Iran with an area of 1.648 million km2 is located between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. The Iranian population consists of multiethnic groups that have been influenced by various invasions and migration throughout history. Studies have revealed the presence of more than 47 different β-globin gene mutations responsible for β-Thalassemia in Iran. This paper is an attempt to study the origin of β-Thalassemia mutations in different parts of Iran. Distribution of β-Thalassemia mutations in Iran shows different patterns in different areas. β-Thalassemia mutations have been a reflection of people and area in correlation with migration and origin of ancestors. We compared the frequencies of β-globin mutations in different regions of Iran with those derived from neighboring countries. The analysis provided evidence of complementary information about the genetic admixture and migration of some mutations, as well as the remarkable genetic classification of the Iranian people and ethnic groups.

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Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells and their cytokine gene expressions in splenocytes of control mice, ovalbumin sensitized (S), and S treated with dexamethasone and carvacrol during a sensitization period were examined. Th2and Th17 population as well as the gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β were increased, but Th1, Th1/Th2 ratio, the gene expression of IFN-γ and FOXP3 as well as the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio were decreased in S compared with control group (P < 0.001 for all cases). Carvacrol treatment caused significant reduction of Th2 and Th17 population as well as gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β but increase in Treg cells, Th1/Th2 ratio, gene expressions of FOXP3, IFN-γ, and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The population of Th1, Th2, Th17 cells as well as the gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β were significantly decreased, but only Treg was increased in the dexamethasone treatment group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Carvacrol treatment during the sensitization period showed a more specific effect on Th1/Th2 imbalance in sensitized mice than dexamethasone, which may indicate the therapeutic potentials of carvacrol in disorders associated with Th1/Th2 imbalance such as asthma. K E Y W O R D Sanimal model, asthma, carvacrol, cytokines, flow cytometry

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.

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Ionising radiation can cause different forms of DNA damage in living cells. Changes in biomarkers due to exposure to ionising radiation can be an appropriate tool for the immediate recognition of individuals exposed to radiation after a radiological accident or nuclear disaster. QPCR technique, as an approved method, was used for analysing the expression levels of sensitive genes following radiation exposure. Gene expression studies were performed on a group of 36 radiation workers and 36 matched-normal people without a history of radiation exposure. Mean gene expression values for control and irradiated groups were compared. There was significant difference between the mean gene expression of IFNg (p < 0.05), also significant difference was observed between the gene expression of TGFb1 (p < 0.05) in normal and irradiated groups. The logistic regression model is able to correctly identify 72.2% of irradiated samples (sensitivity) and 80.6% of normal samples (specificity). He has been advisor to many MSc and PhD student and has published over 50 scientific papers, and presented more than 50 oral and poster presentations at international conferences. He is co-author of two books written in Persian (medical physics and computed tomography) and co-translator of a book on radiation protection.

These results give the most direct evidence to date that GABAA receptors composed of the detected subunits are expressed in the mammalian vestibular system, giving new support to previous investigations implicating GABA as a vestibular neurotransmitter.