Effect of egg consumption on inflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

There is little evidence about whether eggs affect inflammation. The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore the effects of egg consumption on inflammation. A systematic search of online databases (Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), Scopus, Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane) was used to gather clinical trials that assessed the effect of egg consumption on circulating inflammatory biomarkers. Using a random-effects model, pooled weighted mean differences (WMD) and corresponding standard deviations (SD) were calculated. Of the 21 eligible studies found, nine trials were eligible for analysis. Eight trials assessed high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), four trials assessed interleukin-6 (IL-6), and five trials assessed tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Egg consumption did not affect hs-CRP (WMD 0.24 mg/L; 95% CI: -0.43, 0.90; I² = 53.8; P = 0.48), IL-6 (WMD 0.20 pg/mL; 95% CI: -0.71, 1.11; I² = 69.3; P = 0.50), and TNF-α (WMD: -0.38 pg/mL; 95% CI: -0.87, 0.10; I² = 0.00; P = 0.12) relative to controls. Overall, this meta-analysis revealed that egg consumption had no significant effect on serum biomarkers of inflammation in adults. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dynamic facility layout problem under competitive environment: a new formulation and some meta-heuristic solution methods

Dynamic facility layout problem (DFLP) considers flow over multiple time periods in an environment where material flow between departments changes over time. These changes render the current facility layout inefficient and could increase material handling costs, which results in a need for dynamic layout models. But a key factor ignored for simplicity in the DFLP literature, is considering the effects of non-cooperating internal and external competitions on the mentioned changes in facility layout over time that sometimes results in main conflict of objectives/goals for these distinct decision makers. To the best our knowledge, the existing special literature did not cover this important assumption. Ignoring this main assumption resulted in the existing monopolistic models for DFLP that cannot satisfy the new needs in the nowadays competitive environments. Therefore, in this paper, a duopoly Bertrand non-cooperative game model is presented to consider the impacts of all conflicting factors on a DFLP for each period and three meta-heuristic algorithms are proposed to obtain Nash equilibrium for this model. The results obtained from solving some numerical examples with these algorithms show that the proposed simulated annealing algorithm is more effective than the others for the competitive dynamic facility layout problem.     

One-pot synthesis of amphiphilic nanogels from vinylated SPIONs/HEMA/PEG via a combination of click chemistry and surfactant-free emulsion photopolymerization: Unveiling of the protein-nanoparticle interactions

In this study, freshly prepared Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (MNP1) were coated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to produce core–shell Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles (MNP2), amine terminated nanoparticles was converted into the triazide in the presence of as-prepared triflic azide (MNP3). Propargyl acrylate (PgA) was synthesized from propargyl alcohol and acryloyl chloride and their structures were characterized by FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. MNP3 were modified by PgA via click reaction to produce fully decorated triazole product (MNP4). Photopolymerization of MNP4 in the presence of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylated methyl ether poly (ethylene glycol) (ACMPEG) were carried out by emulsion method without any surfactant (MNP5). The in-vitro release behavior of quercetin from MNP5s was investigated at two pHs (7.4 and 5.8). The effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) on MNPs and its ability to cover magnetite nanoparticles was investigated.     

Physico-chemical properties investigation of cisplatin loaded polybutyladipate (PBA) nanoparticles prepared by w/o/w

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) is used against different kinds of cancers. Unfortunately, because of the severe side-effects like nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, etc., they are administered in small doses at low concentrations. The purpose of this work is to improve injectional controlled release (ICR) of cisplatin that releases drug in the extended temporal periods. In order to access this aim, biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles containing cisplatin as anticancer drug of various ranges from 71 to 661 nm were prepared by a w/o/w double emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Influences of process parameters such as solvent removal technique, type and concentration of polymer, volume of oil phase, volume of external aqueous phase, concentration of stabilizer, drug concentration in the internal and external aqueous phases and power of sonication on morphology, characteristics of the nanoparticles and release profile were investigated. Morphology of the nanoparticles was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the images indicated that spherical shape of the nanoparticles can be tailored to rod-like shape by changing the reaction parameters. Size of the nanoparticles decreased as polymer concentration decreases. Volume of oil phase, power of sonication and drug concentration in the internal water phase affected the size of nanoparticles. Drug release profiles indicate that polymer concentration in the oil phase and stabilizer concentration in the external water phase have critical role in the drug release process from the nanoparticles. The in-vitro release of the encapsulated drug was observed by using the diffusion models of release from a sphere carrier and the release pattern was shown to be a complex process.     

Mechanics of Intermittent Plasticity Punctuated by Fracture During Shear Deformation of Mg Alloys at Near-Ambient Temperatures

Microstructure evolution of basal-textured Mg alloy AZ31B (Mg: Al: Zn; 96: 3: 1 wt pct) during simple shear deformation at near-ambient temperatures was studied by plane-strain machining. Using Schmid factor calculations in conjunction with quantitative electron microscopy, it was found that plastic deformation in AZ31B in the primary deformation zone of machining commences by extension twinning followed by basal slip. Characteristics of twinning in individual grains were described by correlating the direction of twinning with the principal stress state. The implications of these deformation mechanics for the microstructure inherited by the freshly generated surfaces in shear-based material removal processes are examined. These include the identification of extensive surface texture reorientation at machined surfaces via extension twins, limits on surface integrities wrought by fracture events that punctuate plastic deformation, and their relationship to the cutting tool geometry.     

An Integrated Model for Introducing Intranets

An intranet as a new decision-making tool has gained much popularity in recent years. the design and implementation of this powerful decision-making tool is a multifaceted and complex process. This article presents an integrated model for a successful introduction of an intranet into an organization.     

Process optimisation for green synthesis of zero‐valent iron nanoparticles using Mentha piperita

The potential of Mentha piperita in the iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) production was evaluated for the first time. The influences of the variables such as incubation time, temperature, and volume ratio of the extract to metal ions on the nanoparticle size were investigated using central composite design. The appearance of SPR bands at 284 nm in UV–Vis spectra of the mixtures verified the nanoparticle formation. Incubating the aqueous extract and metal precursor with 1.5 volume ratio at 50°C for 30 min leads to the formation of the smallest nanoparticles with the narrowest size distribution. At the optimal condition, the nanoparticles were found to be within the range of 35–50 nm. Experimental measurements of the average nanoparticle size were fitted well to the polynomial model satisfactory with R ² of 0.9078. Among all model terms, the linear term of temperature, the quadratic terms of temperature, and mixing volume ratio have the significant effects on the nanoparticle average size. FeNPs produced at the optimal condition were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The observed weight loss in the TGA curve confirms the encapsulation of FeNPs by the biomolecules of the extract which were dissociated by heat.Inspec keywords: thermal analysis, iron, X‐ray chemical analysis, particle size, nanoparticles, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nanofabrication, ultraviolet spectra, mixtures, Fourier transform infrared spectraOther keywords: incubation time, metal ions, central composite design, SPR bands, UV–Vis spectra, nanoparticle formation, metal precursor, narrowest size distribution, optimal condition, average nanoparticle size, particle size, mixing volume ratio, green synthesis, zero‐valent iron nanoparticles, mentha piperita, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, TGA curve, biomolecules, temperature 50.0 degC, time 30.0 min, size 35.0 nm to 50.0 nm, Fe     

Predictions of the Joule–Thomson inversion curves for polar and non-polar fluids from the SAFT-CP equation of state

In this work, we calculate the Joule–Thomson inversion curves of some non-polar fluids, including argon, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, n-alkanes (C₁–C₄), ethene, acetylene, benzene and toluene and some polar fluids, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, acetone and ethyl ether from the SAFT-CP equation of state. Comparisons with correlated experimental data and reference equation of state indicate that this molecular based equation of state gives good prediction for non-polar fluids. For polar fluids, the predictions of the low-temperature branch are satisfied; but, unfortunately, due to lack of isenthalpic data for high-pressure–high-temperature gas condensate, the reliability of model predictions could not be completely verified. In this work, the performance of some cubic equations of state in predicting the Joule–Thomson inversion curves is also compared with SAFT-CP equation of state.     

Preparation of cerium oxide–MWCNTs nanocomposite bulk modified carbon ceramic electrode: a sensitive sensor for tamoxifen determination in human serum samples

In this study, cerium oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite were incorporated into the carbon ceramic electrode (CeO₂–MWCNTs/CCE) as a renewable electrode for the electrocatalytic purposes. To demonstrate capability of the fabricated electrode, determination of tamoxifen as an important anticancer drug with differential pulse voltammetry technique was evaluated in details. Linear range, limit of detection and sensitivity of the developed sensor were found to be 0.2–40 nM, 0.132 nM and 1.478 µA nM^?1 cm^?2, respectively. Ease of production, low cost and high electron transfer rate of the CeO₂–MWCNTs/CCE promises it as a novel electro-analytical tool for determination of important species in real samples.