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Probiotics confer numerous health benefits and functional foods prepared with these microbes own largest markets. However, their viability during transit from gastrointestinal tract is a concerning issue. Microencapsulation of probiotics is a novel technique of major interest to increase their survivability in GIT and food matrices by providing a physical barrier to protect them under harsh conditions. This article contributes the knowledge regarding microencapsulation by discussing probiotic foods, different methods and approaches of microencapsulation, coating materials, their release mechanisms at the target site, and interaction with probiotics, efficiency of encapsulated probiotics, their viability assessment methods, applications in food industry, and their future perspective. In our opinion, encapsulation has significantly got importance in the field of innovative probiotic enriched functional foods development to preserve their viability and long-term survival rate until product expiration date and their passage through gastro-intestinal tract. Previous review work has targeted some aspects of microencapsulation, this article highlights different methods of probiotics encapsulation and coating materials in relation with food matrices as well as challenges faced during applications: Gut microbiota; Lactic acid bacteria; Micro-encapsulation; Stability enhancement; Cell's release, Health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa oleifera, also called zogale, is grown and harvested as a tiny and middle-sized tree in different parts of the world. It has various industrial applications, such as medicine, food, and cosmetics. M. oleifera tree is known as a miracle tree containing essential nutrients that could play a significant role in human nutrition. Based on its chemical composition and nutritional properties, it can be used to overcome malnutrition, particularly in breastfeeding mothers and infants. Different parts (leaves, peels, seeds, and flowers) of the Moringa tree are good sources of phenolic compounds, essential amino acids, vitamins, proteins, and beta carotenes, which can play a regulatory and functional role. The proportion of bioactive components is dependent on the source and variety of the plant. The flowers, seeds, and leaves of this plant have also been used in different food applications. This review highlights the reported knowledge relevant to the use of M. oleifera as a food fortificant and therapeutic agent based on its prominent biological activities and the presence of phytochemicals. In a nut shell, the leaves, peels, seeds, and flowers of the Moringa tree are potential sources of different phenolic compounds, which act as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, neuro-enhancer, and anticancer. There is a dire need for planned and well-structured experimental designs to deliver possible future applications of this tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in the Pediatric Oncology Units (POUs) of Pakistan. Data from 1 April 2019 to 30 June 2019 and 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020 for the first and second cohort, respectively, in order to compare the registration, abandonment rate, and delay in treatment. Six hundred and thirty-four were registered cases, 379 and 255 in the first and second cohort, respectively, which was significantly different <0.005. Seventy-seven were abandoned, 45 and 32 in the first and second cohort, respectively. Fifty-nine COVID-19 positive cases, 24, 4, 27, and 4 were admitted, referred, home isolated, and leave against medical advice (LAMA), respectively. Delayed treatment and reduction in new cases were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]