Search

Cadmium is one of the most harmful heavy metals that harm agricultural products. Evaluating microRNAs expression is a new and accurate method to study plant response in various environmental conditions. So this study aimed to evaluate the contribution of two symbiotic fungi in improving flax tolerance in a Cd-polluted soil using microRNAs and their target gene expression. A factorial pot experiment in a completely randomized design was conducted with different levels of Cd (0, 20, and 40 mg kg -1 ) on non-inoculated and inoculated flax with Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Serendipita indica . The results presented that increasing Cd levels caused a constant decline of alkaline phosphatase of soil (from 243 to 210 and 153 μg PNP g -1 h -1 ), respectively, from control (Cd0) to 20 and 40 mg Cd kg -1 . However, the inoculation of flax with fungi significantly enhanced these properties. A negative correlation was observed between the expression level of microRNA 167 and microRNA 398 with their corresponding target genes, auxin response factor 8 and superoxide dismutase zinc/copper 1, respectively. The expression level of both microRNAs and their targets indicated that the inoculation with symbiont fungi could diminish Cd stress and enhance the growth of flax.

Purpose: When examining the underlying processes of obesity, evaluation of gut flora and energy homeostasis can be crucial since disruption of the normal gut microbiota community and energy imbalances are significant factors in the development of obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the relative abundance of important obesity modulator gut microbiota (including Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Bifidobactrium spp. , Lactobacillus spp. , Bacteroides fragilis , Faecalibacterium prausnitzii , Akkermansia muciniphila , and Escherichia coli ) in fecal samples of normometabilic and hypometabolic overweight/obese individuals., Methods: This matched case-control study conducted on 36 healthy women aged 18-50 years old. An indirect calorimeter and impedance body analyzer were used to assess resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition, respectively. Dietary intake and physical activity were assessed using questionnaires. To determine the abundance of the abovementioned gut microbiota, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method was performed. Moreover, ELISA kits were used to assess leptin, ghrelin, and insulin hormones., Results: The results highlighted higher load of Firmicutes ( p  = 0.02), F. prausnitzii ( p  < 0.001), and B. fragilis ( p  = 0.02) in the normometabolic individuals compared to the hypometabolic ones. Besides, the positive correlation between the abundance of Firmicutes (β = 7.76 × 10 -1 , p  = 0.01), F. prausnitzii (β = 1.29 × 10 -5 , p  = 0.01), and B. fragilis (β = 4.13 × 10 -6 , p  = 0.04) with the RMR have been shown. Whereas the abundance of Bacteroidetes, A. muciniphila , Lactobacillus spp. , Bifidobactrium spp. , and E. coli showed no significant difference ( p  > 0.05) and no significant correlation with the RMR except Lactobacillus spp. (β = 1.73 × 10 -4 , p  = 0.01)., Conclusion: It seems that gut microbiota can be a potential target for refining host energy homeostasis and treating obesity and its consequences., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Background: Pay for performance (P4P) schemes provide financial incentives or facilities to health workers based on the achievement of predetermined performance goals. Various P4P programs have been implemented around the world. There is a question of which model is suitable for p4p implementation to achieve better results. The purpose of this study is to compare pay for performance models in different countries., Methods: This is a descriptive-comparative study comparing the P4P model in selected countries in 2022. Data for each country are collected from reliable databases and are tabulated to compare their payment models. the standard framework of the P4P model is used for data analysis., Results: we used the standard P4P model framework to compare pay for performance programs in the primary care sector of selected countries because this framework can demonstrate all the necessary features of payment programs, including performance domains and measures, basis for reward or penalty, nature of the reward or penalty, and data reporting. The results of this study show that although the principles of P4P are almost similar in the selected countries, the biggest difference is in the definition of performance domains and measures., Conclusions: Designing an effective P4P program is very complex, and its success depends on a variety of factors, from the socioeconomic and cultural context and the healthcare goals of governments to the personal characteristics of the healthcare provider. considering these factors and the general framework of the features of P4P programs are critical to the success of the p4p design and implementation., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Mental health and obesity have a bilateral relationship with each other. No study has been done on the association between mental health and the ENRF9.3 index so far. Therefore, for the first time, the present study investigated the relationship between the ENRF9.3 index and mental health in overweight and obese women., Methods: In the current cross-sectional study, 124 overweight and obese women were selected. Food intakes in the last year were collected with 147 items semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Then, the ENRF9.3 index score was calculated for all individuals. Mental health was assessed with 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) questionnaire., Results: In the present study, the total DASS score was marginally significant (P = 0.05), however, after the adjustment, it became insignificant (P > 0.05). After adjusting confounders stress also became significant (P = 0.04). No significant relationship was observed between depression and anxiety, even after adjustment (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: The present study showed that a nutritious diet is not associated with overall mental health score, among subgroups of the DASS total score. The relationship was seen only for the stress subgroup., Level of Evidence: Level III: Evidence obtained from cohort or case-control analytic studies., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Objective: Obesity is related to increasing leptin and some inflammatory factors that are associated with low-grade inflammation. Moreover, several studies have shown Caveolin-1 (CAV1) genetic variations may be associated with dietary intake. The current study aimed to evaluate the interaction of CAV1 rs3807992 with types of the energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (EDII) in leptin, leptin resistance, and Galectin 3, as inflammatory factors., Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 363 overweight and obese females. Dietary intake and DII were obtained from a 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The CAV-1 genotype was measured using the PCR-RFLP method. Anthropometric values and serum levels of leptin and Galectin 3 were measured by standard methods., Results: Increased adherence to EDII in the interaction with CAV1 genotypes led to an increase in leptin level 79.15 (mg/l) (β = 79.15, CI = - 1.23,163.94, P = 0.04) in model 3, after controlling for further potential confounders. By contrast, adherence to EDII in the interaction with the genotype including risk alleles showed no significant interaction, even after adjustment in model 3 (β = 0.55, CI = - 0.99, 2.09, P = 0.48). Although, a marginal positive significant interaction was found between EDII and CAV1 genotypes on Galectin 3, after adjustment in model 3 (β = 31.35, CI = 0.13, 77.13, P = 0.05)., Conclusions: The present study indicates that a high adherence of EDII and CAV1 genotypes containing risk alleles may be a prognostic factor and increase both leptin and Galectin3. However, it seems that the presence of interaction was not on leptin resistance. Further functional studies are necessary to elucidate the exact mechanism., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Diet is one of the most important factors influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The negative relationship between carbohydrate intake with lipid profiles and body weight has been previously investigated. However, this is the first study seeking to assess the association of carbohydrate quality index (CQI) with CVD risk factors., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 291 Iranian overweight and obese women, with a body mass index (BMI) ranging between 25 and 40 kg/m 2 , and aged 18-48 years. CQI scores were calculated by using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Biochemical and anthropometric measures were assessed using standard methods, and bioelectrical impedance was used to measure body composition., Results: We observed that fruits ( P < 0.001), vegetables ( P < 0.001), and protein ( P = 0.002) intake were higher in participants with a higher score of the CQI. When we adjusted for potential confounders, we observed that the CQI was negatively related to systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β = -6.10; 95% CI = -10.11, -2.10; P = 0.003) and DBP (β = -3.11; 95% CI = -6.15, -0.08; P = 0.04). Also, greater adherence to a high CQI dietary pattern, compared to the reference group, was negatively related to HOMA-IR (β = -0.53; 95% CI = -0.94, -0.12) (P for trend = 0.01), WC (β = -3.18; 95% CI = -6.26, -0.10) ( P for trend = 0.04), BMI (β = -1.21; 95% CI = -2.50, 0.07) ( P for trend = 0.06), and BF (β = -2.06; 95% CI = -3.82, -0.30) ( P for trend = 0.02)., Conclusion: In line with previous studies, the CQI was inversely associated with blood pressure, WC, BMI, and BF. Further prospective and clinical trial studies are suggested to confirm these data., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Khosravinia, Shiraseb, Mirzababaei, Daneshzad, Jamili, Clark and Mirzaei.)

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. Based on recent studies, one of the factors that can have detrimental effects on CVD is the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The current study investigated the relationship between UPF intake and cardiometabolic risk factors among Iranian women., Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 391 women aged 18-65 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m 2 . Dietary intake was assessed using a 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric and biochemistry parameters were also collected. UPFs were identified using the NOVA classification., Results: In the present study, women had a mean (standard deviation) age of 36.67 (9.10) years and the mean BMI of 31.26 (4.29) kg/m 2 . According to our findings, there was a significant association between UPF consumption and transforming growth factor (TGF) (β: 0.101, 95% CI: 0.023, 0.180, p = 0.012), atherogenic coefficient (AC) (β: 0.011, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.032, p = 0.034), visceral fat level (VFL) (β: 0.006, 95% CI: -0.017, 0.029, p = 0.076), and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (β: -3.775, 95%CI: 0.001, 0.001, p = 0.042)., Conclusion: In conclusion, an increase in consumption of one gram of UPFs is associated with an increase in TGF, AC, and VFL but with a decrease in QUICKI. Despite this, further experimental studies are necessary to draw a more definite conclusion and disentangle the mechanisms by which UPFs may affect health., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Hosseininasab, Shiraseb, Noori, Jamili, Mazaheri-Eftekhar, Dehghan, da Silva, Bressan and Mirzaei.)

Background: Unhealthy dietary patterns are the most important modifiable risk factors for obesity and overweight. This study aimed to examine the relationship between Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) and resting metabolic rate (RMR), mediated by inflammatory factors, in overweight and obese women., Methods: A total of 404 women, aged 18-48 years, were included in the cross-sectional study. DPI was calculated using the 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric measurements, RMR, and blood biomarkers were assessed using standard protocols., Results: There was marginally significant association between adherence to DPI and RMR status in the crude model (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 0.94-2.11, P = 0.09). After adjusting for potential confounders, a significant association was seen between the DPI and increase RMR.per.kg (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 0.98-7.82, P = 0.05). Our results indicated that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), transforming growth factor (TGF-β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) had a mediatory effect on the association between RMR and DPI (P > 0.05). Indeed, it was shown that, PAI-1, TGF-β, and MCP-1 destroyed the significance of this association and could be considered as mediating markers. However, no mediating effect was observed for high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP)., Conclusions: Adherence to DPI can improve the RMR by reducing levels of inflammatory markers, and may be considered as a treatment for obesity. However, more long-term studies are recommended., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: The spread of COVID-19 as an infectious disease brings about many newly arrived challenges, which call for further research on the scope of its effect on life due to the special conditions of this disease. The present study is, therefore, an attempt to understand the lived experience of inpatients hospitalized with COVID-19., Method: In this phenomenological study, among patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in COVID-19 referral hospitals, 17 people were selected by random sampling method. Data were gathered by interviews and analysed using MAXQDA10 software., Findings: Analysis revealed 4 main themes and 16 subthemes. Main themes included the (1) denial of the disease, (2) negative emotions upon arrival, (3) perception of social and psychological supports and (4) post-discharge concerns and problems., Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 experience a different world of stresses, concerns and feelings in the course of their disease. Gaining a deeper insight into patients' experiences with this disease can help handle this disease more effectively and provide better post-corona nursing and psychological care and services., (© 2021 The Authors. Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)