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Introduction: A high prevalence of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients has been reported worldwide. Risk factors such as history of blood transfusion, duration of hemodialysis and recently nosocomial transmission of HCV in hemodialysis units have been identified. In this study the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus antibody and risk factors in hemodialysis patients in Markazi province is investigated. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analythical study, blood samples were obtained from all 204 hemodialysis patients. Samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies by using third generation enzyme immunoassay. The reactive samples on ELISA were confirmed by the third generation RIBA. Risk factors were evaluated by a questionnaire. Data was analysed using Chi square and logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among hemodialysis patients was 4.9%.Duration of hemodialysis was identified as a major risk factor in transmission of HCV (p=0.004). There was a significant relationship between anti-HCV positivity and previous renal transplantation (p=0.032). Female sex was another risk factor for HCV infection (p=0.030). There was no significant relationship between anti-HCV positivity and history of blood transfusion. Conclusion: Nosocomial transmission of HCV within hemodialysis units seems to be a route of infection in patients on hemodialysis in Markazi province. Application of dialysis precautions recommended by CDC can reduce the prevalence of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients in this province.

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Background: There is inconsistent evidence indicating that serum Zn deficiency in pregnant women may adversely affect fetal growth. In order to survey this matter in Iran, a study was conducted with the aim of determining the association between serum Zn in pregnant women of Kashan and anthropometric factors of their neonates in 2008-2009. Materials and Methods: In this eross-secrional study, of all the pregnant women referring to Naghavi Polyclinic of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, 128 women and their neonates were selected. Serum Zn concentration in 6-9 month pregnant women and anthropometric factors of their neonates (weight, height, and head circumference) were measured. Then the relationship between the prevalence of Zn deficiency and the neonates’ anthropometric factors was reported. T-test and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: Mean weight and height of the infants whose mothers had low serum Zn concentration (below normal) were 130.1g and 0.6 cm less than the infants whose mothers had high Zn concentrations. A significant positive correlation was found between birth size height of the neonates and serum Zn concentration of the mothers (P=0.02). Conclusion: The results suggest that maternal serum zinc level affects neonates’ height.

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Background: Hypervariability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins is an important obstacle to design an efficient vaccine for the infection. To construct a protective vaccine against HCV, a DNA vaccine containing conserved epitopes of the virus was designed. To enhance the induced immune responses, adjuvant activity of N-terminal domain of gp96 (NT(gp96)) was used.

Materials and Methods: A multi-epitope (PT) DNA vaccine encoding four HCV immunodominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes (HLA-A2 and H2-D^d) from Core, E2, NS3 and NS5B antigens in addition to a T-helper CD4+ epitope from NS3 protein and a B-cell epitope from E2 protein was designed and constructed. Then, NT(gp96) was fused to the PT DNA (PT-NT(gp96)). The stimulated cellular and humoral immune responses of PT and PT-NT(gp96) were evaluated in mice model.

Results: According to multicolor flow cytometry assay, the frequency of CD8+ T-cells producing IFNγ and TNFα in the splenocytes of immunized mice with PT-NT(gp96) (6.8%, 4%) was significantly higher than those of immunized with PT (0.9% , 0.8%), respectively. The same results have obtained in hepatic lymphocytes of the vaccinated mice. The level of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a in the mice vaccinated with PT-NT (gp96) was significantly higher than the value obtained from the mice immunized with PT.

Conclusion: The results showed that PT DNA vaccine induces immune responses in mice model. Fusion of NT (gp96) to PT DNA vaccine causes to enhance cellular and humoral immune responses against HCV compared to sole PT vaccine.

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Background and Aim Oxidative stress is the main factor in the development and progression of diabetes and its related complications. There is growing evidence that antioxidants supplementation can improve oxidative stress induced in diabetes. The present investigation was conducted to study the effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) in diabetic rats.
Methods and Materials A total of 30 male rats were divided into five groups: saline, sesame oil (as a vehicle), CoQ10-treated (10 mg/kg/day), diabetic (induced with streptozotocin: 55 mg/kg), and CoQ10-treated diabetic (10 mg/kg/d). Then, we measured the Malondialdehyde (MDA), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) levels in the rats’ liver homogenate. Additionally, the OSI was calculated.
Ethical Considerations The Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences approved this study (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.119).
Results results showed a significant decrease in the level of liver MDA (P=0.022), TOS (P=0.03), and OSI (P=0.028) in the CoQ10-treated diabetic group compared to the diabetic rats. No significant change was observed in the total thiol group (P=0.25) and TAC (P=0.77) level in diabetic rats’ livers treated with CoQ10 compared to diabetic rats. 

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Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a new member of the coronavirus family causing acute respiratory infection. Patients with COVID-19 have a higher risk of developing oxidative stress during this infection. Moreover, the virus induces ROS production that activates cellular pathways for viral replication. 
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) is a crucial transcription factor in cellular antioxidant defense by mediating Virus-induced oxidative stress and ROS production. This article suggests that an Nrf2 activator may be beneficial in preventing oxidative stress development in COVID-19 patients. Coronaviruses are a significant group of viruses that cause different illnesses in humans and animals. These illnesses can range from the common cold to more severe diseases such as SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and COVID-19. COVID-19 is a new viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). 
The main symptoms of COVID-19-infected patients are fever, dry cough, fatigue, and sometimes respiratory problems such as shortness of breath, sore throat, and infection [1].