Exploring the association between ultra-processed foods and COPD: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: While it is known that the overconsumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with a heightened risk of respiratory ailments, the specific effects of UPF intake on COPD remain unclear. This study was designed to explore the potential link between COPD and the consumption of UPFs among adult individuals in Iran. METHODS: In this hospital-based case-control study conducted at Alzahra University Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, we enrolled 84 patients newly diagnosed with COPD, along with 252 healthy controls matched for age and sex. COPD was defined based on the results of spirometry tests, specifically when the forced expiratory volume per second (FEV1) was less than 80% or the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FVC) was less than 70%. To evaluate the dietary intake of the participants, we utilized a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) consisting of 168 items. Additionally, we gathered data on potential confounding factors using a pre-tested questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean ages for the case and control groups were 57.07 and 55.05 years, respectively. Our study found no significant association between the intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and the likelihood of COPD, with an odds ratio (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.34-1.77). This lack of association persisted even after adjusting for factors such as energy intake, sex, and age (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.19-1.21). Further controlling for potential confounders like body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and smoking status did not alter this finding (OR: 0.367; 95% CI: 0.123-1.1008, P = 0.074). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we observed no significant association between the intake of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) and the odds of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This finding remained consistent even after adjusting for factors such as energy intake, sex, age, Body Mass Index (BMI), physical activity, and smoking status. Therefore, within the scope of our study, it appears that the consumption of UPFs does not significantly impact the likelihood of developing COPD. However, we recommend further research to deepen our understanding of the intricate relationship between dietary habits and respiratory health.

The association between diet quality and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Previous investigations have primarily examined the relationship between various dietary patterns and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, there have been limited studies that have evaluated the association between diet quality presented by Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010) and COPD. The aim of this study was to investigate this association in Iranian population. METHODS: This case-control study recruited 84 cases and 252 healthy controls who were randomly selected. Diet, smoking, and physical activity were assessed using validated questionnaires. The HEI-2010 score ranged from zero to hundred twenty, with zero indicating an unhealthy diet and hundred twenty indicating a healthy diet. Logistic regression models were utilized to analyze the association between HEI-2010 and the odds of COPD. RESULTS: Results from logistic regression showed that individuals with higher HEI scores had a significantly lower odds of COPD (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.16-0.72). After adjusting for confounders, individuals with the highest HEI score were 82% less likely to have COPD (OR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.03-0.96). This association remained significant after adjusting for smoking and physical activity (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01-0.93) and with additional adjustment for BMI (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a significant association between a higher HEI-2010 score and a lower odd of COPD in the Iranian population. These results suggest that a healthy diet may play a crucial role in reducing the odds of COPD and in improving the function of the lungs. However, further prospective studies are warranted to elucidate this relationship.

Efficacy and Safety Comparison of Two Different Doses of Dexamethasone in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: The current study aims to investigate high- versus low-dose dexamethasone administration to control the disease with minor complications. Methods: The current multicentric randomized clinical trial was conducted on 119 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and assigned into two groups of low-dose (8 mg daily intravenous dose for at least 7 days or until discharge) (n = 61) versus high-dose dexamethasone (24 mg for 3 days followed by daily 8 mg for the at least 4 days later or until discharge) (n = 58) during 2020-2021. Oxygen saturation, dyspnea severity based on the Borg scale, and laboratory indices were assessed at 3, 5, and 7 days of corticosteroid therapy. Patients were compared regarding the length of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission requirement, and noninvasive or invasive ventilation. The other investigations included corticosteroid-related adverse effects and mortality rates within a month after the medications. Findings: Oxygen saturation, Borg scale, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly altered by the time in both the groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, the trend of improvements in Borg scale (P = 0.007) and lactate dehydrogenase levels (P = 0.034) were superior in high-dose treated cases. Drug-related adverse (P = 0.809), mortality rate (P = 0.612), hospitalization duration (P = 0.312), ICU admission requirement (P = 0.483), and noninvasive (P = 0.396) and invasive ventilation (P = 0.420) did not differ between the groups. Conclusion: According to this study, low- versus high-dose dexamethasone therapy did not affect the outcomes, so low-dose dexamethasone is recommended for COVID-19 pneumonia to achieve optimal results and prevent potential adverse events.

Adherence to Low Carbohydrate Diet in Relation to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: Data on the link between adherence to low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) and odds of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are scarce. The current study aimed to investigate the relation between adherence to LCD and COPD in Iranian adults. Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, we enrolled 84 newly-diagnosed COPD patients and 252 age and sex matched healthy controls in Alzahra University Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. COPD was defined based on findings of spirometry test (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 70% or FEV1 < 80%). Dietary intakes of study participants were assessed using the validated Block-format 168-item FFQ. Data on potential confounders were also collected through the use of a pre-tested questionnaire. Results: Mean age of cases and controls were 57.7 and 55.07 years, respectively. Adherence to LCD was inversely associated with odds of COPD (0.35; 95% CI: 0.16-0.75). This inverse association did not alter after controlling for age, sex, and energy intake (0.42; 95% CI: 0.19-0.93). Adjustments for other potential confounders, including dietary intakes, smoking, and educational status, did not affect these findings; such that those in the highest quintile of LCD score were 64% less likely to have COPD than those in the lowest quintile (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.13-0.99). Conclusion: We found an inverse association between adherence to LCD and odds of COPD. The association remained statistically significant even after taking other potential confounders, including socioeconomic characteristic and dietary intakes into account.

Identification of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis Species Isolated from Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples Using Genotypic and Phenotypic Methods.

BACKGROUND: Candida dubliniensis is a newly diagnosed species very similar to Candida albicans phenotypically and first discovered in the mouth of people with AIDS in 1995. Among the different phenotypic and genotypic methods, a cost-effective method should be selected which makes it possible to differentiate these similar species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism with MspI enzyme and the Duplex-PCR method were done by DNA extraction using boiling. The sequencing of the amplified ribosomal region was used to confirm the C. dubliniensis species. Direct examination and colony count of the yeasts were applied for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples and the growth rate of the yeasts were studied at 45°C. To understand the ability formation of chlamydoconidia in yeast isolates, they were separately cultured on the sunflower seed agar, wheat flour agar, and corn meal agar media. RESULTS: Fifty-nine (49.2%) yeast colonies were identified from the total of 120 BAL specimens. Twenty-nine isolated yeasts; including 17 (58.6%) of C. albicans/dubliniensis complex and 12 (41.4%) of nonalbicans isolates produced pseudohypha or blastoconidia in direct smear with a mean colony count of 42000 CFU/mL. C. albicans with the frequency of 15 (42.9%) were the most common isolated yeasts, whereas C. dubliniensis was identified in two nonHIV patients. CONCLUSION: Sequencing of the replicated gene fragment is the best method for identifying the yeasts, but the determination of the species by phenotypic methods such as the creation of chlamydoconidia in sunflower seeds agar and wheat flour agar media can be cost-effective, have sensitivity and acceptable quality.

Adherence to Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Dietary Pattern in Relation to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: This case-control study was designed to investigate the association between adherences to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in comparison to subjects without COPD. DESIGN: This is a case-control study. Usual dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Lung function was evaluated with spirometry testing, and one of the researchers inquired about other respiratory symptoms, including chronic cough, sputum, and breathlessness. Adherence to the DASH dietary pattern was assessed according to the Fung method. SETTING: This study was conducted at Alzahra University Hospital of Isfahan, Iran, in 2015. SUBJECTS: Eight-four patients with COPD and 80 subjects without a history of COPD participated in study. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 57 years. Average smoking in the case group was about 27.5 pack-years. Spirometry tests including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC were significantly lower in patients with COPD (p = 0.0001). Among COPD symptoms, cough was significantly decreased across tertiles of DASH score (p = 0.03). Significant differences were found for DASH score between patients with COPD and control subjects (19.82 + 3.63 vs 21.13 + 3.82, p = 0.02). Vitamin C, vitamin E, and dietary fiber intake were lower in patients with COPD (144.32 + 70.51 vs 166.97 + 71.88, p = 0.04, 7.49 + 3.91 vs 8.72 + 3.21, p = 0.02 and 19.34 + 7.05 vs 22.19 + 7.87, p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: We observed that adherence to a DASH dietary pattern among patients with COPD was significantly lower compared to the control group. Cough was significantly decreased by increments in adherence to a DASH dietary pattern.

The association between forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and pulse oximetric measurements of arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the patients with COPD: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: The study was aimed to explore the association between arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and spirometer parameters of disease severity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with a view to identify whether the pulse oximetry can be used as an alternative to arterial values in the clinical management of COPD patients in a routine practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with COPD were included in this study. After evaluation of each patient through history taking, physical examination and chest X-ray, SpO2 % and data regarding spirometry (FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC % predicted) in all patients were measured. Linear correlations among the variables were analyzed using the regression analysis. RESULTS: In total 31 COPD patients according to the criteria established by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Disease (GOLD) were included in the study. There was not statistically significant correlation between FEV1 % predicted and SpO2 values (P > 0.05), but a great correlation existed between FEV1/FVC % predicted and SpO2 values (r = 0.556, P < 0.001). Median SpO2 values did not differ between GOLD stages (Kruskal-Wallis test: P = 0.17). CONCLUSION: The study may demonstrate that oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry appears to be independent of the degree of airways obstruction as quantified by the FEV1; although further evidence needs to be assessed these preliminary findings.

The association between reflux esophagitis and airway hyper-reactivity in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND: The association of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) with a wide variety of pulmonary disorders was recognized. We aimed to evaluate the effect of GER-induced esophagitis on airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) in patients and the response to treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cohort study, 30 patients attending the gastrointestinal clinic of a university hospital with acid reflux symptoms were included. All patients were evaluated endoscopically and divided into case group with esophagitis and control group without any evidence of esophagitis. Spirometry and methacholine test were done in all patients before and after treatment of GER with pantoprazole 40 mg daily for six months. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the rate of positive methacholine test between the cases (40%) and the controls (6.7%) prior to anti-acid therapy (P < 0.0001). After six months of treatment, the frequency of positive methacholine test diminished from 40 to 13.3% in the case group (P < 0.05) but did not change in the controls (P = 0.15). CONCLUSION: The presence of esophagitis due to GER would increase the AHR and treatment with pantoperazole would decrease AHR in patients with proved esophagitis and no previous history of asthma after six months.

Acute lymphoid leukemia presenting with superior vena cava syndrome.

When superior vena cava (SVC) compress or obstructed by internal or external pressure, we encounter to SVC syndrome. The cause of this compression is malignant or benign. Although the widespread use of permanent central venous access catheters coupled with the improved success of chemotherapy has increased the incidence of SVC syndrome not caused by direct tumor infiltration (non-malignant SVC syndrome) but SVC syndrome may be a sign of advanced malignancy. In this report, we present a 30-year-old man with lymphoma that present with SVC syndrome at presentation. With chemotherapy, patient was recovered from signs and symptoms.