The relationship between ultra processed food consumption and premature coronary artery disease: Iran premature coronary artery disease study (IPAD)

BackgroundUltra-processed foods (UPF) consumption may affect the risk of PCAD through affecting cardio metabolic risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the association between UPFs consumption and premature coronary artery disease (PCAD).MethodsA case–control study was conducted on 2,354 Iranian adults (≥ 19 years). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 110-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and foods were classified based on the NOVA system, which groups all foods according to the nature, extent and purposes of the industrial processes they undergo. PCAD was defined as having an stenosis of at least single coronary artery equal and above 75% or left main coronary of equal or more than 50% in women less than 70 and men less than 60 years, determined by angiography. The odds of PCAD across the tertiles of UPFs consumption were assessed by binary logistic regression.ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders, participants in the top tertile of UPFs were twice as likely to have PCAD compared with those in the bottom tertile (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.97–3.23). Moreover, those in the highest tertile of the UPFs consumption had more than two times higher risk for having severe PCAD than those in the first tertile (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 2.16–3.22). In addition, there was a significant upward trend in PCAD risk and PCAD severity as tertiles increased (P-trend < 0.001 for all models).ConclusionHigher consumption of UPFs was related to increased risk of PCAD and higher chance of having severe PCAD in Iranian adults. Although, future cohort studies are needed to confirm the results of this study, these findings indicated the necessity of reducing UPFs intake

Serum Uric Acid Levels and Its Association with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

"nBackground: Although the issue of hyperuricemia as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been disputed, sev­eral studies have shown an association between hyperuricemia and   several CVD risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess distribution of uric acid level in Yazd City, center of Iran, and its association with CVD risk factors."nMethods: From autumn 2004 to summer 2005, 2000 urban population of Yazd City, aging 20-74 years via clustering ran­dom sampling were enrolled in this cross sectional study."nResults: Serum uric acid level, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and waist/hip ratio were signifi­cantly higher in men than in women  (P< 0.001),moreover,  total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher in women (P< 0.001). The prevalence of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in men and women was (17.9%, 11.25% P= 0.001) and (11.87%, 19.32% P= 0.01), respectively. Hyperuricemia was more preva­lent in metabolic syndrome and ischemic heart disease independent of age and sex."nConclusion: Significant correlations were found between serum uric acid and several components of the metabolic syn­drome. Weight, waist circumstance, triglyceride level and DBP, were the major determinants of the variations in serum uric acid levels .This could be attributed to the insulin resistance status

Genesis of the Eastern Iranian bentonite deposits

Numerous bentonite deposits are located in Southern Khorasan (Eastern Iran), especially in Ferdows and Sarayan counties. We studied the genesis of these bentonites at seven deposits (Chah-Taleb, Chah-Keshmir, Chah-Golestan, Chah-Pirouz, Gholeh-Gelia, Kharman-Sar and Khal-Kooh) using petrological, mineralogical and geochemical data (including X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) from both bentonites and parent rock samples. The deposits mainly consist of Na-montmorillonite and opaline silica, with lesser amounts of quartz, feldspars, carbonates, halite, zeolites, and illite. The studied deposits formed in a volcanic arc setting and their magma series are calc-alkaline, except for the Kharman-Sar deposit, which is tholeiitic in composition. The presence of significant amounts of opaline silica indicates a low fluid flow rate in these systems, in spite of the high leaching of alkalis. The strata-bound nature of the studied deposits, as well as the high amount of montmorillonite, the presence of gypsum layers alternating with those of bentonite and the lack of hydrothermal alteration suggest that these Iranian bentonite deposits were formed through diagenetic processes in lagoon environments, by means of the alteration of intermediate to acidic precursors, trachy-andesite to rhyolite, belonging to two volcanic provinces: one pyroclastic realm in Ferdows, and another volcaniclastic in Sarayan.This research was partly funded by the Iran National Science Foundation (contract no. 90004849 ), Spanish Group CTS-946 (Junta de Andalucia) and MINECO project CGL2016-80833-R . We also acknowledge the School of Geology of the University of Tehran for sample preparation and some geochemical tests

Hypertension in Iranian Urban Population, Epidemiology, Awareness, Treatment and Control

Background: To assess the epidemiological characteristics of hypertensive patients in urban population of Yazd, A cen­tral city in Iran.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted from 2005-2006 and carried out on population aging 20-74 years. It is a part of the phase I of Yazd healthy heart program that it is a community interventional study for prevention of car­diovascular disease. Data obtained from questionnaires were analyzed by SPSS version 13. P value less than 0.05 were consid­ered significant level.Results: This study comprised of 2000 participants that 847 (42.5%) were diagnosed as being hypertensive. After age ad­justment, prevalence of hypertension was 25.6% (23.3% for women and 27.5% for men (P< 0.001). Age, Total cho­lesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, impaired glucose tolerance test, body mass index and waist were significantly higher in the hypertensive groups. 53.7% of hypertensive cases were aware of own condition, 45% were treated, and 33.9% of treated were controlled (30.7% and 35.4% in men and women re­spectively). In other word, 24% of all hypertensives (aware or unaware about own blood pressure condition) were treated and only 8% of them were controlled. Men significantly had less awareness (P< 0.001), lower tendency to take medi­cation (P< 0.001), and less were controlled (P= 0.046).Conclusion: We understand high prevalence, low awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and higher preva­lence of other traditional metabolic risk factors in these cases. It seems that urgent preventional studies should be con­ducted in this population

Assessment of the musculoskeletal complaints of Kashan university hospitals staffs in 2006

Background: Work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most important occupational problems and one at the top of the problems is low back pain (LBP). LBP can cause diverse disabilities in people. Of the susceptible people for MSDs are the medical staffs. Factors such as handling and transportation of the patients, awkward body postures during the medical procedures, prolonged standing and mental work-related stress are effective in the occurrence of the MSDs. Considering the importance of the problem, the aim of the present study was to assess the musculoskeletal complaints of Kashan university hospitals staffs, 2006. Materials and Methods: This cross–sectional study was carried out on 278 staff (212 female and 66 male) consists on nurses, nurse assistance, midwives, anesthesia and operating theater technicians categorically randomized from 5 hospitals. After the selection of qualified subjects, the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was used for the study and its validity was evaluated through test and retest as a screening instrument. The obtained data was analyzed using the�X2,�Fisher exact test, logistic regression for removing confounding factors. Results: Two-hundred forty one out of 278 subjects (87.7%) had discomfort and pain in at least one bodily organ and the related percents in female and male were 86.8% and 86.4% respectively. Also it was seen that the highest frequency of MSDs among the age range (30-34) was 91.2% and the least frequency of 78.7% was seen below the age of 30. A significant correlation was seen between musculoskeletal and the years of work (p<0/05). Considering the results of statistical tests no significant difference was seen between MSDs and all bodily organs whit age and gender. Conclusion: The occurrence of MSDs among all levels of medical staff was the greatest, because of the heavy duties of this group .for the similar reason whit removal the effect of age and the increment of the years of the work a significant difference was seen in MSDs of the lower part of the back. The lack of the effect of age on MSDs in other parts of the body possibly is that with the advancing age the work-related activities of the staff have been increased and also the type or severity of physical work have been changed

The cost-effectiveness of insulin analogs and regular insulin for diabetes control: a case study in Iran

Purpose: For years, traditional techniques have been used for diabetes treatment. There are two major types of insulin: insulin analogs and regular insulin. Insulin analogs are similar to regular insulin and lead to changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. The purpose of the present research was to determine the cost-effectiveness of insulin analogs versus regular insulin for diabetes control in Yazd Diabetes Center in 2017. Design/methodology/approach: In this descriptive�analytical research, the cost-effectiveness index was used to compare insulin analogs and regular insulin (pen/vial) for treatment of diabetes. Data were analyzed in the TreeAge Software and a decision tree was constructed. A 10 discount rate was used for ICER sensitivity analysis. Cost-effectiveness was examined from a provider's perspective. Findings: QALY was calculated to be 0.2 for diabetic patients using insulin analogs and 0.05 for those using regular insulin. The average cost was 3.228 for analog users and 1.826 for regular insulin users. An ICER of Findings: QALY was calculated to be 0.2 for diabetic patients using insulin analogs and 0.05 for those using regular insulin. The average cost was 3.228 for analog users and 1.826 for regular insulin users. An ICER of 0.093506/QALY was obtained. The present findings suggest that insulin analogs are more cost-effective than regular insulin.093506/QALY was obtained. The present findings suggest that insulin analogs are more cost-effective than regular insulin. Originality/value: This study was conducted using a cost-effectiveness analysis to evaluate insulin analogs versus regular insulin in controlling diabetes. The results of study are helpful to the government to allocate more resources to apply the cost-effective method of the treatment and to protect patients with diabetes from the high cost of treatment. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

Genesis of the Eastern Iranian bentonite deposits

Numerous bentonite deposits are located in Southern Khorasan (Eastern Iran), especially in Ferdows and Sarayan counties. We studied the genesis of these bentonites at seven deposits (Chah-Taleb, Chah-Keshmir, Chah- Golestan, Chah-Pirouz, Gholeh-Gelia, Kharman-Sar and Khal-Kooh) using petrological, mineralogical and geochemical data (including X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) from both bentonites and parent rock samples. The deposits mainly consist of Na-montmorillonite and opaline silica, with lesser amounts of quartz, feldspars, carbonates, halite, zeolites, and illite. The studied deposits formed in a volcanic arc setting and their magma series are calc-alkaline, except for the Kharman-Sar deposit, which is tholeiitic in composition. The presence of significant amounts of opaline silica indicates a low fluid flow rate in these systems, in spite of the high leaching of alkalis. The strata-bound nature of the studied deposits, as well as the high amount of montmorillonite, the presence of gypsum layers alternating with those of bentonite and the lack of hydrothermal alteration suggest that these Iranian bentonite deposits were formed through diagenetic processes in lagoon environments, by means of the alteration of intermediate to acidic precursors, trachy-andesite to rhyolite, belonging to two volcanic provinces: one pyroclastic realm in Ferdows, and another volcaniclastic in Sarayan