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Leila Maghsoumi-Norouzabad,1 Ahmad Zare Javid,2 Saleh Aiiashi,1 Seyed Ahmad Hosseini,3 Mohammadreza Dadfar,4 Hadi Bazyar,1 Maryam Dastoorpur5 1Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Department of Nutrition, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Department of Urology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 5Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranCorrespondence: Saleh AiiashiDepartment of Biochemistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Golestan Street, Ahvaz, IranEmail s.aiiashi65@gmail.comObjective: The aim of this study was to examine the correlations between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and semen parameters (semen volume, sperm count, motility, and morphology) and sex hormones in Iranian men with infertility.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 119 male patients who had lived as a partner in an infertile couple for at least 1 year, after regular unprotected sexual intercourse in their married life were investigated. BMI and WC were assessed, and a morning blood sample was taken assessing serum levels of testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2) and leptin. Semen-analysis parameters were also measured.Results: Based on BMI and WC, the sperm count, total motility and progressive sperm were significantly lower in overweight and obese infertile males compared to that in normal weight infertile males and those with WC< 102 cm. In addition, the fraction of sperm with abnormal morphology was significantly higher in infertile men with WC> 102 cm compared to that in those with WC< 102 cm. Moreover serum levels of LH, FSH, and leptin were significantly higher in overweight and obese infertile males compared to that in normal weight infertile males and those with WC< 102 cm. Moreover serum level of E2 was significantly higher in obese infertile males compared to the normal weight infertile males and in those with WC> 102 cm compared to the WC< 102 cm. Furthermore, serum level of T was significantly lower in obese infertile males compared to the overweight infertile males and in those with WC> 102 cm compared to the WC< 102 cm. The mean of T/E2 ratio also was significantly lower in obese infertile males vs overweight and normal weight infertile males and in those with WC> 102 cm compared to the WC< 102 cm.Conclusion: We concluded that overweight and obesity in infertile men compared to those with normal weight may worsen the infertility situation.Keywords: male infertility, obesity, semen parameters, sex hormones

Parvin Farzanegi,1 Hajar Abbaszadeh,1 Farzaneh Farokhi,2 Saleh Rahmati-Ahmadabad,3 Seyed Ali Hosseini,4 Abdi Ahmad,5 Mohammad Reza Mazandarani,6 Iraj Rezaei,1 Mohammad Shokrie,1 Exir Vizvari,7 Hadi Alinejad,1 Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani8 1Department of Exercise Physiology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran; 2Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran; 3Department of Physical Education, Pardis Branch, Islamic Azad University, Pardis, Iran; 4Department of Sport Physiology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran; 5Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran; 6Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, Gorgan, Iran; 7Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Humanities, Shams Institute of Higher Education, Gonbad Kavous, Iran; 8Department of Exercise Physiology, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Parvin FarzanegiDepartment of Exercise Physiology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, IranEmail parvin.farzanegi@gmail.comBackground/Objective: One of the problems associated with aging is the development of apoptosis in different tissues. There is evidence that physical activity and herbal remedies can be useful. This study aimed to determine the effect of swimming training (SW) alone or combined with garlic extract on renal and hepatic cells apoptosis, as wellas on the liver and kidney function biomarkers in old rats.Methods: A total of 35 old rats (aged 40– 50 weeks) were randomly divided into 5 groups including control, saline (S), exercise training (ET), garlic (G) and exercise training+ garlic (ET.G) groups. Exercise was started for 5 min/day and then gradually extended to 60 min/day and the G and E+G groups received 1 mL/kg of this mixture by gavage. Twenty-four hours after completion of 8 weeks training, liver, kidney and blood samples were collected for histopathological examinations, liver and kidney functions, oxidative stress and apoptosis biomarkers.Results: The tissue sections of the SW exercise, control and saline groups showed some mild histopathological changes in liver and kidney, while SW supplemented with garlic prevented these damages. The SW alone or supplemented with garlic significantly increased the Bcl-2 value and declined the BAX level in both liver and kidney (p< 0.05). The activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver and kidney of the control and saline groups were lower than those in E, G and G+E groups, while a significant increase for malondialdehyde (MDA) value was found in the control and saline groups. Furthermore, the E+G significantly declined the activity of hepatic (ALT, AST and ALP) and renal damage (uric acid, urea and creatinine) biomarkers compared to the control and saline groups (p< 0.05).Discussion: Swimming exercise supplemented with garlic extract not only improves antioxidant capacity but also declines oxidative damages and apoptosis through reducing Bax levels and enhancing Bcl-2 value.Keywords: apoptosis, garlic extract, antioxidant, oxidative stress, swimming exercise, old rats

Hadi Zare-Zardini,1– 3 Ashraf Alemi,4 Asghar Taheri-Kafrani,5 Seyed Ahmad Hosseini,6 Hossein Soltaninejad,7,8 Amir Ali Hamidieh,9 Mojtaba Haghi Karamallah,10 Majid Farrokhifar,11 Mohammad Farrokhifar12 1Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran; 2Department of Sciences, Farhangian University, Isfahan, Iran; 3Medical Nanotechnology &Tissue Engineering Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran; 4Abadan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran; 5Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran; 6Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 7Tissue Bank & Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 8Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; 9Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 10Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran; 11Department of Pediatrics, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran; 12Kar Higher Education Institute of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, IranCorrespondence: Ashraf Alemi Tel/ Fax +986153384008Email alemi.ashraf@gmail.comIntroduction: Ginsenoside Rh2, purified from the Panax ginseng root, has been demonstrated to possess anticancer properties against various cancerous cells including colorectal, breast, skin, ovarian, prostate, and liver cancerous cells. However, the poor bioavailability, low stability on gastrointestinal systems, and fast plasma elimination limit further clinical applications of Ginsenoside Rh2 for cancer treatments. In this study, a novel formulation of niosomal Ginsenoside Rh2 was prepared using the thin film hydration technique.Methods: The niosomal formulation contained Span 60 and cholesterol, and cationic lipid DOTAP was evaluated by determining particle size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, the polydispersity index (PDI), and surface morphology. The cytotoxic effects of free Ginsenoside Rh2 and Ginsenoside Rh2-loaded niosomes were determined using the MTT method in the PC3 prostate cancer cell line. For the investigation of the in vitro cellular uptake of Ginsenoside Rh2-loaded niosome, two formulations were prepared: the Ginsenoside Rh2-loaded niosomal formula containing 5% DOTAP and the Ginsenoside Rh2-loaded niosomal formula without DOTAP.Results: The mean size, DPI, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency of the Ginsenoside Rh2-loaded nanoniosomal formulation containing DOTAP were 93.5± 2.1 nm, 0.203± 0.01, +4.65± 0.65, and 98.32% ± 2.4, respectively. The niosomal vesicles were found to be round and have a smooth surface. The release profile of Ginsenoside Rh2 from niosome was biphasic. Furthermore, a two-fold reduction in the Ginsenoside Rh2 concentration was measured when Ginsenoside Rh2 was administered in a nanoniosomal form compared to free Ginsenoside Rh2 solutions in the PC3 prostate cancer cell line. After storage for 90 days, the encapsulation efficiency, vesicle size, PDI, and zeta potential of the optimized formulation did not significantly change compared to the freshly prepared samples. The cellular uptake experiments of the niosomal formulation demonstrated that by adding DOTAP to the niosomal formulation, the cellular uptake was enhanced.Discussion: The enhanced cellular uptake and cytotoxic activity of the Ginsenoside Rh2 nanoniosomal formulation on the PC3 cell make it an attractive candidate for application as a nano-sized delivery vehicle to transfer Ginsenoside Rh2 to cancer cells.Keywords: nanoniosomal, Ginsenoside Rh2, chemotherapy, PC3 prostate cancer cell line

Seyed Ahmad Hosseini,1 Maryam Vali,2 Mohammad Hossein Haghighi-Zade,3 Amir Siahpoosh,4 Reza Malihi5 1Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Department of Nutrition, School of Paramedical Sciences, Arvand International Division, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 5Department of Nutrition, Abadan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Abadan, IranCorrespondence: Reza Malihi Tel +989 166051161Email r.malihi@abadanums.ac.irPurpose: Diabetes can increase oxidative stress in various tissues of the body, and the progress of this process is associated with intensification of the complications of diabetes. The current study purposed to evaluate the protective effect of Pinus gerardiana (PG) seed on oxidative stress induced by diabetes in the liver and serum of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: This interventional study was performed on 36 male Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (healthy controls, healthy treated with 3% and 6% (PG), diabetic control, diabetic treated with 3% and 6% (PG) doses). After 6 weeks of intervention, weight, glucose, and oxidative stress parameters in serum and liver including total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, total thiol and superoxide dismutase activity were measured. Data analysis was done by statistical software version 16 and Tukey’s one-way ANOVA tests.Results: Diabetic rats showed significantly higher malondialdehyde and fasting glucose levels (12± 1.2 mmol/L) and significant reductions in fasting insulin serum, weight (− 37%), and activity of superoxide dismutase enzymes, total thiol groups, and total antioxidant capacity of serum and liver (about +49% in liver and +16% in serum) (p < 0.001) compared with the healthy groups. Oral administration of PG nuts to diabetic rats caused a significant reduction in malondialdehyde and fasting glucose levels (− 43%) and weight loss (+15%), and a significant increase in activity of superoxide dismutase enzymes, total thiol groups, and total antioxidant capacity of serum and liver (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The present study concluded that PG can decrease fasting blood glucose, improve insulin resistance, reduce weight loss, and improve oxidative stress indices in the serum and liver of STZ-induced diabetic rats. It is a potential therapeutic food supplement for the treatment and prevention of hyperglycemia and high oxidative stress of diabetes.Keywords: diabetes mellitus, Pinus gerardiana, oxidative stress, blood glucose, rat

Farhad Abolnezhadian,1 Seyed Ahmad Hosseini,2,3 Meysam Alipour,3 Mehrnoosh Zakerkish,4 Bahman Cheraghian,5 Pegah Ghandil,6 Makan Cheraghpour3 1Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Hyperlipidemia Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 5Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 6Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranCorrespondence: Seyed Ahmad HosseiniHyperlipidemia Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranEmail Seyedahmadhosseini@yahoo.comBackground: The role of metabolic states in cardiovascular risks among individuals with varying degrees of obesity is unknown. The study aimed to compare cardiometabolic index (CMI), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), lipid accumulation product (LAP) and novel anthropometric indices in metabolic and non-metabolically obese individual with regard to the role of FTO gene in Iranian adults.Methods: In total, 165 individuals were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Individuals grouped into four groups: metabolic healthy normal-weight (MHNW) individuals, metabolically unhealthy normal-weight (MUNW) individuals, metabolically healthy obese (MHO) individuals and metabolic unhealthy obese (MUO) individuals. The dietary intake was evaluated by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The cardiovascular indices (CMI, AIP and LAP) were calculated. A variety of anthropometric indices were calculated, including body adiposity Index (BAI), weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI), A body shape index (ABSI) and waist-height ratio (WHR). The genotypes of FTO-rs9939609 subjects were detected by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).Results: The individuals with metabolically unhealthy phenotypes (MUO, MUNW) have higher levels of triglyceride and cardiovascular indices (AIP, LAP and CMI) than the individuals with metabolic healthy phenotypes (MHO, MHNW). With a similar degree of obesity, the anthropometric indices (BAI, WWI and WHR) levels were higher in metabolic unhealthy groups than metabolically healthy groups. The highest frequency of obesity-risk allele AA of FTO gene was observed in MUO, MHO, MUNW and MHNW, respectively.Conclusion: Normal-weight individuals with metabolic unhealthy status are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases than obese individuals with metabolically healthy status. The genotype frequencies of obesity-risk allele AA of FTO gene were higher in obesity phenotypes than metabolic phenotypes.Keywords: cardiovascular, atherogenic index, obesity, FTO

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of the encapsulated thyme essential oil (TEO), oregano essential oil (OEO) mixture and probiotic on growth performance, immune response and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 490 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into seven treatments consisting of five replicates (n=14). Birds were fed with 1) basal diet (control), and a basal diet containing; 2) 10 mg Avilamicine antibiotic, 3) 200 mg/kg encapsulated TEO+OEO mixture, 4) 200 mg/kg non-capsulated TEO+OEO mixture, 5) Pronigeb® (probiotic), 6) Pronigeb® with 200 mg/kg non-capsulated TEO+OEO mixture and 7) Pronigeb® with 200 mg/kg encapsulated TEO+OEO mixture. Results revealed that birds fed diet containing antibiotic, encapsulated TEO+OEO mixture with and without probiotic had significantly higher body weight gain (BWG) compared with control and non-capsulated TEO+OEO mixture groups on day 42 (P < 0.05). Dietary inclusion of TEO+OEO in capsulated form and also in along to probiotic increased humoral immunity in broiler chickens compared with other groups (P < 0.05). Birds fed the diet supplemented with different types of additives showed significantly higher dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) compared with the control group at 32 days of age (P < 0.05). Dietary inclusion of the encapsulated EOs with and without probiotic both significantly increased villus length and villus width in comparison to other groups (P < 0.05). The highest and lowest ratios were observed for the control group and probiotic+encapsulated TEO+OEO group respectively. These results indicate that feeding birds with diet containing encapsulated EOs alone or together with probiotic could improve BWG, immune responses and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens.

Ahmad Zare Javid,1,2 Seyed Ahmad Hosseini,1,2 Hassan Gholinezhad,2 Leila Moradi,3 Mohammad Hosein Haghighi-zadeh,4 Hadi Bazyar1,5 1Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Department of Nutrition, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Health Research Institute, Diabetes Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 5Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranCorrespondence: Hadi BazyarNutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranTel +98 9136659629Email hadibazyar2015@gmail.comBackground and Aim: The imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems often leads to further oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of both diabetes and periodontal disease. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of melatonin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with periodontal disease (PD) under non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT).Materials and Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial study, 50 T2DM patients with PD were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups and received 250 mg/day (2 tablets) either melatonin or placebo 1 h before bedtime for 8 weeks. The NSPT was performed for all patients in both groups at the beginning of the study. The serum levels of interleukin-1b (IL-1b), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured pre- and post-intervention.Results: Supplementation with melatonin in adjunct to NSPT significantly increased the serum levels of TAC, SOD, CAT, and GPx in the intervention group (P = 0.02, 0.008, 0.004 and 0.004, respectively). The mean changes of SOD, CAT, and GPx were significantly (P = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.04, respectively) greater in the intervention group compared with the control group. Also, after adjusting for confounding factors, the results did not change in terms of significance (P < 0.05). After the intervention, serum levels of MDA and IL-1b were significantly reduced in the intervention group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). The intervention group exhibited lower mean changes of MDA compared with the control group, and these changes were statistically significant (P = 0.008). In addition, after adjusting for confounding factors, the results did not change in terms of significance.Conclusion: The adjunctive effects of melatonin and NSPT may improve inflammatory and antioxidant parameters in T2DM patients with PD.Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, periodontal disease, melatonin, inflammatory markers, antioxidant enzymes

Seyed Ahmad Hosseini,1 Nazanin Zahrooni,2 Ahmad Ahmadzadeh,3 Kambiz Ahmadiangali,4 Mohammad-Ali Assarehzadegan5 1Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Paramedicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Biostatistics Division, Health School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 5Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Nazanin ZahrooniDepartment of Nutrition, Faculty of Paramedicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Tel +98 61 3336 7543Fax +98-6133720299Email nzahroonii@gmail.comBackground: Survival rates among breast cancer patients and the number of patients living with treatment side effects have improved, leading to increased focus on quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of CoQ10 on QOL scores among breast cancer patients in Iranian undergoing tamoxifen therapy.Methods: Thirty breast cancer patients were randomized into two groups. The first group received 100 mg CoQ10, and the second group took fplacebo once a day for 8 weeks. QOL was evaluated by a standard QOL questionnaire and a specific questionnaire on QOL of breast cancer patients at baseline and the end of the study. Also, physical activity of patients was assessed with the IPAQ questionnaire and dietary intake determined by a 3-day dietary record.Results: The data of 30 subjects were analyzed. According to QOL C30 data, CoQ10 led to a significant increase in physical functioning (P=0.029), emotional functioning (P=0.031), and cognitive functioning (P=0.023) compared to placebo. Symptom scales revealed a notable reduction in appetite loss in the first group (P=0.01). Global health status showed no significant changes in either study arm. On the QOL BR23, progress in functions and decline in symptoms were not statistically significant. Arm symptoms showed significant reduction (P=0.022) in patients that received placebo.Conclusion: This trial indicates that CoQ10 supplementation has effects in ameliorating some dimensions of QOL in breast cancer patients. To generalize the results, larger and longer intervention studies are needed.Clinical Trial Registration: IRCT2015042021874N1.Keywords: breast cancer, CoQ10, quality of life, tamoxifen

Roya Rafie,1 Seyed Ahmad Hosseini,1 Eskandar Hajiani,2 Amal Saki Malehi,3 Seyed Ali Mard4 1Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Research Center for Infectious Diseases of the Digestive System, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Health Research Institute, Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Alimentary Tract Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Clinical Research Development Unit, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranCorrespondence: Seyed Ahmad HosseiniNutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranTel +98-6133367543Fax +98-6133720299Email Seyedahmadhosseini@yahoo.comBackground: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver disorders. The main causes of NAFLD are associated with insulin resistance, severe lipid metabolism disorders, oxidative stress and inflammation. Previous studies have reported that ginger has positive metabolic results.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ginger powder supplement on lipid profiles, insulin resistance, liver enzymes, inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant status in patients with NAFLD.Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 46 people with NAFLD were parted into two groups and subjected to the ginger or placebo capsules (3 capsules daily, each containing 500 mg of ginger or wheat flour) over 12 weeks. All patients received a diet with balanced energy and physical activity during the intervention period. Liver ultrasonography, anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters were measured before and after intervention.Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups in the baseline variables at the beginning of the study. At the end of the study, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance index (HOMA), C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fetuin-A in the group receiving a ginger supplement significantly decreased compared to placebo. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in body weight, fasting insulin, HDL-C, triglyceride, adiponectin, alpha-tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fatty liver index (FLI), fatty liver grade and blood pressure.Conclusion: The ginger supplement may be used as a complementary therapy along with existing therapies to reduce insulin resistance, liver enzymes and inflammation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver.Keywords: ginger, liver enzymes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, lipid profiles, insulin resistance

Nazanin Zahrooni,1 Seyed Ahmad Hosseini,2 Ahmad Ahmadzadeh,3 Kambiz Ahmadi Angali,4 Mohammad Ali Assarehzadegan5 1Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Paramedicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Biostatistics Division, Health School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 5Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranCorrespondence: Seyed Ahmad HosseiniNutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranTel +98-6133367543Fax +98-6133720299Email Seyedahmadhosseini@yahoo.comBackground: To better evaluate the efficacy of CoQ10 on the inflammatory markers in breast cancer patients, we conducted a clinical study of patients with breast cancer undergoing tamoxifen therapy. CoQ10 serves as an antioxidant and inhibits oxidation caused by reactive oxygen species. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on serum levels of interleukin 6, 8, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with breast cancer undergoing tamoxifen therapy by a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.Methods: In the study, 30 breast cancer patients and 29 healthy subjects were randomized into four groups. Two groups of intervention received 100 mg CoQ10, and two control groups took placebo once a day for 2 months. Blood draws were obtained at baseline and at the end of the study. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF were analyzed using ELISA kits.Results: The data of the 59 participants were analyzed. Supplementation with CoQ10 demonstrated a significant decrease in IL-8 and IL-6 serum levels compared to placebo (P< 0.05). Although the downward trend was evident, CoQ10 supplementation did not reveal any significant effect on serum VEGF concentration. The group of patients who received supplements showed the most reduction in serum levels of cytokines among other groups.Conclusion: CoQ10 supplementation could be effective in ameliorating inflammatory cytokine levels, thereby reducing the consequences of inflammation caused by breast cancer. To generalize the results, larger and longer intervention studies with higher safe doses are needed and should take account of possible costs and harms as well as benefits (registration number: IRCT2015042021874N1).Keywords: breast cancer, CoQ10, inflammatory cytokines, quality of life, tamoxifen

Case presentation: A 20 month-old hypotonic boy with a history of preterm labor at 32 weeks of gestational age, secondary generalized seizures in infancy, hypothyroidism (T4: 2, TSH: 14); motor and speech developmental delay, mild ataxia and renal failure (chronic kidney disease: CKD) was presented to the clinic of Taleghani pediatric hospital in Gorgan, Northern Iran during 2015. In further evaluation, the patient did not have fix and follow occularly and the head of the left optic nerve was atrophic and congenitally malformed although it seemed the visual prognosis for the right eye was even good with just a slightly pale nerve. The renal ultrasonography showed an increase of general echo which was suggestive for congenital or parenchymal abnormalities. Dialysis was ordered but the patient's family declined. The Image of the infant brain in axial cut using MRI 1.5 Tesla marked molar tooth sign (MTS). The schematic view is also given. Conservative treatment including Scholl, anti-convulsant solution, (30 cc daily), ferrous sulfate (20 drops), calcium tablets carbonate (2 per day) and phenobarbital (5 mg/kg/bw divided in two parts) was administered for the patient. Diagnosis: Classic Joubert syndrome subtype: CORS (11q12.2 TMEM216) Joubert syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder affecting the cerebellum and characterized by abnormal respiratory pattern and eye movements, hypotonia, ataxia, developmental retardation with neuropathological defects of cerebellum and brainstem comprising inherited hypoplasia or aplasia of vermis. This clinical entity is possibly under-reported with a prevalence of less than 1 per 100,000. This syndrome is prototype of congenital vermian hypoplasia. Treatment for Joubert syndrome is symptomatic and supportive. Infant stimulation and physical, occupational, speech and hearing therapy may benefit some patients. Infants with abnormal breathing patterns must be monitored.

With the complexity and amount of information in a wide variety of comparative performance reports in poultry production, making a decision is difficult. This problem is overcomed only when all data can be put into a common unit. For this purpose, five different decision making analysis approaches including Maximin, Equally likely, Weighted average, Ordered weighted averages and Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution were used to choose the best broiler strain among three ones based on their comparative performance and carcass characteristics. Commercial broiler strains of 6000 designated as R, A, and C (each strain 2000) were randomly allocated into three treatments of five replicates. In this study, all methods showed similar results except Maximin approach. Comparing different methods indicated that strain C with the highest world share market has the best performance followed by strains R and A.

Background: The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection in the hamstring and calf muscles with and without ankle serial casting in the improvement of gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods : This double-blind prospective clinical trial was performed on 25, 2 to 8-year-old children with hemiplegic or diplegic CP in Tehran, Iran in 2010. The participants were chosen by simple randomized sampling and were matched for age, gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) and type of CP and were randomly divided into two groups: children in the first group (13) only received BTX-A injection, but the second group (12) received BTX-A and serial foot casting starting one week after the injection.Results : Comparison of the gross motor function, right and left knee spasticities and passive ROM of both knees between the two groups before and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the injections were not statistically significant (P>0.1). Furthermore, comparison of the right and left ankle spasticities and passive ROM before the injections and in1 and 3-month follow-ups did not show a statistically significant difference (P>0.1), but the differences were significant in 6 and 12-month follow-ups (P

Background and Objective: Cardiovascular diseases is the first cause of mortality in developed and developing countries. This study was done to determine findings of coronary arteries angiography of subjects referring to Kosar angiography center in Golestan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study 5444 patients whome referred to the Kosar angiography center in Golestan province, Northern Iran undervent in this study during 2008-09. Gender, age, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, opium, hypertension and coronary arteries angiography findings were completed for each subjects. Coronary arteries angiography was performed on 5400 of subjects. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-13, ANOVA, Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: In this study 52% of subjects were men. 72% of patients were Native Fars. 49.5% of subjects were found to be illiterate. While 92.6% of clients did not reported any history of smoking, 22.5% of subjects were addicted to different opium. The mean BMI was 27.48 and 38.2% of clients reported a history of hypertension. Coronary arteries angiography was performed on 5400 of subjects. Coronary arteries disorders were determined in 3142 of subjects (58.8% males, 41.2% females). Left anterior descending, right coronary artery, circumflex and obtuse marginal were the most involved coronary arterial branches in positive angiograms, respectively.The most severe failure (47.7%) has been found in left anterior descending artery. Conclusion: Due to high incidence of coronary arteries disease in this region of Iran, it is suggested to design a project to investigate the preventive mearsures of cardiovascular disorders.

This paper discusses strengths and weaknesses of 4D seismic interpretation as a technique for monitoring carbon dioxide that was injected as part of a large scale test associated with commercial enhanced oil recovery (EOR) at Cranfield Field, Mississippi, USA. The goals of the monitoring effort are 1) to make measurements to verify that the CO2 is contained in the reservoir according to operational designs and model predictions, and 2) that if there are deviations, to provide data which can be used to update the earth models and determine if any mitigation is needed. The current work uses a compositional numerical simulation to model CO2 flow in the reservoir and compares the results with estimates of changes in seismic properties between a pre-injection and a survey after more than 2 million metric tons injected. The complicated physics of the problem in Cranfield field present challenges to seismic interpretations. Our results show partial agreement between the results of the numerical simulation and the seismic interpretations. Possible causes of discrepancies among the fluid flow model and multiple interpretations of the same seismic data sets performed with different work flows illuminates the types of uncertainties that should be considered to achieve the goals of monitoring.

Time-lapse seismic amplitude differences and travel time shifts, obtained while monitoring enhanced oil recovery at Cranfield, Mississippi, reveal coherent changes that are associated with the injection of carbon dioxide. Rock physics modeling highlights the importance of the oil, brine, and gas content of pore fluids prior to the injection of carbon dioxide. For example, compressional velocity changes due to the injection of carbon dioxide can drop from 300 m/s to less than 100 m/s as the percentage of oil increases from 1% to 50%. Predictions based upon a new technique for modeling wave propagation in a poroelastic medium containing an arbitrary number of fluids, coupled with multicomponent numerical reservoir modeling at Cranfield, reproduce the general pattern of observed seismic amplitude changes and travel time shifts. In particular, time-lapse amplitude changes suggest a significant and widespread lowering of compressional velocities due to the injection of CO2 into an aquifer bounding the oil rim of the reservoir. It appears that the large-scale variations in preexisting pore fluid content have a major influence on seismic velocity changes, even in the highly heterogeneous reservoir at Cranfield.

A simple solution for a 63 GHz planar single-feed Fabry-Pérot cavity (FPC) antenna covered by a thick metallic frequency selective surface (FFS) is proposed. The antenna is fed through a planar feed consisting of a coplanar-waveguide-fed slot on the ground plane of the cavity. The FSS is made of periodic circular slots in a thick Brass plate. Moreover, the sides of the metallic FSS are terminated with vertical metallic walls leading to a self-supported low-profile FPC filled with air. Good agreement is observed between measured and simulated results. © 2013 IEEE.

A low-loss planar Fabry-Pérot cavity antenna fed by a planar feed, a CPW-fed slot dipole, is designed and fabricated for 60 GHz wireless systems. The antenna is fabricated on a planar substrate using standard lithography process. The measurement results of the fabricated antenna are in good agreement with simulation data and show a gain of 16.5 dB. © 2012 IEEE.

In this paper, an analytical method is proposed to estimate the 3dB power bandwidth of a Fabry-Pérot Cavity antenna covered by a thin frequency selective surface. The 3dB power bandwidth of the antenna is found using the broadside radiation power density of the antenna calculated based on the reciprocity theorem along with a transmission line model of the antenna and the circuit model of the FSS layer. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified by numerical simulations. © 2011 IEEE.

In this paper, a design of Fabry-Pérot Cavity antenna at millimiter-waves frequencies is investigated. Four Fabry-Pérot cavity antennas, covered by different Frequency Selective Surfaces, are discussed which are fabricated on a Quartz disk to guarantee mechanical stability and also for ease of fabrication, probing and measurement. A planar feed, a slot dipole fed by a coplanar waveguide, is also designed to excite the cavities. Prototypes have been designed and fabricated at central frequencies in frequency range of 42 to 46 GHz with various gains; however the same design can be adopted at higher frequencies. Full-wave simulations, done by Ansys HFSS, are verified with measurement results. © 2011 IEEE.

In this work we introduce a novel near-field focusing plate able to provide sub-wavelength focusing in both directions, parallel to the plate, as well as for both polarizations of the illuminating plane wave at microwave frequencies. Two similar designs are proposed: the first one is made of a thick metallic plate, whereas the second one is made of a thin copper plate fabricated on top of a Rogers 5880 dielectric substrate. The focusing behavior of these structures is analyzed with Ansys HFSS and CST Microwave Studio full-wave simulators. © 2011 IEEE.

In this work we compare the performance of metamaterials based on layers of planar pair conductors with various shapes: dogbone with rectangular and triangular lattice, square loop and gangbuster. We first show the characteristics of transmission, reflection and absorption, and then we compare the absorption coefficient for the four considered structures. We inspect the dependence of the absorption coefficient on unit cell metal density in the case of triangular lattice dogbone pair and gangbuster pair. Last, we analyze the behavior of artificial magnetic conductors made by a single periodic layer of planar conductors above a grounded substrate. © 2011 IEEE.

A new closed form expression is introduced to estimate the 3 dB pattern bandwidth of a Fabry-Pérot cavity antenna covered by a thin frequency selective surface (FSS) radiating at the broadside direction. The new formula has been obtained by using reciprocity, transmission line theory, and the susceptance model of the FSS. This formula estimates the 3 dB pattern bandwidth more accurately than previous expressions. © 2011 IEEE.

In this paper, a prototype Fabry-Perot Cavity (FPC) antenna is designed and fabricated at millimeter-wave frequencies, aiming at designing directive antennas for 60 GHz wireless systems. A prototype FPC antenna is designed to have 17 dB gain at 42.8 GHz with 600-700 MHz 3dB-pattern-bandwidth and it is designed in order to be mounted on a wafer (chip). Measurement tools at millimeter frequencies and also antenna integration possibilities lead us to design an efficient feeding network for this kind of antenna. The antenna is fabricated on a quartz wafer (very low loss dielectric especially at millimeter-wave frequencies) which is coated by a thin layer of gold on each side. All the simulations on the reflection coefficient, gain and the radiation pattern of the antenna are done and compared using two most powerful EM simulators, Ansoft HFSS and Zeland IE3D and they are also compared with some measurement results for the prototype antenna. © 2010 IEEE.

In this paper, we show a wideband transmission line (TL) model for a Fabry-Perot cavity (FPC) antenna which is designed at a center frequency of 63 GHz using a thick and slotted metallic partially reflective surface. Then, by using the proposed wideband circuit model, we predict the gain and 3dB gain bandwidth of the antenna, assumed as infinitely large in the transverse domain (for the modeling purposes). Finally we compared the circuit model results to the full-wave ones for a FPC antenna of finite extent. © 2009 IEEE.

In this paper a Fabry-Perot cavity (FPC) has been used to design a 60 GHz single feed directive antenna. The FPC antenna is made by a ground plane covered by a frequency selective surface (FSS). We have provided simple design guidelines based on a transmission line model. Numerical simulations confirm the design guidelines and antenna performances. ©2009 IEEE.

Lead as a potent environmental and occupational pollutant, exerts its toxic effect mainly through oxidative stress induction. Currently, chelation therapy is the only medical management of metal intoxications in clinic, but its administration is associated with various side effects as well. In this study the protective effect of synthetized Piroxicam derivative was evaluated against lead toxicity in vitro. First the chelating activity of Piroxicam derivative was studied through Jobs method and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy. Then the cytoprotective effect of Piroxicam derivative (10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL) was evaluated and compared with that of EDTA (30 μg/mL) in the presence of lead nitrate (30 μg/mL). The EC50 value of Piroxicam derivative was calculated as well. Finally, the chelation efficacy and antioxidant effects of Piroxicam derivative in EC50 and 2EC50 values was assessed and compared with that of EDTA. Results showed that Piroxicam derivative chelates lead ion as much as EDTA. Moreover, Piroxicam derivative prevented lead-induced cells death more effectively than EDTA which is may due to its potent innate antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the synthetized Piroxicam derivative with possessing potent chelating activity as well as potent antioxidant activity, could be considered as potential drug target in management of toxic metals poisoning.

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction is a rare but serious complication after liver transplantation. We report ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic stent placement in a 9-month-old infant with a left lateral split liver transplantation with near-complete hepatic vein obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Injury is a major neglected health problem in developing countries. The first step in dealing with injury problem is to identify the injury patterns and characteristics. Therefore, we aimed to demonstrate the current status of trauma admissions to hospitals in Shiraz, as a major city of Iran.Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted in 2002. All injured patients admitted during 6 months in emergency departments of two general hospitals of Shiraz, Nemazi and Chamran were included.Results: A total of 1,765 injured patients were registered during the study period, with mean age of 33 years. Manual workers were the most vulnerable group among occupational categories. Inner-city roads were the most common place of injury and traffic accident was the major cause of injury. Overally, falling injury was the second common cause of injury in males and the first cause in females (especially at the age of over 60).Conclusion: As other studies conducted in our society, traffic accidents are the major cause of morbidity and mortality and this can emphasize on the obligation to take legislative action in the field of driving and road safety, directing resources and educating the public and raising the awareness of the community in prevention of this iceberg-like problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition is a predictor of increased mortality in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Various factors may contribute to malnutrition in these patients including energy and protein intake, inflammation, and comorbidity. To determine the importance of these factors in malnutrition of chronic HD patients, we studied 112 chronic HD patients in two centers was evaluated with the Dialysis Malnutrition Score (DMS) and anthropometric and biochemical indices. Seventy six (67.8%) patients were classified as malnourished. According to DMS score, poor protein intake (r= -0.34, P< 0.01), comorbidities (r= -0.24, P< 0.05), poor energy intake (r= - 0.18, P< 0.005), and inflammation (r= -0.16, P< 0.05) were significant predictors of malnutrition in descending order of importance. Multiple regression analysis showed that only poor protein intake was the explanatory variable of anthropometric measurements decline including body mass index, triceps skin fold thick-ness, mid arm circumference, mid arm muscle circumference, fat free mass, fat mass, albumin, creatinine and transferrine. None of the mentioned factors predicted the decrease of biochemical markers. We conclude that the frequency of malnutrition is high in our population and poor protein intake is the primary contributing factor for this condition. There-fore, providing enough protein may be a simple and effective way in preventing malnutrition in these patients.