Amplification and expression of EGFR and ERBB2 in Wilms tumor.

Wilms tumor is one of the most common solid tumors in children. We evaluated expression and amplification of a number of genes and their prognostic significance in 45 patients with Wilms tumor, using tissue microarray technology. The expression of EGFR, ERBB2, MDM2, CCND1, MLH1, MSH2, TP53, and ABCB1 (alias MDR1) was studied by immunohistochemistry.

CTLA4 exon 1 and promoter polymorphisms in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: The polymorphisms of exon 1 (+49 A/G) and promoter regions (-1722 T/C, -1661 A/G and -318 C/T)of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) and also haplotypes constructed from mentioned loci were investigated amongst 153 Iranian patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and 190 healthy controls.

Methods: The polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms and PCR-amplification refractory mutation system. The 4-locus haplotypes were estimated by Arlequin software (University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland).

Cell cycle analysis and cytotoxic potential of Ruta graveolens against human tumor cell lines.

There are reports on the presence of various compounds exerting different biological activities in Ruta graveolens, a plant of Rutaceae family. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity of the total extract of R. graveolens against tumor cell lines of different origin.

Design and one-pot synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonates and bis(alpha-aminophosphonates) by iron(III) chloride and cytotoxic activity.

In this study, we used a solution of FeCl(3) in THF to facilitate the Mannich-type reaction of aldehyde, amine and phosphite compounds to form corresponding alpha-aminophosphonates in a one-pot, three-component reaction. Selected alpha-aminophosphonates were entered into a biological assay test and were studied by docking methods, using Autodock 3.0.

Does perfectionism mediate or moderate the relation between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors?

A link between perfectionism and disordered eating has been documented in previous studies. The purpose of the current study was to expand our knowledge of the specific role of perfectionism in disordered eating by examining perfectionism as a mediator or a moderator in the relation between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating (assessed using the EAT-26 and its subscales, and the Binge Scale). We sampled a large ethnically diverse sample of university women (N=520) using two measures of perfectionism: the Eating Disorder Inventory Perfectionism subscale (EDI-P) and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (H-MPS).

Interleukin-18 promoter polymorphism is associated with lung cancer: a case-control study.

Background: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a multifunctional cytokine that augments IFN-gamma production and affects tumor immune response. In the present case-control study, we tested whether IL-18 promoter polymorphism contributes to lung cancer susceptibility in Iranian patients.

Material And Methods: The study groups were 73 patients with lung cancer, including 53 with squamous carcinoma (SC) and 20 with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), and 97 healthy regional aged-matched individuals.

IL-18 serum level and IL-18 promoter gene polymorphism in Iranian patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

Background And Aim: Interleukin (IL)-18 level and association of its two promoter gene polymorphisms at -607 C/A and -137 G/C positions were investigated in Iranian patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

Methods: 232 cases of GI cancers and 312 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum level of IL-18 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and genotyping of IL-18 gene polymorphisms were assessed by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Cytotoxic activity and cell cycle analysis of quinoline alkaloids isolated from Haplophyllum canaliculatum Boiss.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Haplophyllum canaliculatum Boiss. (Rutaceae) extract resulted in isolation of five quinoline alkaloids: 7-isopentenyloxy-gamma-fagarine, atanine, skimmianine, flindersine and perfamine. This is the first isolation of these compounds from this endemic species.

KIR gene content diversity in four Iranian populations.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) regulate natural killer cell response against infection and malignancy. KIR genes are variable in the number and type, thereby discriminating individuals and populations. Herein, we analyzed the KIR gene content diversity in four native populations of Iran.

A novel duplex SSP-PCR typing method for KIR gene profiling.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) control the function of natural killer cells. The number and type of KIR genes are substantially variable among individuals. Sequence-specific primer-directed polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) based genotyping is the most commonly used method to assess the KIR gene content.

Evaluation of CD44 and CD44v6 in colorectal carcinoma patients: soluble forms in relation to tumor tissue expression and metastasis.

Introduction: It has been shown that CD44 may be associated with poor prognosis in various human malignancies. This study was designed to investigate and compare the prognostic relevance and clinical value of soluble forms of CD44 and its variant v6 (CD44v6) and their tissue expression in colorectal carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Serum levels of pre- and postoperative CD44 and CD44v6 molecules were evaluated in 37 colorectal cancer patients and compared to healthy individuals.

CSF levels of cytokines in neuro-Behçet's disease.

Background: Neurological manifestations of Behçet's disease (neuro-Behçet's disease) present in 5-30% of patients. Although cytokines play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of Behçet's disease, published studies about the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of cytokines in neuro-Behçet's disease are scanty.

Methods: Nine patients with active parenchymal, one patient with non-parenchymal neuro-Behçet's disease, six patients with headache attributed to Behçet's disease, 13 patients with viral meningitis, and 19 healthy controls were recruited.

Genetic polymorphism in the transforming growth factor beta1 gene (-509 C/T and -800 G/A) and colorectal cancer.

TGF-beta1 is a multifunctional cytokine that acts as both a tumor suppressor and a stimulator of tumor progression. Susceptibility to colorectal carcinoma may be affected by genetic factors. In this study, the association between -800 G/A and -509 C/T polymorphisms of the transforming growth factor beta1 gene, TGFB1, and susceptibility to colorectal cancer in Iranian patients was investigated.

PDCD1, CTLA-4 and p53 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to gestational trophoblastic diseases.

Objective: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasms (also termed gestational trophoblastic diseases [GTDs]) encompass a spectrum of interrelated tumors originating from trophoblasts. The search is ongoing for identification of the culpable gene defects in GTDs. Considering the role of PDCD1, CTLA-4 and p53 genes in immune regulation and tumor progression, we explored the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) corresponding to each gene and GTDs.

Interleukin-18 gene promoter and serum level in women with ovarian cancer.

IL-18, initially defined as a potent inducer of IFN- gamma production, is a systemic, multifunctional cytokine with both pro-cancerous and anti-cancer activities. The contribution of the IL-18 promoter polymorphisms at positions -607 (C/A) and -137 (G/C) to cancer development has been reported. We sought to examine IL-18 serum level and its polymorphisms in Iranian women with ovarian cancer.

Association of interleukin-18 gene promoter polymorphisms with breast cancer.

Interleukin-18 [IL-18] gene promoter polymorphism is reported to be a genetic risk factor for several types of cancer. The aims of this investigation were to evaluate and compare the frequencies of IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms at positions -137 [G/C] and -607 [C/A] in breast cancer patients and healthy controls as well as to study the contribution of these data with clinicopathological parameters at diagnosis. The studied populations comprised 250 cases with breast carcinoma and 206 healthy subjects.

Interleukin-18 gene promoter polymorphisms in women with gestational trophoblastic diseases.

Objective: Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTDs) consist of a spectrum of disorders characterized by an abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue. IL-18 is a pleiotropic cytokine with a capacity for both ThI and Th2 polarization. Considering the association of IL-18 promoter polymorphisms at positions -607 (A/C) and -137 (C/G) with pregnancy events and some cancers, we sought to examine these polymorphisms in Iranian patients with GTD, their association with disease subtypes, and IL-18 serum level.

Interleukin13 haplotypes and susceptibility of Iranian women to breast cancer.

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a TH2 cytokine with direct and indirect immunoregulatory functions on cancer cells. The cytokine has been reported to have some polymorphic variations at the gene level associated with some immune related diseases including asthma and allergy. In the present study, association of three IL13 gene polymorphisms at positions -1512 A/C and -1055 C/T in the promoter and +2044 G/A in exon-4 was investigated in Iranian women with breast cancer and healthy controls.

The genetic relationship among Iranian ethnic groups: an anthropological view based on HLA class II gene polymorphism.

Highly polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are considered as useful markers by molecular anthropologists to determine genetic relationship among populations. This review summarizes the results of molecular analyses of HLA class II gene polymorphism in 816 DNA samples from 11 Iranian ethnic groups. The genetic relationship of Iranians to Asians and Europeans has also been reported here.

CYP2A6 allele frequencies in an Iranian population.

Background: Genetic polymorphism of CYP2A6 gene is a major causal factor in the large interindividual differences in nicotine metabolism. It may have an impact on smoking behavior and smoke-related cancer susceptibility. Until now, there are no reports of CYP2A6 allele frequencies in Iranian population.

Investigation of soluble HER2 and transforming growth factor Beta-1 serum levels in gestational trophoblastic disease.

HER2/neu and TGF-beta1 are over-expressed in various types of malignancies. It appears that they play an important role in the biologic behavior of tumors and have prognostic value. Gestational tropoblastic diseases (GTDs) comprise of a heterogeneous group characterized by abnormally proliferating trophoblastic tissues, ranging from benign to malignant.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is not associated with interleukin-18 promoter gene polymorphisms: a case-control study.

Objective: To investigate the association of two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of the interleukin-18 gene, at positions -607 and -137, with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Design: Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted, by the salting-out method, from peripheral blood leukocytes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the interleukin-18 gene at positions -607 (cytosine/adenine) and -137 (guanine/cytosine) were analysed by sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction.

Analysis of human leukocyte antigen class II gene polymorphism in Iranian patients with Papillon-Lefevre syndrome: a family study.

Background: Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and early development of aggressive periodontitis. Although cathepsin C (CTSC) gene mutations have been established in about 70-80% of PLS patients, it is assumed that the patients may have dysfunctioning of immune defense mechanisms.

Objective: To assess the association of HLA class II genes and PLS.

Iranian Lurs Genetic Diversity: An Anthropological View Based on HLA Class II Profiles.

Background: HLA genes are highly polymorphic and certain alleles are frequent only in specific populations. Therefore, HLA is a unique tool for studying the genetic relation between different populations. Iranians are ethnically diverse people and one of the major ethnic groups in Iran is Lur population inhabiting along the central and southern parts of Zagros Chain Mountain.

IgM, IgG Serum Levels and Lymphocytes Count before and after Adenotonsillectomy.

Background: Tonsils and adenoids are involved in both local immunity and immune surveillance for the development of immune defence mechanisms. A number of investigators have found decreased immunoglobulin levels after adenotonsillectomy while others have failed to find significant changes. The effects of adenotonsillectomy on the cellular immunity of children have not been investigated extensively.