مجله فیض
سال بیست و هشتم شماره 6 (پیاپی 140، بهمن و اسفند 1403)

Aging is characterized by gradual decrease in volume and mass of muscle skeletal, resulting in impaired physical and physiological function. Exercise is the most effective way to the improvement of muscle function and is one of the stimulants of changing homeostasis in skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of resistance training on Rheb and mTOR proteins of Extensor digitorum longus muscle in elderly rats.

In this experimental study, 16 elderly male Sprague Dawley rats (20 months old and mean weight 300-450 gr) were placed in two groups: control (n=8 rats) and resistance training (n=8 rats). Resistance training consisted of 8 weeks and 3 weekly sessions of climbing a one-meter vertical ladder with 26 steps and two cm of space between each step with slope 85 degrees. Each session included three shifts with five repetitions, with one minute rest between each repetition and two minutes rest between each set. In the first week, the amount of weights attached to the rats was 50 percent of their body weight, which gradually increased by 10 percent each week and reached 100 percent of their body weight in the eighth week. The rats were anesthetized 48 hours after the last training session. The content of Rheb and mTOR proteins in the extensor digitorum longus muscle was measured by Western blotting.

The results showed that eight weeks of resistance training caused significant increase in the mean proteins content of Rheb (P=0.001) and mTOR (P=0.013) in the EDL muscle of elderly rats compared to the control group (1.00).

According to the results of the present study, resistance training may help improve the factors involved in the synthesis of protein in skeletal muscle during aging.

The secretion and activation of cytokines play a significant role in the pathogenesis of scorpion venom. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion venom fractions on the release of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α cytokines in male rats.

In this study, scorpion venom was divided into six fractions using chromatography. A total of 180 male rats were randomly assigned to 15 equal groups, and the fractions were administered at two doses of 1000 µg/kg and 3000 µg/kg (equivalent to 1/2 and 3/1 LD50). The groups included one control group, one group treated with raw venom at a dose of 1000 µg/kg, one group treated with raw venom at a dose of 3000 µg/kg, six groups treated with venom fractions at 1000 µg/kg, and six groups treated with venom fractions at 3000 µg/kg. All treatments were administered intraperitoneally. Blood samples were collected at 1, 3, 6, and 24 hours post-injection, and cytokine levels were measured using laboratory kits.

The results showed that the activity of all cytokines was significantly higher in the raw venom groups compared to the control group and other experimental groups (P<0.05). The highest effect was observed in the raw venom group, followed by fraction 2, and then fraction 6, which showed the most significant impact.

Fraction 2 of Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion venom appears to be the most important component responsible for inducing inflammation and inflammatory symptoms in the body.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Secreted Frizzled-related Protein 5 (SFRP5) are respectively inflammatory and anti-inflammatory proteins in adipose tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of obesity and subsequent exercise on the expression of these inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes in the adipose tissue of male rats.

In this study, 30 male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for eight weeks, while six others were fed a normal diet (ND). After this period, six obese rats and six normal diet rats were sacrificed for comparison. Then, 24 obese rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=6 per group): obese control (OC), resistance training (RT), endurance training (ET), and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The rats underwent 8 weeks of exercise training, 5 sessions per week. Gene expression of IL-1β and SFRP5 was measured using Real-Time PCR.

IL-1β gene expression significantly decreased in the RT, ET, and HIIT groups compared to the obese control group (P<0.001). Additionally, IL-1β expression was significantly higher in the adipose tissue of rats fed the high-fat diet compared to those on a normal diet (P<0.001). Furthermore, SFRP5 gene expression was significantly higher in the RT, ET, and HIIT groups compared to the obese control group (P<0.001), while it significantly decreased in the high-fat diet group compared to the normal diet group (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the exercise groups (P>0.05).

The findings suggest that HIIT, endurance, and resistance training significantly reduce the expression of the pro-inflammatory gene IL-1β and increase the expression of the anti-inflammatory gene SFRP5 in adipose tissue. These exercise modalities may thus offer an effective strategy to mitigate obesity-related disorders.

Regular aerobic exercise and stem cell therapy have shown promising effects in the management of osteoarthritis. The increased expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a significant role in joint degradation in osteoarthritis, while matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) gene expression is elevated in the joint bones of osteoarthritis patients. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and stem cell injection on the expression of NF-κB and MMP1 genes in the knee cartilage of male rat models of osteoarthritis.

In this experimental study, 25 male rats were randomly assigned to five groups: healthy control, osteoarthritis-induced (diseased), diseased + exercise, diseased + stem cells, and diseased + exercise + stem cells. The exercise program included 30 minutes of treadmill running at 16 meters per minute during the first week, gradually increasing to 50 minutes by the eighth week, following the principle of progressive overload. Mesenchymal stem cells were administered to the relevant groups at a dose of 1×10^6 cells per kilogram via a single injection. Forty-eight hours after the final exercise session, knee cartilage tissue was extracted, and the expression of NF-κB and MMP1 genes was evaluated using Real-Time PCR.

The expression of NF-κB in the osteoarthritis group was significantly higher than in the healthy control group (P=0.001). Aerobic exercise resulted in a significant reduction in NF-κB expression compared to the diseased group (P=0.043). However, stem cell treatment alone did not significantly affect the reduction of this gene expression (P=0.077). Additionally, no significant differences were found in MMP1 gene expression between the study groups (P>0.05), although the pattern of changes mirrored those observed in NF-κB expression.

While stem cell therapy alone did not show a significant effect on gene expression modulation, regular aerobic exercise significantly reduced NF-κB expression. These findings support the potential of aerobic exercise as an effective intervention to suppress NF-κB in the management of osteoarthritis.

One of the significant changes during aging is the loss and degradation of muscle mass, increased inflammation, and a notable reduction in vascular factors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of resistance exercise combined with L-arginine supplementation on the expression of VEGF and TNF-α genes in the soleus muscle of aged male rats.

In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats, with an average age of 24 months, were divided into four groups: control, supplementation (L-arginine), resistance exercise, and combined (resistance exercise + L-arginine). The resistance exercise program included 8 weeks of ladder training at moderate intensity (70% of maximal voluntary contraction), five days per week. In the supplementation and combined groups, L-arginine was administered via gavage at a dose of 600 mg per kg of body weight, five days a week for 8 weeks. Gene expression of VEGF and TNF-α was measured using Real-Time PCR.

The expression of the TNF-α gene was significantly reduced in the resistance exercise and combined groups compared to the control and supplementation groups (P=0.001). Similarly, VEGF gene expression was significantly higher in the resistance exercise and combined groups compared to the control and supplementation groups (P=0.001). No significant difference was observed between the control and supplementation groups (P=0.266).

The results of this study indicate that both resistance exercise alone and in combination with L-arginine supplementation can enhance VEGF expression and reduce TNF-α levels, promoting angiogenesis, reducing inflammation, and creating an anabolic environment. These factors contribute to improving muscle condition and mitigating the effects of aging. The findings suggest that the combination of resistance exercise and L-arginine supplementation may play an important role in preserving muscle mass during aging.

Aging and the progressive effects of sarcopenia on muscle tissue, coupled with its synergy with obesity, highlight the increasing role of myostatin as a key factor in muscle atrophy and inter-tissue interactions. Physical exercise may influence these pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of eight weeks of resistance training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the strength of the lower limb muscles and myostatin levels in the visceral fat, soleus muscle, and serum of obese, aged male rats.

This experimental study involved 40 male Wistar rats (mean age: 15 months, weight: 320–350 grams). Ten rats were designated as the control group, while the remaining 30 underwent a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce obesity. Obese rats, with a Lee Index greater than 310, were divided into three groups: obese control, HIIT, and resistance training. The training regimen lasted eight weeks with three weekly sessions. The resistance training group performed exercises with weights corresponding to 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of body weight on a ladder. The HIIT group performed treadmill intervals at 85% (high intensity) and 50% (low intensity) of maximum speed in 2-minute intervals. Forty-eight hours after the final training session, tissue samples from the soleus muscle, serum, and visceral fat were collected.

Significant differences in myostatin protein levels in the soleus muscle, visceral fat, and serum were observed between the control and exercise groups (P<0.05). Post-hoc analysis revealed that myostatin levels in the obese control group were significantly higher than those in the exercise and non-obese control groups across all measured tissues (P<0.05). While myostatin levels were lower in the resistance training group compared to the HIIT group, this difference was not statistically significant. Both training modalities reduced myostatin levels relative to the obese control group, although the reduction was not sufficient to bring levels closer to those of the non-obese control group.

Both resistance training and high-intensity interval training, through distinct mechanical and metabolic stressors, significantly reduced myostatin expression in various tissues. These findings suggest that physical exercise, regardless of modality, represents an effective approach to mitigate the rate of muscle atrophy associated with aging and sarcopenic obesity.

Cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) and vascular adhesion molecules (VCAM-1) play critical roles in endothelial function and cardiovascular diseases. Given the increasing use of resistance training among middle-aged and elderly individuals, it is essential to examine the effects of this type of exercise on the serum levels of these molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of resistance training on serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in middle-aged and elderly men with hypertension.

This quasi-experimental study involved 24 elderly men with hypertension who met the inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to either the resistance training group (12 participants) or the control group (12 participants). The resistance training group performed resistance exercises three times a week for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the study to measure serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.

After 12 weeks of resistance training, serum levels of ICAM-1 (P=0.003) and VCAM-1 (P=0.005) significantly decreased. Additionally, inter-group comparisons showed significant differences in mean changes for both ICAM-1 (P=0.001) and VCAM-1 (P=0.001).

Long-term resistance training appears to be effective not only in improving systolic and diastolic blood pressure but also in reducing serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in middle-aged and elderly men with hypertension. Therefore, regular resistance training may serve as a potential non-pharmacological approach for reducing blood pressure and improving endothelial function in this population.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition affecting 2-4% of adolescents. Due to the high prevalence of this disorder and the limited, sometimes contradictory studies on its treatment, especially in resistant cases, this research aimed to assess the combined effect of aripiprazole and sertraline and compare it with the effect of sertraline alone.

This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on adolescents diagnosed with OCD who attended psychiatric clinics in Kashan. Diagnosis was based on the clinical assessment of a psychiatrist and DSM criteria. The study lasted for 12 weeks, with patients randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups using block randomization. The Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale) for children and adolescents was administered to all patients at baseline, and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Treatment response was evaluated by the change in Y-BOCS scores from baseline to the end of the study and by comparing the two treatment groups.

The study involved 40 patients (20 per group). The mean age in the aripiprazole + sertraline group was 14.75 ± 1.29 years, and in the sertraline-only group was 15.10 ± 1.59 years. Both groups were homogeneous in terms of age and gender. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant reduction in total Y-BOCS scores in both groups (P<0.001, F=193.53). Additionally, the rate of score reduction over time was greater in the intervention group (aripiprazole + sertraline) (P<0.001, F=37.92). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups in final Y-BOCS scores (P=0.17, F=1.94), indicating similar effects of both treatments. The results for obsessive thoughts followed a similar pattern, while a significant difference was observed between the two groups for compulsive behaviors.

Adding aripiprazole to sertraline in the treatment of adolescent OCD significantly improved the reduction of compulsive behaviors. However, no significant difference in the reduction of obsessive thoughts was found between the combined treatment and sertraline alone.

Reduced bone mineral density in older adults is a significant factor in the occurrence of fractures. This study aimed to assess the impact of aerobic and resistance training on parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase levels in older men.

This quasi-experimental study involved 36 men aged 49 to 74 years. Participants were divided into three groups: control, aerobic exercise, and resistance training. All participants had at least one year of exercise experience and trained three times a week. Parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase were measured and compared as indices of bone metabolism. The colorimetric method using an RA-1000 autoanalyzer was employed for the measurement of these variables.

The results showed a significant reduction in parathyroid hormone levels in both exercise groups compared to the control group (P<0.01). Additionally, alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher in both exercise groups compared to the control group (P<0.01).

The findings suggest that both aerobic and resistance training have a positive effect on bone metabolism and may contribute to improved bone density. However, further studies are necessary to confirm these results and investigate the long-term effects.

Radiography plays a crucial role in diagnosing neonatal abnormalities. Due to the heightened sensitivity of neonates to ionizing radiation, the small size of their body parts, the proximity of their organs, and their longer life expectancy, there is an increased risk of biological effects from radiation exposure. Therefore, estimating the received radiation dose in neonates is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the skin entrance dose (ESD) and effective dose in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from common radiographic tests.

In this study, the skin entrance dose (ESD) was measured in 50 neonates in the NICU who underwent chest, abdominal, pelvic, and skull radiography. Air kerma at a distance of one meter from the X-ray tube was measured. The air kerma at the skin entrance site was then calculated, considering the distance from the tube to the film and the thickness of the anatomical region being radiographed. ESD was obtained by multiplying the air kerma by the backscatter factor. Furthermore, the effective dose was computed from the ESD using appropriate conversion factors.

The average ESD for chest, abdominal, pelvic, and skull radiographs were 0.3, 0.57, 0.43, and 1.01 milligray (mGy), respectively. The highest effective dose was observed in abdominal and pelvic radiography. Kilovoltage and milliampere-seconds, as the most significant factors affecting ESD, were reported to be 47.2 and 4.8 for chest radiography. The ESD values for chest and abdominal radiographs were higher than international standards, while the ESD values for skull and pelvic radiographs showed no significant difference from the diagnostic reference levels (DRL).

The results indicate that neonates received higher doses in chest and abdominal radiographs compared to the standard thresholds. The technical conditions used in these radiographic tests, especially for chest radiography, did not align with the recommended standards. Therefore, reviewing and adjusting imaging techniques for these tests is necessary. Medical imaging centers should select exposure conditions that reduce the effective dose received by neonates while maintaining image quality. It is recommended to use high kilovoltage (kV) and low milliampere (mA) settings for radiography of the neonate's torso (chest, abdomen, and pelvis).

Caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents numerous challenges and may lead to parental burnout. Identifying factors that influence this burnout is of particular importance. This study aimed to investigate the moderating role of parental reflective capacity in the relationship between parental burnout and maternal care quality in mothers of children with autism.

This descriptive-correlational study involved 100 mothers of children aged 3 to 7 years with autism, residing in Tehran in 2024. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. The mothers completed questionnaires assessing parental reflective capacity, maternal care quality, and parental burnout. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and path analysis in SPSS version 27.

Parental burnout and preoccupation with conflicts and confusion had a positive relationship, while sensitivity, responsiveness, and availability showed negative relationships with these factors (P<0.01). Furthermore, parental burnout was positively correlated with preoccupation and negatively correlated with certainty in mental states, as well as interest and curiosity about mental states (P<0.01). Additionally, certainty in mental states, and interest and curiosity about mental states were negatively correlated with conflict and confusion, while showing a positive relationship with sensitivity, responsiveness, and availability (P<0.01). Moderation analysis revealed that certainty in mental states, and interest and curiosity about mental states, significantly moderated the relationship between parental burnout and maternal sensitivity and responsiveness (P<0.05).

The findings suggest that higher reflective capacity in mothers plays a critical role in reducing parental burnout and enhancing maternal sensitivity and responsiveness. Therefore, training mothers with autism children in reflective skills may help mitigate the negative effects of parental burnout on the quality of maternal care.

Unfavorable psychological and social conditions in medical groups, including medical assistants, can have widespread consequences for individual health, social well-being, and the quality of healthcare services. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the mental, social, and family health status of medical assistants.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2022-2023 academic year on medical assistants at Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Demographic information of participants was collected, and to assess mental, social, and family health, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Keyes Social Well-Being Questionnaire (KSWBQ), and Family of Origin Scale (FOS) were utilized, respectively.

A total of 72 medical assistants participated in this study, of whom 58.3% were female and the rest were male. The majority of participants (44.4%) were in the age range of 30 to 35 years, with most of them (30.6%) in their second year of assistantship. The results showed that 54.2% of the assistants had moderate mental health, 95.8% had moderate social health, and 76.4% had high family health. In terms of mental health dimensions, anxiety and sleep disturbances had the highest mean score (9.15 ± 5.34). Regarding social health, social acceptance (15.89 ± 1.93) and social participation (13.17 ± 2.93) had the highest mean scores. No significant differences were observed in mental, social, and family health scores based on gender, age, or field of study (P>0.05), however the family intimacy dimension significantly decreased with increasing years of study (P<0.05).

The findings revealed that medical assistants' mental and social health levels were moderate, while their family health status was high. Given the high prevalence of anxiety and sleep disturbances in this group, it is essential to develop practical strategies to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. Additionally, planning for the training of social skills and increasing social participation among medical assistants, which can ultimately enhance the general health of the community, is critical.