Search Results (181)

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and blood trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels. Methods: This randomized clinical trial enrolled 53 healthy adults with normal or overweight body mass index (BMI) who were recruited from a cardiology outpatient clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. Dietary patterns and Mediterranean diet adherence (assessed using the MEDAS) were evaluated alongside anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Twenty individuals with low adherence underwent a 4-week Mediterranean dietary intervention with daily dietary monitoring. To assess changes, pre- and postintervention data were compared. Results: The results revealed that individuals adhering to the Mediterranean diet exhibited significantly lower blood TMAO levels (p < 0.001). In males, total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, and ALT levels significantly decreased compared with those at baseline (p < 0.05), whereas fasting blood glucose, HDL, and AST levels showed no significant changes (p > 0.05). In females, only blood TMAO levels exhibited significant reduction, with no other biochemical parameters indicating significant differences (p > 0.05). Additionally, males demonstrated significant improvements in anthropometric measures, including weight, BMI, fat mass, muscle mass, waist, and hip circumference, compared with pre-intervention values (p < 0.05), whereas females exhibited no significant changes in these measures (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that implementing the Mediterranean diet in individuals with initially low adherence causes significantly reduced blood TMAO levels even within a short intervention period of 4 weeks. Full article

Background: Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although lipid-derived atherogenic indices are widely used for cardiovascular risk assessment, their relationship with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle behaviors, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in occupational populations remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to evaluate the association between atherogenic risk, measured by total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c/HDL-c), triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-c), and atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD) and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and HRQoL variables in a large cohort of Spanish workers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 100,014 Spanish workers aged 18–69 years, of whom 39.9% were women, with a mean age of 38.2 years (SD 10.2 or IQR) and 38.9 years (SD 10.3 or IQR) for men, during the health examinations carried out between 2021 and 2024. Sociodemographic variables included sex, age group, and occupational social class. Lifestyle factors comprised smoking status, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDAS score), and physical activity (IPAQ categories). HRQoL was assessed using the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12), stratified into good vs. poor categories. Logistic regression models were applied to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for moderate-to-high atherogenic risk across indices, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Men exhibited a lower likelihood of moderate-to-high TC/HDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c but a markedly higher probability of elevated TG/HDL-c and AD compared to women (OR range: 0.42–3.67, p < 0.001). A clear age-related gradient was observed across all indices, with participants aged 60–69 showing the highest risk (OR range: 2.28–7.84, p < 0.001). Lower social class, smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, and poor SF-12 scores were significantly associated with increased atherogenic risk, with physical inactivity (OR up to 8.61) and poor diet (OR up to 4.98) emerging as the strongest predictors. Conclusions: Atherogenic risk in this large working cohort is strongly influenced by both traditional cardiovascular risk factors and HRQoL. Integrating lifestyle modification and quality-of-life improvement strategies into workplace health programs could substantially reduce the atherogenic burden. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm these associations and guide targeted interventions. Full article

Background: Vascular aging, characterized by a progressive increase in arterial stiffness, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been shown to have protective effects on cardiovascular health, but its relationship with vascular aging, as assessed by the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI), is not yet well established. Objective: To analyze the association between adherence to the MD and vascular aging estimated with CAVI in a sample of Spanish women with no history of previous cardiovascular disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1468 women (aged 30–80 years), classified into three categories according to CAVI: healthy vascular aging (HVA), normal (NVA), and early (EVA). Adherence to the MD was assessed using the MEDAS questionnaire validated in Spain. ANOVA and chi-square tests were used to compare baseline characteristics, and multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the association between MD adherence and vascular aging status, adjusting for age, sex, and drug treatment. Results: The CAVI increased progressively with age (p < 0.001) and was associated with higher blood pressure, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetes mellitus. Adherence to the MD was significantly higher in groups with lower arterial stiffness (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, greater adherence to MD was associated with a higher probability of healthy vascular aging compared to NVA (OR: 1.872; 95% CI: 1.366–2.566; p < 0.001) and EVA (OR: 1.738; 95% CI: 1.363–2.218; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Greater adherence to the MD is associated with a healthier vascular aging profile. Promoting this dietary pattern may be an effective strategy for preventing arterial stiffness and reducing the cardiovascular risk associated with aging. Full article

Background/Objectives: A higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been associated with a lower risk of death in different populations, but this association has been insufficiently investigated in the elderly Spanish population. In this study, we assess the association between adherence to three MedDiet indexes and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality in a population aged 65 years and older in Spain. Methods: The population included 903 participants from two population-based surveys. Diet was assessed at baseline by using validated food-frequency questionnaires (FFQ). We calculated scores of adherence to the MedDiet for three indexes: alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED), relative Mediterranean Diet Score (rMED) and 17-item energy-restricted Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (erMEDAS). Deaths were ascertained through the National Death Index of Spain and the Mortality Registry in the Valencian Region during a 12 year follow-up period. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), adjusting for relevant confounders. Results: During the 12 years of follow-up, 403 deaths occurred: 160 due to CVD and 90 to cancer. Compared to participants in the lowest tertile of adherence to aMED, those in the highest tertile showed a 30% lower risk of all-cause mortality, HR = 0.70 (95% CI 0.51–0.96). In addition, per two-point increase in aMED, we observed a 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality, HR = 0.83 (95% CI 0.73–0.95), and a 21% lower risk of CVD mortality, HR = 0.79 (95% CI 0.64–0.99). A 9% lower risk of all-cause mortality was also observed per two-point increase in the rMED score, HR = 0.91 (95% CI 0.84–0.99). Compared to participants in the lowest tertile of adherence to rMED, those in the highest tertile showed evidence of a marginally significant, lower risk of cancer mortality, HR = 0.55 (95% CI 0.29–1.04). No association was observed between the erMEDAS index and mortality for any cause. Conclusions: High adherence to the MedDiet, as measured by aMED and rMED indexes, was associated with lower all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality in an older Mediterranean population after 12 years of follow-up. Full article

Background: Diet and sleep are modifiable lifestyle factors that influence health and well-being. While adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been associated with improved sleep quality, this relationship remains understudied in high-stress occupational groups such as school teachers. Objective: To examine the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and self-reported sleep quality among primary and secondary school teachers in Portugal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 113 teachers who completed a self-administered digital questionnaire. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and sleep quality was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Of the 113 participants, 58% reported poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5), and the median PSQI score was 6.0 (IQR 4.0–8.8). The median MEDAS score was 9.0 (IQR 8.0–10.0), with 34% classified as having high adherence. When stratified by dietary adherence, there were no statistically significant differences in global PSQI or its components, and multivariable linear regression showed no association between MEDAS and PSQI. Patterns varied by teaching level: poor sleep predominated in most levels except the 2nd Cycle; high adherence was most prevalent in the 1st Cycle, moderate adherence predominated in the 3rd Cycle and secondary education, and the 2nd Cycle showed similar shares of moderate and high adherence. Conclusions: In this occupational group, poor sleep was common and varied across teaching levels, while Mediterranean diet adherence showed no detectable association with overall sleep quality in this study. Larger, longitudinal studies using objective assessments of diet and sleep, and accounting for factors such as stress and chronotype, are warranted to clarify potential links in educational settings. Full article

This study provides the first long-term, cross-border evaluation of Lithuanian potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars, integrating agronomic performance, tuber quality, and resistance to major pathogens across diverse environments. Field and controlled trials conducted in Lithuania and Ukraine from 2014 to 2024 revealed substantial genetic variability among 14 national cultivars, enabling their classification into five distinct maturity groups. Maincrop cultivars outperformed others in yield and starch accumulation, with ‘VB Meda’, ‘Goda’, and ‘VB Aista’ exhibiting a superior balance of productivity (up to 49 t ha⁻¹), starch content (>19%), and moderate-to-high resistance to Phytophthora infestans. A broader genetic screening of 287 accessions—including varieties, breeding lines, and hybrids—demonstrated wide diversity in phenological development, disease resistance, and reproductive traits. Notably, Ro₁ pathotype resistance was identified in 85 genotypes, predominantly with yellow-skinned tubers, while genotypic sterility in flowering and berry set was associated with both parental lineage and elevated temperatures. Although no complete immunity to P. infestans was detected, several genotypes displayed stable polygenic field resistance, suggesting the presence of horizontally inherited defense mechanisms effective under variable agroclimatic conditions. These results underscore the strategic breeding potential of Lithuanian potato germplasm for developing high-performing cultivars with enhanced resilience to late blight and nematodes and offer valuable insights for climate-adapted potato breeding in Northern and Eastern Europe. Full article

Background: Lifestyle behaviours, such as dietary patterns, sleep quality, perceived stress, and physical activity, are closely interconnected and play a critical role in maintaining health and well-being. Among school teachers, a profession marked by high psychosocial demands, the interplay between these factors warrants further exploration. Objective: This pilot study aimed to explore the associations between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), sleep quality, perceived stress, and physical activity levels among Portuguese primary and secondary school teachers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and December 2023. Participants completed validated self-reported instruments, including the MD Adherence Screener (MEDAS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Correlational analyses and multivariable linear regression models were applied to explore the relationships among the variables. Results: Among the 50 teachers, 32% demonstrated high adherence to the MD, 60% reported good sleep quality, 62% experienced moderate stress, and 44% engaged in high physical activity. Women were more likely to adhere strongly to the MD (p = 0.012). Higher MD adherence was positively associated with physical activity (ρ = 0.343; p = 0.015). A positive correlation was observed between perceived stress and poorer sleep quality (ρ = 0.346, p = 0.014), and a negative correlation between perceived stress and physical activity levels (ρ = −0.297, p = 0.036). Despite reporting good sleep quality, these participants had higher perceived stress scores (p = 0.015). In adjusted models, sleep quality was the only significant predictor of perceived stress (B = 0.708; p = 0.003), and vice versa (B = 0.267; p = 0.003), suggesting a bidirectional relationship. Conclusions: The findings highlight the interrelation between dietary pattern, sleep stress, and physical activity in a professional group vulnerable to lifestyle-related health challenges. Although the sample size limits generalisability, this study provides preliminary evidence supporting the need for integrated health promotion strategies targeting stress reduction and lifestyle optimisation among educators. Full article

Background: Diabesity, the coexistence of obesity and type 2 diabetes, is a major public health concern. Shift work and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors may exacerbate its prevalence, particularly in working populations. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the association between sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and shift work and the prevalence of diabesity, using both BMI and the CUN-BAE estimator, in a large cohort of Spanish workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 53,053 workers (59.8% men) aged 18–69 years who underwent occupational health examinations. Diabesity was defined as obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² or high CUN-BAE) plus fasting glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL or prior diagnosis of diabetes. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by the MEDAS questionnaire, physical activity by the IPAQ, alcohol intake by standard drink units (UBEs), and socioeconomic class by the CNAE-11 classification. Shift work was defined according to ILO criteria. Logistic regression was used to assess associations, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Shift work was independently associated with increased odds of diabesity both in men and women. Diabesity prevalence was higher when assessed by CUN-BAE compared with BMI. Age, male sex, lower socioeconomic class, physical inactivity, smoking, poor diet adherence, and alcohol intake were all significantly associated with higher risk. The CUN-BAE index showed superior sensitivity in identifying individuals at risk. Conclusions: Shift work and unhealthy behaviors are key determinants of diabesity among Spanish workers. The use of adiposity estimators beyond BMI, such as CUN-BAE, should be encouraged in occupational health surveillance. Workplace-targeted interventions are urgently needed to address this growing metabolic burden. Full article

Micro Electrode Dot Array (MEDA) biochips have recently attracted considerable attention in the biochemical and medical industries. MEDA biochips manipulate micro droplets for biochemical experiments such as DNA analysis. Droplets on MEDA biochips are moved using the Electrowetting on Dielectric (EWOD) effect, but a portion of a droplet may remain on a cell after passing through, contaminating the cell. Other droplets cannot pass through a contaminated cell. In previous studies, contaminated cells were considered unavailable for droplet routing. As the number of contaminated cells increases, droplets may be prevented from moving to the desired position. Therefore, we propose a method for simultaneous routing of target functional and washing droplets based on a shape-dependent velocity model. In a simulation, the proposed method reduced the routing time by about 10% compared with an existing method. Full article

Objective: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has gained recognition as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for managing symptomatic benign thyroid nodules. However, predicting RFA efficacy remains challenging, especially in identifying patients who may require multiple treatment sessions. The aim of the present study is to identify predictors of suboptimal volume reduction (SVR), defined as failure to achieve a volume reduction greater than 5% between 6 and 12 months after procedure and persistence of symptoms. Methods: A retrospective single-center analysis of consecutive patients who underwent a single RFA procedure for benign thyroid at Verona University Hospital between 2020 and 2023 was conducted. Clinical data, including nodule volume and compressive symptoms, were collected preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months post-RFA. Regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of SVR and persistence of symptoms. Results: A total of 50 patients were included. Baseline nodule volume, higher ACR-TIRADS score, and higher body mass index (BMI) were identified as independent predictors of SVR (p < 0.05). At 12 months, 18.4% of patients reported persistent compressive symptoms; however, no significant predictors of symptom persistence were identified. Conclusions: RFA is effective in reducing benign thyroid nodule volume, with a minority of patients experiencing persistent symptoms. Baseline nodule volume, ultrasonographic characteristics, and BMI significantly influence RFA outcomes, suggesting the need for additional procedures. Further studies are required to identify predictors of treatment response, enhancing patient selection and optimizing therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a key pathogenic mechanism underlying numerous cardiometabolic disorders. While sociodemographic and lifestyle determinants of IR are well-established, their association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains understudied. This study explores the relationship between IR risk, as measured by TyG, METS-IR, and SPISE-IR indices, and HRQoL in a large cohort of Spanish workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100,014 Spanish workers aged 18–69 years evaluated between January 2021 and December 2023. Exclusion criteria included incomplete clinical, laboratory, or questionnaire data. IR was assessed using TyG, METS-IR, and SPISE-IR indices. HRQoL was measured using the SF-12 questionnaire. Sociodemographic factors, physical activity (IPAQ), dietary habits (MEDAS-14), and social class (based on CNAE-11 and Spanish Society of Epidemiology criteria) were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v29.0. Results: Higher IR risk was consistently associated with older age, male sex, lower social class, current smoking, low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and physical inactivity. Lower HRQoL scores (both physical and mental components) were significantly associated with higher IR indices, particularly with METS-IR and SPISE-IR. These associations persisted after adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioral covariates. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a robust association between insulin resistance risk and diminished health-related quality of life. The integration of validated IR indices and subjective health perception tools such as the SF-12 may enhance early identification of at-risk individuals in occupational health settings. Full article

In recent years, digital microfluidic biochips (DMFBs), based on microfluidic technology, have attracted attention as compact and flexible experimental devices. DMFBs are widely applied in biochemistry and medical fields, including point-of-care clinical diagnostics and PCR testing. Among them, micro electrode dot array (MEDA) biochips, composed of numerous microelectrodes, have overcome the limitations of conventional chips by enabling finer droplet manipulation and real-time sensing, thus significantly improving experimental efficiency. While various studies have been conducted to enhance the utilization of MEDA biochips, few have considered the shape-dependent velocity characteristics of droplets in routing. Moreover, methods that do take such characteristics into account often face significant challenges in solving time. This study proposes a fast droplet routing method for MEDA biochips that incorporates shape-dependent velocity characteristics by utilizing the distance information to the target cell. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves approximately a 67.5% reduction in solving time compared to existing methods, without compromising solution quality. Full article

As industrialization and economic growth accelerate, PM_2.5 pollution has become a critical environmental concern. Predicting PM_2.5 concentration is challenging due to its nonlinear and complex temporal dynamics, limiting the accuracy and robustness of traditional machine learning models. To enhance prediction accuracy, this study focuses on Ma’anshan City, China and proposes a novel hybrid model (QMEWOA-QCAM-BiTCN-BiLSTM) based on an “optimization first, prediction later” approach. Feature selection using Pearson correlation and RFECV reduces model complexity, while the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) optimizes model parameters. To address the local optima and premature convergence issues of WOA, we introduce a quantum-enhanced multi-strategy improved WOA (QMEWOA) for global optimization. A Quantum Causal Attention Mechanism (QCAM) is incorporated, leveraging Quantum State Mapping (QSM) for higher-order feature extraction. The experimental results show that our model achieves a MedAE of 1.997, MAE of 3.173, MAPE of 10.56%, and RMSE of 5.218, outperforming comparison models. Furthermore, generalization experiments confirm its superior performance across diverse datasets, demonstrating its robustness and effectiveness in PM_2.5 concentration prediction. Full article

The human exposome, including dietary exposures such as pesticides, additives, and environmental contaminants, plays a critical role in shaping the gut microbiota (GM) and long-term health outcomes. While the Mediterranean Diet is known for its health-promoting effects, the role of food quality, specifically organic vs. conventional products, in modulating GM within this dietary pattern remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) whether an Italian Mediterranean Organic Diet (IMOD) confers additional benefits compared to an Italian Mediterranean non-Organic Diet (IMnOD), and (2) the impact of IMOD and IMnOD versus a free diet (No Diet) on GM and anthropometric parameters. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 39 healthy subjects. Eligible subjects were divided into the following groups: (1) 4 weeks No Diet, (2) 4 weeks IMOD, and (3) 4 weeks IMnOD. Microbiota profiling (16S rRNA sequencing), body composition (BIA), and dietary adherence (MEDAS, FFQ) were evaluated. Distinct microbial shifts following both IMOD and IMnOD compared to No Diet were revealed. Several taxa previously associated with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) biosynthesis (i.e., Anaerobutyricum hallii, Anaerostipes hadrus, and Dorea longicatena) were increased after both Mediterranean Diet interventions, while Parabacteroides distasonis showed a specific increase in the IMOD group. No significant changes in body weight or composition were observed. These findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean Diet, regardless of food source, reshapes the gut microbiota, while organic food intake may influence specific microbial trajectories. Our results support the relevance of food quality in dietary interventions. Full article

The available scientific evidence on padel injuries is scarce and inconclusive. For this reason, the main aim was to analyze the differences in injury incidence in padel according to specific factors of the sport, as well as to the level of physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and the psychological state of the players. A sample of 216 padel players (mean age: 30.05 ± 9.50 years old) participated in this study. The participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire that included padel-specific variables, a sports injury questionnaire, the IPAQ, the MEDAS, and the CPRD. A higher incidence of injuries was observed in players with more experience (p < 0.001), more hours of play (p < 0.001) and at amateur or professional levels (p < 0.001). Mild and moderate injuries were common with mixed or herringbone soles; severe (p = 0.031), muscle, tendon and ligament injuries were common with herringbone soles (p = 0.023). Muscle and ligament injuries occurred more frequently on sand courts (p = 0.037), and with 350–370 g racquets (p = 0.029). Tendon injuries were associated with less mental ability (p = 0.014). There were no significant differences with the Mediterranean diet or level of physical activity. Injury in padel is related to sport-specific factors and psychological state but does not seem to be related to level of physical activity or diet. However, due to the cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be established, so future research in this field is needed. Full article