فهرست مطالب alireza zamani

New taxonomic and faunistic data on spiders of Ecuador are provided, based on a small set of previously unstudied specimens collected at Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Orellana. These specimens belong to five species in three families: Anapistula tiputiana sp. n. (♀; Symphytognathidae) and Pseudanapis yasunica sp. n. (♂; Anapidae) are described as new to science, and the hersiliids Neotama obatala Rheims & Brescovit, 2004, Ypypuera crucifera (Vellard, 1924) and Y. vittata (Simon, 1887) are newly recorded in Ecuador. Illustrations are provided for all treated species.

New faunistic and taxonomic data are provided for 18 families of Iranian spiders. Four species, Cryptodrassus liyanicus Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♀, Bushehr Province; Gnaphosidae), Mesiotelus khorasanicus Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♂♀, Razavi Khorasan Province; Liocranidae), Nurscia minuscula Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♀, West Azerbaijan Province; Titanoecidae) and Talanites farsensis Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♀, Fars Province; Gnaphosidae), are described as new to science. Clubiona liachviana Mcheidze, 1997 stat. reval. (Clubionidae) is removed from the synonymy with C. alpicola Kulczyński, 1882 and is reported from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan for the first time; additionally, its previously unknown male is described. The genus Kishidaia Yaginuma, 1960 (Gnaphosidae) and a total of 10 species are recorded in Iran for the first time, and new provincial records are provided for 20 species. Two specimens from Iraq are also reported. Considering the results of this paper, the number of species of spiders known from Iran is increased to 980 species in 329 genera.

Nation branding is a suitable model recommended by international organizations for export development in the third millennium. An important part of the exports of countries in the world are industrial products. In this regard, due to the importance of this issue for the country, this study was conducted with the aim of providing a model for promoting the nation brand in the field of exporting goods and industrial services. The current research is an applied-developmental research in terms of its purpose, and it is considered a cross-sectional survey research from the point of view of the method of data collection. The community of participants in the qualitative section includes senior managers and entrepreneurs in the fields of branding, industry, export and trade, who have sufficient experience in the aforementioned fields. Sampling was done with a targeted method and theoretical saturation was achieved with 11 interviews. Research findings showed that a national macro-policy and export-oriented culture are the main parameters affecting the national brand. The communication infrastructure in the country provides the necessary platform and the challenges of export sanctions play the role of an interventionist. Finally, the use of relevant strategies to improve the export of industrial goods and services leads to the promotion of the national brand. The central phenomenon including (international branding) also affects the strategies in the field of export of goods and industrial services. Finally, it was found that the strategies of the model lead to a certain result (improvement of the national brand).

Parkinson's disease, the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder lacking a recognized etiology, is influenced by oxidative stress and alterations in inflammatory cytokine levels. This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of Interleukin(IL)1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP), IL1β, IL1α, IL33, and IL36 genes in blood cells and serum IL-1β levels in Parkinson's disease patients compared to healthy controls (HCs).I n this case-control study, 44 Parkinson's disease patients and 44 age- and sex-matched HCs were included. Gene expression levels were assessed using Quantitative Real-time PCR, and serum IL-1β levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Advanced statistical analyses using the Bayesian regression model in R software were employed. Parkinson's disease patients exhibited elevated expression levels of IL-1RAcP and IL1β genes  but decreased levels of IL1α, IL33, and IL36 compared to HCs. Age-based differences were not significant. Regarding gender, IL33 transcript levels were significantly higher in males, and serum IL-1β levels were increased in patients. Subgroup analysis by gender indicated alterations in IL1β and IL-1RAcP expression in both genders, while IL1α, IL33, and IL36 showed reduced expression only in males. Remarkably, only female patients displayed significantly higher serum IL-1β levels than female HCs. These findings suggest that dysregulation of immune-related factors plays a crucial role in Parkinson's disease.

Two poorly known species of the zodariid spider genus Zodariellum Andreeva & Tystshenko, 1968 – Z. spasskyi (Charitonov, 1946) and Z. zebra (Charitonov, 1946) – are redescribed based on type specimens from eastern Uzbekistan. Additionally, a lectotype is designated for the former species.

Internet of things is a modern and up-to-date technology and it has become so popular that millions of applications have been produced in this technology. Popular IoT products include smart home, smart city, smart industries, smart agriculture, etc. A wide spectrum for using the Internet of Things has led to thinking about the security of these systems. Various security measures that exist in the three-layer architecture of the Internet of Things and cover the heterogeneity and globality of this system. This article is an overview of security principles, technology and security challenges, dealing with possible and future measures to ensure the security of the Internet of Things .

Abnormal humoral and cellular immune responses have been reported in immune-mediated polyneuropathies. CD137, as a costimulatory molecule and a TNF receptor superfamily member, has been demonstrated to have a key role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune as well as inflammatory disorders. To evaluate the transcripts levels of CD137, its ligand (CD137L), and the serum levels of soluble CD137 (sCD137) in patients with immune-mediated polyneuropathy. A total of 45 patients and 46 sex and age-matched healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. CD137 and CD137L transcript levels were assessed by the Real-Time PCR, and the serum level of sCD137 was measured using the ELISA technique. The Bayesian regression model was used for statistical analysis at the 0.05 significance level in R 4.1.0 statistical environment. Transcript levels of the CD137 and CD137L were higher in polyneuropathy patients in comparison with the healthy subjects (P=0.006 for both). Conversely, the mean level of sCD137 was significantly lower in the sera of patients compared to the controls (P<0.001). Our findings point to the possible role of CD137 and CD137L in immune-mediated polyneuropathy pathogenesis. More investigations are required to clarify the exact contributions of the mentioned molecules to the pathogenesis of immune-mediated polyneuropathies.

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The aim of this article is to investigate the impact of supply chain risk on the buying behavior of active companies in Mobarakeh Steel Complex (MSC). This study, is of mixed type in terms of the nature and type of the data, is fundamental and applied in terms of the purpose, is descriptive in terms of implementation, and is exploratory in terms of method. The study was carried out in two stages using qualitative and quantitative methods. In the qualitative stage, case study was used as the research methodology. The statistical population included the purchase managers from MSC and its suppliers, from which snowball sampling method was used to select 20 managers for interviews. Interview was used as the data collection tool, and the qualitative data analysis was carried out using the qualitative content analysis method. The analysis was performed using open, central and selective coding methods along with providing documentary evidence. In the quantitative stage, descriptive research method was applied to determine the size of the sample using Karjesi and Morgan's sampling table. Among more than 80 active supplier companies, a sample of 66 companies was selected, of which 62 completed questionnaires were obtained. The data analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between the risk of foreign suppliers and the buying behavior of industrial customers. In addition, the results of the study indicated that in the steel industry, communication systems and environmental factors have less impact than other factors, since suppliers are more concerned about price and quality, which are the main priorities of MSC.

 chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a genetic disease characterized by recurrent life-threatening fungal and bacterial infections and granuloma formation. Pericardial effusion is rare in this disease.

 The study reports a 13-year-old boy with CGD and a history of recurrent infections such as pneumonia and abscesses. The patient presented with shortness of breath, cough, abdominal pain, and chest pain and was diagnosed with severe pericardial and pleural effusion. The patient was treated with antibiotics, antifungals, and steroids and finally underwent pericardiotomy.

 Treatment of CGD patients with recurrent infections and inflammatory lesions is challenging and requires individual decision-making for each patient.

One of the most important factors in creating the desired quality of urban design is "urban security". The concept of urban security refers to the protection of community members from dangers and pollution in the urban environment.The existence of a safe environment for living is one of the basic necessities and needs of human beings, along with other basic physiological needs of human beings. Therefore, quantitative and qualitative identification of indicators and factors affecting environmental characteristics and its impact on social security of citizens is essential.The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting security in Kooti neighborhood, which is one of the historical neighborhoods of Bushehr port. In this regard, the research has been done using deductive strategy and descriptive-analytical method, and the data collection has been done in the form of library study, field survey and using a questionnaire. Due to the current situation caused by the Covid-19 epidemic, the questionnaires were sent online to experts. The statistical population was selected using random sampling method from the citizens of Kooti neighborhood. These factors were classified into four groups: body, monitoring, activity and visual qualities. Each of these factors has variables that were analyzed in the study using SPSS and EXCELL software. Using ONE SAMPLE T-TEST test, it was concluded that the body index plays a more important role than other research indicators in establishing security in Kooti neighbourhood and in general, the level of citizens' satisfaction with the security of this neighborhood is low.

To investigate the effects of defoliation and nitrogen foliar application on yield physiology of sunflower, a experiments was performed in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement in Gonabad region during 2015 and 2016 seasons. Nitrogen consists of two levels of spraying in flowering time (N1) and control (N2) in the main plots. Defoliation consists of five levels: Control (D1), 1/3 defoliation at 8th leaf stage (D2), 2/3 defoliation at 8th leaf stage (D3), 1/3 defoliation at beginning of the flowering (D4), 2/3 defoliation at beginning of the flowering (D5). In nitrogen deficiency conditions, by cutting 1/3 of the leaves at the first of the flowering, grain yield increased by 28% (0.54 to 0.75 kg ha-1) compared to control treatment .In the conditions of nitrogen consumption, after removing the 2/3 of the leaves at the first of the flowering, the amount of dry matter transfer reallocation from the stem to the grain showed a significant increase compared to the control, while in the conditions of non-nitrogen consumption, defoliation treatments had a slight effect on the contribution of stem reserves. Under the conditions of nitrogen deficiency, the negative effect of sink size restriction on grain yield is more than the negative effect of source strength restriction. constraints than the source power limitations On the practice Gain rejection is more. Plant breeders focus their programs to increase the efficiency of nitrogen consumption in order to increase the strength of the sink and reduce extra leaves with low efficiency in grain filling.

Exposure to an increasing amount of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (MFs) causes some adverse effects. Considering a direct association between the sizes and numbers of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) and cell proliferation, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 50-Hz MFs on the AgNORs of bone marrow (BM) cells.

Eighty male rats were randomly divided into four exposed groups and one control group. The exposed groups received 50-Hz MFs with magnetic flux densities of 1, 100, 500, and 2000 µT two hours a day for two months. BM cells were aspirated from sacrificed rats’ femoral bones, smeared on glass slides, and then stained with silver nitrate for AgNORs. The area (AA), length (AL), and number (AN) of AgNORs were calculated by a microscope equipped with a camera and Scion Image software in 100 BM cells of each rat. The mean of AA, AL, and AN was computed for each group.

AA, AL, and AN significantly reduced in the 1 µT group compared with 2000 µT and control groups. Eventually, there was a nonlinear relationship between the effect of 50-Hz MFs and magnetic flux densities.

Overall, 50-Hz MFs with a magnetic flux density of 1 µT reduced AgNORs in BM cells. However, 100, 500, and 2000 µT did not affect AgNORs. Therefore, 50-Hz MFs with low density may suppress BM cell proliferation.

The purpose of this study was presentation of paradigm model of professional sport coaching in Iran. Method of research was grounded theory, and participants included 20 coaches and athleteschr(chr(chr('39')39chr('39'))39chr(chr('39')39chr('39')))s football, futsal, volleyball, handball, track and field, badminton, conditioning, body building, Karate and swimming. The coaches had international credentials and excellence, and athletes were selected to compete nationally and internationally. They were selected based on a purposeful sampling and snow ball method to be subjected to deep and exploratory interviews. The interviews were continued till reaching theoretical saturation. The confirmation and verification of the findings were carried out through qualitative research criteria. Open, pivotal and selective encoding was employed to analyze the data. The study finding indicated that there were identified and extracted 590 conceptual codes with 153 indicators and 45 main topics within the format of the following six-fold aspects: causal factors (9), background factors (8), central topics (1), strategies (7), intervening conditions (13) and outcomes (7). It can be concluded that in addition to the development of individual factors, coaches should also pay attention to interpersonal and contextual factors and use his knowledge and art to perform the various roles, tasks and activities in which he is responsible.

The increased response of T helper (Th) 22cells might be involved in thepathogenesis ofType 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The present study aimed to investigate the transcription factor of Th22 cells (aryl hydrocarbon receptor [AHR]) and interleukin 22 (IL-22) in CD4+ T cells as well as the impact of oral empagliflozin treatment. The correlation between the aforementioned factors and clinical parameters was also determined among the patients.

In this case-control study, 50 patients under the treatment of metformin and gliclazide were divided into two equal groups, including the patients receiving empagliflozin (EMPA+) and not receiving empagliflozin (EMPA, as the control group). The peripheral blood CD4+ T cells were isolated on the initiation day of the study and after 6 months of therapy, and the gene expression levels of AHR and IL-22 were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the production of IL-22 after activation was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The levels of fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c diminished in the EMPA+ group after empagliflozin therapy, compared to those reported at the baseline (initiation day; P<0.001 and P=0.04). The gene expression level of IL-22 and production of IL-22 significantly reduced after 6 months of empagliflozin therapy (P=0.011 and P=0.001). A significant positive correlation between IL-22 production and its gene expression with AHR as well as between fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c was observed in the EMPA+ patients after therapy (P˂0.05).

In addition to antidiabetic effects, empagliflozin has anti-inflammatory impacts on the immune system, especially on Th22 cell-related factors.

Since activation of NLRP3 inflammasome results in the production of interleukin-1β (IL 1β) and initiation of inflammation as the key players in development of cancer, this study investigated possible activation of NLRP3 inflammasome during the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) and evaluated the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process.   Tissue samples were collected from cancerous (test) and adjacent normal tissues (control) of forty-three male CRC patients (18 grade I and 25 grade III).  The gene expression and protein levels were determined by qRT PCR and Western blotting, respectively, and tissue morphological was examined by histopathology.   The gene and protein expression levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF β), IL 1β, nuclear factor κB (NF κB), NLRP3, and caspase-1, as well as the enzyme activity of caspase-1, were significantly increased in CRC.  mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β, mature IL 1β, NF κB, and NLRP3 were higher in patients with grade III. EMT markers N cadherin, vimentin, and MMP 9 markedly increased in CRC, and were higher in grade III than grade I, whereas expression of E-cadherin declined by the progression of CRC.  NLRP3 protein level was inversely correlated with E-cadherin whereas it positively was correlated with IL 1β, active NF κB, N cadherin, vimentin, and MMP 9.   This study for the first time showed that activation of NLRP3 inflammasome contributed to the progression of CRC and is correlated with the EMT process.  Although the present study showed that EMT markers are positively correlated with tumor grade, further investigations are required to strongly link the EMT markers to the progression of CRC.

Immune-mediated polyneuropathy is divided into acute and chronic categories named as Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy based on the course of the disease. Although the basic mechanism of these conditions has not been yet clarified, genes that regulate immune responses are putative contributors in their development. The aim of this study was to compare the blood expression level of IL-34 gene between patients with GBS and healthy individuals.

In this case-control study, blood samples were collected from 53 patients with GBS (i.e., 33 chronic patients and 20 acute patients) and 40 healthy individuals. Gene expression levels in the studied groups were measured using the real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Finally, statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 16) at a significance level of < 0.05 was.

The patient group consisted of 36 (67.93%) males and 17 (32.07%) females. In addition, the healthy control group included 27 (67.5%) males and 13 (32.5%) females. The results showed a significant increase in IL-34 expression in the GBS patients, compared to that in the control group.

The findings of the present study revealed an increase in IL-34 gene expression in patients with GBS. Accordingly, it seems that IL-34 gene has an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are abundantly produced in modern societies. In recent years, interest in the possible effects of ELF-EMFs on the immune system has progressively increased.

To examine the effects of ELF-EMFs with magnetic flux densities of 1, 100, 500, and 2000 µT on the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-9, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

80 adult male rats were exposed to ELF-EMFs at a frequency of 50 Hz for 2 h/day for 60 days. The serum cytokines were measured at two phases of pre- and post-stimulation of the immune system by human serum albumin (HSA).

Serum levels of IL-9 and TNF-α, as pro-inflammatory cytokines, were decreased due to 50 Hz EMFs exposure compared with the controls in the pre- and post-stimulation phases. On the contrary, exposures to 1 and 100 µT 50 Hz EMFs increased the levels of antiinflammatory cytokine, and IL-10 only in the pre-stimulation phase. In the post-stimulation phase, the mean level of serum IL-10 was not changed in the experimental groups.

The magnetic flux densities of 1 and 100 µT 50 Hz EMFs had more immunological effects than EMFs with higher densities. Exposure to 50 Hz EMFs may activate anti-inflammatory effects in rats, by down-modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-9 and TNF-α) and induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10).

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an inflammatory disease with alterations in immune system. Remarkably, cytokine imbalance plays an important role in pathogenesis of T2DM. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 and the effects of sitagliptin on the level of these cytokines in patients with T2DM.

Blood samples were collected from 60 T2DM patients and 30 healthy control subjects (HCs). T2DM patients were divided into two subgroups based on their treatment; with sitagliptin treatment (100 mg/day, n=30) for 8 months and without sitagliptin treatment (n=30). The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 cytokines were assessed using ELISA method. ANOVA with posthoc Bonferroni were applied to statistical analysis.

The serum level of TNF-α was significantly higher in T2DM patients without sitagliptin compared to HCs (p=0.002). Whereas, the serum level of TNF-α was significantly lower in patients with sitagliptin compared to patients without sitagliptin (p=0.01). The serum level of IL-10 showed a significant reduction in patients without sitagliptin compared to HCs (p=0.003). On the other hand, a significant elevation was observed in serum level of IL-10 between T2DM patients with and without sitagliptin (p=0.002). Considerably, no significant difference was observed in serum level of IL-1β between T2DM patients with and without sitagliptin and also in comparison to HCs.

Sitagliptin treatment significantly decreased the level of pro-inflammatory TNF-α and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 in T2DM patients. It seems that sitagliptin had an anti-inflammatory effect on immune system of the patients.

An overview of the Arachnida and their study in Iran is provided. Besides ancient poetry, relics (going back to 5,000 YBP), and early medical observations (at least 2,000 YBP), the first published taxonomical observations of arachnids from Iran were in 1807 about scorpions. The superorders Parasitiformes and Acariformes (mites and ticks) have received by far the most attention among all of the Arachnida thanks to their economic and medical/veterinary importance. Occurrences have been noted for over 1,733 species in four orders: Ixodida, Mesostigmata, Sarcoptiformes, and Trombidiformes. The first tick of the Ixodida was described in 1818. The first mite species described from Iran was of the Mesostigmata in 1982. The first member of the Sarcoptiformes named from Iran is uncertain, but the first Iranian species of the Suborder Oribatida was described in 1984 and was likely the first for the order. The first species described from Iran of the Order Trombidiformes were named in 1995. Studies on spiders started in 1874. Spiders are recorded by the occurrences of 764 species. Scorpions number 68 species in Iran and receive a lot of study and are better known compared to mites and spiders on a percentage basis, because scorpions have such a small diversity worldwide. The first Iranian species of Solifugae was described in 1895. The camel spiders are known from 67 species. Pseudoscorpions are recorded by 65 species. The Opiliones are known by 22 named species. The Amblypygi are recorded from Iran by one species described in 2018.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of leadership style on innovation according to the mediating role of commitment and organizational climate.

The research method was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-survey in terms of data collection method. The statistical population of the study consisted of all employees of the Tax Administration of Iran. Using Cochran formula and stepwise cluster random sampling, 752 individuals were considered as the sample size. Data were collected using standardized and transformational leadership questionnaires by Bass & Avilio (2000); organizational commitment by Meyer & Allen (1997); Holpin & Croft (2000); After collecting the questionnaires, the data were analyzed by mean, standard deviation, percent, frequency and table using SPSS software and statistical inference was made by structural equation modeling using lisrel software. Path coefficients and software significant coefficients were used to investigate the research hypotheses.

The results showed that the degree of fit of the proposed model was appropriate according to the research components; transformational leadership on innovation with mediator role of organizational commitment was 0.90, transformational leadership on innovation with mediator role of organizational commitment. 0.82, pragmatic leadership influenced innovation with mediator role of organizational commitment 0.99, also pragmatic leadership influenced innovation with mediator role 0.71.

Managers can increase employees' organizational commitment by adopting transformational leadership style or a combination of transformational and pragmatic leadership style rather than pragmatic style.

One of the consequences of toxoplasmosis is the risk of passing it from mother to fetus and the onset of congenital toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the B1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii in the placental tissues of pregnant women with acute toxoplasmosis.

The study was a cross‑sectional study. Serum samples of pregnant women who attended to Fatemieh Hospital of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. Then, polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the specific B1 gene of T. gondii in IgG seropositive women. The placental tissues of the pregnant women with positive serum B1 gene examined for this gene. Anti‑Toxoplasma immunoglobulin M (IgM) was performed on the umbilical cord and neonate blood.

Anti‑Toxoplasma IgG was detected in 167 out of 653 (25.6%) pregnant women. T. gondii B1 gene was identified in 36 out of 167 (21.6%) of IgG seropositive women. After delivery, the B1 gene was evaluated in 15 out of 36 (41.7%) patients’ placental tissues, 13 of which were positive for this gene (86.7%). Anti‑Toxoplasma IgM was detected neither in any umbilical cord nor in neonatal blood samples. All newborns, with the exception of one case, were born with normal birth weight and in term birth.

The B1 gene was detected in 86.7% of the placental tissue of women who were involved in acute toxoplasmosis during pregnancy.

Studies have indicated that extraweight and obesity induce chronic inflammation, which can lead to other diseases such as cancers.
To evaluate the effects of two weight-lowering and anti-inflammatory agents including cinnamon, and turmeric, on serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) as a pro-inflammatory cytokine.
In this study, 64 rats were designated in eight groups. The control group received normal diet. The other groups were fed with normal diet plus high cinnamon (3 mg/ml), high turmeric (3 mg/ml), high-fructose solution (30%), fructose solution with low (0.15 mg/ml) and high doses (3 mg/ml) of cinnamon and turmeric three times per week. The serum level of IL-17F was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
High fructose consumption led to an increase in the weight and serum level of IL-17. While, feeding with cinnamon and turmeric caused to decline weight but, surprisingly increased IL-17F levels.
Although, some studies have showed that cinnamon and turmeric supplementation decreased IL-17F under the standard diet, in the presence of high fructose diet and extraweight their effects were reversed and caused an increase in serum level of IL-17F.

This study aimed to assess the antibody titer against Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) in rats with experimentally induced periodontitis.
Thirty-three Surrey rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=11). Group 1 was vaccinated with formalin-killed whole cell (FKWC) P. gingivalis with incomplete Freund's adjuvant as vaccine carrier and orally inoculated with viable P. gingivalis (ATCC 33277). Group 2 was vaccinated with incomplete Freund's adjuvant and PG buffer and orally inoculated with viable P. gingivalis (positive control). Group 3 was vaccinated as group 2 without inoculation (negative control). Two weeks later, they were vaccinated with a booster dose. One week later, serum and saliva samples were obtained to assess antibody titer. Oral inoculation of bacteria was then done four times every 48 hours. Two weeks later, serum, saliva and subgingival plaque samples were obtained from the maxillary second molar area for assessment of P. gingivalis count in the subgingival plaque. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.
Serum and salivary antibody titers against P. gingivalis in group 1 one week af-ter booster dose and two weeks after oral inoculation of bacteria were significantly different from those in other groups (P Vaccination with FKWC P. gingivalis increased serum IgG and salivary IgA and limited the colonization of P. gingivalis in subgingival plaque of rats.

Neopterin is a significant and sensitive marker in estimating the activity of cellular immune system. Oxidative stress plays a role in the etiology of male infertility. Increased reactive oxygen species is accompanied with increase in neopterin level. Hence neopterin may be involved in male infertility.

The objective of this case-control study was to determine neopterin level in idiopathic infertile and normospermic men; furthermore, to identify its relationship with oxidative stress markers including total oxidant, malondialdehyde, sperm DNA fragmentation, and total antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma.

Forty seven infertile and forty three normospermic males were selected according to WHO criteria. Their semen and blood samples were taken; subsequently, the levels of neopterin, total oxidant, total antioxidant, malondialdehyde, and sperm DNA fragmentation were measured.

The levels of neopterin, total oxidant, and malondialdehyde in seminal plasma of infertile males were significantly higher than those of normospermic group (p=0.038, 0.018, and 0.028, respectively). Furthermore, sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men was higher than that of control group (p

The significant inverse correlation between seminal plasma neopterin and total antioxidant in the infertile males supports a possible role of neopterin in male infertility. Neopterin can be suggested as a marker in monitoring and diagnosis of idiopathic male infertility.

Background and Brucellosis is a systemic infection caused by gram-negative coccobacilli and facultative intracellular bacteria of the genus Brucella. Interleukin-17 is one of the important cytokines that plays a role in controlling host immune response in patients with brucellosis. The aim of this study was to investigate polymorphism of the genes encoding IL-17 in patients with brucellosis compared to healthy subjects.
This case-control study included 86 patients with brucellosis who were selected based on clinical symptoms, serology, culture and PCR results. The control group composed of 86 healthy people. The polymorphism gene encoding Interleukin-17 was evaluated in both groups by PCR-RELP method.
Current study showed that the frequencies of AA [OR=0.047 (95%CI: 0.01-0.12)] and GG [OR=337.20 (95%CI: 20.49-5541.39] were significant at position -1998 (G/A) in both cases and controls [P-values (AA) and (GG) = 0.001]. But, the frequency of AA genotypes in the control group was greater than the frequency of GG genotype in patients. The odds ratio for catching brucellosis in people who have genotype GG was 41 times higher than those who have genotype AA.
Findings showed that, AA and AG genotypes at -1998 (A/G) position are more important. So, the risk of brucellosis in people with GG genotype at position -1998 was higher than that in people with AA genotype. In other words, people with AA genotype are more protected against brucellosis at this position.