Background: Resveratrol is a potential treatment option for management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, and calorie restriction-like effects. We aimed to synthesise evidence from published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) about the efficacy of resveratrol in the management of NAFLD.Methods: A computer literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central was conducted using relevant keywords. Records were screened for eligible studies and data were extracted and synthesized using Review Manager Version 5.3 for windows. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted.Results: Four RCTs (n=158 patients) were included in the final analysis. The overall effect estimates did not favor resveratrol group in terms of: serum ALT (MD -2.89, 95%CI [-15.66, 9.88], p=0.66), serum AST (MD -3.59, 95%CI [-13.82, 6.63], p=0.49), weight (MD -0.18, 95%CI [-0.92, 0.55], p=0.63), BMI (MD -0.10, 95 %CI [-0.43, 0.24], p=0.57), blood glucose level (MD -0.27, 95%CI [-0.55, 0.01], p=0.05), insulin level (MD -0.12, 95%CI [-0.69, 0.46], p=0.69), triglyceride level (MD 0.04, 95%CI [-0.45, 0.53], p=0.87), and LDL level (MD 0.21, 95%CI [-0.41, 0.83], p=0.51). Pooled studies were heterogeneous.Conclusion: Current evidence is insufficient to support the efficacy of resveratrol in the management of NAFLD. Resveratrol does not attenuate the degree of liver fibrosis or show a significant decrease in any of its parameters.Abbreviations: ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; BMI: Body mass index; CK-18: Cytokeratin-18; CRP: C-reactive protein; HC: Head circumference; HDL: High density lipoprotein; IL-6: Interleukin-6; LDL: Low density lipoprotein; MD: Mean difference; NAFLD: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; NASH: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; RCT: Randomized Controlled Trial; RR: Relative risk; SIRT1: Silent information regulation 2 homologue 1; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor α; WC: Waist circumference; WHR: Waist hip ratio.

BackgroundAutism is currently known as “a behaviorally defined syndrome” manifested as impairment in social communication, repetitive routines and restricted interests. There is an increased risk of ASDs associated with common mutations affecting the folate/methylation cycle.AimThe aim of this study was to identify C677T and 1298AC polymorphic genotypes of MTHFR gene among a sample of Egyptian children with autism and to make a phenotype-genotype correlation for the autistic patients.MethodsThis case-control study was carried out from 2013 through 2015. The study included 31 children with autism and 39 children in a normal control group, the mean age of patients and control was comparable (4.5 years± 2) with males predominant in both groups. We used DSM-V-TR criteria, Stanford-Binet intelligence scale V and childhood autism rating scale (CARS) for assessments. Genotyping for MTHFR gene polymorphic loci C677T and 1298AC was performed on amplified DNA by PCR with subsequent reverse hybridization and restriction fragment length polymorphisms analysis. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 11, using Chi-Square, independent-samples t-test, and ANOVA.ResultsThere was significant relationship between low birth weight and occurrence of autism (p<0.01), and between delayed motor and social milestones in cases of autism compared to controls (p<0.01). Heterozygosity for A1298C polymorphism was highest among patients (41.9%) followed by 35.5% mutant genotype CC and 22.6% normal AA (wild) type and Allele C was detected in patients more than in control (56.45% vs. 11.54%) (p<0.001). For C667T polymorphism, heterozygosity was also highest among patients (48.4%) followed by wild type genotypes C677 (38.7%) and 12.9% for mutant genotypes 667T. Allele T appeared more in patients than control (31.10 %vs. 5.13%) (p<0.00). Heterozygosity for CT and A–C genotypes were detected equally (46.2%) among patients with severe autism (according to CARS).ConclusionThere is a significant association between severity and occurrence of autism with MTHFR gene polymorphisms C677T and A1298C. Further studies are needed on a larger scale to explore other genes polymorphisms that may be associated with autism, to correlate the genetic basis of autism.

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Permanent deformation and moisture damage are common distresses found in pavements today. The use of hydrated lime is known to decrease moisture susceptibility, and as a mineral filler it increases the stiffness of the mixture. The objectives of this study were (a) to evaluate the fundamental engineering properties of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures containing hydrated lime compared with conventional mixtures designed to meet the current Louisiana Superpave® specifications and (b) to evaluate the influence of hydrated lime on the mechanical properties of the resulting HMA mixtures. Nine 19.0-mm Level 2 HMA mixtures were designed and examined. Siliceous limestone aggregates that are commonly used in Louisiana were included in this study. The nine mixtures were divided into three sets; each set contained three mixtures. The first set included three mixtures that are conventional, as control mixtures, containing no hydrated lime and an SB polymer-modified asphalt cement meeting Louisiana specifications for PG 76-22M, PG 70-22M, and a neat PG 64-22. The second set included three mixtures that contained hydrated lime that was incorporated into the aggregate and asphalt cement mixture as slurry. The asphalt cements used were identical to the ones used in the first set, namely PG 76-22M, PG 70-22M, and conventional PG 64-22. The third set included three mixtures that contained hydrated lime that was blended dry with the asphalt cements used in the first and second sets, that is, PG 76-22M, PG 70-22M, and PG 64-22. Mechanistic tests were conducted to define the permanent deformation and endurance life of HMA mixtures with and without hydrated lime. The results indicated that the addition of hydrated lime as a mineral filler improved the permanent deformation characteristics of the asphaltic concrete mixtures. This improvement was particularly apparent at higher testing temperatures with mixes containing polymer-modified asphalt and limestone aggregate.

The fatigue fracture behavior of three asphalt mixtures is studied using semicircular specimen geometry. These mixtures consist of a control, a crumb rubber (CR) modified asphalt mixture, and a chemically modified crumb rubber (CMCR)-asphalt mixture. The mixtures are designed to meet the Superpave PG grade as close as possible, and the two rubber mixtures contain the same weight percent of crumb rubber. The number of fatigue cycles and the hysteresis loops are recorded at various intervals of crack lengths. Three specimens are tested from each material under tension-tension load control conditions at a frequency of 0.5 Hz. The maximum and minimum fatigue loads are kept constant for the three asphalt mixtures. It has been found that the chemical modification of the crumb rubber effects a pronounced improvement in the fatigue lifetime, the energy release rate, and the crack speed over the Downloaded from entire range of energy release rate of the asphalt mixture in comparison with the control and the crumb rubber mixtures. Scanning electron microscopy of the fatigue fracture surfaces (ahead of the initial crack tip) of the three mixtures is performed to identify the fracture features of each mixture. Ridges with increased intensity and frequency are associated with the second stage of the fatigue process of the CMCR mixture. These ridges are formed due to microstretching of the binder, and appear to be responsible for the superior fatigue fracture resistance of the CMCR-asphalt mixtures in comparison with the control and the CR mixtures.