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Background and Objectives: As newborn farm animals are almost lacking adequate immunoglobulins to tolerate environmental pathogens, feeding colostrum is a pivotal action in the first days of their life and finding approaches to enhance immunoglobulins absorption into neonates' blood is highly interested. Therefore, the goal of the study was to investigate the effect of controlled heating of colostrum on immunoglobulin absorption and some blood and immunity parameters. Materials and Methods: Forty neonatal male Zel lambs (4.49±1.21) were divided into two groups; one group was fed with three equal meals of raw colostrum as 15% of BW during the first 36 hours of age and the other group was fed with an equal amount of heat-treated colostrum. For this purpose, a pool of colostrum was first collected from the previously lambed ewes of the herd and gently mixed. Then, half of the collected colostrum was heated indirectly in a water bath (bain-marie) at 63 °C for 30 minutes. Both raw and heated colostrums were stored and frozen in 2.5kg nylon packs. Immediately after birth, lambs were ear-tagged, weighed, and then first blood samples were taken. The assigned colostrums then were fed to lambs by bottles. After the end of feeding colostrum, lambs were fed with milk and starter feed until d 35 of age. Fasted blood samples were taken immediately after birth (day 0) and on days 5, 20, and 35 of age, and the sera were frozen until serological assay of total protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin G. The apparent efficiency of absorption of immunoglobulins was calculated by the respective equation. The data were statistically analyzed as a repeated measures design with a completely randomized arrangement including two treatments and 10 replicates. Results: The results showed that feeding the heat-treated colostrum had significant effects on serum immunoglobulins, globulins, and albumin concentrations of lambs (P<0.05), where feeding the controlled-heated colostrum caused about 39.5 and 38.1% significant increases in serum immunoglobulins levels of lambs in days 5 and 15, respectively. Serum globulins level was significantly greater in lambs fed heat-treated colostrum than other group. In contrast, serum albumins level was significantly greater in lambs fed raw colostrum on days 5, 20, and 35 (P<0.05) as compared to the other group. Heating the colostrum caused a marked increase (P=0.0001) in apparent efficiency of absorption of consumed colostral immunoglobulins into lambs’ blood (43.04 vs. 23.05%). No significant effects were observed in serum total protein concentrations of lambs in both groups. Conclusion: In general, the results of the study showed that the controlled, in-direct heating of ewes' colostrum at 63 °C for 30 minutes causes an increase in immunoglobulins absorption into lambs' blood. Background and Objectives: As newborn farm animals are almost lacking adequate immunoglobulins to tolerate environmental pathogens, feeding colostrum is a pivotal action in the first days of their life and finding approaches to enhance immunoglobulins absorption into neonates' blood is highly interested. Therefore, the goal of the study was to investigate the effect of controlled heating of colostrum on immunoglobulin absorption and some blood and immunity parameters. Materials and Methods: Forty neonatal male Zel lambs (4.49±1.21) were divided into two groups; one group was fed with three equal meals of raw colostrum as 15% of BW during the first 36 hours of age and the other group was fed with an equal amount of heat-treated colostrum. For this purpose, a pool of colostrum was first collected from the previously lambed ewes of the herd and gently mixed. Then, half of the collected colostrum was heated indirectly in a water bath (bain-marie) at 63 °C for 30 minutes. Both raw and heated colostrums were stored and frozen in 2.5kg nylon packs. Immediately after birth, lambs were ear-tagged, weighed, and then first blood samples were taken. The assigned colostrums then were fed to lambs by bottles. After the end of feeding colostrum, lambs were fed with milk and starter feed until d 35 of age. Fasted blood samples were taken immediately after birth (day 0) and on days 5, 20, and 35 of age, and the sera were frozen until serological assay of total protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin G. The apparent efficiency of absorption of immunoglobulins was calculated by the respective equation. The data were statistically analyzed as a repeated measures design with a completely randomized arrangement including two treatments and 10 replicates. Results: The results showed that feeding the heat-treated colostrum had significant effects on serum immunoglobulins, globulins, and albumin concentrations of lambs (P<0.05), where feeding the controlled-heated colostrum caused about 39.5 and 38.1% significant increases in serum immunoglobulins levels of lambs in days 5 and 15, respectively. Serum globulins level was significantly greater in lambs fed heat-treated colostrum than other group. In contrast, serum albumins level was significantly greater in lambs fed raw colostrum on days 5, 20, and 35 (P<0.05) as compared to the other group. Heating the colostrum caused a marked increase (P=0.0001) in apparent efficiency of absorption of consumed colostral immunoglobulins into lambs’ blood (43.04 vs. 23.05%). No significant effects were observed in serum total protein concentrations of lambs in both groups. Conclusion: In general, the results of the study showed that the controlled, in-direct heating of ewes' colostrum at 63 °C for 30 minutes causes an increase in immunoglobulins absorption into lambs' blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare, monophasic or multiphasic demyelinating disease influencing the central nervous system with almost unknown etiology. The diagnosis is based on clinical picture, supported by radiology and laboratory tests. The common therapeutic approach includes administrating corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and plasmapheresis. This paper reports a 24-month-old normal boy admitted with fever and vomiting preceded by intermittent irritability from two days earlier. We performed sonography while we were suspicious to invagination but found normal results. The patient had impaired consciousness, behavioral changes and irritability. He also had herpes lesions so he was treated with acyclovir. In the next day he had left esotropia. Lumbar puncture and electroencephalography were done which showed normal results. Then, MRI was performed and revealed ADEM. Intrvenous immunoglobulin (400 mg/kg) intravenously was started. At the end of the treatment he was afebrile with good general condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common disease worldwide and approximately one million people are diagnosed as having gastric adenocarcinoma. Each year, nearly 700,000 people lose their lives because of GC. Several altered molecular pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of GC, which can be targeted by specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In recent years, the use of mAbs has provided considerable success in the treatment of cancer. Such mAbs are laboratory-produced molecules that incur changes to precisely bind to specific sites. These drugs are similar to naturally produced antibodies as part of our immune system's response. They play an important role in the treatment of many diseases, such as the different types of cancer. In cancer therapy, bispecific antibodies are used for targeting immune effector cells to destruct tumor cells (cancer immunotherapy) or neutralize two different pathways through inactivation on the level of either receptors or ligands. It seems that the development of this type of therapeutic agents to effectively treat a variety of cancers such as GC, is inevitable. The aim of the present study was to describe molecular-targeted therapy by using new-generation mAbs and inhibitors for the treatment of GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IgG4-associated cholangitis (IAC) is a subgroup of IgG4-related disease, which is more common in elderly men. IAC is frequently coincident with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). However, some IAC cases do not have other organs involvement. The diagnosis of IAC is based on biochemical, radiological, and histological features. Among these, elevated serum levels of IgG4, extra- and intrahepatic biliary strictures (as visualized by cholangiography), lymphoplasmacytic infiltrations in the liver and bile duct tissue, and association with AIP are of key importance. IAC may mimic primary sclerosing cholangitis or cholangiocarcinoma (CC). It is classically a corticosteroid-responsive condition and corticosteroid is regarded as the initial treatment of choice in this disease. However, relapse following corticosteroid withdrawal is a frequent event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Repeated blood transfusion is the major treatment for patients with major thalassemia. However due to antigen encounters, it may initiate body reactions, including alloantibodies against red blood cell antigens. This study was done to determine the Prevalence of alloimmunization in major beta thalassemia patients in northern Iran. Method: This descriptive - analytic study was carried out on 218 thalassemic patients (100 males and 118 females) with average age of 22.5±7 years in northern Iran during 2010. Each sample was tested for the presence of Alloantibodies including C, Cw, Lea, E, Lua, Leb, K, Jkb, N, P1, D, Jka, M, S, Xga, e, Fya, s, c, Fyb, k, Kpa, Jsb, Lub and Coa. Results: Eighty eight cases (40.4%; 95% CI: 33.9-46.9) were positive for the presence of alloantibodies. Alloantibodies against C, Cw, Lea red blood cell surface antigens were the most prevalent (40%). No significant correlation was found between emergence of alloantibody with the age of initial, frequency and duration of blood transfusion. Conclusion: Alloimmunization is a common observation in thalassemic patients and should be prevented by transfusing compatible blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Continuous antigenic variation of Influenza a viruses causes a major concern to develop Influenza vaccine. Conserved antigens are suitable candidates for vaccine production due to its non-requirement to match the designed strains with circulating strains. The M2 gene is conserved among Influenza a viruses and has potential to be considered as a universal vaccine. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of aqueous Echinacea purpurea extract on immunogenicity of DNA vaccine encoding M2 gene of Influenza virus. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was carried out on female BALB/c mice with 3-4 week age (250-300 gr). Plasmid DNA encoding M2 gene (pcDNA-M2) of Influenza virus A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1) was transformed into E.coli top10 f' and cultured in LB broth media. Large scale plasmid preparation was done and the concentration was measured by spectrophotometric method. Mice were divided into eight groups and immunized three times with fifteen days apart. Vaccine groups received inactivated Influenza virus or pcDNA-M2, alone or in combination with Echinacea extract. Control groups were injected pcDNA, Echinacea extract, and phosphate buffer. All animals were left to bleed before immunization and at 21 days after the last vaccination and specific anti-M2 antibodies were measured by indirect ELISA. Then the mice were intranasally challenged under an aesthesia with mouseadapted PR8 Influenza virus and monitored for 3 weeks to evaluate the vaccine regimen efficacy in reduction of mortality rate compared to control groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, One-way ANOVA and Kaplan-Meier tests. Results: The highest specific immune response was obtained in mice received inactivated virus plus extract (P<0.05). Immune responses in mice inoculated with pcDNA-M2 were significantly higher compared to all control groups mice (P<0.05). In addition the specific immune responses in group inoculated with pcDNA-M2 and aqueous extract was higher compared to the group receiving only pcDNA-M2 (P<0.001). The highest survival rate was observed in mice injected with inactivated virus or pcDNA-M2 plus extract. Conclusion: This study showed that pcDNA-M2 induced specific immunity and protected mice against lethal challenge with PR8 Influenza virus. Furthermore, application of Echinacea extract with M2 gene vaccine increased vaccine efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Infection with HBV is the most common chronic viral infection and mortality in children. Prevention of this infection with vaccination is vital. This study was done to compare the antibody level in post hepatitis B vaccination in children with 12-15 and 21-24 months age. Materials and Methods:This descriptive study was carreid out on 186 children with 12-15 (group I) and 21-24 (group II) months age who had not infected with hepatitis B infection in, Bandarabbas Iran during 2009. The parents were HbsAg negative, without immunodeficiency diseases and did not receive hepatitis vaccination, blood or blood products transfusion. Age, gender, birth weight, breast feeding duration and gestational age were recorded for each child. Hepatitis B antibody level was measured with ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and student t-test. Results: Antibody level in group I (231 mIU/ml) was significantly higher than group II (142.9 mIU/ml) (P<0.05). There was not significant differences between males and females. Antibody level was not significantly corrolated with body weight, gestational age and breast feeding duration. Antibody level lower than 10 mIU/ml were observed in 4.34% of group I and 20.8% of group II. This differnce was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the protective effect of vaccination reduced after six months of final dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The vaccination against hepatitis B is a front line defence for all at-risk groups. Conventional methods of hepatitis B vaccination (0, 1 and 6 months) is considered a long process. But vaccination at shorter intervals (0, 10 and 21 days) is suggested to achieve rapid immunity. This study was carried out to compare for the protective antibody level against hepatitis B in accelerated and conventional vaccination. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive and analytical study 160 health personnel of Imam Reza hospital of Kermanshah, Iran with no history of vaccination against hepatitis B were selected and divided into two groups during 2009. The volunteers were received vaccination according to accelerated (0, 10 and 21 days) and convetional (0, 1 and 6 months) methods. The antibody titer measured two years after the final dose of vaccination. The acceptable level of antibody was considered higher than 10 IU/ml. Results: After two years the acceptable level of antibody was observed in 94.5% and 97.9% of subjects in accelarated and conventional methods, respectivley. This difference was not significant. Conclusion: This study showed that there is not significant differences between accelerated and conventional methods in antibody production against hepatitis B antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis specified by some antibodies. Although the most relevant antibody is rheumatoid factor (RF), it has little sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of RA. Other groups of antibodies that are produced against the citrullinated epitopes have been proved to be more specific for diagnosing RA. Anti-CCP testing based on ELISA assay is the most effective test for detecting anti-filaggrin antibodies. Positive values of anti-CCP antibody a few years before the clinical signs and symptoms of RA along with high concentrations of this antibody in the synovial fluid increase the probability of citrollination in the pathogenesis of the disease. A combination of anti-CCP and RF would increase the sensitivity of both tests. Most previous studies have used RF as a gold standard for evaluating the diagnostic value of anti-CCP. However, RF is known to have a low sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, we decided to realistically evaluate the diagnostic value of anti-CCP based on American college of rheumatology (ACR) criteria as a gold standard. Methods This was a descriptive study to evaluate the diagnostic value on 49 RA patients and 49 individuals with other rheumatic diseases. Blood samples were taken to measure erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), RF, anti-CCP. Disease activity was then determined by DAS28. Data analysis was performed by 2 × 2 tables, chi-square test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for trade-off points. We used SPSS15. Findings: Data analysis showed anti-CCP to have a sensitivity of 71%, a specificity of 80%, a positive predictive value of 78%, a negative predictive value of 74%, a positive likelihood ratio of 3.55 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.36. In this study, anti-CCP and RF had a statistically significant correlation (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Anti-CCP is a test with a high predictive value for diagnosing RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]