Determinants of taking dietary supplements in Iranian children and adolescents: the CASPIAN-V study.

AIM: Tendency for taking dietary supplements is dramatically increasing. However, limited studies exist in this regard. We aimed to assess the frequency and determinants of dietary supplement use among a nationally-representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents. METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional study (the CASPIAN V) was conducted in students aged 7 to 18 years old in 2015. Multistage, stratified cluster sampling method was used to select participants from thirty provinces in Iran. Data regarding taking vitamin and mineral supplements were collected. Demographic information, anthropometric indices, physical activity, screen time and body image were also evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression model was used for analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of dietary supplements use was 34.1% and the most popular dietary supplement was Iron (12.9%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that boys (0.84, 95%CI: 0.78, 0.91) and body image perception (OR: 0.84, 95%CI: 0.75, 0.94) used less dietary supplements compared to others. Children aged 11 to 14 years (OR: 1.15, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.26) and those with moderate family socioeconomic status (OR: 1.12, 95%CI: 1.007, 1.25) used more supplement compared to other groups. Moreover, those with higher paternal educational level (OR: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.64, 0.93) used less supplements. However, living area, family size, paternal occupation, children BMI, Intended weight loss, and body image by student did not indicate any significant association. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that about one-third of Iranian children and adolescents used dietary supplements; iron supplements were the most frequent ones. Children aged 11 to 14 years, those with higher educated mothers and moderate family socioeconomic status used more supplements compared to others. However, boys, children with excess weight and those with high-educated parents used less supplements compared to others. More studies are needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of dietary supplements in different age groups in various societies.

Erratum to: Calcium vitamin D3 supplementation in clinical practice: side effect and satisfaction.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40200-016-0227-9.].

Effect of SeptimebTM as a new natural extract on severe sepsis: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Septimeb as a herbal medicine has regulatory effects on inflammation. This study set to evaluate the effects of Septimeb among patients with sepsis on inflammatory biomarkers and survival rate. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 51 patients with sepsis from the ICU and medical ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital were divided into two groups: Septimeb (n=25) and control group (n=26). In the control group, the patients received a standard treatment only for 7 days, while Septimeb group received Septimeb (6cc vial with 500cc serum glucose infusion 5% daily for one to two hours) plus standard treatment of sepsis for 7 days. Then, blood samples were analyzed. APACHE (Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation), SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment), and GCS (Glasgow Coma Score) values were calculated daily. RESULTS: Treatment with Septimeb showed a significant decrease in SOFA value (1.54±0.83) compared to the control group (2.39±0.88) (P<0.001) and a significant increase in GCS value (14.46±0.88) compared to the control group (12.86±1.78) (P<0.001). Improvements of these values can confirm the potential of Septimeb in the reduction of severity of sepsis (P<0.05). There were significant decreases in lactate and blood sugar and WBC levels. In addition, inflammatory factors such as ESR (Septimeb group: 52.07±34.80, control group: 51.75±42.10, P=0.98) and CRP (Septimeb group: 48.86±23.21, control group: 49.93±36.22, P=0.92) decreased, but did not show a significant reduction. CONCLUSION: Septimeb has positive effects on reduction of the severity of sepsis which leads to reduction of patients' mortality rates.

The Potential of Circulating Tumor Cells in Personalized Management of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) recognition and characterization in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer have proven practical and predictive value in different studies. However, the clinical significance of CTCs enumeration and molecular characterization in thepersonalization of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment remains under the debate. A literature search in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was performed from October 1990 to June 2016 for studies which evaluating CTCs and its association with clinical and pathological characteristics and medical outcome in the field of breast cancer personalization for both diagnosis and treatment categories. The treatment outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) or relapse in different patients. Sixty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The sample size varies from 1 to 2026. Median follow-up was 15 months (range 3-27). Different molecular techniques have been applied toresearch, but they mostly are based on CTCs enrichment and then detection by using FDA-approved Cell SearchTM. By far the most studies define CTCs as cytokeratins (CK) positive and CD45 negative cells. Despite the differences in methodology, twenty-eight studies for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis were mainly focused on CTCs isolation and enumeration.Forty-threeresearches were about CTCs count and exact molecular characterization. In the way of precision treatment, CTCs detection before starting the first-line of therapy or during therapy in breast cancer patients is extremely valuable, but in the way of precision medicine it should be supported with some molecular characteristics of CTCs like CTCs phenotypic changes, gene expression analysis of CTCs and molecular characteristics of CTCs.

Prevalence of celiac disease among the Iranian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The current systematic review and meta-analysis study assessed the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane library Collaboration, and Iranian scientific databases, were searched from 1993 to 2013 for English and Persian articles. The following terms were used, alone or combined, "celiac (MeSH)," "ceoliac," "prevalence (MeSH)," and "Iran*." Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic with a cut-off value of 50%, and the Chi-square test was used to define a statically significant degree of heterogeneity with a p value of <0.10. The publication bias of literatures was assessed by visual examination of the funnel plot and Begger's funnel plot. RESULTS: Meta-analysis was conducted on seven publications with 9,720 subjects. Overall, the pooled prevalence of CD among the Iranian population was 0.72% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62%-0.98%]. There was no significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2=4%, p=0.396). The pooled prevalence of CD on the basis of IgA-anti tissue transglutaminase (tTGA) and tTGA and duodenal biopsy positivity was 0.83% (95% CI: 0.69%-1.14%) and 0.79% (95% CI: 0.66%-1.09%), respectively. No significant publication bias was observed using the funnel plot and Begger's funnel plot. CONCLUSION: CD prevalence among the Iranian population was approximately similar to that of the American and European populations.

Consequences of AphanizomenonFlos-aquae(AFA) extract (Stemtech (TM) ) on metabolic profile of patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Blue- green algae is one of the most nutrient dense foods which is rich in substances that have useful effects on human health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a water- soluble extract of the cyanophyta Aphanizomenon Flos-aquae (Stemtech (TM) ) as a functional supplement on CD markers, lipid profile, glucose levels as well as its side effects in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: During this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 49 type 2 diabetic patients, aged between 20 and 60 years with a HbA1C ≥ 7.5 %, were allocated. Patients were divided into two groups of placebo and treated with an equal ratio 1:1. The subjects in StemtechTM group received one capsule of StemFlo (508 mg) before breakfast and two capsules of StemEnhance (500 mg) after each meal for a period of 12 weeks, and placebo group was instructed to take placebo with the same pattern. During the intervention period, subjects were asked to keep usual diet and prohibited to take any functional foods or dietary supplements. Metabolic panel has been measured as the primary outcome of study at the beginning and end of the intervention period via blood sampling. RESULTS: Stemtech (TM) supplementation for 12 weeks decreased fasting blood glucose (FBG) and Glycatedhemoglobin (HbA1c). Mean serum chemistry parameters (Triglyceride, Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, CRP, AST, ALT, BUN and Creatinine) as well as CD 34(+), IL-6, TNF-α in treated and control groups before and after the study showed no considerable dissimilarities. CONCLUSION: StemtechTM intervention brought in positive consequence on blood glucose levels in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes, consequently suggests the Stemtech (TM) as a functional food for the management of diabetes.

Calcium vitamin D3 supplementation in clinical practice: side effect and satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess side effects and satisfaction about OsteoCalVitFort (500 mg calcium and 400 I.U. of vitamin D3) usage. METHODS: A total 186 people were participated with range age from 18 to 65 years old. Each participant received 1 pack that contains 60 OsteoCalVitFort tablet and used two tablet OsteoCalVitFort daily (1 tablet after breakfast and 1 after dinner). By a phone call, side effects and satisfaction about OsteoCalVitFort were assessed. RESULTS: The rate of constipating (8.0 %) and bloating (12.5 %) were decreased significantly after OsteoCalVitFort supplement intake (1.2 %, and 0.6 %, respectively). Similar results were observed in metallic taste in mouth, tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, bone/muscle pain and mental/mood change after Calcium Vitamin D3 supplementation intake. Totally, 94 % of patients were satisfied about OsteoCalVitFort usage. CONCLUSION: The results of the research indicate despite the high quality of OsteoCalVitFort supplement, there are no side effects which have been seen in other supplements.

Calcium vitamin D3 supplementation in clinical practice: side effect and satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess side effects and satisfaction about OsteoCalVitFort (500 mg calcium and 400 I.U. of vitamin D3) usage. METHODS: A total 186 people were participated with range age from 18 to 65 years old. Each participant received 1 pack that contains 60 OsteoCalVitFort tablet and used two tablet OsteoCalVitFort daily (1 tablet after breakfast and 1 after dinner). By a phone call, side effects and satisfaction about OsteoCalVitFort were assessed. RESULTS: The rate of constipating (8.0 %) and bloating (12.5 %) were decreased significantly after OsteoCalVitFort supplement intake (1.2 %, and 0.6 %, respectively). Similar results were observed in metallic taste in mouth, tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, bone/muscle pain and mental/mood change after Calcium Vitamin D3 supplementation intake. Totally, 94 % of patients were satisfied about OsteoCalVitFort usage. CONCLUSION: The results of the research indicate despite the high quality of OsteoCalVitFort supplement, there are no side effects which have been seen in other supplements.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of urban and rural households towards principles of nutrition in Iran: results of NUTRIKAP survey.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of urban and rural households toward principles of nutrition in Iran. METHODS: The study population was Iranian households who live in rural and urban areas in all provinces of the country. The sampling method at households' level in each province was single stage cluster sampling with equal size clusters. The incumbent data was collected by a structured questionnaire and through the interview with the eligible subject in each household. RESULTS: A total of 14,136 Iranian households were selected as total sample size, 9,149 urban households, and 4,987 rural households. Around 57.2% of urban and 49.5% of rural households was aware of food groups. Respectively in urban and rural households, about 35.1% and 39.7% had correct knowledge toward roles of food groups. Approximately 41.5% and 39.9% of households had accurate knowledge about reason of food eating in urban and rural areas, respectively. The results showed that 79.6% of them had favorable attitudes. The most of the households consumed red meat and poultry weekly whereas fish was eaten rarely. Fruits, vegetables and dairy were consumed daily in the most of households. Sugar intake was daily in the most of households and cream and butter intake was weekly. CONCLUSION: The most of households had moderate knowledge and good attitudes. Practice of families about food consumption was good. The results of this study can be used for proper intervention for improving of health society.

Nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice of Iranian households and primary health care staff: NUTRIKAP Survey.

The aim of this study is to determine knowledge, attitude and practice of Iranian households and health staff on nutrition at province level. The sampling method in NUTRIKAP survey for households in each province is single-stage cluster sampling and the size of clusters is equal. The sampling method for health staff in each province is stratified random sampling. Samples are selected from physicians, health experts, health technicians, nutritionists and health assistants (Behvarz). Overall, 14136 people in 57 clusters in each province and 480 health staff over the country participate in this survey. The necessary data will be gathered by the structured questionnaire and the interview with the eligible person in each household. Data gathering from health staff will be carried out by self-administered questionnaire. The results of this study can help the bureau of community nutrition to provide the proper interventions to improve nutritional health of households.

Prevalence of putative virulence markers in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from hospitalized children, raw chicken, and raw beef in Tehran, Iran.

The incidence of the virulence-associated genes cdtA, cdtB, cdtC, cadF, dnaJ, racR, and pldA has been investigated in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli collected from raw chicken and beef from retailers in Tehran, Iran, and from hospitalized children (age, ≤14 years) suffering from diarrhea. Campylobacter spp. were collectively identified by morphological and biochemical methods. Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli were discriminated from other Campylobacter spp. by amplification of a specific conserved fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. The distinction between C. jejuni and C. coli was subsequently made by molecular determination of the presence of the hipO gene in C. jejuni or the ask gene in C. coli. Fragments of the studied virulence-associated genes, cdtA, cdtB, cdtC, cadF, racR, dnaJ, and pldA, were amplified by PCR and subjected to horizontal gel electrophoresis. A total of 71 isolates of C. jejuni and 24 isolates of C. coli from meat were analyzed, while the numbers of isolates from the hospitalized children were 28 and 9, respectively. The unequal distribution of C. jejuni and C. coli in the samples has also been reported in other studies. Statistical analyses by the use of the two-tailed Fisher's exact test of the occurrence of the virulence genes in the isolates of different origins showed that the occurrence of the dnaJ gene was consistently significantly higher in all C. jejuni isolates than in C. coli. The occurrence of the other virulence markers did not differ significantly between species in the majority of the isolates. The PCR results also showed that the occurrence of the virulence markers in the analyzed isolates was much lower than in other studies, which may be caused by a divergent genomic pool of our isolates in comparison with others.

Rotavirus and coeliac autoimmunity among adults with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine celiac disease (CD) serology and rotavirus (RV) by polymerase reaction (PCR) in adults with non-specific gastrointestinal complaints. METHODS: The study comprised 5176 randomly selected individuals living in Tehran, Iran between September 2006 and September 2007. Six hundred and seventy individuals with GI symptoms were identified with a questionnaire and invited for a further study including stool sampling and blood tests. Stool samples were examined for detection of RV by amplification of specific gene (VP6) and by light microscopy and formalin-ether concentration methods for parasite detection. The subjects also tested for CD including anti-transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies and total immunoglobulin A (IgA). The study was carried out in the Research Center of Gastroentrology and Liver Disease, Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran. RESULTS: The VP6 gene was detected in 150 (22.3%) individuals. Anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG-IgA) was positive in 22 individuals (95% CI 2.3-5.1) and IgG-tTG antibody in 3 individuals who were IgA deficient. Amplification of VP6 gene was positive in 8/25 (32%) with positive CD serology and in 142/645 (22%) with negative CD serology. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.2). CONCLUSION: This study shows that RV infection is common among Iranian patients with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms. However, in contrast to studies in children, this study shows that the prevalence of active RV infection was not statistically significantly different between individuals who were tTG antibody positive and those who were tTG antibody negative.