[Anti-cancer effect of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor on NB4 leukemic cells]

Background and Aim: In the last decades, experimental studies have shown that aberrant activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K] pathway is an essential step for both initiation and maintenance of tumor genesis in a wide range of human cancers, such as, acute promyelocytic leukemia [APL]. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of BKM120, a pan-PI3K inhibitor, on APL-derived NB4 cells

Material and Methods: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of BKM120 on PI3K/AKt pathway, we analyzed the expression and phosphorylation level of Akt using western blot. Using western blot, phosphorylation rate of Akt was evaluated. In order to evaluate the effect of the inhibitor on the metabolic activity, apoptosis index and alteration of the expression of apoptotic-related genes, we used MTT assay, annexin-V/PI staining and RT-PCR analysis respectively. Using SPSS 17 software data were analyzed by t-test

Results: We found that inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway by BKM120 resulted in reduction of metabolic activity of APL-derived NB4 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner [p

Conclusion: BKM-120 exerts a favorable apoptotic effect on NB4 cells through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

[Prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized patients in Taleghani hospital in Tehran]

Malnutrition in hospital increases the mortality of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and related risk factors in hospitalized patients. This descriptive study was carried out on 446 patients [217 males, 229 females] during 6 months, admitted to the Taleghani hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2005. Anthropometric measurements and previous admission to hospital in previous 6 months for each patient was recorded. Mild, moderate and severe malnutrition were considered as BMI=18-20 kg/m[2] and TSF, or MAMC<10th, or weight loss<5%; as BMI=16-18kg/m[2] and TSF, or MAMC<5th, or weight loss 5-10% and severe as BMI<16kg/m[2] and TSF, or MAMC<5th or weight loss>10% in previous 6 months respectively. The prevalence rate of malnutrition as a general was 52% with following subdivision: 14%, 10% and 28% in mild, moderate and severe, respectively. The highest prevalence of malnutrition observed in gastrointestinal ward, males, those aged 18-29 year and patients with secondary and high school education. In malnourished patients, the prevalence of TSF, MAC and MAMC <5th were significantly more than of well-nourished subjects [P<0.05]. Increase BMI per unit decreased the risk of malnutrition by 17% [OR: 0.83; CI: 0.79-0.87]. Malnutrition was 64% higher in patients with 1 >/= gastrointestinal disturbances, compared with those without it and 2.1 higher in patients with 2 >/= -hospitalized readmission, compared with subjects without readmission in previous 6 month. Odds ratio of at least one hospitalized admission in previous 6 month was 1.64 in patients with MAC <5th, compared with those with MAC 50-75th [P<0.017]. This study showed that Malnutrition upon hospitalization is common in Tehran. BMI, gastrointestinal disturbances, and readmission were associated with malnutrition

Physical inactivity and related factors in an adult Tehranian population [Tehran lipid and glucose study]

Physical activities represent an independent risk factor for a number of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess physical inactivity in a sample of Tehranian adults. We selected 7285 TLGS participants [>/= 20 years], who had completed physical activity questionnaires between 2002-2004. Leisure time physical activity level was assessed using the modifiable Activity Questionnaire [MAQ], with each activity being weighted by its relative intensity, referred to as a Metabolic Equivalent [MET]. Subjects were asked to report the activities they had participated in during past 12 months and to estimate the frequency and duration for each leisure time activity indentified and were categorized into the active and inactive groups. The overall prevalence of inactivity was 69.8% and only 30.2% [95%CI=27.2-33.1%] of males and 30.3% [95%CI=27.7-32.8%] of females were considered active. In males, the prevalence of inactivity increased with age and the highest rate of physical inactivity was observed in the 40-49 year group. There was a statistically significant decrease in leisure time physical activity level [LTPA] with increasing body mass index, and smoking and hours of work. A positive association was observed between LTPA and high educational levels in males. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found between the physical activity and occupations between men and women [p<0.05]. Findings of the present study showed that a high prevalence of physical inactivity among Tehranian adults, raising concerns about public health, and necessitating health policies encouraging the population to be more active

[Leisure-time physical activity and its association with metabolic risk factors in Tehranian adults: TLGS]

Leisure-time physical activity [LTPA], as a lifestyle-related behavior, could be a preventive factor for metabolic syndrome [MetS]. We aimed to examine the association between LTPA and MetS among the adults who participated in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS]. In the present cross-sectional study, 4665 adults [1976 males and 2686 females], aged 20-70 years, were selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling from among TLGS participants. Subjects were classified according to their BMI. LTPA was determined via a validated and Modifiable Activity Questionnaire [MAQ], and MetS, according to the JIS criteria. Prevalence of the MetS was higher in obese groups [58.2%] compared to the overweight [36.6%] and normal weight [6%] ones [p<0.001]. Normal weight subjects [18.1%] were physically more active than other groups. In the normal weight group with light LTPA, the risk of lower levels of HDL-C and elevated levels of TG were higher than in individuals with vigorous LTPA [OR: 1.15; CI95% 1.05, 2.33] [OR: 1.46; CI95% 1.01, 2.14]. In the overweight group, the probability of elevated levels of FBS was higher among individuals with moderate LTPA than in those with vigorous LTPA [OR: 1.65 CI95% 1.37, 3.23], and there was also an inverse association between light LTPA and MetS [OR: 2.08; CI95% 1.03, 4.21]. This study confirmed that increased levels of LTPA are associated with a decreased likelihood of any inappropriate changes in components of Mets and the occurrence of Mets

[Goiter and urinary iodine excretion survey of schoolchildren in Qazvin provine: results of 17 years universal salt iodization in Iran [2007]]

The iodine deficiency elimination program, which began two decades ago, has resulted in Iran becoming an Iodine Deficiency Disorders [IDD] free country in the Middle-East region. This study was performed to evaluate the adequacy of iodine supplementation after 17 years of universal salt iodization in the province of Qazvin. In a crosssectional study, 1200 schoolchildren [600 girls and 600 boys], aged 8 to 10 years, were randomly selected from Qazvin province, and evaluated in 2007. Goiter prevalence, urinary iodine excretion and iodine content of household salts were measured and the data obtained were compared with those obtained in 1996 and 2001. Total prevalence of goiter was 0.8%; and no grade 2 goiter was seen. One-tenth of the children enrolled for goiter assessment, were randomly selected for urinary iodine measurement. The median urinary iodine in these 120 schoolchildren was 151 micro g/L, with 4% having urinary iodine excretion less than 50 micro g/L. Sixty-six percent of households were using purified iodized salt, 65% of households had appropriate salt storage, and 30% of the household salts contained less than 15 micro g iodide. Goiter prevalence has significantly decreased in Qazvin province, 17 years after universal salt iodization. Similar to reports from 1996 and 2001, the median urinary iodine of schoolchildren was adequate, indicating a well established sustainable IDD program in Iran