Effect of alginate coating activated by solid lipid nanoparticles containing Zataria multiflora essential oil on chicken fillet's preservation

The current study aimed to assess the chemical, microbial, and sensory properties of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) in chicken fillets stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 12 days. As a result, the optimized ZEO-SLNS sample exhibited a spherical morphology with a droplet size of 251.51 ± 1.11 nm and a PDI of 0.34 ± 0.01 under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The encapsulation efficiency (EE) and zeta potential were approximately 55.4 % and -20.87 ± 1.39 mV, respectively. Furthermore, encapsulating ZEO in SLNS enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant activity compared to pure ZEO. As a result, the application of alginate-loaded ZEO-SLNS extended the storage time of fresh chicken fillets. Thus, the application of this edible coating showcased a remarkable ability to substantially decelerate both microbial and chemical changes in chicken fillets during cold storage conditions. This finding underscores the potential of the edible coating as an effective means to enhance the safety and quality of chicken products.

Application of novel metal organic framework-deep eutectic solvent/molecularly imprinted polymer multiple monolithic fiber for solid phase microextraction of amphetamines and modafinil in unauthorized medicinal supplements with GC-MS

The goal of this research is the development of multiple monolithic fiber-solid phase microextraction (MMF-SPME) using a new integrated fiber for the determination of amphetamine derivatives and modafinil from unauthorized medicinal supplements. For this purpose, a monolithic fiber of metal organic framework MIL-Al (53)-deep eutectic solvent (DES)/molecularly imprinted polymers (MOF-DES/MIP) was synthesized. To find optimum microextraction conditions gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used and the influences of effective variables were investigated using one factor at a time method. After that, the significant variables were optimized using a Box-Behnken design (BBD) combined with a desirability function (DF). Under optimized conditions (desorption solvent=1500 µL of 1-octanol, pH=3.5, extraction time=35 min, [NaCl]=0% w/v and stirring rate=600 rpm), calibration graphs of analytes were linear in a concentration range of 0.1-400 μg L-1 with correlation coefficients > 0.9966. Limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.023-0.033 μg L-1 and 0.088-0.113 μg L-1, respectively. This procedure was successfully employed in determining target analytes in spiked and unspiked unauthorized medicinal supplement samples with recoveries ranging from 95.14 to 104.63%.

Health risk assessments of heavy metals and trace elements exposure in the breast milk of lactating mothers in the Northeastern Iran

Mother's breast milk is a natural and complete food for infants but can be a main source of exposure to toxic pollutants. These pollutants can negatively affect the health of the infant. Therefore, conducting biomonitoring surveys is essential to evaluate such health effects in toxicological research. This study aimed to estimate the probable health risks for infants exposed to essential and non-essential trace elements through breast milk ingestion. This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was performed on 90 breastfeeding mothers referred to the health centers in Mashhad, Iran in January 2021. The health risk assessments (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk) were estimated using chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and lifetime carcinogenic risk (CR), which were recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The results of the HQ values of trace elements through ingestion exposure for arsenic (90%), copper (90%), zinc (40%), and iron (10%) exceeded the threshold of HQ, and arsenic (66.59%), copper (16.91%), and zinc (9.68%) and iron (4.57%) had the highest contribution to increasing the HI index. The average value of CR was 5. 08 × 10-3. Chromium and iron showed significant relationships (P<0.05) with education level and disease background in this study, and the concentration of chromium, iron, and zinc in the breast milk samples significantly changed during lactation stages (P<0.05). Overall, the risk of carcinogenicity through exposure to breast milk for infants was higher than the safety level of US EPA risk. Therefore, there could be a potential health risk of trace elements, particularly arsenic, copper, and zinc for infants in Mashhad, Iran through the consumption of mothers' breast milk. More efforts are required to control and reduce routes of receiving trace elements in breastfeeding mothers by the competent authorities.

Application of Nanotechnology to Develop Carrageenan-based Films and Coatings as Carriers for Essential Oils

This review highlights the effect of combining bioactive agents, especially nanoparticles, in carrageenan coating to increase the quality and stability of foods. This study is designed based on a review of previous studies. Biopolymer coatings and films are suitable for food and non-food packaging due to their degradability, renewable and edible nature. Edible coatings and films are based on polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. They confer some beneficial effects on foods, such as improvement of appearance and texture, reducing the amount of moisture loss and oxidation, prevention of the release of gases and control of microbial growth, delaying ripening and adverse changes in color and taste, improvement of nutritional value, and increasing the shelf life of the product. These improvements lead to the prevention of food spoilage and increase the shelf life of various foods. In addition, nanomaterials and food additives such as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, flavorings, and colors can be incorporated into food coatings and films to expand their applications. Nanotechnology can be applied in coatings and food films using nanoparticles. However, more research is still needed to gather information about coating formulations, especially when new materials are incorporated into them.

Concentration of heavy metals in pasteurized and sterilized milk and health risk assessment across the globe: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Although milk and dairy products are almost complete food, they can contain toxic heavy elements with potential hazards for consumers. This review aims to provide a comprehensive report on the occurrence, concentration, and health risks of selected heavy metals in pasteurized and sterilized milk recorded worldwide.

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) was used to develop this systematic review. Databases included the Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Scientific Information Database, Google Scholar, and PubMed from inception until January 2023. Keywords related to the terms "Heavy metals", "Arsenic" and "Pasteurized and sterilized milk" and "Risk Assessment" were used. The potential health risks to human health from milk daily consumption were estimated using extracted data on heavy metals concentration based on metal estimated daily intake, target hazard quotient, and carcinogenic risk.

RESULTS

A total of 48 potentially relevant articles with data on 981 milk samples were included in the systematic review. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry were the most common valid methods to measure heavy metals in milk samples. Following the initial evaluation, Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb were the most contaminants, which exceeded the maximum permissible criteria in 94%, 67%, 62%, and 46% of the milk samples tested. Relying on target hazard quotient and carcinogenic risk results, milk consumers in 33(68.75%) and 7 (14.5%) studies were exposed to moderate to high levels of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk, respectively. The highest level of risk is due to the consumption of pasteurized and sterilized milk detected in Pakistan, Brazil, Egypt, Slovakia, and Turkey.

CONCLUSION

The elevated levels of heavy metals in milk samples, especially Pb and Cd is a public health concern; therefore, maximum control and strict regulations must be adopted to decrease heavy metals contaminants in the dairy industry. Further studies are required to develop safe milk processing and handling methods for the decontamination of heavy metals in milk and its products.

Methylcellulose/chitosan nanofiber-based composites doped with lactoferrin-loaded Ag-MOF nanoparticles for the preservation of fresh apple

Increasing demand for high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables has led to the development of innovative active packaging materials that exhibit controlled release of antimicrobial/antioxidant agents. In this study, composite biopolymer films consisting of methylcellulose (MC) and chitosan nanofibers (ChNF) were fabricated, which contained lactoferrin (LAC)-loaded silver-metal organic framework (Ag-MOF) nanoparticles. The results indicated that the nanoparticles were uniformly distributed throughout the biopolymer films, which led to improvements in tensile strength (56.1 ± 3.2 MPa), thermal stability, water solubility, swelling index, water vapor barrier properties (from 2.2 ± 2.1 to 1.9 ± 1.9 × 10-11 g. m/m2. s. Pa), and UV-shielding effects. The Ag-MOF-LAC2% films also exhibited strong and long-lasting antibacterial activity against E. coli (19.8 ± 5.2 mm) and S. aureus (20.1 ± 3.2 mm), which was attributed to the slow release of antimicrobial LAC from the films. The composite films were shown to maintain the fresh appearance of apples for at least seven days, which was attributed to their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Consequently, these composite films have the potential in the assembly of innovative active packaging materials for protecting fresh fruits and vegetables. However, further work is required to ensure their safety and economic viability.

The association between maternal body mass index and breast milk composition: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Breast milk composition is influenced by many factors, ranging from maternal nutritional status to infant sex. Previous studies have explored the relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) and breast milk composition; however, the findings have been inconsistent and controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the evidence on the association of maternal weight and BMI with breast milk composition.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched up to May 3, 2023, using the following search strategy: ("maternal weight" OR "maternal BMI" OR "mother's weight" OR "mother's BMI") AND ("maternal milk" OR "human milk" OR "breast milk").

DATA EXTRACTION

A total of 83 publications, involving data from more than 11 310 lactating women, were identified. All extracted data were compiled, compared, and critically analyzed.

DATA ANALYSIS

Overall, maternal BMI was associated with higher levels of leptin and insulin, and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast milk. However, no conclusive associations were found between maternal BMI and the levels of energy, macronutrients, micronutrients, and other components of breast milk.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review provides robust evidence supporting a positive correlation between maternal BMI and breast milk concentrations of leptin, insulin, and the omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio. Nevertheless, disparities in findings are noticeable for other constituents of breast milk. To comprehensively grasp the influence of maternal weight and BMI on breast milk composition, further research endeavors are imperative.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023458667.

The Value of Microbiome-targeted Therapy on Lipid Indices of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Umbrella Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

;Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered a global health challenge with increasing prevalence in recent years. One of the key elements in managing T2DM patients is controlling their lipid profile. Recent studies suggest microbiome-targeted therapy (MTT) as a treatment strategy for enhancing lipid profiles in these patients.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to investigate the impact of MTT on lipid indices of T2DM patients by performing an umbrella approach.

METHODS

Three international databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences were searched from inception up to April 2023 to find meta-analyses evaluating the impact of MTT (prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics) on the lipid profile of T2DM patients. Two independent researchers extracted data from the relevant meta-analyses. To find the source of heterogeneity various subgroup analyses were performed. Comprehensive Meta-Analyses (CMA) software version 3 was utilized for the final analysis.

RESULTS

Based on the results of the current study MTT had a significant effect on total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (ES: - 0.092; 95%CI: -0.111, -0.074; P< 0.001, ES: -0.109; 95%CI: -0.137, -0.081; P< 0.001, ES: -0.036; 95%CI: -0.068, -0.005; P= 0.024, ES: 0.109; 95%CI: 0.056, 0.162; P<0.000, respectively). In subgroup analysis, probiotics showed the most substantial effect on all lipid biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

This research has provided promising insights into the potential impact of MTT on lipid levels in patients diagnosed with T2DM. Notably, MTT had the greatest impact on HDL levels, followed by TG, TC, and LDL. As a result of our study, MTT is recommended as an adjunctive therapeutic option for T2DM treatment due to its capability to regulate lipid profiles. Collapse

Key Words

• Diabetes mellitus
• lipids
• meta-analysis.
• prebiotic
• probiotic
• synbiotic
• umbrella review

Collapse

MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

Affiliation(s)

Mohammad-Hossein Keivanlou Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Ehsan Amini-Salehi Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Soheil Hassanipour Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Reza Zare Student Research Committee, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
Erfan Mohammadi-Vajari Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Mohammad Hashemi Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Arsalan Salari Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Department of Cardiology, Heshmat Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Parham Porteghali Department of Internal Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

Collapse

Genetic Variations of Angiotensinogen, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, and Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor with the Risk of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

There is little data regarding the impact of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) gene polymorphisms on tuberculosis. The current study designed to survey the possible association between RAS polymorphisms and the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a sample of the southeast Iranian population. This case-control study was done on 170 PTB patients and 170 healthy subjects. The AGT rs699 C>T, ACE rs4341 C>G and AT1R rs5186 C>A variants were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and ACE rs4646994 (287bp I/D) variant by PCR method. Regarding AT1R rs5186 A>C polymorphism, the findings revealed that AC genotype and C allele significantly decreased the risk of PTB (OR=0.39, 95% CI=0.22-0.67, p=0.001, and OR=0.53, 95% CI=0.25-0.72, p=0.002, C vs. A, respectively). The TC genotype and C allele of AGT rs699 T>C significantly associated with decreased the risk of PTB (OR=0.45, 95% CI=0.28-0.74, p=0.002, TC vs. TT and OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.32-0.80, p=0.005, C vs. T, respectively). The ID genotype of ACE 287bp I/D significantly increased the risk of PTB (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.12-3.17, p=0.017). Our finding did not support an association between ACE rs4341 C>G variant and the risk of PTB. In summary, the findings revealed an association between AT1R rs5186 A>C, AGT rs699 T>C and ACE 287bp I/D polymorphisms and the risk of PTB in a sample of the southeast Iranian population. Further investigation with higher sample sizes and diverse ethnicities are required to confirm our findings.

Comparison of the recurrence rate of different surgical techniques for oral mucocele: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

There are different surgical techniques to remove Oral mucoceles, including conventional surgery with scalpel, removal of the lesion with CO2 laser, and micro marsupialization. The present systematic review was conducted with the aim of comparing the recurrence rate of different surgical techniques for treatment of the oral mucoceles.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An electronic search for randomized controlled trials published in English until September 2022 related to different surgical methods for the treatment of oral mucocele was performed in Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane databases. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to compare the recurrence rate of different techniques.

RESULTS

Among 1204 papers initially identified, after the removal of duplicate articles and screening of the titles and abstracts, fourteen full-text articles were reviewed. Seven articles comparing the recurrence rate of oral mucocele in different surgical techniques were found. Seven studies were included in qualitative studies, and five articles were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of mucocele recurrence in the micro-marsupialization technique was 1.30 times that of the surgical excision with scalpel technique, which was not statistically significant. The risk of mucocele recurrence in the CO2 Laser Vaporization technique was 0.60 times that of the Surgical Excision with Scalpel technique, which was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this systematic review showed that there is no significant difference between the recurrence rate of surgical excision, CO2 laser and marsupialization techniques for the treatment of oral mucoceles. Although more randomized clinical trials are needed for definitive results.

New coating containing chitosan and Hyssopus officinalis essential oil (emulsion and nanoemulsion) to protect shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) against chemical, microbial and sensory changes

In this study, the effect of chitosan coating containing emulsion and nanoemulsion of Hyssopus officinalis essential oil (EO) on the chemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) was investigated. The minimum value of TVB-N (Total volatile basic nitrogen), TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), PV (peroxide value), TMA-N (Trimethylamine-nitrogen) and FFA (Free fatty acids) after 12 days were shown in NE + HEO 1% (coating containing chitosan with nanoemulsion of EO) with 20.53 mg N/100 g, 0.5 µg/kg, 0.88 MAQ peroxide/kg, 1.3 mg/100 g and 12.16 mg 100% of oleic acid, respectively. Also, minimum value of pH after 12 days was related to the CE + HEO 1% (coating containing chitosan with emulsion of EO) with 7.60. The minimum value of psychrophilic and mesophilic microbial count after 12 days were shown in NE + HEO 1%, 4.40 ± 0.36 and 4.03 ± 0.06 cfu/g, respectively. The best score of sensory evaluation was observed in the NE-HEO 1% treatment. As a result, the edible coating containing chitosan-based nanoemulsion could be effective to the preservation of shrimp's microbiological, chemical, and sensory characteristics.

Multifunctional food packaging materials: Lactoferrin loaded Cr-MOF in films-based gelatin/κ-carrageenan for food packaging applications

In this study, antimicrobial biocomposite films based on gelatin-κ-carrageenan (Gκ) with 1, 2 and 4 % lactoferrin (L) loaded chromium-based metal-organic frameworks (L@Cr-MOFs) nanoparticles were synthesized by casting methods. The addition of L loaded Cr-MOFs into Gκ based films increased elongation at break from 2.19 to 14.92 % and decreased the tensile strength from 65.1 to 31.22 MPa. L@Cr-MOFs addition reduced swelling index (from 105 to 70.8 %), water solubility (from 61.3 to 34.63 %) and water vapor permeability (from 2.46 to 2.19 × 10-11 g. m/m2. s). When the additional amount was 4 wt%, the Gκ/L@Cr-MOFs films showed antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with the inhibition zone of 19.7 mm and 20.2 mm, respectively. In addition, strawberries preservation trial shown that the Gκ/L@Cr-MOFs films delayed the growth of spoilage molds on the surface of fruits. This research indicated that Gκ/L@Cr-MOFs are promising active packaging materials for the preservation of perishable fruits.

The impact of gut microbiome-targeted therapy on liver enzymes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an umbrella meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. To date, no confirmed medication is available for the treatment of NAFLD. Previous studies showed the promising effects of gut microbiome-targeted therapies; however, the results were controversial and the strength of the evidence and their clinical significance remained unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This umbrella study summarizes the results of meta-analyses investigating the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on liver enzymes in the NAFLD population.

DATA SOURCE

A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was done up to December 20, 2022, to find meta-analyses on randomized control trials reporting the effects of gut microbial therapy on patients with NAFLD.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two independent investigators extracted data on the characteristics of meta-analyses, and any discrepancies were resolved by a third researcher. The AMSTAR2 checklist was used for evaluating the quality of studies.

DATA ANALYSIS

A final total of 15 studies were included in the analysis. Results showed that microbiome-targeted therapies could significantly reduce levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT; effect size [ES], -10.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], -13.29, -7.14; P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; ES, -8.86; 95%CI, -11.39, -6.32; P < 0.001), and γ-glutamyltransferase (ES, -5.56; 95%CI, -7.92, -3.31; P < 0.001) in patients with NAFLD. Results of subgroup analysis based on intervention showed probiotics could significantly reduce levels of AST (ES, -8.69; 95%CI, -11.01, -6.37; P < 0.001) and ALT (ES, -9.82; 95%CI, -11.59, -8.05; P < 0.001). Synbiotics could significantly reduce levels of AST (ES, -11.40; 95%CI, -13.91, -8.88; P < 0.001) and ALT (ES, -11.87; 95%CI, -13.80, -9.95; P < 0.001). Prebiotics had no significant effects on AST and ALT levels (ES, -2.96; 95%CI, -8.12, 2.18, P = 0.259; and ES, -4.69; 95%CI, -13.53, 4.15, P = 0.299, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Gut microbiome-targeted therapies could be a promising therapeutic approach in the improvement of hepatic damage in patients with NAFLD. However, more studies are needed to better determine the best bacterial strains, duration of treatment, and optimum dosage of gut microbiome-targeted therapies in the treatment of the NAFLD population.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022346998.

The Reticulon-4 3-bp Deletion/Insertion Polymorphism Is Associated with Structural mRNA Changes and the Risk of Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study with Bioinformatics Analysis

Breast cancer (BC) is a complex disease caused by molecular events that disrupt cellular survival and death. Discovering novel biomarkers is still required to better understand and treat BC. The reticulon-4 (RTN4) gene, encoding Nogo proteins, plays a critical role in apoptosis and cancer development, with genetic variations affecting its function. We investigated the rs34917480 in RTN4 and its association with BC risk in an Iranian population sample. We also predicted the rs34917480 effect on RTN4 mRNA structure and explored the RTN4's protein-protein interaction network (PPIN) and related pathways. In this case-control study, 437 women (212 BC and 225 healthy) were recruited. The rs34917480 was genotyped using AS-PCR, mRNA secondary structure was predicted with RNAfold, and PPIN was constructed using the STRING database. Our findings revealed that this variant was associated with a decreased risk of BC in heterozygous (p = 0.012), dominant (p = 0.015), over-dominant (p = 0.017), and allelic (p = 0.035) models. Our prediction model showed that this variant could modify RTN4's mRNA thermodynamics and potentially its translation. RTN4's PPIN also revealed a strong association with apoptosis regulation and key signaling pathways highly implicated in BC. Consequently, our findings, for the first time, demonstrate that rs34917480 could be a protective factor against BC in our cohort, probably via preceding mechanisms.

Effect of feed trace elements on eggs of five strains of laying hens and their health risk assessment

BACKGROUND

Trace elements are essential for human nutrition, and their deficiencies or excesses are strongly associated with several diseases, such as cardiovascular ones.

OBJECTIVES

The current cross-sectional study investigated the concentration of essential trace elements (copper, non-metal selenium, iron, zinc, cobalt and manganese) in eggs and diets of five strains of laying hens.

METHODS

The yolk and albumen were analysed separately, and wet preparation was carried out following inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry detection. The target hazard quotients (THQs) for the non-carcinogenic disease were calculated by the United States environmental protection agency (USEPA) method.

RESULTS

The highest concentrations of selenium, zinc and manganese were found in egg yolks of native hens (0.76, 44.22 and 6.52 mg/kg, respectively). The highest amounts of copper and cobalt were recorded in the egg yolk of Lohman (2.07 and 0.023 mg/kg, respectively). On the other hand, the egg yolk of Bovans contained the highest amount of iron (57.46 mg/kg).

CONCLUSION

Overall, the potential health risks were minimal, and the consumption of eggs was generally safe.

Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) anthocyanin loaded-pectin and chitosan nanofiber matrices for real-time monitoring of shrimp freshness

In this study, pectin (PC)/chitosan nanofiber (ChNF) films containing a novel anthocyanin from sumac extract were successfully developed for freshness monitoring and shelf-life extension of shrimp. The physical, barrier, morphological, color, and antibacterial properties of biodegradable films were evaluated. The addition of sumac anthocyanins to the films caused intramolecular interactions (such as hydrogen bonds) in the film structure, as confirmed by using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) analysis, suggesting good compatibility of film ingredients. Also, intelligent films showed significant sensitivity to ammonia vapors and changed color from reddish to olive color at the first 5 min. Moreover, the results showed that PC/ChNF and PC/ChNF/sumac films have significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. In addition to the good functional characteristics of the smart film, the resulting films showed acceptable physicomechanical properties. So, PC/ChNF/sumac smart film exhibited the strength = 60 MPa with the flexibility = 23.3 %. Likewise, water vapor barrier reduced from 2.5 (×10^-11 g. m/m². s. Pa) to 2.3 (×10^-11 g. m/m². s. Pa) after adding anthocyanin. The results of the application of intelligent film containing anthocyanins of sumac extract for shrimp freshness monitoring showed that the color of the intelligent film changed from reddish to greenish color after 48 h of storage, which shows the high potential of the produced film for monitoring the spoilage of seafood products.

Electrospinning of nanofibers incorporated with essential oils: Applications in food

Nowadays, modern food preservation techniques have emerged in the last decade. Recently, a combination of nanotechnology and active packaging has allowed the incorporation of bioactive compounds, such as essential oils, into nanoscale electrospun fibers. This phenomenon provides a new horizon in food safety and preservation. The incorporation of essential oils into electrospun nanofibers can extend the duration of antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of essential oils, which subsequently leads to longer shelf life, better preservation, and superior quality of food. In the current paper, the essential oils incorporated into nanofibers have been reviewed. The fabrication of nanofibers is usually carried out using different substances by applying various manufacturing methods, including needleless and needle-based electrospinning techniques. In this study, an emphasis on the antioxidant and antibacterial effects of electrospun nanofibers loaded with essential oils and their application in food models has been laid. Nevertheless, other challenges associated with using nanofibers incorporated with essential oils, such as their impact on organoleptic properties, cytotoxicity, and durability, have been discussed to achieve a holistic view of applying the electrospinning techniques in the food industry.

Association between the rs2241883 polymorphism of the fatty acid-binding protein-1 (FABP1) gene and obesity in a population of MASHAD study cohort

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) gene polymorphisms are related to several metabolic properties. We investigated the association of SNPs rs2241883 of FABP 1 gene with obesity to evaluate the role of FABP1 gene in the pathogenesis of obesity in the population of MASHAD study cohort.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 2731 individuals (1883 Obese and 848 nonobese) aged 35 to 65 years old, were enrolled from the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study cohort. DNA Quantitation was determined using the NanoDrop®-1000 instrument (NanoDrop-Technologies). The rs2241883 polymorphisms were genotyped by double ARMs PCR (double amplification refractory mutation system) reactions. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 22 and a p < 0.05 was set for statistical significance.

RESULTS

The results showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, subjects having the CC genotype for rs2241883 polymorphism were at a higher risk of BMI ≥ 30 mg/kg² with OR of 1.79 (CI = 1.05-3.07; p = 0.03) and 1.76 (CI = 1.04-2.99; p = 0.04) comparing with reference group using codominant and dominant models, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that CC genotype for rs2241883 polymorphism is related to an increased risk of the obesity in dominant and codominant models in a population of MASHAD study cohort.

Application of alginate polymer films and coatings incorporated with essential oils in foods: a review of recent literature with emphasis on nanotechnology

Food waste is one of the major challenges in food safety and finding a solution for this issue is critically important. Herein, edible films and coatings became attractive for scientists as they can keep food from spoilage. Edible films and coatings can effectively preserve the original quality of food and extend its shelf life. Polysaccharides, including starch and cellulose derivatives, chitosan, alginate and pectin, have been extensively studied as biopackaging materials. One of the most interesting polysaccharides is alginate, which has been used to make edible films and coatings. Incorporating essential oils (EO) in alginate matrices results in an improvement in some properties of the edible packages, such as antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the use of nanotechnology can improve the desirable properties of edible films and coatings. In this article we reviewed the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of alginate coatings and films and their use in various food products.

Counting and Identifying Probiotics: From a Systematic Comparison of Three Common Methods to Proposing an appropriate Method for Identification

Background:

The plate count technique had traditionally been used for the determination of viability and counting of probiotic bacteria, which had obvious disadvantages. Efficient tools to identify and count probiotics (alone or in combination) have evolved.

Objective:

This study aimed to compare two methods of counting and identifying probiotics such as Real-time PCR and flow cytometry, with the culture method and suggest an inexpensive method for the diagnosis of probiotics in dairy products.

Methods:

Electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct were systematically searched, identified, screened, and reviewed from June 2001 to December 2022.

Results:

This study showed that each technology has its strengths, advantages, and disadvantages, but the Real-time PCR method is more suitable than other methods and can identify and count live cells of probiotics.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it should be mentioned that due to the superiority of the Real-time PCR method, we recommend the use of this molecular method, but for more assurance and comparison, several methods can be used to count and correctly identify probiotic strains.

Impact of alginate coating combined with free and nanoencapsulated Carum copticum essential oil on rainbow trout burgers

Carum copticum essential oil (CEO) is known as a valuable active food and pharmaceutical ingredient with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Solid lipid nanoparticles incorporated with CEO can overcome their limitations, namely low physicochemical stability and water solubility. In the current study, the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of free and nanoencapsulated CEO were measured. The results revealed that although the nanoparticles of CEO had higher DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to free CEO, the antimicrobial activity of free CEO toward Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes was higher than nanoparticles. Fish burger samples coated with free and nanoencapsulated CEO and stored for 12 days at 4°C. Alginate coating without CEO was considered as a control sample. The mean zeta potential, particle size, and polydispersity index (PDI) of nanoparticles were 19.18 ± 0.9 mV, 286.5 ± 18.2 nm, and 0.32 ± 0.01, respectively. The results revealed that lipid oxidation, microbial growth, and production of total volatile basic nitrogen in fish burger samples coated with alginate enriched with nanoencapsulated CEO were lower than free CEO. The main volatile compounds of CEO were para-cymene, γ-terpinene, and thymol, which were responsible for the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of CEO. The data obtained by the current study suggest the application of alginate coating with CEO in form of nanoparticle to enhance fish burgers' shelf life stored at 4°C.

The global burden of viral food-borne diseases: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this paper were to determine the overall number of diseases, deaths, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) caused by viral foodborne diseases (FBDs). An extensive search scheme was performed using several search terms; disease burden, foodborne disease, and foodborne viruses.

METHODS

The obtained results were subsequently screened based on title, abstract, and, finally, full text. Relevant evidence on human food-borne virus diseases (prevalence, morbidity, and mortality) was selected. Of all viral foodborne diseases, norovirus was the most predominant one.

RESULTS

The incidence rates of norovirus foodborne diseases ranged from 11 to 2,643 cases in Asia and from 418 to 9,200,000 in the USA and Europe. Norovirus had a high burden of disease Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) compared with other foodborne diseases. North America was reported as a country with a high burden of disease (DALYs=9900) and illness costs.

DISCUSSION

High variability of prevalence and incidence were observed in different regions and countries. Food-borne viruses pose a considerable burden on poor health throughout the world.

CONCLUSION

We suggest the addition of foodborne viruses to the global burden of disease, and relevant evidence can be used to improve public health.

Microbiological quality of hospital-prepared blenderised tube feeding

BACKGROUND

Contaminated blenderised tube feeding (BTF) causes numerous infections in patients with deficient immune systems. The microbial quality of BTF should be thoroughly monitored to reduce the risks of microbial agents and prevent food safety problems such as food poisoning and food-borne illnesses. The aim of this study was to survey the contamination rate of BTF samples prepared in the teaching hospitals in Mashhad, Iran.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 24 samples of BTF prepared in four teaching hospitals in Mashhad city; the samples were collected randomly. Then specific culture media were used for detected and counted Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, coliforms and Escherichia coli. The final confirmation of the isolates was performed using polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The total bacterial count was determined in the BTF samples and compared with the Food and Drug Administration medical food standards; 91.6% of the samples had 5.2 ± 0.1 log CFU/ml microbial bacterial contamination considering the standard range. The mean prevalence of contamination in these samples was measured for coliforms 4.9 ± 0.17 log CFU/ml, B. cereus 3.6 ± 0.16 log CFU/ml, S. aureus 3.7 ± 0.15 log CFU/ml and C. perfringens 4.7 ± 0.08 log CFU/ml (p < 0.05). Moreover, E. coli 11 (45.8%), Salmonella spp. 9 (37.5%) and L. monocytogenes 17 (70.8%) samples were detected.

CONCLUSION

Given the high consumption of BTF and the transmission of food contamination to hospitalised patients, it is essential to improve the hygienic conditions at the site of BTF preparation to prevent re-contamination.

Metal-Organic Framework Fluorescence Sensors for Rapid and Accurate Detection of Melamine in Milk Powder

In this research, a simple, label-free, and ultra-sensitive fluorescent platform based on a metal-organic framework (MOF) has been developed to detect melamine in milk powder. This fluorescence sensor was fabricated from sensitized terbium (Tb)@NH₂-MIL-253 (Al) MOF using a hydrothermal method that involved combining the green emission of Tb (λ_em = 545 nm) with the blue emission of NH₂-MIL-253(Al) MOF (λ_em = 430 nm) under a single excitation wavelength (λ_ex = 335 nm). The fluorescence sensor was then used under optimized conditions (pH = 9.0; sensor concentration = 30 mg/L; response time = 30 s) to quantify melamine in milk powder. The accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility of this sensor were established compared to the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The linear range and lower limit of detection (LLOD, computed with 3σ/S) of the sensor were between 40-396.45 nM (equal to 25 µg/kg-0.25 mg/kg) and 40 nM (equal to 25 µg/kg), respectively, which is much less than the maximum residual level (MRL) for the detection of melamine in infant formula (1 mg/kg) and other foods/feeds (2.5 mg/kg). Additionally, the results had good agreement with the HPLC outcomes, suggesting that the NH₂-MIL-253(Al) MOF sensing probe has great precision and repeatability. To conclude, the new fluorescence sensor developed in this study can accurately and sensitively detect melamine in food samples, which may be useful for screening for adulteration of milk powders and other foods.

Endometrial cancer in women with abnormal uterine bleeding: Data mining classification methods

Background

Over the last decade, artificial intelligence in medicine has been growing. Since endometrial cancer can be treated with early diagnosis, finding a non-invasive method for screening patients, especially high-risk ones, could have a particular value. Regarding the importance of this issue, we aimed to investigate the risk factors related to endometrial cancer and find a tool to predict it using machine learning.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 972 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding from January 2016 to January 2021 were studied, and the essential characteristics of each patient, along with the findings of curettage pathology, were analyzed using statistical methods and machine learning algorithms, including artificial neural networks, classification and regression trees, support vector machine, and logistic regression.

Results

Out of 972 patients with a mean age of 45.77 ± 10.70 years, 920 patients had benign pathology, and 52 patients had endometrial cancer. In terms of endometrial cancer prediction, the logistic regression model had the best performance (sensitivity of 100% and 98%, specificity of 98.83% and 98.7%, for trained and test data sets respectively,) followed by the classification and regression trees model.

Conclusion

Based on the results, artificial intelligence-based algorithms can be applied as a non-invasive screening method for predicting endometrial cancer.

The Effect of Caspase 8, 9 Gene Polymorphisms on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Susceptibility and Clinical/Pathological Features

BACKGROUND

Caspases (CASPs) are the main executors of the apoptotic process. Studies to date have shown the role of caspase-8 (CASP8) and caspase-9 (CASP9) in carcinogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between CASP9-rs4233532, CASP9-rs4646018, and CASP8- rs1045485 gene polymorphisms and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) susceptibility in an Iranian population-based study. Moreover, it was examined whether such the genotype of these polymorphisms is related with clinicopathological characteristics of NHL.

METHODS

175 patients with NHL and 175 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled in this study. We determined the genotypes of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from CASP genes with Tetra ARMS-PCR (Amplification refractory mutation system) method.

RESULTS

Statistically significant association were observed between CASP9-rs4646018 and increased risk of NHL under codominant CC, codominant TC, and dominant TC+CC genetic models. Our results showed that the A allele of CASP8-rs1045485 was a protective factor for NHL and GArs1045485 genotype significantly reduced risk of NHL. In contrast, CASP9- rs4233532 was not linked to NHL susceptibility. No relationship was detected between CASP8-rs1045485 and CASP9-rs4233532 and NHL clinicopathological characteristics, however genetic variation in CASP9-rs4646018 was associated with histology, treatment and radio therapy of NHL.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study presented that the CASP8- rs1045485 and CASP9-rs4646018 polymorphisms could affect the risk of NHL in Iranian populations which was the first report to show the significant relationship between rs1045485, rs4646018 polymorphisms and NHL susceptibility. Replication large-scale case-control studies in different ethnicities are warranted to verify these findings.

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus and Bovine Herpes Virus-1 in Dairy Cattle Herds in Fars Province, Southern Iran: Seroprevalence and Evaluation of Risk Factors

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV-1) have been known as the major pathogens with significant economic consequences on the cattle industry worldwide, including in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, the seroprevalences of BVDV and BHV-1 and their associated risk factors were investigated in dairy cattle farms of Fars province, Iran, where with 0.4 million head of cattle, mainly crossbred, is ranked the first in cow population in southern Iran. A total number of 420 cattle in 18 herds were randomly selected from three geographical regions (140 samples from each of the north, central, and south regions) and their serum samples were analyzed to detect antibodies to these viruses using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate associations between risk factors and the seroprevalence of viruses. The overall seroprevalence rates for BVDV and BHV-1 were estimated at 91.67% and 77.87% at the herd level and 55.48% and 39.76% at the animal level, respectively. The only significant factor associated with the seroprevalence of both viruses at the herd level was found to be the literacy level of farmers (P<0.05). The significant risk factors for both viruses in cattle were identified as geographical region, age, and breeding method by the univariate analysis (P<0.05), while gender and farming system were determined as risk factors only for BHV-1 (P<0.001). A significant relationship of concurrent infection with BVDV and BHV-1 (φ=0.268, P<0.001) was recorded, and 28.6% of sera had antibodies to both viruses. The results of the present study demonstrated that BVDV and BHV-1 had a wide distribution in dairy cattle herds in southern Iran and highlighted the need for intensive surveillance and control strategies to reduce the risk of the spread of these viruses.

Methicillin- and Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Isolated from Hospital Foods: Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Methicillin- and Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, VRSA) and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) of hospital food samples in Mashhad, Iran. A total of 357 hospital food samples were collected from 13 hospitals. Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus were identified using conventional cultural techniques following genotypic confirmation by PCR. The antibiotic resistance patterns of MRSA, VRSA, and VRE strains were analyzed using the disk diffusion methods. The prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA were 24.37% (87/357) and 22.98% (20.87), respectively. In addition, the vanB gene involved in vancomycin resistance was detected in 1.14% of the S. aureus strains. Enterococci and VRE had a prevalence of 15.4% (55/357) and 21.81% (12/55), respectively. Meat, chicken barbecues, and salad were the most commonly contaminated samples with S. aureus, MRSA, Enterococci, and VRE. PCR detected two vancomycin resistance genes, including vanA (1.81%, 1.55) and vanC2 (20%, 11.55) genes. MRSA strains revealed the highest resistance against penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, azithromycin, tetracycline, and gentamicin. The VRSA isolates were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, cefoxitin, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Furthermore, VRE isolates exhibited the highest resistance against quinupristin-dalfopristin, erythromycin, and tetracycline. The results of this study indicated that hospital foods might act as a reservoir of Enterococci spp. and S. aureus strains, which can transfer antibiotic resistance. Moreover, multidrug resistance (MDR) in some MRSA, VRSA, and VRE isolates represents a serious threat to susceptible persons in hospitals.

Association between PAX8AS1 (rs4848320 C > T, rs1110839 G > T, and rs6726151 T > G) and MEG3 (rs7158663) gene polymorphisms and non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) PAX8 antisense RNA 1 (PAX8AS1) and Maternal-expressed gene 3 (MEG3) contribute to the pathogenesis of various malignancies including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In this study, we aimed to examine the possible association of polymorphisms of PAX8 and MEG3 and the risk NHL. A total of 175 patients and 175 healthy subjects were genotyped by PCR-RFLP and Tetra-Arms PCR assays. Results demonstrated rs4848320 C > T and rs6726151 T > G of PAX8AS1 and rs7158663 of MEG3 play a potential role in the susceptibility of NHL and PAX8AS1 rs1110839 T > G variant was associated with decreased risk of NHL. Haplotype analysis of rs1110839, rs4848320, and rs6726151 demonstrated GCG haplotype is associated with increased risk of lymphoma and TTG, TTT, and GTT haplotypes are related to decreased lymphoma susceptibility.

Peppermint essential oil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle in gelatin coating: Characterization and antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogen inoculated on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet during refrigerated storage

The present study was conducted to determine the characterization and antibacterial activity of peppermint essential oil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (PEO-SLN) and its impact on the quality of trout fillet stored at 4 ± 1°C for 12 days. The SLNs were prepared through a bath sonication technique. PEO-SLNs contained 0.2% (w/v) PEO in 2% of lipid phase glycerol monostearate (GMS) and tween 80 (1% w/v) used as a surfactant in the aqueous phase. The characterization parameter of PEO-SLN was evaluated, and the antibacterial activity of PEO-SLNs was conducted under in vitro conditions. Trout samples were analyzed for inoculated Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 during refrigerated storage. The mean particle size of PEO-SLNs was 154.83 ± 1.21 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.35 ± 0.01 and zeta potential was about -24.16 ± 0.51 mV. The results indicated that PEO-SLN had higher antibacterial activity than the free form of PEO and also when used in combination with gelatin coating (gel + PEO-SLN) had a significant effect on preventing microbial growth in trout fillets (p < 0.05). The most decreasing rate of P. aeruginosa (1.92 log CFU/g), E. coli O157:H7 (0.71 log CFU/g), and L. monocytogenes count (1.69 log CFU/g) was seen in gel + PEO-SLN. These findings illustrated that PEO-SLNs could potentially be utilized in the food industry to increase the shelf life of fish fillets.

Probiotic bacteria from 10 different traditional Iranian cheeses: Isolation, characterization, and investigation of probiotic potential

In this study, 10 different traditional Iranian cheeses, which are still consumed by people in rural areas of Iran, were examined to isolate new strains of probiotic bacteria. Isolated bacteria were identified by 16s rRNA gene amplification and subjected to series of in vitro tests to find out their probiotic potential. A total of 2345 colonies were collected and 465 of them were confirmed as lactic acid bacteria (LAB), of which Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lacticaseibacillus casei were the top three isolated bacteria. Among the different species of LAB isolated in this study, Lactip. plantarum was the most isolated species, and seven isolates had the significant criteria for being a probiotic strain than other isolates indicating the most adaptable properties of this species. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was the most resistant bacteria in the bile resistance test and was also the most durable bacteria in gastrointestinal conditions, for example, acidic environment (pH = 2.5) and trypsin. In contrast, Lacticaseibacillus casei was the most susceptible bacterial strain. Lactobacillus rhamnosus showed the most antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study showed that probiotic strains isolated from local cheeses could be considered as suitable biopreservatives and used as specific starter cultures for the production of functional cheeses.

Impact of microencapsulated Ziziphora tenuior essential oil and orange fiber as natural‐functional additives on chemical and microbial qualities of cooked beef sausage

The aim of the current study was to investigate the suitability of Ziziphora tenuior essential oil (ZEO) as a preservative. For this purpose, the effect of free and microencapsulated ZEO, combined with orange fiber, was determined on the chemical and microbial qualities of cooked beef sausage. In this study, modified starch was used for encapsulation of essential oil, and subsequently, 0.5% ZEO and 1% orange fiber were used for preparing cooked beef sausages during 60 days of storage at 4°C. To assess the microbial quality of samples, total viable count (TVC), psychrophilic count (PSY), and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were analyzed. Furthermore, peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were tested to examine lipid oxidation. The most components of ZEO were pulegone (47.12%), isomenthone (14.57%), and 1,8‐cineole (12.84%) according to GC–MS analysis. The reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging activity, MIC, and MBC of ZEO were 16.44 (EC₅₀), 8.36 (IC₅₀), 0.625–2.5, and 1.25–5 mg/ml, respectively. Moreover, sausage containing 0.5% microencapsulated ZEO in combination with 1% orange fiber showed the best results with the following values (p ≤ .05): TVC (3.69 log CFU/g), PSY (3.51 log CFU/g), LAB (3.1 log CFU/g), PV (10.41 meq/kg lipid), and TBARS (3.1 mg MDA/kg). This is due to the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of microencapsulated essential oil. Therefore, the results of the present study can be applied in the meat industries as a new natural preservation method.

WITHDRAWN: Electrospinning of Nanofibers Incorporated with Essential Oils: Applications in Food

The article has been withdrawn at the request of the author of the journal Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.

Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Bentham Science Disclaimer

It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this journal have not been published and will not be simultaneously submitted or published elsewhere. Furthermore, any data, illustration, structure or table that has been published elsewhere must be reported, and copyright permission for reproduction must be obtained. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and by submitting the article for publication the authors agree that the publishers have the legal right to take appropriate action against the authors, if plagiarism or fabricated information is discovered. By submitting a manuscript the authors agree that the copyright of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.

The effects of a new antidiabetic glycinium [(pyridine-2, 6-dicarboxylato) oxovanadate (V)] complex in high-fat diet of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of glycinium [(pyridine-2, 6-dicarboxylato) oxovanadate (V)] complex in type 2 diabetes rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were allocated into 6 groups. Group I, nondiabetic rats; Group II, diabetic rats; Group III, diabetic rats receiving an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of metformin (45 mg/kg); Groups IV, V and VI were diabetic rats receiving i.p. injection of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg of the complex for 3 weeks, respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, liver enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid profile, and HbA1c were measured.

RESULTS

AST, ALT and GGT activities and MDA levels were increased, while TAC was decreased in diabetic animals. Treatment of diabetic rats improved the HOMA-IR and returned HbA1c level to the normal value as well as elevated TAC and reduced MDA level.

CONCLUSION

We found that the complex possesses antidiabetic properties in experimental diabetes.

A Comprehensive Review of Minerals, Trace Elements, and Heavy Metals in Saffron

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and its popularity as a tasty food additive is spreading rapidly through many cultures and cuisines. Minerals and heavy metals are minor components found in saffron, which play a key role in the identification of the geographical origin, quality control, and food traceability, while they also affect human health. The chemical elements in saffron are measured using various analytical methods, such as techniques based on spectrometry or spectroscopy, including atomic emission spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The present study aimed to review the published articles about heavy metals and minerals in saffron across the world. To date, 64 chemical elements have been found in different types of saffron, which could be divided into three groups of macro-elements, trace elements, and heavy metals (trace elements with a lower gravity/greater than five times that of water and other inorganic sources). Furthermore, the chemical elements in the saffron samples of different countries have a wide range of concentrations. These differences may be affected by geographical condition such as physicochemical properties of the soil, weather and other environmental conditions like saffron cultivation and its genotype.

Protective effect of chitosan-loaded nanoemulsion containing Zataria multiflora Boiss and Bunium persicum Boiss essential oils as coating on lipid and protein oxidation in chill stored turkey breast fillets

The present study was conducted to evaluate the lipid and protein oxidation responses of cold stored turkey meat using chitosan-contained nanoemulsions supplemented with the essential oils of two aromatic plants including Zataria multiflora Boiss and Bunium persicum Boiss. Chemical traits such as total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARs), free fatty acids (FFA), fatty acid composition and TC (total carbonyl) of samples were carried out at 4°C. Moreover, their pH and sensory properties were also determined at the same conditions. The initial value of the TVB-N (2.24 mg N/100 g) reached 20.81 mg N/100 g. TVB-N values achieved for all meat samples were lower than the highest acceptable limit (28-29 mg N/100 g). In all the treatments, PV and TBARs values were increased until day 10, and afterward a decrease was observed until day 20 of storage. TBARs values of the samples (mg MDA/kg) ranged from 1.97 ± 0.04 to 4.48 ± 0.39 in CNE + ZEO 1% to 2.72 ± 0.32 to 6.66 ± 0.21 in CON at zero time and day 5, respectively. FFA and TC were enhanced at a slower rate in the treated samples. The most efficient treatment against chemical deterioration was found to be CNE + ZEO 1%. Chitosan and sonicated chitosan treatments had the highest color score and lowest odor score at zero time. The obtained results suggested coating turkey meat fillets with ZEO and BEO as an effective strategy to delay at their chemical deterioration. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The spoilage risk of fresh products is higher than other foods. Turkey meat spoils because of biological reactions such as the oxidation of lipids and protein, the action of endogenous enzymes, and the metabolic activities of microorganisms that end in a short shelf life. The oxidation of lipids not only reduces or retards, but also inhibits by edible coatings. Edible coatings formed from bioactive compounds would effectively provide possibility of active compounds onto surface of minimally processed foods. Therefore, application chitosan-loaded nanoemulsion coating containing Zataria multiflora Boiss and Bunium persicum Boiss essential oils is recommended in food industry especially for poultry industry to increase the chemistry and sensory quality of turkey breast fillets.

The prevalence of foodborne parasites in raw vegetables in Iran: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Foodborne parasites in raw vegetables could cause parasitic infections in humans. An effective approach to the reduction of pathogenic microorganisms in vegetables involves identifying the main sources of contamination and the ecology of the involved microorganisms. This review aimed to evaluate the prevalence of foodborne parasites in raw vegetables in Iran. According to the reviewed studies, the prevalence rate of Ascaris spp., Giardia spp., Toxocara spp., Fasciola, Trichuris, Cryptosporidium, Dicrocoeliasis, Taenia spp., and Entamoeba histolytica was 6 % (95 % CI: 5-8 %), 6 % (95 % CI: 5-7 %), 6 % (95 % CI: 4-7 %), 2 % (95 % CI: 1-2 %), 1 % (95 % CI: 1-2 %), 10 % (95 % CI: 6-15 %), 2 % (95 % CI: 1-3 %), 5 % (95 % CI: 4-6 %), and 3 % (95 % CI: 2-4 %), respectively. According to the standard deviation map, Ilam province was one of the high-risk areas in terms of food-borne parasites in raw vegetables (3 SD < prevalence < 4 SD). Given the key role of raw vegetables in human parasitic contamination, governments must implement more stringent programs for effective wastewater treatment, preventing domestic and wild animals from entering farms, not using human and animal manure on farms, using ready-to-eat packaged vegetables, food safety training for households, implementation of GMP and HACCP in the factory vegetable packaging are required in this regard, especially in the high-risk areas of Iran, such as Ilam province.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-021-00714-w.

Association of macro-and micro-nutrients dietary intakes with rs2241883 genetic variants of FABP 1 gene in MASHAD study population

INTRODUCTION

There is a relationship between macro-nutrient-intakes and the genes implicated in lipid metabolism. In this study, we assessed the association between macro-and micro-nutrients dietary intakes with rs2241883 genetic variants of the FABP1 gene.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study 2737 subjects (including 2203 subjects with dyslipidemia and 534 healthy volunteers) were enrolled as part of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study cohort. Dyslipidemia was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III). A NanoDrop®-1000 instrument was used to do the quantitation of DNA. The rs2241883 polymorphisms were genotyped using double ARMs PCR reactions. Genotyping reagents were obtained from Applied Biosystems. Dietary intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and validated by 2 consecutive 24-h food recalls.

RESULTS

The results showed no significant association between subjects with and without dyslipidemia (P > 0.05), except for the zinc to copper ratio, the value for which was higher in the subjects with dyslipidemia (4.78 (1.62)) when compared to subjects without dyslipidemia (4.68 (1.82)) (p = 0.05). Using different genetic models we found that zinc and copper were significantly different in the additive (p = 0.01) and dominant (p = 0.01) genetic models. Although, this association was no longer significant after adjusting for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no associations between macro-and micro-nutrient dietary intakes with rs2241883 genetic variants after adjusting for confounding factors in the MASHAD study population.

The association between a Fatty Acid Binding Protein 1 (FABP1) gene polymorphism and serum lipid abnormalities in the MASHAD cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Dyslipidemia is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is partially determined by genetic variations in the genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between a polymorphism of the Fatty Acid Binding Protein1 (rs2241883) gene locus and dyslipidemia in an Iranian cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a case-control study 2737 individuals were recruited (2203 subjects with dyslipidemia and 534 controls). Dyslipidemia was defined as total cholesterol≥200 mg/dl, or TG≥150 mg/dl, or LDL-C≥130 mg/dl, or HDL-C<40 mg/dl in males and <50 mg/dl in females. Serum lipid profile was determined using a Alcyon Abbott biochemical auto analyzer, USA. Genotyping was made through double amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMs PCR).

RESULT

The frequency of TT, CT, CC genotypes of rs2241883 polymorphism of FABP1 gene were 65.5, 33.4, 5.1 in subjects with dyslipidemia and 56.9%, 40.4%, 2.6% in subjects without dyslipidemia, respectively. Using a dominant genetic model, subjects carrying C allele (CC&CT genotypes) had a 22% lower risk of dyslipidemia (OR: 0.78, CI 95%: 0.62-0.98 P, 0.03). Individuals with CT vs. TT genotypes had a significantly lower risk of a high serum TC and LDL level. Further analysis showed that there was a positive association between FABP1 genotype (CT) and isolated HTG as well as combined dyslipidemia. The change of a polar amino acid (threonine) in position T94A to a hydrophobic amino acid (alanine) can cause transformation protein.

CONCLUSIONS

A CC genotype of the rs2241883 polymorphism of the FABP1 gene appears to confer a higher risk of dyslipidemia in our representative cohort of Iranian individuals.

Nitrite and Nitrate Levels in Groundwater, Water Distribution Network, Bottled Water and Juices in Iran: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Nitrate and nitrite can get into the body through the consumption of contaminated water either directly or indirectly. The accumulation of these compounds in the body, in the long run, leads to health problems, for example, digestive disorders, cancers, and even death threats in children. The aim of this review was to investigate nitrate and nitrite pollution levels in drinking water and fruit juices in Iran.

METHODS

In this review, data were collected through searching the Scientific Information Database, Science-Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Magiran databases using the keywords Nitrate, Nitrite, Drinking water, Drinking Water Resources, Juice and Iran. Finally, the location of the studies was geocoded through the Google My Maps (https://www.google.com/mymaps) software.

RESULTS

Studies clearly indicated that the juices are safe in terms of nitrate. Nitrate and nitrite values were less than the national and international standards in all samples of bottled drinking water except for a few of the studies. The results of the reviewed studies also indicated that the nitrate content was higher than that written on the label in 96% of the samples, and nitrite was not labeled in 80% of them. The nitrate quantity was higher than the permissible limit in the water distribution network of Bushehr, Gilan and Mazandaran Provinces. Talesh, Ardabil, Hashtgerd, Divandareh, and Kerman cities had high nitrate levels in more than 50% of wells.

CONCLUSION

Using nitrogen fertilizers and the lack of a wastewater treatment system were the main reasons for the presence of nitrate and nitrite.

Effect of kefir beverage consumption on glycemic control: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

Kefir is a fermented beverage obtained as a result of lactic-alcoholic fermentation of milk by using kefir grains or a starter culture. Kefir beverage has numerous health benefits owing to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, while it could also regulate the gut microbiota. This beverage is recommended as a nutritional approach to glycemic control. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the effects of kefir beverage on the glycemic control. For this purpose, a literature search was conducted via databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar for the articles published until July 2020 with no limitation. The indicators of glycemic control were fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and insulin. In total, six RCTs on a total sample size of 323 subjects were selected for the meta-analysis. Inverse-variance weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for the mean changes in HbA1c, FBG and insulin compared to baseline. Considering the clinical heterogeneity caused by the varied duration and dosage of kefir beverage treatment, a random effects model was used to estimate the pooled WMD. Findings indicated a more significant reduction in the FBS (WMD = -10.28; 95% CI: -16.53-4.02; P = 0.001) and insulin (WMD = -2.87; 95% CI: -3.96-1.78; P < 0.00001) in the kefir treatment group. Furthermore, kefir consumption could reduce HbA1c (HbA1c = -0.64 -1.36, 0.08), while this effect was not considered significant (-0.64; 95% CI: -1.36-0.08; P = 0.08). The results of our meta-analysis indicated that kefir beverage could reduce the FBS and insulin levels without a significant effect on HbA1c. In general, our findings showed that kefir beverages may have beneficial effects on glycemic control. However, more clinical data and research into the mechanism of probiotics are required to clarify the beneficial effects of probiotics on glycemic markers.

Association Between miR-146a rs2910164 Polymorphism and Breast Cancer Susceptibility: An Updated Meta-analysis of 9545 Cases and 10030 Controls

BACKGROUND

Several studies have reported a possible association of the miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism with Breast Cancer (BC) development. However, the correlation between this polymorphism and susceptibility to BC is under debate. The current meta-analysis was designed and performed to more conclusively evaluate the miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and its potential link to BC.

METHODS

Our team has selected eligible studies (published up to October 2, 2020) from several electronic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. A total number of 9,545 BC cases and 10,030 controls extracted from 26 eligible articles were included in this study. We utilized pooled Odds Ratios (ORs) as well as 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) under five genetic models for quantitative estimation of any possible association between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and BC.

RESULTS

Based on this meta-analysis, our findings suggest that there is no significant association between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and BC risk. However, stratified analysis revealed that the rs2910164 polymorphism significantly increased the risk of BC in hospital-based studies using the homozygous genetic model (OR=1.37, 95%CI=1.01-1.86, p=0.043, CC vs. GG). Neither Asian nor Caucasian populations showed any significant association between rs2910164 polymorphism and BC susceptibility.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our findings suggest that BC development is not associated with miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism. However, larger ingenious future investigations might be needed for a more precise estimation of any association between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and BC.

Association between the IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-1R polymorphisms and lymphoma

We investigate the impact of IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-1R1 polymorphism on lymphoma. This study consisted of 155 Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients 55 Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients and 150 healthy individuals. PCR-RFLP method and ARMS PCR were used for genotyping of IL-1A rs3783553, IL-1B rs3917356, rs16944, IL-1R1 rs10490571 and IL-1A rs3783550 polymorphism. The results showed that the CC genotype of rs3783550 as well Ins/del of rs3783553 increased the risk of NHL. In contrast the AG genotype of rs3917356 and AG also AG + AA genotype of rs10490571 decreased the risk of NHL. The result revealed that the CC genotype of rs3783550 and AG genotype of rs3917356 increased risk of HL.

The role of serum monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in cardiovascular disease risk

Free fatty acids (FFA) observed as independent risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this study we investigated FFA levels in patients with CVD, and its risk factors. In this case-control study, 214 patients experienced coronary angiography and 222 healthy subjects were enrolled. Participants were categorized into two groups: who had >50% and <30% stenosis were assigned to the angiogram positive (N=90) and negative (N=124) group, respectively. Several risk factors were assessed and the levels of FFAs were determined using gas chromatography. Serum FFA concentrations were compared between healthy and patients with positive and negative angiograms. The association of serum FFA levels with four major risk factors (hypertension, FBG level, high BMI and WHR) were also assessed. Our data showed that median of FFAs was higher in patients than healthy subjects (p<0.0001), such as SFA and n6-FFAs (in patients; 1.59 (1.27) and 1.22 (1.06) and in healthy subjects 0.33 (0.38) and 0.36 (0.35), respectively). According to anthropometric and biochemical data, there were not statistical differences between the groups, except FBG, SBP and hs-CRP that showed significantly higher levels in patients than controls (p<0.0001, p=0.001). Also, lower median levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and DBP were observed in patients which can due to lipid-lowering medication use like Statins. High serum levels of FFAs are considered as an independent risk factor for CVDs, while various types of FFAs can have different influences on CVD risk factors. Therefore, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the association between FFAs and CVD risk factors. (www.actabiomedica.it)