Background: It has been reported that sphingosine kinase (SK) 2 plays a role in maintaining metabolism and glucose homeostasis. However, the mechanism remains uncertain. Objectives: The present research aimed to further investigate the effect of SK2 knockout on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and metabolic regulation. Methods: Male SK2-/-and wild-type (WT) control mice were challenged with HFD for 8 weeks. Then, body composition, inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) histology, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTT), and metabolic parameters were examined, and expression levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a key molecular marker of thermogenesis, in IWAT were determined. Results: After 8 weeks of HFD challenge, compared with WT mice, SK2-/-mice displayed decreased whole body, epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT) and IWAT weights, reduced fat/lean body mass ratios and inguinal adipocytes size,also, SK2-/-mice exhibited improved intraperitoneal glucose tolerance. Next, elevated energy expenditure was observed in SK2-/-mice compared with WT mice,however, neither food intake nor physical activity showed obvious difference between SK2-/-and WT mice. Furthermore, we found that the expressions of UCP1 was markedly increased in IWAT from SK2-/-mice. Conclusions: SK2-/-mice may resist HFD-induced obesity through increasing energy expenditure by promoting thermogenesis in the beige adipose tissue.

Reduced third virial coefficients of several gases made of spherical molecules interacting with the HFD - C potential has been Reduced third virial coefficients of several gases made of spherical molecules interacting with the HFD - C potential has been calculated as a function of the reduced temperature. A correlation equation C*(T*) For spherical gases is presented. Theoretical results have been compared with the experimental data for Ar, Kr, Xe, CH4, CF4, and SF6. Furthermore, the values of the compressibility factors have been obtained in the reduced temperature range 1.5 £ T* £ 10 and reduced pressure range 0.02 £ P*£ 1.00. Satisfactory agreement is found between the theoretical and experimental results over the entire temperature and pressure range studied

The computational complexity of performance based seismic design methods makes most engineers prioritize the use of simpler force-based methods. Having a practical relationship between force and performance methods can solve this challenge. The hybrid force/displacement method has the advantages of the design method based on the performance and computational ease of force design methods. In this research, frames with 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 20 story with 3 bays with a width of 5 meters have been considered. The length of the link beam is defined as another parameter affecting the response, 1, 1.75 and 2.50 meters. The studied models have been developed by designing the method of load and resistance factor design method, for 3 performance levels of immediate occupancy, life safety and collapse prevention, as well as the first occurrence of the plastic joint. The final models are analyzed under 20 pulse-type near-fault records using time history analysis. Finally, using the genetic algorithm, the corresponding experimental relationships are presented to determine the behavior factor, local and global ductility. The proposed relationships are influenced by geometric characteristics such as the number of stories, the stiffness ratio of the columns, the slenderness of the braces, the length of the beam and the ductility levels. The results of the hybrid force/displacement seismic design of structures outside the range of the defined database, in comparison with the force methods, show the accuracy of this method in estimating the seismic needs of divergent bracing frames.

Background: Physiological effects of obesity are increasingly common in women of reproductive age and are associated with infertility. Obese women have dysfunction in hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, menstrual cycle and are up to three times more likely to have decreased oligo-/anovulation. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the high fat diet on IVM and IVF outcomes in mouse.Materials and Methods: Balb-c mice (21 days of age, n=40) were divided into control and high fat diet groups. Experimental group fed with high fat diet (60% fat) during 12 weeks. After 12 weeks the oocytes obtained and in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) were done according to routine protocols.Results: The results showed significantly decrease in number of oocytes obtained at GV stage in high fat diet group and had weaker expansion as well as fewer oocytes reached to metaphase II stage. IVF results showed that number of MII oocytes in HFD group decreased significantly compared to control group and 30% of them reached to two-cell embryo.Conclusion: Our Findings show that high fat diet causes a significant reduction in differentiated oocytes from GV stage to methaphase II and also reduce the number of two-cell embryos in balb -c mices. It is suggested that in obese women with high body mass index maturation of oocyte and pregnancy rate is lower than normal ones.

Introduction: Type 2 diabete is a kind of metabolic disease that it is associated with hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and disturbed liver function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of Okra Powder on liver damage in high fat diet fed / streptozotocin (HFD-STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic ratsMethods: In this experimental study, 25 Wistar Albino female rats with an average weight of (200–220 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups: Group I: (control group) rats were fed the standard diet, Group II: healthy rats that received Okra Powder (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks; Group III (HFD/STZ group): Rats were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) (60% fat) for 4 weeks and then injected low dose of STZ (35 mg/kg), Group IV: Diabetic rats that received Okra Powder (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. GroupV: Diabetic rats that received metformin (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. At the end of experiment, biochemical parameters were measured. Liver samples were removed and 5-6 µ sections were made and stained by H&E and Sudan black staining.Results: The results showed that all the biochemical parameters, except HDL-C and serum insulin were increased in diabetic rats, while they were decreased in Okra supplementation group compared to diabetic rats (p<0.05). The liver structure alterations were improved in treated diabetic rats with Okra Powder and metformin.Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the potential anti-hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Okra Powder. Thus, it seems it has an important role in the management of type 2 diabete.

Background and purpose: Okra plant has different properties and some studies reported that this plant can lower the complications of diabetes. Herein, we studied the effects of okra powder on histomorphometry and histochemitry of the thyroid gland, lipid profile, as well as T3 and T4 hormones in HDF/STZ diabetic Wistar rats.Materials and methods: In this experimental study twenty-five adult male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into five groups of control group, healthy rats without any treatment (G1), control group receiving 200 mg/kg of okra daily for four weeks (G2), diabetic rats without any treatment (G3), diabetic rats receiving 200 mg/kg of metformin daily for four weeks (G4), and diabetic rats receiving 200 mg/kg of okra daily for four weeks (G5). For inducing diabetes, the rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for four weeks. Then, streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) was injected intravenously. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken for measurement of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), as well as T3, and T4 hormones levels. The animals were euthanized and the thyroid glands were removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. 5-6m slices were made from paraffin section and stained by H&E and aldehyde fuchsin.Results: Compared to the control group, the number and size of large follicles of the thyroid gland decreased significantly in the diabetic group, while the number of small follicles increased significantly (P<0.05). There were significant reductions in concentrations of T3 and T4, whereas triglyceride and LDL-c levels elevated in the diabetic group (P<0.05). These changes were improved using metformin and okra compared to the diabetic group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Okra powder can be effective in preventing, managing, and attenuating the complications of diabetes.