Meta-Analysis of Exploring the Effect of Curcumin Supplementation with or without Other Advice on Biochemical and Anthropometric Parameters in Patients with Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD).

Metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common chronic liver disease. MAFLD is characterized by the excessive presence of lipids in liver cells and metabolic diseases/dysfunctions, e.g., obesity, diabetes, pre-diabetes, or hypertension. Due to the current lack of effective drug therapy, the potential for non-pharmacological treatments such as diet, supplementation, physical activity, or lifestyle changes is being explored. For the mentioned reason, we reviewed databases to identify studies that used curcumin supplementation or curcumin supplementation together with the use of the aforementioned non-pharmacological therapies. Fourteen papers were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicate that the use of curcumin supplementation or curcumin supplementation together with changes in diet, lifestyle, and/or physical activity led to statistically significant positive changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting blood insulin (FBI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and waist circumference (WC). It appears that these therapeutic approaches may be effective in alleviating MAFLD, but more thorough, better designed studies are needed to confirm this.

Phosphorus fractions in soil fertilised with organic waste.

The aim of this study has been to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge and composted sewage sludge and municipal waste on the content of various forms of P in soil. The experiment scheme: C, control; NPK; FYM; DGSS, dried and granulated sewage sludge; CSS, composed sewage sludge; CSSS, composted sewage sludge and straw; CMMW, composted mixed municipal waste; CMGW, composted municipal green waste. The content of bound P was determined in the fractions: F1, easily soluble; F2, exchangeable; F3, organic; F4, carbonate; F5, stable organic-mineral and mineral bonds; and F6, residual. The NPK fertilisation as well as the soil fertilisation with organic substances raised the P-total content and of P bound in the fractions: F3, F4, F5 and F6. The highest amount of phosphorus in the studied soil was in fraction F3 (phosphorus in organic compounds) and the lowest in fraction F1 (phosphorus in the ionic form as H2PO4- and HPO42-). Composted sludge and straw introduced into the soil increased the content of readily soluble P (F1), while the NPK effect was reversed. NPK fertilisation and enhancement of soil organic matter (except CSSS, CMGW) led to a reduction of the P content in F2 fraction. The content of available P determined by the Egner-Riehm method depended on the content of C-organic, P-total and CEC soil. Among the determined phosphorus fractions, the content of available P was most strongly correlated with the content of P bound in the carbonate fraction (F4) and residual fraction (F6) and, less strongly, with the organic phosphorus fraction.

The prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens in children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The role of sensitization to inhalant allergens in atopic dermatitis (AD) in children is uncertain. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship of AD symptoms with sensitization to aeroallergens in Polish children ages 6-7 and 13-14 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Epidemiology of Allergic Disorders in Poland is a randomized study with medical examination according to the ECRHS II and the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood standards in nine selected regions of Poland. We studied 6-7-year-old (n = 4510) and 13-14-year-old children (n = 4721). A total of 1583 children (25%) had a medical examination and a skin-prick test (SPT) with the 15 most common aeroallergens. RESULTS: AD was diagnosed in 235 children (8.9%) (8.7%, 6-7-year-old children; 9.0%, 13-14-year-old children; 8.6% boys and 9.1% girls). AD was more frequent in urban versus rural habitants (9.6% versus 3.7%; p < 0.05) and in participants with a positive atopy history versus those without atopy (9.4% versus 5.1%; p < 0.05). Positive SPT was found in 1165 children (43.9%) (38.5% boys, 49.5% girls) and 64.72% with AD versus 41.9% without AD (p < 0.05) and more common in the rural region versus urban setting among 6-7 year-olds (71.8% versus 35.0%; p < 0.05). The most frequent allergic reaction was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (13.5%), Dermatophagoides farina (11.7%), and grasses/crop plants (11.8%). The same pattern was seen in participants with and those without AD. Children with AD had more frequent positive SPT for all aeroallergens (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AD should be more frequent in children with a positive atopy history and in children who live in the city. Aeroallergens play an essential role in pathogenesis of eczema in children. House-dust mites and grass pollen proved to be the most common relevant aeroallergens.