Does Turmeric/curcumin Supplementation Change Anthropometric Indices in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Curcumin is the principal polylphenol of turmeric that has been used to treat various disorders. However, its anti-obesity effects in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain controversial. Therefore, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis on the effects of supplementation with turmeric/curcumin on body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in these patients. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science were searched until January 2019, without any restrictions. Clinical trials that reported body weight, BMI and WC in patients with NAFLD were included. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Eight studies (449 participants) fulfilled the eligibility criteria of the present meta-analysis. Overall, meta-analysis could not show any beneficial effect of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on body weight (WMD, −0.54 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.40, 1.31; p = 0.56; I² = 0.0%), BMI (WMD, −0.21 kg/m²; 95% CI, −0.71, 0.28; p = 0.39; I² = 0.0%) and WC (WMD, −0.88 cm; 95% CI, −3.76, 2.00; p = 0.54; I² = 0.0%). Subgroup analysis based on participants' baseline BMI, type of intervention, and study duration did not show any significant association in all subgroups. The results showed that turmeric/curcumin supplementation had no significant effect on body weight, BMI and WC in patients with NAFLD. Further studies with large-scale are needed to find out possible anti-obesity effects of turmeric/curcumin.

role of human capital development and innovation in healthcare organizations of Markazi province in Iran

Introduction: Increase of environmental challenges inevitably changes our methods; challenges such as rapid change, diversity of workforce, globalization, evolution and transformation of business and family roles, lack of skills and emergence of service sector affect not only the organizational structure but also the nature and functional role of business. In response to these environmental challenges and in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness and ultimately the productivity, the organizations have shifted toward two facilitators: human capital development and innovation. The aim of the current study is to survey the correlation between these two facilitators

Method: This research is a descriptive-analytical survey. The current research population includes all experts and managers of healthcare organizations of Markazi Province in Iran in January 2015. The statistical population consisted of 650 individuals; 180 individuals were chosen as the statistical sample using Cochran's formula. In terms of data collection method, this is a descriptive-bivariate correlative type research. Library and internet resources developed based on the variables were used for collecting data related to theoretical concepts and extracting primary elements and indicators. Cronbach's alpha test has been used for confirming the validity and reliability of the questionnaire [0.863] which indicates a high reliability. The number of collected questionnaire was 180 and they have been analyzed using Spearman correlation

Results: According to t-statistic in all hypotheses which is out of the range of -1.96-1.96, it could be said that human capital development, healthcare management, infrastructure of official institutions, infrastructure of unofficial institutions and knowledge [education] management development have a significance effect on innovation at significance level of 95%. As a result, all research hypotheses were confirmed

Conclusion: Innovation in inputs results in increased efficiency of employees especially in educational sections of the organization. According to the creative problem-solving process in ideal situation [truth finding-finding ideas and solutions], the organization can deal with the changes imposed on the system and reach the goal of more efficiency

Genetic analysis of polymerase complex (PA, PB1 and PB2) genes of H9N2 avian influenza viruses from Iran (1999 to 2009)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the molecular characterization of Polymerase complex (PA, PB1 and PB2) genes of H9N2 avian influenza viruses and the genetic relationship of Iranian H9N2 viruses and other Asian viruses.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Polymerase complex (PA, PB1 and PB2) genes from seven isolates of H9N2 viruses isolated from commercial chickens in Iran during 2008-2009 were amplified (by RT-PCR method) and sequenced. Nucleotide sequences (Open Reading Frame: orf) of the PA, PB1 and PB2 genes were used for phylogenetic tree construction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Most PB2 and PA genes of the H9N2 viruses isolated in 2008-2009 belonged to the unknown avian sublineage which grouped with the 2004 Pakistani H7N3 viruses. The PB1 genes of Iranian viruses indicated greater genetic diversity and shared a high level of similarity to PB1 genes from either H5 or H7 subtypes with compared to established H9N2 Eurasian sublineages.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our findings demonstrated that the H9N2 viruses in Iran exhibit striking reassortment which has led to the generation of new genotypes.</p>

Genetic analysis of polymerase complex (PA, PB1 and PB2) genes of H9N2 avian influenza viruses from Iran (1999 to 2009)

Objective: To determine the molecular characterization of Polymerase complex (PA, PB1 and PB2) genes of H9N2 avian influenza viruses and the genetic relationship of Iranian H9N2 viruses and other Asian viruses. Methods: The Polymerase complex (PA, PB1 and PB2) genes from seven isolates of H9N2 viruses isolated from commercial chickens in Iran during 2008-2009 were amplified (by RT-PCR method) and sequenced. Nucleotide sequences (Open Reading Frame:orf) of the PA, PB1 and PB2 genes were used for phylogenetic tree construction. Results: Most PB2 and PA genes of the H9N2 viruses isolated in 2008-2009 belonged to the unknown avian sublineage which grouped with the 2004 Pakistani H7N3 viruses. The PB1 genes of Iranian viruses indicated greater genetic diversity and shared a high level of similarity to PB1 genes from either H5 or H7 subtypes with compared to established H9N2 Eurasian sublineages. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that the H9N2 viruses in Iran exhibit striking reassortment which has led to the generation of new genotypes.