The impact of walnut leaf on the lipid and glucose profiles in diabetic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Managing risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as blood lipids and blood sugar in people with diabetes (PWDs), is important. Besides antidiabetic medicines, herbal remedies such as walnut leaves have long been utilized to decrease blood sugar and blood lipid levels in PWDs. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the impact of walnut leaf on the lipid and glucose profiles of PWDs through a systematic review and meta-analysis. To gain access to the primary empirical studies, domestic and international databases were searched using MeSH keywords. The databases included Barakat Gostar, SID, Magiran, IranDoc, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN), International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), and Clinical Trial.gov (a clinical trial registration system). Data analysis was performed within Stata 14 software. The P-value was considered P <0.05. In 4 studies with a sample size of 101 individuals, which were published between 2014 and 2018, post-test scores of the treatment and control groups pointed out that the difference between insulin and FBS levels was statistically significant. The FBS level was higher in the control group than in the treatment group. However, their insulin level was lower than those in the treatment group. The difference between the levels of HbA1C, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, AST, ALT, ALP, and creatinine in the control and treatment groups was not statistically significant. The pre and post-test scores of the treatment group were compared. The levels of FBS, HbA1C, and LDL decreased significantly, while the patients' insulin levels increased remarkably. No noticeable correlation was observed in other lipid profiles. Due to the thoroughly limited research resources, further studies are required to confirm the findings more confidently

Promoting menstrual health among persian adolescent girls from low socioeconomic backgrounds: a quasi-experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Research in the past decade has revealed average to poor menstrual health among many Iranian girls. The present study investigated the effectiveness of a health promotion project on improving menstrual health in adolescent girls in Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the health intervention program. A total of 698 students (study participants and controls) in several schools in Mazandaran province, Iran were included. The project comprised 10 two-hour educational sessions. Educational topics included the significance of adolescence, physical and emotional changes during adolescence, pubertal and menstruation health and premenstrual syndrome. A self-administered questionnaire measuring demographic characteristics, behaviors during menstruation, menstrual patterns, sources of information about menstruation and personal health data was administered. The questionnaire was administered to all participating students after the experimental group received the training.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the most significant results was the impact of educational sessions on bathing and genital hygiene. A total of 61.6% in the experimental group compared with 49.3% in the control group engaged in usual bathing during menstruation (p = 0.002). Individual health status was significantly statistically correlated with menstrual health. Attitude towards menstruation was also significantly related to menstrual health.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present study confirms that educational interventions, such as the health promotion project in this study, can be quite effective in promoting menstrual health.</p

Phototherapy Effects on Zinc Level of Neonates With Hyperbilirubinemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Phototherapy is the most common treatment of neonatal jaundice that affects the zinc level as well as the bilirubin level. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of phototherapy on the zinc level of infants with jaundice by a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis a comprehensive literature search of the databases, including Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar web browser was conducted using standard keywords. Data analysis of this meta-analysis was performed using STATA software, version 14 and P<0.05 was considered a significant level for tests.  Results: In the five studies reviewed in this article with a sample size of 398 individuals, phototherapy increased the level of zinc [Standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.88 (95% CI: 0.38, 1.38), P<0.001] and decreased bilirubin level [SMD: -7.67 (95% CI: -9.11, -6.23), P<0.001] in infants with jaundice. The effect of phototherapy was on the zinc level of these groups: infants with a birth weight of 3000 to 3300 grams (gr) [SMD: 1.07 (95% CI: 0.42, 1.71), P<0.001] and 3301 to 3600 gr [SMD: 0.40 (95% CI: -0.32, 1.12), P=0.028], three-day-old infants [SMD: 1.05 (95% CI: 0.35, 1.74), P<0.001], four-day-old [SMD: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.26, 1.32)], and 5-day-old ones [SMD: 0.23 (95% CI: -0.01, 0.48)]. In addition, phototherapy affected on zinc level of those whose gestational age (GA) was 37 [SMD: 1.12 (95% CI: 0.06, 2.17), P<0.001] and 38 [SMD: 0.61 (95% CI: 0.15, 1.06), P=0.001] weeks. Conclusions: Phototherapy by reducing the level of bilirubin increases the level of zinc in infants with jaundice. So, the standardized mean difference of “phototherapy effects on the zinc level of infants with jaundice” decreases with increasing infants’ weight, increasing infants’ age, and increasing gestational age

The impact of walnut leaf on the lipid and glucose profiles in diabetic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

474-482Managing risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as blood lipids and blood sugar in people with diabetes (PWDs), is important. Besides antidiabetic medicines, herbal remedies such as walnut leaves have long been utilized to decrease blood sugar and blood lipid levels in PWDs. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the impact of walnut leaf on the lipid and glucose profiles of PWDs through a systematic review and meta-analysis. To gain access to the primary empirical studies, domestic and international databases were searched using MeSH keywords. The databases included Barakat Gostar, SID, Magiran, IranDoc, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN), International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), and Clinical Trial.gov (a clinical trial registration system). Data analysis was performed within Stata 14 software. The P-value was considered P <0.05. In 4 studies with a sample size of 101 individuals, which were published between 2014 and 2018, posttest scores of the treatment and control groups pointed out that the difference between insulin and FBS levels was statistically significant. The FBS level was higher in the control group than in the treatment group. However, their insulin level was lower than those in the treatment group. The difference between the levels of HbA1C, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, AST, ALT, ALP, and creatinine in the control and treatment groups was not statistically significant. The pre and post-test scores of the treatment group were compared. The levels of FBS, HbA1C, and LDL decreased significantly, while the patients' insulin levels increased remarkably. No noticeable correlation was observed in other lipid profiles. Due to the thoroughly limited research resources, further studies are required to confirm the findings more confidently

Prevalence of obesity in Iranian children: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background of the Study: Childhood obesity, in addition to the likelihood of its continuation in adulthood, is associated with an increase in mortality and various diseases. Purpose of the Study: This meta-analytic study aimed at determining the prevalence of obesity among Iranian children. Methodology: Two researchers independently searched national and international databases using MeSH, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Springer, Magiran, Iranmedex, SID, Medlib, and the Google Scholar search engine. The heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using the P index. Data were analyzed using STATA software. This study was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Results: Among 93 studies with a sample size of 3,845,768, the prevalence of obesity in Iranian children was 7% (girls 8% and boys 10%), and the prevalence of overweight was 12% (girls 17% and boys 15%). The incidence rate of obesity in children was 13% based on US centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) 2000 reference, 11% on international obesity task force (IOTF) reference, 9% on World Health Organization reference, 9% on Iranian reference, 5% on CDC reference, and 3% on national center for health statistics (NCI IS) reference. Meta-regression diagram also showed that the prevalence of obesity in children was not dependent on sample size. However, the prevalence of obesity declined during the years 1999-2016, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity in Iranian children was less than of their overweight. On the other hand, the prevalence of childhood obesity in girls was lower than that of boys, and the prevalence of child overweight among girls was higher than that of boys

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Quality of Life in Diabetic Patients in Iran

Background: Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the world, which reduces the patients' quality of life (QOL) and is considered as an important subject especially in medicine and medical community. The present study aimed at investigating the QOL of diabetic patients in Iran through meta-analysis. Methods: The search was conducted using relevant keywords in national and international databases including Iranmedex, SID, Magiran, IranDoc, Medlib, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science. Questionnaires WHOQOL, SF-36, SF-20, DQOL, QOL, PedsQL, ADDQOL, D-39, DQOL-BCI, SWED-QUAL, IRDQOL, PHG-2, EQ-5D, and IDQOL-BCI were used to assess the QOL. Heterogeneity of studies was assessed using I-2 index. Data were analyzed using STATA version 11. Results: In 96 studies of 17,994 people, the mean score of QOL in diabetic patients was based on the questionnaires WHOQOL 66.55 (95% CI: 45.83, 87.26)], D-39 129.43 (95%CI: 88.77, 170.10)], SF-36 65.64 (95% CI: 59.82, 71.46)], SF-20 46.50 (95% CI: 37.19, 55.81], DQOL 61.19 (95% CI: 35.73, 86.66)], QOL 117.91 (95% CI: -62.97, 298.79)], PedsQL 34.36 (95% CI: -31.49, 100.22)], ADDQOL 41.76 (95% CI: 12.01-71.50)], SWED-QUAL 59.19 (95% CI: 21.15, 97.23)], IRDQOL 105.92 (95% CI: 102.73, 109.10)], PHG-2 61.00 (95%CI: 59.63, 62.37)], EQ-5D 0.62 (95% CI: 0.61, 0.64)], DQOL-BCI 3.40 (95% CI: 3.31, 3.49)], and IDQOL-BCI 22.63 (95% CI: -2.38, 47.64)]. Conclusions: The QOL of diabetic patients was evaluated according to different types of questionnaires and the QOL of diabetic patients was found to be lower than normal population

Prevalence of depression in iranian school students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Depression is one of the major psychiatric disorders in the world. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of depression among Iranian school students through a meta-analysis. Methods: All national and international information databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, Magiran, Medlib were searched. The search phase was performed without language and time restrictions, but the searched studies were all in Persian and English, and the sources were updated by 03.08.2020. As the selected studies had high heterogeneity, the random effects model was used. Results: In 51 studies with a sample of 537144 people, the prevalence of depression in Iranian school students was 37 (95CI: 32, 42). In addition, the prevalence of depression in girl school students was 45 (95CI: 25-65) and in boys was 28 (95CI: 20-35). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe depression in school students is 31, 18 and 11, respectively. Also, the prevalence of depression in primary school students was 12, middle school students 32, high school students 47 and pre-university students 46. Conclusions: About a third of Iranian school students suffer from some degree of depression, and the prevalence of depression in girls is about twice that of boys. The prevalence of mild depression among school students is higher than moderate and severe depression. On the other hand, the prevalence of depression in school students from primary to pre-university level is increasing, which is very worrying

Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of natural products use on blood pressure in Iran

Background: Today, hypertension is a significant public health problem globally, widely recognized as a major risk factor for death. Blood pressure-lowering herbal medicines and natural products have been used for centuries. The protocol aims to determine the effect of natural product use on blood pressure in Iran using data from previously published randomized controlled trials. The current protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis is designed to determine the effect of natural product use on blood pressure in Iran. Methods: The protocol is developed using PICO (participants, interventions, comparisons, and outcomes) items to assess the effect of natural products on blood pressure reduction in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in Iran. Specific MESH terms will be used to search Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register for randomized controlled clinical trials, as well as national databases such as Barekat Gostar, SID, Magiran, and IranDoc. The I2 index and the Q-test will be used to examine heterogeneity in the effect sizes of individual studies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) of RCTs will be reported per Cochrane guidelines, and all forms will be based on validated Cochrane templates. Discussion: This protocol will detail the effects of natural products (interventions) in comparison to a placebo or other control group (comparators). Registration: The current protocol was also registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021231837, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=231837, Date: February 18, 2021)

Prevalence of depression in iranian school students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Depression is one of the major psychiatric disorders in the world. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of depression among Iranian school students through a meta-analysis. Methods: All national and international information databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, Magiran, Medlib were searched. The search phase was performed without language and time restrictions, but the searched studies were all in Persian and English, and the sources were updated by 03.08.2020. As the selected studies had high heterogeneity, the random effects model was used. Results: In 51 studies with a sample of 537144 people, the prevalence of depression in Iranian school students was 37 (95CI: 32, 42). In addition, the prevalence of depression in girl school students was 45 (95CI: 25-65) and in boys was 28 (95CI: 20-35). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe depression in school students is 31, 18 and 11, respectively. Also, the prevalence of depression in primary school students was 12, middle school students 32, high school students 47 and pre-university students 46. Conclusions: About a third of Iranian school students suffer from some degree of depression, and the prevalence of depression in girls is about twice that of boys. The prevalence of mild depression among school students is higher than moderate and severe depression. On the other hand, the prevalence of depression in school students from primary to pre-university level is increasing, which is very worrying