Forty-seven years of Iranian cardiovascular disease scientific publication: A bibliometric and altmetric analysis.

Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the scientific contributions of Iranians in the field of cardiovascular research, as indexed in the Scopus database, using bibliometric and altmetric methods.

Methods: This applied study was conducted with a scientometric approach, utilizing bibliometric and altmetric indicators. The research population consisted of the scientific works of Iranian researchers in the field of cardiovascular diseases, indexed in the Scopus database over a period of 47 years.

Analysis of dengue specific memory B cells, neutralizing antibodies and binding antibodies in healthy adults from India.

Background: The Indian population is facing highest dengue burden worldwide supporting an urgent need for vaccines. For vaccine introduction, evaluation and interpretation it is important to gain a critical understanding of immune memory induced by natural exposure. However, immune memory to dengue remains poorly characterized in this region.

Osmolytes in vaccine production, flocculation and storage: a critical review.

Small molecule osmolytes, responsible for protecting stresses have long been known to rescue proteins and enzymes from loss of function. In addition to protecting macromolecules integrity, many osmolytes also act as potential antioxidant and also help to prevent protein aggregation, amyloid formation or misfolding, and therefore are considered promising molecules for neurodegenerative and many other genetic diseases. Osmolytes are also known to be involved in the regulation of several key immunological processes.

Analysis of localized immune responses reveals presence of Th17 and Treg cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica.

Purpose: The interaction between the Leishmania parasite and the host cell involves complex, multifaceted processes. The disease severity in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is largely dependent on the causative species. Most of the information on immune responses in human CL is available with respect to L.

Evidence for involvement of Th17 type responses in post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL).

Background: Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), a dermal sequel of visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania donovani, constitutes an important reservoir for the parasite. Parallel functioning of counter acting immune responses (Th1/Th2) reflects a complex immunological scenario, suggesting the involvement of additional regulatory molecules in the disease pathogenesis.

Methodology/principal Findings: In the present study, human cytokine/chemokine/receptor specific cDNA array technique was employed to identify modulations in gene expression of host immuno-determinants during PKDL, followed by evaluation of Th17 type responses by analyzing mRNA and protein expression of Th17 markers (IL-23, IL-17, RORγt) and performing functional assays using Leishmania antigen (TSLA) or recombinant (rec)IL-17.

IL-10 neutralization promotes parasite clearance in splenic aspirate cells from patients with visceral leishmaniasis.

The mechanisms underlying the failure to contain the growth of Leishmania parasites in human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are not understood. L donovani amastigotes were quantified in cultured splenic aspirate cells to assess the function of IL-10 in lesional tissue ex vivo. In 67 patients with active VL, IL-10 neutralization promoted parasite killing in 73% and complete clearance in 30%, while 18% had more parasites and 9% did not change.

Foxp3 and IL-10 expression correlates with parasite burden in lesional tissues of post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients.

Background: Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), a sequel to visceral leishamaniasis (VL) in 5-15% cases, constitutes a parasite reservoir important in disease transmission. The precise immunological cause of PKDL outcome remains obscure. However, overlapping counter regulatory responses with elevated IFN-γ and IL-10 are reported.

IL-27 and IL-21 are associated with T cell IL-10 responses in human visceral leishmaniasis.

IL-10 is believed to underlie many of the immunologic defects in human visceral leishmaniasis (VL). We have identified CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(-) T cells as the major source of IL-10 in the VL spleen. IL-27, a member of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family, has been shown to promote development of IL-10-producing T cells, in part by upregulating their production of autocrine IL-21.

Immune response following miltefosine therapy in a patient with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis.

We report a case of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in which real-time PCR was exploited to measure changes in cytokine transcripts in lesion tissue before and after oral miltefosine treatment. Unlike antimonial therapy elevated levels of IFNgamma transcripts were noted, whereas TNFalpha, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-beta declined similar to that observed after therapy with antimonials. A significant increase in IFNgamma and CD40 levels seen after miltefosine therapy could enhance parasite clearance.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Nepal: Leishmania major as a cause.

Nepal is endemic for visceral leishmaniasis; however, recently a solitary report of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) was recorded. The present report describes a CL case in a Nepalese woman, initially referred as a case of basal cell carcinoma. Histopathological examination, culture and PCR analysis of lesions revealed it to be a case of CL.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica in Bikaner, India: parasite identification and characterization using molecular and immunologic tools.

Identification of new foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), along with reports of Leishmania donovani causing the disease, is an issue of concern. Clinico-epidemiologic analysis of 98 cases in the endemic regions of Rajasthan state, India, suggested the preponderance of infection in men (62.24%) compared with women (37.

Circulating nitric oxide and C-reactive protein levels in Indian kala azar patients: correlation with clinical outcome.

Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and nitric oxide (NO) are the major players of the host defense against Leishmania. In the present study circulating levels of IFN-gamma, NO, interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared in kala azar (KA), post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and healthy controls. A significantly elevated level of these parameters was evident in KA compared to PKDL or control.

Interferon (IFN)-gamma , tumor necrosis factor-alpha , interleukin-6, and IFN-gamma receptor 1 are the major immunological determinants associated with post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis.

Semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze intralesional cytokine gene expression in 28 patients with post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and 14 patients with kala azar (KA). The data revealed mixed T helper cell type 1 (Th1) and T helper cell type 2 (Th2) responses, as reflected by elevated expression of interferon (IFN)-gamma , tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha , transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta , interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, and IL-4 mRNA, with minimal expression of IFN-gamma receptor 1 (IFN-gamma R1) mRNA in PKDL lesions, compared with that in normal skin tissue. In comparison with those in KA lesions, mRNA levels for IFN-gamma , TNF-alpha , and IL-6 were found to be significantly elevated in PKDL lesions, implying that these cytokines play an important role in PKDL pathogenesis.

Elevated levels of interferon-gamma, interleukin-10, and interleukin-6 during active disease in Indian kala azar.

We have evaluated levels of 6 cytokines in sera of 35 patients of kala azar (KA), 29 post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), and 18 healthy controls using cytometric bead array technology. Results indicated significantly high levels of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6 during active KA, while tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-2, and IL-4 were minimal. Serum level of cytokines in PKDL was comparable to the controls while TNF-alpha was significantly elevated compared to KA or control.

A novel semiquantitative fluorescence-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for rapid simultaneous detection of bacterial and parasitic pathogens from blood.

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay was developed for the rapid simultaneous detection of category A select bacterial agents (Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis) and parasitic pathogens (Leishmania species) in blood using the Cepheid Smart Cycler platform. B. anthracis (Sterne) and Yersinia.