Investigating of drying kinetics and mathematical modeling of turnip

The drying process of turnip and drying rate curves were investigated at different temperatures (55, 70 and 85°C) with air flow rate of 1.5 m/s.  Also effective diffusion coefficient and activation energy were calculated by using Arrhenius equation and Fick’s second law for infinite slab.  The effective diffusivity varied between 5.471×10-10 and 8.966×10-10 in the range of (55°C to 85°C).  The value of activation energy was found to be 16.013 kJ/mol.  The mathematical models (Newton, Page, Modified Page, Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic, Two term, Two term exponential, Wang and Singh, Simplified Fick’s diffusion, Modified Page –II, Verma, Midilli–Kucuk, Hii, Law and Cloke, Approximation of diffusion, Modified Henderson and Pabis) were fitted to the experimental data.  Sigmaplot v10.0 software was used to find the best model for evaluating the rate of moisture change.  Decency of fit by these models was based on comparing the coefficient of determination (R2), reduced chi-square (χ2), mean bias error (MBE) and root mean square error (RMSE) between the observed and predicted variables.  Among 15 evaluated models, Modified Henderson and Pabis in 85°C and Hii, Law and Cloke in 55°C and 70°C with highest R2 and lowest MBE, χ2 and RMSE were selected to better estimate the drying curves.Keywords: Turnip, hot air convective drying, modeling, drying rate, effective diffusivity, activation energ

Atorvastatin rapidly reduces hepatitis B viral load in combination with Tenofovir: a prospective clinical trial

Objective and Aim. Atorvastatin inhibits cholesterol synthesis which is critically important in the formation of the viral envelope and secretion. The efficacy and safety of giving atorvastatin (40 mg/day) as an adjunct to tenofovir in the treatment of hepatitis B (HBV) were assessed. Method. In this single-blind clinical trial, 40 patients with active chronic hepatitis B were randomly allocated to treatment or control groups. The treatment group received the standard treatment for chronic HBV (300 mg tenofovir twice a day) along with 40 mg/day atorvastatin for 12 months, while the control group received a placebo once daily in addition to the standard tenofovir regimen. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HBV DNA copy numbers were measured at the beginning of the treatment and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months later. Results. One month after starting the treatment, the HBV copy number in the atorvastatin + tenofovir-treated group was significantly lower, by 200×, compared with the control group. After three months of the treatment, there was no detectable HBV DNA in 50% of the atorvastatin + tenofovir-treated group compared with 30% in the control group. The half-life of plasma viral load was 2.03 and 3.32 months in the atorvastatin + tenofovir-treated and control groups, respectively. No adverse events due to taking atorvastatin were observed. Conclusions. The combination of atorvastatin with tenofovir increased antiviral activity and led to a faster recovery from viral infection. Therefore, this modality can be recommended as a safe combination therapy for chronic hepatitis B patients

Predictive modeling of oleuropein release from double nanoemulsions: An analytical study comparing intelligent models and Monte Carlo simulation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the release of oleuropein (OLP) from double nanoemulsions stabilized with polymeric complexes. Initially, W1/O nano-emulsions loaded with OLP were prepared and re-emulsified into an aqueous phase (W2), which included a complex of whey protein concentrate (WPC)/pectin, to form W1/O/W2 emulsions. The microstructure of the final double emulsions was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and particles with smooth, comparatively spherical, and somewhat asymmetrical surfaces with a size range of 100–200 nm were observed, which were compatible with dynamic light scattering (DLS) data. The release trend of OLP was determined by fitting it to several empirical models including zero order, first order, Higuchi, Hixson-Crowell, Korsemeyer-Peppas, Baker-Lonsdale, and utilizing intelligent modeling techniques such as Fuzzy Logic (FL) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). Among the mathematical models, the zero order equation had the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.988), while the first order equation had the lowest root-mean-square error (RMSE = 0.0176) and sum of squared errors (SSE = 0.0009) for the goodness of fit of the model, when considering the release trend of OLP. FL and ANNs proved effective in modeling controlled release of OLP-loaded nanocarriers, achieving high R2 values. Additionally, Monte Carlo (MC) simulation showed potential for evaluating the release process when compared to other methods

Enhancing the bio-polymeric stabilization of spray-dried Chlorella phenolic-rich extract: Analysis of its physicochemical, functional, structural, and biological properties

In this study, the spray-drying process of Chlorella extract was investigated. The influence of different carriers including maltodextrin (MD), acacia gum (AG), whey protein concentrate (WPC) on the physicochemical, functional, flowability and color properties was analyzed. Powder obtained using MD revealed the highest bulk and tapped density (0.613 and 0.750 g/mL, respectively), the highest solubility (96.87 %) and hygroscopicity (29.87 %). Dry powder attained by MD, showed the highest content of total phenols (0.413 mg GAE/mL) and lowest particle size (12.70 μm). All produced powders revealed fair to good cohesiveness and flowability. Besides, the spray-drying processes using (MD -WPC) showed higher maintenance of the antioxidant activity. SEM images revealed the presence of particles of different sizes and wrinkles. Evaluation of the chemical structure (FTIR) indicated the encapsulation and distribution of the phenolic compounds of the extract in the matrix of the carriers. Research findings can confirm the possibility to use encapsulated Chlorella extracts as an abundant source of natural antioxidants in the enrichment and formulation of various beneficial food products. Finally, the results showed the efficiency of the spray-drying process on the production of dry powder extract of Chlorella with appropriate physical properties, stability and antioxidant properties

Biochemical and pathological study of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L. On ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis in laboratory rats

Background: Nephrolithiasis is of the most prevalent urinary tract disease. It seems worthwhile to replace the conventional treatments with more benefi cial and safer agents, particularly herbal medicines which are receiving an increasing interest nowadays. Aims: In this study, we investigated the protective and curative effects of Achillea millefolium L. on ethylene glycol (EG)-induced nephrolithiasis in rats. Materials and Methods: The extract of A. millefolium was prepared by soxhlet method. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into fi ve groups (N = 8) as follows. The negative control (group A) received tap drinking water. Rats in sham (positive control group B), curative (group C and D), and preventive (group E) groups all received 1 EG in drinking water according to the experimental protocol for 30 days. In the curative groups, dosages of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) of A. millefolium extract were administered orally from day 15 to the end of the experiment, group C and D, respectively. Group E received 200 mg/kg A. millefolium extract from the 1st day throughout the experiment. Urinary oxalate and citrate concentrations were measured by spectrophotometer on the fi rst and 30thdays. On day 31, the kidneys were removed and examined histopathologically for counting the calcium oxalate (CaOx) deposits in 50 microscopic fi elds. Results: In the curative and preventive groups, administration of A. millefolium extract showed signifi cant reduction in urinary oxalate concentration (P < 0.05). Also, urinary citrate concentration was signifi cantly increased in group C, D, and E. The CaOx deposits signifi cantly decreased in group C to E compared with the group B. Conclusions: According to our results, A. millefolium extract had preventive and curative effects on EG-induced renal calculi. © 2014, North American Journal of Medical Sciences. All right reserved

The Effect of Adjuvant Zinc Therapy on Recovery from Pneumonia in Hospitalized Children: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives. Pneumonia is one of the common mortality causes in young children. Some studies have shown beneficial effect of zinc supplements on treatment of pneumonia. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of short courses of zinc administration on recovery from this disease in hospitalized children. Methods. In a parallel Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial at Ayatollah Golpaygani Hospital in Qom, 120 children aged 3–60 months with pneumonia were randomly assigned 1 : 1 to receive zinc or placebo (5 mL every 12 hours) along with the common antibiotic treatments until discharge. Primary outcome was recovery from pneumonia which included the incidence and resolving clinical symptoms and duration of hospitalization. Results. The difference between two groups in all clinical symptoms at admittance and the variables affecting the disease such as age and sex were not statistically significant (P<0.05) at baseline. Compared to the placebo group, the treatment group showed a statistically significant decrease in duration of clinical symptoms (P=0.044) and hospitalization (P=0.004). Conclusions. Supplemental administration of zinc can expedite the healing process and results in faster resolution of clinical symptoms in children with pneumonia. In general, zinc administration, along with common antibiotic treatments, is recommended in this group of children. It can also reduce the drug resistance caused by multiple antibiotic therapies. This trial is approved by Medical Ethic Committee of Islamic Azad University in Iran (ID Number: 8579622-Q). This study is also registered in AEARCTR (The American Economic Association's Registry for Randomized Controlled Trials). This trial is registered with RCT ID: AEARCTR-0000187

Modification of Whey Proteins by Sonication and Hydrolysis for the Emulsification and Spray Drying Encapsulation of Grape Seed Oil

In this study, whey protein concentrate (WPC) was sonicated or partially hydrolyzed by Alcalase, then examined as an emulsifier and carrier for the emulsification and spray drying of grape seed oil (GSO)-in-water emulsions. The modification treatments increased the free amino acid content and antioxidant activity (against DPPH and ABTS free radicals), as well as, the solubility, emulsifying, and foaming activities of WPC. The modified WPC-stabilized emulsions had smaller, more homogeneous droplets and a higher zeta potential as compared to intact WPC. The corresponding spray-dried powders also showed improved encapsulation efficiency, oxidative stability, reconstitution ability, flowability, solubility, and hygroscopicity. The morphology of particles obtained from the primary WPC (matrix type, irregular with surface pores) and modified WPC (reservoir type, wrinkled with surface indentations), as well as the oxidative stability of the GSO were influenced by the functional characteristics and antioxidant activity of the carriers. Changes in the secondary structures and amide regions of WPC, as well as the embedding of GSO in its matrix, were deduced from FTIR spectra after modifications. Partial enzymolysis had better results than ultrasonication; hence, the WPC hydrolysates are recommended as emulsifiers, carriers, and antioxidants for the delivery and protection of bioactive compounds

Correlation between Abortion and Infertility among Nonsmoking Women with a History of Passive Smoking in Childhood and Adolescence

The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation of exposing to the cigarette smoke in childhood and adolescence with infertility and abortion in women. This case-control study evaluated 178 women who had been attended to at the Amir-al-Momenin Hospital in Tehran in 2012-2013. Seventy-eight women with chief complaint of abortion, infertility, and missed abortion and 100 healthy women were considered as case and control groups, respectively. The tool was a questionnaire with two parts. In the first part demographic information was gathered and in the second part the information regarding the history of passive smoking in childhood and adolescence period, abortion, and infertility was gathered. The mean age in case and control groups was 26.24 ± 3.1 and 27.3 ± 4.2 years, respectively. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.74 ± 1.38 Kg/m2. Abortion rates among passive smoker and nonpassive smoker patients were statistically significant (P=0.036). Based on findings of this study, the experience of being a passive smoker in childhood and adolescence in women will increase the risk of abortion and infertility in the future, which could be the reason to encourage the society to step back from smoking cigarettes