Comparison of oral zinc supplement and placebo effect in improving the T-cells regeneration in patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Clinical trial study.

Background: Immune reconstitution is a significant factor in the success of "hematopoietic stem cell transplantation" (HSCT). Delaying the immune reconstitution increases the risk of infections and relapse after transplantation. T-cell recovery after HSCT is mainly thymus-dependent, and thymic atrophy is associated with various clinical conditions that correlate with HSCT outcomes.

Investigating efficacy of colchicine plus phenolic monoterpenes fraction as a potential treatment for patients diagnosed with COVID-19: A randomized controlled parallel clinical trial.

Background: COVID-19 now is a serious concern for the world healthcare system. This study aimed to investigate possible therapeutic effect of colchicine and phenolic monoterpenes accompanied by standard care of treatment (SCT) in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Methods: In this randomized controlled parallel clinical trial, a total number of 179 (of 200) patients with confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Challenging Issues in Diagnosis and Screening of BK Virus Nephropathy in Kidney Transplant Recipients, A Multicenter Experience in Iranian Population.

Introduction: BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) is an important complication of kidney transplantation and kidney biopsy remains the gold standard for its diagnosis. Urine/serum polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a more sensitive diagnostic method, although it has some potential limitations.

Methods: This study enrolled all kidney transplant recipients who underwent kidney transplant biopsy, collected from three medical centers.

Assessment of Human Leukocyte Antigen Differences between Smokers with Reinke's Edema and Those with Laryngeal Cancer.

Introduction: The present study aimed to assess human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing differences between smokers with Reinke's edema and those with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Materials And Methods: The HLA class I, II alleles were examined in 76 unrelated Iranian patients using low-resolution polymerase chain reaction with the sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) method.

Results: The frequency of the HLA-A*36 allele and HLA-B*35 was significantly higher in patients with SCC.

Cholinergic agonists inhibit proliferation of human fibroblast-like synoviocytes and monocytic cell lines and reduce VEGF and MMPs expression by these cells.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and joint destruction. Excessive proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and over-expression of angiogenic factors play a crucial role in pannus formation and joint destruction in RA. Clarification of the role of cholinergic agonists in modulation of inflammation and immune system reactions is progressively ongoing.

Effects of temozolomide on U87MG glioblastoma cell expression of CXCR4, MMP2, MMP9, VEGF, anti-proliferatory cytotoxic and apoptotic properties.

Temozolomide is an alkylating agent which is used in glioblastoma treatment. We aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of temozolomide and exposure time on U87MG glioblastoma cell expression of CXCR4, MMP2, MMP9 and VEGF. U87MG cells were cultured in different temozolomide concentrations and incubation time and the effects of temozolomide on inducing apoptosis was investigated.

GCH1 (rs841) polymorphism in the nitric oxide-forming pathway has protective effects on obstructive sleep apnea.

Several studies have recently investigated the contribution of genetic factors in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients with OSA suffer from a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) serum level. This study investigated rs841, A930G p22phox, and rs1799983 polymorphisms in three critical genes involved in NO formation.

A Comparative Evaluation of Regulatory T Cells Profile among Acute and Chronic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Using Flow Cytometry.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is described as a major health problem in many countries of the world. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are characterized as one of immunologic indexes. One of the best methods to determine of Tregs percentage is flow cytometry.

In Vitro Evaluation of CMV Specific CD8+T Cells Function in CMV+ Colorectal Cancer Patients Compared to Healthy Controls.

The oncogenic role of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been recently shown in different cancers like colorectal cancer (CRC). According to the recent immunotherapy approach to target the CMV-expressing tumor cells, we investigated the CMV peptide-stimulated CD8+T cells functions in CRC patients compared to healthy individuals. All sixteen patients and seven controls were CMV seropositive.

Circulating mesenchymal stem cells, stromal derived factor (SDF)-1 and IP-10 levels increased in clinically active multiple sclerosis patients but not in clinically stable patients treated with beta interferon.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity to migrate into the inflammatory regions in response to chemokines such as, IP-10 and SDF-1α and function as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory cells.

Methods: In this study we investigated the MSCs frequency in peripheral blood of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients in clinically active and not on disease-modifying therapy (DMT) (n = 22) and clinically stable on DMT (Interferon-β (IFN-β) therapy) for at least 6 months (n = 22) in comparison to sex and age-matched healthy controls (n = 25) using flow cytometry. The serum and gene expression levels of IP-10 and SDF-1a were also measured in studied groups by ELISA and Real time- PCR.

Association Study of HLA-DQB1*0602 Allele in Iranian Patients with Narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy is a rare, disabling disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis. Several studies demonstrated its association with HLA-DQB1*0602 in various ethnic groups. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of HLA-DQB1*0602 allele in Iranian patients with narcolepsy and assess its predictive parameters for diagnosing narcolepsy.

Silymarin (Livergol®) Decreases Disease Activity Score in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Non-randomized Single-arm Clinical Trial.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, which can lead to joint destruction and disability. Pannus formation due to chronic synovitis is the hallmark of RA. Oxidative stress as a consequence of immune cell activation and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs can prevent inflammation and tissue destruction.

Comparison of different doses of subconjunctival sunitinib with bevacizumab in the treatment of corneal neovascularization in experimental rats.

Background: To compare the efficacy of subconjunctival administration of bevacizumab and different doses of sunitinib malate in reducing corneal neovascularization (CNV).

Materials And Methods: In this experimental study, central corneal cauterization was created in the right eye of fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats. On day 1 (1 week after cauterization), rats were randomly assigned into five treatment groups.

Alterations of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Expression Profile in Normal and Malignant Breast Tissues.

Background: The actions of Vitamin D in different tissues, including breast tissue, are mediated by vitamin D receptor (VDR). Vitamin D has antitumor functions in the body; any changes in VDR expression can therefore affect the anticancer activities of Vitamin D. The present study was conducted to compare expression levels of VDR mRNA and protein in normal and tumor breast tissues.

Gene expression profiles of CYP24A1 and CYP27B1 in malignant and normal breast tissues.

Active vitamin D has several antitumor effects, including prodifferentiative, antiproliferative and proapoptotic functions in a number of tissues via its binding to vitamin D receptor. The 24‑hydroxylase (CYP24A1) and 1‑hydroxylase (CYP27B1) enzymes are considered to be pivotal determinants of the local concentration of active vitamin D. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mRNA expression levels of the CYP24A1 and CYP27B1 genes in malignant and normal breast tissues.

PADI4 Polymorphisms in Iranian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects many tissues and organs, but majorly attacks synovial joints. Beyond the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, Peptidyl arginine deiminase type IV (PADI4) has been suggested to be associated with RA susceptibility. Evidence regarding the association of PADI4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and RA is controversial, thus we conducted this large-scale case-control study to assess the association of rs874881 and rs11203367 PADI4 SNPs with susceptibility to RA.

Comparison between Platinum-Azidothymidine and Azidothymidine Effects on Bcl-2 and Telomerase Gene Expression in Rats with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: High expression of telomerase and Bcl-2 are reported in hepatocellular carcinoma. Some anticancer drugs show their effects through reduction of these factors. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of a new synthetic compound, platinum azidothymidine, on inhibition of telomerase and Bcl-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma compared to azidothymidine.

Differentiation of human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal stem cells into germ-like cells.

Background: Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can be collected from different sources. Under specific conditions, MSCs can be differentiated to tissue specific cells in vitro. Human Umbilical Cord mesenchymal Stem Cells (hUCMSCs) can easily be harvested and cultured in in vitro conditions.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody and rheumatoid factor isotypes in Iranian patients with rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of clinical value and association with disease activity.

In this study we determined the frequency, sensitivity and specificity of anti cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) IgG antibody, total rheumatoid factor (RF-T), and RF isotypes in Iranian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their association with age, clinical and serological parameters. Anti-CCP and RF-T and RF isotypes level were measured in 418 patients and 399 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosurbant assay (ELISA). Additionally, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), visual analog scale (VAS) and disease activity score (DAS28) were evaluated in RA patients.

Plasma level of neopterin as a marker of disease activity in treated rheumatoid arthritis patients: association with gender, disease activity and anti-CCP antibody.

Immune system activation is known to be involved in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-γ in various cells, including monocytes, induces neopterin production. Plasma level of neopterin has been measured in many autoimmune diseases and can be used as a marker of cellular immunity activation.

Anti-angiogenic Effects of Metformin, an AMPK Activator, on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells and on Granulation Tissue in Rat.

Objectives: Metformin is well known for activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK activation inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) as a key signaling process in cell proliferation. Recent epidemiological studies demonstrate that metformin lowers the risk for several types of cancer in diabetic patients.

Immunomodulatory effects of human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells on differentiation, maturation and endocytosis of monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

The Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord is believed to be a source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which can be therapeutically applied in degenerative diseases.In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of umbilical cord derived-mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) and bone marrow-derived-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on differentiation, maturation, and endocytosis of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in a transwell culture system under laboratory conditions. Monocytes were differentiated into immature dendritic cells (iDCs) in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 for 6 days and then differentiated into mature dendritic cells (mDCs) in the presence of TNF-α for 2 days.

Erythropoietin levels in aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma.

Purpose: To compare the aqueous concentration of erythropoietin (EPO) in eyes with primary open-angle (POAG), pseudoexfoliative (PXFG), and neovascular (NVG) glaucoma with age-matched eyes with cataracts, and to correlate its concentration with other factors including age, gender, intraocular pressure (IOP), type of glaucoma, and severity of glaucoma.

Methods: In this prospective non-randomized comparative study, a total of 26 eyes with cataracts (control group) and 92 glaucomatous eyes (POAG, 40 eyes; PXFG, 26 eyes; NVG, 26 eyes) were enrolled. Aqueous samples (0.

HLA-DRB, -DQA, and DQB alleles and haplotypes in Iranian patients with diabetes mellitus type I.

Specific alleles at the HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 loci seem to be associated with variable risks of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study assessed the distribution of HLA-DR and -DQ alleles among Iranian T1D patients and healthy controls. In this study, HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 alleles were determined in 100 children with T1D and 100 unrelated healthy controls.

Gene polymorphism of interleukin-1 alpha and beta in keratocystic odontogenic tumors.

Aim And Background: Odontogenic keratocysts have a different growth mechanism and biologic behavior in comparison with more common dentigerous and radicular cysts. It was reclassified as keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). The proliferative activity of the epithelial cells of KCOT has a close relationship with tissue levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1).