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In this study, the flow behavior and creep parameters of saffron desserts containing gum tragacanth combinations of three species were modeled by the mixture design approach. Flow behavior and creep-recovery experiments were performed and models were predicted for apparent viscosity, consistency index, flow index, instantaneous compliance, and viscoelastic compliance. Five representative samples regarding the range of apparent viscosity at the shear rate of 50 s-1 were subjected to sensory evaluation. According to rheological measurements, the addition of GT species of A. gossypinus led to the production of a dessert with a strong structure. Then, two samples with the highest consistency index and the lowest creep parameters were compared with two commercial saffron desserts. The results revealed that the overall acceptance of the two selected samples [containing 4% (w/w) A. gossypinus or 2.66% (w/w) A. gossypinus and 1.33% (w/w) A. fluccosus] was similar to those of the two commercial samples.

An imbalance between regulatory T (Treg) and T-helper (Th)-17 cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exert immunomodulatory properties through secreting exosomes. This study aimed to assess the effect of MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) on the differentiation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into Tregs from patients with COVID-19. Exosomes were isolated from adipose derived -- tissue MSCs. PBMCs were separated from the whole blood of COVID-19 patients (n=20). Treg frequency was assessed before and 48 hours after treatment of PBMCs with MSC-Exo using flow cytometry. Expression of FOXP3 and cytokine genes, and the concentration of cytokines associated with Tregs, were assessed before and after treatment with MSC-Exo. The frequency of CD4+CD25+CD127- Tregs was significantly higher after treating PBMCs with MSC-Exo (6.695±2.528) compared to before treatment (4.981±2.068). The expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL)-10, and FOXP3 were significantly upregulated in MSC-Exo--treated PBMCs. The concentration of IL-10 increased significantly after treatment (994.7±543.9 pg/mL) of PBMCs with MSC-Exo compared with before treatment (563.5±408.6 pg/mL). The concentration of TGF-β was significantly higher in the supernatant of PBMCs after treatment with MSC-Exo (477.0±391.1 pg/mL) than PBMCs before treatment (257.7±226.3 pg/mL). MSC-Exo has the potential to raise anti-inflammatory responses by induction of Tregs, potentiating its therapeutic effects in COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To design a rapid test to detect the rifampin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistant mutant based on polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique that analyzes the katG, rpoB genes. Methods: Biochemical test as well as IS6110 targeting PCR revealed 103 clinical samples were tuberculosis. To determine the susceptibility of isolates to anti TB drugs, the proportional method was used. Mutations presented within the amplified products of the katG, rpoB genes were evaluated by SSCP. Results: Using proportional method, 12 (11.6%) and 9 (8.7%) isolates were resistant respectively to INH and RIF and 9 (8.7%) isolates showed resistance to both drug (multi-drug resistant tuberculosis). Three (2.9%) multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and two INH resistant isolates were detected by the PCR-SSCP and sequencing. The sensitivity and specificity of PCR-SSCP for multi-drug resistant isolates were 33% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: Complete agreement between SSCP and sequencing can indicate that resistance-associated mutations have occurred in other genes except our considered genes.

Ozone, one of the most important air pollutants, is a triatomic molecule containing three atoms of oxygen that results in an unstable form due to its mesomeric structure. It has been well-known that ozone has potent ability to oxidize organic compounds and can induce respiratory irritation. Although ozone has deleterious effects, many therapeutic effects have also been suggested. Since last few decades, the therapeutic potential of ozone has gained much attention through its strong capacity to induce controlled and moderated oxidative stress when administered in precise therapeutic doses.Aplethora of scientific evidence showed that the activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1a), nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT), nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE), and activated protein-1 (AP-1) pathways are the main molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of ozone therapy. Activation of these molecular pathways leads to upregulation of endogenous antioxidant systems, activation of immune functions as well as suppression of inflammatory processes, which is important for correcting oxidative stress in diabetes and spinal pain. The present study intended to review critically the available scientific evidence concerning the beneficial properties of ozone therapy for treatment of diabetic complications and spinal pain. It finds benefit for integrating the therapy with ozone into pharmacological procedures, instead of a substitutive or additional option to therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan is considered as a functional packaging component for maintaining the quality and increasing the shelf life of perishable foods include meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and all cooked leftovers. The present study was conducted to evaluate edible coating of chitosan (2%) containing ethanolic extract of propolis (1% and 2%) on microbiological (mesophilic aerobic, psychrotrophic, lactic acid bacteria, coliforms, and Staphylococcus aureus counts), chemical (TBARS, TVN and Peroxide values) and sensory (odor, color, texture, taste, and overall acceptance) properties of chicken fillet. Microbial analysis showed that coating had a significant reducing effect on growth of bacteria during 12 days at 4 °C. Besides, the increase of TBARS, Total volatile nitrogen, and peroxide value of samples coated by chitosan and ethanolic extract of propolis was less than control group. According to our results, chitosan and propolis can be used to enhance the shelf life of fillet and maintain its quality. Practical applications Propolis is used for infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, and by single-celled organisms called protozoans. Propolis is also used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Ethanol extract of propolis improve the properties of chitosan edible coating in chicken fillet preservation. The chitosan coating incorporated with ethanolic extract of propolis can improve the microbial, chemical, and sensory quality of food and enhance the shelf life of them by synergistic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli, its virulence factors, O-serogroups and antimicrobial resistance properties in various types of food stuffs in Iran. All samples were cultured and those that were E. coli positive were subjected to PCR. Of 801 samples studied, 123 (15.35%) were positive for STEC strains. Samples collected in summer season had the higher prevalence of bacteria (49.59%). Beef meat was the most commonly contaminated sample (24.28%). The stx1 was the most commonly detected, while ehly was the least. The most commonly detected serogroups in the STEC strains recovered from the food samples were O157 (27.64%) and O26 (21.95%). The serogroup of 17.07% of STEC strains cannot be detected by means of the O-serogroup primers. The most commonly detected antibiotic resistance genes were blaSHV (47.15%) and aadA1 (44.71%). STEC strains of our investigation harbored the highest levels of resistance against ampicillin (100%), gentamycin (70.73%) and tetracycline (62.60%). Observation of proper monitoring, principles of food hygiene and accurate antibiotic prescription reduce the risk of diseases caused by STEC strains in human. Practical applications We found E. coli bacteria with defined pathotypes which originates mainly from human and animal sources in various types of food samples of Iranian markets. We also identified a large numbers of virulent and resistant strains of E. coli with higher prevalence of stx1 and eaeA gene, O157 and O26 serogroups, CITM and aac(3)-IV antibiotic resistance genes and resistance to ampicillin, penicillin and gentamycin antibiotics. Beef meat had the highest prevalence. Simultaneous presence of stx1 and eaeA and stx2 and eaeA virulence factors in some strains of E. coli bacterium in food stuffs indicated the important public health problem. Using from microbiological tests can contribute to reducing the microbial load in food stuffs. Controlling sources of human and animal fecal pollution, such as managing the quality of primary ingredients, staffs and devices are other approaches to reduce the prevalence of STEC in food stuffs. Using from the disk diffusion method and avoiding from the irregular and excessive prescription of antibiotics are two important approaches to reduce the levels of antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of hydrocolloids in frozen dough has become frequent as bread improvers due to their anti-staling effect. Nevertheless, the impact of both different frozen storage and Arabic gum level in non-prefermented flat dough with following thawing procedure have not been studied. This work intended to study the effect of three different ratio of Arabic gum on rheological properties of 1, 7, and 30 days of frozen storage and the quality of the bread made from. In order to gain the least detrimental effects on gluten network, we used rapid rate freezing and microwave heating in thawing stage. Rheological results showed that the unfrozen samples to which Arabic gum had been added rendered the highest resistance to extension. The resistance of gum fortified samples were less than fresh dough, however the decline was not significant in 3.0% Arabic gum dough kept in a month storage ( p > .05). The similar findings were obtained for extensibility and adhesiveness; in which the maximum incorporation of Arabic gum lessen the destructive impact of long freezing storage. Addition of 3% gum could be able to retard staling through an increment in hydrophilic bonds between water molecules and amylose during thawing ( p < .05). The overall rating of Arabic gum enriched samples was similar with bread made from non-frozen dough, even after 30 days of storage as indicated by the sensory evaluation of breads. Practical applications Producing a chapatti-like fermented bread without long fermentation period. Formulation a frozen dough without using chemical additives. Introducing a proper use of a new defrosting method with the aim of achieving a better texture. Improvement in retarding staling by the use of Gum Arabic after 7 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND A hypothesis has been presented about the role of serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and resistance to insulin (metabolic syndrome [MetS]), but there is much controversy. This study aimed at investigating the level of serum iron and demographic characteristics in patients with NAFLD with or without MetS. METHODS A case-control study was conducted on patients with elevated liver enzymes referring to Baqiyatallah clinic, Tehran, Iran during 2010-2011. After ruling out other causes of increased aminotransferases and approving the diagnosis of NAFLD, the patients were divided into two groups of with or without MetS. Then, the individuals' demographic, sonographic, and laboratory characteristics were recorded. RESULTS This research included 299 patients suffering from NAFLD who were divided into MetS (n=143; 47.8%) and non-MetS (n=156; 52.2%) groups. The age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, glucose tolerance test, serum insulin, C. peptide, triglyceride, and HB A1c were different between MetS and non-MetS groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in serum iron and ferritin levels between the two groups, however, a significant correlation was found between serum ferritin and alanine transaminase (p=0.005) and also aspartate aminotransferase (p=0.032). CONCLUSION Our findings did not show a significant relationship between iron, in free or storage form, and the presence of MetS among patients with NAFLD, but serum ferritin can correlate with hepatocytes injuries indicated by raised aminotransferases. Nevertheless, to clarify this relationship further molecular, genomic, and histopathological studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]