Professional development: a mixed methods study of Masters of Public Health alumni.

Introduction: We examined the perceptions of the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree graduates regarding their personal competencies, job performance and professional development using a mixed method, explanatory sequential design.

Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire of the Haifa School of Public Health alumni who graduated between 2005 and 2022 was disseminated to 849 graduates between March and June 2022, from which 127 responded (response rate: 14.90%).

A healthy lifestyle is prospectively associated with lower onset of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. However, there is limited prospective evidence regarding the association between combined lifestyle factors and MASLD. This study aims to test the association of a combination of lifestyle components, expressed as a healthy lifestyle index (HLI), and unhealthful eating behavior habits with MASLD, insulin resistance (IR), liver fibrosis, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

Differential effects of low or high-fat dairy and fat derived from dairy products on MASLD.

Background & Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is strongly related to nutrition. However, only a few human and animal studies have tested the association between MASLD and dairy consumption and the effect of milk fat on liver damage. Therefore, we aimed at testing the association between consumption of dairy product and the incidence of MASLD and fibrosis markers in humans, and the effect of milk fat other fats on MASLD in animal studies.

A narrative review of lifestyle management guidelines for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background And Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease management guidelines have been published worldwide; we aimed to summarize, categorize, and compare their lifestyle intervention recommendations.

Approach And Results: We searched metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease/NAFLD management guidelines published between January 1, 2013, and June 31, 2024, through databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and CINAHL. In total, 35 qualifying guidelines were included in the final analysis.

Food inequity and insecurity and MASLD: burden, challenges, and interventions.

Liver disease prevalence, severity, outcomes and hepatic risk factors (for example, unhealthy diet) are heavily affected by socioeconomic status and food insecurity. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent liver disease globally and is likely to co-occur with other liver diseases associated with food insecurity. Though weight reduction and adopting a healthy diet can reverse the course of MASLD, gaps between recommendations and practice transcend individual responsibility and preference.

High red meat consumption among PNPLA3 polymorphism carriers is associated with NAFLD in a multi-center cross-sectional study.

Background & Aim: Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene (PNPLA3) polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with evidence for potential interaction with nutrition. However, the combination of meat consumption with genetic polymorphism has not been tested. Therefore, this study aims to test the association between the joint presence of PNPLA3 rs738409 G-allele with high meat consumption and NAFLD in populations with diverse meat consumption.

Ultra-processed food consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance: A systematic review.

Background: High ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is associated with the development of various diet-related non-communicable diseases, especially obesity and type 2 diabetes. The present study aimed to systematically review the association between UPF consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its leading risk factors; metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR).

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane (March 2023), and references of the identified articles were checked.

Integrating social nutrition principles into the treatment of steatotic liver disease.

Current treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease focuses on adjusting patients’ lifestyles, including promoting weight loss and physical activity. Here, we suggest adopting a holistic preventive hepatology approach encompassing social nutrition, social prescribing and broader societal changes to facilitate individuals’ engagement with behavioural modifications.

A global action agenda for turning the tide on fatty liver disease.

Background And Aims: Fatty liver disease is a major public health threat due to its very high prevalence and related morbidity and mortality. Focused and dedicated interventions are urgently needed to target disease prevention, treatment, and care.

Approach And Results: We developed an aligned, prioritized action agenda for the global fatty liver disease community of practice.

A global research priority agenda to advance public health responses to fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims: An estimated 38% of adults worldwide have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). From individual impacts to widespread public health and economic consequences, the implications of this disease are profound. This study aimed to develop an aligned, prioritised fatty liver disease research agenda for the global health community.

Efficacy of Wholistic Turmeric Supplement on Adenomatous Polyps in Patients with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis-A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Several studies have demonstrated that curcumin can cause the regression of polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), while others have shown negative results. Wholistic turmeric (WT) containing curcumin and additional bioactive compounds may contribute to this effect. We performed a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial to assess the efficacy of WT in FAP patients.

High Meat Consumption Is Prospectively Associated with the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Presumed Significant Fibrosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with meat consumption in cross-sectional studies. However, only a few prospective studies have been conducted, and they did not test for liver fibrosis. We aimed to assess the association between meat consumption changes and the incidence and remission of NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis.

One size does not fit all; practical, personal tailoring of the diet to NAFLD patients.

Different dietary regimens for weight loss have developed over the years. Since the most evidenced treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is weight reduction, it is not surprising that more diets targeting obesity are also utilized for NAFLD treatment. However, beyond the desired weight loss effects, one should not ignore the dietary composition of each diet, which may not necessarily be healthy or safe over the long term for hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes, especially cardiometabolic outcomes.

Liver Fibrosis Marker and Postoperative Mortality in Patients Without Overt Liver Disease.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can progress to advanced fibrosis, which, in the nonsurgical population, is associated with poor hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes. Despite its high prevalence, NAFLD and related liver fibrosis may be overlooked during the preoperative evaluation, and the role of liver fibrosis as an independent risk factor for surgical-related mortality has yet to be tested. The aim of this study was to assess whether fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), which consists of age, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and platelets, a validated marker of liver fibrosis, is associated with postoperative mortality in the general surgical population.

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food and Cognitive Decline among Older Adults With Type-2 Diabetes.

Background: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is related to increased morbidity and mortality. However, knowledge on its association with cognitive function is lacking. In this longitudinal study, we examined the associations between UPF intake and cognitive decline in older adults with type-2 diabetes (T2D).

Ultra-processed food is associated with features of metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims: High consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) is associated with mortality and chronic morbidity but has not been studied concerning to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to test the association of UPF consumption with metabolic syndrome, NAFLD and related-liver damage.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among volunteers who underwent abdominal ultrasound (AUS), anthropometrics, blood pressure measurements, and fasting blood tests including FibroMax for non-invasive assessment of NASH and significant fibrosis.

Nutritional Evaluation and Treatment of the Cirrhotic Patient.

Malnutrition and sarcopenia that lead to functional deterioration, frailty, and increased risk for complications and mortality are common in cirrhosis. Sarcopenic obesity, which is associated with worse outcomes than either condition alone, may be overlooked. Lifestyle intervention aiming for moderate weight reduction can be offered to obese compensated cirrhotic patients, with diet consisting of reduced caloric intake, achieved by reduction of carbohydrate and fat intake, while maintaining high protein intake.

Ultra-Processed Food Intake and Smoking Interact in Relation with Colorectal Adenomas.

Smoking and ultra-processed foods (UPFs), a substantial part of the western diet, have been suggested to have a potential carcinogenic effect, though epidemiologic data are lacking. We aimed to examine the association between high UPF intake and colorectal adenomas, and to test the interaction with smoking. In a case-control study among consecutive subjects undergoing colonoscopy in a tertiary center during 2010-2015, UPF intake and smoking were compared between cases with colorectal adenomas and controls.

Serum Malondialdehyde is Associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver and Related Liver Damage Differentially in Men and Women.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH) are associated with increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, but large studies are lacking. The aim was to test the association of malondialdehyde (MDA), as a marker of oxidative damage of lipids, with NAFLD and liver damage markers, and to test the association between dietary vitamins E and C intake and MDA levels.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among subjects who underwent blood tests including FibroMax for non-invasive assessment of NASH and fibrosis.

Higher phenolic acid intake independently associates with lower prevalence of insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims: The inverse association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diets rich in fruit and vegetables has been demonstrated, but the specific compounds that may be responsible for this association need to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to test the association between phenolic acid consumption, NAFLD, and insulin resistance (IR).

Methods: A cross-sectional cohort of individuals included in a metabolic screening program was studied.

A healthy lifestyle pattern has a protective association with colorectal polyps.

Background: Colorectal cancer is associated with lifestyle characteristics such as diet, physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking, but these are not incorporated in screening recommendations. Moreover, the joint association of these factors with various colorectal polyps is not established.

Methods: A case-control study, among consecutive subjects aged 40-70 years, undergoing colonoscopy.

Dietary vitamin E and C intake is inversely associated with the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims: Although antioxidants have a protective potential in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH), there is limited evidence regarding the role of dietary intake of antioxidants. The aim was to test the association between dietary vitamins E and C intake and NAFLD, NASH and fibrosis markers.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of a large cohort of subjects undergoing colonoscopy.

Serum Soluble Receptor for AGE (sRAGE) Levels Are Associated With Unhealthy Lifestyle and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been demonstrated to be positively associated with serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and negatively with soluble receptor for AGE (sRAGE) in a few small studies. We aimed to test the association between lifestyle and sRAGE levels and the association between sRAGE levels or AGEs intake and NAFLD, insulin resistance (IR), and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis among participants of a screening study.