ABSTRACT
Background: Cucumber is one of the vegetables that are widely preserved by fermentation in brine. Vegetables such as cucumber are normally not washed in the commercial centers and this causes microbial growth during fermentation. At the beginning of the fermentation process, lactic acid bacteria, depending on the environmental conditions, begin to grow. The aim of this study was to compare the microbial, chemical, and sensorial characteristics of canned and bulk pickles
Methods: In this study, a random sampling was implemented from the pickles of three locations in Shiraz city as suppliers of pickles. The sensorial evaluation was also conducted by 60 members of the hospital staff. Data was collected through questionnaires. Sensorial evaluation was performed using a hedonic scale of nine points. For microbial assessment, Iran National Standards 2326 was used
Results: The results of the microbiological tests showed that bulk pickles were infected with mesophilic aerobic bacteria at 26.6%, aerobic thermophilic bacteria at 6.6%, and 43.3% by mold and yeast; while canned pickles [with license the Ministry of Health] were infected 13.3% by mesophilic aerobic bacteria. The average pH of the bulk samples based on the national standard was more than the maximum allowed level. The results of the sensorial evaluation of taste, texture, color, and overall acceptability showed that canned pickles had the most overall acceptance and texture acceptance points and bulk pickles had the most points of flavor and color acceptance
Conclusions: According to the findings, it seems that the use of herbs in bulk pickles is the main cause of increase in the microbial load and rated the taste, because fragrant fresh vegetables have a greater impact on the microbial load than dried vegetables
ABSTRACT
Background: Substance abuse has significant impact on nutritional status. Due to the increased malnutrition during drug use and withdrawal, this study aimed at assessing the anthropometric indices in individuals referring to drug treatment centers in Qom
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 329 addicted individuals referring to addiction centers in Qom were randomly selected. A questionnaire was used with three parts including demographic characteristics, drug abuse history, and anthropometric indices including measurement of height, weight, waist circumference, arm circumference, and skinfold thickness in triceps and calf muscles
Results: The participants consisted of 328 men and only one woman, 29% of whom were in detoxification. The participants' mean age was 39.0 +/- 7.1 years. The first and most-frequently used drug was opium. All anthropometric indices were associated with the consumption of opium substances and drug use was associated significantly with some parameters. With the exception of skinfold thickness in the calf, all the indices were affected by the type of consumed substances. The opium addicts had a higher body mass index compared with other drug users
Conclusions: Due to the importance of nutrition status in drug abusers' health and their lack of self-care, careful monitoring and evaluation of dietary intake, as well as nutrition status can play important roles in the rehabilitation of these individuals and help to prevent from reappearance of these habits
ABSTRACT
Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of L-carnitine and glutamine and their synergistic effects on male soccer athletes
Methods: 28 male soccer players [21.1 +/- 0.7 y] were enrolled in a randomized pre and post intervention, double-blind design. Before the intervention, their performances were assessed by Bruce protocol, and their body composition was measured with the body composition analyzer. Then, athletes were randomly allocated into four groups: 2 g L-glutamine, 2 g L-carnitine, 2 g L-carnitine + 2 g L-glutamine and placebo. Supplements were prescribed for 21 days and after three weeks, athletes' performances and body composition were re-evaluated
Results: The results showed that body weight, body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, and dietary intake made no significant changes in different groups of athletes. In between groups comparison, results did not significantly change in any performance indices. However, in L-carnitine supplement group, the results of pre and post intervention showed that the running distance and maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] increased significantly while the subjective sense of fatigue decreased significantly
Conclusions: Based on our findings, a three-week prescription of separateor combined glutamine and L-carnitine, had no effects on body composition or dietary intake in soccer players. But, the athletes' energy intake was more than the one reported in other studies. Although further studies are required to assess these effects on athletic performance
ABSTRACT
Background and purpose: Athletes try toimprove their performance by using different techniques. Using supplements is one of these methods. Creatine supplement is one of the most popular body building supplements and its usage has been increased dramatically in recent years. Unfortunately our knowledge of the effects of this supplement on body isn't enough. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the effects of short-term use of Creatine supplement on urinary excretion of Creatine and Creatinine and anaerobic performance among bodybuilding athletes.
Materials and Methods: Sixteen male bodybuilders [23.8 +/- 3.4years old] were assigned in a double-blind clinical trial and were randomly divided into two groups, a Creatine treatment group or aplacebo group. Creatine and Creatinine concentrations inurine were determined for both groups before and after intervention and anaerobic performance was evaluated by the Wingateanaerobic test method.
Results: The results revealed an increase in of urinary Creatine and Creatinine concentration sin the Creatine recipient group. Also three measured indices of the Wingate test, including peak power, average power and fatigue index increased in the Creatine recipient group.
Conclusion: According to the increase in anaerobic performance indices among subjects, Creatine supplement can improve body builders performances. According to obtained increase in urinary Creatine and Creatinine concentrations, evaluation of probable side effects of long termuse of this supplement, especially on renal function is necessary.
ABSTRACT
The metabolic syndrome as a branch of metabolic disorders is known as the background of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and stroke. One of the main strategies for the control and surveillance of this disease is nutrition self-management in these patients. This study aimed to determine the correlation between nutritional self-management and health promotion model constructs in women with metabolic syndrome. This cross-sectional study was carried out on women with metabolic syndrome in Isfahan city. 329 persons were selected from the patients with metabolic syndrome of five treatment centers of Isfahan Oil Industry in 2012. Data were collected in 11 parts using a researcher-made questionnaire, which had been designed based on the health promotion model that its validity and reliability had been assessed in a separate phase of design. Data analysis was performed using independent t-test, variance, and Pearson's matrix of correlation at 95% confidence interval. The mean score of the nutrition self-management was obtained 35.1. The mean scores of health promotion model constructs was average or under average. Also, nutrition self-management had a significant correlation with knowledge, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, situational factors, husband's social support, and commitment on self-management implementation, and had a significant inverse correlation with perceived barriers, feeling related to behavior, preferences, and competitors. Considering the correlation of nutrition self-management with metabolic syndrome in women with metabolic syndrome, health promotion model constructs for educational interventions could be used for adoption of an appropriate diet in these patients