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Antioxidants may affect the apoptosis induced by oxidative stress experimental models. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of astaxanthin on expression of apoptosis and oxidative stress-related genes in H2O2 induced oxidative stress BE(2)-C human neuroblastoma cell line. This experimental study consisted of six groups including control, H2O2 induced oxidative stress control, 100 mM vitamin C intervention, 25 μM astaxanthin intervention (Ax1), 50 μM astaxanthin intervention (Ax2) and 100 μM astaxanthin intervention (Ax3). Real-time PCR was used to study the expression of BAX, BCL2, Caspase3 (CAS3), P53, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX), catalase (CAT) and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2). According to the results, among the apoptosis-related genes, CAS3 was down-regulated in groups vitamin C, Ax1 and Ax2 compared with H2O2 group, while P53 was down-regulated only in group vitamin C (P < 0.05). Among the oxidative stress-related genes, GPX was up-regulated in groups Ax1, Ax2 and Ax3 compared with H2O2 group, while all the experimental groups showed up-regulation for CAT and NRF2 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, astaxanthin as a powerful antioxidant could inhibit apoptosis via amelioration of CAS3 gene which might be through amelioration of some antioxidant-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cinnamic acid, a phenylpropanoid acid, has been investigated as a potential alternative therapy for diabetes and its complications in some studies. Methods: In the first stage, the viability of HepG2 cells at different concentrations of glucose and CA was assessed by MTT assay. Oxidative stress markers) CAT, GPx, GSH, and MDA) were measured spectrophotometrically. After RNA extraction, the effect of different concentrations of CA on the expression of DPP4 and inflammatory factors (IL-6, NF- κB) in HepG2 cells was assessed using realtime PCR. Results: In HepG2 cells, CA increased catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity and GSH production in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of high glucose concentrations, with the greatest effect seen at a concentration of 75 mg/ml. Also, it reduced the amount of MDA in highglucose HepG2 cells. Furthermore, CA decreased the expression of DPP4, NF- κB, and IL-6 genes in HepG2 cells in the presence of high glucose levels. Conclusions: The results of our study indicated that CA reduced hyperglycemia-induced complications in HepG2 cells by decreasing inflammatory gene expression, including IL-6 and NF- κB and inhibiting the expression of DPP4, and limiting oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in women in Iran and many other countries around the world. This cancer is the most critical cause of malignancy-related mortality in women. Early detection of breast cancer through mammographic screening of breast cancer greatly increases the chance of a successful treatment. This study aimed to explore the obstacles to mammographic screening of breast cancer in women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 812 women over the age of 40 who had not undergone mammographic screening or had undergone it irregularly from three selected clinics in Zahedan in 2017. To this end, the researchers used a questionnaire which consisted of 17 questions to examine the barriers to mammographic screening of breast cancer. Results: The results of this study showed that the most common barriers to this test were the following: not having the symptoms of breast cancer (62.7%); mammography being performed by male staff (57.5%); the absence of this test as a priority and necessity of life (57.2%); examination being sufficient by a physician or healthcare providers for diagnosis of breast cancer (55.8%); and the embarrassment of getting naked during mammography (51.5%). Conclusion: Concerning the findings of this study, it has to be suggested first that mammography in the healthcare system should be performed by female staff. Second, health volunteers and local mass media, including provincial radio and television networks, can also play a major role in transferring educational materials to this target group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of thyroid disease (TD) in untreated CD patients and to evaluate the effect of gender and age on its prevalence. Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a form of intestinal malabsorption syndrome which is closely related to endocrine disorders, especially autoimmune thyroid disease and diabetes. The prevalence of TD is possibly high among patients with CD which necessitates the need for screening for TD among them. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 288 consecutive untreated patients with CD (mean age, 27.9±14) and 250 controls (mean age, 29.01±13.15) referred for endoscopy in a hospital located in Iran. Thyroid function was evaluated by measuring T3, T4, and TSH levels using ELISA technique, and testing anti-thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies through electrochemiluminescence method. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS v.22 software using descriptive statistics and chi-squared test. Results: Thyroid disease prevalence was 4-fold higher in patients than in controls (13.6% vs. 3.2%, p<0.05). Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 30 patients and 7 controls, while hyperthyroidism was observed in 9 patients and in one control. Chi-squared test results reported a significant difference in TD prevalence between patients and controls based on gender and age (p<0.05). In both groups, women were significantly more affected than men, and the TD prevalence was higher in younger patients compared to adults. Conclusion: There was a strong association between thyroid dysfunction and CD. In this regard, it is necessary to screen patients for TD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there is a growing interest for the use of antioxidants as a preventive agent against cadmium (Cd) intoxication. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary coenzyme Q10 supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activity in Cd-exposed glazers. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-month crossover clinical trial, coenzyme Q10 (60 mg twice daily) or placebo was administrated to 40 male glazers occupationally exposed to Cd. The subjects were randomly assigned to the placebo and coenzyme Q10 groups (n = 20 in each group). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of glazers were measured at baseline and at the end of both intervention phases. The primary outcomes were the changes in serum levels of MDA, TAC and the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx during administration with coenzyme Q10 versus placebo. Compared with placebo, treatment to coenzyme Q10 was associated with a significant reduction in serum MDA levels (p < 0.001) While, there was no significant effect on the serum TAC levels (p = 0.096). Also, the activity antioxidant enzymes of SOD (p < 0.001) and GPx (p = 0.003) were significantly higher and the CAT activity (p < 0.001) was lower after 2-month coenzyme Q10 administration compared with placebo. Data demonstrated that coenzyme Q10 supplementation at a dose of 60 mg (twice daily) is effective in reducing oxidative stress marker level (MDA) and improving antioxidant enzymes activity in glazers exposed to Cd. However, further research is needed to assess coenzyme Q10 as a possible dietary intervention in Cd-exposed workers. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Registration Number: IRCT2016061228407N1 (www.who.int/ictrp/network/irct/en/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the promising methods in fertility preservation among women with cancer is cryopreservation of ovarian cortex but there are many drawbacks such as apoptosis and considerable reduction of follicular density in the transplanted ovary. One solution to reduce ischemic damage is enhancing angiogenesis after transplantation of ovarian cortex tissue. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Setarud, on angiogenesis in transplanted human ovarian tissue. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, twenty-four nude mice were implanted subcutaneously, with human ovarian tissues, from four women. The mice were randomly divided into two groups (n=12): the experimental group was treated with Setarud, while control group received only vehicle. Each group was divided into three subgroups (n=4) based on the graft recovery days post transplantation (PT). The transplanted fragments were removed on days 2, 7 and 30 PT and the expression of Angiopoietin-1, Angiopoietin-2, and VEGF at both gene and protein levels and vascular density were studied in the grafted ovarian tissues. Results: On the 2nd and 7th day PT, the level of Angiopoietin-1 gene expression in case group was significantly lower than that in control group, while the opposite results were obtained for Angiopoietin-2 and VEGF. These results were also confirmed at the protein level. The density of vessels in Setarud group elevated significantly on day 7 PT compared to pre-treatment state. Conclusion: Our results showed that administration of Setarud may stimulates angiogenesis in transplanted human ovarian tissues, although further researches are needed before a clear judgment is made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dopaminergic signaling is one of the regulatory pathways being investigated for its implication in glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cabergoline on biochemical and anthropometric parameters in prediabetes stage (impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance). In this double blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study, 27 prediabetic adults were randomized to receive 0.25-mg cabergoline twice weekly for two weeks, followed by 0.5 mg twice weekly for next 14 weeks (n = 13) or placebo (n = 14). All subjects were advised to follow a 500 kcal-deficit energy diet. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance, glycated hemoglobin (A1c), fasting, and 2-h insulin were measured at baseline and at 16-week follow-up. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) 2 was calculated to estimate steady-state beta-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and insulin resistance. Our results showed significant reductions in fasting (P = 0.004) and 2-h plasma glucose (P = 0.01) after treatment, and significant improvements in beta-cell function (P = 0.03) and insulin resistance (P = 0.04) in the cabergoline group. The trend of non-significant A1c changes was decreasing in the cabergoline group versus an increasing trend in the placebo group. All anthropometric parameters were similar between the two groups. Our results revealed that twice-weekly cabergoline could improve glucose metabolism in prediabetes stage. Larger studies of longer duration are warranted to investigate the effect of cabergoline in preventing progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Each year many universities are admitting and graduating students, and in this perpetual cycle, paying attention to the quality of education and the environmental conditionsare of prime importance. Lack of academic success not only leads to waste of time and cost of training centers, but also causes psychological, familial, and community problems for students and their families. In this study, the effect of switching indigenous status scheme on students' academic career was studied. Methods: In this cross-sectional study all the students enrolled in 86-87 and 87-88 input fields were covered by local switching scheme. Data collection was done through the registered file content and student academic records and information from ministries and judicious organization. Results: Academic status of undergraduate students of Nursing, Midwifery and Family Health Technicians, who have been admitted based on indigenous status method was better than comparison group(P<0.05) and in academic achievements of Associate Degree Students of Environmental and Disease Prevention Sciences no significant difference was seen in both the groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: Considering the academic progress of majority of students admitted with this method, and other influences associated with this admission of students, such as social, cultural, and community economic issues can be improved. This kind of admission can be an appropriate method in admitting students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the major problems in wound healing is scar formation; however, there are few ways to prevent or treat it. Different species of Achillea are used to treat wounds in folk medicine from the past but there are few studies on the effect of it on wound healing and inhibition of scar formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Achillea biebersteinii Afan hydroethanolic extract on the expression of TGFβ1 and bFGF as effective growth factors of wound healing in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. Methods: Mouse embryonic fibroblast cells were exposed to different concentrations of Achillea extract at two different time (12 and 24 hr); the expression of TGFβ1 and bFGF was performed by real‐time‐PCR and ELISA at the level of gene and protein. Results: It was observed that the plant extract at 5 and 10 µg/ml downregulated the expression of TGFβ1 and upregulated the expression of bFGF at the level of gene and protein. Conclusion: The results showed that the pattern of changes in the expression of TGFβ1 and bFGF by Achillea biebersteinni Afan extract may inhibit scar formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Common Techniques for Preserving Fertility in Girls and Young Women Undergoing Cancer Treatment," by Maryam Hormozi and colleagues is presented.

Background: Silymarin is a flavonolignan that has various medicinal properties such as liver protection, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and heart protection activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of silymarin on the expression level of mir-21 , matrix metalloproteinase( MMP ), and their tissue inhibitors ( TIMPs ) in liver cancer HepG2 cell line., Methods: An in-vitro experimental study was conducted on the human HepG2 cells prepared from Pasteur Institute, Tehran, Iran. Four concentrations of 0 (control), 50, 100, and 150 µM of silymarin were considered as the study groups according to the MTT assay. Gene expression study was performed using real-time PCR. The studied genes were mir-21 , MMP-2 , MMP-9 , TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 . In addition, some apoptosis-related genes including BAX , BCL2 and Caspase3 ( CAS3 ) were investigated. GAPDH was used as an internal control. Relative expression was calculated by REST program using t-test on the logarithm of expression considering a significance level of 0.05., Results: The significant up-regulations consisted of TIMP genes for doses 100 µM and 150 µM, and the apoptosis activating genes CAS3 and BAX ( P < 0.05). The significant down-regulations consisted of MMP-9 in all concentrations, MMP- 2 in concentration 100 µM, and the apoptosis inhibitory gene BCL2 in concentrations 50 µM and 100 µM ( P < 0.05). In addition, mir-21 as an oncogenic micro-RNA showed significant down-regulation for all doses ( P < 0.05). All the comparisons were with the control group., Conclusion: The present study showed that silymarin could affect the HepG2 cell line at the gene expression level via increasing apoptosis and changing the expression of MMP-2 , MMP-9 , TIMP-1 , TIMP-2 and mir-21 . These findings were in line with each other and in favor of suppression of tumoral activity in this cell line., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2024 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)

Antioxidants may affect the apoptosis induced by oxidative stress experimental models. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of astaxanthin on expression of apoptosis and oxidative stress-related genes in H 2 O 2 induced oxidative stress BE(2)-C human neuroblastoma cell line. This experimental study consisted of six groups including control, H 2 O 2 induced oxidative stress control, 100 mM vitamin C intervention, 25 μM astaxanthin intervention (Ax1), 50 μM astaxanthin intervention (Ax2) and 100 μM astaxanthin intervention (Ax3). Real-time PCR was used to study the expression of BAX , BCL2 , Caspase3 ( CAS3 ), P53 , peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ ( PPARγ ), superoxide dismutase ( SOD ), glutathione peroxidase 1 ( GPX ), catalase ( CAT ) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 ( NRF2 ). According to the results, among the apoptosis-related genes, CAS3 was down-regulated in groups vitamin C, Ax1 and Ax2 compared with H 2 O 2 group, while P53 was down-regulated only in group vitamin C ( P  < 0.05). Among the oxidative stress-related genes, GPX was up-regulated in groups Ax1, Ax2 and Ax3 compared with H 2 O 2 group, while all the experimental groups showed up-regulation for CAT and NRF2 ( P  < 0.05). In conclusion, astaxanthin as a powerful antioxidant could inhibit apoptosis via amelioration of CAS3 gene which might be through amelioration of some antioxidant-related genes.

Objective: Mast cell population and histamine affect on blastocyst implantation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of progesterone administration after induction of ovulation on the uterine tissue mast cell population and histamine content in mice., Methods: We ran an experimental study on three groups of mice; control group, ovulation induction (induction group), and ovulation induction along with progesterone administration (progesterone group). Mast cells were counted using toluidine blue staining, and the histamine level was measured through spectrophotometry., Results: According to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), there was no difference in mast cell population in endometrium (p=0.138) nor in myometrium (p=0.611). The ratio of mast cells in the myometrium per endometrium increased in the progesterone group in comparison to the control group based on a generalized linear model (p=0.041). The uterine histamine level was different between the groups, based on the ANOVA (p=0.039), in which the progesterone group had lower amounts of histamine., Conclusions: Progesterone administration after ovulation induction did not decrease the number of endometrial mast cells and could have increased the ratio of myometrium mast cells per endometrium mast cell. The histamine level in uterus decreased by the administration of progesterone in the ovulation-induced mice.

Background/aim: Parents have an important role to play in supporting adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Their education and occupation are important factors for the management of this disease. This study aimed to investigate the parental support that Iranian adolescents with T1DM experience and to examine the effect of parents' education and occupation on adolescents' perceived the parental support and metabolic control., Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey. The participants were 98 adolescents (aged 11-18 years) with T1DM referred to Endocrinology Clinics of Shahid Rahimi and Shahid Madani hospitals in Khorramabad, Iran, in 2016. For evaluating the adolescents' perceptions of parental support, the family version of Diabetes Social Support Questionnaire was employed. It measures in five diabetic care areas (insulin administration, blood testing, meal planning, exercise, and emotional support). Data were analyzed in SPSS version 22 software using descriptive statistics and inferential tests including Pearson correlation test, ANOVA, and independent t -test., Results: The parents' educational level had a significant relationship with adolescents' perceived parental support and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level ( P < 0.05). Occupation of father had no significant influence on his supportive behavior and HbA1c level in adolescents, but mother's occupation significantly influenced them ( P < 0.05). In adolescents with higher perceived parental support, the mean HbA1c was lower., Conclusions: Parents with higher educational level can improve the metabolic control and provide better meal planning in adolescents with T1DM., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.