Search

The hydrodynamic performance of turbulent flows in circular pipes equipped with screen-type static mixers is numerically assessed in this study. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model is used to study the effect of changing the operating conditions and reactor configuration on the flow field. The accuracy of the numerical results is validated by comparing pressure drop predictions to empirical correlations where a maximum relative error of 13.3% is recorded. The macro-mixing performance of screen type static mixers is also assessed using residence time distributions. The study shows that the flow through screens is three-dimensional by nature with secondary flows being prominent near the pipe walls. Moreover, the presence of the screen has a major impact on the turbulent velocity profile both up- and down-stream. The flow field and velocity gradients are interpreted using strain rate and vorticity. These parameters also show that the flow through screens is highly dispersive where 39.3% of the reactor volume has an extensional efficiency value greater than 0.6. This explains their good performance in processing multiphase flows and gives an insight on how to design systems that maximize this dispersive effect in their volume. The residence time distribution study shows that the presence of screens renders the flow closer to plug flow with the effect being more pronounced using finer mesh screens operating at high flow velocities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have theoretically studied the spin structure factors of Heisenberg model on Lieb lattice in the presence of magnetic field along perpendicular to the plane and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. The original spin model Hamiltonian is mapped to a bosonic model using a hard-core bosonic transformation. Under such transformation, an infinite hard-core repulsion is imposed to constrain one boson occupation per site. Based on Green's function approach, the energy spectrum of quasiparticle excitation has been obtained. The spectrum of the bosonic gas has been implemented in order to obtain two-particle propagator which corresponds to spin structure factor of original Heisenberg chain model Hamiltonian. The results show the peak position in the dynamical transverse spin structure factor at fixed value for Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction moves to higher frequency with enhancement of magnetic field. However, the intensity of peaks in dynamical transverse spin structure factor is not affected by magnetic field. Also the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction strength causes to increase the intensity of dynamical longitudinal spin structure factor. Also the increase in magnetic field causes to move the frequency position of peaks in dynamical longitudinal spin susceptibility toward low frequencies. Our results show static transverse structure factor is found to be monotonically decreasing with magnetic field. Moreover, a monotonic reduction behavior for temperature dependence of static spin susceptibility has been observed for temperature dependence at each value of Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the association between different lipid measures and long-term hospitalization-required incident fracture among Iranian men and women. A total of 3309 individuals aged ≥50 years (men = 1598) were included in the study. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to assess the risk of incident fracture across quintiles, considering first quintile as reference, as well as for 1-standard deviation (SD) increase in each lipid measure, i.e. total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C, respectively), non-HDL-C, and related indices (TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C). Covariates included age, body mass index, current smoking, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lipid lowering-drugs, and steroid medications (for women). During a median follow-up of 18 years, incident fracture was observed in 201 cases (men = 87). In both gender, no linear association was found between different lipid measures and incident fracture. Among men, only the fourth quartile of TG was associated with lower risk of fracture in the age-adjusted analysis with the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of [0.45 (0.21–0.95)]. Among women, the age-adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for the second, third, fourth, and fifth quintiles of non-HDL-C were [0.46 (0.25–0.87)], [0.73 (0.42–1.25)], [0.90 (0.54–1.51)], and [0.52 (0.29–0.95)], respectively; the corresponding values in the multivariate model were [0.48 (0.26–0.90)], [0.76 (0.4–1.32)], [0.94 (0.56–1.58)], and [0.52 (0.28–0.95)], respectively. The second quintile of LDL-C was also associated with lower risk for incident fracture in the multivariate analysis [0.53 (0.29–0.98)]. Among Iranian women, a nonlinear association between non-HDL-C and LDL-C and incident fracture was found as the second and fifth quintile of the former and the second quintile of the latter were associated with about 50% lower risk of fracture. Generally, our findings did not support harmful impact of these lipid measures on incident fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several treatment options for localized prostate cancer with very similar outcome but vary in terms of technique and side effect profiles and risks. Considering the potential difficulty in choosing the best treatment, a patient decision aid (PDA) is used to help patients in their decision-making process. However, the use and applicability of PDA in a country in Asia Pacific region like Malaysia is still unknown. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a PDA modified to the local context in improving patients' knowledge, decisional conflict, and preparation for decision making among men with localized prostate cancer. Sixty patients with localized prostate cancer were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. A self-administered questionnaire, which evaluate the knowledge on prostate cancer (23 items), decisional conflict (10 items) and preparation for decision-making (10 items), was given to all participants at pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using independent T test and paired T test. The intervention group showed significant improvement in knowledge (p = 0.02) and decisional conflict (p = 0.01) from baseline. However, when compared between the control and intervention groups, there were no significant differences at baseline and post-intervention on knowledge, decisional conflict and preparation for decision-making. A PDA on treatment options of localized prostate cancer modified to the local context in an Asia Pacific country improved patients' knowledge and decisional conflict but did not have significant impact on the preparation for decision-making. The study was also registered under the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ACTRN12614000668606 registered on 25/06/2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between low testosterone concentration and increased risk of hyperglycemia in men has been demonstrated in observational and interventional studies. However, considering a variety of confounding factors, limited population‐based studies have so far been conducted. Also, no information is available regarding the effect of testosterone on progressive development of dysglycemia. Objective: To examine the effect of total testosterone on development of pre‐diabetes/diabetes in normoglycemic middle‐aged and older men. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, a community‐based prospective cohort of an Iranian population. Analyses were conducted on 903 normoglycemic eligible men aged 30–70 years. An illness‐death model was applied to estimate the probabilities of three transitional phases of normoglycemia→diabetes, normoglycemia→pre‐diabetes, and pre‐diabetes→diabetes. Results: Over a median follow‐up of 12 years, 0.9% individuals developed diabetes. Per unit increase (ng/mL) in testosterone concentration, the transition rate from normoglycemia to pre‐diabetes decreased by 6% [hazard ratios (HRs): 0.94 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90, 0.99)]. However, no effect for testosterone on the progression of diabetes from normoglycemia or pre‐diabetes was observed [HRs: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.44, 1.41) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.84, 1.16), respectively]. High body mass index was a strong predictor of hyperglycemia within all transitions. Discussion: Independent of major confounding factors, low testosterone was associated with normoglycemia progression to pre‐diabetes, but not with pre‐diabetes to diabetes, which might indirectly highlight the stronger impact of other risk factors after occurrence of pre‐diabetes. Conclusion: Low testosterone concentrations in men are associated with progression from normoglycemia to pre‐diabetes, but not from pre‐diabetes to diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Current evidence available on the association between Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and cardiovascular risk in adolescents is controversial. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the association between DASH diet and cardiovascular risk factors after 3 years of follow‐up among Tehranian adolescents. Methods: A population‐based cohort study was conducted on 628 subjects, aged 10–18 years, selected from among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. The DASH score was determined on the basis of eight components using a valid and reliable food‐frequency questionnaire at baseline. Anthropometric and lipid profile data were measured at baseline and after a 3‐year follow‐up. Results: Mean (SD) age of the study population (46.6% men) was 14.1 (2.5) years. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, including sex, age, physical activity and total calorie intake, the risk of general obesity (OR = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.15–0.76) and central obesity (OR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.14–0.84) in the highest quintile of DASH score were significantly lower than in subjects in the lowest quintile. However, DASH score was not associated with risk of incident dyslipidaemia in our study (OR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.30–1.82). The higher DASH score was inversely associated with 3‐year changes in body mass index and waist circumference during the study period (P for trend <0.05). However, there was no significant association between the higher score of this diet with 3‐year changes in lipid profiles. Conclusion: Adherence to the DASH diet was associated with decreased risk of central and general obesity, whereas higher DASH diet score was not associated with risk of dyslipidaemia in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Considering the role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in female fertility and its high levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the longer reproductive span of these women is in doubt. In the present study, we aimed to improve earlier predictions using a non-linear model to substantiate the question as to whether PCOS women reach menopause later.Methods: In total, 1162 women aged 20-50 years, comprising 378 PCOS cases and 784 eumenorrheic non-hirsute women, met the eligibility criteria. A scatterplot matrix was drawn to detect the association between age and AMH; this association was explored using a fractional polynomial regression model. Model assumptions were checked by examining the distribution of the residuals and plotting the standardized residuals against the functional form of AMH.Results: The serum concentration of AMH among PCOS participants was significantly higher than in the controls (5.4 ng/ml (IQR 2.8-9.1 ng/ml) vs. 1.4 ng/ml (IQR 0.6-2.7 ng/ml), p < 0.001). The estimated mean age at menopause was 51.4 (95% CI 45-59) years and 49.7 (95% CI 45-55) years in PCOS cases and healthy controls, respectively.Conclusions: These findings provide the insight that, as reflected through significantly higher average levels of AMH in PCOS women, their predicted reproductive lifespan could be 2 years longer than their normo-ovulatory counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and incidence and predictive factors of thyroid disorders (TD) in patients with impaired glucose metabolism. Methods: Prevalence of TD was calculated in patients with impaired glucose metabolism compared to healthy controls, aged over 30 years in phase 1 of the Tehran Thyroid Study (TTS). Follow up assessments were conducted every 3 yrs, after which incidence of TD was calculated and its correlations with age, sex, smoking, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyrotropin (TSH), insulin resistance index, triglycerides and cholesterol were assessed. Results: Incidence of TD among 435 diabetics, 286 prediabetics, and 989 healthy controls at baseline was 14, 18, and 21 per 1000 patients per year, respectively, being significantly lower in diabetics than that in healthy controls, a difference however that was not significant after adjusting for the variables mentioned (OR:0.64, 95% CI: 0.39–1.01). The incidence of TD in subjects with baseline serum TSH>1.94 mU/L or TPOAb≥40 IU/ml in all three groups was higher than that in patients with TSH≤1.94 mU/L or TPOAb<40 IU/ml, and remained significant after variable adjustment. Baseline TSH>1.94 mU/L was predictive of TD with 70% sensitivity and specificity. Baseline serum TSH (ROC area: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.68–0.77) had better predictive value than TPOAb (ROC area: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.61–0.69) for developing TD. Conclusion: Incidence of TD in type 2 diabetics or prediabetics is not higher than healthy controls. It is however necessary to conduct thyroid tests in patients with TPOAb≥40 IU/ml or TSH>1.94 mU/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently accompanied by insulin resistance (IR). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the genetic association between insulin resistance and two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely rs7903146 (C/T) in transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) and rs1111875 (A/G) in haematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX), is affected by PCOS status in Iranian women. The study participants consisted of 582 women with PCOS (cases) referred to the Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center and 504 subjects without PCOS (controls), randomly selected from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Cases and controls were further subdivided to two groups according to IR status: those with and without IR. IR was identified on the basis of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) ≥2.63. The SNPs in TCF7L2 and HHEX were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. There were no significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles between cases and controls (P<0.05). Among cases, the prevalence of the CC, CT and TT genotypes was 37.8%, 46.3% and 15.9%, respectively, whereas the prevalence of the AA, AG and GG genotypes was 13.5%, 46.1% and 40.4%, respectively. In the control grouP< the prevalence of the CC, CT and TT genotypes was 32.2%, 53.9% and 13.9%, respectively, whereas the prevalence of the AA, AG and GG genotypes was 11.3%, 48.6% and 40.0%, respectively. After adjustment for age and body mass index, the probability of IR was decreased by 49% among carriers of the A allele in the control group (95% confidence interval 0.33-0.78; P=0.002). The findings of the present study suggest that the association between IR and diabetogenic polymorphisms may be affected by PCOS status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrodeposition of Zn–15Co alloy on a stainless steel substrate from a citrate bath has been investigated as a function of pH and citrate concentration in the electroplating bath. UV–vis results and speciation diagrams of zinc and cobalt in aqueous citrate solution were used to select deposition baths with different dominant Zn–Co citrate complexes. Voltammetry and potentiostatic methods were used to study the codeposition mechanism. The corrosion behaviour of electrodeposits of Zn–15Co alloys was studied by means of electrochemical experiments in a solution of 3.5% NaCl using potentiodynamic polarisation and open circuit potential. The results showed that the corrosion resistance of the deposits was highly influenced by the presence of citrate in the electroplating bath. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims To examine the incidence of and risk factors for insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction in a representative Iranian population over a median follow-up of 9.2 years. Methods In total, 3662 people (1528 men) without known diabetes with a baseline homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ( HOMA- IR) level < 75th percentile and, when β-cell dysfunction was the outcome of interest, 3664 people (1530 men) with a homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) level ≥ 25th percentile were included in the study ( HOMA- IR < 2.20 and HOMA-β ≥ 64.3 among men, and HOMA- IR < 2.39 and HOMA-β ≥ 81.7 among women). Results The incidence rates of insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction were 56.3 and 33.6/1000 person-years among men and 48.6 and 50.3/1000 person-years among women, respectively. Applying multivariable Cox regression in both sexes, fasting insulin, triglyceride/ HDL cholesterol ratio and lower education were positive predictors of insulin resistance, whereas age was a negative predictor. Moreover, fasting plasma glucose, waist-to-height ratio, wrist circumference and lower hip circumference were significantly associated with incident insulin resistance only among women (all P < 0.05). Considering β-cell dysfunction in both sexes, age and fasting plasma glucose increased the risk, whereas 2-h post-challenge plasma glucose was a positive predictor only among men, and waist-to-height ratio and triglyceride/ HDL cholesterol ratio were negative predictors only among women (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Modifiable risk factors are related to the incidence of insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, which can be prevented with proper strategies although the difference between men and women should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the incidence of pre-diabetes and its different phenotypes and the related risk factors during 9 years of follow-up. Methods A total of 5879 people (2597 men and 3282 women) aged ≥ 20 years, free of diabetes and pre-diabetes, took part in the study. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate hazard ratios ( HR) and 95% confidence intervals ( CI) for all potential risk factors. Results Overall, 853 men and 902 women developed pre-diabetes. Incidence rates of pre-diabetes were 46.1 per 1000 person-years in men and 36.8 per 1000 person-years in women, while isolated impaired fasting glucose had the highest incidence rate among all pre-diabetes phenotypes. In both sexes, age, family history of diabetes, fasting plasma glucose and 2-hour post-challenge plasma glucose were related to incident pre-diabetes. Among women, waist-to-height ratio [ HR: 1.02 (1.00-1.03)] and being divorced/widowed compared with married [ HR: 0.67 (0.52-0.87)] were significant predictors of pre-diabetes; whereas among men, community-based intervention [ HR: 0.79 (0.68-0.90)], higher level of education and being single [ HR: 0.77 (0.6-0.97)] were protective against progression to pre-diabetes. Moreover, hip circumference among women [ HR: 0.95 (0.93-0.98)] and current smoking among men [ HR: 1.69 (1.15-2.48)] were related to incident combined impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. Conclusion More than 4% of the Iranian population develop pre-diabetes each year, emphasizing the important role of socio-economic factors (marital status, education and smoking habits) and community-based intervention in progression to impaired glucose regulations. Thus, emergent intervention is necessary to halt the tsunami of pre-diabetes among the Iranian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, Afghanistan has been under the political attention by several Institution and Organizations whose invested millions of dollars for the reconstruction of the country. Part of such efforts were focused on the agricultural sector, as the principal source of income of Afghanistan. Mainly, perennial horticulture represents the one of the most challenging opportunity for the developing economies of Afghanistan, and the high contribute of EU in such direction, shown significant results. However, the level of the export is still neglected and the reputation of Afghan' products has lost the ancient brittleness. The generic low hygienic conditions and poor quality of the products are the primary cause of such situation. In this scenario, PHDP (Perennial Horticulture Development Project) first and ANHDO (Afghanistan National Horticulture Organization) then, tried to improve the quality of perennial horticulture crops. PHDP has, for the first time created a certification scheme for the production of certified perennial plants, ANHDO has the main goal of improving the quality of the fruit value chain of the principal crops in Afghanistan. In this study the first protocol for the determination of the Optimum Harvest Date (OHD) for Cherry var. Burlat is given, as a case study of the new course of Horticulture in Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the relationship between age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone level, as a predictor of ovarian reserve status, and electrocardiographic silent coronary artery disease in a population-based, prospective cohort, the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.Methods: For the present study, 1015 reproductive-aged participants in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study met our eligibility criteria. According to the Whitehall criteria, silent coronary artery disease was defined as an electrocardiogram showing possible or probable coronary heart disease using Minnesota codes. By excluding those with a history of coronary heart disease and silent coronary artery disease at the initiation of the study (n = 49), there were 108 events of silent coronary artery disease at electrocardiograms among 752 women followed for 9.5 ± 0.9 years (missing data: n = 214); the association between this outcome with age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone levels was explored after adjustment for confounding variables using logistic regression analysis. Cardiovascular disease risk scores were assessed for all participants using the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.Results: There were 108 events of silent coronary artery disease over the 10-year follow-up. Logistic regression analysis, considering age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score as independent variables, revealed an odds ratio of 1.146 (95% confidence interval 1.008-1.303) for cardiovascular disease risk score (p = 0.038) and odds ratio of 1.002 (95% confidence interval 0.996-1.009) for age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone (p = 0.526).Conclusion: No association has been found between age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone levels and events of silent coronary artery disease in a 10-year follow-up of reproductive-aged women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury. Hydrogen sulfide (HS) has been known as a novel gaseous signaling molecule. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the efficacy of HS in protecting against renal IRI is through its antioxidative effect. Method: In this study, rats were randomized into Sham, IR, or sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, an HS donor) groups. To establish a model of renal IRI, both renal arteries were occluded for 55 min and then declamped to allow reperfusion for 24 h. Rats in the NaHS group received intraperitoneal injections of 75 μmol/kg NaHS 10 min before the onset of ischemia and immediately after the onset of reperfusion. Sham group underwent laparotomy without cross-clamping of renal pedicles. After reperfusion, plasma and renal tissue samples were collected for functional, histological, and oxidative stress evaluation. Results: The IR group exhibited significant rise in plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), renal malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and significant reduction of renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Treatment with NaHS reduced the levels of plasma creatinine, BUN, renal MDA concentration, and increased SOD activity in the kidneys. NaHS improved renal histological changes in comparison to IR group. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that HS can protect against renal IRI and that its therapeutic effects may be mediated by reducing oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: Is polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM) associated with metabolic syndrome (MS), insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia?Summary Answer: No associations between PCOM and metabolic disorders were found.What Is Known Already: Polycystic ovary morphology has a prevalence of 21-63% in healthy women of reproductive age. Results of studies focusing on metabolic abnormalities among females with PCOM, are insufficient and controversial.Study Design, Size, Duration: This was a cross-sectional population-based study from five provinces in Iran. A standard questionnaire was filled out during face-to-face interviews and clinical examinations were done. All study subjects were invited to undergo blood sampling and ultrasonographic assessment.Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: From a total of 1772 women, 809 participants met the inclusion criteria of this study, i.e. non-pregnant, reproductive-age, ovulatory, normo-androgenic, without hyperprolactinemia/thyroid dysfunction. Participants were divided into two groups; 126 women with PCOM on ultrasound assessment, as the case and 683 women with normal ovarian morphology, as the control groups. The association of PCOM with MS, IR and dyslipidemia were analyzed using logistic regression models, adjusted for confounding variables.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and androstenedione (A4) serum levels of women with PCOM were significantly higher than in the normal group (P = 0.04, 0.05 and 0.008, respectively). Comparison between groups revealed dyslipidemia to be higher among controls. However the results of logistic regression models, after adjustment for possible confounding variables showed that there were no significant association between prevalence of MS, IR and dyslipidemia with PCOM.Limitations, Reasons For Caution: Due to the study being cross-sectional, blood samples were collected only once thus we did not measure serum concentrations of progesterone in the luteal phase, which determines subclinical anovulation. Moreover, due to budget limitations, enzyme immunoassay was used for androgenic measurements while mass spectrometry-based assays have been known as the gold standard method. However we defined our groups very strictly to overcome these limitations.Wider Implications Of the Findings: It seems that biochemical and metabolic characteristics of women with PCOM do not differ significantly to those of normal women. To clarify the association between PCOM and metabolic characteristics, longitudinal studies investigating long-term metabolic disorders among women with PCOM are highly recommended.Study Funding/competing Interest: No external funding was used for this study. No conflicts of interest are declared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data regarding 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in adolescents are limited. We aimed to determine serum levels of this active metabolite of vitamin D and the effects of different doses of vitamin D on its concentration in schoolchildren with high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. In a previously published randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 210 subjects, aged 14-20 years, were assigned to 3 regimens of vitamin D treatment: group A (n = 70) received 50000 U oral cholecalciferol monthly, group B (n = 70), 50000 U bimonthly, and group C (n = 70), placebo. Serum 25(OH)D, calcium, parathyroid hormone, and bone markers were measured at baseline and after 2 and 5 months of treatment. In the present study, serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D were measured in 97 boys and 95 girls. At baseline, girls had significantly higher concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D than boys (36, IQR: 24, 63 vs. 30, IQR: 15, 57.5pmol/l; p<0.01). There was no significant correlation between serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D in the total population (Spearman rho =-0.111; p = 0.126), boys (Spearman rho = 0.008; p = 0.941), and girls (Spearman rho = 0.036; p = 0.729). Also, 1,25(OH)2D values did not change over time in different study groups. Moreover, total and sex-stratified analysis did not show any significant difference between different groups at different times of the study period. In an adolescent population with high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D especially in girls, 1,25(OH) 2D values were higher in girls than boys. There was no significant change in 1,25(OH) 2D concentrations with different doses of vitamin D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have shown an association between overt hypothyroidism and diastolic hypertension. Association between subclinical hypothyroidism and hypertension is a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to examine the association of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and mean arterial blood pressure with serum thyroid hormones levels in euthyroid subjects. Data from 4 756 individuals of the Tehran Thyroid study (TTS) without any previously known thyroid disease were analyzed. We divided participants based on TSH tertiles. Serum TSH and free T4 (FT4) concentration, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (BPD) body mass index (BMI) were measured in all subjects. Among 5 786 individuals participated, 4 985 were euthyroid. After implementing exclusion criteria, 4 756 individuals remained of whom 2 122 (44.6 %) were male and 2 634 (55.4 %) were female. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no association between TSH levels within reference ranges and blood pressure profile. No significant relationship was observed between TSH levels and systolic or diastolic blood pressure or the mean arterial pressure or pulse pressure in each tertile of TSH. There was a negative association between pulse pressure and TSH in the second tertile (r = - 0.066, p = 0.009). Regression analysis showed that FT4 was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure. No association was found between serum TSH and blood pressure profile in euthyroid subjects. Serum FT4 levels showed a positive association with blood pressure profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to evaluate maternal thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity during pregnancy and its correlation with thyroid function of offspring. In this cohort study, Serum TT4, TT3, T3U, TSH, TPOAb, and TgAb were measured. Serum samples of 120 pregnant women were collected during 3 trimesters as well as in 57 cord bloods, 69 neonates, 34, 37, and 36 infants aged 2, 4, and 6 months. Repeated measure and Pearson correlation test were used to compare thyroid hormone values and to assess the correlations, respectively. Main outcomes were correlations between thyroid hormones and antibodies in mothers and offspring. An increasing trend for TT3 (p for trend < 000.1) and TSH (p for trend 0.01) was found over the course of gestation. Among 120 mothers, 10 (8 %) had subclinical hyperthyroidism and 18 mothers (15 %) showed subclinical hypothyroidism. We found one hypothyroid (0.8 %) and 3 hyperthyroid (2.5 %) mothers during pregnancy. Correlations among maternal thyroid hormones were found but not with auto- antibodies. A positive correlation between maternal thyroid auto-antibodies in all trimesters with cord blood and neonates was found. Cord blood TSH had a good correlation with maternal TSH, but only in the first trimester (r = 0.29, p < 0.05). A positive correlation between neonatal TSH and maternal TT4 was found only in the third trimester (r = 0.25, p < 0.05). Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common thyroid dysfunction in the pregnant women studied. The association between maternal auto-antibodies and thyroid hormones of offspring was observed mostly in the neonatal period and became weaker after one month of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid antibody positivity is relatively common in women. While many epidemiological studies have investigated the links between thyroid antibodies and pregnancy complications, evidence regarding the effect of Levothyroxine treatment of euthyroid pregnant women with autoimmune thyroid disease on pregnancy outcome is limited. The objective of this paper is to provide a review on the impact of treatment of euthyroid thyroid antibody-positive pregnant women on adverse pregnancy outcome. This systematic review was conducted with a prospective protocol. PubMed, Science direct, Google scholar, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases were searched through January 2014 to identify studies that met pre-stated inclusion criteria. The search was limited to English manuscripts. We found that there is inadequate data regarding both the adverse effect of thyroid antibody positivity in euthyroid women on pregnancy outcomes and the effects Levothyroxine on these women. It seems that the results of most studies indicate adverse effects of thyroid antibody positivity in euthyroid women on pregnancy outcomes. Further randomised clinical trials are needed to investigate the effects of treating pregnant euthyroid women with positive thyroid antibodies on the maternal and early/late neonatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work investigates the electrodeposition of Zn and Zn–Co alloys from a sulphate bath on stainless steel substrate using cyclic voltammetry and transient current methods. Corrosion behaviour of Zn and Zn–Co alloy coatings in 3.5 wt-% NaCl solution was studied using potentiodynamic polarisation, open circuit potential, Tafel plots and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the corrosion resistance of the deposits was highly influenced by the composition and morphology of the coatings. This resistance increases with the increase of the [Co2+]/[Zn2+] ratio in the solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: We aimed to investigate the associations of colors of fruit and vegetable (FV) subgroups, with 3-year changes of cardiometabolic risk factors.Subjects/methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in the framework of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, between 2006-2008 and 2009-2011, on 1272 adults. Total intake of FV and their subgroups have been assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire at baseline (2006-2008) and again at the second examination (2009-2011). Demographics, anthropometrics and biochemical measures were evaluated at baseline and 3 years later. The associations of anthropometric and lipid profile changes with FV subgroups were estimated.Results: The mean age of men and women at baseline was 39.8±12.7 and 37.3±12.1 years, respectively. Mean total intake of FV, red/purple, yellow, green, orange and white FV was 706±337, 185±95, 141±91, 152±77, 141±87 and 22±18 g/day, respectively. In men, 3-year changes of weight (β=-0.13, P=0.01) and waist circumference (β=-0.14, P=0.01) were related to intake of red/purple FV; the yellow group was inversely associated with 3-year changes of total cholesterol (β=-0.09, P=0.03) and High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β=-0.11, P=0.03). Consumption of green and white FV was inversely related to abdominal fat gain, and atherogenic lipid parameters in men (P<0.05). In women, higher intake of red/purple FV was associated to lower weight and abdominal fat gain, fasting serum glucose and total cholesterol (P<0.05); yellow FV was also related to 3-year weight gain (β=-0.11, P=0.01).Conclusions: Various colors of FV subgroups had different effects on cardiometabolic risk factors; higher intake of red/purple FV may be related to lower weight and abdominal fat gain, and yellow, green and white FV may be related to lipid parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To examine the independent impacts of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ( HOMA- IR) and the updated model ( HOMA2- IR) on incident cardiovascular /coronary heart disease in a Middle Eastern population with a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Methods We examined 3777 Iranian people, aged ≥ 30 years, without history of cardiovascular disease and without use of antidiabetic medication at baseline. Both HOMA- IR and HOMA2- IR were log-transformed and categorized into quartiles. The multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model, adjusted for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, was applied to examine the association between HOMA- IR/ HOMA2- IR with incident cardiovascular/coronary heart disease, considering the lowest quartile as reference. Results During a median follow-up of > 10 years, 197 cardiovascular disease and 181 coronary heart disease events occurred. Among the covariates, we found a significant interaction between hypertension and HOMA- IR/ HOMA2- IR for incident coronary heart/cardiovascular disease (all P ≤ 0.01). Among the population without hypertension, the risk of cardiovascular disease significantly increased in the second [hazard ratio 1.96 (95% CI 1.04-3.68)], third [hazard ratio 1.93 (95% CI 1.00-3.75)] and fourth [hazard ratio 2.34 (95% CI 1.15-4.75)] quartiles of HOMA- IR, and the risk of coronary heart disease increased significantly in the fourth quartile of HOMA- IR [hazard ratio 2.30 (95% CI 1.12-4.73)], but no significant association was detected between HOMA- IR and cardiovascular/coronary heart disease in the population with hypertension. Among the populations both with and without hypertension, no risk was found to be associated with HOMA2-IR quartiles however, a 1-unit increase in HOMA2- IR was associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease among the non-hypertensive group [hazard ratio 1.60 (95% CI 1.03-2.48); P = 0.03]. Conclusions The presence of hypertension modified the impact of HOMA- IR/ HOMA2- IR on incident cardiovascular/coronary heart disease. The presence of insulin resistance highlighted a significant and independent risk for cardiovascular disease/coronary heart disease only in the population without hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate whether a diet rich in legumes are associated with oxidative stress among type 2 diabetic patients. In a randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial, 31 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to receive 2 diets, each for a period of 8 weeks: (1) The legume-free therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) diet and (2) the legume-based TLC diet. Both diets were similar except that 2 servings of red meat were replaced by different types of legumes 3 days per week in the legume-based TLC diet. Oxidative stress biomarkers were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. Compared to the legume-free TLC diet, the legume-based TLC diet significantly decreased malondialdehyde (-0.22 versus -0.68 μmol/l; P=0.002), oxidized-LDL (-0.9 versus -2.3 mU/l; P=0.05) and increased nitric oxide (0.40 versus 0.96 mM/l; P=0.03) and catalase activity (1.2 versus 2.1 Iu/ml; P=0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:There is a paucity of data about the impact of changes in anthropometric measurements on the risk of mortality events, especially in men.Methods:The study sample consists of 1805 Iranian men, aged⩾30 years, free from cardiovascular disease at baseline; they had undergone health examinations in both phases I (1999-2001) and II (2001-2003) and were followed up until March 2010. Participants were categorized by changes in anthropometric measurements into four groups: Group 1, change percentage<−5%; Group 2, −5% ⩽change percentages<+5%; Group 3, 5%⩽change percentage<10%; and Group 4, change percentage⩾10%. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to assess the hazard ratios (HRs) of the anthropometric changes for all-cause mortality, given group 2 as the reference.Results:During 6.6 years of follow-up, 88 cases of mortality events occurred. The confounder-adjusted multivariate HRs for the first, third and fourth groups of hip circumference (HC) changes were 3.13(1.28-7.64), 0.75(0.43-1.31) and 0.82(0.23-2.99); the corresponding values for waist to hip ratio (WHR) change were 1.80(0.75-4.33), 1.21(0.70-2.1) and 2.32(1.25-4.3). After further adjustment for mediator covariates, results did not change. The equivalent values for body mass index and waist circumference did not reach statistical significance.Conclusions:In Middle Eastern Caucasian men, increase in WHR was associated with incident mortality, which was more prominent in those with ⩾10% increase in the ratio. Moreover, decrease in HC was highly associated with excess risk of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The present study aimed to determine whether total fibre or specific fibre food sources are associated with the incidence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) after 3 years of follow-up in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Methods This population-based prospective study, conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, included 1582 adults, who were aged 19-84 years and free of MetS at baseline. Usual dietary fibre intake was assessed at baseline using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometrics, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles were measured at baseline and 3 years later. The MetS was defined according to the definition of the revised Adult treatment Panel III. Results During the 3-year follow-up, there was 15.2% incidence of MetS. Among sources of dietary fibre, fruit fibre was significantly and inversely associated with the occurrence of MetS, after adjustment for confounding factors, with a 21% lower risk [odds ratio ( OR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 0.60-0.97] in the highest tertile of intake compared to the lowest tertile. Subjects in the highest tertile of cereal fibre intake had lower odds of MetS compared to those in the lowest tertile ( OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.52- 0.97) and this association disappeared after adjustment for confounders. No significant association was found between intakes of vegetables, legumes and nut fibre with the incidence of MetS. Conclusions Among specific fibre food sources, fruit fibre had a protective effect against the risk of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By careful searching of synthetic and observed spectra in a sample of cool giant and supergiant stars, we have updated the continuum band-passes of near-infrared Wing three filter system. This photometric system measures the strength of titanium oxide (TiO) absorption in Near-Infrared (NIR) at 719 nm. We show that new reference continuum band-passes are essentially free from molecular absorptions and the updated TiO-index defines the temperature variation in a sample of cool giants with less scatter. A TiO-index vs. effective temperature calibration is derived based on new continuum band-passes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the effects of substitution of red meat with legumes in the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) diet on cardiometabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetes patients based on dietary education.Subjects/Methods:This study was a randomized, controlled, cross-over trial. Thirty-one participants (24 women and 7 men; age: 58.1±6.0 years) with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to consume a control diet (legume-free TLC diet) and legume-based TLC diet for 8 weeks. Legume-based TLC diet was the same as the control diet, but the legume-based TLC group was advised to replace two servings of red meat with legumes, 3 days per week. After the interventional period, a washout period was conducted for 4 weeks. The groups were then advised to follow the alternate treatment for 8 weeks. Cardiometabolic risk factors were measured.Results:Compared with the legume-free TLC diet, the legume-based TLC diet significantly decreased fasting blood glucose (P=0.04), fasting insulin (P=0.04), triglyceride concentrations (P=0.04) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.02). Total cholesterol concentrations decreased after consumption of both TLC diet and legume TLC diet; however, the data did not differ significantly between the two diets. body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not change significantly after consumption of either the legume-free TLC diet or the legume-based TLC diet.Conclusions:Dietary advice given for substitution of red meat with legume intakes within a TLC diet-improved lipid profiles and glycemic control among diabetes patients, which were independent from BMI change. This trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir) as IRCT201202251640N7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]