11 research outputs found
Investigating the Effect of Modafinil on Marked Brain Regions’ Functional Connectivity While Resting in Young, Healthy Individuals, Using Variance Component Longitudinal Model
No full textIntroduction: In recent years, investigating the differences in Functional Connectivity (FC) network in different brain regions in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagining (fMRI) has appealed to neurological researchers. Examining the functional connectivity differences between two groups can assist in improving neurological disorders cure. The present study explores the differences in functional connectivity between two groups, one using Modafinil and the other placebo, as to consider the impact of this medicine, concerning functional connectivity of regions of interests among young, healthy people.
Materials and Methods: Data was downloaded from website "Open fMRI." Downloaded data included 26 young, healthy men with no history of mental disease. They are divided into two groups of 13. The first group received 100 mgr Modafinil, and the second group 100mgr placebo. Three scans were taken from each group during the time. The data were analyzed through a longitudinal model, using a variance component.
Results: Exploring the functional connectivity difference between the two groups, using intervention and placebo in the baseline effect did not show a significant statistical difference, but investigating the functional connectivity difference between the two groups in longitudinal trends showed a significant statistical difference in Inter-Hemispheric and Right- Brainstem.
Conclusion: According to the present study's findings, Modafinil did not increase functional connectivity in most investigated regions.
 
A Graph-Based Statistical Approach to Identifying Functional Connectivity Networks in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury
No full textObjectivesTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common types of brain injuries associated with cognitive impairments. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies can provide a unique opportunity to examine brain connectivity patterns and understand the neural substrates of cognitive outcomes following traumatic injury. Therefore, this study aims to determine changes in functional connectivity patterns in patients with TBI compared to healthy individuals using two graph models, adaptive dense subgraph discovery (ADSD) and variance component.Materials & MethodsThis study used fMRI data downloaded from https://openneuro.org. These data included 14 patients with TBI aged between 18 and 36 and 12 healthy individuals (female: N=6, male: N=6) aged between 19 and 52. Out of the 74 regions examined, a cluster of 18 regions related to TBI was identified using the ADSD model. Subsequently, these identified regions were used as input for the variance component model to investigate changes in connectivity patterns.ResultsFunctional connectivity between an 18-brain region cluster, such as the Rectus (Left, Right), Supp_Motor_Area (Left, Right), and Middle Cingulum (Left, Right), differed between the patient and healthy groups. Based on the analysis of functional connectivity between pairs of brain regions, 153 connections between pairs of brain regions were compared in the two groups, out of which 63 connections showed significant differences between the two groups. Compared to other regions, Supp_Motor_Area_Right and Rectus_Left had more connections.ConclusionThe study’s results indicate that the functional connectivity between the Cingulum, Hippocampus, Fusiform, Supp_Motor_Area, and Precentral regions differs between the two groups. Since these regions are involved in processes such as memory, learning, spatial orientation, face recognition, coordination, and motor control, changes in their functional connectivity may lead to impairments in these areas
The association between leisure-time physical activity and blood pressure changes from adolescence to young adulthood: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
No full textAbstract The effectiveness of long-term leisure time physical activity (LTPA) on blood pressure (BP) changes is still under debate. Since adolescence lifestyle behaviors shape the adulthood health profile, this study aimed to investigate the sex-specific impact of LTPA on BP changes from adolescence to young adulthood. This longitudinal study uses the data of 1412 adolescents (52% females) aged 12–18 years through a median follow-up of 12.2 years in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) framework. LTPA was calculated using the reliable and valid Iranian version of the modified activity scale (MAQ), and BP was measured at least twice by trained physicians. The linear mixed model was used to examine the study variables, considering individual and intrapersonal differences during the study. The majority of participants consistently demonstrated insufficient LTPA throughout the follow-up assessments, ranging from 54.7 to 67.1% for males and 77.7–83.4% for females. Despite a declining trend in LTPA (β = − 2.77 for males and β = − 1.43 for females), an increasing trend was noticeable in SBP, DBP, and BMI (β = 1.38, β = 1.81, β = 0.97 for males, and β = 0.10, β = 0.20, β = 0.97 for females, respectively). The unadjusted model revealed a significant trend in all variables for both sexes, except for female BP (P = 0.45 for SBP and P = 0.83 for DBP). Using the adjusted model, no significant association was observed between LTPA and changes in BP over time in both sexes. Our study indicates no association between LTPA and BP changes from adolescence to young adulthood. Insufficient LTPA levels, particularly among Iranian females, are likely the primary factor. Further research is crucial to identify appropriate LTPA levels to promote cardiovascular health and implement targeted interventions to achieve optimal LTPA levels in the Iranian population
Hematological biochemical and liver function changes associated with BTEX exposure in a six year retrospective cohort study
No full textAbstract This 6-year retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the health effects of exposure to BTEX compounds in a petroleum products distribution company in Iran. Blood samples were collected annually from both exposed and control groups at the start of each work shift and analyzed for a range of hematological, biochemical, and liver function parameters, including lymphocyte, neutrophil, ALT, AST, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCHC, platelet, WBC, RBC, TG, LDL, and HDL. Annual monitoring of BTEX exposure was conducted using the standard NIOSH 1501 method. The study found significant time-dependent effects of BTEX exposure on liver function, lipid profile, and hematopoietic parameters. Linear mixed-effects models revealed consistent increases in ALT, TG, Hb, and MCHC levels in the exposed group compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences (β = 1.10, p = 0.029; β = 6.56, p = 0.016; β = 0.85, p = 0.013; β = 0.87, p = 0.027). Additionally, the model fitting results for LDL indicated a decreasing trend in the exposed group compared to the control group, which was also statistically significant (β = -1.76, p = 0.034). These findings suggest that long-term exposure to BTEX compounds may have adverse health effects on the liver, lipid profile, and hematopoietic system. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is needed to confirm these findings and explore the long-term health effects of BTEX exposure
Additional file 4 of Improving community readiness among Iranian local communities to prevent childhood obesity
No full textAdditional file 4. Interview consent form
Additional file 1 of Improving community readiness among Iranian local communities to prevent childhood obesity
No full textAdditional file 1. Food and Nutrition Committee (FNC) members
Additional file 3 of Improving community readiness among Iranian local communities to prevent childhood obesity
No full textAdditional file 3. Data collecting form for assessing the quantitative and qualitative aspects of activities
Platelet–Leukocyte Aggregate and Interleukin‐6: An Emerging Perspective on a New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Clue for Acute Coronary Syndrome, A Case–Control Study
No full textABSTRACT Background and Aims Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the most important cardiovascular diseases. The rupture of atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries is considered the underlying pathophysiology of ACS. The interaction between cytokines and leukocytes in the presence of platelets results in platelet–leukocyte aggregate (PLA). Monocytes, neutrophils, and cytokines are prime factors that promote PLA formation, which leads to atherosclerotic plaque progression and subsequent ACS development. This study aimed to investigate PLA (PMA and PNA) formation and cytokine (IL‐6 and TNF‐α) levels as well as the correlation between them in ACS patient samples to identify diagnostic markers. Methods A total of 30 patients with ACS and 24 healthy controls participated in this study. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate PLA formation, and the serum levels of cytokines were assessed by ELISA. The Pearson's correlation coefficient and ROC curve were calculated to investigate the correlation between the parameters and their diagnostic value, respectively. Results The results showed that PMA, PNA, and IL‐6 levels were significantly higher in ACS patients than in healthy controls. Additionally, TNF‐α levels were not significantly increased in the patient group. In addition, the Pearson's correlation coefficient results revealed a direct linear and statistically significant relationship between PMA‐IL‐6 and PNA‐IL‐6 as well as a direct linear but statistically nonsignificant relationship between IL‐6‐TNF‐α and PMA–PNA, whereas a convers linear but nonsignificant correlation was shown between PMA and TNF‐α and no correlation was detected between PNA and TNF‐α. Finally, ROC curve analysis revealed that the PMA, PNA, and IL‐6 can have diagnostic value. Conclusion In conclusion, the PMA, PNA, and IL‐6 can be used as powerful diagnostic markers in ACS patients. Therefore, disrupting PMA and PNA formation and inhibiting cytokine production may be new strategies for the treatment of ACS. However, further investigations are required to explore these parameters in the clinical diagnosis of ACS
Additional file 5 of Improving community readiness among Iranian local communities to prevent childhood obesity
No full textAdditional file 5. The results of fidelity assessment by sex and aSES
Health-related quality of life in adults with metabolic syndrome: a multi-level analysis of family and individual level variation
No full textPurpose The current study aimed to investigate the associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS) with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using multilevel analysis among the Iranian adult population.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). Participants were 6113 participants (3318 women and 2795 men) aged≥20 years of the TLGS seventh phase who had completed data on HRQoL and MetS. HRQoL was assessed using the short-form 12-item health survey V.2 and MetS defined based on the guidelines outlined in the Joint Interim Statement. The two-level model was fitted to assess the association between MetS and HRQoL.Results The prevalence of MetS and its components was higher in men, and regardless of metabolic status, men exhibited higher HRQoL values. The deleterious impact of MetS on HRQoL was more pronounced in women, while the detrimental effects of MetS on men’s HRQoL were confined to specific subscales. These results were obtained through multilevel analysis, considering both familial and individual variation levels. Moreover, our investigation highlighted the positive influence of leisure-time physical activity on both the physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS, respectively), regardless of gender. Education had a greater positive impact on PCS in both sexes. Additionally, a history of cardiovascular diseases was associated with a decline in mental and physical HRQoL, while age was linked to a decline in PCS and MCS, and smoking was associated with a decline in MCS.Conclusion This study revealed the significant influence of gender, as well as the unique characteristics and circumstances of individuals, on the relationship between MetS and HRQoL in a general population with low/middle income
