Identification of Acanthamoeba spp. from water and soil of public parks in the north of Iran.

Acanthamoeba, a free-living and opportunistic protozoan parasite, is a causative agent of severe human infections of the cornea and brain. The present study evaluated the distribution and genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. in water and soil of recreational places in various areas in Guilan province in northern Iran. Eighty water and 20 soil samples were collected from the study area. Water samples were vacuum filtered through a 0.45 µm pore-size membrane filter. Soil samples were washed with sterile distilled water, and washings were similarly filtered, as mentioned for water samples. The filtered material was cultured on non-nutrient agar plates seeded with heat-killed Escherichia coli. Molecular analysis was performed by PCR and sequencing using specific primers for Acanthamoeba. Finally, 26 isolates were successfully sequenced. According to culture and PCR methods, 54% of water and 100% of soil samples were contaminated with Acanthamoeba. Based on the sequencing data, genotypes T4 (47%), T5 (35.29%), T3 (11.76%), and T11 (5.88%) were identified in water samples. Genotypes T4 (66.6%), T5 (22.2%) and T15 (11.1%) were identified in water samples. Most isolates might present a potential health hazard for humans in this region. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive survey of water and soil of recreational areas in northern Iran and the first report on identifying genotype T15 from soil sources.

Comparison of clinicodemographic characteristics and pattern of vascular involvement in 126 patients with Takayasu arteritis: a report from Iran and Turkey.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is an extremely uncommon vasculitis that primarily affects the aorta and its branches. Due to the genetic and ethnicity effect, a diverse array of TA clinical manifestations has been reported worldwide. The purpose of the present study was to compare the clinicodemographic characteristics and pattern of vascular involvement of Iranian and Turkish TA patients. This study was a retrospective, cross-sectional investigation of 126 TA patients in Iran and Turkey. All of the variables analyzed were extracted from historical medical records. In 126 TA patients, the ratio of females to males was 8.6:1, and the average age at onset of disease was 30.5±11.1 years. Fatigue (49.2%) and a weak or absent pulse (79.4%) were the most prevalent symptoms and signs, respectively. The most prevalent angiographic classifications were types V and I in Iranian patients (41.09%) and type I in the Turkish population (47.7%) The left subclavian artery was the vessel most frequently affected by TA (66.6%). Our findings indicated that there were no significant differences between the two countries in terms of clinicodemographic characteristics or vascular involvement. Some clinical manifestations, such as claudication, were more prevalent in the Turkish population due to a higher incidence of occlusive lesions in the right subclavian artery.

Report of Giardia assemblages and giardiasis in residents of Guilan province-Iran.

Giardia duodenalis is considered a highly diverse organism that infects a variety of mammalian hosts. Giardiasis is a significant public health problem in Iran. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Giardia duodenalis (G. lamblia, G. intestinalis) infections in humans residing in the Guilan province of Iran. Stool samples were collected during 12 months from 8356 individuals that had been referred to certain hospitals in the capital city of Rasht in the Guilan province, of which 4126 were males and 4230 were females. The samples were separated into three groups according to patient age: group A 1-9 years old (n = 483); group B 10-19 years old (n = 491); and group C greater than 20 years old (n = 7382). The wet mount technique was performed directly on 8356 fecal samples for microscopy. Samples were examined using a saline and iodine direct smear technique in order to confirm the presence of G. duodenalis. The results indicated that 2.5% (206/8356) of the samples were identified as positive for G. duodenalis. A total of 30% of the infected patients (n = 62) had no symptoms. In symptomatic cases, the most common symptoms (46%, n = 95) were abdominal cramps and bloating. Twenty-four percent of patients (n = 50) had cramps, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. Sixty positive samples were sent for G. duodenalis genotyping based on the amplification of the gdh gene. Forty-one PCR products were successfully selected and sequenced, where 38 (92.6%) samples were identified as genotype A/subgenotype II and in three samples (7.4%) genotype B/subgenotype IV. Genotype A-II had a dominant prevalence as compared to the genotype B-IV samples that were identified in the study. Based on the samples provided by the regional teaching hospitals and subsequent sample analysis, the authors concluded that assemblage A-II is most likely the most common Giardia subgroup infection in the Guilan region. Assemblages have been reported in both humans and animals; however, further studies need to investigate the role of domestic animals and water reservoirs as potential sources of Giardia infection in the Guilan region.

The clinical value of the delta finger to palm distance in systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a collagen-vascular disorder characterized by fibrosis and vasculopathy. Delta finger to palm distance (delta FTP) is an index measuring the distance between the tip of the third finger to the distal palmar crease in the flexed and extended position. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of delta FTP and to assess the correlation of delta FTP with modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and forced vital capacity (FVC) over the 12-month follow-up. This prospective longitudinal study began with 50 participants who were followed for twelve months. Lowess smoothing and linear regression were applied to detect and assess the relationship between delta FTP and mRSS. p-values were adjusted by the Benjamini-Hochberg method (BHM) as a control for false discovery rate. Delta FTP was lower among patients with higher disease duration (p-valueadj: 0.008), diffuse cutaneous SSc (p-valueadj: 0.006), digital ulcers (p-valueadj: 0.003), telangiectasia (p-valueadj: 0.006) and dysphagia (p-valueadj: 0.036). The mRSS has a significant negative linear effect on the delta FTP at the baseline and the end of the follow-up (r: -0.31 and -0.40, respectively). Moreover, changes of mRSS and delta FTP showed a negative linear association over time (r: -0.22). These linear effects remained significant after regrouping the patients based on their SSc subtype. Delta FTP and FVC were not correlated either at the baseline or at the end. It seems that the delta FTP can be a valuable clinical index, supported by its correlated changes with mRSS and other SSc clinical manifestations over the one-year follow-up.

Association of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes and their HLA ligands with susceptibility to Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder with remissions and exacerbations. It is thought that defects in the natural killer (NK) cell repertoire may be involved in BD through killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). This study aimed to evaluate KIR and HLA genes, their interactions in BD patients, and their associations with clinical manifestations. METHOD: The presence or absence of KIR and HLA alleles and genotypes was analysed by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer on genomic DNA of 397 BD patients and 300 healthy controls. RESULTS: None of the KIR genes showed significant effects on BD susceptibility. HLA-C1Asn80 showed a protective effect against BD, whereas HLA-C2Lys80, HLA-B-Bw4Ile80, HLA-B5, and HLA-B51 were associated with a susceptibility risk for BD. In the combination of KIR and HLA genes, the frequencies of HLA genotypes no. 2, 3, 5, and 8, and inhibitory KIR no. 4 were significantly higher in patients than in controls. The frequencies of KIR genotype no. 3 and HLA genotypes no. 1, 4, 6, 7, and 9 were significantly lower in patients than in controls. There were many associations between KIR and HLA genes with clinical features of BD. CONCLUSION: Differences in the frequency of HLA genes, KIR-HLA interactions, and genotypes between BD and healthy controls and their associations with clinical manifestations indicate that NK cells are involved in BD pathogenesis. The observed differences indicated an NK cell activity imbalance in BD patients, and suggest a role of the KIR-HLA repertoire in the development of BD.

Giant Goos-Hänchen shift in two different enantiomers' chiral molecules via quantum coherence.

The Goos and Hänchen (GH) shifts in reflected and transmitted probe light through a cavity mixture of left- and right-handed chiral molecules into two enantiomer states are investigated. Due to the broken mirror symmetry of the left- and right-handed chiral molecules in the presence of cyclic population transfer, such quantum systems can be selectively excited because of the coexistence of one- and two-photon transitions. With the help of coupling Rabi frequency and damping effects due to scattering processes, the generated GH shifts accompanied by simultaneously negative and positive lateral shifts in reflected and transmitted probe lights are greatly enhanced. It is found that the large negative and positive GH shifts are available in the presence of multiphoton resonance and off-resonance conditions for two different enantiomers' chiral molecules. Moreover, the switching between superluminal and subluminal light propagation is extremely dependent on choosing the left- and right-handed chiral molecules. Furthermore, the effects of pulse shape and mode of Laguerre-Gaussian probe light on the GH shifts that lead to a switch between negative and positive shift are also studied. The negative and positive GH shifts in a reflected and transmitted probe beam for an incident Gaussian and different mode of Laguerre-Gaussian shaped beam with various widths by the use of two different enantiomers' chiral molecules are also discussed.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the genes encoding IL-10 and TGF-ß1 in Iranian children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease in which both genetic and environmental factors interact to determine the susceptibility and severity of the disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the association between atopic dermatitis and IL-10 and TGF-ß1 gene polymorphisms. METHODS: The allele and genotype frequencies of genes encoding for IL-10 and TGF-ß1 were investigated in 89 patients with atopic dermatitis in comparison with 138 in the control group using the PCR-SSP method. RESULTS: A significant increase was found in the frequency of the TGF-ß1 codon 10/C allele among patients (p<0.001, OR=6.77), whereas a significant decrease was observed in the frequency of the T allele at the same position (p<0.001, OR=0.14). The frequency of the TGF-ß1 codon 25/G allele in the control group was significantly higher than among patients (p<0.001, OR=0.08). A significant positive correlation was seen between CC (p<0.001, OR=15.10) and CG (p<0.001) genotypes and AD at codons 10 and 25, respectively. The most frequent haplotypes among patients was TGF-ß1 CG which was significantly higher than in the control subjects (50% in patients vs. 39.9% in controls, p=0.042). A significant increase was found in the frequency of TGF-ß CC (36% in patients vs. 7.6% in controls, p<0.001) and TC (14% in patients vs. 0% in controls, p<0.001) haplotypes among patients compared to controls. By contrast, the TGF-ß1 TG haplotype was significantly lower in patients than controls (0% in patients vs. 52.5% in controls, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the frequency of alleles, genotypes and haplotypes of the IL-10 gene. CONCLUSIONS: We found a strong association between the polymorphisms of the TGF-ß1 gene at codon 10 and codon 25 positions and atopic dermatitis.

Promoter hypermethylation of BCL11B gene correlates with downregulation of gene transcription in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Methylation of DNA is one of the important regulatory mechanisms of gene transcription. B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma 11B (BCL11B) plays a key role in the development, proliferation, differentiation, and survival of T cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate promoter methylation of BCL11B gene and its mRNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in relation to healthy controls and evaluate their correlation with diseases clinical indices. Fifty AS patients and 50 healthy controls entered in this study. PBMCs were isolated from whole blood and RNA and DNA contents of leukocytes were extracted. The expression level of BCL11B gene was measured through real-time PCR assay using SYBR Green Master Mix, and PCR products of bisulfite-treated DNA were sequenced to determine the methylation level of promoter. Decreased transcript and increased promoter methylation levels of BCL11B gene were identified in AS patients compared with healthy controls. Hypermethylation of CpG3 and CpG5 was associated with increased AS risk. Promoter hypermethylation and mRNA overexpression correlated with each other but not with clinical manifestations. We identified aberrancies in expression and methylation of BCL11B gene in AS patients compared with healthy control group; however, they might not impress the clinical face of AS.

M2000 (ß-D-Mannuronic Acid) as a Novel Antagonist for Blocking the TLR2 and TLR4 Downstream Signalling Pathway.

To date, selective blockade of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling has been developed as a new approach for treatment for many inflammatory diseases. As ß-D-mannuronic acid (M2000) has been known as an anti-inflammatory molecule in several experimental models, we investigated the antagonistic effects of M2000 on TLR2 and TLR4 downstream signalling transduction pathway in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines overexpressing TLR2/CD14 and the TLR4/MD2/CD14 complex, respectively. M2000 effectively inhibited mRNA expression of MyD88 and p65, major subunit of nuclear factor-κB, in HEK293 cells stimulated by lipoteichoic acid (LTA, a TLR2 agonist) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a TLR4 agonist) with no evidence of cytotoxicity. In addition, M2000 also suppressed LTA and LPS-induced production of TNF-α and IL-6 inflammatory cytokines in these cells. Furthermore, the results revealed that M2000 had no significant effect on Tollip mRNA expression as a negative regulator of TLR signalling in aforesaid cells. Overall, these data point to M2000 inhibitory effect on Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, 4 signalling in HEK293 cells. This information might provide new insights into the possible roles of this small drug in order to introduce it as a TLR signalling pathway inhibitor. However, more studies are needed to confirm ß-D-mannuronic acid antagonistic effects including the effects of M2000 on peritoneal isolated macrophages and also on blood cells in patients with inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis.

FOXP3, RORγt and IL-10 cytokine profile in chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Distinct subsets of T cells play crucial regulatory roles in inflammatory processes of chronic heart failure (CHF). Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt (Ror-γt) and Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) have been defined as the "master regulators" of Th17 cells and Treg cells, respectively. At the same time, anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 may neutralize inflammation in CHF. The current study was designed to compare FOXP3, RORγt and IL-10 protein expression in the blood and IL-10 in supernatant PBMCs in CHF patients versus normal subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study population consisted of 42 patients with CHF in four different function classes and 42 healthy subjects who served as controls. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis was performed and mRNA expression for genes FOXP3, RORγt, IL-10 was determined by RT-PCR. The amount of IL-10 protein in supernatant of PBMCs was measured by ELISA technique. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in FOXP3, RORγt, IL-10 protein expression and supernatant PBMCs IL-10 in CHF patients as compared to control. The level of Foxp3 was significantly lower in CHF patients with ischemic vs non-ischemic cause (p = 0.04). DISCUSSION: Although inflammation plays a central role in the pathophysiology of CHF, the roles of FOXp3, RORγt, and IL-10 remain to be determined (Tab. 3, Ref. 33).

Analysis of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and their human leukocyte antigen-ligands gene polymorphisms in Iranian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease. Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders that mainly express killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). The present study was undertaken to determine the association of the KIR alleles, genotypes, and KIR-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligand gene combinations with the susceptibility to SLE. METHODS: The genotyping of 17 KIR and 5 HLA loci was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) method. The study population consisted of 230 SLE patients and 273 ethnical-, age-, and sex-matched healthy controls. The association of the polymorphisms with the prevalence of 11 clinical criteria in patients was analyzed. RESULTS: The carrier frequency of HLA-A-Bw4 was modestly decreased in the SLE patients. The prevalence of hematological and renal disorders was significantly increased in patients with combination of KIR3DL1(+); HLA-B-Bw4(Thr80+) and KIR2DS1(+); HLA-C2(+) genes, respectively. Female patients with combination of KIR2DL2(+); HLA-C1(-) genes were more likely to develop serositis. In addition the prevalence of renal disorders, oral ulcer and serositis was significantly increased in male patients with KIR3DP1(+), KIR2DS1(+), and KIR2DS3(+) genotypes respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the presence of activating KIR receptors alone or in combination with their HLA ligands and the absence of inhibitory KIRs in combination with their HLA ligands may activate NK cells and are significantly correlated with the prevalence of renal disease, hematologic disorders, serositis, and oral ulcer in SLE patients.

Association of interleukin-2 and interferon-γ single nucleotide polymorphisms with Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.

PURPOSE: Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is a severe and chronic autoimmune disease of unknown origin. Inflammatory cytokines can play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of JSLE, while their secretion is under genetic control. The current investigation was performed to analyse the associations of particular single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) genes in a case control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies of the polymorphic IL-2 (G/T at -330, rs2069762, and G/T at +166, rs2069763) and IFN-γ (A/T at +874, rs2430561) genes were estimated in 59 patients with JSLE by contrast with 140 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers method. RESULTS: Results of the analysed data revealed a negative allelic association for JSLE in IL-2 -330/T (P=0.02), as well as a positive allelic association for IL-2 -330/G (P=0.02). IL-2 GG genotype (-330) in the patient group was also significantly overrepresented (P<0.001), while IL-2 GT genotype (-330) was notably decreased in the patients with JSLE (P<0.001). Additionally, the frequency of IL-2 (-330, +166) GT haplotype was significantly higher in the patient group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: IL-2 cytokine gene polymorphisms could affect individual susceptibility to JSLE and can take on the role of possible genetic markers for vulnerability to JSLE.

Association of interleukin 1 gene cluster and interleukin 1 receptor gene polymorphisms with ischemic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Proinflammatory cytokines have been known to play a considerable part in the pathomechanisms of chronic heart failure (CHF). Given the importance of proinflammatory cytokines in the context of the failing heart, we assessed whether the polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-1 gene cluster, including IL-1α, IL-1ß, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and IL-1R gene are predictors of CHF due to ischemic heart disease. METHODS: Forty- three patients with ischemic heart failure were recruited in this study as patients group and compared with 140 healthy unrelated control subjects. Using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers method, the allele and genotype frequency of 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL-1α (-889), IL-1ß (-511, +3962), IL-1R (psti 1970), and IL-1RA (mspa1 11100) genes were determined. RESULTS: The frequency of the IL-1ß -511/C allele was significantly higher in the patient group compared to that in the control group (p = 0.031). The IL-1ß (-511) C/C genotype was significantly overrepresented in patients compared to controls (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Particular allele and genotype in IL-1ß gene were overrepresented in patients with ischemic heart failure, possibly affecting the individual susceptibility to this disease (Tab. 1, Ref. 27).

IL-1A rs1800587, IL-1B rs1143634 and IL-1R1 rs2234650 polymorphisms in Iranian patients with systemic sclerosis.

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disorder, with ambiguous pathogenesis. Genetic and environmental factors were proved to be correlated with SSc aetiology. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes can alter the structure and function of the cytokines and consequently may increase the susceptibility to a specific disease. In this study, we investigated SNPs of the IL-1 gene cluster in Iranian SSc patients. We obtained blood samples from 170 SSc patients and 213 healthy individuals. Cytokine genotyping results were obtained by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). IL-1A rs1800587, IL-1B rs1143634 and IL-1R1 rs2234650 were evaluated for SNP study. The frequency of the IL-1B rs1143634 CT genotype was significantly lower in SSc patients compared to the controls (OR = 0.584; 95% CI = 0.385-0.886; P-value = 0.023), so we propose that CT genotype of this allele might be protective. According to our haplotype analysis, CCC haplotype frequency is higher in the control group compared to SSc patients (OR = 1.575; 95% CI = 1.176-2.111; P-value = 0.008) and in contrast, CTC haplotype frequency is lower in the control group compared to SSc patients (OR = 0.152; 95% CI = 0.047-0.484; P-value = 0.002), so they might decrease and increase the susceptibility of having SSc, respectively. In addition, we reported two significant diplotypes frequency differences among SSc patients and healthy individuals. It is highly important that there is not much resemblance between the IL-1 gene cluster polymorphism in different populations, so we can indicate that SNPs may play critical roles when they are combined with other genetic and environmental factors.

Investigation of optical bistability in a double In(x)Ga(1-x)N/GaN quantum-dot nanostructure via inter-dot tunneling effect.

In this paper, our aim is to control optical bistability (OB) and optical multistability (OM) in a five-level system designed in a double quantum dot (QD) nanostructure. In a realistic example, this atomic system is created in two semiconductor QDs (In(x)Ga(1-x)N/GaN), owning transfer of carriers via tunneling effect. OB behavior is controlled not only by the inter-dot tunneling effect but also by variation of probe detuning and intensity of the control field. It is demonstrated that voltage-controlled detuning can significantly affect the behavior of OB and OM; therefore, the OM converts to OB by probe detuning and intensity of the control field.

Cryptosporidium genotypes and subtypes distribution in river water in Iran.

Little is known about the diversity and public health significance of Cryptosporidium species in river waters in Iran. In the present study, we determined the genotype and subtype distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. in river water samples in Iran. A total of 49 surface water samples were collected from rivers and surface water in Guilan and Tehran provinces during 2009-2010. Water samples were filtrated through a 1.2-µm pore size membrane filter or by Filta-Max filter followed by immunomagnetic separation or sucrose purification methods. Genotype and subtype of Cryptosporidium were identified by sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA and 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) genes, respectively. A total of 24 (48.97%) water samples were positive for Cryptosporidium species by the 18sRNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequencing technique. DNA sequencing revealed the presence of five species of Cryptosporidium (C. parvum, C. hominis, C. muris, C. andersoni, and C. canis) in the water samples of the study area and, to our knowledge, the first report of C. muris in Iran. The results of GP60 gene analysis showed that all C. parvum and C. hominis isolates belonged to the IId and Id subtype families, respectively. The investigated river water supplies were heavily contaminated by pathogenic species of Cryptosporidium from humans and livestock. There is potential risk of waterborne cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals.

Interleukin-4 single nucleotide polymorphisms in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is a chronic, recurrent multisystem inflammatory disease, caused by a combination of environmental events and genetic risk factors. As cytokines, including interleukin-4 (IL-4), seem to have a role in the pathogenesis of JSLE, the investigation was performed to evaluate the associations of specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-4 and IL-4RA genes in a case-control study. Fifty-nine patients with JSLE were recruited in this study as patients' group and compared with 140 healthy volunteers. Genotyping was performed for IL-4 gene at positions -1098, -590 and -33, as well as IL-4 receptor α (IL-4RA) gene at position +1902, using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers method. Following alleles were found to be more common among patients with JSLE: C at -590 and -33 and T at -1098 of IL-4 gene (P value < 0.001; OR = 4.6, P value < 0.001; OR = 2.7 and P value < 0.001; OR = 2.1, respectively). Additionally, significant positive associations for the following genotypes were recognized in JSLE cases, compared with controls: C/C at -33, C/C at -590 and T/T at -1098 of IL-4 gene (P value < 0.001; OR = 5.3, P value < 0.001; OR = 29.5 and P value < 0.001; OR = 3.3, respectively), while following genotypes were less frequent among patients with JSLE: T/C at -33 and -590 and T/G at -1098 of IL-4 gene (P value < 0.001; OR = 0.1, P value < 0.001; OR = 0.03 and P value < 0.001; OR = 0.3, respectively). Furthermore, we noticed an astonishing negative haplotypic association for JSLE for IL-4 (positions -1098, -509 and -33) TTC, GCC and TTT haplotypes (P value < 0.001). There was also a significant relationship between TCC haplotype (IL-4 gene at positions -1098, -590 and -33) and having JSLE (P value < 0.001). On the other hand, we found no significant associations between IL-4R polymorphisms and the susceptibility to JSLE. Cytokine gene polymorphisms may influence susceptibility to JSLE. Particular IL-4 gene variants are associated with JSLE and might have a role in the pathophysiology of disease.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin-1 family with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) seems to have an important role in early reactions towards microbes, while its genetic variability could affect this role in atopic patients who have a distressed immunity towards dermatological infections. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), who were referred to a main referral paediatric hospital, were enrolled in this study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the following IL-1 cluster genes were assessed in this group of patients: IL-1α -889, IL-1ß -511, IL-1ß +3962, IL-1R Pst-I 1970, and IL-1RA Mspa-I 11100. The results were compared with a group of 140 healthy subjects from the same region. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of the controls had TT homozygous genotype in IL-1R at position Pst-I 1970, while only 2% of the patients with AD had this genotype (p=0.005, OR: 0.14, 95%CI: 0.02-0.64). The CC homozygous genotype was the most common genotype in IL-1α position -889 and IL-1ß at position +3962 in both groups of patients with AD and the controls, while the TC heterozygous genotype was the most common genotype in IL-1ß at position -511 and IL-1R at position Pst-I 1970, with no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significant negative association in the IL-1R Mspa-I 11100 TT homozygous genotype in the patients with AD.

Clinical features and bleeding risk factors of angiodysplasia lesions in a Tunisian population.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIAD) is the most common vascular anomaly in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, yet little is known about the factors favoring their bleeding. Our study aim was to determine the characteristics of patients with GIAD lesions in a Tunisian population and identify the risk factors of bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out from January 2010 to February 2020 at a tertiary care medical center in Tunisia. Clinical and endoscopic data were collected from each patient's medical reports. We divided the patients into two groups: group A, patients with symptomatic GIAD; and group B, patients with incidental lesions. Group A was subsequently divided into two subgroups, according to the presence or absence of recurrent bleeding. The groups were compared by clinical, laboratory, and endoscopic features. RESULTS: GIAD was diagnosed in 114 patients, with a mean age of 70 ±â€¯13.3 years. GIAD lesions were mainly located in the colon (n = 72, 63%). Fifty-four patients (47%) presented with GIAD-related bleeding. The bleeding diagnosis was made during endoscopic procedures by visualizing active bleeding and the stigmata of recent hemorrhage in 10 (18.5%) and 12 (22.2%) cases, respectively. Most of the patients were treated by argon plasma coagulation (93%). Predictive factors of bleeding were age > 75 years, number of lesions >10, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease (p: 0.008; 0.002; 0.016; 0.048; and 0.039, respectively). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the predictive factors of bleeding aids endoscopists in the decision-making process in cases of angiodysplasia.

Diagnostic yield of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) and anti-HSP-70 in Behcet-induced uveitis.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are intracellular proteins with pro- and anti-inflammatory actions, playing an important role in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease (BD). Diagnosis of BD uveitis in early stages is still problematic, thus this study was undertaken to determine diagnostic values of serum HSP- and anti-HSP-70 in BD uveitis. Serum levels of HSP- and anti-HSP-70 were measured in 53 patients with BD (26 with and 27 without uveitis). In control group, 25 age- and sex-matched idiopathic uveitis patients were enrolled consecutively. Both groups had no medical problems save uveitis at the time of sampling. Confounders like medications were analysed subsequently. HSP- and anti-HSP-70 values were measured by commercial ELISA kits. Data were analysed by spss 11.5 and medcalc 11.5.1 software. The Mean HSP-70 serum levels were different among aforementioned subgroups (P = 0.001, anova). They were elevated in BD uveitis compared with BD without uveitis (4.84 ± 4.21 versus 2.24 ± 2.08 ng/ml; P = 0.045). HSP-70 in sera of BD uveitis was also higher than that parameter in patients with idiopathic uveitis (4.84 ± 4.21 versus 2.37 ± 3.30 ng/ml; P = 0.001; cut-off point value 1.0 9 ng/ml, 95% CI 0.61-0.86, P = 0.0002, ß = 0.06). However, there was not any statistical difference among those groups in the serum anti-HSP-70 levels (P = 0.63, anova). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that among different confounders, only prednisolone increases and BD uveitis decreases HSP-70 levels independently. This prospective cross-sectional study suggested that HSP-70 serum level is impressed over the course of BD uveitis, and it could be utilized to diagnose or predict developing it.