Protective effects of vitamins/antioxidants on occupational noise induced hearing loss: A systematic review

Objectives: Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to industrial, military, and other job related noise exposure can cause harmful health issues to occupied workers, but may also be potentially preventable. Vitamins/antioxidant have been studied as therapeutic strategies to prevent and/or delay the risks of human diseases as well as NIHL. So, this study was conducted to systematically review the protective effects of vitamins/ antioxidants on occupational noise induced hearing loss. Methods: Online databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were systematically searched up to 12.January 2021. Based on 6336 potentially relevant records identified through the initial search in the databases, twelve full-text publications were retrieved, one of which can be viewed as two separate trials, because it has studied the effects of two different antioxidants (Ginseng and NAC) on NIHL, separately. Results: A review of the studies show that vitamin B12, folic acid, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have a considerable protective effect on NIHL. However, these protective effects are not yet specified in different frequencies. The findings regarding the protective effects of other antioxidants are inconsistent in this field. Conclusion: Vitamin B12, folic acid, and NAC may have a protective effect as an antioxidant on reducing occupational hearing loss. For a conclusive evidence of vitamins/antioxidants protective therapies, future studies with precise criteria for noise exposure and similar outcome parameters are required

The effect of honey on lipid profiles: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Controlled Clinical Trials

Honey is known not only as a natural food but also as complementary medicine. According to the controversial evidence about the effects of honey on blood lipids, this meta-analysis was performed to investigate the potential effects of honey on lipid profiles. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. All human controlled clinical trials (either with a parallel or a crossover design) published in English that reported changes in serum lipid markers (Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio) following honey consumption were considered. Standardized Mean Differences (SMDs) and their respective 95 Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the changes in lipid profiles following honey consumption by random effects model. Statistical heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, publication bias, and quality of the included studies were assessed, as well. The meta-analysis of 23 trials showed that honey had no significant effects on TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. Significant heterogeneity was seen among the studies for all the studied factors (I2 index > 50). Subgroup analysis based on the lipid profile status, types of honey, and intervention duration revealed no significant effect on TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Quality of the evidences varied form very low to moderate according to various parameters. In conclusion, honey consumption did not affect serum lipid profiles (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio). © 2021 Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved

The Impact of Low Advanced Glycation End Products Diet on Metabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Several randomized clinical trials have investigated the effect of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on metabolic syndrome risk factors in adults. However, the results of these studies were conflicting. Therefore, our aim was to assess the effect of dietary AGEs on metabolic syndrome risk factors. We searched the PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Databases, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Embase databases for papers published up to October 2019 that investigated the effect of dietary AGEs on metabolic syndrome risk factors. From the eligible trials, 13 articles were selected for inclusion in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was determined by I2 statistics and Cochrane Q test. Pooled results from the random-effects model showed a significant reduction for insulin resistance weighted mean difference (WMD): -1.204; 95% CI: -2.057, -0.358; P = 0.006, fasting insulin (WMD: -5.472 μU/mL; 95% CI: -9.718, -1.234 μU/mL; P = 0.011), total cholesterol (WMD: -5.486 mg/dL; 95% CI: -10.222, -0.747 mg/dL; P = 0.023), and LDL (WMD: -6.263 mg/dL; 95% CI: -11.659, -0.866 mg/dL; P = 0.023) in the low-AGEs groups compared with the high-AGEs groups. There were no changes in the other components of the metabolic syndrome. The results of this review suggest that a diet with a low AGEs content has beneficial effects on insulin resistance, fasting insulin, total cholesterol, and LDL. Moreover, following a diet low in AGEs may be a helpful strategy to decrease the burden of metabolic syndrome risk factors in adults and particularly in patients with diabetes. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition

Teachers' perception of the relationship between the characters of role players in schools and the level of culture of teaching and learning

The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the characters of role players and level of Culture of Teaching and Learning (COTL) in schools. Additionally, the paper aims to identify the level of COTL is schools based on teachers’ perception. Data were collected from 280 teachers in secondary schools in Lorestan Province, Iran. To achieve these aims, the researchers conducted a research survey to determine the level of COTL, and applied multivariate regression analysis to investigate the relationship between the characters of role players and COTL. The findings of this study showed that, the level of COTL is high and also there is a positive and moderate relationship between the characters of principals, teachers, students, and parents and COTL. The teachers in this study pointed out that the character of students had a more important role for COTL. The study identifies some useful point for teaches to be more effective on the level of COTL

Students perception of total quality management: Role of location and gender

The aim of this study is to identify the level of Total Quality Management (TQM) as practiced by secondary schools in Lorestan province, Iran, based on students’ perception. Additionally, the paper aims to investigate the relationship between the level of TQM and students’ location and gender. To achieve these aims, the researchers conducted a survey research among 400 secondary school students. The findings of this study show that the level of TQM is medium as rated by students, and also there are significant difference between TQM’s level and students’ gender and location. The paper presents evidence to principals and teachers of the value of implementing TQM principles in schools to increase students’ satisfaction

Effect of Vitamin E on Oxidative Stress Markers of Proteins and Lipids in Children with Idiopathic Epilepsy

Introduction: Epilepsy is regarded as one of the prevalent neurological disorders in children. The role of anti-oxidants in protection of epilepsy has been discussed in several studies. Vitamin E can be mentioned as a natural antioxidant to neutralize free radicals. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E on oxidative stress markers such as malone dialdehyde(MDA) and protein carbonyl(PC) in children suffering from idiopathic epilepsy and vitamin D deficiency. Methods: In the current study, children suffering from idiopathic epilepsy and vitamin D deficiency were randomly divided into two groups. One group was treated with 50000 units of vitamin D oral capsules (per week) for 8 weeks and the other  group was treated with 100 units of vitamin E (per day) for one month as well as 50000 unit of vitamin D for 8 weeks. The amount of MDA and PC were measured by the spectrophotometer method. The obtained data were analyzed via the  SPSS software (ver, 19) using t-test. Results: The results indicated that the amount of  MAD and PC revealed a significant decrease after the treatment. In fact, in the group treated with vitamin E, the amount of PC decreased significantly compared with the other group, though MDA reduction was not proved to be significant. Discussion: The findings of the present study revealed that treatment with vitamin E could reduce the PC amount in regard with epileptic patients