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Background and Objectives: Reduced insulin secretion in Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) results in fat accumulation in hepatocytes and increase in liver enzymes. The hepatocyte destruction due to non-alcoholic fatty liver is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the association of liver transaminases with lipid profile in T2DM patients compared to healthy subjects.
Methods: A total of 1000 subjects (500 males and females with T2DM and 500 healthy subjects) participated in this case-control study. Diagnosis of T2DM was made based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Fasting blood samples (5 ml) were obtained from all subjects in the morning and the serum was extracted for the assessment of biochemical parameters was used to compare parameters between healthy and T2DM patients. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 and using Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation coefficient.
Results: The serum total cholesterol (TCH), triglyceride, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), TCH/high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) ratio and atherogenecity index plasma were significantly higher in T2DM group compared to healthy individuals (p≤0.006). Among the lipid profile parameters only Risk ratio (TCH/HDL-C) was positively correlated with ALT (p=0.037) while no significant correlation was observed for other variables (P>0.05)
Conclusion: T2DM Patients have higher lipid profile, atherogenecity index and liver enzymes compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, TCH/HDL-C was significantly correlated with ALT.

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 Background: Tahini (sesame paste) is a kind of food obtained from sesame seeds. To our knowledge, this is the first study to measure total antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds in tahini brands available in Iranian market.
Methods: In this study, 111 tahini samples were collected and purchased from the Iranian Market, including 37 commercial brands (three samples for per brand). The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method was used to measure total antioxidant activity in each sample. Total phenol contents were measured by the Folin–Ciocalteau method in tahini brands.
Results: Current study showed Mino-dates brand (119.93 µmol/ml ±0.159), Trang-Chocolate brand (56.30 µmol/ml ±0.056), Barsam-coffee (45.13µmol/ml±0.094), and Chocolate-barsam brand (53.23 µmol/ml ±0.112), respectively, have more total antioxidant activity than other brands (p< 0.001). Moreover, Mino-dates brand (2057.33 µmol/ml ±0.094), barsam-coffee (805.51 µmol/ml ±0.041), Chocolate-barsam brand (807.42 µmol/ml ±0.095), and Trang-Chocolate brand (685.75 µmol/ml ±0.086), respectively, have more total phenolic compounds than other brands (p< 0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Tahini brands with higher polyphenol contents antioxidant capacity also had higher antioxidant capacity. It can be concluded that Tahini in the Iranian market is one of the most valuable foods in terms of antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents.
  

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Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of octopine (phytogenic-derivative of arginine) on antioxidant indices, trace elements and lipid profiles of a mouse model of breast cancer.
Methods: In this study, 48 Balb/c mice were divided into six groups: healthy control, cancer control, cancer group receiving 50 mg of octopine, cancer group receiving 100 mg of octopine and cancer group receiving 150 mg of octopine. The octopine treatment was carried out for three weeks. The 4T1 cell line was used to induce cancer. Fasting blood samples were taken from mice to evaluate lipid profile, copper and zinc levels. Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in breast tumor tissues was evaluated. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18 software using one-way ANOVA and t-test.
Results: Octopine had no significant effect on superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in the treatment group compared with the control cancer group. However, it significantly increased total antioxidant capacity and decreased malondialdehyde activities. Furthermore, treatment with octopine significantly decreased serum zinc, copper, TG, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels but significantly increased high-density lipoprotein compared with the untreated cancer group.
Conclusion: Octopine administration is effective in reducing some oxidative stress indices and improving trace elements abnormalities and lipid profile in mouse models of breast cancer.

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Background and objectives: Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women. Cytokines regulate the intensity and continuity of immune response by balancing cell-mediated immunity and humoral responses. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between two polymorphisms of the interleukin-16 (IL-16) gene and risk of breast cancer.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 80 breast cancer patients and 80 healthy individuals. Polymorphisms rs11556218 T/G and rs4072111 C/T were investigated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR). Then, genotype and allele frequency distributions were evaluated in each group using the SPSS software (version 24).

Results: The frequency of genotype rs11556218 differed significantly between the patients and controls (P=0.007). The TG genotype (odds ratio [OR]= 2.471, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.229-4.965, P= 0.001) and total TG+GG genotypes (OR= 3.095, 95% CI: 1.624-5.899, P= 0.001) had a significant relationship with increased risk for breast cancer. The allele and genotype frequencies of rs4072111 C/T polymorphism did not differ significantly between the patients and controls.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the rs11556218 T/G polymorphism of the IL-16 gene may be associated with susceptibility to breast cancer.

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Background and Objectives: Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases. Inhaled particles that may trigger allergic reactions and air routes are important factors contributing to asthma. This study aimed to determine the abundance of allergens in children with asthma in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: In this retrospective study, we randomly collected records of all asthmatic patients over five years of age referred to asthma and allergy clinic in Gorgan, Iran. Furthermore, data related to skin prick test were recorded.
Results: The severity of asthma differed significantly between males and females. There was a direct relationship between age and reaction to one allergen. In addition, 18 of 25 (72 %) patients with severe asthma were allergic to more than two allergens. Moreover, the most common allergen was mite (56%).
Conclusion: Mites are the most common allergen among children with asthma in the study area.

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Background and objectives: Programmed autophagy is a genetically and evolutionarily conserved process that destroys long-lived cellular proteins and organelles. This study aimed to investigate effects of continuous and interval exercise training with or without atorvastatin supplementation on Beclin1, LC3-I and LC3-П expression in old rats with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: Sixty three male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups. Continuous exercise was performed at a speed of 15-29 m/min for 5-22 minutes. Interval exercise program consisted of six 2.5-minute sets that included a four-minute rest period between each set. The rats in the supplementation groups also received 20 mg/kg body weight atorvastatin daily via intraperitoneal injection. At the end of the training period, the expression of Beclin1, LC3-I and LC3-П in soleus muscle was measured by RT-PCR. One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis at statistical significance of 0.05.
Results: The results showed that both exercise trainings with or without atorvastatin significantly reduced LC3I, LC3-II and Beclin1 compared with the diabetic control group (P<0.05). In addition, the effects of the trainings and atorvastatin supplement did not differ significantly (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicate that continuous and interval exercise program alone and combined with atorvastatin supplementation could significantly reduce LC3-1, LC3-II and Beclin1 level in soleus muscle of old diabetic rats.

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Background and objectives: Prolactin is a lactogenic protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that initiates and maintains lactation in mammals. Previous research has linked increased serum prolactin levels to breast cancer. However, there is a paucity of studies in the Indian population on the subject. The present study evaluated and compared serum prolactin levels in patients with breast cancer and patients with benign breast diseases.
Methods: This cross-sectional, comparative study was carried out at the Government Medical College, Nagpur (India) on patients with breast diseases in the out-patient department/in-patient department from June 2018 to November 2020. Breast cancer patients were considered cases, and those with benign breast diseases were considered controls. Breast carcinoma diagnosis was based on clinical features, fine needle aspiration cytology, and tissue histopathology in operated specimens for each patient. Fasting serum prolactin levels were measured by the chemiluminescence immunoassay method using the Advia Centaur immunoassay system.
Results: There were 120 female patients with breast diseases, of whom 60 had breast malignancy, and 60 had benign breast diseases. The mean age of patients with benign breast disease and breast cancer was 33.17 (1.75) and 49.77 (1.16) years, respectively (P<0.0005). Increased serum prolactin levels were observed in 93.3% of patients with breast cancer and 13.3% of patients with benign breast diseases. The mean serum prolactin level was significantly higher among breast cancer patients (102.68±7.03) ng/ml compared with patients with benign breast disease (16.31±1.72 ng/ml). We successfully determined a new cut-off value of serum prolactin level (>40.2 ng/ml) to differentiate breast cancer from benign breast diseases using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Conclusion: Patients with breast cancer have increased serum prolactin levels compared to patients with benign breast diseases. Thus, serum prolactin level can be used as a diagnostic marker for breast cancer. This is particularly beneficial to clinicians for differentiating breast cancer from benign breast diseases.

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Background and objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease caused by the accumulation of large amounts of fat in the hepatocytes. Given that atorvastatin is effective for treatment of NAFLD, the present study investigated effects of high-fat/fructose diet (HFFD) with atorvastatin on liver enzymes and lipid profile in a NAFLD rat model.
Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: 1) normal control, 2) HFFD control, 3) HFFD + atorvastatin, and 4) normal + atorvastatin. The groups received HFFD for 15 weeks to induce hepatosteatosis. Atorvastatin was administrated at the dose of 10 mg/kg/day. Lipid profile and liver enzymes were measured after eight weeks of intervention.
Results: Triglyceride, cholesterol, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and aspartate transaminase were significantly reduced in the HFFD + atorvastatin group compared with the HFFD control group. In addition, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase were significantly increased in the normal + atorvastatin group compared with the normal control group. Low-density lipoprotein increased significantly in the HFFD + atorvastatin group and the normal + atorvastatin group compared with other groups. There was a significant difference in the alanine transaminase levels between the groups taking atorvastatin. In fact, alanine transaminase level was lowest in the normal + atorvastatin group.
Conclusion: Atorvastatin improves the lipid profile and fatty liver and controls liver enzymes. Therefore, it can be used with caution to improve the lipid profile and reduce the complications of NAFLD.

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Background and objectives: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic aflatoxin produced by a large number of Aspergillus species. Successful detoxification of this toxin is an important attempt to improve community health. The aim of this study was to evaluate reducing effects of yeasts isolates from kefir and traditional kefir-like fermented beverages on AFB1 in a broth medium.
Methods: Polymerase chain reaction-sequencing was carried out to identify the yeast isolates from kefir and kefir-like beverages. Effects of the isolates on AFB1 adsorption and biotransformation in peptone dexterose broth medium were evaluated by using high performance liquid chromatography.
Results: Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces marxianus were isolated from kefir and kefir-like beverages and resulted in 46% and 53% AFB1 adsorption, respectively. The isolates 27Y and 2Y caused 7% toxin biotransformation, while 10% toxin biotransformation was achieved by the isolate 18Y. 
Conclusion: Our results indicate that the yeast isolates from kefir and traditional kefir-like products can bind to and detoxify AFB1, thereby reducing its harmful effects.

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Background: This study investigated the impact of a 3-week detraining period, followed by 10 weeks of aerobic training, on the serum levels of osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in asthmatic males.
Methods: Thirty adult males with asthma were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group engaged in a 10-week aerobic training program, which included running sessions 3 times per week for 30-60 minutes each, maintaining a target heart rate range of 55%-75% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax). In contrast, the control subjects did not participate in any exercise activities during the study period. Fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline, after aerobic training, and after detraining to measure the levels of osteocalcin and ALP in both groups.
Results: The 10-week aerobic training program led to a significant increase in levels of osteocalcin and ALP in the experimental group, but following the detraining period, these variables returned to their pre-training levels.
Conclusion: The effectiveness of continuous aerobic training on bone formation markers in asthmatic patients will disappear after a relatively short period of detraining. This evidence emphasizes the lack of stopping aerobic exercise in the presence of inhaled corticosteroids with the aim of improving bone metabolism in asthmatic patients.

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Background: Intestinal infections with Helicobacter pylori mainly occur during childhood. If contracted, these infections may cause chronic gastritis, frequently leading to peptic ulcer disease in later life. This study aims to detect the prevalence of H. pylori infections in patients with active gastritis.
Methods: The study included 150 participants who were consuming daily anti-gastritis drugs to reduce the gas and were considered active gastritis patients and were recruited from Lekhnath 12, now known as Pokhara metropolitan-30, from May 2018 to March 2019. They were screened for H. pylori antibodies for detection of infection by the immunochromatographic rapid detection kit, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 2016.
Results: Serum anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies were used to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori in these participants. Among the 150 participants, 54 were males (36%) and 96 were females (64%). The results showed that 47 (31.3%) of the patients were positive for anti-Helicobacter pylori test. The age group 30 to 40 had the highest prevalence of 21 (14.0%). Using public water showed the highest prevalence with a P value of 0.04.
Conclusion: There should be an additional aspect required for the diagnosis and treatment of gastritis, which is the healthcare providers' and patients' awareness of the cause and most efficient treatments for this medical condition. Using only anti-gastritis drugs is not sufficient; treatment against Helicobacter pylori requires the right pathway of treatment by the use of several antibiotics.
 

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