bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of potential donors pool in Moscow region and cases of a removal internal organs for transplantation subjected to medical research in 2017
Authors: Klevno V. A. , Arefev M. L.
Published: May 2019

Aim: to analyze the pool of potential donors in the Moscow region from among the corpses received for forensic medical examination, the effectiveness of their use, the assessment of the participation of the forensic service in transplantation coordination.

Materials and methods. The potential donors from among the dead persons in 2017 from various injuries were analyzed, the conclusions of forensic experts in cases of the removal of internal organs from the corpse were studied.

Results. In 2017, 417 forensic examinations of corpses with open and closed isolated traumatic brain injuries received as a result of various injuries were conducted. 328 corpses of males and 89 females, dominated by the age group of 61 and above – 170 (40.7%). The period of hospitalization 2–7 days – 173 (41.8%). In addition, 76 cases of no traumatic hemorrhages in the brain and under the matter of the brain caused by diseases were studied, the age was more than 60 years – 41 (53.9%) prevailed. In 29 cases, internal organs were taken for transplantation. Such corpses were investigated in 15 forensic departments out of 47 (31.9%), which are part of 8 departments of the Ministry of health of the Moscow region out of 15. Among donors, the prevalence of men 27 (93%) over women 2 (7%) in the 31–60 age group is 19 (65.5%). 17 were diagnosed with brain death (58.6%) and 12 asystolic donors (41.4%). Multiorgan removal was carried out in 13 cases (44.8%), in 15 cases kidneys were removal (51.7%), 1 case of refusal of the removal after visual inspection of the extracted organ.

Conclusion. The Analysis allows to estimation a possible pool of potential donors in the Moscow region, to correlate with the volume of removal organs, which indicates insufficient efficiency of their use. Insufficiently active participation of medical institutions of Administrations of transplantological coordination in the territory of the Moscow region correlates with participation of medico legal experts in this coordination. In the conclusions of the experts found no evidence of traumatic damage to the organ and the obstruction of the expert when giving answers to the questions of the investigatory organizations.
Transplantation of cardiac allografts with left ventricular hypertrophy 1.5 cm and more
Authors: Poptsov V. N. , Spirina E. A. , Ustin S. Yu. , Masutin S. A. , Dogonacheva A. A. , Voronkov V. Yu. , Zolotova E. N. , Skokova A. I.
Published: May 2019

Introduction. In case of donor heart shortage and expanding pool of patients waiting for heart transplantation (OHTx) liberalization of donor selection, especially use of donors with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), may be one of most realistic methods to extending number of OHTx.

Aim: to evaluate early and late outcomes after OHTx from donors with LVH ≥1.5 cm.

Methods. We reviewed 160 heart recipients who underwent OHTx from donors with LVH 1.5 cm or more from 2011 to 2017.

Results. The duration of anesthesia was 6.5 ± 0.7 h, surgery – 4.7 ± 0.3 h, cardiopulmonary bypass – 63–290 (145 ± 47) min and ischemia time was – 86–426 (168 ± 44) min. ICU stay was 7.4 ± 8.5 days. Hospital mortality in the study group was 8,1% (n = 13) and 30-day survival was 91.9%. Patients with or without donor LVH had similar early and long-term survival (p = 0.659).

Conclusions. Own experience demonstrates the satisfactory results of HT from donors with LVH. In more cases, LV systolic function of cardiac allograft quickly normalized in the early period after HT.
The assessment bioenergy of cardiac contraction in the conditions of mechanical support circulation
Authors: Itkin G. P. , Buchnev A. S. , Kuleshov A. P. , Syrbu A. I.
Published: May 2019

Aim: to develop a new modified index for the assessment of bioenergy heart in conditions of heart failure. To assess the energy of the heart when using systems to bypass the left ventricle of the heart using non-pulsed flow pumps. To consider the fundamental advantage of non-pulsating flow pumps with the generation of a pulsating flow in the cardio-synchronized copulsation mode over the counterpulsation mode.
First Russian experience of liver and kidneys transplantation obtained from the donor with out-of-hospital irreversible cardiac arrest
Authors: Skvortsov A. E. , Bagnenko S. F. , Komedev S. S. , Teplov V. M. , Kolachev I. I. , Shchurov A. Yu. , Merkulov A. L. , Filatov V. P. , Boykov A. A. , Reznik O. N.
Published: May 2019

Organs’ shortage remains the main limiting problem for accessibility of organ transplantation. There is the growing interest among transplant society for use organs obtained from «uncontrolled» donors after cardiac death (uDCDs), or, asystolic donors. But the warm ischemic time is critical factor for wide accepting of practice of transplantation such kind of organs. The article presents the first case of successful clinical organ transplants from the donor with out-of-hospital irreversible cardiac arrest obtained with help of life support devices.
Case of successful stenting of the coronary artery in a patient with a transplanted heart in acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Shilov A. A. , Bezdenezhnykh A. V. , Ganyukov V. I. , Tarasov R. S. , Uchasova E. G. , Barbarash O. L. , Barbarash L. S.
Published: May 2019

This observation describes a rare case of development of acute myocardial infarction after orthotopic heart transplantation. The diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome was exposed on the basis of increased cardiac specific enzymes with nonspecific changes in the ECG and an erased clinical picture. When performing coronary angiography, acute thrombotic occlusion of the right coronary artery was revealed. The procedure for coronary angioplasty was complicated by the development of the «no-reflow» syndrome, which was subsequently successfully resolved. The final stage was the stenting of the infarct-conditioned artery with the implantation of two drug-eluting «Resolute Integrity» stents. Later the patient was discharged from the hospital in a satisfactory condition.
Radyolojik ve patolojik tanısı konan safra kesesi fibromu: Olgu sunumu ve literatür taraması
Authors: İBİLOGLU İbrahim , ALABALIK Ulaş , TÜRKÇÜ Gül , KELEŞ Ayşe Nur , ÇETİN Alpay
Published: May 2019

Fibromlar,
vücudun herhangi bir yerinde özelliklede diz ve parmaklarda görülen, yavaş büyüyen,
ağrısız ve sert kitlelerdir.  Safra
kesesi fibroması nadir bir tümör olup literatürde sadece birkaç adet olgu
sunumu olarak yer almaktadır. Biz burada ultrasonografi ve manyetik rezonans
kolanjiyografide preoperatif olarak safra kesesi polipi tanısı konan 49 yaşında
bir kadın hastayı sunmayı amaçladık. Kolesistektomi spesmeni hidropik görünümde
olup kesitlerinde kese boynunda polipoid bir kitle izlendi. Mikroskobik olarak
nodül, kollajenöz stromada oval yuvarlak şekilli hücrelerden oluşuyordu.
Stromal hücreler Vimentin ile pozitif immünreaktivite gösterdi; Desmin, S-100,
SMA ve CD34 negatifti. Lezyonu safra kesesi fibromu olarak teşhis ettik.
Literatürde safra kesesi fibromu tanısı alan iki olgu bulunmaktadır.
Association between postpartum depression and synthetic oxytocin use for postpartum hemorrhage prevention and treatment
Authors: KARAKUŞ Resul , PULATOĞLU Çiğdem
Published: May 2019

Objective:The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between postpartum synthetic oxytocin administration and the development of depressive and anxiety disorders after delivery.Materiyal and methods: We hypothesized that women exposed to postpartum exogenous oxytocin would have a reduced risk of postpartum depressive and anxiety disorders compared with those without exposure. The cases were examined under two groups as "Oxytocin users" (n = 100) and "Control" (n = 100) groups . Oxytocin group was given introvenous oxytocin just after the delivery for postpartum hemorrhage prevention and treatment. Questionnaires of depression and maternal anxiety were performed at the sixth week after the delivery.  Results: The incidence of depression (4%) in the oxytocin group was significantly lower than the control group (14%) (p: 0.026, p <0.05). Patients who do not use oxytocin have a 3.9-fold greater risk of developing depression. We identified a relationship between using oxytocin for postpartum hemorragie and decreased postpartum depressive symptoms.  Conclusion: Our findings suggest using exogenous oxytocin may contribute to postpartum symptoms of depression and anxiety among women. Future research should watch the longitudinal role of exogenous oxytocin in maternal mood and anxiety, the safety of high-dose long-term use of oxytocin.
Risk Assessment and Increasing Safety in Dementia – RAISe-Dementia study v1
Authors: Hoe Juanita , Livingston Gill , Costafreda Sergi , Weberloff Nomi , Biao Gianluca , Souris Helen , van de Pol Emily
Published: May 2019

Around 850 000 people live with dementia in the UK and this is expected to almost triple by 2050, due to the welcome reduction in premature mortality. Approximately 70% of people with dementia live at home and are supported mainly by their families, but because of complex needs, including comorbid physical illness, they also use both health and social care service. A policy priority is to find the best ways to help people with dementia to live well at home. Part of the initial assessment of all people with dementia is to evaluate and manage risk, to enable people with dementia to live safely and well at home. As cognition deteriorates, people with dementia become vulnerable through self-neglect, accidents and greater risk of abuse and exploitation. Society places a high ethical value on autonomy. Trying to avoid risk altogether can lead to excessive restrictions. Therefore, risk management must balance the rights of a person with dementia with those of society and families’ usually beneficent wishes to reduce risks. Risk enablement aims to find the right balance by protecting autonomy as much as possible. However, there is no validated tool available to assess or manage and re-assess risk in dementia to enable this to happen consistently and to allow evaluation of risk enablement. The Islington Dementia Navigator Risk Assessment Tool is used to generate a plan for people with dementia and stratifies the level of risk to inform frequency and method of follow-up. We intend to evaluate its validity, the feasibility of the risk management plans derived from it, their acceptability and outline costs. We will examine Validity - How well the tool identifies risks (compared to gold standard semi-structured clinical assessments) Feasibility - Whether the plan derived after using the tool is implemented over the subsequent 6 months. Acceptability - What people with dementia, family carers and workers think of the process and how it can be improved? We aim to provide a validated, valuable tool for use by professional and support staff working with people with dementia throughout the UK. If shown to be effective in practice, it would promote positive risk enablement, offering a tailored approach to the management of risk and support person-centred care in people with dementia living at home. This is consistent with best practice and is relatively inexpensive and translatable to wider clinical settings.
Tone and stiffness of quadriceps femoris and patellar tendon measured by MyotonPro at different angles of knee v1
Authors: Chen Guoqian , Wu Jiatao , Xu Xuemeng
Published: May 2019

MyotonPRO is a portable device to measure the tone and stiffness of tissues which may reflect on the health of tissues. This protocol uses MyotonPRO device to measure the tone and stiffness of quadriceps femoris and patellar tendon. Measurement points would be confirmed as follows:RF measurement would be taken at two-thirds of the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the superior pole of the patella. In order to identify the muscle belly of VM and VL, subjects should active contract the lower limbs and force the hip and knee extending, then the measurement points would be taken the spot of the most salient points of each belly (near the knee joint). Measurement points of patellar tendon would be taken at a point midway between the patella distal and tuberosity of tibial when knee flexed at 90°.
Assessment of depression among patients undergoing haemodialysis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: R. Divyashree C. , K. Nalini G. , P. Deepak , N. Sahana G. , Nagaral Jayashree V. , N. Mohith , V. Rakshitha B.
Published: May 2019

Background: Depression is the most important neuropsychiatric complication in chronic kidney disease because it reduces quality of life and increases mortality. The beginning of dialysis treatment causes subtle changes in the life of CKD patients, mainly in the physical and social spheres. It affects the self-care of these patients which lead to poor adherence to dialysis. Hence, the present study was conducted to screen for depression.Methods: This was an observational study among 100 patients undergoing haemodialysis at HIMS, HASSAN. After taking informed consent, subjects were requested to complete Beck, depression Inventory, a 21-question multiple-choice self-report inventory for measuring the severity of depression. Descriptive statistics was applied to infer the findings.Results: The study population showed depression of mild (31%), borderline (10%), moderate (17%), severe (7%) and extreme (3%) grade and the remaining subjects did not show depressive symptoms (32%).Conclusions: Majority of patients undergoing hemodialysis were depressed. Major risk factors for depression were marital status of the patients, low literacy rate, gender and those started on dialysis recently.
Th9 Cells as a New Player in Inflammatory Skin Disorders
Authors: Jadali Zohreh
Published: May 2019

CD4+T cells are composed of different subpopulations that differ in developmental pathways, surface markers, and their products. Among the catalog of these cells is Th9 cell subset that has a great capacity of Interleukin (IL)-9 production. They could be involved in the pathogenic or protective immune responses. Therefore, it is important to know how Th9 cells and cytokines influence the function of the human immune system as multitasking machinery, both in isolation or after the interaction with other surrounding cells. Since an important characteristic of Th9 cells is their tropism for skin, this article reviews the physiological and pathophysiological functions of Th9 and its cytokines under normal conditions and inflammatory skin disorders.
Recent Advances in Gene Therapy and Modeling of Chronic Granulomatous Disease
Authors: Jafarian Arefeh , Shokri Gelareh , Shokrollahi Barough Mahdieh , Moin Mostafa , Pourpak Zahra , Soleimani Masoud
Published: May 2019

The Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency that characterized by mutations in phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, resulting in deficient antimicrobial activity of phagocytic cells and recurrent childhood infections. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative option for patients with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched donor, when conventional cares and therapies fail. However, in many cases when the patients have not an HLA-matched donor, they need to a method to recapitulate the function of the affected gene within the patient’s own cells. Gene therapy is a promising approach for CGD. While, the success of retroviral or lentiviral vectors in gene therapy for CGD has been hampered by random integration and insertional activation of proto-oncogenes. These serious adverse events led to improvement and generations of viral vectors with increased safety characteristics. Gene therapy continues to progress and the advent of new technologies, such as engineered endonucleases that have shown a great promise for the treatment of genetic disease. This review focuses on the application of gene therapy for the CGD, the limitations encountered in current clinical trials, advantages and disadvantages of endonucleases in gene correction and modeling with CRISPR/Cas9 approach
Determining Laboratory Reference Values of TREC and KREC in Different Age Groups of Iranian Healthy Individuals
Authors: Shakerian Leila , Pourpak Zahra , Shamlou Somayeh , Domsgen Erna , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan , Dalili Hossein , Nourizadeh Maryam
Published: May 2019

Assessment of the number of T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC) and kappa-deleting recombination excision circles (KREC) copies has been recently described as biomarkers of newly formed T and B cells respectively. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of demographic variables including age, gender, weight, height and ethnicity on these two episomal DNA molecules. Second, for the first time in our country, we determined the reference values of TREC and KREC copy numbers in different age groups of Iranian healthy individuals as a threshold for identifying T cell and B cell lymphopenia. 
The TREC and KREC copy numbers were evaluated in 251 dried blood spot (DBS) samples from healthy volunteers (age range: 0-60 years). Six primary immunodeficiency (PID) patients were included as disease controls.
TREC and KREC copies were markedly reduced with increasing age. Although the levels of TREC and KREC were higher in females than males, this difference did not reach statistical significance.
These findings suggest that demographic variables including age should be considered for interpretation results of the TREC/KREC assay.
High Glucose-reduced Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells Is Mediated by Activation of NF-κB
Authors: Nasir Kansestani Atefeh , Mansouri Kamran , Hemmati Shahrooz , Erfan Zare Mohammad , Mostafaie Ali
Published: May 2019

Tumor cells rely on glycolysis for their energy supply with the production of lactate even in normoxia condition, which is named aerobic glycolysis or Warburg effect. Therefore, high glucose (HG) concentration provides a favorable condition for increasing proliferation, angiogenesis and decreasing apoptosis, but its molecular mechanisms are still unknown. The objective of this study is to investigate HG condition on tumor cells behavior including proliferation, apoptosis, and an angiogenesis mediator.
In this study, MCF-7 derived from human breast adenocarcinoma, were cultured in DMEM with two different concentrations of glucose for 48 h (5.5 mM as normal glucose (NG) condition and 25 mM as HG condition). We used Zingiber officinale extraction for the inhibition of NF-κB. Cell proliferation assay was done by direct counting, cell viability by MTT method, bcl-2 by Immunocytochemistry, apoptosis by Hoechst/PI double staining and vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) by ELISA.
Results showed that HG increased lactate production, significantly. HG increased cell proliferation, cell viability, VEGF secretion, and bcl-2 expression while it decreased apoptosis. However, when HG was combined with Zingiber officinale extraction, cell proliferation, cell viability, VEGF secretion and bcl-2 expression decreased and apoptosis increased significantly due to inhibition of NF-κB.
Results revealed that HG increased cell proliferation, angiogenesis and decreased apoptosis due to activation of NF-κB pathway. Moreover, the probable mechanism of the activation of NF-κB in HG is increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this condition that can activate NF-κB directly.
T Cell Subsets Profiling in Unexplained Infertile Women with Successful and Unsuccessful in vitro Fertilization Outcome: Focus on the Effect of Seminal Plasma
Authors: Kanannejad Zahra , Namavar Jahromi Bahia , Gharesi-Fard Behrouz
Published: May 2019

Unexplained infertility (UI) is one of the most common diagnoses in the fertility care. Seminal plasma (SP) plays a crucial role in the regulation of female immune responses and the success of a pregnancy. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of UI. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of SP on the differentiation of T helper (Th) cell subsets and the relationship between these subsets with the rate of IVF success in a group of women complicated with UI compared to those with normal pregnancy.
This study was conducted on 20 UI couples (ten with successful and ten with unsuccessful IVF outcome) and 10 fertile couples as the control group. Four color flow cytometry technique was used to detect Th cell subsets in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with or without stimulation by SP.
Results indicated that the frequencies of IL-17+ and Foxp3+ T cells after incubation with SP was significantly increased in couples with unsuccessful IVF outcome as compared to successful and healthy groups (p<0.05). Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between Th1 and Th2 cells in the unsuccessful IVF group (R=0.6, p=0.03).
In summary, the results of the present study demonstrated that exposure to SP might increase Th17 and Treg cell frequencies in infertile women with unsuccessful IVF, and might also balance inflammatory to regulatory responses to finally tune-up the Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg balance and support the success of IVF.
Gelatinases Increase in Bleomycin-induced Systemic Sclerosis Mouse Model
Authors: Vafashoar Fatemeh , Mousavizadeh Kazem , Poormoghim Hadi , Tavasoli Abbas , Musavi Shabestari Tahereh , Javadmoosavi Sayed Ali , Mojtabavi Nazanin
Published: May 2019

Systemic sclerosis is a fibrotic autoimmune disease in which aberrant remodeling of the extracellular matrix in organs disturbs their functionalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of gelatinases on systemic sclerosis. Consequently, a mouse model of systemic sclerosis was employed and the gelatinolytic activity of gelatinases was evaluated on the fibrotic tissues of this model.
Two groups of ten mice were considered in this work: a group of systemic sclerosis model and control group. For the generation of systemic sclerosis model, mice received bleomycin, while the control group was subjected to phosphate buffered saline (PBS) reception. Mice were tested for fibrosis by using trichrome staining, hydroxyproline measurement and α-SMA detection in tissue sections. Additionally, the gelatinolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 were measured using gelatin zymography in lungs and skin tissue homogenates.
The obtained results indicated that subcutaneous injection of bleomycin-induced fibrosis in skin and lung tissues of mice. Pro and active forms of matrix methaloproteinase 9 were increased in fibrotic lung tissues (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively), while, the gelatinolytic activity of MMP2 was unaffected in these tissues. Additionally, in skin tissues of bleomycin-treated animals, both pro and active forms of MMP9 and MMP2 were increased (p<0.05).
Pro and active forms of gelatinases increase differently in skin and lung tissues of bleomycin-induced scleroderma.
Chitin Micro Particles Regulate Splenocytes Immune Response in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Mami Sanaz , Yeganeh Farshid , Farahani Elnaz , Anissian Ali , Haji Molla Hoseini Mostafa
Published: May 2019

Contrasting studies are reported on the induction of IL-10 and IFN-γ via chitin microparticles (CMPs) during immune stimulation. Our previous studies have shown marked protection among CMP treated Leishmania-infected mice via regulated IL-10/IFN-γ response, at the present study, once more, examined the inconsistent responses regarding the immunologic response of CMPS.
To verify whether CMPs could indeed up-regulate IL-10/IFN-γ axis, isolated spleen cells from the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice were cultured in the presence of MOG peptide and/or CMPs. The effects of CMPs on IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-17 production were evaluated by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Moreover, GATA binding protein 3 (Gata3), T-box transcription factor TBX21 (Tbx21), and RAR-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγT) expressions (real-time PCR) were investigated.
MOG alone stimulated the production of IFN-γ (p≤0.004) but not, IL-10 (p≤0.140). MOG/chitin stimulation resulted in a significant increase in IFN-γ and IL-10 levels, respectively; (p≤0.004 and p≤0.003) rather than MOG. Additionally, the expression of Tbx21 (p≤0.001), but not Gata3 (p≤0.08), was increased in the MOG/chitin-treated spleen cells. All in all, CMP supports Gata3 independent IL-10 production and promotes Tbx21 dependent IFN-γ induction.
These results, alongside our previous data, indicate that CMPs has particular adjuvant effects.
Evaluating Serum Levels of Pentraxin-3, von Willebrand Factor and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 13 as Inflammatory Markers of Unstable Angina Pectoris
Authors: Raygan Fariba , Mohammadi Hanieh , Etminan Aniseh , Sehat Mojtaba , Nikoueinejad Hassan
Published: May 2019

Unstable angina pectoris (USAP) is a complex condition in which widespread coronary inflammatory processes have important implications for clearer understanding of its pathogenesis and also its treatment. This study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic as well as prognostic value of serum inflammatory markers of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), Von Willebrand Factor (vWf) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 13 (CXCL13) in such patients.
Out of sixty-nine patients, thirty-nine had USAP, thirty had stable angina pectoris (SAP), and thirty-nine were healthy controls. For all participants, serum PTX-3, vWf and CXCL13 levels were measured using ELISA. For each patient with USAP, the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and the scores of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) were calculated to determine the severity of the disease. We, then, analyzed the relation of PTX-3, vWf and CXCL13 levels with TIMI and GRACE scores in patients with USAP.
Serum PTX-3, vWf and CXCL13 levels were significantly higher in USAP group than those in either SAP or control groups (p˂0.001). Strong correlation was observed between CXCL13 level and TIMI risk score (p=0.019). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC) values of PTX3, vWf and CXCL13 for detection of USAP were 0.755, 0.751, and 0.906, respectively.
The levels of serum PTX3, vWf and CXCL13 increased in patients with USAP. The notable correlation implied that CXCL13 might be a sensitive and specific biomarker for the diagnosis of USAP as well as its severity. It might also show additional diagnostic values when measured in combination with vWf.
Inhibition of Airway Contraction and Inflammation by Pomalidomide in a Male Wistar Rat Model of Ovalbumin-induced Asthma
Authors: Ghaderi Majid , Oryan Shahrbanoo , Yousofvand Namdar , Eidi Akram
Published: May 2019

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. Pomalidomide (POM) a therapy for multiple myeloma has been stated to have an anti-inflammatory effect. The main goal of the present study was to assess its possible effect on airway contraction and inflammation in a rat model of ovalbumin-induced asthma.
Different groups of rats received saline or pomalidomide (0.4, 0.8 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg). The asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA). Trachea contraction was assayed by organ bath system. Airway histology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin method. Serum Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level was analyzed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGFα) Gene expressions were evaluated by Real-time PCR.
Pomalidomide prevented ovalbumin-induced airway contraction and histopathological damage. In addition serum, TNF-α level was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in POM treated animals compared to control (asthmatic animals that received POM vehicle). Results indicate that POM prevented the PDGF expression induced by ovalbumin.
In conclusion, we found that pomalidomide ameliorated the symptoms, histopathological changes and inflammatory markers induced by ovalbumin in asthmatic rats and these effects might be related to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Is the Inflammasome Pathway Active in the Peripheral Blood of Sulfur Mustard-exposed Patients?
Authors: Etehad Asnaf Sholeh , Sabetghadam Mitra , Jaafarinejad Habib , Halabian Raheleh , Parvin Shahram , Vahedi Ensieh , Pazoki Nasrin , Salimian Jafar
Published: May 2019

The mustard lung is a late consequence of exposure to sulfur mustard (SM) in veterans who had participated in the Iraq-Iran war. Three mechanisms are contributed in the pathogenesis of mustard lung including oxidative stress, protease-antiprotease imbalance, and dysregulated immune response. In the context of the immune response, the role of the inflammasome complex and their inflammatory cytokines are important. This study aims to investigate the inflammasome pathway and their inflammatory cytokine (i.e IL-1 and IL-18) in the peripheral blood of mustard lung patients as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.
This research was conducted as a cross-sectional analytical study on 15 SM patients and was compared with 15 COPD patients and 15 healthy controls. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess gene expression levels of inflammasome components (NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, and ASC), inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-1βR), and IL-37 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 software.
The gene expression level of molecules involved in inflammasome pathway showed a slight increase in the peripheral blood of SM and COPD patients compared to the control group. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Only IL-37 and NLRP1 had a significant increase in mustard lung and COPD patients; compared to healthy controls (p<0.05).
Due to the normal expression of genes involved in the inflammasome pathway, it can be stated that the inflammasome pathway is not active in the blood of mustard lung patients.
A Rare Case of Hyper IgE Syndrome with Vocal Cords Involvement
Authors: Sharafian Samin , Movahedi Masoud , Kalantari Arash , Parvaneh Nima , Gharagozlou Mohammad
Published: May 2019

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIGE) is considered as a phagocytic or a newly classified complex and heterogeneous primary immunodeficiency disease with symptoms such as increased levels of immunoglobulin E, eczema, and, recurrent lung and skin infections. In this paper, we have presented a rare case of this syndrome.
A 9-year-old Iranian girl presented with a history of pruritic maculopapular rash who was eventually diagnosed as a case of HIGE. In her recent admission, she had dysphonia, stridor and huge cauliflower cutaneous lesions on her neck, finger and vocal cords, which did not respond to intravenous antibiotics, and ultimately required surgical removal.
Comparison of CDC Bottle Bioassay with WHO Standard Method for Assessment Susceptibility Level of Malaria Vector, Anopheles stephensi to Three Imagicides
Authors: Vatandoost Hassan , Reza Abai Mohammad , Akbari Morteza , Raeisi Ahmad , Yousefi Hemn , Sheikhi Soraya , Bagheri Akbar
Published: May 2019

Background: The detection of insecticide resistance in natural populations of Anopheles vectors is absolutely necessary for malaria control. CDC bottle bioassay as a new tools has been employed for detecting the insecticide resistance. For a limit number of mosquito vectors, diagnostic doses and diagnostic times for some insecticides have already been deter­mined using this new assay. For the first time in the area, susceptibility levels of Anopheles stephensi was done with DDT, deltamethrin, and bendiocarb using CDC bottle bioassay and compared results with WHO standard test method.
Methods: Anopheles stephensi were collected in larvae stage from the cisterns of drinking water in Chabahar port which considered as old malaria foci, Sistan and Baluchistan province. The field collected larvae were colonized at the insectary of School of Public Health (SPH), Tehran University of Medical Science. The susceptibility tests were carried out on sugar fed female mosquitoes aged 2–3 days, against DDT 4%, bendiocarb 1% and deltamethrin 0.05% using WHO and CDC susceptibility methods. The mortality and knockdown rates, as well as the parameters of regression analysis, includ­ing LT50 and LT90, was calculated separately for the WHO and CDC methods. 
Results: The 24h mortality rates of An. stephensi were 28.6% and 25.6% for DDT, 60.8% and 64.6% for bendiocarb and 100% for deltamethrin using both WHO and CDC assay at 30 and 60min respectively. The 50% lethal times (LT50) were estimated 44.9 and 66.2min, 38.9 and 81.8min and 0.7 and 15.0min respectively using both WHO and CDC susceptibility tests.
Conclusion: The similar results of susceptibility levels were shown for DDT, bendiocarb and deltamethrin. The lethal times (LT50) showed significant difference using both WHO and CDC bioassay methods.
The Potential of West Nile Virus Transmission Regarding the Environmental Factors Using Geographic Information System (GIS), West Azerbaijan Prov¬ince, Iran
Authors: Amini Mojtaba , Ali Hanafi-Bojd Ahmad , Asghari Sayyad , Chavshin Ali Reza
Published: May 2019

Background: West Nile fever, as an expanding zoonotic disease, has been reported from different creatures involved in the disease from Iran. In addition to biological mosquito-associated factors, various elements such as their activi­ties, distribution, behavior and vectorial capacity could be affected by environmental factors. We determined the dis­tribution of West Nile virus (WNV) vectors, the environmental factors affecting WNV transmission and the high-risk areas across West Azerbaijan Province (Northwestern Iran), regarding the potential of WNV transmission using Ge­ographical Information System (GIS).
Methods: Mosquitoes’ larvae and adults were collected from different habitats of the province in 2015 and identified using standard morphological keys. The data regarding the distribution of mosquitoes across the studied area were organized in ArcMap databases. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation analysis was conducted on the data of synoptic stations to find climatic variables in the collection sites of different mosquito species. Layers of transmis­sion-related environmental factors were categorized and weighed based on their effects on disease transmission.
Results: Overall, 2813 samples of different mosquito species from different regions of the province were collected and identified. According to the GIS analysis, areas in the northeastern province, which have lower altitudes and slopes with higher temperatures and more water bodies, were found to have better condition for the activity of mos­quitoes (as high-risk areas: hot spots).
Conclusion: The precision of our results was proven to be in line with previous study results that identified high-risk areas, where WNV-infected vectors were captured from these same areas.
Effect of Chlorine and Temperature on Larvicidal Activity of Cuban Bacillus thuringiensis Isolates
Authors: González-Rizo Aileen , Castañet Camilo E , Companioni Ariamys , Menéndez Zulema , Hernández Hilda , -Rodríguez M Magdalena , Gato Rene
Published: May 2019

Background: The efficacy of biolarvicides may be influenced by species of mosquito, larval age and density, tem­perature, water quality, bacterial formulation, and others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of tem­perature and chlorine on larvicidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cuban isolates against Aedes aegypti.
Methods: The influence of temperature (25, 30, 35 °C) and chlorine (2.25mg/L) on the larvicidal activity of eleven B. thuringiensis Cuban isolates (collected between 2007 and 2009) were tested under laboratory conditions following WHO protocols. Bioassay data were analyzed by Probit program. The effect of chlorine and temperature (25, 30, 35 and 40 °C) on the Cry and Cyt proteins of these isolates was determined by SDS-PAGE polyacrylamide gel electro­phoresis.
Results: The pathogenicity of the isolates U81, X48 was affected at 35 °C. However, A21, A51, L910, and R89 isolates increase their entomopathogen activity at 35 °C. No differences were observed in toxicity of M29, R84, R85 and R87 isolates at different temperatures. The Cry 4, Cry 10 and Cry 11 proteins were reduced in A21, X48, R85 isolates at 35 and 40 °C. The Cyt proteins were reduced at 35 and 40 °C in A21, X48, R85, and A51 isolates. In L910 and R84 isolates, the Cyt toxin was degraded only at 40 °C. In chlorinated water, the lethal concentrations 50 and 90 in A21, A51, M29, R84, U81, and X48 isolates were increase.
Conclusion: A21, A51, L910, R85, and X48 isolates have a strong larvicidal activity for the treatment of Ae. aegypti breeding’s sites exposed to high temperature and chlorine
Widespread Report of Multiple Insecticide Resistance in Anopheles gambiae s.l. Mos-quitoes in Eight Communities in Southern Gombe, North-Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Olatunbosun-Oduola Adedayo , Abba Ezra , Adelaja Olukayode , Taiwo-Ande Adeolu , Poloma-Yoriyo Kennedy , Samson-Awolola Taiwo
Published: May 2019

Background: Timely entomological and insecticide resistance monitoring is a key to generating relevant data for vector management. We investigated the insecticide susceptibility status of Anopheles gambiae s.l. in eight rural farming communities in Southern Gombe, Nigeria.
Methods: Overall, 3–5 days-old adult female Anopheles mosquitoes reared from field-collected immature stages between September and November, 2014 were exposed to the diagnostic doses of pyrethroids, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides using the Center for Disease Control Bottle bioassay. The observatory knockdown time from exposure to each insecticide was recorded up to two hours. The dead mosquitoes were then identified morphological­ly and by molecular assays.
Results: Mortality results showed resistance in An. gambiae s.l. populations to bendiocarb (2.3–100%), deltamethrin (39–70%), pirimiphos-methyl (65–95%), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (0–38.1%), permethrin (0–46.3%) and lambda-cyhalothrin (42.5–86.4%). The few cases of full susceptibility were observed from lamdacyhalothrin exposed population of An. gambiae s.l. in Banbam and Pantami respectively. An. gambiae 177 (45%) was significantly higher (P< 0.05) than An. arabiensis 64 (16.3%), An. coluzzii 34 (8.7%) and An. gambiae/An. coluzzii hybrid 78 (19.8%).
Conclusion: A strong evidence of widespread resistance in the major malaria vector species in Southern Gombe to all common classes of insecticides is a justification for the State Malaria Elimination Programme to consciously con­sider incorporating insecticide resistance management strategies into control programs in order to sustain the future of current control interventions
Biodiversity of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with Emphasis on Potential Arbovirus Vectors in East Azerbaijan Province, Northwestern Iran
Authors: Paksa Azim , Sedaghat Mohammad Mahdi , Vatandoost Hassan , Yaghoobi-Ershadi Mohammad Reza , Moosa-Kazemi Seyed Hassan , Hazratian Teimour , Sanei-Dehkordi Alireza , Oshaghi Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2019

Background: The abundance, diversity, distribution and ecology of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), especially ar­bovirus vectors are important indices for arthropod-borne diseases control.
Methods: Larvae and adult mosquitoes were collected using the standard methods from different habitats in nine localities of three counties in the East Azerbaijan Province, Northwestern Iran during June to October 2017. In addi­tion, species richness (R), Simpson’s diversity index (D), Shannon–Wiener index (H̕) and evenness (E) as measures of diversity, were calculated.
Results: Overall, 1401 mosquito specimens including 1015 adults and 386 larvae were collected in the study area. The properties of geographical larval habitats were recorded. Four genera along with 10 species were collected and identified, including Anopheles hyrcanus, An. maculipennis s.l., An. superpictus s.l., Aedes caspius, Ae. vexans, Cu­lex pipiens, Cx. theileri, Cx. perexiguus, Culiseta longiareolata and Cs. subochrea. Among the three counties, Ahar region presented the highest species richness (R: 1.5) and diversity values (D: 0.79, H’: 1.74, E: 0.73).
Conclusions: This study provides important information on the diversity, distribution and ecology of ten mosquito species in the region. This information leads to a better understanding of mosquito population dynamics in relation to vector control measures.
Identification of Theileria Species in Sheep and Vector Ticks Using PCR Method in Zabol, Eastern Iran
Authors: Zarei Fateme , Ganjali Maryam , Nabavi Reza
Published: May 2019

Background: Theileria is a protozoal parasite that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. Theileriosis is an important tick-borne disease caused by various species of Theileria. Among these species, T. lestoquardi (T. hirci) is highly pathogenic, while other species such as T. ovis make Subclinical and mild infections in small ruminant. Therefore, the precise identification of the species and the vector ticks are very essential for epidemiological studies and the design of control programs.
Methods: This research was conducted with the aim of molecular study to identify Theileria species and vectors in Zabol, eastern Iran in 2015. The presence of Theileria in 80 blood samples and vector ticks was evaluated using PCR method.
Results: Of 80 blood samples, PCR analysis showed that 50 samples (62.5%) were infected with Theileria. The eval­uation of the first phase PCR with Nested PCR showed that infections with Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi were 67.45% and 32.55% cases respectively. Overall, 110 ticks (78 males and 32 females) were collected and generally two genera and six spe­cies including Rhipicephalus bursa (9.1%), Rh. sanguineus (29.1%), Rh. turanicus (10.9%) Hyalomma asiati­cum asiati­cum (23.63%), Hy. excavatum (10.9%), Hy. anatolicum (16.37%) were detected. After evaluating ticks infection by PCR method, three species of Rh. turanicus, Rh. sanguineus and Hy. asiaticum asiaticum, were infected.
Conclusion: Theileria ovis has a high prevalence among the sheep of zabol and Hy. asiaticum asiaticum, Rh. sanguineus and Rh. turanicus may be the main vectors of Theileria species in this area.
Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) Isolated from Dirofilaria immitis in Northwest of Iran
Authors: Khanmohammadi Majid , Falak Reza , Meamar Ahmad Reza , Arshadi Mehdi , Akhlaghi Lame , Razmjou Elham
Published: May 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Wolbachia species of Dirofilaria immitis.
Methods: Adult filarial nematodes were collected from the cardiovascular and pulmonary arterial systems of natural­ly infected dogs, which caught in different geographical areas of Meshkin Shahr in Ardabil Province, Iran, during 2017. Dirofilaria immitis genomic DNA were extracted.  Phylogenetic analysis for proofing of D. immitis was car­ried out using cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Afterward, the purified DNA was used to determine the molecular pattern of the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP) gene sequence by PCR.
Results: Phylogeny and homology studies showed high consistency of the COI gene with the previously-registered sequences for D. immitis. Comparison of DNA sequences revealed no nucleotide variation between them. PCR showed that all of the collected parasites were infected with W. pipientis. The sequence of the WSP gene in Wolbach­ia species from D. immitis was significantly different from other species of Dirofilaria as well as other filarial spe­cies. The maximum homology was observed with the Wolbachia isolated from D. immitis. The greatest distance be­tween WSP nucleotides of Wolbachia species found between D. immitis and those isolated from Onchocerca lupi.
Conclusion: PCR could be a simple but suitable method for detection of Wolbachia species. There is a pattern of host specificity between Wolbachia and Dirofilaria that can be related to ancestral evolutions. The results of this phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterization may help us for better identification of Wolbachia species and understanding of their coevolution.
The Challenges of the Malaria Elimination Program in the South East of Iran, a Qualitative Study
Authors: Soofi Khodamorad , Khanjani Narges , Kamiabi Fatemeh
Published: May 2019

Background: Despite all the efforts made to control and eliminate malaria in Iran, this disease is still considered as a priority health problem in the South East of Iran. We aimed to determine the cultural obstacles which have prevented the elimination of malaria in this region. Method: This study was carried out through qualitative content analysis. Purposeful sampling was done from people who had malaria or were involved with malaria patients in 2015, in Sarbaz City, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Eastern Iran. Data were collected through interviews using open questions and continued until data saturation. Results: The most important barriers in malaria prevention was delay in visiting health centers, delay in diagnosis and treatment due to superstitious beliefs, lack of information about the disease, misdiagnosis and fake doctors. Other obstacles were lack of trust and cooperation with interventions offered by the health system, lack of proper use of the available facilities to prevent malaria and commuting in the high-risk neighbor countries. Conclusion: Raising awareness in people, officials and health workers about malaria and preventive health interventions as well as health risks associated with fake doctors, following up and re-examination of peripheral blood smear in suspected cases, establishing malaria control stations in border areas and specific measures to refer immigrants and people crossing the border toward malaria diagnosis stations is suggested.
The Prevalence of Antibodies against Sandfly Fever Viruses and West Nile Virus in Cyprus
Authors: Billioud Gaetan , Tryfonos Christina , Richter Jan
Published: May 2019

Background: Sandfly fever is an incapacitating disease caused by sandfly-borne Phleboviruses that can lead to men­ingitis, encephalitis or meningoencephalitis. West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne Flavivirus, can induce neu­roinvasive disease manifested by meningitis, encephalitis or acute flaccid paralysis. Both vectors are endemic in Cy­prus and very active during summer. The aims of this study were to determine first the prevalence of sandfly fever viruses (SFV) and WNV infections in Cyprus and second, to investigate their role in central nervous system (CNS) infections.
Methods: For the prevalence study, 327 sera collected in 2013 and 2014 were tested for anti-SFV and anti-WNV IgG using indirect immunofluorescence assay and ELISA, respectively. In order to investigate a possible role of SFV and WNV in CNS infections, 127 sera of patients presenting symptoms of SFV or WNV infections were screened for IgM specific to SFV and WNV.
Results: The overall anti-SFV IgG seroprevalence was 28% and was increasing with age (P< 0.01). The seropreva­lence rate for anti-WNV IgG in Cyprus was 5%. Concerning the role of SFVs in CNS infections, anti-SFV IgM was detected in 8 out of 127 sera from selected patients presenting relevant symptoms of infections during vector’s active period. In addition, anti-WNV IgM were detected in 17 out of the 127 patients with compatible symptoms.
Conclusion: The findings confirm the presence of sandfly fever and WNV in Cyprus and should, therefore, be con­sidered in the differential diagnosis of patients with febrile illness/meningitis.