Immunoexpression of the GCDFP-15 Marker in Different Grades of Breast Carcinoma.

Background & Objective: During the last decade, biological markers of breast cancer have been considered to predict the degree of histology, behavior, and extent of tumor invasion and the possibility of lymph node involvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of GCDFP-15 in different grades of invasive ductal carcinoma, as the most common type of breast cancer. Methods: In this retrospective study, paraffin blocks of tumors of 60 breast cancer patients registered in the histopathology laboratory of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz between 2019 and 2020 were reviewed. Information on grade, invasion, stage and lymph node involvement was extracted from the pathology reports and immunohistochemical staining for GCDFP-15 was performed. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22. Results: GCDFP-15 marker expression was observed in 20 out of 60 breast cancer patients (33.3%). GCDFP-15 staining intensity was weak in 7 cases (35%), moderate in 8 cases (40%), and strong in 5 cases (25%). The patient's age and sex showed no significant relationship with the expression of GCDFP-15 and intensity of staining. Expression of the GCDFP-15 marker was correlated significantly with tumor grade, stage, and vascular invasion (P<0.05)) and its expression was higher in tumors with a lower grade, less depth of invasion, and no vascular invasion but unrelated to perineural invasion, lymph node involvement, and tumor size. The intensity of staining for GCDFP-15 showed significant relationship with the tumor grade (P<0.0001) but unrelated to the other factors. Conclusion: GCDFP-15 marker may be significantly associated with tumor grade, depth of invasion, and vascular invasion, thus can be used as a prognostic marker.

The Effect of Nutrition Education Using MyPlate on Lipid Profiles, Glycemic Indices, and Inflammatory Markers in Diabetic Patients.

As a result of a nutrition transition, chronic diseases, including diabetes, have increased in Iran. Nutrition education is a cost-effective method for modifying diet and controlling diabetes. This study aimed to examine the effect of nutrition education using MyPlate recommendations on glycemic and lipid profiles and inflammatory markers in Iranian adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. A 12-week randomized clinical trial was conducted on 44 adults aged 30-50 years from Ahvaz, Iran. The participants were divided into education and control groups. The education participants were taught the MyPlate recommendations. Serum levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers, including high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α, and adiponectin, were measured at the baseline and the end of the study. The results showed that serum levels of FBS (p = 0.014) and HbA1c (p < 0.001) decreased significantly in the education group at the end of the study. The serum level of low-density lipoprotein in the education group declined significantly at the end of the study (p = 0.043). Furthermore, the serum level of hs-CRP (p = 0.005) declined significantly while the level of adiponectin (p = 0.035) increased in the education group at the end of the study. The evidence of this study showed that nutrition education using MyPlate recommendations is an effective method for controlling diabetes complications. A longitudinal analysis with a larger sample size is recommended to confirm the evidence of this study. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT2015031921443N2.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors among Iranian steel workers.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is composed of a collection of risk factors for heart diseases and diabetes. In recent decades, metabolic syndrome has been identified as one of the important risk factors leading to the development of work-related diseases. OBJECTIVE: Since few studies have been conducted on evaluating the prevalence of MetS among Iranian workers, this cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the prevalence of MetS and the factors affecting it among Iranian steel workers. METHODS: This study was carried out on 510 employees working in a large steel producing company. The data pertaining to blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, and demographic information were collected and the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) criteria were implemented to diagnose MetS. RESULTS: The prevalence of Mets was obtained equal to 13% and a significant positive relationship was observed between age and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. From among MetS elements, low HDL cholesterol and increased waist circumference were recognized as the most and the least frequently involved elements with 39.3% and 6.5% prevalence, respectively. Chi-square test was run and the results showed that the prevalence of MetS and some of its components rose at higher BMI values. It was also indicated that MetS and its components had no significant relationship with shift work. CONCLUSION: The current findings revealed that the prevalence of MetS increased with aging. Low HDL and high triglycerides levels were among the main risk factors for MetS. Therefore, considering these risk factors, it should be attempted to develop relevant strategies at workplace to encourage workers to go for a healthier lifestyle so that they can prevent the incidence of MetS.

Human adenovirus 36 improves insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles and increases inflammatory markers in Wistar rats.

Human adenovirus 36 (Ad-36) causes obesity with increased adiposity, in contrast, Ad-36 infection reduces glucose and lipid metabolism; the results, however, are not consistent. In the current study, the effects of Ad-36 infection on glucose and lipid profile and inflammatory markers in Wistar rats were investigated. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into infected and control groups. Ad-36 virus suspension was injected in the experimental group rats. Blood samples were collected in the beginning and after 12 weeks in both groups. After 12 weeks, a significant improvement was observed in fasting blood glucose, fasting serum insulin, insulin sensitivity, serum triglycerides and total cholesterol in the infected group compared with the non-infected groups. There were no significant differences in inflammatory biomarkers including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels between infected and control groups. This study showed that Ad-36 had favorable effects on glycemic and lipid control in infected rats, but inflammatory biomarker levels were similar for 2 groups. Ad-36 infections could potentially be a new way to develop novel antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic therapeutic agents.

Influence of sex and body mass index on facial soft tissue thickness measurements in an adult population of southwest of Iran.

PURPOSE: Facial soft tissues have different thicknesses among different genders and ethnicities. This study was aimed to investigate the association of sex, ethnicity and body mass index (BMI) with facial soft tissue thickness measurements using magnetic resonance imaging to make a database for the Iranian southwest population (for Lur and Arab populations). METHODS: In this analytical cross-sectional study, measurements of superficial soft tissues were taken at nine points of midline including glabella (GB), nasion (NA), end of nasals (END), mid-philtrum (MID), upper lip margin (UL), lower lip margin (LL), chin-lip fold (CLF), mental eminence (ME) and beneath chin (BC), eight points of axial sections including frontal tubers (FT), supraorbital margin (SO), external orbital margin (EX) and zygomatic arch (ZY) on both sides, and also two points of coronal section including both sides of the masseteric region (MST). RESULTS: For association of sex with the measurements, NA, MID, UL, LL and BC were significantly higher in men (Pc < 0.05). The most accurate measurement was MID with area under curve (AUC) = 85.03%, followed by UL (81.21%), NA (72.18%), LL (71.19%) and BC (68.10%). For association of ethnicity with BMI and measurements, higher amounts of GB and MID were associated in Arab patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed significant association of soft tissue thickness measurements with sex, BMI and ethnicities of southwest of Iran. MID had the most diagnostic value for male sex. The results of this study can be used in forensic medicine to diagnose the legal and biological identity of the corpse.

Effects of saffron on homocysteine, and antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common health problems worldwide. Studies have shown that saffron and its derivatives may have therapeutic potentials in T2DM through reducing plasma glucose. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of saffron extract on serum anti-inflammatory and antioxidant variables in T2DM patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted on 64 T2DM patients. Participants received either 15 mg of saffron or placebo capsules (two pills per day) for 3 months. Anthropometric indices, homocysteine, serum anti-inflammatory and antioxidant variables and dietary intake were assessed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) increased significantly in both group (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin 10(IL-10) after the treatment period (p>0.05). Homocysteine decteased significantly in control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results showed no improvement in homocystein levels, antioxidant status and inflammatory biomarkers in T2DM patients after treatment with saffron.

Genetic Variations in VDR could Modulate the Efficacy of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Total Antioxidant Capacity among Breast Cancer Women: A Randomized Double Blind Controlled Trial.

Background: Low levels of vitamin D are found in a great part of breast cancer women. Study subjects using vitamin D3 supplement had lower rates of cancers and fewer markers of inflammation. Additionally, recent studies demonstrate the power of vitamin D supplementation to lower inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers associate with VDR polymorphism to reduce inflammation. This study was aimed to assess the impact of vitamin D3 supplementation on the serum concentration of inflammatory markers and antioxidant capacity with regard to VDR polymorphism in the VDR gene in breast cancer women. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 56 breast cancer women. Participants were assigned to 2 treatment arms: placebo and vitamin D3 for 2 months intervention. Supplementation group received 50,000 IU of vitamin weekly. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention to measure the 25(OH) D3, TNF-α, TGF- ß and TAC. Genotyping was performed for FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphism. Results: After eight weeks supplementation, the intervention group showed a significant increase in the serum concentration of 25(OH) D3 (28±2.6 to 39±3.5; p=0.004 and TAC (48.9±13.3 to 63.5±13.3; p= 0.017). Changes in TNF-α, TGF- ß1 were not significant. Serum TAC levels of participants with the TT/Tt, Ff genotypes were more responsive to supplementation. Conclusions: Supplementation with a vitamin D3 increased the TAC in breast cancer women, although it had no effect on inflammatory markers. Serum TAC in the TT/Tt, Ff were more responsive to vitamin D supplement compared with those with the FF/ff and tt genotypes.

Prevalence and related risk factors of diabetic foot ulcer in Ahvaz, south west of Iran.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer and its related risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 605 patients with diabetes were evaluated in July 2014. A checklist was used to obtain demographic data, diabetes related data, past medical history, and physical examination data. RESULTS: The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 6.4% (95% CI: 4.64-8.73). Seventeen cases of them were female (4.9%). In univariate analysis, the following variables had statistically significant relationship with DFU prevalence: diabetes duration, educational level, 10 g monofilament sensation, Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) and Body Mass Index (BMI). Patients' age, glycemic control and smoking did not show any significant relationship with DFU. After logistic regression analysis, the patients with decreased 10 g monofilament sensation had DFU more than patients with normal sensation (OR = 8.84, 95% CI: 3.5-22.3). Abnormal ABI increased the odds of DFU (OR = 5.6, 95% CI: 1.3-24.18). The DFU prevalence in patients with diabetes duration of 11-20 years, was more than patients with ≤5 years (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.33-10.8).The odds of DFU development in educated patients compared with illiterate patients was 0.27(95% CI: 0.12-0.57). BMI had a significant relationship with DFU prevalence. The odds in overweight patients was 0.259(95% CI: 0.108-0.623) and in obese patients was 0.263 (95% CI: 0.1-0.687). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of DFU was 6.4% in this study. Final associated risk factors of DFU were decreased 10 g monofilament sensation, abnormal ABI, diabetes duration, educational level and BMI.

Using rats as a research model to investigate the effect of human adenovirus 36 on weight gain.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has shown a positive correlation between obesity and viral infections with a particular emphasis on the human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36). Ad-36 is the first human virus that may increase adiposity in animals, and it is considered as a possible risk factor for obesity in humans; however, the results were not consistent across all the studies. The present study was conducted to examine the influence of Ad-36 infection on obesity in a rat model. METHODS: Eight-week-old male Wistar rats weighing 170-240 gram (g), were randomly divided into two groups, infection group (48 rats) and a control group (12 rats). The rats in the infection group were infected with human Ad-36. All rats were given free access to a normal chow diet and water. They were weighed weekly. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) body weights were 229.0 ± 25.9 g and 232.3 ± 16.6 g in the infection and control groups, respectively at the time of infection. The mean ± SD body weight of the infection group (304.0 ± 39.0 g) was higher than the control group (301.0 ± 36.5 g) at 12 weeks post-infection (P = 0.82). Although two groups had approximately same food intakes, the mean change in body weight was greater in the infection group than the control group (75.8 ± 27.9 g vs. 70.8 ± 24.5 g) but it was not significant (P = 0.57). CONCLUSION: We did not find a statistically significant association between weight gain and Ad-36 infection in the rat model. It seems that longer follow-up duration is needed to develop a significant weight gain in the infected rats. Rats can be used as a good animal model for further investigations about Ad-36-induced obesity, provided not to rely merely on weight measurements. Evaluating body composition or histopathological assessments are suggested.

Circulating 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Relative to Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphism after Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Breast Cancer Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective: The influence of vitamin D receptor (VDR) genetic variation on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels [25(OH)D] after vitamin D3 supplementation remains unclear. We aimed to investigate changes of 25(OH)D in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, according to VDR genotype, after provision of vitamin D3 to breast cancer cases for a 2-month period. Methods: Participants were assigned to two treatment arms: placebo (n = 28) and vitamin D3 supplementation (n =28). The supplementation group received 50,000 IU of vitamin D every week for 2 months. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after intervention to measure serum 25(OH)D3. Genotypes were assessed for FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphisms. Results: After eight weeks supplementation, the intervention group showed a significant increase in the serum concentration of 25 (OH)D3 (28±2.6 to 39±3.5; p=0.004). Subjects were then classified into twelve subgroups according to different VDR genotypes. Subjects with ff/Ff, TT/Tt, and Bb genotypes had significantly higher increases in serum 25(OH)D compared to those with FF, tt, and BB/bb genotypes post-intervention. Serum vitamin D3 levels with the AA genotype were lower than with aa/ Aa. No differences were found among other subgroups. Conclusion: Vitamin D3 supplementation increases serum 25(OH)D in women with breast cancer. Serum vitamin D3 in TT/Tt, ff/Ff, and Bb carriers was more responsive to vitamin D supplementation than in those with FF/ff and tt genotypes. Other subgroups might gain less from vitamin D3 supplementation.

Metabolic syndrome and its correlated factors in an urban population in South West of Iran.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its correlated factors in an urban population in Ahvaz. METHODS: This descriptive analytical study performed with random cluster sampling method in 6 health centers in Ahvaz. In each selected center, 55 households were randomly selected. A questionnaire included: age, sex, marital status, ethnicity, education level, family history of diabetes (DM), Hypertension (HTN) and obesity, smoking and parity and previous history of gestational diabetes Mellitus in women were filled for each person.Blood pressure, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), abdominal and waist circumference were measured in each participant. Fasting blood glucose (FBS), serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein (HDL) level were measured in fasting blood sample. RESULTS: The mean age of all participants was 42.27 ± 14 years (44.2 ± 14.26 years in men and 40.5 ± 13.5 in women). From total 912 participant, 434(47.2%) were men and 478(52.8%) women. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome based on ATPIII criteria (update2005) was 22.8% (15.9% in men and 29.1% in women) that showed significant difference (P = 0.0001). Prevalence of each component of MS in studied population was: 29.4% for abdominal obesity, 40.7% for high TG level, 40.2% for low HDL, 15.4% for hypertension and 37.8% for abnormal FBS. Among these factor, age of patients, BMI, sex had significant differences between persons with or without Ms (P = 0.0001). Ethnicity (Arab or Persian), cigarette smoking and family history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity, marital statues, education level, parity and previous history of GDM in women showed no significant differences between persons with MS and without MS. CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome has high prevalence in our population and its prevalence increases with increasing age and BMI. Women are at higher risk for metabolic syndrome than men.