Pickering emulsions stabilized by cellulose nanocrystals extracted from hazelnut shells: Production and stability under different harsh conditions.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are biodegradable particles that have emerged as promising stabilizers for Pickering emulsions. This study investigated the effectiveness of CNCs in forming the Pickering emulsion from hazelnut shells (HS), an agricultural waste. Following the alkaline and bleaching treatments applied to HS, CNCs were obtained from treated hazelnut shell with acid hydrolysis. The physicochemical characteristics of CNCs were investigated using dynamic light scattering, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. A high crystalline (69.6 %) CNCs with a spherical shape were obtained. Contact angle and interfacial tension tests were conducted and showed that CNCs had amphiphilic nature. Pickering emulsions were investigated for their size, zeta potential, and stability under varying CNC concentrations. The results showed that when CNCs concentration increased from 0.5 to 2.0 wt%, droplet diameter decreased approximately 1.8 times and zeta potential increased. Creaming was not observed during 28 days of storage in a concentration of 2.0 wt% CNCs. The CNC stabilized emulsions exhibited high stability within a range of pH, temperatures, and salt concentrations. This study demonstrated that CNCs extracted from HS as environmentally friendly and cost-effective materials, could serve as a new stabilizer for Pickering emulsions especially for high temperature and low pH sensitive products such as mayonnaise.

Nanoencapsulation of oregano essential oil using cellulose nanocrystals extracted from hazelnut shell to enhance shelf life of fruits: Case study: Pears.

This study aimed to investigate the potential application of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from an agricultural waste for encapsulation of oregano essential oil (OEO) and subsequently their use for coating to improve the shelf life of pears as a model. By hydrolyzing hazelnut shell cellulose under the optimum conditions, high crystalline CNCs with a zeta potential of -67.8 ± 4.4 mV and a diameter of 157 ± 10 nm were produced. Different concentrations of OEO (10-50 % w/w) were incorporated into CNCs and characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM. OEO containing 50 % CNC with the highest EE and LC was selected for coating. Pears were coated with gluten containing 0.5, 1.5 and 2 % encapsulated OEO (EOEO) and pure OEO and stored for 28 days. Physicochemical, microbial and sensory properties of the pears were examined. Microbial analysis showed that EOEO2% was more effective in controlling microbial growth than controls and pure OEO, and a 1.09 Log reduction in bacterial count was recorded on day 28 of storage when compared to control. It was concluded that CNCs produced from an agricultural waste and loaded on an essential oil could be used to extend the shelf life of pear and potentially other fruits.

Epidemiological, Endoscopic, Clinical, and Pathological Features of Patients with Celiac Diseases in Southern Littoral of Caspian Sea.

Background: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder resulting from gluten consumption in genetically predisposed individuals. The present study investigated the epidemiological, endoscopic, and clinicopathological features of patients with celiac disease in the southern littoral of the Caspian Sea. Methods: 140 patients with celiac disease were interviewed and examined regarding demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, and serologic, endoscopic, and pathological findings. Results: 44 (31.4%) of the patients were male and 68.6% were female. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 27.13±13.4 years (ranging from 2 to 60 years). The most common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were bloating (47.8%), abdominal pain (47.1%) and diarrhea (30.7%), respectively. Also, 17 (12.1%) patients did not complain of any GI symptoms.18 (12.8%) patients had aphthous stomatitis, 10.7% had dermatitis herpetiformis, 3.6% suffered from itching without a rash, two (1.4%) mentioned psoriasis and one (0.7%) had lichen planus. 19 (19.7%) of the female patients complained of menstrual bleeding disorders, 4% mentioned infertility, and 2% experienced primary amenorrhea. The most common comorbid condition was hypothyroidism in 16 (11.4%) patients. The most common endoscopic finding was duodenal scalloping (37.25%). In addition, 7.8% of the patients had a normal endoscopic appearance. 43 (30.7%) patients were classified as Marsh IIIC, 25.7% Marsh IIIB, 17.8% Marsh IIIA, 12.8% Marsh II and 12.8% were classified as Marsh I. Conclusion: Since celiac disease can present with non-GI manifestations and the majority of our patients had Marsh III classification, it seems that celiac disease must be considered as a routine screening test in GI clinics, and also, it should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis in other specialty fields.

The effects of high dose vitamin D supplementation as a nutritional intervention strategy on biochemical and inflammatory factors in adults with COVID-19: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Low serum vitamin D has been shown to be a risk factor for Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of high dose vitamin D supplementation on hs-CRP, ESR and clinical outcomes, including duration of hospitalization, quality of life and New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification, in adults with COVID-19. Methods: This double-blind, randomized control trial will be conducted on patients with RT-PCR and/or chest CT scan diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted in Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Participants will be randomized into control and intervention groups based on randomization sampling. The intervention group will receive soft gel containing 50,000 IU vitamin D on the first day followed by 10,000 IU/day through a supplement drop daily for 29 days. The control group will receive 1000 IU vitamin D daily through supplement drop and a placebo soft gel. All participants will undergo laboratory assessment including inflammatory markers, serum 25)OH)D, complete blood count (CBC), liver and renal profile, lipid profile and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at baseline and at day 30. The mortality rate will be recorded in both groups. Results: Data will be presented using descriptive statistics. Comparison of changes in study parameters over the study period will be performed using analysis of covariance adjusting for possible confounders. Conclusions: The findings of this will provide evidence on the effects of high dose vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory markers in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Effects of Calendula Officinalis and Hypericum Perforatum on Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Histopathology Indices of Induced Periodontitis in Male Rats.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Periodontitis is one of the most common bacterial infections of the oral cavity. It is important to find adjunctive methods for chemical treatment of periodontitis with less complications and proven therapeutic properties. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Calendula officinalis and Hypericum perforatum on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and histopathologic indices of induced periodontitis in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this experimental animal study, forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10) and then experimental periodontitis was induced by 3-0 nylon non-absorbable ligature. Each group was treated for 10 days as follows: 1) H. perforatum hydroalcoholic extract, 1000 mg/kg/daily, orally; 2) C. officinalis hydroalcoholic extract, 1000 mg/kg/daily, orally; 3) a mix of the two plants, 1000 mg/kg/ daily, orally, 4) normal saline solution. At the end of study, blood sample were obtained via cardiocentesis, the rats were euthanized, and their maxillae were removed. The samples were analyzed for histopathological scores and total antioxidant capacity and IL-1ß were measured. RESULTS: Mixed hydroalchoholic extract of H. perforatum and C. officinalis decreased IL-1ß (4.3020±0.63), and increased the antioxidant parameter in comparison to the control group (3.1192±0.43) (p< 0.001). There were significant histopathological differences between the treatment groups and the control group. CONCLUSION: Mixed hydroalchoholic extract of H. perforatum and C. officinalis might be considered as an adjunctive treatment for periodontitis.

Effects of Different Storage Media, Temperature, and Time on Osteoblast Preservation in Autogenous Bone Grafts: A Histomorphometrical Analysis.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Autogenous bone graft is the gold standard for bone reconstruction. Osteogenic cells must be kept viable in graft for a successful procedure. In extracorporeal preservation of grafts during surgery, three different factors may influence the quality of grafts. These factors include temperature, storage medium, and time interval. PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated the effects of different storage media, temperatures, and times on osteoblast count in autogenous bone grafts, preserved extracorporeally. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Samples were obtained from iliac crest region in a goat. The grafts were preserved in 36 groups of different storage time, temperature, and medium. Samples were histomorphometrically analyzed to determine osteoblast count as the criteria of graft quality. RESULTS: In almost all samples, room temperature was the most and incubator was the least favorable storage temperatures. In grafts preserved in room temperature, no difference was noted between normal saline and Ringer's lactate solution and in almost all of the samples autologous blood and dry environment were more favorable media than Ringer's lactate solution. The effect of storage time was highly depended on the combination of temperature and solution. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that for preserving as many osteoblasts as possible in bone grafts, the best temperature was room temperature and the least favorable temperature was incubator. In addition, when bone fragments were preserved in room temperature, the best medium for graft storage was blood, which showed better results than normal saline and Ringer's lactate solution.

Molecular dynamics simulation of anticancer drug delivery from carbon nanotube using metal nanowires.

In this study, we have investigated delivery of cisplatin as the anticancer drug molecules in different carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the gas phase using molecular dynamics simulation. We examined the shape and composition of the releasing agent by using the different nanowires and nanoclusters. We also investigated the doping effect on the drug delivery process using N-, Si, B-, and Fe-doped CNTs. Different thermodynamics, structural, and dynamical properties have been studied by using the pure and different doped CNTs in this study. Our results show that the doping of the CNT has significant effect on the rate of the drug releasing process regardless of the composition of the releasing agent. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of Marital Relationship Enrichment Program on Marital Satisfaction, Marital Intimacy, and Sexual Satisfaction of Infertile Couples.

BACKGROUND: Infertile couples only think of having children during their sexual intercourse, and their constant concern about this issue increases their stress level. Psychosocial and social stress leads to decreased life satisfaction, increased marital problems, and reduced sexual confidence. This study aims to determine the effect of enrichment program on marital and sexual satisfaction as well as marital intimacy among infertile couples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 50 infertile couples in 2013 in Hamedan. The marital relationship enrichment program was taught to the experimental group during seven 90 minutes sessions. Enrich marital satisfaction, Linda Berg sexual satisfaction, and marital intimacy questionnaires were completed by both groups in 3 pretest steps immediately after the end of training sessions, and 8 weeks later. The results were analyzed in STATA11 software using t test, Chi-square, ANCOVA, RM-ANOVA, and Bonferroni post-hoc test. To check the data normality, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used. P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Comparison of mean scores related to pretest on the one hand and immediately after the test in 8 week later on the other hand showed marital relationship enrichment program significantly increased marital and sexual satisfaction (P<0.001). Also, mean score of marital intimacy immediately after the test (P=0.04) and 8 weeks after the test (P<0.001) significantly increased in comparison with the pretest under the influence of the program. CONCLUSION: Enrichment training can increase marital intimacy and also marital and sexual satisfaction in infertile couples (Registration Number: IRCT201604299014N97).

Tooth loss assessment during periodontal maintenance in erratic versus complete compliance in a periodontal private practice in Shiraz, Iran: a 10-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of periodontal maintenance (PM), but there are conflicting data regarding tooth loss following patient compliance. METHOD: Seventy-two periodontal patients (52 women, 20 men), 86% of whom had been diagnosed with chronic moderate to severe periodontitis, were included in this retrospective study. Clinical variables such as tooth loss, bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index and probing depth were collected from patients after 10 years of PM. The periodontal status of regular compliers (RCs) and erratic compliers (ECs) were compared in a private practice. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that clinical variables were not significant between RCs and ECs except for BOP (p = 0.038). During PM, 24 teeth (a mean of 1.5 teeth per participant) were lost in the RC group, and 80 teeth (a mean of 1.43 teeth per participant) were lost in the EC group. Molars were the most frequently lost teeth and canines the least. In general, those patients with less BOP lost fewer teeth (p = 0.002) and attended more recall visits (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the present sample, RCs and ECs did not show significant differences in rates of tooth loss. However, a significant difference between RCs and ECs in regard to BOP was observed at the final examination (p = 0.038). There was also a strong relationship between BOP and recall visits: the patients with less BOP attended more recall visits (p = 0.001).