Contributing factors to extreme tendencies to internet in students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences and providing preventive strategies to deal with it

Background and aims: Internet seems to be increasingly involved a major part of the daily lives of population. In recent years, many reports have confirmed the huge number of internet users worldwide. This article is seeking to explore the factors contributing to the tendency to internet in students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences (SKUMS) and aimed to recommend some preventive strategies to deal with their extreme tendencies to the internet usage. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among 378 students and teachers of SKUMS, randomly enrolled using stratified random sampling from different faculties. To measure the variables, a questionnaire was used. Results: The results showed that the factors such as the tendency to make temporary friends, more attention to the opposite sex, and the loneliness were the most important determinants of extreme tendency to the internet usage. The designing some courses in different educational periods in order to make them more familiar with various online crimes as well as ways of self-protection was one of the most important preventive strategies to deal with extreme tendency to internet. Conclusion: Several factors could contribute into extreme tendency to internet among university students, which have to be identified, and effective strategies should also be exploited to deal with the extreme tendency to internet

MicroRNA-206, let-7a and microRNA-21 pathways involved in the anti-angiogenesis effects of the interval exercise training and hormone therapy in breast cancer

Aims MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the targeting signal-transduction pathways that can mediate tumorigenesis via their down and/or up-regulation. For example, miR-21 and miR-206 can effect on the tumor angiogenesis as an oncomir and a tumor suppressor, respectively. Materials and methods The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of the interval exercise training in combination with tamoxifen and/or letrozole on miR-21, miR-206 and let-7 as well as their underlying pathways in regard to tumor angiogenesis in sixty four mice with breast tumor. ELISA, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR assays were performed accomplish the study. Key findings The results showed that the tumor size was significantly declined in the exercise training, tamoxifen and letrozole groups compared to tumor group. Mir-206 and let-7 were up-regulated, and mir-21 expression was down-regulated in the exercise training compared to tumor group. Exercise training decreased the expression of ER-α, HIF-α, VEGF, CD31 and Ki67 in tumor tissue. The combination tamoxifen and/or letrozole with the exercise training could down-regulate the expression of ERα, miR-21, HIF-1α, TNF-α, CD31, Ki67 and VEGF, and up-regulate the expression of miR-206, PDCD-4, let-7 and IL-10 that led to reducing the angiogenesis and tumor growth. Significance Our results showed that miR-21, miR-206 and let-7a pathways may involve in the anti-angiogenesis effects of the interval exercise training with hormone therapy in mice model of breast tumor. © 2016 Elsevier Inc

Effects of exercise training together with tamoxifen in reducing mammary tumor burden in mice: Possible underlying pathway of MIR-21

Exercise training has an anti-tumor effect and can reduce tumor growth; however, the exact underlying mechanisms of its protective effects are still obscure. MicroRNA (miR)-21 is a predictor in cancer survival, and has a potential use as an indicator of therapeutic outcome in breast malignancies. Forty-eight female BALB/c mice were equally divided into six groups to investigate the effects of interval exercise training with tamoxifen on miR-21 expression and its possible assumed mechanisms in an estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer model. ELISA, immunohistochemistry, western blot, qRT-PCR assays were performed at the end of the study. Tumor size was significantly declined in exercise training and tamoxifen groups compared to tumor group (P<0.05). Expression of miR-21 was significantly down-regulated in trained and tamoxifen treated mice in comparison with tumor group (P<0.05). Exercise training was as effective as tamoxifen treatment in decreasing serum estradiol and ER-α expression (P<0.05). Exercise training and tamoxifen reduced tumor IL-6 levels, NF-kB and STAT3 expressions, and up-regulated TPM1 and PDCD4 expressions (P<0.05). Both exercise and tamoxifen had synergistic effects in reducing miR-21 and Bcl-2, and up-regulating PDCD4 expression. Results showed that interval exercise training may reduce mammary tumor burden in mice through possible underlying pathway of miR-21. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved