The impact of modifiable lifestyle factors on women's fertility.

The current study centred on assessing the effect of various lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity [PA] level, sleep pattern, and stress level) on women's fertility. This hospitalbased comparative study was conducted at the Avicenna Medical College and Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, with 104 females (aged 18-40 years) as participants. Half the participants had a history of infertility and 51.8% had a BMI >25. About 43% and 85% reported intake of "junk food" and "fruit and vegetable (F&V)", respectively, twice a week. DASS-21 scale endorsed "moderate-to-high-stress" in 58% of the participants. Further, moderate and intense PAable was documented in 30% and 20% of the participants. About 37% reported sleeping for ≤5 hours/day. Fertility was significantly but inversely correlated with F&V intake, stress level, and BMI. Less sleep and a sedentary lifestyle had a significantly detrimental impact on fertility. Women's fertility was positively impacted by F&V intake, moderate PA, and adequate sleep but negatively impacted by obesity and mental stress.

Effect of fenugreek and flaxseed polysaccharide-based edible coatings on the quality attributes and shelf life of apple fruit during storage.

The present study was designed to explore the potential of fenugreek and flaxseed polysaccharide-based edible coatings to enhance the postharvest storage life of apple fruit. The experimental plan involved the preparation of five different coating formulations, which were subsequently applied to the fruit. The coated fruit was then stored at a temperature of 25 ± 2°C for a duration of 35 days. The effects of these coatings on physicochemical and biochemical attributes (weight loss, firmness, acidity, pH, sugar content, antioxidant activity, microbial growth, and sensory properties) of coated and uncoated samples were evaluated at regular intervals: 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days of storage. The experimental results revealed a significant difference (p ≤ .05) in the physicochemical parameters of uncoated and coated apple at different storage times. The coated apple fruits showed significantly (p ≤ .05) lower weight loss, pH, total sugars, total soluble solids, and maximum retention of ascorbic acid, firmness, acidity, and antioxidant contents, leading to enhanced organoleptic properties. The application of edible coatings extended the shelf-life of the apples by inhibiting microbiological spoilage without substantial impact on sensory and nutritional properties. Based on these results, it is concluded that the edible coating formulation labeled T 1 (containing 2.5 g fenugreek polysaccharide and 1.5 g flax polysaccharide) effectively preserved the valuable physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of the apple fruit throughout the storage period.

Hydroxyapatite fortified mango mousse: Formulation, characterization, and sensory data evaluation using fuzzy logic.

In this experimental study, hydroxyapatite (HAp), as a valuable calcium source, was extracted from discarded goat bone; raw and nano-biogenic powders were prepared through calcination and ultra-sonication. Resultant powders were characterized by using various spectroscopy techniques. As per the findings of atomic absorption spectroscopy, raw and nano-biogenic powders depicted 1439.7 ± 0.12 and 3194.8 ± 0.07 ppm calcium content, respectively. The range of particle size of nano-biogenic and raw powders was 47-139 and 183 nm, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed crystalline behavior whereas laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)-derived Ca/P-ratio endorsed excellence in nano-biogenic 1.76 against 1.63 in raw powder. In vitro bioavailability of calcium in raw and nano-biogenic powder was ∼36% and ∼39%, respectively. Next, the powders were further used to develop calcium-fortified mango mousse with varied formulations. A maximum overrun of 23.31% was found in the case of "Raw-A," whereas a maximum viscosity of 8489.98 mPa s was found in the case of "Nano-A." Sensory data of mango mousse were obtained by fuzzy logic method, and PCA ranked the Nano-B and Nano-A samples the best in terms of overall acceptability. Meanwhile, the consumer responses toward product likeness and/or dislikeness were recorded by the hedonic scale that endorsed Nano-A and Nano-B formulations as the most preferred samples. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The revolution in the eating habits of consumers from traditional foods to fast food imposes the development of new products having good nutritional values. Different waste biogenic food sources can provide an acceptable powdered form of ingredients for the development of novel food products. In this regard, the development of novel food products using calcium supplements has gained space in the food industry.

Effects of dietary counselling on lipid profile among liposuction patients.

Objectives: To observe the effects of dietary counselling on weight management after liposuction. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted at the La Chirurgie Cosmetic Surgery Centre and Hair Transplant Institute, F-8/3, Islamabad, Pakistan, from January to July 2018, and comprised adults (100) of either gender undergoing liposuction and/or abdominoplasty who were followed for three months in the postoperative period. The subjects were divided into dietary-counselled group A, which received diet plans, and control group B, which followed up without any dietary advice. Lipid profile was done at baseline and three months post-liposuction. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 100 subjects enrolled, 83(83%) completed the study; 43(51.8%) in group A and 40(48.2%) in group B. Overall, there were 19(22.9%) males, 64(77.1%) females, and 55(66.3%) were aged <40 years, while 28(33.7%) were aged ≥40 years. Intra-group improvement was significant for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides for both the groups (p<0.05). The change for very low-density lipoprotein in group B was not significant (p>0.05). Change in high-density lipoprotein was for the better in group A, while it decreased in group B and the change in both cases was significant (p<0.05). Inter-group differences were not significant (p>0.05) except for total cholesterol (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Liposuction alone resulted in the improvement of lipid profile, while dietary intervention resulted in better values with respect to very low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein.

Study of metabolic syndrome indicators in newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 2 patients in Pakistani population.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) being a biological abnormality confers the highest risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). AIM: To assess MetS indicators in the newly diagnosed T2DM Pakistani population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study (N = 123) with newly diagnosed T2DM patients (gender: both, MeanAge: 49.24 ± 6.84 years) was selected from Medical OPD, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. Basic profile, family history, and physical activity were recorded through a predesigned questionnaire, dietary intake through seven days Food Diary and Food Frequency Questionnaire. Blood pressure and selected clinical signs and symptoms were recorded. Anthropometric measurements included mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-and-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and conicity index. Lab parameters included fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin levels, and lipid profile. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was computed to assess insulin resistance. RESULTS: Almost all parameters related to MetS were higher than normal. The prevalence of MetS was 59.7%. BMI, MUAC, and WHtR were independently associated with HOMA-IR, but WC, WHR, and the conicity index had no relationship MetS indicators. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of MetS was found to be 59.7% in newly diagnosed T2DM patients. MUAC was found to be a better parameter for the diagnosis of central obesity and insulin resistance in the selected population.