CpG Island Methylation of the Rap1Gap Gene in Medullary Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare type of neuroendocrine tumor. This study aimed to investigate the gene and protein expression of and DNA methylation patterns of its CpG74 , CpG74 , and CpG24 in an Iranian population with MTC.

Methods: In this case-control study, we selected 55 individuals who underwent thyroidectomy in Erfan hospital, Tehran, between 2018 and 2020.

Comparing Oxidative Stress Status Among Iranian Males and Females with Malignant and Non-malignant Thyroid Nodules.

Background: Oxidative stress is commonly accrued in thyroid tissue during hormone synthesis.

Objectives: We aimed to examine oxidative stress in patients with thyroid cancer, benign thyroid nodules, and healthy individuals.

Methods: In this study, 138 individuals were involved.

A single injection of vitamin D improves insulin sensitivity and -cell function but not muscle damage or the inflammatory and cardiovascular responses to an acute bout of resistance exercise in vitamin D-deficient resistance-trained males.

Vitamin D deficiency is now a recognised problem affecting multiple physiological functions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a single dose of vitamin D3 injection on the inflammatory, muscular damage, metabolic and cardiovascular responses to an acute bout of resistance exercise (RE) in vitamin D-deficient resistance-trained males. Blood samples from fourteen vitamin D-deficient resistance-trained males were obtained during two separate trials: lower vitamin D (LVD) and higher vitamin D (HVD, after vitamin D3 injection).

Coenzyme Q supplementation reduces oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant enzyme activity in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Antioxidants and oxidative stress can participate in pathobiochemical mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The aim was to identify the effects of early CoQ supplementation on oxidative stress in children with ASDs. Ninety children with ASDs were included in this study, based on DSM-IV criteria and using Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores.

Effect of Silibinin on Maspin and ERα Gene Expression in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cell Line.

Background And Objective: According to reports, a serine protease inhibitor (Maspin) suppresses metastasis, invasion and angiogenesis in breast and prostate cancers. Silibinin is a natural polyphenolic flavonoid with anti-cancer activity. We assessed the effects of silibinin on cell viability, maspin and ERα gene expression in MCF-7 cell line.

Specific Targeting of HER2-Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Line HN5 by Idarubicin-ZHER2 Affibody Conjugate.

Background: Expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell line HN5 can be employed with great opportunities of success for specific targeting of anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Objective: In the current study, HER2-specific affibody molecule, ZHER2:342 (an engineered protein with great affinity for HER2 receptors) was selected for conjugation to idarubicin (an anti-neoplastic antibiotic).

Method: ZHER2:342 affibody gene with one added cysteine code at the its 5' end was synthesized de novo and then inserted into pET302 plasmid and transferred to E.

Increased Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Resistin, and Visfatin in the Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case-Control Study.

. Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex disorders where the pathogenesis is not fully understood. Several proinflammatory and immunoinflammatory disturbances have been observed in the etiology of ASD.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) stimulates carboxy terminal Smad2 phosphorylation in vascular endothelial cells by a mechanism dependent on ET receptors and de novo protein synthesis.

Objective: G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists through their receptors can transactivate protein tyrosine kinase receptors such as epidermal growth factor receptor and serine/threonine kinase receptors most notably transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor (TβRI). This signalling mechanism represents a major expansion in the cellular outcomes attributable to GPCR signalling. This study addressed the role and mechanisms involved in GPCR agonist, endothelin-1 (ET-1)-mediated transactivation of the TβRI in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs).

Human Sperm Quality and Metal Toxicants: Protective Effects of some Flavonoids on Male Reproductive Function.

Background: Metals can cause male infertility through affection of spermatogenesis and sperm quality. Strong evidences confirm that male infertility in metal-exposed humans is mediated via various mechanisms such as production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Flavonoids have antioxidant and metal chelating properties which make them suitable candidates for neutralizing adverse effects of metals on semen quality.

Association of I405V polymorphism of colesteryl ester transfer protein gene with coronary artery disease in men with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Colesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a key role in the metabolism of lipoproteins; therefore, polymorphisms of its gene can affect susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study was to investigate association between I405V polymorphism of CETP gene and risk of CAD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The current case-control study was conducted on 143 patients with type 2 diabetes and angiographically diagnosed CAD and 150 patients with type 2 diabetes and without CAD.

Association of Smoking With Semen Quality and µ-Calpain Level in Normospermia: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: Calpains are a family of Ca(2+) dependent proteases. There is some evidence that calpains involved in fusion process that occurs between spermatozoa and the oocyte. The current study aimed to investigate the association of smoking with semen quality and µ-calpain level.

Association between two common polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphism -250G/A and -514C/T) of the hepatic lipase gene and coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: Variations in the hepatic lipase (HL) gene are the potential candidate for coronary artery disease (CAD) especially in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in diverse populations. We assessed the association of -514C/T and -250G/A polymorphisms in HL (LIPC) gene with CAD risk in Iranian population with type 2 diabetes.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 322 type 2 diabetic patients, 166 patients with normal angiograms as controls and 156 patients those identified with CAD undergoing their first coronary angiography as CAD cases.

Association of two Common Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (+45T/G and +276G/T) of ADIPOQ Gene with Coronary Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Background: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone, is known to have anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties. In the present study, the association between two common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (+45T/G and +276G/T) of ADIOPQ gene and coronary artery disease (CAD) was assessed in the subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: Genotypes of two SNPs were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 200 subjects with T2DM (100 subjects with CAD and 100 without CAD).

Effect of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol supplementations on serum leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and serum amyloid A levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Diabetes mellitus Type 2 is one of the most widespread chronic metabolic diseases. In most cases, this type of diabetes is associated with alterations in levels of some inflammatory cytokines and hormones. Considering anti-inflammatory properties of plant extracts rich in ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), anti-diabetic properties of these two well-known antioxidant vitamins were investigated through measurement of serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), insulin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Relationship between -2548 G/A Leptin Gene Polymorphism and Risk of Breast Cancer and Serum Leptin Levels in Ahvazian Women.

Background: Potential association of leptin (LEP) gene polymorphisms has been suggested in the processes leading to breast cancer initiation and progression. We investigated whether genetic variations in the LEP -2548G/A gene are associated with risk of breast cancer.

Methods: This case-control study consisted of 100 breast cancer cases and 100 control subjects without breast cancer that matched for age and body mass index (BMI).

Epigenetic modifications in human thyroid cancer.

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy of the endocrine organs, and its incidence rate has steadily increased over the last decade. Over 95% of thyroid carcinoma is derived from follicular cells that have a spectrum of differentiation to the most invasive malignancy. The molecular pathogenesis of thyroid cancer remains to be clarified, although activating the and oncogenes have been well characterized.

Effect of leptin receptor Q223R polymorphism on breast cancer risk.

Objectives: Leptin receptor (LEPR) is a member of the class I cytokine receptor super-family that is known implicated in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. We have investigated the effect of Q223R polymorphism on the breast cancer susceptibly in a sample of Iranian subjects.

Materials And Methods: We utilized a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method to investigate the association of LEPR Q223R polymorphism with breast cancer risk in a case control study consisting of 100 breast cancer cases and 100 controls without breast cancer.

Association of CRP gene polymorphism with CRP levels and Coronary Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetes in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran.

Introduction: We evaluated the association between four polymorphisms in the CRP gene with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Methods: We performed coronary angiography for 308 T2DM patients and classified them into two groups: T2DM with CAD and T2DM without CAD. All patients were from Ahvaz, Iran.

Association of serum soluble leptin receptor and leptin levels with breast cancer.

Background: Leptin plays a key role in the regulation of energy expenditure and is known to circulate in both free and bound forms. Soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) is a unique circulating form of leptin receptor that can bind to leptin. Leptin and leptin receptor have been implicated in processes leading to breast cancer initiation and progression.

Additional effect of diabetes mellitus type 2 on the risk of coronary artery disease: role of serum adiponectin.

Background: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, is implicated in diabetes mellitus type 2 and atherosclerosis. The study was designed to investigate whether serum adiponectin levels in patients with both coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) are lower than in patients with CAD alone and control subjects.

Objectives: In this present study, we measured serum adiponectin levels in consecutive CAD patients with and without T2DM and investigated whether decreased adiponectin is associated with risk factors of CAD.

The effect of cigarette smoking on human sperm creatine kinase activity: as an ATP buffering system in sperm.

Background: Spermatozoa are a group of cells that consume adenosine triphosphate (ATP) rapidly. Creatine kinase (CK), produced by creatine phosphate, is an energy reservoir for the rapid buffering and regeneration of ATP and can play an important role in sperm motility. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of cigarette smoking on human sperm CK activity in males who smoke.

Affinity enhancement of HER2-binding Z(HER2:342) affibody via rational design approach: a molecular dynamics study.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) contributes to the development of breast cancers and malignancies. On the other hand, engineered affibody Z(HER2:342) that binds to HER2 can be successfully used for both diagnostic purposes and specific ablation of malignant HER2-positive cell lines. In the current study, electrostatics-based prediction was applied for improving Z(HER2:342) binding affinity using computational design.

Lipid Peroxidation and Nitric Oxide Levels in Male Smokers' Spermatozoa and their Relation with Sperm Motility.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from L-arginine by a family of enzymes known as nitric oxide synthases. Low concentrations of NO is essential in biology and physiology of spermatozoa, but high amounts of NO is toxic and has negative effects on sperm functions. Moreover, sperm membrane contains high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are highly susceptible to oxidative damage that interferes with fertilization ability.

Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on oxidative stress induced by diabetes in rat kidney.

Background: This study examined the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on lipid peroxidation content and activity of tissue antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in diabetic rats.

Methods: Thirty male rats were divided into three groups of 10 rats each: control, diabetic and diabetic groups that received 500 mg/kg GSPE for 6 weeks. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight).

In vitro effect of lead, silver, tin, mercury, indium and bismuth on human sperm creatine kinase activity: a presumable mechanism for men infertility.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of mercury (Hg+2), lead (Pb+2), silver (Ag+2), tin (Sn+2), bismuth (Bi+3) and indium (In+3) ions on sperm creatine kinase.

Methods: creatine kinase was isolated from human sperm homogenates after chromatography on a DEAE cellulose column.

Results: At 60 mug ml-1 metal concentration, 70% of the creatine kinase activity was inhibited by Hg+2, while at the same concentration, Pb+2, Ag+2, Sn+2, Bi+3 and In+3 caused 68%, 66.