Seroprevalence of Rubella among Women of Reproductive Age in Iran: A Prisma-Based Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Rubella is a highly contagious viral disease with a significant teratogenic effect. Various results have been published about the seroprevalence of rubella in Iran. A PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses)-systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the immunity against rubella in Iranian women. METHODS: Eleven English and Persian electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase, Scientific Information Database, Iran doc, Iran Medex, Magiran, and Medlib were searched using the keywords: Epidemiology, Prevalence, Rubella, Women, Childbearing age, Reproductive age, and Iran. A mathematician (NS) reviewed all steps for accuracy. RESULTS: Out of 1,520 articles, 25 well-conducted studies with a total amount of 10,145 women were reviewed. The pooled prevalence rate of anti-rubella IgG was 84% (95% CI: 83%-86%). The highest prevalence rate of IgG was in Zahedan, Rasht, and Arak (each 100%), while the lowest prevalence was in Jahrom (54%). Subgroup analysis showed that from 1989 through 2012, the IgG prevalence rate increased from 78% (95% CI: 73-83%) to 99% (95% CI: 98 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the vaccination program seems working in Iran, some peripheral regions may be a target to improve health care policies.

The Effect of G2 Adjuvant on Gene Expression and Delivery of NKG2D Receptor on NK Cells in Peripheral Blood.

INTRODUCTION: Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes in humans that release cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma-γ during infection. NKG2D is one of the most important stimulating NK receptors binding MIC-A, MIC-B, and ULBPs, which leads to activation of NK cells against tumor cells. In this study, the authors evaluated the effect of G2 adjuvant on gene expression and delivery of NKG2D receptor on NK cells in peripheral blood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from venous blood obtained from healthy volunteers after adding G2 adjuvant within 12, 24, and 48 hours of incubation. Then, total RNA was extracted from the cells, cDNA synthesis was performed, and gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. In addition, NK cells were stained with the appropriate monoclonal antibodies, and the receptors expressed on cell surface were quantified. RESULTS: G2 adjuvant leads to upregulation of gene expression and increases the expression of NKG2D receptor on the surface of NK cells after incubation. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated that G2 adjuvant can increase NK cell cytotoxicity. It may play an important role in killing tumor cells, preventing tumor growth and metastasis.

Wound healing properties of quince seed mucilage: in vivo evaluation in rabbit full-thickness wound model.

OBJECTIVE: Quince seed mucilage (QSM) has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of skin wounds and burns. Recent studies indicated that QSM accelerated wound healing. The present study was undertaken to investigate the healing efficiency of QSM formulated as 5%, 10%, and 20% creams in eucerin base with especial attention on growth factors involving in wound healing. METHODS: Full thickness wounds were created in Iranian male rabbits divided into five experimental groups (n = 6), as negative control, eucerin and treatments. Negative control group did not receive any treatment. Eucerin group received topical eucerin, twice a day. Treatment groups were treated topically by creams of QSM 5%, 10% and 20% (w/w) in eucerin base, twice daily. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated based on wound contraction, haydroxyproline content, tensile strength of wound tissue. The levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) were also determined in serum and wound fluid of tested animals. RESULTS: Results showed that there were statistically significant differences in wound contraction between QSM 10 and 20% creams treatments groups and control groups (P < 0.05) in most of the days. Rabbits treated with QSM 20% cream had the best results (completed healing in 13 days, higher hydroxyproline content, higher tissue resistance and higher wound fluid levels of evaluated growth factors). CONCLUSION: We concluded tha QSM in 10-20% concentrations have a good potential for promote wound healing thus supports its traditional use.