Association of cord blood levels of IL-17A, but not TGF-beta with pre-term neonate

It has been documented that cytokines play important roles in the induction of normal functions of the placenta. It has been hypothesized that abnormal expression of the cytokines may be associated with unsuccessful pregnancy. The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of interleukin- 17A [IL-17A] and tumor growth factor [TGF-beta] in pre-term, term neonates, and their corresponding mothers. This study was performed on 100 term and 60 pre-term neonates, and also on their corresponded mothers. Serum levels of IL-17A and TGF-beta were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Our results revealed that the serum levels of IL-17A were significantly decreased in pre-term neonates in comparison to full-term neonates. However, the serum levels of IL-17A in the mothers either with pre-term or full-term neonates were not different. Also the serum levels of TGF-beta were not changed in pre-term neonates and their mothers when compared with full-term neonates and their mothers, respectively. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that IL-17A may play crucial roles in induction of normal pregnancies and also probably participates in normal growth of fetus

Influence of different power outputs of Er:YAG laser on shear bond strength of a resin composite to feldspathic porcelain

Statement of the Problem: Porcelain may fracture or chip if exposed to any traumas and can be repaired by using a resin composite

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the influences of Er:YAG laser on shear bond strength [SBS] of resin composite to feldspathic porcelain

Materials and Method: Seventy-two porcelain blocks were divided into six groups [n=12]: G1: no treatment [control group]; G2: 9% hydrofluoric acid [HF]; G3-6 were separately irradiated with Er:YAG laser using four energy parameters: 2W, 100mj [G3]; 3W, 150mj [G4]; 4W, 200mj [G5] and 5W, 250mj [G6], respectively; and 20 Hz frequency in long-pulse mode. After silane treatment, a resin composite rod was bonded to each of the porcelain block. The SBS was measured following storage and thermocycling. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, Tamhane and Chi-Square tests

Results: The highest SBS [12.29 +/- 3.04 MPa] was obtained with HF [G2]. The lowest SBS [2.23 +/- 0.60 MPa] was observed in G4, followed by G3 [1.96 +/- 0.76 MPa]. G6 had a significantly higher SBS [8.00 +/- 2.22 MPa] than other laser irradiation groups

Conclusion: Although, Er:YAG laser irradiation at 5W, 250mJ/20 Hz was effective in promoting adhesion of resin composite to feldspathic porcelain compared with the control group, it cannot be used as a safe alternative method to HF acid. Laser irradiation with the evaluated parameters in this study does not promote an effective adhesion on porcelain surface to create adequate bond for clinical use

Prevalence of hepatitis B co-infection among HIV positive patients: narrative review article

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] is the most prevalent viral infection and is among the leading causes of human liver diseases. Nearly 360 millions of people are world widely infected with prolonged forms of hepatitis B including active and inactive chronic forms. Chronic hepatitis B [CHB] is associated with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] in patients suffering from congenital and/or acquired immunodeficiency and also following immunosuppressive therapy. The target cell of human acquired immunodeficiency virus [HIV] is CD4 positive T cells. These cells play central role[s] in both cellular and humoral immunity so that the HIV attack of CD4 positive T cells causes suppression of both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. One of the frequent complications in HIV positive patients is HBV co-infection and as a result, the co-transmission of these viral diseases is common. Due to the paramount importance of the co-infection of HBV and HIV, it is noteworthy to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B in these patients for planning of an effective therapeutic strategy. Based on these considerations, the main aim of this review article was to collect and analyze the recent and relevant studies regarding the prevalence rate of hepatitis B co-infection among HIV positive patients world widely

Polymorphisms within exon 9, but not intron 8, of the vitamin d receptor gene are associated with Asthma

Deregulation of the immune system through allied factors and cytokine responses are thought to be important contributors to the pathogenesis of asthma. Vitamin D3 and its nuclear receptor appear to be factors that maybe involved in regulating i mmune responses during the progression of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms in intron 8 and exon 9 of the vitamin D receptor [VDR] and this disease. This study was performed on 100 asthmatic patients and 100 healthy controls. PCR-RFLP was performed to examine polymorphisms in intron 8 and exon 9 of VDR gene. Our results showed a statistically significant difference in the Taq-1 evaluated genotypes of exon 9 of the VDR gene when comparing healthy patients to asthmatic patients. Based on our results, it can be concluded that VDR and its functional polymorphisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma

Common HBV genotype in southeastern Iranian patients

Asymptomatic hepatitis B infection is characterized as a type of hepatitis in which hepatitis B surface antigen is present in the patient's peripheral blood despite the absence of clinical symptoms. Previous studies have shown that a particular genotype may effect clinical manifestations of hepatitis B infection; hence, the aim of the current study was to determine the frequency of hepatitis B virus genotypes among asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B. In this experimental study, the plasma samples of 100 asymptomatic carriers were collected and tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs using ELISA. The genotype of hepatitis B virus was determined by the GAP-PCR technique. The results of this study showed that all samples were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis B core antigen was present in 60 [60%] cases. Our results also indicated that all patients had the D genotype of hepatitis B virus

Thyroid function in mothers who gave birth to neonates with transient congenital hypothyroidism

To determine the thyroid status of mothers of newborns with primary congenital hypothyroidism. Thyroid function tests were carried out on 80 mothers of hypothyroid newborns and 80 mothers of non-hypothyroid newborns as control. The mean difference of the tests revealed that mothers of congenitally hypothyroid infants had a lower triiodothyronine resin uptake [T3RU] concentrations compared with the control population. The higher value of free thyroxin index [FTI] in case group showed a tendency to significance. The proportional frequency distribution showed; T3RU and triiodothyronine [T3] had a significant difference, and FTI showed a tendency to significance. There were no significant differences between; thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], thyroxine [T4] and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies [anti-TPO] in two groups. These results indicated that at least some cases of primary congenital hypothyroidism were attributable to the maternal thyroid disease. Therefore, we recommend that each pregnant woman should be assessed for thyroid function in region with a high prevalence of thyroid disease