From Material to Cameras: Low-Dimensional Photodetector Arrays on CMOS.

The last two decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in research on low-dimensional material with exceptional optoelectronic properties. While low-dimensional materials offer exciting new opportunities for imaging, their integration in practical applications has been slow. In fact, most existing reports are based on single-pixel devices that cannot rival the quantity and quality of information provided by massively parallelized mega-pixel imagers based on complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) readout electronics. The first goal of this review is to present new opportunities in producing high-resolution cameras using these new materials. New photodetection methods and materials in the field are presented, and the challenges involved in their integration on CMOS chips for making high-resolution cameras are discussed. Practical approaches are then presented to address these challenges and methods to integrate low-dimensional material on CMOS. It is also shown that such integrations could be used for ultra-low noise and massively parallel testing of new material and devices. The second goal of this review is to present the colossal untapped potential of low-dimensional material in enabling the next-generation of low-cost and high-performance cameras. It is proposed that low-dimensional materials have the natural ability to create excellent bio-inspired artificial imaging systems with unique features such as in-pixel computing, multi-band imaging, and curved retinas.

The Effect of Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation on Vitamin D Status of Exclusively Breastfeeding Mothers and Their Nursing Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

The optimal vitamin D supplementation plan during lactation is unclear. We investigated the effect of maternal vitamin D supplementation on mother-infant dyads' vitamin D status during lactation. All controlled trials that compared vitamin D supplements to placebo or low doses of vitamin D in breastfeeding mothers were included. Pooled effect size and the associated 95% CI for each outcome were estimated using random-effects models. A 1-stage random-effect dose-response model was used to estimate the dose-response relation across different vitamin D dosages and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. We identified 19 clinical trials with 27 separate comparison groups (n = 3337 breastfeeding mothers). Maternal vitamin D supplement dosages were associated with circulating 25(OH)D concentrations in breastfeeding women in a nonlinear fashion. Supplementation with 1000 IU of vitamin D/d increased serum 25(OH)D concentrations by 7.8 ng/mL, whereas there was a lower increase in concentrations at vitamin D doses of >2000 IU/d (3.07 and 2.05 ng/mL increases between 2000-3000 and 3000-4000 IU/d, respectively). A linear relation was observed between maternal vitamin D supplementation dosage and the infants' circulating 25(OH)D concentrations. Each additional 1000 IU of maternal vitamin D intake was accompanied by a 2.7 ng/mL increase in serum 25(OH)D concentration in their nursing infants. The subgroup analysis showed that maternal vitamin D supplementation was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in infants' 25(OH)D concentration in the trials with a duration of >20 wk, vitamin D supplementation >1000 IU/d, East Indian participants, maternal BMI <25 kg/m2, and studies with an overall low risk of bias. Long-term maternal supplementation with vitamin D at a high dose (>6000 IU/d) effectively corrected vitamin D deficiency in both mothers and infants. Nevertheless, infants with 25(OH)D concentrations over 20 ng/mL may require a relatively low maternal dose to maintain vitamin D sufficiency.

Long Chain n-3 Fatty Acids Improve Depression Syndrome in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly associated with depressive symptoms, which affect prognosis and quality of life. We investigated the antidepressant effects of n-3 fatty acids (n-3FAs) monotherapy (without conventional antidepressants) for T2DM patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. METHODS: A 10-wk, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group (1:1 ratio) randomized trial of n-3FAs (2700 mg/day EPA: DHA ratio=2) versus placebo in 88 Iranian diabetic patients with mild to moderate depression based on Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II-PERSIAN) was conducted. This study started from July 2014 to January 2015 in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The primary event was defined as worsened, non-changed, or inconsiderably improved depression (<5 unit decrease in BDI-II-PERSIAN depression scores after treatment) (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02261545). RESULTS: Randomly, 44 T2DM patients were treated with n-3FAs supplements and 44 cases received placebo (three patients discontinued). n-3FAs could significantly protect patients against the aforesaid event and exhibit satisfactory prevention (number needed to treat with 95% confidence interval: 2.52, 1.71-4.74). No serious adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: n-3FAs supplementation had significant antidepressant effects in T2DM patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms, not confounded by metabolic factors and disease duration.

Beneficial Effects of n-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiometabolic and Inflammatory Markers in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on circulatory resistin and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a 10-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of n-3 PUFAs (2,700 mg/day) versus placebo (soft gels containing 900 mg of edible paraffin). Forty-four T2DM patients were supplemented with n-3 PUFAs and another 44 patients received placebo (3 patients discontinued the trial). Serum resistin, MCP-1, and the lipid profile were measured before and after supplementation. The adiponectin-resistin index (1 + log10 [resistin] - log10 [adiponectin]) and atherogenic index (log10 triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) of plasma (an indicator of cardiovascular complications) were assessed. The independent Student t test was used to assess the differences between the supplement and placebo groups and the paired t test to analyze the before/after changes. RESULTS: In this study, n-3 PUFAs reduced serum MCP-1 levels (from 260.5 to 230.5 pg/mL; p = 0.002), but they remained unchanged in the placebo group. n-3 PUFAs could not decrease serum resistin levels. The adiponectin-resistin index was significantly reduced after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs when compared to the placebo. The atherogenic index was also significantly improved after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs (from 1.459 to 1.412; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The MCP-1 levels and lipid profile were improved after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs, but resistin serum levels were not changed. Hence, the anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 PUFAs might be mediated by targeting MCP-1.

The Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Supplementation on Serum Irisin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes refers to a group of metabolic diseases with blood glucose of higher than normal ranges. Furthermore, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are necessary for the regulation of the activity of human function. The effect of n-3 PUFA on diabetes has been investigated in animal studies, yet, the exact amount has not been set, to date. Irisin, as a new myokine, is released from skeletal muscle and Irisin levels decrease as a result of physical inactivity, overweightness, and obesity. Also, the reduction of serum irisin level is associated with development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This study was performed to assess the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on serum irisin level in patients with diabetes. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial included 43 patients with type 2 diabetes (21 patients in the placebo group and 22 patients in the n-3 PUFA supplement group). They were randomized to groups, one receiving 10 weeks of either n-3 PUFA supplement and the other the placebo (1250 mg capsule, three times per day). Samples were also matched by age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) in the 2 groups. Anthropometric measurements, demographic information and dietary intakes were obtained both before and after the intervention. Serum irisin levels were measured before and after the intervention using human irisin enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Independent t-test was used to compare the mean outcomes between groups. RESULTS: At baseline, irisin serum levels were not significantly different between the placebo and n-3 PUFA supplementation groups (P > 0.05). However, a significant change was observed between the groups after intervention (P = 0.04). Also there was a significant difference in mean change (after versus before the intervention) (P = 0.05). Compared to the placebo, n-3 PUFA supplementation decreased serum FBS and HbA1C (P = 0.036 and 0.001; respectively). Also, there were significant differences between changes of diastolic blood pressure and HOMA-IR after the intervention between the groups. The duration of illness was not considered as a confounding factor because there was no significant association between irisin level (after versus before the intervention) and the illness duration. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicated that n-3 PUFA supplementation with a dosage of 1250 mg three times per day, resulted in increased serum irisin level of diabetic patients.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Could Increase One of Myokines in Male Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acids have a protective role against cardiovascular disease and these protective properties are attributed to its anti-inflammatory effects. Myokines have anti-inflammatory properties and thereby reduce low-grade inflammation. Irisin, as a myokine, is considered to be therapeutic for human metabolic diseases. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on serum irisin in men with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This study was an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Forty-eight CAD male patients (Omega-3, n = 24; control, n = 24) were randomly assigned to either Omega-3 or control groups by permuted block randomization method. Only the participants with more than 50% stenosis in at least one major coronary vessel were included.  A total of 3 participants in the control group were excluded from the study. Forty-five participants (Omega-3, n = 24; control, n = 21) completed the study. Participants took Omega-3 fatty acids supplement (720 mg eicosapentaenoic acid plus 480 mg docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo (edible paraffin) for 8 weeks. Serum irisin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipid profile and anthropometric indices, body composition, and food intake were assessed before and after intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Paired t-test was used for evaluating within-group effects from baseline. Variables with normal distribution were compared by independent t-test between 2 groups. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, Omega-3 fatty acids increased serum irisin (P = 0.044) and decreased serum hs-CRP (P = 0.018) and LDL cholesterol (P = 0.031). Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation did not result in any significant changes in anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, serum lipids except for serum LDL, fasting blood glucose, body composition or serum insulin levels (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation could elevate serum irisin in male patients with CAD. Also, these fatty acids may able to decrease serum hs-CRP and LDL cholesterol.