Antigenic and immunogenic evaluation of Helicobacter pylori FlaA epitopes

Objective(s): Helicobacter pyloriare among most common human pathogens affecting at least half of the world’s population. Mobility is one of the important primary factors in bacterial colonization and invasion. The purpose of this research is cloning, expression, and purification of FlaA protein specific epitopes in order to evaluate their antigenicity and immunogenicity. Materials and Methods: The antigenic region of the flaA gene was bioinformatically predicted using Epitope mapping software’s and the predicted epitopes were expressed in a prokaryotic expression vector. The antigen was injected into the animal model (mice BALB/c) and some indicators including IgG1, IgG2a, IgA, IFN-γ, and IL 5 were measured. Results: The immunogenicity studies in animal models by measuring serum antibodies (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgA) and cytokines (IFN-γ and IL5) revealed that the rFlaA induces a proper immune response in animal models. Conclusion: The recombinant FlaA protein is antigenic and immunogenic. Therefore, it might be used in order to design of specific diagnostic kits and recombinant vaccines against H. pylori

Increase in TGF-β and CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes

Background and Aims Since in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), there is an imbalance of inflammatory cells, the presence of inflammatory cytokines and defects in homeostasis are possible. The present study aimed to evaluate the percentage of Treg cells, lymphocytes, T cells, and T helper cells and gene expression of TGF-β cytokine in the T2DM patients.Methods Fifty patients with T2DM and 50 healthy controls were included in this study, according to the inclusion criteria. The percentage of Treg cells, T cells, and T helper cells was determined by flow cytometry. Also, the expression of CD4, CD25, and FOXP3 markers of Treg cells was examined. The gene expression of TGF-β cytokine was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results The percentage of Treg cells was significantly lower in patients with T2DM than in healthy controls. The number of T helper cells and lymphocytes decreased in T2DM patients as compared to the healthy controls. Based on the results, the percentage of T cells was higher in T2DM patients than in healthy controls. The expression of CD25 and FOXP3 markers in Treg cells significantly reduced in T2DM patients compared to the healthy controls; however, this decrease was not significant for the CD4 marker. Conversely, the expression of TGF-β cytokine increased in patients with T2DM compared to the healthy controls.Conclusion The expression of TGF-β and the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells are impaired in patients with type 2 diabetes

Heterologous expression of a truncated form of human recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor-A and its biological activity in wound healing

Objective(s): Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most effective proteins in angiogenesis, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation and wound healing. These abilities are therapeutic potential of VEGF in diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and other tissue damage circumstances. In this study, recombinant VEGF was produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) system and then biological activity of this protein was evaluated in animal wound healing. Materials and Methods: E. coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells were transformed with pET32a-VEGF clone and induced by isopropyl-β-D-thio-galactoside (IPTG). The recombinant protein was purified byaffinity chromatography. Recombinant VEGF-A-based ointment (VEGF/Vaseline 0.8 mg/100 w/w) was used for external wound (25×15mm thickness) healing in animal model. In vivo activity of ointment was evaluated by clinical evidences and cytological microscopic assessment. Results: The recombinant protein with molecular weight of 45 kilodaltons (kDa) and concentration of 0.8 mg/ml was produced.Immunoblotting data showed that the antigenic region of VEGF can be expressed in E. coli and the recombinant protein has similar epitopes with close antigenic properties to the natural form. Macroscopic findings and microscopic data showed that the recombinant VEGF-A ointment was effective on excisional wound healing. Conclusion: Recombinant VEGF-A produced by pET32a in E. coli, possesses acceptable structure and has wound healing capability

Integration of phytotherapy and chemotherapy: Recent advances in anticancer molecular pathways

Cancer is a disease characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells, leading to invasion and metastasis to other tissues. Chemotherapy drugs are some of the primary treatments for cancer, which could detrimentally affect the cancer cells by various molecular mechanisms like apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. These treatment lines have always aligned with side effects and drug resistance. Due to their anticancer effects, medicinal herbs and their active derivative compounds are being profoundly used as complementary treatments for cancer. Many studies have shown that herbal ingredients exert antitumor activities and immune-modulation effects and have fewer side effects. On the other hand, combining phytotherapy and chemotherapy, with their synergistic effects, has gained much attention across the medical community. This review article discussed the therapeutic effects of essential herbal active ingredients combined with chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer therapy. To write this article, PubMed and Scopus database were searched with the keywords “Cancer,” “Combination,” “Herbal,” “Traditional,” and “Natural.” After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 110 articles were considered. The study shows the anticancer effects of the active herbal ingredients by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells, especially with a chemotherapeutic agent. This study also indicates that herbal compounds can reduce side effects and dosage, potentiate anticancer responses, and sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs

Predominance of Trichophyton tonsurans causing tinea capitis: A 12-year retrospective study in the north of Iran

Background and purpose: Among different clinical entities of dermatophytosis, tinea capitis (TC) is considered a major public health challenge in the world, especially in regions with poor health and low income. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a retrospective analysis of the patients suspected of TC who were referred to the medical mycology laboratory of Mazandaran, a northern province of Iran.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the patients suspected of TC who were referred to the medical mycology laboratory from July 2009 to April 2022. Hair roots and skin scrapings were collected from the participants. The laboratory diagnosis was confirmed by direct microscopic examination and culture. Finally, 921 out of 11095 (8.3%) patients were suspected of TC.Results: Based on the findings, TC was confirmed in 209 out of 921 patients (22.7%). In terms of gender, 209 TC patients (75.1%) were male. Moreover, the male to female ratio of TC patients was 1:3.0. Trichophyton tonsurans (146/174, 83.91%) was the most etiological agent,followed by T. mentagrophytes (13/174, 7.47%), T. violaceum (9/174, 5.17%), Microsporum canis (3/174, 1.71%), T. verrucosum (2/174, 1.15%) and T. rubrum (1/174, 0.57%). Besides, endothrix (77.0%) was the most prevalent type of hair invasion.Conclusion: The results revealed the predominance of T. tonsurans, as a causative agent of TC. Despite the prevalence of TC, the absence of appropriate consideration highlights that it is a neglected complication among children

Differential Genomics Output and Susceptibility of Iranian Patients with Unilocular Hydatidose

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate HLA-DRB1*and DQB1* allelic polymorphisms in Iranian patients with hydatidose. This is the first survey dealing with the correlation between HLA-DRB1* and DQB1* al-leles and cystic echinococcosis in Iranian patients. Methods: The study was carried out on 56 patients with confirmed cystic echi-nococcosis and 30 apparently healthy individuals living in Arak- Markazi Prov-ince by HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 typing through PCR-SSP method. The first step was to identify the patients and blood sampling. DNA was prepared from whole blood and PCR-SSP with 31 primer mixes for per sample was used. PCR reaction mixtures were loaded in agarose gels and bands were observed under UV illumination and gel document after electrophoresis. Analysis of results was carried out with specific softwares and frequency and interpretation tables for calculation of P-value in χ2 test were provided via Fisher΄s exact test. Signifi-cant samples were analyzed by logistic regression and odds-ratios were calculat-ed. Results: A statistically significant positive association was found between HLA-DQB1*03 and the resistance to cystic echinococcosis (P<0.02) (odds-ratio=2.87). Conclusion: Immunogenetic susceptibility to unilocular hydatidose varies ac-cording to the HLA antigens in Arak, Markazi Province, and DQB1*03 mole-cules are associated with the level of immune response to parasite antigens

Diagnostic Value of High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) Protein in Acute and Perforated Appendicitis

Aim: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal surgical emergencies. Early diagnosis of appendicitis can reduce perforation and mortality rate. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein has been identified as a pro-inflammatory factor and its elevated serum levels have been noted in different diseases. So, the aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of HMGB1 in patients with acute and perforated appendicitis in compare to normal appendix. Material and methods: For this purpose, serum samples were obtained from 81 patients with primary criteria-based appendicitis 6 hr before and 72 hr after appendectomy, in which serum levels of HMGB1 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The levels of HMGB1 in patients with perforated appendicitis were significantly (p =.045) higher than in patients with acute appendicitis and normal appendix (p =.001) before appendectomy. Serum levels of HMGB1 were increased 72 hr after appendectomy in all the groups (p =.03) compared with the serum levels before appendectomy. Conclusions: Since the serum levels of HMGB1 in patients with acute and perforated appendicitis were higher than in patients with normal appendix, these findings could be useful to develop a new biomarker along with other laboratory tests for accurate diagnosis of patients with appendicitis

Existential Philosophy of the Immune System: Defense or Homeostasis?

Background and Aim: There are two philosophies about the origin of the immune system, defense and homeostasis. In this article, the existential philosophy of the immune system was reviewed, in which the defense role is only part of its homeostasis functions. Materials and Methods: The Medline was searched for terms such as “Homeostasis”، “Immunculus”، “Natural autoantibody” “Evaluation” and “Immune system”. Findings: Hemostasis is the most important part of immune regulation and the existential philosophy of this system, so that its defensive role is only part of homeostasis functions. Natural antibodies play this role as immune reflection by showing qualitative and quantitative changes in the antigenic composition of the body. Therefore, the level of natural antibodies can also serve as a prognostic marker. Conclusion: Although many improvements have been made in explaining the hemostatic role of the immune system, many studies have to be conducted to identify its particular aspects

The Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ginger Extract on the Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), as an autoimmune disease in the central nervous system (CNS), is an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS) mediated by T lymphocytes.Objective: To investigate ginger extract’s effect on reducing inflammation and improving the symptoms in the EAE model.Methods: The EAE was induced by injecting MOG35-55 and pertussis toxin into eight-week-old female C57BL6 mice. The mice were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg/day of hydroalcoholic extract of ginger for 21 days. The disease severity and weight changes were measured daily. Then, the mice spleens were removed; the gene expressions of interleukin (IL)-17, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were analyzed by Real-time PCR and the percentage of regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg cells) was determined by flow cytometry. Serum nitric oxide and antioxidant capacity were measured, and brain tissue sections were prepared to investigate the leukocyte infiltration and plaque formation.Results: The severity of symptoms in the intervention group was lower than in the control. The gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17 (P=0.04) and IFN-γ (P=0.01), were reduced. The Treg cells increased significantly, and the serum nitric oxide level was lower in the ginger-treated group. There was no significant difference in lymphocyte infiltration in the brain between the two groups.Conclusion: The present study indicated that ginger extract could effectively reduce inflammatory mediators and modulate immune responses in EAE

Probability modelling of storage based‐smart energy hub considering electric vehicles charging stations performance and demand side management

Abstract Nowadays, researchers are studying the energy discharging of electric vehicles (EVs) in charging stations. Furthermore, these stations can help maintain the balance of electric energy and reduce costs in the energy hub in the discharging mode. In this regard, this article proposes a probability and possibility approach by the Z‐number method to investigate the uncertainty of the EV owners’ behaviour at charging stations during the discharge of electric energy to the energy hub. Also, here, the uncertainty of electric energy demand, thermal energy, drinking water, and the price of electric energy, thermal energy, drinking water, and electric energy production from a solar power plant has been done by the scenario‐base method. The seawater desalination unit has been modelled to meet the drinking water needs. To check the final results of the proposed method, the mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model has been selected for energy management in the energy hub in the CPLEX optimization solver. The final results show that modelling the behaviour of EV owners in the charging stations using the Z‐number method leads to reduced consumption of some energy carriers in comparison with the fuzzy method in the proposed energy hub