cain c. t. clark

Hemodialysis patients often suffer from several complications such as malnutrition and skin abnormalities. We hypothesized that zinc supplementation may improve these complications. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of zinc gluconate supplementation on malnutrition and skin abnormalities.

In this parallel randomized, double‑blind, clinical trial, patients in the zinc group received 210 mg zinc gluconate (equivalent to 30 mg elemental zinc) per day. Skin abnormalities (i.e. xerosis and pruritus), body composition, anthropometric variables, handgrip strength, and appetite (including hunger, fullness, desire to eat, and prospective food consumption) were measured at the beginning and end of the study.

Eighty‑seven hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to the zinc (n = 44) or placebo (n = 43) group for 12 weeks, After this period, 75 patients (N = 38 in the zinc group and 37 in the placebo group) remained in the study. In this study, no specific side effects of zinc supplementation were observed and twelve participants were lost to follow‑up (n = 6 in each group) because of migration, kidney transplantation, death, dialysis access infection, and personal reasons. Zinc supplementation had beneficial effects on hunger) 95% CI: 9/55 (3/67‑15/42)), desire to eat) 95% CI: 7/03 (1/82‑12/24)), and prospective food consumption) 95% CI: 3/46 (0/3‑14/1)) compared with placebo. Also, zinc improved pruritus) 95% CI: −0/52 (−0/82 to − 0/22)). We observed no changes in body composition, anthropometric variables, handgrip strength, and xerosis in the zinc group compared with the placebo.

This randomized clinical trial showed that zinc supplementation yielded beneficial effects on appetite and pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

Nutrition labeling is a health promotion strategy to improve nutrition information and help consumers make healthier food choices at the point of purchase. This study aimed to assess the association between knowledge of Nutritional Traffic Light Labels (NTLL) and food choicesin Shiraz, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 418 individuals were randomly selected from chain stores. Nutrition knowledge including general nutrition awareness and NTLL knowledge were assessed by a validated questionnaire. The participants’ purchase patterns were determined based on the color code of NTLL. Almost half of the participants (48.8%) had high levels of NTLL knowledge. Age of participants (p=0.012) and their level of education (p=0.003) were related to the NTLL knowledge. The findings revealed that males (p=0.037) and participants with a previous disease (p=0.029) had higher food basket score. However, no significant association wasobserved between the NTLL knowledge and food basket score. Despite the relatively good knowledge of participants on NTLL, the efficiency of using the labels was paradoxically low. In addition, having knowledge did not necessarily led to a successful performance in healthy food choices.

COVID-19 pandemic has evidently influenced people's lifestyle, particularly their health. In this study, the authors examined the association between dietary intake and lifestyle changes, and COVID-19 infection in adults living in Bojnurd, Iran.

In this cross-sectional study conducted on 4425 adults from Bojnurd city, Iran, regarding changes in food consumption, physical activity, sleep duration, and the history of COVID-19 infection; data were collected online using a researcher-designed questionnaire. The associations between lifestyle changes and COVID-19 infection were assessed by multivariate- adjusted logistic regression models.

There were significant associations between lower odds of COVID-19, increased legumes consumption (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.96), and increased physical activity (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.95) during the pandemic; this was while increased intakes of refined grain (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.63), butter oil (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.73), processed meat (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.82), fast foods (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.40), honey (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.64), and coffee (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.09) were associated with higher odds of infection. Moreover, higher sleep duration (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.52), increased intake of multivitamins/minerals (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.35, 2.05), vitamin D (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.47), and vitamin C (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.26, 1.84) were significantly associated with higher odds of infection, compared to the cases with no change.

Increased intake of refined grain and high-fat foods may be associated with lower odds of infection. However, the cross-sectional design of the present study precludes causal inferences.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic elicited the general population to use various dietary supplements (DSs) and nutraceuticals as a protective means against the disease. The present study aimed to evaluate changes and certain determinants of DS intake during the COVID‑19 lockdown among Iranian households.

This nationwide cross‑sectional study was conducted from April 4 to April 25, 2020, during which Iran was in lockdown. To collect data, a web‑based electronic self‑administered questionnaire was created. The data were compared among provinces based on their food security situations.

A total of 21,290 households were included in the analyses. Approximately 27% of the households were using DSs after the epidemic. The most common DSs used were vitamin D (42%) and vitamin C (20%), followed by multi‑vitamin (16%), zinc (9%), omega‑3 (6%), vitamin A (4%), and probiotics (3%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that DS intake was directly associated with the household income but inversely with household size and the food security status of the provinces. DS intake was positively associated with the presence of high‑risk persons in the households, the education of the households’ head, and the presence of a person with a history of COVID‑19 within the household.

During epidemic lockdown, DS use was remarkably increased among the Iranian households. Apart from the debatable usefulness of DSs against COVID‑19, the inverse association of DS use with a household’s income and provincial food security well indicates inequity in accessibility to DS. Actions to improve the nutritional status of the under‑privileged populations including targeted supplementation are strongly recommended.

This study aimed to identify the effect of differences in age-sex structure in COVID-19 hospitalizations and death rates among men and women in Iran. Accordingly, we calculated the SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized patients and mortality rates, stratified by sex, age, and demographic distribution.

This was a cross-sectional study, where the target population was the total population from 20 March 2020 until 20 March 2022 in Iran, over the two-time periods, 20 March 2020 until 20 March 2021 [first year], and 20 March 2021 until 20 March 2022 [second year]. The chi-squared test was used for analysis.

During the first year, 493220 cases were hospitalized with 258209 (52%) men, in addition 61,586 deaths occurred, where 34,849 [57%] were men. The overall hospitalization rate per 100,000 population in men and women was 607.77 and 565.57, respectively, and the mortality rate per 100,000 population in men and women was 82.03 and 64.34, respectively. During the second year, 652893 cases were hospitalized, where 340344 (52%) were women. The overall hospitalization rate per 100,000 population in men and women was 727.98 and 809.67, respectively, in addition to 54,740 deaths, where 29,172 [53%] were men. The overall mortality rate per 100,000 population in men and women was 67.95 and 60.83, respectively.

The findings showed a higher hospitalization in the first year in men, whilst the opposite was evident in the second year. The mortality rate increased with age and was most predominant in men, 50 years of age or older. Therefore, there is a need for policy makers to be acutely aware of the discrepancies in mortality according to age and sex groups, and have different, and complementary, strategies for controlling the pandemic by age and sex groups.

Children are the future of any community and identifying their pattern of diseases is a reflection of the health status of that region. This study was conducted to investigate the frequency of hospitalization causes in children under 15.

This cross-sectional study was performed among 360 children under 15 in the pediatric ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft in 2020. Data were collected by a pre-designed checklist according to the patients' files. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test.

The most common causes of hospitalization in both sexes were gastrointestinal disease (44.11%) and fever of unknown origin (FUO) (36.7%), and a significant relationship was observed between gender and the cause of hospitalization of children (P <0.001). In the age group of one month to one year, the most common cause of hospitalization was FUO (27%) followed by gastrointestinal diseases (25%). Otitis media (23%) was the most common cause of hospitalization in children aged 1 to 3 years, gastrointestinal diseases in children aged 3 to 6 years (16.4%) and 6 to 12 years (25%), respectively. There was also a statistically significant relationship between pediatric age and hospitalization causes (P <0.001).

Due to the high prevalence of diseases such as gastrointestinal diseases and FUO among the causes of hospitalization of children, epidemiological studies and the provision of preventative health services for said diseases in children seem necessary.

Age-related cataract (ARC) is a multifactorial progressive disease that causes blindness globally. Dietary antioxidants such as vitamins and carotenoids have been reported to attenuate oxidative stress as the major cause of ARC. However, associations between adherence to healthy dietary patterns and ARC must be understood. Up to date, adherence to the Nordic diet style assessed by two indices, including the healthy Nordic food index and Baltic Sea dietary score, have been associated with chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate associations between the healthy Nordic food index and Baltic Sea dietary score and the odds of ARC in a case-control study, in Iran.

This hospital-based case-control study was carried out on 98 patients with ARC and 198 healthy controls were selected based on the inclusion criteria. A valid 168-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake over the last year. To investigate associations between the healthy Nordic food index and Baltic Sea dietary score and the risk of ARC, logistic regression tests were used.

Adherence to the Baltic Sea dietary score was associated with lower risks of ARC in crude and adjusted models. After adjustment for potential confounders, participants in the highest quartile of Baltic Sea dietary score (compared to the lowest) had 75% lower age-related cataract risks (OR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.11–0.56). The current results support previous results on the protective effects of dietary patterns rich in antioxidants on ARC.

Adherence to the Nordic eating style, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, fish, and healthy fats, assessed by the Baltic Sea dietary score may decrease risks of age-related ARC.

Recently, several have evaluated the association between the components of the dietary inflammatory index (DII) score with the risk and severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‑19). For the first time, we examined the association between DII® with risk of coronavirus infection and symptom severity through a case-control study in Iran.

The present case-control study was conducted on COVID-19 cases (n = 100) and healthy control (n = 100) volunteer, aged from 18 to 65 years. Dietary intake, DII, body mass index, COVID‑19 infection, and the severity of its symptoms were assessed for each participant. A multivariable logistic regression analysis test was used to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

Our results demonstrated that COVID‑19–infected patients were significantly older and had longer history of diabetes as compared to the healthy control group (P <.05). Furthermore, the participants with COVID‑19 had a significantly greater intake of total fat (P =0.259), saturated fat (P =0.005), and dietary fiber (P = .004). In contrast, individuals in the healthy control group had a higher intake of carbohydrate (P = .005), sodium (P <.001), and iron (P <.001). However, there was no significant difference in DII score between COVID-19 and healthy controls (P =.259). In addition, we did not detect any specific association between DII score and risk of COVID‑19 infection (odds ratio = 1.08, 95% confidence interval: 0.92 to 1.27; P =.294) and the severity of its symptoms (P >.05).

There appears to be no specific association between DII score and risk of COVID‑19 infection and the severity of its symptoms. More prospective cohort studies are necessary to confirm the veracity of our results

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative illness that causes memory loss and cognitive impairment. For neurodegenerative illnesses, the therapeutic properties and healthy advantages of brewed coffee (BC) intake have been widely explored.

This research aimed to look into the findings of sub-chronic BC administration on long-term potentiation (LTP) as a model of synaptic plasticity that supports memory function in the hippocampus in rat models of AD.

In this study, 32 male Wistar rats were utilized as test subjects. The animals were randomly divided into four groups with eight rats in each group as follows: (1) Sham (animals that received normal saline (NS)), (2) streptozotocin (STZ), (3) BC, and (4) BC-STZ. Animals were treated for three weeks.

The amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the BC + STZ (164.23 ± 11.33%; n = 8) group significantly increased compared to the STZ group at 0.25 h after HFS (P = 0.0330). Also, it significantly increased in the BC + STZ group at 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2 h (P = 0.4481, P = 0.4609, P = 0.1239, P = 0.0017, P = 0.0413, P = 0.0851, P = 0.1323) after HFS. Moreover, the slope of EPSPs in the BC-STZ group showed an overall improvement compared to the STZ group at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2 h (P = 0.1511, P = 0.0004, P = 0.0394, P = 0.0038, P = 0.0002, P = 0.0059, P = 0.0245, and P = 0.4126, respectively) after HFS during LTP recording time.

In conclusion, the present study found that BC consumption improved synaptic plasticity and memory in rat models of AD induced by STZ. However, more studies are needed to elucidate BC's neuroprotective mechanisms.

To determine whether dietary carbohydrates quality index (CQI), glycemic index, and glycemic load is associated with general and abdominal obesity.

850 participants, 20 to 59 years old, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study from five Tehran districts through health houses. The 168 items in the semi--quantitative food frequency questionnaire were used to assess dietary intake. The CQI was calculated by using the following four components: glycemic index, total fiber, solid carbohydrate to total carbohydrate ratio, and whole grains: total grains ratio.

After adjusting for confounding factors, the chance of obesity in men (OR=0.38, 95% CI 0.15to 0.95; P=0.04) measured by waist circumference (WC) was significantly lower in the fourth quintile of CQI in comparison with the first quintile. In addition, OR for obesity in men (OR=2.53, 95% CI0.52 to 1.37; P=0.04) was significantly 2.5 times higher among those in the fourth quintile of glycemic index compared with those in the lowest quintile. There was no significant association between dietary carbohydrates with general obesity in men and women.

In summary, dietary CQI is significantly inversely related to central obesity in men,according to this study. Additionally, adherence to a diet with a higher glycemic index in men is positively associated with central obesity.

Several studies assessed the level of knowledge and general public behavior on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in India. However, comprehensive scrutiny of literature is essential for any decision-making process. Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the level of knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS in India.

A systematic search using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free terms was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases to investigate the level of knowledge and attitude of HIV/AIDS in India population. Cross-sectional studies published in English from January 2010 to November 2020 were included. The identified articles were screened in multiple levels of title, abstract and full-text and final studies that met the inclusion criteria were retrieved and included in the study. The methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s checklist for cross-sectional studies. Estimates with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each domain were pooled to examine the level of knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS in India.

A total of 47 studies (n= 307 501) were identified, and 43 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS was 75% (95% CI: 69-80%; I2 = 99.8%), and a higher level of knowledge was observed among female sex workers (FSWs) 89% (95% CI: 77-100%, I2 = 99.5%) than students (77%, 95% CI: 67-87%, I2 = 99.6%) and the general population (70%, 95% CI: 62-79%, I2 = 99.2%), respectively. However, HIV/AIDS attitude was suboptimal (60%, 95% CI: 51-69%, I2 = 99.2%). Students (58%, 95% CI: 38-77%, I2 = 99.7%), people living with HIV/AIDS (57%, 95% CI: 44-71%, I2 = 92.7%), the general population (71%, 95% CI: 62-80%, I2 = 94.5%), and healthcare workers (HCWs) (74%, 95% CI: 63-84%, I2 = 0.0%) had a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS. The methodological quality of included studies was "moderate" according to Joanna Briggs Institute’s checklist. Funnel plots are asymmetry and the Egger’s regression test and Begg’s rank test identified risk of publication bias.

The level of knowledge was 75%, and 40% had a negative attitude. This information would help formulate appropriate policies by various departments, ministries and educational institutions to incorporate in their training, capacity building and advocacy programs. Improving the knowledge and changing the attitudes among the Indian population remains crucial for the success of India’s HIV/AIDS response.

The purpose of this research was to explore the physical parameters and the heart rate responses of elite minifootball players during an international match.

Ten male elite players from two national teams (Tunisia vs. Switzerland) participated in this study (26.2 ± 1.9 years, 175 ± 7 cm, 79.2 ± 5.8 kg). Heart rate was recorded by polar team system all the time that players spent moving on the pitch (walking, jogging, and running). For physical parameters, data (i.e., indicator of workload, sprints, total distance, acceleration and deceleration) were gathered using wearable GPS.

Results showed that the minifootball match induced high intensity exercise (86% HRmax). Moreover, total distance and high-intensity running distance were significantly higher in favor of the first half than in the second half. Likewise, sprints, acceleration and deceleration at high intensity were significantly higher in the first half.

Minifootball is a physically intense sport, necessitating high intensity. Thus, its physical demands should be taken into consideration by coaches when designing and implementing training sessions.

The evidence base regarding the association between urinary potassium and blood pressure (BP), or risk of hypertension, is inconsistent. Therefore, we sought to conduct a qualitative and quantitative literature review on the association between potassium excretion and BP.

Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched up to June 2020. All observational studies that reported BP and measured potassium excretion in overnight or 24‑h urine samples were included. Correlation coefficients, mean urinary potassium excretion, and odds ratio (ORs) of hypertension were extracted from the included studies. There were no language or publication date restrictions.

Overall, twelve observational studies, including 16,174 subjects, were identified for inclusion in the present meta‑analysis, and 21 effect sizes were extracted. Pooled mean potassium excretion was 3.46 mmol/24 h higher in normotensive individuals compared with hypertensive subjects (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61, 6.31). High urinary potassium excretion was not associated with the risk of hypertension (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.13). The pooled correlation coefficient between BP and urinary potassium was not significant (ES: 0.01; 95% CI: −0.03, 0.05). However, a subgroup analysis by age indicated a significant positive correlation between urinary potassium and systolic BP in children (ES: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.19).

24 h urinary potassium excretion was not correlated to BP and risk of hypertension. In contrast, mean urinary potassium excretion was higher in normotensive individuals compared with hypertensive counterparts. Future studies should focus on the association between different sources of dietary potassium and BP.

This meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid profile. A systematic search were conducted in PubMed and Scopus to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) which evaluated the effects of L-carnitine on lipid profile. Pooled effect sizes were measured using random-effect model (Dersimonian-Laird). Meta-analysis showed that L-carnitine supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC) (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -8.17 mg/dL; 95% CI, -14.68 to -1.65, I2 =52.2%, P= 0.041). Baseline level of TC was a source of heterogeneity, with a greater effect in studies with a baseline level of more than 200 mg/d (WMD: -11.93 mg/dL; 95% CI, -20.80 to -3.05). L-carnitine also significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: -5.22 mg/dL; 95% CI, -9.54 to -0.91, I2 =66.7%, P=0.010), and LDL-C level <100 mg/dL), trial duration, and L-carnitine dosage were potential sources of heterogeneity. L-carnitine supplementation appeared to have no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD: -0.51 mg/dL; 95% CI, -2.45 to 1.44) and triglyceride (TG) (WMD: 2.80 mg/dL; 95% CI, -8.09 to 13.69). This metaanalysis revealed that L-carnitine may have favorable effects on lipid profile, especially LDL-C and TC. However, further RCTs are needed to confirm the veracity of these results, particularly among hyperlipidemic patients.

Findings of studies on the association between evening meal and obesity are inconclusive. Thus, we sought to investigate the association between major dietary patterns at evening meal and obesity among apparently healthy adults in Tehran.

This cross-sectional research was conducted using 833 adult men and women who lived in Tehran (age range: 20-59 years). Their dietary intake was evaluated by three, 24-h dietary recalls (24hDRs), and major patterns were identified using exploratory factor analysis. The association between major dietary patterns at dinner with general and central obesity was assessed using logistic regression analysis.

We identified 3 major dietary patterns at dinner including “prudent”, “potatoes and eggs” and “Western” patterns. There was no significant relationship between prudent and general obesity (OR: 0.76, 95% CI = 0.21, 1.15, P value = 0.20), and, a significant association was not observed between potatoes and eggs and general obesity (OR: 0.89, 95% CI = 0.60, 1.32, P value = 0.57) also, there was no significant relationship between Western dietary pattern and general obesity in this study (OR: 0.95, 95% CI = 0.63, 1.43, P value = 0.82). Further analyses showed that there was no significant relationship between central obesity with any of the dietary patterns.

The results of this study do not support a possible relationship between major dietary patterns at dinner with general and central obesity. However, the presented findings should be confirmed in prospective studies.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the consumption of an energy-dense diet and cardiometabolic risk factors in Iranian older adults.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 226 older adults who were living in Tehran, Iran. Dietary energy density (DED) was calculated as energy per weight of food, kcal/g. The usual intake of participants was measured using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, fasting blood sugar, serum lipid profile and blood pressure and were assessed. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel-III (NCEP ATP III).

Those who were in the third tertile of DED compared to the first tertile had 19% lower odds of having the cardiometabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS) 0.81 (0.39,1.68) but the association was no significant (P=0.58). There was a significant inverse association between DED and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β=-0.14, P=0.03) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (β=-0.17, P=0.01). We did not find any significant association between intake of energy-dense foods and serum levels of triglyceride (TG) (P=0.62), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P=0.06), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P=0.72) and waist circumference (WC) (P=0.28).

DED is negatively associated with SBP and DBP in Iranian older adults. Prospective studies are needed to establish a causal link between DED and MetS and risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD).