Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences
Volume:9 Issue: 4, 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and complex autoimmune disease. It affects mainly small joints (of the hands and feet) and has many systemic manifestations.The study of biomarkers in rheumatology is important to understand the mechanism involved in some rheumatic diseases. Discovering new biomarkers with key roles in various stages of the disease remains as an important issue in RA patients. Biomarkers are important for diagnosis and prognosis, target therapy, and guiding the clinical and response treatment of all phases of RA. Biomarkers improve diagnosis by closing the serological gap, providing prognostic information that allows disease activity and progression to be monitored. Biomarkers can be correlated with a risk of developing RA and can predict bone erosions and disease progression. Therefore, there is a need for a sensitive biomarker for early diagnosis of the disease. Some biomarkers are not specific (Rheumatoid Factor IgM) and some are not widely used due to technical problems (Antiprenuclear factor). On the other hand, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) in the serum of patients are more specific for these patients.This move from traditional approaches to use more specific biomarkers for patient stratification and targeted treatment should greatly improve patient care and reduce medical costs.

Autophagy has been shown to be involved in organ transplantation. IRGM (human immunity-related GTPase) has a crucial role in autophagy complex activation and ROS and microorganism elimination during graft rejection. We examined the association between rs1000113 C/T genetic polymorphism of IRGM and the risk of liver rejection in liver transplanted patients.

The present study included 100 healthy people and 100 patients with liver disease that led to liver transplantation. Fifty patients were diagnosed with histologically proven acute liver rejection and the other 50 without any rejection. Both groups were matched for sex and age. To determine variants of rs1000113 C/T genetic polymorphism of IRGM, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used.

A significant association was observed between liver rejection and rs1000113 C/T genetic polymorphism of IRGM (TC: p-value=0.0098, OR=2.93 CI=1.2-7.22) and (CC: p-value=0.0098, OR=0.34 CI=0.138 -0.83). Also, a significant association was observed between this polymorphism and allelic frequency in liver rejection patients. (T: p-value=0.027, OR=2.14 CI=1.027-4.57) and (C: p-value= 0.027, OR=0.46 CI=0.218 -0.97). No significant difference was found in rs1000113 C/T genetic polymorphism of IRGM, sex, blood group, and underlying disease among the healthy groups and liver transplanted patients.

The data suggest that the rs1000113 C/T genetic polymorphism of IRGM, an autophagy-related polymorphic locus, influences liver rejection in liver transplanted patients, with the possible involvement of autophagy in transplantation. Recipients with TC genotype for IRGM are more likely to develop liver rejection compared to those with CC genotype.

Nitric oxide (NO) in body can be made of amino acid L-arginine nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Donor drugs that release NO in the body are exogenous sources for this free radical. According to available sources, NO and its precursor (L-Arginine) can affect blood coagulation process. This work investigates the effect of NO on blood coagulation process in vitro using bovine blood as a model.

Blood samples were taken from 5 apparently healthy adult Holstein cows and were separately exposed to ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulation materials and sodium citrate. Then, the blood containing anticoagulation substance was incubated for 30 min at temperature of 37°C with 10, 100 and 1000 µM of donors of NO, including sodium nitroprusside (SNP), nitroglycerine (GTN), isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN). In addition, 1, 10 and 100 mM of substances affecting NOS (either L-Arginine, L-NAME or L-Arginine + L-NAME) were applied in relevant groups. After incubation, following general tests of coagulation were adopted: prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PLT), red blood cell (RBC) count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), hematocrit (HCT), white blood cells (WBC) count and methemoglobin (MetHb). 

Obtained results indicate that among all relevant works, combination of L-Arginine and L-NAME in applied concentrations can cause significant reduction of red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration (p<0.05). Despite some changes in other parameters, they did not reach the level of significance.

In general, it could be mentioned that endogenous or exogenous NO in the model applied in this study may not have a decisive impact on blood coagulation process. However, the non-specific effects observed in the L-Arginine + L-NAME group on the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration need further studies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance training and L-carnitine supplementation on gene expression of hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) in Wistar male rats toxicated by Boldenone.

In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats aged 12 weeks (weight 195±7.94g) were randomly divided into five groups: control, no-treatment, boldenone (5mg/kg), L-carnitine and aerobic training- L-carnitine. The endurance moderate intensity training program (50-55% of maximal oxygen consumption) was performed for 6 weeks and 5 times a week. Boldenone injection once a week, on an appointed day, and in the hamstring was conducted in depth. After anesthesia, autopsy was performed and the liver was isolated. The hepatic enzymes gene expression in the samples were measured by Real Time PCR. Data were analyzed by t-test, One-way ANOVA and post hoc Scheffe at the significant level P<0.05.

The results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean expression of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) in male Wistar rats in different groups (P<0.001). The changes in liver enzymes gene expression (AST, ALT, ALP) in L-carnitine and Training-L-carnitine groups were significantly lower than the boldenone group (P<0.001).

According to the findings of this study, supplementation of L-carnitine with regular aerobic training reduces liver damage induced by anabolic androgenic steroids.

At present, the prevalence of hypertension is growing and one of the contributing factors in the occurrence and development of hypertension and atherosclerosis is impaired renin–angiotensin system which in this system endothelium angiotensin converting enzyme is the main enzyme. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks aerobic training on serum angiotensin converting enzyme and lipid profile in inactive overweight women.

In this semi-experimental study, twenty healthy women (20-30 years old) with BMI>25 kg/m 2 were randomly divided into training group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). The training group performed aerobic exercise for eight weeks, three sessions per week with 55-75% of maximum heart rate. The duration of each training session was increased from 40 to 60 minutes gradually. 48 hours before and after aerobic training program, anthropometric measurements, VO2max, lipid profile, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) of all subjects were measured. Data were analyzed with paired t-independent test and t-student test at a significance level of P<0.05.

Results showed that eight weeks of aerobic training had a significant effect on weight (p=0/01) and BMI (p=0/01) in training group; While changes in angiotensin converting enzyme (p=0/543) and LDL(p=0/927), HDL(p=0/120), Triglyceride (p=0/788) and Cholesterol (p=0/324) during pre-test and post-test was not significant in between groups.

Eight weeks of training program have improved angiotensin converting enzyme, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride and Cholesterol in women, approximately. And it can be said that regular exercise may probably have a preventive effect on the prohibition of cardiovascular disease in overweight women.

The present study aimed to determine the level of emotional intelligence and its relationship with job performance in health care providers and health workers of Larestan School of Medical Sciences in 2018.

This was a cross-sectional study. The Shring questionnaire was used to determine the level of emotional intelligence and its relationship with job performance in health care providers and health workers. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 22 and by Pearson correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, Independent Sample T-Test. The significance level was considered 0.05 in all tests.

There was a significant relationship between all dimensions of emotional intelligence and performance. Only the self-awareness component directly explained the performance of managers.

It is recommended that specific educational programs be implemented in any institute and organization to increase the emotional intelligence of the staff.

Narcissus bulb is an antiphlogistic drug, effective for asthma treatment, shortness of breath and skin burns. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Narcissus tazetta bulb extract on serum concentrations of liver function test enzymes (ALT, ALP, AST, LDH, GGT) in male rats.

In this study, 20 male rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 series. They were divided into control groups and experimental groups and received the alcoholic extract 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of  Narcissus bulb. The extract was fed for 6 days and blood samples were taken from the animals on the seventh day and serum levels of liver enzymes were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software (version 21.0) using t-test.

The activity of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes in 150 mg/kg extract of Narcissus bulb significantly increased (P<0.01). Also, at the same dose, the enzymes of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) showed a significant increase compared to the control group (P<0.05). ALT at 100 - mg/kg dose significantly increased, but AST at 50 mg/kg dose showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (P<0.05).

Considering the significant increase in liver enzymes at high doses of extract, it is necessary to study the histopathological effects of the extracts of this plant on liver.

Toxocariasis is a parasitic disease caused by dog ​​ascaris and cat ascaris. Raising pets, especially dogs or cats, has been part of modern life and this raising is the cause of soil contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs. Contacted with contaminated soil is considered the main reservoir of transmission of Toxocara infection to humans. This survey was carried out to clarify the current status of soil contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs. 

Soil contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs was surveyed in Fasa from April to December 2018. In this study, 56 soil samples were collected from 10 public parks in Fasa. The soil samples were provided by the flotation method and examined by a microscope.

The results of this study showed that six (60%) of 10 parks were contaminated by Toxocara eggs. Out of 56 samples collected, 54 Toxocara spp eggs were found.

High prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in soil samples of this study can be associated with the rising population of stray dogs or cats and pets in public parks, the carriers of adult worms and the active source of soil contamination.

Infectious diseases caused by bacteria and fungi have affected billions of people worldwide. Throughout human history, infectious diseases have been the leading cause of death and disability. Infectious diseases today account for one-third of all deaths in the world. The general objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Scabiosa Olivieri on gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and fungi, as well as to study its anti-inflammatory properties by investigating the factors of human IL-1 and TNF-α, which ultimately led to the introduction of an antimicrobial agent and new anti-inflammatory drugs with a natural and inexpensive source.

First, the extract of the plant was prepared by maceration. Then, the antimicrobial properties of this extract on E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans were investigated by MIC. Also, the effect of this extract on the expression of IL-1 and TNFα in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated by ELISA.

Scabiosa Olivieri's extract significantly showed anti-inflammatory properties and has antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and a mild antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. But the antifungal property was not observed.

It seems that Scabiosa Olivieri's extract can be used as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. However, the effects of its use in the in vivo environment and the chemical analysis of its constituent compounds require further research.

The widespread use of effective vaccines against infectious diseases has been one of the most important public health progresses in the 21st century. Early vaccines containing weakened or inactivated pathogens or toxins may elicit robust, protective immune responses, but this approach cannot always be used because it is impractical and inefficient to culture large numbers of organisms, and lack of safety. In such cases subunits (e.g., microbial proteins or carbohydrate) are being considered as vaccine antigens. Since the subtypes of antigens often have weak immunogenic properties, they cannot stimulate the innate immune system. This property is probably the cause of the reduced efficacy of the vaccine. Adjuvants are molecules, compounds, or supramolecular complexes that boost the potency and longevity of specific immune response to antigens, but can cause minimal toxicity or long-lasting immune effects on human. Adjuvants can be used to enhance immunogenicity, modulate the type of immune response, reduce the amount of antigen or the number of immunizations required for efficacy, and/or improve the efficacy of vaccines in specific populations (e.g., newborns or elderly). The present paper reviews the different types of adjuvants and examines the characteristics and mechanisms of their performance.

In Autism Spectrum Disorder, the role of functional deficit like hypo-functionality in Frontal lobe, Hippocampus, Amygdala with top-down control hypothesis or reduced functional connectivity has been considered by theories like theory of mind or executive function theory. But new findings in the fields of neurobiology and neuroscience have challenged these theories and these lead to a new theory that was introduced by Hennry Markram in 2007. This theory is presented as "Intense World Theory". Markram believes that hyper-functionality, hyper-reactivity and Hyper-plasticity in brain's microcircuits with a down-up pathway is the basis of Autism.

In this study various aspects of intense world theory, empirical evidence, and challenges and criticisms of this theory are discussed. In addition to creating a new research scope and paying attention to the underlying mechanisms of the brain, this review may lead to early diagnosis of disorder and effective therapeutic procedure in the medical, psychological and other fields.

Cancer is a kind of genetic disease caused by DNA mutation which makes disorder in normal pattern of division and differentiation of cells and eventually formation of a neoplasm. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of death in women aged 35-55 years. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the common methods of controlling cancer, but the side effects and lack of positive results especially in metastatic tumors has led us discover new treatments. Nowadays, nanotechnology has helped us to find and develop new therapies. The purpose of this study was to characterize the antioxidant and apoptotic properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles biosynthesized by Amaranthus cruentus plant on breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231).

The Zinc oxide nanoparticles were green-synthesized by the extract of Amaranthus cruentus leaves. Size and morphological characteristics of ZnO NPs determined by DLS tests, FESEM and TEM. To investigate the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on induction apoptosis, cancer cells were seeded in T25 flasks and treated with different concentrations of nanoparticles (15, 30 and 60 μg/ml). After 48 hours, gene expression changes of Bax and Bcl-2 was investigated by Real time PCR technique. SPSS software and one-way ANOVA test were used to analyze the data. At the end, comparison of means did by least significant differences (LSD) method.

The DLS test showed the average size of the synthesized ZnO NPs is about 30 to 38 nm. The results of gene expression by Real time PCR technique showed that ZnO nanoparticles reduced anti-apoptosis gene expression Bcl-2 and increases pro-apoptotic gene expression in MDA cell line.

In general, the results obtained from this study can claim that ZnO nanoparticles have anti-cancer properties and can be introduced after further studies as candidates for cancer treatment in the field of medicine and pharmacy.

In Iran, a new program called the Family Doctor was started in 1384. The present study aims to determine the challenges of the family physician system in Khorasan Razavi province.

The present study is a quantitative-qualitative study. In this study, a sample-based sampling method was conducted with 11 managers and 9 family physicians working in the project in Khorasan Razavi. Then, based on the results of the interviews, a questionnaire was designed and confirmed by its validity and reliability in a descriptive-analytic study in 1395. The findings of the quantitative study were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney, T-test and ANOVA tests at a significant level of 0.05

In the analysis of qualitative content 9 basic concepts (comprehensive planning, health insurance system, compensation services, performance appraisal, facilities and welfare facilities, recruitment and maintenance of human resources, information system, culture and financing) were identified.The biggest challenge is in the area of compensation (4.55 ± 0.73) and the smallest in the area of facilities and facilities (3.67 ± 0.83). The greatest difference is between the viewpoints of managers and physicians in the field of facilities and amenities (0/61 ± 0/20) and the least in the field of culture (0.04 ± 0/17).

The most common challenges faced by family physicians in the study are cultural, economic, environmental and working conditions. It is suggested that, in order to properly implement the plan of the family physician, it should be considered in coordination with the objectives of the plan at international level and the experiences of the countries that implemented the program.

Schiff bases are considered as an important group of compounds in the development of new drugs. The current approach to finding more effective treatment for cancer is to set up different stages of the angiogenesis process using angiogenesis suppressors, such as metal complexes synthesized from the Schiff bases. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the antiangiogenic effects of oxovanadium(IV) complex of N,N′-dipyridoxyl(1,2- cyclopropanediamine) Schiff base on the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryos cells.

Anti-angiogenic activity of oxovanadium(IV) complex of N,N′- dipyridoxyl(1,2-cyclopropanediamine) Schiff base was evaluated using Real-time PCR technique to evaluate the expression changes in angiogenesis-related genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and CAM test.

The study of alterations in the expression of genes showed that oxovanadium(IV) complex of N,N′-dipyridoxyl(1,2-cyclopropanediamine) Schiff base had a significant inhibitory effect on the expression of both genes involved in angiogenesis. The findings of the CAM test showed that there was a significant decrease in the number and length of the vessels treated with different doses of the complex (100, 200, 400 and 800 μg/mL) (P <0.01 and P <0.001). Also, there was a significant decrease in weight and height of embryos treated with complex compared to control group at P <0.05, P <0.01 and P <0.001.

In this study, the oxovanadium(IV) complex of N,N′-dipyridoxyl(1,2- cyclopropanediamine) Schiff base has antiangiogenesis effects that make the use of this complex possible for cancer treatment.

Aging is one of the important stage in human life. Nowadays world society regards that matter as an important problem. This study aimed at measuring Active Aging Index in Shiraz and its related and affected factors.

This survey has been done by quantitative method among a sample of Shirazi elders involving 600 cases. Sampling method was hierarchal cluster sampling. Data were collected by questionnaire and interview. Variables were context information, living arrangement, active ageing, social support, mental health, spiritual health and self-efficacy.

Mean of AAI was 51.01± 15.2 (from 100). Social support was the most effective factor on AAI and then education, spiritual health, self-efficacy, mental health, age and income be effected respectively. Consequently, those factors explained over 70% of Active Aging variation.

Elders in Shiraz have median activity number. This number of activity is not acceptable for development. Iran population is increasing rapidly. We have to work on this problem more and more. Attention to social support, education and awareness can be very effective in this situation.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, in both developed and developing countries.  Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is endothelial specific adhesion molecule located at junctions between endothelial cells and its association with various cancers has been proven. The aim of this study was to evaluate the VE-cadherin gene expression in serum of Iranian women with breast cancer in order to identify a biomarker for its prediction.

After serum isolation from blood samples of the patients and controls, extraction of RNA and synthesis of cDNA were done. Gene expression was measured using real-time PCR technique.

Our results showed that the expression of VE-cadherin was increased significantly in patients compared to control samples. However, there was no relationship between its expression and grade of the tumors.

Based on the results of this study, expression of this factor can be used as a marker for study and follow-up of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, considering the role of this factor in angiogenesis and metastasis, it can be used as a target for intervention therapy.

Curcumin has antioxidants effects and strong anti-inflammatory properties and has a protective and therapeutic roll. This combination can be effective in reducing inflammation and increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the skeletal muscle and blood. This study aimed at investigating the effect of supplementation with curcumin on antioxidants enzymes after a basketball intensive training session in girls.

For this purpose 30 female basketball players are divided into 2 homogeneous supplement and placebo groups. Oral curcumin was used for a period of 14 days,3 time a day in the amount of 1200 mg by the supplement and placebo groups. After 14 days of supplementation, all subjects participated in the basketball acute training protocol. Blood samples were collected and used for determination of antioxidant enzymes activity on base, after supplementation and after exercise training. Differences between the placebo and curcumin groups were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) repeated measures test and Bonferroni test was used for post hoc multiple comparisons among means.

Mean± SD showed all antioxidant enzymes increased but ANOVA repeated measures results showed that GPX and SOD activity (U/mg pro) in supplemental group was increased significantly (P=0.05); Whereas, CAT and GR activity (U/mg pro) were not significantly different.

These findings showed that curcumin consumption before one bout acute training may affect antioxidant enzymes concentration and promotes antioxidant capacity of adolescent athletes during heavy competitions. This strategy can accelerate recovery from repeated stress. Curcumin increased antioxidant activities.

Health system reform confronts hospitals with a lot of patients and their companions. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of patients’ companions toward hospitals rules and nurses’ rights.

This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted through a multistage cluster random sampling of patients’ first degree relatives who had accompanied their patients in main public hospitals of Shiraz, Iran. Valid and reliable questionnaire was filled for each interviewee by a face to face interview. Data were analyzed using SPSS.

Mean age of 423 interviewees was 36.7±11.7 years with female to male ratio of 1.29. 292(67.4%) were educated until the end of high school, while 264(61.1%) had a kind of job. Knowledge, attitude and practice toward hospitals’ rules and nurses’ rights were inappropriate in 61(14.1%), 84(19.4%) and 221(51.2%) respectively. Moreover, Sum score of these variables was inappropriate in 102(23.6%). Correlation between knowledge and practice was 0.44(p<0.001). Total score of knowledge, attitude and practice had a significant association with the kind of hospital, gender, level of education, marital status, being bread-winner of family, having a job, patients’ finance providing, cohabitation with patient in the same place, admission ward of patient, last time of interviewee’s admission in hospital and amount and source of information about hospitals rules and nurses’ rights.

Inappropriate practice of patients’ companions toward hospitals rules is associated with violence against nurses, their burnout and decreasing quality of hospital services. Therefore, following health system reform in Iran and increasing trend of referrals to hospitals, efficient interventions to improve this index is recommended.

Considering the undesirable effects of eating some foods during pregnancy, this study investigated the effect of aqueous fruit extract of Berberis vulgarison on the development of liver and kidney.

56 female rats (188 ± 20 gram) and 8 male rats (188 ± 20 gram) were selected and fertilized. The pregnant rats were divided into the control group (without treatment), sham (received physiological serum) and 2 treatment groups and received 0.2cc of aqueous extract of Berberis vulgaris at doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg/bw ) by intraperitoneal injection daily from the 6th - 10th day of gestation. Half of the rats were dissected on 14thand 20thof pregnancy. The kidneys and livers of embryos were removed and fixed in 10% formalin. The sections (5 micron) and slides were prepared and stained. The morphometric study was conducted, and tissue changes in the micrographs were studied. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Chi-squared test.

The significant decrease in height (P<0.01), and significant increase in weight of treatment fetus (20-day-old) were observed. The liver tissue of treatment 20-day-old fetus showed sinusoid hyperemia, vascular endothelium degeneration, reduction in the number of hepatocytes and their vacuolation. The moderate changes were observed in kidney tissue as degradation of the duct epithelium, in the 20-day-old embryos.

According to obtained finding, Barberry has negative effects in a dose- and time-dependent manner on the liver, and somewhat on kidney of fetus. Therefore, its utilization should be limited during pregnancy.

Down syndrome is the most common type of chromosomal abnormality that causes mental disability. In recent years, the life expectancy of these children has increased, so their special needs will also increase. Family-centered interventions are of particular importance for the provision of services to children and their families. There are several tools for measuring family-centered services from the perspective of parents and service providers. But the Persian version of validity and reliability is not found in information resources. Therefore, the aim of this study was to translate and standardize the Persian version of the questionnaire for measure of process of care for service providers (MPOC-SP) in children with Down Syndrome in Isfahan.

The original version of the Measure of process of care for service providers (MPOC-SP) in a cross-sectional study was translated in three stages. A final version of Persian was provided. Experts' opinions and Kappa agreement coefficient were used to examine the face and content validity. To determine the reliability of the Persian version, by random sampling, 83 occupational therapists, general practitioners and psychiatrists were selected and test-retest was administered. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS 19 software, Cronbach's alpha and intra-cluster correlation coefficient, and multi factors analysis.

The internal consistency of the four domains of the questionnaire was obtained using Cronbach's alpha between 0.778 and 0.881. The reliability values ​​were within the cluster correlation index between 0.75 and 0.83. The correlation between the four domains was favorable on the basis of Spearman correlation coefficient. The correlation of each of the questions with the four fields of the questionnaire in multi factors analysis (0.72-0.87) was also appropriate

The Persian version of measure of process of care for service providers in children with Down Syndrome with 27 items and in four different areas has a good validity and reliability as a tool for evaluating the provision of services in all centers for providing services to children with Down Syndrome.

Leptin a hormone secreted from adipose tissue plays a role in regulating energy homeostasis. Polymorphism in the gene structure can alter serum levels of hormone and affect cell function. In this study, the relationship between G2548A polymorphism of the leptin gene with the risk of breast cancer in patients compared with healthy subjects was investigated.

The blood sample of 158 women with breast cancer and 158 healthy women of the same age was collected and after extracting DNA and amplifying specimens with specific primers, some part of products was digested with HhaI restriction enzyme to determine the genotypes of individuals based on the number of bands formed on the gel. The results were analyzed by statistical analysis including chi-square, and logistic regression.

The mean age of the patients was 56.00±0.62 years old and the control groups was 55.45±0.72 years old (p-value =0.037). There was a significant relationship between the smoking level of the two groups (p-value =0.026). The history of relatives of breast cancer patients was positive in 43 (27.22%) patients. Analysis of the results of genotypes showed that the mutant homozygote genotype AA had a significant relationship in two groups and increased by 1.686 the risk of breast cancer (P-Value=0.036, OR:1.686, CI95%:1.033-2.753).

The frequency of mutant A allele in the patient group was more than that of the control groups and increased the risk of breast cancer by 1.763 times in carriers. Overall, it can be said that this polymorphism is probably related to breast cancer.

Addiction as a disease is a disadvantage that affects the quality of life of families and couples and may cause depression among other members of the family. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Group in decreasing depression and increasing the quality of life in women with addicted husbands.

The semi-experimental design was pre-test-posttest with control group. The statistical population included all women with addicted husbands referring to the comprehensive health center of Fasa into the experimental and control groups (15 women in each group). The experimental group received 8 sessions of mindfulness-based cognitive-group therapy, and no intervention was provided to the control group members. The research instrument questionnaire was Beck and Quality of Life.

The results showed that mindfulness-based cognitive-group therapy was effective in depression and quality of life of women with addicted husbands (P<0.001) and treatment reduced depression and increased the quality of life of women in post-test of the experimental group.

The results show that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Group is effective in decreasing depression and, consequently, increasing the quality of life of addicted spouse.

In the present study the effects of Averrhoa carambola fruit hydro-alcoholic extract on hepatic tissue, liver enzymes, and serum lipids were investigated in rats submitted to a high-fat diet.

In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided to 3 equal groups as follows: (1) control, (2) rats fed a high-fat diet and (3) rats receiving a high fat diet and hydro-alcoholic extract of Averrhoa carambola (A. carambola) at a dose of (200 mg/kg bw). Rats received a high-fat diet for one month. Then, two rats were selected from each diet group and hyperlipidemia was confirmed by measurement of serum triglyceride and serum cholesterol levels. After confirming hyperlipidemia, rats of group 3 were orally treated by Averrhoa carambola (200 mg/kg bw) for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, serum liver enzymes, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were assayed. Afterward, for histopathological investigation, hepatic tissue samples were prepared and routine tissue processing protocol was performed.

The administration of Averrhoa carambola fruit extract significantly reduced serum triglyceride and cholesterol when compared with the hyperlipidemic group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively). Serum ALT and AST in rats that received Averrhoa carambola fruit extract significantly decreased compared to hyperlipidemic group (P< 0.05). In the histopathological examination, degeneration, vacuolation and intra-cytoplasmic accumulations in the treated group were improved in comparison with the hyperlipidemic group.

These results showed that the Averrhoa carambola fruit extract can protect against hyperlipidemia- induced liver damage in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance training and L-carnitine consumption on TNF-a and IL-1β gene expression of heart tissue in Wistar male rats following anabolic steroid consumption (Boldenone).

In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats aged 12 weeks (weight 195±7.94g) were randomly divided into five groups including control, no-treatment, boldenone (5mg/kg), L-carnitine and aerobic training- L-carnitine. The endurance moderate intensity training program (55-50% of maximal oxygen consumption) was performed for 6 weeks and 5 times a week. Injection was conducted once a week, on an appointed day, and in the quadriceps and hamstring it was conducted in depth. After anesthesia, autopsy was performed and the heart was isolated. The TNF-α and IL-1β gene expression in the samples was measured by Real Time PCR. Data were analyzed using t-test, One-way ANOVA and post hoc Scheffe at the significant level of P<0.05.

The results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean TNF-α and IL-1β gene expression of heart tissue in male Wistar rats in different groups (P=0.001). The changes in TNF-α and IL-1β gene expression of heart tissue in L-carnitine and Training-L-carnitine groups were significantly lower than those of the no-treatment and boldenon groups (P=0.001).

It seems that supplementation of L-carnitine with regular aerobic training reduces heart tissue damage induced by anabolic androgenic steroids.