Iranian Journal of Public Health最新文献

Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of synbiotic supplement-containing spore-forming Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30) on the glycemic, hormonal and anthropometric parameters in patients with PCOS.

Methods: In this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 72 patients with PCOS were randomly and equally assigned to receive a daily sachet of synbiotic (containing Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30), Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus helveticus, and fructooligosaccharide (FOS)) or placebo for 12 wk. Glycemic, hormonal and anthropometric parameters were measured at baseline and after the 12-week of intervention.

Results: At the end, 60 patients completed the study. After adjustment for potential confounders, significant decrease in insulin (-3.38±20.20 vs. +2.33, P=0.042), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-0.43±3.61 vs. +0.73 ± 2.91, P=0.044) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (-1.47±6.62 vs. + 0.03 ± 2.06, P=0.047) was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group. Supplementation with synbiotic failed to show a significant effect on anthropometric parameters and fasting blood sugar.

Conclusion: Overall, 12 wk supplementation with synbiotic-containing Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30) can offer additional benefit to lifestyle intervention on metabolic status of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

This article examines the practices, status, evolution and current challenges of painting therapy, in child psychological interventions in China. Empirical evidence shows that painting therapy significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety, anger, and schizophrenia, lowers depression scores, and enhances life satisfaction. Randomized controlled trials indicate improvements in emotional disorders, ADHD, and social adaptability. Qualitative research highlights enhanced emotional recognition and self-expression abilities in children with social disorders and ASD. Although painting therapy has made some progress in China, it faces challenges such as shortage of professional talents and lack of standardization. It is recommended to strengthen professional training, improve certification systems, interdisciplinary cooperation and the application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality. This study underscores the potential for art therapy to become a more accessible and impactful tool in child psychology, benefiting not only China but also contributing to global mental health practices.

Background: The results of the risk factors associated with tobacco use is a public health concern that slows global progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 to ensure healthy lives. This is more pronounced in low-income countries like Nigeria where tobacco use remains prevalent leading to various types of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to review systematically relevant literature to unravel the effects of interventions and policies geared towards tobacco control within Nigeria.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and ProQuest central databases, including an exploration of Google Scholar was carried out from 2012-22 for relevant studies within the last decade. The final selected studies were screened based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and their quality critically appraised. Six articles were included in the final review, 2 were cross-sectional studies, and 4 were experimental.

Results: Thematic and narrative synthesis of reports showed that tobacco price increase led to lower tobacco demand and use as the price elasticity of tobacco demand estimated in different target groups provided. Moreover, health education interventions positively affected tobacco control as there was a change in knowledge, attitude and practice in groups that had received interventions in Nigeria.

Conclusion: The chosen interventions and policies were effective in promoting tobacco control. There should therefore be an intentional drive to ensure enactment of policies based on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. A global effort also must also be put to tackle prevalent health inequalities especially in developing countries like Nigeria.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global public health problem with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Community-based approaches, including empowerment of health cadres, have been recognized as a key strategy to improve the success of TB control programs. This review systematically identifies research that has been carried out to determine the contribution of cadres in tuberculosis control programs in various countries.

Methods: This scoping review used five electronic databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, Medline-Ebscohost, ProQuest, and Cochrane, to identify the contribution of cadres in TB programs. Article selection was based on PCC (Population, Concept, Context) criteria with a limitation of 2014-2024 and only English-language articles.

Results: Out of 793 initial articles, 20 articles met the eligibility criteria. Studies show that empowering cadres is effective in detecting TB cases, improving patient adherence to treatment, and overcoming stigma through culture-based education. However, challenges such as lack of training, incentives, and access to diagnostic tools often hinder cadre performance.

Conclusion: Health cadres play an important role in bridging the gap between formal health services and the community. With the support of structured training, resource allocation, and community empowerment, cadres can maximize their impact in TB control programs.

Background: Depression is not only a mental health condition, but also a complex disorder that affects eating behaviors and food choices, leading to changes in body weight. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between body mass index, eating behaviors, food choices, and depression levels in adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted in Istanbul from Apr to Jun 2022 included 208 adults aged 18 to 65 yr (mean 30.84±9.21 yr). A questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic information, Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ), Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was applied. Height and body weight were measured.

Results: Of the participants were 9.6% underweight, 48.1% normal, 30.8% overweight, and 11.5% obese. Underweight individuals had significantly lower weight control scores compared to normal and overweight, and their restrictive eating scores were significantly lower than those of normal, overweight, and obese (P=0.001). Compliance scores affecting food choice were significantly lower in individuals with minimal depression than in those with mild and moderate depression (P=0.018). Emotional and external eating were higher in moderately depressed individuals than in those with minimal depression (P=0.001; P=0.018, respectively). Restrictive eating was significantly lower in individuals with minimal depression than in those with moderate and severe (P<0.001). Mood, appropriateness, natural content, weight control, and ethical concern affecting food choice were associated with eating behaviors (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Body weight and depression levels were important factors in food choice and eating behaviors in adults. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering eating behaviors and depression levels in individuals' food choice motivations.

Background: We aimed to assess the prevalence of serum Vitamin A and D status and their potential association with neuropsychological development outcomes in Southern China.

Methods: A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted in Guangzhou, China, with 4,206 children aged 4 to 24 months between 2018 and 2020. Data from the hospital's electronic database included serum levels of Vitamin A and D, along with neuropsychological outcomes. Linear regression model was used to assess the association between serum Vitamin A and D status and neuropsychological outcomes, while multiple binary logistic regression model was applied to determine the association of these Vitamins' levels with different neuropsychological developmental delays, adjusting for age, gender, and other potential confounders.

Results: Overall, 12.7% of children were found to be deficient in Vitamin A, while 2.5% were deficient in Vitamin D. Marginal Vitamin A deficiency (MVAD) was prevalent in 58.5% of the children, and 19.4% exhibited Vitamin D insufficiency (VDI). Neuropsychological developmental delays were observed in 7.7% to 16.8% of the children across various domains. However, there were no significant differences in neuropsychological outcomes among children with varying Vitamin A and D statuses (P-value>0.05). Even after adjusting for potential confounders, the association between Vitamin A and D levels and neuropsychological development outcomes remained statistically non-significant.

Conclusion: Our study reveals a higher prevalence of VAD and MVAD in children than VDD and VDI. However, neither Vitamin A nor Vitamin D status showed a significant association with neuropsychological development outcomes in early childhood.

Background: This study aimed to find pseudogenes with significant expression alterations in gastric cancer (GC) that could be implicated in the disease's development via the competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) network.

Methods: Pseudogenes, mRNAs, and microRNAs, whose expression changes considerably in GC specimens, were identified using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data from 2006 to 2017 (USA). The ceRNAs network was constructed using the miRWalk, miRTarBase, and DIANA-LncBase. The cox regression test was performed to assess the correlation between candidate genes and patient prognosis. Finally, using the RT-qPCR method, the in-silico results were evaluated using GC samples and adjacent normal. Samples were collected from Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran (Iran) between 2020 and 2021.

Results: In the cancer samples compared to the normal ones, there were 86 miRNAs, 1985 mRNAs, and 33 pseudogenes showing expression alterations, either more than or less than a twofold difference. Constructed ceRNA network demonstrated that pseudogenes such as RCN1P2, TPM3P9, and HSP90AB3P were most connected to changed mRNAs and microRNAs in GC. The analysis of the ceRNA network for each of the mentioned pseudogenes indicated that the associated mRNAs play roles in cell proliferation, inflammation, and metastatic pathways. Furthermore, elevated expression of several mRNAs linked to potential pseudogenes was linked to a poor prognosis. RT-qPCR revealed a significant increase in the expression levels of RCN1P2, TPM3P9, and HSP90AB3P in GC samples.

Conclusion: The expression of RCN1P2, TPM3P9, and HSP90AB3P is dramatically enhanced in GC. They can also influence the survival rate of GC patients by regulating pathways involved in cell proliferation, inflammation, and metastasis via the ceRNAs network.

Background: Indonesia is known as the home of disasters and this condition threatens the safety of the Indonesian people. Strengthening community capacity is still not optimal and school-based programs need to be carried out to prepare the younger generation to face earthquakes. This study aimed to analyze the effect of the school-based program on improving disaster preparedness (SBPIDP) among Indonesian adolescents in the earthquake risk area.

Methods: A randomized control trial was performed among 140 (INT=70; CON=70) adolescents in Indonesia in 2022. The SBPIDP lasted for 10 wk providing eight sessions of education and training activities. Data collection tools included a three-part questionnaire that consisted of demographics, knowledge, and self-efficacy for earthquake preparedness. The inter-group and intra-group differences were evaluated using paired t-test analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) used to assess intervention effectiveness.

Results: There were significant differences in disaster preparedness among adolescents after the SBPIDP program was implemented after follow-up in the 10^th week (knowledge (P=0.001) and self-efficacy (P=0.001)). The intervention group showed better preparedness than the control group during the follow-up period.

Conclusion: The SBPIDP program can significantly improve disaster preparedness among Indonesian adolescents in earthquake-risk areas.

Background: Head and facial anthropometric data play a crucial role in designing and properly sizing respirators. Previous anthropometric studies on respirator design have primarily focused on the head and facial dimensions of American and Chinese individuals. However, there is a lack of research for multi-ethnic countries like Iran. We aimed to establish a comprehensive head and facial anthropometric database for Iranian workers. Specifically, we sought to identify differences among gender, age, and ethnicity, as well as determine the predictors that may influence head and facial dimensions.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among workers who underwent health assessments at Occupational Health and Medical Examination Centers affiliated with the medical universities of Shiraz, Tehran, and Karaj. A total of 1,000 workers (837 males and 163 females) participated in the study in 2022. Nineteen head and facial anthropometric dimensions were measured across six major Iranian ethnic groups. The effects of gender, age, ethnicity, occupation, and BMI on facial dimensions were analyzed using linear regression.

Results: The results revealed a difference between the head and face dimensions of males and females, which indicated that the facial dimensions of males were larger. Linear regression analysis showed gender, ethnicity, occupation, age, and BMI were significant predictors of the facial dimensions.

Conclusion: When designing and sizing respirators, it is crucial to consider the variations in facial anthropometric dimensions. By doing so, we can ensure that the respirators fit well on the face, thus minimizing the chances of injuries and occupational diseases.