Validity and Reliability of the Wristband Activity Monitor in Free-living Children Aged 10-17 Years / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Accumulation of estrogenic compounds and other carcinogens in normal breast tissues contributes to unpredictable breast cancer incidence during adolescence and throughout life. To assess the role of parabens in this phenomenon, the paraben content of adjacent normal-malignant breast tissues is measured in women with breast cancer living in Isfahan Province, Iran.@*METHODS@#Adjacent normal-malignant breast tissue samples were obtained from 53 subjects. The parabens including methyl-paraben (MePB), ethyl-paraben (EtPB), propyl-paraben (PrPB), and butylparaben (BuPB) were extracted from the sample supernatant and then subjected to gas chromatography analysis.@*RESULTS@#Some risk factors for breast cancer were stimulated by parabens in adjacent malignant-normal breast tissues among young and middle-aged women with breast cancer. We observed a significant association for dose-response pattern of MePB [OR = 98.34 (11.43-185.2), P = 0.027] for both ER+ and PR+ women and MePB [OR = 164.3 (CI: 112.3-216.3), P < 0.001] for HER2+ women than women with negative receptors. The risk of 95-fold increase in MePB dose and 164-fold increase in ΣPBs dose were significant for women with hereditary breast cancer in first-degree relatives.@*CONCLUSION@#These results may promote future epidemiology studies and strategies to improve women's lifestyle and consume paraben-free products.

Association between Healthy Eating Index-2010 and Fetuin-A Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: a Case-Control Study

The Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) assesses compliance with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Studies suggest that adherence to the HEI-2010 is related to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Fetuin-A, a novel biomarker for T2D, may play a linking role in the inverse association between HEI-2010 and T2D. Thus, a case-control analysis involving 107 patients with T2D and107 healthy subjects was conducted to determine the association between HEI-2010 and serum fetuin-A levels. The results of simple regression analysis showed that fetuin-A levels were positively associated with full name of body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), waist circumference (WC) (p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (p < 0.001), triglycerides (TG) (p = 0.003), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (p < 0.001), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p =0.001) and negatively associated with physical activity (PA) (p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p = 0.022), and HEI-2010 (p < 0.001) in all subjects. After controlling for confounders, the inverse association between fetuin-A and HEI-2010 remained significant in the subjects with T2D (β = −0.386; p < 0.001), 107 healthy controls (β = −0.237; p = 0.028), and all subjects (β = −0.298; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the present results suggested that higher quality diet assessed by HEI-2010 associates with lower serum fetuin-A levels in people with and without T2D. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Association between Healthy Eating Index-2010 and Fetuin-A Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: a Case-Control Study

The Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) assesses compliance with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Studies suggest that adherence to the HEI-2010 is related to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Fetuin-A, a novel biomarker for T2D, may play a linking role in the inverse association between HEI-2010 and T2D. Thus, a case-control analysis involving 107 patients with T2D and107 healthy subjects was conducted to determine the association between HEI-2010 and serum fetuin-A levels. The results of simple regression analysis showed that fetuin-A levels were positively associated with full name of body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), waist circumference (WC) (p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (p < 0.001), triglycerides (TG) (p = 0.003), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (p < 0.001), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p =0.001) and negatively associated with physical activity (PA) (p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p = 0.022), and HEI-2010 (p < 0.001) in all subjects. After controlling for confounders, the inverse association between fetuin-A and HEI-2010 remained significant in the subjects with T2D (β = −0.386; p < 0.001), 107 healthy controls (β = −0.237; p = 0.028), and all subjects (β = −0.298; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the present results suggested that higher quality diet assessed by HEI-2010 associates with lower serum fetuin-A levels in people with and without T2D. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Neurofeedback: a comprehensive review on system design, methodology and clinical applications

Neurofeedback is a kind of biofeedback, which teaches self-control of brain functions to subjects by measuring brain waves and providing a feedback signal. Neurofeedback usually provides the audio and or video feedback. Positive or negative feedback is produced for desirable or undesirable brain activities, respectively. In this review, we provided clinical and technical information about the following issues: [1] Various neurofeedback treatment protocols i.e. alpha, beta, alpha/theta, delta, gamma, and theta; [2] Different EEG electrode placements i.e. standard recording channels in the frontal, temporal, central, and occipital lobes; [3] Electrode montages [unipolar, bipolar]; [4] Types of neurofeedback i.e. frequency, power, slow cortical potential, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and so on; [5] Clinical applications of neurofeedback i.e. treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, insomnia, drug addiction, schizophrenia, learning disabilities, dyslexia and dyscalculia, autistic spectrum disorders and so on as well as other applications such as pain management, and the improvement of musical and athletic performance; and [6] Neurofeedback softwares. To date, many studies have been conducted on the neurofeedback therapy and its effectiveness on the treatment of many diseases. Neurofeedback, like other treatments, has its own pros and cons. Although it is a non-invasive procedure, its validity has been questioned in terms of conclusive scientific evidence. For example, it is expensive, time-consuming and its benefits are not long-lasting. Also, it might take months to show the desired improvements. Nevertheless, neurofeedback is known as a complementary and alternative treatment of many brain dysfunctions. However, current research does not support conclusive results about its efficacy

Does water hardness have preventive effect on cardiovascular disease?

The aim of this study is to investigate the association of calcium and magnesium concentration of drinking water with cardiovascular disease [CVDs] in urban and rural areas of a city in Iran. This case-control study was conducted in 2012 in Khansar County in Isfahan province, Iran. We used the official data of the Provincial health center regarding the chemical analysis data of urban and rural areas including the hardness, calcisum and magnesium content of drinking water. Data of patients hospitalized for CVD in the only specialty hospital of the city was gatheresd for the years of 2010 and 2011. In 2010, the increase in the calcium hardness above 72 mg/L, the prevalence of CVDs in 1000 population decreased; in 2011 this decrease in CVDs was observed for calcium hardness of more than 75 mg/L. In 2010, the level of Mg hardness in water ranged from 23 to 57 mg/L. By increasing Mg hardness level above 31 mg/L in 2010 and above 26 mg/L in 2011, the number of CVD in 1000 people decrease. Our study suggests favorable protective effects of water hardness, mainly water magnesium content, on CVDs. Water hardness, as well as calcium and magnesium content of drinking water may have a protective role against CVDs. Further experimental studies are necessary to determine the underlying mechanisms and longitudinal studies are required to study the clinical impacts of the current findings

Prevalence of permanent congenital hypothyroidism in Isfahan-Iran

Considering the importance to determine the reasons for the higher occurrence of congenital hypothyroidism [CH] in Iran, in this study we report the prevalence of permanent CH [PCH] in Isfahan province 7 years after initiation of CH screening program in Isfahan. In this cross sectional study, children with a primary diagnosis of CH studied. They clinically examined and their medical files were reviewed by a pediatric endocrinologist. Considering screening and follow-up lab data, radiologic findings and the decision of pediatric endocrinologists the final diagnosis of PCH was determined. A total of 464,648 neonates screened in Isfahan province. The coverage percent of the CH screening and recall rate was 98.9% and 2.1%, respectively. A total of 1990 neonates were diagnosed with primary CH. PCH was diagnosed in 410 neonates. The prevalence of PCH and transient CH [TCH] was 1 in 1133 and 1 in 294 live births. The most common etiology of CH was thyroid dyshormonogenesis. Though the prevalence of PCH is high, but the higher prevalence of CH in Isfahan is commonly due to cases with TCH. Hence, the necessity of determining new strategies for earlier diagnosis of patients with TCH is recommended

Skew-symmetric random effect models with application to a preventive cohort study: improving outcomes in low back pain patients

To investigate the respective contribution of various biologic and psychosocial factors, especially Health Related Quality of Life [HRQOL] as a main outcome, in the natural history of acute low back pain [LBP] and to evaluate the impact of this condition on HRQOL. In a prospective cohort study For 24 weeks, 150 patients were assessed at an outpatient clinic in Korea consulting for low back and confirmed disc herniation duration at inclusion and treated with treatment package comprised of herbal medicines, acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture, and a Korean version of spinal manipulation [Chuna]. Study participants were evaluated at baseline and every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. Low back intensity levels were measured on a visual analog scale [0-10], back function was evaluated with the Oswestry Disability Index [0-100], disability assessed by HRQOL assessed by the short form 36 health survey [0-100 in 8 different sub-categories]. Out of 150 patients, 128 completed the 24 weeks of traditional therapy. Patients reported improvements SF-36 outcome measures. At the completion of the study, low back pain scores improved by a mean of 3.3 [95% CI = 2.8 to 3.8]. According to the results of our modeling, low back intensity level, back function and BMI measures had significant effects on quality of life during study. Interpreting the coefficients of modeling, the impact of the decreasing acute LBP episode on HRQOL by VAS and ODI outcomes, was high and important. This study highlights the large contribution of integrative package therapy as an effective preventive method for improving LBP patient's HRQOL

Noradrenalin versus the combination of midodrine and octreotide in patients with hepatorenal syndrome: randomized clinical trial

Hepatorenal syndrome [HRS] is known as development of acute renal failure in a patient who usually has advanced liver disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the safety and the efficacy of noradrenalin in comparison with midodrine-octreotide in patients with HRS. This study was registered to the Iranian Registry of Clinical trials [IRCT]. This study was a single-center, randomized, clinical trial that performed in Alzahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Since March 2011 to January 2012, twenty-three patients were enrolled in the study. Eligible patients were allocated in 2 groups. In the first group, patients received infusion of NA with the dose of 0.1-0.7 micro g/kg/min, and in the other groups, patients received octreotide 100-200 micro g subcutaneously 3 times daily and midodrine 5-15 mg orally 3 times daily. In both study groups, patient received albumin infusion in addition to noradrenalin or midodrine-octreotide. Complete response of HRS was observed in 8 of the 11 patients [73%] treated with noradrenalin and in 9 of the 12 patients [75%] treated with midodrine-octreotide [P > 0.05]. HRS recurred after treatment withdrawal in 2 of 11 in NA and 3 of 12 in MO group. That shows no significant difference between 2 groups [P > 0.05]. We deduce that NA has the same efficacy and safety with MO and can induce a complete response in high percentage of the patients. Moreover, we observed no significant differences in the recurrence rate and outcomes after 3 months among the patients in both study groups; this result could support the use of NA in HRS management