Study on synergistic effects of curcumin and bixin against foodborne pathogens.

Various studies have shown that natural colorants, in addition to their coloring attributes, have valuable biological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anticarcinogenic properties. Moreover, their use as a food colorant can restrict the potential disadvantages of synthetic additives and turn foods into functional products. In this study, in vitro antimicrobial activities of two natural colorants of bixin and curcumin against some important foodborne pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Listeria innocua (L. innocua), and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were investigated by disk diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values were determined by agar dilution and broth microdilution methods. The synergistic activity of the colorants against selected microorganisms was assayed by the checkerboard microdilution method. The results showed that the inhibitory effects of bixin against S. aureus were more pronounced than E. coli and L. innocua. The lowest concentration of curcumin (0.6 mg/mL) in the disk diffusion method was not inhibited by any tested bacteria. However, it was effective at the higher concentrations against three microorganisms, but its diameter of inhibition zones was lower than gentamicin in all concentrations. Synergetic effects were observed by curcumin and bixin combination against S. aureus (FICI ≤ 0.5), but they act as an antagonist against E. coli and L. innocua. The results of the synergy test were confirmed by the isobologram curves.

The categorization of opaque pathologies outside of contrast media in hysterosalpingography which facilitate interpretation: A pictorial review.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a practical and reliable imaging method to evaluate the cervical canal, uterine isthmus, uterine cavity, and fallopian tubes. Using HSG, opaque pathologies outside of contrast media can be detected as well as pathologies of uterus and fallopian tubes. We aim to present and categorize some uncommon and interesting abnormal findings that are located outside of the contrast areas in HSG. This is a pictorial review that depicts various types of HSG images that include opaque pathologies outside of the contrast areas. Images have been extracted from valuable archives collected over 50 yr by professor Shahrzad. A plain pelvic film contains soft tissues of the pelvis, bony structures, artifacts, or foreign bodies. Categorization might easily help the radiologist to interpret the HSG cliché. Opaque pathologies outside of contrast area in HSG can be categorized into 2 groups: "Pelvic Tissue Related" and "Foreign Bodies". Pelvic tissue abnormalities might have a gynecologic or non-gynecologic source. Foreign bodies can be located in the pelvis or outside of the body. HSG is a reliable and inexpensive procedure. Familiarity with the pathologies of pelvic tissues and the accurate interpretation of HSG images are important.

Nitronium salts as mild and inexpensive oxidizing reagents toward designing efficient strategies in organic syntheses; A mechanistic investigation based on the DFT insights.

Today, introducing and evaluating the performance of novel reagents are an undeniable part of designing a successful synthetic strategy. Herein, we study the efficiency and mechanism of recently synthesized nitronium salts (e.g., NO2FSO3, NO2CF3SO3, NO2HS2O7, NO2BF4, NO2PF6, and NO2HSO4) in the oxidation reaction of ethanol to acetic acid, as a model of the primary alcohol transformations to linear carboxylic acid. An aldehyde molecule is the first produced species in this reaction which is converted to the acetic acid molecule in the presence of in situ-produced nitric acid. Concerning the proposed mechanism, among the studied nitronium salts, two different behaviors can be observed in the transition state of the step in which the aldehyde molecule is formed. The calculated barrier energies of this step have been scrutinized by powerful descriptors such as Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), Natural Bond Orbital (NBO), Electrostatic Potential (ESP) surfaces, and Activation Strain Model (ASM). The outcomes of the studied descriptors illustrate that nitronium salts have different performances in progressing the formation of the aldehyde molecule. Indeed, the likeness of the transition state of this step to the products for NO2FSO3, NO2CF3SO3, and NO2HS2O7 species is more significant than the others. Accordingly, these reagents have more potential to apply as oxidizing agents in the primary alcohol transformations to linear carboxylic acid.

Evaluation of occupational and non-occupational risk factors associated with carpal tunnel syndrome in dentists.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are very prevalent among dentists. Of these disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is notable. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the occupational and non-occupational risk factors and CTS among dentists. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional study. We evaluated 106 dentists from dental schools in Tehran. We collected data by a general questionnaire, a hand diagram, and physical examination. A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test was used to confirm the diagnosis of CTS. The analysis was performed using an independent T-test and logistic regressions on SPSS software. RESULTS: The prevalence of CTS among dentists was 17.9%. Significant risk factors of CTS included: vibration exposure greater than two hours per day (OR: 2.5), a wrist diameter ratio of greater than 0.7 (OR: 10.14), and female sex (OR: 13.38). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to the hand-arm vibration should be considered as an occupational risk factor for CTS in dentists. Female dentists should take more preventive measures.

Hysterosalpingography findings of leiomyomas and how they look in artistic eyes: new diagnostic signs.

Leiomyomas are benign lesions of the uterine smooth muscles that contain various amounts of fibrous connective tissue. Hystrosalpingography is not a method of diagnosing uterine fibroids, and other methods such as ultrasound and MRI are preferred, but during hystrosalpingography, especially in infertile females, uterine fibroids may be seen frequently. Leiomyomas have a wide range of appearances depending on their number, size and location. Leiomyomas may enlarge, elongate, displace, distort or rotate the uterine cavity and can be detected by such changes showing in hysterosalpingograms. These changes may be symmetric or asymmetric. Leiomyomas may result in uterine atony which can be locolized or generalized. Leiomyomas also may appear as one or multiple filling defects in different sizes which can be smooth or irregular. Some of the noted findings may create similar and frequent appearances looking like some patterns in nature and can be considered "excellent signs" for better detecting and enabling differential diagnosis. This study aims to improve the process of training on the diagnostic appearances of leiomyomas in hysterosalpingography by aligning the images with patterns found in nature that can be easily remembered by radiologists.

Effects of a rotational UV-C irradiation system and packaging on the shelf life of fresh pistachio.

BACKGROUND: In this study, fresh pistachio was exposed to UV-C irradiation (2.1 and 4.5 kJ m-2 ) in a rotating cylindrical system with seven germicidal UV-C lamps and immediately packed in perforated and non-perforated polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The fruit were evaluated for weight loss, total phenolic content, enzyme activities, color indices (L*, a*, b* and browning index), and microbial counts during 35 days of storage at 4 °C. RESULTS: UV-C treatment caused a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the weight loss of fresh pistachios compared to the control. The activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in irradiated samples packed in non-perforated PET in comparison to those of untreated samples. Irradiation did not inhibit the activity of polyphenol oxidase in treated samples, although a slight decrease in polyphenol oxidase activity was observed in irradiated samples compared to control. The fruit treated with 2.1 kJ m-2 of UV-C and the control packed in non-perforated PET were lighter (L*), redder (a*), and less yellow (b*) compared to 4.5 kJ m-2 treated samples. Furthermore, a dose of 4.5 kJ m-2 UV-C significantly decreased sensory attributes of fresh pistachios compared to the other irradiation level and control. CONCLUSION: UV-C irradiation at a dose of 2.1 kJ m-2 and packing in non-perforated PET are recommended for fresh pistachio preservation based on the physicochemical, microbial, and sensory parameters. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

In Vitro Evaluation of Antimold Activity of Annatto Natural Dye and Its Effects on Microbial, Physicochemical, and Sensory Properties of Bread.

In vitro antimold activity of annatto natural dye against Aspergillus niger, Neurospora sitophila, and Rhizopus stolonifer was evaluated with agar well diffusion and agar dilution assays. The effects of adding annatto dye (0, 0.5, 0.75, and 1%) to bread formulations were then examined. Total microbial and fungal counts, moisture, color, radical scavenging activity, and sensory analysis of bread were monitored. A. niger was the fungus most sensitive to annatto dye in vitro. Increased dye concentrations resulted in significant decreases ( P < 0.05) in moisture, total microbial and fungal counts, and L*, a*, and b* values of bread. The highest antioxidant activity was achieved in the bread with 1% of annatto dye. All bread containing annatto dye had acceptable sensory attributes as determined by panelists. The addition of annatto dye resulted in bread with a longer shelf life and acceptable sensory qualities.

Evaluating the potential of natural curcumin for oxidative stability of soybean oil.

The active substance of turmeric rhizome (curcumin) was extracted and identified with TLC and NMR. To evaluate the antioxidant efficiency of different concentrations of curcumin (120, 160 and 200 ppm) compared with tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) (120 ppm) and α-tocopherol (200 ppm) at two different temperatures (25°C and 55°C) under dark and light conditions during 90 days, the soybean oil with no added antioxidant was used as a food model, and its fatty acids profile was determined by GC. Results indicated that increasing concentration of curcumin leads to significantly decreased oxidation rates. The soybean oil containing curcumin at 25°C in darkness with the lowest rate of increased peroxide value indicated the same antioxidant activity with α-tocopherol and TBHQ. Moreover, the results of acid value and iodine value indicated that samples with curcumin were more effective in preventing oxidation at both temperatures compared with control. However, light did not have any significant effect.