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BackgroundRecently, we have reported the induction of apoptosis by 2-amino-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3-cyano-7-(dimethylamino)-4H-chromene (3-NC) in HepG2, T47D and HCT116 cells with low nano molar IC50 values. In this study, anti-proliferative effects of modified 4-aryle-4H-chromenes derivatives; 2-amino-4-(3-bromophenyl)-3-cyano-7-(dimethylamino)-4H-chromene (3-BC), 2-amino-4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-cyano-7-(dimethylamino)-4H-chromene (3-TFC) and 2-amino-4-(4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-cyano-7-(dimethylamino)-4H-chromene (4, 5-MC) were investigated in three human cancer cell lines. Compared to 3-NC none of the compounds displayed better anti-proliferative effect, although 3-BC appeared somewhat similar. Therefore 3-NC was selected for further studies.Methods and resultsTreatment of HepG2, T47D and HCT116 cells with this compound induced apoptosis as visualized by fluorescence microscopic study of Hoechst 33258 stained cells. Induction of apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V/PI staining using flow cytometry.Western blot analysis also revealed that 3-NC down-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 and up-regulated pro-apoptotic protein Bax, in all of the cell lines. Nonetheless, HepG2 cell line was the most responsive to 3-NC as Bax and Bcl2 showed the most dramatic up and down regulation.ConclusionOur previous finding that 3-NC down regulates Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) and the present observation that Bax is upregulated and Bcl2 is down regulated upon 3-NC treatment, this chromene derivative has the potential to overcome chemotherapy resistance caused by up regulation of these proteins.

Background:Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death in the world. In most analyses of health problems, environment plays a significant and modifiable role in causing the problem either directly or indirectly through behavior.Objectives:This study aims to understand the patients and healthcare providers’ experiences about the environmental determinants of CVD risk factors based on the Precede Model.Patients and Methods:This qualitative study conducted over six months in 2012 at Diabetes Units of Health Centers associated with Alborz University of Medical Sciences and Health Services which is located in Karaj, Iran. The data were collected based on individual semi-structured interviews with 50 patients and 12 healthcare providers. Data analysis was performed simultaneous with data collection using the content analysis directed method.Results:Lack of behaviors like stress control, healthy eating and physical activity were the roots of the risk factors for CVD. The environmental factor is one of the barriers for conducting these behaviors. The environmental barriers included of structural environment including “availability and accessibility of health resources”, “new skills”, and “law and policies” which are located in enabling category and social environment including “social support”, “motivation to comply” and “consequences of behavior” which are located in reinforcing category. The most barriers to performing health behaviors were often structural.Conclusions:The environmental factors were barriers for doing healthy behaviors. These factors need to be considered to design health promotion interventions. Policymakers should not only focus on patients’ education but also should provide specific facilities to enhance economic, social and cultural status.

Introduction Although the negative impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on sexual and marital relation of the patients is known, data are lacking regarding possible gender difference. Aim We designed a study on patients with CAD to investigate sexual relation and marital adjustment and their association with regard to gender differences. Main Outcome Measures Questionnaires including the Dyadic Adjustment Scale for evaluating the couple's agreement on decisions and appropriate behavior, marital satisfaction, and marital cohesion, and the Relation and Sexuality Scale (RSS) for sexual function, frequency, and fear. Methods We surveyed 650 patients with documented CAD without any other major comorbidities. Results The patients were 464 men (73.1%) and 171 women (26.9%) with CAD. The mean age of the men and the women were 57.1 ± 11.6 years and 56.3 ± 9.7 years, respectively. The women had a significantly poorer dyadic adjustment and sexual relation than men, except for sexual fear, which was more prominent in men with CAD and their spouses. The sexual frequency and the total RSS scores correlated with all aspects of the patients' marital relation in both genders. However, only men suffered from a poorer dyadic satisfaction, dyadic consensus, affectional expression, and overall marital adjustment if they were more afraid of sexual relation. In women, but not men, sexual function was significantly associated with their dyadic satisfaction and their overall marital relation. Conclusions Poorer sexual relation and marital adjustment was detected in our women with CAD. To manage all the problems of the patients that may impact their cardiac status, we should consider factors such as fear of sexual activity in men sexual dysfunction in women, and their correlation with marital adjustment.