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The current research based on greenhouse experiment evaluates the impact of the Lactobacillus strains (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paralimentaris, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus pentosus, and Lactobacillus buchneri) previously isolated from maize silage on the Fusarium verticillioides-infected maize plants. The growth parameters as well as catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase antioxidant enzymes activity were investigated in one-month old seedlings, after inoculations with Fusarium or co-inoculations with Fusarium and the Lactobacillus strains. Application of Lactobacillus strains in maize seedlings significantly enhanced the plant growth and biomass. The best effect was observed when the L. buchneri was applied. It was revealed that inoculation with Fusarium stimulated antioxidant enzyme activity and co-inoculation with Lactobacillus strains reduced the enzyme activity, compared to Fusarium treatment alone. This is the first report that revealed the bioprotective role of Lactobacillus strains against F. verticillioides.

In order to study the resistance of early maize genotypes to Southern Corn Leaf Blight (SCLB) or Maydis Leaf Blight (MLB), RCBD experiments with 20 inbred lines and hybrids in 2014 and 16 genotypes in 2015 were conducted at Karaj and Sari Stations. Inoculation was carried out with spore suspension using syringe (3ml/each whorl) firstly at 3-4 leaf stage of maize, and then, sorghum grain inoculated with fungus was applied at 6-8 leaf stage in whorl of each plant using the bazooka technique. Evaluation was done on the basis of disease progress at pollination stage and two weeks after pollination stage with scale 0-5. The results of variance analysis and mean comparison showed that there are different reactions among genotypes to disease. In this study, in 2014, 15% genotypes categorized into resistant group, and these were genotypes: KE 77003/10 × KE 75039, KE 72012/12 × K1263/1 (KSC 400), and K 2331 × KE 75039. Among 16 genotypes in 2015, three hybrids - No. 16 with pedigree (KE 76009/311× K 1264/5-1), No. 10 with pedigree (K 2331 × KE 75039) and No. 9 with pedigree KSC 400 (KE 72012/12 × K1263/1) - were identified as resistant hybrids that can be a good source of resistance to SCLB.

In order to study of the resistance of early maize genotypes, 44 lines, and hybrids in 2008 and 30 genotypes in 2009 in RCBD were conducted at Karaj and Esfahan Stations. All of the ears were inoculated by tip injection method at suitable time. Inoculation was carried out with syringe (3ml/each ear) at silking stage. Evaluation was done on ears 3-4 weeks after inoculation. The results of variance analysis and mean comparison showed that there is a different reaction among material to disease. In this study, after harvesting of ears, the resistance of each genotype was determined based on disease severity index (0-7). Among examined lines in 2008, line no. (41) (KE 77004/1-1-1) was specified as susceptible and no. (28 and 42) (KE 77003/1-8-1) and (37A) as resistant lines. Also among hybrids, K SC 400 was identified as resistant hybrid. Also, among lines in 2009, line no. (29) (KE77004/1-1-1) was specified as susceptible and line no. (27) (KE77005/4) as resistant line respectively. Among hybrids, hybrid no. (9) (KE77006/3 ×K1263/1) evaluated as resistant hybrid.

Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most prevalent Fusarium species on maize and sorghum, causing Fusarium ear rot and sorghum grain mold in warm and humid regions of Iran. The pathogen produces potent mycotoxins known as fumonisins. In order to determine mycotoxin (fumonisins) production on different maize and sorghum genotypes, a field trial was carried out based on a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and three replications for each crop at Gorgan station in 2010. The ears of corn plants were inoculated by spore suspension of the mixture of some virulent F. verticillioides isolates using an ear inoculation method (Nail Punch). The sorghum panicles were also inoculated by spraying of spore suspension isolates at f lowering stage. All infected kernels were evaluated by ELISA kits (AgraQuant Fumonisin Kit; Romer Labs, Austria) for their total fumonisins production at the physiological maturing stage. All genotypes showed statistically significant difference in their fumonisin production in Gorgan. The results of fumonisins analysis obtained from ELISA test showed that lines 1 (Resistant) and 3 (Susceptible) with 2.4 ppm and 13.7 ppm had the least and highest amount of total fumonisins respectively among all maize genotypes. Also among all sorghum genotypes, genotypes 10 and 6 with 0.2 ppm and 4.8 ppm had the least and the highest amount of total fumonisins respectively. The results of this experiment demonstrated that fumonisin production level in maize kernels (maybe as maize kernels are the main host of this fungus) was significantly higher than sorghum kernels in Gorgan region.

By the year 2002 14 million children had been orphaned globally because of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A great number of these have become the heads of households, are forced to look after themselves and siblings, drop out of school, are vulnerable to many forms of abuse and have found work to take care of themselves and their siblings. Misinformation, ignorance and prejudice concerning HIV/AIDS limit the willingness of a community to provide for the orphans who have been affected by the disease. This article aims to address the question why this is also the case in South Africa and why the African philosophy of “ubuntu” (humaneness), does not seem to make a difference. This study build upon fieldwork undertaken in the Bophelong area among HIV/AIDS orphans who function as heads of households and children who have been orphaned due to circumstances other than HIV/AIDS. The article concludes that religious communities can fill the gap left by the lack of “ubuntu” and can play a major role in nurturing HIV/AIDS orphans who function as heads of households. Churches can build a supportive environment where HIV/AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children can feel accepted.

Background: The profile of inflammatory and suppressing cytokines is important to contribute to the disruption of TH1/TH2 balance in Allergic rhinitis (AR)., Objective: This study aimed to assess the expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, IL-21, IL-23, and TGF-β in nasal biopsies in AR patients and evaluate its correlation with the severity of AR., Material and Method: The study included 30 patients with mild persistent allergic rhinitis (MPAR), patients with moderate-to-severe (M/S) PAR, and 30 healthy individuals. The biopsies of nasal inferior turbinate mucosa were collected from each participant. The expression of IL-6, IL-18, IL-21, IL-23, and TGF-β was evaluated by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The degree of eosinophil infiltration into the nasal mucosa, blood eosinophils, and total serum IgE level were also measured., Result: The expression of IL-6, IL-18, and IL-23 in patients with AR significantly increased compared to the control group. Conversely, the gene expression of the TGF-β declined in the M/S PAR group rather than the AR- group. The data did not show a significant difference in the expression of the IL-21 gene between AR+ and AR- groups., Conclusion: We suggested that inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-18, and IL-23 may be involved in the severity of AR and associated with markers of inflammation., (© 2022 Mirzaei Y et al.)

YKL-40 is an important protein that plays a critical role in chronic inflammation in hypersensitivity disease. In this study, the expression of YKL-40 was investigated among patients with moderate/severe persistent allergic rhinitis (M/S PAR), patients with mild (M) PAR and healthy individuals. Moreover, the association between YKL-40 and immunopathogenesis of M/S PAR was meticulously surveyed. For this purpose, surgical samples were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate YKL-40 mRNA expression. The presence and location of YKL-40 protein in the tissue samples were determined by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, we measured the number of eosinophils per field in the tissue samples, blood eosinophils, total serum IgE, specific serum IgE, total nasal syndrome score (TNSS) and YKL-40 serum levels. The data indicated that production of YKL-40 in patients with M/S PAR increased significantly when compared with the control group. Furthermore, local production of YKL-40 correlated with specific IgE, nasal eosinophil count and TNSS. The results of the present study indicate that YKL-40, for its correlation with allergic clinical manifestations and symptom severity in M/S PAR patients, should be considered as a trigger factor in AR.

Background and Aims: The roles of Fas in immune system are multifaceted, and the interaction between Fas receptor and Fas ligand is essential for maintaining the immune tolerance. We aimed to assess the level of the expression of Fas receptor on nasal inferior turbinate mucosa in patients with mild persistent allergic rhinitis (M PAR) and moderate to severe (M/S) PAR and determined the relationship between disease severity and production of Fas., Methods: A total of 70 patients with M/S PAR, 70 patients with M PAR, and 70 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. We obtained biopsies of nasal inferior turbinate mucosa from the participants. The expression of Fas mRNA was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The presence and location of Fas were determined by immunohistochemistry. The number of eosinophils per field, blood eosinophils, total serum IgE levels, and specific serum IgE levels were measured. Clinical manifestations of patients were assessed by Total Nasal Syndrome Score (TNSS)., Results: The expression of Fas in patients with M/S PAR was decreased significantly compared to the control group and patients with M PAR. Local mucosal expression of Fas was correlated with specific IgE, nasal eosinophil count, and TNSS., Conclusion: According to the results of this study, there might be a relationship between the expression of Fas receptor on nasal turbinate mucosa and the severity of persistent allergic rhinitis.

Purpose: Several reactions leading to numerous effects are regulated by IL-22. However, the relationship between IL-22 and immunopathogensis of allergic rhinitis (AR) has been rarely investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of IL-22 and IL-17A in AR patients and their association with clinical severity of persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR)., Materials and Methods: Thirty mild persistent allergic rhinitis (M PAR) patients, thirty moderate/severe persistent allergic rhinitis (M/S PAR) patients, and thirty healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Local production of IL-22 and IL-17A in PAR patients and healthy controls' nasal mucosa was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques. Serum levels of IL-22, IL-17A, specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE), and total IgE (tIgE) in PAR patients and healthy controls were determined by ELISA. In addition, blood eosinophil, nasal eosinophils per field, and total nasal syndrome score (TNSS) were also assessed., Results: In comparison with healthy controls, production of IL-22 and IL-17A in M/S PAR patients increased significantly. Furthermore, serum levels as well as the mean number of IL-22 + and IL-17A + cells in nasal mucosa correlated with sIgE, nasal eosinophil count, and TNSS., Conclusion: The results of the present study provide the first evidence that local production of IL-22 might be expressed in PAR patients. The expression of IL-22 and IL-17A, and their correlations with clinical parameters in PAR patients suggest the role of these cytokines in the events involved in the development of PAR., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common allergic diseases and characterised by sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and nasopharyngeal itching. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for specific allergens is an effective treatment and induces the inhibitory effect of T regulatory lymphocytes and decreases clinical symptoms in allergic rhinitis., Aim: In this study effect of subcutaneous immunotherapy with specific allergens on clinical symptoms and T regulatory and T Helper cells cytokines, in patients with allergic rhinitis are evaluated., Methods: In this study, 30 patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis according to clinical criteria and positive skin prick test for aeroallergens were selected and treated by SCIT. Clinical symptoms and T cells cytokines IL4, IL17, IFN gamma, TGF beta, GITR, FOXP3 and IL-10 (by RT-PCR) were evaluated before and one year after initiation of treatment., Results: Thirty (30) patients with allergic rhinitis at age range 15-45 years old were treated by SCIT, and 23 (14 female, 9 male) patients continued the study, and 7 patients did not continue treatment. After immunotherapy, clinical symptoms decreased significantly. The specific cytokines TGF beta and IL10 levels increased and changes were statistically significant. (Respectively P = 0.013 and P = 0.05) The IL17 level was also increased, but not statistically significant. (P = 0.8) IFN gamma, IL4, GITR, FOXP3, all decreased, but the changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Subcutaneous Immunotherapy for specific allergens decreases clinical symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis and induces tolerance in T lymphocytes, especially by increasing T regulatory cells cytokines, TGF beta and IL10.

Background: Complications of Ventolin as the most common drug used for bronchiolitis are widely known. The present study was conducted to determine the efficacy of hypertonic saline 3%, compared with Ventolin, for treatment of acute bronchiolitis in children., Methods: This double-blinded clinical trial study was conducted in Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord, Iran, from 2011 to 2012. A total of 70 patients under the age of two years with bronchiolitis were divided into two groups of 35 each. Ventolin nebulizer and hypertonic saline 3% nebulizer three times per day were administered in the first (Ventolin) and second (Hypersaline) group, respectively. The length of recovery was compared between the two groups. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 22) using chi-square, t-test, paired t-test, and Mann-Whitney., Results: The mean±SD length of recovery was 4.14±0.9 and 3.06±0.6 in the Ventolin and hypersaline groups, respectively. The mean duration of recovery was significantly lower in the hypersaline group (p<0.001)., Conclusion: Hypertonic saline 3% nebulizer has more pleasant therapeutic effects on acute bronchiolitis than Ventolin. Therefore, use of hypertonic saline 3% nebulizer is recommended for the treatment of acute bronchiolitis in children under two years old.

Background: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder in white populations caused by mutation in a gene that encodes Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein. Since frequent respiratory tract infections are the major problem in patients with CF, obligation to identify the causative bacteria and determining their antibiotic resistance pattern is crucial. The purpose of this project was to detect Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) isolated from sputa of CF patients and to determine their antibiotic resistance pattern., Materials and Methods: The sputum of 52 CF patients, treated as inpatients at hospitals in Tehran, was obtained between November 2011 and June 2012. Samples cultured in selective and non-selective media and GNB recognized by biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and carbapenems was performed by disk diffusion method and MICs of them were measured. For phenotypic detection of carbapenemase and ESBLs production, the Modified Hodge test, double disk synergy test and the combined disk methods were performed. Subsequently, the genes encoding the extended spectrum beta-lactamases (blaPER, blaCTX-M) and carbapenemases (blaIMP-1, blaGES, blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM-1, blaVIM-2, blaSPM, blaSIM) in Gram negative bacteria were targeted among the resistant isolates by using PCR. PFGE was used to determine any genetic relationship among the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from these patients., Results: Fifty five GNB were isolated from 52 sputum samples including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella ozaenae, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans, Achromobacter denitrificans, Klebsiella pneumonia and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The rates of resistance to different antibiotic were as follows: cefixime (%80), ceftriaxone (%43), ceftazidime (%45) and meropenem (%7). The prevalence of genes encoding the ESBLs and Carbapenemases among the the phenotypically positive strains were as follows: blaCTX-M (19), blaIMP-1 (2), blaVIM-1 (2) and blaVIM-2 (3) genes respectively. No other genes were detected. PFGE analysis revealed 8 genotypes. Six isolates had mutually 3 similar patterns., Conclusion: This study showed the existence of important ESBLs and carbapenemases genes among the GNB isolated from patients with CF. Continuous surveillance of ESBLs and Carbapenemases, also identification of their types, in bacteria isolated from these patients have an important clinical impact, since, it can often provide valuable information for effective infection control measures and for the choice of appropriate antimicrobial therapy.