Effect of ketogenic diet on blood pressure: A GRADE-Assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIMS: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are major causes of mortality around the world. High blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is one of the most significant predisposing factors to CVDs. Ketogenic diets (KDs) have been the center of attention for their possible health benefits. The aim of this analysis is to study the impact of KDs on BP through the existing literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: We investigated the impact of KDs on systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) conducted in the format of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Four online databases (PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) were searched from inception up to November 2022. Subgroup analyses were carried out to find the sources of heterogeneities. Twenty-three RCTs with 1664 participants were identified. KDs did not exert any significant impacts on SBP (WMD: -0.87 mmHg, 95% CI: -2.05, 0.31) nor DBP (WMD: -0.11 mmHg, 95% CI -1.14, 0.93). Subgroup analyses did not reveal any further information. Also, non-linear dose-response analysis could not detect any associations between the percentage of calorie intake from fat in the KD format and BP levels. CONCLUSION: KDs do not seem to be effective in improving BP. Nonetheless, further investigations are recommended to examine the proportion of fat intake needed to induce favorable clinical impacts.

The effects of astaxanthin supplementation on liver enzyme levels.

According to previous studies, astaxanthin exerts various biological effects due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities; however, its effects on liver enzymes have not yet been well elucidated. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess astaxanthin's effects on liver enzymes. A systematic literature search was conducted using scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane databases, and Google Scholar up to February 2023 to find relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). A random-effects model was used for the estimation of the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD). Overall, we included five trials involving 196 subjects. The duration of the intervention was between 4 and 48 weeks, and the dose was between 6 and 12 mg/day. ALT levels increased in the intervention group compared to the control group following astaxanthin supplementation (WMD: 1.92 U/L, 95% CI: 0.16 to 3.68, P=0.03), whereas supplementation with astaxanthin had a non-significant effect on AST (WMD: 0.72 U/L, 95% CI: -0.85 to 2.29, P=0.36), GGT (WMD: 0.48 U/L, 95% CI: -2.71 to 3.67, P=0.76), and ALP levels (WMD: 2.85 U/L, 95% CI: -7.94 to 13.63, P=0.60) compared to the placebo group. Our data showed that astaxanthin supplementation increases ALT concentrations in adults without affecting the levels of other liver enzymes. Further long-term and well-designed RCTs are necessary to assess and confirm these findings.

Abundance and characteristics of microplastic in some commercial species from the Persian Gulf, Iran.

Global production of plastics has increased dramatically in recent decades and is considered a major threat to marine life and human health due to their stability, persistence, and potential to move through food chains. The study was conducted to detect, identify and quantify microplastics (MP) in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) of some commercial fish species in the North Persian Gulf in Bushehr Province: Psettodes erumei, Sphyraena jello, Sillago sihama, Metapenaeus affinis and Portunus segnis. A total of 216 plastic particles were collected from 102 individuals (72.68% of all sampled individuals; MP prevalence of 85.1% for M. affinis, 80% for P. segnis, 70% for P.erumei, 60.3% for S.sihama, 45.2% for S.jello). The average number of microplastics per organism was 2.26 ± 0.38 MP/ind (considering only species that ingested plastic, n = 102) and 1.51 ± 0.40 pieces/ind (considering all species studied, n = 140). Microfibers accounted for 58.49% of the total microplastics, followed by fragments (33.02%) and pellets (8.49%). The most common color of microplastic was black (52.83%), followed by blue (22.64%) and transparent (15.09%). The length of microplastic ranged from 100 to 5000 µm with an average of 854 ± 312 µm. Microplastics were significantly (p < 0.05) abundant in two shrimp studied: M. affinis and P. segnis (plastic in 80% of individuals studied) and to a lesser extent in the pelagic barracuda fish S. jello (plastic in 45% of individuals studied). The main synthetic polymers identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were polyethylene (38%), polypropylene (24%), polystyrene (17%), polyethylene terephthalate (11%) and polyamide (10%). The pollutant load index and lifetime accumulation index were calculated to identify the most polluted species and their toxicity to human health. The white shrimp M. affinis was identified as the most polluted and toxic species for MP based on PLI. The present study can provide valuable data for further research and a background for the control and monitoring of this pollutant in the coastal environment of Bushehr province.

Meta-analysis and health risk assessment of toxic heavy metals in muscles of commercial fishes in Caspian Sea.

Heavy metals from contaminated seafood can have serious consequences for human health. Several studies on the amount of heavy metals in Caspian Sea fish have been conducted to ensure their food safety. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the levels of five toxic heavy metals; Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), and Arsenic (As) in muscles of commercial fishes of the Caspian Sea with assessing their health risk of developing oral cancer in terms of fish collection place and fish type. A systematic search was performed, and the random effect model was applied for meta-analysis. Finally, 14 studies with 30 different sets of results were included. Our results showed that the pooled estimates for Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr, and As were 0.65 mg/kg (0.52, 0.79), 0.08 mg/kg (0.07, 0.10), 0.11 mg/kg (0.07, 0.15), 1.77 mg/kg (1.26, 2.27), and 0.10 mg/kg (- 0.06, 0.26) respectively. The levels of Pb and Cd were higher than their (FAO/WHO) maximum limits. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of Pb and Cd in Mazandaran, and Hg in Gilan were more than Total Daily Intake (TDI) limits. The consumers' non-carcinogenic risk (THQ) for Hg in Mazandaran and Gilan, and As in Gilan, was unsafe. Carcinogenic risk (CR) for Cr and Cd in all three provinces, and for As in Mazandaran and Gilan, was greater than 1*10 - 4 and was unsafe. The lowest and highest risk levels of oral cancer were for Rutilus kutum and Cyprinus carpio respectively.

The association between zinc and endothelial adhesion molecules ICAMs and VCAM-1 and nuclear receptors PPAR-ɑ and PPAR-γ: A systematic review on cell culture, animal and human studies.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular health is strongly influenced by diet. The levels of inflammatory factors like ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 are high in patients with atherosclerosis or predisposing factor for heart disease. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions are attributed to zinc. We systematically reviewed cell culture, human or animal studies for determining the relationship between zinc status and ICAMs or VCAM-1 levels. METHODS: PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from database inception till 30th August 2020 were systematically searched to obtain any possible article for inclusion. RESULTS: After screening and removing unrelated or duplicate articles by the title and abstract by two independent reviewers, 15 articles were included. Results indicating an inverse relationship between zinc status with ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 levels and the development of endothelial inflammation, plaque formation, or atherosclerosis. A direct relationship between zinc status and PPAR-α or γ levels was also observed. Zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc nanoparticles, or ions can cause endothelial activation and increased levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. CONCLUSION: Normal function of the endothelium is linked with zinc level. Zinc deficiency causes atherosclerosis, most probably via increased production of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1; and decreased expression of PPAR-ɑ and PPAR-γ receptors. Contrarily, endothelial activation and increased ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels can be caused by ZnO, zinc nanoparticles, or zinc ions.

A Comprehensive Review on Water Quality Parameters Estimation Using Remote Sensing Techniques.

Remotely sensed data can reinforce the abilities of water resources researchers and decision makers to monitor waterbodies more effectively. Remote sensing techniques have been widely used to measure the qualitative parameters of waterbodies (i.e., suspended sediments, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), chlorophyll-a, and pollutants). A large number of different sensors on board various satellites and other platforms, such as airplanes, are currently used to measure the amount of radiation at different wavelengths reflected from the water's surface. In this review paper, various properties (spectral, spatial and temporal, etc.) of the more commonly employed spaceborne and airborne sensors are tabulated to be used as a sensor selection guide. Furthermore, this paper investigates the commonly used approaches and sensors employed in evaluating and quantifying the eleven water quality parameters. The parameters include: chlorophyll-a (chl-a), colored dissolved organic matters (CDOM), Secchi disk depth (SDD), turbidity, total suspended sediments (TSS), water temperature (WT), total phosphorus (TP), sea surface salinity (SSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD).

The effects of ursolic acid on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Ursolic acid (UA) has an important biological role in the fight against fat accumulation, insulin resistance, obesity and inflammation. Therefore, in the current review and meta-analysis work, we investigate the effects of UA (dosage range is 50.94 to 450 mg/day) on cardiometabolic risk factors. Materials & methods: After searching the studies up to February 2023, six articles were included in the study. Results: The pooled effect size showed that UA supplementation didn't significantly change body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein compared with control groups. Conclusion: UA supplementation had no significant effect on the cardiometabolic risk factors in adults.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant reason for morbidity and mortality. Ursolic acid (UA) has been shown to play important biological roles in the fight against fat accumulation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance via insulin-like growth factor 1, cancer, muscle atrophy, obesity and inflammation responsible for CVD. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted up to February 2023; six articles were included in the study and eleven cardiometabolic risk factors were identified. The pooled effect size showed that UA supplementation (dosage range is 50.94 to 450 mg/day) didn't significantly change body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein compared with control groups.

Exploring the microplastic pollution: Unveiling origins and varieties in coastal sediments and waters of the Bushehr Province, Persian Gulf, Iran.

In this study, microplastic (MP) pollution in the coastal sediments and tidal waters of Bushehr province in the Persian Gulf was comprehensively investigated. The sampling stations were selected based on their proximity to various human activities in January and February 2022, such as tourism, fishing, urban development and industry. The results showed that the abundance of MP associated with different human activities varied. The highest concentrations were observed near the petrochemical industry in Asaluyeh, followed by the densely populated Bushehr and the fishing port of Dayyer. Other areas such as Ganaveh, Deylam and Mand also showed varying levels of MP contamination. The average MP concentration was 1.67 × 104 particles/km2 in surface water and 1346.67 ± 601.69 particles/kg in dry sediment. Fiber particles were in the majority in both sediment and water samples, mainly black. The sediment samples had a size range of 100-500 µm (41.34 %), while the water samples were between 500 and 1000 µm (33.44 %). The main polymers found were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). This assessment highlights the widespread problem of microplastic pollution in the coastal and intertidal zones of Bushehr province in the Persian Gulf.

Assessment of microplastic contamination in some commercial fishes of the southern Caspian Sea and its potential risks.

This study examined the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of 384 fishes classified into four species from 11 sites in 2022 from the southern part of the Caspian Sea. GITs of fishes were collected and digested in H2O2 and KOH at 45 °C for 72 h. After filtration, extracted MPs were observed under a stereomicroscope, and selected MP particles were identified using FTIR. Presence of MPs was 68.98% in the GIT of the investigated fish. The mean abundance of MPs was 5.9 ± 0.9 MPs/GIT in Rutilus kutum, 9.2 ± 1.2 MPs/GIT in Chelon auratus, 3.6 ± 0.7 MPs/GIT in Alosa braschnikowi, and 2.7 ± 0.5 MPs/GIT in Vimba vimba. The predominant form of MPs was fiber (58.21%), followed by fragment (34.77%). Black (34.4%), white (19.07%), and blue (14.58%) were the most frequently detected colors of MPs. Overall, 6 MP polymers were identified, dominantly polypropylene (42.86%), polystyrene (17.86%), and cellophane (14.28%). The western part of the Caspian Sea (mostly tourist spots and urban areas) showed more MP pollution in fish compared to the eastern part. Polymer hazard index (PHI) revealed alarming microplastic contamination in the southern Caspian Sea. The PHI value of the present study showed that PES (PHI = 8403.78) and PS (PHI = 535.80) were "Extreme danger" and "Danger" risk categories, respectively.

Spatial and temporal distribution of physicochemical parameters of water in Gorgan Bay (the southeast of the Caspian Sea - Iran): Fundamentals for the monitoring of the Caspian Sea coastal areas.

Gorgan Bay as a main part of the Miankaleh (a natural biosphere reserve registered by UNESCO) is one of the richest ecological area in the West Asia and very important internationally recognized refuge for the wildlife. To date, multi physicochemical parameters have not been examined on a large scale. To fill this knowledge gap, the present study aimed to explore the seasonal and spatial variability of water quality parameters of the bay. The results showed that except for depth and transparency, there are significant variations in most parameters across the four seasons. The patterns of these changes in the bay vary, as evidenced by a comparison of the distribution maps of the various factors throughout the year. Notably, alkalinity declined from east to west, reaching its highest levels at important entry points such as the Qarasu River, Bandar-Gaz, and the pier. TDS, on the other hand, increased westward, reaching its highest concentration in the shallow western regions. Maximum depth (310 cm) and transparency (250 cm) were observed in the central bay. While the pH was higher in deeper areas, the distribution of PO4 was more uniform. With lower levels in the east (salinity = 0.40 ‰) and higher levels in the west (salinity = 28.9 ‰), the salinity showed a coherent gradient. Agricultural land use in the basin of the bay and fluxes of nutrients and sediments of the rivers entering the bay has significant contribution to the bay pollution situation. These results will serve as a guide for improving our understanding of the Gorgan Bay ecosystem. They also have implications for informed conservation and management plans adapted to the specifics of this special region within the Caspian Sea.

Elucidating binding mechanisms of naringenin by alpha-chymotrypsin: Insights into non-binding interactions and complex formation.

As an inevitable parameter in the description of enzyme properties, the investigation of enzyme-ligand interactions has attracted a lot of attention. Alpha-Chymotrypsin (α-Chy) is essential for protein digestion and plays an important role in human health. Naringenin (NAG) as a potent antioxidant has recently been applied in the pharmaceutical industry. Using multispectral methods and computational simulation techniques, the binding strength of NAG to α-Chy was investigated in this research. UV-vis and fluorescence quenching data showed significant spectral changes upon binding of NAG to α-Chy. As demonstrated by fluorescence techniques, NAG could employ a static quenching process to decrease the intrinsic fluorescence of α-Chy. Both circular dichroism (CD) and FTIR spectroscopic analyses revealed that binding of NAG to α-Chy caused more flexible conformation. The slight increases in RMSD (0.06 nm) were observed for the NAG-(α-Chy) compound was supported by the results of thermal stability data. Docking computation confirmed that hydrogen and Van der Waals interactions are the important forces, which is in exact agreement with thermodynamics studies. Kinetic analysis of the enzyme showed an increase in activity, which was consistent, with the MD simulation results. The findings from the in-silico studies were in complete agreement with the experimental results.

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Marine Fish Caught from the Northwest Persian Gulf.

Marine fish may become contaminated as a result of environmental pollution including hazardous metals. Due to the presence of metalloids and toxic metals such as cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc in fish tissue, it may endanger health, considering the countless benefits of consuming fish, which can harm the human body if consumed in toxic amounts. Therefore, it is vital to monitor the concentration of metals in fish meat to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and protect the consumer. We considered the levels of Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in 60 marine fish samples (3 species) collected from coastal areas of the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf and estimated their health risk. Mean concentrations of Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd were 1.88 ± 0.07 µg/g, 27.16 ± 8.11 µg/g, 11.55 ± 4.12 µg/g, 14 ± 0.06 µg/g, and 0.19 ± 0.03 µg/g wet weight. Estimated average daily intakes (EDIs) for adults and children of Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd were 0.89-4.15 µg/kg bw/day, 12.89-60.02 µg/kg bw/day, 5.47-25.53 µg/kg bw/day, 0.54-2.51 µg/kg bw/day, and 0.09-0.42 µg/kg bw/day. Our analysis revealed elevated levels of Ni and Pb in the fish samples, raising concerns about potential health hazards associated with their consumption. This study provides critical insights into heavy metal contamination in marine fish, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and proactive measures to ensure safe seafood consumption in the northwest Persian Gulf.

The association of dietary insulin load and dietary insulin index with body composition among professional soccer players and referees.

BACKGROUND: There has been limited research undertaken about the association of dietary insulin load (DIL) and dietary insulin index (DII) with body composition in non-athletic adults, however, to the best of our knowledge No previous study has investigated such an association in an athletic population. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the association of DII and DIL with body compositions in male and female soccer players and referees. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted on 199 professional male and female soccer players and referees. A 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was adopted to congregate the participants' dietary data. Body composition was measured using InBody to gain a detailed understanding of fat mass, percent body fat (PBF), lean mass, percent muscle mass (PMM), and bone mineral content (BMC). Waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were obtained from all participants. Other body composition parameters include a body shape index (ABSI), abdominal volume index (AVI), body adiposity index (BAI), body roundness index (BRI), conicity index (CI), weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and waist-to-hip-to-height ratio (WHHR) were calculated using a particular defined formula. RESULTS: Results of multiple linear regression revealed that there is a significant association between DIL and BMI (P = 0.04) in < 18 male soccer players, CI (P = 0.04) and WWI (P = 0.03) in ≥ 18 female soccer players, PBF (P = 0.02), PMM (P = 0.01) and WWI (P = 0.01) in ≥ 18 female soccer players. Nevertheless, no significant associations between DIL and body composition parameters were found in the referees. Additionally, there is a significant association between DII and BMC (P = 0.02) in male soccer referees, however, no significant associations were found in young soccer players and female athletes. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that DIL is positively associated with BMI, CI, and WWI in male soccer players and PBF, and WWI in female soccer players. Although, there was an observed negative association between DIL and PMM in females. In addition, a significant negative association between DII and BMC was observed in male soccer players.

Watermelon consumption decreases risk factors of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

This meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effects of watermelon supplementation on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk factors in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The comprehensive search was done in Cochrane Library databases, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus up to March 2022. A random-effect model was used for computing weighted mean differences (WMD). Standard methods were applied to examine publication bias, sensitivity analysis, and heterogeneity. Of the 8962 identified studies, 9 RCTs were included in the final analysis. Watermelon consumption significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP), totalcholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In addition, watermelon consumption led to a significant increase in fasting blood sugar (FBS). However, there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), BMI, body fat, and serum levels of arginine, insulin, and CRP after watermelon supplementation. The current findings provide promising evidence of the antihypertensive effect of watermelon. However, due to the lack of evidence in human research, the result regarding the remaining outcomes needs to be used with caution. Furter RCTs with longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes should be done to confirm the current findings.

Population parameters of the non-indigenous invasive shrimp Palaemon macrodactylus Rathbun, 1902 (Caridea: Palaemonidae) from the southeastern Caspian Sea, with implications for range expansions, threats and conservation.

Knowledge on invasive species is critical for the conservation. This study is the first documentation on population parameters of oriental shrimp (Palaemon macrodactylus) in the southern Caspian Sea, where the occurrence of invasive species is of great importance. The samples were collected using a small beach seine (35 m long and 2.5 m height) monthly from April 2019 to March 2020, and a total of 1643 specimens of P. macrodactylus were sampled. The growth form of the males was negative and that of females positive allometric nature. From the size-frequency distributions, the shrimp's lifespan was estimated to be about 2 years for both sexes. High recruitment can take place over nearly all months of late summer and autumn. The VBGF parameters were L∞ = 65.00 mm, K = 0.82 y-1, and t0 = -0.80 for males, and TL∞ = 71.00 mm, K = 0.51 y-1 and t0 = -0.59 for females. The estimated Z was 3.65 and 3.10 year-1 for males and females, respectively. The total sex ratio was significantly biased toward females in the population. Length group analysis showed a clear pattern of female dominance in lengths larger than 29 mm. Based on the occurrence of ovigerous females, the reproductive period lasts for seven months (April-October). Fecundity, as the number of both eyed and non-eyed eggs per clutch of females, varied from 71 to 2308 eggs shrimp-1 with a mean of 1074 ± 553.8 (±SD) eggs shrimp-1. The estimated relative number of eggs in a clutch of ovigerous females varies between 1208.8 and 1714, with a mean value of 889.1 eggs. female-1. The egg diameter averaged 0.675 ± 0.063 mm (±SD), ranging from 0.512 to 0.812 mm. The relationships of the total and relative number of eggs in a clutch of ovigerous females with their size were statistically significant, while the egg diameter in ovigerous females was independent of shrimp size (length and weight). P. macrodactylus underwent a life-history strategy including high abundance, short life span, high mortality rate, long reproductive season, and female dominance that showed characteristics of r-strategist species, promoting the invasion of this shrimp in the Caspian Sea as a new area of introduction. We are convinced that P. macrodactylus established in the Caspian Sea it is in the last stage of invasion (impact on the ecosystem).

The effects of purslane consumption on blood pressure, body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled.

The effects of purslane consumption on anthropometric measurements and blood pressure have been studied in numerous experiments. However, the research findings conflict with one another. In order to assess the impact of purslane on weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), this meta-analysis was carried out. Up until February 2023, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the reference lists of the identified pertinent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were all searched. The random-effects model was used to calculate the effect size and then to describe it as a weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) (CRD42023427955). The systematic review was able to incorporate seven RCTs. Meta-analysis showed that purslane significantly decreased body weight (WMD): -0⋅73 kg, 95 % confidence interval (CI): -1⋅37, -0⋅09, P=0⋅025), BMI (WMD: -0⋅35 kg/m2, 95 % CI: -0⋅64, -0⋅07, P=0⋅016), and SBP (WMD: -3⋅64 mmHg, 95 % CI: -6⋅42, -0⋅87, P = 0⋅01), and for WC, there was no discernible effect (WMD: -0⋅86 cm; 95 % CI, -1⋅80 to 0⋅07; P = 0⋅06) and DBP (WMD: -0⋅36 mmHg; 95 % CI, -1⋅75 to 1⋅03; P = 0⋅61). Purslane consumption, especially in participants with a BMI of <30, might play a role in decreasing SBP, body weight, BMI, and WC. Purslane consumption significantly reduced body weight, BMI, and SBP; however, WC and DBP did not experience a reduction. More investigation is needed to verify the impact of purslane consumption on anthropometric parameters and blood pressure.

Effect of vitamin B1 supplementation on blood creatinine and lactate levels and clinical outcomes in patients in intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: The metabolic response to stress can deplete the remaining thiamine stores, leading to thiamine deficiency. OBJECTIVE: This study is the first meta-analysis of the effectiveness of thiamine supplementation on clinical and biochemical outcomes in adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). DATA SOURCES: Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were searched to select studies up to 20 November 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Studies investigating the effect of thiamine supplementation on serum lactate and creatinine levels, the need for renal replacement therapy, length of ICU stay, and mortality rate in ICU patients were selected. DATA EXTRACTION: After excluding studies based on title and abstract screening, 2 independent investigators reviewed the full texts of the remaining articles. In the next step, a third investigator resolved any discrepancy in the article selection process. RESULTS: Of 1628 retrieved articles, 8 were selected for final analysis. This study showed that thiamine supplementation reduced the serum creatinine level (P = .03) compared with placebo. In addition, according to subgroup analysis, serum creatinine concentration was significantly lower in patients >60 years old (P < .00001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the lactate level between the thiamine supplementation and placebo groups (P = .26). Thiamine supplementation did not decrease the risk of all-cause mortality (P = .71) or the need for renal replacement therapy (P = .14). The pooled results of eligible randomized controlled trials also showed that thiamine supplementation did not reduce the length of ICU stay in comparison to the placebo group (P = .39). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides evidence that thiamine supplementation has a protective effect against blood creatinine increase in ICU patients. However, further high-quality trials are needed to discover the effect of thiamine supplementation on clinical and biochemical outcomes in ICU patients. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO no. CRD42023399710 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=399710).

Selenium supplementation decreases CRP and IL-6 and increases TNF-alpha: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Inflammation is an initiating cause of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Studies have shown that selenium (Se) has anti-inflammatory effects. However, its' effects on serum c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plasma concentrations are equivocal. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), evaluating the effects of per oral (PO) and intravenous (IV) Se supplementation on CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6. A systematic search was conducted using four databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Scopus to find randomized clinical trials, published up to April 2023. From 19476 papers, after screening and removing duplicate articles, 24 studies were analyzed in the present meta-analysis. In the pooled analysis, PO Se administration showed no significant effect on CRP (WMD: 0.12; 95 % CI -0.11, 0.38; P-value= 0.30). However, IV Se supplementation had a significant negative association with CRP concentration (-2.24; 95 % CI: -4.24, -0.24; p-value: 0.02). Se administration had no significant association with TNF-α plasma concentration (9.64, 95 % CI: -0.59, 19.88, p-value= 0.06; and heterogeneity: 98 %). However, a significant positive association was present between Se and plasma TNF-α concentrations (0.15, 95 % CI: 0.14, 0.17, P-value<0.0001). Moreover, Se supplementation had a significant negative correlation with IL-6 plasma concentration in PO (-0.54; 95 % CI: -1.61, 0.52; P-value = 0.31) and IV administrations (-4.77; 95 % CI: -7.61, -1.93; P-value<0.0001), respectively. This study demonstrated that IV Se administration reduced CRP and IL-6 plasma concentrations. Conversely, IV Se supplementation increased TNF-α plasma concentration. It is evident that further, well-controlled clinical trials are required.

Microplastic contamination in the sediments of Qarasu estuary in Gorgan Bay, south-east of Caspian Sea, Iran.

Given the important ecological role of estuaries and implications of microplastics (MPs) in ecosystems, we assessed the occurrence, abundance, size, and polymer types of MPs present in the sediments of the Qarasu estuary in 2019. MPs were extracted from sediments by density separation, after which they were detected under a stereomicroscope and considered according to shape, size and color. Identification was implemented using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The abundance and size of MPs in the samples ranged between 40 and 460 particles/kg and 200-5000 µm, respectively. The dominant shape of MPs was fiber (72%), followed by fragment (26%) and film (2%). Black and white were the most abundant colors with 48% and 29%, respectively. In total, 4 MPs polymers including polypropylene (33%), polyethylene (24%), polyamide (21%), and polystyrene (14%) were identified. Results from PCA showed that stations with a high abundance of microplastics had a significant correlation with the amount of clay.

Comparison of Nebulized Lidocaine and Intratracheally Injected (Spray-as-you-go) Lidocaine in Pain and Cough Reduction during Bronchoscopy.

Background: Patients undergoing bronchoscopy often suffer from pain, coughing, and suffocation. Therefore, lidocaine is prescribed through various methods to induce local anesthesia. This study aimed to compare nebulized lidocaine and intratracheally injected lidocaine in pain and cough reduction during bronchoscopy. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 96 patients, divided into two groups of intervention (receiving lidocaine via a nebulizer before bronchoscopy) and control (receiving lidocaine through the working channel of bronchoscope). Then, the patientsá¾½ cough frequency was recorded during the procedure, and the pain level was measured using a numerical rating scale at the end of the procedure. The data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 16) using the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Moreover, the linear and Poisson regression tests were applied to analyze the main variables in this study. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding demographic characteristics (P>0.05). Moreover, the linear regression test revealed that the intervention (nebulized lidocaine) group had significantly lower pain scores (1.54±0.08) than the control (intratracheally injected lidocaine) group (2.5±0.26) (P=0.013). In addition, the Poisson regression test showed a statistically significant difference between the intervention (35.22±2.93) and control (48.85±5.96) groups in terms of cough frequency (P<0.0001). Conclusion: This study indicated that nebulized lidocaine has higher efficacy in reducing the patientsá¾½ pain and cough during bronchoscopy than intratracheally injected lidocaine.