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Abstract We present discrete (2‐h resolution) multi‐year (2008–2017) in situ measurements of seasonal vegetation growth and soil biophysical properties from two sites on Alaska's North Slope, USA, representing dry and wet sedge tundra. We examine measurements of vertical active soil layer temperature and soil moisture profiles (freeze/thaw status), woody shrub vegetation physiological activity, and meteorological site data to assess interrelationships within (and between) these two study sites. Vegetation phenophases (cold de‐hardening start, physiological function start, stem growth start, stem growth end, physiological function end, cold hardening completion) were found to have greater interannual day of year (DOY) occurrence variability at the dry site compared with the wet site. At the dry site, vegetation activity begins on average ~7 days earlier and ends ~11 days earlier. The mean active stem growth window lasts ~54 days for the dry site and ~51 days for the wet site. Vegetation, in both tundra environments, began cold de‐hardening functions (warm season prep) prior to atmospheric temperatures warming above 0°C. Similar results were found related to the critical soil freeze/thaw/transition dates; the dry site had a DOY phenophase occurrence range that was 8 days larger than that of the wet site. A longer continuous summer thaw period was captured at the wet site by ~26 days throughout the active layer. In addition, the dry site was measured to have longer spring and fall soil isothermal conditions than the wet site by ~9 and 5 days throughout the active layer. These results show that the dry site's willow shrub vegetation physiology and soil condition phenology is more variable than the wet site. Alongside the in situ data, a remote sensing product from NASA's MEaSUREs program was utilized; our research indicates that the AMSR‐derived satellite product is more precise over the wet tundra site with critical date alignment between remote sensing observations and in situ measurements ranging from ~4 to 11 days. Furthermore, the AMSR product was shown to preemptively estimate land surface condition change during the spring transition for both tundra types while lagging during the fall transition and freeze‐up periods.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effect of nuts in decreasing circulating levels of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL). A literature search was performed of major electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science) from inception up to November 15th, 2021 to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of different nuts on circulating levels of ox-LDL. The effect size was determined using standardized mean difference (SMD) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Evaluation of funnel plot, Begg's rank correlation, and Egger's weighted regression tests were used to assess the presence of publication bias in the meta-analysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis included 15 RCTs involving 997 subjects. Meta-analysis showed that nuts significantly decreased serum levels of ox-LDL. Besides, meta-regression results of the association between confounders such as duration of nuts consumption or delta LDL-cholesterol and levels of ox-LDL, were not significant. The correlation between nuts type and ox-LDL levels was significant in subgroup analyses suggesting the most significant effect of pistachios consumption on reducing the circulating concentrations of ox-LDL. To conclude, nuts consumption decreases the circulating concentrations of ox-LDL which might be beneficial for the prevention and/or progression of ASCVD., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Obesity, especially severe obesity, is associated with a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) morbidity and mortality. Bariatric surgery is a durable and effective weight loss therapy for patients with severe obesity and weight-related comorbidities. Elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) are causally associated with ASCVD. The aim of this meta-analysis was to analyze whether bariatric surgery is associated with Lp(a) concentrations., Methods: A literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science was performed from inception to May 1st, 2021. A random-effects model and the generic inverse variance weighting method were used to compensate for the heterogeneity of studies in terms of study design, treatment duration, and the characteristics of the studied populations. A random-effects metaregression model was used to explore the association with an estimated effect size. Evaluation of funnel plot, Begg's rank correlation, and Egger's weighted regression tests were used to assess the presence of publication bias in the meta-analysis., Results: Meta-analysis of 13 studies including 1551 patients showed a significant decrease of circulating Lp(a) after bariatric surgery (SMD: -0.438, 95% CI: -0.702, -0.174, p < 0.001, I 2 : 94.05%). The results of the metaregression did not indicate any significant association between the changes in Lp(a) and duration of follow-up after surgery, reduction in body mass index, or baseline Lp(a) concentration. The reduction in circulating Lp(a) was robust in the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis., Conclusion: Bariatric surgery significantly decreases circulating Lp(a) concentrations. This decrease may have a positive effect on ASCVD in obese patients., Competing Interests: RDS reports receiving the following: consulting fees and lecture fees from Abbott, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Aché, EMS, Getz Pharma, Libbs, Merck, Merck Sharp & Dohme, PTC Therapeutics, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, and Sanofi-Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and grant support from Amgen, Kowa, Esperion, Kowa, Novartis, and Sanofi-Regeneron Pharmaceuticals outside this work. RDS has received honoraria related to consulting, speaker activities, and/or research from Abbott, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Aché, Esperion, EMS, Hypera, Getz Pharma, Kowa, Libbs, PTC Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Medley, Merck, MSD, Novo-Nordisk, Novartis, and Sanofi., (Copyright © 2022 Tannaz Jamialahmadi et al.)

Background: Elevated serum low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the substrate for the formation of atherogenic oxidized LDLs (oxLDL), are a causal factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Statins are well known to decrease LDL particle concentration and reduce ASCVD morbidity and mortality., Objective: To perform a meta-analysis of the effects of statins (i.e., type, dose, and duration of treatment) on serum levels of oxLDL and on immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels against oxLDL., Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched up to February 5th, 2021, for randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating the effect of statins on oxLDL and anti-oxLDL antibody levels. Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V2 software. To evaluate the influence of each study on the overall effect size, a sensitivity analysis was performed using the leave-one-out method. Evaluation of the funnel plot, Begg's rank correlation, and Egger's weighted regression tests was used to assess the presence of publication bias in the meta-analysis., Results: A total of 28 RCTs including 4019 subjects were finally included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated a significant decrease in circulating concentrations of oxLDL after treatment with statins (SMD: -2.150, 95% CI: -2.640, -1.697, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis found no significant effect of the intensity of statin treatment or statin lipophilicity on the reduction of circulating concentrations of oxLDL. An additional meta-analysis of 3 trials showed that statins did not change the serum levels of IgM and IgG antibodies to oxLDL., Conclusion: Statin therapy decreases serum oxLDL concentrations but does not affect circulating levels of anti-oxLDL antibodies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Tannaz Jamialahmadi et al.)

Background: Several studies have reported that statins have anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, results of clinical trials concerning the effect of statins on the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) have been inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of statins on CRP and hs-CRP levels in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)., Methods: Literature search of the major databases was performed to find eligible RCTs assessing the effect of statins on serum levels of CRP and hs-CRP from the inception until the last week of April 2021. The effect sizes were determined for weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI)., Results: 26 studies were identified (3010 patients and 2968 controls) for hs-CRP and 20 studies (3026 patients and 2968 controls) for CRP. Statins reduced the serum levels of hs-CRP (WMD = -0.97 mg/L; 95% CI: -1.26 to -0.68 mg/L; P < 0.001) and CRP (WMD = -3.05 mg/L; 95% CI: -4.86 to -1.25 mg/L; P < 0.001) in patients with CVDs. Statins decreased the serum levels of hs-CRP in patients receiving both high-intensity and moderate/low-intensity treatments with these drugs. In addition, the duration of treatment longer than 10 weeks decreased hs-CRP levels. Only high-intensity statin treatment could marginally decrease serum levels of CRP in CVDs patients., Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed the efficacy of statins to reduce the concentrations of CRP and hs-CRP in patients with different types of CVDs., Competing Interests: ZR has received honoraria from Sanofi-Aventis; MK has received honoraria (for lectures and consultancy) from Abbott and Menarini and research funding from Amryt Pharma, Amgen, and Sanofi and has participated in clinical trials with Amgen, Medicines Company, Regeneron, and Sanofi within the last 2 years. All other authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 Tahmineh Kandelouei et al.)

Background: Obesity is related to dyslipidemia and increased circulating oxidated LDL (ox-LDL) concentrations that may predispose to atherosclerosis. Bariatric surgery may lower the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Elevated plasma ox-LDL has been associated with atherogenesis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of bariatric surgery on proatherogenic circulating ox-LDL levels in patients with severe obesity., Methods: Four databases were systematically searched from inception to May 1, 2021. Also, to clarify the heterogeneity of studies with regard to treatment duration, research design, and the demographic features, a random-effects model and the generic inverse variance weighting approach were utilized. To determine the association with the estimated effect size, a random-effect meta-regression approach was performed. Finally, a meta-regression analysis was conducted to explore the influence of, respectively, baseline and changes in body mass index (BMI), baseline ox-LDL, and postsurgery follow-up period with the estimated effect size of surgery on ox-LDL levels., Results: Meta-analysis of 11 studies including 470 subjects showed a significant decline in circulating ox-LDL following bariatric surgery (SMD: -0.971, 95% CI: -1.317, -0.626, p < 0.001, I 2 : 89.43%). The results of meta-regression did not show any significant association between the changes in ox-LDL after bariatric surgery and baseline BMI, duration of follow-up or baseline ox-LDL values. However, there was a significant association between ox-LDL alteration and percentage of BMI change., Conclusion: Bariatric surgery in patients who had severe obesity causes a decrease of circulating ox-LDL that was apparently dependent in BMI changes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Tannaz Jamialahmadi et al.)

Background: Elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the main risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Statins are the drugs of choice for decreasing LDL-C and are used for the prevention and management of ASCVD. Guidelines recommend that subjects with high and very high ASCVD risk should be treated with high-intensity statins or a combination of high-intensity statins and ezetimibe. The lipophilicity or hydrophilicity (solubility) of statins is considered to be important for at least some of their LDL-C lowering independent pleiotropic effects. Oxidative modification of LDL (ox-LDL) is considered to be the most important atherogenic modification of LDL and is supposed to play a crucial role in atherogenesis and ASCVD outcomes., Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to find out what are the effects of statin intensity, lipophilicity, and combination of statins plus ezetimibe on ox-LDL., Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to February 5, 2021, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two independent and blinded authors evaluated eligibility by screening the titles and abstracts of the studies. Risk of bias in the studies included in this meta-analysis was evaluated according to the Cochrane instructions. Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V2 software. Evaluation of funnel plot, Begg's rank correlation, and Egger's weighted regression tests were used to assess the presence of publication bias., Results: Among the 1427 published studies identified by a systematic databases search, 20 RCTs were finally included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 1874 patients are included in this meta-analysis. This meta-analysis suggests that high-intensity statin treatment is associated with a significant decrease in circulating concentrations of ox-LDL when compared with low-to-moderate treatment (SMD: -0.675, 95% CI: -0.994, -0.357, p < 0.001; I 2 : 55.93%). There was no difference concerning ox-LDL concentration between treatments with hydrophilic and lipophilic statins (SMD: -0.129, 95% CI: -0.330, -0.071, p = 0.206; I 2 : 45.3%), but there was a significant reduction in circulating concentrations of ox-LDL associated with statin plus ezetimibe combination therapy when compared with statin monotherapy (SMD: -0.220, 95% CI: -0.369, -0.071, p = 0.004; I 2 : 0%)., Conclusion: High-dose statin or combination of statins with ezetmibe reduces plasma ox-LDL in comparison low-to-moderate intensity statin therapy alone. Statin lipophilicity is not associated with reduction in ox-LDL plasma concentrations., Competing Interests: RDS has received honoraria related to speaker activities, consulting, or research from Abbott, Aché, Astra Zeneca, Amgen, EMS, Esperion, Getz Pharma, Kowa, Merck SA, MSD, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Pfizer, PTC Therapeutics, and Sanofi. Other authors have no competing interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 Tannaz Jamialahmadi et al.)

Lymphoma is a name for malignant diseases of the lymphatic system including Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Although several approaches are used for the treatment of these diseases, some of them are not successful and have serious adverse effects. Therefore, other effective treatment methods might be interesting. Studies have indicated that plant ingredients play a key role in treating several diseases. Some plants have already shown a potential therapeutic effect on many malignant diseases. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in different plants and could be useful in the treatment of different malignant diseases. Quercetin has its antimalignant effects through targeting main survival pathways activated in tumor cells. In vitro / in vivo experimental studies have demonstrated that quercetin possesses a cytotoxic effect on lymphoid cancer cells. Regardless of the optimum results that have been obtained from both in vitro / in vivo studies, few clinical studies have analyzed the antitumor effects of quercetin in lymphoid cancers. Thus, it seems that more clinical studies should introduce quercetin as a therapeutic, alone or in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Here, in this study, we reviewed the anticancer effects of quercetin and highlighted the potential therapeutic effects of quercetin in various types of lymphoma., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021 Saiedeh Razi Soofiyani et al.)

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the effects of grape seed extract (GSE) on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins, inflammation and body weight. Two independent authors systematically searched online databases including EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception until May 30, 2019. Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was applied to assess the methodological quality of included trials. The heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's Q test and I-square (I 2 ) statistic. Data were pooled using a random-effects model and weighted mean difference (WMD) was considered as the overall effect size. Fifty trials were included in this meta-analysis. Pooling effect sizes from studies demonstrated a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (WMD): -2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.14, -0.86), total cholesterol (TC; WMD: -6.03; 95% CI: -9.71, -2.35), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (WMD: -4.97; 95% CI: -8.37, -1.57), triglycerides (WMD: -6.55; 95% CI: -9.28, -3.83), and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (WMD: -0.81; 95% CI: -1.25, -0.38) following GSE therapy. Grape seed did not influence HbA1c, HDL cholesterol levels, and anthropometric measurements. This meta-analysis demonstrated that GSE intake significantly reduced FPG, TC, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and CRP levels., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of spirulina on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related disorders. Two independent authors systematically searched online database including EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception until April 30, 2019. The Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool was applied to assess the methodological quality of included trials. The heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's Q test and I-square (I 2 ) statistic. Pooling effect sizes from studies showed a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG; weighted mean difference [WMD]: -10.31; 95% confidence interval, CI [-16.21, -4.42]) and insulin concentrations (WMD: -0.53; 95% CI [-0.62, -0.44]) following the administration of spirulina. Pooled analysis showed also a significant reduction in total cholesterol (WMD: -20.50; 95% CI [-38.25, -2.74]), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; WMD: -19.02; 95% CI [-36.27, -1.78]), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) concentrations (WMD: -6.72; 95% CI [-9.19, -4.26]) and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (WMD: 1.42; 95% CI [0.16, 2.68]) following spirulina therapy. This meta-analysis demonstrated the beneficial effects of spirulina supplementation on improving FPG, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and HDL-C levels in patients with MetS and related disorders., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)