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Objectives: Although nephrolithiasis is a rare but a serious problem for children's health, recent data has showed that the prevalence of pediatric nephrolithiasis has increased in both developed and developing countries. North and West of Iran, as a country located in Afro-Asian stone-forming belt, has the highest incidence for renal stones among adults. This study aimed to determine the incidence of microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis among infants in a city at North West of Iran. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study on infants aged less than one year old, diagnosed as patients with microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis, over three months period (since March 2010) who were referred to pediatrician in a city of East Azerbaijan province. Demographic data (age, sex), number of stones, size of stones, presence of hydronephrosis in kidneys, history of jaundice and family history of stone disease were recorded. Results: Incidence of microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis was 0.04866 and 0.03244, respectively. Fever (30%) was the main cause of complication. Male to female ratio was 4:1, and 20% of our subjects had a positive history of nephrolithiasis in their first degree relatives. Conclusion: This area has the highest incidence of microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis. Emergent population-based and case-control studies are needed to report its incidence/prevalence of nephrolithiasis in other parts of the country as well as to find its etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension and increased inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetic patients are two major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, management of these two cardiovascular diseases risk factors is of the first magnitude in type 2 diabetic patients. This study was aimed to determine effect of processed Berberis vulgaris on blood pressure and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients were recruited into a clinical trial (n =57) and randomly assigned into 3 groups: 1) processed B. vulgaris (n =19), daily consumption of 1 Tsp processed B.vulgaris in apple vinegar, 2) apple vinegar group (n =19), daily consumption of 2 Tsp apple vinegar and 3) control group with no intervention. Nutritional intake, anthropometric indices, inflammatory markers and systolic- and diastolic blood pressure were measured at the baseline and the end of 8th week. Results: At the end of 8 weeks, mean of nutritional intake, anthropometric indices, hs CRP concentration, systolic- and diastolic blood pressure did not change in processed B.vulgaris, apple vinegar and control groups significantly. Interleukin-6 concentration did not shift in processed B.vulgaris and control groups but in apple vinegar group decreased significantly. Conclusion: These findings had shown processed B.vulgaris had no effect on systolic- and diastolic blood pressure but apple vinegar had positive effect on interleukin-6. Nevertheless, further investigations about B.vulgaris effect on blood pressure and inflammatory markers are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease and one of the most important modifiable factors in the development and maintenance of bone mass is nutrition. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status among osteoporotic postmenopausal women in north west of Iran and compare intake of several nutrients important in terms of bone health with the standard values (DRIs). Design: Bone mineral density of the left proximal femur, the lumbar spine and total hip were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Ninety-seven postmenopausal osteoporotic women were studied. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to determine food habits and 24-h recall was used to estimate average energy and nutrient intakes. Results: The mean t-score for bone mineral density (BMD) of LS, FN and total hip were -3.15 +/- 0.73, -1.93 +/- 0.86 and -1.92 +/- 0.88, respectively. The percentages of participants receiving adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K were 7.2%, 3.1% and 42.3%, respectively. The mean phosphate to calcium ratio was 1.6 +/- 0.87. BMD of femoral neck and total hip was correlated inversely with the amount of energy obtained from fat and positively with energy intake. Among micronutrients studied, calcium was positively correlated with BMD of total hip. Conclusion: Most of the postmenopausal osteoporotic women in north west of Iran have a considerable deficiency in terms of energy and some micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, which can be deleterious for bone health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inositol is a sugar-alcohol and recognized as a key component of cell membrane phospholipids. It has crucial role in the cell signaling pathways and contribute to improving glycemic responses. Although some earlier studies have revealed the effect of inositol mediating glucose uptake by improving insulin sensitivity, the benefit of inositol supplementation in patients with overweight and obesity is not completely understood. This study aimed to assess the impact of inositol supplementation on body mass index (BMI) through a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials., Methods: A systematic search was performed to August 2021 in the following databases: PubMed-Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus. Fifteen controlled clinical trials investigating the effect of inositol on adult's BMI were finally included in the study. A random-effects model was employed to estimate the effect size. Subgroup analysis was performed by dose, duration, age, type of inositol. Meta-regression was used to investigate presence of any linear relationship. Begg's and Egger's tests were carried out to detect small study effect., Results: The results of pooled analysis showed that inositol supplementation significantly decreased BMI scores (WMD = -0.41 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI: -0.78, -0.04; p  = 0.028). Subgroup analysis was performed to identify the source of heterogeneity among studies ( I 2  = 73.9%, p  < 0.001), demonstrating supplementation duration, baseline BMI, mean age of participants, type of inositol and dosage were potential sources of heterogeneity. The effect of intervention was more clinically significant in participants with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and overweight/obesity. Inositol in the form of myo-inositol (MI) had stronger effect on BMI reduction., Conclusion: The meta-analysis suggests that oral inositol supplementation has positive effect on BMI reduction. Inositol supplementation could be considered as an adjunct treatment to improve body mass index., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Obesity Science & Practice published by World Obesity and The Obesity Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Studies investigating the effects of spirulina on inflammation and oxidative stress status are controversial. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impacts of spirulina supplementation on oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory markers. PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase databases and Google Scholar were searched up to 1 October 2020. Random-effect analysis was applied to perform meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses and multivariate meta-regression were performed to find heterogeneity sources. Quality assessment was conducted using Cochrane Collaboration's tool. A total of 11 studies that enrolled 465 subjects were included in our meta-analysis. Pooled results demonstrated a significant increase in interleukin-2 (IL-2) concentrations [Standardized mean difference (SMD = 2.69 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.26, 5.11; P = .03)]; however this result changed to insignificant (SMD = 0.54 pg/mL; 95% CI: -1.29, 2.27; P > .05) when sensitivity analysis performed. A marginal decreasing effect were also found on interleukin-6 (IL-6) (SMD = -0.72 mg/dL; 95% CI: -1.50, 0.07; P = .073) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels (SMD = -0.65; 95% CI: -1.37, 0.08; P = .08). In addition, results of subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in IL-6 and TBARS concentrations when the baseline body mass index (BMI) of participants was lower than 25 kg/m 2 . Moreover, spirulina had no significant effect on tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (SMD = -0.07 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.33, 0.18; P = .56) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (SMD = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.98, 0.14; P = .14). Spirulina consumption contributed to a significant increase in IL-2 concentrations changing to insignificant after sensitivity analysis and marginal decreasing effects on IL-6 and TBARS levels. No considerable impacts were observed on TNF-α and MDA concentrations., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Ultra-processed food is one of the main contributors to energy supply and consumption in food systems worldwide, and evidence of their detrimental health outcomes in humans is emerging. This study aimed to assess ultra-processed food intake and its association with urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of DNA oxidative damage, in 139 healthy adolescents in Karaj City in Iran. Usual dietary intake was measured using a 168-item validated FFQ. The daily intake of ultra-processed food consumption was determined through the classification of NOVA, and general linear models were used to compare the urinary levels of 8-OHdG/creatinine (ng/mg creatinine) within tertiles of ultra-processed food intake. Adolescents in the higher tertile of ultra-processed food consumption had a significantly higher mean level of urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine in comparison with the lower tertiles in the crude model (Pfor trend: 0·003) and after adjustment for confounding variables, including total energy intake, sex, age, BMI for age Z-score, obesity and physical activity (Pfor trend: 0·004). This association was still significant after adjusting for dietary intake of whole grains, nuts, legumes, the ratio of MUFA:SFA (g/d) and Mediterranean dietary score (Pfor trend: 0·002). More studies are needed to explore the determinants of ultra-processed food supply, demand, consumption and health effects; such studies should be applied to develop evidence-informed policies and regulatory mechanisms to improve children's and adolescents' food environment policymaking and legislation with special attention to ultra-processed food.

Obesity and overweight are associated with the burden of chronic diseases. The aim of the present meta-analysis is to determine the efficacy of spirulina in reducing of obesity indices. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases were searched up to November 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing spirulina supplementation with a placebo or no treatment for anthropometric indices were included. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects model. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were carried out. Publication bias was evaluated using standard methods. Spirulina had ameliorative effects on weight (WMD = -1.85 Kg; 95% CI: -2.44, -1.26; p < .001; I 2 = 82.4%, p < .001), and waist circumference (WMD = -1.09 cm; 95% CI: -2.16, -0.01; p = .046; I 2 = 0.0%, p = .757) while no significant effect was shown on body mass index, even after sensitivity analysis (SMD = -0.53 Kg/m 2 ; 95% CI: -1.25, 0.19; p = .149; I 2 = 92.9%, p < .001); however, spirulina was effective in studies lasted for at least 12 weeks (SMD = -1.25 Kg/m 2 ; 95% CI: -2.21, -0.28; p = .011; I 2 = 90.8%, p < .001). Spirulina supplementation exerts beneficial effects on weight and waist circumference. The ameliorative effect of spirulina on body mass index was revealed in longer duration of supplementation., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The effect of nutrition and dietary supplements as environmental factors has been suggested as possible factors affecting both disease risk and progression in on the course of multiple sclerosis with complex genetic-risk profiles. This study was aimed to assess regulation of surface-membrane enzymes such as Delta-6-desaturase (FADS2), secretory Phospholipase A2(sPLA2) by hemp seed and evening primrose oils as well as Hot-natured dietary intervention in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients., Methods and Materials: In this double blind, randomized trial, 100 RRMS patients with Extended disability status score (EDSS)<6 were allocated into 3 groups: "Group A" who received co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils along with advised Hot nature diet; "Group B", who received olive oil; "Group C", who received the co-supplemented oils. Clinically EDSS and functional score as well as biochemical parameters [blood cells polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), FADS2, sPLA2] were assessed at baseline and after 6 months., Results: Mean follow-up was 180±2.9SD days (N=65, 23 M and 42 F aged 34.25±8.07 years with disease duration 6.80±4.33 years). There was no significant difference in studies parameters at baseline. After 6 months, significant improvements in EDSS and functional score were found in the groups A and C while EDSS and pyramidal score showed significant increase in group B. Alteration of biochemical parameters showed improvement in groups A and C whereas there was worsening condition for group B after the intervention., Conclusion: The co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils with Hot nature diet can have beneficial effects in improving clinical symptoms and signs in RRMS patients which were confirmed by regulation of surface-membrane enzymes., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This cross-sectional study was aimed to better clarify the associations of insulin resistance (IR) with endocrinometabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Anthropometric measurements, endocrine and metabolic profiles, and the presence of IR and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were assessed in 63 overweight or obese PCOS patients subdivided into insulin-resistant (IR) and insulin-sensitive (IS) groups. Fasting insulin concentration and HOMA-IR were higher (p<0.001), and quantitative insulin check index (QUICKI), glucose-to-insulin ratio (p<0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p=0.012) were lower in IR group. MetS (p=0.034) and obesity (p=0.038) were more prevalent in IR group. For all PCOS patients, significant correlations of total cholesterol (TC) with dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) (r=-0.27, p=0.031), HDL-C with QUICKI (r=0.26, p=0.036) were found. Partial correlations also showed significant associations between TG and BS2h (r=0.30, p=0.026) as well as TC and LH/FSH ratio (r=0.30, p=0.032). When the patients were divided into IR and IS groups, significant correlations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with luteinizing hormone (LH) (r=0.50, p=0.017) as well as TC (r=0.42, p=0.043) and LDL-C (r=0.50, p=0.016) with LH/FSH ratio were observed in IR group. However, partial correlation suggested significant associations of HDL-C with testosterone (r=-0.35, p=0.049) as well as serum LDL-C (r=0.38, p=0.033), HDL-C (r=-0.32, p=0.047), and TC (r=0.34, p=0.056) with progesterone level only in the IS group. The findings of this study indicated that lipid abnormalities may occur in PCOS, irrespective of IR.

Background: It is unknown whether diets with a high dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) can modify oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation, or liver dysfunction, all of which are risk factors for multiple sclerosis disease. This study assesses alanine amino-transferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities in MS patients treated with co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils as well as Hot-nature diet and the therapeutic potential this intervention., Methods and Materials: In this double blind, randomized trial, 100 MS patients with EDSS<6 were allocated into 3 groups: "group A", who received co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils with advised Hot-nature diet; "group B",who received olive oil; and "group C", who received the co-supplemented oils. Clinically, EDSS as well as serum level of liver enzymes (GGT, AST, and ALT) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months., Results: Mean follow-up was 180±2.9 SD days (N=65, 23 M and 42 F aged 34.25±8.07 years with disease duration of 6.80±4.33 years). There was no significant difference in the study parameters at baseline. Serum levels of liver enzymes (GGT, AST, and ALT) were serially monitored. Intervention was associated with liver function alteration in three groups. Significance decreased in EDSS score and the levels of liver enzymes were found in groups A and C, whereas elevated serum liver enzymes and EDSS score were observed in group B after the intervention., Conclusion: Selecting foods according to their Total antioxidant capacity such as co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils with Hot-nature diet affects antioxidant intake and can have beneficial effects on improving EDSS score and activity of liver enzymes in RRMS patients., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effects of raw red onion consumption on metabolic features in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome., Material and Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, the patients (n=54) were randomly allocated to the intervention group as 'high-onion' (raw red onions: 2 × 40-50 g/day if overweight and 2 × 50-60 g/day if obese) or to the control group as 'low-onion' (raw red onions: 2 × 10-15 g/day) along with limited liliaceous vegetables for 8 weeks. Body mass index, dietary record, and metabolic parameters (fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein (a)) were evaluated in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle at baseline and after 8 weeks. Hormonal variables (progesterone, prolactin, and 17-OH progesterone) were also measured at baseline., Results: Onion significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol within each group; however, these changes were stronger in the high-onion group (weighted mean differences [WMD]: -5.60 [95% confidence interval [CI]: -9.16, -2.03]; P=0.003) than in the low-onion group (WMD: -6.42 [95%CI: -11.97, -0.87]; P=0.025). Similarly, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly (WMD: -5.13 [95%CI: -9.46, -0.81); P=0.022) in the high-onion group, and (WMD: -2.90 [95%CI -5.57, -0.21]; P=0.035) in the low-onion group after treatment. The levels of fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) did not differ significantly after 8-week onion treatment. Adjustment for confounders did not make any significant changes in any of the parameters in post-treatment levels., Conclusion: Raw red onion consumption appears to be effective as a cholesterol-lowering food agent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. However, further investigation is warranted., (© 2014 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2014 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Because of limited efficacy and adverse side effects, identifying novel therapeutic and protective agents is important. The aim of this study is to examine the correlations between expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and cytokines after intervention with co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils and hot-natured diet in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)., Methods: We studied a group of 23 patients with clinically definite RRMS, with EDSS<6 who received co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils with advising hot-natured diet. Clinically EDSS and immunological factors (plasma cytokines of IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months., Results: Mean follow-up was 180±2.9 days (N=23, 7 Male and 16 Females aged 25.0±7.5 years with disease duration 6.26±3.9 years). After 6 months, significant improvements in extended disability status score were found in the patients in agreement with decrease cytokines of IFN-γ and IL-17 and increase cytokines of IL-4. Clinical and immunological parameters showed improvement in the patients after the intervention., Conclusion: Our study shows that co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils with hot-natured diet can have beneficial effects in improving clinical symptoms in relapsing remitting MS patients and significant correlation was found between EDSS and immunological findings.

Excess body weight is a cardiovascular risk factor. The relationship between anthropometric indices and cardiovascular health is not completely understood. Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) is a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the best anthropometric obesity indicator for diagnosis of initial stage of atherosclerosis by CIMT. This cross-sectional study included 100 adult women, aged 18-50 years. Anthropometric indices were measured with standard protocol and CIMT was measured by non-invasive ultrasound. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to determine the optimal cut-off values of anthropometric indices, and the best indices for atherosclerosis diagnosis. On ROC curve analysis the suggested appropriate cut-offs of waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), waist to height ratio (WHtR), body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (%BF) were 96 cm, 0.86, 0.64, 31.29 kg/m² and 30.42%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of BMI (AUC=0.74, 95%CI=0.62-0.86) and WHtR (AUC=0.74, 95%CI=0.63-0.85) were greater than other anthropometric indices. The AUC for WHR was the lowest among the studied obesity indices AUC=0.68 (95% CI=0.54-0.81). In our study, WHtR and BMI were the best diagnostic parameters of initial stage of atherosclerosis while WHR was the worst based on AUC.