Why some Patients Benefit from Participating in a Sham Surgery Trial.

OBJECTIVE: We analyze the ethics of sham surgical trials from a utilitarian perspective and explore whether patients can benefit from participating in these trials. BACKGROUND: Sham-controlled randomized trials are an essential tool to evaluate the risks and benefits of some surgical procedures. However, sham trials are controversial because they expose patients to the harms of a sham procedure without the possibility of benefit. We argue that ethical analyses of sham trials have focused only on the harms of sham surgery and neglected to account for the harms of the procedure being studied. METHODS: We develop a theoretical model to estimate the harms and benefits experienced by patients who enter a sham surgery trial, taking into account the harms and benefits of the sham and intervention. RESULTS: When the procedure in question is found to be ineffective, sham trials typically result in a net benefit to participants because some participants are only exposed to the harms of the sham procedure, which are much lower than the harms of the full procedure. When the procedure is found to be beneficial, the primary harm to patients who underwent the sham is not due to the sham itself but because they suffer a delay in receiving an effective intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Patients often benefit from participating in sham surgery trials because the harms of the sham procedure are lower than the harms of the full procedure, which may turn out to be ineffective. Our results call for re-thinking the ethics of sham surgery trials.

Using an expanded algorithm to estimate prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in U.S. and UK.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing need to better understand the burden of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using real-world data (RWD). However, identifying ALS cases using RWD presents several challenges due to the rarity of ALS and the differences in database coding systems. METHODS: MarketScan claims, and the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) databases were searched for diagnosis codes of ALS or MND, the only drugs approved for treating ALS (riluzole and edaravone) and clinical visits with 12-month enrolment prior to 1 January 2011. The main algorithm required ≥ 1 ALS diagnosis code together with prescriptions or clinical visits. We expanded the existing algorithm to identify unspecific (possible) ALS group that had codes for motor neuron disease (MND) and the ALS drugs. The study period was from 1 January 2011 until 31 December 2020. RESULTS: We identified 16,246 patients with ≥ 1 ALS code in Marketscan (denominator n = 85,279,619), yet only 184 were found in the UK CPRD (denominator n = 21,318,589). Using the main algorithm 9,433 ALS patients were included in MarketScan, with a prevalence ranged between 4.5 per 100,000 in 2019 and 6.2 in 2015. In MarketScan, 3,658 (4.3 per 100,000) had ≥ 1 MND code and the ALS drug codes (possible cases). In CPRD, 47.9% of 2,785 patients with ≥ 1 MND code had a prescription for riluzole (6.3 per 100,000), regarded as possible ALS cases. CONCLUSIONS: The expanded algorithm enabled the identification of a large population with ALS, or possible ALS, and the estimation of ALS prevalence in MarketScan and CPRD.

Mini review: human clinical studies of stem cell therapy in keratoconus.

Treatment of keratoconus is one of the most interesting research fields for researchers in the world. Regenerative medicine based on human stem cells in the treatment of keratoconus has recently received attention. Despite extensive laboratory and animal studies in regenerative medicine of cornea, there are limited clinical studies in keratoconus. These studies showed promising results of stem cell therapy. In initial studies, the transplantation of these cells into stroma was associated with increased vision and improved corneal parameters without side effects. In this article, we tried to review different aspects of keratoconus stem cell therapy, including cell extraction and culture, surgical procedure, effectiveness and safety of this method in human clinical studies.

Potential Association Between Latent Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Suicide Attempts: A Case-Control Registry-Based Study.

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasitic protozoan that may be an important cause of neurological and psychiatric diseases. The purpose of this case-control registry-based study was to evaluate the prevalence of T. gondii infection and related risk factors among subjects who attempted suicide by drug use and a control group at the Iranian National Registry Center for Toxoplasmosis in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Baseline data were collected from participants using a questionnaire, and a blood sample was taken from each individual. The plasma was prepared for serological analysis, whereas the buffy coat was used for molecular analysis. Out of 282 individuals (147 cases with suicide attempters [SA] and 135 controls), 42.9% of patients and 16.3% of control subjects were positive for anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobin G (IgG), but all participants were negative for T. gondii DNA and anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobin M. Based on multiple logistic regressions, IgG seropositivity in SA in the age group of 20-30 years was 3.22 times higher than that in the control group (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that latent T. gondii infection among SA is significantly higher than that in healthy individuals, indicating a potential association between latent toxoplasmosis and SA at least in the studied area. Further research is needed to shed light on the potential association between T. gondii and suicide among different populations and areas of the world.

Why Evidence Generation Should Matter to Payers and How They Can Help.

Importance: The US leads the world in bringing new medical products to market, but the ability to generate evidence to inform clinical practice in postmarket settings needs improvement. Although a diverse group of stakeholders is working to improve postmarket evidence generation, the role of private payers has been underappreciated. Observations: Payers are crucial allies in improving evidence generation because better data would better inform coverage decisions, their policies and practices influence the conduct of care and research, and their claims data are a source of real-world evidence used in medical product evaluation. In addition, payers have a stake in improving evidence generation because the kinds of evidence needed to inform health care and coverage decisions are often not available when a product enters the market and may not be generated without their involvement. Here, we describe several key steps payers could take to improve evidence generation, including participating in efforts to reduce administrative and financial barriers to the conduct of clinical trials, directly incentivizing evidence generation on high-priority questions by funding potential cost-saving trials, increasing engagement with the medical products industry on evidentiary needs for coverage decisions, and improving usability of claims data by reducing data lags and routinely recording unique device identifiers. Broad payer engagement with US Food and Drug Administration recommendations regarding evidence generation will ensure that the opportunities to participate in clinical research are extended to all communities and that evidence needed to inform care is generated in trials and surveillance systems that reflect the clinical reality across the US. Conclusions and Relevance: Increasing payer involvement in evidence generation can benefit all participants in the medical innovation ecosystem. The importance of payers in these efforts will continue to grow in response to imperatives to increase integration of care and research, engage a diverse set of communities in clinical research, and move toward alternative payment models.

Relationship between resilience and self-efficacy among Iranian nurses: a cross-sectional study during the post-Corona era.

BACKGROUND: Resilience and self-efficacy play an influential role in nurses' clinical performance, which are considered resources for improving adaptability and promoting work engagement. This study aimed to determine the relationship between resilience and self-efficacy among nurses at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences hospitals during the post-Corona era. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 280 nurses in all clinical departments. Nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing or higher degree and at least one year of full-time work experience were included in the study using a convenience sampling method. Participants completed a three-part tool, which included the demographic information form, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests (multivariate linear regression using the backward method). RESULTS: In this study, nurses reported low levels of resilience (63.64 ± 15.66) and high levels of self-efficacy (63.01 ± 9.57). Among the five resilience subscales, the highest mean item score was associated with "spiritual influences" (2.80 out of 4), while the lowest mean item score was associated with "trust in one's instincts and tolerance of negative affect" (2.36 out of 4). Furthermore, the multivariate linear regression model results indicated that self-efficacy accounted for 33.6% of the variance in resilience (P < 0.001 and ß = 0.952). CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, it is suggested that nurses' psychological capabilities, such as self-efficacy, should be increased to improve resilience and address the stressful conditions of the work environment.

Psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the Sense of Belonging in Nursing School (SBNS): a quantitative and cross-sectional design.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric indicators of the Persian version of the Sense of Belonging in Nursing School scale (SBNS). METHODS: The study conducted in Shahroud and Semnan schools of nursing and midwifery in Iran examined nursing students using a cross-sectional approach by convenience sampling method from 3/6/2023 to 24/8/2023. To assess the SBNS scale, the forward-backward procedure was used to translate it into Persian. Face and content validity were evaluated, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted with sample sizes of 200 and 182, respectively. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, MacDonald's omega, and intra-class correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The exploratory factor analysis resulted in the exclusion of four items, leaving a final selection of 15 items. These items were categorized into three factors: classmates, clinical staff, and inclusive educational environment, which accounted for 49.16% of the overall variance. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model was a good fit for the observed data, and the subscales had high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.752 to 0.880) and stability (intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.889 to 0.968). CONCLUSION: According to the results, it can be concluded that the Persian version of the SBNS scale demonstrates sufficient validity and reliability in assessing students' sense of belonging to the nursing school.

The effect of spiritual reminiscence therapy on depression and hope among Iranian older adults: a quasi-experimental study.

This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the impact of spiritual reminiscence therapy (SRT) on depression and hope among older adults living in Shahroud, northeast of Iran. One hundred fifty-six older adults were selected through convenience sampling and assigned non-randomly to the intervention (n= 78) and control (n= 78) groups. The data collection tools included the Geriatric Depression Scale and Adult Hope Scale. For the intervention group, SRT was conducted in six weekly sessions, each lasting 60 to 90 min, over six weeks. The data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics and inferential tests (independent t-test, Chi-square test, and analysis of covariance). The two groups' post-intervention mean scores on depression (t= 11.63 and P< 0.001), and hope (t= 4.41 and P< 0.001) were statistically different, suggesting that SRT positively affected older adults by alleviating despair and boosting hope. The findings indicate that engaging in SRT can be beneficial in reducing depression and fostering hope among older adults.

Vision-related quality of life in patients with retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the vision-related quality of life in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) among those referred to Labbafinejad Medical Center and Imam Hossein Hospital between 2019 and 2021. METHODS: This comparative study included 37 eligible patients diagnosed with various types of RVO, with an average age of 61 ± 9. To ensure data validity, we included 74 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Only cases with a definitive diagnosis of RVO, confirmed by two retina specialists (ND and RN), were included. We assessed the vision-related quality of life of our participants using the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25). All participants underwent interviews. RESULTS: In our study, we examined the vision-related quality of life in different subgroups of RVO patients. Overall, RVO patients had a significantly lower total VRQoL score compared to healthy individuals (P < 0.001), except in the subscale analysis of specific factors such as ocular pain, color vision, and driving, where no statistically significant difference was observed. A statistically significant difference was found in the comparison of subgroups, indicating lower VRQoL in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) patients (P = 0.010). Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between lower VRQoL and decreased vision (P = 0.009) as well as longer disease duration (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Retinal vein occlusion can significantly reduce vision-related quality of life, particularly in more severe cases.

Health Literacy Among University Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this systematic review was to assess different studies that worked on university students' health literacy during covid19 pandemic and to make an overview of this issue to recognize possible determinants associated with health literacy. METHODS: This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). Four databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, Pubmed, and Scopus) were used for searching cross-sectional works that assessed the health literacy of university students. We searched papers from December 1st, 2019 up to June 10th, 2022. English language articles were used. Studies were done in countries including; Iran, Pakistan, the USA, Vietnam, China, Colombia, Germany, and Indonesia. RESULTS: The systematic review contains 12 research studies involving 17773 students. There was a relationship between health literacy and some determinants. Positive determinants included age, female gender, Urban background, cognitive maturity, Higher educational qualification, information source (Health workers), number of semesters, and parental education. Some negative determinants were male gender, Rural background, smoking, drinking, being able to pay for medication, lower conspiracy beliefs, and higher fear of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: University students around the world should have courses about health literacy according to university disciplines. These courses should be available for students of different fields to enhance their effectiveness, and training should be associated with students' needs and their subgroup traits.

Comparing efficacy and safety of high-dose and standard-dose rifampicin in the treatment of brucellosis: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: In a few studies, higher doses of rifampicin improved the outcome of patients with TB. There is no information regarding efficacy and safety of higher doses of rifampicin in patients with brucellosis. OBJECTIVES: To compare efficacy and safety of higher and standard doses of rifampicin, each with doxycycline, in the treatment of patients with brucellosis. METHODS: Within a randomized clinical trial, clinical response and adverse events of high-dose rifampicin (900-1200 mg/day) plus doxycycline 100 mg twice daily were compared with standard-dose rifampicin (600 mg/day) plus doxycycline 100 mg twice daily in 120 patients with brucellosis. RESULTS: Clinical response occurred in 57 (95%) of patients in the high-dose group and 49 (81.66%) of patients in the standard-dose group (P = 0.04). The most common adverse events of the treatment were nausea (37.5%), skin rash (13.33%), vomiting (10%) and transaminitis (7.22%). Incidence of these events was comparable between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of clinical response in patients with brucellosis who were treated with high-dose rifampicin plus standard-dose doxycycline was significantly higher than in the patients who received the standard doses of rifampicin and doxycycline, without further adverse events. The high-dose rifampicin therefore improved clinical response in patients with brucellosis with a similar safety profile to the standard dose. If these findings are confirmed in future studies, higher doses of rifampicin may be recommended for treatment of patients with brucellosis.

Investigating the relationship between the VNTR variant of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene and coronary in-stent restenosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the association between the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene (IL-1RN) and coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR) through the analysis of the VNTR variant based on the previously reported results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples were classified into two clearly defined groups: the case group, which comprised 45 patients diagnosed with in-stent restenosis (ISR+), and the control group, which included 60 patients without ISR (ISR-). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to examine the 86-bp VNTR variant of the IL-1RN gene. RESULTS: In the analysis of six identified groups consisting of variant alleles of 86 base pairs of VNTR of the IL-1RN gene statistically significant difference was observed for the presence of IL1RN*2 allele between cases and controls (p = 0.04, OR; 0.045). CONCLUSION: Individuals with allele 2 of the IL-1Ra gene may be more predisposed to ISR. This could be due to an imbalance between IL-1Ra and IL-1ß which is crucial in preventing the initiation or advancement of inflammatory diseases in specific organs. The observed phenomenon can be characterized by increased production of IL-1ß and potential reduction of IL-1Ra as a result of functional VNTR variation in IL-RN gene.

Effects of Running-induced Fatigue on the Trunk-pelvis-hip Coordination Variability During Treadmill Running at Different Speeds.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of fatigue on the coordination variability between the trunk, pelvis, and hips during treadmill running. METHODS: The kinematics data were recorded during ten successive treadmill steps running at the preferred speed and at 80% and 120% of the preferred speed. The angle segment data obtained during the running cycles were normalized to 100 data points, and they were split into ten periods. The coordination variability was calculated using the continuous relative phase (CRP) and variability (VCRP) methods for the trunk, pelvic and hip segments before and after the fatigue protocol. RESULTS: The repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant differences in the trunk-pelvic and trunk-hip CRPs and in the CRP variability during the last 30% of the treadmill running cycles after fatigue (p≤0.05). In addition, significant differences were observed in the pelvic-hip CRP and the CRP variability in 40% of the initial treadmill running cycles after fatigue (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, fatigue reduces coordination and increases variability. The central nervous system probably exerts more control on the distal segments for maintaining moving patterns in fatigue conditions.

Comparison of the effect of pressure control and volume control ventilation on endotracheal tube cuff pressure in patients undergoing general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation: a parallel randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation are prevalent interventions in the operating room and intensive care unit. Recently, the complications of endotracheal tube cuff pressure have been a topic of interest. Therefore, this study compared the effect of pressure control and volume control ventilation modes on the endotracheal cuff pressure rate in patients undergoing general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. METHODS: In this triple-blinded randomized clinical trial, 50 patients undergoing open limb surgery and inguinal hernia were allocated to two groups of 25 based on inclusion criteria. After intubation, one group underwent ventilation on the pressure control ventilation mode, and the other underwent ventilation on the volume control ventilation mode. In both groups, using a manometer, the cuff's pressure was first adjusted in the range of 25-30 cm of water. Then, the cuff pressure was measured at 10, 20, and 30 min intervals. The data were statistically analyzed using independent t-test, and two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The present study's findings showed that cuff pressure has significantly decreased over time in both study groups (F = 117.7, P < 0.001). However, a repeated measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction showed no interaction between time and groups (F = 0.019, P = 0.98). The two groups had no significant difference in cuff pressure (F = 0.56, P = 0.458). CONCLUSION: Since the cuff pressure has been significantly reduced in both groups over time, continuous monitoring of endotracheal tube cuff pressure in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation is essential. Therefore, it is suggested to keep the cuff pressure within the recommended range to prevent complications resulting from cuff pressure reduction, such as aspiration and ventilation decrease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial on 23/02/2019 (trial registration number: IRCT20181018041376N1).

Emergence of colistin resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clonal complex 2 (CC2) among hospitalized patients in Iran.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a major causative agent of serious nosocomial infections. This study was carried out to investigate the molecular characterization of colistin resistant isolates of A. baumannii from hospitalized patients, based on multilocus sequence typing (MLST). A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect A. baumannii from clinical samples in Isfahan from 2021 to 2022. Isolates were identified as A. baumannii using biochemical tests and PCR of blaOXA-51. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined for colistin. Additionally, MLST was performed according to the Pasteur scheme to assess the relationship between colistin resistant A. baumannii. A total of 70 non-repetitive A. baumannii isolates were obtained from different clinical samples. MIC results showed that seven A. baumannii isolates were resistant to colistin. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern revealed that all seven colistin resistant strains were resistant to all tested antibiotics. Based on MLST analysis, the colistin resistant isolates were assigned to five unique STs namely, ST2 (3; 42.9%) followed by ST78 (1; 14.3%), ST1077 (1; 14.3%), ST415 (1; 14.3%) and ST391 (1; 14.3%). Among them ST2, ST391 and ST415 belong to clonal complex 2. Colistin resistant A. baumannii ST2 is the main circulating clone in clinical settings in Iran, but additionally ST415, ST391, and ST1077 are found for the first time in our country. Intensive control procedures and strict adherence to surveillance programs are recommended to decrease the spread of carbapenem and colistin resistant A. baumannii strain.

Relationship between academic success, distance education learning environments, and its related factors among medical sciences students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Academic success is among the most important criteria for determining students' competence. Hence, one of the concerns of education system researchers has always been investigating its associated factors. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between academic success, distance education learning environments, and its related factors among Shahroud University of Medical Sciences students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 208 medical sciences students who completed at least two online and two in-person academic semesters. Participants were selected through the convenience sampling method and filled out three questionnaires, including the demographic information form, the Academic Success Inventory for College Students, and the Distance Education Learning Environments Survey. Finally, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests (t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression). RESULTS: In this study, students reported moderate levels of academic success (107.81 ± 10.72). Moreover, they assessed their distance education learning environment as the positive points were more than the negative points (74.10 ± 14.89). Distance education learning environment (ß = 0.233 and P < 0.001) and field satisfaction (ß = 9.797 and P = 0.001) were also mentioned as factors related to students' academic success. CONCLUSION: According to the present results, it is suggested to improve the learning environment of distance education and increase students' satisfaction to enhance their academic outcomes such as academic success.

Sensor Fusion Approach for Multiple Human Motion Detection for Indoor Surveillance Use-Case.

Multi-human detection and tracking in indoor surveillance is a challenging task due to various factors such as occlusions, illumination changes, and complex human-human and human-object interactions. In this study, we address these challenges by exploring the benefits of a low-level sensor fusion approach that combines grayscale and neuromorphic vision sensor (NVS) data. We first generate a custom dataset using an NVS camera in an indoor environment. We then conduct a comprehensive study by experimenting with different image features and deep learning networks, followed by a multi-input fusion strategy to optimize our experiments with respect to overfitting. Our primary goal is to determine the best input feature types for multi-human motion detection using statistical analysis. We find that there is a significant difference between the input features of optimized backbones, with the best strategy depending on the amount of available data. Specifically, under a low-data regime, event-based frames seem to be the preferred input feature type, while higher data availability benefits the combined use of grayscale and optical flow features. Our results demonstrate the potential of sensor fusion and deep learning techniques for multi-human tracking in indoor surveillance, although it is acknowledged that further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Fusion Object Detection and Action Recognition to Predict Violent Action.

In the context of Shared Autonomous Vehicles, the need to monitor the environment inside the car will be crucial. This article focuses on the application of deep learning algorithms to present a fusion monitoring solution which was three different algorithms: a violent action detection system, which recognizes violent behaviors between passengers, a violent object detection system, and a lost items detection system. Public datasets were used for object detection algorithms (COCO and TAO) to train state-of-the-art algorithms such as YOLOv5. For violent action detection, the MoLa InCar dataset was used to train on state-of-the-art algorithms such as I3D, R(2+1)D, SlowFast, TSN, and TSM. Finally, an embedded automotive solution was used to demonstrate that both methods are running in real-time.

Development and psychometric evaluation of perceived clinical nurses' professional dignity scale: a sequential-exploratory mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, one of the concepts that has received attention in the nursing profession is professional dignity. On the other hand, there was no proper scale to evaluate this concept. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of perceived clinical nurses' professional dignity scale (PCNPDS). METHODS: This exploratory sequential mixed method was developed and implemented in Iran. The study was conducted in two phases; (a) item generation by hybrid concept analysis and (b) item reduction by psychometric evaluation including validity and reliability of the developed scale. Also, the interpretability (ceiling and floor effect), stability (intraclass correlation coefficient), and absolute stability (standard error of measurement) were calculated. RESULTS: 68 items in the primary item pool were finally reduced to 22 items after evaluating the validity (face, content, and construct validity) and reliability. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors (organizational dignity, dignity-based competency, and dignity-based appreciation) and explained 47.55% of the total extracted variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model had a good fit. Finally, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, McDonald's omega, ICC, and SEM were calculated as 0.90, 0.89, 0.96, and 1.91, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 22-item developed scale is valid and reliable for professional dignity measurement among Iranian clinical nurses.

Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) and genome prediction of seedling salt tolerance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

BACKGROUND: Salinity tolerance in wheat is imperative for improving crop genetic capacity in response to the expanding phenomenon of soil salinization. However, little is known about the genetic foundation underlying salinity tolerance at the seedling growth stage of wheat. Herein, a GWAS analysis was carried out by the random-SNP-effect mixed linear model (mrMLM) multi-locus model to uncover candidate genes responsible for salt tolerance at the seedling stage in 298 Iranian bread wheat accessions, including 208 landraces and 90 cultivars. RESULTS: A total of 29 functional marker-trait associations (MTAs) were detected under salinity, 100 mM NaCl (sodium chloride). Of these, seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including rs54146, rs257, rs37983, rs18682, rs55629, rs15183, and rs63185 with R2 ≥ 10% were found to be linked with relative water content, root fresh weight, root dry weight, root volume, shoot high, proline, and shoot potassium (K+), respectively. Further, a total of 27 candidate genes were functionally annotated to be involved in response to the saline environment. Most of these genes have key roles in photosynthesis, response to abscisic acid, cell redox homeostasis, sucrose and carbohydrate metabolism, ubiquitination, transmembrane transport, chromatin silencing, and some genes harbored unknown functions that all together may respond to salinity as a complex network. For genomic prediction (GP), the genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) model reflected genetic effects better than both bayesian ridge regression (BRR) and ridge regression-best linear unbiased prediction (RRBLUP), suggesting GBLUP as a favorable tool for wheat genomic selection. CONCLUSION: The SNPs and candidate genes identified in the current work can be used potentially for developing salt-tolerant varieties at the seedling growth stage by marker-assisted selection.