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Vitamin E supplementation might have favorable effects on risk factors of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the effects of vitamin E supplementation or vitamin E in combination with omega-3 or magnesium on PCOS. PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase electronic databases, and Google scholar were searched for all available articles up to September 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effect of vitamin E supplementation or vitamin E in combination with omega-3 or magnesium on lipid and glycemic profiles, anthropometric measurements, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, hormonal profile, and hirsutism score in patients with PCOS were included. Ten RCTs (with 504 participants) fulfilled the eligible criteria. Vitamin E supplementation or vitamin E in combination with omega-3 or magnesium in comparison to placebo could significantly reduce serum levels of TG (weighted mean difference: − 18.27 mg/dL, 95% CI − 34.68 to − 1.87), VLDL (− 5.88 mg/dL, 95% CI − 8.08 to − 3.68), LDL-c (− 12.84 mg/dL, 95% CI − 22.15 to − 3.52), TC (− 16.30 mg/dL, 95% CI − 29.74 to − 2.86), TC/HDL-c ratio (− 0.52, 95% CI − 0.87 to − 0.18), hs-CRP (− 0.60 ng/mL, 95% CI − 0.77 to − 0.44), hirsutism score (− 0.33, 95% CI − 0.65 to − 0.02) and significantly increase nitric oxide levels (2.79 µmol/L, 95% CI 0.79–4.79). No significant effect was found on HDL-c, glycemic indices, hormonal profile, anthropometric measurements, and other biomarkers of inflammation or oxidative stress. This meta-analysis highlights the potential anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin E supplementation alone or in combination with omega-3 or magnesium on PCOS patients.

There was no evidence on the relationship of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) with metabolic health condition in adolescents with overweight and obesity. The purpose of this research was to investigate the association of priori-defined DASH dietary pattern with metabolic health status among adolescents with overweight and obesity in Iran. A cross-sectional survey performed on a representative sample of adolescents with overweight and obesity (n = 203). Dietary intakes were collected via a validated food frequency questionnaire and DASH score was characterized according to eight components. Data of anthropometric measures, blood pressure, circulating insulin, fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile were collected. Metabolic health status was defined based on criteria of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and insulin resistance (IR). Based on IDF and IDF/IR criteria, 38.9% and 33.0% of adolescents suffered from metabolically unhealthy overweight/obesity (MUO). After controlling all confounders, subjects in the highest vs. lowest tertile of DASH diet had respectively 92% and 91% lower odds of MUO based on IDF definition (OR = 0.08; 95%CI 0.03–0.22) and IDF/IR criteria (OR = 0.09; 95%CI 0.03–0.29). Subgroup analysis by sex and body mass index determined that this relationship was more powerful in girls and overweight individuals. Also, in fully adjusted model, highest vs. lowest adherence to DASH diet was linked to decreased odds of hyperglycemia (OR = 0.07; 95% CI 0.03–0.21), hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 0.26; 95% CI 0.09–0.73), low HDL cholesterolemia (OR = 0.30; 95% CI 0.12–0.73) and insulin resistance (OR = 0.07; 95% CI 0.02–0.28), as metabolic health components. Greater compliance to DASH dietary pattern was linked to a remarkable lower odd of metabolic unhealthy condition among Iranian adolescents, especially in overweight subjects and girls. More prospective surveys are required to assert these results.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder in the reproductive age that negatively significant impacts on women’s quality of life. This randomized clinical trial study was undertaken to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory and antioxidant markers in 44 vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) students with PMS. Participants received either 50,000 IU vitamin D3 or a placebo pearl fortnightly for 4 months. At the baseline and in the last 2 months of intervention, participants were asked to complete the PMS Daily Symptoms Rating form along with taking the pearls and their blood samples were collected to assess serum levels of 25(OH)D 3 , Interleukin 10 and 12 (IL-10, IL-12) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In vitamin D group, serum levels of IL-10 and IL-12 significantly decreased while TAC significantly increased post-intervention. There were significant differences regarding serum IL-12 and TAC levels between the two groups. Mean score of the total PMS symptoms showed significant improvement in 25(OH)D . Vitamin D supplementation seems to be an effective strategy to improve inflammation and antioxidant markers in vitamin D deficient women with PMS. This clinical trial was registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on 20/06/2018 (IRCT20180525039822N1).

BRAF and NRAS are the most reported mutations associated to melanomagenesis. The lack of accurate diagnostic markers in response to therapeutic treatment in BRAF/NRAS-driven melanomagenesis is one of the main challenges in melanoma personalized therapy. In order to assess the diagnostic value of phosphatidylserine-specific phospholipase A1-alpha (PLA1A), a potent lysophospholipid mediating the production of lysophosphatidylserine, PLA1A mRNA and serum levels were compared in subjects with malignant melanoma (n = 18), primary melanoma (n = 13), and healthy subjects (n = 10). Additionally, the correlation between histopathological subtypes of BRAF/NRAS-mutated melanoma and PLA1A was analyzed. PLA1A expression was significantly increased during melanogenesis and positively correlated to disease severity and histopathological markers of metastatic melanoma. PLA1A mRNA and serum levels were significantly higher in patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma compared to the patients with NRAS-mutated melanoma. Notably, PLA1A can be used as a diagnostic marker for an efficient discrimination between naïve melanoma samples and advanced melanoma samples (sensitivity 91%, specificity 57%, and AUC 0.99), as well as BRAF-mutated melanoma samples (sensitivity 62%, specificity 61%, and AUC 0.75). Our findings suggest that PLA1A can be considered as a potential diagnostic marker for advanced and BRAF-mutated melanoma.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Genetic, family history, nutritional, lifestyle, and inflammatory factors are considered as contributing factors of ADHD. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) could be used to determine whether a diet has an inflammatory potential. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to find out if DII scores and ADHD were related. This study included 500 Iranian children aged 4–12 (200 ADHD cases and 300 healthy controls). Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) consisting of 168 items were used to determine dietary intake. DII scores were calculated using data from D-FFQ. Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) scores were calculated using standardized z-scores for each food item, following established protocols. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) assessed energy-adjusted dietary intake across DII tertiles. Multivariable logistic regression estimated ADHD odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) through two hierarchical models: Model 1 (adjusted for age, gender, income) and Model 2 (Model 1 + BMI). Statistical significance was set at p  < 0.05, with analyses performed in SPSS version 21. Overall, 200 ADHD and 300 healthy children participated in this study. Energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) was directly associated with ADHD risk in the crude model (OR = 1.104; 95% CI: 1.009, 1.208; p  = 0.031). This result also remained significant in Model 1 (OR = 1.162; 95% CI: 1.050, 1.285; p  = 0.004) and Model 2 (OR = 1.133; 95% CI: 1.021, 1.258; p  = 0.019). We found that E-DII had a significant association with the risk of ADHD in Iranian children. Limitations include the case-control design, which precludes causal inference, and potential residual confounding from unmeasured factors. It will be necessary to conduct further studies to confirm these findings.

Abstract—Preparation of complex nano- and micron-sized non-spherical particulate geometries still remains a challenge. One potential approach is the utilization of natural templates with diverse shapes. In this report, the siliceous diatoms were served as bio-templates for the preparation of organic/inorganic composite particles through shell suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate as a model monomer. This led to an efficient encapsulation and entrapment of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles inside the diatoms. Such a simple approach has a great potential for the synthesis and encapsulation of other types of nanoparticles (e.g., metallic and inorganic) as well.

This review delves into the complex relationship between environmental factors, their mechanistic cellular and molecular effects, and their significant impact on human health. Climate change is fueled by industrialization and the emission of greenhouse gases and leads to a range of effects, such as the redistribution of disease vectors, higher risks of disease transmission, and shifts in disease patterns. Rising temperatures pose risks to both food supplies and respiratory health. The hypothesis addressed is that environmental stressors including a spectrum of chemical and pathogen exposures as well as physical and psychological influences collectively impact genetics, metabolism, and cellular functions affecting physical and mental health. The objective is to report the mechanistic associations linking environment and health. As environmental stressors intensify, a surge in health conditions, spanning from allergies to neurodegenerative diseases, becomes evident; however, linkage to genetic-altered proteomics is more hidden. Investigations positing that environmental stressors cause mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic syndrome, and oxidative stress, which affect missense variants and neuro- and immuno-disorders, are reported. These disruptions to homeostasis with dyslipidemia and misfolded and aggregated proteins increase susceptibility to cancers, infections, and autoimmune diseases. Proposed interventions, such as vitamin B supplements and antioxidants, target oxidative stress and may aid mitochondrial respiration and immune balance. The mechanistic interconnections of environmental stressors and disruptions in health need to be unraveled to develop strategies to protect public health.

Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally, influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. Among these, the metabolism of homocysteine (HCY), a sulfur-containing amino acid derived from dietary methionine, has attracted growing attention due to its involvement in one-carbon metabolism and its potential link to cancer. Elevated HCY levels, a condition known as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY), have been shown to disrupt crucial cellular processes such as DNA methylation and promote oxidative stress (OS)—both of which contribute to genomic instability and cancer progression. Disruptions in the folate and methionine cycles, as well as genetic polymorphisms like MTHFR C677T, can exacerbate HHCY and increase cancer susceptibility. This study aimed to explore the relationship between HCY levels and cancer risk through a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies, with the goal of elucidating the role of HHCY in cancer development. A comprehensive literature search identified 1880 studies, of which 31 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 4937 cancer cases and 6053 controls were included in the analysis. The results indicated a significant association between elevated HCY levels and increased cancer risk, with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.18 (95% CI [1.04, 1.33]). Additionally, a meta-analysis of mean differences revealed significantly higher HCY levels in cancer cases compared to controls (pooled standardized mean difference = 1.56, 95% CI [0.11, 3.01]). These findings highlight the potential role of HCY as a biomarker for cancer risk, though significant heterogeneity across studies suggests the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms and the impact on different cancer types.

Dyslipidemia is one of the most well-established modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. Several meta-analyses have revealed the improving effects of chromium on dyslipidemia, while some studies have reported controversial results. This study aimed to summarize meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of chromium supplementation on lipid profiles in adults. The literature search was conducted using Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Library, and PubMed databases with appropriate keywords from the beginning to May 2022. Based on the pooled analysis results, a random-effects model was used to determine the effects of chromium on blood lipid levels. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were also evaluated using standard methods. A total of eight meta-analyses were included in this study. The pooled analysis of eight meta-analyses did not find any significant effect of chromium supplementation on triglycerides (TG) (ES =  − 0.20 mg/dl; 95% CI: − 0.50, 0.10, p  = 0.185), total cholesterol (TC) (ES =  − 0.14 mg/dl, 95% CI: − 0.43, 0.16; p  = 0.369), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (ES =  − 0.08 mg/dl; 95% CI: − 0.19, 0.03; p  = 0.142), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (ES: 0.05 mg/dl, 95% CI: − 0.05, 0.14, p  = 0.312). However, subgroup analysis by the intervention dose suggested that chromium supplementation in doses higher than 500 µg/day could significantly decrease TG. The available evidence proposes no beneficial effects of chromium intervention on blood lipids. As a result, it cannot be used as a single therapy to treat adults with lipid abnormalities.

Background Phospholipase-associated neurodegeneration (PLAN) caused by mutations in the PLA2G6 gene is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that presents with four sub-groups. Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) and PLA2G6 -related dystonia-parkinsonism are the main two subtypes. In this cohort, we reviewed clinical, imaging, and genetic features of 25 adult and pediatric patients harboring variants in the PLA2G6 . Methods An extensive review of the patients’ data was carried out. Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy Rating Scale (INAD-RS) was used for evaluating the severity and progression of INAD patients. Whole-exome sequencing was used to determine the disease's underlying etiology followed by co-segregation analysis using Sanger sequencing. In silico prediction analysis based on the ACMG recommendation was used to assess the pathogenicity of genetic variants. We aimed to survey a genotype-genotype correlation in PLA2G6 considering all reported disease-causing variants in addition to our patients using the HGMD database and the chi-square statistical approach. Results Eighteen cases of INAD and 7 cases of late-onset PLAN were enrolled. Among 18 patients with INAD, gross motor regression was the most common presenting symptom. Considering the INAD-RS total score, the mean rate of progression was 0.58 points per month of symptoms (Standard error 0.22, lower 95% − 1.10, and upper 95% − 0.15). Sixty percent of the maximum potential loss in the INAD-RS had occurred within 60 months of symptom onset in INAD patients. Among seven adult cases of PLAN, hypokinesia, tremor, ataxic gate, and cognitive impairment were the most frequent clinical features. Various brain imaging abnormalities were also observed in 26 imaging series of these patients with cerebellar atrophy being the most common finding in more than 50%. Twenty unique variants in 25 patients with PLAN were detected including nine novel variants. Altogether, 107 distinct disease-causing variants from 87 patient were analyzed to establish a genotype–phenotype correlation. The P value of the chi-square test did not indicate a significant relationship between age of disease onset and the distribution of reported variants on PLA2G6 . Conclusion PLAN presents with a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms from infancy to adulthood. PLAN should be considered in adult patients with parkinsonism or cognition decline. Based on the current knowledge, it is not possible to foresee the age of disease onset based on the identified genotype.