Effects of virtual interventions based on the theory of planned behavior to improve obesity-preventive lifestyle among girls, during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical period for the spread of obesity and overweight. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on promoting obesity-related behaviors in overweight female students in Gachsaran. METHODS: this quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 female students of the first secondary school in the form of two intervention and control groups. Information related to nutritional status and the structures of the theory of planned behavior were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been confirmed. The educational intervention was carried out during five virtual training sessions. The data obtained three months after the intervention were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, version 20, using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and equivalent non-parametric tests. RESULTS: The present study showed that the scores of the constructs of awareness, perceived behavior control, subjective norms, intention, and nutritional behaviors were significantly improved after the intervention (p < 0.001). The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed that the two intervention and control groups did not have a significant difference in terms of the average overall physical activity score after the intervention (p = 0.078). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that training based on the theory of planned behavior in the conditions of COVID-19 disease and in a virtual form had an effect on nutritional behavior but could not increase physical activity behavior in adolescents with weight loss.

Adjuvant pomegranate juice intake improves the inflammatory status of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A randomized and placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pomegranate juice intake on the inflammatory status and complete blood count in hospitalized Covid-19 patients. METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial included 48 patients with two parallel arms. In addition to the standard care provided at the hospital, the patients consumed 500 mL of whole pomegranate juice (PJ) daily or a placebo for 14 days. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)) and complete blood count were determined at baseline and after the 14 days of intervention. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention, a significant decreased was observed in primary outcomes [mean difference (95 %CI)] including IL-6 [5.24(0.87-9.61)], CRP [23.19(11.93-34.44)] and ESR [10.52(1.54-19.50)] in the PJ group vs. before the intervention. In addition, significant changes were also observed in the some of the secondary outcomes, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, platelets-to-lymphocyte(PLR) and neutrophils-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratios (p < 0.05) in the PJ group compared to before the intervention. At the end of the intervention period, the mean change of IL-6 [- 7.09(-12.21 to - 1.96)], white blood cells [- 3.09(- 6.14 to - 0.05)], neutrophils [- 9.12(-18.08 to -0.15)], lymphocyte [7.05(0.17-13.92)], platelets [- 94.54(- 139.33 to - 49.75)], PLR [- 15.99(- 29.31 to - 2.67)], blood oxygen saturation [1.75(0.13-3.37)] and MCV [0.31(- 0.25 to 0.88)] levels were significantly different between groups while no difference was observed between the two groups in other blood indices. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that pomegranate juice intake might slightly improve the inflammatory status and CBC outcomes of COVID-19 patients and it may be beneficial.

The importance of nutritional status on clinical outcomes among both ICU and Non-ICU patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The current Covid-19 outbreak becomes a tremendous public health concern worldwide. Since a little information is available on nutritional status and its devastating effects on covid-19 complications in Iran, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate nutritional status of covid-19 population and its related factors. METHODS: We performed this observational study by recruiting 400 hospitalized covid-19 subjects. Thereafter, the needed clinical and para clinical data were collected and their nutritional status was then assessed using NRS-2002. RESULTS: Approximately 36% of the total sample size and 100% of the ICU- admitted cases were at the severe risk of malnutrition. The patients with NRS≥ 5 were significantly older (p < 0.0001). Non-survivals obtained higher scores in terms of both severity of disease (86%) and impaired nutritional status (67%), and this relationship was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.0001). In regard to the obtained prognostic inflammatory scores, 86% of the non-survivals obtained significantly highest scores for GPS (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Nutritional status has a considerable effect on clinical outcomes of covid-19 patients, which should be evaluated. Thereafter, rapid subsequent nutritional interventions must be implemented in this regard. As well, special attention must be paid to both elderly population and individuals with underlying diseases.

Green tea intake and its effect on laboratory parameters and disease symptoms in hospitalised patients with Covid 19: a structured protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The current randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to assess the effect of green tea intake on disease symptoms and laboratory parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and complete blood count (CBC) in patients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19 infection. TRIAL DESIGN: Randomized, double-blinded, parallel (1:1 ratio) clinical trial exploratory study PARTICIPANTS: We will recruit patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to Yasuj Shahid Jalil Hospital in Yasuj City, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. Participants' inclusion criteria are as follows: Inclusion Criteria Patients aged ≥18 years COVID-19 diagnosis according to real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Exclusion Criteria Pregnancy or lactation Disseminated intravascular coagulation or any other types of coagulopathy Severe congestive kidney failure Having a history of participating in a clinical trial during the last 30 days INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Intervention: Two capsules containing 450 mg green tea extract along with routine treatment for COVID-19 patients in the intervention group. Two capsules containing placebo plus routine treatment for patients with COVID-19 infection. Capsules will be taken twice a day, after lunch and dinner, for 14 days. MAIN OUTCOMES: Changes in disease symptoms and laboratory parameters including CRP, ESR, and CBC after 14 days of the intervention compared to control group. RANDOMISATION: Eligible patients will be randomly assigned into the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Randomization will be performed based on 8 permuted blocks with block sizes of 10, and patients in the intervention and control groups will be matched according to sex and age categories. Randomization will be done using computer-generated random numbers ( Randomization.com ) BLINDING (MASKING): The appearance of placebo and green tea capsules will be similar in terms of shape and color, and they will be packed in the same bags that will be prepared by the company. Also, the researcher and all participants will not be aware of the divisions until the end of the study. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMISED (SAMPLE SIZE): The total sample was determined based on CRP MCID in which high CRP levels were considered >2.6 mg/L. Accordingly, a total sample size of 37 patients for each intervention group was required. TRIAL STATUS: The protocol is Version 1.0, on June 5, 2021. Recruitment will start on July 11, 2021, which is anticipated to be completed by September 21, 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20150711023153N3 ( https://www.irct.ir/trial/55948 ) retrospectively registered on June 4, 2021 FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting was eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Effects of pomegranate juice (Punica Granatum) on inflammatory biomarkers and complete blood count in patients with COVID-19: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study is conducted to investigate efficacy of pomegranate juice on inflammatory biomarkers, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6(IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and complete blood count (CBC) in hospitalized patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19). TRIAL DESIGN: This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel 2-arm (1:1 ratio) clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals in Yasuj City, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Informed consent Patients 18 years of age or older Diagnosis of COVID-19 based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Pregnancy or lactation Immunoglobulin A (IgA) level <61 mg/dl Disseminated intravascular coagulation or any other types of coagulopathy Severe congestive heart failure Participation in any clinical trial within 30 days prior to enrollment in this RCT Other contraindications determined by the specialist. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Intervention: 500 ml pomegranate juice and standard of care hospital treatment for COVID-19 Comparator: matching placebo containing 500 ml of red water and standard of care hospital treatment for COVID-19 Both intervention and comparator to be taken twice a day, after lunch and dinner, for 14 days. CRITERIA FOR DISCONTINUING: Transfer of patients to intensive care unit (ICU) Death Unwillingness to continue participating in the study MAIN OUTCOMES: The main outcomes of this study are levels of inflammatory biomarkers, CRP, IL-6, ESR, and CBC after 14 days of treatment. RANDOMIZATION: Eligible patients will be randomly assigned into the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Randomization will be performed based on 8 permuted blocks with block sizes of 6 and they will be stratified according to sex and age categories. Randomization sequences will be prepared by the trial's pharmacist using computer-generated random numbers. BLINDING (MASKING): This study is a double-blind clinical trial (participant, researcher). The pomegranate juice and placebo juice are packaged in identical bottles, and the researcher and all the patients will be unaware of the study assignment until the end of the study. To ensure blinding, the randomization sequences will be kept in identical, opaque, sealed, and sequentially numbered envelopes. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMIZED (SAMPLE SIZE): The calculated total sample size is 48 patients, with 24 patients assigned into each group. TRIAL STATUS: The protocol is Version 1.0, on March 3, 2021. Recruitment started on February 28, 2021, and is anticipated to be completed by May 21, 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Name of registering trial Effects of Pomegranate Juice (Punica Granatum) on Inflammatory Biomarkers and CBC in Patients with COVID-19: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT) Registration Number: IRCT20150711023153N2 Date of Trial Registration February 28, 2021, retrospectively registered FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials҆ website (Additional file 1). In the interest of expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Effects of Quercetin Supplementation on Hematological Parameters in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease which has become a public health concern. Since oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, subsequent hematological disorders are expected. Therefore, antioxidant compounds such as quercetin could ameliorate the related side-effect of oxidative stress. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of quercetin on hematological parameters in NAFLD patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted as a pilot study. In this study 90 patients with NAFLD were supplemented with either a quercetin or a placebo capsule twice daily (500 mg) for 12 weeks. Blood sample was obtained for laboratory parameters at baseline and the end of week 12. End of trial values for red blood cell (RBC; p = 0.002), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.029), and mean platelet volume (p = 0.017), significantly increased and the levels of mean corpuscular volume (MCV; p = 0.023), RBC distribution width-coefficient of variation (p = 0.005), platelet distribution width (p = 0.015), and ferritin (p = 0.002) significantly decreased compared to the baseline in group receiving quercetin. Between group analysis revealed that RBC significantly increased (p = 0.025) but, mean corpuscular volume (p = 0.004), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH; p = 0.002), and ferritin (p = 0.013) significantly decreased compared to placebo group. In this work quercetin showed significant effect on RBC, ferritin, MCV, and MCH in intervention group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Center for Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT2016060628299N1.