Investigation of FOXP3 genetic variations at positions -2383 C/T and IVS9+459 T/C in southern Iranian patients with lung carcinoma.

Objectives: FOXP3 gene is an X-linked gene that encodes FOXP3 protein, an essential transcription factor in CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. We aimed, in the present study, to investigate the association of two FOXP3 polymorphisms, -2383 C/T (rs3761549) and IVS9+459 T/C (rs2280883), with lung cancer.

Materials And Methods: In a case-control study we analyzed genotypes and alleles frequencies at -2383 C/T and IVS9+459 T/C positions in 156 patients with lung cancer and 156 age and sex matched healthy controls in Southern Iranian population, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods.

The Effect of Training Inhalation Technique with or without Spacer on Maximum Expiratory Flow Rate and Inhaler Usage Skills in Asthmatic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The most common treatment for asthma is transferring the drug into the lungs by inhaler devices. Besides, correct use of inhaled medication is required for effectiveness of pharmacotherapy. Thus, it is necessary to train the patients how to use Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI).

Genetic Polymorphisms of CCL22 and CCR4 in Patients with Lung Cancer.

Background: An association between lung cancer and chemokines has been advocated in the recent years. This study aims at investigating the association between lung cancer and 16C/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs. 4359426) in C-C motif chemokine 22 (CCL22) as well as C1014T SNP (rs.

Eosinophilic pleural effusion: a rare complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Background. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has been widely used to treat renal stones. The procedure is relatively safe with minor complications.

Increase of regulatory T cells in metastatic stage and CTLA-4 over expression in lymphocytes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

We hypothesized that the increased percentages of Regulatory T (Treg) cells, as well as over expression of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4) by lymphocyte subsets might be associated with lung cancer. Accordingly, peripheral blood of 23 new cases with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 16 healthy volunteers were investigated, by follow cytometry, for the prevalence of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells as well as surface (sur-) and intracellular (In-) expression of CTLA-4 by the main lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+). Results indicated that NSCLC patients had an increased percentage of Treg cells than controls (7.

Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles in malignant pleural effusion.

Background: The alteration of Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels is the subject of controversy in pleural effusions caused by malignancy, a situation that favors a Th2 immune response.

Objective: To examine the different levels of IL-4 and IL-10 (Th2 cytokines), and IL-2 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (Th1 cytokines) in malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions.

Method: The cytokine levels in pleural fluid of 62 patients with malignant pleural effusion (44 with lung cancer and 18 with extrathoracic tumors), 8 with tuberculous and 8 with congestive heart failure pleural effusion were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Accuracy of pulse oximetry in the detection of hypoxia in liver transplant candidates.

Background/aims: Hypoxia is common in patients with chronic liver disease. Screening guidelines for detecting the presence of arterial hypoxemia do not exist. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and utility of pulse oxymetry in the detection of hypoxemia (PaO2<65) in a group of patients with liver cirrhosis who were candidate for liver transplantation.

CTLA4 gene variations and haplotypes in patients with lung cancer.

The CTLA4 protein downmodulates and terminates immune responses by sending inhibitory signals to activated T cells. In this study, six main single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the CTLA4 gene were investigated in 127 lung cancer patients and 124 healthy control subjects: -1722T/C, -1661 A/G, -318 C/T, +49A/G, +1822 C/T, and +6230 A/G (CT60). Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes, alleles, and haplotypes between patients and control subjects.

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.

Exercise intolerance and chronotropic impairment-The long-term cardiovascular sequelae of mustard gas exposure: A paired-comparative study.

Background: Although there are some data regarding the pulmonary manifestations of mustard gas exposure, little is known about its cardiovascular sequelae.

Methods: The spirometric and exercise tolerance test results of two groups of patients with chronic bronchitis one with (group A) and one without (group B) previous exposure to mustard gas and a group of veterans with no bronchitis (group C) were compared.

Results: The exercise capacity was similar in groups "A" and "B" patients.

Lack of association between interleukin-13 gene polymorphisms (-1055 C/T and +2044 G/A) in Iranian patients with lung cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death from cancer. Both immune cells and tumor cells play a key role in lung cancer immunity by secretion of cytokines and developing type-2 cell-mediated immune response. IL-13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine affecting tumor immunosurveillance by deviation of immune response from Th1 to Th2.

Comparison of biotyping and antibiotyping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with burn wound infection and nosocomial pneumonia in Shiraz, Iran.

The objective of present study was to compare and determine the prevalence ofantibiotypes and biotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with burn infection and nosocomial pneumonia in Shiraz, Iran. Thirty isolates from each group of patients were used. Antibiotyping (antibiotic sensitivity profiles) was performed by disk diffusion of Bauer-Kirby method using eleven antibiotics and biotyping (biochemical profiles) was done by standard biochemical procedures.

Familial pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage. A case report.

Background: Familial alveolar microlithiasis is a rare lung disease. In this study we describe the cytologic features of this disease in bronchoalveolar lavage.

Case: A 10-year-old girl and her uncle, a 50-year-old man, had dyspnea and diffuse interstitial pattern on chest radiograph with no defined cause at a period of 10 years apart.