-modulatory molecule and this study aimed at investigating the levels of HLA-G and its association with incidence and severity of preeclampsia in pregnant women in third trimester.

A case-control study was performed in pregnant women attending Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital and Baqban Clinic, 2015-2016. A total of 71 subjects (in third trimester) was selected meeting the study inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups; a group with preeclampsia (n=34) and a group of pregnant women without preeclampsia (n= 37, controls). Pregnancy routine lab tests were done and demographic information, blood pressure levels, and incidence of preeclampsia were recorded in both groups. Then, blood sample (5 ml) was collected from all cases and HLA-G levels were measured in serum samples.

The mean serum levels of HLA-G were significantly lower in women with preeclampsia (0.58±0.18 ng/L) compared to that of other group (0.78±0.45 ng/L) (P=0.02). Also, the mean serum levels of HLA-G in those with mild preeclampsia was significantly higher than that of cases with severe preeclampsia (P=0.04).

Decrease in production of HLA-G molecule is believed to be one of the decisive factors in development and progression of preeclampsia which could be due to abnormalities in gene expression. Therefore, HLA-G molecule and its mechanism should be further studied to prevent this condition.

Cancer is amongst the leading reasons of death in all parts of the world. Breast cancer is also responsible for the largest number of deaths among women population. Several studies confirmed that Bifidobacterium bifidum as a probiotic meaningfully inhibited breast cancer development. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of B. bifidum supernatant on the cell growth inhibition of the breast cancer 4T1 cell line, in vitro.
The present experimental work was conducted at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (MAZUMS), Sari, Iran. B. bifidum was cultured in the MRS broth at 37°C for 72 hours anaerobically and the B. bifidum supernatant (BS) was prepared by the freezing-thawing procedure. The cell growth inhibition of the probiotic strain was assessed using the MTT assay through breast cancer (4T1) cell line.
The results showed that the supernatant extracted from B.bifidum strain had good antiproliferative effects against 4T1 cancer cell line, compared to control group. The inhibitory effects growing with increased time.
B. bifidum supernatant could be considered as a as potential probiotic candidates in the treatment of breast cancer. However, further in vitro/in vivo studies are required to complement our initial findings.