Effect of a plant-based diet on oxidative stress biomarkers in male footballers.

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in modulating oxidative status. There is an increasing popularity of plant-based dietary patterns among athletes. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the plant-based diet index (PDI) score among male footballers and their non-athlete controls, as well as its relationship with oxidative biomarkers by evaluating the urinary excretion of F2alpha-isoprostane (F2a-IP) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). A group of footballers (n = 45) and a healthy non-athlete group (n = 45) were selected. The two groups were matched based on body mass index (BMI) and age. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of the subjects was 22.88 (2.41) years, and their BMI was 22.08 (1.35) kg/m2. Anthropometric indices were evaluated, and fasting morning urine samples were analyzed to measure oxidative biomarkers. The PDI, unhealthy plant-based diet index (uPDI), and healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI) were calculated using valid food frequency questionnaire data. Generalized estimating equation models were used for all analyses. Compared to the non-athlete group, the PDI score was significantly greater in the footballer group (ß = 9.8; P < 0.001), while the differences between the two groups in uPDI and hPDI scores were not significant. Overall, footballers consumed more plant-based foods. By examining the relationship between dietary indices and oxidative biomarkers, only a negative association was observed between PDI score and F2a-IP level (ß = -1.25; P = 0.03). Based on the results, footballers were more adherent to a plant-based diet than non-athletes. In addition, it seems that following plant-based diets (the higher PDI) may exert beneficial effects on lowering F2a-IP levels due to improving the body's antioxidant status.

Diet diversity and food quality score in male football players and healthy non-athlete controls in relation to oxidative stress biomarkers: a descriptive-analytical study.

BACKGROUND: Dietary patterns that include high-quality and varied food groups have the potential to modulate oxidative status. This research was conducted to determine dietary diversity score (DDS) and food quality score (FQS) in football players and their matched non-athletes, also their associations with oxidative indicators assessed by the urinary levels of F2alpha-isoprostane (F2a-IP) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). METHODS: Participants consisted of 45 male football players and 45 male non-athletes in two age-and body mass index (BMI)-matched groups from Shiraz City, Iran. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and urine samples were analyzed to determine oxidative biomarkers. Dietary data derived from a reliable food frequency questionnaire with 168 items was completed to determine DDS and FQS. For data analysis, an appropriate generalized estimating equation model was set up. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that FQS (ß = 5.46; P < 0.001) and DDS (ß = 1.30; P < 0.001) scores were significantly higher in the footballers in comparison to the non-athletes. Moreover, FQS was negatively associated with 8-OHdG (ß=-0.35; P = 0.008) and F2a-IP (ß=-4.30; P = 0.01) levels in all participants. In addition, DDS was inversely related to 8-OHdG (ß=-1.25; P = 0.01) and F2a-IP (ß=-11.67; P = 0.04) levels in all participants. CONCLUSIONS: Food quality scores and dietary diversity of footballers' diets were found to be higher in comparison to the non-athletes. Furthermore, a higher FQS and DDS were associated with lower levels of oxidative biomarkers in all participants.

Genome-Wide Association Study for Lactation Performance in the Early and Peak Stages of Lactation in Holstein Dairy Cows.

This study aimed to detect genomic loci associated with the lactation performance during 9 to 50 days in milk (DIM) in Holstein dairy cows. Daily milk yield (MY), fat yield (FY), and protein yield (PY) during 9 to 50 DIM were recorded on 134 multiparous Holstein dairy cows distributed in four research herds. Fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM), fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk (ECM) were predicted. The records collected during 9 to 25 DIM were put into the early stage of lactation (EARLY) and those collected during 26 to 50 DIM were put into the peak stage of lactation (PEAK). Then, the mean of traits in each cow included in each lactation stage (EARLY and PEAK) were estimated and used as phenotypic observations for the genome-wide association study. The included animals were genotyped with the Illumina BovineHD Genotyping BeadChip (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) for a total of 777,962 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). After quality control, 585,109 variants were analyzed using GEMMA software in a mixed linear model. Although there was no SNP associated with traits included at the 5% genome-wide significance threshold, 18 SNPs were identified to be associated with milk yield and composition at the suggestive genome-wide significance threshold. Candidate genes identified for milk production traits showed contrasting results between the EARLY and PEAK stages of lactation. This suggests that differential sets of candidate genes underlie the phenotypic expression of the considered traits in the EARLY and PEAK stages of lactation. Although further functional studies are needed to validate our findings in independent populations, it can be concluded that in any genomic study it should be taken into account that the genetic effects of genes related to the lactation performance are not constant during the lactation period.

Association between urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and F2a-isoprostane in male football players and healthy non-athlete controls with dietary inflammatory and antioxidant indices.

Purpose: The relationship between the inflammatory and antioxidant potential of an athlete's diet and their oxidative biomarkers is an important area of investigation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the excretion of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and F2alpha-isoprostane (F2a-IP) in the urine of male football players and healthy non-athlete controls. This study also aimed to examine the associations among the dietary inflammatory index (DII), the dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC), and the dietary phytochemical index (PI) with 8-OHdG and F2a-IP. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 45 male football players and 45 healthy non-athletes, who were individually matched based on age and body mass index (BMI), were recruited from Shiraz City, Iran. Fasted urine samples were analyzed for 8-OHdG and F2a-IP levels. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and body composition was assessed using a body composition analyzer. A valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to calculate DII, DTAC, and PI scores. Data analysis was conducted using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model. Results: We found that 8-OHdG (ß = -6.96), F2a-IP (ß = -82.58), and DII (ß = -2.06) were significantly lower, while DTAC (ß = 2.37) and PI (ß = 0.084) were significantly higher in the football player group compared with the non-athlete group (P < 0.001 for all variables). In all participants, dietary indices were significantly associated with oxidative biomarkers. DII was positively associated with 8-OHdG (ß = 2.25; P < 0.001) and F2a-IP (ß = 38.34; P < 0.001). Furthermore, negative associations between DTAC (ß = -1.42; P < 0.001) and PI (ß = -35.37; P < 0.001) with 8-OHdG were found. Moreover, DTAC (ß = -17.34; P < 0.001) and PI (ß = -428.11; P = 0.003) were negatively associated with F2a-IP. Conclusion: The results of this study highlighted the importance of a healthy diet in reducing oxidative stress among football athletes. The levels of urinary biomarkers for DNA and lipid oxidation were found to be lower in football players compared to non-athletes. This suggests that following an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich diet may help reduce oxidative stress in these individuals.

Comparison Between Three-Dimensional Diffusion-Weighted PSIF Technique and Routine Imaging Sequences in Evaluation of Peripheral Nerves in Healthy People.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aims to evaluate the Three-Dimensional Diffusion-Weighted reversed fast imaging with steady state free precession (3D DW-PSIF) sequence with respect to imaging of the peripheral nerves; the tibial, medial, and lateral plantar nerves in the lower extremity, ulnar and median nerve in the upper extremity, sciatic nerve, brachial plexus, and lumbosacral plexus, and also to compare its usefulness with the current two-dimensional sequences on a 1.5 T MR scanner. METHODS: A total of 25 healthy subjects underwent MR imaging of peripheral nerves, 5 subjects in each area. In each imaging sequence, including T2W SPAIR and 3D DW-PSIF, images were evaluated for ability to identify the nerves in the related area using a 3-score scale (0-2). Then, by summing up the conspicuity scores, a total certainty score was recorded for each sequence. RESULTS: With combining the results of all studies, the conspicuity mean (SD) score was 1.57(0.67) on the 3D DW-PSIF images, and 0.74(0.76) on the T2-weighted images (P<0.001). Regarding the lumbosacral plexus, the corresponding certainty mean (SD) scores were 1.80(0.40) and 1.07(0.74) (P<0.001) and with regard to the brachial plexus, they were 1.23(0.83) and 0.75(0.84), (P<0.001). Regarding the ankle/hind foot they were 1.87(0.35) and 0.40(0.50) (P<0.001) and in the wrist/proximal hand, 1.70(0.48) and 0.50(0.52) (P<0.001). Regarding the sciatic nerve, they were 1.80(0.44) and 0.20(0.44) (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: 3D DW PSIF provides better manifestation of nerves compared to routine imaging sequences particularly fat saturated T2W images. This novel imaging technique can be used in MR neurography examination protocol for exact localization of the nerve and evaluation of the nerve pathology.

Bolton discrepancy in an Iranian population and its relation with maxillary lateral incisors' size.

BACKGROUND: Bolton's two main ratios describing the proportional size of upper and lower teeth, could contribute to estimating the excess or deficiency of tooth size necessary to obtain an ideal occlusion. However, the mean Bolton values are not the same among different societies. Determining the prevalence of tooth size deviations from population-specific Bolton indices might help local orthodontists to have a more concise treatment plan. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to define the prevalence of clinically significant tooth size discrepancies (TSD) in an Iranian population and to evaluate the influence of lateral incisors' size on this discrepancy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on study casts of orthodontic patients attending Imam Reza Dental Clinic from September 2008 to December 2016. The sample comprised of 150 randomly selected pre-treatment study casts (64 males and 86 females from 17 to 28). The mesiodistal diameter of all permanent teeth from the first molar on the right to the first molar on the left was measured using 2 similar digital calipers, and Bolton analysis was calculated. Subjective visual estimation of Bolton discrepancy was also performed. SPSS v18.0, Wilcoxon signed ranks test, Pearson correlation and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used for statistical analysis. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In the sample group, 34.7% had anterior Bolton index (ABI) and 20.7% had total Bolton index (TBI) greater than 2 Standard Deviations (2SDs) of Bolton's means, and about half of them required correction of the ABI considering the actual size of discrepancies (mm). The sensitivity of estimating clinically significant tooth size discrepancy more than 2SDs of Bolton's ABI and the visual judgment was 96.0% and a cut-off point of -0.12mm was obtained. CONCLUSION: Bolton's analysis should be routinely performed in all orthodontic patients, and visual estimation of TSD would be suggested as a screening method in the first visit prior to measurements and set-ups.

Role of pancreatic duct cell in beta cell neogenesis: A mini review study.

Today diabetes mellitus is known as main threatening for health society. Beta cells have pivotal role in energy homeostasis by balance in blood glucose. Proliferation and neogenesis are two factors for preservation of beta cell mass but these have lower rate during adulthood rather than neonatal. Beta cell destruction occurs during diabetes that leads to hyperglycemia. Continues production of beta cell is a therapeutic strategy to keep normal blood glucose and pancreatic duct cell can be one of the sources of new beta cells. Here, we reviewed the role of pancreatic duct cell in production of beta cell based on a chronological order of conducted studies.

Correlation Between Serum Homocysteine Levels and Outcome of Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) plasma levels and the outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: In a prospective case-control study, demographic, clinical, and Glasgow Coma Scale score data were collected. Outcome was evaluated according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale score at the time of discharge from the hospital and 6 months after hospitalization. Plasma levels of Hcy were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Computed tomography scan of the brain was performed within the first 24 hours of hospitalization. RESULTS: The case group comprised 150 patients with TBI (men, 54.7%; mean age, 55.90 years ± 12.31), and a control group comprised 150 healthy individuals (men, 52%; mean age, 49.56 years ± 15.64) were studied. The mean ± SD plasma Hcy level in the TBI group (20.91 µmol/L ± 15.56) was significantly higher than plasma Hcy level in the control group (7.45 µmol/L ± 13.54, P = 0.000). There was a significant relationship between Hcy plasma levels and Glasgow Coma Scale score and computed tomography findings classified by the Marshall score. (P = 0.001 and P = 0.028, respectively). Also, there was a significant difference in mean Hcy plasma between patients who died as a result of TBI and patients who were still alive at the end of the study period according to Glasgow Outcome Scale score (P = 0.000 and P = 0.054, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant correlation in this study between plasma Hcy levels and severity of trauma and prognosis in patients with TBI.