Marjan Ajami

Learning difficulties (LDs) impair academic performance and cognitive function. Dietary factors, particularly the composition of breakfast, may influence LDs. To examine the association between breakfast composition and LDs in adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 501 adolescents aged 10-19 from four schools in Jahrom, Iran. Trained dietitians collected dietary data using three non-consecutive 24-hour recalls (two on weekdays and one on a weekend). Weight and height were measured following a standardized protocol. Additionally, LDs were assessed using the validated Colorado Learning Difficulties Score (CLDS) questionnaire. Higher scores of CLDS reflect greater LDs. Using the CLDS, adolescents were classified into four equal quartiles. In all food group analyses, adolescents who consumed fewer than one serving/day were considered the reference group. Adolescents who consumed more than one serving of dairy had lower odds of being in the highest CLDS quartile (1-2 servings: OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.20-0.87; 3-4 servings: OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.07-0.47; >4 servings: OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.05-0.86). Furthermore, adolescents who consumed more than four servings of simple sugar had higher odds of being in the highest CLDS quartile (> 4 servings: OR 3.60; 95% CI 1.09-11.8). Our findings suggest that higher dairy intake and lower consumption of simple sugar waere associated with lower odds of LDs in adolescents. Further longitudinal studies are warranted.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The fat mass and obesity‐associated (FTO) gene has been implicated in obesity and metabolic disorders, while vitamin B12 plays a role in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This study aimed to assess the interaction between dietary vitamin B12 intake and FTO genotypes in relation to T2DM risk. A case–control study was conducted on 400 participants (179 with T2DM and 174 controls) aged 35–70 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and genotyping of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was performed using the tetra‐primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (Tetra‐ARMS PCR). Logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the association between dietary vitamin B12 intake and T2DM risk, stratified by FTO genotype (TT versus AA/AT). Vitamin B12 intake was significantly higher in participants with the TT genotype of the FTO gene in the control group compared to participants with the TT genotype in the case group (5.44 ± 2.37 vs. 4.03 ± 2.13 μg/day, p = 0.004). Vitamin B12 showed a significant inverse association with T2DM (OR = 0.778, 95% CI 0.636–0.952) in the TT group, whereas no significant associations were observed for the AA/AT group. Higher dietary vitamin B12 intake associated with lower odds of T2DM in individuals with the TT genotype of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism, suggesting a gene–nutrient interaction that may inform precision nutrition strategies for diabetes prevention.

Background and Aims: Spontaneous abortion (SA) may be affected by several variables including genetics and lifestyle factors. A recent study discovered that variations in the FTO gene have been associated to both SA and dietary intake. The objective of the study is to examine the association between vitamin E and abortion in individuals with different FTO genotypes. Methods: This case‐control study was conducted on 539 adult women including 192 women between 20 and 40 years with a history of SA and 347 women without a history of abortion in Tehran, Iran. The blood sample was collected from all participants to evaluate the FTO genotype for rs9939609 polymorphism. A validated Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to assess the intake of vitamin E. Results: The patients with SA had a lower intake of vitamin E compared to the control group in carriers of the AA genotype of the FTO gene (15.06 ± 7.77 vs. 18.04 ± 12.8 mg/day, p = 0.02). SA was inversely associated with dietary intake of vitamin E ( β = −0.232, p = 0.017) and alpha‐tocopherol ( β = −0.287, p = 0.036) only among the cases with AA and AT genotypes of the FTO gene. Adjustments for age, BMI, physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, and calorie intake did not change the results. Conclusion: This study presents the first evidence indicating a significant negative association between SA and dietary intake of vitamin E, specifically among those who have the A allele of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism.

Background Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse and affects 15% of couples globally. Diet influences inflammatory factors, potentially affecting ovarian reserve and thus may have a role in infertility. The present study aimed to assess the association between infertility and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). Methods This case–control study was conducted at Al-Zahra Hospital, Rasht, Iran, on 123 infertile women and 123 healthy participants. Food intake was assessed using a validated FFQ. The DII was calculated, and logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between DII and ovarian reserve. Results Individuals with a higher DII had a greater risk of infertility compared to those with a lower DII (OR = 2.08, CI 95% = 1.024–4.248, P = 0.043) after adjustment for age, weight, body mass index, intake of anti-inflammatory supplements, suffering from underlying disease, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Further adjustments for infertility duration, thyroid disorders, FSH, LH, and number of fertilities did not change the results. Conclusion The dietary inflammatory index (DII) was positively associated with infertility. A higher inflammatory diet may increase the likelihood of infertility. Further research is needed to fully understand this connection.

Introduction: Immunotherapy approaches have improved by Immune check point inhibitors such as PD-1, CTLA-4, and PD-L1 inhibitors. However, the response to immunotherapy varies widely among patients due to various factors. Co-administration of probiotics with ICIs has become a promising strategy to improve therapeutic outcomes. This review evaluates the impact of environmental factors and life style on cancer pathophysiology, outcome of disease, and response to the treatment. It evaluates the role of probiotics in modulating immune responses and the synergistic interaction of probiotics with immunotherapy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic review of clinical and preclinical studies to assess the effects of probiotics on immunotherapy outcomes. Studies were selected based on their focus on probiotics’ role in immune response modulation and interaction with ICIs. Data from trials involving patients with varying responses to immunotherapy, including those with prior resistance, were analyzed to explore the probiotic-enhanced immunotherapy. Results: Gut microbiome has wide effects on immune responses through different pathways like production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), polysaccharide A, and indole-3-carbaldehyde. Also, probiotics found to enhance Anit-inflammatory responses and increase CD8+ T-cell activity, suggesting a synergistic effect with ICIs. Gut microbiota composition plays a key role in determining the effectiveness of immunotherapy, especially in treatment-resistant patients. For optimized treatment outcomes, personalized probiotics tailored to individual's microbiota showed potential. Important challenges are treatment resistance and compromised mucosal integrity because of microbiome alterations. Effective drug delivery also remains as important barriers to common adoption. Conclusion: For immunotherapy outcomes improvement, immune responses modulation and gut microbiome diversity enhancement show probiotics important promise. Despite their potential, limitations must be addressed including treatment resistance and also delivery challenges. In order to maximize therapeutic benefits, personalized probiotic strategies have to be developed, and also the mechanisms by which probiotics improve ICI efficacy require elucidation through further research.

Background: Many meta-analyses and systematic reviews have explored the impact of omega-3 supplementation on clinical outcomes in individuals with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Thus, this study aimed to capture the effects of omega-3 supplementation on GI cancers and associated complications. Methods: This umbrella study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A comprehensive advanced search was executed across Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science until 25 January 2025. Data were pooled by using random-effects models based on heterogeneity. The entire statistical analysis was performed via RStudio and R. The statistical analysis results are presented as the mean difference (MD), standard mean difference (SMD), and relative risk (RR) in conjunction with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Eight meta-analysis papers were included in our umbrella review. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improved the serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (SMD: −0.34; 95% CI: −0.56, −0.11), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (SMD: −0.30; 95% CI: −0.49, −0.12; MD: −4.96; 95% CI: −6.62, −3.30), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (MD: −5.46; 95% CI: −10.06, −0.87). Omega-3 supplementation improved the CD4+/CD8+ ratio (SMD: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.71) and reduced the length of hospitalization (MD: −2.45 d; 95% CI: −3.11, −1.80). Omega-3 supplementation was associated with a 24% significant reduction in the risk of overall complications (RR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.86). Conclusion: Omega-3 supplementation may reduce the risk of overall complications and length of hospitalization in individuals suffering from GI cancers. Additionally, supplementation with omega-3 may alleviate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, and acute-phase proteins such as CRP.

Background: Coronary artery disease and hypertension are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, primarily due to high sodium intake. Therefore, accurate assessment of the status of sodium intake and excretion is crucial. The present study aimed to assess the dietary sodium intake and excretion in Iranian population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 adults aged 20–65 years in Tehran, Iran. A 24-h dietary recall was used to measure the intake of sodium. A food frequency questionnaire was also used to identify the food items that contributed the highest amount of sodium in the diet. A 24-h urine collection was applied to assess the amount of sodium excretion. Results: The mean of dietary sodium intake and sodium excreted in 24-h urine collections were 3888 ± 2931 mg/day and 125.2 ± 49 mmol/dl, respectively. Sodium intake and sodium excretion were significantly higher in men compared to women (P = 0.012 and P = 0.004, respectively). Traditional flatbreads were identified as the two main food sources contributing to dietary sodium intake, accounting for 31.2% of the total sodium intake from food sources. The average daily salt intake exceeded the recommended amount (5 g/day) in over 80% of the participants. Conclusion: Sodium intake in a wide range of Iranian adults may be higher than the recommended values. Iranian flatbreads are the primary source of sodium intake In Iranian diets. If be confirmed in future studies, these results could help policymakers make decisions on reducing salt intake to prevent diseases associated with high salt consumption.

Background: Spontaneous abortion (SA) is reported to be associated with Fat Mass And Obesity-Associated FTO genotype and dietary intake of selenium. This research assessed the potential interactions between the risk of SA, dietary selenium intake, and the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism.Methods: This case-control study encompassed 192 women who experienced SA and 347 control participants. Dietary selenium intake was evaluated using a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and Nutritionist IV software. The FTO gene was genotyped for rs9939609 polymorphism.Result: The findings showed that there were no significant variations in the case and control groups’ dietary selenium intake. A lower selenium intake was inversely associated with SA only among individuals with the TT genotype of the FTO gene (β = −0.19, p = 0.04). The results remained unchanged when age, BMI, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and calorie intake were taken into account.Conclusion: A link may exist between selenium consumption and SA, especially in individuals with the TT genotype in the FTO gene. These findings underline the influence of genetic factors on how dietary intake impacts SA. Further investigation is required to validate these conclusions.

Aim: The effect of dietary lycopene on ischemic heart disease (IHD) is not clear. Hence, this study aimed to determine the association between dietary lycopene and IHD.Methods: This case–control study was conducted on 443 patients with physician confirmed diagnosis of IHD as the case group and 443 healthy individuals as the control group. Data on demographic, medical history, anthropometric, and physical activity of the participants were collected. Food intake was evaluated using a 237-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The dietary intake of lycopene was assessed using Nutritionist IV software.Results: A negative association was found between IHD and lycopene (OR: 0.98, CI 95%: 0.963–0.996, p = 0.02). The results remained significant after adjustment for age and sex, additional adjustment for dietary intake of calorie and fat, further adjustments for BMI, and additional adjustment for smoking, drinking alcohol, and physical activity. The risk of IHD in people with the highest quartile of dietary intake of lycopene was significantly lower than those with the lowest quartile (OR = 0.67, CI 95%: 0.46–0.97, p = 0.036).Conclusion: There was a significant inverse relationship between intake of lycopene and IHD. Further prospective studies in different populations are required to elucidate the roles of lycopene against IHD.