Preliminary Results of Iran Premature Coronary Artery Disease (IPAD study) and Implementation of IPAD Biobank: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Iran Premature Coronary Artery Disease (IPAD) is one of the first and largest studies of its kind in Asia that investigates different aspects of premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) in different ethnic groups in multiple cities. In this paper, we aim to describe the IPAD biobank establishment and present some preliminary results of the IPAD study.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on patients with documented angiography from different ethnicities in more than ten cities of Iran (males aged 60 years and below and females aged 70 years and below).

Epigenetic programming of obesity in early life through modulation of the kynurenine pathway.

Childhood obesity is a global health concern that has its origins before birth. Although genetics plays a crucial role, increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications during fetal life could also influence its incidence. In this model, during the fetal period, interactions between genetic makeup, intrauterine factors, and environmental conditions, increase the risk of childhood obesity.

How Do Genetic and Environmental Factors Influence Cardiometabolic Risk Factors? Findings from the Isfahan Twins Study.

Background: Disease-discordant twins are excellent subjects for matched case-control studies as they allow for the control of confounding factors such as age, gender, genetic background, and intrauterine and early environment factors. A cross-sectional study.

Methods: Past medical history documentation and physical examination were conducted for all participants.

Comparing vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in rs11568820, rs7970314, rs4334089 between COVID-19 patients with mild and severe symptoms: a case control study.

The associations of vitamin D receptor (VDR)- single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the symptoms of COVID-19 may vary between patients with different severities of COVID-19. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to compare VDR polymorphisms in severe and mild COVID-19 patients. In this study, a total number of 85 hospitalized patients and 91 mild/moderate patients with COVID-19 were recruited.

The effects of COVID-19 on African American communities in Baltimore's health enterprise zones: a mixed-methods examination.

Background: The CoVID-19 pandemic underscored effects of community resources on the built environment, health and health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to conduct community-engaged research and examine aspects of health, and access to healthcare from the voices of community members, as a foundation for improving health equity through the built environment.

Methods: This study utilized a convergent mixed methods design that included surveys and semi-structured interviews conducted from July 2021 to August 2022 to examine the impact of limited community resources, such as community health clinics on participants during the CoVID-19 pandemic.

A Novel Approach to Locating Community Clinics to Promote Health Care Accessibility and Reduce Health Disparities in Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore, Maryland's entrenched racial residential segregation renders the city's world-class medical facilities and services inaccessible to many Black residents living in its most divested neighborhoods. Arguing the need for post-pandemic health care facilities to address health inequities as a practice of care-giving, this article describes a project funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to define a novel, transdisciplinary methodology for identifying ideal vacant sites for conversion into community clinics in Baltimore's most vulnerable neighborhoods. Positioning architecture as a social determinant of health, this paper suggests ethical and methodological reorientations toward a approach to clinic design and placement.

Genetic variation in salt taste receptors impact salt intake and blood pressure.

So far, few studies have examined the effect of salt taste receptors genetic variation on dietary intake in the Iranian population. We aimed to evaluate associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in salt taste receptors' genes with dietary salt intake and blood pressure. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 116 randomly selected healthy adults aged ≥ 18 in Isfahan, Iran.

Precision medicine and metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the most important health issues around the world and a major risk factor for both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases. The etiology of MetS is determined by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Effective prevention and treatment of MetS notably decreases the risk of its complications such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

Risk Factors for In-Hospital Mortality among Patients with Coronavirus-19 in Isfahan City, Iran.

Background: The aim of the study is to explore the risk factors of mortality for hospitalized patients in three designated hospitals in Isfahan province.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on all positive coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 patients admitted to Khorshid, Isabn Maryam, and Amin hospitals in Isfahan province. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcome data of patients who were died or discharged from February 24, 2020, to April 18, 2020, were extracted from patient's medical records.

Isfahan Twin Cohort: A Ten-Year Longitudinal Prospective Study Based on A Twin Registry.

Background: The Isfahan Twin Cohort (ITC) aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between genetics and environment in the development of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). As a type of specialized epidemiological investigation, twin studies are designed to quantify the contribution of genetics to a particular phenotype when confronted with environmental factors. In this context, the present study aims to present a detailed overview of the ITC methodology.

Identifying Optimal Locations for Potential Temporary Community Clinics During Public Health Emergencies.

Objectives: This article argues that community healthcare clinics managed by dedicated medical professionals who are familiar with the special needs of the local community may serve as effective alternatives to centralized hospitals and medical facilities, which may be disconnected from these local communities.

Background: The literature indicates that socioeconomic factors that affect an individual's ability to seek medical help when needed can cause vulnerability to public health emergencies. These factors include belonging to lower income populations, being African American, being dependent due to age (below 18 or above 65) or disability, being an immigrant, English-language ability, access to transportation means, and the strength of an individual's social network.

Polymorphisms of LPA gene, rs1801693 and rs7765781, are not associated with premature myocardial infarction in the Iranian population.

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of mortality globally. Although it is most prevalent in the elderly, it may occur in young adults (men ≤ 55 years or women ≤ 65 years) as premature MI (PMI). As awareness of genetic risks may lead to effective prevention of PMI, we aim to investigate the association of two susceptible single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the LPA gene with PMI in the Iranian population, rs1801693 and rs7765781, identified in previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Development and validation of a socioeconomic status short-form questionnaire (SES-SQ).

Background: Evaluation of socioeconomic status (SES) is an important aspect in community-based health studies and it is a major predictor of health and nutritional status as well as mortality and morbidity from many diseases. This study aimed to construct and validate socioeconomic status short-from questionnaire (SES-SQ) in Iranian population.

Methods: This cross-sectional methodological study was conducted among 1437 Iranian general population.

Association study of polymorphism in Thrombomodulin gene [rs1042579] with cardiovascular disease.

Background And Aim: Thrombomodulin (THBD) gene plays an important role in activation and control of protein C. Regulation protein C levels as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Mutations in this gene can affect Thrombomodulin levels.

Morning Exercise at School and Sedentary Activities are Important Determinants for Hypertension in Adolescents.

Background: This study was performed to determine the association of Pre-hypertension/hypertension (pre-HTN/HTN) with leisure-time activities and morning exercise at school in a sample of Iranian adolescents.

Methods: This secondary study has done using data of 1992 adolescents participated in of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program. The outcome variable was having/not having pre-hypertension/hypertension (pre-HTN/HTN).

Apolipoprotein B gene mutation related to familial hypercholesterolemia in an Iranian population: With or without hypothyroidism.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) leads to elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in plasma. Mutations of its related gene; apolipoprotein B (APOB) is seen in about two percent of the patient with FH. Thyroid disease is usually part of the exclusion criteria for the detection of FH which alters the lipid profile.

How Are Epigenetic Modifications Related to Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults?

The rate of aging has increased globally during recent decades and has led to a rising burden of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). At the molecular level, epigenetic modifications have been shown recently to alter gene expression during the life course and impair cellular function. In this regard, several CVD risk factors, such as lifestyle and environmental factors, have emerged as key factors in epigenetic modifications within the cardiovascular system.

Gamma-irradiation applied to the synthesis of the nanocrystalline GdOS:Pr powders for imaging applications.

Nanocrystalline GdOS:Pr powders were successfully synthesized by the co-participation method. The changes of size, shape and luminescence properties of these nanocrystalline powders were studied under different gamma doses (0-50 kGy) during the synthesizing process. Also, the structural, morphology and luminescence properties of these nanocrystalline powders were characterized using the X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion of X-ray spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and thermoluminescence.

Effects of selenium intake on the expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (cyclooxygenase-2) and matrix metallopeptidase-9 genes in the coronary artery disease: Selenegene study, a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: The oxidative stress is regarded as one of the main contributors to the health problem. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) are two of the important genes that are reported to be involved in the cardiovascular disease (CVD) development in the molecular and genetic association studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of expression of COX-2 and MMP-9 after selenium supplementation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Determining genetic variants in children and adolescents suffering from tetralogy of Fallot with a positive family history: methodology.

Background And Aim: Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects near 1% of all live births and is considered to be the main reason of morbidity and mortality in early childhood. In this study, we investigated molecular genetics factors associated with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) using high throughput technologies in the consanguineous families with at least 2 affected individual.

Method: This family study started in March 2017 to May 2018 in pediatric cardiovascular research center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan, Iran.

Curriculum development in health and the built environment: creating a multidisciplinary platform to enhance knowledge and engagement.

Purpose –: Our lived experiences are complex, dynamic and increasingly connected locally and globally through virtual realities that call for an evolution and responsiveness from the field of architecture education. To ensure future built environments are designed to nurture healing and health, this paper aims to address a critical need in architecture education to integrate knowledge of health and social-behavioral disciplines in students' course work. The authors will outline the process of preparing a new multidisciplinary course on health and the built environment (HBE) at the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State University in Baltimore, USA, as an effort to challenge the barriers of discipline-specific pathways to learning in the field of architecture.

Lactate/albumin ratio: An early prognostic marker in critically ill patients.

Objectives: We investigate the clinical utility of the lactate/albumin (L/A) ratio as an early prognostic marker of ICU mortality in a large cohort of unselected critically ill patients.

Methods: A retrospective single-center study using data from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database collected between 2001 and 2012. We screened adult patients (age ≥ 15) with measured lactate and albumin on the first day of ICU stay to evaluate the prognostic performance of the lactate and lactate/albumin (L/A) ratio for ICU mortality prediction.

The Epigenetic Overlap between Obesity and Mood Disorders: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Obesity and mood disorders are considered as the most prevalent morbidities in many countries. We suppose that epigenetic mechanisms may induce higher rates of obesity in subjects who suffer from mood disorders. In this systematic review, we focused on the potential roles of DNA methylation on mood disorders and obesity development.

Risk factors of congenital heart diseases: A hospital-based case-control study in Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Improving knowledge towards risk factors for congenital heart disease (CHD) is important because of its high mortality and morbidity and trying for prevention of occurrence of CHD.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on a total of 898 children with their mothers, who referred to the Clinic of Pediatric Cardiology of School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, during the years of 2014 to 2016. Cases comprised of 464 children with CHD diagnosed by echocardiography and controls were 434 sex- and age-matched children without any evidence of CHD, who were admitted for a heart check-up at the same study period and in similar conditions.

Association of Selenoprotein S Expression and its Variants with Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects with Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Selenoproteins S (SELS or VIMP) may regulate cytokine production, and thus play a key role in the control of the inflammatory response.

Methods: This study consisted of 136 Iranian patients with cardiovascular disease (65 MetS-affected and 71 MetS un-affected individuals) in the selengene study. Expression of two variants of VIMP including VIMP I and II were analyzed in all subjects using Real-Time PCR and ELISA.