ABSTRACT
Background: Literature has focused that oxidative damage is a common factor in the aging process and the formation and development of major diseases. Such a finding encouraged the use of antioxidants to prevent and treat mentioned problems. Several research endeavors have done on the issue to find out any relevant relationship between antioxidant use and human being health especially in the case of preventing premature aging and many kinds of diseases. This study outlines results of representative research studies conducted worldwide to clarify the necessity of antioxidant use in health promotion of human life
Methods: For the purpose a literature review was done through defining an appropriate search strategy to identify existing evidence and key publications on the issue
Results: Study findings revealed that existing literature is not enough to prove the antioxidant usefulness for improving human health outcomes and it seems that other factors including life style should also be considered instead of focusing on isolated antioxidants as single leading factors
Conclusions: It is necessary to obtain comprehensive information from the influencing factors including disease origins, diet and different environmental, individual factors to determine possible effects on health condition or survival
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Background and Aim: Reduction in sperm motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Carob supplementation on sperm parameters, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress indices and sex hormones in the men with idiopathic infertility
Materials and methods: This study was a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial which included 60 men with asthenospermia. The patients were assigned to intervention and placebo groups [n =30]. The intervention group received 1500 mg Carob / day [three 500 mg capsules], and the placebo group received three placebo capsules / day for 12 weeks. The parameters of sperm, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde concentration, inflammatory markers and plasma sex hormones were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software and independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean values of changes between the two groups. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant
Results: Differences in the changes in number, concentration and the percentage of motile sperms, total antioxidant capacity, concentration of MDA and plasma inflammatory markers were significant after the intervention [p<0.05]. Changes in sex hormones were not significant in the two groups [P>0.05]
Conclusion: Increased concentration and motility of the sperm and decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory factors were observed in the intervention group. Use of plants with antioxidant capacity can be one of the ways to cope with oxidative damage to sperm in this group of infertile men
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In this study, cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) producer isolates genome were compared with genome of pathogenic and commensal Escherichia coli strains. Conserved genomic signatures among different types of CDT producer E. coli strains were assessed. It was shown that they could be used as biomarkers for research purposes and clinical diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction, or in vaccine development. cdt genes and several other genetic biomarkers were identified as signature sequences in CDT producer strains. The identified signatures include several individual phage proteins (holins, nucleases, and terminases, and transferases) and multiple members of different protein families (the lambda family, phage-integrase family, phage-tail tape protein family, putative membrane proteins, regulatory proteins, restriction-modification system proteins, tail fiber-assembly proteins, base plate-assembly proteins, and other prophage tail-related proteins). In this study, a sporadic phylogenic pattern was demonstrated in the CDT-producing strains. In conclusion, conserved signature proteins in a wide range of pathogenic bacterial strains can potentially be used in modern vaccine-design strategies.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bacteriophages , Biomarkers , Computer Simulation , Diagnosis , Escherichia coli , Escherichia , Genome , Membrane Proteins , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Prophages , TailABSTRACT
Introduction and Aims: breakfast is the most important meal that plays an important role in adolescents' health. Eating breakfast caused to increasing the diet quality and preventing chronic diseases. This study examines not having breakfast and some related demographic factors in 14-18 years old adolescents of Sanandaj
Materials and Methods: in this study, 553, 14-18 years old students of Sanandaj's high schools were selected randomly. Providing a checklist, demographic and anthropometric information of all participant were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.16 software, Chi-square test and t-test
Results: 41 [7.5%] of teens didn't have eat breakfast, and 59 [10.7%] had breakfast one or two days a week. Breakfast consumption was significantly higher in boys than girls [P < 0.001]. The results showed that the level of parental education was correlated with eating breakfast by adolescents [P < 0.05]. There was no significant relationship between body mass index in adolescents with eating breakfast [P = 0.16]. Breakfast consumption declined with age in adolescents [P < 0.003]
Conclusion: breakfast consumption in adolescents is influenced by demographic factors. Parents' high level of education, as well as higher employment levels influences the perseverance of having breakfast in adolescents during the week. Thus, parents play a decisive role in habits formation of eating breakfast in their teens
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Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MetSyn and insulin resistance (IR) in children and adolescents in Qazvin, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 338 children and adolescents aged 10–18 years old who were selected by a multistage cluster random sampling method. We performed standardised measurements of variables including waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, plasma glucose level, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides, and insulin. MetSyn was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. IR was estimated by the homeostatic model assessment. Results: Of the 338 total subjects, 172 were female. The overall prevalence of MetSyn and IR were 3.4% and 18.2%, respectively. There was no sex difference for the prevalence of MetSyn. A total of 185 subjects (56.4%) had one or two components of MetSyn. The most common component was low HDL levels in both sexes, which was followed by high WC in females and high fasting plasma glucose levels in males. Conclusion: The lack of a standard definition of MetSyn in children and adolescents combined with the geographical and socioeconomic differences make it difficult to compare the results from different studies. Modification of lifestyle habits is an important strategy in preventing MetSyn and IR.
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Background: The Prangos ferulacea [PF]-yogurt is a traditional food in Iran. This study investigated the effects of PF on the microbial, physicochemical and sensory properties of probiotic yoghurt
Methods: Pasteurized low fat milk was heated up to 85 degreeC, cooled to 40 degreeC, and then mixed with conventional and Lactobacillus casei starter cultures incubated at 37 degreeC until pH decreased to 4.6. Then, the cooked PF was added to yogurt and stored at 5 degreeC for 21 days. Acidity, Syneresis, probiotic colony count and sensory evaluation of yoghurt was determined during the storage time. The experiments were replicated for three times. Probiotic yogurt [PY] was examined as the control and probiotic yoghurt containing 10, 20 and 30% Prangos ferulacea [PFY] as the samples
Results: Total titratable acidity of PFYs compared to PY was not significant during 21 days. The syneresis rate of PFY yogurt showed significant differences compared to PY during storage time [P<0.001]. Comparison of the mean scores of sensory attributes [taste, odor, syneresis, mouth feel and color] of PFY yogurt showed that there were no significant differences with PY. Enumeration of lactobacillus casei [logCFU/mL] revealed significant differences in PFYs compared to PY in each experimental day [P=0.040]. At the end of the storage time [day 21], the highest number of L.casei was observed in PY and PFY 20% and the lowest in PFY30%
Conclusion: Adding Prangos ferulacea [20%] to probiotic yogurt prevented an increase in acidity, a decrease in syneresis rate and an increase in the number of probiotic bacteria during 21 days. Results showed that the highest number of probiotic bacteria was seen in probiotic yogurt containing 20 percent Prangos ferulacea; probably, the existing fiber and some nutrients in Prangos ferulacea promoted the viability of probiotic bacteria
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Background: Sleep problems are one of the main health issues raised by families. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the sleep problems of pre-school children in Iran. Methods: Five hundred and seventy-nine children aged 3–6 years were randomly recruited from 15 kindergartens in the city of Qazvin in Iran. The Iranian version of BEARS (Bedtime problems, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Awakenings during the night, Regularity and duration of sleep and Snoring) and the Children’s Sleep Habits questionnaire (CSHQ) were completed by interviewers. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 19. The data were analysed with a Student’s t-test, chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. A P value 0.05). Conclusion: The children had sleep-related problems, including a late bedtime, delayed sleep onset, daytime sleepiness, midnight awakening, sleep-disordered breathing, and snoring. Sharing a room was very common among the Iranian children.