BackgroundObesity is a worldwide health problem with increasing prevalence. Decrease in energy intake has been shown to lower the risk of coronary artery disease in obese subjects. The common form of dietary restriction is daily calorie restriction (CR). Another form is alternate-day fasting (ADF). This study examined the ability of modified ADF to facilitate weight loss and lower cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese women.Methods15 adult subjects completed an 8 weeks trial (2 weeks observed and 6 weeks ADF). All women consumed very low calorie diet on the fast day and usually diet in every other day. Body weight (BW), fat mass and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Fasting blood samples were collected at the first and 57th day of trial for biochemical analysis.ResultsDuring the course of the trial, BW of the subjects decreased (p < 0/0001) from 84/3 ± 11/44 kg to 78/3 ± 10/18 kg. Waist Circumference decreased from 87/87 ± 9/74 to 82/86 ± 9/68(p < 0/001). Reduction in systolic BP was seen from 114.8 ± 9.16 to 105.13 ± 10.19 mmHg (p < 0/001) and diastolic BP changed from 82.86 ± 10.6 to 74.5 ± 10.8 (P < 0.05). Total cholesterol decreased from 227/73 ± 49/96 to 214/67 ± 43/27, TG from 160/5 ± 46/18 to 143/9 ± 22/77, LDL from 149/46 ± 49/81 to 131/3 ± 50/97, and FBS from 102 ± 14/7 to 96 ± 11/79 mg/dl but were not significant. HDL increased from 42/32 ± 18/01 to 50/58 ± 19/46 and was not significant.ConclusionThese finding suggest that short time ADF is a viable dietary option to help obese individuals lose weight and decrease some CAD risk factors. More and longer-term studies in human subjects are needed to support this important result.

PurposeStearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a novel therapeutic target in various malignancies, including breast cancer. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the pharmacologic inhibition of SCD1 on fatty acid composition in tissue explant cultures of human breast cancer and to compare these effects with those in adjacent nonneoplastic breast tissue.MethodsPaired samples of tumor and adjacent noncancerous tissue were isolated from 12 patients with infiltrating ductal breast cancer. Samples were explant cultured in vitro, exposed to the highly selective SCD1 inhibitor CAY10566, and examined for fatty acid composition by gas liquid chromatography. The cytotoxic and antigrowth effects were evaluated by quantification of lactate dehydrogenase release and by sulforhodamine B (SRB) measurement, respectively.ResultsBreast cancer tissue samples were found to have higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (p<0.001) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, p<0.001) and a lower level of linoleic acid (18:2n-6, p=0.02) than the normal-appearing breast tissues. While exhibiting no evident cytotoxicity, treatment with the SCD1 inhibitor, CAY10566 (0.1-1 µM), for 48 hours significantly increased 18:2n-6 levels in both the tumor and adjacent normal-appearing tissue (approximately 1.2 fold, p<0.05). However, the breast cancer tissue samples showed significant increases in the levels of MUFA and 20:4n-6 compared to the normal-appearing breast tissues (p<0.05). The SRB growth assay revealed a higher rate of inhibition with the SCD1 inhibitor in breast cancer tissues than in normal-appearing tissues (p<0.01, 41% vs. 29%). The SCD1 inhibitor also elevated saturated fatty acid (1.46-fold, p=0.001) levels only in the tumor tissue explant.ConclusionThe fatty acid composition and response to SCD1 inhibition differed between the explant cultures from breast cancer and the adjacent normal-appearing tissue. Altered fatty acid composition induced by SCD1 inhibition may also, in addition to Δ9 desaturation, modulate other reactions in de novo fatty acid synthesis and lipogenesis, and subsequently affect the overall survival and progression of breast cancer.

The Wnt signaling pathway consists of various downstream target proteins that have substantial roles in mammalian cell proliferation, differentiation, and development. Its aberrant activity can lead to uncontrolled proliferation and tumorigenesis. The posttranslational connection of fatty acyl chains to Wnt proteins provides the unique capacity for regulation of Wnt activity. In spite of the past belief that Wnt molecules are subject to dual acylation, it has been shown that these proteins have only one acylation site and undergo monounsaturated fatty acylation. The Wnt monounsaturated fatty acyl chain is more than just a hydrophobic coating and appears to be critical for Wnt signaling, transport, and receptor activation. Here, we provide an overview of recent findings in Wnt monounsaturated fatty acylation and the mechanism by which this lipid moiety regulates Wnt activity from the site of production to its receptor interactions.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a serious and unresolved problem in Western countries, and its increasing prevalence correlates with an increasing prevalence of adenocarcinoma of distal esophagus. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease appears to be increasing in Iran also; therefore, it is recommended that major attention be paid to this disease.

Background and aims Many individuals with lower limb loss report concerns about other musculoskeletal symptoms resulting from amputation. The objective of this study was to assess chronic musculoskeletal pain in Iranian veterans with unilateral below-knee amputation. Methods The participants agreed to take part in a health needs assessment and were interviewed face-to-face by trained interviewers. The assessment consisted of demographic information, wearing a prosthesis, pain locations in extremities, stump complications, severity of pains related to amputation and low back pain. Results Of 247 unilateral below knee amputees, 97.9% wore a prosthetic limb and times walking or standing with the prosthesis were 12.47 ± 3.84 and 4.22 ± 3.53 h a day, respectively. Low soft tissue coverage of the stump (15.4%) and symptomatic osteoarthritis in the contralateral lower extremity (40.1%) were the most common complications. The prevalence of stump pain, phantom sensations, phantom pain, low back pain, and knee pain was 84.2%, 77.3%, 73.7%, 78.1%, and 54.7% respectively. The odds ratio of stump pain in amputees with phantom pain was 2.22 times higher than those who did not experience phantom pain [OR = 2.22 (CI: 1.19–4.17); p = 0.012] and the odds ratio of low back pain was higher in amputees with stump pain [OR = 3.06 (CI: 1.50–6.21); p = 0.002]. Conclusions This research enhances our understanding of comorbid musculoskeletal problems in below-knee amputees which can help health providers to identify rehabilitation needs and emphasizes the importance of regular assessments. Implications These findings underline the importance of paying closer attention to different dimensions and aspects of musculoskeletal complications in veterans with unilateral below-knee amputation.

Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a microsomal enzyme that controls fatty acid metabolism and is highly expressed in hepatocytes. SCD1 may play a key role in liver development and hepatic lipid homeostasis through promoting monounsaturated protein acylation and converting lipotoxic saturated fatty acids into monounsaturated fatty acids. Imbalanced activity of SCD1 has been implicated in fatty liver induction, inflammation and stress. In this review, the role of SCD1 in hepatic development, function and pathogenesis is discussed. Additionally, emerging novel therapeutic agents targeting SCD1 for the treatment of liver disorders are presented.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) on anxiety and depression symptoms in postmenopausal women. This study was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, in which 60 eligible postmenopausal women were selected and then randomly assigned to fennel and placebo groups. Then, symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zung's Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Following the intervention, the score of HADS (depression and anxiety subgroups) and SDS did not show any significant decrease in the sample under study. However, the analysis of patients with depression or anxiety disorder showed a borderline or significant improvement. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm the findings. Impact statement Current knowledge on the subject: Based on the results of in vivo and in vitro animal studies, fennel may have anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties. The contribution made by this study: It appears that fennel is effective in menopausal women with depression and anxiety disorders. The implications of findings for clinical practice and future research: Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm the actual effect of fennel in clinical setting.

Most women do not have a positive self-concept and impression about themselves during pregnancy because they become less active and gain more weight. Self-concept significantly contributes to individuals' mental health. This controlled trial was performed to assess the effect of an intervention based on the Roy's adaptation model on self-concept among primigravida women. This study was conducted on a random sample of 83 Iranian primigravida women. Women in the experimental group received educational and counseling services in five sessions held in five consecutive weeks. Thereafter, they received a four-week follow-up care. Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding adaptation knowledge and self-concept adaptation. However, after the intervention, these differences were statistically significant. The Roy's adaptation model has positive effects on primigravida women's physical and interpersonal self-concept adaptation. Given its simplicity and easy applicability, this model can be used for improving pregnancy-related outcomes.