Effects of Different Processing Methods on Phytochemical Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Spirulina platensis

Background and objective: A Spirulina platensis is one of the major sources of functional food ingredients with nutraceutical properties. It is a very perishable and should be processed immediately after harvesting. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study was investigation the effect of different processing condition on the most important qualitative features of Spirulina platensis.Material and methods: Fresh Spirulina platensis was processed (shade, sun, oven, microwave, vacuum oven, freeze and spray-drying and freezing with and without blanching) and changes in its qualitative characteristics (minerals and fatty acids composition, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity) of samples were analyzed.Results and conclusion: Processing conditions significantly (p≤0.05) affected the qualitative properties of the sample. The vacuum-oven dried sample had the highest level of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity because of the lower possibility of oxygen dependent degradation and enzymatic browning reactions. The mineral was not significantly different (p>0.05) in dried samples, while Na, K, Mg, Mn, Ca and P content of the frozen samples were reduced significantly. Various unsaturated essential fatty acids like α-linolenic acid, γ-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid were detected in Spirulina. In this regards, spray and freeze-drying were the best processing methods in protecting UFA, and vacuum oven-drying was preferred in protecting total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the Spirulina platensis.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Physicochemical Properties of Probiotic Soy milk Chocolate Mousse During Refrigerated Storage

Background and Objective: Recently, several researchers have shown the benefits deriving from probiotic products containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in their formulation. The purpose of this study was to develop a probiotic chocolate mousse using milk and soy milk in formulation with regard to survival of probiotic bacteria and sensorial acceptance during 21 days. Material and Methods: Nine functional probiotic chocolate mousse formulations were produced by milk, milk/soy milk and soy milk and 3 probiotic strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus; Lactobacillus paracasei; Bifidobacteriumlactis). ThepH, acidity, survival of microbial strains, rheological and sensory properties of all treatments were monitored during 21 days refrigerated storage (4°C). Results and Conclusion: The pH drop rate and acidity increase rate of all samples were significant during 21 days of storage (p≤0.05). There was a significant increase in the probiotic bacteria of all samples during 21 days of storage at 4°C (p≤0.05). However, the rate of probiotics growth was accelerated in formulation prepared with soy milk and milk/soy milk (1:1) in the chocolate mousse at day 7 and 14. Rheological experiment demonstrated that all samples known as viscoelastic solid dessert had shear-thinning behavior. In conclusion, chocolate dessert including soy milk as well as milk was shown to be more effective vehicle for delivery of probiotics, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacteriumlactis. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Spontaneous Heterotopic Pregnancy: Case Report and Literature Review

Heterotopic pregnancy, a rare form of pregnancy, can occur Simultaneously intrauterine and extrauterine. This can be a life-threatening condition and can be easily overlooked if undiagnosed. The patient was a 27-year-old woman, gravid3, para1, live1 and abortion1, at 10 weeks and 1 day by last menstrual period who went to the emergency room complaining of pain in the lower abdomen form 3 days ago. Pelvic ultrasound revealed both live intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy by gestational age based on the Crown-rump length diameter, 9 weeks and 3 days with moderate to severe hemoperitoneum. The heterotopic pregnancy diagnosis is difficult and requires a high index of suspicion

A social work study on measuring the effects of culturing factors influencing consumerism

This paper presents a social work study to measure the impact of various cultural factors on consumerism in city of Esfahan, Iran. The proposed study uses clustering technique to choose a sample of 300 families out of 70,000 residences of this city. The study designs a questionnaire in Likert scale and distributes it among participants. Cronbach alpha have been calculated as 0.85 and 0.92 for cultural factors and consumerism, respectively. The results of Pearson correlation ratios indicate that there are statistically meaningful relationships between consumerism and four components of culture including religious believes, tendency to luxuries, using different multi medias and adherence to traditions

The relationship of hyperlipidemia with maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study

Background: Concentrations of plasma lipids levels during pregnancy clearly increases. According to some studies, dyslipidemia is effective in the incidence of preeclampsia and insulin resistance. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between hyperlipidemia and maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted on two groups of pregnant women with hyperlipidemia and normal ones to assess maternal and neonatal outcomes. Maternal data including gestational age, mother’s age, body mass index, and maternal weight gain during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, cholestasis, and delivery method. Also, birth weight and Apgar score were gathered as the neonatal outcomes. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of abnormal lipid parameters increased with increasing gestational age. In pregnant women with dyslipidemia in combination with increased triglyceride, cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein, and decreased High-density lipoprotein, the incidence rates of gestational diabetes (p < 0.001), preeclampsia (p < 0.001), cholestasis (p = 0.041), fetal growth retardation (p < 0.001), and macrosomia (p < 0.001) were statistically higher. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was associated with some adverse effects of pregnancy and harmful fetal outcomes. Therefore, it seems that adding laboratory assessment of lipid profiles before and during pregnancy can be effective in early diagnosis of dyslipidemia. Key words: Dyslipidemias, Gestational diabetes, Preeclampsia, Fetal macrosomia

Analysis and evaluation of landuse changes trend in Mobarakeh in order to achieve the sustainable development

Objective: Desirable spatial distribution of landuses, in the planning and management of landuse, is one of the fundamental parameters for the realization of sustainable development. In present era, due to population growth and technological advancement, the phenomenon of land degradation is taking place and expanding in form of conversion a large part of land with use of forest and pasture land to residential and industrial areas. Therefore, present study uses remote sensing and GIS data to monitor landuse change in Mobarakeh during the period of 30 years (1985-2015). Methods: To achieve goals, Landsat satellite images, MSS and OLI sensors from 1985 and 2015 were used. Thus, after preprocessing steps including the radiometric and atmospheric correction, band stack, mosaic images and separating the study area, the images were classified using maximum likelihood method and landuse map was prepared at two time intervals. Then, variation type of each landuse was estimated using image difference method over the period 1985 to 2015 and their area was calculated. Results:Results showed that area of industrial land which was 9.16 km2 in 1985, was increased to 20.33 km2 in 2015. During this period, area of agriculture, range and forest lands have been reduced 38.75, 18 and 1.45 km2 (5.09, 2.37 and 0.19%) respectively, and extent of industrial, urban, degraded and barren lands have been expanded 11.17, 9.46, 16.14 and 7.1 km2 (1.47, 1.24, 2.12 and 0.93%) respectively. Conclusion: landuse changes from agriculture and rangeland to industryial and residential lands at the 7.46% during the three decades from 1985 to 2015 has led to more intense exploitation from ecosystem resources and ultimately caused instability in Mobarakeh. Therefore, in order to apply correct environment management in this area, it is necessary to restrict any action, such as landuse change, so that it does not result to more severe ecosystem degradation

The Relation Between Free Testosterone and Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective: To assess the relationship between free testosterone level and components of MS in women with PCOS. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted on 215 women with PCOS. PCOS was diagnosed based on the Rotterdam criteria. Patients were divided into two subgroups of patients with and without MS based on ATP III criteria. In each subgroup, the association between individual components of MS with free testosterone was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The prevalence of MS was 28.8% (n = 62). The mean level of free testosterone in patients with blood pressure ≥ 130/85 was significantly higher than those with blood pressure < 130/85 mm/hg. (p = 0.029) Also, in patients with diastolic blood pressure ≥ 85, the level of free testosterone was significantly higher than patients with diastolic blood pressure < 85. (p = 0.026). Results showed significant positive correlation between the level of free testosterone and cholesterol (p = 0.024). But no significant correlation was noted between levels of free testosterone and other variables. Conclusion: Regarding the relationship between blood pressure and high levels of free testosterone, it seems that regular blood pressure screening has a higher priority of concern comparing other complications for preventing cardiovascular adverse effects in women with PCOS and hyperandrogenism

Listeria monocytogenes Contamination in Unpasteurized Traditional Cheese Products in Qazvin, Iran

Background and purpose: Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen and a pothential risk to public health. Listeriosis is one of the most serious infectious diseases in most developed countries . Consumption of raw milk and unpasteurized traditional dairy products such as cheese can be a major reason for listeriosis in humans. This reaserch aimed at investigating Listeria monocytogenes contamination in unpasteurized cheese products by using culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in Qazvin, Iran. Materials and methods: In this research, 128 samples of traditional cheese products were collected from different traditional shopping centers in Qazvin, between October 2017 and September 2018. They were transported to the laboratory under controlled conditions. All isolates were analysed to biochemical test. L. monocytogenes strains were further confirmed by PCR amplification. Results: Findings showed that 14 samples (10.9%) were contaminated with L. monocytogenes. The highest prevalence of L. monocytogenes was found in white cheese samples (7%). The highest rate of contamination was reported in spring and winter (3.1%). Conclusion: Listeria contamination in cheese samples studied can pose a serious risk to consumers of non-pasteurized dairy products. Therefore, food safety and health practitioners should apply effective methods and standards

Investigation of Contamination of Brucella melitensis in traditional cheese produced in Qazvin in 2017-2018

Background and Aim : Brucella melitensis is one of the Important foodborne microorganisms . Especially in dairy products such as traditional cheeses. These microorganisms cause fever, sweating, headache, back pain and weakness. cheese such as milk is a nutrient-free product for the human and source of protein and calcium, The approximate amount of cheese production in Iran is 100,000 tons and based on the latest statistics, per capita consumer of 34 kg, and the traditional Iranian cheese is one of the most consumer milk fermented products in Iran, and depending on how it is proven to be different in different areas, sensory, physicochemical and microbial features are different. This research was aimed to Investigation of Contamination of brucella meletensis in traditional cheese produced in Qazvin in 2017-2018 Material and Methods : In this descriptive and analytical study, From october 2017 to september 2018, a total of 112 samples of traditional cheese were collected from different places in Qazvin. After collectimg the samples,they were transported to the laboratory. All isolates were subjected to biochemical test.Brucella melitensis strains were further confirmed by PCR amplification.Date were analyzed using Chi- square test and Fishers exact test. Statistical difference was considered significant (P<0/05). Results: Of the 112 samples with standard culture methods were studied, 14 sample (12/5%) were positive, and looking at the reviews with positive samples from 14 molecular with culture, 7 samples (6/25%) reported a positive real. the most pollution in the white cheeses (5/35%) Was seen. It is also the most pollution in autumn(1/7 %) and winter(3/5 %) Was reported. Conclusion: With regard to the pollution of the sample reviewed, pay attention to the safety and health of the traditional cheese production centers as well as to the prevention of the supply of the required subjects, it seems. As well as the use of molecular techniques to identify food microorganisms in terms of spending the time and money, and most importantly the accuracy of these methods, can be a good alternative to the slew of molecular methods. Keywords: Brucella meletensis , traditional cheese, PC

Drug-free in vitro activation and autologous transplantation in infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve: An experimental pilot study

Background: Poor ovarian response and diminished ovarian reserves (DOR) significantly contribute to female infertility. Previous attempts have been made to enhance follicular growth and improve pregnancy outcomes in these participants. Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the in vitro drug-free activation technique of the ovarian reservation and in vitro fertilization stimulation cycle outcomes in DOR participants. Materials and Methods: This pilot phase study investigated the impact of in vitro activation (IVA) on ovarian reservation and in vitro fertilization outcome in 10 infertile women with DOR from May to December 2023 at Taleghani Infertility Center, Tehran, Iran. Participants underwent general surgery and laparoscopy, involving the removal of a portion of one ovary, immediate transfer to the laboratory, dissection into small cubes, and subsequent re-implantation into the cases’s ovary. The primary outcomes, include the count of retrieved oocytes, the number of oocytes reaching metaphase, and the secondary outcomes were the quantity and the number of embryos transferred, implantation rate, and occurrence of clinical pregnancy. Results: The study revealed a significant increase in the antral follicle count before and after IVA (p = 0.033). Before IVA, the median estradiol level was 93.5 (57.0), which reduced to 79.0 (35.0) after IVA, indicating a statistically significant difference. On average, 2.3 (0.8) oocytes were retrieved, among which 1.5 (0.7) were metaphase II oocytes. The observed pregnancy rate among the 2 cases was 22.2%. Conclusion: The current study suggests that IVA may positively impact follicular growth and pregnancy outcomes among women with DOR