Alpha lipoic acid supplementation affects serum lipids in a dose and duration-dependent manner in different health status

Background: Many studies have investigated the effect of ALA supplementation on lipid profile, and different results have been obtained from these studies. The current systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to achive a strong conclusion about the effect of ALA supplementation on lipid profile including total cholesterol (TC), low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, HDL) and triglyceride (TG). Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, ProQuest and Embase for randomized placebo-controlled human trials that examined the effect of ALA supplementation on lipid profile up to November 2020. The dose and duration of ALA supplementation for included studies were ranged between 300–1200 mg/d and 2–16 weeks respectively. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the effect size. Cochran’s Q and I2 tests were also used to assess between-study’s heterogeneity. In addition, subgroup analysis was performed to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity. Dose-response relationship was done using fractional polynomial modeling. Results: Among all eligible studies, 12 studies with a total number of 548 participants were selected. ALA caused a significant reduction on TC (WMD): −10.78 mg/dl, 95% CI: −20.81, −0.74, P=0.002), LDL (WMD: −10.88 mg/dl, 95% CI: −19.52, −2.24, P=0.014) and TG (WMD: −31.02 mg/dl, 95% CI: −49.63, −12.42, P<0.001). There was also a non-significant increaes in HDL concentrations. In addition, dose-response analysis showed a positive association between LDL (Pnon-linearity=0.026), TG (Pnon-linearity<0.001) and duration of intervention in a non-linear model. Conclusion: The present meta-analysis revealed the beneficial effects of ALA supplementation on TC, LDL and TG levels. Moreover, the beneficial effects of ALA supplementation on LDL and TG levels was duration-dependent.

Problems of income and expenditure balance of the pension fund budget of Ukraine

The steady budget deficit of the Pension Fund of Ukraine necessitates balancing its budget and finding effective opportunities to improve the current pension system. The revenue and expenditure part of the budgets of the Pension Fund for the last 7 years has been analyzed, time series characterizing various aspects of its activity have been constructed, polynomial modeling of trend series of revenues and expenditures has been carried out. To improve the actuarial basis of the joint pension system, it has been suggested to segregate social pensions, which are not provided by insurance premiums, and therefore cannot be the object of insurance payments, but should be subject to state (budget) funding. The shadow sector of the economy and the arrears of enterprises for the payment of salary to employees have been identified as a significant factor in the disproportion of the budget of the Pension Fund of Ukraine, measures to respond to these violations have been identified and analyzed. Relevant recommendations included a revision of the institutional position on limiting the amount of salaries on which SSC (single social contribution) is accrued, the redistribution of relevant contributions between employees and employers, and the harmonization of the accrual base with the average salary. Further research is recommended to focus on the peculiarities of balancing the revenues and expenditures of the budget of the Pension Fund in the case of entrusting it with the functions of other social insurance funds of Ukraine, as well as in connection with the introduction of the second level of pension provision.

First Results of the 2019 Algerian Magnetic Repeat Station Network

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Abstract:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The second part of the history of the Algerian magnetic repeat station network goes back to 1989 when the new one was started with 37 stations. It was then followed by three other networks in 1993, 1997 and 2005. The first part of this history started at the beginning of the XX&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; and ended ca 1956.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After a 14-year break, we launched a new repeat stations network in February 2019. The number of carried out stations was increased to 51 to try to cover all the territory.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each repeat station network consists of stations of periodically, say &amp;#160;5-6 years, measured of three components of the Earth's magnetic field. to try to derive the spatial distribution of the geomagnetic field of Algeria and it's secular variation. This periodicity is also very important for the need to update local as well as global geomagnetic field models such as the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this work we describe the new 2019 Algerian repeat station network. Then we will discuss the steps of the absolute measurements using two methods. The first one is called the &amp;#8216;method of zero&amp;#8217; and the second one &amp;#8216;method of residuals&amp;#8217;. The accuracy and resolution of the instruments and data reduction used and their effect on the final results will as well be discussed. We derive the spatial distribution of the geomagnetic field, and its secular variation. Finally, we will show how local, for instance regional polynomial modeling, is the key issue.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Key words&lt;/strong&gt;: geomagnetic repeat network, absolute measurements, zero method, residual method, magnetic maps of Algeria, secular variation.&lt;/p&gt;

A Study of QSAR based on Polynomial Modeling in Matlab

Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) is an attractive target for <em>in silico</em> docking experiments. Many potent analgesics currently in use act through the MOR. The main objective of the present work was to find the polynomial function for modelling of the structure-activity relationship of a series of MOR analogues and the results of the molecular docking with MOR (PDBid:4dkl). The relationship of the biological activity of the ligands with the ChemScore function and with the total energy (MolDock function) was modelled with first- to third-degree polynomials and surface fitted method, assessed by least squares method. The finding, established in the paper, suggests that the third order polynomial could be successfully used for modelling of the relationship between the biological effect of the MOR analogues and results from docking procedure. Analysis and comparison of the data from in vitro tests and docking studies could help to understand better the relationship between in vitro biological effects and docking studies and to answer whether the models of the biological macromolecules (in our case MOR) correspond to the real 3D structure.

Does glutamine supplementation have favorable effects on glucose control and insulin sensitivity?

Purpose The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published randomized controlled trials with the aim to determine and quantify the anti-hyperglycemic effects of glutamine (Gln) in acute and chronic clinical settings. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a comprehensive search of all randomized clinical trials performed up to December 2018, to identify those investigating the impact of Gln supplementation on fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) via ISI Web of Science, Cochrane library PubMed and SCOPUS databases. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was conducted using random effects model to estimate the pooled effect size. Fractional polynomial modeling was used to explore the dose–response relationships between Gln supplementation and diabetic indices. Findings The results of the present meta-analysis suggest that of Gln supplementation had a significant effect on FBS (weighted mean difference (WMD): –2.868 mg/dl, 95 per cent CI: –5.467, –0.269, p = 0.031). However, the authors failed to observe that Gln supplementation affected insulin levels (WMD: 1.06 units, 95 per cent CI: –1.13, 3.26, p = 0.34) and HOMA-IR (WMD: 0.001 units, 95 per cent CI: –2.031, 2.029, p = 0.999). Subgroup analyses showed that the highest decrease in FBS levels was observed when the duration of intervention was less than two weeks (WMD: –4.064 mg/dl, 95 per cent CI: –7.428, –0.700, p = 0.01) and when Gln was applied via infusion (WMD: –5.334 mg/dl, 95 per cent CI: –10.48, 0.17, p = 0.04). Originality/value The results from this meta-analysis show that Gln supplementation did not have a significant effect on insulin levels and HOMA-IR. However, it did significantly reduce the levels of FBS, obtaining a higher effect when the duration of the intervention period was less than two weeks.