The effects of two fermentation processes (common fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and fermentation by Lacticaseibacillus casei subsp. casei PTCC 1608 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum PTCC 1745) on pH, titratable acidity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant capacity, saponin content, as well as phytic acid content of quinoa dough were investigated during the 24‐h fermentation (4‐h interval). According to the results, the highest titratable acidity was observed in the samples fermented by L. casei subsp. casei. Moreover, the highest antioxidant capacity was observed after 12 h of fermentation by L. plantarum subsp. plantarum (31.22% for DPPH, 104.67% for FRAP) due to a higher concentration of phenolic compounds produced (170.5% for total phenolic content). Also, all samples have been able to reduce saponin by 67% on average. Furthermore, the samples fermented by L. plantarum subsp. plantarum showed the most significant decrease in phytic acid content (64.64%) during 24‐h fermentation. By considering the reduction of the antinutritional compounds and improvement in the antioxidant properties of quinoa flour, the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain was recommended.

Health information on the dimensions of asthma and allergic conditions in Khuzestan Province, as a major industrial and polluted area in Iran as and the Middle East, is inadequate. This study was performed to measure the prevalence of asthma and other allergic conditions in adults in Khuzestan Province. This population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 17 villages and 27 cities of Khuzestan Province during the years 2017–2018 on 20 to 65 year old respondents. Two-stage cluster sampling was used. The ECRHS (European Community Respiratory Health Survey) questionnaire was completed for individuals with additional questions regarding other allergic conditions. In the study, 5720 questionnaires were distributed of which 5708 were returned. The prevalence of current asthma was 8.5% and that of asthma-like symptoms was 19.0%. The most common symptoms of asthma were nocturnal cough (13.6%), chest tightness (12.3%) and wheezing (13.1%). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR), eczema and airway hyperresponsiveness were 27.2, 10.7, and 38.7%, respectively. The prevalence of current asthma was strongly correlated with age, current location (city, village), and the smoking status of respondents (p < 0.05). The prevalence of current asthma and asthma-like symptoms in Khuzestan Province is almost twice as high as in Iran. Given the high prevalence of symptoms of airway hyperresponsiveness in the entire province, it is necessary to take environmental measures to mitigate the emergence of new cases of asthma among the residents. In addition, surveillance studies are necessary to monitor the trends in the prevalence of asthma in this province.

Objectives: This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt and psychometrically validate a Persian version of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS-P) and to identify the main barriers in an Iranian setting. Setting: Afshar cardiac rehabilitation (CR) centre, affiliated with the Yazd University of Medical Sciences, in the centre of Iran. Design: This was a multimethod study, culminating in a cross-sectional survey. Participants: Inpatient CR graduates who did not attend their initial outpatient CR appointment. Method: The 21-item CRBS was translated and cross-culturally adapted in accordance with best practices; an expert panel considered the items and previous non-attending patients were interviewed via phone to refine the scale. Next, structural validity was assessed; participants were invited to complete the CRBS on the phone between March 2017 and February 2018. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal component analysis extraction and oblique rotation. Second, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to verify the results; several goodness-of-fit indices were considered. The internal consistency and 3-week test–retest reliability of the scale (5% subsample) were evaluated using Cronbach’s α and intraclass correlation (ICC), respectively. Results: Face, content and cross-cultural validity were established by the experts and patients (n=50). One thousand and one hundred (40.7%) of the 2700 patients completed the CRBS-P. Structural validity was established by EFA (Bartlett’s test p<0.001; =0.759) and confirmed by the CFA; a four-factor solution with 18 items accounting for 61.256% of variance had the best fit (χ ² /df=3.206, root mean square error of approximation=0.061 and Comparative Fit Index=0.959). The internal consistency and test–retest reliability (n=42) of the scale were acceptable (ICC=0.743 95% CI (0.502 to 0.868); overall α=0.797). The top barriers were not knowing about CR, cost and lack of encouragement from physicians. Conclusion: The four-factor, 18-item CRBS-P had good psychometric properties, and hence can be reliably and validly used to measure CR barriers in Iran and other Persian-speaking populations.

Background and Objective. Patients with cardiovascular problems experience sleep disorders. Due to the importance of adequate sleep and rest for the growth and repair of damaged cells, it is necessary to use appropriate interventions to improve it. This study determined the effect of sleep intervention programs during cardiac rehabilitation on patients’ sleep quality. Materials and Methods. In this quasi-experimental study with unequal control group design, 35 individuals participated in the cardiac rehabilitation program as the experimental group and 35 served as the control group. The program included 12 weeks of exercise, 3 sessions per week, 3 sessions of training programs each lasting for 45 minutes, and a special two-session sleep improvement program. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and analysed with descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results. There were not any significant differences between the two groups in age, sex, marital status, smoking, and indication for cardiac rehabilitation ( ). The scores of sleep quality of patients were before and after intervention in the experimental group and before and after intervention in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups before intervention ( ). yet there was a significant difference after intervention ( ). In addition, scores of sleep quality of patients were significantly different in the experimental and control groups before and after intervention ( ). Conclusion. Findings indicated that the quality of sleep of cardiac patients improved after the sleep intervention program during the cardiac rehabilitation program. Therefore, it is suggested to implement sleep improvement programs for cardiac patient care as an effective, easy, and feasible technique. In addition, it is necessary to pay more attention to the sleep improvement program in cardiac rehabilitation. Trial Registration. The trial was retrospectively registered on https://en.irct.ir/trial/50799 on 14 September 2020 (14.09.2020) with registration number IRCT20140307016870N6.