Rural residency has a protective effect and marriage is a risk factor for NAFLD

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Although many previous studies have evaluated the potential risk factors of NAFLD, few studies have determined the effect of residency or marriage status on NAFLD. Objectives: We aim to evaluate whether residency and marriage status increased the risk factors for NAFLD. Materials and Methods: We utilized data from 5,052 participants, 18 years and older, from a cohort study conducted using 6,140 participants in northern Iran. The population was divided into 16 subgroups according to sexandage; the age groupshadan interval of 10 years. We randomly selected the subjects from each subgroup in proportion to the size of each subpopulation group. Logistic regression analyses were conducted on NAFLD as an outcome of marriage status, residency (rural vs. urban), and other potential risk factors. Results: We found that NAFLD had an inverse association with rural living in men (OR = 0.513, 0.422 - 0.622, P value < 0.001) and women (OR = 0.431, 0.345 - 0.539, P value < 0.001). Furthermore, we determined that NAFLD had a direct association with marriage status for men (OR = 2.770, 2.004 - 3.831, P value < 0.001) and women (OR = 1.241, 1.033 - 1.490, P value = 0.0209). Conclusions: While rural living has a protective effect on NAFLD, marriage may be a potential risk factor for this condition. © 2016, Kowsar Corp

A posteriori error analysis and adaptive non-intrusive numerical schemes for systems of random conservation laws

In this article we consider one-dimensional random systems of hyperbolic conservation laws. We first establish existence and uniqueness of random entropy admissible solutions for initial value problems of conservation laws which involve random initial data and random flux functions. Based on these results we present an a posteriori error analysis for a numerical approximation of the random entropy admissible solution. For the stochastic discretization, we consider a non-intrusive approach, the Stochastic Collocation method. The spatio-temporal discretization relies on the Runge--Kutta Discontinuous Galerkin method. We derive the a posteriori estimator using continuous reconstructions of the discrete solution. Combined with the relative entropy stability framework this yields computable error bounds for the entire space-stochastic discretization error. The estimator admits a splitting into a stochastic and a deterministic (space-time) part, allowing for a novel residual-based space-stochastic adaptive mesh refinement algorithm. We conclude with various numerical examples investigating the scaling properties of the residuals and illustrating the efficiency of the proposed adaptive algorithm

Body roundness index and waist-to-height ratio are strongly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A population-based study

Background: A strong association between obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been reported. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate if new obesity indices, including a body shape index (ABSI) and body roundness index (BRI), have stronger associations with NAFLD than waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we utilized the data of 4,872 participants aged 18 74 years from a cohort study conducted among 6,143 subjects in northern Iran. Logistic regression analysis was performed on NAFLD as the outcome and obesity measures (based on Z-score values) as potential predictors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted, in which NAFLD was considered as a reference variable and obesity measures as classification variables. The discriminatory ability of the obesity measures was reported based on area-under-the-curves, and the related cut-off points of BRI and WHtR were determined using the Youden index (YI). Results: Based on our results, BRI (OR = 5.484 for men and OR = 3.482 for women) and WHtR (OR = 5.309 for men and OR = 3.854 for women) showed a higher association with NAFLD than ABSI (OR = 1.363 for men and OR = 1.003 for women) and WHR (OR = 3.123 for men and OR = 1.628 for women). The optimal cut-off points for BRI were 4.00 (sensitivity = 82.7, specificity = 70.8) for men and 5.00 (sensitivity = 83.3, specificity = 71.7) for women. The optimal cut-off points for WHtR were 0.533 (sensitivity = 82.7, specificity = 70.8) for men and 0.580 (sensitivity = 83.3, specificity = 71.7) for women. Conclusions: While BRI and WHtR have equally strong associations with NAFLD, ABSI and WHR have weaker associations with NAFLD than BRI and WHtR. � 2016, Kowsar Corp

Association of food allergies, cow�s milk allergy, and asthma with pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

There are controversies on the association of childhood allergic diseases with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The aim of this study was to examine the association between food allergy, cow�s milk allergy (CMA), and asthma with pediatric IBD in Iranian population. This case-control study was conducted on 200 individuals less than 18-year-old (100 with IBD and 100 as control group). Medical records, clinical presentation, and laboratory and para-clinical findings related to food allergy, CMA, and asthma were reviewed for all participants in both groups and were recorded. Among 100 children with IBD, 40 had Crohn's disease, and 60 had ulcerative colitis. The frequency of food allergy, cow's milk allergy, and asthma in children with IBD was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001). Asthma in children with Crohn's disease was significantly more prevalent than children with ulcerative colitis (P=0.008). Food allergy (OR: 22.1, 95 CI: 5.1-95.05, P<0.001), CMA (OR: 15, 95 CI: 3-67, P<0.001), and asthma (OR: 10, 95 CI: 3-37.05, P<0.001) were significantly associated with increased risk of IBD in children. Food allergy, CMA in infancy and asthma are more prevalent in children with different subtypes of IBD. The diagnosis of these risk factors is associated with increased risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. © 2018 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Essential oil analysis and antibacterial activity of Ferula assa-foetida L. aerial parts from Neishabour mountains

Abstract Background and objectives: Ferula assa-foetida (asafoetida) is a native Iranian species which grows in different regions and climates in Iran. The plant is well known in Iranian Traditional Medicine as well as folk medicine for treatment of diseases. Several studies have been carried out on the essential oil of this species collected from different areas of Iran. This study is the first report about the essential oil of the plant collected from Neishabour mountains that is a potent area for growing this valuable plant species. Methods: Essential oil of the aerial part of Ferula assa-foetida which was collected from Neishabour, Iran, was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the essential oil was investigated against both Grampositive (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia) bacteria using microdilution method. Results: Twenty three components representing 97.06% of the total oil were identified. (E)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (53.77%), (Z)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (35.6%) and α-pinene (3.4%) were identified as major components. The MIC of the essential oil ranged from 12-24 mg/mL against all tested bacteria. Conclusion: The results indicated that among various compounds identified in the essential oil of F. assa-foetida L. from Neishabour mountains, disulphide compounds were the major constituents of the oil. In comparison to other reports of this plant around the country, disulphide compounds could be the reason of its moderate antibacterial effect

Association of food allergies, cow�s milk allergy, and asthma with pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

There are controversies on the association of childhood allergic diseases with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The aim of this study was to examine the association between food allergy, cow�s milk allergy (CMA), and asthma with pediatric IBD in Iranian population. This case-control study was conducted on 200 individuals less than 18-year-old (100 with IBD and 100 as control group). Medical records, clinical presentation, and laboratory and para-clinical findings related to food allergy, CMA, and asthma were reviewed for all participants in both groups and were recorded. Among 100 children with IBD, 40 had Crohn's disease, and 60 had ulcerative colitis. The frequency of food allergy, cow's milk allergy, and asthma in children with IBD was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001). Asthma in children with Crohn's disease was significantly more prevalent than children with ulcerative colitis (P=0.008). Food allergy (OR: 22.1, 95 CI: 5.1-95.05, P<0.001), CMA (OR: 15, 95 CI: 3-67, P<0.001), and asthma (OR: 10, 95 CI: 3-37.05, P<0.001) were significantly associated with increased risk of IBD in children. Food allergy, CMA in infancy and asthma are more prevalent in children with different subtypes of IBD. The diagnosis of these risk factors is associated with increased risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. © 2018 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Fatty liver index vs waist circumference for predicting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM: To determine the discriminatory performance of fatty liver index (FLI) for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: The data of 5052 subjects aged over 18 years were analyzed. FLI was calculated from body mass index, waist circumference (WC), triglyceride, and gamma glutamyl transferase data. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between FLI and NAFLD. The discriminatory performance of FLI in the diagnosis of NAFLD was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Area under the curves (AUCs) and related confidence intervals were estimated. Optimal cutoff points of FLI in the diagnosis of NAFLD were determined based on the maximum values of Youden's index. RESULTS: The mean age of men and women in the study population were 44.8 ± 16.8 and 43.78 ± 15.43, respectively (P = 0.0216). The prevalence of NAFLD was 40.1 in men and 44.2 in women (P < 0.0017). FLI was strongly associated with NAFLD, so that even a one unit increase in FLI increased the chance of developing NAFLD by 5.8 (OR = 1.058, 95CI: 1.054-1.063, P < 0.0001). Although FLI showed good performance in the diagnosis of NAFLD (AUC = 0.8656 (95CI: 0.8548-0.8764), there was no significant difference with regards to WC (AUC = 0.8533, 95CI: 0.8419-0.8646). The performance of FLI was not significantly different between men (AUC = 0.8648, 95CI: 0.8505-0.8791) and women (AUC = 0.8682, 95CI: 0.8513-0.8851). The highest performance with regards to age was related to the 18-39 age group (AUC = 0.8930, 95CI: 0.8766-0.9093). The optimal cutoff points of FLI were 46.9 in men (sensitivity = 0.8242, specificity = 0.7687, Youden's index = 0.5929) and 53.8 in women (sensitivity = 0.8233, specificity = 0.7655, Youden's index = 0.5888). CONCLUSION: Although FLI had acceptable discriminatory power in the diagnosis of NAFLD, WC was a simpler and more accessible index with a similar performance. © 2016 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved

The incidence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A cohort study from Iran

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition with a global prevalence of 24. A broad spectrum of liver complications has been attributed to this condition. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the incidence of NAFLD and its potential risk factors in a seven-year follow-up study in Iran. Methods: This is a prospective cohort population-based study conducted in the northern region of Iran. In phase I of the cohort study, 2,461 participants were selected, between 2009 and 2010, using the stratified randomization method based on the sex and age of individuals. Ultrasonographic examination was performed again after a seven-year follow-up between 2016 and 2017. The multiple binary regression analysis was applied to evaluate the association between the development of NAFLD and potential risk factors. Results: The incidence of NAFLD was 27.88 (95 CI: 25.41-30.35) in men and 30.17 (95 CI: 27.40-32.94) in women (P = 0.226) in a seven-year follow-up period. Based on the multiple binary logistic regression analysis, body mass index (BMI) OR = 1.219 (95% CI: 1.162-1.278) P < 0.001, triglyceride (TG) OR = 1.003 (95% CI: 1.001-1.005); P = 0.005 and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) OR = 0.986 (95% CI: 0.972-0.999); P = 0.046 showed a significant association with the incidence of NAFLD in men. In contrast, the marital status OR = 2.141 (95% CI: 1.286-3.565); P = 0.003, BMI OR = 1.165 (95% CI: 1.121-1.211); P < 0.001 and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) OR = 1.164 (95% CI: 1.041-1.301); P = 0.007 had a significant relationship with the incidence of NAFLD in women. Conclusions: It seems that NAFLD is markedly rising in the northern part of Iran. Higher levels of BMI, TG, and HDL are considered independent risk factors for the development of NAFLD in men, while the marital status, BMI, and HOMA-IR exhibited independent risk factors with the incidence of NAFLD in women. © 2020, Author(s)

Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C virus infection in Amol city, north of Iran: A population-Based study (2008-2011)

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease and related problems in the world.There are few population-based studies on the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C infection in Iran, which could not provide enough information. Moreover, the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C infection are not similar in all parts of Iran. Objectives: The aim of this survey was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HCV infection in the general population of the city of Amol, north of Iran. Patients and Methods: This was a population-based study. Using a cluster sampling approach, 6145 individuals of both genders and different ages were involved from general population of urban and rural areas of Amol, The inclusion criteria were Iranian nationality, willing to participate in the study, and lifelong residence in Amol city and surrounding areas. Anti-hepatitis C antibody was measured by a third generation of ELISA. The positive results were confirmed by Recombinant Immuno Blot Assay (RIBA) and quantitative HCV-RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Potential risk factors of HCV transmission were recorded. Results: The mean age of participants was 42.70 ± 17.10 years. Of these participants, 57.2 (n = 3483) were male. Anti-HCV antibody was positive in 12 individuals from which five were RIBA positive. Three of these subjects were PCR positive. The prevalence of HCV was more predominant among males than females. The common risk factors among the study subjects included history of minor or major surgery (34.7), unsterile punctures (21.2), history of traditional phlebotomy (5.8), and history of hepatitis among close relatives (5.7). In univariate regression analysis, unsterile punctures and history of infection in family members were associated with HCV infection. Conclusions: We confirm that in Amol city and surrounding areas, the prevalence of true HCV infection is 0.05, which is lower than that previously reported from Iran. © 2013, Kowsar Corp.; Published by Kowsar Corp

Association of screen time and physical activity with health-related quality of life in Iranian children and adolescents 11 Medical and Health Sciences 1117 Public Health and Health Services

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a multidimensional concept with significant effects and children and adolescence; while physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) have been suggested as its probable predictors. Present study aims to investigate the association of PA, ST and their combination, with HRQoL in a nationally-representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents. Methods: As for the estimated sample size, 25,000 students aged 6-18 years were selected via multi-stage cluster sampling from 30 provinces of Iran. Sociodemographic data was obtained by using the questionnaire of the World Health Organization-Global school based student health survey (GSHS). Persian Pediatric Quality of Life inventory (PedsQL) and Physical Activity Questionnaire for the pediatric age group (PAQ-A) were applied for evaluating HRQoL and PA, respectively. PA scores 1-1.9 and 2-5 were respectively considered as low and high PA. The average duration of time spent on watching TV and leisure time computer use were considered as ST behaviors. ST of less than 2 h was considered low. Results: Out of 25,000 invited individuals, 23,043 students (mean age: 12.5) completed the study (response rate: 92.17). In linear regression models, ST duration had significant inverse association with total QoL (β:-0.49, p < 0.05). PA showed positive significant associations with HRQoL total score (β: 1.8, p < 0.05). Joint association of PA and ST revealed the strongest association of "high PA-low ST" category with total HRQoL (β: 2.2, p < 0.05); while "high PA-high ST" showed better total HRQoL score (β: 1.3) compared to "low PA-low ST" subgroup. Conclusion: Both PA and ST are significantly and independently associated with HRQoL in Iranian children and adolescents; while the adverse effect of prolonged ST could be diminished by a high PA. © 2019 The Author(s)