Effects of ultrasonic on microorganisms and enzymes

Removing on pathogens is the key concern of non-thermal technology in food products. Recently, inclusion of ultrasound into the food industry has been a subject of research and development. The application of ultrasound in food industry is undoubtedly the notion of consideration and development and, the same as other cases in other areas, the sound ranges can would fall into the following categories of high frequency, low energy, diagnostic ultrasound in the MHz range and low frequency, high energy, power ultrasound in kHz range. The advantageous application of power ultrasound is reflected in its chemical, mechanical, or physical effects on the process or product. Microorganisms Inactivation mechanism, based on physical and chemical factors that ultrasonic was caused on liquid food. When it comes to physical and chemical effects, one would distinguish between them as thinning cell membrane, localized heat and pressure changes (5500°C, 50Mpa); hydroxyl radical and sonochemical reactions, respectively. Ultrasound-assisted inactivation of microorganisms and enzymes brings about the extension of shelf life of raw materials or prepared foods. The study focuses on the related literature having to do with the effect of ultrasonic on microorganism and enzymes

Evaluation of the Effect of different microwave dryer power on the Qualitative and Quantitative properties of Essential oil of Bakhtiari Savory

Drying is one of the most important post-harvest stages of medical plants which has a significant effect on the quality and quantity of the effective compounds. In order to promote the objectives of the study, microwave power was selected as an independent variable so that power variable microwave was designed and constructed. After collection and drying the savory samples in the shade, the essential oil at different treatments was extracted in three levels of 400, 600 and 800 W. The volatile oil was analyzed using GC/MS method. Results of experiments showed that increase in the power from 400 W to 600 and 800 W caused a reduction in drying time. The most yield of essential oil was obtained in the shade drying method with the essence value of 2.41%. It was also revealed that with increasing the microwave power, the amount of essence decreased, so that the microwave power of 800 W had the lowest essence value. The highest values of thymol and carvacrol and sum of them that show the quality of essential oil was obtained in drying methods with microwave power of 800 W (56.83%). Overall, when the quality of essence is important, the common method of shade drying is suggested, while considering the speed and quality, the microwave drying is recommended

Activation of SGK1 in endometrial epithelial cells in response to PI3K/AKT inhibition impairs embryo implantation

Background: Serum & Glucocorticoid Regulated Kinase 1 (SGK1) plays a fundamental role in ion and solute transport processes in epithelia. In the endometrium, down-regulation of SGK1 during the window of receptivity facilitates embryo implantation whereas expression of a constitutively active mutant in the murine uterus blocks implantation. Methods/Results: Here, we report that treatment of endometrial epithelial cells with specific inhibitors of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT activity pathway results in reciprocal activation of SGK1. Flushing of the uterine lumen of mice with a cell permeable, substrate competitive phosphatidylinositol analogue that inhibits AKT activation (AKT inhibitor III) resulted in Sgk1 phosphorylation, down-regulation of the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4-2, and increased expression of epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC). Furthermore, exposure of the uterine lumen to AKT inhibitor III prior to embryo transfer induced a spectrum of early pregnancy defects, ranging from implantation failure to aberrant spacing of implantation sites. Conclusion: Taken together, our data indicate that the balanced activities of two related serine/threonine kinases, AKT and SGK1, critically govern the implantation process

Influence of different densities and nymphal instars of Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on developmental time and feeding rate of larvae of Episyrphus balteatus (Diptera: Syrphidae) under greenhouse conditions

Several aphidophagous insects such as predators and parasitoids are known to respond positively to aphid infested plants. This  study was intended to evaluate the effect of different densities (40, 60, 80, 100) and nymphal instars (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as prey on developmental time and feeding rate of the larvae of the syrphid fly Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer  on cucumber leaves. The experiment was conducted at the greenhouse condition (22± 5°C, 55± 10% RH and 14L: 10 D h photoperiod) with 10 replications. Our study indicated that lower density and poor quality of prey caused higher larval mortality. Feeding on 3rd and 4th nymphal instars and higher density of prey (80 and 100 prey/day) caused shorter developmental time of E. balteatus. The larvae fed on densities of 40 and 60 prey, even though fed on higher nymphal instars, failed to complete their larval development. It is concluded that higher prey densities (80 and 100 prey) were highly suitable for predator's larval development and significantly reduced the developmental period of E. balteatus. These findings provide further evidence that E. balteatus has high predation capacity on aphids, and therefore can be used as a successful biocontrol agent against A. gossypii

Short communication: A comparative study on manganese accumulation in liver, kidney, fatty tissues including muscle of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed with different levels of manganese in the diet

Most minerals, occurring in aqueous environments, play a key role in the survival rate of aquatic living organisms. However, life situation of the living organisms would be under attack when the contents of these elements exceed than the specified limit because of various reasons. Bioaccumulation of the elements in living organisms and their excess concentration than standard limit would result in acute and chronic biological impacts in their tissues. ... The experiment was performed in fish farming center of Arab Kheil at the countryside of Amol city for 90 days from July to October 2010. Four diets were prepared for 204 rainbow trout samples. Experimental feeding diets included: the control treatment which contained 29 mg kg^-1 of manganese. This level of manganese occurs naturally in the principle composition of the feeding diets. Treatments 1, 2 and 3 contained 48, 78, and 98 mg of manganese sulphate per kg of food, respectively. ... According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between manganese concentrations in liver, kidney, fatty tissues including muscle of rainbow trout. Manganese mean content is less than the standard limit of FAO which contradicts any interdict in the consumption of rainbow trout. Significant differences were observed among manganese contents in treated fish samples and the control. Manganese content in kidney tissues showed the highest level than other tissues

Reliability and validity of the persian version of compulsive eating scale (CES) in overweight or obese women and its relationship with some body composition and dietary intake variables

Objective: Compulsive or binge eating is a kind of disturbed eating behavior, which is mostly observed among dieting women, and is integrated with appetite disorder, and uncontrolled eating of plenty of junk food. The Compulsive Eating Scale (CES) created first by Kagan & Squires in 1984, is an eight-item self-reporting instrument that is made to measure the severity of binge eating disorder. The aim of this study was to provide the reliability and validity of the Persian version of Compulsive Eating Scale (CES) among overweight and obese women in Iran. Method: One hundred and twenty six (N = 126) overweight and obese women consented to participate in this study. We estimated the anthropometric indices, including body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, a total body fat percentage, and visceral fat level with body analyzer all in standard situations. Then, the participants completed the CES. Next, to assess concurrent validity, Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger anxiety scale, appetite visual analogue rating scale, Food Craving questionnaire, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18, and Restraint eating visual analogue rating scale were performed simultaneously. To assess test-retest reliability, CES was repeated for all the participants two weeks later. Moreover, we reported the internal consistency and factor analysis of this questionnaire. Furthermore, we estimated the concurrent correlation of CES with logically relevant questionnaires and body composition and anthropometric indices. Results: Based on the reliability analysis and factor analysis of the principal component by Varimax rotation, we extracted two factors: eating because of negative feelings, and overeating. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of the CES was 0.85 (Cronbach alpha of the factors was 0.85, and 0.74, respectively). The test-retest correlation of the CES was 0.89. Also, the split-half reliability of the questionnaire was established with the correlation coefficient between Sets I and II. The correlation was 0.85. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary support for the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the CES. This instrument would be helpful in measuring the clinical practice and research studies of obesity, appetite and eating disorders reliably and validly

AT 2017be - a new member of the class of Intermediate-Luminosity Red Transients

We report the results of our spectrophotometric monitoring campaign for AT~2017be in NGC~2537. Its lightcurve reveals a fast rise to an optical maximum, followed by a plateau lasting about 30 days, and finally a fast decline. Its absolute peak magnitude ($M_{r}$ $\simeq$ $-$12 $\rm{mag}$) is fainter than that of core-collapse supernovae, and is consistent with those of supernova impostors and other Intermediate-Luminosity Optical Transients. The quasi-bolometric lightcurve peaks at $\sim$ 2 $\times$ 10$^{40}$ erg s$^{-1}$, and the late-time photometry allows us to constrain an ejected $^{56}$Ni mass of $\sim$ 8 $\times$ 10$^{-4}$\msun. The spectra of AT~2017be show minor evolution over the observational period, a relatively blue continuum showing at early phases, which becomes redder with time. A prominent H$\alpha$ emission line always dominates over other Balmer lines. Weak Fe {\sc ii} features, Ca~{\sc ii} H$\&$K and the Ca {\sc ii} NIR triplet are also visible, while P-Cygni absorption troughs are found in a high resolution spectrum. In addition, the [Ca~{\sc ii}] $\lambda$7291,7324 doublet is visible in all spectra. This feature is typical of Intermediate-Luminosity Red Transients (ILRTs), similar to SN~2008S. The relatively shallow archival Spitzer data are not particularly constraining. On the other hand, a non-detection in deeper near-infrared HST images disfavours a massive Luminous Blue Variable eruption as the origin for AT~2017be. As has been suggested for other ILRTs, we propose that AT~2017be is a candidate for a weak electron-capture supernova explosion of a super-asymptotic giant branch star, still embedded in a thick dusty envelope.Comment: 21 pages, 15 figures, accepted by MNRA

The long-lived Type IIn SN 2015da: Infrared echoes and strong interaction within an extended massive shell star star star

In this paper we report the results of the first similar to four years of spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of the Type IIn supernova SN 2015da (also known as PSN J13522411+3941286, or iPTF16tu). The supernova exploded in the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 5337 in a relatively highly extinguished environment. The transient showed prominent narrow Balmer lines in emission at all times and a slow rise to maximum in all bands. In addition, early observations performed by amateur astronomers give a very well-constrained explosion epoch. The observables are consistent with continuous interaction between the supernova ejecta and a dense and extended H-rich circumstellar medium. The presence of such an extended and dense medium is difficult to reconcile with standard stellar evolution models, since the metallicity at the position of SN 2015da seems to be slightly subsolar. Interaction is likely the mechanism powering the light curve, as confirmed by the analysis of the pseudo bolometric light curve, which gives a total radiated energy greater than or similar to 10(51) erg. Modeling the light curve in the context of a supernova shock breakout through a dense circumstellar medium allowed us to infer the mass of the prexisting gas to be similar or equal to 8 M-circle dot, with an extreme mass-loss rate for the progenitor star similar or equal to 0.6 M-circle dot yr(-1), suggesting that most of the circumstellar gas was produced during multiple eruptive events. Near- and mid-infrared observations reveal a fluxexcess in these domains, similar to those observed in SN 2010jl and other interacting transients, likely due to preexisting radiatively heated dust surrounding the supernova. By modeling the infrared excess, we infer a mass greater than or similar to 0.4 x 10(-3) M-circle dot for the dustSpanish MICINN gran

Effect of fish oil on circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine and adiponectin in overweight or obese patients with atrial fibrillation

Obesity and adipose-derived peptides might be involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Adiponectin plays a major role in the modulation of several metabolic pathways, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been suggested to be predictive of AF and associated adverse events. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fish oil supplementation on circulating adiponectin and ADMA in overweight or obese patients with persistent AF. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 overweight or obese (body mass index (BMI) � 25 kg/m2) patients with persistent AF were randomly assigned to two groups to receive either 2 g/day fish oil or placebo, for 8 weeks. Serum levels of adiponectin and ADMA, and anthropometric indexes were measured. This study showed that serum adiponectin concentrations increased significantly following fish oil supplementation compared with the placebo group (13.15 ± 7.33 vs. 11.88 ± 6.94 µg/ml; p =.026). A significant reduction was also observed in serum ADMA levels in the fish oil compared with the placebo group following the intervention (0.6 ± 0.13 vs. 0.72 ± 0.15 µmol/L; p =.001). The changes in serum adiponectin and ADMA concentrations remained significant after adjustments for baseline values, age, sex, and changes of BMI and waist circumference (p =.011 and p =.001, respectively). In conclusion, 8 weeks supplementation with fish oil increased serum adiponectin and decreased ADMA concentrations in overweight or obese patients with persistent AF. As adiponectin and ADMA are suggested to be involved in many pathways associated with AF, the current findings might be promising in the clinical management of this disease, an issue that needs further investigations. © 2020 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc