[Evaluation of relation between polymorphisms in -590 region of IL-4 and occult HBV infection]

Occult Hepatitis B Infection [OBI] is a form of hepatitis in which despite of absence of detectable HBsAg, HBV-DNA is presented in patients peripheral blood. Responsible mechanisms of progression of OBI are unknown yet, but some investigators believed that the genetic and immunological parameters may be different. Cytokine network system could be leading alteration in viral immune response. IL-4 as an anti-inflammatory cytokines causes decreased immune function. Thus, regulatory factors which influences expression and function of IL-4 can be effective on immune system functions. As polymorphic variation in cytokine genes has regulatory effects on their expression and functions, this study investigates the association of-590 region polymorphisms of IL-4 with OBI. Determination of association between IL-4 polymorphisms with OBI. In this study, the plasma samples [FFP] of 3700 blood donors were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by ELISA. The HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive samples were selected and screened for HBV-DNA by PCR. HBV-DNA positive samples assigned as OBI cases while HBV-DNA negative samples were used as control and PCR-RFLP was performed to examine the presence of polymorphisms in -590 regions of IL-4 genes of patients with OBI. 352 [9.51%] Out of 3700 blood samples were negative for HBsAg and positive for anti-HBc antibody. HBV-DNA was detected in 57[16.1%] of HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive samples. Our results showed that none of the alleles had significant difference between patients and control group. Our results demonstrated that there is no significant difference between patients with OBI and control cases. Therefore, it seems that there is not any relation between these alleles and OBI and more study should be done on polymorphisms in other to cytokine genes in patients with OBI

[Using body mass index [BMI] to assess nutritional status in Afghan immigrant children in Shahriyar region]

To measure Body Mass Index [BMI] in Afghan immigrant children in 2005. In this survey we selected 606 Afghan children aged 6-14 years and measured their weights and heights. After calculating body mass index [BMI], we categorized the subjects as underweight, normal, or obese. This study showed that 97 cases [16%] had low weight, 429 [81.2%] fell within the normal range and 17 [2.8%] were over-weight. Low weight was more common in girls than in boys [15.2% vs. 16.9%] but the difference was not statistically significant. Also, the prevalence of low weight was greater in children born in Iran [17.3%] than in those born in Afghanistan [15.2%]. Children with birth ranks of >/= 3 were more likely to have low weight in comparison to first-and second-born subjects [17% vs. 15.3%], but the difference was not statistically significant. In light of the high prevalence of malnutrition in Afghan immigrant children, interventional and educational programs are needed to improve health and nutrition status in Afghan immigrants

comparison of salivary IgA and IgE levels in children with breast- and formula- feeding during infancy period

Oral local immune factors may play a protective role against oral diseases and defend against microbial agents. Salivary immunoglobulin A [IgA] is a major factor for the local host defence against caries and periodontal disease. The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations of salivary IgA and IgE levels in breast-fed and formula-fed children in infancy period. Totally, 80 healthy 5 years old children were included in the study. According to type of feeding in infancy period, the children divided into two groups: 50 breast-fed and 30 formula-fed. One milliliter of saliva was collected from each participant, centrifuged, and stored at -70 °C. The salivary IgA and IgE concentrations were measured, using ELISA technique. In breast-fed children, the salivary IgA level [39.6 mg/1 +/- 17.3] was significantly higher than that in formula-fed children [26.9 mg/1 +/- 14] [P=0.0001]. However, the salivary IgE level was significantly lower in breast-fed children, comparing with formula-fed ones [5.01 lU/ml +/- 19.70 vs. 11.74 lU/ml +/- 39.40] [P=0.047]. These results suggest that breast feeding enhances salivary IgA level in the early period of life which may contribute in oral cavity immunity. Higher salivary IgE level observed in formula-fed subjects may have a potential role in development of allergic or inflammatory reactions

[Occult HBV infection in HBsAG negative and anti HBC positive blood donors]

In recent years with introduction of better screening tests, the risk of infection with transfusion- transmitted viruses has been reduced remarkably, although obtaining a zero-risk blood supply still remains international blood transfusion services goal. The routine test for detection of HBV infected blood samples is examination of HBsAg with ELISA method but in occult I-mV infection, HBsAg is not detectable by ELISA. Therefore, a more sensitive or complementary test is needed. Some international blood transfusion services have introduced anti-HBc screening as a surrogate test for the presence of HBV infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of occult I-IBV infection in Isfahanian blood donors and the potential value of anti- HBc testing of donors as a screening test to detect occult HBV infection. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 545 blood units were collected [from Isfahan blood center] and tested by HBsAg ELISA kit from April to June 2004 and then all HBsAg negative samples were tested by anti-HBc ELISA kit. To detect occult HBV infection, all HBsAg negative and anti-Mile positive samples were tested by PCR method. All samples were negative for HBsAg while 43 blood units were anti-HBc positive [8%]. These HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive blood units were tested for HBV DNA of which five units [% 11.6] were HBV DNA positive. Occult I-IBV infection is a clinical form of HBV infection that cannot be detected by usual method [ELISA] for HBsAg and therefore more sensitive techniques are needed for detection of FIBV infection. PCR is a sensitive technique that detects IIBV DNA even in a trace mounts. Our results identified that more sensitive and complementary tests such as, PC.R and anti-HBc, are essential and helpful to ensure safety of blood units

[Gene cloning and expression analysis of Gro/KC by primary hepatocytes]

It is now well established that several environmental stresses lead to activation of p38 MAP kinase and JNK in various cell systems which is followed by chemokine production. We investigated the expression of both CXC chemokines SDF- 1 alpha[ELR] and Gro/KC [ELR[+]] in rat H4 hepatoma cells in response to heat shock, hyper-osmolarity and oxidative stresses. The pattern of expression of these chemokines by hepatoma cells in response to stress conditions was also studied. Hepatoma cells were maintained in MEM medium. Cells were subjected to different stresses [H[2]O[2] 0.15% [w/v], manitol and NaC1 [160 mM] and heat shock [[42[degree sign] C for 20 minutes]]. At the indicated time points, cells were harvested and RNA was extracted, purified and expression of the chemokines were analysed by RT-PCR. cDNA was separated by gel electrophoresis on a 1% [w/v] agarose gel and visualized on a UV transilluminator. Results obtained in this report showed that there was detectable but low expression of chemokines in H4 hepatoma cells. Heat shock failed to induce expression of chemokines in H4 rat hepatoma cells. Hyper-osmolarity also has not stimulated Chemokines expression. In this study we have also shown that oxidative stress did not induce expression of chemokines. Overall, although detection is possible but regularly responses were not observed in H4 hepatoma cells. Several known injurious conditions cause recruitment of macrophages, neutrophils and other immune cells to the liver. Immune cells are recruited to the hepatic vasculature following local liver injury and consequent chemokine production. Our results demonstrated that failure in production of these chemokines by Hepatoma cells may be a way to escape from immune surveillance

[Evaluation of the stress effect on expression of BEST-5 gene in cultured rat hepatocytes and cloning of this gene]

Liver has important roles in body metabolic regulation and for this reason hepatocytes are used worldwide. Investigations showed that isolation of hepatocytes causes activation of stress related genes. The aim of this study was to study the stress related expression of BEST-5 following hepatocytes isolation and culture. The BEST-5 gene is cloned and analyzed for the first time from isolated and cultured rat hepatocytes. Very little is known about this gene and almost nothing is known about its function. RNA was isolated from hepatocytes after 3h culture and used for generation of PCR products corresponding to the BEST-5. cDNA generated was cloned into pCR[R]2.1 plasmid vector. Following transformation into TOPO10 oneshot [R]cells, the cells were grown in LB agar plates containing X-Gal and ampicillin, overnight at 37[oC]. To confirm that the plasmids contained inserts of the correct size, the vectors obtained from mini-preparations were digested with the desired restriction enzymes. Sequencing was performed for the gene. RT-PCR and Northern blotting analysis showed that BEST-5 mRNA is expressed, 3h after isolation and culture of primary hepatocytes [3h] BEST-5 mRNA was observed until 5h of culture and then there was no detectable band of BEST-5 at further time points. Comparison of expression of the level of mRNA of BEST-5, when data statistically were analyzed, showed a significant difference between the expression of BEST-5 mRNA expression at 3h with 0h, 24h, 35h and 48h of culture [P<0.001]. According to the results the stress induced by hepatocytes isolation and culture leads to the expression of Best-5 time-dependently