Determination of Heavy Metals through Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) in Iranian Cheese and Their Potential Health Risks to the Adult Consumers

In Iran, cheese is one of the dairy products that widely consumed as a main diet for breakfast. Moreover, trace metals in dairy products have recently gained considerable attention. Iranian cheese samples were collected from Tehran, Iran (February to May 2013). Trace metals including Pb, Cd, Ni, Fe, Sn, Zn, Cr, and Cu were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after dry ashing. All the tested metals were detected in the cheese samples. The mean concentration of metals in cheese showed the following decreasing order Zn > Fe > Cu > Ni > Sn > Cr > Pb > Cd, with values of 12.98, 7.95, 1.96, 0.83, 0.46, 0.37, 0.34, and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. There were no significant differences between types of cheese samples in terms of content of trace metals (p>0.05). All the samples had Pb contents of greater than Codex limit (0.02 mg/kg). According to the measured values of the metals in this study, the intake of all the studied elements through the common consumption of cheese in Iran was below the dangerous level according to permissible intake value for each metal. Also, levels of correlations between the element pairs were analyzed

Reproducibility determination of WHO classification of endometrial hyperplasia/well differentiated adenocarcinoma and comparison with computerized morphometric data in curettage specimens in Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Management of endometrial precancerous lesions has been of much debate due to inconsistencies in their classification, natural history and histologic diagnosis. Endometrial hyperplasia constitutes a wide range of histomorphologic features associated with high intra and interobserver diagnostic variability.</p> <p>Although traditional microscopic diagnosis is by far the most applicable method and the gold standard for histomorphologic diagnosis, digitized image analysis has been used as a powerful adjunct to maximize the histologic data retrieval and to add some detailed objective criteria for correct diagnosis in difficult cases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A series of 100 endometrial curettage specimens with diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia or well differentiated adenocarcinoma were blindly reviewed by 5 pathologists; their intra and interobserver reproducibility determined and further compared to the objective morphometric data i.e. D-score and volume percent of stroma (VPS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results were assessed using the weighted kappa statistics. Mean intraobserver kappa value was 0.8690 (99.44% agreement). Mean interobserver kappa values by diagnostic category were: simple hyperplasia without atypia: 0.7441; complex hyperplasia without atypia: 0.3379; atypical hyperplasia: 0.3473, and well-differentiated endometrioid carcinoma: 0.6428; with a kappa value of 0.5372 for all cases combined.</p> <p>Interobserver agreement was in substantial rate for simple hyperplasia (SH) and well differentiated adenocarcinoma (WDA) but was in fair limit for complex hyperplasia (CH) and atypical hyperplasia (AH). Intraobserver agreement was almost perfect. The specimens were divided in two groups according to the computerized morphometric analysis: Endometrial Hyperplasia (EH) ( D Score ≥ 1 or VPS ≥ 55%) and Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia (EIN) (D-Score < 1 or VPS < 55%). Morphometric findings were closely compatible with routine WHO classification made by one expert pathologist; however; diagnosis of (CH) and (AH) made by other pathologists were not concordant with morphometric data.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It may be necessary to make some revisions in WHO classification for endometrial hyperplasia and precancerous lesions.</p

Determination of Heavy Metals through Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) in Iranian Cheese and Their Potential Health Risks to the Adult Consumers

In Iran, cheese is one of the dairy products that widely consumed as a main diet for breakfast. Moreover, trace metals in dairy products have recently gained considerable attention. Iranian cheese samples were collected from Tehran, Iran (February to May 2013). Trace metals including Pb, Cd, Ni, Fe, Sn, Zn, Cr, and Cu were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after dry ashing. All the tested metals were detected in the cheese samples. The mean concentration of metals in cheese showed the following decreasing order Zn > Fe > Cu > Ni > Sn > Cr > Pb > Cd, with values of 12.98, 7.95, 1.96, 0.83, 0.46, 0.37, 0.34, and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. There were no significant differences between types of cheese samples in terms of content of trace metals (p>0.05). All the samples had Pb contents of greater than Codex limit (0.02 mg/kg). According to the measured values of the metals in this study, the intake of all the studied elements through the common consumption of cheese in Iran was below the dangerous level according to permissible intake value for each metal. Also, levels of correlations between the element pairs were analyzed

Smart Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposite Materials Containing pH-Sensing Colorimetric Indicators for Food Freshness Monitoring

Nanocomposite biopolymer materials containing colorimetric pH-responsive indicators were prepared from gelatin and chitosan nanofibers. Plant-based extracts from barberry and saffron, which both contained anthocyanins, were used as pH indicators. Incorporation of the anthocyanins into the biopolymer films increased their mechanical, water-barrier, and light-screening properties. Infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that a uniform biopolymer matrix was formed, with the anthocyanins distributed evenly throughout them. The anthocyanins in the composite films changed color in response to alterations in pH or ammonia gas levels, which was used to monitor changes in the freshness of packaged fish during storage. The anthocyanins also exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, which meant that they could also be used to slow down the degradation of the fish. Thus, natural anthocyanins could be used as both freshness indicators and preservatives in biopolymer-based nanocomposite packaging materials. These novel materials may therefore be useful alternatives to synthetic plastics for some food packaging applications, thereby improving the environmental friendliness and sustainability of the food supply

Polycaprolactone/polyacrylic acid/graphene oxide composite nanofibers as a highly efficient sorbent to remove lead toxic metal from drinking water and apple juice

Abstract Due to the characteristics of electrospun nanofibers (NFs), they are considered a suitable substrate for the adsorption and removal of heavy metals. Electrospun nanofibers are prepared based on optimized polycaprolactone (PCL, 12 wt%) and polyacrylic acid (PAA, 1 wt%) polymers loaded with graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO NPs, 1 wt%). The morphological, molecular interactions, crystallinity, thermal, hydrophobicity, and biocompatibility properties of NFs are characterized by spectroscopy (scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis), contact angle, and MTT tests. Finally, the adsorption efficacy of NFs to remove lead (Pb2+) from water and apple juice samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The average diameter for PCL, PCL/PAA, and PCL/PAA/GO NFs was 137, 500, and 216 nm, respectively. Additionally, the contact angle for PCL, PCL/PAA, and PCL/PAA/GO NFs was obtained at 74.32º, 91.98º, and 94.59º, respectively. The cytotoxicity test has shown non-toxicity for fabricated NFs against the HUVEC endothelial cell line by more than 80% survival during 72 h. Under optimum conditions including pH (= 6), temperature (25 °C), Pb concentration (25 to 50 mg/L), and time (15 to 30 min), the adsorption efficiency was generally between 80 and 97%. The adsorption isotherm model of PCL/PAA/GO NFs in the adsorption of lead metal follows the Langmuir model, and the reaction kinetics follow the pseudo-second-order. PCL/PA/GO NFs have shown adsorption of over 80% in four consecutive cycles. The adsorption efficacy of NFs to remove Pb in apple juice has reached 76%. It is appropriate and useful to use these nanofibers as a high-efficiency adsorbent in water and food systems based on an analysis of their adsorption properties and how well they work

Assessment of Phthalate Esters in A Variety of Carbonated Beverages Bottled in PET

Background: Phthalate esters are polymeric compounds usually used as a plasticizer. These materials can enter to the human body through various ways the main way could be food packaging. Chronic contact with these materials could result cancer, including breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men as well as other endocrine problems. The objective of this study was to assess the concentration of phthalate esters in carbonated beverages. Methods: In this study, a magnetic nano-scale adsorbent, made from carbon nanotubes and Fe3O4. Deposition of Fe3O4 on the adsorbent could result in improvement of adsorption and desorption as well as extraction procedure. Then, by means of adsorbent and solvent extraction, phthalate esters were extracted from the beverage matrices and determined using GC-MS analysis. Results: amongst studied ingredients, BEP or DEHP, that have been found to be carcinogenic, had highest concentration in beverages, and also the brand of A and taste of C had the highest average concentration. Except one sample, the total amounts of these ingredients were below than international standards. Conclusion: Based on the results, consumers can use these beverages without any concern regarding phthalate esters amounts. The results also demonstrated that this synthesized adsorbent has good performance for extraction of phthalates from studied matrices

Metal–Organic Framework Fluorescence Sensors for Rapid and Accurate Detection of Melamine in Milk Powder

In this research, a simple, label-free, and ultra-sensitive fluorescent platform based on a metal–organic framework (MOF) has been developed to detect melamine in milk powder. This fluorescence sensor was fabricated from sensitized terbium (Tb)@NH2-MIL-253 (Al) MOF using a hydrothermal method that involved combining the green emission of Tb (λem = 545 nm) with the blue emission of NH2-MIL-253(Al) MOF (λem = 430 nm) under a single excitation wavelength (λex = 335 nm). The fluorescence sensor was then used under optimized conditions (pH = 9.0; sensor concentration = 30 mg/L; response time = 30 s) to quantify melamine in milk powder. The accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility of this sensor were established compared to the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The linear range and lower limit of detection (LLOD, computed with 3σ/S) of the sensor were between 40–396.45 nM (equal to 25 µg/kg–0.25 mg/kg) and 40 nM (equal to 25 µg/kg), respectively, which is much less than the maximum residual level (MRL) for the detection of melamine in infant formula (1 mg/kg) and other foods/feeds (2.5 mg/kg). Additionally, the results had good agreement with the HPLC outcomes, suggesting that the NH2-MIL-253(Al) MOF sensing probe has great precision and repeatability. To conclude, the new fluorescence sensor developed in this study can accurately and sensitively detect melamine in food samples, which may be useful for screening for adulteration of milk powders and other foods

Encapsulation of Curcumin in Diblock Copolymer Micelles for Cancer Therapy

Application of nanoparticles has recently promising results for water insoluble agents like curcumin. In this study, we synthesized polymeric nanoparticle-curcumin (PNPC) and then showed its efficiency, drug loading, stability, and safety. Therapeutic effects of PNPC were also assessed on two cell lines and in an animal model of breast cancer. PNPC remarkably suppressed mammary and hepatocellular carcinoma cells proliferation (P<0.05). Under the dosing procedure, PNPC was safe at 31.25 mg/kg and lower doses. Higher doses demonstrated minimal hepatocellular and renal toxicity in paraclinical and histopathological examinations. Tumor take rate in PNPC-treated group was 37.5% compared with 87.5% in control (P<0.05). Average tumor size and weight were significantly lower in PNPC group than control (P<0.05). PNPC increased proapoptotic Bax protein expression (P<0.05). Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression, however, was lower in PNPC-treated animals than the control ones (P<0.05). In addition, proliferative and angiogenic parameters were statistically decreased in PNPC-treated animals (P<0.05). These results highlight the suppressing role for PNPC in in vitro and in vivo tumor growth models. Our findings provide credible evidence for superior biocompatibility of the polymeric nanocarrier in pharmacological arena together with an excellent tumor-suppressing response

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified with iron oxide and silver nanoparticles (MWCNT-Fe3O4/Ag) as a novel adsorbent for determining PAEs in carbonated soft drinks using magnetic SPE-GC/MS method

The synthesis of compounds with an excellent adsorption capability plays an essential role to remove contaminants such as phthalic acid esters (PAEs) with potential carcinogenic characteristics from different food products. In this context, for the first time, a novel adsorbent (MWCNT-Fe3O4/Ag) was synthesized by using iron (magnetic agent), and silver (catalytic and surface enhancer agent) to further approach in a magnetic SPE-GC/MS method for determining of PAEs in carbonated soft drink samples. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values of MSPE-GC/MS were determined in six PAEs as a range of 10.8–22.5 and 36–75 ng/L, respectively. Also, the calibration curves of PAEs were linear (R2 = 0.9981–0.9995) over the concentration level of 10.000 ng/L and the recoveries of the six PAEs were ranging from 96.60% to 109.22% with the RSDs less than 8%. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and transmission electron microscopy analyses (TEM) were utilized to characterize the produced MWCNT-Fe3O4/Ag. Based on the findings, the surface of MWCNT is relatively uniform, which became coarser after loading with Fe3O4/Ag particles. Also, EDX spectrum showed the carbon (C), iron (Fe), oxygen (O), Ag and copper (Cu) are the main components of synthesized MWCNTs-Fe3O4/Ag. The successful adhesion of Fe3O4/Ag on the texture of MWCNTs using a co-precipitation method was confirmed by XRD and FT-IR assays. Additionally, excellent crystallinity and clear lattice nanocrystals fringes of prepared MWCNT-Fe3O4/Ag was demonstrated by TEM analysis. Based on the obtained VSM images, the prepared sorbent (MWCNT-Fe3O4/Ag) has the good magnetic performance for magnetic separation and extraction processes. It was concluded that the synthesized MWCNT-Fe3O4/Ag could be used as an efficient adsorbent for determining contaminants such as PAEs in different beverage samples. Keywords: Magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE), Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), Iron oxide (Fe3O4), Silver (Ag), Phthalic acid esters (PAEs