Evaluation of the effect of GM-CSF blocking on the phenotype and function of human monocytes

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a multipotent cytokine that prompts the proliferation of bone marrow-derived macrophages and granulocytes. In addition to its effects as a growth factor, GM-CSF plays an important role in chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Reports have identified monocytes as the primary target of GM-CSF; however, its effect on monocyte activation has been under-estimated. Here, using flow cytometry and ELISA we show that GM-CSF induces an inflammatory profile in human monocytes, which includes an upregulated expression of HLA-DR and CD86 molecules and increased production of TNF-α and IL-1β. Conversely, blockage of endogenous GM-CSF with antibody treatment not only inhibited the inflammatory profile of these cells, but also induced an immunomodulatory one, as shown by increased IL-10 production by monocytes. Further analysis with qPCR, flow cytometry and ELISA experiments revealed that GM-CSF blockage in monocytes stimulated production of the chemokine CXCL-11, which suppressed T cell proliferation. Blockade of CXCL-11 abrogated anti-GM-CSF treatment and induced inflammatory monocytes. Our findings show that anti-GM-CSF treatment induces modulatory monocytes that act in a CXCL-11-dependent manner, a mechanism that can be used in the development of novel approaches to treat chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases

Neuromyelitis optica in a pregnant woman with systemic lupus erythematous: A case report.

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Evaluation of Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (sHLA-G) Isoforms and Regulatory T Cells in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Soluble forms of nonclassical human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G have recently been suggested as immunomodulatory factors in multiple sclerosis (MS). HLA-G inhibits the effecter function of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Also regulatory T cells (Treg) are considered as pivotal players in MS pathogenesis. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the presence of HLA-G molecules and Treg cells in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients and compare it to healthy controls. Patients with RRMS (n=205, mean age=31.32±8.53) and healthy subjects (n=205, mean age=32.2±7.48) were studied. The patients subgrouped to untreated and treated with Interferon beta. Then sHLA-G levels (sHLA-G1 and sHLA-G5) were measured using ELISA method. Treg (CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+) cells in patients who had sHLA-G>10 U/ml were characterized by using flow cytometry. Our data showed that there was no significant differences between RRMS patients and healthy controls in sHLA-G concentration (p>0.05). Treg cell frequencies were higher in the patients who had sHLA-G >10 U/ml compared to healthy subjects (p<0.05). Collectively, there was significant correlation between sHLA-G and frequency of Treg cells in treated RRMS patients and healthy individuals. It seems that high level sHLA-G has been instrumental in raising frequency of Treg cells in treated patients and could be associated with remission of MS disease

Phycocyanin C a Natural Product with Impressive Therapeutic Efficacy for Inhibition of Breast Tumors’ Growth and Metastasis in Vivo

Background: Several studies have reported the anticancer effect of phycocyanin C, a natural extract isolated from the algae Arthrospira platensis. However, its therapeutic effects on the growth of breast cancer and its metastasis have not been determined yet. Method: In this case-control study, we employed phycocyanin C for the treatment of 4T1 breast tumor as an applicable experimental animal model for human mammary cancer and metastasis. BALB/c mice were injected subcutaneously (s.c) into the 4th abdominal mammary fat pad with 1×106 4T1 cells. We randomly divided the mice into two groups; one group of mice were injected with PBS as the control, and the other group was intraperitoneally injected with phycocyanin C (80 mg/kg daily for 20 days). Tumor growth and metastasis were assessed in both groups. Results: Phycocyanin C significantly inhibited 4T1 breast tumors growth (P<0.05). The mean tumors volumes at the control group were 2.73 times higher than those of the treatment group. In addition, phycocyanin C treatment could significantly inhibit the formation of metastasis colonies at vital organs like spleen, liver, and lung. Moreover, the survival rate of the tumor-bearing mice increased after about 22 days by phycocyanin C treatment in comparison with the control. Conclusion: This is the first report demonstrating the anticancer effects of phycocyanin C on 4T1 breast tumor in vivo. Overall, our findings provided convincing evidence for the application of phycocyanin C as an anticancer therapeutic agent

Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Acute Poisoning in Children in a Referral Teaching Hospital in Iran, 2015 - 2018

Background: Poisoning is one of the most common medical emergencies in young children. Substantial differences in socioeconomic and cultural situations cause various epidemiological patterns of acute poisoning with different poisonous agents. Objectives: We aimed to determine the extent of pediatric poisoning in a referral teaching hospital in the center of Iran. Methods: The electronic database of Qods Children Hospital in Qazvin, Iran, was searched for children younger than 12 years old and referred for acute poisoning from 2015 to 2018. The cases (n = 184) were classified according to their age, gender, symptoms at the time of admission, the toxins, and their types. Results: The frequency of poisoning in boys was more than girls (M/F = 1.49). The mean age of the patients was 3.4 years, and the average length of stay in hospital was 1.3 days. Children poisoned with petroleum products had the highest average stay (3.10 days). Although more than 65 agents were identified as the poisoning agents, narcotics were the most common category (n = 62, 33.7%), and methadone was the most common agent in our study (n = 46, 25%). Central nervous system symptoms were recorded more than other signs and symptoms on admission or during the stay. Only two patients (1.1%) had been discharged with complications. Conclusions: With predominance for boys, most of the children had toxicity with medications. Methadone, other narcotics, and psychotropic medications were the most common agents that indicate a need for more severe control and education for prevention from poisoning in children. Keywords: Poisoning, Child, Narcotics, Epidemiolog

Reliability and Validity of the Persian Version of Dental Student Learning Education Questionnaire and a Researcher Made Questionnaire about In-terest of Dental Students in Their Field of Study

Background and Aim: Improving the quality of dental education significantly enhances the quality of services and promotes public health. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Persian version of dental student learning education questionnaire (DSLES) and a researcher made questionnaire about interest of dental students in their field of study. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire composed of two major components was de-signed in this study. The first part, was a researcher made questionnaire related to stu-dents’ interest in their field of study and the second part was the Persian translation of the DSLES. Delphi approach was used for content validation. Cronbach’s Alpha and the Kappa coefficients were determined by SPSS for assessing reliability. Results: All indicators of content validity (except for 6 items in the second part) and the inter-rater agreement were higher than %75. The Cronbach’s alpha for all subscales was higher than %75 and the Kappa for all items was higher than %73. According to the re-sults of 375 questionnaires, Cronbach’s alpha for the first part was 79%, for the second part was 85% and for the entire questionnaire was 86%. Conclusion: The designed questionnaire can serve as an acceptable instrument in the Ira-nian educational settings

Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Acute Poisoning in Children in a Referral Teaching Hospital in Iran, 2015 - 2018

Background: Poisoning is one of the most common medical emergencies in young children. Substantial differences in socioeconomic and cultural situations cause various epidemiological patterns of acute poisoning with different poisonous agents. Objectives: We aimed to determine the extent of pediatric poisoning in a referral teaching hospital in the center of Iran. Methods: The electronic database of Qods Children Hospital in Qazvin, Iran, was searched for children younger than 12 years old and referred for acute poisoning from 2015 to 2018. The cases (n = 184) were classified according to their age, gender, symptoms at the time of admission, the toxins, and their types. Results: The frequency of poisoning in boys was more than girls (M/F = 1.49). The mean age of the patients was 3.4 years, and the average length of stay in hospital was 1.3 days. Children poisoned with petroleum products had the highest average stay (3.10 days). Although more than 65 agents were identified as the poisoning agents, narcotics were the most common category (n = 62, 33.7%), and methadone was the mostcommonagent in our study (n = 46, 25%). Central nervous system symptoms were recorded more than other signs and symptoms on admission or during the stay. Only two patients (1.1%) had been discharged with complications. Conclusions: With predominance for boys, most of the children had toxicity with medications. Methadone, other narcotics, and psychotropic medications were the mostcommonagents that indicate a need for more severe control and education for prevention from poisoning in children

Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Acute Poisoning in Children in a Referral Teaching Hospital in Iran, 2015 - 2018

Background: Poisoning is one of the most common medical emergencies in young children. Substantial differences in socioeconomic and cultural situations cause various epidemiological patterns of acute poisoning with different poisonous agents. Objectives: We aimed to determine the extent of pediatric poisoning in a referral teaching hospital in the center of Iran. Methods: The electronic database of Qods Children Hospital in Qazvin, Iran, was searched for children younger than 12 years old and referred for acute poisoning from 2015 to 2018. The cases (n = 184) were classified according to their age, gender, symptoms at the time of admission, the toxins, and their types. Results: The frequency of poisoning in boys was more than girls (M/F = 1.49). The mean age of the patients was 3.4 years, and the average length of stay in hospital was 1.3 days. Children poisoned with petroleum products had the highest average stay (3.10 days). Although more than 65 agents were identified as the poisoning agents, narcotics were the most common category (n = 62, 33.7%), and methadone was the most common agent in our study (n = 46, 25%). Central nervous system symptoms were recorded more than other signs and symptoms on admission or during the stay. Only two patients (1.1%) had been discharged with complications. Conclusions: With predominance for boys, most of the children had toxicity with medications. Methadone, other narcotics, and psychotropic medications were the most common agents that indicate a need for more severe control and education for prevention from poisoning in children

Effect of Fish Oil on the Level of Interferon Gamma on the Breast Milk of Atopic Mothers: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing worldwide. The effective role of omega-3 fatty acids in the maturation of immune system and protection against atopic diseases has been well discussed. However, previous studies revealed conflicting results. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fish oil consumption by nursing atopic mothers on the level of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in their breast milk and incidence of allergic disease in their infants. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 94 atopic mothers, who were assigned to two equal groups receiving either 1000 mg fish oil capsules or placebo for 60 days after delivery. The breast milk was collected 120 days after delivery, and IFN-γ level was measured. The history of the symptoms of atopic disease in infants was collected from their mothers through ISAAC questionnaire; in addition, the infants’ growth was evaluated. Results: Sixty mother-infant pairs completed the trial. The mean values of IFN-γ in breast milk was higher in the fish oil group (1.11±1.15 Pg/ml) than in the placebo group (0.81±0.86 Pg/ml), but the difference was not significant (P=0.288). In addition, the incidence of allergic symptoms of infants was not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.84). Conclusion: In this trial, the consumption of fish oil by lactating mothers did not have a significant effect on IFN-γ level in their breast milk and the incidence of allergic symptoms in their infants. Future studies with longer follow-ups are necessary in this regard

Propensity Score Application in the Relationship of Screen Time and Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents: the CASPIAN-III Study

Aim: This study aimed to assess the relationship of screen time and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Iranian adolescents. Materials and Methods  In this nationwide study, the propensity score (PS) was used in a matched case-control study design. The data was obtained from 5,625 students aged 10-18 years, who participated in a national school-based surveillance program. MetS was defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). In addition, the continuous MetS score (cMetS) was calculated and the best cutpoint for cMetS was selected based on the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve estimate of sensibility and specificity. Data analysis was performed by a conditional logistic regression in 2014.  Results  Screen time increased the risk of MetS by 44% with a near significant P- value (P=0.052). The time spent on computer during leisure time was significantly associated with MetS and waist circumference (