---

---

---

---

Introduction: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or type 1 diabetes is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that caused by destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Etiology of this disease is still unknown. It is seen that genetic and environmental factors play an important role for susceptibility to develop type 1 diabetes. The relationship between HLA associated factors and susceptibility to IDDM disease, was reported by several investigators. Also, some studies show that dermatoglyphics is associated with type 1 diabetes. However, it is maybe there is an association between HLA and dermatoglyphics inpatients'with type 1 diabetes and these characteristics could be applied for diagnosis of disease.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the prevalence of HLA (with using standard microlymphocytotoxicity method) and dermatoglyphics determined in 30 Iranian patients with IDDM and 30 normal healthy controls with similar ethnic background and the same geographical area.
Results: A significantly higher frequency of HLA-DQ, A2, DR3 and DQ2 were found in IDDM cases compared to the controls. The results obtain from dermatoglyphics showed that line ab was reduced in male and female type 1 diabetes. The reciever operating chractristics curve showed that the positive point for lines ab in right and left hands were 34.7 and 35.25, respectively.
Discussion: There is no association between HLA and dermatoglyphics.
With considering of genes encoding of HLA separated from genes determining dermatoglyphics, HLA typing and dermatoglyphics seem to be interesting tools for genetic studies related to type 1 diabetes. Further studies are recommended in order to provide more insight into the susceptibility to this disorder.

---

Introduction: Preclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition characterized by hypertention, proteinuria and generalized edema. The condition usually occurs in the third trimester and word wide is one of the most common causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. No study concerning the immunological etiology and pathogenesis of preclampsia has been done in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of some immunological factors involved in the pathogenesis of preclampsia.
Materials and methods: This research was a clinical trial study. We measured C3, C4, IgG, IgA and IgM levels in 20 women with preclampsia, 20 normal pregnant women and 20 non-pregnant women matched for age, BMI, parity and gestational age. Seven patients had developed severe and thirteen mild preclampsia. After written informed consent was obtained, blood samples of subject group.
Collected serum collected was analyzed for immunological parameters by the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) method of Mancini.
Results: C4 level was significantly decreased in women with severe preclampsia than in women with mild preclampsia and normal pregnancies, whereas C3 level did not differ between groups. IgG concentration was significantly higher in non-pregnant women than in women with preclampsia and normal pregnancies. There was a significant decrease in IgA concentration in normal pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women. There was a not significant difference between the IgM concentrations of both groups.
Conclusion: Our data show several changes in immunological factors in preclampsia which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disorder in Iranian women.

---

Introduction: Dendritic  cells (DCs) play  an  important  role  in  induction  of  cellular  immune  responses. It  has  been  showed  that  the  nature  of  the  immune  responses  is  not  the  same  in  all  tissues.  It  seems  that  DCs  reside  in  different  organs  may  distinct  in  their  ability  to  induce  lymphocyte  proliferation .The  innate  tolerogenic  characteristic  of  the  liver  may  be  due  to  the  inability  of  liver  DCs  to  induce  proliferative  responses.
Materials  and  Methods:  In  this  study, the  DCs  were  isolated  from  the  liver  and  spleen  of  normal  C57BL/6  mice  by  enzymatic  digestion  and  nycodenz  centrifugation  gradient.  Isolated  DCs  were  pulsed  with  a  proper  concentration  of  myelin  oligodendrocyte  glycoprotein  peptide (MOG35-55). About  6*105  pulsed  DCs  from  liver  and  spleen  were  injected  to  the  footpad  of  two  different  groups  of  mice. Unpulsed  Dcs  were  injected  to  control  group.  After  5  days, the  mononuclear  cells  (MNCs)  of  the  popliteal  lymph  nodes  were  isolated  from  immunized  mice  and  their  proliferative  response  were  evaluated  in  the  presence  and  absence  of  MOG35-55.
Results: The  obtained  results  showed  that  the  proliferartive  response intrnsity  of  MNGs  in  mice  immunized  with  pulsed  DCs  were  higher  than  control  group  (p<0.004). furthermore  there  was  no  significant  difference  between  proliferative  response  of  mice  immunized  with  liver  DCs  and  those  immunized  with  splenic  DCs. These  finding  showed  that  the  liver  and  spleen  DCs  could  be  pulsed  proplerly  with  the  antigen  in  tissue  culture  and  can  induce  a  reasonable  proliferative  response.
Conclusion: The  equal  ability  of  liver  and  spleen  DCs  to  induce  the  proliferative  response  indicates  that  the  type  of  induced  response  may  differ  at  in  vivo  and  ex  vivo  conditions  and  microenviromental  factors  can  modulated  the  immune  response.

---

Introduction: different  isotypes  of  antibody  can  be  produced  by  immune  system  after  antigen  contact.  Detection  and  measurement  of  different  classes  of  antibody  against  the  antigen  is  very  important  in  some  cases.  The  aim  of  this  study  is  designing  of  an  ELISA  method  on  the  basis  of  inhibition  of  enzyme  activity  by  using  a  non-competitive  inhibitor.  Therefore  in  this  study  rheumatoid  factor  is  used  as  a  model  for  the  detection  of  different  other  classes  of  antibodies  against  the  antigen.
Materials  and  Methods:  In  this  cross  sectional  analytical  study, we  measured  IgM  and IgA   rheumatoid  factors  in  sera  of  10  patients  with  rheumatoid  arthritis  and  positive  latex  test , by  mixed  and  routine  ELISA.  In  mixed  ELISA  the activity  of  the  first  conjugated  enzyme  was  blocked  by  a  non-competitive  inhibitor  after  adding  the  substrate. Then  the  next  conjugated  antibody, which  was  specific  for  another  isotype, was  added. By  optical  density, results  was  comparisoned  with  routine  ELISA.
Results:  The  obtained  results  showed  that  the  average  optical  density  is  lower  when  compared  with  routine  ELISA , but  the  difference  is   not  statistically  significant.  however  these  two  methods  did  not  show  any  significant  difference  in  quantifying  antibody  isotypes. Also  there  is  a  positive  association  between  mixed  and  routine  ELISA (r=0.9, p=0.001).
Discussion: Lower  optical  density  in  mixed  ELISA  is  probably  because  of  stick  hindrance  by  the  first  conjugate. So, because  there  is  no significant  difference  between  the  results  of  these two  types  of  ELISA, and  also  no  need  to  repeat  the  test  for  each  isotype  in  this  method, it  is  recommended  to  use the  new  method  instead  of  the  routine  one  to  save  time  and  reagents.
 

---

  Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, human leukocyte antigens

Introduction: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or type 1 diabetes is created by autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas in genetically susceptible individuals. The relationship between human leukocyte antigens (HLA) associated factors and susceptibility to IDDM disease, was reported by several investigators. Association with different HLA types depends also on the studied populations. The aim of the present study was to determine HLA antigens which represent a high susceptibility to develop the IDDM disease in this area. Materials and Methods: In this study, the prevalence of HLA class-I and II antigens has been determined in 31 Arakian patients with IDDM and 57 normal healthy controls with similar ethnic background and from the same geographical area. The typing of HLA antigens was carried out using standard microlymphocytotoxicity method. Results: A significantly higher frequency of HLA-A2, A3, B21, DR3 and DQ2 were found in IDDM cases compared to the controls. In contrast, HLA-DR2, DR7 and B53 were represented at a somewhat higher frequency in controls compared to the IDDM patients. Conclusion: These results indicate that HLA-A2, A3, B21, DR3 and DQ2 antigens contribute to susceptibility to IDDM independently and HLA-DR2, DR7 and B53 antigens maybe associated with prevention of IDDM in Arakian patients.

---

Introduction: Free radical-mediated peroxidation of biological molecules, such as lipids, is implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and it's animal model experimental allergic encephalomyelitis(EAE). Low concentration of antioxidant vitamin E has been observed in serum of multiple sclerosis. However, it is not known whether vitamin E has protective effect in EAE. Vitamin E may inhibit EAE by effect on the level of uric acid and Nitric Oxide (NO) production. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study some male C57BL/6 mice were placed in two therapeutic groups (n=8 per group) with age and weight-matched as follow: 1)Vitamin E-treated EAE mice (10mg/kg/every two days of vitamin E given i.p from day-3 until day+19 after disease induction, 2) Non-treated EAE mice (EAE control) received vehicle alone with same schedule. In addition, 5 age and weight-matched male C57BL/6 mice served as normal (non-EAE) controls. Clinical score of disease, uric acid and NO levels of the groups were analysed. Results: Results showed that vitamin E-treated mice had significantly less clinical score of EAE (4±0.8) than non-treated EAE induced mice (5.3±0.44), (p<0.01). Also, there was difference at the onset day of the disease between vitamin E-treated and non-treated EAE-induced mice (day 13±1 and day 11±1, respectively), although was not significant. Concentration of uric acid in vitamin E treated mice were significantly lower than EAE control (p<0.001). There was no difference at the level of NO between the groups. Conclusion: Vitamin E had no effect on NO level, but decreased serum uric acid level. It suggests that vitamin E can reduce or delay the onset of EAE by increasing uric acid consumption.

---

Introduction: There is difference between susceptibility or resistance to infectious diseases such as cystic and alveolar Eclinococcosis in human and animals, that is due to the difference between individual host factors and immunologic responses. This study is done to investigate the resistance and susceptibility markers (HLA) in Hydatid patients and healthy persons. Materials and Methods: This analythical (case-control) study is carried out on 60 patients with confirmed cystic echinococcosis and 30 healthy individuals living in Arak. Blood samples were gathered and tested by microlymphocytotoxicity method. At first diagnostic kits with specific antiserusms for each antigen (28 antigens) were provided and then lymphocytes were separated. After dye and stabling with formalin and based on cells morphology, results were seen by invert microscope. Data was analyzed using Odds Ratio, Relative Risk, Preventive Fraction, Aetiologic Fraction and Chi square test. Results: Results showed that HLA-A1 was significantly higher in patients (p<0.05), and people having this antigen are more susceptible for the infection. In spite, HLA-A10 was higher is healthy individuals (p<0.05) and have a preventive effect in disease involvement. Other investigated antigens had no signigicant difference in the two groups. For more accurate results molecular investigation is needed. Conclusion: In individuals having HLA-A1 there is more chance for cyst growth in confronting hydatosis and this individuals are more susceptible to the disease. But in individuals having HLA- A10 there is less chance for cyst growth in confronting hydatosis and this antigen have a preventive effect against hydatid cyst.

---

Introduction: Oxidative stress may play a critical role in neurodegenerative disorders but the relation between oxidative stress and learning ability in normal rats is not investigated, so the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between oxidative stress and two way active avoidance learning in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: This is an experimental research. 14 Wistar rats were assigned for assessed learning ability in shuttle box. One day after shuttle box learning, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were obtained. Concentration of Nitric Oxide and Ferric reduction/antioxidant power were assessed. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation test. Results: The results of the present study demonstrate that there are positive correlation between shuttle box learning ability and Ferric reduction/antioxidant power (p<0.001, r =0.66 4) and Nitric Oxide concentration (p<0.001, r = 0.724) in serum, but not in CSF. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that high concentration of antioxidant power and Nitric Oxide concentration in blood can improve shuttle box learning in rats

---

 Introduction: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis distinguished by infiltration of leukocytes into the central nervous system. Changes in composition and levels of unsaturated fatty acids, affect the integrity of blood-brain barrier. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Sesame oil on the leukocyte infiltration into the brain of MOG35-55 induced EAE male C57BL/6 mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, male C57BL/6 mice were placed in two therapeutic groups (n=10 per group) with age and weight-matched as follow: 1.Sesame oil-treated EAE mice received 4ml/kg/day of Sesame oil given i.p. from day -3 until day +19 after disease induction, 2.Non-treated EAE mice (EAE control) received Phosphate buffer alone with same schedule. EAE was induced by immunization of mice with MOG35-55 peptide and complete Freund's adjuvant. Leukocytes infiltration into the brain was investigated 20 days after immunization. Data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The results show that Sesame oil-treated mice had significantly less clinical score of EAE (2.6±0.4) than non-treated EAE induced mice (4.2±0.6), (p<0.001). Also, there was a significant difference at number of the infiltrating cells in brain between Sesame oiltreated (80±20) and non treated EAE-induced mice (150±30), (p<0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that Sesame oil reduces infiltration of leukocytes into the brain of EAE mice, therefore lessening the histological changes and clinical signs and thus ameliorating the disease.

---

Introduction: Streptolysin O (SLO) is an antigenic protein that is secreted by Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcal infections are diagnosed with anti streptolysin O. At present, streptolysin O is produced by vectors that have fusion protein. In this study streptolysin O without fusion protein vectors is produced. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Streptolysin O gene was amplified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and subcloned to prokaryotic expression vector pET28a. Escherichia coli BL21-DE3-plySs were transformed with pET28a-SLO and gene expression was induced by IPTG. Then it was purified by Ni-NTA kit. The concentration of SLO was assayed by Bradford method. To confirm recombinant SLO Western Blot was used. Results: The sequencing result was confirmed by Sanger method and was the same as SLO gene. Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS was transformed with pET28a-SLO and gene expression was induced by IPTG. The expressed protein was purified by affinity chromatography with Ni-NTA resin. The concentration of purified protein was 100µg/ml. The integrity of product was confirmed by Western Blot analysis using a mouse anti streptolysin O. Conclusion: Data showed that recombinant SLO protein can be produced by pET28a in Escherichia coli. This protein maintains its antigenic effect very well. Therefore, recombinant SLO has same epitopes with natural form of this antigen.

---

Introduction: Serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is a glycoprotein that is secreted from osteoblasts. In fractures, the rate of ALP will be changed. Low intensity pulsed ultrasound accelerates the growth and remodeling of fractures. However the relation between pulsed ultrasound and changing the rate of serum ALP in New Zeland rabbit is not studied yet. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of pulsed ultrasound on serum ALP during bone healing of tibia in New Zealand rabbit. Materials and Methods: This is an experimental study. 54 male and mature New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into six groups (3 experimentals and 3 controls). All of them were operated for inducing a model of experimental fracture. After repair of wounds, the right leg of experimental groups was exposed to pulsed ultrasound for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The control groups were kept without any intervention during the same time. After experiment, the rabbits were anesthesied and blood samples were taken from their hearts for ALP serology, and then the rabbits were killed. Blood was centrifuged and serum ALP was read by spectrophotometer. Data was analyzed by Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Results showed that the mean serum ALP level in experimental group after 4 weeks exposing to pulsed ultrasound was significantly higher as compared to control group (p= 0.03). There was no significant difference between the other groups. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that pulsed ultrasound wave increases serum ALP and accelerates the bone healing.

---

Introduction: Celiac disease (CD) or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is a malabsoption of nutrients due to hyoersesitivity of gluten. Some etiologic facrors are environmental, immunologic and genetic factors. The frequancy of Celiac disease is not studied in western regions of Iran, therefore this study is done to determine the frequancy of Celiac disease in general population of rural regions of Arak. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study in which 700 people between 20-56 years old in rural regions of Arak were selected by multistage random sampling (364 male and 336 female). After completing questionnaires, blood samples were collected and serum IgA levels (to rule out IgA deficiency), and serum t-TG Ab were assessed. All cases that had positive serologies and those who had high clinical probability of having Celiac disease underwent second duodenal segment biopsy. Data was presented using mean, standard deviation and frequency distribution. Results: Serum IgA levels were normal in all samples. 8 cases were positive for t-TG Ab, 38 cases had high normal levels of t-TG Ab and the others had less than 6 Au/ml t-TG Ab. Only in patients with high normal serology, histology was positive. 1% (10 in 1000 people) of all studied subjects demonstrated intestinal lesions due to Celiac disease. Most of them were asymptomatic. Conclusion: CD frequency in rural regions of Arak in people between 20-65 years old was 10 among 1000 cases. This frequency is the same as studies done in northern and southern regions of Iran but was higher comparing to the other parts of the word. This amplifiles the importance of screening of CD in Iran. Also the sensitivity and specificity of t-TG Ab was found high because all cases with high normal levels of t-TG Ab were approved by histology.

---

Background: Hypertension disorders are the most common medical complication during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is an important cause of mortality. The pathophisiology of it is still unknown. But sex hormon especially testosterone may be has a role in preeclampsia. We were conducted the comparison of serum free testosterone level in preeclamptic with normotensive pregnant women. Methods and Materials: This research was a case-control study included 27 women with singleton pregnancy who were complicated with preeclampsia (11 with severe preeclampsia and 16 with mild preeclampsia) and 62 normotensive pregnant women who were matched for age, body mass index (BMI) and gravity. Serum levels of free testosterone were measured by ELISA method. Results:Serum testosterone level was higher in preeclamptic group (1.66 ng/ml) than in mean of the control group (1.27 ng/ml), but this difference was not significant. Mean of testosterone levels in sever preeclampsia were higher than mild preeclampsia patients, however it was not statistically significant (2.08, 1.37, respectively). Conclusion: It seems that testosterone has not significant role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. .

---

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a auto-immune disease of central nervous system. The etiology of MS is unknown, but environmental factors such as viruses are involved in the development of MS. In this study, MS patients were assessed for antibodie titers against Human Herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) in Markazi Province. Methods and Materials: In this case-control study, 31 new cases of MS patients and 60 healthy subjects were selected with similar demographic criteria such as sex, age and location. Antibodies titer (IgM and IgG) against HHV-6 were examined by ELISA and Immunofluorescence methods. Data were analyzed using Logistic regression and Odds ratio. Results: Data indicates that 74.2% of case group and 34.2% of control group were identified as positive for IgM against HHV-6. The difference between the two groups in terms of IgM against HHV-6 was statistically significant (p=0.001). Incidence of IgM positivity against HHV-6 was increased more than five times in MS patients compared to control group. Also there was a statistically significant difference between case and control groups in IgG titer (p=0.019). Conclusion: Acute infection of HHV-6 is a risk factor for MS.

---

Abstract Background: Aloe Vera species have diverse immunomodulatory and antitumor activities. The present study was set out to define the immunomodulatory activity of Aloe Vera extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials and Methods: In this experimental interventional study, EAE was induced by MOG35-55 peptide and complete Freund's adjuvant in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were placed in two therapeutic groups (n=8 per group) with the same age and weight. Therapy with Aloe Vera extract (120mg/kg/every day given oral) was started on day 5 before the immunization until 25 day after that. EAE control received phosphate buffer alone with same schedule. Signs of disease were recorded daily until the day 25 when mice were bled and sacrificed. Produced TNF-α by cultured spleen mononuclear cells was detected by ELISA. Results: The Aloe Vera treatment significantly reduced the clinical signs of EAE and delayed onset of disease. Mononuclear cells isolated from spleen of treated-mice with Aloe Vera showed a significant decrease in TNF-α in compared with control mice (p=0.012). Conclusion: Aloe Vera ameliorated the EAE and reduced TNF-α level in MS animal model.

---

Abstract Background: Studies which related to effective factors on professors evaluation had a god improvement in academic department. Despite many researches in this area, most of the results have been unconvincing due to data heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to determind and analyze the scores of professors’ evaluation in Arak University of Medical Sciences base on some effective factors. Materials and Methods: This study was an analytical cross-sectional that was carried out on all Arak University of Medical Sciences academic members with census method, during 2001-2007. The scores of professors’ evaluation base on students’ viewepoint and others factors were used and analyzed in achieve of Education Development Center (EDC). Results: The scores mean of professors evaluation during this 6 years were various 15.03-16.45. Evaluation scores mean had significant difference. There were a V.S weak correlation between studens’ number and evaluation score mean. Conclusion: The results of professor evaluation by students were various during 6 years. It must be determine important variables such as class, effective factors on educational period, professors and time of education, and supplementary studies were done by considering these factors.

---

Abstract Background: One advantage of a textbook is that you can refer back to the textbook for missed, misunderstood, or forgotten information. This does not apply to class lectures notes because heard things can forget quickly and thoroughly. The aim of this study was survey of student’s attitude about reasons of tendency to use lecture notes instead of textbooks. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study. Sample size was 213 students with different academic fields and terms. Data to students’ tendency to lecture notes were collected and analyzed by valid questionnaire. Results: Most important factors in students’ opinion were, textbook contain is more than lecture notes, society’s tendency to academic degree, inattention to literacy and awareness levels and lack of sufficient proficiency on English language. Conclusion: Tendency to usage of lecture notes is one of basic reasons of students’ stagnation and ultimately, leads to lose of their research morale and motivation