Human Antibodies - Volume 28, issue 1

Authors: Abdurahman, Ahmed Abdulahi | Bule, Mohammed | Azadbakhat, Leyla | Fallahyekta, Masoume | Parouhan, Ali | Qorbani, Mostefa | Dorosty, Ahmad Reza

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the association between dietary quality measured by inflammatory potential of a diet and Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), and obesity-related metabolic risks in a representative sample of Iranian obese adults. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 obese adults. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Diet quality was measured using AHEI-2010 and Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (EDIP) scores. RESULTS: Those in the upper quartile of AHEI-2010 were associated with lower serum level of triglycerides (TG), and …higher body mass index (BMI), compared to participants in the lower quartile. Those in the higher quartile of EDIP score were associated with higher serum level of TG. Greater adherence to AHEI-2010 had 70% lower odds of high fasting blood glucose (FBG), compared with those in the first quartile [Q4 vs Q1: OR, 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1–0.8), p trend = 0.02] Those in the highest quartile of EDIP score had a 60% higher odds of high diastolic blood pressure, compared with those in the lowest quartile [Q4 vs Q1: OR, 2.4 (95% CI: 1.1–5.5), p trend = 0.05] after controlling for potential covariates. CONCLUSIONS: High diet quality incorporating more anti-inflammatory diet may have a potential benefit in reducing obesity-related metabolic risks. Show more

Keywords: Alternative Healthy Eating Index, Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern, diet quality, metabolic risks

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190387

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2020

Authors: Erhabor, O. | Muhammad, Ado Dakata | Adias, T.C. | Ahmed, Y. | Erhabor, T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pregnancy induces a number of physiologic changes either directly or indirectly that affect the haematologic parameters. The most frequent haematologic complication associated with pregnancy is anaemia and thrombocytopenia. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the prevalence of anaemia and thrombocytopenia among one hundred and twenty consecutively-recruited pregnant subjects and sixty age-matched non-pregnant controls. METHOD: Socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained using a questionnaire. Three milliliters of blood were obtained from both the pregnant subjects and non-pregnant controls and distributed into EDTA and used for full blood count was …determined using the fully automated Mythic 18 3-part differential haematology analyzer. RESULT: The socio-demographic distribution among the subjects showed that the age group 25–29 years had the higher number of participants 41 (34.2%) followed by 30–34 years 39 (32.5%). Distribution based on socio-demography indicated that majority of the subjects were of Hausa ethnic group 47 (78.3), had no formal or Islamic education 53 (44.2%) and predominantly housewives 74 (61.7%). Distribution based on obstetric variables indicated that majority of the subjects were multiparous 86 (71.7%), had no problem in their previous pregnancies 99 (82.5%) and are not having problem in this current pregnancy 109 (90.8%). The HBG and HCT were significantly lower among the pregnant subjects compared to controls (p = 0.05 and 0.0308) respectively. The prevalence of anaemia and thrombocytopenia among the pregnant subjects was 75% and 6.7% respectively. The prevalence of anaemia (80%) and thrombocytopenia (8.0%) was higher among pregnant women in the second trimester compared to those in the first and third trimesters. CONCLUSION: The values obtained from this research showed an increase in prevalence of anaemia and thrombocytopenia among pregnant women compared to the non-pregnant controls. It is vital to routinely monitor the indices of anaemia and thrombocytopenia among pregnant women to reduce the incidence of these diseases and of their complications. Show more

Keywords: Anaemia, thrombocytopenia, pregnant women, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, North Western Nigeria

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190388

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 11-19, 2020

Authors: Erhabor, Osaro | Abdulrahaman, Abdullahi | Erhabor, Tosan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Malaria in pregnancy is a major contributor to adverse maternal and prenatal outcome. In hyper endemic areas like ours, it is a common cause of anaemia in pregnancy and is aggravated by poor socioeconomic circumstance. This study evaluated the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time of malaria parasitized pregnant women. METHOD: A total of 90 pregnant women participated in the study, 60 of which were malaria positive and 30 of which were malaria negative. Participants were recruited from the antenatal Clinic of Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain …some socio-demographic characteristics of subjects. Blood samples were collected in ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid and examined for malaria parasite and platelet count while citrated samples were used for the determination of some haemostatic parameters (prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time). Data generated was analyzed using SPSS 25.0 statistical package. A p -value ⩽ 0.05 was considered significant in all statistical comparisons. RESULT: There was a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.000) in the platelet counts of the parasitized subjects compared to the non-parasitized controls. We observed a significant prolongation on both the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time among the parasitized subjects compared to the non-parasitized controls (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that malaria in pregnancy causes a significant decrease in the platelet count and prolongation in the prothrombin (PT) and the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). There is need for the malaria and haemostatic parameters to be assayed routinely on pregnant women particularly those presenting to antenatal clinic with febrile illness. Show more

Keywords: Malaria, haemostatic parameters, pregnant women, African descent, Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190389

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 21-28, 2020

Authors: Mir, Manzoor A. | Mehraj, Umar | Sheikh, Bashir Ahmad | Hamdani, Syed Suhail

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Antibodies represent a well-established class of clinical diagnostics for medical applications as well as essential research and biotechnological tools. Although both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are indispensable reagents in basic research and diagnostics but both of them have their limitations. Hence, there is urgent need to develop strategies aimed at production of alternative scaffolds and recombinant antibodies of smaller dimensions that could be easily produced, selected and manipulated. Unlike conventional antibodies, members of Camelidae and sharks produce antibodies composed only of heavy chains with small size, high solubility, thermal stability, refolding capacity and good tissue penetration in vivo . The …discovery of these naturally occurring antibodies having only heavy-chain in Camelidae family and their further development into small recombinant nanobodies represents an attractive alternative in drug delivery, diagnostics and imaging. Nanobody derivatives are soluble, stable, versatile, have unique refolding capacities, reduced aggregation tendencies and high-target binding capabilities. They can be genetically customized to target enzymes, transmembrane proteins or molecular interactions. Their ability to recognize recessed antigenic sites has been attributed to their smaller size and the ability of the extended CDR3 loop to quickly penetrate into such epitopes. With the advent of molecular engineering and phage display technology, they can be of potential use in molecular imaging, drug delivery and therapeutics for several major diseases. In this review we present the recent advances in nanobodies for modulating immune functions, for targeting cancers, viruses, toxins and microbes as well as their utility as diagnostic and biosensor tools. Show more

Keywords: Recombinant antibodies, nanobody, drug delivery, cancer, diagnostics, chimeric, humanized antibodies, immunoaffinity chromatography, site directed mutagenesis

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190390

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 29-51, 2020

Authors: Khazaei, Mojtaba | Davoodian, Arezou | Taheri, Mohammad | Ghafouri-Fard, Soudeh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: One of the concerns in patients with acute ischemic stroke with former history of taking antiplatelet drugs is the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage following venous thrombolysis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of previous administration of antiplatelet drugs on adverse outcomes of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: In this study, 46 patients with the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke were recruited. Patients were assessed in a period of three hours after stroke and received the standard dose of tPA (0.9 mg/kg). History of antiplatelet …drugs, risk factors, demographic information and stroke severity were collected. The severity of the stroke was determined by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The outcome was assessed using the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) and Barthel Index (BI) in the days one, 14 and 90. RESULTS: Patients with history of antiplatelet drugs had an increased rate of intracranial hemorrhage [odds ratio (95% CI) = 7.3 (1.3–40.5)]. Stroke severity scores were higher in patients receiving antiplatelet drugs than the other group at discharge day and day 90. In both groups, the severity of the disease decreased with time. Mortality rate was 42.1% in patients received antiplatelet drugs and 18.5% in the other group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, patients with acute ischemic stroke and history of taking antiplatelet drugs have poor outcome following administration of standard dose of tPA. Show more

Keywords: tPA, antiplatelet drug, intracerebral hemorrhage

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190391

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 53-56, 2020

Authors: Dashti, Sepideh | Taherian-Esfahani, Zahra

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cancer-germline genes are a class of genes that are normally expressed in testis, trophoblast and few somatic tissues but abnormally expressed in tumor tissues. Their expression signature indicates that they can induce cellular immune responses, thus being applied as targets in cancer immunotherapy. OBJECTIVES: To obtain the data of cellular immune responses against cancer-germline genes in cancer. METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline with the key words cancer-germline antigen, cancer-testis antigen, CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell and cancer. RESULTS: About 40 cancer-germline genes have …been shown to induce T cell specific responses in cancer patients. Melanoma, lung and breast cancer are among the mostly assessed cancer types. Several epitopes have been identified which can be used in immunotherapy of cancer. CONCLUSION: Cellular immune responses against cancer-germline genes are indicative of appropriateness of these genes as therapeutic targets. Show more

Keywords: Cancer-germline gene, cancer-testis antigen, immune response, T cell, cancer

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190392

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 57-64, 2020

Authors: Alidoost, Saeideh | Habibi, Mohsen | Noormohammadi, Zahra | Hosseini, Jalil | Azargashb, Eznollah | Pouresmaeili, Farkhondeh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) as the first men’s common cancer in the world and the third cancer in Iranian men is a heterogeneous disorder which sometimes several biopsies are needed for its diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of current study is finding new biomarkers in order to diagnose of PCa at the earliest possible stage. Hence, the relationship between rs1800629 and rs361525 polymorphisms of TNF-α gene with PCa was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood DNA samples were collected from 100 patients with PCa, 110 with BPH, and 110 controls. Collected …samples were examined using PCR-RFLP and Tetra-ARMS-PCR techniques to detect the desired polymorphisms. RESULTS: The frequency of rs1800629 genotypes in smokers was significantly different from non-smokers with PCa (p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis results showed that GA heterozygotes in comparison to GG homozygotes had higher risk of developing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer. However, no significant correlation was considered between the risk of PCa and the TNF-α gene polymorphisms (rs1800629 and rs361525). CONCLUSIONS: Although, the achieved results of this investigation demonstrated that the two examined genetic variants do not seem to be suitable markers for early diagnosis of prostate cancer in this pilot study; however increased risk for the disease is shown in GA heterozygotes and smokers which is indicative of some epigenetic factors influence on prostate cancer etiology. Show more

Keywords: Prostate cancer, benign prostate hyperplasia, TNF-α polymorphism

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190397

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 65-74, 2020

Authors: Alemayehu, Yisak Hagos | Seylania, Khatereh | Bahramnezhad, Fatemeh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Various studies have highlighted the correlates to health literacy and quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis therapy. However, evidence of how these two outcomes could influence each other is not clear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the correlation between health literacy and quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis. METHODS: This is an integrative review of correlational studies. This study conforms to the preferred reporting items for integrative reviews described by Whitemore and Knafl. We search for studies reporting on the correlation of health literacy and quality of life among …patients receiving hemodialysis in six databases, that is PubMed, Web of Science/Knowledge, Scopus and Embase, Google Scholar and Ovid MEDLINE. RESULTS: In this review five studies were included after screening them against the inclusion criteria. Two studies were identified from Iran, and one study was identified each from Australia, Turkey, and the USA. Most studies were descriptive comparative in nature, while two studies were experimental. Shayan’s study had the highest number of participants. This study reports on 1,063 patients receiving dialysis. Most studies were conducted at different centers. Findings from three studies showed that there was a significant relationship between health literacy and quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between health literacy and quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis. Conclusively, addressing health literacy may improve the quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis. Show more

Keywords: Health literacy, quality of life, hemodialysis, integrative review, health-related quality of life, renal dialysis, kidney disease, End Stage Renal Disease

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190394

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 75-81, 2020

Authors: Fatehi, Razieh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Two classes of T helper lymphocytes, Th1 and Th2, have different roles in B cell activation based on specific cytokines. To understand the difference of molecular mechanisms of B cell activation, the microarray dataset of B cells co-cultured with type 1 and 2 T helper, Be1 and Be2, were investigated. After quality assessment, using the GEO2R tool, the GSE84948 dataset was re-analyzed. Genes with adjusted p -value ⩽ 0.05 were assumed as differentially expressed (DE). The protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using CluePedia plugin of Cytoscape, and analyzed by NetworkAnalyzer tool and MCODE plugin. …Using ClueGO plugin of Cytoscape software, gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed. The comparison of Be1 and Be2 cells with naive B cells revealed 8742 and 8748 DE genes, respectively. The topology analysis of PPI networks predicted central genes. Among these, Jak3, Actrt3, and Pik3cb genes were determined as crucial genes in Be1 network. Prkx, Smarca4, and Jak2 genes were defined as critical genes in Be2 PPI network. GO analysis with PPI networks genes resulted in the promotion of immune system activation. In conclusion, we explored holistic methods for molecular assay of the difference between B cell activation mechanisms with Th1 and Th2. Show more

Keywords: T-Lymphocytes, helper-Inducer, cytokines, microarray, protein interaction network, gene ontology

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190393

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 83-87, 2020