Optimizing scan time and bayesian penalized likelihood reconstruction algorithm in copper-64 PET/CT imaging: a phantom study.

: The aim of this study was to evaluate Cu-64 PET phantom image quality using Bayesian Penalized Likelihood (BPL) and Ordered Subset Expectation Maximum with point-spread function modeling (OSEM-PSF) reconstruction algorithms. In the BPL, the regularization parameterβwas varied to identify the optimum value for image quality. In the OSEM-PSF, the effect of acquisition time was evaluated to assess the feasibility of shortened scan duration.

Designing novel peptides for detecting the Omicron variant, specifying SARS-CoV-2, and simultaneously screening coronavirus infections.

In this study a candidate diagnostic peptide-based tool was designed in four stages including diagnosis of coronavirus diseases, simultaneously identifying of COVID-19 and SARS from other members of this family, specific identification of SARS-CoV2, and diagnosis of COVID-19 Omicron. Designed candidate peptides consist of four immunodominant peptides from the proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and membrane (M). The tertiary structure of each peptide was predicted.

Interleukin-27 gene variant rs153109 is associated with enhanced cytokine serum levels and susceptibility to Behçet's disease in the Iranian population.

Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis, characterized by recurrent oral aphthous, genital ulcers, ocular lesions, and other organ involvement. Interleukin (IL)-27 with its pro- and anti-inflammatory effects might be an important effective cytokine in this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of IL-27 serum concentration and a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs153109 (-964 A > G) with the risk and clinical features of the patients with BD.

Designing a novel multiepitope peptide vaccine against melanoma using immunoinformatics approach.

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive and life-threaten skin cancer. Nowadays, the prevention and treatment of melanoma are challenging areas for researchers and physicians. Therefore, we implemented an based approach to design a multi-epitope peptide vaccine for melanoma.

Design an Efficient Multi-Epitope Peptide Vaccine Candidate Against SARS-CoV-2: An in silico Analysis.

Background: To date, no specific vaccine or drug has been proven to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, we implemented an immunoinformatic approach to design an efficient multi-epitopes vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

Results: The designed-vaccine construct consists of several immunodominant epitopes from structural proteins of spike, nucleocapsid, membrane, and envelope.

Inflammatory and T Helper 17/ Regulatory T Cells Related Cytokines Balance in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE).

The cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a common manifestation among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Malar rash and discoid lupus (DLE) are in the category of acute and chronic CLE, respectively. The pathogenesis of CLE is multifactorial, and cytokine imbalances contribute to immune dysfunction and the induction of organ damage.

Predominant role of innate pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitiligo disease.

Vitiligo is a skin disorder with melanocyte destruction and an autoimmune basis. Given the importance of cytokines in autoimmunity, we aimed to find the cytokine profile of innate and adaptive immunity in vitiligo patients, and correlate them with clinical parameters. The serum levels of innate immunity [interleukin(IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-15 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] and T helper(Th)1 [IL-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, TNF-β], Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13) and Th17 (IL-17, IL-23) cytokines in 44 vitiligo patients were measured by multiplex cytokine assay and compared with 44 healthy subjects.

Prevalence of herpes simplex virus-1 in hospitalized adult patients with clinical diagnosis of meningoencephalitis using real-time polymerase chain reaction: A single-center, cross-sectional study.

Background: Early diagnosis of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) meningoencephalitis is very important because antiviral therapy significantly decreases mortality and morbidity. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a reliable method with high sensitivity and specificity in detection of HSV-1. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HSV-1 in patients with diagnosis of meningoencephalitis using real-time PCR.

-producing Metallo-β-lactamases (VIM, IMP, SME, and AIM) in the Clinical Isolates of Intensive Care Units, a University Hospital in Isfahan, Iran.

Background: is a severe challenge for antimicrobial therapy, due to the chromosomal mutations or exhibition of intrinsic resistance to various antimicrobial agents such as most β-lactams. We undertook this study to evaluate the existence of SME, IMP, AIM, and VIM metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) encoding genes among strains isolated from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients in Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan, Iran.

Materials And Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional study that was conducted between March 2012 and April 2013, a total of 48 strains of were collected from clinical specimens of bedridden patients in ICU wards.

Resting and Activated Natural Tregs Decrease in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting large and medium arteries. CD4+ T cells are known to play a role in the progression of the disease. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ natural Treg (nTreg) cells seem to have a protective role in the disease and their reduction in acute coronary syndrome is recently shown.