International Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume:5 Issue: 12, Dec 2014

Nutraceuticals are products, which other than nutrition are also used as medicine. A nutraceutical product may be defined as a substance, which has physiological benefit or provides protection against chronic disease. Nutraceuticals may be used to improve health, delay the aging process, prevent chronic diseases, increase life expectancy, or support the structure or function of the body. Nowadays, nutraceuticals have received considerable interest due to potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic effects. Recent studies have shown promising results for these compounds in various complications. In the present review much effort has been devoted to present new concepts about nutraceuticals based on their diseases modifying indications. Emphasis has been made to present herbal nutraceuticals effective on hard curative disorders related to oxidative stress including allergy, alzheimer, cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, eye, immune, inflammatory and Parkinson’s diseases as well as obesity. The recently published papers about different aspects of nutraceuticals as alternative for pharmaceuticals were searched using scientific sites such as Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The used terms included nutraceutical and allergy, alzheimer, cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, eye, immune, inflammatory or Parkinson.

There is a considerable debate on addiction and abuse to Smartphone among adolescents and its consequent impact on their health; not only in a global context, but also specifically in the Indian population; considering that Smartphone’s, globally occupy more than 50% of mobile phones market and more precise quantification of the associated problems is important to facilitate understanding in this field. As per PRISMA (2009) guidelines, extensive search of various studies in any form from a global scale to the more narrow Indian context using two key search words: “Smartphone’s addiction” and “Indian adolescents” was done using websites of EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Global Health, Psyc‑INFO, Biomed‑Central, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, world library ‑ World‑Cat, Indian libraries such as National Medical Library of India from 1 January, 1995 to March 31, 2014 first for systematic‑review. Finally, meta‑analysis on only Indian studies was done using Med‑Calc online software capable of doing meta‑analysis of proportions. A total of 45 articles were considered in systematic‑review from whole world; later on 6 studies out of these 45 related to Smartphone’s addiction in India were extracted to perform meta‑analysis, in which total 1304 participants (range: 165-335) were enrolled. The smartphone addiction magnitude in India ranged from 39% to 44% as per fixed effects calculated (P < 0.0001). Smartphone addiction among Indian teens can not only damage interpersonal skills, but also it can lead to significant negative health risks and harmful psychological effects on Indian adolescents.

Adult obesity and overweight is affecting every region of the world and is described as one of today’s most significant and neglected public health problems. The problem has taken the shape of an epidemic not only because the prevalence of obesity has witnessed a dramatic progress in a short period of time, but also because obesity has paved the way for increased risks for morbidity and mortality associated with it. It has been predicted that about half of the adult men and more than a quarter of adult women would be obese by 2030 in the UK and this figure could rise up to 50% in 2050 for whole of the adult UK population. Although a modest 5–10% weight loss maintained in the long term can significantly decrease health risk, few people engage in weight loss activities. Against this background, this review paper aims to investigate the reasons helping and/or hindering adults in the UK maintain weight loss in the long term; using online and organizational data sources and thematically analyzing the data. Self‑body perception, enhanced self‑confidence, social support, self‑motivation, incentives and rewards, increased physical activity levels and healthy eating habits facilitated people in maintaining weight loss in the long term and overall quality of life. Extreme weather conditions, natural phenomena such as accidents, injuries and ill‑health, work commitments, inability for time management and to resist the temptation for food constrained the successful long‑term weight loss maintenance.

We did this systematic review to determine diagnostic accuracy of sono‑elastography in evaluating cervical lymph nodes (LNs). A highly sensitive search for sono‑elastography and LNs was performed in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, ACP Journal Club, EMBASE, Health Technology assessment, and ISI web of knowledge for studies published prior to December 2012. SPSS version 18 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) used for descriptive analysis and meta‑disk version 1.4 applied for meta‑analysis. Forest plots for pooled estimates and summery of receiver operating characteristic plots for different cut‑offs were produced. The literature and manual search yielded 69 articles, of which 10 were eligible to include. A total of 578 individuals with a total number of 936 cervical LNs was evaluated (502 malignant and 434 benign). The summary sensitivity of the scoring and strain ratio (SR) measurements for the differentiation of benign and malignant LNs were 0.76 (95% CI: 0.71–0.8) and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78–0.87). The summary specificities were 0.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–0.84) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.79–0.88), respectively. Area under the curve for scoring system was 0.86 (standard error [SE] = 0.03) and 0.95 (SE = 0.02) for SR measurement. Sono‑elastograohy has high accuracy in differentiating benign and malignant cervical LNs.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world and has become a major threat for global health. Recent studies reported that the soy has beneficial effects in diabetic mellitus patients. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of soybean flour fortified bread consumption on metabolic profile in type 2 diabetic women. This randomized, cross‑over, controlled clinical trial was carried out in 30 type 2 diabetic women. At first, a 2‑week run‑in period was applied. Then, participants were randomly assigned to either intervention or control groups. Participants in the intervention group were asked to replace 120 g of soybean flour fortified bread with the same amount of their usual bread intake or other cereal products for 6 weeks. After a 4 weeks washout period, participants were crossed over for another 6 weeks. Mean (±standard deviation) age and body mass index of subjects was 45.7 ± 3.8 years and 29.5 ± 3.9 kg/m2, respectively. The results of our study showed no significant effects of soybean flour fortified bread on metabolic profile. We found a reduction in serum triglycerides (change difference: –3.7, P = 0.82), serum low‑density lipoprotein‑cholesterol (change difference: –11.2, P = 0.50), insulin (change difference: –3.6, P = 0.7), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (change differences: –0.57, P = 0.45) after 6 weeks but these changes were not statistically significant. No significant effects of soybean flour fortified bread on serum concentrations of fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, high‑density lipoproteins and total cholesterol levels were found. Six weeks consumption of soybean flour fortified bread among diabetic patients had no significant effects on metabolic profile.

The association between Helicobacter pylori (HP),as one of the most prevalent infections, and serum glucoselevel was inconsistent with previous studies. Moreover, there arecontradictory reports about the relationship between HP infectionand lipid profile. The purpose of this study was to determine therelationship between HP infection with glycemic and lipid profilesin elderly people. This cross‑sectional study was conducted on 1,300 subjectsover 60 years in Amirkola Health and Ageing Project. After using astandard questionnaire, the venous sampling was done to determineFBS, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL),high‑density lipoprotein (HDL) and IgG anti‑HP after a 12‑hovernight fast. The information about the individuals was analyzedusing SPSS‑17. The P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The prevalence of HP infection in diabetic andnondiabetic subjects was 77.5% and 75.7%, respectively, which hadno statistically significant difference. Also, there was no significantdifference between the serum lipid level including TG, LDL andHDL cholesterol with levels of anti‑HP antibodies. The rate ofHP infection in patients with hypertension was 75% and 78.3%in healthy patients, in which the difference was not statisticallysignificant. In terms of body mass index (BMI), the prevalenceof infection in the group with normal BMI was 77.3% and for theoverweight and obese elderly population, it was 74.7%, and 77.5%,respectively (P = 0.445). The findings revealed that in a large population of elderly in the northern part of Iran, HP infection is not associated with BMI, serum glucose and lipid profile as well as blood pressure.

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants who survived and its complications are a common problem. Due to high morbidity and mechanical ventilation (MV) nowadays researchers in interested minimizing MV. To determine, in very low birth weight (BW) preterm neonates with RDS, if initial treatment with nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation (early NIMV) compared with early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (early NCPAP) obtains more favorable outcomes in terms of the duration of treatment, and the need for endotracheal tube ventilation. In this single‑center randomized control trial study, infants (BW ≤ 1500 g and/or gestational age ≤ 34 weeks) with respiratory distress were considered eligible. Forty‑four infants were randomly assigned to receive early‑NIMV and 54 comparable infants to early‑NCPAP. Surfactants were given, when FIO2 requirement was of >30%. Primary outcomes were failure of noninvasive respiratory support, that is, the need for MV in the first 48 h of life and for the duration of noninvasive respiratory support in each group. 98 infants were enrolled (44 in the NIMV and 54 in the NCPAP group). The Preventive power of MV of NIMV usage (95.5%) was not lower than the NCPAP (98.1%) strength (hazard ratio: 0.21 (95% confidence interval: 0.02-2.66); P: 0.23). The duration of noninvasive respiratory support in the NIMV group was significantly shorter than NCPAP (the median (range) was 24 (18.00-48.00) h versus 48.00 (22.00-120.00) h in NIMV versus NCPAP groups; P < 0.001). Similarly, the duration of dependency on oxygen was less, for NIMV (the median (range) was 96.00 (41.00-504.00) h versus144.00 (70.00-1130.00) h in NIMV versus NCPAP groups; P: 0.009). Interestingly, time to full enteral feeds and length of hospital stay were more favorable in the NIMV versus the NCPAP group. Initial treatment of RDS with NIMV was safe, and well tolerated. Furthermore, NIMV had excellent benefits such as reduction of the duration of treatment, oxygen dependency period and length of hospital stay. Therefore, the primary mode with NIMV could be a feasible method of noninvasive ventilation in very premature infants.

Little information about the effects of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) on inflammation and immune function in humans is available. This study investigated the effects of CLAs, with and without Vitamin E on immunity and inflammatory parameters in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In a double‑blind clinical trial, 78 patients were randomly divided into four groups, each group receiving one of the following daily supplement for 3 months; group C: 2.5 g CLAs, group E: 400 mg Vitamin E, group CE: CLAs plus Vitamin E, group P: Placebo. Cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP‑3) and citrullinated antibody (CCP‑A) were measured by ELISA method and Vitamin E by high‑performance liquid chromatography. Consider statistical methods there were no significant differences between groups in cytokines interleukin‑2 (IL‑2), IL‑4, tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α), IL‑1β, IL‑2/IL‑4, CCP‑A white blood cells and neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocytes, and eosinophils numbers. TNF‑α decreased in all groups, but its reduction was significant in group CE. IL‑1β increased in groups P (P = 0.004) and E (P = 0.041) but the difference between group P and CE was significant. IL‑4 decreased in groups C, CE and E (P = 0.03, P = 0.03, P = 0.07 respectively). IL2 did not change significantly within groups. CCP‑A increased in groups P (P = 0.035) and E (P = 0.05), while it decreased in groups CE (P = 0.034). CCP‑A and MMP‑3 decrease were significant between groups P and CE. MMP‑3 reduction was significant in group CE. Co‑supplementation CLAs and Vitamin E may be effective in the level of inflammatory markers in RA patients.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which has been identifies more prevalent in economically developed countries than in the developing countries. Low prevalence of parasitic infections (which can activate immune response and prevent or modulate damage to host antigens) in these areas is among the possible responsible factors for such a difference. In this study we aimed to compare frequency of blood-tissue parasitic infections in patients with MS, as compared to their healthy family members. This study was conducted on 50 relapsing remitting MS patients and 50 family members attending MS clinic at Alzahra Hospital. IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii were measured. Given the high prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan, all the participants were also examined for protozoan leishmania microscopically. Furthermore malaria parasite was investigated. Eighteen patients and 24 healthy family members had positive test in IgG Toxoplasma gondii(P = 0.09). In both groups, there was no positive IgM Toxoplasma gondii. In investigating leishmania, only 3 participants in the case group and 2 in the control tested positive (P = 0.25). No case of malaria was found among the participants. Our results showed a mismatch with hygiene hypotheses examined. However, considering that the prevalence of parasites varies with time, and depends on numerous epidemiological factors; these results do not discredit the theory investigated.

Impaired quality of life (QOL) is an issue considered in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). There are limited studies evaluated poor sleep and impaired QOL in these cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of sleep and poor sleep in Iranian patients with MS and the relationship between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score and QOL subscales. One‑hundred and fourteen cases with definite MS due to MC Donald criteria enrolled who referred to MS clinic of Sina and Imam Hospitals were enrolled. Patients asked to fill valid and reliable Persian versions of PSQI and MSQOL‑54 questionnaires. Demographic data (sex, age), duration of the disease, education level and marital status were extracted from patients medical files. After neurological examination, Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was assessed. Ninety‑one (79.8%) patients were female and 23 (20.2%) were male. Mean age and EDSS was 34.7 ± 9.6 years and 2.3 (median: 1.5). Mean PSQI score and overall QOL score were 4.5 and 57. Sixty‑seven cases were good sleepers (PSQI ≤ 5) and 47 were poor sleepers (PSQI > 5). Except five subscales, all others were significantly different between good and poor sleepers. There was significant positive correlation between PSQI score and EDSS (r = 0.24, P < 0.001) and negative correlation between EDSS and physical and mental health (r = −0.48, P < 0.001, r = −0.43, P < 0.001). EDSS and total PSQI score were independent predictors of physical and mental health composites. Sleep quality as a factor which affecting QOL should be considered and evaluated properly in MS patients.

There is increasing evidence that children are showing body image issues in recent years. Body image disturbances in childhood must be taken seriously. The thin ideal is becoming more prominent in Asian countries; however, there is little research examining how this issue affects Iranian children. This study explores body weight concerns and associated factors among children in Iranian elementary schools. This study was conducted in 500 elementary schools. An assessment of body image and antifat attitudes was undertaken using the figure rating scale. In addition, body mass index (BMI) and demographic variables were assessed. Nearly, 27.4% of children were underweight, and 13.3% were obese. There was a significant difference between the mean score of body dissatisfaction (BD) between boys and girls (P < 0.05). There were no differences between BD and education of parents, age, and academic grades. In girls, antifat attitudes were significantly related to BMI. The results of this study demonstrate the paramount importance of undertaking further research in order to identify the predictive factors of body concerns and its consequences among Iranian children. In addition, researchers must plan prevention and educational program for these children.

Flavonoids consider as a large group of plant metabolites that 6,000 types of them have been identified till now. In some studies, it has been shown that they can increase aerobic performance and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max).The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anthocyanin (as one of the most important kind of flavonoids) supplementation on body composition, exercise performance and muscle damage indices in athletes. This double‑blinded clinical trial involved 54 female and male athletes at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with athletic history of at least 3 years. Body composition, exercise performance, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase were assessed. Individuals were selected by simple sampling method, they divided into two groups using permuted block randomization method. First group received 100 mg anthocyanin pills, and the second group received 100 mg placebo pills, daily for 6 weeks. Participants asked to continue their routine diet and physical activity during the study period, and they were followed through phone calls or text messages. Soft lean mass, total body water and percent body fat were not changed significantly in the anthocyanin group after intervention but VO2 max increased significantly in the anthocyanin group (48.65 ± 4.73 vs. 52.62 ± 5.04) (P ≤ 0.0001), also a significant difference was observed between two studied groups (52.62 ± 5.04 for intervention group vs. 49.61 ± 5.33 for placebo) (P = 0.003). Our findings suggested that the supplementation with anthocyanin in athletes may improve some indices of performance such as VO2 max.

The goal of this study was to examine the construct validity of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder‑5 (DSM‑5) conceptual model of antisocial and borderline personality disorders (PDs). More specifically, the aim was to determine whether the DSM‑5 five‑factor structure of pathological personality trait domains replicated in an independently collected sample that differs culturally from the derivation sample. This study was on a sample of 346 individuals with antisocial (n = 122) and borderline PD (n = 130), and nonclinical subjects (n = 94). Participants randomly selected from prisoners, out‑patient, and in‑patient clients. Participants were recruited from Tehran prisoners, and clinical psychology and psychiatry clinics of Razi and Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The SCID‑II‑PQ, SCID‑II, DSM‑5 Personality Trait Rating Form (Clinician’s PTRF) were used to diagnosis of PD and to assessment of pathological traits. The data were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis. Factor analysis revealed a 5‑factor solution for DSM‑5 personality traits. Results showed that DSM‑5 has adequate construct validity in Iranian sample with antisocial and borderline PDs. Factors similar in number with the other studies, but different in the content. Exploratory factor analysis revealed five homogeneous components of antisocial and borderline PDs. That may represent personality, behavioral, and affective features central to the disorder. Furthermore, the present study helps understand the adequacy of DSM‑5 dimensional approach to evaluation of personality pathology, specifically on Iranian sample.

The impact of honey or vinegar on several metabolic abnormalities has been studied separately, a mixture of these two ingredients known as honey vinegar syrup (HVS) has not been investigated previously so far. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of HVS consumption (Iranian’s traditional syrup) on glycemic parameters and lipid profiles in healthy individuals. We conducted a 4‑week, randomized, controlled, parallel study consisting of two groups of nonobese healthy volunteers. All subjects were asked to stay on their normal diet. Intervention group (n = 36) received a cup of HVS daily in the evening snack for 4‑week (250 cc syrup contains 21.66 g honey vinegar). Assessments of fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‑IR), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‑C) and low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‑C) were conducted at the baseline and after 4‑week of study. We observed no significant effect of HVS on FBS, HOMA‑IR, LDL‑C and TG. A significant effect of HVS was found on increasing fasting insulin and HOMA‑IR and reduction in TC level only in intervention group (Δ =3.39 P = 0.01, Δ =1.65 P = 0.03, Δ = −9.43 P = 0.005, respectively). Changes of FBS, TG and LDL‑C were 1.83 mg/dl, −1.53 mg/dl and − 3.99 mg/dl respectively in the intervention group. These changes were not significant. An unfavorable and significant reduction in HDL‑C level was also observed between two groups (Δ = −4.82 P < 0.001 in the intervention group). Honey vinegar syrup increased fasting insulin level and decreased TC level in the intervention group. HVS had an unfavorable effect on HDL‑C level. Further prospective investigations are warranted to confirm these findings.

India is currently suffering from an epidemic of noncommunicable diseases; it is thus imperative to screen for cardiovascular risk factors in people visiting Primary HealthCenters (PHCs). The objective of the study was to measure the amount of undiagnosed hypertension and selected cardiovascular risk factors present among the adult population through opportunistic screening at the PHC. A facility‑based opportunistic screening program was carried out in a PHC in rural Puducherry. Patients and accompanying persons aged 30 years and above, who attended the daily outpatient department (OPD) were included. The OPD provides outpatient services and medical procedures or tests without requirement of an overnight stay, and functions for 4 h a day. Known hypertensive patients and pregnant women were excluded. Information on age, gender, diabetes status, and personal history of tobacco and alcohol use were collected using an interview schedule. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured, along with blood pressure and blood sugar using standard protocols. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg was taken as hypertension. SBP of 120-139 mm Hg and/or DBP of 80-89 mm Hg were taken as prehypertension. A total of 324 participants were screened; 56.8% were females. The mean standard deviation (SD) age of the participants was 47.7 (SD 12.6) years. Hypertension and prehypertension were present in 17.9% and 37.7% of the participants respectively. 17.3% participants had diabetes. 22.2% and 21.3% of all participants were current users of tobacco and alcohol respectively. Generalized obesity was present in 31.8% of the participants; 19.1% were overweight. 45.1% participants had central obesity. A relatively large proportion of adults were found to have prehypertension and obesity, thus showing the need for early intervention.

Nephrotoxicity is the major side-effect of cisplatin (CDDP), and it is reported to be gender-related. We evaluated the effects of pomegranate flower extract (PFE) as an antioxidant on CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in female rats. Twenty-three adult female rats in four groups treated as following. Groups 1 and 2 received PFE at doses of 25 and 50 (mg/kg/day), respectively, for 9 days, and from day 3 on, they also received cisplatin (CDDP) (2.5 mg/kg) daily. Group 3 was treated as group 1 expects saline instead of PFE, and group 4 received PFE (25 mg/kg/day) alone. Cisplatin alone increased the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and nitrite; and kidney tissue damage score and kidney weight. However, PFE not only did not ameliorate the induced nephrotoxicity, but also aggravated renal tissue damage. Pomegranate extract as an antioxidant did not ameliorate CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in female rats.

Prevailing socio‑cultural influences lead females to desire a thin body and males a muscular body, especially in adolescents. This results in body image anxiety which may lead to social phobia. Together they can develop depression. The aim was to study the correlation of body image anxiety with social phobia and their association with depression, among adolescents. This was a cross‑sectional study conducted in randomly selected colleges from a rural area of Sangli district Maharashtra, India. Stratified random sampling technique used with sample size 805. Pretested self‑administered questionnaire used. Percentage, Chi‑square test, binary logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence intervals. Of 997 study subjects body image anxiety, social phobia and depression were observed in 232 (23.3%), 193 (19.4%) and 326 (32.7%) participants, respectively. Binary logistic regression showed that body image anxiety (OR = 1.849 [1.22, 2.804]; P = 0.004) and social phobia (OR = 4.575 [2.952-7.09]; P < 0.001) were significant predictors for depression. Body image anxiety and social phobia are linked with the development of depression. This impresses the need for timely counseling and education among adolescents.