Does soy protein supplementation affect body composition in healthy exerciser adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Background objectives: The effects of soy protein supplementation on anthropometric parameters and body composition indices of healthy adults is equivocal. The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to assess the effects of soy protein supplementation on weight and body composition of healthy adults in clinical trial studies. Methods: A systematic search of literature was carried out on clinical trial studies in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane's library and ISI Web of Science Direct up until November 2017. From 492 studies initially retrieved, only 8 articles with 6, 5 and 4 arms included in the meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein supplementation on body weight, Fat free mass and Fat mass, respectively, with 120 participants in the intervention group and 119 participants in the control group. Results: Results of the fixed effect model meta-analysis showed that soy protein supplementation had no significant effects on body weight (0.94 kg, 95 CI: �2.41, 4.30 kg; P = 0.58), fat-free mass (0.6 kg, 95 CI: �0.21, 1.41; P = 0.14) or fat mass (0.43 kg, 95 CI: �2.18, 3.03; P = 0.74) in healthy exercising adults. Conclusions: Results of this meta-analysis study does not confirm any significant beneficial effects of soy protein supplementation on weight and body composition in healthy adults. © 201

Discrete Formulation for Multi-objective Optimal Design of Produced Water Treatment

Produced Water is naturally occurring water that is brought to the surface during the extraction of the oil and gas and it constitutes the largest waste stream in the oil and gas industry. In offshore platforms, the majority of the produced water is discharged into the ocean, threatening marine life. The treatment of produced water is attractive, not only to meet regulations but to secure a potential source of fresh water. The design of water treatment should consider economic, environmental, and social aspects. This paper presents a discrete model for the evolution of oil droplet distribution due to breakage and coalescence phenomena. The discrete model combined with a superstructure representation for process design results in a mixed integer non-linear program which is solved using a nature-inspired meta-heuristic optimization method

Power management optimization of hybrid power systems in electric ferries

The integration of more-electric technologies, such as energy storage systems (ESSs) and electric propulsion, has gained attention in recent years as a promising approach to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in the maritime industry. In this context, hybrid power systems (HPSs) with direct current (DC) distribution are currently gaining a commendable interest in research and industrial applications. This paper examines the impact of using HPS with DC distribution and a battery energy storage system (BESS) over a conventional AC power system for short haul roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries. An electric ferry with a HPS is modeled in this study and the power management system is simulated using the Matlab/Simulink software. The result is validated using measured load profile of a ferry. The performance of the DC HPS is compared with the conventional AC system based on fuel consumption and emission reductions. An approach to estimate the fuel consumption of the diesel engine through calculation of specific fuel oil consumption (SFOC) is also presented. This study uses two optimization techniques: a classical power management method namely Rule-Based control (RB) and a meta-heuristic power management method known as Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) to optimally manage the power sharing of the proposed HPS. Fuel consumption and emission indicators are also used to assess the performance of the two power management methods. The simulation results show that the HPS provides a 2.91% and 7.48% fuel consumption reduction using RB method and GWO method respectively. It is apparent from the result that the HPS has more fuel savings while running the diesel generator sets (DGs) at higher operational efficiency. It is interesting that the proposed HPS using both power management methods provided a 100% emission reduction at berth. Finally, it was found that using a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm provides better fuel and emission reductions than a classical method

The density and distribution of phytoplankton in the Persian Gulf Martyrs Lake (Chitgar Tehran)

Cheetgar Lake or Persian Gulf Martyrs' lake is an artificial lake in the North west of Tehran is located in district 22 of Tehran municipality. The lake covers an area of 130 hectares, which is located north of forest park Cheetgar. In south, to Tehran-Karaj highway, In north Hemmat expressway, from East to Azadegan expressway and west and from residential areas district 22 of Tehran municipality is limited. Kan River from East and Vardavard of West cheetgar Lake crossing and Kann River is the main source of water of the Cheetgar Lake now. Plankton is one of the important factors related to water quality. In this context, understanding the biological and nonbiological lake and its ecological status of a useful tool for managing sustainable exploitation with an emphasis on water quality is maintained. This study focused on phytoplankton structure, a bioticlimiting factors in phytoplankton bloom at the 5 stations between 2013 and 2014 in the Chitgar Lake. according to profile Lake after visiting five stations in the lake water body determined that Different depths are sampled. Sampling of phytoplankton is done by using a liter Ruthner sampler in layers and deep level (of a cylindrical column) were taken. Than 4% formalin fixed samples and transferred to the laboratory for quantitative and qualitative study. In laboratory planktonic samples after determining the volume and mixture, were transferred by pipette to 5ml chambers and after sufficient time to sediment, were identified and counted by inverted microscope. This study identified 35 phytoplankton taxa comprised of diatoms (12 genus), chlorophytes (15 genus), cyanophytes (4 genus), dinoflagellates (2 genus) and chrysophytes (1 genus) in the lake. The finding showed, the diatom abundance dominate (average of 2060000 ± 230000 cells.l-1) in the Chitgar lake. The annual average phytoplankton abundance was calculated as 2550000 ± 304000, with the maximum value recorded in February 2013 (4400000 ± 450000 cell. l-1). The PCA analysis displayed, the diatoms Cyclotella sp., Achnanthes sp. and Chrysophte Dinobryon sp. were dominated in the study period. Based on CCA analyses, total nitrogen and water temperature were the significant parameters to increase cyanophytes and dinoflagellates abundance in the Chitgar lake. In overall, the lowest phytoplankton abundance recorded in the Chitgar Lake as compared with other lakes which is an meso-oligotrophic category with the latest trophy state lake. Thus, it is might be increased eutrophication trend due to no management and no aquatic control in this ecosystem

Infections, inflammation, and risk of neuropsychiatric disorders: the neglected role of �co-infection�

Neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs) have multiple etiological factors, mainly genetic background, environmental conditions and immunological factors. The host immune responses play a pivotal role in various physiological and pathophysiological process. In NPDs, inflammatory immune responses have shown to be involved in diseases severity and treatment outcome. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are involved in various neurobiological pathways, such as GABAergic signaling and neurotransmitter synthesis. Infectious agents are among the major amplifier of inflammatory reactions, hence, have an indirect role in the pathogenesis of NPDs. As such, some infections directly affect the central nervous system (CNS) and alter the genes that involved in neurobiological pathways and NPDs. Interestingly, the most of infectious agents that involved in NPDs (e.g., Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus) is latent (asymptomatic) and co-or-multiple infection of them are common. Nonetheless, the role of co-or-multiple infection in the pathogenesis of NPDs has not deeply investigated. Evidences indicate that co-or-multiple infection synergically augment the level of inflammatory reactions and have more severe outcomes than single infection. Hence, it is plausible that co-or-multiple infections can increase the risk and/or pathogenesis of NPDs. Further understanding about the role of co-or-multiple infections can offer new insights about the etiology, treatment and prevention of NPDs. Likewise, therapy based on anti-infective and anti-inflammatory agents could be a promising therapeutic option as an adjuvant for treatment of NPDs. © 2020 Infection; Inflammation; Neuropsychiatric disorders; Co-infection; Immunology; Microbiology; Infectious disease; Psychiatry. © 202

Identification of local microalgae & their evaluation as live food in aquaculture from Oman Sea

Microalgae are very important organisms in aquaculture as major live food in all growth stages of bivalve, some larval stages of crustaceans, some fishes and zooplankton. In this project with the knowledge that local algae can provide better nutritional balance for local animals. Microalgae were isolated, identified and evaluated for their nutritional value for the first time. Another aim of this research was to create phytoplankton culture collection (Bank) in the south of Iran. Water was sampled from Sistan and Baluchesta coasts, then isolation and purification process were carried out in the lab. Species identification was based on morphology and molecular analyses. rDNA was extracted from each strain after PCR, partial LSU-rDNA region were sequenced and compared with similar sequence from GenBank. In order to evaluate their nutritional properties, relative growth, fatty acids composition, total lipid, carbohydrate, protein, and some vitamins of each purified strain were determined. Totally 25 species were isolated and purified, of which 12 strains were recorded in GenBank and their nutritional potential were assessed. Dunaliella cf. bardawill, Isochrysis sp. Cheatoceros sp. Clorella cf. volgaris, Ochromonas sp. and Synechococcus sp. were the most important species research. Iranian strains were varied in their amount of protein (27-40%), carbohydrate (221%) and lipid (8-13%). Proportions of SFA (21-48%), MUFA (33-53%) and PUFA (11-28.5%) were varied among strains. The highest amount of PUFA and B3 vitamin were found in Clorella cf. vulgaris. The highest content of protein (40.12% dry wt) and total fatty acid concentration (30% dry wt) were found in Dunaliella cf. bardawil and Ochromonas strain(CHPO2) respectively. The maximum content of total fatty acid was observed in Ochromonas sp. (CHPO2). Cheatoceros sp. had higher relative growth rate in comparison with other species

Rewriting DNA Methylation Signatures at Will:The Curable Genome Within Reach?

DNA methyltransferases are important enzymes in a broad range of organisms. Dysfunction of DNA methyltransferases in humans leads to many severe diseases, including cancer. This book focuses on the biochemical properties of these enzymes, describing their structures and mechanisms in bacteria, humans and other species, including plants, and also explains the biological processes of reading of DNA methylation and DNA demethylation. It covers many emerging aspects of the biological roles of DNA methylation functioning as an essential epigenetic mark and describes the role of DNA methylation in diseases. Moreover, the book explains modern technologies, like targeted rewriting of DNA methylation by designed DNA methyltransferases, as well as technological applications of DNA methyltransferases in DNA labelling. Finally, the book summarizes recent methods for the analysis of DNA methylation in human DNA. Overall, this book represents a comprehensive state-of-the-art- work and is a must-have for advanced researchers in the field of DNA methylation and epigenetics

Feasibility study on Intensive polyculture of chainess and Indian carps in I.R.IRAN (Giulan province)

500000 juvenile Indian majour carps (Labeo rohita,Cirhinus merigala, Catla catla) imported (2004) and transferred to the earthen ponds in Shahid Ansari Carp Breeding Center , In order to assess the viability of rearing under the climatic condition of north part of Iran and also achieve some growth parameters from the larval stage to market size.The fry with 300 mg weight, were released in to 8 ponds.specimens were separated to tree experimental categories: 1= (Labeo rohita) , 2= (Cirhinus merigala) , 3= (Catla catla). fishes were fed with artificial food and also with the natural products of the ponds which were enriched with organic fertilizers, after being equally stocked in the ponds .During the experiment, oxygen level ,PH, turbidity, and temperature were measured . Monthly fry samples were taken, for weight and length biometrical analysis and also determination of the weight gain percentage, average daily growth rate, specific growth rate. Results have indicated adaptations and considerable growth in this species, with an increase from the initial weight of 300 mg to an average of 13.5±1.6 mg in 50 days period until the end of November for fingerlings. Also the average weight of growing phase (second year of production) was 647g. For Labeo rohita ,420 g. for Cirhinus merigala and 734g. For Catla catla. The special growth rate(SGR)in Roho was 4.51 %.and 3.9 % for merigal and6.2 % for Catla while for Chinees carps SGR was 4.9, 6.7, 7.6 and 5.8 for silver carp,grass carp, common carp and big head respectively. Results revealed that the Indian majour carps compatibility with the condition in Gilan province was succesfull and the combination of species and optimization of their compatibility were remind for further studies