The profile of Rafsanjan Cohort Study.

Owning the largest human-made jungle of pistachio, the second largest copper mine, and being located on the trade route of opium transit, distinguish Rafsanjan from many other cities in Iran. The environmental exposures and lifestyle factors associated with these characteristics of Rafsanjan, have raised concern about possible health outcomes for individuals living in and around this city. Thus, local health authorities initiated the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS), as part of the prospective epidemiological research studies in IrAN (PERSIAN). RCS is a population-based prospective cohort of men and women aged 35-70 years, launched in August 2015. Individuals from diverse socioeconomic levels and lifestyles were recruited from four urban and suburban areas of Rafsanjan (participation rate 67.42%). Questionnaire-based interviews regarding demographics, dietary and environmental exposures, medical and occupational history, as well as anthropometric measurements were completed for all participants. Additionally, bio-specimens (blood, urine, hair, and nail) were collected, and dental and eye examinations were performed. The enrollment phase ended in December 2017, and a 15-year follow-up is planned. A total of 9990 individuals were enrolled in RCS (53.41% females). About 26% of men are pistachio farmers. The baseline prevalence of major non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and opium use were 25.45%, 10.02%, and 23.81%, respectively. The mean ± SD of other common risk factors are as follows: body mass index (27.83 ± 4.89 mm Hg), systolic blood pressure (107.18 ± 17.56 mm Hg) diastolic blood pressure (71.13 ± 10.83), fasting blood sugar (113.27 ± 39.11 mg/dL) and plasma cholesterol (198.78 ± 41.89 mg/dL). These results indicate a concerning prevalence of NCD risk factors in Rafsanjan city, warranting further detailed investigations, particularly regarding the association of NDC with agricultural/industrial pollutants and drug abuse.

Subtype-Specific Surface Proteins on Adipose Tissue Macrophages and Their Association to Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance.

A chronic low-grade inflammation, originating in the adipose tissue, is considered a driver of obesity-associated insulin resistance. Macrophage composition in white adipose tissue is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, but a detailed characterization of pro- and anti-inflammatory adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) in human obesity and how they are distributed in visceral- and subcutaneous adipose depots is lacking. In this study, we performed a surface proteome screening of pro- and anti-inflammatory ATMs in both subcutaneous- (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and evaluated their relationship with systemic insulin resistance. From the proteomics screen we found novel surface proteins specific to M1-like- and M2-like macrophages, and we identified depot-specific immunophenotypes in SAT and VAT. Furthermore, we found that insulin resistance, assessed by HOMA-IR, was positively associated with a relative increase in pro-inflammatory M1-like macrophages in both SAT and VAT.

Changes of The Uterine Tissue in Rats with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Induced by Estradiol Valerate.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders that can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and hyperandrogenism. Reduced levels of progesterone and increased estrogen in these women can perpetually stimulate the endometrial tissue of the uterus. In this study, we assess the effect of PCOS induction by estradiol valerate (EV) in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, adult female Wistar rats that weighed approximately 200 g were divided into control, sham, and experimental groups (n=6 per group). The experimental group received subcutaneous injections of 2 mg EV for induction of PCOS. We confirmed the presence of PCOS in the experimental group rats. Rats from all groups were subsequently killed, after which their uteri were removed and fixed for histological and cytological analyses. The uterine tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and iron hematoxylin (iron-H). We examined epithelium height, thickness of the uterus wall, and frequency of the mitotic cells. The data were assessed at α=0.05. RESULTS: Uterine tissue findings from the experimental group showed significant increases in the height of the uterus luminal epithelium, the thickness of the uterus wall, and the frequency of eosinophils in the endometrial stroma. We observed an increased frequency of mitotic cells in the experimental group in both luminal and glandular epithelia of the uterus. An increased rate of the glandular epithelium region was noticeable and significant. CONCLUSION: Induction of PCOS by EV could change the proliferation rate in the endo- metrial tissue of the uterus.