Search

Background: Prevalence of metabolic disorders has been increased in recent years around the world. The relationship between Mediterranean diet (MD) with metabolic health status and serum adropin levels has been less examined in Iranian adults. We investigated the association between MD compliance with metabolic health status and adropin hormone in Iranian adults. Methods: This observational study was conducted on 527 men and women. Food intakes were evaluated by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were measured. Fasting blood samples were drawn to measure serum adropin concentrations, blood glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high sensitive C-reactive protein and insulin. Metabolic unhealthy (MU) status was defined as having ≥ 2 cardio-metabolic risk factors. Results: After adjustments for potential confounders, subjects in highest versus lowest tertile of MD had 52% lower odds of MU status (OR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.23–0.97). Stratified analysis revealed a significant association in normal-weight participants (OR = 0.12; 95%CI: 0.02–0.64), but not in those with overweight/obesity (OR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.27–1.57). By excluding each component of MD, the association disappeared, except for three components (vegetables, nuts and grains). MD adherence was not significantly related to serum adropin levels in multivariable-adjusted model (unstandardized B= -0.19, 95%CI: -4.97, 4.59; P = 0.94). Serum adropin hormone levels were also not substantially different among metabolic healthy versus unhealthy subjects (P = 0.66). Conclusions: This cross-sectional study showed an inverse association between adherence to MD and odds of MU status, especially in subjects with normal-weight. Serum adropin concentrations were not associated with MD adherence or metabolic health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to probed whether using supplementary readings (short stories containing idioms) increase conceptual fluency of L2 learners. In line with the goal of the study, first, the researcher selected a sample of 30 female lower-intermediate L2 learners from Sadr Private Language Centre in Isfahan. She selected them based on their scores (75 or higher) in the previous term final exam. The researcher divided them into two groups. Then, she held a pre-test containing 30 multiple choice questions and registered their scores out of 30. Questions were mainly taken from the exercises of the book "Can You Believe It?" Next, she taught idioms to both groups 15 minutes each session and for thirty sessions, but provided only the experimental group with supplementary readings taken from the mentioned book. After that, she held a post-test containing 30 multiple choice questions and again registered their scores. Questions were taken again from book exercises with a higher level of difficulty comparing to the pre-test. Finally, the researcher compared the results obtained from groups' mean scores, frequency of obtained scores, and t-test on pre-test and post-test. The results of the study showed that the experimental group accomplished far better than the control group on the post-test. It also showed that the experimental group development in terms of conceptual fluency was meaningful and reliable. Therefore, it can be concluded that using supplementary readings has positive effect on developing conceptual fluency of L2 learners.

Introduction: Metabolic disturbances are of major health concerns in the world. In addition to their high prevalence, these disorders have substantial roles in developing other physical and mental diseases. Diet could have a considerable influence on managing the progression of these conditions and their consequent health-related effects. The aim of the 'Diet in relation to Metabolic, sleep and psychological health Status' Project is to explore the association of nutrition with metabolic, sleep and mental health, considering potential mediators including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and adropin., Methods and Analysis: This cross-sectional study will be conducted on adults (20-65 years) working in schools of Isfahan, Iran. A multistage cluster random sampling method will be used to select participants. Anthropometric, body composition and biochemical values including fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, insulin, BDNF, adropin, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, uric acid, creatinine and C reactive protein will be measured for each participant. National Cholesterol Education Program and Adult Treatment Panel III will be considered to define metabolic syndrome. Diet will be assessed through a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Furthermore, sleep status, mental health, quality of life, physical activity and demographic status of individuals will be assessed by validated questionnaires. The collected data will be analysed using appropriate statistical methods., Ethics and Dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the local Ethics Committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. All participants will provide written informed consent. Dissemination will be through conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)