Early growth response 2 and Egr3 are unique regulators in immune system.

The immune system is evolved to defend the body against pathogens and is composed of thousands of complicated and intertwined pathways, which are highly controlled by processes such as transcription and repression of cellular genes. Sometimes the immune system malfunctions and a break down in self-tolerance occurs. This lead to the inability to distinguish between self and non-self and cause attacks on host tissues, a condition also known as autoimmunity, which can result in chronic debilitating diseases. Early growth response genes are family of transcription factors comprising of four members, Egr1, Egr2, Egr3 and Egr4. All of which contain three cyc2-His2 zinc fingers. Initially, Egr2 function was identified in the regulation of peripheral nerve myelination, hindbrain segmentation. Egr3, on the other hand, is highly expressed in muscle spindle development. Egr2 and Egr3 are induced due to the antigen stimulation and this signaling is implemented through the B and T cell receptors in the adaptive immunity. T cell receptor signaling plays a key role in Egr 2 and 3 expressions via their interaction with NFAT molecules. Egr 2 and 3 play a crucial role in regulation of the immune system and their involvement in B and T cell activation, anergy induction and preventing the autoimmune disease has been investigated. The deficiency of these transcription factors has been associated to deficient Cbl-b expression, a resistant to anergy phenotype, and expression of effector and activated T cells.

Copper sulfate pentahydrate reduced epithelial cytotoxicity induced by lipopolysaccharide from enterogenic bacteria.

The over usage of multiple antibiotics contributes to the emergence of a whole range of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria causing enterogenic infections in poultry science. Therefore, finding an appropriate alternative natural substance carrying an antibacterial capacity would be immensely beneficial. It has been previously discovered that the different types of cupric salts, especially copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O), to carry a potent bactericidal capacity. We investigated the neutralizing effect of CuSO4·5H2O (6.25µg/ml) on the reactive oxygen species generation, and expression of MyD88, an essential adaptor protein of Toll-like receptor, and NF-κB in three intestinal epithelial cell lines exposed to 50ng/ml lipopolysaccharide. In order to find the optimal cupric sulfate concentration without enteritis-inducing toxicity, broiler chickens were initially fed with water containing 0.4, 0.5, and 1mg/l during a period of 4days. After determination of appropriate dosage, two broiler chickens and turkey flocks with enteritis were fed with cupric compound for 4days. We found that cupric sulfate can lessen the cytotoxic effect of lipopolysaccharide by reducing the reactive oxygen species content (p<0.05). Additionally, the expression of MyD88 and NF-κB was remarkably down-regulated in the presence of lipopolysaccharide and cupric sulfate. The copper sulfate in doses lower than 0.4mg/ml expressed no cytotoxic effect on the liver, kidney, and the intestinal tract while a concentration of 0.5 and 1mg/ml contributed to a moderate to severe tissue injuries. Pearson Chi-Square analysis revealed the copper cation significantly diminished the rate of mortality during 4-day feeding of broiler chicken and turkey with enteritis (p=0.000). Thus, the results briefed above all confirm the potent anti-bactericidal feature of cupric sulfate during the course of enteritis.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial carboxymethyl cellulose films containing Zataria multiflora essential oil.

The present study describes the physical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable films prepared by incorporating different concentrations (1, 2, and 3% v/v) of Zataria multiflora Boiss (avishan-e shirazi) essential oil (ZEO) into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) film. The films' tensile strength, elongation at break, water-vapor permeability, optical characteristics, microstructure, and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties were investigated. The results indicated that the film containing 1% ZEO had the highest tensile strength and elongation at break. The control film showed the lowest water-vapor permeability. The resulting optical data showed that the control films were transparent in appearance; transparency was significantly reduced by an increase in ZEO concentration. Solubility in water decreased with increased ZEO. Films with ZEO, especially at higher concentrations, were more effective against all tested bacteria than the control film. Those films incorporating essential oil revealed antioxidant properties as well; this effect was greatly improved when the proportion of ZEO was increased. The results indicated that the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of ZEO is retained when it is used in CMC film. These properties with some good physical characteristics suggest applications for ZEO-incorporated film in a wide range of food products.

Use of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem repeat typing to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from East Azarbaijan province of Iran.

The aim of present study was to determine the genotypes of isolates from East Azarbaijan province by this method. We performed (MIRU-VNTR) analysis of strains, isolated from 127 patients during a period of September 2002 to March 2003 in tuberculosis centers of the province. Among 127 isolates, we found 93 distinct MIRU-VNTR patterns, including in 21 clustered patterns and 72 unique patterns from isolated strains. The discriminatory power of MIRU-VNTR typing in present study was high (HGDI = 0.9932) for isolates. In clusters similar patterns of Nakhichevanees patients and Iranian patients was revealed in three clusters which showed Nakhichevanees patients referred to tuberculosis centers of province could be a source for transmission of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis in this province is relatively in good condition. The allelic diversity of our samples was lower than previous studies. These results indicate that MIRU-VNTR can be a useful and first line tool for studying genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis isolates in regional setting such as East Azarbaijan province of Iran.