Effect of carboxymethyl cellulose-based coatings incorporated with Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil and grape seed extract on the shelf life of rainbow trout fillets

To prolong the shelf life of seafood products, lipid oxidation and growth of microorganisms should be retarded. The objective of the current study was evaluating the potential application of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coatings incorporated with Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil (ZMEO) and grape seed extract (GSE) on chemical (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N)), microbial (total viable count, lactic acid bacteria and Pseudomonas spp.) and organoleptic attributes of rainbow trout fillets during refrigerated storage for twenty days. GCeMS analysis showed that ZMEO is rich in monoterpene phenols such as thymol and carvacrol. The following results were obtained after 20 days of storage: The minimum level of TVB-N was measured in the fillets coated with CMC + 2 v/v ZMEO + 0.5 v/v GSE. The minimum number of total viable bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. were determined in the fillets coated with CMC + 2 v/v ZMEO + 1 v/v GSE. The fillets coated with CMC + 1 v/v ZMEO + 1 v/v GSE showed the best organoleptic properties. Our results revealed that CMC-based coatings incorporated with ZMEO and GSE could improve chemical, microbial and sensorial characteristics of rainbow trout fillets during cold storage. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd

Anethum graveolens and hyperlipidemia: A randomized clinical trial

Background: It has been established that hyperlipidemia increases the incidence and mortality associated with coronary heart disease. In this study, the effects of Dill (Anethum graveolens) were evaluated on lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic patients. Materials and Methods: In this clinical study, 91 hyperlipidemic patients were randomly designated into two groups. One group received gemfibrozil (900 mg daily) and the other group received Dill tablet (six tablets daily) for 2 months. The blood lipids including total cholesterol, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol from each group were assessed at the beginning and end of the trial. Results: Use of gemfibrozil brought about increased HDL-cholesterol by 3.91% (P < 0.05) and reduced triglyceride and total cholesterol by 32.7% (P < 0.05) and 9.41% (P < 0.05), respectively. Applying Dill tablet for 2 months resulted in reduction of total cholesterol up to 18% (P < 0.05) and triglyceride by 7.38% (P < 0.05). However, circulating HDL-cholesterol was not affected by this treatment. In this study, gemfibrozil decreased triglyceride and increased HDL-cholesterol more than anethum (P < 0.05). Anethum decreased total cholesterol more than gemfibrozil (P < 0.05). Patients treated with anethum did not report any side effects. Conclusion: The results of this trial indicate that Dill might be beneficial for hypercholesterolemic and hypertriglycemic patients

Hanbury Brown and Twiss Interferometry with Twisted Light

The rich physics exhibited by random optical wave fields permitted Hanbury Brown and Twiss to unveil fundamental aspects of light. Furthermore, it has been recognized that optical vortices are ubiquitous in random light and that the phase distribution around these optical singularities inprints a spectrum of orbital angular momentum onto a light field. We demonstrate that random fluctuations of light give rise to the formation of correlations in the orbital angular momentum components and angular positions of pseudothermal light. The presence of these correlations is manisfested through distinct interference structures in the orbital angular momentum-mode distribution of random light. These novel forms of interference correspond to the azimuthal analog of the Hanbury Brown and Twiss effect. This family of effects can be of fundamental importance in applications where entanglement is not required and where correlations in angular position and orbital angular momentum suffice. We also suggest that the azimuthal Hanbury Brown and Twiss effect can be useful in the exploration of novel phenomena in other branches of physics and astrophysics.Comment: Science Advance

A Review on Ethnobotanical and Therapeutic Uses of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L)

Fenugreek with the scientific name of Trigonella foenum-graceum L and with leaves consisting of 3 small obovate to oblong leaflets is an annual herbaceous plant of the Fabaceae family. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean but is cultivated worldwide. This plant has medicinal alkaloids, steroid compounds, and sapogenins and many uses have been mentioned for this plant in traditional medicine. This plant has been used to ease childbirth, to aid digestion, and as a general tonic to improve metabolism. Trigonelline is considered as the most important metabolite of fenugreek, which is very effective in treating diabetes and decreasing blood cholesterol. Diaszhenin is another important compound in seeds of this plant, which is used in producing medicinal steroids like contraceptive pills. Many studies have been performed on the therapeutic effects and identification of chemical compounds of this plant. In this article, the most important biological effects and reported compounds about fenugreek seed are reviewed and its therapeutic applications are investigated. © 2015, © The Author(s) 2015

Paternal effects correlate with female reproductive stimulation in the polyandrous ladybird Cheilomenes sexmaculata

Citation: Mirhosseini, M., Michaud, J., Jalali, M., & Ziaaddini, M. (2014). Paternal effects correlate with female reproductive stimulation in the polyandrous ladybird Cheilomenes sexmaculata. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 104(4), 480-485. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485314000194Components of male seminal fluids are known to stimulate fecundity and fertility in females of numerous insect species and paternal effects on offspring phenotype are also known, but no studies have yet demonstrated links between male effects on female reproduction and those on progeny phenotype. In separate laboratory experiments employing 10-day-old virgin females of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (F.), we varied male age and mating history to manipulate levels of male allomones and found that the magnitude of paternal effects on progeny phenotype was correlated with stimulation of female reproduction. Older virgin males remained in copula longer than younger ones, induced higher levels of female fecundity, and sired progeny that developed faster to yield heavier adults. When male age was held constant (13 days), egg fertility declined as a function of previous male copulations, progeny developmental times increased, and the adult weight of daughters declined. These results suggest that male epigenetic effects on progeny phenotype act in concert with female reproductive stimulation; both categories of effects increased as a consequence of male celibacy (factor accumulation), and diminished as a function of previous matings (factor depletion). Male factors that influence female reproduction are implicated in sexual conflict and parental effects may extend this conflict to offspring phenotype. Whereas mothers control the timing of oviposition events and can use maternal effects to tailor progeny phenotypes to prevailing or anticipated conditions, fathers cannot. Since females remate and dilute paternity in polyandrous systems, paternal fitness will be increased by linking paternal effects to female fecundity stimulation, so that more benefits accrue to the male's own progeny

Plantago: A plant for internists

Plantago belongs to the Plantaginaceae family, with two species known as Plantago ovate Forsk and Plantago psyllium L. In herbal medicine Plantago husk powder is commonly as laxative. Application of Psyllium husk as a hydrocolloid fiber has been almost confirmed in treatment of diabetes type 2. Recent researches on Plantago indicate the effect of its fibers on reducing cholesterol, blood lipid and blood glucose of people with diabetes and reducing the risk of colon cancer. There are no side effects reported for patients under treatment with Plantago fiber. Regarding the fact that Psyllium is widely used, different aspects of it is discussed in the present study

Aloe vera: An update on its phytomedicinal, pharmaceutical and therapeutic properties

Medicinal plants are a good source for preparation of new drugs. Aloe vera [L.] is one of the valuable medicinal plants native to hot and dry zones and is usually planted outdoors in hot areas. Currently, various products obtained from this plant are produced in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries all over the world. Various products from this plant including beverages and cosmetic products are available. Consideration of this species and development of its processing industries in these regions can be an important step in job creation and proper use of poor agricultural lands. In this paper we aim to present the updates on Aloe vera plant, focusing on, botany, the phytomedicinal compounds, structural properties of the leaves

Suitable coating material for microencapsulation of spray-dried fish oil

This study was conducted to screen the most suitable coating material for the production of microencapsulated fish oil powder using ternary blends of maltodextrin (15, 25 % w/w), Arabic gum (2.5, 7.5 % w/w), and methylcellulose (0.5, 1.5 % w/w). The physical properties of fish oil emulsion and encapsulated powders were evaluated. Arabic gum (5 % w/w) showed the most significant (p < 0.05) effect on the surface mean diameter of the droplets in the emulsion. Maltodextrin had the most significant (p < 0.05) effect on the centrifuge stability of the emulsion and the amount of surface oil of the powder at 15 and 20 % (w/w) respectively, whereas methylcellulose (0.5 % w/w) had the most significant (p < 0.05) effect on the width distribution of the droplets in the emulsion. The total optimal area leading to the formation of coating material with desirable physical properties was expected to be obtained by the combination of 16 % (w/w) maltodextrin, 6.5 % (w/w) Arabic gum, and 0.88 % (w/w) methylcellulose respectively

Evaluation of productive performance of 51 different peanut cocoon strains of Iran silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) germplasm

In our study, 51 peanut strains of Iran silkworm germplasm were evaluated for 36 economically important traits and for the feasibility of using these strains for breeding programs. After hatching of eggs, neonates were brushed and reared up separately on fresh leaves of mulberry (Morus alba). Newlyhatched larvae of all strains were reared for experiment. Individual egg laying were prepared for each strain before rearing and each individual egg laying consisted of about 500 eggs taken from one disease free laying and decreased to 250 larvae at the beginning of the 4th instar

Quantum Hilbert hotel

In 1924 David Hilbert conceived a paradoxical tale involving a hotel with an infinite number of rooms to illustrate some aspects of the mathematical notion of “infinity.” In continuous-variable quantum mechanics we routinely make use of infinite state spaces: here we show that such a theoretical apparatus can accommodate an analog of Hilbert’s hotel paradox. We devise a protocol that, mimicking what happens to the guests of the hotel, maps the amplitudes of an infinite eigenbasis to twice their original quantum number in a coherent and deterministic manner, producing infinitely many unoccupied levels in the process. We demonstrate the feasibility of the protocol by experimentally realizing it on the orbital angular momentum of a paraxial field. This new non-Gaussian operation may be exploited, for example, for enhancing the sensitivity of NOON states, for increasing the capacity of a channel, or for multiplexing multiple channels into a single one