Confirmatory factor analysis and gender invariance of Persian version of the modified Yale food addiction scale (mPYFAS) 2.0: insight from a large scale Iranian sample.

BACKGROUND: The Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) was developed with the primary objective of evaluating food addiction (FA). The present study aimed to undertake the translation, pilot testing, and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the mYFAS 2.0 within the Persian-speaking population. METHODS: The transcultural adaptation of the mYFAS 2.0 to the Persian language was conducted. Data collection was carried out through an anonymous online questionnaire. Participants completed the Persian versions of the mYFAS 2.0, Binge Eating Scale (BES), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The assessment encompassed the evaluation of internal consistency reliability, factor structure, as well as convergent and discriminant validity of the aforementioned questionnaires. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the single-factor model of the Persian translation of mYFAS 2.0 performed satisfactorily, with comparative fit index (CFI) and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) values exceeding 0.95, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) less than or equal to 0.09, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) below 0.03. The internal consistency and composite reliability of the mYFAS 2.0 were favorable in the entire sample, as well as in both male and female groups, with alpha (α) values of 0.83, ordinal alpha (αord) of 0.93, and composite reliability (CR) of 0.86. Additionally, significant relationships were observed between the total score of BES (r = 0.59, p < 0.001), BIS-11 (r = - 0.16, p < 0.001), and CD-RISC (r = 0.22, p < 0.001) with mYFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA presence, severity, and symptom count. CONCLUSIONS: The Persian version of the mYFAS 2.0 exhibited satisfactory psychometric properties.

In this study, researchers developed a Persian version of the Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) to assess food addiction in Persian-speaking individuals. They translated and tested the scale's reliability and validity through an online survey with 9606 Persian speaking participants. The results showed that the Persian mYFAS 2.0 performed well, with a reliable single-factor model. The internal consistency and reliability were good across the entire sample and in both male and female groups. The relationships between mYFAS 2.0 and other scales measuring binge eating, impulsivity, and resilience were significant. The findings suggest that the Persian version of mYFAS 2.0 is a reliable tool for assessing food addiction in the Persian-speaking population. The study used statistical analyses like confirmatory factor analysis, indicating the scale's robustness. Overall, the psychometric properties of the Persian mYFAS 2.0 were satisfactory, providing a valuable instrument for researchers and healthcare professionals studying and addressing food addiction in this population. The study contributes to cross-cultural research and enhances our understanding of food addiction in diverse linguistic communities.

Risk and Protective Factors Affecting Drug Craving among Patients with Substance Use Disorders Undergoing Opioid Agonists Maintenance Therapy.

Background: In this study, the purpose was to investigate the risk and protective factors affecting craving among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) on buprenorphine, methadone, or opium maintenance treatment in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In the current cross-section path analysis model, the statistical population was all SUD patients in Isfahan who were under treatment with Methadone or Buprenorphine in 2018. The study sample included 482 people who were on maintenance treatment in Isfahan who were selected by random sampling in two stages. The Franken, Hendriks, and Brink Opiate Craving Questionnaire (OCQ), Substance Related Beliefs Questionnaire (SRBQ), Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), Patient Health Questionnaire, Sixbey Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS) and the Self-Resiliency Scale (SRS) were used to collect data. A path analysis method and PLS software were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that the direct impacts of self-resilience (ß=-0.147, p = 0.009) and uncompromising strategies (ß = 0.249, p = 0.0001) on depression are significant. Also, the direct effects of belief in drugs (ß = 0.518, p = 0.0001) and depression (ß = 0.219, p = 0.0001) on craving are significant. Conclusion: Substance-related beliefs play an essential role in craving both directly and indirectly. The results of the present study can be used to carry out educational and therapeutic interventions for drug SUD patients.

Validity of the Persian version of the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQIR).

PURPOSE: Currently, the most useful questionnaire for determining the chronotype is the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ). It determines chronotype based on sleep-wake behavior on workdays and work-free days and uses the mid-sleep time on free days (MSF), corrected for accumulated sleep debt over the work week to classify chronotype (MSFsc). Our study aimed at validating Persian version of the MCTQ. METHODS: Participants completed the Persian version of the MCTQ, reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: The study sample was comprised of 250 Iranian men and women (mean age 34 years, age range 30 to 58 years, 113 men). Results showed that there is a significant negative relationship between the components of MCTQ and rMEQ, and the strongest relationship related to the MSF index. The results also showed that MCTQ parameters were not significantly related to the ESS scale. Cut-off values of MSFsc for chronotype categories were determined by inter-quartile range (Q25% = 3.44, Q50% = 4.68, and Q75% = 5.75). CONCLUSIONS: Like the MCTQ in other languages, the Persian version of the MCTQ is a reliable tool for assessing chronotype.

Validation and Psychological Properties of the Persian Version of DSM 5 Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (PYFAS 2.0) in Non-clinical Population.

Background: The Yale Food Addiction Scale version 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) is used for the assessment of food addiction (FA). This research intended to evaluate the validity of the Persian translation of the questionnaire and to investigate the psychological properties and the association between FA and anthropometric indices. Methods: In a sample of 473 nonclinical participants, FA, binge eating, and objectively measured anthropometric indices were assessed. Internal consistency, convergent, and validity of the PYFAS 2.0 were examined. Also, the factor structure (confirmatory factor analysis following the 11 diagnostic indicators in addition to the significant distress) and the construct of the scale were evaluated. Findings: The frequencies of mild, moderate, and severe FA based on PYFAS 2.0 were 0.2%, 10%, and 5.5%, respectively. The findings supported a one-factor structure. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good construct validity (RMSEA=0.043, χ2=76.38, df=41, χ2 (CMIN)/df=1.862, GFI=0.975, AGFI=0.957, IFI=0.986, RFI=0.958, ECVI=0.319, TLI=0.978). For both the diagnostic and symptom count versions, the PYFAS 2.0 presented acceptable internal consistency (IC) (Kuder-Richardson 20=0.99 and McDonald omega=0.91). Conclusion: The PYFAS 2.0 was a psychometrically sound instrument in an Iranian non-clinical population. This questionnaire can be used to study FA in Persian non-clinical populations. Future research should study the psychometric characteristics of this scale in high-risk groups.

Functionalization of anti-Brucella antibody based on SNP and MNP nanoparticles for visual and spectrophotometric detection of Brucella.

An Immuno-Nano-Biosensor with high sensitivity was designed based on iron and silica nanoparticles to detect B. abortus. Briefly explain, primary polyclonal antibody (IgG1) was conjugated on surface magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to form MNP-IgG1. Secondary polyclonal antibody (IgG2) and Horseradish Peroxidase enzyme were conjugated on silica nanoparticles (SNPs) to form HRP-SNP-IgG2. HRP-SNP-IgG2. MNP-IgG1 and HRP-SNP-IgG2 were added to B. abortus. The MNP-IgG1-B.abortus-IgG2-SNP-HRP complex was isolated from the reaction mixture using a magnet. After that, tetramethylbenzidine was added to the complex. The reaction was stopped with HCl and investigated using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The nanoparticles' structure and size were investigated using SEM and DLS. Immuno-Nano-Biosensor sensitivity and specificity were determined. The SEM and DLS results indicated that the SNPs, MNPs, HRP-SNP-IgG2 and MNP-IgG1 size and structure were 35, 44, 60 and 56 nm, respectively. In addition, a good linear correlation was observed at 102-107 CFU mL-1 concentrations, which their linear equation and regression were Y = 0.3× + 0.18 and R2 0.982, respectively. The limitation of detecting B. abortus was 160 CFU mL-1. Finally, the results demonstrated that those designed Immuno-Nano-Biosensor could be specifically detected B. abortus and B. melitensis in real samples.

Barrier functionality and transport machineries of human ECV304 cells.

BACKGROUND: The lack of a brain-derived endothelial cell-based model has led researchers to exploit non-brain endothelial/epithelial cells as in vitro models for blood-brain barrier (BBB) investigations. Of these, the endothelial-like human ECV304 cell line was initially characterized as endothelial cells and has been widely used as an in vitro BBB model. It was later shown to be T24 bladder carcinoma epithelial cells. To pursue its potential as a cell-based model for drug screening and transport machineries, ECV304 cells were evaluated for their barrier and plasma membrane characteristics. MATERIAL/METHODS: ECV304 cells treated with some tight-junction modulators (e.g. cAMP elevators, butyric acid, dexamethasone, gamma-linolenic acid, and astrocytic factors) were examined for bioelectrical resistance, transcellular/paracellular permeability, and functionality expression of some key transporters. RESULTS: A significant (p<0.05) increase in trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) was observed in ECV304 cells treated with astrocytic factors and cAMP elevators (i.e. to approximately 110Omega*cm2 vs. approximately 60 Omega*cm2 in the control). Such treatment also yielded high discrimination in the permeability coefficients of the transcellular marker propranolol (25x10-6 cm/sec) and the paracellular marker sucrose (11.3 x 10-6 cm/sec). Carrier-mediated transporters such as GLUT-1, system L, and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) as well as endocytic transport machineries (e.g. clathrin and caveolin) were found to be functionally expressed. CONCLUSIONS: ECV304 cells failed to generate a discriminative tight barrier even in the presence of tight-junction modulators. Thus their implementation in drug permeability screening is not recommended. They display some important key carrier-mediated transport systems and can be considered as a useful cell-based in vitro model.

Frequency of five important CYP2D6 alleles within an Iranian population (Eastern Azerbaijan).

Polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 genes encoding enzymes of critical importance for drug metabolism have the highest genetic influence on interindividual variations in drug bioavailability. Human CYP2D6 enzyme is claimed to be polymorphically expressed among different ethnic groups. It has been suggested to account for a large part of the interindividual differences in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. In the current investigation, 100 healthy unrelated subjects living in Tabriz, Iran, were randomly selected. Genotyping was designed to determine the frequencies of five major and important alleles: CYP2D6*2, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*10, and CYP2D6*17. After collecting venous blood samples, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology was performed for detection of the alleles (except CYP2D6*5, which has been detected using an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction procedure). Finally, the obtained data were used to determine the allele frequencies. The frequencies for CYP2D6 alleles *2, *4, *5, and *10 were 32%, 12.5%, 3%, and 9%, respectively. CYP2D6*17 was completely absent in this study group. Poor metabolizer phenotype can be related to *4/*4 and *4/*5 genotypes with a total frequency of 4%. This is the first study of the CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism in an Iranian population. The frequencies of the studied alleles resulted in degrees of differences between this population and Orientals, Saudi Arabians, and Caucasians, while similarities to the reported results obtained from the studies among Mediterraneans and South Indians are noticeable.

Ocular Drug Delivery; Impact of in vitro Cell Culture Models.

Normal vision depends on the optimal function of ocular barriers and intact membranes that selectively regulate the environment of ocular tissues. Novel pharmacotherapeutic modalities have aimed to overcome such biological barriers which impede efficient ocular drug delivery. To determine the impact of ocular barriers on research related to ophthalmic drug delivery and targeting, herein we provide a review of the literature on isolated primary or immortalized cell culture models which can be used for evaluation of ocular barriers. In vitro cell cultures are valuable tools which serve investigations on ocular barriers such as corneal and conjunctival epithelium, retinal pigment epithelium and retinal capillary endothelium, and can provide platforms for further investigations. Ocular barrier-based cell culture systems can be simply set up and used for drug delivery and targeting purposes as well as for pathological and toxicological research.