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Naseh Pahlavani,1,* Sayyed Saeid Khayyatzadeh,2,3,* Vahideh Banazadeh,1 Mohammad Bagherniya,4 Maryam Tayefi,5 Saeid Eslami,6 Gordon A Ferns,7 Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan8,9 1Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 2Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran; 3Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran; 4Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; 5Department of Cardiovascular, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Science (MUMS), Mashhad, Iran; 6Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 7Division of Medical Education, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, Sussex, BN1 9PH, UK; 8Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 9Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan Tel +985138002288Fax +985138002287Email ghayourm@mums.ac.irBackground: The beneficial impact of adherence to a DASH diet on several metabolic conditions and psychological well-being has been shown previously. Dietary modification can affect sleep quality. Thus, the aim of this present study was to investigate the correlation between adherence to the DASH diet and daytime sleepiness score in adolescent girls.Methods: A total of 535 adolescent girls aged between 12 and 18 years old were recruited from different regions of Khorasan Razavi in northeastern of Iran, using a random cluster sampling method. DASH scores were determined according to the method of Fung et al. A Persian translation of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS-IR) was used to assess of daytime sleepiness. To investigate the correlation between DASH-style diet and daytime sleepiness score, we applied logistic regression analysis in crude and adjusted models.Results: As may be expected, participants with the greatest adherence to the DASH diet had significantly higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fish and nuts, and lower consumption of refined grains, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets. There was an inverse correlation between adherence to the DASH-style diet and scores for daytime sleepiness in crude model (β= − 0.12; P=0.005). These findings were remained significant after adjustment for confounding variables (β= − 0.08 P=0.04).Conclusion: There is an inverse correlation between adherence to DASH diet and daytime sleepiness score. Further studies, particularly longitudinal studies, are required to determine whether dietary intervention may improve daytime sleepiness.Keywords: DASH diet, sleep, adolescents, daytime functioning

Samaneh Abolbashari,1,* Susan Darroudi,1,* Maryam Tayefi,2,3 Zahra Khashyarmaneh,4 Parvin Zamani,5 Hamideh Moalemzadeh Haghighi,4 Amir Hooshang Mohammadpour,6,7 Shima Tavalaei,8 Mahsa Ahmadnezhad,9 Habibollah Esmaily,10 Gordon A Ferns,11 Zahra Meshkat,12 Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan8 1Student Research Committee, Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 2Cardiovascular Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran; 3University International Accreditation, International Office, Clinical Research Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 4Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 5Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 6Pharmaceutical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 7Clinical Pharmacy Department, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 8Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 9Nutrition Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; 10Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 11Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, UK; 12Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran *These authors contributed equally to this work Introduction: Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are important trace elements that are also structural ions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which reduce oxidative stress. Zinc deficiency and excess copper have been reported to be associated with inflammation. The human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus, which is believed to cause systemic inflammation. The aim of this study is to measure levels of Zn, Cu, SOD, and prooxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) in HTLV-1-positive patients and investigate the association between serum Zn and Cu concentrations and levels of oxidative stress in them.Methods: The serum samples of 1,116 subjects who had participated in the “Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder” study, including 279 HTLV-1-positive and 837 HTLV-1-negative patients, were used. Levels of Zn, Cu, SOD, and PAB were measured.Results: Zinc and SOD levels were lower in the HTLV-1-positive group; however, the difference was statistically significant only for the level of SOD (P=0.003). On the other hand, levels of copper and PAB were significantly higher in HTLV-1 positive subjects; P=0.004 and P=0.002, respectively.Conclusion: In HTLV-infected patients, serum Zn concentration is lower and Cu concentration is higher than healthy controls. This altered situation might be either primary or secondary to HTLV-1 infection, which should be investigated in larger studies. We showed that SOD is significantly lower in HTLV-1-infected subjects. As in some other viruses that evolve different mechanisms to potentiate virus replication by changing the physiologic condition of host cells, HTLV-1 too probably decreases the activity of copper–zinc SOD1 by suppressing its gene.Keywords: HTLV-1, trace elements, superoxide dismutase, prooxidant-oxidant balance

Introduction: Neonatal hypernatermic dehydration (NHD) is a potentially very serious condition, which has been reported to occur in infants who have breast feeding problems in the first week of the life. This study looked at the incidence, risk factors, clinical symptoms and complications of NHD in healthy breastfed term neonates. Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted on 53 neonates with serum sodium concentrations of >= 150 mmol/L (as the case group) who were recruited between June 2006 and June 2007 from the Ghaem hospital (Mashhad, Iran) to investigate the relationship between NHD and breastfeeding. Fifty-three healthy breastfed full-term neonates (serum sodium <150 mmol/L) from the same hospital were also recruited as the control group. Result: The results showed an average weight loss of 1.6% in the healthy neonates vs. 16.2% in infants with NHD (p<0.001). The frequency of feeds received per day was 10.2 for the healthy neonates vs. 7.6 in the NHD group (p<0.001). The NHD group had mothers who had a higher frequency of breast problems (23 vs. 7, p<0.001). Mean serum sodium concentration was significantly lower in the control group compared with the cases (137.80 vs.160.06 mmol/L, p<0.001). The main presenting features of the infants with NHD were fever, lethargy and jaundice. Conclusion: Breastfeeding problems are associated with the presence of NHD. Therefore, more breast examination during prenatal and postnatal periods and careful neonatal weight watch during the first week of life could decrease the incidence of NHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer is a major health concern worldwide. The survival rate of Gastric cancer greatly depends on the stage at which it is diagnosed. Early diagnosis is critical for improving survival outcomes. To improve the chances of early diagnosis, regular screening tests, such as an upper endoscopy or barium swallow, are recommended for individuals at a higher risk due to factors like family history or a previous diagnosis of gastric conditions. Biomarkers can be detected and measured using non-invasive methods such as blood tests, urine tests, breath analysis, or imaging techniques. These non-invasive approaches offer many advantages, including convenience, safety, and cost-effectiveness, making them valuable tools for disease diagnosis, monitoring, and research. Biomarker-based tests have emerged as a useful tool for identifying gastric cancer early, monitoring treatment response, assessing the recurrence risk, and personalizing treatment plans. In this current review, we have explored both classical and novel biomarkers for gastric cancer. We have centralized their potential clinical application and discussed the challenges in Gastric cancer research., Competing Interests: Declarations of competing interest The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Existing studies have suggested a link between oxidative stress levels and depression. Additionally, factors such as gender and conditions like hypertension have been shown to influence oxidative stress. This ten-year follow-up cohort study aims to examine the association between prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) and the onset of depression and its symptoms in both hypertensive and normotensive individuals, while considering gender differences., Methods: The data for this study was obtained from the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study, a cohort study conducted in eastern Iran. Serum PAB levels were measured in 1702 hypertensive and 4096 normotensive individuals aged 35 to 65 years. After ten years, the participants' depression status was evaluated using the Beck questionnaire, and depression symptoms were investigated using the BDI-II structural model, which includes somatic, affective, and cognitive symptoms., Result: The analysis indicates that in hypertensive male participants, the highest tertile of PAB is associated with an increased risk of depression (β: 1.22, 95 % CI: -0.046, 2.485; P = 0.059) and symptoms of depression, including cognitive (β: 2.937, 95 % CI: 0.511, 5.362; P = 0.018) and somatic (β: 2.654, 95 % CI: 0.37, 4.939; P = 0.023) symptoms. However, there was no significant association between affective symptoms and PAB tertiles. Additionally, there was no significant link between depression and depressive symptoms in female hypertensive and normotensive individuals., Conclusion: In male hypertensive patients, but not in normotensive individuals of both genders and hypertensive women, depression and its associated symptoms, including somatic and cognitive symptoms, are associated with elevated levels of oxidative stress, as evidenced by higher serum PAB values. PAB is not associated with affective symptoms. Future studies should focus on the gender-specific nature of this relationship and work to clarify its underlying mechanisms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Post-surgical adhesion is a medical challenge, especially following abdominal and pelvic surgeries. This refers to the formation of fibrotic scars that form from connective tissue in the gynecological tract or abdominal cavity. Dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT) by surgical injuries and hypoxia increases the risk of post-surgical adhesion through different molecular mechanisms. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and Hypoxia-induced factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) produced during surgery trauma and hypoxia induce AT dysfunction to promote inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic alterations, and profibrotic pathways, which contribute to post-surgical adhesions. HIF-1α and DAMPs can be considered therapeutic targets to prevent AT dysfunction and diminish the formation of adhesions in obese patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic surgeries., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing chronic disease that can lead to disability and early death. This study aimed to establish a predictive model for the 10-year incidence of T2DM based on novel anthropometric indices., Methods: This was a prospective cohort study comparing people with (n = 1256) and without (n = 5193) diabetes mellitus in phase II of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study. The association of several anthropometric indices in phase I, including Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Adiposity Index (BAI), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Weight-Adjusted-Waist Index (WWI), Body Roundness Index (BRI), Body Surface Area (BSA), Conicity Index (C-Index) and Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) with T2DM incidence (in phase II) were examined; using Logistic Regression (LR) and Decision Tree (DT) analysis., Results: BMI followed by VAI and LAP were the best predictors of T2DM incidence. Participants with BMI < 21.25 kg/m 2 and VAI ≤ 5.9 had a lower chance of diabetes than those with higher BMI and VAI levels (0.033 vs. 0.967 incident rate). For BMI > 25 kg/m 2 , the chance of diabetes rapidly increased (OR = 2.27)., Conclusions: BMI, VAI, and LAP were the best predictors of T2DM incidence., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Syndecan (SDC) is a member of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) family. It appears to play a role in the aetiology of diabetic complications, with decreased levels of SDCs being reported in the kidney, retina, and cardiac muscle in models of diabetes mellitus (DM). The reduced levels of SDCs may play an important role in the development of albuminuria in DM. Some studies have provided the evidence supporting the mechanisms underlying the role of SDCs in DM. However, SDCs and the molecular mechanisms involved are complex and need to be further elucidated. This review focuses on the underlying molecular mechanisms of SDCs that are involved in the development and progression of the complications of DM, which may help in developing new strategies to prevent and treat these complications., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

One of the leading causes of mortality worldwide is cardiovascular disease, which is influenced by some variables, including calcium and vitamin D. This study aimed to assess the relationship between Angiopoietin-Like 3 (ANGPTL3) gene polymorphisms with vitamin D and calcium levels in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. In this research, 1002 people participated. Participants' anthropometric parameters, and FBG, calcium, and vitamin D were assessed. Blood samples were used to extract DNA. Taqman®-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to conduct genetic analysis for the rs10789117 and rs17458195. Statistical analysis was applied to determine differences across subgroups and the relationship between polymorphisms and disease. Age, body mass index (BMI), fasting Blood Sugar (FBG), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and smoking history were significantly correlated with CVD. Vitamin D was statistically associated with rs10789117 and rs17458195 in non-CVD individuals. In the moderate group, individuals with the C allele in rs10789117 showed a tenfold increase in vitamin D deficiency compared to those with the A allele. However, in rs11207997, individuals with the T allele had 5 to 6 times higher vitamin D deficiency than those with the C allele in all groups. This research demonstrates the relationship between some ANGPTL3 gene polymorphisms and complement levels in CVD patients. It may be concluded that individuals carrying these variants would likely benefit from using vitamin D and calcium supplements to avoid CVD., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, and is due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. It is multifactorial, caused by genetic and environmental factors and currently has no definitive cure. We have investigated the protective effects of parthenolide (PTN), a compound with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in an in vitro model of PD, that is induced by 6-OHDA, and that causes neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells., Methods and Results: SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with PTN to assess its protective effects in 6-OHDA-induced cellular damage. Cell viability was measured using Alamar blue. Apoptosis was evaluated using an Annexin V-FITC/PI kit. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified, and expression levels of apoptotic markers (Bax, Bcl-2, p53) and NF-κB were analyzed via Western blotting and Quantitative real-time- (qRT-) PCR. We found that 6-OHDA reduced cell viability, that was inhibited significantly by pre-treatment with PTN (p < 0.05). Flow cytometry revealed that PTN reduced apoptosis induced by 6-OHDA. PTN also reduced the ROS levels raised by 6-OHDA (p < 0.05). Moreover, PTN decreased the expression of Bax, p53, NF-κB, and p-NF-κB that were increased by treatment with 6-OHDA., Conclusion: These findings indicate the potential beneficial effects of PTN in an in vitro model of PD via mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation, suggested PTN as a promising agent to be used for PD therapy, warranting further investigation in preclinical and clinical studies., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common type of newly diagnosed cancer. Metastatic spread and multifactorial chemoresistance have limited the benefits of current therapies. Hence, it is imperative to identify new therapeutic agents to increase treatment efficacy. One of CRC's most promising immunotherapeutic targets is programmed death-1 (PD-1), a cell surface receptor that regulates immune responses. In this paper, we provide an overview of the therapeutic impact of PD-1 in the treatment of CRC. Cancer cells can exploit the PD-1 pathway by upregulating its programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) ligand to evade immune surveillance. The binding of PD-L1 to PD-1 inhibits T cell function, leading to tumor immune escape. PD-1 inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, block the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Clinical trials evaluating PD-1 inhibitors in advanced CRC have shown promising results. In patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors characterized by high mutation rates and increased immunogenicity, PD-1 blockade has demonstrated remarkable efficacy. As a result, pembrolizumab and nivolumab have received accelerated approval by regulatory authorities for the treatment of MSI-H/dMMR metastatic CRC. Additionally, combination approaches, such as combining PD-1 inhibitors with other immunotherapies or targeted agents, are being explored. Despite the success of PD-1 inhibitors in CRC, challenges still exist. Immune-related adverse events can occur and require close monitoring. In conclusion, PD-1 inhibitors have demonstrated significant therapeutic impact, particularly in patients with MSI-H/dMMR tumors., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aim: The current study investigated the association between triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and triglyceride/HDL-C indices and coronary atherosclerosis extent in diabetic and non-diabetic patients., Methods and Results: In this case-control study, 1538 individuals were classified into two groups: diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Each group was further grouped as follows: (1) angiography+ (2) angiography-and (3) subjects without a history of cardiovascular diseases. The TyG and TG/HDL-C indices were compared between the subgroups of the diabetic (n = 407) and non-diabetic (n = 1131) groups. In both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, there was no significant association in TG/HDL-C; and diabetic subjects, angiography+ and angiography-groups had significantly higher TyG (p < 0.05). A high TyG index was associated with a higher risk of angiography+ (OR: 1.883 (1.410-2.514))., Conclusions: The TyG index, but not the TG/HDL-C, was an independent marker for predicting the severity of coronary stenosis in non-diabetic patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We aimed to investigate the association between an empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH), empirical dietary index for insulin resistance (EDIR), and MetS and its components in an adult Iranian population. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 6482 participants aged 35-65 years were recruited as part of the MASHAD cohort study. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were used to define MetS. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to determine the association between EDIH, EDIR, and MetS and its components. The mean age and BMI of participants were 48.44±8.20 years, and 27.98±4.73 kg/m 2 , respectively. Around 59% of the population was female. Of the total population, 35.4% had MetS. According to the full-adjusted model, there was no significant association between higher quartiles of EDIH and EDIR and odds of MetS (Q4 EDIH; OR (95%CI):0.93 (0.74-1.18), Q4 EDIR; OR (95%CI):1.14 (0.92-1.40). Regarding MetS components, EDIR was associated with increased odds of hypertension and diabetes (Q4 EDIR; OR (95%CI):1.22 (1.04-1.44) and 1.22 (1.01-1.47), respectively). EDIH was also associated with decreased odds of hypertriglyceridemia (Q4 EDIH; OR (95%CI): 0.72 (0.60-0.87)). This study showed no significant association between hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance potential of diet and odds of MetS among Iranian adults. However, EDIR was significantly associated with increased odds of hypertension and diabetes as MetS components., (© 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Clinical Hypertension published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The inhibition of dipeptidyl- peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is an essential therapy for controlling hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, the role of DPP-4 in cancer is not yet clear, with some studies suggesting that it may either promote or suppress tumors. This makes it crucial to have personalized treatment for diabetic women with cancer to effectively manage their diabetes whilst and preventing cancer mortality. To address this issue, we conducted an integrative in-silico analysis and systematic review of the literature to comprehensively examine the relationship between DPP-4 expression and the effects of its inhibitors on prevalent female malignancies. We specifically chose studies that examined the effects of DPP-4 expression and DPP-4 inhibition (DPP-4i) on prevalent cancers in women, such as breast cancer (BC), ovarian cancer (OV), cervical cancer (CC), and endometrial cancer (EC). These studies comprised those conducted both in vivo and in vitro. The review of the literature indicated that DPP-4i may worsen aggressive traits such as metastasis, Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and chemotherapy resistance in BC cells. However, cohort studies on diabetic and BC patients did not confirm these findings. In vitro studies indicate that on OV, DPP-4 upregulation has been shown to prevent metastasis, while CCappears to be influenced by DPP-4 expression in terms of cell migration. sitagliptin, a pharmaceutical inhibitor of DPP-4, had a significant impact on reducing adhesion in CC cells in vitro. Overexpression of DPP-4 increased cell migration and proliferation in CC and EC cells, and hence the application of sitagliptin is expected to prevent this effect. On the other hand, the result of in-silico data confirmed that a significant correlation exists between DPP-4 expression and immune cell infiltration in breast, ovarian, cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) as well as downregulated in these cancers compared to their normal tissue samples. Furthermore, a significant (p < 0.05) effect on OS of BC and CESC patients has been reported due to the elevation of DPP-4 methylation on a specific CPG Island. These findings could aid in creating specialized treatments for diabetic women with specific malignancies, but caution should be exercised when considering the patient's medical history and cancer type., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Epigenetic mechanisms have been shown to play a critical role in the development and progression of gastrointestinal [GI] cancers. These mechanisms involve modifications to DNA and histones that can alter gene expression patterns and may contribute to the initiation and progression of cancers. In recent years, epigenetic therapies have emerged as a promising approach to treating GI cancers. These therapies target specific epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation, to restore normal gene expression patterns and inhibit cancer cell growth. Several epigenetic drugs have been approved for the treatment of GI cancers. Moreover, the use of epigenetic therapies in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapeutic agents, is being studied to improve treatment outcomes. We have provided an overview of the role of epigenetic mechanisms in GI cancer treatment aimed to focus on recent evidence of the use of epigenetic agents in clinical and preclinical GI cancer studies, including gastric, esophageal, hepatic, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. Overall, the role of epigenetic mechanisms in GI cancer treatments is an active area of research with the potential to improve patients' treatment outcomes and advance cancer treatment strategies., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The formation of fibrotic bands in female reproductive system, including the uterus, after abdominal and pelvic surgeries, is an important medical challenge associated with many complications, including infertility and pain. Investigating the role of different molecules involved in fibrosis and adhesion formation may help in the development of new drugs to prevent this disorder. Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LoxL2) is a copper-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the cross-linking of collagen and elastin fibers in the extracellular matrix (ECM) to stabilize ECM. Dysregulation of LoxL2 activity resulting from tissue hypoxia and inflammation after gynecological surgeries in the female reproductive tract increases collagen fibers cross-linking and promotes fibrosis. It has been shown that targeting LoxL2 by Lox inhibitors may reduce fibrosis. Considering the expression of LoxL2 in female reproductive organs and its dysregulation in hypoxia and inflammation, it is possible that LoxL2 has therapeutic potential as a drug target in the prevention of adhesions. In this review, we discuss the role of LoxL2 in the promotion of fibrotic processes focusing on its link with inflammatory and hypoxic conditions. We also justify the use of anti- LoxL2 agents as a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention of post-surgical scar formation., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Post-surgical peritoneal adhesions are a serious problem causing complications, such as bowel obstruction, infertility, and pain. There are currently no effective ways of preventing post-surgical adhesions. Excess secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and profibrotic molecules by immune cells and adherent fibroblasts is the main mechanism thatpromotes post-operative fibrotic scars. Although many studies have been conducted on the pathological causes of this disorder, there are still many unknown facts in this matter, so assessment of the role of different molecules in causing inflammation and adhesion can lead to the creation of new treatment methods. Connexins are a group of proteins related to gap junctions that have a role in cell communication and transmitted signaling between adjacent cells. Between different types of connexin protein isoforms, connexin43 is known to be involved in pathological conditions related to inflammation and fibrosis. Recent studies have reported that inhibition of connexin43 has the potential to reduce inflammation and fibrosis by reducing the expression of molecules like α-SMA and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) that are involved in the early stages of adhesion formation. Further, inhibition of connexin43 may have therapeutic potential as a target to prevent post-surgical peritoneal adhesions., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is associated with infertility. Little is known about the potential circulating biomarkers that could be used to predict POI. We have investigated the possible association between white and red blood cells, platelet indices, and eight established single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with POI risk., Method: 117 women with premature menopause (PM) and 183 healthy women without a history of menopause before age 40 were recruited for this study. The tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (Tetra ARMS PCR) and allele-specific oligonucleotides-polymerase chain reaction (ASO-PCR) were carried out for genotyping for eight SNPs reported to be associated with POI. Decision tree analysis was applied to test the diagnostic value of hematological parameters to identify the risk of POI., Results: Women with POI had lower neutrophil (NEUT) and white blood cell (WBC), whereas red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) were higher. Platelet (PLT) count was also lower in affected women. Our data also indicated that HGB and HCT count were significantly associated with rs16991615 and rs244715. Mean Platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were associated with rs244715, rs1046089, rs4806660, and rs2303369. The rs16991615 was also associated with RBC count, and rs451417 was associated with NEUTs. The decision tree (DT) model reveals that women with the NEUT count at a cut-off value of less than 2.8 and HCT equal to or more than 38.7% could be identified as high-risk cases for POI. Overall, we found the DT approach had a sensitivity = 85%, specificity = 72%, and accuracy = 74%., Conclusion: The genetic variants involved in POI are associated with changes in reproductive hormone levels and with changes in hematological indices., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is known as the leading cause of disability and death globally. Anxiety disorders are also recognized as common types of mental disorders that substantially impact global health. Iran ranks among the countries with a high incidence of CAD and anxiety disorders. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the potential association and epidemiological aspects of anxiety and CAD within the population of Mashhad, the second most popoulos city in Iran., Methods: The present study is based on extracted data from the Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) study which is a 10-year prospective cohort study intended to assess the effects of various CAD risk factors among Mashhad city residents. Anxiety scores were assessed at the baseline using Beck Anxiety Inventory and individuals were classified based on the BAI 4-factor structure model which included autonomic, cognitive, panic, and neuromotor components. Accordingly, the association between baseline anxiety scores and the BAI four-factor model with the risk of CAD events was analyzed using SPSS software version 21., Results: Based on the results, 60.4% of the sample were female, and 5.6% were classified as having severe forms of anxiety. Moreover, severe anxiety was more prevalent in females. Results showed a 1.7% risk of CAD (p-value < 0.001) over 10 years with one unit increase in anxiety score. Based on the 4-factor model structure, we found that only panic disorder could significantly increase the risk of CAD by 1.1% over the 10-year follow-up (p-value < 0.001)., Conclusion: Anxiety symptoms, particularly panic disorder, are independently and significantly associated with an increased overall risk of developing CAD over a 10-year period. Therefore, further studies are warranted to investigate the mechanisms through which anxiety may cause CAD, as well as possible interventions to mitigate these processes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The evolution of novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains with greater degrees of infectivity, resistance to vaccine-induced acquired immunity, and more severe morbidity have contributed to the recent spread of COVID-19. In light of this, novel therapeutic alternatives with improved effectiveness and fewer side effects have become a necessity. Despite many new or repurposed antiviral agents recommended for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) therapy, this objective remains unfulfilled. Under these circumstances, the scientific community holds the significant responsibility to develop classes of novel therapeutic modalities to combat SARS-CoV-2 with the least harmful side effects., Objective: Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs) are short single-stranded oligonucleotides that allow the specific targeting of RNA, leading to its degradation. They may also prevent cellular factors or machinery from binding to the target RNA. It is possible to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ASOs by chemical modification or bioconjugation, which may provide conditions for customization of a particular clinical target. This study aimed to outline the potential use of ASOs in the treatment of COVID-19 disease, along with the use of antisense stabilization and transfer methods, as well as future challenges and limitations., Methods: We have reviewed the structure and properties of ASOs containing nucleobase, sugar, or backbone modifications, and provided an overview of the therapeutic potential, delivery challenges, and strategies of ASOs in the treatment of COVID-19., Results: The first-line therapy for COVID-19-infected individuals, as well as the development of oligonucleotide-based drugs, warrants further investigation. Chemical changes in the oligonucleotide structure can affect the biological processes. These chemical alterations may lead to enhanced potency, while changing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics., Conclusion: ASOs can be designed to target both coding and non-coding regions of the viral genome to disrupt or completely degrade the genomic RNA and thereby eliminate SARS-CoV-2. They may be very effective in areas, where vaccine distribution is challenging, and they may be helpful for future coronavirus pandemics., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Although previous research has explored the link between plant-based diets and mental health outcomes, there has been limited study on the quality levels of plant foods in this context. This study was conducted on 733 adolescent girls from cities in northeastern Iran. The validated Iranian version of the Insomnia Severity Index, SF-12v2 questionnaire and Persian version of the Beck Depression Inventory used to assess insomnia and poor quality of life (QoL) and depression, respectively. Dietary intakes assessed using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. The association of scores of plant based dietary index (PDI) and poor QoL, depression and insomnia explored by binary logistic regression. The unadjusted model showed subjects in the highest quartile of healthy PDI had lower chances of insomnia than those in the lowest quartile (OR: 0.50; 95% CI 0.27-0.91, P = 0.024). The association persisted across various adjusted models. Subjects in the highest quartile of unhealthy PDI (uPDI) had higher chances of depression than those in the lowest quartile (OR: 1.83; 95% CI 1.09-3.08, P = 0.022). The significance of the association was maintained after adjusting for other confounders. A healthy plant-based dietary index is associated with a lower odds of insomnia. An unhealthy plant-based dietary index was associated to an increased chance of depression. Findings need to be confirmed by future studies., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) can be determined and quantified using the electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis. Identification of the risk factors associated with ECG abnormalities may advise prevention approaches to decrease CVD burden. In this study we aimed to investigate the association between CVD risk factors and minor and major ECG abnormalities in a general Iranian adult population. This study was conducted in 2010 and covered a population of 9035 males and females aged 35 to 65 years recruiting from the phase I of Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) cohort study. The participants were drawn by a stratified cluster random sampling technique. The Bivariate and multinomial logistic regression analysis were conducted considering gender stratification to explore the association of ECG abnormalities with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. There was a significant association between minor and major ECG abnormalities and hypertension (HTN), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), smoking, and physical activity (p < 0.005). There was a significant trend, in both genders, for increasing major abnormalities as the number of CVD risk factors increased. But, only in women, the minor abnormalities increase in frequency as the number of CVD risk factors increased. The results of multinomial logistic regression showed that men with HTN [ARRR = 1.25, 95% CI 0.99, 1.57] and T2DM [ARRR = 1.31, 95% CI 0.99, 1.74] had the highest likelihood to have major abnormalities, although these are not statistically significant. For women, those with HTN had the highest likelihood to have major [ARRR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.13, 1.63] and minor [ARRR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.15, 1.58] abnormalities. Also, women aged > 60 years were more likely to have major [ARRR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.49, 2.74] and minor [ARRR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.20, 2.10] abnormalities compared to women aged < 45 years. Age and HTN were significantly associated with major and minor ECG abnormalities in women, and, on the other hand, HTN and T2DM were associated with major abnormalities in men. Taken together, these findings suggest that healthcare providers should advise preventive approaches to the asymptomatic adults with both major and minor electrocardiographic abnormalities that may predict cardiovascular risk., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aim: QTc interval prolongation is a growing global issue which can cause torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia. We aimed to identify risk factors for prolonged QT interval in men and women., Methods: The Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) cohort study collected electrocardiogram interval data. QT was corrected for heart rate using the Bazett's formula. Ordinal logistic regression with crude (univariable) and adjusted (multivariate) association analyses in the form of odds ratio and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to identify the factors associated with QTc prolongation., Results: A total of 8878 individuals including 5318 females and 3560 males, aged 35 to 65 years, were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants with QTc prolongation were more likely to be older and have hypercholesterolemia, hypertension (HTN), and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but to have lower levels of physical activity (P < 0.05). Age (OR = 1.68, 95%CI = 1.18-2.39), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.77, 95%CI = 1.24-2.51), HTN (OR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.06-1.73), T2DM (OR = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.19-2.13), severe anxiety (OR = 1.80, 95%CI = 1.05-3.11) and mild depression (OR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.01-1.88) were independent risk factors for prolonged QTc interval in men. For women, only HTN (OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.02-1.63) and T2DM (OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.14-1.97) were independent risk factors., Conclusions: Older age, Hypercholesterolemia, HTN, T2DM, severe anxiety and mild depression in men, and HTN and T2DM in women were associated with high risk of prolonged QTc interval. Healthcare practitioners should be aware of the risk factors of QTc interval prolongation and should exercise caution in the management of certain patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Oxidative stress maybe involved in the patho-etiology of menstrual-associated complications. Curcuminoids, are polyphenolic natural compounds that have potentially important functional activities. This triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed to investigate the effects of a curcuminoids on oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in girls with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea. Eighty young girls with both PMS and dysmenorrhea were randomly given either curcuminoids (500 mg+5 mg piperine) or a placebo daily, for a period from 7 days pre- until 3 days post- initiation of menstrual bleeding for 3 successive menstrual cycles. The total antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity of serum and urine were quantified via ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods, respectively. There were no significant differences between the placebo and curcumin groups, with respect to the age, dietary intake and biochemical/anthropometric indices (p>0.05). The curcumin treatment significantly increased the free-radical scavenging activity of serum compared to the treatment with placebo (p=0.031). Although, no significant changes were found in serum and urinary levels of FRAP, DPPH and MDA between the groups (p>0.05). Curcumin treatment did increase free-radical scavenging activity and antioxidant potential in girls with PMS and dysmenorrhea. Investigations with higher doses and duration of curcumin are required to verify our findings., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: None declared., (© Chonnam Medical Journal, 2024.)

Purpose: Dietary acid load plays a key role in regulating serum uric acid levels. We hypothesized that dietary acid load indices would be positively associated with the odds of hyperuricemia. We aimed to test this hypothesis in a representative sample of Iranian adult population., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 6145 participants aged 35-65 years were recruited from MASHAD cohort study. Dietary intakes were assessed using a 24-h dietary recall. Diet-based acid load was assessed as the potential renal acid load (PRAL), net endogenous acid production (NEAP), and dietary acid load (DAL). Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid greater than the 75th percentile. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to determine the association between diet-based acid load scores and hyperuricemia., Results: The mean age of participants was 48.89 ± 8.09 years. Overall, 25.7% had hyperuricemia. According to the full-adjusted model, there was a significant association between higher tertile of PRAL, and DAL and hyperuricemia (Q3 PRAL; OR (95% CI): 1.23 (1.05-1.43), Q3 DAL; OR (95% CI): 1.22 (1.05-1.42)). Regarding NEAP, there was no significant association with hyperuricemia. We also found that dietary intake of total sugars, fiber, calcium, and magnesium was associated with the odds of hyperuricemia in our population., Conclusion: This study showed a significant positive association between two indicators of dietary acid load (PRAL, and DAL) and odds of hyperuricemia among Iranian adults., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a very high mortality rate globally. Despite ongoing efforts, its prognosis has not improved significantly over the last two decades. Thus, further approaches for optimizing treatment are required. Various biological processes oscillate in a circadian rhythm and are regulated by an endogenous clock. The machinery controlling the circadian cycle is tightly coupled with the cell cycle and can interact with tumor suppressor genes/oncogenes; and can therefore potentially influence cancer progression. Understanding the detailed interactions may lead to the discovery of prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers and new potential targets for treatment. Here, we explain how the circadian system relates to the cell cycle, cancer, and tumor suppressor genes/oncogenes. Furthermore, we propose that circadian clock genes may be potential biomarkers for some cancers and review the current advances in the treatment of PC by targeting the circadian clock. Despite efforts to diagnose pancreatic cancer early, it still remains a cancer with poor prognosis and high mortality rates. While studies have shown the role of molecular clock disruption in tumor initiation, development, and therapy resistance, the role of circadian genes in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis is not yet fully understood and further studies are required to better understand the potential of circadian genes as biomarkers and therapeutic targets., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Low-grade inflammation and stress oxidative condition play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity, and the serum levels of these markers, such as pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and uric acid may indicate obesity progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity with PAB, hs-CRP, and uric acid in the Iranian population., Methods: This study was derived from the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study. A total of 7985 subjects aged 35 to 65 years were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) as: normal, overweight and obese groups. Anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters such as PAB, superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD 1 ), hs-CRP, and uric acid were measured in all the participants. We evaluated the association of obesity with inflammatory factors by using multivariate regression analysis. Also, those participants with hypertension, an endocrine disorder, history of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study., Results: There was a positive significant correlation between BMI and serum PAB, hs-CRP and uric acid (p < 0.001). While no statistically significant relation was observed between BMI and SOD 1 (p = 0.85). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the risk of overweight and obesity increased 1.02 and 1.03-fold according to increase 10 units of PAB raise in comparison to reference group (normal weight) [(odds ratio (OR): 1.02, 95% CI (1.01-1.03)] and [OR: 1.03, 95% CI (1.01-1.04)], respectively). In addition, hs-CRP serum concentration was significantly associated with a high risk of obesity [(OR: 1.02; 95% CI (1.01-1.03)]. While the high levels of serum uric acid were associated with increased odds of overweight and obesity risk [OR: 1.4; CI (1.39-1.58) and OR: 1.76; CI (1.63-1.89), respectively]., Conclusions: Generally, we showed a significant association between BMI and serum PAB, hs-CRP values and uric acid levels, suggesting the role of these factors as risk stratification factors for obesity., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Muscle atrophy due to limb immobilization and inactivity is a common consequence of many diseases and treatment processes. One of the systems activated in inflammatory conditions is the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of one of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, enalapril, on improving muscle atrophy caused by immobility. The study was conducted in three groups: a control, an atrophy, and an atrophy group treated with enalapril on Balb/c mice. After tying a splint to cause atrophy in one of the legs, daily treatment with enalapril intraperitoneally (dissolved in DMSO) at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day was done for 7 days. On the eighth day, the splint was opened and half of the mice were evaluated. Then, in the recovery phase, treatment with enalapril was continued in the remaining mice for 10 days without a splint. At the end of each phase, the mice were examined for the muscle strength of the lower limb muscles, and histological and biochemical analyses were subsequently carried out. The tissue level of the oxidative stress index MDA was evaluated, which showed a significantly lower level in the enalapril group compared to the atrophy group (*P<0.1). Also, inflammatory factors in the enalapril group showed a decrease compared to the atrophy group. The strength of four limbs in the mice of the treatment group (-18.36 ± 1.70 %) was significantly higher than that of the atrophy group (-30.33 ± 3 %) at the end of the atrophy phase and also after 10 days of recovery. The results suggest that the use of enalapril that reduces the activation of angiotensin II-dependent pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory pathways may improve the functional disorder and muscle necrosis in the murine model of muscle atrophy., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Seifi et al.)

Gastric cancer (GC), ranking as the third deadliest cancer globally, faces challenges of late diagnosis and limited treatment efficacy. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) emerge as valuable treasured targets for cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and therapy, given their high specificity, convenient non-invasive detection in body fluids, and crucial roles in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Research indicates the significant involvement of lncRNAs in various aspects of GC pathogenesis, including initiation, metastasis, and recurrence, underscoring their potential as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets for GC. Despite existing challenges in the clinical application of lncRNAs in GC, the evolving landscape of lncRNA molecular biology holds promise for advancing the survival and treatment outcomes of gastric cancer patients. This review provides insights into recent studies on lncRNAs in gastric cancer, elucidating their molecular mechanisms and exploring the potential clinical applications in GC., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest I hereby confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome, (Crown Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Loss-of-function (LOF) variants of the angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) gene are reported to be associated with serum triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and thereby affect the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)., Objective: In the present study, we examined the association of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL 3 gene locus and the risk of CVD in the group of people who were part of the Mashhad-Stroke and Heart-Atherosclerotic-Disorders (MASHAD) cohort., Methods: One thousand and two healthy individuals enrolled in this study of whom 849 subjects were healthy and 153 subjects developed CVD outcomes after 6 years of follow-up. After a 12-h overnight fasting, 20 mL of blood samples were collected for the measurement of fasting blood glucose and lipid profile. DNA was extracted, and the Tetra-ARMS PCR (amplification refractory mutation system) was used for genotyping of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL3 gene. The genotype frequencies of the variant of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL3 gene were estimated using χ 2 tests. Eventually, the statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 20., Results: Individuals with AC/CC genotypes (rs10789117) were found to have to greater risk of CVD events compared to AA genotype (OR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.01-2.02, p = 0.041). There was a 1.3-fold increase in cardiovascular events in individuals carrying the C allele of rs10789117 variant compared to non-carriers (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.06-1.72, p value = 0.038). There were significant differences between different genotypes for serum triglyceride levels within the control group, but this difference was not significant in the group with CVD. Moreover, there was a significant association between CC genotype and CVD risk in the individuals with a normal serum HDL-C., Conclusion: We have found that a rs10789117 C>A in ANGPTL3 gene polymorphism was associated with incident CVD events, and this may be of value as a risk stratification biomarker in CVD in the Iranian population., (© 2024 The Authors. Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a serious adverse effect of cisplatin. The current study aimed to determine whether PEGylated nanoliposomal cisplatin can limit CIPN in an animal model., Methods: Cisplatin-loaded PEGylated liposome nanoparticles (Cis-PL) were produced as a combination of lecithin, cholesterol, and DSPE-mPEG2000 in a molar ratio of 50:45:5 and were characterized by polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis, as well as encapsulation efficiency (EE). Fifteen male rats were provided and randomly divided into 3 groups including Cis-PL group, cisplatin group, and control group. Behavioural tests (hot-plate test and acetone drop test) were used for evaluating CIPN. Moreover, oxidative stress markers and histopathological analysis were applied. Treatment-related toxicity was assessed by haematological analysis as well as liver and renal function tests., Results: Cis-PL had an average particle size of 125.4, PDI of 0.127, and zeta potential of -40.9 mV. Moreover, the Cis-PL exhibited a high EE as well as low levels of leakage rate at 25 °C. In a hot-plate test, paw withdrawal latency was longer in Cis-PL group in comparison to rats treated with cisplatin. A lower number of withdrawal responses was detected during acetone drop test in Cis-PL group than in cisplatin-treated rats. Assessment of oxidative stress markers showed that Cis-PL could improve oxidative stress. Additionally, histopathological assessment demonstrated that the number of satellite cells was significantly reduced in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of Cis-PL-treated rats compared with those treated with cisplatin. The cisplatin group had elevated white blood cells counts, reduced platelet counts, and higher levels of bilirubin, ALT (alanine aminotransferase, and AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and creatinine compared with the control group, which was ameliorated in Cis-PL group., Conclusions: Data from the current study support the previous hypothesis that Cisplatin-loaded PEGylated liposome could be a promising solution for CIPN in the future by modulating oxidative stress and preventing glial cell activation in DRG, suggesting further clinical studies to investigate the efficacy of this agent and its potential application in clinical practice., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the association between dietary mineral intake and Coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and its associated hospitalization., Methods: This cohort study utilized the MASHAD study population, which comprised individuals aged 35-65. Upon recruitment in 2007, dietary intake was documented using a validated 65-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Data on COVID-19 PCR test results was collected from all relevant medical centers in Mashhad between February 2020 and June 2022. The regression model included dietary minerals and employed the backward variable selection method, along with advanced data analysis techniques., Results: The final analysis involved 1957 participants, including 193 COVID-19-positive patients. The mean age was 49.71 and 50.28 years in the COVID-19-positive and negative groups, respectively (p = 0.12). Dietary intakes of magnesium, iron, and potassium were notably lower in COVID-19-positive patients (P < 0.05). Following adjustments for age and sex, dietary iron remained significantly associated with COVID-19 incidence (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90-0.98). Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was observed between dietary zinc and hospitalization due to COVID-19 (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51-0.93). In dynamical system models, intakes of calcium, zinc, and iron below the cut-offs of 1138, 9.7, and 8.17 mg/day, respectively, were linked to an increased risk of COVID-19 incidence., Conclusion: Higher dietary iron and zinc intake are associated with decreased risk of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, respectively., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Ovarian cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in women. Harmaline is reported to have powerful anticancer properties. We aimed to investigate the apoptotic and antimetastatic properties of harmaline in A2780 ovarian cancer cells. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were investigated in cells treated with harmaline. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mRNA expression of apoptosis-associated genes, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were measured. Harmaline attenuated the viability of A2780 ovarian cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent way. Furthermore, compared to NIH/3T3 mouse normal cell line (IC50 = 417 μM), the malignant A2080 cells were more sensitive to harmaline (IC50 = 300 μM after 24 h). Harmaline increased the production of ROS, raised the mRNA expression of p53 and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Harmaline also increased the proportion of cells in the late apoptotic and necrotic phases. MMP-2 and MMP-9's mRNA expression, gelatinase activity, and migration of A2780 cells also decreased by harmaline. These findings suggest that harmaline may have the potential to be a therapeutic drug for ovarian cancer by triggering apoptosis and suppressing invasion and migration., (© 2024 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.)

Objectives: Curcumin has antioxidant properties and has been proposed as a potential treatment for NAFLD. The aim of current systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate previous findings for the effect of curcumin supplementation on glycaemic indices, lipid profile, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and anthropometric measurements of NAFLD patients., Methods: Relevant studies published up to January 2024 were searched systematically using the following databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, WOS, Science Direct, Ovid and Cochrane. The systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. The quality of the papers was assessed the using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model and reported as the WMD and 95% CI. Also, subgroup analyses were done to find probable sources of heterogeneity among studies., Results: Out of 21010 records initially identified, 21 eligible RCTs were selected for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Overall, 1191 participants of both genders, 600 in the intervention and 591 in the control group with NAFLD were included. There are several limitations in the studies that were included, for instance, the results are weakened substantially by potential bias or failure to account for potential adulteration (with pharmaceuticals) or contamination (with other herbs) of the curcumin supplements that were tested. However, previous studies have reported curcumin to be a safe complementary therapy for several conditions. Our study indicated that curcumin supplementation in doses of 50-3000 mg/day was associated with significant change in FBG [WMD: -2.83; 95% CI: -4.61, -1.06), I 2 = 51.3%], HOMA-IR [WMD: -0.52; 95% CI: -0.84, -0.20), I 2 = 82.8%], TG [WMD: -10.31; 95% CI: -20.00, -0.61), I 2 = 84.5%], TC [WMD: -11.81; 95% CI: -19.65, -3.96), I 2 = 94.6%], LDL [WMD: -8.01; 95% CI: -15.79, -0.24), I 2 = 96.1%], weight [WMD: -0.81; 95% CI: -1.28, -0.35), I 2 = 0.0%] and BMI [WMD: -0.35; 95% CI: -0.57, -0.13), I 2 = 0.0%] in adults with NAFLD. There was no significant change in HbA1C, plasma insulin, QUICKI, HDL, SBP, DBP, CRP, TNF-α and WC after curcumin therapy. Subgroup analysis suggested a significant changes in serum FBG, TG, SBP, WC in RCTs for intervention durations of ≥ 8 weeks, and SBP, TG, LDL, HDL, BMI, WC in RCTs with sample size > 55 participants., Conclusion: Curcumin supplementation in doses of 50-3000 mg/day over 8-12 weeks was associated with significant reductions in levels of FBG, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, LDL, weight and BMI in patients with NAFLD. Previous studies have reported curcumin as a safe complementary therapy for several diseases. We would suggest that should curcumin supplements be used clinically in specific conditions, it should be used with caution. Also, difference in grades of NAFLD may effect the evaluated outcomes, so it is suggested that future studies be conducted with an analyses on subgroups according to their NAFLD grade. Furthermore, because of the failure to conduct independent biochemical assessment of the turmeric/curcumin product used in most studies as well as potential sources of bias, results should be interpreted with caution., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The prevalence of obesity and the diversity of available treatments makes the development of a national obesity registry desirable. To do this, it is essential to design a minimal dataset to meet the needs of a registry. This review aims to identify the essential elements of a successful obesity registry., Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis recommendations. Google Scholar, Scopus and PubMed databases and Google sites were searched to identify articles containing obesity or overweight registries or datasets of obesity. We included English articles up to January 2023., Results: A total of 82 articles were identified. Data collection of all registries was carried out via a web-based system. According to the included datasets, the important features were as follows: demographics, anthropometrics, medical history, lifestyle assessment, nutritional assessment, weight history, clinical information, medication history, family medical history, prenatal history, quality-of-life assessment and eating disorders., Conclusions: In this study, the essential features in the obesity registry dataset were demographics, anthropometrics, medical history, lifestyle assessment, nutritional assessment, weight history and clinical analysis items., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.)

Background: It has been proposed that a greater degree of adherence to a healthy dietary pattern is associated with a lower risk of depression and a poor quality of life (QoL). The Lifelines diet score (LLDS) is a new, evidence-base scoring system to define the quality of diet. We designed a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between LLDS with depression and QoL in Iranian adolescent girls., Methods: A total of 733 female adolescents were recruited from Mashhad and Sabzevar cities, Iran. Depression and QoL were assessed utilizing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and SF-12v2 questionnaires, respectively. The LLDS was defined by dividing intakes of 12 food groups with negative or positive health effects into quintiles ranging 12 to 60 points. To explore the association between LLDS with QoL and depression, logistic regression was used in crude and adjusted models., Results: The prevalence of depression and poor QoL was 24% and 49%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, adolescent girls in the highest quartile of LLDS compared with the participants in the lowest quartile had a 42% lower probability of reporting depressive symptoms (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35-0.97, P = 0.03). In addition, the participants in the highest quartile of LLDS had lower odds of poor QoL compared with the subjects in the lowest quartile (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.42-0.92, P = 0.04)., Conclusions: There is an inverse relationship between LLDS with risk of depression and poor QoL. Prospective and interventional investigations are needed to reach a clear vision., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Obesity and adipose tissue dysfunction are important risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers globally. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is expressed in many tissues, including adipose tissue. Dysregulation of angiotensin II and angiotensin II receptors in adipose tissue through the activation of different signaling pathways leads to adipose tissue dysfunction, including insulin resistance, adipose tissue inflammation, adipocytokines secretion, and metabolic alterations. The pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer remains uncertain. However, there is evidence that dysregulation of local angiotensin II in adipose tissue that occurs in association with obesity is, in part, responsible for the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. Due to the role of local angiotensin II in the dysfunction of adipose tissue, angiotensin receptor blockers may be considered a new therapeutic strategy in the amelioration of the complications related to adipose tissue dysfunction and prevention of pancreatic cancer. This review aims to consider the biological roles of local angiotensin II and angiotensin II receptors in adipose tissue dysfunction to promote pancreatic cancer progression with a focus on adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic reprogramming., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background and Aim: premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is defined as the menopause before 40 years of age, and its prevalence is reported to be two-fold higher in Iranian women than the average for woman globally. POI is associated with several cardio/cerebrovascular complications as well as an increased overall mortality. Genetic factors, and serum levels of minerals and vitamin D, have been reported to be related to the prevalence of POI. We have investigated the association between some POI -related genotypes with the serum levels of some important micronutrients., Methods: One hundred and seventeen women with POI and 183 controls without any renal, hepatic, and thyroid abnormalities were recruited as part of the MASHAD study. Demographic and anthropometric features were recorded and blood samples were collected and processed. DNA was extracted from the buffy coat of blood samples from all participants and 8 POI-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined using ASO-PCR or Tetra ARMS-PCR. Serum minerals and vitamin D concentrations were measured using routine methods., Results: In women with POI, serum copper, phosphate, and calcium were significantly different for those with rs244715, rs16991615, and rs4806660 genotypes, respectively. In our control population, significant differences were also found in serum copper concentrations between different genotypes of rs4806660, rs7246479, rs1046089, and rs2303369. After adjusting for all confounding factors, the women with POI carrying TC genotype (rs4806660) had a lower risk to have serum copper levels < 80 (µg/dL) than those carrying a TT genotype. Furthermore, women with POI carrying GG genotype (rs244715) had a 6-fold higher risk to have serum copper levels > 155 than those carrying AA genotype., Conclusion: The C and G alleles of the rs4806660 and rs244715 polymorphisms respectively are independently associated with serum copper in women with POI. Further studies are necessary to investigate the association of serum copper and other micronutrients in women and other POI -related polymorphisms., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Premature menopause (PM) is the cessation of ovarian function before age 40. PM women are more likely to have cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and mental disorders. This is the first study that assessed the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with anti-heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs- CRP), and PM and serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), as putative risk factors for CVDs. We aimed to explore the association of oxidative stress markers with eight different SNPs shown to be related to premature menopause., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional research, we included 183 healthy women and 117 premature menopausal women. We determined baseline characteristics for all participants and measured serum hs-CRP, anti-HSP-27 antibody titer, and PAB levels using the established methods. Genotyping for eight SNPs was done using the tetra amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (Tetra-ARMS PCR) and allele-specific oligonucleotide PCR (ASO-PCR) methods., Results: We found a significant difference between mean serum PAB levels and the genetic variant of rs16991615 (P=0.03). ANCOVA showed a significant effect of the genotypes rs4806660 and rs10183486 on hs-CRP serum levels in the case and control groups, respectively (P=0.04 and P=0.007). ANCOVA also showed an association between rs244715 genotypes and anti-hsp27 serum levels in the case group (P=0.02). There was a significant effect of the genotypes of rs451417 on the serum hs-CRP level in the control group (P=0.03)., Conclusion: There was a significant association of the genetic variants related to PM with oxidative stress and inflammatory markers (serum PAB, anti-hsp27 antibody, and hs-CRP). Accordingly, this seems to be an effective approach to predicting susceptible subjects for cardiovascular and mental disorders as well as various cancers.

Introduction: In addition to the well-established roles of vitamin D on bone health, it also appears to be an effective factor on mental health and circadian behaviors, that include eating and sleeping habits., Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between vitamin D status with night eating habits, sleep quality and depression in female college students., Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study studied healthy female students from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Demographic and anthropometric information as well as data on sleep quality and depression were recorded and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured. A 3-day food record questionnaire was completed to assess night eating habits. Data analyses were undertaken using Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant., Results: The study participants comprised of 272 female students with median (Inter Quartile Range) age of 22 (21-24) years. The majority of the participants (82.3 %) were classified as night eaters, who had higher rates of poor sleep quality compared to non-night eaters (P < 0.05). With 1 ng/ml increase in serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the odds of being a night eater fell by 3 % (OR = 0.97; 95%CI = 0.95, 0.99), and the odds of having depression or poor sleep quality decreased by 5 % (OR = 0.95; 95%CI = 0.93, 0.97) and 6 % (OR = 0.94; 95%CI = 0.91, 0.97), respectively., Conclusion: There was an inverse association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level with night eating habits, depression and poor sleep quality. This association needs be confirmed using cohort and interventional studies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim was to establish a 10-year dyslipidemia incidence model, investigating novel anthropometric indices using exploratory regression and data mining., Methods: This data mining study was conducted on people who were diagnosed with dyslipidemia in phase 2 (n = 1097) of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study, who were compared with healthy people in this phase (n = 679). The association of dyslipidemia with several novel anthropometric indices including Conicity Index (C-Index), Body Roundness Index (BRI), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), Weight-Adjusted-Waist Index (WWI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Adiposity Index (BAI) and Body Surface Area (BSA) was evaluated. Logistic Regression (LR) and Decision Tree (DT) analysis were utilized to evaluate the association. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of DT were assessed through the performance of a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve using R software., Results: A total of 1776 subjects without dyslipidemia during phase 1 were followed up in phase 2 and enrolled into the current study. The AUC of models A and B were 0.69 and 0.63 among subjects with dyslipidemia, respectively. VAI has been identified as a significant predictor of dyslipidemias (OR: 2.81, (95% CI: 2.07, 3.81)) in all models. Moreover, the DT showed that VAI followed by BMI and LAP were the most critical variables in predicting dyslipidemia incidence., Conclusions: Based on the results, model A had an acceptable performance for predicting 10 years of dyslipidemia incidence. Furthermore, the VAI, BMI, and LAP were the principal anthropometric factors for predicting dyslipidemia incidence by LR and DT models., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide; however, there is not a convincing treatment for this disease. Limitations of conventional CRC therapies force scientists to develop novel treatment concepts for both primary care alongside adjuvant therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been introduced as a promising therapeutic procedure for CRC mediated through theranostic principle in which special dyes, photosensitizers (PSs), are excited by near-infrared (NIR) and visible light. Recent studies showed that PDT has synergistic effects in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy in the treatment of CRC patients. Of note, nanoformulation of PS or immunotherapeutic agents could augment the PDT effectiveness. In this review, we summarize PDT application in CRC management with a special focus on the nanoparticles-based delivery system from the perspective of targeting deeper CRC and increased PDT efficiency, which could provide a desirable approach for clinical translation., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has become a major health concern with an increasing prevalence and is now one of the leading attributable causes of death globally. T2DM and cardiovascular disease are strongly associated and T2DM is an important independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease. T-wave abnormalities (TWA) on electrocardiogram (ECG) can indicate several pathologies including ischemia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between T2DM and T-wave changes using the Minnesota coding system., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the MASHAD cohort study population. All participants of the cohort population were enrolled in the study. 12-lead ECG and Minnesota coding system (codes 5-1 to 5-4) were utilized for T-wave observation and interpretation. Regression models were used for the final evaluation with a level of significance being considered at p < 0.05., Results: A total of 9035 participants aged 35-65 years old were included in the study, of whom 1273 were diabetic. The prevalence of code 5-2, 5-3, major and minor TWA were significantly higher in diabetics (p < 0.05). However, following adjustment for age, gender, and hypertension, the presence of TWAs was not significantly associated with T2DM (p > 0.05). Hypertension, age, and body mass index were significantly associated with T2DM (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Although some T-wave abnormalities were more frequent in diabetics, they were not statistically associated with the presence of T2DM in our study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is one the most prevalent types of cancer. Despite current chemotherapy's success, patients with GI cancer continue to have a dismal outcome. The onset and progression of cancer are caused by alterations and the abnormal expression of several families of genes, like tumor-suppressor genes, oncogenes, and chemotherapy-resistant genes. The final purpose of tumor therapy is to inhibit cellular development by modifying mutations and editing the irregular expression of genes It has been reported that CDH1, TP53, KRAS, ARID1A, PTEN, and HLA-B are the commonly mutated genes in GI cancer. Gene editing has become one potential approach for cases with advanced or recurrent CRC, who are nonresponsive to conventional treatments and a variety of driver mutations along with progression cause GI progression. CRISPR/Cas9 technique is a reliable tool to edit the genome and understand the functions of mutations driving GI cancer development. CRISPR/Cas9 can be applied to genome therapy for GI cancers, particularly with reference to molecular-targeted medicines and suppressors. Moreover, it can be used as a therapeutic approach by knocking in/out multiple genes. The use of CRISPR/ Cas9 gene editing method for GI cancer therapy has therefore resulted in some improvements. There are several research works on the role of CRISPR/Cas9 in cancer treatment that are summarized in the following separate sections. Here, the use of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in GI and the use of CRISPR/Cas9 is discussed in terms of Targeting Chemotherapy Resistance-related Genes like; KRAS, TP53, PTEN, and ARID1A., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)