Targeting CD22 Reprograms B-Cells and Reverses Autoimmune Diabetes

OBJECTIVES—To investigate a B-cell–depleting strategy to reverse diabetes in naïve NOD mice

The potential utility of B cell-directed biologic therapy in autoimmune diseases

Increasing awareness of the importance of aberrant B cell regulation in autoimmunity has driven the clinical development of novel B cell-directed biologic therapies with the potential to treat a range of autoimmune disorders. The first of these drugs—rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the B cell-specific surface marker CD20—was recently approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis in patients with an inadequate response to other biologic therapies. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential use of rituximab in the management of other autoimmune disorders. Results from early phase clinical trials indicate that rituximab may provide clinical benefit in systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, vasculitis, and thrombocytopenic purpura. Numerous case reports and several small pilot studies have also been published reporting the use of rituximab in conditions such as myositis, antiphospholipid syndrome, Still’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. In general, the results from these preliminary studies encourage further testing of rituximab therapy in formalized clinical trials. Based on results published to date, it is concluded that rituximab, together with other B cell-directed therapies currently under clinical development, is likely to provide an important new treatment option for a number of these difficult-to-treat autoimmune disorders

Association of gastric cancer incidence with MDR1 gene polymorphism in an ethnic Iranian population

Background: The allele frequency of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene C3435T polymorphism differs with different ethnic populations, such as Asian, African, and Caucasian. This polymorphism has been reported to be associated with the increase of gastric cancer. Objectives: The objective of this study was to find out the association of gastric cancer incidence with MDR1 gene polymorphism in an ethnic Iranian population. Materials and Methods: In this study, 48 gastric cancer patients were diagnosed. Genomic DNA was extracted by a salting-out method. The MDR1 polymorphism was studied by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, using a standard method. Results: The polymorphic homozygote (T/T) genotype showed significantly an association with the incidence of gastric cancer compared with controls (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that C3435T polymorphism of the MDR1 gene may be associated with gastric cancer in an ethnic Iranian population

Association of gastric cancer incidence with MDR1 gene polymorphism in an ethnic Iranian population

Background: The allele frequency of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene C3435T polymorphism differs with different ethnic populations, such as Asian, African, and Caucasian. This polymorphism has been reported to be associated with the increase of gastric cancer. Objectives: The objective of this study was to find out the association of gastric cancer incidence with MDR1 gene polymorphism in an ethnic Iranian population. Materials and Methods: In this study, 48 gastric cancer patients were diagnosed. Genomic DNA was extracted by a salting-out method. The MDR1 polymorphism was studied by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, using a standard method. Results: The polymorphic homozygote (T/T) genotype showed significantly an association with the incidence of gastric cancer compared with controls (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that C3435T polymorphism of the MDR1 gene may be associated with gastric cancer in an ethnic Iranian population

Prevalence of postpartum depression and its relation to some psychosocial factors in mothers referred to health centers of Kashan during 2007-8

Background: Postpartum depression is a serious problem that may have negative effects on mother and family mental health. Considering that several theories have been proposed to explain the epidemiologic and demographic factors associated with the postpartum depression, the aim of this study was to identify the factors related to postpartum depression in Kashan. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50% of all health centers in Kashan were randomly selected during 2007-8. All of 204 mothers referred during 2-3 months of postpartum with minimum literacy (primary education) showed willingness to complete the questionnaire which included two parts: demographic and psychosocial questions and BDI (Beck Depression Inventory). Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, CI, OR, and logistic regression. Results: Seventy-seven (37.7%) out of 204 mothers referred to Kashan health centers experienced postpartum depression (0.31-0.44). There was a statistically significant relationship between seven demographic and psychosocial factors and postpartum depression, in logistic regression (P<0.001), three factors (husband's appropriate behavior, intimate relationship with family, and no prior history of depression) were remained in the model. The findings indicated that the mentioned factors can reduce the incidence of postpartum depression. Conclusion: According to the results, factors including husband's appropriate behavior, intimate relationship with family and no prior history of depression may reduce the incidence of postpartum depression

RedWater: Approach for mining water from Mars’ ice deposits buried 10s of meters deep

Here we present a method for drilling down 10s of meters into Mars subsurface and mining water for In Situ Resource Utilisation