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Background Maternal lifestyle factors, such as diet and nutritional status are likely to affect the composition of breast milk (BM). This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern (DP) and BM nutrient content. Method A total of 700 milk samples were obtained from 350 lactating women. The dietary intakes of the women in the study were estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire, which included 65 food items. The total antioxidant activity (TAC) of BM samples was evaluated using the Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and Ellman's assay. Also using commercially available kits, the total protein, calcium, and triglyceride contents in milk were determined. Results Individuals in the 3rd tertile of adherence to the DASH diet (highest adherence) consumed more dietary fiber, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and seeds, low-fat dairy, whole grain, less red and processed meat, sweetened beverages, and sodium than those in the first tertile (lowest adherence). Subjects in the 3rd tertile of DASH DP had higher values of milk DPPH and calcium compared to those in the first tertile (P < 0.05). Milk MDA and triglyceride were significantly lower in the 3rd tertile of DASH diet versus the first tertile (P < 0.05). Conclusion Our study showed that high adherence to the DASH DP was associated with higher BM DPPH and calcium levels and lower amounts of BM MDA and triglyceride. The adherence to the healthy DPs such as the DASH can improve the quality of BM in lactating women., Author(s): Samira Karbasi [sup.1] , Afsane Bahrami [sup.2] [sup.3] , Mohammad Yahya Hanafi-Bojd [sup.4] [sup.5] , Zahra Khorasanchi [sup.6] , Asghar Zarban [sup.7] [sup.8] , Gordon A. Ferns [sup.9] Author [...]

Introduction: The present study aimed to assess the possible correlation between serum selenium levels and clinical outcomes in the PICU patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgeries. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 66 critically ill pediatric patients who were in the postoperative stage of major gastrointestinal surgeries. Serum selenium concentration was assessed using the atomic absorption method, and the clinical outcomes were collected prospectively. Results: No significant association was denoted between serum selenium concentration and some clinical outcomes, like the duration of ventilator dependency, PICU length of stay, and PICU/28-day mortality. However, the statistical analysis of the data showed a negative but significant association between serum selenium concentration, and infection rate, and length of hospital stay (P= 0.01 and P=0.04, respectively). Conclusion: Serum selenium concentration decreased in the post-gastrointestinalsurgery patients admitted to the PICU upon PICU admission, and the reduction was associated with prolonged hospitalization and a higher infection rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: After the influenza pandemic since 1918, the world is experiencing another viral challenge by a coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). One of the most important strategies is to enhance the immune system. Results: Having an optimal nutritional behavior, following a balanced dietary pattern is essential for immune enhancement and reduce the risk of infectivity. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is hypothesized as one of the main causes of inflammation and consequently, lung damage in this viral infection. Undernutrition or overnutrition as the result of nutritional status can affect the immune system. Multivitamin and Minerals (MVM) intake can be beneficial in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, having a regular diet with the priority of healthy food portions can supply all daily requirements. Conclusion: According to the WHO recommendations for consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and also diets which have been hypothesized as an immune enhancer, the Mediterranean diet may involve all nutrients needed for improvement of the immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The pandemic of COVID-19 created a psychological response. So, the psychological function of COVID-19 patients is an important subject that forces us to follow up with them. Aim: Assess the correlation between vitamin D serum concentrations and psychological functions such as insomnia, stress, and depression through the COVID-19 pandemic Methods: In this cross-sectional study, blood samples from 120 COVID-19 patients (61 males and 59 females) who had more than 30 years, were taken. Also, 25(OH)D Serum level of COVID-19 patients was analyzed. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Depression anxiety stress scales (DASS), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to analyze insomnia, anxiety, stress, quality of life, and depression. Results: The relationship between temperature (p=0.039), PCO2 (p=0.022), and serum vitamin D level was significant. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between stress (p=-0.023, OR=0.389, 95% CI for OR=0.047, 0.843), depression (p=0.012, OR=0.659, 95% CI for OR=0.476, 0.913), and the concentration of serum vitamin D. Conclusion:This study recommends that vitamin D supplementation improve psychological state in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Serum vitamin D levels are related to a wide spectrum of factors including low sunlight exposure, high oxidative stress, low physical activity and sleep disorders. In this paper we are going to investigate the most crucial parameters associated with serum vitamin D levels in survey of ultraviolet intake by nutritional approach (SUVINA) study with a data mining approach. Material and Methods: Data including demographic, anthropometric, clinical and laboratory information were extracted from the SUVINA dataset comprising 289 subjects who were enrolled into our study. The XGBoost algorithm was used to define the most important features related to vitamin D level in our population. Results: Applying XGBoost modeling for vitamin D level showed that the presented scheme can determine the most important determinants of serum vitamin D level with an accuracy of 91%. Pro-oxidant anti-oxidant balance (PAB), body fat percentage, physical activity level (PAL), age, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and dietary inflammatory index (DII) density were the most important variables correlated with vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion: Using XGBoost and with an accuracy of more than 90%, we showed that the six most important risk factors for vitamin D deficiency are PAB, PAL, age, body fat percentage, RLS and DII density, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A healthy diet is a major component of lifestyle management for maintaining optimum health. Dietary carbohydrates may induce inflammation and oxidative stress. We aimed to assess the relationship between adherence to a low-carbohydrate diet pattern with oxidative stress status and a panel of blood biomarkers of inflammation in healthy young women. Methods: In this study, 171 healthy young women participated. We estimated the low-carbohydrate diet scores using a food frequency questionnaire. The total antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity and malondialdehyde of serum and urine were quantified using the ferric reducing/antioxidant power, a, a-dip henyl -ß-pi crylh ydraz yl, and formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances methods. Several routine hematological parameters were measured including white blood cells, neutrophil counts, and mean platelet volume. Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and platelet:lymphocyte ratio were derived from these measures. Results: A higher low-carbohydrate diet score indicates a lower intake of carbohydrates and fiber and a higher intake of protein and fat. A greater adherence to a low-carbohydrate diet pattern was related to a lower level of hematological inflammatory indices including neutrophil count and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) demonstrated that a higher adherence to low-carbohydrate diet (third vs. first tertile) was associated with significantly higher levels of urinary a, a-dip henyl -ß-pi crylh ydraz yl (adjusted odds ratio = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02-1.20), as well as serum ferric reducing/antioxidant power (adjusted odds ratio = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.011) and a, a-dip henyl -ß-pi crylh ydraz yl (adjusted odds ratio = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.11-1.33). Conclusions: A greater compliance with a low-carbohydrate-style diet was related to lower levels of inflammatory biomarker and oxidative stress in healthy young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Propolis is a sticky, resinous substance produced by honeybees from various plants. Various biological properties of propolis and its extracts have been recognized in previous studies including the antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antitumor, antibacterial and antimycotic properties. This study aimed to summarize the effect of propolis on metabolic parameters in human adults using systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was performed in ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to July 2020 for controlled clinical trials evaluating the impact of propolis on lipid profile and liver enzyme biomarkers. A random effects model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as the difference between the mean for the intervention and control groups. Results: The present meta-analysis included six randomized controlled trials. There was significant reduction in Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) in comparison to the control groups (WMD=-2.01; 95% CI: -3.93--0.10; p=0.039). However, a nonsignificant effect was observed in Triglycerides (TG), Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), High-density lipoprotein (HDL) (WMD=-0.05 mg/dl; 95% CI: -0.27-0.18; p=0.688; WMD=7.08 mg/dl; 95% CI: -37.31-51.46; p=0.755; WMD=-0.94 mg/dl; 95% CI: -6.64-4.77; p=0.747; WMD=3.14 mg/dl; 95% CI: -1.84-8.13; p=0.216, respectively). Conclusion: Current meta-analysis revealed that propolis supplementation can reduce AST; nevertheless, there was no significant effect on lipid profile indices and ALT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]