Changes in serum level of trace elements in pulmonary tuberculosis patients during anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Introductions: Tuberculosis is spreading throughout the globe, while it is a crucial cause of death in developing countries. In this study, trace elements concentrations and their alterations were determined in TB patients during anti-tuberculosis treatment period.

Materials And Methods: We have collected blood samples from a total of 180 TB patients with pulmonary Tuberculosis, and 180 healthy controls in Sistan, Iran.

Toll-Like Receptor 4 as an Immune Receptor Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To review the main Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and the roles played by toll-like receptor (TLR)4 in determination of Mtb infection outcome.

Methods: Several scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, were used for searching appropriate research articles from the literature for information on our topic.

Results: TLR4 plays positive roles in induction of immune responses against Mtb and participates in eradication of the infection.

Inflammasomes and type 2 diabetes: An updated systematic review.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder that is accompanied by chronic inflammation. The main mechanisms and molecular signaling of the induction of inflammation in T2D are still unknown. It seems that intracellular sensors that participate in recognition of endogenous damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) play key roles in the induction/stimulation of chronic inflammation in T2D.

Toll-like receptor 2 and type 2 diabetes.

Innate immunity plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and related complications. Since the toll-like receptors (TLRs) are central to innate immunity, it appears that they are important participants in the development and pathogenesis of the disease. Previous investigations demonstrated that TLR2 homodimers and TLR2 heterodimers with TLR1 or TLR6 activate innate immunity upon recognition of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).

Toll like receptor 4 and hepatocellular carcinoma; A systematic review.

Introduction: Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an extracellular pathogen recognition receptor (PRR) which recognizes a wide range of pathogens and damage associated molecular patterns (PAMPs and DAMPs). It can activate intracellular signaling and consequently transcription factors which participate in transcription from either immune related or malignancy genes. Thus, it has been hypothesized that TLR4 may be a cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Correction: Atorvastatin, Losartan and Captopril Lead to Upregulation of TGF-β, and Downregulation of IL-6 in Coronary Artery Disease and Hypertension.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Essential and toxic metals in serum of individuals with active pulmonary tuberculosis in an endemic region.

Trace elements play an important role in tuberculosis infection because their deficiencies can be associated with impaired immunity. Blood samples were collected from a total of 320 active pulmonary tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals. The serum concentrations of Zinc, Iron, Copper, Calcium, lead, Arsenic and Selenium were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Atorvastatin, Losartan and Captopril Lead to Upregulation of TGF-β, and Downregulation of IL-6 in Coronary Artery Disease and Hypertension.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension are the main reasons of ischemic heart diseases (IHDs). Cytokines as the small glycoproteins are the main arm of immune system and manipulate all of the cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of treatment of hypertension and CAD on serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β and TNF-α.

Evaluation of Outcome and Tolerability of Combination Chemotherapy with Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin as First Line Therapy in Advanced Gastric Cancer.

Combination chemotherapy is accepted as a high efficacy treatment for gastric cancer, whereas choice of standard treatment is unclear. Multiple chemotherapeutic regimens have been used to achieve higher efficacy and lower toxicity. This study was designed to evaluate the treatment results of advanced gastric cancer with Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin regimen.

The link between TLR7 signaling and hepatitis B virus infection.

Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) play crucial roles in recognition and induction of appropriate immune responses against viral infections, including hepatitis B. TLR7 detects intracellular viral single strand RNA which leads to the activation of several pro-inflammatory transcription factors via the MYD88 dependent pathway. Patients with prolonged infectious forms of hepatitis B, including active and inactive chronic forms, are unable to clear HBV from hepatocytes completely.

Economic Burden of Road Traffic Accidents; Report from a Single Center from South Eastern Iran.

Objective: To determine the economic burden of road traffic accidents (RTAs) in patients admitted to a single center in south eastern Iran.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Amir-Al-Momenin hospital of Zabol affiliated with Zabol University of Medical Sciences during a 12-month period from April 2012 to April 2013. All the RTAs patients who were admitted to our emergency department were included.

The prevalence of zinc deficiency in patients with thalassemia in South East of iran, sistan and baluchistan province.

Background: There are different and controversial reports about zinc deficiency in patients with major thalassemia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate zinc status in patients with major thalassemia in Sistan and Baluchistan province, southeastern Iran.

Patients And Methods: The study was performed in Ali Asghar Hospital, a specialized governmental hospital located in Zahedan, Iran.