Effect of cross-platform variations on transthoracic echocardiography measurements and clinical diagnosis.

Aims: Accurate cardiac chamber quantification is essential for clinical decisions and ideally should be consistent across different echocardiography systems. This study evaluates variations between the Philips EPIQ CVx (version 9.0.3) and Canon Aplio i900 (version 7.0) in measuring cardiac volumes, ventricular function, and valve structures. Methods and results: In this gender-balanced, single-centre study, 40 healthy volunteers (20 females and 20 males) aged 40 years and older (mean age 56.75 ± 11.57 years) were scanned alternately with both systems by the same sonographer using identical settings for both 2D and 4D acquisitions. We compared left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes using paired t-tests, with significance set at P < 0.05. Correlation and Bland-Altman plots were used for quantities showing significant differences. Two board-certified cardiologists evaluated valve anatomy for each platform. The results showed no significant differences in LV end-systolic volume and LV ejection fraction between platforms. However, LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) differed significantly (biplane: P = 0.018; 4D: P = 0.028). Right ventricular (RV) measurements in 4D showed no significant differences, but there were notable disparities in 2D and 4D volumes within each platform (P < 0.01). Significant differences were also found in the LV systolic dyssynchrony index (P = 0.03), LV longitudinal strain (P = 0.04), LV twist (P = 0.004), and LV torsion (P = 0.005). Valve structure assessments varied, with more abnormalities noted on the Philips platform. Conclusion: Although LV and RV volumetric measurements are generally comparable, significant differences in LVEDV, LV strain metrics, and 2D vs. 4D measurements exist. These variations should be considered when using different platforms for patient follow-ups.

Concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bread and health risk assessment across the globe: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Although bread is the principal food in most countries, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be present and pose a potential risk to consumers. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive report on the concentration and health risks associated with PAHs in bread around the world. Various databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, were searched from their beginnings until December 2023 for this systematic review, which included 34 potentially relevant articles with data relating to 1057 bread samples. Utilizing a multilevel regression modeling approach, the study evaluated various factors such as fuel type, bread type, and geographical location. Following the initial evaluation, in 26.47% and 20.28% of all studies, the levels of Bap and PAH4 were higher than the permissible limit values, respectively. Based on the isomer ratios, 55.88% of the studies associated the presence of PAHs in bread samples with pyrogenic/coal combustion sources. According to the carcinogenic risk results, bread consumers in all studies have been exposed to moderate or high levels of carcinogenicity. The most significant risk levels are associated with the consumption of bread in Egypt, Kuwait, Iran, and India. Moreover, meta-regression analysis demonstrated significantly higher toxicity equivalent quotient and cancer risk mean values in bread baked using fossil fuels compared to other sources (p < .05). The high concentrations of PAHs, especially Benzo[a]pyrene, in bread pose a serious public health risk. Stringent regulations and monitoring are crucial to reduce contamination. Further research is necessary to develop safe processing methods to remove PAHs in bread.

Automated cardiac coverage assessment in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging using an explainable recurrent 3D dual-domain convolutional network.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has become a modality with superior power for the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. One of the essential quality controls of CMR images is to investigate the complete cardiac coverage, which is necessary for the volumetric and functional assessment. PURPOSE: This study examines the full cardiac coverage using a 3D dual-domain convolutional model and then improves this model using an innovative explainable salient region detection model and a recurrent architecture. METHODS: Salient regions are extracted from the short-axis cine CMR stacks using a three-step proposed algorithm. Changing the architecture of the 3D dual-domain convolutional model to a recurrent one and taking advantage of the salient region detection model creates a kind of attention mechanism that leads to improved results. RESULTS: The results obtained from the images of over 6200 participants of the UK Biobank population cohort study show the superiority of the proposed model over the previous studies. The dataset is the largest regarding the number of participants to control the cardiac coverage. The accuracies of the proposed model in identifying the presence/absence of basal/apical slices are 96.22% and 95.42%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed recurrent architecture of the 3D dual-domain convolutional model can force the model to focus on the most informative areas of the images using the extracted salient regions, which can help the model improve accuracy. The performance of the proposed fully automated model indicates that it can be used for image quality control in population cohort datasets and real-time post-imaging quality assessments. Codes are available at https://github.com/mohammadhashemii/CMR_Cardiac_Coverage_Control.

Malva neglecta seed polysaccharide mucilage coating enriched by the Lactobacillus brevis TD4 postbiotics: A promising strategy to promote the shelf life of fresh beef.

The need for bioactive-incorporated biodegradable packaging products is growing due to the desire to achieve food goods that have a longer shelf life and enhanced safety. The current study set out to create an edible coating using Malva neglecta seed polysaccharide mucilage (MNSM) containing Lactobacillus brevis TD4-derived postbiotics (PLB), and assess how well the PLB-MNSM edible coating preserved beef slices over a 12-day period of refrigeration. PLB was rich in fatty acids, organic heteropolycyclic compounds, monoterpene and cyclohexanol derivative, prenol lipids, ester compounds, and alpha-CH2-containing aldehyde with significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. By adding it to the edible coating at 0, 5, 10, and 15 % v/v, it successfully prevented the proliferation of microbial agents (total viable count, psychrotrophic count, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, total coliform bacteria count, and fungi) as well as the oxidation of lipids (thiobarbituric and peroxide values) in beef samples. The samples' pH value, hardness, and moisture content were all more successfully sustained when PLB preparation was applied to the coating solution (P < 0.05). The edible coating consisting of PLB effectively maintained the meat color (L*, a*, b*) and sensory properties. Additionally, the bioactive edible coating comprised of MNSM and PLB, specifically MNSM-15 % PLB, significantly prevented the quality deterioration of beef samples and prolonged the shelf-life of the meat to over 12 days. The outcomes indicated that the MNSM-PLB edible coating has the capacity to be utilized as an antibacterial and antioxidant-rich packing material, hence enhancing the shelf life of meat-based goods.

Gut microbiota interventions in type 2 diabetes mellitus: An umbrella review of glycemic indices.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to explore how probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics impact glycemic indices in patients with diabetes mellitus. METHOD: A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception up to April 2023. The random-effects model was employed for the study analysis. Furthermore, sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity. AMSTAR2 checklist was used to determine the quality of studies. Comprehensive meta-analysis version 3 was used for the study analysis. RESULT: A total of 31 studies were included in the final analysis. Based on the results of the meta-analysis, gut microbial therapy could significantly decrease serum fasting blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (effect size: -0.211; 95 % CI: -0.257, -0.164; P < 0.001). Additionally, significant associations were also found between gut microbial therapy and improved serum levels of fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (effect size: -0.087; 95 % confidence interval: -0.120, -0.053; P < 0.001; effect size: -0.166; 95 % confidence interval: -0.200, -0.132; P < 0.001; effect size: -0.230; 95 % confidence interval: -0.288, -0.172; P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results revealed promising effects of gut microbiota modulation on glycemic profile of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The use of these agents as additional treatments can be considered.

Compare efficacy and safety of autologous blood clot injection with C-clamp vascular closure device in treatment of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm after femoral artery puncture.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (FAP) is a complication following femoral artery puncture, with an incidence rate of 0.2%-5.5% post-cardiac catheterization procedures. Management typically involves observation or interventional treatments such as ultrasound-guided compression (UGC) or ultrasound-guided thrombin injections. This study compares the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided autologous blood clot injection (UGCI) with C-clamp vascular closure device-assisted UGC in treating FAP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conducted at a high-volume training and research center, this prospective study enrolled patients with iatrogenic FAP post-femoral artery puncture. Patients were randomized into two treatments: UGC with a C-clamp device or UGCI. Primary endpoints were thrombosis induction within 24 h, average procedure time, and length of hospital stay (LOS). RESULTS: The study included 105 patients with 51 undergoing UGCI and 54 undergoing UGC. UGCI achieved a primary success rate of 96% versus 63% for UGC. The mean procedure duration for UGCI was significantly shorter (22 min) compared with UGC (49 min, p ⩽ 0.0001). LOS was also reduced in the UGCI group (1.5 days) compared to the UGC group (4.5 days). Complication rates were low for both procedures, with one deep vein thrombosis and one infection observed in the UGC group. CONCLUSION: UGCI demonstrated to be a safe, efficient, and faster alternative for treating iatrogenic FAPs with a higher success rate, reduced LOS, and similar low complication rates compared to UGC. This study suggests that UGCI could be considered a preferred method for the management of FAP post-femoral artery catheterization.

Health Risk Assessment of Exposure to Heavy Metals in Wheat Flour from Iran Markets: Application of Monte Carlo Simulation Approach.

The significance of flour in the Iranian diet underscores the need to ensure its safety from chemical pollutants. This study aimed to evaluate the potential health risks posed by certain heavy metals, such as Fe, Zn, Cu, Al, Co, Hg, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd, in wheat flour available in the Iranian market. A total of 248 flour samples were collected from 11 provinces in Iran during the winter of 2021. The health risks associated with heavy metals in children and adults were evaluated using USEPA health risk assessment guidance for superfund part A and Monte Carlo Simulation. The average concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Al, Co, Hg, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd, was equal to 30.62 ± 59.24, 4.94 ± 13.64, 1.24 ± 3.08, 2.85 ± 4.98, 0.03 ± 0.01, 0.12 ± 0.03, 1.42 ± 1, 0.23 ± 0.05, 1.71 ± 0.65, and 0.02 ± 0.004 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Analysis of Fe, Cr, Al, Hg and Cr in all flour samples showed that the average concentration of these metals were greater than the standards levels set by the WHO/FAO. The results of the non-carcinogenic risks (HI) showed that the hazard index values (children: 0.969 ± 1.04, adult: 0.837 ± 0.905) of heavy metals through the consumption of flour to both study population were acceptable. The results of the carcinogenic risks (CR) based on Cd, and Pb concentration showed that the CR values from ingestion of flour to the children and adults population were 1.45 × 10-5 ± 5.08 × 10-5 and 1.26 × 10-5 ± 4.40 × 10-5, respectively. The results of Monte Carlo simulation showed that conventional deterministic health risk evaluation could overestimate risk outcomes. Likewise, Cr has 68.8% and 69.1% probability of non-carcinogenic risk to children and adult, respectively, and 80% and 79.8% probability of CR for adults and children respectively for Pb, suggesting that Cr and Pb is a priority control heavy metals. Therefore, it is recommended to continuously monitor the levels of heavy metals in wheat and its derived food products to ensure food safety.

Asymptomatic Children as a Missing Link in Preventing COVID-19 Transmission.

BACKGROUND: Investigating the prevalence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in asymptomatic children who have been in close contact with symptomatic individuals is instrumental for refining public health approaches, protecting vulnerable populations, and mitigating the broader impact of the pandemic. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 infection in asymptomatic children who had been in close contact with parents exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 175 asymptomatic children who had been in close contact with COVID-19 confirmed cases in Hamadan County from March 2021 to August 2021. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing was performed on all asymptomatic children who had been in close contact with an individual with COVID-19. Furthermore, multiple logistic regressions were conducted to determine the predictors of COVID-19 transmission from family members to children. RESULTS: Out of the 175 children in close contact with index cases, 53 (30.29%) tested positive for COVID-19 through PCR. Regarding factors related to the index case, male cases (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-5.09, P=0.041), rural dwellers (AOR=3.22; 95% CI: 1.02-10.16, P=0.046), illiterate cases (AOR=8.45; 95% CI: 1.76-40.65, P=0.008), and cases presenting with nasal congestion symptoms (AOR=9.12; 95% CI: 2.22-37.40, P=0.002) were more prone to transmitting the virus to children who had close contact with them. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggested that asymptomatic COVID-19 infection in household contacts is significant in children who were in close contact with a COVID-19-positive patient. Therefore, it is crucial to continue to monitor this group closely.

Evaluation of the probiotic, technological, safety attributes, and GABA-producing capacity of microorganisms isolated from Iranian milk kefir beverages.

Introduction: Kefir beverage has beneficial microorganisms that have health-giving properties; therefore, they have a good potential to be probiotic. This study evaluated the probiotic potential, technological, and safety characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis, Lactococcus lactis, and Pichia fermentans isolated from traditional kefir beverages. Method: First, isolates were evaluated in terms of resistance to acid, alkali, bile salts, trypsin, and pepsin of the gastrointestinal tract. The auto-aggregation and co-aggregation ability of isolates were measured using spectrophotometry. Antimicrobial activities were assayed against important food-borne pathogens using the agar well diffusion method. Moreover, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production was investigated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Result: Among the isolates, P. fermentans had an 85% total survival rate, but its amount reached below 6 log CFU/ml which is considered non-resistant, and it showed the highest auto-aggregation (74.67%). Moreover, only L. lactis showed antimicrobial activity and had the highest co-aggregation with E. coli PTCC 1338 (54.33%) and L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 (78%). Finally, an evaluation of the technological and safety characteristics of the strains showed that the strains produced GABA and were safe. Discussion: Although the isolates were not resistant to the gastrointestinal tract, their supernatant contained valuable natural compounds, including antioxidants, GABA, and antimicrobials, which can be used to produce functional foods and medicines. In addition, other approaches, such as increasing the initial number of strains, using foods as carriers of isolates, and encapsulating the isolates, can effectively increase the survivability of isolates in the gastrointestinal tract.

Status of antibiotic residues in milk and dairy products of Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Today, antibiotics are widely used for treatment and feed additives to enhance livestock growth. Antibiotic residues may be found in food of animal origin for various reasons, including ignoring the withdrawal period after treatment, overuse for animals, and contamination of feed with treated animals in animal products. Among animal products, dairy products have a special place in the human diet, and antibiotic residues in them have caused a great deal of concern among consumers. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and compare studies conducted in Iran on antibiotic residues in dairy products during 2000-2022. Methods: In this review, 52 eligible studies were collected by searching the Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, Google Scholar, Science-Direct, Scopus, and PubMed using the English or Persian keywords such as an antibiotic or antimicrobial residue, Beta-lactam residue, Tetracycline residue, Sulfonamide residue, Chloramphenicol residue, Aminoglycosides residue, Macrolide residue, Quinolones residue, Milk, Raw milk, Pasteurized milk, UHT milk, Powder milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Butter, Cream, Doogh, Kashk, Ice cream, and Iran. Results: According to the reviewed studies, the total prevalence of antibiotic residues in dairy products was 29% (95% CI: 15-43%). Among the seven evaluated antibiotic groups, most studies have been conducted on tetracycline, beta-lactam, and sulfonamide groups, with 16, 10, and 7 respectively, and the highest level of contamination with 663 ± 1540 µg/l is related to tetracycline. Most studies on antibiotic dairy product residues in Iran with 12, 11, and 8 studies are associated with East Azarbaijan province, then Tehran and Khorasan Razavi respectively, and no study has been conducted in 11 provinces of the country. According to the studies, Gilan, Qazvin and Razavi Khorasan provinces had the highest amount of antibiotic residue in milk with an average value of 56.415 ± 33.354, 45.955 ± 4.179 and 45.928 ± 33.027, respectively. Most of the methods used in the studies to measure antibiotic residues in milk were the Copan test kit and the HPLC method, which were used in 19 and 14 studies, respectively. Conclusions: Studies have shown that the prevalence of antibiotic residue in dairy products in Iran is high, so applying an effective strategy and developing the necessary standards in this field to control milk quality is a public health necessity. The findings of this study show that further evaluation of fermented dairy products, especially non-fermented ones such as butter and cream, is needed to prevent adverse health reactions.

Exploring the relationship between gut microbiome modulation and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes: An umbrella review.

AIMS: Given the epidemic proportions of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) globally, it's crucial to comprehensively understand the factors influencing its management. The gut microbiome, known for its influence on various aspects of health, has emerged as a potential regulator of blood pressure in individuals with T2DM. This umbrella review aimed to consolidate the findings of existing meta-analyses investigating the impact of gut microbiome modulation on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in T2DM patients. DATA SYNTHESIS: Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception to July 2023. Quality assessment was performed using the AMSTAR2 and GRADE checklists. Statistical analyses were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) version 3. A total of 6 meta-analyses meeting the inclusion criteria were included. The results revealed a significant association between microbial modulation and diastolic blood pressure (SMD: -0.133; 95% CI: -0.219 to -0.048; P = 0.002). However, the effect of gut microbial modulation on systolic blood pressure did not reach statistical significance (SMD: -0.077; 95% CI: -0.162 to 0.009; P = 0.078). CONCLUSION: This study found that modulating the gut microbiome had a statistically significant impact on diastolic blood pressure in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, no significant effect was observed on systolic blood pressure. While high-quality meta-analyses reported favorable outcomes, caution is warranted due to the low clinical importance, diversity in study populations, and variations in interventions.

D-tryptophan, an eco-friendly natural, safe, and healthy compound with antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens: A systematic review.

Recently, the use of D-amino acids as food preservatives has attracted considerable attention because these natural compounds do not have adverse effects on human health. In addition, D-amino acids such as D-tryptophan can reduce the harmful effects of other treatments. For instance, the use of D-tryptophan in food reduces the requirement for high temperatures and their damaging effects on nutrients such as proteins and vitamins. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of D-tryptophan on food-borne pathogens in vitro and in food models. To identify related studies, scientific digital databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched from January 2000 to February 2023. The results of the studies showed that when D-tryptophan was used with other stresses such as using different salt concentrations, refrigeration, or high temperatures, it showed significant antimicrobial effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative food-borne pathogens, and antibiofilm impacts were also observed with D-tryptophan. Since studies have shown that the antimicrobial activity of D-tryptophan depends on several factors, including the pathogen strain, the type of stress, and the concentration of D-tryptophan, and every article has focused on one of these factors, there is a need for a systematic review that summarizes and concludes the effect of all these factors on the antimicrobial activity of D-tryptophan against food-borne pathogens.

Can modulation of gut microbiota affect anthropometric indices in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? An umbrella meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background and aim: Modulating the gut microbiota population by administration of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics has shown to have a variety of health benefits in different populations, particularly those with metabolic disorders. Although the promising effects of these compounds have been observed in the management of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the exact effects and the mechanisms of action are yet to be understood. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate how gut microbiota modulation affects anthropometric indices of NAFLD patients to achieve a comprehensive summary of current evidence-based knowledge. Methods: Two researchers independently searched international databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to June 2023. Meta-analysis studies that evaluated the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on patients with NAFLD were entered into our umbrella review. The data regarding anthropometric indices, including body mass index, weight, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), were extracted by the investigators. The authors used random effect model for conducting the meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed. Results: A total number of 13 studies were finally included in our study. Based on the final results, BMI was significantly decreased in NAFLD patients by modulation of gut microbiota [effect size (ES): -0.18, 05% CI: -0.25, -0.11, P<0.001]; however, no significant alteration was observed in weight and WC (ES: -1.72, 05% CI: -3.48, 0.03, P=0.055, and ES: -0.24, 05% CI: -0.75, 0.26, P=0.353, respectively). The results of subgroup analysis showed probiotics had the most substantial effect on decreasing BMI (ES: -0.77, 95% CI: -1.16, -0.38, P<0.001) followed by prebiotics (ES: -0.51, 95% CI: -0.76, -0.27, P<0.001) and synbiotics (ES: -0.12, 95% CI: -0.20, -0.04, P=0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, the present umbrella meta-analysis showed that although modulation of gut microbiota by administration of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics had promising effects on BMI, no significant change was observed in the WC and weight of the patients. No sufficient data were available for other anthropometric indices including waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio and future meta-analyses should be done in this regard.

The effects of gut microbiome manipulation on glycemic indices in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a comprehensive umbrella review.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Increased fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting insulin (FI), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) are observed in patients with NAFLD. Gut microbial modulation using prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics has shown promise in NAFLD treatment. This meta-umbrella study aimed to investigate the effects of gut microbial modulation on glycemic indices in patients with NAFLD and discuss potential mechanisms of action. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library until March 2023 for meta-analyses evaluating the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on patients with NAFLD. Random-effect models, sensitivity analysis, and subgroup analysis were employed. RESULTS: Gut microbial therapy significantly decreased HOMA-IR (ES: -0.41; 95%CI: -0.52, -0.31; P < 0.001) and FI (ES: -0.59; 95%CI: -0.77, -0.41; P < 0.001). However, no significant effect was observed on FBS (ES: -0.17; 95%CI: -0.36, 0.02; P = 0.082). Subgroup analysis revealed prebiotics had the most potent effect on HOMA-IR, followed by probiotics and synbiotics. For FI, synbiotics had the most substantial effect, followed by prebiotics and probiotics. CONCLUSION: Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics administration significantly reduced FI and HOMA-IR, but no significant effect was observed on FBS.

Application of Nanotechnology to Develop Carrageenan-based Films and Coatings as Carriers for Essential Oils.

This review highlights the effect of combining bioactive agents, especially nanoparticles, in carrageenan coating to increase the quality and stability of foods. This study is designed based on a review of previous studies. Biopolymer coatings and films are suitable for food and non-food packaging due to their degradability, renewable and edible nature. Edible coatings and films are based on polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. They confer some beneficial effects on foods, such as improvement of appearance and texture, reducing the amount of moisture loss and oxidation, prevention of the release of gases and control of microbial growth, delaying ripening and adverse changes in color and taste, improvement of nutritional value, and increasing the shelf life of the product. These improvements lead to the prevention of food spoilage and increase the shelf life of various foods. In addition, nanomaterials and food additives such as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, flavorings, and colors can be incorporated into food coatings and films to expand their applications. Nanotechnology can be applied in coatings and food films using nanoparticles. However, more research is still needed to gather information about coating formulations, especially when new materials are incorporated into them.

Health risk assessments of heavy metals and trace elements exposure in the breast milk of lactating mothers in the Northeastern Iran.

Mother's breast milk is a natural and complete food for infants but can be a main source of exposure to toxic pollutants. These pollutants can negatively affect the health of the infant. Therefore, conducting biomonitoring surveys is essential to evaluate such health effects in toxicological research. This study aimed to estimate the probable health risks for infants exposed to essential and non-essential trace elements through breast milk ingestion. This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was performed on 90 breastfeeding mothers referred to the health centers in Mashhad, Iran in January 2021. The health risk assessments (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk) were estimated using chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and lifetime carcinogenic risk (CR), which were recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The results of the HQ values of trace elements through ingestion exposure for arsenic (90%), copper (90%), zinc (40%), and iron (10%) exceeded the threshold of HQ, and arsenic (66.59%), copper (16.91%), and zinc (9.68%) and iron (4.57%) had the highest contribution to increasing the HI index. The average value of CR was 5. 08 × 10-3. Chromium and iron showed significant relationships (P<0.05) with education level and disease background in this study, and the concentration of chromium, iron, and zinc in the breast milk samples significantly changed during lactation stages (P<0.05). Overall, the risk of carcinogenicity through exposure to breast milk for infants was higher than the safety level of US EPA risk. Therefore, there could be a potential health risk of trace elements, particularly arsenic, copper, and zinc for infants in Mashhad, Iran through the consumption of mothers' breast milk. More efforts are required to control and reduce routes of receiving trace elements in breastfeeding mothers by the competent authorities.

Application of novel metal organic framework-deep eutectic solvent/molecularly imprinted polymer multiple monolithic fiber for solid phase microextraction of amphetamines and modafinil in unauthorized medicinal supplements with GC-MS.

The goal of this research is the development of multiple monolithic fiber-solid phase microextraction (MMF-SPME) using a new integrated fiber for the determination of amphetamine derivatives and modafinil from unauthorized medicinal supplements. For this purpose, a monolithic fiber of metal organic framework MIL-Al (53)-deep eutectic solvent (DES)/molecularly imprinted polymers (MOF-DES/MIP) was synthesized. To find optimum microextraction conditions gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used and the influences of effective variables were investigated using one factor at a time method. After that, the significant variables were optimized using a Box-Behnken design (BBD) combined with a desirability function (DF). Under optimized conditions (desorption solvent=1500 µL of 1-octanol, pH=3.5, extraction time=35 min, [NaCl]=0% w/v and stirring rate=600 rpm), calibration graphs of analytes were linear in a concentration range of 0.1-400 µg L-1 with correlation coefficients > 0.9966. Limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.023-0.033 µg L-1 and 0.088-0.113 µg L-1, respectively. This procedure was successfully employed in determining target analytes in spiked and unspiked unauthorized medicinal supplement samples with recoveries ranging from 95.14 to 104.63%.

Effect of alginate coating activated by solid lipid nanoparticles containing Zataria multiflora essential oil on chicken fillet's preservation.

The current study aimed to assess the chemical, microbial, and sensory properties of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) in chicken fillets stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 12 days. As a result, the optimized ZEO-SLNS sample exhibited a spherical morphology with a droplet size of 251.51 ± 1.11 nm and a PDI of 0.34 ± 0.01 under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The encapsulation efficiency (EE) and zeta potential were approximately 55.4 % and -20.87 ± 1.39 mV, respectively. Furthermore, encapsulating ZEO in SLNS enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant activity compared to pure ZEO. As a result, the application of alginate-loaded ZEO-SLNS extended the storage time of fresh chicken fillets. Thus, the application of this edible coating showcased a remarkable ability to substantially decelerate both microbial and chemical changes in chicken fillets during cold storage conditions. This finding underscores the potential of the edible coating as an effective means to enhance the safety and quality of chicken products.

Genetic Variations of Angiotensinogen, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, and Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor with the Risk of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

There is little data regarding the impact of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) gene polymorphisms on tuberculosis. The current study designed to survey the possible association between RAS polymorphisms and the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a sample of the southeast Iranian population. This case-control study was done on 170 PTB patients and 170 healthy subjects. The AGT rs699 C>T, ACE rs4341 C>G and AT1R rs5186 C>A variants were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and ACE rs4646994 (287bp I/D) variant by PCR method. Regarding AT1R rs5186 A>C polymorphism, the findings revealed that AC genotype and C allele significantly decreased the risk of PTB (OR=0.39, 95% CI=0.22-0.67, p=0.001, and OR=0.53, 95% CI=0.25-0.72, p=0.002, C vs. A, respectively). The TC genotype and C allele of AGT rs699 T>C significantly associated with decreased the risk of PTB (OR=0.45, 95% CI=0.28-0.74, p=0.002, TC vs. TT and OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.32-0.80, p=0.005, C vs. T, respectively). The ID genotype of ACE 287bp I/D significantly increased the risk of PTB (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.12-3.17, p=0.017). Our finding did not support an association between ACE rs4341 C>G variant and the risk of PTB. In summary, the findings revealed an association between AT1R rs5186 A>C, AGT rs699 T>C and ACE 287bp I/D polymorphisms and the risk of PTB in a sample of the southeast Iranian population. Further investigation with higher sample sizes and diverse ethnicities are required to confirm our findings.