Plum supplementation and lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Plums are abundant in bioactive compounds which have been associated with numerous health benefits. In the present study, we aimed at examining the impact of plum supplementation on lipid profile of individuals. Electronic bibliographical databases were searched for relevant randomised clinical trials. Articles meeting our eligibility criteria were included for data extraction and final analysis. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was estimated using a random-effect model. Of the total articles retrieved in the initial search, nine articles were found to be eligible to be included in the analysis. Our results show that plum supplementation significantly improves total cholesterols levels in the unhealthy individuals. Moreover, plum supplementation reduces the LDL-c levels in the pooled sample (WMD= −11⋅52 mg/dl; 95 % CI−21⋅93,−1⋅11,P = 0⋅03,I2 = 98⋅7 %) and also in some of the subgroups of individuals(dried plum, unhealthy subjects, duration more than 8 weeks). Moreover, it had a significant reducing effect on TC levels just in unhealthy subjects. Although plum supplementation did not have any significant impact on serum levels of TG nor HDL-c. Our results show that supplementation with plums is potentially effective in reducing serum total cholesterol and LDL-c

Effects of Hydro-alcoholic Extract from Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) Root on Gonadotropins, Testosterone, and Sperm Count and Viability in Male Mice with Nicotinamide/ Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Reproductive dysfunction is a complication of diabetes. Arctium lappa (burdock) root has hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties, which are traditionally used for treatment of impotence and sterility. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of its hydro alcoholic extract on gonadotropin, testosterone, and sperm parameters in nicotinamide/ streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 56 adult male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice (30–35 g) were randomly divided into seven groups: control, diabetes, diabetes + glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg), diabetes + extract (200 or 300 mg/kg), and extract (200 or 300 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced with intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide (NA) and streptozotocin (STZ). Twenty-four hours after the last extract and drug administration, serum samples, testes, and cauda epididymis were removed immediately for experimental assessment. Results: Body weight, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone levels, and sperm count (P < 0.05) and viability (P < 0.01) decreased in diabetic mice. Administration of glibenclamide significantly improved these reductions in diabetic animals (P < 0.05). However, the hydro alcoholic extract (300 mg/kg) enhanced sperm viability only in diabetic mice (P < 0.01). In addition, this dose of extract increased sperm count, LH, FSH, and testosterone in nondiabetic animals compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that applied burdock root extract has anti-infertility effects in nondiabetic mice. Hence, this part of the A. lappa plant has an effect on the health of the reproductive system in order to improve diabetic conditions

The Efficacy of Ginseng Supplementation on Plasma Lipid Concentration in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of ginseng supplementation on plasma lipid concentration. Methods: The search included PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar (up to April 2019) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of ginseng supplementation on serum lipid parameters. To estimate the overall summary effect, we used random-effects model. Results: Twenty-seven studies comprising 35 treatment arms comprising 1245 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis results showed that consumption of ginseng did not significantly change the concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). However, subgroup analyses showed a significant lowering effect in high dose ginseng supplementation on TC, LDL-C and TG. Also, the impact of ginseng on TC and TG was significant in long-term interventions. Conclusion: Further RCTs with longer supplementation durations in subjects with dyslipidemia are necessitated for a more robust assessment of the lipid-modulating properties of this plan

Review on pore-network modeling studies of gas-condensate flow: Pore structure, mechanisms, and implementations

Gas-condensate flow is a critical process in the near-well region where the well production efficiency is strongly affected by the production of condensate dropout. Pore-scale simulations have provided an understanding of the underlying processes such as snap-off and the effect of the interplay between viscous and capillary forces on gas-condensate flow and its induced blockage within the pore spaces. Among various modeling approaches used to explore these phenomena, pore-network modeling, due to its computational efficiency and the ability to simulate relatively large sample sizes, has appealed to researchers. This article presents a review of the development of pore-network models to simulate gas-condensate flow, particularly in the near wellbore regions. This contribution reviews pore-scale mechanisms that should be included in simulating the gas-condensate flow, together with the involved processes and the peculiarities pertinent to such modeling efforts. After a brief review of different pore scale studies and their differences, advantages, and disadvantages, the review focuses on pore-network modeling, and the application of pore-network modeling in gas-condensate flow in the recent studies. The employed methodologies, highlights, and limitations of each pore network study are examined and critically discussed. The review addresses pore-space evolution, flow mechanisms, and the involved flow and transport parameters. The formulations of capillary entry pressure in different pore geometries, the corresponding conductance terms, snap-off criteria, and conditions for the creation of condensate bridging in different pore structures are presented. Additionally, three major approaches used in pore-network modeling of gas condensation, namely quasi-static, dynamic methods and dynamic compositional pore-network modeling, are presented and their main governing equations are provided using various tables. Finally, the significance of gas-condensate flow modeling including its modeling challenges together with the main similarities and differences among pore-network studies are provided

Codon Optimization of Stem Cell Factor (SCF) gene and evaluation of this gene expression using vector pBudCE4.1 in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO)

Background & Objective: Stem cell factor (SCF) is a blood cytokine which can play a significant role in the differentiation of blood precursor cells, survival, proliferation and differentiation of mast cells, and it can also increase the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells through affecting hematopoietic cells. Its therapeutic effect in the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and myocardial infarction is being investigated. The aim of this study was to clone SCF gene into the pBudCE4.1 expression vector by codon optimization in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO). Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, SCF sequence was made synthetically after codon optimization for CHO cells and changing of the contents of G+C and subcloned into the expression vector pBudCE4.1. Then, SCF gene was transfected into CHO-K1 cells and evaluated using RT-qPCR for gene expression of the relevant gene. Results: Recombinant expression vector pBudCE4.1/SCF was constructed and approved by PCR technique, enzyme digestion and sequencing. RT and PCR results showed that SCF genes can be expressed in CHO cells after codon optimization. Conclusion: The results showed that the cloning of SCF gene can be done well through expression vector pBudCE4.1 and this expression vector can be an appropriate vector for expressing SCF gene into CHO cells. &nbsp

Effects of synbiotic consumption on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

Khalesi, S ORCiD: 0000-0002-8208-2518Background and aims: Existing evidence on the possible effects of synbiotics on lipid profile is inconclusive. The aim of the present systematic review was to clarify the effects of synbiotics consumption on lipid profile. Methods: A systematic literature search of online databases PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of science, Cochrane's library and Google Scholar was conducted up to January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of synbiotics on lipid profile in adults were included. The overall effect was presented as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects meta-analysis model. Results: A total of 23 RCTs with 1338 participants were included. Synbiotic consumption resulted in a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD = − 10.17 mg/dL; 95% CI − 15.74 to − 4.60; p ' 0.001), triglyceride (WMD = − 14.30 mg/dL; 95% CI − 25.32 to − 3.28; p = 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD = − 8.32 mg/dL; 95% CI − 13.21 to − 3.43; p ' 0.001), and an increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD = 1.3 mg/dL; 95% CI 0.03 to 2.56; p = 0.04) levels compared to control (placebo supplements/control foods/conventional products). The effects are more pronounced when synbiotics supplements are consumed for ' 8 weeks. Conclusion: Synbiotic supplements may be beneficial to improve lipid profile, especially when they are consumed for ' 8 weeks