Caffeine intake and its association with nutrition, sleep, and physical activity among schoolchildren in the United Arab Emirates: a national cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Recent surveys indicate a significant increase in total caffeine intake among schoolchildren. Limited research has been published concerning the total intake of caffeine among schoolchildren in the Middle East and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the UAE. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey estimated the total caffeine intake from foods and beverages among 10,275 schoolchildren in the UAE. Caffeine intakes were related to the European Food Safety Authority's level of no safety concern (3.0 mg/kg BW) and level of effects on sleep (1.4 mg/kg BW). RESULTS: More than half (56.2%) of the students consumed more than 100 mg (the upper limit allowed) of caffeine from dietary sources. High intake of caffeine (> 100 mg/day) was significantly associated (p = 0.001) with reduced sleep duration, difficulty falling asleep, infrequent exercising, using smart devices for more than 2 h a day, getting a lower GPA, skipping breakfast, eating fewer servings of vegetables than recommended, frequent consumption of fast food and more frequent snack consumption. CONCLUSION: Excessive intake of caffeine from different dietary sources coexists with unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors and sleep problems. Tailoring educational programs and intervention strategies is warranted to correct the unhealthy intake of caffeine and the associated unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors among schoolchildren in the UAE.

Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression among women living in the United Arab Emirates.

PURPOSE: Postpartum depression received almost no attention in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aim was to examine the prevalence of depressive symptomatology and the associated risk factors among women in the UAE. METHODS: A prospective cohort study recruited women from postpartum wards in hospitals across four emirates in the UAE. Women completed questionnaires immediately after childbirth and at 3 and 6 months postpartum. Depressive symptomatology was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS > 12). Risk factors were identified using the generalized estimating equation. A stratified analysis of the postpartum period was performed. RESULTS: Among the 457 women recruited, 35% exhibited depressive symptomatology within the first 6 months postpartum. Younger women (< 25 years), part-time employment, the receipt of financial support from the family, and difficulty in managing monthly income were associated with a higher risk of postpartum depression. Husband's employment, husband's support, and living in own house were associated with a lower risk of postpartum depression. Maternity leave of more than 3 months increased the risk of depression during the first 3 months postpartum. From 3 to 6 months postpartum, Muslim women had a higher risk of depression whereas women who breastfed other children and in the past 7 days, and perceived their infant as healthy had a lower risk of depression. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of maternal depressive symptomatology is considerable in the UAE. Risk factors change over the 6-month postpartum period suggesting the need for an innovative multidisciplinary approach to the management of postpartum depression, including follow-up screening.

A worldwide review of illness outbreaks involving mixed salads/dressings and factors influencing product safety and shelf life.

The trends toward healthy living, vegetarianism, and busy schedules have increased salad popularity. Salads are usually consumed raw without any thermal treatment, and therefore, without proper care they can become major vehicles for foodborne illness outbreaks. This review examines the microbial quality of 'dressed' salads which contain two or more vegetables/fruits and salad dressings. The possible sources of ingredient contamination, recorded illnesses/outbreaks, and overall microbial quality observed worldwide, besides the antimicrobial treatments available are discussed in detail. Noroviruses were most frequently implicated in outbreaks. Salad dressings usually play a positive role in influencing microbial quality. However, this depends on several factors like the type of contaminating microorganism, storage temperature, dressing pH and ingredients, plus the type of salad vegetable. Very limited literature exists on antimicrobial treatments that can be used successfully with salad dressings and 'dressed' salads. The challenge with antimicrobial treatments is to find ones sufficiently broad in spectrum, compatible with produce flavour which can be applied at competitive cost. It is evident that renewed emphasis on prevention of produce contamination at the producer, processor, wholesale and retail levels plus enhanced hygiene vigilance at foodservice will have a major impact on reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses from salads.

A Status Review on Health-Promoting Properties and Global Regulation of Essential Oils.

Since ancient times, essential oils (EOs) have been known for their therapeutic potential against many health issues. Recent studies suggest that EOs may contribute to the regulation and modulation of various biomarkers and cellular pathways responsible for metabolic health as well as the development of many diseases, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and bacterial infections. During metabolic dysfunction and even infections, the immune system becomes compromised and releases pro-inflammatory cytokines that lead to serious health consequences. The bioactive compounds present in EOs (especially terpenoids and phenylpropanoids) with different chemical compositions from fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants confer protection against these metabolic and infectious diseases through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial properties. In this review, we have highlighted some targeted physiological and cellular actions through which EOs may exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial properties. In addition, it has been observed that EOs from specific plant sources may play a significant role in the prevention of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, microbial infections, and increasing breast milk production, along with improvements in heart, liver, and brain health. The current status of the bioactive activities of EOs and their therapeutic effects are covered in this review. However, with respect to the health benefits of EOs, it is very important to regulate the dose and usage of EOs to reduce their adverse health effects. Therefore, we specified that some countries have their own regulatory bodies while others follow WHO and FAO standards and legislation for the use of EOs.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy is associated with lower odds of excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention: results of the Mother-Infant Study Cohort.

During the first 1000 d of life, gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are considered critical determinants of nutritional status. This study examined the effect of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy on GWG and PPWR at 2 and 6 months among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using data from the Mother-Infant Study Cohort. The latter is a prospective study, for which pregnant women were recruited (n 243) during their third trimester and were followed up for 18 months. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were obtained. An eighty-six-item FFQ was used to examine dietary intake during pregnancy. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the alternate MD (aMED) and the Lebanese MD (LMD). Adherence to the MD, PPWR2 (2 months) and PPWR6 (6 months) were considered high if participants belonged to the third tertile of the respective measures. Results indicated that 57·5 % of participants had excessive GWG while 50·7 % and 45 % retained ≥ 5 kg at 2 and 6 months postpartum, respectively. After adjustment, adherence to both MD scores was associated with lower odds of excessive GWG (aMED, OR:0·41, 95 % CI:0·18, 0·93; LMD, OR:0·40, 95 % CI: 0·16, 0·98). Adherence to MD was also associated with PPWR2 (aMED: OR: 0·23, 95 % CI: 0·06, 0·88) and PPWR6 (aMED OR:0·26; 95 % CI:0·08-0·86; LMD, OR:0·32; 95 % CI: 0·1, 0·98). The findings of this study showed that adherence to the MD may reduce GWG and PPWR and, hence, underscored the importance of promoting the MD for better health of the mother and infant.

Assessment of eating habits and lifestyle during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic in the Middle East and North Africa region: a cross-sectional study.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread globally, forcing countries to apply lockdowns and strict social distancing measures. The aim of this study was to assess eating habits and lifestyle behaviours among residents of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the lockdown. A cross-sectional study among adult residents of the MENA region was conducted using an online questionnaire designed on Google Forms during April 2020. A total of 2970 participants from eighteen countries participated in the present study. During the pandemic, over 30 % reported weight gain, 6·2 % consumed five or more meals per d compared with 2·2 % before the pandemic (P < 0·001) and 48·8 % did not consume fruits on a daily basis. Moreover, 39·1 % did not engage in physical activity, and over 35 % spent more than 5 h/d on screens. A significant association between the frequency of training during the pandemic and the reported change in weight was found (P < 0·001). A significantly higher percentage of participants reported physical and emotional exhaustion, irritability and tension either all the time or a large part of the time during the pandemic (P < 0·001). Although a high percentage of participants reported sleeping more hours per night during the pandemic, 63 % had sleep disturbances. The study highlights that the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a variety of lifestyle changes, physical inactivity and psychological problems among adults in the MENA region.

Impact of coronavirus 2019 on mental health and lifestyle adaptations of pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In light of the pandemic, pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to increased psychological distress and in need of imperative preventive measures. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on mental health, lifestyle adaptations, and their determinants among pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates. METHODS: A survey was conducted electronically between June and August 2020. Pregnant women were recruited from prenatal clinics in the UAE and invited to participate in an online survey developed on Google Forms. The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, the Impact of Event Scale- Revised, the Perceived Support Scale and lifestyle-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 384 pregnant women completed the questionnaire of whom 20.6% were in their 1st trimester, 46.1% in their 2nd and 33.3% in their 3rd trimester. The mean IES-R score for the respondents was 26.15 ± 13.55, corresponding to a mild stressful impact, which did not differ significantly among trimesters of pregnancy. Pregnant women expressed increased stress from staying home (64%), work (40%), feeling frightened (66%) and apprehensive (59%). Women reported increased support and sharing their feelings with family members (59%), mainly in the 1st and 3rd trimester of pregnancy (P < 0.05). There was a greater attention to mental health (48%), resting time (55.3%), and relaxing time (57.3%); while a decreased amount of time was spent engaging in physical activities (53.6%), which differed significantly between trimesters (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a mild stressful impact among pregnant women in the UAE, braced by strong family support and self-care mental health behaviors.

Dietary patterns and their associations with gestational weight gain in the United Arab Emirates: results from the MISC cohort.

BACKGROUND: Suboptimum weight gain during pregnancy may carry long term health consequences for the infant or mother. Nutritional imbalances are well recognized as a determinant of gestational weight gain. Few studies examined the effect of dietary patterns on gestational weight gain, especially in countries undergoing nutrition transition, such as the United Arab Emirates. OBJECTIVES: To characterize dietary patterns among pregnant women living in the UAE and examine their associations with gestational weight gain and gestational weight rate. METHODOLOGY: Data were drawn from the Mother-Infant Study Cohort, a two-year prospective cohort study of pregnant women living in the United Arab Emirates, recruited during their third trimester (n = 242). Weight gain during pregnancy was calculated using data from medical records. The Institute of Medicine's recommendations were used to categorize gestational weight gain and gestational weight gain rate into insufficient, adequate, and excessive. During face-to-face interviews, dietary intake was assessed using an 89-item culture-specific semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire that referred to usual intake during pregnancy. Dietary patterns were derived by principal component analysis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations of derived dietary patterns with gestational weight gain/gestational weight gain rate. RESULTS: Two dietary patterns were derived, a "Diverse" and a "Western" pattern. The "Diverse" pattern was characterized by higher intake of fruits, vegetables, mixed dishes while the "Western" pattern consisted of sweets and fast food. The "Western" pattern was associated with excessive gestational weight gain (OR:4.04,95% CI:1.07-15.24) and gestational weight gain rate (OR: 4.38, 95% CI:1.28-15.03) while the "Diverse" pattern decreased the risk of inadequate gestational weight gain (OR:0.24, 95% CI:0.06-0.97) and gestational weight gain rate (OR:0.28, 95% CI:0.09-0.90). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that adherence to a "Diverse" pattern reduced the risk of insufficient gestational weight gain/gestational weight gain rate, while higher consumption of the "Western" pattern increased the risk of excessive gestational weight gain/gestational weight gain rate. In view of the established consequences of gestational weight gain on the health of the mother and child, there is a critical need for health policies and interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle eating through a life course approach.

Microbiological quality of kitchens sponges used in university student dormitories.

BACKGROUND: Kitchen sponges are a major source of cross-contamination as they can transfer foodborne pathogens, infectious agents and spoilage causing microorganisms to food contact surfaces. Several studies have revealed that university students adopt poor practices regarding food safety, hygiene, and the handling of kitchen cleaning equipment. METHODS: A total of fifty kitchen sponges were collected along with a questionnaire addressing social demographics and kitchen sponge usage by students living at the University of Sharjah dormitories. The effect of storage (3 and 10 days) on the microbial population of kitchen sponges at room temperature (21 °C) was assessed. Enterobacteriaceae isolated from sponges were identified and their antibiotic resistance determined. RESULTS: Student responses revealed that kitchen sponges used to clean food contact surfaces were also used to clean the oven (32%), sink (26%), refrigerator (10%), and to clean spills on the floor (4%). Kitchen sponges contained high counts of mesophilic aerobic bacteria (7.9 log10/cm3), coliform (7.2 log10/cm3), Enterobacteriaceae (7.3 log10/cm3) and yeasts and molds (7.0 log10/cm3). After storage of the sponges at room temperature (21 °C) for 3 and 10 days, the number of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, coliform, Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts and molds decreased by 0.4 and 1.3 log10/cm3, 0.7 and 1.4 log10/cm3, 0.4 and 1.1 log10/cm3, and 0.6 and 1.3 log10/cm3, respectively. The most frequently isolated Enterobacteriaceae were Enterobacter cloacae (56%) and Klebsiella oxytoca (16%). All E. cloacae isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, cefalotin, cefoxitin and cefuroxime axetil. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that students living in dormitories lacked good hygienic practices and were at increased risk of food poisoning. Kitchen sponges were highly contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria which could be transferred from the general kitchen environment to food contact surfaces and consequently lead to food contamination.

Microbial safety of oily, low water activity food products: A review.

Oily, low water activity (OL aw) products including tahini (sesame seed paste), halva (tahini halva), peanut butter, and chocolate, have been recently linked to numerous foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls. This review discusses the ingredients used and processing of OL aw products with a view to provide greater understanding of the routes of their contamination with foodborne pathogens and factors influencing pathogen persistence in these foods. Adequate heat treatment during processing may eliminate bacterial pathogens from OL aw foods; however, post-processing contamination commonly occurs. Once these products are contaminated, their high fat and sugar content can enhance pathogen survival for long periods. The physiological basis and survival mechanisms used by pathogens in these products are comprehensively discussed here. Foodborne outbreaks and recalls linked to OL aw foods are summarized and it was observed that serotypes of Salmonella enterica were the predominant pathogens causing illnesses. Further, intervention strategies available to control foodborne pathogens such as thermal inactivation, use of natural antimicrobials, irradiation and hydrostatic pressure are assessed for their usefulness to achieve pathogen control and enhance the safety of OL aw foods. Sanitation, hygienic design of manufacturing facilities, good hygienic practices, and environmental monitoring of OL aw food industries were also discussed.

Inactivation of Salmonella spp. in tahini using plant essential oil extracts.

Tahini is a popular food product in the Middle East region and is used as a major ingredient in several ready-to-eat food products. Tahini and its products have been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks and product recalls worldwide as a result of Salmonella spp. contamination. The objectives of the current study were to investigate: i) the effectiveness of 10 plant essential oil extracts on the viability of Salmonella spp. using disc diffusion ii) the antimicrobial activity of the most effective oils against Salmonella spp. in commercial or 10% w/v hydrated tahini (tahini-based product model) stored at 37, 25 and 10 °C for 28 d and iii) the effect of the addition of essential oil extracts on the sensory acceptability of tahini and hydrated tahini. Among the tested essential oils, thyme (TO) and cinnamon oil (CO) showed the highest antimicrobial activity against tested Salmonella spp. at 37 and 10 °C using a disc diffusion assay method. In tahini, the addition of 2.0% CO reduced the numbers of Salmonella spp. by 2.87, 2.64 or 2.35 log10 CFU/ml at 37, 25 or 10 °C, respectively, by 28 d. However, the antimicrobial activity of CO was more pronounced at all storage temperatures in hydrated tahini where no viable cells were detected after 3 d storage at 25 and 37 °C, or after 7 d at 10 °C. However, at 25 and 37 °C, the antimicrobial activity of CO was more evident since no viable cells were detected after 14 d when 0.5% was used. The numbers of Salmonella spp. were reduced by 3.29, 3.03 or 2.17 log10 CFU/ml at 37, 25 or 10 °C, respectively, after 28 d when 2.0% TO was added to tahini. Salmonella spp. were not detected in the hydrated tahini treated with 2.0% TO after 28 d at 37 °C or 25 °C, while at 10 °C, the numbers of Salmonella spp. were not significantly reduced after 28 d in hydrated tahini compared to the initial numbers at zero time. Therefore, the addition of TO and CO could be used to preclude the post process contamination of tahini with foodborne pathogens, yet, the addition of TO and CO to tahini reduced its consumer acceptability compared untreated tahini.

Updates on understanding of probiotic lactic acid bacteria responses to environmental stresses and highlights on proteomic analyses.

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that improve the health of the host when administered in adequate quantities. Nonetheless, probiotics encounter extreme environmental conditions during food processing or along the gastrointestinal tract. This review discusses different environmental stresses that affect probiotics during food preparation, storage, and along the alimentary canal, including high temperature, low temperature, low and alkaline pH, oxidative stress, high hydrostatic pressure, osmotic pressure, and starvation. The understanding of how probiotics deal with environmental stress and thrive provides useful information to guide the selection of the strains with enhanced performance in specific situations, in food processing or during gastrointestinal transit. In most cases, multiple biological functions are affected upon exposure of the cell to environmental stress. Sensing of sublethal environmental stress can allow for adaptation processes to occur, which can include alterations in the expression of specific proteins.

Gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes among Emirati and Arab women in the United Arab Emirates: results from the MISC cohort.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional status of women during pregnancy has been considered an important prognostic indicator of pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the pattern of gestational weight gain (GWG) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their risk factors among a cohort of Emirati and Arab women residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A secondary objective was to investigate pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and its socio-demographic correlates among study participants. METHODS: Data of 256 pregnant women participating in the cohort study, the Mother-Infant Study Cohort (MISC) were used in this study. Healthy pregnant mothers with no history of chronic diseases were interviewed during their third trimester in different hospitals in UAE. Data were collected using interviewer-administered multi-component questionnaires addressing maternal sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. Maternal weight, weight gain, and GDM were recorded from the hospital medical records. RESULTS: Among the study participants, 71.1% had inadequate GWG: 31.6% insufficient and 39.5% excessive GWG. 19.1% reported having GDM and more than half of the participants (59.4%) had a pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. The findings of the multiple multinomial logistic regression showed that multiparous women had decreased odds of excessive gain as compared to primiparous [odds ratio (OR): 0.17; 95% CI: 0.05-0.54]. Furthermore, women with a pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 had increased odds of excessive gain (OR: 2.23; 95%CI: 1.00-5.10) as compared to those with pre-pregnancy BMI < 25 kg/m2. Similarly, women who had a pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 were at higher risk of having GDM (OR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.10-5.12). As for the associations of women's characteristics with pre-pregnancy BMI, age and regular breakfast consumption level were significant predictors of higher pre-pregnancy BMI. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed alarming prevalence rates of inadequate, mainly excessive, GWG and GDM among the MISC participants. Pre-pregnancy BMI was found a risk factor for both of these conditions (GWG and GDM). In addition, age and regular breakfast consumption were significant determinants of pre-pregnancy BMI. Healthcare providers are encouraged to counsel pregnant women to maintain normal body weight before and throughout pregnancy by advocating healthy eating and increased physical activity in order to reduce the risk of excessive weight gain and its associated complications.

Unraveling the potential nutritional benefits of fermented date syrup waste: Untargeted metabolomics and carbohydrate metabolites of in vitro digested fraction.

Valorization of fruit by-products is a crucial area of research for the development of innovative bio-based products. This study investigated the physicochemical properties and health-promoting benefits of date syrup waste, both fermented by Pichia cecembensis or Pichia kudriavzevii (FDSW), and unfermented (CDSW). Metabolomics profiles of these samples were identified post in vitro digestion. FDSW exhibited 42 volatile compounds, including 9 new ones, and contained (-)-epicatechin, tyrosol, and gallic acid. Bioaccessible fractions of FDSW demonstrated substantial α-amylase inhibition, with percentages of 40.7 % and 53.9 %, respectively. FDSW displayed superior cytotoxicity against Caco2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, with an average of âˆ¼75 % and 56 %, respectively. Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed an increase in secondary metabolites, totaling 27 metabolites. LC-QTOF analysis of bioaccessible carbohydrate metabolites in FDSW identified two phytochemical groups, alkaloids, and terpenoids. This study underscores the potential of FDSW for producing value-added bio-based products with desirable characteristics and health benefits.

Preservative effect of pomegranate-based marination with ß-resorcylic acid and cinnamaldehyde on the microbial quality of chicken liver.

Chicken liver is considered a delicacy in the Middle East where pomegranate molass is commonly used as a salad dressing and in marinade recipes. Marinated chicken liver is a common entrée and represents a value-added product compared to the otherwise unmarinated liver which commands a lower price. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of a pomegranate-based marinade alone or following the addition of cinnamaldehyde or ß-resorcylic acid on the spoilage microorganisms present in chicken liver during storage for 14 d at 4°C or under mild temperature abuse conditions (10°C). The pH and microbial populations of total plate count (TPC), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Pseudomonas spp. (PS), yeast and mold (YM), and Enterobacteriaceae (EN) were tested during the storage period and the shelf life was determined (defined as 107 log cfu/g). Sensory analysis was also conducted. The pH increased by a greater extent in unmarinated samples as compared to marinated samples (with or without antimicrobials) upon storage. The initial TPC, LAB, PS, YM, and EN microbial populations in the chicken liver were 3.85 ± 0.79, 3.73 ± 0.85, 3.85 ± 0.79, 3.73 ± 0.87, and 3.69 ± 0.23 log cfu/g, respectively. The marinade decreased the microbial populations by 2 to 4 log cfu/g. The marinade and antimicrobial mixture decreased the microbial populations by 3 to 4 log cfu/g. Except for 1 sample, none of the marinated chicken liver samples with or without antimicrobials reached the end of shelf life even up to 14 d of storage at both 4°C and 10°C. The overall sensory score was rated around 6/9 for the treated samples.

Molecular crosstalk between polyphenols and gut microbiota in cancer prevention.

A growing body of evidence suggests that cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic approaches. In recent years, the molecular crosstalk between polyphenols and gut microbiota has emerged as a promising pathway for cancer prevention. Polyphenols, abundant in many plant-based foods, possess diverse bioactive properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. The gut microbiota, a complex microbial community residing in the gastrointestinal tract, plays a crucial role in a host's health and disease risks. This review highlights cancer suppressive and oncogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota, the intricate interplay between gut microbiota modulation and polyphenol biotransformation, and the potential therapeutic implications of this interplay in cancer prevention. Furthermore, this review explores the molecular mechanisms underpinning the synergistic effects of polyphenols and the gut microbiota, such as modulation of signaling pathways and immune response and epigenetic modifications in animal and human studies. The current review also summarizes the challenges and future directions in this field, including the development of personalized approaches that consider interindividual variations in gut microbiota composition and function. Understanding the molecular crosstalk could offer new perspectives for the development of personalized cancer therapies targeting the polyphenol-gut axis. Future clinical trials are needed to validate the potential role of polyphenols and gut microbiota as innovative therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Beyond pillbox: a national cross-sectional study on the attitudes, practices, and knowledge of community pharmacists regarding complementary and alternative medicine.

BACKGROUND: While community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to promote the safe and effective use of complementary and alternative medicine, their potential role remains largely untapped. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to complementary and alternative medicine products among community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates and explore the correlates of knowledge in the study sample. METHODS: Using a stratified random sampling frame, a national survey of community pharmacists was conducted in the United Arab Emirates. In a face-to-face interaction, participants completed a multi-component questionnaire consisting of four sections: sociodemographic and general characteristics; knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine products and usage; attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine and practices related to complementary and alternative medicine. Based on participants' answers, scores were calculated with higher scores indicating more positive knowledge, attitudes, and practices. RESULTS: 373 community pharmacists participated in the study (response rate: 83%). For the knowledge questions, more than 50% of community pharmacists correctly answered the functions of complementary and alternative medicine, however lower percentages were noted for the side effects and drug interactions questions. Most community pharmacists had positive attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine, except for particular aspects such as efficacy, where 40% agreed that complementary and alternative medicine is only effective in treating minor complaints. As for practices, while more than 70% of participants counseled patients on complementary and alternative medicine use, only 47% reported the toxic effects when encountered. Multiple linear regressions showed that community pharmacists working in independent pharmacies, those with fewer years of experience, and those who did not receive complementary and alternative medicine education during their academic degree had lower knowledge scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed that community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates have good knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine functions and generally positive attitudes and practices, with few gaps identified in each. Together, these findings provide critical evidence for the development of targeted interventions to promote the role of community pharmacists towards safe and effective complementary and alternative medicine use in the country.

Influence of maternal characteristics and infant feeding patterns on infant growth from birth till 18 months: The MISC study.

BACKGROUND: The growth and development of infants during the first 1000 days of life are crucial for their health. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the impact of maternal characteristics and infant feeding patterns on infant growth from birth to 18 months. METHODS: Data were derived from the 2-year perspective Mother Infant Study Cohort (MISC) study which included six visits from the third trimester of pregnancy until 18 months postpartum. A convenient sample of 256 pregnant women aged 19-40 years was recruited from Sharjah, Dubai and Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. RESULTS: Amongst mothers' characteristics, Arab nationality, pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity, higher gestational weight gain and lower physical activity were found to increase the likelihood of infants being overweight at 6, 12 and 18 months. Exclusive breastfeeding was positively correlated with reduced odds of the infant being overweight at 18 months (aOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.12-0.81). Breastfeeding for up to 6 months and the introduction of solid foods after 6 months was associated with reduced odds of the infant being overweight at 12 months old (aOR = 4, 95% CI: 1.1-14.6; aOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.09-8.08, respectively). CONCLUSION: The findings spotlight the influence of maternal characteristics and infant feeding on infant growth. This asserts the need for evidence-based programmes targeting mothers to promote optimal feeding practices and foster healthy child growth.

Role of marination, natural antimicrobial compounds, and packaging on microbiota during storage of chicken tawook.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of marination, natural antimicrobials, and packaging on the microbial population of chicken tawook during storage at 4°C. Chicken meat was cut into 10 g cubes and marinated. The chicken was then mixed individually with 0.5% or 1% (w/v) vanillin (VA), ß-resorcylic acid (BR), or eugenol (EU), and stored under aerobic (AP) or vacuum (VP) packing at 4°C for 7 d. The marinade decreased microbial growth as monitored by total plate count, yeast and mold, lactic acid bacteria, and Pseudomonas spp. by about 1 log cfu/g under AP. The combination of marinade and antimicrobials under AP and VP decreased growth of spoilage-causing microorganisms by 1.5 to 4.8 and 2.3 to 4.6 log cfu/g, respectively. Change in pH in VP meat was less than 0.5 in all treated samples including the control. Marination decreased the lightness of the meat (L*) and significantly (p < 0.05) increased the redness (A*) and yellowness (B*). Overall acceptability was highest for marinated samples with 0.5% BR.

Physicochemical, rheological, and bioactive properties of exopolysaccharide produced by a potential probiotic Enterococcus faecalis 84B.

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) have attracted a great interest due to their potential health-promoting properties and industrial applications. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical, rheological, and biological properties of an EPS produced by a potential probiotic strain Enterococcus faecalis 84B. The results show that the extracted EPS, designated EPS-84B, had an average molecular weight of 604.8 kDa, particles size diameter of 322.0 nm, and mainly composed of arabinose and glucose with a molar ratio of 1:2. Furthermore, EPS-84B exhibited a shear-thinning behavior and had a high melting point. The rheological properties of EPS-84B were strongly influenced by the type of salt than by the pH value. EPS-84B displayed ideal viscoelastic properties, with both viscous and storage moduli increasing with frequency. The antioxidant activity of EPS-84B at a concentration of 5 mg/mL was 81.1 % against DPPH and 35.2 % against ABTS. At 5 mg/mL, the antitumor activity of EPS-84B against Caco-2 and MCF-7 cell lines was 74.6 and 38.6 %, respectively. In addition, the antidiabetic activity of EPS-84B towards α-amylase and α-glucosidase was 89.6 and 90.0 %, respectively at 100 µg/mL. The inhibition of foodborne pathogens by EPS-84B was up to 32.6 %. Overall, EPS-84B has promising properties that could be utilized in food and pharmaceutical industries.