Prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among healthcare workers in the Gaza Strip, Palestine: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Objectives: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the leading risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of HTN and its associated factors among healthcare workers (HCWs) at the Gaza Strip's governmental hospitals and primary healthcare centres (PHCs).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

The Associations between Healthy Eating Patterns and Risk of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Although several epidemiological studies have identified an inverse association between healthy dietary patterns and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)/non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), little is known about the contribution of the food component to MASLD risk and the association between dietary patterns and severity of MASLD. This study aimed to investigate the association between healthy eating patterns and MASLD risk and severity of MASLD.

Methods: A case-control study including 228 patients diagnosed with MASLD and 228 controls was conducted.

Potassium levels and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients with cardiovascular diseases: a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Background: Abnormal blood potassium levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases and mortality in the general population; however, evidence regarding the association between dyskalemia and mortality among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the association of potassium levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients with CVD.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to August 2023 to identify relevant cohort studies among patients with CVD, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure.

The association between prepregnancy dietary fatty acids and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective cohort study.

Background & Aims: Epidemiologic studies have examined the association between dietary fatty acids and type 2 diabetes risk in general populations. Evidence regarding their associations with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate prepregnancy fatty acids intake in relation to GDM risk.

Potassium status and the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality: a meta-analysis of prospective observational studies.

Epidemiological evidence on the association between potassium and cardiometabolic outcomes remains controversial. This study aimed to examine associations of dietary intake and blood and urinary levels of potassium with risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality. Relevant prospective studies were retrieved through a comprehensive search of four electronic databases up to July 1, 2023.

Association of Plasma Vitamins and Carotenoids, DNA Methylation of LCAT, and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Dysregulation of lipid metabolism has been implicated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness among the elderly. Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is an important enzyme responsible for lipid metabolism, which could be regulated by DNA methylation during the development of various age-related diseases. This study aimed to assess the association between LCAT DNA methylation and the risk of AMD, and to examine whether plasma vitamin and carotenoid concentrations modified this association.

The value of discharged case fatality rate in estimating the severity and epidemic trend of COVID-19 in China: a novel epidemiological study.

Aim: The main objective of this study was to explore the value of the discharged case fatality rate (DCFR) in estimating the severity and epidemic trend of COVID-19 in China.

Subjects And Methods: Epidemiological data on COVID-19 in China and Hubei Province were obtained from the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China from January 20, 2020, to March 31, 2020. The number of daily new confirmed cases, daily confirmed deaths, daily recovered cases, the proportion of daily deaths and total deaths of discharged cases were collected, and the total discharge case fatality rate (tDCFR), daily discharge case fatality rate (dDCFR), and stage-discharge case fatality rate (sDCFR) were calculated.

Chain-mediating effect of interaction between telomeres and mitochondria under oxidative stress in coke oven workers.

Coke oven emissions (COEs) exposure leads to oxidative stress, an imbalance between oxidant production and antioxidant defence in the body, which then leads to shortened relative telomere length (RTL) and reduced mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), ultimately leading to ageing and disease. By analysing the relationship among COEs, oxidative stress, RTL and mtDNAcn, we investigated the chain-mediating effects of oxidative stress and telomeres on mitochondrial damage and mitochondria on telomere damage in coke oven workers. A total of 779 subjects were included in the study.

Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages and fruit juices and risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and mortality: A meta-analysis.

Introduction: Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. However, evidence regarding associations of artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) and fruit juices with cardiometabolic diseases is mixed. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the SSB, ASB and fruit juice consumption with the incidence of cardiometabolic conditions and mortality.

Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and associated factors among healthcare workers in the Gaza Strip, Palestine: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Overweight and obesity are multifactorial conditions that are prevalent in developing and developed countries. They are emerging as a significant public health concern among healthcare workers (HCWs). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associated factors among HCWs in the Gaza Strip.

Global analysis of the correlation and propagation among meteorological, agricultural, surface water, and groundwater droughts.

Groundwater drought monitoring relies on ground observation data, which cannot be used to reflect large-scale droughts in groundwater resources. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Satellite (GRACE) improved the situation and provided a new solution for groundwater drought research. However, the propagation relationship among global different drought types has not been fully explored.

Saturated fatty acid biomarkers and risk of cardiometabolic diseases: A meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Background And Aims: Evidence regarding associations of circulating saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with chronic diseases is mixed. The objective of this study was to determine the associations between total or individual SFA biomarkers and the risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

Methods: Four electronic databases were searched from inception to March 2022.

Relationship between miRNAs polymorphisms and peripheral blood leukocyte DNA telomere length in coke oven workers: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting telomere length (TL) in coke oven workers by analyzing the interaction between miRNAs polymorphisms and coke oven emissions (COEs) exposure.

Methods: A total of 544 coke oven workers and 238 healthy controls were recruited. Peripheral blood was collected from the subjects, genomic DNA was extracted, leukocyte TL was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and fifteen polymorphisms of eight miRNAs were genotyped by flight mass spectrometry.

Dietary vitamins, carotenoids and their sources in relation to age-related macular degeneration risk in China: a population-based case-control study.

Mechanistic studies have suggested that antioxidants have beneficial effects on age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study aimed to investigate the association between the types and sources of dietary vitamin and carotenoid intakes and AMD risk in China. A matched case-control study of 260 AMD cases and 260 matched controls was performed.

Dietary Habits of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Case-Control Study from Pakistan.

Background: Adults in South Asian countries have high chances of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) as compared to the developed nations. CAD is among the primary non-communicable causes of death in this region. Dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking hypertension, diabetes are considered as important risk factors for CVD.

The polymorphisms in pathway are associated with mitochondrial DNA copy number in coke oven workers.

Objective: To evaluate the interaction effects of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and variants in genes on mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in workers.

Methods: The mtDNAcn was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase-chain reaction in 544 PAHs-exposed workers and 238 office workers. The polymorphisms were detected by flight mass spectrometry.

Intake of Soy, Soy Isoflavones and Soy Protein and Risk of Cancer Incidence and Mortality.

Background And Aims: Associations between soy intake and risk of cancer have been evaluated in prospective observational studies with inconsistent results. Whether the potential anticancer effects offered by soy were attributed to soy isoflavones and soy protein still needs to be elucidated. This study aimed to comprehensively quantify the association of soy, soy isoflavones and soy protein intake with risk of cancer incidence and cancer mortality by conducting a meta-analysis of all available studies.

The Associations of Plasma Carotenoids and Vitamins With Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Results From a Matched Case-Control Study in China and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Purpose: Data from studies support a beneficial effect of carotenoids and vitamins on an age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk. However, studies on the relations between blood levels of these nutrients and AMD are limited and provided conflicting results. The objective of this case-control study and meta-analysis was to examine whether the blood concentrations of carotenoids and vitamins were associated with the risk of AMD.

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish intake and risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Background & Aims: Epidemiologic studies are inconsistent regarding the association of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and/or fish intake with risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) incidence and progression. The objective was to determine these associations by conducting a meta-analysis of available studies.

Methods: Three electronic databases were searched for studies that quantified dietary omega-3 PUFA and/or fish intake from inception to December 2020 without language restriction.

Higher Academic Stress Was Associated with Increased Risk of Overweight and Obesity among College Students in China.

This study examined associations between academic stress and overweight and obesity, and moderation effects of gender, grade, and types of college on such associations. Data on academic stress, negative learning events, weight, and height were self-reported by 27,343 college students in China in 2018. About 23% and 91% of students perceived high academic stress and suffered from at least one negative learning event during the past six months, respectively, especially for females, undergraduates, and students major in humanities and social science subject groups.

Development and psychometric testing of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) questionnaire among student Tuberculosis (TB) Patients (STBP-KAPQ) in China.

Background: TB outbreaking in schools is extremely complex, and presents a major challenge for public health. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and practices among student TB patients in such settings is fundamental when it comes to decreasing future TB cases. The objective of this study was to develop a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Questionnaire among Student Tuberculosis Patients (STBP-KAPQ), and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Development and validation of college students' tuberculosis knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire (CS-TBKAPQ).

Background: China faces many challenges in controlling tuberculosis (TB). One significant challenge is the control of college students' TB. In particular, cross-sectional studies of college students' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in regard to TB have attracted substantial attention.

The experiences of high school students with pulmonary tuberculosis in China: a qualitative study.

Background: Clustered tuberculosis (TB) still occurred nationally in Chinese schools every year, where high school students patients accounts for the highest proportion. These young TB patients are in a critical period of physical and psychological growth. Research on their illness experience and analysis of underlying causes remains blank.

Framework for Establishment of a Comprehensive and Standardized Administration System for Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in College Student Community in China.

Background: College student community is the one with high risk of tuberculosis (TB). A systemic and standardized administration model for prevention and control of TB is significance in controlling TB spread in universities. Currently, the universities in China have not established the comprehensive and standardized administration system for TB prevention and control in college student community.