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Fruits and vegetables have shorter shelf life due to their perishable nature. Tomato, being a nutritionally rich fruit needs to be preserved for a longer period. In this context, this study was designed to dry the tomato slices through microwave-vacuum drying. This process was optimized for moisture ratio and drying rate using response surface methodology (RSM). The process was investigated at different power levels (30, 50, 80, and 100 W), pressure (0, 15, 20, and 25 inHg), and time (0, 4, 6, and 10 min) using Box-Behnken design. Results indicated that color, energy efficiency, and drying characteristics were significantly affected by changing power, vacuum levels, and processing time. Besides, nine mathematical models were applied on experimental data to deeply understand the moisture ratio of tomato slices. Amongst, Midilli model was found best to describe the drying process at 100 W and 25 inHg supported by R 2 (0.9989), RMSE (0.001), and X 2 (1.34e-4). This study was focused on finding the optimal combinations of power, vacuum pressure, and time for better drying and reduced wastage of the fruit owing to its perishable nature. From all the microwave powers, higher microwave power and vacuum level showed better energy consumption, energy efficiencies, color retention, and rehydration capacity.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends that a child should be breastfed up to 2 years of age as it is essential for proper growth and development but population-based studies around the world have found conflicting results on the subject. Our study aims to analyze whether there is a relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and undernutrition among children aged from birth up to 3 years of age in Pakistan. METHODS: A secondary analysis of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2013-2014 with 1072 children aged 3 years and under was conducted. The relationship between breastfeeding duration and undernutrition status was estimated through multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight were 40.6%, 15.8% and 33.9% respectively, while prevalence of severe stunting is at 22.5%; severe wasting at 4.5% and severe underweight at 12.2% in children in our study. Odds of being stunted were significantly higher for children in their 3rd year of life [AOR: 4.35, CI 95% = (2.01, 9.33)] compared to children being breastfed in their 2nd year of life [AOR: 2.43, CI 95% = (1.55, 3.79) after being adjusted for maternal, child, demographic and healthcare access variables. Similarly, children being breastfed in their third year of life were more susceptible to developing severe stunting [AOR: 6.19, CI 95% = (3.31, 11.56)] in comparison to children in their second year [AOR: 2.84, CI 95% = (1.81, 4.46)]. There was no significant association between breastfeeding and wasting/severe wasting, or between breastfeeding and underweight/severe underweight. CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding in the 2nd and 3rd year of life was found to have significant relationship with stunting and severe stunting. Mothers need to be educated about the risks of prolonged breastfeeding to reduce the burden of undernutrition in the country.
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The core objectives of the current study were to explore and compare the proximate and nutritive composition of both types of cookies prepared either with Ajwa seed oil (ASO) or hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF) and comparative analysis of the antioxidantal potential of both cookies and to reconnoiter the storage effects on the quality parameters of the cookies over a period of 60 days. Outcomes revealed that the cookies prepared with the ASO were superior (p < .05) in fat% and energy as compared to the cookies with HVF. Due to the presence of functional moieties, ASO cookies were found with better palatability, increased shelf life with enhanced physical properties and better functionality. Therefore, the findings of the current study revealed that ASO could be used as an alternative fat source for the preparation of novel functional cookies instead of conventional vegetable fats.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of lower limb ergometric training on echocardiographic parameters of left ventricle in dilated cardiomyopathy (DMC) patients. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized control trial. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from September 2016 to February 2017. METHODOLOGY: Clinically stable patients with DCM (n=60), were randomly allocated into an interventional group with two-month interventional program and a non-trained control group (n=30 each). Treatment protocol for interventional group was lower limb ergometer exercise for 8 weeks, 4 days/week. Pre and post-treatment echocardiography was done in both groups at baseline and after 8 weeks. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The median (IQR) age of the patients was 51 (18) years in interventional group and 62 (11) years in control group. Male to female ratio was 18:9 in control group and 17:12 in Interventional group. Statistically significant results were detected within the groups regarding ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular internal dimension systole (LVIDS) and left ventricular internal diastolic dimension (LVIDD) (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Exercise training with lower limb ergometer was effective in improving the ejection fraction and left ventricular dimensions in patients with dilated cardiomyopathies.