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  • Metabolic changes after licorice consumption: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of clinical trials
    Publication . Luís, Ângelo; Domingues, F.C.; Pereira, L.
    Background: Licorice, also known as liquorice, refers to the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., a product widely available in the market in the form of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO), which is a concentrate of licorice flavonoids, being a dietary ingredient for functional foods with potential benefits for overweight subjects. Purpose: To summarize the results of the numerous clinical trials, and to clarify the metabolic changes after licorice consumption, through a systematic review with meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) of clinical trials. Methods: This review was designed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) recommendations. Several electronic databases were searched to identify the clinical trials. A meta-analysis approach was then developed to statistically analyze the results, followed by TSA and meta-regression analyses. Results: A total 26 clinical trials were considered for the quantitative synthesis of the data, totalizing 985 patients enrolled. Overall, it was possible to verify that the licorice consumption significantly reduces the body weight (WMD: -0.433 kg; 95% CI: -0.683 to -0.183; p-value = 0.001) and consequently the body mass index (BMI) of patients (WMD: -0.150 kg/m2; 95% CI: -0.241 to -0.058; p-value = 0.001). Another result with statistical significance was the increase in the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (1.737 mmHg; 95% CI: 0.835 to 2.621; p-value < 0.0001) observed for the group subjected to licorice consumption, which is related to the hypernatremia also caused by licorice. Conclusion: The present meta-analysis demonstrated the positive effects of licorice consumption on the reduction of body weight and BMI of patients. However, the results also show the increase in blood pressure of patients associated with the hypernatremia caused by licorice. Consequently, licorice consumption should be avoided by hypertensive patients.
    2018-01-15Journal article Restricted access Show more
  • Fluxing as a new tool for bitumen rheological characterization and the use of time-concentration shift factor (a c )
    Publication . Zoorob, Salah E.; Mturi, Georges A.; Sangiorgi, Cesare; Almeida, Marisa S. Dinis; Habib, Noor Zainab
    The concept of temperature shift factor (aT) as defined by Doolittle, relating the free volume of a vis-coelastic material at the current and reference states is briefly examined together with the resultantWilliam-Landel-Ferry equation. This paper highlights the fact that change in free volume arise not onlyfrom temperature variations but can also result from the absorption of solvents and thus a generalizedDoolittle relation may also be applied to a solvent concentration shift factor (ac). To validate this concept,a small scale laboratory investigation was carried out by blending 40/60 penetration grade bitumen withvarious proportions of one type of cooking oil and conducting dynamic shear rheometer frequencysweeps at a range of temperatures. By applying time-concentration superposition to each flux content,it was possible to shift horizontally (ac) each set of complex modulus data measured at each test temper-ature, so that all sets superimpose onto the master curve of the base bitumen at a preselected referencetemperature. A direct relationship between conventional time-temperature shift and the proposed time-concentration shift factors was thus demonstrated using a sample of penetration grade bitumen and onetype of vegetable oil. Further experimentation with other bitumen-flux combinations is necessary priorto recommending general adoption of the proposed tool.
    2018-01-15Journal article Open access Show more