CD4+ and CD8+ T cells subsets in patients with allergic rhinitis in comparison to healthy people

زمینه و هدف: رینیت آلرژیک (AR) بیماری شایعی است که ایمونوگلوبولین E (IgE) و سلول های T در بروز آن نقش و اهمیت زیادی دارند. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی زیر گروه های لنفوسیت T در بیماران مبتلا به رینیت آلرژیک و مقایسه آن با افراد سالم انجام شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی که به صورت مورد-شاهدی انجام گرفت 30 بیمار مبتلا به رینیت آلرژیک و 30 فرد سالم از نظر پارامترهای ایمونولوژیک بررسی شدند. گروه مورد بررسی دانشجویان دختر دانشگاه علوم پزشکی جندی شاپور اهواز ساکن در خوابگاه گلستان با میانگین سنی 3/3 ± 5/22 سال بودند. نمونه های جمع آوری شده از خون محیطی تمام دانشجویان با استفاده از آنتی بادی های مونوکلونال مناسب رنگ آمیزی و سپس درصد لنفوسیت های TCD4+، TCD8+ و نسبت CD4/CD8 بوسیله دستگاه فلوسیتومتری تعیین گردید. همچنین روش های هماتولوژیکی از جمله آزمایش استاندارد CBC بر روی تمام نمونه های خون صورت گرفت. داده ها با استفاده از نرم افزار SPSS و آزمون تی تجزیه و تحلیل شدند. یافته ها: میانگین لنفوسیت های TCD4+ در گروه مورد نسبت به گروه شاهد بطور معنی‌داری بالاتر بود (05/0P). نتایج آزمایش CBC نشان داد میانگین درصد ائوزینوفیل ها و مونوسیت ها در بین دو گروه تفاوت معنی داری داشته است (05/0

The effects of celery leave extract on male hormones in rats

Introduction: Celery (Apium graveolens) belongs to the Umbelliferae family, and has a plenty of nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. The presence of phytoestrogenic compounds has been reported in this plant. These compounds may affect the pituitary-gonad axis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of hydro-alcoholic extracts of celery leaves on serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH in male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, eight rats included in each. The control group did not receive any treatment. The placebo group received distilled water and the case groups received 200 and 300 mg/kg/B.W of hydro-alcoholic celery leaf extract for 20 consecutive days by oral administration. After completion of the treatment, the rats were anesthetized and blood sampling from their heart was carried out. Then, serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH were measured using immunoassay methods. The obtained data were analyzed by the SPSS using the statistical ANOVA test. Results: The level of LH in the case group receiving 200 mg/kg B.W of celery extract showed a significant decrease compared with the control and placebo groups (P&lt;0.05). The level of FSH and testosterone in case groups did not show any significant difference in comparison with the control group (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The result of the present study shows that in the administered dose, celery extract does not have any considerable side effect on the secretion of hormones in male rats.</p

Association of recurrent implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss with peripheral blood natural killer cells and interferon-gamma level

Objective Fetal uterine survival depends on maintaining an immune balance between the mother and fetus. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of blood peripheral natural killer (NK) cells and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) with recurrent recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Methods In this case-control study, peripheral blood samples were obtained from three groups of RPL, RIF, and parous women without a history of abortion or infertility problems and analyzed by lymphocyte-based flow cytometry. Afterward, the levels of NK cells and IFN-γ were determined. All data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results The level of IFN-γ in the RPL group was significantly higher than that in parous women and the RIF group (P0.05). A significant correlation was found between the levels of IFN-γ and NK cells in the RPL group (r=0.481; P=0.02). However, no significant correlation was found between the levels of IFN-γ and the active NK cells in the RPL group (P=0.08). Moreover, no significant correlation was found between the levels of NK cells (whether activated or not) and IFN-γ in the RIF patients (P>0.05). Conclusion Immune dysfunction may not be involved in implantation failure during IVF but may be involved in recurrent miscarriage, probably by increasing IFN-γ levels

The Opinions of Academic Members of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences about the Effective Factors on their Evaluation Score Variations

Background: Considering the importance of educational processes in our universities, evaluation of academic members in order to improve their teaching quality is highly necessary. In Education Development Center of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, evaluation of academic members by students is performed annually through questionnaires and the results are reflected to the teachers. Objective: To determine the opinions of teachers about the effective factors on variations of their evaluation score during the academic year of 2003-2004 in comparison to the previous year. Methods: In this descriptive study a researcher-made questionnaire was prepared and distributed among 130 non- clinical academic members of whom 72% filled and returned the questionnaires. Data were analyzed by computing frequency, percentage and Chi-square test. Results: About half of the teachers (52.3%) gained a higher evaluation score in comparison to the previous year and they believed that the most important factors causing this increase have been respectively more proficiency in educational program content (46%), considering students’ program level (26%), knowing the results of previous evaluation (23%), participating in medical education workshops (75%), improvement of educational facilities (71%) and alteration in social behavior (68%). Among all teachers, 37.4% gained a lower score comparing to the previous year and according to them frequent holidays during the academic semester (49%), type of course and its nature (37%) and students dishonesty in evaluating teachers (34%) had been the most important factors affecting decrease in their evaluation score, while inappropriate class time (91%) had not been effective in this regard. Conclusion: In order to improve the quality of educational programs, considering academic members’ suggestions and trying to resolve educational problems are highly recommended. Keywords: Evaluation Mark, Opinion, Academic Member, Ahvaz University of Medical

Evaluation Results Feed back to Faculty Members of Ahvaz Medical University and its Effect on Improving the Quality of Teaching

Introduction. Teaching evaluation is a process to improve the quality of teaching and promote the educational activities. It is carried out by the majority of universities, and the faculty members get the feedback of the evaluation results. The aim of this study was to determine faculty members' viewpoints concerning the effect of evaluation results feedback on improving the quality of their teaching. Methods. In a descriptive study all faculty members (non-clinical) of Ahvaz Medical University (N=130) were investigated using a questionnaire whose content validity was confirmed by experts and its reliability by Alpha Cronbach. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency and Chi-square test. Results. Although 55.1% of faculty members were in agreement with the present teacher evaluation system, 85% of them believed that the feedback of evaluation results was useful in improving the teaching quality. Faculty members (55.4%) believed that announcing the evaluation results to the chair of the department was useful in improving the quality of teaching. Also 49.5% of them believed the same thing about announcing the results to the dean of the faculty. The results also showed a significant relationship between academic rank of faculty members and their viewpoints toward feedback of evaluation results in improving the teaching quality. Conclusion. It seems the majority of faculty members consider evaluation results report as a useful feedback for improving the quality of teaching. Hence, a more detailed planning by educational authorities is recommended to motivate faculty members for more cooperation in educational activities which leads to promoting the quality of education

Effects of a single incremental exhausting exercise on circulting numbers of lymplocyes subsets in male athletes

Introduction: Intense exercise activity has been known as one of the immune system suppressor. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a single incremental exhausting exercise on circulting numbers of T cell and NK cell subsets in healthy young male athletes. Material and methods: Twenty male subjects with mean age 22/4±1/8 (SD) yr, mean Vo2max 41/7±7/1 (SD) ml/kg/min and mean BMI 23±1/87 (SD) kg/m2 were divided randomly into two control group (n=10) and experimental group (n=10). The experimental subjects performed a standard bicycle ergometer test whereas the control subjects did not participate in any exercise activity. Blood samples were collected pre-, immediately post-, and 2 hours post-exercise. The T and and NK lymphocyte subsets were analyzed with flow cytometry. Results: There was a significant increase in the percentage of T (CD8) and NK (CD16/56) and a significant decrase in the the percentage of T (CD4) and the ratio of CD4/CD8 from pre-, to immediately post-exercise (p < 0.05). Both changes returned to pre-exercise values at 2 hours post-exercise. Addtionally, no significant changes was found in the percentage of CD56 and CD16 (NK) cells following exercise Conclusion: Findings of this study indicate a single intense and short-term training session caused transient and temporary changes in circulating lymphocytes counts. Thus, it is reommonded that the interval between training designed in a way that the immune system reverts back to its original status

miR-155 rs767649 T>A gene polymorphism is associated with downregulation of miR-155 expression, suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 overexpression, and low probability of metastatic tumor at the time of breast cancer diagnosis

Background: MicroRNA-155 is a key player in inflammatory reactions, carcinogenesis, and tumor development. In this study, polymorphism of miRNA-155 rs767649 T>A and its gene and suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) expression were investigated in relation to cancer susceptibility and development in breast cancer (BC) patients. Materials and Methods: Polymorphism of miRNA-155 rs767649 T>A was evaluated between a population of 174 patients with BC and 129 controls using restriction fragment length polymorphism and the expression of miR-155 and SOCS-1 were examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: TT genotype of miR-155 rs767649 T>A was associated with higher level of miR-155 in PBMCs of BC patients relative to AT and AA genotypes (21.76 ± 4.4, 4.046 ± 1.35, 2.56 ± 0.81, respectively; P A was associated with less gene expression of SOCS-1 in PBMCs of BC patients compared to AT and AA genotypes (1.173 ± 0.57, 0.92 ± 0.827, 5.512 ± 0.92, respectively; P = 0.003). Conclusion: This study demonstrated for the first time the association between the T allele of the rs767649 T>A polymorphism in the pre-MIR155 gene and higher expression of miR-155, lower expression of SOCS-1, and swift latent progression in newly diagnosed BC patients. Thus, miR-155 may play a critical role in BC pathogenesis

Evaluation of salivary tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients with the chronic periodontitis: A case-control study

Context: Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease that leads to inflammation of the tissues supporting the teeth, bone loss, attachment loss progressively. In chronic periodontitis for starting the host response and inflammatory reaction, the presence of the infectious agent is necessary. Aims: One of inflammatory factors is tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) that appear to be important in the destruction of periodontal tissues that were examined in this study. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in the laboratory and case-control study. The samples of study collected from 30 individuals with chronic periodontitis and 30 healthy controls that matched for age and sex, together. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from patients and then TNF-α level were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and were compared with the control group. Statistical Analysis Used: In this study for statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney was used. Results: There were differences in mean salivary concentrations of TNF-α in controls and patients. The average concentration in the case group was 9.1 (pg/ml) and the control group was 8.7 (pg/ml), but there was no significant difference between case and control groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this analysis showed no significant relationship between two groups TNF-α concentration.This biomarker can not seem to be a good index to evaluate or predict periodontal disease

Salivary Interferon Gamma and Interleukin-4 Levels in Patients Suffering from Oral Lichen Planus

Objective: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Immunological factor may act as etiological factor. The cellular immune cells such as T cells are important in pathogenesis. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) are secreted by T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between salivary levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 with OLP. Materials and Methods: This case control study included sixty three Iranian OLP patients who were selected from the Department of Oral Medicine of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences from January to July 2013. An equal number of healthy volunteers were also selected as a control group. The OLP patients were then divided into two following sub-groups: reticular (n=30) and erythematous/ulcerative (n=33). All patients had no systemic disease and received no medication. IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in whole unstimulated saliva (WUS) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Data analysis was done using t test, ANOVA, least significant difference (LSD) test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Reticular OLP patients showed higher salivary IFN-γ (7.74 ± 0.09 pg/ml ) and IL-4 (3.876 ± 0.05 pg/ml) levels compared with the control group, indicating that difference was significant. Salivary IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio significantly increased compared with control group (P=0.042). Salivary IFN-γ and IL-4 levels between sub-groups (reticular and erythematous/ulcerative) were not significantly different (2.6 ± 0.06 and 2.3 ± 0.05, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusion: Salivary IFN-γ and IL-4 levels were increased in OLP patients. An increase of salivary IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in OLP patients showed that Th1 might have a dominant role in the OLP pathogenesis

Concomitant Increase of OX40 and FOXP3 Transcripts in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Breast Cancer Concomitant Increase of OX40 and FOXP3 Transcripts in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Breast Cancer

ABSTRACT Background: Regulatory T cells (T-regs) have an important role in cancer by suppression of protective antitumor immune responses. Regulatory T cells express the forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (FOXP3) and OX40 molecules which have important regulatory roles in the immune system. Objective: To evaluate FOXP3 and OX40 transcripts in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of women with breast cancer. Methods: Blood samples from 40 women with histologically-confirmed infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast and 40 healthy volunteer women without a history of malignancy or autoimmune disorders were collected. The abundance of FOXP3 and OX40 gene transcripts were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: There was a significant positive correlation between FOXP3 and OX40 gene expression in women with breast cancer in a stage dependent manner. Conclusion: This finding emphasizes the importance of T-regs as predominant targets for breast cancer immunotherapy