Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anemia in the MASHAD Cohort Study.

Background: Anemia is a serious public health problem which may be associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and brain damage. This survey aims to determine the prevalence of anemia and its association with demographic and biochemical factors and metabolic syndrome in a human sample derived from the MASHAD cohort study.

Methods: This survey was conducted on a sub-sample of 9847 individuals aged 35 to 65 as part of the MASHAD cohort study.

A monitoring framework for health care processes using Generalized Additive Models and Auto-Encoders.

In recent years, there has been a considerable focus on developing effective methods for monitoring health care processes. Utilizing Statistical Process Monitoring (SPM) approaches, particularly risk-adjusted control charts, has emerged as a highly promising approach for achieving robust frameworks for this aim. Considering risk-adjusted control charts, longitudinal health care process data is typically monitored by establishing a regression relationship between various risk factors (explanatory variables) and patient outcomes (response variables).

Air Pollution and Incidence of Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: Studies of association between air pollution and incidence of dementia have shown discrepant results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between air pollution and dementia.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched and updated in August 2021.

Social Determinants of Stroke Hospitalization and Mortality in United States' Counties.

(1) Background: Stroke incidence and outcomes are influenced by socioeconomic status. There is a paucity of reported population-level studies regarding these determinants. The goal of this ecological analysis was to determine the county-level associations of social determinants of stroke hospitalization and death rates in the United States.

Serum interleukin-18 and its relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic factor, and its blood level has shown a direct correlation with atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate the serum IL-18 level in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relationship with the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery in these patients, as an indicator of atherosclerosis.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 patients as the patient group and 30 healthy volunteers as the control group [matched sex, age, and body mass index (BMI)] were selected, and their disease status and general data were gathered using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) form.

The Hospitalization Rate of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis before and during COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: There are several reports of the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). In this study, we aimed to compare the hospitalization rate of CVST before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (before vaccination program).

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the hospitalization rate of adult CVST patients in Namazi hospital, a tertiary referral center in the south of Iran, was compared in two periods of time.

The Association between Substance Use Disorders and Long-Term Outcome of Stroke: Results from a Population-Based Study of Stroke among 450,229 Urban Citizens.

Introduction: Little is known regarding long-term stroke outcomes in patients with substance use disorder (SUD). Based on anecdotal data, some individuals use illicit drugs, particularly opioids, in an attempt to reduce stroke mortality, disability, or recurrence. This study is aimed to assess the effect of SUD on stroke outcomes.

SARS-CoV-2 and Stroke Characteristics: A Report From the Multinational COVID-19 Stroke Study Group.

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Therapeutic Effect of Curcumin in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Receiving Metformin: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility, for which the insulin sensitizer metformin has been used therapeutically. It has been shown that curcumin also exhibits insulin-sensitizing properties. Given that metformin acts as an ovulation inducing agent and both curcumin and metformin can reduce insulin resistance, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of metformin with and without curcumin nanomicelles in the treatment of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

SARS-CoV-2 Is a Culprit for Some, but Not All Acute Ischemic Strokes: A Report from the Multinational COVID-19 Stroke Study Group.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infected patients are suggested to have a higher incidence of thrombotic events such as acute ischemic strokes (AIS). This study aimed at exploring vascular comorbidity patterns among SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with subsequent stroke. We also investigated whether the comorbidities and their frequencies under each subclass of TOAST criteria were similar to the AIS population studies prior to the pandemic.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with COVID-19: a case series and literature review.

Background: Since the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, several cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) have been reported in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals.

Methods: Consecutive patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as clinical and radiological characteristics of CVST, were reported from three teaching hospitals in the South West, North West, and the center of Iran between June and July 2020. We also searched the abstract archives until the end of August 2020 and gathered 28 reported cases.

A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Risk Factors of Stroke in Iranian Population.

Background: There are limited data on vascular risk factors (VRFs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This meta-analysis was completed to summarize the existing evidence on stroke risk factors (SRFs) in the Iranian population.

Methods: An electronic literature search of the databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, and IranMedex was performed to identify the related articles published up to March 2018.

Self-perceived acute psychological stress and risk of mortality, recurrence and disability after stroke: Mashhad Stroke Incidence Study.

This longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the association between acute pre-stroke stress and the severity stroke and its outcomes including mortality, recurrence, disability and functional dependency. Patients with first-ever stroke (FES) were recruited from the Mashhad Stroke Incidence Study. Patients were asked about any acute severe pre-stroke stress in the 2 weeks prior to index stroke.

The association between daily naps and metabolic syndrome: Evidence from a population-based study in the Middle-East.

Background: Daily naps are a common habit in many Middle Eastern and Asian countries; however, little is known about the association between daily naps and other health consequences, including the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: Participants were recruited from the Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorders study. We defined MetS according to International Diabetes Federation criteria.

The elevation of S100B and downregulation of circulating miR-602 in the sera of ischemic stroke (IS) patients: the emergence of novel diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of mortality and disability. However, no reliable prognostic or diagnostic biomarker has been utilized to date. Here, we have evaluated the serum S100B concentration and miR-602 expression as potential biomarkers for IS.

A third of community-dwelling elderly with intermediate and high level of Alzheimer's neuropathologic changes are not demented: A meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the bidirectional association between AD pathology and dementia in community-dwelling elderly populations. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and references of the pertinent articles for community/population-based longitudinal cohorts with regular assessment of cognitive status of participants followed by postmortem neuropathology data, with no language and date restrictions, until 20 September 2019. Finally, we retrieved 18 articles with data from 17 cohorts comprising 4677 persons.

Vascular cognitive impairment: A preventable component of dementia.

For many decades during the 20th century, the common belief was that the slow strangulation of the brains' blood supply from hardening of the brain arteries led to chronic brain ischemia and neuronal death. Not surprisingly, to counter this, vasodilators rapidly became one of the most commonly used and profitable medications worldwide; however, no clinical benefits were ever proven. In the 1970s and early 1980s cerebral blood flow studies strongly disproved the idea of brain failure due to chronic ischemia.

Effect of atorvastatin on delirium status of patients in the intensive care unit: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Delirium is one of the most prevalent complications in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, which is related to worse clinical outcomes including a longer ICU stay, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, higher mortality rates and increased risk of cognitive impairment. Observational studies have suggested that statins might have a positive effect on delirium status of hospitalized patients. To date, there has been no trial assessing the effect of atorvastatin on delirium status in critically ill patients.

Socioeconomic status and stroke incidence, prevalence, mortality, and worldwide burden: an ecological analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with stroke incidence and mortality. Distribution of stroke risk factors is changing worldwide; evidence on these trends is crucial to the allocation of resources for prevention strategies to tackle major modifiable risk factors with the highest impact on stroke burden.

Methods: We extracted data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017.

Macronutrient intake and physical activity levels in individuals with and without metabolic syndrome: An observational study in an urban population.

Background: We aimed to compare dietary macronutrient intake and physical activity level (PAL) between community-based samples of Iranian adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS+) and without metabolic syndrome (MetS-).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 3800 men and women aged 35-65 years. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were used to define MetS.

Socioeconomic Status and Long-Term Stroke Mortality, Recurrence and Disability in Iran: The Mashhad Stroke Incidence Study.

Background: Little is known about the association between socioeconomic status and long-term stroke outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods: Patients were recruited from the Mashhad Stroke Incidence Study in Iran. We identified different socioeconomic variables including the level of education, occupation, household size, and family income.

The Association between Inflammatory Markers in the Acute Phase of Stroke and Long-Term Stroke Outcomes: Evidence from a Population-Based Study of Stroke.

Background: Little is known about the association between inflammatory markers in the acute stroke phase and long-term stroke outcomes.

Methods: In a population-based study of stroke with 5 years follow-up, we measured the level of serum heat shock protein 27 immunoglobulin G antibody (anti-HSP27), C-reactive protein (CRP), and pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) in the acute stroke phase. We analyzed the association between these inflammatory biomarkers and stroke outcomes (recurrence, death and disability/functional dependency) with using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.

Age, sex, and setting in the etiology of stroke study (ASSESS): Study design and protocol.

Rationale: Stroke etiology and risk factors vary by age, sex, setting (hospital or community-based) and by region. Identifying these differences would improve our understanding of stroke etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Aim: The Age, Sex and Setting in the Etiology of Stroke Study (ASSESS) is a multicenter cohort study to assess differences in stroke etiology.

Evidence of Concomitantly Increasing Stroke and Dementia Prevalence among those 80 Years and Older in Ontario, Canada, 2003-04 to 2012-13.

Among those aged 80 years and older in Ontario, Canada, stroke and dementia incidence declined concomitantly from 2002-03 to 2013-14. This study aimed to report the concurrent temporal trends of stroke and dementia prevalence in Ontario among the same age demographic. The prevalence of both stroke and dementia increased from 2003-04 to 2012-13 in both sexes and the magnitude in which prevalence of dementia increased over time exceeded that of stroke.