Altered TH1, TH2, TH17 balance in assisted reproductive technology conceived mice.

AIM AND PURPOSE: The higher prevalence rate of different diseases may accentuate the possible alteration of the immune system in individuals conceived through the assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The present study was conducted to evaluate the TH1, TH2, TH17 balance in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) - conceived mice in comparison to naturally conceived offspring. METHODS: Mice (6-8 weeks) were divided into three groups (IVF- conceived, ICSI- conceived and naturally conceived). They were subjected to subcutaneous immunization witMycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). The blood samples were taken and the sera were separated. Then the spleens were surgically removed at the time the mice were sacrificed. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A and IL-4 were detected by ELISA. Then the proportion of TCD4 cells possessing the T-bet+, GATA3+, and ROR-γt + were measured using FACS caliber flow cytometer. RESULTS: In comparison with naturally conceived mice, intracellular expression of T-bet and serum levels of IFN-γ were significantly decreased in ART- conceived mice. Moreover, ART- conceived offspring showed marked increase in IL-4 and IL-17A. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that compared to naturally conceived male mice, ART- conceived counterparts exhibit less efficient immune responses against BCG through further promotion of humoral and inflammatory related immune response characteristics.

The effect of educational audiotape programme on anxiety and depression in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate use of educational audiotape programme on anxiety and depression in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression after CABG are the most common complications, having a negative impact on the prognosis of heart disease, leading to special needs according to their new physical and mental conditions. DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial. METHODS: This study conducted in Iran, 70 patients undergoing CABG were included and divided into two equal groups, the control group and intervention group. They were followed up for six weeks. An audiotape educational programme was given to the intervention group after surgery in addition to the routine training. But patients in the control group received only routine training. Anxiety and depression were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, a standardised questionnaire for anxiety and depression. Data were collected before and six weeks after the intervention. For the comparison of mean scores between the groups, the data were analysed in spss, version 16, using independent T-test and paired T-test. RESULTS: The mean scores obtained in both anxiety and depression dimensions were significantly different between the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Audiotape educational programme used by patients undergoing CABG decreases the level of their anxiety and depression after cardiac surgery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The most significant finding was the importance of audiotape educational programme to meet the needs of the CABG patients, which suggest that patient education through audiotape can be effective in self-care after heart surgery and nurses can use an audiotape containing preparatory information to improve outcomes and reduce anxiety and depression in patients having CABG.