Imbalances in T Cell-Related Transcription Factors Among Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Objectives: Imbalances in effector T cell functioning have been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Differentiation of effector T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cell (Treg) lymphocytes is regulated by transcription factors, including Th1-specific T box (T-bet), GATA binding protein-3 (GATA3), retinoid-related orphan receptor (ROR)-α and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3). This study aimed to investigate Th1/Th2, Th1/Treg, Th2/Treg and Th17/Treg balances at the level of these transcription factors. Methods: This study took place between October 2015 and August 2016. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from a control group of 40 healthy women recruited from the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran, and a patient group of 40 women with HT referred to the Hazrat Ali Asghar Hospital, Zahedan. Total ribonucleic acid extraction was performed and the gene expression of transcription factors was quantitated using a real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: Expression of T-bet and GATA3 was significantly elevated, while FOXP3 expression was significantly diminished among HT patients in comparison with the controls (P = 0.03, 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). Expression of RORα was higher among HT patients, although this difference was not significant (P = 0.15). Expression of T-bet/FOXP3, GATA3/FOXP3 and RORα/FOXP3 ratios were increased among HT patients in comparison with the controls (P <0.02, <0.01 and <0.01, respectively). Conclusion: These results indicate that HT patients have imbalances in Th1/Treg, Th2/Treg and Th17/Treg lymphocytes at the level of the transcription factors, deviating towards Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells. Correction of these imbalances may therefore be therapeutic

Effect of pterostilbene on cellular proliferation inhibition and induction of apoptosis in lymphoblastic leukemia cell line

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL=Acule Lymphoblastic Leukemia) is the most common type of hematological malignancies in Iranian children. Pterostilbene (PT) is a natural stilbenoid in blueberries. Since the effect of PT on lymphoblastic leukemia cell line has not been investigated, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of PT induction and cellular proliferation inhibition on this cell line. METHODS: In this experimental study, Jurkat cell line was cultured in standard conditions with different concentrations of PT (0, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 and 100 Dm) for 24, 48 and 72 hours and compared with the cell of control group. Then, the effect of PT on cell viability and induction of apoptosis was measured using MTS assay and Annexin V-FITC kit. FINDINGS: Inhibition of cellular proliferation was 44, 47 and 57 at 60 Dm concentration and 71, 78 and 89 at 100 Dm concentration after 24, 48 and 72 hours of PT incubation, respectively (p<0.05). Cell apoptosis was 60 at 80 Dm, 50 at 60 Dm and 27 at 40 Dm compared to 4.63 in control. There was significant difference at 80 Dm concentration. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that the PT was effective on the proliferation inhibition and induction of apoptosis in Jurkat lymphoblastic leukemia cell line. The study of the mechanism of apoptosis induction by using this combination can be a progressive step into target therapy. © 2014 Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Stem and root comparative wood anatomy of (Calligonum comosum) In the deserts of Iran and short sight to technical properties of fabricated of particleboard from its wood

Understanding of many wood technological features depends on anatomical characteristics which, unfortunately, researchers in Iran have not focused on recently. There are many trees and shrubs in the desert areas of Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut with unstudied woody anatomical features. We studied one of these species, Calligonum comosum (Polygonaceae). Three mature shrubs were selected and small cubic samples of woody stem and root were taken. Micro-sections were obtained with micro-tome and after dying with Astra-blue and Safranin the sections were mounted in Canada balsam. The results showed that many differences between roots and stems exist, such as distinct growth rings in the stems and indistinct rings in the roots, the presence of gums in the stems and absence in the roots, and lower ray width of the stems compared to the roots, inherent characteristics that have been reported by many other researchers. The most important difference between Calligonum comosum’s roots and stems is parenchyma-like fibers in the thin-walled roots which cannot be distinguished from axial parenchyma. The ground tissue of woody roots is parenchymatous cells full of starches, which probably can be related to the drought situation of deserts. The bark of Calligonum comosum has priderm and sclereid cells which make the bark stiff and hard. Also the result of particleboard of fabricated of Calligonum comosum’s wood showed that boards has at least technical characteristics of European Standard EN 312 and hence the silviculture of this species for stooping of erosion of soil and is suitable species for desertification and its wood can be used for producing of wood based panel

Comparative wood anatomy of Wych Elm, English Elm, Caucasian Elm and Hackberry

In this investigation, anatomical characteristics of Iranian native woods from Ulmaceaefamily: Ulmus glabra, Ulmus carpinifolia,Zelkova carpinifolia,Celtis australis have been compared. These 4 woods are similar and have been used in Iranian historical buildings and their identification would be important.Among 4 species, Zelkova carpinifolia is somehow similar to Celtis australis while, Ulmus glabrar is close to Ulmus carpinifolia. Boundary cells of rays in Zelkova carpinifolia and Celtis australis are bigger than inside cells of rays. The difference between Zelkova carpinifolia and  Celtis australis are in ray width. Ray width of Celtis australis is 7-8 cells, whereas Zelkova carpinifolia 5- 6 cells. The color of soluble (Glycerin + water)which have been used for softening of wood samples(2× 2 cm)for Zelkova carpinifolia got golden color but others grey. The difference between Ulmus glabra and Ulmus carpinifolia are in appearance of rays. The appearance of  Ulmus carpinifolia’s ray is short and wide while ray of Ulmus glabrar is tall and slender. Meanwhile the frequency of rays in cross section of Ulmus carpinifolia is 6-8 per millimeter but in the case of   Ulmus glabrar the figure is 4-5

Imbalances in T Cell-Related Transcription Factors Among Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Objectives: Imbalances in effector T cell functioning have been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Differentiation of effector T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cell (Treg) lymphocytes is regulated by transcription factors, including Th1-specific T box (T-bet), GATA binding protein-3 (GATA3), retinoid-related orphan receptor (ROR)-α and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3). This study aimed to investigate Th1/Th2, Th1/Treg, Th2/Treg and Th17/Treg balances at the level of these transcription factors. Methods: This study took place between October 2015 and August 2016. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from a control group of 40 healthy women recruited from the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran, and a patient group of 40 women with HT referred to the Hazrat Ali Asghar Hospital, Zahedan. Total ribonucleic acid extraction was performed and the gene expression of transcription factors was quantitated using a real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: Expression of T-bet and GATA3 was significantly elevated, while FOXP3 expression was significantly diminished among HT patients in comparison with the controls (P = 0.03, 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). Expression of RORα was higher among HT patients, although this difference was not significant (P = 0.15). Expression of T-bet/FOXP3, GATA3/FOXP3 and RORα/FOXP3 ratios were increased among HT patients in comparison with the controls (P <0.02, <0.01 and <0.01, respectively). Conclusion: These results indicate that HT patients have imbalances in Th1/Treg, Th2/Treg and Th17/Treg lymphocytes at the level of the transcription factors, deviating towards Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells. Correction of these imbalances may therefore be therapeutic

Comparative wood anatomy of three Ephedra species (Ephedra procera, Ephedra strobilacea and Ephedra intermedia) of Iran

Ephedra shrubs are among native species of Iran and Turan habitat but their anatomical and physical characteristics have not been studied yet. In this study,physical characteristics of wood logs from three ephedra species  including Mianeh Ephedra (Ephedra intermedia ),Goats Beard Ephedra (Ephedra major) and Deserts Ephedra or Central Asian Ephedra (Ephedra strobilaceae Bge.) from desert areas of Yazd province were studied. Results shows that Iranian ephedra species similar to the others species show  three key anatomical structures: Vessles, Theracheids and, Fibers. The presence of big pits simillar to tracheid pits  in some vessel elements support the idea that they are a bridge group linking angiosperms and gymnosperms. Important anatomical features of Iranian ephedras include occurrence of clear and dendroied bodies, elongated and very hetrogenous wooden rayes and latticed vascular valves. Anatomical differences between the three ephedra species provide the key to identify them. There was not any significant difference between average physical characteristics (wet and dry density, shirinkage and swelling).Whereas, average shirinkage and swelling in radial direction was significantly higher than those in tangentiels direction

Use of Single-Chain Antibody Derivatives for Targeted Drug Delivery

Abstract Single-chain antibodies (scFvs), which contain only the variable domains of full-length antibodies, are relatively small molecules that can be used for selective drug delivery. In this review, we discuss how scFvs help improve the specificity and efficiency of drugs. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery using scFv-drug fusion peptides, siRNA delivery using scFv-conjugated nanoparticles, targeted delivery using scFv-viral peptide-fusion proteins, use of scFv in fusion with cell-penetrating peptides for effective targeted drug delivery, scFv-mediated targeted delivery of inorganic nanoparticles, scFv-mediated increase of tumor killing activity of granulocytes, use of scFv for tumor imaging, site-directed conjugation of scFv molecules to drug carrier systems, use of scFv to relieve pain and use of scFv for increasing drug loading efficiency are among the topics that are discussed here

An analysis of the combined effects of isocyanate HMDI and maleic anhydride (MAPE) coupling agents on the mechanical properties of HDPE- wood flour composite

Coupling agents in wood fiber reinforced plastic composites play an important role inimproving compatibility and adhesion between polar wood fiber and non-polar polymermatrices by forming bridges of chemical bonds between the fiber and the matrix. Maleatedpolyethylene (MAPE) and diisocyanate (HMDI) are two most common coupling agents whichare subject to evaluation, singly and in mixture. Polypropylene and wood fibers werecompounded with Maleated polyethylene (MAPE) and diisocyanate (HMDI) in concentration of2% and 4% in solitary form and mixture form (HMDI %2 + MAPE %2) into pellets using acounter-rotating twin-screw extruder and mechanical test specimens were prepared by injectionmolding. The result showed that adding 4% MAPE and 2% HMDI individually lead to increasein flexural and tensile strength of the composites. Also adding (%2HMDI + %2MAPE) causedan increase of flexural, tensile and in particular the impact strength