OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of obesity is increasing in Iranian youngsters. This study aimed to assess some dietary determinants of obesity in a representative sample of children in Neishabour, a city in northeastern, Iran. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted among 114 school students, aged 6-12 years, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥95th (based on percentile of Iranian children) as the case group and 102 age- and gender-matched controls, who were selected from their non-obese classmates. Nutrient intake data were collected by trained nutritionists by using two 24-hour-dietary recalls through maternal interviews in the presence of their child. A food frequency questionnaire was used for detecting the snack consumption patterns. Statistical analysis was done using univariate and multivariate logistic regression (MLR) by SPSS version 16. RESULTS: In univariate logistic regression, total energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat (including saturated, mono- and poly-unsaturated fat), and dietary fiber were the positive predictors of obesity in studied children. The estimated crude ORs for frequency of corn-based extruded snacks, carbonated beverages, potato chips, fast foods, and chocolate consumption were statistically significant. After MLR analysis, the association of obesity remained significant with energy intake (OR=2.489, 95%CI: 1.667-3.716), frequency of corn-based extruded snacks (OR=1.122, 95%CI: 1.007-1.250), and potato chips (OR=1.143, 95%CI:1.024-1.276). The MLR analysis showed that dietary fiber (OR=0.601, 95%CI: 0.368-0.983) and natural fruit juice intake (OR=0.909, 95%CI: 0.835-0.988) were protective factors against obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The findings serve to confirm the role of an unhealthy diet, notably calorie-dense snacks, in childhood obesity. Healthy dietary habits, such as the consumption of high-fiber foods, should be encouraged among children.
OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of zinc finger protein X-linked (ZFX) in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) of children with B lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and its relationship with prognosis. METHODS: The expression of ZFX in human leukemia cell lines (REH, HL-60, NB4 and K562) was measured by Western blot. ZFX gene was cloned by PCR from one patient and DNA sequencing technology was used to confirm it. Real-time PCR was used for detecting ZFX mRNA expression in the BMMCs of 82 children with newly-diagnosed B-ALL, 24 children with complete remission (CR) after induction therapy and 64 control children (fracture or congenital heart disease patients). According to the presence of bone marrow or central nervous system relapse during a follow-up of 3 years, the patients were identified as having a good or poor prognosis. Their ZFX mRNA levels in BMMCs at diagnosis were compared. RESULTS: ZFX protein was expressed in human leukemia cell lines REH, HL-60, NB4 and K562. ZFX mRNA expression was significantly higher in the newly-diagnosed ALL group than in the control group (P＜0.01). ZFX mRNA expression in the ALL CR group was significantly reduced compared with the newly-diagnosed ALL group (P＜0.01). Children with a poor prognosis had significantly higher ZFX mRNA levels at diagnosis than those with a good prognosis (P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ZFX is over-expressed in children with B-ALL and its levels are higher in those with a poor prognosis than those with a good prognosis, which suggests that ZFX is important in the prognosis evaluation of B-ALL.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple, rapid and reliable method of purifying SpragueDawley (SD) rat islets by sequential filtration through two cell strainers of different sizes and to evaluate the efficacy of the method. METHODS: Islets were isolated from 8 to 12-week-old clean grade Sprague-Dawley rat pancreases using the standard collagenase digestion procedure and purified with either the generally used Ficoll density gradient method or the innovative two-step sequential filtration method. The purity and vitality of the isolated islets were visualized and assessed with DTZ and AO/PI staining. Glucose stimulating tests were performed to assay cell activity, and immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate the synthesis function of islet cells. RESULTS: The yield of islets in the two-step filtration method group was 782±115 IEQ per rat, which was significantly higher than in the conventional Ficoll density gradient method group (598±135 IEQ per rat, P<0.01). Purity of the isolated islets in the two-step filtration method group was 90%-100% and vitality was over 95%. In the conventional Ficoll density gradient method group, islet purity was 65%-85% and vitality was 85%-95%. With regard to the high-sugar stimulation test in the two-step filtration method group, insulin concentrations in islets cultured for 24 hours were significantly higher than in those that were freshly purified (76.9 ± 6.1 μg/L vs 49.4 ± 3.9 μg/L; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A two-step sequential filtration method for rat islet purification was developed and the method was simple and reliable, with high islet vitality, purity and yield.
