Influence of ceramic waste powder on shear performance of environmentally friendly reinforced concrete beams.

This investigation considered the usability of ceramic waste powder (CWP) in altered quantities in reinforced concrete beams (RCBs). In this way, it was aimed to reduce the environmental impacts of concrete by using CWP as a raw material in RCBs. 12 small-scale shear RCBs with the dimensions of 100 × 150 × 1000 mm were tested in this study. The variations of stirrups spacing and CWP ratio were examined in these specimens. The percentages of CWP by weight utilized in RCBs were 10%, 20%, and 30%, and stirrups spacings were adopted as 270 mm, 200 mm, and 160 mm. At the end of the study, it was determined that more than 10% CWP additive negatively affected the RCBs' compressive strength. The load-carrying capacity reduced between 30.3% and 59.4% when CWP increased from 0% to 30% as compared to RCB with stirrups spacing of 270 mm without CWP. However, compared to RCB with stirrups spacings of 200 mm and 160 mm without CWP, there were decreases in the load-carrying capacity as 21.4%-54.3% and 18.6%-54.6%, respectively. While the CWP ratio increased, the specimens with 160 mm, 200 mm, and 270 mm stirrups spacings obtained a lower maximum load value. However, with the increase of the CWP ratio in the specimens with 160 mm stirrups spacing, RCBs reached the maximum load-carrying capacity at an earlier displacement value. When stirrups spacing was selected as 270 mm, it was observed that the maximum load-carrying capacity of RCBs reached at a similar displacement value as the CWP ratio increased. Besides, it was resulted that the bending stiffness of RCBs reduced as the quantity of CWP enhanced. The bending stiffness decreased by 29.1% to 66.4% in the specimens with 270 mm stirrups spacing, 36.3% to 20.2% with 200 mm stirrups spacing, and 10.3% to 36.9% with 160 mm stirrups spacing. As an implication of the experiments, the use of CWP up to 10% in RCBs was realized as an economical and environmental approach and is suggested. There is some evidence to report that making use of CWP may be considered to be ecologically benign. This is due to the fact that reusing CWP may significantly reduce CO2 emissions, save energy, and reduce total power consumption. Furthermore, the experimental results were compared to the analytical calculations.

Experimental investigation and analytical verification of buckling of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced sandwich beams.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcement can lead to a new way to enhance the properties of composites by transforming the reinforcement phases into nanoscale fillers. In this study, the buckling response of functionally graded CNT-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) sandwich beams was investigated experimentally and analytically. The top and bottom plates of the sandwich beams were composed of carbon fiber laminated composite layers and hard core. The hard core was made of a pultruded glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) profile. The layers of FG-CNTRC surfaces were reinforced with different proportions of CNT. The reference sample was made of only a pultruded GFRP profile. In the study, the reference sample and four samples with CNT were tested under compression. The largest buckling load difference between the reference sample and the sample with CNT was 37.7%. The difference between the analytical calculation results and experimental results was obtained with an approximation of 0.49%-4.92%. Finally, the buckling, debonding, interlaminar cracks, and fiber breakage were observed in the samples.

Influence of pozzolanic addition on strength and microstructure of metakaolin-based concrete.

The intent of this study is to explore the physical properties and long-term performance of concrete made with metakaolin (MK) as a binder, using microsilica (MS) and nanosilica (NS) as substitutes for a portion of the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) content. The dosage of MS was varied from 5% to 15% for OPC-MK-MS blends, and the dosage of NS was varied from 0.5% to 1.5% for OPC-MK-NS blends. Incorporation of these pozzolans accelerated the hardening process and reduced the flowability, consistency, and setting time of the cement paste. In addition, it produced a denser matrix, improving the strength of the concrete matrix, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The use of MS enhanced the strength by 10.37%, and the utilization of NS increased the strength by 11.48% at 28 days. It also reduced the penetrability of the matrix with a maximum reduction in the water absorption (35.82%) and improved the resistance to the sulfate attack for specimens containing 1% NS in the presence of 10% MK. Based on these results, NS in the presence of MK can be used to obtain cementitious structures with the enhanced strength and durability.

A State-of-the-Art Review on Structural Strengthening Techniques with FRPs: Effectiveness, Shortcomings, and Future Research Directions.

In the pursuit of creating more sustainable and resilient structures, the exploration of construction materials and strengthening methodologies is imperative. Traditional methods of relying on steel for strengthening proved to be uneconomical and unsustainable, prompting the investigation of innovative composites. Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs), known for their lightweight and high-strength properties, gained prominence among structural engineers in the 1980s. This period saw the development of novel approaches, such as near-surface mounted and externally bonded reinforcement, for strengthening of concrete structures using FRPs. In recent decades, additional methods, including surface curvilinearization and external prestressing, have been discovered, demonstrating significant additional benefits. While these techniques have shown the enhanced performance, their full potential remains untapped. This article presents a comprehensive review of current approaches employed in the fortification of reinforced cement concrete structures using FRPs. It concludes by identifying key areas that warrant in-depth research to establish a sustainable methodology for structural strengthening, positioning FRPs as an effective replacement for conventional retrofitting materials. This review aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on modern structural strengthening strategies, highlight the properties of FRPs, and propose avenues for future research in this dynamic field.

Enhanced fresh and hardened properties of foamed concrete modified with nano-silica.

Nowadays, the application of nanotechnology has gained increased attention in the concrete technology field. Several applications of concrete require light weight; one such concrete used is foamed concrete (FC), which has more voids in the microstructure. In this study, nano-silica (NS) was utilized, which exhibits a pozzolanic nature, and it reacts with other pozzolanic compositions (like lime, alumina, etc.) to form hydrated compounds in concrete. Apart from these hydrated compounds, NS acts as a filler material and enhances properties of concrete such as the fresh and hardened properties. This research examines the fresh, hardened, and microstructural properties of FC blended with NS. The ratio of binder and filler used in this research is 1:1.5, with a water-to-binder ratio of 0.45 and a density of 880 kg/m3. A total of six different weight fractions of NS were added to FC mixes, namely 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. Properties assessed for FC blended with NS were the slump, bulk density, strength parameters (flexural, splitting tensile, and compressive strengths), morphological analysis, water absorption, and porosity. It was concluded from this study that the optimum NS utilized to improve the properties was 3%. Apart from this, the relationship between the mechanical properties and NS dosages was developed. The correlations between the compressive strength and other properties were analyzed, and relationships were developed based on the best statistical approach. This study helps academicians, researchers, and industrialists enhance the properties of FC blended with NS and their relationships to predict concrete properties from other properties.

Effects of eccentric loading on performance of concrete columns reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer bars.

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcements are superior to traditional steel bars in concrete structures, particularly in vertical elements like columns, and offer significant advantages over conventional steel bars when subjected to axial and eccentric loadings. However, there is limited experimental and numerical research on the behavior of GFRP-reinforced concrete (RC) columns under eccentric loading having different spacing of stirrups. In this study, six specimens were cast under three different values of eccentricities (25 mm, 50 mm, and 75 mm) with two groups of stirrups spacing (50 mm and 100 mm). The experimental results showed that by increasing the eccentricity value, there was a reduction in the load-carrying capacity of the specimens. The finite element ABAQUS software was used for the numerical investigation of this study. The results from the finite element analysis (FEA) were close to the experimental results and within the acceptable range. The maximum difference between the experimental and FEA results was 3.61% for the axial load and 12.06% for the deformation.

Structural retrofitting of RC slabs using bamboo fibre laminate: Flexural performance and crack patterns.

Enhancing the durability of structural elements is a viable approach to promote sustainability in civil engineering. Research has shown that well-maintained slabs outperform degraded ones, which deteriorate rapidly due to insufficient upkeep. The occurrence of cracking and deformation in slabs subjected to sustained loads significantly impacts their functionality. However, the implementation of appropriate retrofitting techniques utilizing locally available materials can effectively minimize deflection and crack propagation while also improving flexural capacity. This particular study aimed to evaluate the flexural performance of slabs that were retrofitted using bamboo fibre laminate (BFL). Also, the study investigated two alternative replacement methods alongside the conventional mix; one involved replacing all fine aggregates with ceramic fine aggregate and the other involved a complete replacement of coarse aggregates with ceramic coarse aggregate. These mixes were represented in both the retrofitted and non-retrofitted samples. The retrofitting process included using the combined external bonding and near surface-mounted method. Twelve slab samples were made, with six being non-retrofitted and the other six retrofitted with BFL. Each of the samples had dimensions of 300 mm × 300 mm × 50 mm for reinforced concrete (RC) slabs. The slabs were tested employing the three point-bending system, and the retrofitted slabs with the conventional mix exhibited the highest ultimate failure load and flexural strength (62.1 kN), which compared to the non-retrofitted slabs of the same mix was a 60.76% increase. Additionally, the study did a thorough analysis of the presence of flexural and diagonal shear cracks, as well as the occurrence of debonding between BFL and the slabs. Non-destructive tests were also conducted on the slab samples to further confirm accurate results. These findings offer helpful insights into the development and application of a sustainable retrofitting material that can remarkably improve RC slabs.

Dietary Diabetes Risk Reduction Score (DDRRS) and Breast Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study in Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Given the role of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance in tumor initiation, we hypothesized that following a diet that reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes could also reduce the risk of breast cancer. Herein, we conducted a case-control study to investigate the association between dietary diabetes risk reduction score and breast cancer risk in Iranian women. METHOD: We recruited 136 newly diagnosed cases and 272 age-matched hospitalized controls from referral hospitals. A valid and reliable 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect the data on dietary intake. We used Multivariate Logistic regression to assess the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of breast cancer by the dietary diabetes risk reduction score tertiles. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding variables, no association was seen between dietary diabetes risk reduction score and breast cancer risk (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.37-1.14). However, after stratification by menopausal status, a decreased risk was observed between adherence to dietary diabetes risk reduction score and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal individuals (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19-0.99). CONCLUSION: The present study states that there is no significant relationship between the dietary diabetes risk reduction score and the risk of breast cancer. However, adherence to dietary diabetes risk reduction score could have a preventive role for breast cancer among postmenopausal women.

Performance Prediction of Hybrid Bamboo-Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Gene Expression Programming for Sustainable Construction.

The building and construction industry's demand for steel reinforcement bars has increased with the rapid growth and development in the world. However, steel production contributes to harmful waste and emissions that cause environmental pollution and climate change-related problems. In light of sustainable construction practices, bamboo, a readily accessible and eco-friendly building material, is suggested as a viable replacement for steel rebars. Its cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and considerable tensile strength make it a promising option. In this research, hybrid beams underwent analysis through the use of thoroughly validated finite element models (FEMs), wherein the replacement of steel rebars with bamboo was explored as an alternative reinforcement material. The standard-size beams were subjected to three-point loading using FEMs to study parameters such as the load-deflection response, energy absorption, maximum capacity, and failure patterns. Then, gene expression programming was integrated to aid in developing a more straightforward equation for predicting the flexural strength of bamboo-reinforced concrete beams. The results of this study support the conclusion that the replacement of a portion of flexural steel with bamboo in reinforced concrete beams does not have a detrimental impact on the overall load-bearing capacity and energy absorption of the structure. Furthermore, it may offer a cost-effective and feasible alternative.

Graphene-Based Strain Sensing of Cementitious Composites with Natural and Recycled Sands.

Structural health monitoring is crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of civil infrastructures. Traditional monitoring methods involve installing sensors across large regions, which can be costly and ineffective due to the sensors damage and poor compliance with structural members. This study involves systematically varying the graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) concentration and analyzing the strength performance and piezoresistive behavior of the resulting composites. Two different composites having natural and recycled sands with varying percentages of GNPs as 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% were prepared. Dispersion of GNPs was performed in superplasticizer and then ultrasonication was employed by using an ultrasonicator. The four-probe method was utilized to establish the piezoresistive behavior. The results revealed that the compressive strength of mortar cubes with natural sand was increased up to a GNP content of 6%, beyond which it started to decline. In contrast, specimens with recycled sand showed a continuous decrease in the compressive strength. Furthermore, the electrical resistance stability was observed at 4% for both natural and recycled sands specimens, exhibiting linearity between the frictional change in the resistivity and compressive strain values. It can be concluded from this study that the use of self-sensing sustainable cementitious composites could pave their way in civil infrastructures.

The association between skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and survival after gastrectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: Low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) is frequently identified in gastric cancer patients but its association with patient survival rate is not clear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between SMI and overall survival in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from database inception until July 2021. Studies were eligible if they included gastric cancer patients, measured the SMI level, reported SMI before gastrectomy, defined sarcopenia according to SMI, and had a cohort or case-control design. Primary outcome was cancer survival rate. The risk of bias of individual studies was assessed using the Newcastle - Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Overall, 22 cohort studies including 7,203 participants were included. The quality of the included studies was moderate to high. A higher overall survival rate was associated with a higher SMI (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.42-1.85). Subgroup analysis suggested a stronger association in overweight or obese patients (RR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.13-5.09; I2 = 77%; heterogeneity P < 0.01). But no significant differences in the association based on the surgery type (curative surgery vs radical surgery) or the type of gastrectomy (total gastrectomy vs sub-total gastrectomy) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that SMI can be a prognostic indicator for overall survival in gastric cancer patients, especially in overweight and obese patients.

Dietary iron and the risk of lung cancer.

Animal models have suggested the carcinogenic effect of iron due to its oxidative potential. The lung is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. However, epidemiological studies investigating the association between dietary iron and the risk of lung cancer have reported inconclusive results. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to clarify this association. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google scholar for eligible articles published through May 2023 reporting the Relative Risk (RR), Hazard Ratio (HR) or Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Case-control and cohort studies that examined the relationship between dietary iron and lung cancer risk were included and review and meta-analyses articles, experimental studies, abstracts, letters to editor and studies with insufficient data were excluded. Finally, three case-control studies and 6 cohort studies were included. Random effect models were used to calculate the pooled results. Results: Nine studies (cases n=21,943, participants n=1,542,993) were included. There were no significant associations between the highest dietary total iron (heme and non-heme) (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.51) or heme iron (RR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.38) intake compared to the lowest intake with lung cancer risk. Null-associations were also observed in the subgroup analysis based on smoking status and lung cancer histology. However, in the subgroup of women (cases n=5074), heme iron was associated with a 14% increase in the risk of lung cancer (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.29). Conclusions: The current results demonstrated that there is no significant relationship between dietary iron intake and the risk of lung cancer. However, a positive association was observed between dietary heme iron and the risk of lung cancer in women, which may require further investigation.

The Effect of Neurofeedback Training on Executive Control Network of Attention and Dart-Throwing Performance in Individuals with Trait Anxiety.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of neurofeedback training on the executive control network of attention and dart-throwing skill performance in individuals with trait anxiety. Twenty girls (24.65 [Formula: see text] 2.83 years) participated in this study. They were divided into neurofeedback and control training groups. All participants practiced 14 sessions. The neurofeedback group performed neurofeedback training (increasing SMR wave, decreasing theta, and increasing alpha) and dart-throwing exercise, and the control group only completed the dart-throwing exercise. The post-test, including Attentional Networks Test (ANT) and dart-throwing, was conducted 48 h after the last training session. The results revealed a significant difference in the performance of the executive control network and dart-throwing skill between the neurofeedback and the control training group. In general, these findings support the effect of neurofeedback training on the neural mechanisms of the executive control network of attention, and performance in dart-throwing skill improves by improving attentional performance processes.

Structural Performance of Infilled Steel-Concrete Composite Thin-Walled Columns Combined with FRP and CFRP: A Comprehensive Review.

Fiber addition enhances the composite action between the steel tube and concrete core, increasing the strength of the concrete core. To better understand how fiber-reinforced infilled steel-concrete composite thin-walled columns (SCTWCs) behave, multiple investigations have been conducted using both experimental and analytical methods. This article provides a comprehensive review of SCTWCs' confinement approaches using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). In this research, the behavior and formation of FRP and CFRP wrappings of the SCTWCs are reviewed and discussed. The ability of the FRP to serve as a confining material and reinforcement for the columns has increased its use in columns applications. The FRP can be applied to reinforce the structures from the exterior. By applying the CFRP strips, the columns' load-carrying capacity is improved up to 30% when compared with their corresponding un-strengthened columns. External bonding of the CFRP strips efficiently creates external confinement pressure, prevents local buckling of the steel tubes, and enhances the load-carrying capacity of the SCTWCs. The primary goal is to facilitate a clear understanding of the SCTWCs. This article helps structural researchers and engineers better understand the behavior of the SCTWCs that include the FRP and CFRP composites as external reinforcement. Future research directions are also suggested, which utilize previous research works.

Assessment of Convolutional Neural Network Pre-Trained Models for Detection and Orientation of Cracks.

Failure due to cracks is a major structural safety issue for engineering constructions. Human examination is the most common method for detecting crack failure, although it is subjective and time-consuming. Inspection of civil engineering structures must include crack detection and categorization as a key component of the process. Images can automatically be classified using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), a subtype of deep learning (DL). For image categorization, a variety of pre-trained CNN architectures are available. This study assesses seven pre-trained neural networks, including GoogLeNet, MobileNet-V2, Inception-V3, ResNet18, ResNet50, ResNet101, and ShuffleNet, for crack detection and categorization. Images are classified as diagonal crack (DC), horizontal crack (HC), uncracked (UC), and vertical crack (VC). Each architecture is trained with 32,000 images equally divided among each class. A total of 100 images from each category are used to test the trained models, and the results are compared. Inception-V3 outperforms all the other models with accuracies of 96%, 94%, 92%, and 96% for DC, HC, UC, and VC classifications, respectively. ResNet101 has the longest training time at 171 min, while ResNet18 has the lowest at 32 min. This research allows the best CNN architecture for automatic detection and orientation of cracks to be selected, based on the accuracy and time taken for the training of the model.

The association between dietary acid load and odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A case-control study.

Background: Data on the association between dietary acid load and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are scarce and controversial. Aim: This study aimed to assess the association between dietary acid-base loads and odds of NAFLD. Methods: In the current study, 196 cases of NAFLD (proven by a gastroenterologist using Fibroscan) and 803 age-matched controls were enrolled from the same clinic. Dietary intakes of patients with NAFLD and controls without hepatic steatosis were evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Dietary acid load was estimated using the validated potential renal acid load (PRAL) algorithm. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds of NAFLD across quintiles of PRAL. Results: The mean ± SD age of the study population (43% male) was 43.28 ± 14.02 years. The mean ± SD of PRAL was -1.90 ± 7.12 for all participants. After adjustment for all known confounders, subjects in the third quintile of PRAL (nearly with neutral PRAL) had a 54% lower odds of NAFLD compared with those in the lowest quintiles of the PRAL [(OR: 0.46; 95%CI: 0.24-0.89), (P = 0.021)]. However, the odds of NAFLD in the highest quintiles of PRAL was not different in comparison to the lowest quintiles (OR: 0.90; 95%CI: 0.41-1.57). Conclusion: In conclusion, our results have shown a modest U shaped relationship between PRAL and NAFLD. Further studies with acid-base biomarkers are needed to confirm the role of dietary acid load in the development of NAFLD and its potential mechanisms.

Dietary insulin indices and low-carbohydrate diet and the odds of colorectal cancer: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Regarding the role of insulin and insulin-inducing dietary factors in some cancers' etiology, we hypothesized that the risk of colorectal cancer may be lessened by following a lower carbohydrate and insulinogenic diet. Therefore, we performed this study to explore the association between a low-carbohydrate diet and insulin indices and the odds of colorectal cancer. METHOD: This hospital-based case-control study was conducted on 150 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients and 300 healthy age- and sex-matched hospitalized controls. A valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate the insulin indices and low-carbohydrate diet score. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the association between insulin indices and low-carbohydrate diet and the odds of colorectal cancer. RESULT: After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals in the highest tertile of insulin indices had a higher risk of colorectal cancer (ORinsulin index = 3.46; 95% CI, 2.00-5.96; ORinsulin load = 2; 95% CI, 1.17-3.41). No association was found between a low-carbohydrate diet and colorectal cancer (OR = 1.55; 95% CI, 0.85-2.84). CONCLUSION: Current results demonstrated that a high insulinemic diet was associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Enhancing Sustainability of Corroded RC Structures: Estimating Steel-to-Concrete Bond Strength with ANN and SVM Algorithms.

The bond strength between concrete and corroded steel reinforcement bar is one of the main responsible factors that affect the ultimate load-carrying capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Therefore, the prediction of accurate bond strength has become an important parameter for the safety measurements of RC structures. However, the analytical models are not enough to estimate the bond strength, as they are built using various assumptions and limited datasets. The machine learning (ML) techniques named artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) have been used to estimate the bond strength between concrete and corroded steel reinforcement bar. The considered input parameters in this research are the surface area of the specimen, concrete cover, type of reinforcement bars, yield strength of reinforcement bars, concrete compressive strength, diameter of reinforcement bars, bond length, water/cement ratio, and corrosion level of reinforcement bars. These parameters were used to build the ANN and SVM models. The reliability of the developed ANN and SVM models have been compared with twenty analytical models. Moreover, the analyzed results revealed that the precision and efficiency of the ANN and SVM models are higher compared with the analytical models. The radar plot and Taylor diagrams have also been utilized to show the graphical representation of the best-fitted model. The proposed ANN model has the best precision and reliability compared with the SVM model, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99, mean absolute error of 1.091 MPa, and root mean square error of 1.495 MPa. Researchers and designers can apply the developed ANN model to precisely estimate the steel-to-concrete bond strength.

Healthy Dietary Pattern Reduces Risk of Gallstones: Results of a Case-Control Study in Iran.

Background: Nutrition-related factors have been of great interest as one of risk factors of biliary stones. This study evaluated the association of dietary patterns with biliary stone among Iranians. Methods: This is a hospital-based case-control study, which was conducted in a general hospital in Tehran, Iran. A total of 110 patients with gallstone or common bile duct (CBD) stone confirmed by Ultrasonography within the last 6 months before collecting data were recruited. Controls were age-matched patients admitted to the other wards of the same hospital for a broad spectrum of disorders including traumas and orthopedic conditions, or elective surgeries, or throat/ear/nose disease and had no gallbladder disorders, participated in this study. We used a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intakes of participants. Dietary patterns were determined by factor analysis. Results: By design, age was similar in both groups (57.66 ± 16.39 years vs. 56.00 ± 10.64 years in cases and controls, respectively). Two dietary patterns were extracted; "Unhealthy" (high consumption of artificial juice, processed meats, refined grains, sweets and desserts, pickles, snacks, and red meats), and "Healthy" (high consumption of vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, and nuts, as well as low consumption of hydrogenated fats and salt). Participants in the highest tertile of "Healthy" dietary pattern were significantly less likely to have the gallstones disease (OR: 0.33, 95% CI = 0.120.89) compared to the reference group (low tertile of "Healthy" dietary pattern) (P = 0.02). Conclusions: High consumption of vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, and nuts, as well as low consumption of hydrogenated fats and salt in context of healthy dietary pattern are inversely associated with risk of gallstones.

The association of dietary insulin load and index with the risk of cancer and cancer mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Insulin levels play an important role in cancer development. However, the link between an insulinogenic diet and cancer is still unclear. Therefore, we performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to investigate the association between dietary insulin index (II) and load (IL) with cancer risk and mortality. Methods: A comprehensive search between electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar) was conducted to identify relevant studies up to January 2022. The relative risks (RR) and Odds ratios (OR) were extracted from eligible studies, and meta-analysis was performed to calculate the pooled effect size. Result: 12 papers including 14 studies (10 cohorts and 4 case-control) were included for the meta-analysis. Among them, 10 studies reported effect size for the risk of cancer, and 4 studies reported effect size for cancer mortality. We observed no significant association between II and IL with cancer overall (RRII: 1.03, 95%CI: 0.91-1.17, RRIL: 1.16, 95%CI: 0.94-1.42) and in cohort studies, however, in case-control studies was related with higher odds of cancer (ORII: 2.30, 95%CI: 1.21-4.38, ORIL: 2.57, 95%CI: 1.64-4.02). Higher II and IL scores were associated with the increased risk of total (RRII: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.02-1.63) and (RRIL: 1.39, 95%CI: 1.06-1.83) and colorectal cancer mortality (RRII: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.13-1.48) and (RRIL: 1.37, 95%CI: 1.18-1.60). Conclusion: Higher dietary II and IL were not associated with cancer risk in overall and cohort studies, whereas related with a higher risk of cancer in case-control studies. We observed a significant positive relation of II and IL with cancer mortality, especially CRC mortality. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-022-01013-3.