Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 1 28 Marziyeh Soltani Student Research Committee, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Yousef Mirzaei Department of Medical Biochemical Analysis, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Ali Hussein Mer Department of Nursing, Mergasour Technical Institute, Erbil Polytechnic University, Erbil, Iraq Mina Mohammad-Rezaei Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zahra Shafaghat Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Soheila Fattahi Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Fatemeh Azadegan-Dehkordi Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Meghdad Abdollahpour-Alitappeh Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran Nader Bagheri Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran 2023 07 27 2023 09 21 Schizophrenia is one of the most severely debilitating mental disorders that affects 1.1% of the world's population. The exact cause of the disease is not known, but genetics, environmental factors (such as infectious agents, season and region of birth, exposure to viruses, low birth weight, advanced paternal age, and tobacco), and immune system dysfunction can all contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Recently, the role of the immune system in schizophrenia has received much attention. Both acquired and innate immune systems are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and facilitate the disease's progression. Almost all cells of the immune system including microglia, B cells, and T cells play an important role in the blood-brain barrier damage, inflammation, and in the progression of this disease. In schizophrenia, the integrity of the blood-brain barrier is reduced and then the immune cells are recruited into the endothelium following an increase in the expression of cell adhesion molecules. The entry of immune cells and cytokines leads to inflammation and antibody production in the brain. Accordingly, the results of this study strengthen the hypothesis that the innate and acquired immune systems are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3889 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3889/1997

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 122 126 Oscar Zaveleta Martínez Maternal and Children's Hospital ISSEMYM, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico Ana Eunice Fregoso-Zuñiga Children's Hospital of Morelia, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico Cielo Razo Requena Immunodeficiencies Laboratory, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico Sara Espinosa Padilla Immunodeficiencies Laboratory, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico Lzbeth Blancas Galicia Immunodeficiencies Laboratory, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico 2023 09 18 2023 11 11 Actinrelated protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B (ARPC1B) deficiency is an inborn error of immunity (IEI) characterized by a combination of immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation and classified as an IEI with allergic manifestations. Here, we describe two patients with pathogenic variants in the ARPC1B gene. The first patient presented with eczema and bronchospasm at six months of age. The second patient presented with eczema and milk protein allergy at five months of age. The c.899_944 (p.Glu300Glyfs*7) pathogenic variant was previously described, whereas the c.863del (p.Pro288Leufs*9) variant was novel. ARPC1B deficiency should be considered because of the severe allergic manifestations at an early age. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3918 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3918/2032

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 29 51 Mojgan Zareivenovel Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Leila Nemati-Anaraki Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali Ouchi Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Student Research Committee, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Paramedicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Maryam Nourizadeh Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Children's Medical Center Hospital, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Motahareh Aghashahi Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Student Research Committee, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2023 06 19 2023 11 12 This study aimed to present a bibliometric and altmetric Analyses of the Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (IJAAI). The citation performance and altmetric data were extracted from Scopus and Altmetric Explorer, respectively. Analyses were done using SPSS 26, Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. The results of the bibliometric analysis revealed that IJAAI had experienced respectable growth. Among the total citations, 4746 citations belong to the first decade (2005-2014) and 3,035 citations belong to the second (2015-2022). The findings demonstrated the significance of IJAAI among Iranian researchers. Pourpak, Z (66; 6.57%) is the top-producing author in IJAAI. The examination of research institutions reveals that the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) is ranked first. The most highly cited article in IJAAI over the past 18 years is a review article which has received 138 citations. IJAAI is ranked first at the citing source and journal level, with the most citations (249 citations) to IJAAI. Iran has collaborated with 13 other countries. Overall, the analysis of co-occurred keywords indicates that IJAAI authors have used the following three high-frequency and important keywords: Asthma (162), Inflammation (48), and Multiple sclerosis (40). Co-citation analysis results demonstrated that a total of 6,718 sources were cited in this journal. The results of the altmetric analysis show that IJAAI has a reasonably low presence across various social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Wikipedia, Mendeley, news and blogs. This study aids researchers in exploring and identifying emerging trends in the fields of allergy, asthma, and immunology. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3859 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3859/2012

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 52 58 Yan Li Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China Haiqing Xiao Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China Yinhui Zeng Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China Yiquan Tang Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China Lifeng Zhou Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China Wenlong Liu Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China 2022 09 16 2023 10 14 Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) has confirmed its efficacy in improving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. However, no reliable biomarkers have been identified to predict the efficacy of AIT were found. We aimed to find clinical and immunological markers to predict efficacy in children after 2 years of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). A total of 285 children diagnosed with allergic rhinitis were recruited. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparing endpoint and baseline symptom and medication scores (SMS). Baseline clinical and immunological markers (serum total and specific immunoglobulin [Ig]E) and their correlation with clinical efficacy were analyzed. Of the 285 children recruited, 249 completed the 2-year SLIT program. After 2 years of SLIT, 68.3% of the children showed a significant response. Children in the Remarkable Response Group had the highest baseline SMS and most extended disease duration, followed by the Effective Relief and Unresponsive Group. Correlation analysis demonstrated that SMS improvement was positively correlated with baseline SMS (r=0.67) and disease duration (r=0.35). SMS improvement was not correlated with age, body mass index, total or specific IgE levels, or their ratios. Our results show that baseline SMS and disease duration can predict the efficacy of SLIT. Our study can guide the selection of suitable candidates for SLIT. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3657 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3657/2013

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 59 68 EN Mohammad Hasan Bemaniyan Department of Asthma and Allergy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Maryam Heidari Department of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Marzieh Tavakol Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Mohammad Nabavi Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hazrat-E-Rasoul Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Ramezani Kashal Department of Medical Sciences, Gilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Maryam Gholami Department of Medical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urumia, Iran Bita Bemaniyan Faculty of Humanities, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 2022 10 30 2023 07 31 Little is known about the quality of life of patients with anaphylaxis to Hymenoptera venom. The Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (VQLQ) is commonly used to assess the psychological burden of this condition. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of VQLQ. In this cross-sectional study, VQLQ was translated into Persian according to expert recommendations.  The final translated version of VQLQ was then administered to 115 patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy at an asthma and allergy clinic in Iran. More than half of the participants were between 20 and 40 years of age, and 60% were male. Fear, anxiety, and outdoor activities had the most significant impact on the quality of life of patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy. Additionally, quality of life was more affected in women than in men, while no correlation was found with age. Furthermore, the quality of life was affected by a history of acute anaphylactic shock due to Hymenoptera venom. The Persian version of VQLQ enables the measurement of quality of life in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy in the Iranian population. The inclusion of VQLQ in the initial evaluation of these patients may potentially guide allergist in providing support for venom-specific immunotherapy. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3688 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3688/2025

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 69 81 Negin Jafariaghdam Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Majid Khoshmirsafa Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Alireza Zamani Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Elahe Talebi-Ghane Modeling of noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Shadi Moradi Dept of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Faezeh Shahba Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mehrdokht Mazdeh Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Mohammad Mahdi Eftekharian Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran AND Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran 2023 12 09 2024 01 14 Parkinson's disease, the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder lacking a recognized etiology, is influenced by oxidative stress and alterations in inflammatory cytokine levels. This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of Interleukin(IL)1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP), IL1β, IL1α, IL33, and IL36 genes in blood cells and serum IL-1β levels in Parkinson's disease patients compared to healthy controls (HCs).I n this case-control study, 44 Parkinson's disease patients and 44 age- and sex-matched HCs were included. Gene expression levels were assessed using Quantitative Real-time PCR, and serum IL-1β levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Advanced statistical analyses using the Bayesian regression model in R software were employed. Parkinson's disease patients exhibited elevated expression levels of IL-1RAcP and IL1β genes  but decreased levels of IL1α, IL33, and IL36 compared to HCs. Age-based differences were not significant. Regarding gender, IL33 transcript levels were significantly higher in males, and serum IL-1β levels were increased in patients. Subgroup analysis by gender indicated alterations in IL1β and IL-1RAcP expression in both genders, while IL1α, IL33, and IL36 showed reduced expression only in males. Remarkably, only female patients displayed significantly higher serum IL-1β levels than female HCs. These findings suggest that dysregulation of immune-related factors plays a crucial role in Parkinson's disease. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3973 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3973/2026

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 82 96 Mona Talaschian Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Maryam Akhtari Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center (TPCRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahdi Mahmoudi Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Research Center for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Shayan Mostafaei 5 Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran Mohamadreza Jafary Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyyed Mostafa Jalali Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Kourosh Sadeghi Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Keivan Gohari Moghadam Pulmonary Ward, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hengameh Ansari Tadi Emergency ICU, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ahmadreza Jamshidi Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2022 09 18 2023 10 17 The severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased levels of blood interleukin (IL)-6. Therefore, it is hypothesized that modulating the levels or effects of IL-6  could diminish airway inflammation and alter the course of COVID-19. We conducted a controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial on hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 in Iran. The patients were randomly distributed by block randomization to take either standard-of-care (SOC) plus 1 or 2 doses of tocilizumab 8 mg/kg or SOC alone. The endpoint was defined by clinical improvement and discharge. We enrolled 40 patients (20 patients in each group) from 10 July to 10 December 2020. After randomization, 1 patient in the SOC arm and 3 patients in the tocilizumab arm refused to participate and were eliminated from the study. The mean age of participants was 59.62±15.80 in the tocilizumab group (8 women and 9 men) and 63.52±12.83 years old in the SOC group (9 women and 10 men) groups. The number of patients who recovered did not differ significantly between the tocilizumab and SOC groups (12 [70.6%][70.6%] vs. 15 [78.9%]), respectively). Hospitalization rates were also similar between the groups (Log-rank test, p=0.615; hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% C‎‎I [0.‎39–1.78]). The results show that tocilizumab could not be a beneficial agent for treating severe cases of COVID-19 patients and would not significantly improve clinical outcomes. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3658 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3658/2028

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 97 106 Neda Heidari Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hajar Abbasi-kenarsari Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Bahare Niknam Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali Asadirad 2 Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Davar Amani Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zahra Mirsanei Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Mahmood Hashemi Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2023 03 09 2023 11 24 Dendritic cells (DCs), professional antigen-presenting cells that process and deliver antigens using MHC II/I molecules, can be enhanced in numerous ways.  Exosomes derived from heat‐shocked tumor cells (HS‐TEXs) contain high amounts of heat-shock proteins (HSPs). HSPs, as chaperons, can induce DC maturation. This study aimed to investigate whether HS‐TEXs can promote DC maturation. To generate DC, bone marrow-derived cells were treated with Interleukin-4 and GM-CSF. Exosomes were isolated from heat-treated CT-26 cells. The expression level of HSP in exosomes was checked by western blot and the increase in the expression of this protein was observed. Then, HS‐TEXs were co-cultured with iDCs to determine DC maturity, and then DCs were co-cultured with lymphocytes to determine DC activity. Our results showed that  DCs treated with HS‐TEXs express high levels of molecules involved in DC maturation and function including MHCII, CD40, CD83, and CD86. HS‐TEXs caused phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs. In addition, flow cytometric results reflected a higher proliferative response of lymphocytes in the iDC / Tex + HSP group. HS‐TEXs could be used as a strategy to improve DC maturation and activation. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3790 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3790/2029

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 107 114 Samad Valizadeh Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran Azita Chegini Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran Faranak Behnaz Department of Anesthesiology, Shohada Tajrish Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali Pourfatollah Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Shahram samiee Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran Ronak Karbalaeifar Anesthesiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2022 07 12 2023 11 12 T helper 1 (TH1) and TH2 lymphocytes are the most important components of the immune system affected by blood transfusion. This study aimed`` to evaluate the effect of blood transfusion on gene expression of transcription factors related to the development of TH1, TH2, TH17 and regulatory T cells (Tregs). In this cross-sectional study, 20 patients diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysms requiring surgical repair were studied from January 2018 to August 2020. We utilized real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of transcription factor genes associated with TH1, TH2, TH17, and Treg, namely T-box-expressed-in-T-cells (T-bet), GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3), retinoid-related orphan receptor (RORγt), and fork head box protein 3 (Foxp3), respectively. The sampling occurred before anesthesia, 24- and 72 hours post-transfusion, and at the time of discharge. The results showed that the T-bet gene expression, compared to the time before transfusion, was significantly decreased 24 hours after blood transfusion and upon discharge while GATA3 genes exhibited a significant reduction both 24 and 72 hours after the transfusion, as compared to the pre-transfusion levels and the time of patient discharge. The Foxp3 gene demonstrated an increase at all study stages, with a notable surge, particularly 72 hours after red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Conversely, the expression of RORγt gene, consistently decreased throughout all stages of the study. RBC transfusion in abdominal aortic aneurysm patients altered the balance of transcription gene expression of TH1, TH2, TH17, and Treg cells. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3598 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3598/2030

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 23 1 2024 02 11 115 121 Farhad Abolnezhadian Department of Pediatrics, Abuzar Children’s Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Majid Aminzadeh Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Sara Iranparast Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Sajad Dehnavi‬ Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Fatemeh Dousti Immunobiology Center of Pasteur Medical Laboratory, Ahvaz, Iran Moosa Sharifat Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Hamid Moradzadegan Immunobiology Center of Pasteur Medical Laboratory, Ahvaz, Iran 2022 11 18 2023 11 28 Sanjad Sakati Syndrome (SSS) is categorized as a neuroendocrine-related disease due to disorders of the nervous and hormonal systems. Since hormonal changes in these patients may affect the nature and function of the immune system. Thus, in this study, cell count and phagocytotic function of neutrophils were evaluated which may be influenced by changes in the hormonal rate and growth factors. In this study, the neutrophil count value and the oxidative burst were evaluated in six patients diagnosed with SSS and six healthy individuals. There was a significant reduction in the neutrophil count observed in SSS patients compared to healthy controls (37.41±7.93 percent vs. 66.5±6.8 percent). However, there was no significant difference in neutrophil oxidative index between patients with SSS and control subjects (172.33±55.08 vs. 217.00±77.38). We concluded that in patients with SSS, the phagocytic activity of neutrophils was not affected by hormonal changes, while the number of neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) index were decreased. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3718 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3718/2031