This population-based study aimed at investigating the prevalence and associated factors of prehypertension/hypertension in Iran. The data (n = 2818) for this study were collected in 2015 as a part of the major Lifestyle Promotion Project (LPP) conducted in East Azerbaijan (urban and regional parts). The data for socio-demographic status, dietary information, and physical activity and anxiety levels were collected through validated questionnaires. Then, physical examination including systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), body mass index (BMI) and conicity index was performed. First-morning spot urine (SU) sample was collected to assume salt intake. The One-way ANOVA, logistic regression, chi-square test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis. The prevalence of prehypertension, stage I and stage II hypertension, and overall hypertension was 47.3%, 13.6%, 5.45% and 22.6% respectively. The mean systolic (p = 0.004) and diastolic (p<0.001) blood pressure in men were significantly higher than women. Results of logistic regression analysis showed that in both sexes, family history of hypertension, obesity, abdominal obesity, anxiety and having high levels of sodium intake were associated with high blood pressure (p< 0.05). Additionally, 45.8% of the hypertensive patients were aware of their disease, 10.0% of the aware patients, and 44.5% of everyone with high blood pressure were receiving antihypertensive medication. Our data showed that prehypertension/hypertension is a major health problem in Iran. Focusing on identifying risk factors to hypertension, regular drug intake, good nutrition, physical activity, and changing lifestyles of patients with hypertension are essential.

Background: There are limited number of studies with controversial findings regarding the association between anemia at admission and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Therefore, in this research, we aimed to investigate the prospective association between anemia and COVID-19 outcomes in hospitalized patients in Iran. Methods: In this prospective study, the data of 1274 consecutive patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 were statistically analyzed. All biomarkers, including hemoglobin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured using standard methods. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of less than 13 g/dL and 12 g/dL in males and females, respectively. Assessing the association between anemia and COVID-19 survival in hospitalized patients was our primary endpoint. Results: The mean age of the participants was 64.43 ± 17.16 years, out of whom 615 (48.27%) were anemic subjects. Patients with anemia were significantly older (P = 0.02) and had a higher frequency of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer (P < 0.05). The frequency of death (anemic: 23.9% vs. nonanemic: 13.8%), ICU admission (anemic: 27.8% vs. nonanemic:14.71%), and ventilator requirement (anemic: 35.93% vs. nonanemic: 20.63%) were significantly higher in anemic patients than in nonanemic patients (P < 0.001). According to the results of regression analysis, after adjusting for significant covariate in the univariable model, anemia was independently associated with mortality (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.57, P = 0.01), ventilator requirement (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.54, P = 0.004), and the risk of ICU admission (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.46, 2.90, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was high and was associated with poor outcomes of COVID-19.

Background: The efficacy of germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and -8 (IL-8) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) has not yet been examined. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of administration of GBF on serum TNF- α, IL-6 and -8 levels in UC patients in remission. Methods: Forty-one patients with UC were divided into two groups, namely control and GBF group. Twenty-one patients in the control group received standard treatment while 20 patients in the GBF group received 30 g of GBF daily by oral administration during two months of the study along with standard drug therapy. Results: Levels of TNF- α, IL-6 and -8 all decreased in the GBF group compared with baseline during the two-month study, while in the control group all values rose. For IL-6 and -8 this effect was significant, P = 0.034 and 0.013, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that the consumption of GBF may reduce the level of serum TNF- α, IL-6 and -8 in patients with UC. This investigation was designed as a pilot study and the results may provide a basis for more future clinical trials.

Owing to interest in the role of antioxidants in human health which has prompted research to assess fruit and their products antioxidants, such as vitamin C and phenolics and also because of increment in commercial fruit juices consumption, the objectives of present study were to determine and compare the total polyphenol and vitamin C contents of natural fresh and commercial fruit juices. Folin-Ciocalteu assay and Spectrophotometric method were used to measure the total polyphenol and vitamin C. The concentrations of total polyphenol were ranging from 23.75±1.6 to 420.69±4.9 mg/100 ml for fresh and 18.57±3 to 381.9±3.4 mg/100 ml for commercial juices with lowest amount in apricot and the highest amount in pomegranate juices in both sources. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in the polyphenol contents of peach, pomegranate, grapefruit and orange between fresh and commercial juices. The vitamin C levels of fresh juices were ranging from 14.31 for apricot to 24.51 mg/100 ml for orange juices and those of commercial were from 13 for mango to 17.29 mg/100 ml for pomegranate juices. The mean vitamin C contents of fresh juices were higher than those of commercial but these differences were not significant. Although various juices differed markedly in the quantity of polyphenol and vitamin C, they can be considered as a good source of these components.