rapid and sensitive assay to identify HLA-DQ2/8 risk alleles for celiac disease using real-time PCR method

Aim: To perform a simple, rapid and sensitive Real-time PCR based SYBR Green method to determine the human leukocyte antigen [HLA]-DQ 2/8 alleles in celiac disease [CD] patients

Background: Many molecular techniques are available to determine the HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 alleles, but they are too expensive and have many steps that make them difficult to use

Methods: To determine the HLA-DQ 2/8 alleles we have developed a new real-time PCR assay, using SYBR Green technique with melting curve analysis on genomic DNA isolated from 75 CD patients and 94 healthy controls. The specific primers to examine HLADQA1* 05, HLA-DQB1*02 and HLA-DQB1*0302 alleles were used and results were compared with commercially available kits

Results: Using this method, the presence of HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 alleles were determined with sensitivity and specificity 80% and 100% respectively and compared to low resolution commercially available kits, the results of this method were more efficient. The frequency of DQ2 and DQ8 in patients was 76% and 29%, respectively and overall 96% of patients were carries DQ2 and/or DQ8 alleles

Conclusion: The result of this study showed that Real-time PCR using SYBR Green method with melting curve analysis has good efficiency to identify the HLA-DQ2/8 risk alleles

Effects of Endurance Training on the Serum Levels of Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha and Interferon-gamma in Sedentary Men

Physical activity could be considered one of the factors that affect the immune system status and function. To find the relation between exercise and cytokines, we examined the possible effects of an 8-week endurance training program on the serum levels of cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in sedentary men. A total of 30 healthy young male volunteers were randomly divided into an endurance training group and a control group. The training group followed a specific exercise protocol (running on a treadmill for 15~30 min at 50~70% maximal heart rate) for 8 weeks and the control group did not participate in any exercise program. Venous blood samples were collected from both the groups 24 h before and 24 h and 48 h after the exercise. Repeated ANOVA was used for statistical purposes. The serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were determined by ELISA. Significant (p0.05) decreases were observed in the serum levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, respectively, after the 8-week endurance training program. Our findings indicated that an 8-week endurance exercise may affect the serum levels of some inflammatory cytokines, suggesting the beneficial role of this training protocol in elderly population and people with certain conditions (inflammation of the vertebrae or other inflammatory diseases).

structure biology and application of phytohemagglutinin [PHA] in phytomedicine: with special up-to-date references to lectins

Lectins first discovered more than 100 years ago in plants, they are now known to be present throughout nature. Phytohemagglutinin [PHA], the lectin extract from the red kidney bean [Phaseolus Vulgaris], contain potent, cell agglutinating and mitogenic activities. They play a role in biological recognition phenomena involving cells and proteins towards medical applications. The present article is a brief review of the history of lectin in nature. By reviewing the web-based search for all types of peer review articles published, was initiated using ISI web of Sciences and Medline / PubMed, and other pertinent references on websites about lectins. Here, we present a brief account of 100-plus years of lectin research and show how these proteins have become the focus of intense interest for biologists and in particular for the research and applications in medicine. Phytohemagglutinin, has been widely used for mitotic stimulation to human lymphocytes, cell arrest, or apoptosis, potential sources for developing novel pharmaceutical preparation and intensive interest for health care services, biologist and phytomedicine research can be considered

Effect of 8 weeks endurance training on immune system cell changes with recovery period

In this study for surveying the relation between exercise and immune cell, we examine the effect of Effect of 8 weeks endurance training on immune system cell changes with recovery period. Experimental study. participant of this research including health and yang males that were randomized divided into two groups :[ETG] endurance training groups with 15 men; and [CG] 13 men in to control group. Different factor of anthropometric characteristics [i.e. age, weight and height] and also white blood cell [i.e. lymphocyte, neutrophils, monocytes] were experimented. In this study, subjects, runs on a treadmill for 15-30 min at 50% - 70% maximal Heart rate for 8 weeks, with Venous blood sample was taken at pre, post and at 24- hours and 48-hours after exercise. For data analyze, we used of one -way using repeated-measurements ANOVA, in SPSS 12. And also Significance was evaluated as P < 0.05.In addition, all values are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. we found that lymphocyte level increased after 4[th] week and 48h-recovery, but decreased after 8[th] week [Mid-exercise], and 24h- recovery in exercise group. Also levels of Neutrophils and Monocytes decreased after after 4[h] week [Mid-exercise], post- exercise [8[th] week], 24h- recovery and 48h-recoveries in exercise group. These data demonstrate that a period endurance exercise leads to Levels changes of leukocytes after exercise and recovery period, but these changes not significant

Association between the evidence of human papilloma virus infection in bladder transitional cell carcinoma in men and cervical dysplasia in their spouses

Cervical cancer is one of the most common tumors in women. One of its risk factors is direct contact with viruses, in particular human papillomavirus [HPV]. Recent studies have shown a prevalence of 2%-35% for HPV in cases with bladder cancer. In addition, some malignancies of the urogenital organs in males may promote the probability of cervical cancer in their spouses. In this study, the relationship between cervical dysplasia in women and evidence of HPV infection in tissue specimens obtained from their spouses' bladders has been investigated. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 82 male patients with bladder tumors and their spouses between February 2004 and February 2007 in Tehran. We gathered data related to the histopathology of the transitional cell carcinoma [TCC] in men and Pap smear tests of their spouses. Tissue specimens of patients with bladder TCC were analyzed for HPV infection using polymerase chain reaction [POR]. HPV-positive specimens were tested for subtypes 16 and 18. In 24 [29.3%] men, bladder tumor samples were positive for HPV infection. Of these, we found HPV-18 infection in 9 [37.5%], while 3 [12.5%] were infected with HPV-16. In the spouses of those men with HPV-infected bladder tumors, 4 [4.9%] cases had cellular dysplasia noted on their Pap smear tests. We found no dysplasia in those women whose husbands had bladder TCC, but no HPV infection [P = 0.006]. It is possible to decrease the incidence of bladder TCC in men and cervical cancer in women through public education regarding the methods of transmission and avoidance of risky sexual behaviors