Iranian Patients Research Articles

Insights into the clinical impact of complete blood cell inflammatory markers on body composition variations and fatty liver grading in Iranian adults undergoing bariatric surgery: a retrospective longitudinal study.

In bariatric surgery, inflammatory biomarkers predict outcomes. Limited research on complete blood cell (CBC) markers stresses the need for correlation study. This research explores links between CBC inflammatory markers, body changes, and fatty liver grades in Iranian bariatric patients. This retrospective longitudinal study examined 237 bariatric surgery patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria and were deemed eligible for participation. These criteria encompassed patients who had undergone sleeve or mini-bypass surgery and were aged between 18 and 65 years. The study gathered demographic data, pre and post-surgery changes in CBC inflammatory biomarkers [neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), MPV-to-platelet count ratio (MPV/PC), and red cell distribution width (RDW)] and fatty liver grades. Additionally, it recorded pre and post-surgery changes in body composition, such as weight, muscle mass (MM), fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM). The pre-surgery RDW marker significantly associated with FM changes, highlighting its predictive nature. While no significant association was found between changes in patients' fatty liver grade and baseline marker values, it's worth noting that individuals with higher MM at 3 months achieved a fatty liver grade of zero. Also, at 6 months, higher FFM and MM were also associated with reaching a fatty liver grade of zero. While the retrospective design of this study limits its findings to existing clinical data, future prospective research should collect additional samples, extend the observation time, and examine the long-term predictive value of these markers.

Subjective well-being among Iranian breast cancer patients: Exploring the influential role of psychological capital

Purpose Breast cancer is a prevalent and emotionally challenging condition that profoundly affects women worldwide. Effectively managing the mental and emotional dimensions of this disease is crucial for the holistic well-being of patients. Psychological capital (PsyCap) has emerged as a pivotal psychological construct with the potential to effectively address these challenges. This study aims to explore the influential role of PsyCap and its constructs on the subjective well-being (SWB) of Iranian breast cancer patients. Methods A total of 173 breast cancer patients participated in this study, selected through a random sampling approach. Face-to-face interview data on socio-demographics, PsyCap, and SWB were collected using a structured questionnaire. The analytical procedures encompassed independent sample t-tests, ANOVA tests, Pearson correlation tests, and stepwise multiple regression. Results The findings revealed that the majority of participants fell within the 41–50 age group (38.7%), with an average age of 46.50 ± 11.76 years, and 35.8% had tumor growth in the upper left lobe. The average PsyCap score was 107.93 ± 1.52 (out of a possible score of 144), whereas SWB scored 196.51 ± 1.90 (out of 291). Notably, PsyCap showed a positive correlation with SWB (r = 0.119), accounting for approximately 8% of the variance in SWB. The final regression model showed the substantial predictive roles of PsyCap (1.667), self-efficacy (−3.692), age (−2.977), and education (−3.939) in shaping SWB. Conclusions Focusing on understanding and addressing factors like PsyCap, self-efficacy, and educational support could improve SWB, offering a potential avenue for comprehensive and individualized psychosocial care for women with breast cancer.

Risk Factors and Etiological Classification of Ischemic Stroke Subtypes in Southwest Iran

Precise categorization of the causes of ischemic stroke (IS) is crucial for optimizing stroke treatment and assessing the prognosis of patients. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the risk factors and various subcategories of IS in Iranian patients. The study included all patients with IS referred to Golestan Hospital (Ahvaz, Iran) for one year. Their demographics and clinical data were collected. The etiology of IS was classified based on the TOAST (Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) criteria. A total of 1100 patients with IS were evaluated, 658 were male and 442 were female. They had an average age of 66 years (ranging between 20 and 99 years). The majority of them were in the 61-80 age group. The prevalence of risk factors for IS included hypertension (HTN) (71.4%), diabetes (50.4%), smoking (42.4%), history of previous stroke (28%), dyslipidemia (15.4%), and cardiovascular disease (22.5%). Three months after admission, the mortality rate was 10.7% and the majority of patients exhibited a lower level of disability based on the modified Rankin Score (mRS) compared to the time of admission. The frequency of all risk factors, except for HTN, differed significantly between genders (P<0.05). Furthermore, the prevalence of risk factors varied significantly among different stroke etiologic subgroups (P<0.05). The most common etiological factors identified by TOAST classification were associated with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and small artery occlusion (SAO). Significant variations were observed in the prevalence of different etiologic subtypes of stroke among genders and across different age groups.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Intensive Care Experience Questionnaire (ICE-Q).

Background and Purpose: It is important to assess the experience of patients who have been admitted to an intensive care unit to provide the best treatment and nursing care possible. Therefore, a valid and reliable tool is necessary for measurement. This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Intensive Care Experience Questionnaire (ICEQ) for open-heart surgery patients. Methods: The study was conducted in four steps: translation, face and content validity, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability assessment. The adapted questionnaire was administered to 200 Iranian cardiac surgery patients who had received treatment in an intensive care unit within the past month. Results: In the final Persian version of ICEQ, there are 4 factors and 21 items. Following the translation and cultural adaptation process, the content validity was evaluated. Three items had content validity ratio < 0.6, so they were deleted. Scale-level content validity index/Average was 0.81 and more than 0.7 for each item on the scale. This scale was validated through confirmatory factor analysis using fit indicators (comparative fit index, normalized fit index, root mean square error of approximation, and chi-square). There was Cronbach's alpha of 0.71-0.85, and intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.82-0.93 for subscales. Conclusions: The Persian version of ICEQ showed appropriate psychometric properties. This scale may be useful to inform the development of effective interventions to improve subsequent outcomes for Iranian open-heart surgery patients.

Association between Dietary total antioxidant capacity and knee osteoarthritis: a case-control study in the Iranian Population

AimKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent chronic condition associated with significant pain, disability, and healthcare costs, particularly among the elderly population. Despite the considerable burden of KOA, effective treatment options for managing the condition’s underlying causes remain limited. This case-control study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and knee osteoarthritis.MethodsThis case-control study was conducted on 105 patients with confirmed KOA and 210 controls. KOA was diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) was calculated based on the ferric-reducing antioxidant power method.ResultsThe mean age and BMI of the participants were 53.6 ± 8.8 years old and 27.3 ± 2.7 kg/m2, respectively. The study participant’s DTAC score ranged from 3.56 to 25.32 with a mean and SD of 12.46 ± 5.12. In the crude model, individuals in the highest quartile of DTAC score had 71% lower odds of having knee osteoarthritis compared to those in the first quartile (OR: 0.29, 95%CI: 0.15 to 0.58, P-trend < 0.001). These associations remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders including age, sex, energy intake, family history of osteoarthritis, vitamin D and calcium use, physical activity level, cigarette smoking and BMI. Although the odds of having knee osteoarthritis decreased with increasing quartiles of DTAC in both sexes, this relationship was stronger among males than females.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that there was an inverse correlation between DTAC and KOA among the Iranian patients with KOA.

The persian version of the fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire among iranian post-surgery patients: a translation and psychometrics

IntroductionFear-avoidance beliefs (FAB) play a crucial role in the treatment outcomes of post-surgery patients. These beliefs can lead to activity avoidance, increased pain, and decreased quality of life. Therefore, accurately measuring these beliefs in Iranian patients is of significant importance. The Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ) is a patient-reported questionnaire that evaluates individuals’ FAB. Since the validity and reliability of the Persian version of FABQ (FABQ-P) have not been assessed based on the Iranian population and sociocultural contexts, the current study has been implemented to determine the reliability and validity of the FABQ-P among Iranian post-operative patients by translation and psychometric properties.MethodsThis methodological study conducted in 2023, a sample of 400 patients who had undergone surgery were selected using a convenience sampling method. The scale used in the study was translated and its psychometric properties were evaluated through network analysis and assessments of construct validity (including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Additionally, the study assessed the internal consistency of the scale.ResultsThe MLEFA results with Promax and Kaiser Normalization rotation yielded two factors explaining 57.91% of the variance, encompassing 13 items. Also, the model was approved by CFA. Convergent and discriminant validity have been confirmed through the following criteria: Average Variance Extracted (AVE) exceeding 0.5, Composite Reliability (CR) surpassing 0.7, and Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio of Correlations (HTMT) equating to 0.597. As for reliability, Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability (CR), and MaxR for all constructs were greater than 0.7, demonstrating good internal consistency.ConclusionAs demonstrated by the results, the FABQ-P has a satisfactory level of reliability along with authentic validity according to the sociocultural contexts of Iranian post-operative patients.

Evaluation of the BRCA2 Gene Variants Association with the Risk of Breast Cancer in the Iranian Population

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among Iranian women. Several factors affect the risk of developing the disease, with genetic factors being considered the most important in hereditary cancers. Mutations in certain genes, such as BRCA2, can lead to protein defects and result in cancer. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the frequency of BRCA2 variants in Iranian patients and their association with BC risk. Methods: In this case-control study, 50 patients and 50 healthy women were included. After DNA extraction from 5 mL of peripheral blood, rs11571833 and rs4987117 were genotyped using AS-PCR. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16, with a significance level set at less than 0.05. Results: The mean age of the patients and healthy subjects was 49.38 ± 9.98 and 53.84 ± 9.41, respectively (P = 0.027). The majority of patients were in grade and stage II of the disease. For the rs11571833 variant, the frequency of the T allele was 10% different between the patient and control groups, which was statistically significant (P = 0.020). Additionally, the recessive model of this SNP was associated with BC risk (P = 0.008). Conclusions: BRCA2 gene polymorphisms may play a role in BC, potentially containing one or more major alleles that predispose individuals to the disease. However, further studies are needed to obtain more reliable results.

A novel start-loss mutation of the SLC29A3 gene in a consanguineous family with H syndrome: clinical characteristics, in silico analysis and literature review

BackgroundThe SLC29A3 gene, which encodes a nucleoside transporter protein, is primarily located in intracellular membranes. The mutations in this gene can give rise to various clinical manifestations, including H syndrome, dysosteosclerosis, Faisalabad histiocytosis, and pigmented hypertrichosis with insulin-dependent diabetes. The aim of this study is to present two Iranian patients with H syndrome and to describe a novel start-loss mutation in SLC29A3 gene.MethodsIn this study, we employed whole-exome sequencing (WES) as a method to identify genetic variations that contribute to the development of H syndrome in a 16-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother. These siblings were part of an Iranian family with consanguineous parents. To confirmed the pathogenicity of the identified variant, we utilized in-silico tools and cross-referenced various databases to confirm its novelty. Additionally, we conducted a co-segregation study and verified the presence of the variant in the parents of the affected patients through Sanger sequencing.ResultsIn our study, we identified a novel start-loss mutation (c.2T > A, p.Met1Lys) in the SLC29A3 gene, which was found in both of two patients. Co-segregation analysis using Sanger sequencing confirmed that this variant was inherited from the parents. To evaluate the potential pathogenicity and novelty of this mutation, we consulted various databases. Additionally, we employed bioinformatics tools to predict the three-dimensional structure of the mutant SLC29A3 protein. These analyses were conducted with the aim of providing valuable insights into the functional implications of the identified mutation on the structure and function of the SLC29A3 protein.ConclusionOur study contributes to the expanding body of evidence supporting the association between mutations in the SLC29A3 gene and H syndrome. The molecular analysis of diseases related to SLC29A3 is crucial in understanding the range of variability and raising awareness of H syndrome, with the ultimate goal of facilitating early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The discovery of this novel biallelic variant in the probands further underscores the significance of utilizing genetic testing approaches, such as WES, as dependable diagnostic tools for individuals with this particular condition.

Skin graft surgery and its impact on platelet counts in Iranian burn patients: a non-randomized clinical trial

BackgroundPlatelets are critical in maintaining homeostasis and immune response in burn patients. The concentration of platelets decreases in burn patients, and any intervention that increases serum platelet concentration can prevent serious consequences and patient death. The present study aimed to assess the impact of skin graft surgery on burn patients’ platelet counts.MethodsIn this non-randomized clinical trial, 200 burn patients were investigated. The patients were recruited from the surgical ward of Imam Khomeini Teaching Hospital during the first six months of 2021. After completing the checklist, patients underwent skin graft surgery. Blood was taken from the patients during surgery in the operating room and on the third and fifth day after the surgery to check platelets. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software (ver. 22.0).ResultsMost patients (63.5%) were male, and 73 (36.5%) were female. One hundred eighty-one patients (90.5%) had deep burns, and 19 (9.5%) had superficial burns. The mean burns percentage in the patients was 19.3 ± 15.4%, the lowest was 2%, and the highest was 90%. The most common burns were caused by flame (42%) and boiling water (30.5%). The patients’ outcomes revealed that 6% gained complete recovery, 86.5% partial recovery, 2.5% showed transplant rejection, and 5% died. Mean platelet levels in deceased patients had an upward trend. The mean platelet counts of patients were elevated during surgery (289,855 ± 165,378), decreased three days after surgery (282,778 ± 317,310), and elevated again five days after surgery (330,375 ± 208,571). However, no significant difference was found between the mean platelet counts during surgery, the third and fifth days after surgery in patients undergoing skin grafts (P = 0.057).ConclusionsThis study suggests that skin graft positively increases the patient’s platelets. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and elucidate the mechanism. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial approval code (IRCT# IRCT20131112015390N8 & 06/01/2024).

A Comprehensive Overview of NF1 Mutations in Iranian Patients.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. This disorder shows nearly complete penetrance and high phenotypic variability. We used the whole-exome sequencing technique to identify mutations in 32 NF1 cases from 22 Iranian families. A total of 31 variants, including 30 point mutations and one large deletion, were detected. In eight cases, variants were inherited, while they were sporadic in the remaining. Seven novel variants, including c.5576T > G, c.6658_6659insC, c.2322dupT, c.92_93insAA, c.4360C > T, c.3814C > T, and c.4565_4566delinsC, were identified. The current study is the largest in terms of the sample size of Iranian NF1 cases with identified mutations. The results can broaden the spectrum of NF1 mutations and facilitate the process of genetic counseling in the affected families.

Inappropriate treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus flavus in susceptible pediatric patients: a case series

BackgroundPulmonary aspergillosis is a prevalent opportunistic fungal infection that can lead to mortality in pediatric patients with underlying immunosuppression. Appropriate and timely treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis can play a crucial role in reducing mortality among children admitted with suspected infections.Case presentationThe present study reports three cases of inappropriate treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus flavus in two Iranian pediatric patients under investigation and one Afghan patient. Unfortunately, two of them died. The cases involved patients aged 9, 1.5, and 3 years. They had been diagnosed with pulmonary disorders, presenting nonspecific clinical signs and radiographic images suggestive of pneumonia. The identification of A. flavus was confirmed through DNA sequencing of the calmodulin (CaM) region.ConclusionA. flavus was the most prevalent cause of pulmonary aspergillosis in pediatric patients. Early diagnosis and accurate antifungal treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis could be crucial in reducing the mortality rate and also have significant potential for preventing other complications among children. Moreover, antifungal prophylaxis seems to be essential for enhancing survival in these patients.

The association of rs17713054 with Neanderthal origin at 3p21.31 locus with the severity of COVID-19 in Iranian patients

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the diversity of clinical manifestations in patients has been a tremendous challenge. It seems that genetic variations, as one of the players, contribute to the variety of symptoms. Genome-wide association studies have demonstrated the influence of certain genomic regions on the disease prognosis. Particularly, a haplotype at 3p21.31 locus, inherited from Neanderthals, showed an association with COVID-19 severity. Despite several studies regarding this haplotype, some key variants are not sufficiently addressed. In the present study, we investigated the association of rs17713054 at 3p21.31 with COVID-19 severity. We analyzed the genotype of 251 Iranian COVID-19 patients (151 patients with asymptomatic to mild form as control and 100 patients with severe to critical symptoms without any comorbidities as case group) using the ARMS-PCR method. Results demonstrated that the A allele confers an almost twofold increased risk for COVID-19 severity (Pvalue = 0.008). The AA genotype also raises the risk by more than 11 times following the recessive model (Pvalue = 0.013). In conclusion, the A allele in rs17713054 was a risk allele in Iranian patients and was independently associated with COVID-19 severity. More studies are beneficial to confirm these findings in other populations and to develop strategies for risk assessment, prevention, and personalized medicine.

A validity and reliability evaluation of fear of progression questionnaire in Iranian breast cancer patients: A methodological study.

Recognizing the ability to adapt coping mechanisms in response to the unique issues present in various Iranian societies underscores the importance of considering culture and religion when interacting with diverse groups of individuals. The objective of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the fear of progression questionnaire-short form (FoP-Q-SF) in Iranian breast cancer patients. In this methodological cross-sectional research design, 400 Iranian breast cancer patients completed the FoP-Q-SF in 2023. We assessed the characteristics, content, and both exploratory and confirmatory construct validity of the measures. To evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the FoP-Q-SF, we calculated Cronbach's α, McDonald's omega, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. The average age of the patients was 49.18 (standard deviation = 16.14) years. The results of exploratory factor analysis revealed that a single-factor structure, specifically the self-efficacy scale, accounted for 65.045% of the total variance. The findings from the confirmatory factor analysis indicated a satisfactory model fit. The reliability analysis indicated that the internal consistency and stability of the measures were acceptable. The short Persian version of the FoP-Q-SF exhibits satisfactory validity and reliability. Thus, we recommend using this questionnaire to assess the fear of disease progression among breast cancer patients in Iran.

Association of HLA-DQ4/5 genotype polymorphisms with celiac disease in a group of children in Southwest Iran: A case-control study.

Celiac disease (CD) has proinflammatory and pathogenic immune responses to gluten in intestinal tissue, leading to structural changes in the mucosa of the small intestine. The association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2 and DQ8 genotypes with CD has been previously reported. This test has a negative predictive value close to 100%, so its main purpose is to rule out the detection of CD completely or almost completely. There is limited information regarding HLA-DQ4/5 in CD. This study was conducted to determine the HLA-DQ4/5 genotypes in a group of Southwestern Iranian children with CD. We conducted a case-control study in Southwest Iran involving 100 participants, employing a nonprobabilistic sampling method. Samples were taken from participants' oral buccal mucosa at Imam Sajjad Hospital of Yasuj, Iran. Then DNA was extracted from these samples and used to determine the frequency of HLA-DQ4/5 genotypes through Sequence-Specific Primer-Polymerase Chain Reaction assay. SPSS 20 was utilized for statistical analyses. Fifty diagnosed patients with CD (high anti-tissue transglutaminase [tTG]-IgA level [upper limit of normal] with pathological findings of Marsh III) and 50 non-CD individuals (normal anti-tTG-IgA level and normal total IgA level) were enrolled in the study from August 5, 2022 to October 15, 2023. Findings showed that the DQ4a*4b allele has the highest frequency in the CD samples (78%, p < 0.01) followed by the DQ5a*5b allele (12%, p < 0.01). Additionally, there was a higher prevalence of DQ4/DQ5 in patients with CD compared to controls (odds ratio = 6.5, confidence interval = 0.84 to 69.46, p < 0.01). Furthermore, a significant association was found among HLA DQ4/5 genotype, age (>9.5) (p < 0.01), and gender (female) (p < 0.05). The observed significant differences among HLA-DQ4 and HLA-DQ5 in Iranian CD samples against controls and the high value of the relative risks showed the significant function of the studied alleles in the prevalence of CD in Iranian patients.

Development and Validation of the Self-efficacy Questionnaire in multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract Objective: Self-efficacy is one of the factors affecting on the quality of life and adjustment to the chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Self-efficacy is the individual’s belief that they have the ability to overcome challenges presented to them. The current study aimed to develop and validate of self- efficacy questionnaire in Iranian MS patients. Materials and methods: This is a methodological study that was performed in three phases. In the first phase, the concept of self-efficacy was defined through qualitative content analysis approach. In the second phase, early items of questionnaire was generated according to findings of the first phase. In the final phase, validation of the developed questionnaire were evaluated using face, content and construct validity as well as reliability. Results: In exploratory factor analysis, four subscales including: adherence to medication regimens (5 items), social performance control (4 items), symptom management (4 items) and maintain independence and activity (5 items) were extracted by Eigen value above one and factor load above 0.3. Internal consistency and stability of the developed questionnaire confirmed with 0.91 and 0.88 respectively that indicated acceptable reliability. Conclusions: The 18-item developed questionnaire is valid and reliable for measurement of self-efficacy of Iranian MS patients.

Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of the Adaptive Coping with Disease (AKU) Questionnaire for Iranian Patients with Chronic Diseases

Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of the Adaptive Coping with Disease (AKU) Questionnaire for Iranian Patients with Chronic Diseases

Clinical Features of Surgery Candidates for Different Types of Extraocular Muscle Palsy

Introduction: Clinical manifestations of cranial nerve palsies are of great importance, and surgeons should consider them before planning surgical protocol. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on preoperative hospital records of 598 Iranian patients with different types of extraocular muscle palsy, including third (90 patients), fourth (501 patients), and fifth (7 patients) nerve palsy at Farabi Hospital, Tehran Province, Iran. Results: In terms of fourth nerve palsy, the mean spherical equivalent (SE) in the right and left eye was 0.23±1.51 and 0.19±1.45 diopter, respectively. Also, the mean angle of vertical deviation was 15.54±8.85 Δ at near and 15.66±8.93 Δ at far. In patients with third nerve palsy, the mean SE in the right and left eye was -0.02±2.08 and 0.08±1.95 diopter, respectively. Also, the mean angle of vertical deviation was 17.8±17.4 Δ at near and 17.8±17.5 Δ at far. In terms of six nerve palsy, the mean SE in the right and left eye was -1.27±3.37 and -1.08±2.52 diopter, respectively. Also, the mean angle of esotropia was 32.4±7.7 Δ at near and 33±6.7 Δ at far. The frequency of amblyopia in patients with third, fourth, and sixth nerve palsies was 21 patients (23.3%), 70(14%), and 4(57.1%), respectively. Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of patients with different types of EOM palsy are remarkably different, which can be attributed to the different properties of these kinds of deviations.

Salivary Levels of Interleukin-23 in Iranian Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by diffuse fibrosis and vascular abnormalities in the skin and internal organs. Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that can enhance the expansion of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and thus plays a critical role in many inflammatory autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to assess the salivary IL-23 levels in Iranian patients with SSc compared to healthy individuals. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, unstimulated saliva samples (5 cc) were collected from 88 SSc patients and 88 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. The salivary levels of IL-23 in the saliva samples were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results: The mean salivary levels of IL-23 in the patient group were significantly higher than in the control subjects (164.5±22.1 ng/L vs. 95.8±15.7 ng/L, P&lt;0.0001). In SSc patients, the salivary IL-23 levels were significantly elevated in ACA-positive compared to ACA-negative participants (179.8±11.2 ng/L vs. 144.3±15.7 ng/L, P&lt;0.0001). However, IL-23 was not associated with gender or age (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that IL-23 is associated with the pathogenesis of SSc; therefore, this pro-inflammatory cytokine is not only a valuable supportive biomarker for monitoring the disease progression but also blocking IL-23 could be considered a potential therapeutic target, especially in early SSc. Further comprehensive studies are needed to confirm our findings.

First study of the detection of Human Herpes Virus-8 and major blood-borne viruses in iranian patients with SLE: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease caused by genetic and environmental factors such as viral infections. Genomic and serologic tests were applied to detect significant blood-borne viruses in SLE patients to determine whether there was a possible association between viral infections and SLE. MethodsAntibodies (Abs) against HHV-8, HCMV, EBV, HIV, HBV, and HCV in SLE patients suffering from SLE were assessed by ELISA. In addition, HHV-8 DNA and HIV-1 RNA were quantified by real-time PCR, and the HCV and HBV genomes were detected using nested PCR. ResultsCompared to those in the control group, a high prevalence of anti-HHV-8 (p < 0.0001), anti-HCMV (p = 0.014), and anti-EBV (p = 0.017) Abs was detected in SLE patients. HHV-8, HIV, HCV, and HBV genomic tests were negative in both groups, while only 1.1 %, 2.2 %, and 1.1 % of SLE patients were positive for anti-HIV, anti-HCV Abs, and HBsAg, respectively. The most frequent major complaint in patients was arthralgia (76.7 %). ConclusionsThe increased prevalence of anti-HHV-8 Abs may not be related to the natural history of infection but to molecular mimicry. Increased anti-HCMV and anti-EBV Abs may also be associated with the development of SLE and may play direct or indirect roles in such infections or molecular mimicry. Since arthralgia is the most common symptom in SLE patients, the presence of these symptoms in any patient is a suggestive clue for the diagnosis of SLE. Defining the typical pattern of SLE in divergent nations with distinct environmental and geographical factors can be beneficial for obtaining a prompt diagnosis.

Blood and sputum microbiota composition in Afghan immigrants and Iranian subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis.

TB infection is one of the most challengeable epidemiological issues. Complex interactions between microbiota and TB infection have been demonstrated. Alteration in microbial population during TB infection may act as a useful biomarker. The present study examined the microbiota patterns of blood and sputum samples collected from Afghan immigrants and Iranian patients with active TB. Sixty active pulmonary TB patients were enrolled in the study. Blood and sputum samples were collected. To detect phylum bacterial composition in the blood and sputum samples, bacterial 16S rRNA quantification by Real-Time qPCR was performed. A significant decrease in Bacteroidetes in Iranian sputum and blood samples of Afghan immigrants and Iranian TB active subjects were seen. While, sputum samples of Afghan immigrants showed no significant differences in Bacteroidetes abundance among TB active and control. Firmicutes were also presented no significant difference between sputum samples of the two races. Actinobacteria showed a significant increase in Iranian and Afghan sputum samples while this phylum showed no significant abundance in Iranian and Afghan TB positive blood samples. Proteobacteria also showed an increase in sputum and blood samples of the two races. An imbalance in Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes abundance may cause an alteration in the microbiota composition, resulting in dysregulated immune responses and resulting in the augmentation of opportunistic pathogens during TB infection, notably Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Evaluation of human microbiota under different conditions of TB infection can be critical to a deeper understanding of the disease control.