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Nowadays, the use of lipid-based nanocarriers for the targeted and controlled delivery of a variety of hydrophobic and hydrophilic bioactive-compounds and drugs has increased significantly. However, challenges such as thermodynamic instability, oxidation, and degradation of lipid membranes, as well as the unintended release of loaded compounds, have limited the use of these systems in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, the present study reviews the latest achievements in evaluating the characteristics, production methods, challenges, functional, and biological stabilization strategies of lipid-based carriers (including changes in formulation composition, structural modification, membrane-rigidity, and finally monolayer or multilayer coating with biopolymers) in different conditions, as well as molecular dynamics simulations. The scientists' findings indicate the effect of natural biopolymers (such as chitosan, calcium alginate, pectin, dextran, xanthan, caseins, gelatin, whey-proteins, zein, and etc.) in modifying the external structure of lipid-based carriers, improving thermodynamic stability and resistance of membranes to physicochemical and mechanical tensions. However, depending on the type of bioactive compound as well as the design and production goals of the delivery-system, selecting the appropriate biopolymer has a significant impact on the stability of vesicles and maintaining the bioaccessibility of the loaded-compounds due to the stresses caused by the storage-conditions, formulation, processing and gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, effectiveness of the optimal gliding arc (OGA) plasma on Pacific white shrimp (PWS) immersed in 3% Laurus nobilis leaf essential oil (EO) was evaluated in three types of packaging, including atmosphere, vacuum, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Laurus nobilis leaf EO contains high quantities of 1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate with no significant effects on the bacterial load compared to OGA plasma. OGA plasma was used to compensate for the low antimicrobial effects of L. nobilis leaf EO. Considering parameters pH, PV, TVBN, and melanosis, the shrimps were acceptable for consumption at duration of 10 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Average of life expectancy through the worlds is increasingly year by year, leading to an overall increase of geriatric population. Ageing is a complex process with changes in physiological, psychological and social factors that may impact on nutritional status. As prevalence of malnutrition rises with age the aim of current research was to assess the nutritional status of elderly people Based on MNA tool. Materials and Method: A cross sectional study conducted on 303 elderly people, aged 60 years and above. The study approved by Ethics Committee of Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2016. A written informed consent was taken from eligible participants. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is an instrument for identifying older people at risk of malnutrition. Anthropometric assessment (such as weight height, BMI, Mid Arm Circumference Calf Circumference) and demographic assessment are used through the MNA tool to assess the nutritional status of elderly people. Data analyzed by SPSS18 p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant Results: Mean age of participants was 70.8(8.4) year, weight was 65.0(12.1) kg, height was 164.1(9.5) cm and BMI was 24.1(4.0) kg/m2 . Analysis of data by student t. test showed a significant difference between males and females at 5% level. The mean weight, height and BMI in male participants were higher than females (p<0.05).The nutritional status of elder people based on MNA tool showed 57.1 % of them were at risk of being malnourished, 18.5% of them were malnourished and 24.4% of them were in the normal status. A significant relationship indicated between BMI and educational levels (p<0.05), while relationship between BMI and monthly income was not significant. Data analysis showed a significant relationship observed between nutritional status with place of life and monthly income (p<5%), while relationship between nutritional status with gender was not significant. Conclusion: Prevalence of under nutrition in elderly population differs according to health status and living conditions, which by itself poses risk for higher morbidity and mortality. It is therefore especially important to evaluate their nutritional status to improve their prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trace elements and specially minerals are critical for the development of fetus. Many minerals are transferred to the fetus for fetal stores in the latter part of the pregnancy. It has been shown that various trace elements such as Zinc, Iron, Calcium and Magnesium are metabolically interrelated and there is alteration in their concentration during pregnancy. Beyond pregnancy is associated with increased demand of all the nutrients and deficiency of any of these could affect pregnancy, delivery and outcome of pregnancy., Aim: To study the levels of trace elements namely zinc, iron, magnesium and calcium in maternal and umbilical cord blood and their association with pregnancy outcome., Methods: Sixty pregnant women in Zabol, Iran were selected from those who had registered their names for the prenatal care and who had followed up till the 3rd trimester of pregnancy ending in child birth. Biochemical parameters analyzed with help of the biochemical laboratory. Data were analyzed by SPSS software., Results: The mean biochemical profile such, serum calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron in the pregnant women were as follow: in the 1st trimester 8.3, 1.9, 74.9 and 74.4 µg/dl respectively; in the 2nd trimester 8.5, 1.9, 73.1 and 79.3 µg/dl, respectively; in the 3rd trimester 8.6, 1.9, 68.4, and 82.2 µg/dl, respectively. In the umbilical cord blood, the mean serum calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron were 8.5, 1.9, 84.1, and 89.8 µg/dl, respectively. The mean serum calcium and magnesium during the three trimesters of pregnancy were not significantly different from that in the umbilical cord blood, while the mean serum zinc and iron in the umbilical cord blood were significantly different (p<0.05) in the three trimester of pregnancy. The mean birth weight of neonates was 3.1 kg and 12% of neonates showed low birth weight. Our findings showed that, except magnesium, the profile of other biochemical variables, namely, calcium, zinc and iron in the umbilical cord blood of the neonates with normal birth weight (NBW) were significantly higher than in the umbilical cord blood of neonates with low birth weight (LBW)., Conclusion: The results suggest that maternal serum zinc, iron and calcium concentration influenced the birth weight of neonates as outcome of pregnancy, and however, there is need for proper, adequate and balanced micronutrient during pregnancy to affect neonates as healthy outcome.