TAC102 is a novel component of the mitochondrial genome segregation machinery in trypanosomes

Trypanosomes show an intriguing organization of their mitochondrial DNA into a catenated network, the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). While more than 30 proteins involved in kDNA replication have been described, only few components of kDNA segregation machinery are currently known. Electron microscopy studies identified a high-order structure, the tripartite attachment complex (TAC), linking the basal body of the flagellum via the mitochondrial membranes to the kDNA. Here we describe TAC102, a novel core component of the TAC, which is essential for proper kDNA segregation during cell division. Loss of TAC102 leads to mitochondrial genome missegregation but has no impact on proper organelle biogenesis and segregation. The protein is present throughout the cell cycle and is assembled into the newly developing TAC only after the pro-basal body has matured indicating a hierarchy in the assembly process. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the TAC is replicated de novo rather than using a semi-conservative mechanism. Lastly, we demonstrate that TAC102 lacks an N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence and requires sequences in the C-terminal part of the protein for its proper localization

Physical Activity in Iranian students CASPIAN Study

Background: Sedentary behavior in childhood is one of the strongest risk factors for many chronic diseases and somatic conditions in adulthood, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and osteoporosis. This study was an investigation to design a surveillance system for non-communicable diseases. Methods: The present national survey was performed as a multi-centric cross-sectional study for the baseline survey of a project entitled: "Childhood & Adolescence Surveillance and PreventIon of Adult Non- communicable Diseases": CASPIAN Study. The study was supported by the World Health Organization and performed by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, with collaboration of 23 universities of Medical Sciences. One of the items studied was the physical activity. Physical activity data is evaluated by metabolic equivalent (METs) accelerometers. Results: 21111 school pupils aged 6 to 18 years consisting of 10858 girls (51.4%) and 10253 boys (48.6%) have been studied. 5.2% of them were obese and 9.4% overweight. The mean times of moderate and vigorous physical activity were 4.7 and 0.8 hours everyday. Boys were more active than girls (p<0.05) and primary school students were more active than high school students (p<0.05). Watching television, using the computer, or playing video games were the most common sedentary activity in students. Conclusion: Physical activity in our subjects was in acceptable level. Boys tend to be more active than girls, and there is a decrease in activity over the adolescent years

The effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training on gene expression of angiogenesis factors in ischemic rats

Background and Objective: Myocardial infraction can lead to loss of heart muscle cell, changes in ventricular function and structure, scar formation as well as leading the heart to ultimate stroke and its loss. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on the gene expression of angiogenesis factors in ischemic rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 28 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were randomly assigned to 4 groups: sham, ischemia, exercise, and exercise-ischemia. Myocardial infarction (MI) was achieved via closure of LAD artery for 30 minutes. A treadmill exercise program was performed by the rats for 8 weeks, 40 minutes daily, 3 days a week. Results: The results showed that there is a significant difference between the four groups in gene expression levels of VEGF, apelin and apelin receptor (p = 0.001). Results also showed that the gene expression level of VEGF, apelin and apelin receptor was significantly increased in the exercise-ischemia group compared to sham (p = 0.04), ischemia (p = 0.002) and exercise (p = 0.009) groups. Results showed that exercise during ischemia can lead to an increase in VEGF gene expression but not in exercise group alone. On the other hand, a significant increase was observed in gene expression level of apelin following ischemic intervention compared to the sham group (p = 0.025). No difference was observed between the interval training group and sham group (p > 0.05). Meanwhile, a significant reduction in the gene expression level of apelin receptor was seen following ischemic intervention compared to the sham group (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The physiological adaptations caused by interval training are associated with different gene expressions. A regular interval training program leads to the increase of factors involved in angiogenesis and the regeneration of cardiac muscle vessels following myocardial ischemia. © 2018, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. All rights reserved

The effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training on gene expression of angiogenesis factors in ischemic rats

Background and Objective: Myocardial infraction can lead to loss of heart muscle cell, changes in ventricular function and structure, scar formation as well as leading the heart to ultimate stroke and its loss. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on the gene expression of angiogenesis factors in ischemic rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 28 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were randomly assigned to 4 groups: sham, ischemia, exercise, and exercise-ischemia. Myocardial infarction (MI) was achieved via closure of LAD artery for 30 minutes. A treadmill exercise program was performed by the rats for 8 weeks, 40 minutes daily, 3 days a week. Results: The results showed that there is a significant difference between the four groups in gene expression levels of VEGF, apelin and apelin receptor (p = 0.001). Results also showed that the gene expression level of VEGF, apelin and apelin receptor was significantly increased in the exercise-ischemia group compared to sham (p = 0.04), ischemia (p = 0.002) and exercise (p = 0.009) groups. Results showed that exercise during ischemia can lead to an increase in VEGF gene expression but not in exercise group alone. On the other hand, a significant increase was observed in gene expression level of apelin following ischemic intervention compared to the sham group (p = 0.025). No difference was observed between the interval training group and sham group (p > 0.05). Meanwhile, a significant reduction in the gene expression level of apelin receptor was seen following ischemic intervention compared to the sham group (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The physiological adaptations caused by interval training are associated with different gene expressions. A regular interval training program leads to the increase of factors involved in angiogenesis and the regeneration of cardiac muscle vessels following myocardial ischemia. © 2018, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. All rights reserved

Thinness, overweight and obesity in a national sample of Iranian children and adolescents: CASPIAN Study.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to assess the national prevalence of different grades of nutritional status (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity) among Iranian school-students and to compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity using three different sets of criteria. METHODS: This cross-sectional national survey was conducted on a representative sample of 21 111 school students including 10 253 boys (48.6%) and 10 858 girls (51.4%) aged 6-18 years, selected by multistage random cluster sampling from urban (84.6%) and rural (15.4%) areas of 23 provinces in Iran The percentage of subjects in the corresponding body mass index (BMI) categories of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the obtained national percentiles were assessed and compared. RESULTS: There was no gender differences in BMI, but was higher in boys living in urban than in rural areas (18.4 +/- 3.88 vs. 17.86 +/- 3.66 kg/m(2) respectively, P < 0.05). The prevalence of underweight was 13.9% (8.1% of boys and 5.7% of girls) according to the CDC percentiles, and 5% (2.6% of boys and 2.4% of girls) according to the obtained percentiles. According to the CDC, IOTF and national cut-offs, the prevalence of overweight was 8.82%, 11.3% and 10.1% respectively; and the prevalence of obesity was 4.5%, 2.9% and 4.79% respectively. The prevalence of overweight was highest (10.98%) in the 12-year-old group and that of obesity (7.81%) in the 6-year-old group. The kappa correlation coefficient was 0.71 between the CDC and IOTF criteria, 0.64 between IOTF and national cut-offs, and 0.77 between CDC and national cut-offs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study warrant the necessity of paying special attention to monitoring of the time trends in child obesity based on uniform definitions, as well as to design programmes to prevent and control associated factors