ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to compare the distribution of interleukin [IL]-28B genotypes between Iranian healthy individuals and patients with chronic hepatitis C based on the genotype. Polymorphisms in the region of IL-28B gene have been identified as the strongest genetic pretreatment predictor of sustained virological response [SVR] in hepatitis C infection. In this study, 147 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 80 healthy individuals were included. The IL-28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method and the frequency of IL-28B polymorphisms with respect to HCV genotypes was also determined. The frequencies of rs12979860 TT, CC and CT genotypes in the chronic hepatitis C patients and healthy individuals were as follows: 10.8% vs. 11.3%, 38.7% vs. 46.2% and 50.3% vs. 42.5%. Also, the frequencies of rs8099917 TT, GG and GT genotypes in the chronic hepatitis C patients was 61.9%, 6.1% and 32% and in controls was 47.5%, 11.2% and 41.3%. The differences in the distribution of rs12979860 genotypes and alleles between HCV genotype 1 and HCV genotype 3a infected patients were statistically significant. The rs12979860 C allele is the favorable allele for the spontaneous clearance of HCV. It seems that the impact of IL-28B polymorphism on the spontaneous clearance of HCV genotype 3 is more prominent than HCV genotype 1, which results in the observation of higher rs12979860 C allele frequency in chronic hepatitis C patients with HCV genotype 3 than HCV genotype 1
ABSTRACT
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The aim of this study was investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among young women who referred to check up for toxoplasmosis attended in Shahid Beheshti hospital, Hamadan during 2013-2014. This study was performed on 2523 pregnant women who referred to laboratory of Shahid Beheshti hospital in Hamadan province [western of Iran] during 2013-2014. Age, level of education and place of residence were recorded in the relevant forms. Antibodies serum levels for all samples were examined by ELISA. IgG titer equals and more than 1:200 was presumed as seropositive. Data were analyzed using by SPSS version 19.0 software. 26.1% of IgG seropositive persons were city residents while 32.3% of them lived at village and suburb of city. 1.4% and 1.1% of at risk persons [based on IgG titration] were city and village residents, respectively. 1.3% and 1.9% of IgM seropositives were city and village residents, respectively. The percentage of at risk persons of city and village [based on IgM titration] were 0.3% and 0.6%, in a row. 29.7% of IgG seropositives did not have academic education while 30.4% of them graduated from high school, at least. The seropositive IgM percentage of non-academic educated persons and graduated/academic ones were 1.7% and 1.4%, respectively. Our funding indicates the association between age of women and their level of education with percentage of contamination and prevalence. IgM seropositive is lesser than IgG. It means that toxoplasmosis is chronic or there is previous contact. To avoid the risk of toxoplasmosis infection particularly in pregnant women should be examined and the necessary preventive measures and training for young women should be presented
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Pregnant Women , Immunoglobulin GABSTRACT
Background: Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus are house dust mites [HDM] that they cause severe asthma and allergic symptoms. Tropomyosin protein plays an important role in mentioned immune and allergic reactions to HDMs. Here, tropomyosin protein from Dermatophagoides spp. was comprehensively screened in silico for its allergenicity, antigenicity and similarity/conservation.
Materials and Methods: The amino acid sequences of D. farinae tropomyosin, D. pteronyssinus and other mites were retrieved. We included alignments and evaluated conserved/ variable regions along sequences, constructed their phylogenetic tree and estimated overall mean distances. Then, followed by with prediction of linear B-cell epitope based on different approaches, and besides in-silico evaluation of IgE epitopes allergenicity [by SVMc, IgE epitope, ARPs BLAST, MAST and hybrid method]. Finally, comparative analysis of results by different approaches was made.
Results: Alignment results revealed near complete identity between D. farina and D. pteronyssinus members, and also there was close similarity among Dermatophagoides spp. Most of the variations among mites' tropomyosin were approximately located at amino acids 23 to 80, 108 to 120, 142 to 153 and 220 to 230. Topology of tree showed close relationships among mites in tropomyosin protein sequence, although their sequences in D. farina, D. pteronyssinus and Psoroptes ovis are more similar to each other and clustered. Dermanyssus gallinae [AC: Q2WBI0] has less relationship to other mites, being located in a separate branch. Hydrophilicity and flexibility plots revealed that many parts of this protein have potential to be hydrophilic and flexible. Surface accessibility represented 7 different epitopes. Beta-turns in this protein are with high probability in the middle part and its two terminals. Kolaskar and Tongaonkar method analysis represented 11 immunogenic epitopes between amino acids 7-16. From comparative analysis of predicted probable consensus epitope regions by machine learning approaches these epitopes were gained: AA23-48, AA59-80, AA91-110, AA114-143, AA154-168, AA182-200, AA208-225, and AA254-272. Prediction of allergenic proteins by AlgPred server showed 10 matches for IgE epitope, and prediction by hybrid approach showed that IgE epitope is undoubtedly the major allergen.
Conclusion: Immunoinformatic approaches in allergenic protein analysis are now reliable tools for explanation/interpretation of clinically observed complexities. Results of present study, would help in HDM immunotherapy against several species of parasites as a wide range epitopic desensitization or prevention [vaccine] regime.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of human papillomavirus [HPV] 16/18 in oral squamous cell carcinoma [OSCC] and normal oral mucosa in Iranian individuals with OSCC and their association with various risk factors. The investigation followed a hospital-based case-control design. Cases were individuals with diagnosed OSCC, age- and sex-matched with controls. Sixty-six paraffin embedded tissue samples [39 OSCC and 27normal oral mucosa] were studied. DNA was purified to amplify HPV-DNA using HPV type specific primers-mediated polymerase chain reaction [PCR] method. Mean age was 64.2 +/-14 years in cases [range 25-81 years], and 63.5 +/-13.5 years in controls [range 22-78 years]. Forty-three percent [17/39] of OSCC but none of normal oral mucosa were positive for HPV 16/18 DNA [p = 0.001]. The most frequent type in patient group was HPV-16 type. The prevalence rate was high older in age [>50 years] and gender [male] and tongue tissue but no significant association was found [p=0.7, p=0.5 and p=0.42 respectively]. We found a significant association of HPV16/18 with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Also, HPV16/18 is a co-factor in oral carcinogenesis. In addition, also it is suggested that HPV is as a risk factor independent of alcohol and tobacco can be effective in creating OSCC
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B is considered as one of the most common infectious diseases. The contamination of this virus has caused hygienic problems all over the world. Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are most important consequences of this disease. The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of infection in Tabriz North West of Iran. This study is carried out, on partial and short time basis between 2010 and 2011, on test results of 21421 examined individuals whom have visited clinics in Tabriz. HBsAg of the samples was analyzed with chemiluminescence apparatus and finally, SPSS software was used to conduct the statistical examination of the results. Among 21421 examined individuals [5021 cases in 2010 and 16400 cases in 2011], 594 samples [2.77%] were reported positive and 20827 samples [97.23%] were reported negative. According to the results, gender was not a determining factor affecting the susceptibility of patients. Our country is endemic to this disease, so diagnostic and preventive methods are crucial, more over comprehensive national vaccination can help to noticeably reduce the infectious cases caused by the disease
ABSTRACT
The major limitation in the application of bioactive molecule is their low permeation across plasma membrane. In 1988 it was discovered, that a natural polycationic protein, the trans-acting activator of transcription [TAT] of the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV-1], passed very efficiently through cell membrane of cultured mammalian cells. TAT became known as the first cell penetrating peptide [CPP]. CPPs have demonstrated themselves to be capable of delivering biologically active cargo to the cell interior and the vehicular capabilities of CPPs have already been harnessed for use as laboratory tools. Attached to a CPP, therapeutic cargo could be delivered to an intracellular target, thus overcoming the entry restrictions set by the plasma membrane. Since the discovery of TAT, the number of known peptides with cell-penetrating capabilities has grown and in 2003, the first CPP-based drug reached phase II clinical trials. In this review we introduce and discuss the current knowledge of CPPs