ABSTRACT
         Background and Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate effects of eight weeks of aquatic exercise and resistance training on plasma neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) levels and NT-4 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of women with multiple sclerosis (MS).
         Methods: Thirty women with MS were randomly assigned to a resistance-training group, an aquatic exercise group and a control group. After separating plasma and PBMCs from blood samples, level of plasma NT-4 and NT-4 expression was measured after eight weeks of exercise via ELISA and Real-time PCR, respectively.
        Results: The level of plasma NT-4 and NT-4 expression increased significantly following eight weeks of aquatic training and resistance training. 
        Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, both resistance training and aquatic exercise can increase the level of plasma NT-4 and NT-4 expression in female MS patients. It can be concluded that such trainings could have protective and positive effects on the nervous system of MS patients.
        Keywords: Exercise, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurotrophic Factors, Women.

ABSTRACT
         Background and Objectives: We studied effects of eight weeks of resistance training and IGF-1 injection on serum level of IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio in Wistar rats.
          Methods: We randomly divided 28 male Wistar rats into four groups of saline-injected control (C), resistance training+saline injection (RS), resistance training+IGF-1 injection (RI) and IGF-1 injection (II). Resistance training protocol consisted of climbing a ladder (three days/week with 5 reps/3 sets) while carrying a weight suspended from the tail for eight weeks. IGF-1 and saline (1.5 µg/kg/day) were injected before and after exercise sessions. Serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio and morphology of colorectal tissue were evaluated.
          Results: Serum IGF-1 level and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio decreased in the RS group compared to the other groups (P< 0.05). Rats in the RS group had higher IGFBP-3 level than those in the II and RI groups (P< 0.05). IGF-1 injection had no effect on morphology of colorectal tissue.
          Conclusion: The resistance training reduces IGF-1 and increases IGFBP-3 levels, which might represent a link between resistance training and lower risk of colorectal cancer.
         Keywords: Exercise, Colorectal Neoplasms, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3.

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise on serum iron, serum ferritin, platelet count, mean platelet volume, and some immunity indices in non-athlete females.

• In this study, 30 non-athlete females aged 30-45 years were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group was subjected to perform aerobic exercise at 60-70% of maximal heart rate for eight weeks, three sessions per week and one hour per session. Blood parameters were measured before the exercise program and after the completion of program by taking 2 ml blood samples from the venous vein of the participants in the sitting position. Finally, t-test was used to compare the pre-test and post-test means of each group and independent t-test was used to compare the two groups at significance of 0.05.
• : After eight weeks of aerobic exercise, there was a significant increase in mean platelet volume and a significant decrease in serum iron and ferritin levels in the experimental group (P <0.05). There was a slight decrease in the number of platelets, white blood cells, granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes (P<0.05).

            Conclusion: We recommend physical education instructors, athletes and non-athletes to consider iron supplementation during aerobic exercise, and modify appropriate training intensity based on the fitness and age of trainees to prevent risk of anemia.
            KEYWORDS: Aerobic exercise, platelet, iron, ferritin, white blood cell.

ABSTRACT
            Background and objectives: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study examined the effects of cardiac rehabilitation exercise on lipid profile and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) gene in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting.
           Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, after screening, patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=12) and a control group (n=12). After the surgery and discharge from hospital, the experimental group performed rehabilitation exercise for two months, while the control group did not perform any exercise after discharge from the hospital and the initial phase of rehabilitation. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after the last training session to evaluate biochemical variables and PPAR-α gene expression of lymphocytes. PPAR-α expression level was assessed by qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis was done in the SPSS software (version 20) using repeated measures.
            Results: In the follow-up after the two-month cardiac rehabilitation exercise, the PPAR-α gene was significantly overexpressed and plasma HDL levels increased significantly in the training group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Although the concentrations of LDL and triglycerides decreased in the experimental group, this reduction was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
            Conclusion: The results indicate that the protocols carried out in the study could be utilized for improving HDL levels and cardiovascular function in CABG patients.
            keywords: Cardiac Rehabilitation, Gene Expression, PPAR-α.

ABSTRACT
          Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of six months of aerobic exercise on lipid profile, inflammatory markers, and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged obese women.
          Methods: Fifteen obese woman (age range: 35 to 45 years) with BMI of ≥30 Kg/m² were enrolled via purposeful and convenience sampling. The participants were randomly divided into training (n=10) and control (n=5) groups.  Blood samples (7 ml) were taken from all participants before the first training session and after the last training session. The women performed 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at 55-65% of heart rate reserve, three sessions a week, for six months. Data was analyzed using independent and paired t-tests and Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests at significance of 0.05.
          Results: After the six-month aerobic exercise, C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein/total cholesterol decreased significantly. The exercise intervention also caused a significant increase in the concentrations of high-density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein A.
          Conclusion: Aerobic exercise can reduce the level of inflammatory markers associated with risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.
          Keywords: Lipid profile, Inflammatory markers, Obese women, Apolipoprotein, Aerobic exercise.

ABSTRACT
           Background and Objectives: Inactivity, obesity and hormone disorders can lead to various diseases in obese and non-athletic individuals. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of six months of aerobic exercise on serum levels of insulin, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth hormone 1 (IGF-1) in sedentary obese women.
           Methods: In  this quasi-experimental  study, 15  inactive,  obese  (body mass index >30) women aged 37-47 years were selected from employees of the Ferdowsi University in Mashhad (Iran), via purposive and available sampling. The participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=10) and a control (n=5) group. The experimental group performed 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at 55-65% of heart rate reserve, three sessions a week, for six months. Serum GH, IGF-1 and insulin levels were measured in both groups before the first training session and after the last training session. The Shapiro–Wilk test and the Levene's test were used to assess normal distribution of data and homogeneity of variance, respectively. Independent and dependent t-tests were used to compare between-group and within-group differences at significance of 0.05. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software (version 18).
           Results: Serum concentrations of IGF-1 and insulin reduced significantly following the six-month aerobic exercise program. In addition, the exercise training caused an insignificant increase in GH levels.
           Conclusion: Our proposed aerobic exercise protocol significantly reduces IGF-1 level, which is closely related to the incidence of atherosclerosis, breast cancer, and colon cancer. The significant decline in insulin secretion following the six-month aerobic exercise program may provide more amounts of nutrients for muscle glucose metabolism.
           Keywords: Growth hormone, Insulin, Insulin-like growth factor 1, Exercise.

ABSTRACT
            Background and Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis is a major cause of bacterial prostatitis, which can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer if mistreated or left untreated. The aim of this study was to evaluate resistance of E. faecalis strains isolated from patients with prostatitis to three fluoroquinolones.
            Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we collected urine specimen from 164 patients hospitalized in six hospitals in the Golestan Province, Iran. Biochemical and bacteriological tests were carried out to identify E. faecalis strains. Pattern of resistance to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and norfloxacin was studied using the agar disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer method). The broth microdilution test was performed to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fluoroquinolones according to the CLSI M100-S25 (2015) criteria.
            Results: Of 164 isolates, 39 (23.8%) were identified as E. faecalis. Frequency of resistance to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and levofloxacin was 12.8%, 12.8% and 2.6%, respectively. The MIC₉₀ of ciprofloxacin against the isolates was 4 μg/ml, which was 4-fold lower than that of norfloxacin (MIC₉₀=16μg/ml) and 2-fold lower than that of levofloxacin (MIC₉₀=8μg/ml). We found no significant difference between the isolates in terms of resistant to the fluoroquinolones (P>0.01). 
            Conclusion: Our results show that E. faecalis is one of the most common causes of bacterial prostatitis, and fluoroquinolones are still effective for treating the infection despite the reports of fluoroquinolones resistance in Iran. Moreover, levofloxacin may be a more suitable and effective antibiotic than ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin for treatment of this infection.
            Keywords: Enterococcus faecalis, Prostatitis, Drug Resistance, Iran.

Background and objectives: Pathogenesis of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is controlled by viral and host factors, among which human histone acetyltransferase p300 (EP300) plays an important role. This study aimed to examine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the EP300 binding site in patients with HPV-associated anogenital wart.
     Methods: After DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine HPV genotypes. Human p300 was amplified to detect SNPs using Sanger sequencing.
     Results: Overall, 35.3% of HPV-6-positive patients had Ile997Val substitution at the EP300 binding site. Another SNP containing A to G point mutation leading to Glu983Gly was also detected. In addition, Ile997Val substitution of EP300 was frequently observed in the patients.
     Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the EP300 genotype Ile/Val can be involved in HPV-6 pathogenesis. In addition, we introduced a new genotype (Glu983Gly) at the EP300 bromodomain site, which requires further investigation.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ten weeks of combined training on the gene expression of nuclear factor-κB and sirtuin 1 in fast and slow twitch muscles of aged male rats.
Methods: Sixteen rats, each 24 months old, were randomly divided into two groups: combined training and control (Eight rats per group). Combined exercises were performed four sessions per week, including two days of endurance and two days of resistance. The exercises took place in a container measuring 50x50x100 cm, filled with water maintained at 30±1°C. On the first day, the animals swam for five minutes in water at a height equal to 100% of their body length, without weights. On the second and third days, the rats swam for 10 minutes with the water height equal to 120% of their body length. On the fourth and fifth days, they swam for 15 minutes with the water height at 140% of their body length, which remained constant during the study period. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance with SPSS version 22 software, with the significance level at P≤0.05.
Results: After ten weeks of combined training, a significant difference was observed in the gene expression of nuclear factor-κB and sirtuin 1 between the training and control groups (P=0.001 for both).
Conclusion: According to the results of this research, performing combined exercises in water with appropriate intensity and duration can regulate inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways, thereby strengthening muscles and reducing muscle wasting and atrophy in the elderly.