HLA-DRB and HLA-DQA/HLA-DQB allele and haplotype frequencies in Iranian patients with aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Genetic backgrounds play a key role in susceptibility to and protection against a spectrum of periodontal diseases. Like other infectious diseases, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) have been found to be associated with periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate differences in allele and haplotype frequencies of HLA class II antigens in a sample of Iranian patients with aggressive periodontitis compared with a healthy control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty unrelated patients with aggressive periodontitis and 130 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. HLA genotyping for HLA-DRB, HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 was performed using the PCR with sequence-specific primers. Allele and haplotype frequencies were compared across groups. RESULTS: The frequencies of HLA-DQA1*03:01, HLA-DQB1*03:02 and HLA-DQB1*03:05 alleles, as well as that of the HLA-DRB1*04:01 allele, were significantly higher in patients with aggressive periodontitis compared with control subjects (p = 0.01, p = 0.04, p = 0.05 and p = 0.04, respectively). In contrast, the frequency of the HLA-DQB1*0603 allele was significantly lower in patients with aggressive periodontitis compared with control subjects (p = 0.006; odds ratio = 0.20). With regard to haplotype association, a significantly higher frequency of two haplotypes - HLA-DRB1*04:01/HLA-DQA1*03:01/HLA-DQB1*03:02 and HLA-DRB1*16:01/HLA-DQA1*01:03/HLA-DQB1*05:01 - was observed in patients with aggressive periodontitis compared with healthy controls (p = 0.01, odds ratio = 2.56 and p = 0.05, odds ratio = 5.38, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results provide additional evidence that class II HLA polymorphisms, particularly in the DQ locus, are associated with protection against and susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis.

The Effect of Intra-CA1 Agmatine Microinjection on Water Maze Learning and Memory in Rat.

BACKGROUND: Reports on agmatine are controversial showing that it may improve memory, it can deteriorate memory and some did not notice any interference with learning and memory. In the present study, the effect of directly intra-CA1 agmatine microinjection on water maze learning and memory has been assessed. METHODS: The cannuls were implanted in hippocampal CA1 regions of rats in a sterotaxic frame after general anesthesia. After one week recovery period, the animals were assessed in the reference memory version of water maze. Agmatine (1, 10, 100 or 200 µg/0.5 µl) or saline were infused 20 minutes before or immediately after training. RESULTS: Agmatine-treated rats did not show any significant difference neither in water maze acquisition nor in consolidation task in comparison with control and sham groups. CONCLUSION: Agmatine does not affect water maze learning and memory.

An estimating on of the economical value of Arsanjan Bonab Forest Park, Iran.

Using of amusement places always has been important for humankind. Therefore, assessment of value for this promenaded and usage of nature is necessary for future programming in management of natural resources. For this reason, this research will discuss an assessment of the promenaded value of Bonab Forest Park and determines a visitor's Willingness To Pay (WTP) for promenaded benefits obtained. In this study, two techniques are used for Contingent Valuation (CV) $ Travel Cost (TC) method by Dichotomous Choice (DC). For determination of visitor's willingness to pay simple average method was employed. Results indicate that 94.3% of visitors are willing to pay for promenaded values at the Bonab Forest Park. The mean value for willingness to pay for the value of the park is 0.38 $ for each person per month. Annual value for promenade in this park was calculated 3439.3 $ per hector. Other important results in this research show that forest park has promenaded value significantly and on the other hand, we can increase the usage, protection and numbers of tourists.