Background: Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation and histone modification, alter gene expression without the nucleotide template alterations and are associated with all stages of tumor formation and progression. Previously, we investigated the effects of DNA demethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors on hepatocellular carcinoma and colon cancers. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-CdR, decitabine) and valproic acid (VPA), individually as well as combined on apoptosis induction and cell growth inhibition in colon cancer HT 29 cell line. Methods: The effect of the compounds on the cell viability was measured by MTT assay. To determine cell apoptosis, the cells were treated with 5-aza-CdR and VPA. Propidium iodide was used for staining and the cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. Results: Both agents decreased cell viability in a time and dose-dependent manner significantly (P < 0.002). The results of flow cytometry demonstrated that 5-aza-CdR and VPA induced apoptosis significantly as opposed to control groups. Maximal percentage of apoptotic cells was obtained after 48 h with combined treatment. Coclusions: Our findings suggest that 5-aza-CdR and VPA can significantly inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in colon cancer HT 29 cell line.

Background: Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are a major concern in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a lifestyle education package as a strategy to control the biomedical components of MetS. Methods: A total of 72 women and men (aged 18–68 y) with MetS were selected through randomized sampling. They were classified into 2 groups: an intervention group that received a lifestyle educational package with close follow-ups and a control group that received only usual care. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and fasting blood sugar were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Results: The lifestyle-modification program was associated with a modest weight loss (2 ± 0.4 kg; P < 0.001), a significant reduction in waist circumference (2.3 ± 0.9 cm; P < 0.001) and the hip circumference (1 ± 0.3 cm; P < 0.001), and a sharp decrease in diastolic blood pressure (5.3 ± 1.4 mm Hg; P < 0.001), compared with the baseline values in the intervention group. Additionally, according to the one-way MANOVA analysis, 33.8% of the changes in MetS components were attributable to the educational intervention (P < 0.001, F = 5.27). Conclusions: Improvement in lipid profile and anthropometric measures suggest that a lifestyle package based on multivariable health education is an acceptable method.

Background: After a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), diabetic patients deal with various hemodynamic disorders. This study aimed to compare the effect of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on the functional capacity of diabetic and nondiabetic patients following CABG. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 40 diabetic and nondiabetic patients attending a similar CR program following CABG. The subjects were selected by convenience sampling and were divided into two diabetes and nondiabetes groups. All patients attended 24 exercise sessions held 3 days a week. The functional capacity of patients was measured and recorded with the metabolic equivalent of Task criterion before and after the CR program. In addition, data analysis was performed in SPSS version 19. Results: In this study, the mean age of the diabetic and nondiabetic patients was 54.45 ± 5.82 and 56.85 ± 5.36 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between the research groups regarding the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P > 0.05). The mean functional capacity in the diabetes and nondiabetes groups was 4.5 ± 0.79 and 5.2 ± 1.7 before the rehabilitation, respectively. However, the results of Mann–Whitney U-test were indicative of a lack of a significant difference in this respect (P > 0.05). After the CR program, the mean functional capacity in the diabetes and nondiabetes groups was 5.7 ± 1.31 and 6.3 ± 1.7, respectively, demonstrating an insignificant difference in this regard (P > 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results of the study, there was no significant difference between the diabetic and nondiabetic patients, who underwent CABG, after a CR program. However, replication of the study is warranted.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) among children is a major health issue with mounting prevalence rates. The aim of this research is to assess the prevalence of HTN and its associated risk factors among apparently healthy schoolchildren. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of schoolchildren in the academic year 2015 from 38 public primary schools in central Thailand for the prevalence and risk factors of HTN. Apparently healthy children aged 6-12 years were included. Informed consents were obtained before participation. Hypertension was diagnosed as per the new reference cutoff levels recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Results: A total of 3,870 children with a median age of 9.5 years were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of obesity, overweight, and thinness among children was 15.7%, 13.6% and 5.2%, respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension in the study population was 26.2%. HTN was significantly more prevalent in boys than girls (summary odds ratio (OR) 1.16 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.34]). Overweight and obesity were among the associated risk factors of HTN in the enrolled children with (OR 2.44 [95% CI 1.98-3.00]) and (OR 7.99 [95% CI 6.58-9.70]), respectively. Obese children who had central obesity were at greater risk of hypertension (OR 9.16 [95% CI 7.45-11.27]). Conclusions: The prevalence of HTN among Thai children is markedly high. Obesity, overweight, and male gender are considerable risk factors of HTN in children. Routine blood pressure measurement and further studies are recommended to investigate the potential risks and to lessen the associated complications.