miRNA-binding site polymorphism in IL-15RA gene in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with disease risk and clinical characteristics

Clinical Rheumatology - MiRSNPs may interfere with mRNA stability through effects on microRNAs (miRNAs)-mRNA interactions via direct changes in miRNA binding site or effect on the secondary...     

Amyopathic dermatomyositis: retrospective review of 37 cases

Criteria for diagnosis of amyopathic dermatomyositis vary, and the prognosis is not clear. Our purpose was to investigate prognosis regarding progression to myositis and associated malignancy. We reviewed the medical records of patients with dermatomyositis evaluated at our institution from 1976 to 1994. Of 746 patients with dermatomyositis, 37 (5%) with the amyopathic subtype were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (73%), no subjective or objective evidence of myopathy; group 2 (13%), no subjective muscle weakness but abnormalities detected by objective tests; group 3 (13%), subjective muscle weakness but no objective evidence of myopathy. Follow-up was conducted by means of a mailed questionnaire. For 25 patients, follow-up of 1 to 17 years after diagnosis showed muscle weakness in 2 patients in group 1 within 5 years after diagnosis. Five patients (13%) had associated malignancies. Of 7 (19%) patients with disease onset before the age of 18 years, none had progression to myopathy. Although it presents with cutaneous lesions indistinguishable from those of classic dermatomyositis, amyopathic dermatomyositis is a distinct entity. In most patients, amyopathic dermatomyositis does not progress to myopathy. Prognosis appears favorable, but malignancy may develop.     

How often do patients undergo repeat PET or PET/CT examinations? Experience from a UK institution

BACKGROUND AND AIM: According to the report of the Intercollegiate Standing Committee on Nuclear Medicine, the UK requires 40-60 positron emission tomography (PET) machines in the next decade (Intercollegiate Standing Committee on Nuclear Medicine). Positron Emission Tomography: a Strategy for Provision in the UK. London: Royal College of Physicians of London; 2003, pp. 1-9). This figure is based mainly on patients receiving only one examination and restricting the clinical indication to three primary diagnoses. The aim of this study was to assess the appropriateness of this figure and the assumptions made in the Intercollegiate report on UK PET provision. METHODS: We examined retrospectively our institution's entire PET and PET/computed tomography (CT) database, which spans 4 years and 9 months. We recorded the number of patients who received repeat examinations. RESULTS: Reports were available for 3354 PET/CT or PET-only studies; 418 of 2268 patients (18.4%) received at least one repeat PET/CT examination. The three main indications for PET examination in the Intercollegiate report only accounted for approximately 60% of the examinations undertaken. CONCLUSION: Our records suggest that basing the UK's future PET provision on a single examination and on three clinical indications only is no longer realistic.     

High Prevalence of AmpC β-Lactamases in Clinical Isolates of Escherichia coli in Ilam,Iran

Objectives

Widespread use of β-lactam antibiotics could cause resistance to this group of antibiotics in pathogenic bacteria through the production of the enzyme β-lactamases. The aim of this study is to determine the molecular detection of AmpC β-lactamases among clinical Escherichia coli isolated from Ilam hospitals in Ilam, Iran.

Methods

One hundred and twelve clinical isolates of E. coli were collected from hospitalized patients and were identified by biochemical tests. They were evaluated for extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) production, and the positive strains were subjected to AmpC enzymes; for detection of AmpC cluster genes, multiplex polymerase chain reaction was applied.

Results

The analysis showed 62.5% of isolates were ESBLs positive and that five strains revealed the AmpC cluster genes. This is the first report of FOXM cluster genes in E. coli in Iran.

Conclusion

Based on our results, the prevalence of AmpC β-lactamases is increasing in Iran, which caused failure in antibiotic therapy. So, the current study recommended the revision of antibiotic policy in Iranian hospitals.     

The evaluation of hepatitis C virus core antigen in immunized BALB/c mice

Background

Hepatitis infection represents one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, however there is not any effective vaccine against hepatitis C which is one of the significant problems in vaccine project.

Objectives

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of HCV core protein in inducing IFN-Gamma secretion and TCL activities as a vaccine in Balb/C mice.

Material and Methods

Our previous cloned plasmid (HCV Core gene into pETDuet-1) applied for protein expression in bacteria. The expressed and purified recombinant protein together with Freund’s adjuvant was injected to 15 Balb/c mice. The total IgG and IgG2a of immunized mice sera were evaluated after a week. Two weeks after booster injection, we studied the proliferation and IFNγ secretion of spleens, inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes lymphocytes by ELISA and ELISPOT.

Results

The FSFC (Frequency of spot forming cells) of secreting cells of immunized mice with HCV/Core protein and sera IgG2a were considerably higher than the control groups.

Conclusions

The core protein together with proper adjuvant can be a candidate vaccine against of HCV infection.     

Circulating levels of the miRNAs,miR-194, and miR-29b,as clinically useful biomarkers for colorectal cancer

Tumor Biology - The microRNAs (miRNAs), miR-194 and miR-29b, have been shown to downregulate in colorectal cancer (CRC) and may identify and classify CRC patients as compared with those in control...