Association of Three Novel Inflammatory Markers: Lymphocyte to HDL-C Ratio, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein to HDL-C Ratio and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein to Lymphocyte Ratio With Metabolic Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the association of three novel inflammatory indicators with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) cohort participants. METHODS: According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, the cohort participants were divided into the MetS(+) and MetS(-) groups. The lymphocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (LHR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to HDL-C ratio (HCHR) and hs-CRP to lymphocyte ratio (HCLR) were calculated and were compared between the groups. Binary logistic regression (LR) analysis was performed to find the association of the indices with the presence of MetS among men and women. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to establish cut-off values in predicting MetS for men and women. p-Values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Among a total of 8890 participants (5500 MetS(-) and 3390 MetS(+)), LHR, HCHR and HCLR were significantly higher in the MetS(+) group than in MetS(-) group (p < 0.001). In LR analysis, after adjusting for multiple cofounders, LHR remained an independent factor for the presence of MetS among men (OR: 1.254; 95% CI: 1.202-1.308; p < 0.001) and women (OR: 1.393; 95% CI: 1.340-1.448; p < 0.001). HCHR also remained an independent factor for the presence of MetS only in women (OR: 1.058; 95% CI: 1.043-1.073; p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that LHR had the higher AUC for predicting MetS in both men (AUC: 0.627; 95% CI: 0.611-0.643; p < 0.001) and women (AUC: 0.683; 95% CI: 0.670, 0.696; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This suggests that among both genders, the LHR as an inexpensive and easy-to-access marker has a better diagnostic performance and could be a promising alternative to the traditional expensive inflammatory markers such as hs-CRP for the evaluation of inflammation in patients with MetS.

Factors associated with prolonged QTc interval in Iranian population: MASHAD cohort study.

AIM: QTc interval prolongation is a growing global issue which can cause torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia. We aimed to identify risk factors for prolonged QT interval in men and women. METHODS: The Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) cohort study collected electrocardiogram interval data. QT was corrected for heart rate using the Bazett's formula. Ordinal logistic regression with crude (univariable) and adjusted (multivariate) association analyses in the form of odds ratio and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to identify the factors associated with QTc prolongation. RESULTS: A total of 8878 individuals including 5318 females and 3560 males, aged 35 to 65 years, were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants with QTc prolongation were more likely to be older and have hypercholesterolemia, hypertension (HTN), and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but to have lower levels of physical activity (P < 0.05). Age (OR = 1.68, 95%CI = 1.18-2.39), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.77, 95%CI = 1.24-2.51), HTN (OR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.06-1.73), T2DM (OR = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.19-2.13), severe anxiety (OR = 1.80, 95%CI = 1.05-3.11) and mild depression (OR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.01-1.88) were independent risk factors for prolonged QTc interval in men. For women, only HTN (OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.02-1.63) and T2DM (OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.14-1.97) were independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, Hypercholesterolemia, HTN, T2DM, severe anxiety and mild depression in men, and HTN and T2DM in women were associated with high risk of prolonged QTc interval. Healthcare practitioners should be aware of the risk factors of QTc interval prolongation and should exercise caution in the management of certain patients.

Association of a genetic variant in angiopoietin-like 3 with serum HDL-C and risk of cardiovascular disease: A study of the MASHAD cohort over 6 years.

BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function (LOF) variants of the angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) gene are reported to be associated with serum triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and thereby affect the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we examined the association of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL 3 gene locus and the risk of CVD in the group of people who were part of the Mashhad-Stroke and Heart-Atherosclerotic-Disorders (MASHAD) cohort. METHODS: One thousand and two healthy individuals enrolled in this study of whom 849 subjects were healthy and 153 subjects developed CVD outcomes after 6 years of follow-up. After a 12-h overnight fasting, 20 mL of blood samples were collected for the measurement of fasting blood glucose and lipid profile. DNA was extracted, and the Tetra-ARMS PCR (amplification refractory mutation system) was used for genotyping of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL3 gene. The genotype frequencies of the variant of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL3 gene were estimated using χ2 tests. Eventually, the statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Individuals with AC/CC genotypes (rs10789117) were found to have to greater risk of CVD events compared to AA genotype (OR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.01-2.02, p = 0.041). There was a 1.3-fold increase in cardiovascular events in individuals carrying the C allele of rs10789117 variant compared to non-carriers (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.06-1.72, p value = 0.038). There were significant differences between different genotypes for serum triglyceride levels within the control group, but this difference was not significant in the group with CVD. Moreover, there was a significant association between CC genotype and CVD risk in the individuals with a normal serum HDL-C. CONCLUSION: We have found that a rs10789117 C>A in ANGPTL3 gene polymorphism was associated with incident CVD events, and this may be of value as a risk stratification biomarker in CVD in the Iranian population.

Adherence to the nordic diet is associated with anxiety, stress, and depression in recovered COVID-19 patients, a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up of COVID-19 recovered patients to discover important adverse effects on other organs is required. The psychological health of COVID-19 patients may be affected after recovery. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to the Nordic diet (ND) and psychological symptoms caused by COVID-19 after recovery. METHOD: Dietary data on 246 qualified adults (123 cases and 123 controls). The dietary intake in this case-control study was calculated by a reliable and valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to analyze participant's anxiety, stress, depression, sleep quality, insomnia, and quality of life of participants. RESULTS: There was a significant inverse relationship between total anxiety, stress, and depression scores and the intake of whole grains (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant inverse association between depression and fruit intake (P < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between insomnia and sleep quality and the intake of root vegetables (P < 0.05). In the multinomial-regression model, a significant association between the Nordic diet and anxiety, stress, and depression was found only in the case group (OR = 0.719, 95% CI 0.563-0.918, p-value = 0.008; OR = 0.755, 95% CI 0.609-0.934, P-value = 0.010, and, OR = 0.759, 95% CI 0.602-0.956, P-value = 0.019 respectively). CONCLUSION: Adherence to the Nordic diet might reduce anxiety, stress, and depression in recovered COVID-19 patients.

Dietary mineral intakes predict Coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence and hospitalization in older adults.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the association between dietary mineral intake and Coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and its associated hospitalization. METHODS: This cohort study utilized the MASHAD study population, which comprised individuals aged 35-65. Upon recruitment in 2007, dietary intake was documented using a validated 65-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Data on COVID-19 PCR test results was collected from all relevant medical centers in Mashhad between February 2020 and June 2022. The regression model included dietary minerals and employed the backward variable selection method, along with advanced data analysis techniques. RESULTS: The final analysis involved 1957 participants, including 193 COVID-19-positive patients. The mean age was 49.71 and 50.28 years in the COVID-19-positive and negative groups, respectively (p = 0.12). Dietary intakes of magnesium, iron, and potassium were notably lower in COVID-19-positive patients (P < 0.05). Following adjustments for age and sex, dietary iron remained significantly associated with COVID-19 incidence (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90-0.98). Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was observed between dietary zinc and hospitalization due to COVID-19 (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51-0.93). In dynamical system models, intakes of calcium, zinc, and iron below the cut-offs of 1138, 9.7, and 8.17 mg/day, respectively, were linked to an increased risk of COVID-19 incidence. CONCLUSION: Higher dietary iron and zinc intake are associated with decreased risk of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, respectively.

Association between Genetic Variants Linked to Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Inflammatory Markers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Premature menopause (PM) is the cessation of ovarian function before age 40. PM women are more likely to have cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and mental disorders. This is the first study that assessed the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with anti-heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs- CRP), and PM and serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), as putative risk factors for CVDs. We aimed to explore the association of oxidative stress markers with eight different SNPs shown to be related to premature menopause. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional research, we included 183 healthy women and 117 premature menopausal women. We determined baseline characteristics for all participants and measured serum hs-CRP, anti-HSP-27 antibody titer, and PAB levels using the established methods. Genotyping for eight SNPs was done using the tetra amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (Tetra-ARMS PCR) and allele-specific oligonucleotide PCR (ASO-PCR) methods. RESULTS: We found a significant difference between mean serum PAB levels and the genetic variant of rs16991615 (P=0.03). ANCOVA showed a significant effect of the genotypes rs4806660 and rs10183486 on hs-CRP serum levels in the case and control groups, respectively (P=0.04 and P=0.007). ANCOVA also showed an association between rs244715 genotypes and anti-hsp27 serum levels in the case group (P=0.02). There was a significant effect of the genotypes of rs451417 on the serum hs-CRP level in the control group (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: There was a significant association of the genetic variants related to PM with oxidative stress and inflammatory markers (serum PAB, anti-hsp27 antibody, and hs-CRP). Accordingly, this seems to be an effective approach to predicting susceptible subjects for cardiovascular and mental disorders as well as various cancers.

Essential dataset features in a successful obesity registry: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity and the diversity of available treatments makes the development of a national obesity registry desirable. To do this, it is essential to design a minimal dataset to meet the needs of a registry. This review aims to identify the essential elements of a successful obesity registry. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis recommendations. Google Scholar, Scopus and PubMed databases and Google sites were searched to identify articles containing obesity or overweight registries or datasets of obesity. We included English articles up to January 2023. RESULTS: A total of 82 articles were identified. Data collection of all registries was carried out via a web-based system. According to the included datasets, the important features were as follows: demographics, anthropometrics, medical history, lifestyle assessment, nutritional assessment, weight history, clinical information, medication history, family medical history, prenatal history, quality-of-life assessment and eating disorders. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the essential features in the obesity registry dataset were demographics, anthropometrics, medical history, lifestyle assessment, nutritional assessment, weight history and clinical analysis items.

Micronutrients intake and genetic variants associated with premature ovarian insufficiency; MASHAD cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is defined as the menopause before 40 years of age, and its prevalence is reported to be two-fold higher in Iranian women than the average for woman globally. POI is associated with several cardio/cerebrovascular complications as well as an increased overall mortality. Genetic factors, and serum levels of minerals and vitamin D, have been reported to be related to the prevalence of POI. We have investigated the association between some POI -related genotypes with the serum levels of some important micronutrients. METHODS: One hundred and seventeen women with POI and 183 controls without any renal, hepatic, and thyroid abnormalities were recruited as part of the MASHAD study. Demographic and anthropometric features were recorded and blood samples were collected and processed. DNA was extracted from the buffy coat of blood samples from all participants and 8 POI-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined using ASO-PCR or Tetra ARMS-PCR. Serum minerals and vitamin D concentrations were measured using routine methods. RESULTS: In women with POI, serum copper, phosphate, and calcium were significantly different for those with rs244715, rs16991615, and rs4806660 genotypes, respectively. In our control population, significant differences were also found in serum copper concentrations between different genotypes of rs4806660, rs7246479, rs1046089, and rs2303369. After adjusting for all confounding factors, the women with POI carrying TC genotype (rs4806660) had a lower risk to have serum copper levels < 80 (µg/dL) than those carrying a TT genotype. Furthermore, women with POI carrying GG genotype (rs244715) had a 6-fold higher risk to have serum copper levels > 155 than those carrying AA genotype. CONCLUSION: The C and G alleles of the rs4806660 and rs244715 polymorphisms respectively are independently associated with serum copper in women with POI. Further studies are necessary to investigate the association of serum copper and other micronutrients in women and other POI -related polymorphisms.

The association between lifelines diet score (LLDS) with depression and quality of life in Iranian adolescent girls.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that a greater degree of adherence to a healthy dietary pattern is associated with a lower risk of depression and a poor quality of life (QoL). The Lifelines diet score (LLDS) is a new, evidence-base scoring system to define the quality of diet. We designed a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between LLDS with depression and QoL in Iranian adolescent girls. METHODS: A total of 733 female adolescents were recruited from Mashhad and Sabzevar cities, Iran. Depression and QoL were assessed utilizing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and SF-12v2 questionnaires, respectively. The LLDS was defined by dividing intakes of 12 food groups with negative or positive health effects into quintiles ranging 12 to 60 points. To explore the association between LLDS with QoL and depression, logistic regression was used in crude and adjusted models. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression and poor QoL was 24% and 49%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, adolescent girls in the highest quartile of LLDS compared with the participants in the lowest quartile had a 42% lower probability of reporting depressive symptoms (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35-0.97, P = 0.03). In addition, the participants in the highest quartile of LLDS had lower odds of poor QoL compared with the subjects in the lowest quartile (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.42-0.92, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: There is an inverse relationship between LLDS with risk of depression and poor QoL. Prospective and interventional investigations are needed to reach a clear vision.

Insulinemic potential of lifestyle is associated with depression and anxiety in adults: A large community-based study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the association between an empirical lifestyle index for hyperinsulinemia (ELIH), empirical lifestyle index for insulin resistance (ELIR), and depression and anxiety in an adult Iranian population. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 6450 participants, aged 35-65 years were recruited as part of the MASHAD cohort study. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Depression and anxiety were screened using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). ELIH and ELIR were calculated using dietary intake, body mass index, and physical activity information. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models were applied to determine the association between ELIH, ELIR, and depression and anxiety severity. RESULTS: In a fully adjusted model, participants with the highest ELIH quartile had a higher odds of more severe depression and anxiety compared to those in the lowest category (OR = 1.44; 95 % CI = 1.22-1.71 and OR = 1.62; 95 % CI = 1.37-1.25, respectively). Participants with the highest ELIR had higher odds of more severe depression and anxiety compared to those in the lowest category (OR = 1.22; 95 % CI = 1.04-1.43 and OR = 1.21; 95 % CI = 1.03-1.42, respectively). LIMITATIONS: The assessment of dietary intake and mental health by questionnaires may increases the rate of misclassification. Due to the study's cross-sectional nature, causal relationships cannot be established. CONCLUSION: There was a significant positive association between the hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance potential of lifestyle and severity of depression and anxiety among Iranian adults.

Prediction of cardiovascular disease risk by serum zinc and copper concentrations and anthropometric measurements.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and various anthropometric indices, as well as the serum levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), copper-zinc ratio (Cu/Zn ratio) and zinc-copper ratio (Zn/Cu ratio), in a large population sample from northeastern Iranian. METHOD: 9704 individuals aged 35 to 65 were enrolled in the first phase of the study. After a 10-year follow-up, 7560 participants were enrolled into the second phase. The variables used in this study included demographic characteristics, such as gender and age; biochemical parameters including: serum Zn, Cu, Cu/Zn ratio, and Zn/Cu ratio; anthropometric parameters including: waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The relationship between the aforementioned indices and CVD was examined using decision tree (DT) and logistic regression (LR) models. RESULTS: A total of 837 individuals were diagnosed with CVD among the 7560 participants. LR analysis showed that BMI, age, WH zinc-copper ratio (Zn/Cu ratio), and serum Zn/Cu ratio were significantly associated the development of CVD in men, and WHR, age, BMI, serum Cu, and Cu/Zn ratio in women. DT analysis showed that, age was the most important predictor of CVD in both genders. 71% of women, older than 49 years, with a WHR≥ 0.89, serum Cu< 75 (µg/dl), BMI≥ 22.93 (kg/m2), and serum Cu≥ 14 (µg/dl), had the highest risk of CVD. In men, among those who were ≥ 53 years, with a WHR≥ 0.98, serum Zn/Cu ratio< 1.69, and BMI≥ 22.30, had the highest risk of CVD. CONCLUSION: Among Iranian adult population, BMI, age, and WHR were one of the predictors of CVD for both genders. The Zn/Cu ratio was CVD predictor for men while Cu/Zn ratio was CVD predictor for women.

Association of T-wave electrocardiogram changes and type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional sub-analysis of the MASHAD cohort population using the Minnesota coding system.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has become a major health concern with an increasing prevalence and is now one of the leading attributable causes of death globally. T2DM and cardiovascular disease are strongly associated and T2DM is an important independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease. T-wave abnormalities (TWA) on electrocardiogram (ECG) can indicate several pathologies including ischemia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between T2DM and T-wave changes using the Minnesota coding system. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the MASHAD cohort study population. All participants of the cohort population were enrolled in the study. 12-lead ECG and Minnesota coding system (codes 5-1 to 5-4) were utilized for T-wave observation and interpretation. Regression models were used for the final evaluation with a level of significance being considered at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 9035 participants aged 35-65 years old were included in the study, of whom 1273 were diabetic. The prevalence of code 5-2, 5-3, major and minor TWA were significantly higher in diabetics (p < 0.05). However, following adjustment for age, gender, and hypertension, the presence of TWAs was not significantly associated with T2DM (p > 0.05). Hypertension, age, and body mass index were significantly associated with T2DM (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although some T-wave abnormalities were more frequent in diabetics, they were not statistically associated with the presence of T2DM in our study.

Microbiome as a biomarker and therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.

Studying the effects of the microbiome on the development of different types of cancer has recently received increasing research attention. In this context, the microbial content of organs of the gastrointestinal tract has been proposed to play a potential role in the development of pancreatic cancer (PC). Proposed mechanisms for the pathogenesis of PC include persistent inflammation caused by microbiota leading to an impairment of antitumor immune surveillance and altered cellular processes in the tumor microenvironment. The limited available diagnostic markers that can currently be used for screening suggest the importance of microbial composition as a non-invasive biomarker that can be used in clinical settings. Samples including saliva, stool, and blood can be analyzed by 16 s rRNA sequencing to determine the relative abundance of specific bacteria. Studies have shown the potentially beneficial effects of prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotics, fecal microbial transplantation, and bacteriophage therapy in altering microbial diversity, and subsequently improving treatment outcomes. In this review, we summarize the potential impact of the microbiome in the pathogenesis of PC, and the role these microorganisms might play as biomarkers in the diagnosis and determining the prognosis of patients. We also discuss novel treatment methods being used to minimize or prevent the progression of dysbiosis by modulating the microbial composition. Emerging evidence is supportive of applying these findings to improve current therapeutic strategies employed in the treatment of PC.

The association between hyperuricemia and insulin resistance surrogates, dietary- and lifestyle insulin resistance indices in an Iranian population: MASHAD cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported insulin resistance (IR) to be associated with hyperuricemia. In this study, we aimed to assess the possible associations between the empirical dietary index for IR (EDIR), the empirical lifestyle index for IR (ELIR), and non-insulin-based surrogates (triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, triglyceride-to-high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) and TyG with body mass index (TyG-BMI)) and hyperuricemia in an Iranian population. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 6457 participants aged 35-65 years were recruited as part of the MASHAD cohort study. EDIR and ELIR were calculated using dietary intakes, body mass index, and physical activity information. Insulin resistance surrogates including TyG, TyG-BMI, TG/HDL-C, and METS-IR were calculated for all participants. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid ≥ 7 mg/dl in men or ≥ 6 mg/dl in women. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to determine the association between indexes of IR and hyperuricemia. RESULTS: The mean ELIR and IR surrogates (TyG, TyG-BMI, TG/ HDL, and METS-IR) were significantly higher in subjects with hyperuricemia compared to non-hyperuricemic subjects (p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding variables, the association between hyperuricemia and EDIR was not significant, but ELIR had a significant association in all models (p < 0.001). All four IR surrogates (TyG, TyG-BMI, TG/ HDL, and METS-IR) showed a significant association with hyperuricemia (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a significant association between indexes of insulin resistance: TyG, TyG-BMI, TG/HDL-c, METS-IR, and ELIR with hyperuricemia, in a population sample from northeastern Iran.

Predicting the 10-year incidence of dyslipidemia based on novel anthropometric indices, using data mining.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to establish a 10-year dyslipidemia incidence model, investigating novel anthropometric indices using exploratory regression and data mining. METHODS: This data mining study was conducted on people who were diagnosed with dyslipidemia in phase 2 (n = 1097) of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study, who were compared with healthy people in this phase (n = 679). The association of dyslipidemia with several novel anthropometric indices including Conicity Index (C-Index), Body Roundness Index (BRI), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), Weight-Adjusted-Waist Index (WWI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Adiposity Index (BAI) and Body Surface Area (BSA) was evaluated. Logistic Regression (LR) and Decision Tree (DT) analysis were utilized to evaluate the association. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of DT were assessed through the performance of a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve using R software. RESULTS: A total of 1776 subjects without dyslipidemia during phase 1 were followed up in phase 2 and enrolled into the current study. The AUC of models A and B were 0.69 and 0.63 among subjects with dyslipidemia, respectively. VAI has been identified as a significant predictor of dyslipidemias (OR: 2.81, (95% CI: 2.07, 3.81)) in all models. Moreover, the DT showed that VAI followed by BMI and LAP were the most critical variables in predicting dyslipidemia incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, model A had an acceptable performance for predicting 10 years of dyslipidemia incidence. Furthermore, the VAI, BMI, and LAP were the principal anthropometric factors for predicting dyslipidemia incidence by LR and DT models.

Photodynamic Therapy as a Desirable Approach in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer, with Special Focus on Photodynamic Nanotherapeutics in Immunotherapy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide; however, there is not a convincing treatment for this disease. Limitations of conventional CRC therapies force scientists to develop novel treatment concepts for both primary care alongside adjuvant therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been introduced as a promising therapeutic procedure for CRC mediated through theranostic principle in which special dyes, photosensitizers (PSs), are excited by near-infrared (NIR) and visible light. Recent studies showed that PDT has synergistic effects in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy in the treatment of CRC patients. Of note, nanoformulation of PS or immunotherapeutic agents could augment the PDT effectiveness. In this review, we summarize PDT application in CRC management with a special focus on the nanoparticles-based delivery system from the perspective of targeting deeper CRC and increased PDT efficiency, which could provide a desirable approach for clinical translation.

Dietary nitrate intake and association with markers of cardiometabolic risk in Iranian female adolescents.

Dietary nitrates are thought to confer several cardiometabolic health benefits, including improvements in blood pressure and the plasma lipid profile. However, existing data from Iran is conflicting and there is a dearth of literature focusing on non-adult populations. A total of 988 adolescent girls were recruited from schools in different areas of Mashhad and Sabzevar, Iran. Dietary nitrate intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and participants were categorized into quartiles based on this. Differences in participant characteristics between quartiles were assessed using one-way ANOVA and associations between total nitrate intake, nitrate intake from vegetables and cardiometabolic risk markers (blood lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were assessed using linear regression. Nitrate intake from vegetables was positively correlated with triglycerides, even after adjusting for several variables (ß = 0.086, 95% CI = 0.002-0.097; P = 0.043). Total nitrate intake was also significantly positively associated with serum triglycerides (ß = 0.097, 95% CI = 0.010-0.084; P = 0.012); however, this relationship disappeared after adjusting for several variables. Significant interaction effects were observed between total nitrate intake, nitrate intake from vegetables, and vitamin C upon triglycerides (P < 0.01). No significant relationships were found between total nitrate intake, nitrate intake from vegetables, and other cardiometabolic risk markers. Our findings suggest there may be neutral or possibly detrimental cardiovascular effects of dietary nitrate and/or vitamin C intake which are not in agreement with contemporary literature and warrant further investigation.

White blood cell and platelet distribution widths are associated with hypertension: data mining approaches.

In this paper, we are going to investigate the association between Hypertension (HTN) and routine hematologic indices in a cohort of Iranian adults. The data were obtained from a total population of 9704 who were aged 35-65 years, a prospective study was designed. The association between hematologic factors and HTN was assessed using logistic regression (LR) analysis and a decision tree (DT) algorithm. A total of 9704 complete datasets were analyzed in this cohort study (N = 3070 with HTN [female 62.47% and male 37.52%], N = 6634 without HTN [female 58.90% and male 41.09%]). Several variables were significantly different between the two groups, including age, smoking status, BMI, diabetes millitus, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), uric acid, FBS, total cholesterol, HGB, LYM, WBC, PDW, RDW, RBC, sex, PLT, MCV, SBP, DBP, BUN, and HCT (P < 0.05). For unit odds ratio (OR) interpretation, females are more likely to have HTN (OR = 1.837, 95% CI = (1.620, 2.081)). Among the analyzed variables, age and WBC had the most significant associations with HTN OR = 1.087, 95% CI = (1.081, 1.094) and OR = 1.096, 95% CI = (1.061, 1.133), respectively (P-value < 0.05). In the DT model, age, followed by WBC, sex, and PDW, has the most significant impact on the HTN risk. Ninety-eight percent of patients had HTN in the subgroup with older age (≥58), high PDW (≥17.3), and low RDW (<46). Finally, we found that elevated WBC and PDW are the most associated factor with the severity of HTN in the Mashhad general population as well as female gender and older age.

The prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic impact of Long noncoding RNAs in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC), ranking as the third deadliest cancer globally, faces challenges of late diagnosis and limited treatment efficacy. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) emerge as valuable treasured targets for cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and therapy, given their high specificity, convenient non-invasive detection in body fluids, and crucial roles in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Research indicates the significant involvement of lncRNAs in various aspects of GC pathogenesis, including initiation, metastasis, and recurrence, underscoring their potential as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets for GC. Despite existing challenges in the clinical application of lncRNAs in GC, the evolving landscape of lncRNA molecular biology holds promise for advancing the survival and treatment outcomes of gastric cancer patients. This review provides insights into recent studies on lncRNAs in gastric cancer, elucidating their molecular mechanisms and exploring the potential clinical applications in GC.

The relationship between anthropometric indices and the presence of hypertension in an Iranian population sample using data mining algorithms.

Hypertension (HTN) is a common chronic condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Anthropometric indices of adiposity are known to be associated with a risk of HTN. The aim of this study was to identify the anthropometric indices that best associate with HTN in an Iranian population. 9704 individuals aged 35-65 years were recruited as part of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study. Demographic and anthropometric data of all participants were recorded. HTN was defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg, and/ or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg on two subsequent measurements, or being treated with oral drug therapy for BP. Data mining methods including Logistic Regression (LR), Decision Tree (DT), and Bootstrap Forest (BF) were applied. Of 9704 participants, 3070 had HTN, and 6634 were normotensive. LR showed that body roundness index (BRI), body mass index (BMI) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were significantly associated with HTN in both genders (P < 0.0001). BRI showed the greatest association with HTN (OR = 1.276, 95%CI = (1.224, 1.330)). For BMI we had OR = 1.063, 95%CI = (1.047, 1.080), for VAI we had OR = 1.029, 95%CI = (1.020, 1.038). An age < 47 years and BRI < 4.04 was associated with a 90% probability of being normotensive. The BF indicated that age, sex and BRI had the most important role in HTN. In summary, among anthropometric indices the most powerful indicator for discriminating hypertensive from normotensive patients was BRI.