Objective: Worldwide, preeclampsia (PE) is a multifactorial disorder reported in 2–, 5% of pregnancies, which increases mortality during pregnancy. In general, 10–, 15% of maternal deaths are directly related to PE and eclampsia. One of the susceptibility genes for PE is tumor necrosis factor-&#x3B1,(TNF-&#x3B1, ) expressed by most immune cells. TNF-&#x3B1,is a protein involved in various biological processes, including proliferation and apoptosis, as well as the expression of inflammatory genes. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of TNF-&#x3B1,single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-308G/A (rs1800629) and their relationship with TNF-&#x3B1,in PE patients. Materials and methods: The SNP was genotyped in 90 cases and 90 controls. Whole blood was collected from women with PE and normal pregnancy in EDTA containing tubes, and DNA extraction was performed from their blood lymphocytes according to a standard phenol-chloroform procedure. Then, DNA was genotyped by real-time PCR and the polymorphism was detected by TaqMan assay. Serum levels of TNF-&#x3B1,protein were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay. Results: TNF-&#x3B1,levels in women with PE were significantly higher than in healthy ones (p<0. 001). We did not observe any correlation between allelic outbreak (p=0. 3) and TNF-&#x3B1,-308G/A polymorphism (p=0. 7) with the incidence of PE. Conclusion: Although TNF-&#x3B1,-308G/A gene polymorphism does not appear to affect susceptibility to PE, an increased level of serum TNF-&#x3B1,can be used as a predictor for PE during pregnancy. We recommend that more research be conducted on possible factors related to the incidence of PE.

Febrile seizure is a neuroinflammatory disease involving feverinduced seizures affecting children in the early stages of life. TNF&#x3B1,is a pro-inflammatory cytokine reported to be elevated in FS. Specific promoter variants of TNF&#x3B1,could be associated with its elevated cytokine expression and susceptibility to FS. The present study analyzed the association of specific TNF&#x3B1,variants, including TNF&#x3B1,-238 G/A (a genetic variant,G: Guanine, A: Adenine) (rs361525), TNF&#x3B1,-308 G/A (rs1800629), and TNF&#x3B1,-376 G/A (rs1800750) promoter polymorphisms, with FS susceptibility, and TNF&#x3B1,serum levels in an Iranian population. Materials & Methods: Sixty-eight FS patients and 136 controls were enrolled. The SSPPCR method was utilized to analyze TNF&#x3B1,promoter genotypes. This research also confirmed the genotyping results by sequencing samples of ten patients and normal controls. Results: The GG (a genetic sequence,G: Guanine) genotype of-238 SNP was associated with the increased risk of FS [OR = 12. 65, 95% CI (2. 83-56. 60), P-value = 0. 0012]. The AA (a genetic sequence,A: Adenine) genotype in the-308 region was increased in patients with FS and associated with the disease [OR = 4. 62, 95% CI (1. 46-14. 56), P-value = 0. 028]. The increased occurrence of heterozygous AG in the-376 SNP among control groups has been linked to a decreased risk of FS [OR = 0. 22, 95% CI (0. 11-0. 43), P-value = 0. 0001]. This study revealed that AGA (a genetic sequence,G: Guanine, A: Adenine) (-238/-308/-376) haplotype with the highest frequency in controls was associated with a decreased risk of FS, while GAA (a genetic sequence,G: Guanine, A: Adenine) (-238/-308/-376) carriers were more susceptible to FS. Conclusion: The current study suggested that TNF&#x3B1,gene promoter variants at rs361525, rs1800629, and rs1800750 could be associated with the susceptibility to FS and altered serum levels of TNF&#x3B1, .

Background: Brucella spp. are facultative intracellular pathogens that can cause chronic infections in many tissues and organs. Objectives: To investigate serum dermcidin, salusin-alpha, salusin-beta and TNF-alpha levels and their correlation with each other in patients with acute brucellosis. Methods: From 50 patients hospitalized upon diagnosis of acute brucellosis, blood samples were collected and dermcidin, salusin-alpha, salusin-beta and TNF-alpha levels in serum samples were measured using an ELISA assay. The control group included 40 volunteers. Results: Brucellosis group had significantly lower plasma dermcidin, salusin-alpha, salusin-beta levels compared to the healthy control group (respectively p: 0. 008, p<0. 001, p<0. 001). Moreover, Brucellosis group had significantly higher plasma TNF-alpha levels comparisons with the controls (p=0. 002). In the examination of the correlation between TNF-alpha and dermcidin, salusin-alpha and salusin-beta in the brucellosis group, only a negative correlation was found between salusin-beta and TNF-alpha. In the control group, there was a positive and statistically significant correlation between salusin-beta and TNF-alpha. Conclusion: Dermcidin, salusin-alpha, and, particularly salusin-beta levels are important in Brucella pathogenesis. The paradoxical correlation between TNF-alpha and salusin-beta in patients with brucellosis and control group is remarkable. However, there is a need for extensive studies conducted with more patients to further elucidate this topic.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that first appeared in December 2019, subsequently named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is rapidly spreading as a global pandemic. Following infection by SARS-CoV-2, systemic inflammatory response mediated by the release of large amounts of mediators including IL-6, IL-1b, TNF&#x3B1,and IL-2R in severe infected patients. . . .