The impact of Supplementation With Fish Oil on Lipid Profile of Pregnant Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The impact of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid during gestational period on lipid profile levels remains unknown. The objective of this trial was to investigate the impact of supplementation with fish oil on maternal lipid profile. Materials and Methods: This research was a randomized triple blinded controlled trial. The study population was comprised healthy pregnant subjects who had family records at health care centers in Tabriz, Iran. A total of 150 women who were eligible for study were randomized into two groups, one group took fish oil supplement capsules (1000 mg/day), and another group took placebo. A total of 92 women fulfilled the study which 45 participants were in the supplemented group and 47 participants were in the placebo group. Consumption of fish oil capsules and placebo was daily one capsule from the beginning of the 21th week of gestation until delivery which was about 20 weeks. At the start of trial (16th-20th weeks) and in the fifth care of gestation (during 35th-37th weeks) 3 cc blood samples collected and sent to the laboratory for evaluation of lipid profile levels. Results: Despite substantial increases in total cholesterol, triglycerides and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels with advancing pregnancy, there was no statistically significant discrepancy between the intervention and placebo groups. (P = 0.345, 0.299, 0.109, respectively). Despite a significant decrease in the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol with advancing pregnancy, there was no statistically meaningful difference between two groups (P = 0.786) Conclusion: We found no effect of supplementation with fish oil during gestation on plasma lipid profile of pregnant mothers

Highly Sensitive OFET Based Room Temperature Operated Gas Sensors Using Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene Extended Phthalocyanine Semiconductor

Over the past decades, organic field-effect transistor (OFET) gas sensors have maintained a rapid development. However, the majority of OFET gas sensors show insufficient detection capability towards oxidizing and hazardous gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfide dioxide (SO2). In this report, a sustainable approach toward fabrication of OFET gas sensor, consisting of thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (TT) and phthalocyanine (Pc) based electron rich structure (TT-Pc) for detection of both nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfide dioxide (SO2) is disclosed for the first time. Khaya gum (KG), a natural, biodegradable biopolymer is used as the gate dielectric in these OFET-based sensors. Thin film properties and surface morphology of TT-Pc were investigated by UV-Vis, SEM, AFM and contact angle measurements, which indicated a uniform and smooth film formation. The UV-Vis properties were supported by computational chemistry, performed using density functional theory (DFT) for optimizing geometry and absorption of TT-Pc models. Sensitive and selective responses of 90% and 60% were obtained from TT-Pc OFET-based sensors upon exposure to 20 ppm of NO2 and SO2, respectively, under ambient conditions. One of the lowest limits of detection of ~165 ppb was achieved for both NO2 and SO2 using solution-processed TT-Pc sensor with natural, biodegradable dielectric biopolymer. The sensors showed excellent long-term environmental and operational stability with only a 7% reduction of the sensor’s initial response (%) upon exposure to NO2 and SO2 over nine months of operation in air

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - A phytochemical and pharmacological review

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs, roselle; Malvaceae) has been used traditionally as a food, in herbal drinks, in hot and cold beverages, as a flavouring agent in the food industry and as a herbal medicine. In vitro and in vivo studies as well as some clinical trials provide some evidence mostly for phytochemically poorly characterised Hs extracts. Extracts showed antibacterial, anti-oxidant, nephro- and hepato-protective, renal/diuretic effect, effects on lipid metabolism (anti-cholesterol), anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects among others. This might be linked to strong antioxidant activities, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE), and direct vaso-relaxant effect or calcium channel modulation. Phenolic acids (esp. protocatechuic acid), organic acid (hydroxycitric acid and hibiscus acid) and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside) are likely to contribute to the reported effects. More well designed controlled clinical trials are needed which use phytochemically characterised preparations. Hs has an excellent safety and tolerability record. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Probiotic assisted weight management as a main factor for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus casei 01 on dietary intake, body weight, and glycemic control in patients with T2DM. Method Forty patients with T2DM (n = 20 for each group) were assigned into two groups in present trial. The patients in the probiotic group received a daily capsule containing a minimum of 108 CFU of L. casei 01 for 8 week. The placebo group took capsules filled with maltodextrin for the same time period. Dietary intake questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were collected, and the participants were assessed by an endocrinologist at baseline and at the end of the trial. Results Lactobacillus casei 01 supplementation significantly decreased total energy, carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake compared with placebo (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.009, p = 0.001; respectively). Moreover weight, BMI, and waist circumference were significantly decreased in intervention group compared with placebo group (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p = 0.029; respectively). In comparison with placebo group serum fetuin-A level, fasting blood sugar, insulin concentration, and insulin resistance were significantly decreased (p = 0.023, p =0.013, p = 0.028; p = 0.007; respectively), and serum SIRT1 level was significantly increased (p = 0.040) in intervention group. Conclusions Lactobacillus casei 01 supplementation affected dietary intake and body weight in a way that improved fetuin-A and SIRT1 levels and glycemic response in subjects with T2DM. Affecting the fetuin-A and SIRT1 levels introduces a new known mechanism of probiotic action in diabetes management