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Background: Loss‐of‐function (LOF) variants of the angiopoietin‐like 3 (ANGPTL3) gene are reported to be associated with serum triglyceride (TG) and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentrations and thereby affect the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objective: In the present study, we examined the association of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL 3 gene locus and the risk of CVD in the group of people who were part of the Mashhad‐Stroke and Heart‐Atherosclerotic‐Disorders (MASHAD) cohort. Methods: One thousand and two healthy individuals enrolled in this study of whom 849 subjects were healthy and 153 subjects developed CVD outcomes after 6 years of follow‐up. After a 12‐h overnight fasting, 20 mL of blood samples were collected for the measurement of fasting blood glucose and lipid profile. DNA was extracted, and the Tetra‐ARMS PCR (amplification refractory mutation system) was used for genotyping of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL3 gene. The genotype frequencies of the variant of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL3 gene were estimated using χ2 tests. Eventually, the statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 20. Results: Individuals with AC/CC genotypes (rs10789117) were found to have to greater risk of CVD events compared to AA genotype (OR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.01–2.02, p = 0.041). There was a 1.3‐fold increase in cardiovascular events in individuals carrying the C allele of rs10789117 variant compared to non‐carriers (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.06–1.72, p value = 0.038). There were significant differences between different genotypes for serum triglyceride levels within the control group, but this difference was not significant in the group with CVD. Moreover, there was a significant association between CC genotype and CVD risk in the individuals with a normal serum HDL‐C. Conclusion: We have found that a rs10789117 C>A in ANGPTL3 gene polymorphism was associated with incident CVD events, and this may be of value as a risk stratification biomarker in CVD in the Iranian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) in infants. The four components that constitute ToF are an overriding aorta over the crest of the interventricular septum, obstruction in the right ventricular outflow tract, right ventricular hypertrophy, and a typically large non‐restricted ventricular septal defect. ToF may also be associated with other extracardiac abnormalities, including patent ductus arteriosus or multiple aortopulmonary collateral arteries, which can impact the patient's survival. Patients with unoperated ToF rarely reach adulthood, and it is extremely rare to discover undiagnosed ToF in individuals over 60 years old. In this report, we describe an unusual case of a woman with unrepaired ToF who survived until the age of 71. She was fairly asymptomatic until the 7th decade of her life and complained only of dyspnea on exertion. The patient declined corrective cardiac surgery and preferred conservative management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify ultra-processed foods (UPF) contribution to daily energy and nutrient intake in Iranians and examine whether UPF intake is associated with nutrient profile and diet quality.Design: In this cross-sectional study, a validated FFQ was used to evaluate usual dietary intake over the preceding year. NOVA system was applied to categorise foods based on their levels of processing. Diet quality was evaluated using the nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF) and hybrid nutrient density.Setting: The LIPOKAP study conducted in five cities of Iran (Isfahan, Birjand, Bandar Abbas, Kermanshah and Shahrekord).Participants: A total of 1994 adults aged ≥18 years were recruited using stratified multistage random cluster sampling method.Results: UPF were responsible for 8·5 % of daily energy intake. In the adjusted model, UPF consumption was inversely associated with carbohydrate, protein, refined and whole grains, fibre, fruit and meat, but was positively linked to energy, total fat, saturated and trans fatty acids and cholesterol. Compared with those in the lowest tertile, individuals in the highest tertile of UPF had smaller NAR for Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, phosphorus, thiamin, niacin, folate and vitamin C. Both NRF and hybrid nutrient density decreased when the share of daily energy intake from UPF increased.Conclusion: The higher consumption of UPF is associated with poorer diet quality and lower nutrient intake. It is recommended that UPF be replaced with minimally processed foods to improve diet quality and nutrient profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of comprehensive, integrated interventions on dyslipidemia Knowledge and Practices (LIPOKAP) using population and high-risk approaches. METHODS: The baseline of this national, multicentric community trial was conducted on three groups: the general population (adults over the age of 18 and their children aged 6-18), patients with dyslipidemia and their caregivers, and health professionals (physicians, nurses, health providers, and health workers). The general population was selected using multi-stage random sampling, while patients and health professionalswere recruited using the consecutive sampling method. The research was carried out in urban and rural areas of five Iranian counties. The sampling method and sample size were similar in baseline and post-intervention surveys. Approximately 8-month intervention programs were carried out on the target groups, which generally included educational strategies. The intervention activities addressed the management, prevention, and control and were tailored to each target group, focusing on lifestyle and self-care. RESULTS: All questionnaires' content validity ratio, content validity index, and Cronbach's alpha were over 0.68, 0.83, and 0.73, respectively. We enrolled 2456 adults and 850 of their children, 3331 dyslipidemia patients, 1699 caregivers, and 1800 health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: The validity and reliability of all developed questionnaires that can examine knowledge and practice changes as a result of intervention activities were acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Obesity is a common risk factor associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Curcumin has been reported to exert beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, including HDL functionality. We have examined the effects of curcumin on HDL cholesterol uptake capacity in subjects with obesity. Materials and Methods: 30 obese individuals received curcumin and placebo 1 g per day for a period of 30 days. The subjects were crossed over to the alternative regimen after a 2-week washout period. A modified cholesterol uptake capacity (CUC) assay was used to determine serum HDL functionality. Results: The study groups had similar base line characteristics. We did not find significant effects (p>0.05) of curcumin on serum HDL CUC levels. Conclusion: Curcumin administration at a dose of 1 g per day for 30 days did not affect HDL CUC in subjects with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are among the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality. This research investigated the relationship between physical activity, lipid profile, and new anthropometric cardiovascular risk factors among men. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 155 adult men (30-50 years old) who were selected randomly from 250 men called by public announcement. Standard methods were used to measure their anthropometric indices and then they were asked to complete the Baecke questionnaire. ANOVA was used to compare basic anthropometric and clinical characteristics in different age groups followed by Tukey's posthoc test. A correlation of anthropometric measurements with glucose and lipid parameters was determined by the Pearson correlation coefficient. P<0.05 was considered as a significant level. Results: The Mean ±SD age of the participants was 39.8±0.5 years. Their Mean±SD Body Mass Index (BMI) was 25.6±0.3 kg/m2 with a Mean±SD Neck Circumference (NC) of 38.4±0.1 cm, and Mean±SD Wrist Circumference (WRC) of 17.4±0.0 cm. There was a statistically significant difference between age groups concerning height, BMI, WRC, and Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG). The NC showed statistically significant correlation with weight (r=0.7, P<0.001), triglyceride (r=0.1, P=0.033), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) (r=-0.2, P=0.007) and Physical Activity (PA) (r=-0.1, P=0.020). Also the WRC had statistically significant correlation with weight (r=0.7, P<0.001), height (r=0.1, P=0.021) and HDL (r=-0.1, P=0.024). Conclusion: Measuring NC like other methods was a potential assessment tool of cardiovascular risk factors and can be used for epidemiological studies. Also, WRC had no significant relation. However, WRC's negative correlation with HDL was very important and can indicate the health status of individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myocardial infarction in young age is increasing. Identifying risk factors could be important for health promotion. We studied classic atherosclerotic risk factors in premature myocardial infarction. Methods: In this matched case-control study, which was conducted from 2005 to 2007 in Birjand County, the east of Iran, atherosclerotic risk factors (hypertension, family history of coronary artery diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia) of 98 patients affected by acute myocardial infarction aged under 50 years were compared with that of 98 healthy neighborhood controls. Results: Mean levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, as well as systolic blood pressure and body mass index were significantly higher in cases than in controls. There was a positive association between coronary artery disease at younger age and dyslipidemia OR=2.8 [95% CI: 1.5, 5.2], smoking OR=6.4 [95% CI: 3.0, 13.5], systolic hypertension OR=3.1 [95% CI: 1.5, 6.3], family history of coronary artery diseases OR=10.9 [95% CI: 3.2, 37.9] and diabetes OR=2.5 [95% CI: 1.04, 6.2]. Conclusion: Smoking, systolic hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common risk factors among patients with premature myocardial infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Being competent in performing clinical skills is necessary in medical profession. Acquiring essential competencies requires for time, patience, and practice in an appropriate context. Logbook is an instructional notebook in which there is a list of skills students must learn. These skills have been organized according to the opinion of faculty members of each ward and the international objectives set by ministry. The educational process could be evaluated continuously by means of these logbooks. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of using log books on clinical skills learning in cardiology ward. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 60 clerkship and internship students of cardiology ward in 2007-2008. In the first phase, students entering cardiology ward were selected as the control group. They received the usual instructions on clinical skills of the ward. In the second phase, logbooks were distributed among the next group of students as the experiment group and necessary explanations were provided for them. Students were asked to fill the required parts in the logbook and confirm them by their teacher. The educational content for both groups was the same. At the end of the course, students of each group were evaluated by their teachers using checklists for every single competency. Scores achieved for each competency were added up separately. The Mean scores of competencies achieved by students of both groups were compared using t-test. Results: The mean scores of all competencies achieved by the experiment group were significantly higher compared to those of the control group (α<0.05). In addition to comparing mean scores, total scores of competencies of clerks and interns in both groups were summed up and ranked qualitatively. So, the control group was ranked as average and the experiment group as good. Conclusion: Identifying educational objectives and providing guidelines through logbook could be an effective model for directing students towards clinical goals and improving the quality of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]