IP-10 response to RD1 antigens might be a useful biomarker for monitoring tuberculosis therapy

Background There is an urgent need of prognosis markers for tuberculosis (TB) to improve treatment strategies. The results of several studies show that the Interferon (IFN)-γ-specific response to the TB antigens of the QuantiFERON TB Gold (QFT-IT antigens) decreases after successful TB therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there are factors other than IFN-γ [such as IFN-γ inducible protein (IP)-10 which has also been associated with TB] in response to QFT-IT antigens that can be used as biomarkers for monitoring TB treatment. Methods In this exploratory study we assessed the changes in IP-10 secretion in response to QFT-IT antigens and RD1 peptides selected by computational analysis in 17 patients with active TB at the time of diagnosis and after 6 months of treatment. The IFN-γ response to QFT-IT antigens and RD1 selected peptides was evaluated as a control. A non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired comparisons was used to compare the continuous variables at the time of diagnosis and at therapy completion. A Chi-square test was used to compare proportions. Results We did not observe significant IP-10 changes in whole blood from either NIL or QFT-IT antigen tubes, after 1-day stimulation, between baseline and therapy completion (p = 0.08 and p = 0.7 respectively). Conversely, the level of IP-10 release to RD1 selected peptides was significantly different (p = 0.006). Similar results were obtained when we detected the IFN-γ in response to the QFT-IT antigens (p = 0.06) and RD1 selected peptides (p = 0.0003). The proportion of the IP-10 responders to the QFT-IT antigens did not significantly change between baseline and therapy completion (p = 0.6), whereas it significantly changed in response to RD1 selected peptides (p = 0.002). The proportion of IFN-γ responders between baseline and therapy completion was not significant for QFT-IT antigens (p = 0.2), whereas it was significant for the RD1 selected peptides (p = 0.002), confirming previous observations. Conclusions Our preliminary study provides an interesting hypothesis: IP-10 response to RD1 selected peptides (similar to IFN-γ) might be a useful biomarker for monitoring therapy efficacy in patients with active TB. However, further studies in larger cohorts are needed to confirm the consistency of these study results

Properties of eco-friendly cement mortar contained recycled materials from different sources

Building materials such as sand, cement, bricks, and steel are usually the main components of the construction sector. All these materials are produced from existing natural resources and they will cause substantial damage to the environment as a result of their continuous depletion. Moreover, during the manufacture of various building materials, especially cement, a high concentration of carbon dioxide is constantly emitted into the atmosphere. Therefore, to reduce this environmental damage as well as to save natural resources, this study was performed to recycle the wastes of some of building materials such as marble, granite and porcelain tiles and clay brick through using them as cement and aggregate replacement materials in cement mortar. Sixteen mixtures were cast for this study. In addition to the control, the mortar mixes were divided into five groups, three mixes in each group. In four of the five groups, cement was replaced in three proportions (5%, 10%, 15% by weight) with each of marble, granite, porcelain and clay brick waste powders (passing through 150-μm sieve). The fifth group included 100% replacing (by weight) of the natural sand with the marble, granite and porcelain tiles wastes (with a comparable gradation). The influence of these wastes on flow rate, compressive strength, flexural strength, bulk density, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and water absorption tests were observed. Results showed that it is possible to produce an eco-friendly mortar made with 100% recycled marble or porcelain aggregate with a significant improvement in the mechanical and durability properties in comparison with natural aggregate mortar

Families and Gender in Western and Non-Western Settings

Families are one of the central arenas in society where gender issues are realized and enacted. Specifically, the unequal relationships between men and women are often an important and yet overlooked aspect of family life