Introduction:Healthy growth and development essentially need a balanced diet of nutrients and vitamins which includes a variety of foods from different food groups. The primary aim of this study was to assess the dietary diversity (DD) and its related factors among adolescents’ high school girls in Ahvaz-Iran.Methodology:This was a cross-sectional study which it was structured based on the WHO & FAO's dietary diversity questionnaire. The study population consisted of 506 high school girls aged 15 to 18. Data about diet, socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics were gathered. A dietary diversity score (DDS) and anthropometric of girls were measured. The relation of DDS with anthropometric measures and economic situation were assessed.Results:The mean DDS was 6.81±1.75. A total of 18.85% and 8.3% of participants were overweight and obese respectively. In participants with scores ≥ six, Body Mass Index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio were slightly greater than in individuals with scores less than six, however it was not significant except for waist hip ratio. The Logistic Regression showed that; weak economical situation was a risk for poor DDS (OR= 3.5, CI= 1.06-10.6, p=0.03).Conclusion:The FAO's third version of guidelines is a good indicator for measuring DDS. The results of this study indicate that high school girls’ knowledge and practice about dietary diversity are not good and need to be improved by educational classes.

Background: Spinal-Z is a methanolic mixture of dried seed powder of Peganum harmala Linn. and leaf of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. It is available as oral capsules and has been used to treat various cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Spinal-Z capsules (containing herbal extracts) on blood parameters and gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and to determine its potential side effects.

Nutritional intervention with older people in residential facilities was effective in improving handgrip strength, but did not significantly improve scores for activities of daily living, balance, gait velocity or preventing death. Further studies with larger sample sizes and of high quality are required to investigate appropriate intervention methods and specific target participants. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 197-210.

BackgroundCoronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Research indicates that coronary atherosclerosis is the most frequent cause of CHD. Evidence is scarce concerning the clinical efficacy of fibrinogen or neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) measurement in risk-stratifying patients with chronic stable angina.ObjectivesTo examine the independent and incremental prognostic value of fibrinogen and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for angiographically-detected coronary artery disease (CAD).Patients and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, angiography was performed for 183 Iranian patients with chronic stable angina with exercise ECG-determined intermediate risk. Generalized estimated equations were used to obtain the odd ratio (OR) of CAD for a 1-unit increase in log-NLR and a 1-SD increase in plasma fibrinogen. Models were adjusted for established CAD risk factors. Integrated discriminatory improvement index (IDI) and net reclassification improvement index (NRI) were used as measures of predictive ability for CAD, combined with traditional risk factors by NLR and fibrinogen.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 57.5, with 51.9% being male. Only 12% of participants had angiographically-determined patent coronary arteries. The number of participants with one, two, and three-vessel stenosis were 76, 31, 31, respectively, while 45 did not have stenosed vessels. NLR and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients with stenosis in two (2.4 and 512 mg.dL-1) or three (2.6 and 517 mg.dL-1) coronary arteries, as compared to the group of patients with no significant involvement (2 and 430 mg.dL-1) (all P < 0.01). Patients with a higher NLR and a higher fibrinogen levels were more likely to have higher grades of CAD. OR log-NLR = 1.36 (95% CI: 1.05 - 1.94) and OR Z-Fibrinogen = 1.61 (95% CI: 1.18 - 2.22). When NLR and fibrinogen were added to the traditional risk factors separately, the NRIs were 0.170 (0.023 - 0.324) and 0.380 (0.214 - 0.543), respectively. The NRI was 0.460 (0.303 - 0.620) when both NLR and fibrinogen added to traditional risk factors simultaneously.ConclusionsNLR and fibrinogen predicted CAD, independent of traditional CAD risk factors. Both measures (whether separately or together) substantially enhanced the predictive performance of traditional risk factors for identifying patients with CAD.

Introduction:Central adiposity and metabolic syndrome are quite common among postmenopausal women. Dietary diversity and healthy food choices have essential role in health and also in prevention of obesity. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of mobile phone short messaging system on healthy food choices among Iranian postmenopausal women.Materials and Methods:This was a randomized controlled trial in which 100 postmenopausal women aged 40-60 years were recruited and assigned to two groups (50 each in the intervention and control groups). Food frequency consumption was measured using a questionnaire. A total of 16 text messages including information about modification of food selection (healthy choices, benefits, methods, etc.,) were sent to participants in the intervention group during 4 months follow-up (1/week). The Chi-square and independent t-test used for data analysis. Ninety-two women completed the study.Results:The consumption of Vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). More women in the intervention group consumed fish after intervention (P = 0.02). The consumption of green leafy vegetables showed a nonsignificant increase in the intervention group.Conclusion:Using mobile phone short messaging system can improve the healthy food choices regarding Vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables and fish among postmenopausal women.