Effect of 12-week Aerobic Exercise on the Tumor Size and Expression of HIF-1α, BCL-2, Mir-15a, and VEGF Genes in BALB/C Female Mice with Breast Cancer

Angiogenesis and mortality are associated with breast cancer, one of the most common tumors in women. Tumor angiogenesis is affected by exercise. This study examined the effects of 12 weeks of exercise on HIF-1α, mir-15a, BCL-2, and VEGF gene expression in BALB/c female mice. Forty BALB/c (two week’s age) female mice with a mean weight of 17±0.21g were separated into control and treadmill aerobic training groups. Mice developed malignant after receiving 200μL of MC4-L2 cells subcutaneously. Running at 15-20m min-1 for 10 weeks was the aerobic activity. Afterward, mice were killed and tumor tissue RNA was extracted. HIF-1α, mir-15a, and VEGF gene expression in BALB/c female mice were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). After 12 weeks of exercise, miR-15a expression rose 2.6 fold, whereas HIF-1α, Bcl-2, and VEGF gene expression dropped 3.1, 2.6, and 2.4 fold, respectively (p<0.05). Exercise can activate pathways that slow breast cancer progression. More research is needed to confirm these findings and other molecular pathways

Staphylococcal variable number tandem repeat (VNTR)-spa genotyping and their role in phylogenic study

Staphylococcus aureus protein A is considered a vital virulence element determinant of its pathogenicity. Its sequence diversity aids in staphylococcal typing and phylogeny. The present study aimed to study the genotyping method for S. aureus isolates by applying Spa typing (variable number tandem repeat) and their role in the phylogenic study. Twenty S. aureus isolates were achieved from various clinical isolates and subjected for complete identification and diagnosis. Later on, these isolates were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for amplification and sequencing of SPA gene. Spa genotyping showed that out of 20 isolates and their amplified spa gene, 8 different types among the 18/20 isolates were detected and 2/20 isolates could not be typed, as the most commonly observed Spa were t304 (35%), t491 (15%) followed by t078 and t059 (10%). Finally, depending on the bacterial phylogenetic relationships, S. aureus isolates were categorized into 2 clades. The first one contained 18 isolates and the second one contained 2 isolates. Most Spa types were included in clade A (18 isolates) whereas only 2 isolates were involved in clade B. The isolates in clade A were grouped into 3 different groups established on the dissimilarity in tandem repeats of the Spa gene. Cluster 1 contained t304, t078, t044 Spa types, cluster 2 contained t059, t4870 and t386 Spa types and cluster 3 contained t491 and t091 Spa types. Clade B contained 2 Spa types (unknown). The utility of the present work is the application of repetitive tandem repeats within the spa gene for phylogenetic analysis of Staph aureus clinical isolates.           

State-of-the-art of convenient and low-cost electrochemical sensor for food contamination detection: Technical and analytical overview

Food safety issue is becoming as an international concern for human health around the world. Common substances in food can pose a significant threat to human health containing but not restricted to antibiotics resides, veterinary drugs, pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, food borne-pathogens, illegal additives and allergens. A series of analytical methods were engaged for monitoring of food safety but imparts either practical limitations or analytical defects. Therefore, emerging of alternative methods like portable nanoprobes is of great importance. Over the last few years, sensor platforms have since been shifted towards wearable devices and being portable. Theses probes are movable, accessible, and tiny diagnostic devices which offer in-site analysis of biological contaminants in foods to guarantee their quality and safety. Among different types of portable sensors, low-cost, and flexible sensors as a novel development of portable consumer electronics are a great revolution in living sensors that can be exploited extensively in our daily lives. In this review, recent progress of lab-on-a-glove, leaf, and disc as groundbreaking electrochemical probes for food safety sensing will be discussed, importantly in the aspect of diverse contaminants encountered in food samples

Nutrient pattern analysis of mineral based, simple sugar based, and fat based diets and risk of metabolic syndrome: a comparative nutrient panel

BACKGROUND: Although there is growing evidence on the association between nutrient patterns and metabolic risk factors, very little is known about the relationship between nutrient patterns and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to examine the associations of nutrient patterns with MetS among apparently healthy obese adults living in Tabriz, Iran. METHODS: Three hundred and forty-seven apparently healthy obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) adults aged 20–50 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Dietary intake of 38 nutrients was assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) of 132 food items. Nutrient patterns were determined using factor analysis. The MetS was defined based on the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). RESULTS: Three major nutrient patterns were extracted: “Mineral based pattern”, “Simple sugar based pattern” and “Fat based pattern”. There was no significant association between nutrient patterns and MetS, in the crude model even after adjusting for confounders. There was a significant difference between quartiles in the mineral based pattern for free mass (FFM), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), large Waist circumference (WC) and Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). In the simple sugar based pattern, we observed a significant association for SBP, DBP, and triglyceride (TG) levels. In addition, the fat based pattern was positively associated with BMI, and weight. CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe any significant association of nutrient patterns with the risk of MetS amongst the apparently healthy obese adult's population. Whereas we confirmed the deleterious effect of the simple sugar and fat based patterns on several metabolic risk factors, our findings also showed that the mineral based pattern is related to healthier metabolic factors in an Iranian population. These results should be approved by future studies to recognize any causal relationship between adherence to specific nutrient patterns and MetS. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12902-022-00963-2

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials on the effects of soy and soy products supplementation on serum adiponectin levels

"ackground and aims: Our aim in this meta-analysis was to determine the effect of soy and soy product supplementation on serum adiponectin levels. Method: A systematic search was conducted using Medline (PubMed and Web of Science), Scopus, and Cochrane Library for eligible trials up to August 2020. A random-effects model was used to pool calculated effect sizes. Results: Seven trials were included in the overall analysis. Our analysis showed that soy and soy product supplementation did not significantly affect adiponectin concentrations (WMD ¼ 0.77 mg/ml, 95% CI: 0.61, 2.15, P ¼ 0.27) in comparison with a placebo. The between-study heterogeneity was high (I2: 68.2%, P ¼ 0.004). Subgroup analysis, based on participants’ health status and duration of the supple- mentation, could not detect the potential source of the observed heterogeneity. In addition, subgroup analysis showed that the effect was not statistically significant in all subgroups. Conclusion: Overall, soy and soy product supplementation did not change the circulatory adiponectin levels. In addition, the results were not affected by the participant's health status and duration of sup- plementation. However, further studies are needed to confirm the present results

Moderating role of compassion in the link between fear of Coronavirus disease and mental health among undergraduate students

"Background The societal challenges presented by fear related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic may present unique challenges for an individual's mental health. However, the moderating role of compassion in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental health has not been well-studied. The present study aimed to explore the association between fear of COVID-19 and mental health, as well as test the buffering role of compassion in this relationship. Methods The participants in this study were 325 Iranian undergraduate students (228 females), aged 18–25 years, who completed questionnaires posted on social networks via a web-based platform. Results The results showed that fear of COVID-19 was positively related with physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The results also showed that compassion was negatively associated with physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The interaction-moderation analysis revealed that compassion moderated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and subscale of mental health. Conclusion Results highlight the important role of compassion in diminishing the effect of fear of COVID-19 on the mental health (physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms) of undergraduate students.

Moderating role of compassion in the link between fear of Coronavirus disease and mental health among undergraduate students

"Background The societal challenges presented by fear related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic may present unique challenges for an individual's mental health. However, the moderating role of compassion in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental health has not been well-studied. The present study aimed to explore the association between fear of COVID-19 and mental health, as well as test the buffering role of compassion in this relationship. Methods The participants in this study were 325 Iranian undergraduate students (228 females), aged 18–25 years, who completed questionnaires posted on social networks via a web-based platform. Results The results showed that fear of COVID-19 was positively related with physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The results also showed that compassion was negatively associated with physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The interaction-moderation analysis revealed that compassion moderated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and subscale of mental health. Conclusion Results highlight the important role of compassion in diminishing the effect of fear of COVID-19 on the mental health (physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms) of undergraduate students.

Electrospun Ta-MOF/PEBA Nanohybrids and Their CH4 Adsorption Application

For the first time, biocompatible and biodegradable Ta-metal organic framework (MOF)/polyether block amide (PEBA) fibrous polymeric nanostructures were synthesized by ultrasonic and electrospinning routes in this study. The XRD peaks of products were wider, which is due to the significant effect of the ultrasonic and electrospinning methods on the final product. The adsorption/desorption behavior of the nanostructures is similar to that of the third type of isotherm series, which showed mesoporous behavior for the products. The sample has uniform morphology without any evidence of agglomeration. Since the adsorption and trapping of gaseous pollutants are very important, the application of the final Ta-MOF/PEBA fibrous polymeric nanostructures was investigated for CH4 adsorption. In order to achieve the optimal conditions of experiments and also systematic studies of the parameters, fractional factorial design was used. The results showed that by selecting temperature 40°C, time duration 35 min, and pressure 3 bar, the CH4 gas adsorption rate was near 4 mmol/g. Ultrasonic and electrospinning routes as well as immobilization of Ta-MOF in the PEBA fibrous network affect the performance of the final products for CH4 gas adsorption

Moderating role of compassion in the link between fear of Coronavirus disease and mental health among undergraduate students

"Background: The societal challenges presented by fear related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic may present unique challenges for an individual's mental health. However, the moderating role of compassion in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental health has not been well-studied. The present study aimed to explore the association between fear of COVID-19 and mental health, as well as test the buffering role of compassion in this relationship. Methods: The participants in this study were 325 Iranian undergraduate students (228 females), aged 18–25 years, who completed questionnaires posted on social networks via a web-based platform. Results: The results showed that fear of COVID-19 was positively related with physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The results also showed that compassion was negatively associated with physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The interaction-moderation analysis revealed that compassion moderated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and subscale of mental health. Conclusion: Results highlight the important role of compassion in diminishing the effect of fear of COVID-19 on the mental health (physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms) of undergraduate students.

The compassionate love for humanity scale (CLS-H-SF):psychometric properties of the Persian version

Compassionate love is beneficial in a variety of domains, including in education, health, and law, as well as in people’s personal lives. The topic of compassionate love has therefore attracted growing interest from researchers interested in its psychological and social dimensions. Given the importance of compassion to the education and health sectors, and the expansion of these sectors in Iran, this paper aims to provide Persian (Farsi) speaking practitioners and researchers with an effective instrument for measuring compassion. As such, the authors have translated the compassionate love for humanity scale-short form (CLS-H-SF) into the Persian language, and assessed the psychometric properties of this instrument among a sample of the Iranian population. A sample of 827 adults (49.9% women and 51.1% men) completed the Persian version of the CLS-H-SF through an online survey. Concurrent validity was assessed using the Persian versions of the positive and negative affect scale, self-esteem scale, and satisfaction with life scale. The CLS-H-SF positively correlated with positive affect, self-esteem and life satisfaction, and negatively correlated with negative affect. These findings indicate acceptable concurrent validity for the CLS-H-SF. Cronbach’s alpha for the scale was 0.88, indicating good internal consistency between items. A confirmatory factor analysis supported a one-factor model same as the English version of the CLS-H-SF. The findings of this study showed the Persian version of CLS-H-SF had acceptable validity and reliability in assessing compassionate love for humanity in Iranian adults