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Background: Migraine is a complex neurological disorder. The precise etiology of migraine is not clear. Many studies have been conducted on the association of the immune system with migraine pathophysiology. Neurogenic inflammation, the main pathomechanism of migraine, is well described. This study evaluated the pattern of changes in interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in migraine patients. Methods: In this case-control study, serum samples were taken from 31 migraine patients referred to the neurology clinics of medical centers associated with Arak University of Medical Sciences. The severity of the headache was assessed with standard questionnaires. Serum samples were also obtained from 30 normal individuals. The IL-1β and IL-17A levels were measured by a sensitive ELISA method. TAC was measured by the FRAP technique, and lipid peroxidation levels were evaluated by an MDA assay. Data were analyzed descriptively and analytically using SPSS 21 software. Results: The results showed that the mean level of IL-1β in the case group was significantly higher than the control group (P=0.01). The mean level of IL-17A was not significantly different in the two groups. The mean serum MDA level in the study group was significantly higher than in the controls (P=0.005). No statistical difference was observed in the mean serum level of TAC between the two groups. Conclusion: According to our results, the pathogenesis of migraine can be associated with immune system function, and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production may be effective in treating migraine patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Exosomes are nano-sized structures with lipid bilayer membranes that can be secreted by cancer cells. They play an important role in the biology of the tumor extracellular matrix. Exosomes may contain and transfer tumor antigens to dendritic cells to trigger T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses. Materials and Methods: BALB/c mice bearing CT26 colorectal cancer were treated subcutaneously with purified exosomes from analogous tumor cells. The mice were analyzed with respect to tumor size, survival, and anti-tumor immunity responses, including gene expression of cytokines and flowcytometry analysis of T lymphocytes. Results: The rate of tumor size growth in the exosome-treated group significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the flow cytometry results showed a significant reduction in the spleen regulatory T cells (Tregs) count of the exosome-treated group, compared with the untreated group (P=0.02). Although the increase in the serum level of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and the number of cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the spleen tissue was not significant (P>0.05), the gene expression of IFN-γ increased significantly (P=0.006). Conclusion: The present results revealed that subcutaneous administration of tumor-derived exosomes could effectively lead to the inhibition of tumor progression by decreasing the number of Treg cells and up-regulation of the IFN-γ gene. Therefore, tumor-derived exosomes can be used as potential vaccines in cancer immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Therapeutic approaches for multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), are accompanied by various undesirable side effects. Owing to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of walnut, we investigated its effects on the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS. Methods: After EAE induction in mice, the treated group was gavaged daily with walnut oil. The weights and clinical symptoms were monitored daily for 21 days following the onset of symptoms. The spleens and brains of the mouse were removed and used for ELISA and histological studies. Results: The average disease severity and plaque formation in the brains of the walnut oil-treated group were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the untreated group. Stimulated splenocytes of the treated group expressed significantly less INF-γ and interleukin (IL)-17 than the untreated group with no significant differences in IL-10 or IL-5 production. In serum from the treated group, IL-17 expression was also significantly less than in the untreated group, while IL-10 was greater (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Walnut oil significantly reduced disease severity, inhibited plaque formation, and altered cytokine production. More studies are required to identify the mechanism of action of walnut oil as a valuable supplement in the treatment of MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purification of Schwann cells has proven to be a difficult process, with most methods requiring the use of special equipment. However, obtaining a sufficient number and high purity of Schwann cells is an integral aspect in their use for clinical application. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a simple and effective protocol for the isolation and purification of Schwann cells from the sciatic nerve of C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, we aimed to provide a protocol for the isolation of exosomes from these cells. Methods: To purify Schwann cells, we used a combination of in situ nerve pre-degeneration and fetal bovine serum. To determine the most effective method of cell purification, we treated the culture with varying concentrations of fetal bovine serum and examined which concentration provided the highest Schwann cell purity. Exosomes were then isolated from Schwann cells through a process of repeated centrifugation and filtration steps. Results: We were able to increase the purified population of Schwann cells from C57BL/6 mice by reducing the concentration of FBS. The purity of Schwann cells at FBS concentrations of 10%, 5%, and 2% were 93.42%, 91.25%, and 97.83%, respectively. Conclusions:When using a concentration of 2% FBS, we obtained the highest purification yield of Schwann cells. Our protocol does not require special equipment or materials. We have created a protocol that is simple, fast, and safe while providing a high yield of purified Schwann cells. The exosome isolation method described in this paper is an appropriate approach with a high quality and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Resistance to Fluroquinolones drugs are increasingly expanded. A molecular method was designed and compared for rapid detection of resistance to ofloxacin in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Materials and methods: From 136 M. tuberculosis clinical isolates, 41 strains were used for comparison of detection of mutations associated with resistance in gyrA gene by Allele Specific-PCR (AS PCR). Specific internal primers were designed for detecting any changes in 90, 91 and 94 codons. Sequencing method was accomplished for evaluation of the results as gold standard. Results: AS-PCR method could detect mutations by formation or not formation of internal bounds and had good performance. Totally, from 37 strains phenotypically resistant to ofloxacine 32 strains were mutant and 5 strains were non mutant that have Sensitivity and specificity, 86/11% and 100%, respectively. Sequence results were concordant by results molecular methods. Discussion and conclusion: Results of the study showed that AS-PCR method could be used as a routine test for fast detection of resistance to fluroquinolones in M. tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]