Association of serum omentin levels with microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and aims: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition associated with various microvascular complications, including neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Recent studies have suggested a potential association between serum omentin levels and the risk of developing microvascular complications in patients with T2DM. However, the existing evidence remains inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between serum omentin levels and microvascular complications in T2DM patients. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to retrieve relevant articles published up to May 2023. Observational studies investigating omentin levels association with microvascular complications in T2DM patients were included. Data was extracted and hence analyzed. Results: A total of seven cross-sectional articles met the inclusion criteria, with a total population of 1587 participants. The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between serum omentin levels and microvascular complications in patients with T2DM. Serum omentin levels were lower in patients with microvascular complications than in those without complications (Mean difference, 95% confidence interval: -1.31 [-2.50, -0.13], I2 = 99.62%). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence supporting an association between serum omentin levels and microvascular complications in patients with T2DM. The findings suggest that Omentin may be lower in T2DM patients with microvascular complications. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the clinical implications of these findings. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01359-2.

Study of the effect of canola proteins-xanthan based Pickering emulsion as animal fat replacer in a food matrix produced from mechanically separated meat.

Pickering emulsions stabilized by protein microgel, and hydrocolloid have shown desirable properties to be used as animal fat replacers. However, the potential applications of these structures as animal fat replacers in meat systems formulations have not been explored yet. Therefore, novel Pickering emulsions stabilized by canola proteins microgels and xanthan gum were developed, and their potential as animal fat replacer in meat systems was assessed for the first time. In the present study, 25, 50, 75, and 100% animal fat content were replaced by Pickering emulsion. Moreover, the obtained results revealed that complete fat replacement with canola proteins-based Pickering emulsion in meat emulsion improved its nutritional value by significantly enhancing the percentage of protein, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition, and reduction of saturated fatty acid content compared to control (100% animal fat). Reformulation with PEs enhanced the meat systems' technological behavior such as emulsion stability and cooking loss, and oxidative stability. Also, significant total color difference (ΔE *) was observed only in samples with 100% fat replacement. Meat systems containing fat replacement ≤50% showed the closest texture parameters to the control sample. This study provides a promising alternative to replace animal fat with plant-based ingredients in meat systems.

Differential Co-Expression Network Analysis Reveals Key Hub-High Traffic Genes as Potential Therapeutic Targets for COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The recent emergence of COVID-19, rapid worldwide spread, and incomplete knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection have limited development of therapeutic strategies. Our objective was to systematically investigate molecular regulatory mechanisms of COVID-19, using a combination of high throughput RNA-sequencing-based transcriptomics and systems biology approaches. Methods: RNA-Seq data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy persons, mild and severe 17 COVID-19 patients were analyzed to generate a gene expression matrix. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify co-expression modules in healthy samples as a reference set. For differential co-expression network analysis, module preservation and module-trait relationships approaches were used to identify key modules. Then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, based on co-expressed hub genes, were constructed to identify hub genes/TFs with the highest information transfer (hub-high traffic genes) within candidate modules. Results: Based on differential co-expression network analysis, connectivity patterns and network density, 72% (15 of 21) of modules identified in healthy samples were altered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 caused systemic perturbations in host biological gene networks. In functional enrichment analysis, among 15 non-preserved modules and two significant highly-correlated modules (identified by MTRs), 9 modules were directly related to the host immune response and COVID-19 immunopathogenesis. Intriguingly, systemic investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection identified signaling pathways and key genes/proteins associated with COVID-19's main hallmarks, e.g., cytokine storm, respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute lung injury (ALI), lymphopenia, coagulation disorders, thrombosis, and pregnancy complications, as well as comorbidities associated with COVID-19, e.g., asthma, diabetic complications, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), liver disorders and acute kidney injury (AKI). Topological analysis with betweenness centrality (BC) identified 290 hub-high traffic genes, central in both co-expression and PPI networks. We also identified several transcriptional regulatory factors, including NFKB1, HIF1A, AHR, and TP53, with important immunoregulatory roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, several hub-high traffic genes, including IL6, IL1B, IL10, TNF, SOCS1, SOCS3, ICAM1, PTEN, RHOA, GDI2, SUMO1, CASP1, IRAK3, HSPA5, ADRB2, PRF1, GZMB, OASL, CCL5, HSP90AA1, HSPD1, IFNG, MAPK1, RAB5A, and TNFRSF1A had the highest rates of information transfer in 9 candidate modules and central roles in COVID-19 immunopathogenesis. Conclusion: This study provides comprehensive information on molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-host interactions and identifies several hub-high traffic genes as promising therapeutic targets for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Influenza species and subtypes circulation among hospitalized patients in Laleh hospital during two influenza seasonal (2016-2017 and 2017-2018) using a multiplex Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction.

The introduction of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques has improved the detection of respiratory viruses, particularly with the use of multiplex real-time technique with the capability of simultaneous detection of various pathogens in a single reaction. The aim of this study was to apply the above technology for the diagnosis of influenza infections and at the same time to differentiate between common flu species between hospitalized patients in Laleh hospital (Iran) between two flu seasons (2016-2017 and 2017-2018). Different respiratory specimens were collected from 540 patients from a period of December 2016 to May 2018 and were sent to the laboratory for molecular diagnosis. RNAs were extracted and subsequently, a multiplex real time PCR identifying flu A, flu B and typing flu A (H1N1) was carried out. The mean age of patients was 47.54±23.96. 216 (40%) and 321 (60%) of subjects were male and female, respectively. 219 out of 540 (40.5%) were positive for influenza infection including flu A (n=97, 44.3%), flu A (H1N1) (n=45, 20.7%) and flu B (n=77, 35%). Flu A was the dominant species on 2016-2017 and flu B was the major species on 2017-2018. Flu A (H1N1) was comparable in both time periods. Flu infections were most frequently diagnosed in age groups 21-40. Flu-positive patients suffered more from body pain and sore throat than flunegative patients with significant statistical difference (P values <0.001). The mean duration of hospitalization was shorter for flu-positive patients (P value = 0.016). Application of multiplex real time PCR could facilitate the influenza diagnosis in a short period of time, benefiting patients from exclusion of bacterial infections and avoiding unnecessary antibiotic therapy. Influenza diagnosis was not achieved in up to 60% of flu-like respiratory infections, suggesting the potential benefit of adopting the same methodology for assessing the involvement of other viral or/and bacterial pathogens in those patients.

UV-irradiated gelatin-chitosan bio-based composite film, physiochemical features and release properties for packaging applications.

In this study, Chitosan-Gelatin biodegradable films loaded with Gallic acid (GA) were developed. Ethanol, tween, and ß-Cyclodextrin (ß-CD) were used to enhance the distribution of GA in the film forming solutions. The effect of the exposure time of UV irradiation on the color, mechanical properties (TS, %E), water vapor permeability (WVP) microstructure and release rate of GA to fatty food simulants investigated. UV irradiation reduced darkness of the films markedly and increased the release rate of the GA. Among the non-irradiated samples the highest and lowest release rate were obtained for the films containing ß-CD and ethanol respectively. On the other hand incorporation of ß-CD could reduce the increasing effect of UV light on release rate. The UV irradiation for 10 min reduced mechanical strength and barrier properties of the film against water vapor. Microscopic analysis, showed the consistent and uniform microstructure. However, long-term radiation caused some cracks in the films network. The UV irradiation weakened the _OH bending and enhanced the amide I amide II.

Effect of organic additives on physiochemical properties and anti-oxidant release from chitosan-gelatin composite films to fatty food simulant.

Chitosan, gelatin and their blended films prepared and compared in some optical, physical and mechanical properties. The release rate of Gallic acid (GA) from the film to food fatty simulant studied. The chitosan- gelatin based films showed appropriate compatibility and desirable properties in comparison with singular gelatin and chitosan film. GA was added using different methods including simple addition, with two concentration of tween, with ethanol, with ß-Cyclodextrin (ß-CD) in physical mixture and encapsulated form. Incorporation of GA causes leads to formation of weak and dark samples. Use of ß-CD with GA decreased tensile strength (TS) significantly. Film samples with physical mixture of ß-CD and GA indicated lower barrier properties against water vapor and release rate in comparison with their inclusion complex. Incorporation of tween 20, at low concentration leads to higher release rate, elongation at break (EB%) and water vapor permeability (WVP). Due to the lowest release rate observed for samples with ethanol as well as almost good (desirable) physical and mechanical properties, it could be appropriate candidate for fatty food packaging in long period. On the other hand, highest rate related to samples contained GA- ß-CD inclusion complex, which are suitable to higher anti-oxidant demands and short-term protection.