Effects of purified anthocyanins supplementation on serum concentration of inflammatory mediators: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials.

Anthocyanins, due to their antioxidant effects, are candidates to reduce inflammation and the risk of inflammatory diseases. Therefore, through conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, we tried to find the effect of purified anthocyanins on serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Databases including, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched up to June 2023. The meta-analysis was done by calculating mean differences and their standard deviations. Calculating the statistical heterogeneity of intervention effects was performed through I-squared statistics and Cochran's Q test. The pooled estimate showed a significant decrease in serum levels of CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -0.12 mg/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.21 to -0.02, p = 0.013; WMD = -1.37 pg/mL, 95% CI = -1.79 to -0.96; p < 0.001; WMD = -1.43 pg/mL, 95% CI = -1.87 to -1.00; p < 0.001, respectively). Subgroup analysis results revealed purified anthocyanins significantly decreased serum levels of CRP among participants with serum levels of CRP≥1.52 mg/L, at-risk/unhealthy status, and in trials with intervention duration ≥84 days, anthocyanins dose ≥320 mg/day, and sample size ≥85 subjects. Regarding TNF-α and IL-6, out results showed that there was a significant effect of purified anthocyanins on serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in most subgroups. The results of our study indicated that purified anthocyanins significantly decreased serum levels of CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the efficacy of purified anthocyanins.

Is a spot urine sample a good substitution to estimate 24-h urinary sodium excretion in a population ≥ 50 years old? A validation study.

PURPOSE: A variety of prediction equations have been able to estimate 24-h urinary sodium excretion from spot urine samples; however, Iranians over the age of 50 have not been compared and verified. Using spot urine samples as a substitute for 24-h urine samples to estimate 24-h urine sodium excretion among the population age 50 and older are the purpose of this study. METHODS: A 24-h urinary sodium excretion was studied by well-known Kawasaki, INTERSALT, Tanaka, and World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) formulas. On 360 individuals, the mean bias, agreements between estimated and measured values, correlation, absolute and relative differences, and misclassification rates were evaluated for four equations. RESULTS: As a result, the mean urinary sodium excretion for a 24-h period was 136.3 ± 52.21 mmol/24-h, which corresponds to a calculated intake of 9.1 ± 3.8 g of salt per day. According to the WHO/PAHO formula, the mean bias between measured values and estimated 24-h urinary sodium excretion is - 21.6 mg/day (95% confidence interval (CI) - 144.8, 101.6 mg/day), which is the smallest difference compared with the other three formulas. The lowest rate of individual misclassification of salt intake was 40% for WHO/PAHO, especially for those who consumed less than 9 g/day, while Kawasaki had the lowest misclassification rate at higher levels of salt intake. CONCLUSION: As a result of our research, the WHO/PAHO equations accurately predict 24-h urinary sodium excretion among Iranians aged ≥ 50 more than other equations, both at the population level and at the individual level. However, further study is needed in regard to different ages in Iran.

Coagulopathy and thromboembolic events a pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19 associated with mortality: An updated review.

During 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 emerged from China, and during months, COVID-19 spread in many countries around the world. The expanding data about pathogenesis of this virus could elucidate the exact mechanism by which COVID-19 caused death in humans. One of the pathogenic mechanisms of this disease is coagulation. Coagulation disorders that affect both venous and arterial systems occur in patients with COVID-19. The possible mechanism involved in the coagulation could be excessive inflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2. However, it is not yet clear well how SARS-CoV-2 promotes coagulopathy. However, some factors, such as pulmonary endothelial cell damage and some anticoagulant system disorders, are assumed to have an important role. In this study, we assessed conducted studies about COVID-19-induced coagulopathy to obtain clearer vision of the wide range of manifestations and possible pathogenesis mechanisms.

Effect of soy isoflavones on C-reactive protein in chronic inflammatory disorders.

New evidence suggests that soy products might reduce chronic systemic inflammation. Therefore, we aimed to summarize the effect of soy isoflavones on serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) among participants with chronic inflammatory disorders by conducting this study. Cochrane Library, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, and PubMed were searched to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published up to December 2020. The effect size was calculated by the mean change from baseline in concentrations of CRP and its standard deviation for both intervention and comparison groups. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used when the heterogeneity test was statistically significant. In total, thirteen RCTs involving 1213 participants and ten RCTs involving 1052 participants were eligible for our systematic review and meta-analysis respectively. Study duration ranged from 4 to 96 weeks and soy isoflavones dose varied from 33 to 132 mg/day. Overall effect size indicated a non-significant effect on serum concentration of CRP following soy isoflavones intake (weighted mean differences (WMD)=-0.15 mg/L, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.54, 0.23; p=0.430). Subgroup analysis revealed that soy isoflavones significantly reduced serum concentration of CRP in studies among participants with age >57 years and baseline CRP levels >3.75 mg/L. The present study proposed that soy isoflavones could not significantly reduce serum CRP levels. It seems more RCTs on participants with age more than 57 years and higher levels of CRP is necessary.

The efficacy of soy isoflavones combined with soy protein on serum concentration of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α among post-menopausal women? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The post-menopausal stage in women's life is associated with the enhancement of inflammation that may be reduced using soy isoflavones or soy protein. The present study aimed to summarize the effect of soy isoflavones plus soy protein on circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in post-menopausal women. The English-language articles were identified from the databases such as Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus until December 2020. The mean change from baseline and its standard deviation (SD) for intervention and comparison groups were used to calculate the effect size. The statistical heterogeneity of the intervention effects was computing by Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic. Nine and seven studies were selected for systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. The results of our meta-analysis indicated a non-significant effect on the serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α (weighted mean differences [WMD] = 0.07 pg/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.03, 0.17 pg/mL; P = 0.190; WMD =0.05 pg/mL; 95% CI = -0.01, 0.12 pg/mL; P = 0.092; respectively). In subgroup analysis, soy isoflavones plus soy protein could increase the serum concentration of IL-6 in studies with soy isoflavones dose ≤87 mg/days, cross-over design, weak quality, and studies on participants who had health risk factors or diseases. The serum concentration of TNF-α increased in studies with cross-over design, intervention duration ≤56 days, and body mass index (BMI) >27, and in studies that were conducted on at-risk or sick participants. In conclusion, our meta-analysis did not confirm any significant effect on serum concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α among post-menopausal women.

Grain yield and micronutrient concentrations of maize parental lines of new hybrid genotypes affected by the foliar application of micronutrients.

It is important for the breeders to find how genetic differences may affect crop grain yield and nutrient uptake affected by micronutrient fertilization. Accordingly, with respect to our published research, the foliar application of the most deficient micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Mn) in the arid and semi-arid areas of the world affecting grain yield and nutrient concentration of maize parental lines of new hybrid genotypes was tested in a two-year experiment (2016-2017). A split plot experiment (randomized complete block design) with seven maize parental lines (G1-G7, sub-plots), and eight micronutrients treatments (main plots) including control (without spraying, M1), Zn (M2), Mn (M3), and Fe (M4) at 3 g L-1, Mn + Zn (M5), Fe + Zn (M6), Fe + Mn (M7), and Fe + Mn + Zn (M8) at 1.5 g L-1, sprayed at the growth stages of V8 and the full appearance of the plant organs (R1) was conducted. Plant height, cob height, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, number of rows per cob, number of grains per row, grain crude protein content, and micronutrient (Zn, Fe and Mn) concentrations were determined. Micronutrients significantly affected Fe (27.68-62.55 mg. kg-1) and Zn (33.34-55.73 mg. kg-1) concentrations. A3 (12,600 kg. ha-1) and A5 (8900 kg. ha-1) resulted in the highest and least grain yield, respectively. M7 (11,470 kg. ha-1) had the highest grain yield significantly different from control (5510 kg. ha-1). Interestingly, just Mn significantly affected grain crude protein (9.63-12.92%). Correlation coefficients indicated Mn and Fe as the least and the most correlated micronutrients with the growth of maize parental lines. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01160-0.

Short-term Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines (Astrazeneca, Sputnik-V, and Sinopharm) in Health Care Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran.

Background: The occurrence of side effects of vaccines plays an important role in their acceptance by people. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines (Sputnik-V, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm) in Neyshabur health care workers (HCWs). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines among the HCWs of the Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences from July 31, 2021, to September 6, 2021, by using a self-report checklist. We sent our checklist via an internet link to collect data such as demographic data of participants, previous COVID-19 infection (PCR+), vaccine information and side effects of vaccines. Mean, median and standard deviation were used to determine descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model was also used to determine the relationship between the type of vaccine and its side effects. Results: 317 participants filled out the checklist; among them 47% (N= 149), 21.14% (N= 67), and 31.86% (N= 101) have been vaccinated with Sputnik-V, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm, respectively. The percentage of side effects after the first dose was 62.15% (N= 197). The Percentage of local side effects was 76% (N= 241) and systemic side effects were 29.36% (N= 95). The most common side effects in all three vaccines were injection site pain (75.08%, N= 240), muscle pain (62.46%, N=198) and headache (52.05%, N=165). Also, the odds ratio of injection site pain, chill and sweating in those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine was 3.9(95% CI, 1.7-9.3), 3.7 (95% CI, 1.8-7.3), and 3.2 (95% CI, 1.7-63), of those who received the Sputnik V vaccine (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The most common side effects among our participants were injection site pain, muscle pain, and headache. Most of the post-vaccination side effects are mild to moderate in severity and self-limited. Reported side effects were more common in recipients with AstraZeneca than in those with Sputnik-V and Sinopharm.

Can soy isoflavones plus soy protein change serum levels of interlukin-6? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

In the present review, we aimed to summarize the effect of soy isoflavones plus soy protein on circulating interlukin-6 (IL-6) in adult participants. Databases including ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched up to 23 March 2020. The mean change from baseline of IL-6 concentrations and its SD for intervention and comparison groups were used to calculate the effect size. If the heterogeneity test was statistically significant, DerSimonian and Laird random effects model was used. Cochran's Q test and I-squared statistic were also used to compute the statistical heterogeneity of the intervention's effects. Eighteen studies were known to be eligible for systematic review and 14 studies were selected for meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis results indicated a non-significant effect in serum IL-6 concentrations compared to the comparison group (WMD = 0.03 pg/ml, 95% CI: -0.06, 0.12; p = .459). In subgroup analysis, based on soy isoflavones dosage, it was observed that this combination could reduce IL-6 levels in studies that used isoflavones with dose >84 mg/day (WMD = -0.12 pg/ml 95% CI: -0.24, -0.004; p = .042, I2 = 82.7%) and in articles with a good quality (WMD = -0.15 pg/ml 95% CI: -0.24, -0.05; p = .003, I2 = 62.3%). Performing well-designed intervention studies using a high dose of soy isoflavones is recommended to confirm the beneficial effects of soy ingredients on IL-6.

The effect of soy isoflavones and soy isoflavones plus soy protein on serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

In this study, we summarized the effect of soy isoflavones and soy isoflavones plus soy protein on serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) among adult participants. We systematically searched Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and clinicaltrials.gov for articles published up to May 2020. Effect size was calculated by mean change from baseline of TNF-α concentrations and its standard deviation (SD) for intervention and comparison groups. If the heterogeneity test was statistically significant, DerSimonian and Laird random effects model was used to estimate the summary of the overall effects and its heterogeneity. Nineteen and fourteen randomized clinical trials were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. The result of overall effect size indicated a non-significant effect in serum concentration of TNF-α following soy isoflavones intake (WMD = 0.2 pg/ml, 95% CI: -0.13, 0.53; p = .226) and the combination of soy isoflavones and soy protein intake (WMD = 0.02 pg/ml, 95% CI: -0.02, 0.06; p = .286). Subgroup analyses revealed no significant change in circulatory levels of TNF-α following soy isoflavones plus soy protein intake. In conclusion, the present systematic review and meta-analysis found insufficient evidence that soy isoflavones or the combination of soy isoflavones and soy protein significantly reduce serum concentration of TNF-α.

HIV-1 drug resistance mutations detection and HIV-1 subtype G report by using next-generation sequencing platform.

BACKGROUND: Based on world health organization (WHO) recommend, drug resistance assay should be performed in initial of treatment and after treatment for administering and monitoring of anti-retroviral regime in HIV-1 infected patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: NGS analyses were performed on forty-one plasma samples from HIV-1 affected patients using the Sentosa SQ HIV genotyping assay (Vela-Diagnostics, Germany). This system comprises a semi-automated Ion torrent based platform and the sequencing results were analyzed based on ANRS, REGA and Stanford drug resistance algorithms. Phylogenetic analysis was analyzed based on https://comet.lih.lu database as well as MEGA5 Software. RESULTS: Drug resistances were identified in thirty-three samples (80%) out of forty-one samples. The Phylogenetic analysis results showed that CRF-35AD (94%) and subtypes B (2.4%) and G (2.4%) were dominant subtypes in this study. NRTI and NNRTI associated dominant mutations were M184I/V and K103 N.High-level resistance to lamivudine (3 TC) and Emtricitabine (FTC) were detected in 34.3% of patients while 53.1% were resistant to Efavirenz (EFV) and Nevirapine (NVP). The Protease inhibitor (PI) minor and major mutations were not reported but more than 95% of samples had polymorphisms mutation in K20R, M36I, H69K, L89 M positions. These mutations are subtype dependent and completely are absent in subtype B virus. The secondary mutations were reported in positions of E157Q, S230 N, and T97A of integrase gene and four samples represent low-level resistance to integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first preliminary evaluation of HIV-1 drug resistance mutation (DRM) by using the Sentosa SQ HIV Genotyping Assay in Iran. The NGS represent a promising tool for the accurate detection of DRMs of CRF-35AD that is dominant subtype in Iranian HIV-1 infected population and for the first time revealed HIV-1 subtype G in Iranian population. In the present study polymorphic mutation in the position of K20R, M36I, H69K, L89 M were properly reported in CRF35AD that is dominant in Iranian HIV patients.