Proteins of Leishmania (Viannia) shawi confer protection associated with Th1 immune response and memory generation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Leishmania (Viannia) shawi </it>parasite was first characterized in 1989. Recently the protective effects of soluble leishmanial antigen (SLA) from <it>L. (V.) shawi </it>promastigotes were demonstrated using BALB/c mice, the susceptibility model for this parasite. In order to identify protective fractions, SLA was fractionated by reverse phase HPLC and five antigenic fractions were obtained.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>F1 fraction was purified from L. (V.) shawi parasite extract by reverse phase HPLC. BALB/c mice were immunized once a week for two consecutive weeks by subcutaneous routes in the rump, using 25 μg of F1. After 1 and 16 weeks of last immunization, groups were challenged in the footpad with L. (V.) shawi promastigotes. After 2 months, those same mice were sacrificed and parasite burden, cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The F1 fraction induced a high degree of protection associated with an increase in IFN-γ, a decrease in IL-4, increased cell proliferation and activation of CD8⁺T lymphocytes. Long-term protection was acquired in F1-immunized mice, associated with increased CD4⁺central memory T lymphocytes and activation of both CD4⁺and CD8⁺T cells. In addition, F1-immunized groups showed an increase in IgG2a levels.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The inductor capability of antigens to generate memory lymphocytes that can proliferate and secrete beneficial cytokines upon infection could be an important factor in the development of vaccine candidates against American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis.</p

The Impact of Magnesium Supplementation on Serum Alkaline Phosphatase, Osteocalcin and Fracture Healing in Women with Bone Fracture

Introduction: Magnesium is an essential mineral in bone formation. This nutrient incorporates in bone metabolism and enhances bone mineralization. This study was designed to assess the effect of magnesium supplementation on alkaline phosphatase , osteocalcin, and also callus formation in women with long bone fracture. Methods: In this double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial, 32 women with long bone fracture, aged 20-45 years old, were randomly divided into the Mg group and control, receiving 250 mg magnesium oxide daily and placebo respectively for 8 weeks. Serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were measured at the beginning and the end point, and also callus formation was checked at the end of study. P value < 0.05 was considered as the significant level. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups in alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels at the beginning and the end of study. Serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels were increased in both groups, but they were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the callus formation, which revealed the fracture healing, was not different between 2 groups. Conclusion: This study concluded that Magnesium supplementation did not change the serum markers of bone formation and fracture healing; however, further studies need to approve this finding

Investigating Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease Based on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome phenotypes in the 18-14 year Old High School Girls in Shiraz 2009

Introduction: In patients with polycystic ovary syndrome hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia may represent an increased risk for coronary cardiovascular disease .This study aimed to investigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease based on polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes in Shiraz. Methods: This Cross-sectional study was performed on 3200 students aged 18-14. Demographic survey, clinical signs of androgen excess (acne, hirsutism, alopecia), Ultrasound were applied in order to find the cyst. Tests included prolactin, dehydroepiandrodion sulfate, and oral glucose tolerance test, fasting blood glucose, blood sugar two hours later, triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein. Data were submitted to SPSS software, version 11.5 and then analyzed by chi-square tests. Results: The serum cholesterol mean in four phenotypes had a statistically significant relationship with non-PCOS patients(p<0.05). Mean of serum cholesterol in oligomenorrhea, Hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary phenotype (195.09±30.28) was higher than the other phenotypes. Mean of serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein(LDL-C) were significantly higher in patients with Hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian phenotype(130.046±26.27) and oligomenorrhea, Hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype(138.58±28.34) compared with non-infected individuals. Serum glucose mean in all phenotype was higher than non-infected after two hours and it showed a significant relation in oligomenorrhea and also polycystic ovarian phenotype(98.03 ± 20.98 versus 87.5±12.97) with non-infected individuals. Conclusion: Biochemical factors that lead to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases is increased in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Therefore, it should be attended in prevention program

Retinal vessel abnormalities predict coronary artery diseases

Background: There are limited data supporting an association between retinal microvascular changes and cardiovascular mortality, but there is no convincing evidence of an independent or direct association with atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The present study examines the relationship between retinal microvascular changes and angiographic findings. Methods: Patients who were candidates for angiography were, at first, referred to the ophthalmology department for the determination of the severity of retinal atherosclerosis based on the Scheie classification. Angiography was carried out afterwards. Each patient completed a questionnaire, also providing information on risk factors. For each patient, the Gensini score was calculated using angiography findings. Results: A total of 168 patients (99 males and 69 females) with a mean age of 55.3±11.9 years were included in this study. The results show a significant association between CAD severity and retinal artery atherosclerosis (r = 0.47, p = 0.0001). In multiple regression analyses with CAD severity (using Gensini scoring) as a dependent variable, we observed a significant association between atherosclerosis scores based on Scheie criteria (β=0.31, p&lt;0.0001), diabetes mellitus (DM) (β=0.29, p&lt;0.0001), hypertension (β=0.23, p&lt;0.0001), smoking (β=0.20, p&lt;0.0001), and age (β=0.15, p&lt;0.0001). Conclusions: The results demonstrate that fundoscopic changes might be a predictor of CADs. However, more well-designed studies to verify these results are still needed. </jats:sec