Berberis integerrima bioactive molecules loaded in chitosan-based electrospun nanofibers for soybean oil oxidative protection.

Natural bioactive molecules such as phenolic acids and alkaloids play a crucial role in preserving the quality and safety of food products, particularly oils, by preventing oxidation. Berberis integerrima, a rich source of such antioxidants, has been explored in this study for its potential application in soybean oil preservation. Electrospun nanofibers, composed of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan, were fabricated and loaded with an alcoholic extract of Berberis integerrima. The antioxidant activity of Berberis integerrima was evaluated, and the phenolic compounds contributing to its efficacy were identified and quantified. The physicochemical properties of the polyvinyl alcohol /chitosan/Berberis integerrima nanofibers, including morphology, crystallinity, functional groups, and thermal stability, were characterized. The results revealed that the polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/Berberis integerrima nanofibers exhibited high antioxidant capacity and improved the stability of Berberis integerrima, indicating their potential as effective and biodegradable materials for food preservation. This study underscores the potential of harnessing natural antioxidants from Berberis integerrima in nanofibers to enhance the quality and safety of soybean oil.

The correlation among residual nitrites, biogenic amines, N-nitrosamine formation, and degradation occurrence of punicalagin α/ß, rosmarinic acid, carnosol, and carnosic acid in extract-treated sausage during storage.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between residual α- and ß-punicalagin in Punica granatum L.; PPE and rosmarinic acid, carnosol, and carnosic acid in Salvia eremophila (SE) with residual nitrites, biogenic amines (cadaverine, putrescine, and histamine), N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), microbial counts, lipid oxidation indices, and color values in extract-treated sausage over 14 days of storage. Sausage containing SE + nitrite 60 ppm (SSN) showed minimum levels of the residual nitrites (13.14 mg/kg), NDMA (0.74 ± 0.05 µg/kg), and biogenic amine (histamine, 1.8 mg/kg; cadaverine, 3.7 mg/kg; and putrescine, 4.3 mg/kg) due to retarded degradation rate of 285.84-216.44 mg/kg; rosmarinic acid, 41.62-33.16 mg/kg; carnosol, and 88.70-76.73 mg/kg; carnosic acid over storage time. The first-order kinetic model fitted well for the degradation of rosmarinic acid and carnosol acid in SSN sample. TBA value remained below the threshold limit (0.32 mg kg-1) through 14 days for SSN. Second-order and zero-order reaction models had the best agreement with sausages' PV and TBA values, respectively. After 2 weeks of storage, E. coli and Cl. perfringens counts in the SN120 (sausage containing 120 ppm nitrite) and SSN were significantly lower than the other samples (p < .05), with the values 2.1 and 1.5 log cfu/g for SN120 and 2.2 and 1.6 log cfu/g for SSN formulation. Conversely, oxidation indices, residual nitrites, NDMA, and biogenic amine increased in sausage samples containing PPE extracts (SPN) owing to total degradation of α- and ß-punicalagin during storage. The results indicated that SE can be used as potential co-preservative by reducing the levels of required nitrite in food industry.

Association of dietary acid load with metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese women.

Background: There is increasing evidence supporting the association between dietary acid load and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are rare and inconsistent studies to examine the association of dietary acid load and MetS score. The aim of this research was to assess dietary acid loads as measured by potential renal acid load (PRAL) in relation to MetS. Methods: The current study involved 246 overweight or obese women. Dietary assessment was performed using a validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Remer's equation was used to calculate PRAL score. MetS was defined as the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)/Adult Treatment Panel ΙΙΙ (ATP). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to find the association between PRAL score and MetS. Results: The mean age and BMI of participants were 36.49±8.38 years old and 31.04±4.31 kg/m2, respectively. Overall, 32 percent of participants had MetS. According to the final model, although not statistically significant, there was a trend which suggested that being in the highest quartile of adherence to dietary acid load, evaluated by PRAL score, compared to the lowest quartile was associated with higher odds of MetS [(OR: 2.80; 95% CI: 0.95-8.26), (P=0.06)]. Conclusions: Our study shows a borderline non-significant association between PRAL and odds of MetS in overweight or obese women. However, definitive clarification of this relationship requires future intervention studies.

Recent approaches to mRNA vaccine delivery by lipid-based vectors prepared by continuous-flow microfluidic devices.

Advancements in nanotechnology have resulted in the introduction of several nonviral delivery vectors for the nontoxic, efficient delivery of encapsulated mRNA-based vaccines. Lipid- and polymer-based nanoparticles (NP) have proven to be the most potent delivery systems, providing increased delivery efficiency and protection of mRNA molecules from degradation. Here, the authors provide an overview of the recent studies carried out using lipid NPs and their functionalized forms, polymeric and lipid-polymer hybrid nanocarriers utilized mainly for the encapsulation of mRNAs for gene and immune therapeutic applications. A microfluidic system as a prevalent methodology for the preparation of NPs with continuous flow enables NP size tuning, rapid mixing and production reproducibility. Continuous-flow microfluidic devices for lipid and polymeric encapsulated RNA NP production are specifically reviewed.

Deodorization of sunflower oil by high voltage electric field as a nonthermal method sunflower oil refining by electric field.

In this study, the high voltage electric field (HVEF) method was used for deodorization of sunflower oil to omit drawbacks of an established industrial method including long time, high energy, chemicals and water consumption, loss of bioactive compounds, and formation of some contaminants due to exposure to heat. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to find the optimal values of processing parameters. The effects of voltage (5-15 kV), clay (0-1%), electrolyte concentration (0-50 mM), the number of electrodes (1-5 pairs), and electrodes distance (1-3 cm) on the volatile compounds and tocopherols content were investigated by HS-SPME-GC/MS and HPLC, respectively. The optimal processing conditions were determined to be a voltage of 5 kV, a distance of 1 cm between the electrodes and a number of five pairs of electrodes. The amount of bleaching clay and electrolyte concentration were zero under optimal conditions. The refining process by HVEF removed 32.33% of the volatile compounds from crude sunflower oil, while the industrial refining process reduced the volatile compounds by only 17.78%. Results indicated no change was observed in the tocopherols content of refined sunflower oil by HVEF method. Based on PCA results, HVEF-treated sample not only contained the lowest concentration of volatile compounds but also was the most similar to crude sample in terms of volatile compounds composition. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The oil refining process consists of four main stages, the last of which is deodorization. This step involves injecting steam at a temperature of about 240°C, under vacuum for about 50 min. High voltage electric field (HVEF) was able to reduce the number of volatile compounds, while no change was made in the tocopherol content of sunflower oil samples. It also does not form contaminant such as 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters. There is no need to apply the vacuum in HVEF refining, which reduces the production cost and makes the process flow straightforward as well as rapid. This research helps to propagate green refining procedures of vegetable oils in food plants.

Nanofluid preparation, stability and performance for CO2 absorption and desorption enhancement: A review.

In recent years, the importance of capturing CO2 has increased due to the necessity of minimizing climate change and the detrimental effects of CO2 emissions from industrial processes. CO2 absorption, as one of the most mature carbon capture technologies, has been improved by introducing nanosized particles into liquid absorbents. Nanofluids have been the subject of interest in many studies recently due to their tremendous impact on absorption. This review comprehensively examines the CO2 absorption behavior for nanofluids through the investigation of different absorption systems. Potential mechanisms for improving the absorption/regeneration performance of nanoabsorbents as well as the synergistic effects of physicochemical properties of nanofluids, such as viscosity and density on CO2 capture behavior, are reviewed. Nanofluid enhancement factors in terms of absorption rate and capacity towards CO2 are also compiled. Mathematical models, which have been proposed for calculating mass transfer coefficient and mass diffusivity, are comprehensively outlined. The paper discusses conventional methods for nanofluid preparation affecting the physicochemical properties of nanofluids. Strategies for enhancing nanofluid stability, as well as approaches to examine their stability are discussed. Finally, nanoparticle concentration, types and size of them, and selection of the base liquid absorbent as the key factors influencing the CO2 removal process by nanofluids, are considered in this paper, as well.

The association of dietary acid load with resting metabolic rate and metabolic components in overweight and obese women: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Several epidemiologic studies have reported that dietary acid load (DAL) is associated with metabolic profiles; however, to our knowledge, the relationship of this dietary pattern with resting metabolic rate (RMR) among obese and overweight females remains unreported. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association of DAL, RMR and metabolic components among overweight and obese adult women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 375 Iranian adult women, aged 18-48 years. DAL indices were calculated by using a validated 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Biochemical and anthropometric measures were assessed using standard methods. An impedance fat analyzer was used to obtain the body composition and an indirect calorimeter was used to assess the RMR. RESULT: It was observed that after correction for potential confounders, net endogenous acid production (NEAP) and potential renal acid load (PRAL) scores were inversely associated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P < 0.05). NEAP index was inversely associated with RMR (ß = -0.44, 95% confidence interval; CI = -1.21 to 0.32, P = 0.02), and positively associated with waist circumference (WC) (ß = 1.04, 95% CI = -1.05 to 4.45, P = 0.06) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) (ß = 0.01, 95% CI = -0.01 to 0.04, P = 0.04), such that subjects with higher scores in NEAP had lower RMR and higher WC and WHR. We also observed that NEAP (ß = -0.44, 95% CI = -1.21 to 0.32, P = 0.02) was significance and PRAL (ß = -0.23, 95% CI = -1.50 to 0.47 P = 0.07) was marginally associated with RMR. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggested that higher DAL scores may be negatively associated with lower RMR, while directly associated with greater WC, WHR, DBP, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).

Comparison of the effect of soya protein and whey protein on body composition: a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Essential amino acids (EAA) promote the process of regulating muscle synthesis. Thus, whey protein that contains higher amounts of EAA can have a considerable effect on modifying muscle synthesis. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the effect of soya and whey protein supplementation on body composition. Thus, we sought to perform a meta-analysis of published randomised clinical trials that examined the effect of whey protein supplementation and soya protein supplementation on body composition (lean body mass, fat mass, body mass and body fat percentage) in adults. We searched PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, up to August 2020, for all relevant published articles assessing soya protein supplementation and whey protein supplementation on body composition parameters. We included all randomised clinical trials that investigated the effect of whey protein supplementation and soya protein supplementation on body composition in adults. Pooled means and standard deviations were calculated using random effects models. Subgroup analysis was applied to discern possible sources of heterogeneity. After excluding non-relevant articles, ten studies, with 596 participants, remained in this study. We found a significant increase in lean body mass after whey protein supplementation (weighted mean difference (WMD: 0·91; 95 % CI 0·15, 1·67; P = 0·019). We observed no significant change between whey protein supplementation and body mass, fat mass and body fat percentage. We found no significant change between soya protein supplementation and body composition parameters. Whey protein supplementation significantly improved body composition via increases in lean body mass, without influencing fat mass, body mass and body fat percentage.

Association between low carbohydrate diet (LCD) and sleep quality by mediating role of inflammatory factors in women with overweight and obesity: A cross-sectional study.

Poor sleep quality can lead to increased obesity. Low carbohydrate diet (LCD) is considered as an approach for sleep quality and obesity improvement. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the relationship between LCD and sleep quality with the mediatory effect of inflammatory markers including transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total antioxidant capacity: In our cross-sectional study, 304 obese women aged from 19 to 50 years were enrolled. Body mass index (BMI) in these women ranged from 25.2 to 48.3 kg/m2. LCD score was assessed by a 147- item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality. FFQ and PSQI questionnaires are completed simultaneously by the participants. Biochemical indicators (inflammatory markers) were measured and anthropometric components were evaluated. The relationship between sleep quality and LCD with quantitative variables was assessed by independent sample t-test and with qualitative variables by chi-square test. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate confounding variables including age, job, stress, weight to investigate the relationship between LCD and sleep. Following of LCD had a significant negative relationship with PSQI score. It can be said that with increasing LCD adherence, the possibility of poor sleep quality decrease (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.19-0.94,p = .03). It was also showed, hs-CRP (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.3-1.21, p = .16) and TAC (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.25-1.4, p = 0.24), eliminated the significance of the association and it is possible that they play a mediating role in this relationship Following the LCD can have a positive effect on improving PSQI scores by reduction in inflammatory markers levels.

The effect of dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and Caveolin-1 gene variant interaction on cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese women: A cross-sectional investigation.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that the Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) gene variant may be associated with Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Moreover, dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) has been shown to potentially elicit favorable effects on CVD risk. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the effect of DTAC and CAV-1 interaction on CVD risk factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of 352 women, with overweight and/or obesity, aged 18-48years from Iran. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), with 147 items, was used to assess dietary intake. The CAV-1 rs 3807992 and anthropometric data were measured by the PCR-RFLP method and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), respectively. Serum profiles were measured by standard protocols. Participants were also divided into two groups based on DTAC score and rs3807992 genotype. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 37.34 ± 9.11 and 36.01 ± 9.12 years for homozygous (GG) and minor allele carriers (AG + AA) respectively.The mean ± SD of insulin, total cholesterol (TC),high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and TG of participants were 1.21 ± 0.23, 185.3 ± 35.77, 46.58 ± 10.86, 95.3 ± 24.12 and 118.1 ± 58.88, respectively. There was a significant difference between genotypes for physical activity (P = 0.05), HDL (P < 0.001), insulin (P = 0.04), CRI-I (TC/HDL-C) (P = 0.01), and CRI-II (LDL-C/HDL-C) (P = 0.04). Our findings also showed, after controlling for confounding factors, significant interactions between DTAC score and the A allele carrier group on TC (Pinteraction = 0.001), LDL (Pinteraction = 0.001), insulin (Pinteraction = 0.08), HOMA-IR (Pinteraction = 0.03), AC ((TC - HDL - C)/HDL - C) (Pinteraction = 0.001), and CHOLINDEX (LDL-C-HDL-C) (Pinteraction = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that high DTAC intake may modify the odds of risk factors for CVD in AA and AG genotypes of rs 3807992. These results highlight that diet, gene variants, and their interaction, should be considered in CVD risk assessment.

Dietary inflammatory index (DII) may be associated with hypertriglyceridemia waist circumference phenotype in overweight and obese Iranian women: a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown that increased dietary inflammatory index (DII) score or consumption of pro-inflammatory foods can lead to increased waist circumference (WC) as well as triglyceride (TG) concentrations in obese people. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between DII and hypertriglyceridemic waist circumference phenotype (HTGWCP) in women with overweight and obesity. RESULTS: There was a positive significant correlation between DII and HTGWCPs. In other words, with an increase in DII score or higher consumption of pro-inflammatory foods, the odds of having abnormal phenotypes including; enlarged waist normal TG (EWNT) (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 1.02 to 7.98, P for trend = 0.04), normal waist enlarged TG (NWET) (OR = 5.85, 95% CI 1.1 to 31.11, P for trend = 0.03) and enlarged waist enlarged TG (EWET) (OR = 3.13, 95% CI 0.95 to 10.27, P for trend = 0.05) increase compared to normal waist normal TG (NWNT) phenotype. In conclusion; increasing DII scores can increase abnormal phenotypes and therefore may increase WC and TG levels in overweight and obese women.

Circulating inflammatory markers may mediate the relationship between low carbohydrate diet and circadian rhythm in overweight and obese women.

BACKGROUND: Low carbohydrate diet (LCD) can improve inflammation and obesity and also circadian rhythm disorders can lead to increased inflammation in obese individuals. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between adherence of LCD and circadian rhythm mediated by inflammatory markers including transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and Galectin-3 in overweight and obese women. METHODS: 304 women affected by overweight and obesity were enrolled. We evaluated LCD scores by Semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) of 147 items. The morning-evening questionnaire (MEQ) was applied to evaluate the circadian rhythm. Biochemical parameters such as inflammatory markers and anthropometric components were assessed. RESULTS: There was a negative significant correlation between adherence of LCD and circadian rhythm status. In other words, as the LCD scores increased, the odds of circadian rhythm disturbance in intermediate group and morning type persons decreased compared to evening type. It was showed that, IL-1ß and Galectin-3 in intermediate and morning type groups, destroyed the significance of this relationship and may be considered as mediating markers. CONCLUSION: Adherence of LCD can improve the circadian rhythm by reducing levels of inflammatory markers and may be considered as a treatment for obesity.

Surface treatment comparison by application of diamond bur and Er,Cr:YSGG at different powers: morphological and mechanical evaluation.

Purpose: This study evaluated the micro-tensile bond strength of new and previous composite resin restorations after surface treatment with diamond bur and Er,Cr:YSGG laser at different power settings (2,3 and 4 W). Materials and methods: Micro-hybride composite resin was inserted in metallic mold 5 ×5 ×15 mm and cured for 40 sec according to manufacturer's instruction.12 blocks were made. The bonded surfaces of the 12 blocks so obtained were subsequently ground using Silicon Carbide papers 1200 grit, for 15 seconds under running water. Then the samples randomly were divided into 4 groups: (G1) Bur-treated, (G2) Er,Cr:YSGG laser with power of 2 W and energy of 100 mJ, (G3) Er,Cr:YSGG laser with power of 3 W and energy of 150 mJ, (G4) Er,Cr:YSGG laser with power of 4 W and energy of 200 mJ. One sample of each group was analyzed by SEM while, after cutting the blocks to 1 mm2 of area samples, the others samples were mechanically tested by Universal testing machine with the speed of 0.5 mm per minute till fracture point. Data were analysed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey Test. Results: T-test showed no significantly differences between G2 and G4(P=0.064) while G3 demonstrated significant differences than G2 (P=0.001) and G4(P=0.000) and also between samples treated with bur (G1) and G2 (P=0.242) ,G3 (P=0.000) ,G4 (P=0.829); G1 didn't significantly differ to G2 and G4(P>0.05), while G1 and G3(P<0.05). Conclusion: On surface treatment of repaired composite, samples treated by laser at 3W power showed better condition of micro-tensile bond strength.

Effect of Different Powers of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser Treatment on Surface Morphology of Microhybride Composite Resin: Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare microhybride composite treated by bur and different power of Erbium, Chromium doped Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). METHODS: 21 microhybride composite blocks (DiaFil TM, DiaDent, Korea) with 2 × 4 × 4 mm dimensions were made. The bonding surface of these blocks were polished, The samples were put into 6 groups for laser irradiation as follows: Group 1 (power: 1W, Energy: 50 mJ); Group 2(power: 2 W, Energy: 100mJ); Group 3 (power: 3W, Energy: 150mJ); Group 4 (power: 4W, Energy: 200mJ); Group 5 (power: 5W, Energy: 250mJ) and Group 6(power:6 W, Energy:300mJ). One group prepared by bur- treated. All samples were prepared by repetition rate of 20 Hz. Then, the samples were prepared for SEM examination. RESULT: Some irregularities were seen in Er,Cr:YSGG laser samples in comparison to Bur group that produced favorable surface for adhesion of repair composite. CONCLUSION: Among different lasers, Er;Cr:YSGG laser can be chosen as a suitable technique for surface treatment of unsatisfactory composites.