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Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease of the lung and lymphatic system that primarily affects women of childbearing age. LAM is a progressive disease with a terrible prognosis, which worsens over time and is extremely difficult to treat. In this study, we discuss the case of a 31-year-old woman with LAM who was initially misdiagnosed with leiomyoma and the way that led to a true diagnosis and effective treatment. Following a precise diagnosis based on comprehensive clinical data and particular immunohistochemical tests, sirolimus treatment was initiated, and the patient entirely responded to the treatment. This case report demonstrated that LAM is an uncommon condition that is challenging to diagnose, which causes its treatment to be delayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic air pollutants are one of the most agent that have many acute, chronic and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on human health under long or short-term exposure has been raised from the past to the present. The aim of this study was investigation effect of long-term exposure to toxic air pollutants on the increased risk of malignant brain tumors. Databases used to for searched were the PubMed, Web of Science, Springer and Science Direct (Scopus) and Google Scholar. 71 papers based on abstract and article text filtered. In the end after sieve we selected 7 papers. Identify all relevant studies published 1970–2022. The literature showed that exposure to toxic air pollutants and their respiration can cause disorders in different parts of the brain by transmission through the circulatory system and other mechanisms. Various unpleasant abnormalities are caused by the inhalation of toxic air pollutants in the human body that some of the most common of them include chronic lung disease, coronary heart disease and heart attacks, strokes and brain diseases (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and multiple Sclerosis), cancers (liver, blood, prostate and brain) and eventually death. According to the finding brain health and proper functioning can be easily disrupted by various genetic or external factors such as air pollution, causing a wide range of abnormalities in the brain and malignant brain tumors. The results of this study showed that reducing the concentration of toxic pollutants in the air, that exposure to them play an increasing role in the development of brain diseases can slow down the process of abnormalities in the brain and will have significant impacts on reducing the number of people affected by them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a highly prevalent microorganism and risk factor for gastric cancer. In this study, we evaluated the serum levels of PIVKA-II in patients with and without H. pylori. Methods: This study was performed on 90 patients (45 with H. pylori infection and 45 in the control group). After recording demographic information, serum levels of PIVKA-II were measured by the ELISA method. Results: We found no significant difference in PIVKA-II levels between all patients with and without H. pylori infection (P=0.08), but among individuals below 40, H. pylori infection was associated with significantly lower serum PIVKA levels in patients vs. controls (P=0.026). Among men, H. pylori infection was associated with a significantly lower serum PIVKA level than controls (P=0.038). Among all H. pylori-infected patients, females had higher PIVKA levels than males (P=0.037). Conclusion: Our results indicate that (i) serum PIVKA-II levels are lower in H. pylori-infected individuals under 40 and men than in non-infected controls, and ii) among all H. pylori-infected patients, serum PIVKA-II levels are lower in men than women and in those under 40 years of age compared to those 40 or above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of early diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection to treat and follow up this disease has led to many advances in diagnostic techniques and materials. Conventional diagnostic tests are not very useful, especially in the early stages of infection; it is therefore suggested that nanomaterials can enhance them by changing and strengthening their performance for a more accurate and rapid diagnosis. Electrochemical immunosensors with unique features such as miniaturization, low cost, specificity, and simplicity have become a convenient and vital tool in the rapid diagnosis of hepatitis B. Different strategies have been presented, such as graphene oxide and gold nanorods [GO-GNRs], graphene oxide [GO], copper metal-organic framework/ electrochemically reduced graphene oxide [Cu-MOF/ErGO] composite, label-free graphene oxide/Fe3O4/Prussian Blue [GO/Fe3O4/PB] immunosensor, and graphene oxide-ferrocene-CS/Au [ GO-Fc-CS/Au] nanoparticle layered electrochemical immunosensor. In this review, we discuss a group of the most widely used nanostructures, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, which are used to develop electrochemical immunosensors for the early diagnosis of the hepatitis B virus., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Tegument protein pp150 of cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) plays a vital role in all stages of viral life cycle, representing the most important tegument protein candidate for HCMV treatment. However, the exact role of pp150 in immune regulation is yet to be elucidated., Objective: To examine the effects of pp150 on the maturity and function of murine dendritic cells (DCs)., Methods: Maturity status (CD40, CD86, and MHC-II expression) and phagocytic capacity of DCs (dextran uptake assay) were characterized. Gene expression profiles of ROR-γ, GATA-3, T-bet, and FOXP-3 as well as the protein expression of INF-γ (Th1), IL-4 (Th2), IL-35 (Treg), IL-17A (Th17), IL-22, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-2 were evaluated in T cells co-cultured with DCs., Results: A significant increase in CD40, CD86, and CCR7 expression and a reduction in the phagocytosis rate were observed in pp150-stimulated DCs compared with unstimulated DCs. T cells co-cultured with stimulated DCs showed higher expressions of ROR-γ, IL-6, IL-2, IL-17A, IL-22, and TNF-α., Conclusion: Despite improvements in maturity status, pp150-stimulated DCs did not seem to be able to induce Th1 or Th2 immunity. In fact, Th17 and its mediators, IL-17A and IL-22, might be the main inflammatory factors involved in pp150-stimulated DC's mechanism of action. However, it is necessary to conduct further investigations to corroborate these observations.

Background: Stimulated dendritic cells (DCs) have been shown to be effective in the induction of specific immune cells. Also, the CMV pp65 plays an important role in CMV life cycle and immune recognition., Objective: To assess the effect of CMV pp65 on the maturity and function of dendritic cells., Methods: Splenic DCs were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of the pp65 and analyzed for MHC II, CD86, and CD40 expression by flow cytometry. Then, ROR-γ, GATA3, T-bet, and FOXP3 gene expression levels were evaluated in T cells co-cultured with DCs using Real time-PCR. Finally, the effects of pp65 on allogenic T-cell responses in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLR), and the release of cytokines were investigated by ELISA and flow cytometry., Results: The phagocytosis rate was significantly lower in the pp65-treated DCs than the non-stimulated DCs. There were significant differences in the raised level of CD40, CD86, and CCR7 in DCs as maturation markers. Furthermore, ROR-γ, and T-bet overexpression in T cells of the pp65-treated group compared with the non-stimulated group was observed. Significant differences were observed in the levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, IL-22, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in pp65-stimulated groups compared with the non-stimulated DCs., Conclusions: The pp65-treated DCs can induce differentiation and functional activity of the cellular immune system, including Th17, and Th1, but not other major T-cell subsets such as Tregs, and Th2 population.