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Mar 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-21-3774
Skovmand OleCorresponding author
Intelligent Insect Control SARL, Montpellier, France
The paper describes the development of a long-lasting product for Intra-domicile residual spray (IRS) and shows it is possible to obtain a residual effect of nearly 2 years. However, to obtain that the methods currently recommended by WHO for laboratory evaluation had to be modified and approached methods closer to the semi-field and field evaluations as applied in later phases of WHO procedures. Surfaces with high pH resulted in short residual effect unless the formulations were mixed with a silicone coating. Screening in huts constructed for the purpose was realised by dividing the wall surfaces in 25 test plots of 0.5 m² where formulations were applied randomly with more repeats the closer to the final formulation. Mud and concrete surface were more challenging than wood surface and stones and these could be dropped for screening. Wall surfaces heated by sun were repellent to non-blood fed mosquitoes, and the test in huts were limited to the mornings. However, blood fed mosquitoes were not repelled. Cone tests on mud-walls are complicated by the uneven structure of the surface and a better way of attaching cones to avoid mortality errors was developed. Formulations that can be applied and last for two mosquito seasons produce big cost savings for IRS programs, since program costs are mostly application costs.
Dec 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4488.jna-19-3112
Aydin ZekiCorresponding author
Darica Farabi Training and Research Hospital, Department of Nephrology, Kocaeli, Turkey
Introduction Increased oxidative stress and blunted anti-oxidant mechanisms are important problems in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act directly on proteins, leading to the formation of oxidized amino acids. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) are among these substances. Many oxidant substances increase the level of AOPP. Iron is an element with strong oxidant capacity, especially when used intravenously. It is thought that iron treatment further increases the oxidative stress in HD patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between AOPP and inflammatory status in HD patients. Materials and Methods Patients who were on maintenance HD program without additional co-morbidities and no history of use of intravenous iron within the last two weeks were recruited in the study. The blood samples taken just before the dialysis session were analyzed for AOPP, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), ß2-microglobulin, fibrinogen, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels besides routine biochemical measurements and complete blood count. Results The number of patients included in the study was 102 (n: 53 female, %52.0) and the mean age was 47.6±13.9 years. The mean transferrin saturation was 25.4%. AOPP levels, iron use in patients was higher compared to patients who do not use (respectively 2.58±0.19 mmol/l and 2.50 ±0.16mmol/l, p = 0.046). We did not detect statistically significant correlation of AOPP levels with iron parameters and other inflammatory markers. Conclusion The present study showed that intravenous iron therapy does not increase oxidative stress. Although serum AOPP level was higher in patients on intravenous iron treatment, it was not correlated with iron indices and inflammatory markers. So, intravenous iron may exert its oxidant effect free from serum iron indices.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-19-2684
K. Srivastava RajeshCorresponding author
Department of Biotechnology, GIT, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam-530045 (A.P.), India.
Yeast as unicellular organism, has shown multiple application due to exhibition of noble ability in its cells. And engineered yeast has found more suitability in bioprocesses application as well as adverse conditions adaptation. Different types of yeast strains showed their best capability to adapt the salt and sugar rich environment with their optimal growth capability. These strains, used as suitable and novel cell factories for production of value added bio-products (via utilization of fermentation processes) and also for different types of bioprocesses. Application of yeast species in biotechnology field, enhanced in current periods, due to conversion of its wild to engineer strain, suitable for bioprocesses utilization and also for different types of biochemical synthesis. Different yeast species identified due to known their genetic, regulatory mechanism and also competitive metabolic pathways. In this regards, different type of engineering approaches (for genetic or pathways modification), applied to construct the optimal and suitable cell factories for different types of bioprocesses as utilized in different sectors (foods with mineral or protein rich, bread, brewing, cosmetics, chemical, agriculture, pharmacy and distillation industries) via improving the quality of bio-products. Further, in silico designed based metabolic engineering technique showed the improvement in performance of yeast strain. System and synthetic biology with engineering approaches applied to further improve the yeast mediated bioprocesses as well as biochemical products formation for industrial or biotechnological application. Some bio-products such as functional bio-molecule, different types of alcoholic biofuels, organic acids and enzymes etc are good examples of yeast mediated biochemicals products, utilized more frequently in our life. Author will focus recent research and development on bio-product formation or bioprocesses with their regulatory control mechanism in different yeast strains.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2677
Grootveld MartinCorresponding author
Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, United Kingdom
Objectives: Sunflower oil (SFO) is regularly employed for cosmetic, emollient and food frying purposes, the latter representing its foremost use globally. Therefore, full investigations of the molecular composition and quality of SFO products are a major requirement. In this study high-field 1H NMR analysis was employed to explore the molecular composition and authenticities of East African virgin (EAV) SFO products, particularly their acylglycerol fatty acid contents, together with those of selected minor constituents. Results acquired were statistically compared to those obtained on commercially-available, EU-approved refined SFO products via NMR-linked multivariate chemometrics strategies. Methodology: High-field 1H NMR spectra of EAV and refined SFOs (n = 55 and 4 respectively) were acquired at an operating frequency of 400 MHz. Their triacylglycerol fatty acid, triacylglycerol hydrolysis product, and sterol and stanol contents were determined via intelligent frequency bucketing and electronic integration of selected resonances. Univariate analysis-of-variance, and multivariate ROC curve evaluations were conducted to determine the magnitude and statistical significance of analyte concentration differences between these two sample classifications. Further multivariate NMR-linked chemometrics analyses such as principal component, random forest and support vector machine classification analyses were also utilised for this purpose. Key Results: Multicomponent 1H NMR analysis demonstrated that EAV SFOs had significantly higher and lower contents of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), respectively, than those of refined SFOs. Furthermore, significantly higher concentrations of ‘health-friendly’, cholesterol-blocking sterols and stanols were also found in these virgin SFO products. Major Conclusions: 1H NMR analysis provides much valuable molecular information regarding the composition and virginal status of SFOs.The high [MUFA]:[PUFA] content ratio of unrefined EAV SFO products renders them more suitable and safer for commercial or domestic deep-frying episodes than refined SFOs (MUFAs are much more resistant to thermally-induced peroxidation than PUFAs). These products also potentially offer valuable health benefits in view of their high natural sterol and stanol contents.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-18-2408
K. Srivastava RajeshCorresponding author
GIT, Gitam Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) (Deemed to be University)
Improved economic and developed people with their lifestyle have created many challenges of health issues (obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, allergies and dental problems), due to selection of different food habits (such as consumption of manifold junk foods). It has created number of health problem (development of many diseases) related to nutritional deficiencies food. Nowadays, people have developed the habit for shifting of synthetic food ingredients to organic foods and ingredients, obtained from natural sources. In this regards, nutraceuticals food or its food products can perform important role in controlling the diseases via fulfilling all the health benefits to many people at worldwide. Incredible dietary supplements as nutraceuticals food (involvement in nutritional, immunologic and physiological functions) can help in prevention or treatment of many diseases (mitigating of gastrointestinal (GI) tract problem), as it is synthesized from raw herbals and lots of rapidly growing industries are reported to synthesize these natural products. And around 100 million people are found to take these products (power of plant based materials) for getting health benefits. It can work as drugs as health benefit of nutraceuticals via regulation/ control for diseases. Global nutraceuticals market had been valued for US$ 165.62 billion in 2014 and it would be grow the value of US$ 278.96 billion by 2021 with compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. This proposed paper will discuss the different types of nutraceuticals food or its functional components involved in prevention or treatment of diseases.
Dec 2017
Aljerf LoaiCorresponding author
Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Damascus
p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters are used as food and drug preservatives. These compounds were quantised by a reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography method based on the use of silanized silica gel as stationary phase. Thin layers chromatography of silanized silica gel (HF254) is implemented to separate p-hydroxybenzoic acid and its methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and benzyl esters. Borate buffer (pH 2) was used as a mobile phase with the addition of organic solvent as required. For the quantitative determination, the solutions to be analysed were applied in bands on 5 x 20 cm plates. The plates are developed in glass chromatography chambers lined with filter paper. After the plates have been developed they are dried at room temperature. The spots or bands of the various compounds are visualised under a 250-mµ UV light source. The extraction of the silica gel with methanol was effective. Six preservatives were separated with better results for benzyl- and butyl-p-hydroxybenzoates. Chromatographic development controlled by temperature stability in the chromatographic chamber and spectrophotometric determination of all the compounds were indicated. A second development with the same solvent mixture was suggested especially when low RF is involved. Various compounds are completely separated and a good determination of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and its principle esters are possible using a simple technique of elution and spectrophotometric determination.
Jan 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-15-880
J Howard SimonCorresponding author
MBBS MSc MFPH, Specialty Registrar in Public Health, Health Education North East, Waterfront 4, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 8NY
Objective To provide data on the consistency of recommended serving sizes of single bars and bags of chocolate confectionery products sold in UK supermarkets, in terms of weight and energy content. Methods Data were obtained from supermarket websites on the weight, calorific content and recommended serving size of all products classified as single bars or bags of chocolate confectionery products in at least two of the three supermarkets with the largest share of the grocery market in the United Kingdom. Results The number of servings per product varies from 1 to 3. Recommended serving sizes vary widely in terms of weight and energy content (ranges 18-83.4g and 88-265kcal respectively). Recommended serving sizes vary even between identical products sold in different size packages. Conclusions There is potential for consumer confusion over a reasonable serving size of chocolate products, especially in the wider nutritional context of well-described portion sizes for food categories such as fruit. Alternatively, the inconsistency may derive from a reasonable attempt to make front-of-pack labelling easy for consumers to understand by using intuitive fractions of the contents.
Dec 2025
Tariku Belay YilkalCorresponding author
Background Research and drug development industries have multiphase drug screening procedures, which can be debated. As a result, harmful products may still reach for public health service delivery due to vulnerabilities in the process. Main body A wide range of test compounds have delayed manifestation of undesired effect on the study subject, with the time to undesired effects after acute exposure being weeks and months. Acute toxicology in a preclinical trial also has limited clinical value as its lethal dose is the endpoint for a conclusion, and death sometimes occurs after a scheduled period of acute toxicology. Countless resources are wasted, and numerous new drugs are introduced into the pharmaceutical market with assumed safety analysis every year due to vulnerable multi-procedures in preclinical trials. The principal use of collected data from a preclinical trial is to support regulatory categorization and harmful labelling decisions. However, the data can also be used to derive safe use threshold levels, which may lead to the use of unsafe material. The criteria for classification and labelling also differ among countries, sometimes among authorities within the same country. The fundamental concept of toxicology states that ‘all chemical substances are potential poisons depending on the amount and duration of exposure. However, the toxic property of a test compound cannot be created or eliminated by simply the amount administered to study animals. Conclusion All xenobiotics are poisons at any amount with different severity that can be calculated using biological parameters.
Jul 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-1937.ijbt-25-5616
N. Lubin LorraineCorresponding author
Objectives Blood transfusions in cardiac surgery are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to identify potential benefits of ANH in high-risk cardiac surgery. Design This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Setting The study was performed at a tertiary care university hospital. Participants 61 patients who underwent complex cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were enrolled in the study. Measurements and Main Results After randomization, 32 patients were assigned to the ANH arm, and 29 patients were assigned to the control group. ANH was associated with a lower incidence of total perioperative pRBC transfusion (0.6 ± 1.2 units vs 2.7 ± 6.8 units; p = 0.030/0.049). Total perioperative transfusion of all other fractionated blood products, including platelets (0.8 ± units vs 1.9 ± 2.4 units; p=0.010), cryoprecipitate (0.5 ± 0.7 vs 1.3 ± 2.0; p=0.016) and FFP (0.5 ± 1.0 vs 2.3 ± 6.2 units; p=0.013), was significantly lower in the ANH group compared to controls. Participants in the ANH group received significantly fewer intraoperative transfusions of pRBC (0.4 ± 1.2 vs 2.6± 7.0 units; p=0.037), platelets (0.8 ± 1.2 units vs 1.9 ± 2.4 units; p=0.013, logtrans), FFP (0.4 ± 0.9 vs 2.5 ± 6.4 units; p=0.003) and cryoprecipitate (0.5 ± 0.7 vs 1.3 ± 2.1 units; p=0.012, logtrans). With respect to secondary clinical outcomes, ANH participants had statistically shorter ICU (3.7 ± 1.9 vs 5.4 ± 3.6 days; p=0.020) and hospital (6.7 ± 2.1 vs 9.5 ± 7.7 days; p = 0.048) length of stays Conclusions ANH in complex cardiac surgical patients is safe and may be effective in reducing the allogenic blood product transfusion of PRBCs, FFP, platelets and cryoprecipitate in the perioperative period.
May 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-25-5495
Mekonnen Adare ZenebeCorresponding author
Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a vital food security crop cultivated in South and South-western parts of Ethiopia. However, enset production and the farming families have been threatened by Xanthomonas wilt and its spread in the farming system. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the soil fertility and plant management practices association on the incidence of Enset Xanthomonas wilt. Data on soils fertility and diseases from enset based farming clustered into inner, outer and outfield farm zone were sampled and surveyed. The result indicated that soil chemical properties significantly (p≤0.05) varied from inner to outfield farm zone. Significantly maximum nutrients store revealed in inner enset farm zones. Disease incidence reduced from inner to the outfield enset farm zone. Disease prevalence and disease incidence scored 28.5% and 11.6%, respectively depending on altitude and genotypes. Soil fertility levels in the enset inner and outfield plots were varied purposely to cultivate enset products as kocho, bulla or amicho (cooking type). The variations in soil fertility and Xanthomonas wilt incidence was associated with management practices applied for desired enset products. Therefore, management practices in enset based farming, soil fertility and location of enset planting zones found to be major indicators for disease incidence addressing to device control interventions.
Apr 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4526.jddd-24-4996
Haider RehanCorresponding author
The General Accounting Office released a study in August 1992 of twenty-nine sampled prescription drugs that reported an average increase in the price of approximately 138 percent between 1985 and 1991 (GAO 1992, 4, Table 1) Those and other published price indexes are increasingly being used in the public policy arena to focus the debate on the potential regulation of pharmaceutical prices and the coverage of health insurance. In an industry where products are multidimensional and the rate of technological progress is brisk, misinterpretation of unadjusted indices of drug prices can easily arise. This can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding appropriate policies for the pharmaceutical industry. Researchers have addressed numerous general theoretical issues concerning the construction and interpretation of price indices 1. Two issues of particular interest for pharmaceutical markets are the new goods problem, which deals with the introduction of generic drugs into a drug price index, and the quality problem, which recognizes that newer versions of drugs with the same basic Chemical action may be superior in certain dimensions to drugs already on the market. Specific to pharmaceutical markets, 2 have also argued that the sampling procedure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate pharmaceutical price indices is flawed. Each of those problems deserves careful analysis. This study focuses on the issue of product quality measurement and quality change.
Mar 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-24-4921
Bajaj ManyaCorresponding author
Hippocrates trusted foodstuff, maybe medicine, and healthcare management, administration, and costing are important. Nutraceuticals, derived from "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical," cover differing healing areas like “antagonistic-hard, cold and cough, sleep difficulties, digestion, cancer prevention, osteoporosis, blood pressure, cholesterol management, pain relievers, depression, and diabetes”. “Stephen De Felice”, “founder of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine, created the term in 1989”.Functional foods, like milk and orange juice, supply health benefits that surpass food, in the way that a better lifestyle and a lower risk of ailment. Nutraceuticals, in another way, involve fortified dairy products like milk that help avoid or cure illnesses and disorders apart from anaemia.Conventional arrangements like Solvents extraction , Soxhlet distillation ,maceration and “Non conventional designs” like ‘Microwave assisted origin’, Ultrasound Assisted Extraction are used to restore the bioactive material from plants for nutraceuticals.”The Indian Health and Dietary Supplement Association” supports drug, nutraceutical, herbaceous, and direct selling energies by categorising them based on chemical arrangement, food type, and conventional arrangement.This paper gives a brief review on nutraceuticals ,its history , its market trend , extraction techniques , benefits and its applications .
Feb 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-24-4938
Suh MinaCorresponding author
Public health interest in vaccinations and immune protection has increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. Dairy products are an important source of protein and other nutrients, and there are unresolved research questions regarding the potential health impact of dairy products on the enhancement of immune response. A systematic literature review was conducted to synthesize the published literature reporting the effects of dairy interventions on: 1) the vaccine-specific immune response and 2) immunoglobulins in the absence of vaccination. To assess study validity and quality, we used the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist. Sixty-one studies (59 clinical trials, 1 cohort, 1 cross-sectional survey) were included, spanning 1983-2017. Ten trials evaluated the effect of dairy intervention on vaccine-specific IgG, IgA, IgM, vaccine-specific antibody titers, seroprotection rates, or seroconversion rates. Of these, 7 reported significant increases with dairy interventions for post-vaccine tetanus antibodies, mean change in tetanus antibody level, total antibody titers to flagellin from Salmonella Adelaide, mean antibody titers to influenza B, influenza-specific IgA and IgG levels, and seroconversion or seroprotection rates for influenza A and B. Fifty-six studies evaluated dairy’s effects on immunoglobulins without vaccinations. The results were heterogenous, with some studies reporting significant enhancement of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgE, or IgG), while others observed no differences between groups. Clinical relevance of the immunoglobulin changes was not investigated in these studies. Dairy products and their components could enhance the efficacy of vaccines. This review highlights the evidence gaps and provides a potential roadmap for additional research.
Jan 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-23-4802
Fatema AkterCorresponding author
The host's health may benefit from the probiotic microorganisms found in many products available on the market. In addition to food, these products include dietary supplements, food for special medical purposes, medicines, cosmetics, and medical devices. These products have anywhere from one to a dozen strains of bacteria from the same or different species, and sometimes they also have strains of fungi. Since the health benefits of probiotics depend on the strain, the number of cells in a dose, and the absence of pathogenic microorganisms, it is crucial to regulate the quality of probiotics. Depending on how a product is classified, how it looks, and how many microorganisms it has, it is very important to count and identify the microorganisms correctly. We investigated nine probiotic products in this study: five commercially available probiotic supplements and four probiotic drinks. The majority of commercial products did not contain all of the labeled lactic acid bacteria, nor did they contain any possibly harmful microorganisms. To ensure that consumers in Bangladesh obtain good products, probiotic-containing product rules and regulations should be developed. Furthermore, it should be the duty of probiotics-containing product manufacturers to provide consumers with information that is accurate, reliable, and compliant with legal and scientific requirements
Jun 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-23-4615
Manickum ThavrinCorresponding author
A literature review was undertaken with a focus on 1) identifying the research gaps regarding CECs, 2) identifying the most common ones, and 3) identifying the typical analytical methods/technologies employed, for their analysis. A total of 214 papers were noted, with a total of 21 review articles (9.8%). Of this total, a surprisingly high number were from South Africa alone: 117 (54.7%), of which 44 (20.6%) reports were associated with South Africa’s Water Research Commission (WRC). The top three CECs research gaps were (decreasing rank: Number of “gaps”, %): 1) Toxicity/Risk/Impact (260, 21.5%), 2) Analysis/Tests/Methods (118, 9.8%) and 2) Future research/studies (118, 9.8%), and 3) Monitoring (89, 7.4%). The common classes of CECs that were reported on, were : (i) Chemical: pharmaceuticals, personal care products, steroids, chlorinated and brominated contaminants, PAHs, PCBs, phthalates, alkyl phenols, herbicides, organochlorine pesticides, engineered nanomaterials and (ii) “Microbiological”: antibiotic resistance genes, human enteric bacteria and viruses, microbial pathogens (e.g., E Coli, rotavirus, Crypto, etc.), infectious biological water contaminants (e.g., E Coli isolates), cyanobacterial blooms (Microcystis). Common test methods used for analysis of the chemical contaminants were found to be chromatography (gas, liquid)-mass spectrometry; for the microbial contaminants, they were culture-based methods, ELISA, fluorescence microscopy, qPCR, RT-qPCR, gel electrophoresis, Raman spectroscopy, and also chromatography (largely liquid)-mass spectrometry, were also used. Some proposals were additionally made to address the very common, significant research gaps noted in CECs research, especially the standardization of analytical chemical test methods, based on chromatography-mass spectrometry, for quantification.
Mar 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-22-4377
Ibrahim Khalid IkhlasCorresponding author
The current study was intended to evaluate the chemical composition, functional properties, of some cucurbits seed. watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), were studied. Proximate analysis gave 17.09% -17.07% protein, 35.55%-39.0% fat,6.00% - 5.5% total ash, 24.9%-2.6% crude fibre, and 10.60% - 28.83% carbohydrate, for Pumpkin and Watermelon seed flour respectively. The seeds are rich in protein, crude fat, and crude fiber. nutritional value in the seed can be recommended on daily allowance, maintenance of good nutritional status and good health. The functional properties of the seed revealed that water and oil absorption capacities for the seed were 3.20 - 5.60 (Ml/g) and 3.93 -3.50 (Ml/g) for Watermelon and Pumpkin seed flour respectively. Foam capacity and bulk density for the seed were 9.67 % -19.0 % and 0.77 (g/ml) -1.5(g/ml). for Pumpkin and Watermelon seed flour respectively. Water and fat absorption capacities, and foam capacity were fairly good in all seeds. However, Pumpkin seed flour gave good functional properties compare to watermelon seed flour. The oil of watermelon and Pumpkin are acceptable according to its chemical properties. The seeds contained high amounts of K, Mg, Na, P and Ca. The obtained results revealed that the seeds presented an alternative source of vegetable oil. Seeds could be added to food systems such as bakery products.
Mar 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-22-4116
Shuja SabaCorresponding author
Background In Low Middle-Income Countries (LIMCs), malnutrition, especially undernutrition is one of the leading causes of childhood mortality and morbidity. Poor complementary feeding practices are among the most notable contributors to poor nutritional indicators in children under five. This article provides an output of secondary data analysis of the Cost of Diet (CoD) and Optifood component of National Complementary Feeding Assessment conducted by UNICEF Pakistan along with Pakistan Demographic Health Survey (PDHS) 2018. Methods For correlation of Optifood data and CoD data with PDHS data of CF, GraphPad software, MS Excel was used along with manual quantifications. The analysis of DHS-2018 data was conducted using STATA software. Univariate analysis included comparison of categorical variables i.e. various individual, household and community level parameters with that of outcome variables of minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum dietary diversity (MAD) using chi-square test. Findings The overall rate of MMF was 56.6% among children of 6-23 months of age with MDD in 18.6% and MAD in 13.8% of children. Percentage of annual cost spent on nutritious diet for MDD, MMF and MAD varies from 27.86% to 43.08% across all the provinces. Children aged 6–8 months and 9–11 months often consumed infant milk and cereals, while children aged 12–23 months often consumed eggs and grain products. Consumption of dairy products was highest in Punjab, Sindh, AJK, and Islamabad, that of grains roots and tubers was highest in KPK, FATA and GB. Conclusion Considering CF practices in Pakistan are inadequate as indicated by poor MDD, MMF, and MAD, therefore it is imperative that a holistic approach using both communication and non-communication based interventions is to be employed through active stakeholder engagement.
Nov 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-22-4341
Gwladys Gangoue LéaCorresponding author
Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire (BCM), Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Marien NGOUABI, BP 69 Brazzaville, Congo
Bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus are pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria responsible for various infections, including skin suppuration, which can be severe or chronic. The objective of this study was to confirm Staphylococci strain’s identification isolated by bacteriological methods from biological products of CHU-B patients, by molecular methods based on the analysis of the gene coding for 16S rRNA. In total, 30 strains of Staphylococci were isolated including 8 (26.66%) community strains, 22 (73.33%) hospital strains. The products of the amplification of gene fragments encoding 16S rRNA from 10 strains of Staphylococci including 6 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and 4 Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS) were sequenced. The sequences obtained were subjected to bioinformatics analysis to confirm the results of conventional bacteriological methods. Six (6) S. aureus strains, 2 Staphylococcus haemolyticus strains, 1 uncultured bacterium clone nbw618g09c1, and one Staphylococcus sp. have been identified. These results made it possible to confirm the effectiveness of the molecular method and to show the limits of traditional bacteriological methods in the complete identification of bacteria.
Nov 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-22-4335
Cameron Y. S. LeeCorresponding author
It is estimated that over 47 million people use tobacco products, mostly in the form of combustible (smokable) tobacco cigarettes. Thirteen to 50% of smokers also use electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes or vaping). Use of tobacco is the primary preventable cause of death and risk factor for lung, head, neck, and oropharyngeal cancer. Electronic cigarettes are a $10 billion dollar industry and has the potential to surpass the tobacco cigarette market. E-cigarette use is a public health concern because of the health issues of vaping and the limited amount of scientific research to support the safety of e-cigarette use. The authors of this paper want to create awareness that use of e-cigarettes is not a safer alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes as e-cigarettes contain known carcinogens that may lead to development of oropharyngeal cancer.
Oct 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2572-3030.jcgb-22-4284
B. Little ReginaldCorresponding author
Department of Chemistry, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Upon considering the anticancer effects of larger oligomeric proanthocyanidins and observing various papers reporting the high resolution mass spectroscopy of the oligomeric proanthocyanidins, it is determined that the unusual 13C enrichment in some plant oligomeric proanthocyanidins may be responsible for the anticancer activities of these food products. Such correlation of the 13C in the oligomeric proanthocyanidins also correlate with their scavenging of free-radicals, anti-virial and anti-bacterial properties. Proanthocyanidins in grape seeds are observed to have high enrichment in heavy isotopes of 2H, 13C, 15N and/or 17O. Mass analysis of DNA from human cancer cells are compared to normal human cells and cancer cells show bond specific enrichment of heavy isotopes in nucleotides G, A, T and C. On such basis, this study suggests possible stronger interactions of proanthocyanidins with DNA in cancer verses DNA in normal cells due to heavy isotope bond specific enrichments in both proanthocyanidins and the cancer DNA. Such 13C interactions from oligomeric proanthocyanidins with nucleic acids and proteins involved in replications, transcriptions and translations in cancer cells for interacting and chemically altering anabolism and cell division of the cancer cells are consistent with the author’s mechanism for normal cell to cancer cell transformations via possible replacements of primordial 1H, 12C, 14N, 16O, and 24Mg isotopes by nonprimordial 2H, 13C, 15N, and 17O and 25Mg isotopes in the proteins and nucleic acids. Such is also consistent with the proposed treatment for cancer by the author by use of foods containing proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and/or drug molecules enriched with the nonprimordial isotopes of 2H, 13C, 15N, and 17O and 25Mg.
Jul 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-6622.ijar-22-4221
Tadesse TeferaCorresponding author
National Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Holotta, Ethiopia
Cyanobacteria are considered as one of the important group of organisms having significant ecological, industrial, and biotechnological importance. Cyanobacteria have gained a lot of atten ion in recent years because of their potential applications in biotechnology. This review presents an overview of uses of cyanobacteria in industry agriculture, environment pharmaceutical and medicinal roles and to provide future prospects of the field of cyanobacteria biotechnology. Nowadays cyanobacteria have gained attention researchers because of their various potential applications such as food and feed pharmaceutical industries in medicine, in bioremediation, soil conditioning, as biopolymers, bio adhesives, bioenergy and biofertilizers. Due to presence of wide spectrum of bioactive compounds cyanobacteria has possesses antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities. Several strains of cyanobacteria are also rich in food supplements. Further nitrogen fixing and soil conditioning capacity of cyanobacteria attracted researchers. Recent studies have also shown that cyanobacteria have capability to degrade environmental pollutants and are also being used as a promising source of alternative energy. Cyanobacteria has also its limitations through bloom production it influnces on the nutrient availability and usage of phytoplankton plants. This review is an effort to forward the valuable information about the qualities of cyanobacteria and their potential role in solving the agricultural and environmental problems for the future welfare of the planet.Thus more efforts should be made in search of more potential strains of cyanobacteria to ensure maximum production of the desired products.
Mar 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-22-4105
Zakir Abadura SadikCorresponding author
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Ethiopia
Aflatoxins are toxigenic metabolites that are definitely occurring by lethal strains of Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus that commonly dwell and colonize in feed components and various nutritive foodstuffs particularly milk and milk based products. This Review has three main objectives; those are causes of aflatoxin, effects and methods of control in milk and milk products. Drinking of cow milk polluted with aflatoxin may overwhelm immunity and subsidize to stunting in young children, as the young children are not immune-competent during early stage. It has been internationally assessed that aflatoxin is possibly accountable for 30% of the annual cases of liver cancer. Generally, control approaches of aflatoxin can be applied during pre-harvest, cautious management in the time of harvest and postharvest decontamination. Moreover, choosing breed for aflatoxin impervious crop diversities, prevention of aflatoxin production through biological decontamination by microorganisms and their metabolites, rejection of aflatoxin by physical means in addition to inactivation by chemicals are the typical approaches that have been described in different studies. For the reason that cow milk is the most important and principal diet of children, but the risk of exposed to the cancer are more in infants. In addition, according to various investigations it also well thought that young animals are also found to be more vulnerable to aflatoxin than adults. Thus; the contamination of cow milk and milk products by AFM1 should understood as undesirable for young human and animals.
Mar 2022
Bereda GudisaCorresponding author
Department of Pharmacy, Negelle Health Science College, Guji, Ethiopia
Dolutegravir suppresses this integration enzyme, so human immune virus can’t create every greater copies of itself, thus ‘’integrase inhibitor.’’ Dolutegravir is hastily absorbed pursuing oral administration. The median maximum plasma concentration is reached 1.5–2.5 hours after oral uptake with a mean half-life of 12–15 hours, rendering feasible for once-daily dosing without the need for pharmacological boosting. The terminal half-life is about 14 hours. The apparent oral clearance is about 1 liter/hour. Fifty three percent of the total oral dose of dolutegravir is excreted unchanged in the feces, thirty two percent through urine as glucuronide (eighteen percent) or alkylated product (three point five percent), and other organic conjugated products sequencing from phase II liver metabolisms. Dolutegravir’s categorized as pregnancy category B (no confirmation of pitfall in humans) means either animal-reproduction inquests have not substantiated a fetal peril but there are no restrained inquests in pregnant women or animal-reproduction inquests have reveal an adverse effect (distinctive than a de-escalate in fertility) that was not inveterate in restrained inquests in women in the first trimester (and there is no confirmation of a pitfall in later trimesters) or there is survey in animal that revealed the medication is safe in pregnant animal, but there is no fetal pitfall confirmation in pregnant women.Antiviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) revealed that as of January 2017, pregnancy outcomes and birth defects were analyzed from 142 pregnancies with reported exposure to DTG during pregnancy. There were 128 live births reported (3 terminations, 11 miscarriages, no stillbirths). Only 4 (3.0%) reported birth defects, which is similar to the expected rate of birth defects in the general population. European Pregnancy and Paediatric HIV Cohort Collaboration (EPPIC) displayed that as of July 2017, 101 pregnancies with exposure to DTG had been identified with 84 birth outcomes. Rates of preterm delivery and “small for gestational age” were identical to outcomes reported from women on alternative regimens (standard of care in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
Mar 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2572-3030.jcgb-22-4121
Pierre Diaga SARRCorresponding author
Laboratory of Clinical Cytology, Cytogenetics and Reproduction Biology, Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Dakar-Senegal
Introduction Genomic mutations in TP53 gene in association with etiological risk factors have been associated with oral carcinogenesis. Herein, we screened for genomic variants of TP53 predisposing to oral cancers in Senegalese patients. Methodology 88 patients with confirmed diagnostic were recruited after informed consent. Blood samples were collected from each patient to perform DNA extraction, PCR amplification of all coding exons of TP53 followed by Sanger Sequencing of PCR products. Nucleotide sequences were analysed with Genalys software. 94 blood donors with no cancer diagnosis were also recruited as controls for association study between the most common variants identified in patients and predisposition to oral cancers. Results Sequence analysis showed that 52.27% of patients carry at least one mutation in TP53. Eleven genomic variants were identified, 7 variants already reported in databases and 4 new variants. The most recurrent variants in this study already reported as cancer-related variants were Pro72Arg (rs1042522; Arginine frequency estimated at 31.26%) and a 16 bp insertion in intron 3 (rs59758982; allelic frequency estimated at 26.25%). Haplotype analysis between these variants showed a strong linkage disequilibrium (D’ = 0.999, r2 = 0.153 and p-value < 0.05). However, association study did not find any significant association with susceptibility to oral cancer (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion Our study highlighted that despite the absence of association between the two most common cancer-related variants in Senegalese patients diagnosed with oral cancer, their strong LD suggested that they could be transmitted together in a common haplotype which may be implicated in oral carcinogenesis.
Feb 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2471-2140.jaa-22-4083
Sasaki MitsuruCorresponding author
Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials (IINa), Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan.
Convection dryers are the most affordable and most commonly used dryers for processing of agricultural products. However, since the temperature is high or the drying time is long, materials such as fruits and vegetables may turn brown and the nutrients deteriorate, therefore this method is not suitable for the production of dry powders for fruits and vegetables, which are expected to have bright colors and nutritional functions. Low temperature drying (LTD) has made it possible to produce strawberry dry powder with the equivalent functional components as powder by vacuum freeze drying (FD). In addition, the processing time is shorter and the cost is lower than vacuum FD. In this study, we demonstrate the superiority of LTD by comparing the quality and microstructure of strawberry powders produced by LTD and vacuum FD.
Oct 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-5014.jphn-21-3923
Keita Y.Corresponding author
Pediatric unit of Aristide Le Dantec hospital, Dakar
We report 2 cases of vitamin B12 deficiency in children due to deficient intake. These were 2 girls aged 4 years (case 1) and 6 years (case 2), respectively, hospitalized in December 2020 and March 2021 in the pediatric ward of Le Dantec hospital. Both patients presented with aregenative anemia, melanoderma and undernutrition. The bone marrow count in case 1 showed a dysmyelopoiesis with megablastosis. The blood vitamin B12 level was low in both cases. Folic acid blood levels were normal in both patients, but an associated martial deficiency was found in case 2. The dietary survey revealed a lack of intake of animal products rich in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 replacement therapy was effective with rapid regression of all clinical signs observed in both children. The control of the vitamin B12 level after 1 month of treatment was normal in both patients. The disappearance of the symptoms under substitute treatment confirmed the deficiency of Vitamin B12 intake in both patients. Conclusion: Both of our patients had a profound Vitamin B12 deficiency in a context of deficiency in nutrition. The regression of the symptoms was spectacular under vitamin B12 replacement therapy, confirming the deficiency. We recommend in our context a contribution in micronutrients such as vitamins in children after weaning to avoid dietary errors.
Apr 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-3782
Masoero GiorgioCorresponding author
Accademia di Agricoltura di Torino, Via A. Doria 10, 10123 Torino (Italy).
A systematic use of biofertilizers can improve both the quality of a farming system and the parameters of milk. Some issues related to biofertilization experiments on six farms in the Po Valley (NW Italy) involved in the production of milk from dairy cattle fed maize silage or grazed on hay produced from permanent meadows are reported in this paper. Biofertilized maize was found to lower the live stem pH by about 2.3%, and NIR spectroscopy foreshadowing major changes in the composition. Overall, the plant silage was improved in quantity (+10%) but also in quality, as shown by the delayed maturity stage of the leaves (crop maturity index -4%), the lower indigestible NDF content (-7%), and the higher digestible carbohydrates and protein in the whole plants. Such favorable feeding conditions, together with the improved palatability of the feed ration, boosted the nutrient values of the protein (+4.6%) and fat contents (+5.7%) in the milk. Moreover, the functional properties of the milk were ameliorated, as testified by the higher levels of vitamin A (+27%) and vitamin E (+25%) and the reduced levels of saturated fatty acids (-6%), especially myristic (-18%) and stearic (-32%) acids, while the unsaturated acids increased by 15%. As far as economy aspects are concerned, the biofertilization of maize for silage has led to consistent rewards pertaining to the marginal price of the milk, which in turn has led to a value chain increase of about 9%, because of the fields cultivation, but mainly of the cow transformation in milk quality issues. On another farm, intensive maize was substituted with permanent biofertilized meadows, over a greening path, and a + 17% value chain increase was obtained that already derived mainly from the best price for milk quality parameters. Such an evolutionary leap toward a new vision of sustainable agriculture for the environment and for animals, in which a better quality of products, animal welfare and company budget are combined with soil biofertilization, can be considered a bonanza.
Feb 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-21-3720
R. Rapciewicz GeorgeCorresponding author
Jr. D.B.A. Candidate
Because of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, supply chain management performance seems to be struggling. The purpose of this paper is to examine a variety of critical factors related to the application of contingency theory to determine its feasibility in preventing future supply chain bottlenecks. The study reviewed current online news reports, previous research on contingency theory, as well as strategic and structural contingency theories. This paper also systematically reviewed several global supply chain management and strategic decision-making studies in an effort to promote a new strategy. The findings indicated that the need for mass production of products within the United States, as well as within trading partners, is necessary to prevent additional Covid-19 related supply chain gaps. The paper noted that in many instances, the United States has become dependent on foreign products, where the prevention of future supply chain gaps requires the United States restore its manufacturing prowess.
Jan 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-20-3664
M. Sebaiy MahmoudCorresponding author
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt.
In this literature review, we will introduce most of up-to-date reported methods that have been developed for determination of lamivudine in its pure form, combined form with other drugs, combined form with degradation products, and in biological samples.
Nov 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-869X.jfd-20-3603
Jangid RenuCorresponding author
Department of Botany, Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan Government College Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Plant products have been used as medicines against fungal infectious diseases. In this research antimycotic activity of the leaf extracts of five medicinal plants (Nerium indicum, Catheranthus roseus, Lantana camera, Ziziphus mauritiana) were tested against three dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum. gypseum). Development of more effective and less toxic antimycotic agents is required for the treatment of dermatophytosis. The plant materials were extracted with methanol, ethanol and diethyl ether solvent to investigate their antimycotic activities in Vitro. Ethanol and methanol extracts of all selected medicinal plants were showed the positive activity against all tested dermatophytes. Diethyl ether extract was showed lowest activity against T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum and showed moderate activity against M. gypseum. The three dermatophytes differed with regard to their susceptibility to plant extracts.
Sep 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-20-3516
Bhargava AksheyCorresponding author
Ex. Rajasthan Pollution Control Board, CEPT University, India
Municipal solid waste generation and disposal is a problem not only in India but all over the world. Presently majority of such waste is being dumped indiscriminately over vacant lands causing problems of odor, methane generation leading to air pollution, leaching effect polluting ground water and runoff polluting water bodies. Technological options are available to treat this solid waste and convert it into usable products but the biggest problem is its segregation preferably at the source of generation or even at the disposal area. Municipal solid waste generated in India consists of 15 percent non biodegradable which has high calorific contents and can be converted into power generation. Remaining 85 percent is degradable which can either be converted into compost or bio fuels. Under the present context, sustainable municipal waste management strategy needs to be evolved and put in place with effective implementation to address the issue of environmental pollution. An attempt has therefore been made by the authors of the present paper to take up a case study of Kanpur, India for managing such wastes having sustainable approach. The authors have worked out trends of population starting from the year 1951 and projected to 2051. Similarly waste generation trends established on the lines of population. An effort has also been made as to how much compost, bio fuel and power can be generated along with economic value to make it sustainable on a time scale.
Aug 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2835-2165.jfsh-20-3487
Roozbeh Nasiraie LeilaCorresponding author
Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, Nour Branch of Islamic Azad University, Nour, Iran
The ever-present need for human communities to extract herbal active ingredients has necessitated many studies to be carried out in order to introduce more efficient and cost-effective extraction processes. The traditional extraction methods are very time consuming and use large volumes of solvents. The large volumes of solvents consumed in such methods not only increase costs but also pose many environmental problems. New extraction methods have been recently introduced to replace the traditional ones. These new methods reduce the volumes of required solvents, shorten the process and increase its efficiency and improve the quality of the products. In this study, the three methods of immersion, boiling, and ultrasound using water/ethanol solvents were employed for garlic extraction and compared with each other in terms of the extraction speed and time, the antioxidant property of the extract, and the quantity of the heat-sensitive active ingredient. The results showed that the highest allicin content (0.086%) was observed in the ultrasonic aqueous extract. The largest amounts of phenolic compounds (0.311 mg gallic acid equivalent) were observed in the ultrasonic aqueous extract followed by the aqueous extract prepared after 72 h in a shaking incubator. The highest inhibition rate (50% at 5000 ppm) was that of the ultrasonic aqueous extract and the shaken aqueous extract. Other extracts achieved an inhibition rate of 50% at 8000 ppm. Therefore, ultrasonic extraction can be a good alternative to traditional extraction methods.
Aug 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2832-4048.jsm-20-3519
Nasim Habibzadeh SeyedehCorresponding author
PhD student in Sport Science, School of Health and Life Sine, Department of Sport Science, Teesside University, United Kingdom
Some certain foods or drinks have specific effects on musculoskeletal frameworks in time of pain. For instance, the extra intake of salt declines muscular spams (or cramps) in different limbs. The regular consumptions of milk products reduce the upper or lower musculature weakness and pain. The hot drinks and foods as other examples can help to mitigate the abdominal pains. Indeed, warm drinks boost memory through lowering the pressures in different brain ‘sections (or lobs) in fatigue time. Some plant - based diets assist to the better digestion through faster and more smooth facilitation of food transformation in stomach areas. The plant – based dietary also can decline the heart muscle shocking impulse. However, some people for different reasons (i.e. cultural) do not consume some specific foods and drinks that can be kind of disadvantages for musculature system. Nonetheless, increasing the knowledge of daily food intakes can significantly help to improve musculoskeletal health in different individual in an uncertain condition.
May 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-7881.jdrr-20-3343
Hussen Abdelrhman AmgedCorresponding author
Assis Professor, Department of Hematology and Immunohematology, Omdurman Islamic university / Sudan
Background Anemia of chronic disease is anemia found in certain chronic disease states, is typically marked by the disturbance of iron homeostasis or hypoferremia. Chronic renal failure is currently known as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or Chronic Renal Insufficiency (CRI) implies long-standing, progressive and irreversible renal parenchyma disease resulting in diminished renal function up to 40 to 60%. Often, chronic kidney disease is diagnosed as a result of screening of people known to be at risk of kidney problems, such as those with high blood pressure or diabetes and those with a blood relative with chronic kidney disease. This disease may also be identified when it leads to one of its recognized complications such as cardiovascular disease, anemia, or pericarditis. Methods Sysmex kx21 used to CBC and the Cobase411 used to iron profile. Enzyme-Linked immunoassay (ELISA) was used to determine the level of serum hepcidin. Sample preparation and PCR detection of HAMP DNA Polymorphisms: Restriction digestion of PCR products was done using Fast Digest. (Figure 1). Results Serum hepcidin levels higher in patients with anemia of chronic kidney disease compared with healthy controls mean. The polymorphisms of the hepcidin gene promoter in Sudanese patients with ACKD showed that the hepcidin HAMP AA genotype 70, AG 23, and GG 7 in 100 patients dialysis-dependent and AA 83, AG 17 and GG 0, and the allele A are more frequent in patients affected by ACKD. Significant statistical association observed between the hepcidin level and end-stage kidney disease. Conclusion This study evaluates for the first time the association between anemia of chronic kidney disease and hepcidin genes promoter polymorphisms and show that the hepcidin HAMP AA genotype and the allele A are more frequent in patients affected by ACKD, further investigation is needed, our data support the hypothesis and hepcidin HAMP are important in the pathophysiology of ACKD.
May 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-3100
Aydin RahimCorresponding author
Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases, Balikesir University, 10100 Balikesir, Turkey
Aflatoxins (AFs)B1, B2, G1, and G2 are important hepatotoxic mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. nominus. They are converted into metabolites of AFM1, AFM2, B2a, and aflatoxicol by cytochrome P450-related enzymes in the liver after digestion of the feed. These metabolites accumulating in the animal-derived food products such as eggs, milk, cheese, and honey cannot be destroyed by pasteurization or heating process and may influence public health negatively. Therefore, it is very important to prevent or limit the aflatoxin contamination in the animal feeds to decrease the risk of contamination of these metabolites in animal-derived foods.
Apr 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-20-3283
Cuauhtémoc Negrete JaimeCorresponding author
Independent Researcher and Technical writer graduated in Autonomous Agrarian Antonio Narro University, Buenavista, Mexico.
In the country, food production is more compromised every day, despite zero efforts and government, agricultural and livestock sector, causing poverty, migration, marginalization among other social disorders in addition to food insecurity. In Mexico 34% of the population is engaged in agricultural tasks, with very small land areas. The fact that 85% of do not have more than 5 ha of arable land, and that among them, 90% do not reach 3 ha clearly indicates their great need for light machinery .The solution to these problems family farmers are provided with affordable technologies to increase their productivity. One of the most common problems in agriculture is the application of agrochemicals, which is tedious and dangerous when farmers are exposed to these highly toxic products, therefore a system is proposed is through the help of a drone or remote control helicopter, both of economic type connected by a hose to the sprinkler and a tank. Due to the danger of applying agrochemicals for family farmers who rarely follow the precautions to apply these products, the proposed alternative is attractive for small agricultural properties, although it is not free of cost, the drone and the optimal sprayer should be investigated.
Mar 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2577-2279.ijha-20-3254
O. Stephen SakaCorresponding author
Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti
The aim of this physical anthropometric study is to determine sex by foot measurements. Dismembered human remains are frequently found in cases of mass disasters and criminal mutilation. It is therefore of interest to use foot dimensions for the determination of sex (gender) of an individual in order to assist in establishing personal identity. Another application of anthropometrical measurement is in ergonomics which is the design of working space and the development of industrialized products such as furnishing, cars, tools, shoe designing etc. 500 adult subjects(250 males, 250 females)aged 18-50 years without any foot disability within Ogbomosho North Local Government, Oyo State were randomly selected for the study. The males had an average foot length about 1cm greater than females and foot breadth in males was about 1cm greater as compared to females. Difference in foot length and foot breadth in males and females of the population was highly significant. With the statistical analysis, any foot with length lesser than 26cm and breadth lesser than 11cm can be suggested to be that of a female while any foot with length greater than 26cm and breadth greater than 11cm can be suggested to be that of a male. Therefore, 26cm can be taken as the cut-off point for foot length and 11cm as the cut-off point for foot breadth in this locality.
Feb 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-0904.ijoe-20-3205
Neuberger ManfredCorresponding author
Felbigergasse 3/2/18, A-1140 Wien, Austria
The aim was to record the smoking behaviour of 13- to 16-year-old Austrian pupils and to investigate changes in smoking behaviour following amendments of legislation and gender-specific differences. The survey took place in Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria and Carinthia and was conducted at eight different school types. The data was collected by means of a questionnaire in a group setting at the beginning of a school lesson. The completion of the questionnaire was anonymous. 95,1% of the returned questionnaires could be used for this study, yielding data from a total of 1029 young people for analysis. 38.4% of the participants stated that they had at least once consumed tobacco or related products, with girls having tried them more often (41,6%) than boys (34,9%) (p = .028). At the time of the study, 3,3% used tobacco daily and 4,6% several times a week; thus 7,9% smoke regularly. Although friends or family are the most popular type of acquisition for girls and boys, girls buy their tobacco products from vending machines (11,6%) much more frequently than boys (6,0%) (p = .014) and prefer normal cigarettes (p < .001). The results of this study show that while the number of adolescents who smoke daily is decreasing, the number of occasional smokers is increasing. Already 38,4% of the 13 to 16-year olds have had some experience consuming tobacco. Austria must take the measures recommended by the WHO to reduce the smoking prevalence and protect minors from the health damage caused by tobacco smoke.
Jan 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-3144
Q. Almulaiky YaaserCorresponding author
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, University of Jeddah, Khulais, P.O. Box 355, Khulais, 21921, Saudi Arabia
In this study, the antioxidants and photosynthetic compounds of Verdolaga were examined. Compounds were extracted from distinctive segments of the verdolaga using various solvents such as methanol (40, 60, 80%), ethanol (40, 60, 80%), acetone (40, 60, 80%), and deionized water. The use of 80% methanol led to the highest extracted concentration of phenolic substances and flavonoids. The extracted products (Leaves, Stem strips, and Root strips) were evaluated for their radical scavenging capabilities with DPPH (IC50= 22.26, 20.56, and 32.10), and ABTS (IC50= 2.86, 3.70, and 5.24), reducing power (EC50= 15.70, 16.39, and 21.69), and peroxide scavenging activity (1C50= 1.717, 2.937, and 3.255), respectively. The extracted products were analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Peroxidase, catalase, and polyphenol oxidase assays were completed for the crude extract of verdolaga’s leave, stem strips, and root strips. As indicated by these tests, extracts of the verdolaga’s roots, stems and leaves using 80% methanol yielded high antioxidant activity. The most elevated concentrations of extracted chlorophyll, lycopene, and carotenoids were from the leaves and the highest concentration of extracted tannin was noted from strips of stems. The highest measures of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were identified in root strips and the highest units of catalase was identified in leaves.
Sep 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2471-2140.jaa-19-2997
Shumaev K.B.Corresponding author
National Medical Research Centre for Cardiology, Moscow, Russia.
The paper explores the formation of a-oxoaldehydes during the interaction of glucose metabolites with hydroxyl or alkoxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals were generated under radiolysis of aqueous solutions, and alkoxyl radicals (t-BuO) were obtained in the model system tert-butyl hydroperoxide/Fe2+. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that methylglyoxal was one of the organic products resulting from t-BuO-induced transformations of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate under hypoxic conditions. The interaction of lysine and methylglyoxal one of the main targets of a-oxoaldehydes in proteins was also studied. As chemiluminescence and EPR spectroscopy demonstrated, this reaction generates a methylglyoxal anion radical, a cation-radical of methylglyoxal dialkylamine and a superoxide anion radical. EPR signal of methylglyoxal-derived free radicals was observed in hypoxia, whereas only the trace amounts of these free radicals were recorded in the aerated reaction medium.
Sep 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-450X.jom-19-3000
Hayat Khan SikandarCorresponding author
Department of pathology PNS HAFEEZ
Background Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is increasingly being diagnosed and treated with sometimes variable lifestyle advice and pharmacological interventions. Obesity is considered as the sole culprit and variable definitions in clinics compound the understanding of pathogenic heterogeneity of this syndrome. We evaluated the differences between various simple to calculate anthropometric indices along with some anthropometric-biochemical equations in subjects with or without PCOS. Objective To compare traditional measures like waist to hip and height ratio (WHpR and WHtR), BMI, newer markers depicting central obesity like Abdominal Volume index(AVI), Body roundness index (BRI), A Body Shape index (ABSI), Conicity index (C-index) along with biochemical-anthropometric equations like lipid Accumulation Products (LAP), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Chinese Visceral Adiposity Index (CVAI) for diagnosing PCOS as per the Rotterdam criteria Design Cross-sectional analysis Place & Study Duration Naval hospital, Islamabad from Jan- 2018 to July- 2019 Subjects and Methods From our finally evaluated 333 female subjects we initially compared the differences for the presence of hirsutism as per modified Ferrimen Gallwey scores and biochemical hyperandrogenism by measuring free androgen index (Total testosterone/SHBG x 1000. We evaluated waist circumference, BMI, WHpR, WHtR,AVI, BRI, ABSI, C-index along with biochemical-anthropometric equations like LAP, VAI and CVAI for differences in subjects diagnosed to have PCOS by Rotterdam criteria or ultrasonography alone. Results Differences in hirsutism as defined by modified FG score between subjects defined to have PCOS or otherwise as per Rotterdam defined criteria were as [(PCOS=169, Mean=17.33 + 9.05) (No PCOS=164, Mean=8.21 + 5.74), p< 0.001] and ultrasound [(PCOS=87, Mean=16.95 + 9.57) (No PCOS=246, Mean=11.38 + 8.51), p< 0.001]. Similarly, the differences in FAI between subjects defined to have PCOS or otherwise as per Rotterdam criteria and ultrasound were as [(PCOS=169, Mean=6.41 + 4.88) (No PCOS=164, Mean=2.77 + 1.79), p< 0.001] and [(PCOS=87, Mean=5.75 + 5.01) (No PCOS=246, Mean=4.22 + 3.68), p= 0.011]. Anthropometric measures and anthropometric-mathematical equations were raised in non-PCOS subjects than PCOS subjects. Lean-PCOS demonstrated lower degree of hirsutism and biochemical hyperandrogenism in comparison to obese-PCOS. Conclusion Hirsutism and free androgen indices were raised in PCOS females. Anthropometric based measurements were not different in PCOS cases and non-PCOS females. Lean-PCOS demonstrated lower degree of hirsutism and biochemical hyperandrogenism in comparison to obese-PCOS.
Aug 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2572-3030.jcgb-19-2973
Bharadwaj MausumiCorresponding author
National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR), I-7, Sector-39, Noida-201301, India.
Head and Neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancer globally. The incidence of tobacco-induced HNC is gradually increasing in low and middle income countries. Among the various causative factors associated with HNCs, tobacco and alcohol play synergistic effect and are frequently associated with the risk of HNC. Tobacco-induced HNCs show distinct genetic and epigenetic alterations leading to different clinical outcomes in comparison to HPV-infected HNCs. Tobacco-induced HNCs are often associated with tumor aggressiveness, poor prognosis and low or nil prevalence of HPV infection. Apart from carcinogenic effects of these causative factors (use of tobacco products, alcohol intake and HPV or EBV infections), recent studies show that exposure to these factors alter/disrupt the regulation of non-coding RNAs including the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Altered lncRNA regulation is brought about by signalling networks that regulate cellular differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and inflammatory pathways which play key functions in the genesis of different cancers including HNCs. There are numbers of studies supporting the emerging role of lncRNAs in development of HNC; however, reports connecting lncRNAs expression and addiction habits in HNC are still preliminary and sparse. Therefore, identification and characterization of lncRNAs that are differentially expressed upon exposure to risk-factors can serve as unique therapeutic targets and potential biomarker(s) for effective treatment of HNC subtypes. In this short review, we briefly reviewed the emerging role of lncRNAs in tobacco and alcohol induced HNCs.
Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-0904.ijoe-19-2792
Neuberger ManfredCorresponding author
Center of Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Felbigergasse 3/2/18, Austria
In deaths and diseases attributed to tobacco smoke cardiovascular events exceed cancer and respiratory diseases. Second hand smoke promotes the development of arteriosclerosis and can trigger acute changes of endothelial function and blood coagulability. Indoor smoking bans reduced coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction 10-20% within one year and were followed by sustainable decreases of stroke and diabetes. With a smoke-free hospitality industry people recognized tobacco smoke as an air pollutant, smoking in public was denormalized and social acceptance of smoking in front of children and pregnant women decreased also in homes and cars. Combined effects with ambient air pollution are proven for active smoking and suspected for SHS. Contamination with third hand smoke (THS) persists for months in homes and cars, creating secondary pollutants that in some cases are more toxic (e.g. nitrosamines). Remnants found in air, dust, and on surfaces (carpets, wallpapers, upholstery, soft toys) were associated with their metabolites in saliva of children and in urine of nonsmokers residing in homes previously occupied by smokers. In animal experiments effects of THS were found on thrombogenesis, insulin resistance through oxidative stress, on the developing immune system, lipid metabolism and alterations in liver, lung, skin and behavior. Much less is known about health effects for bystanders from the aerosols exhaled during “vaping” of e-cigarettes, but nicotine and other toxins from e-cigarettes are certainly a hazard, which should be prevented by the use of dermal and oral nicotine products, which are safer for nicotine replacement and without risk for bystanders.
May 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2629
Mihrete YimerCorresponding author
Menelik II Health and Medicine College, Department of Human Nutrition, Kotebe Metropolitan University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The effects of 55-70% teff (Eragrostis tef), 20-30% sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and 5-15% faba bean (Viciafaba) flours blending ratio and fermentation time (24, 48 and 72 h) with custom design on iron, zinc and calcium contents and sensory properties of injera were investigated using 100% teff injera as a control. The mixture of faba bean and sorghum with tef significantly increased the iron, zinc and calcium contents of the blended injera. High iron (22.66 mg/100 g), zinc (23.81 mg/100 g) and calcium (187.25 mg/100 g) contents were obtained from 55% tef, 30% sorghum and 15% faba bean blended injera fermented for 72 h. Sensory acceptability of all blended injera scored a mean rating well above the average, which is an indicative of the goodness as products. The most preferred injera by panelists was produced from tef flour combined with 20% sorghum and 10% faba bean flours fermented for 72 h.
Apr 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-19-2759
Sterner OlovCorresponding author
Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Lund University, P.O.Box 124, 22100 Lund, Sweden
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, and there is a constant need for new treatment strategies. Sesquiterpene lactones containing a 3-methylenedihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (or α-methylene-γ-lactone) moiety, for example damsin (1), are Michael acceptors that affect biological processes such as cell proliferation, death/apoptosis, and cell migration, by interfering with cell signalling pathways. Although the reactivity of the α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety is important for these effects, the Michael addition is reversible and it can be assumed that also other parts of the molecules will moderate any given biological activity. In this investigation, the cytotoxicity of 23 -methylene--lactones towards normal breast epithelial MCF-10A cells as well as breast cancer JIMT-1 cells is compared. Most of the investigated compounds are semisynthetic derivatives prepared by the condensation of the natural product damsin (1) with aldehydes. The two cell lines were treated with various concentrations of the compounds in dose response assays, and the 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined from dose response curves. The IC50 values were found to depend strongly on the overall structure. The ratio between the IC50 values for MCF-10A and JIMT-1 cells, as a measure for the selectivity of a compound to kill cancer cells, was calculated, and found to vary between just over 1 to more than 10. The most potent derivatives formed from the condensation of 1 with aromatic aldehydes towards JIMT-1 cells are 3a and 3i, both with ratios between the IC50 values for MCF-10A and JIMT-1 cells close to 5. Also some aldol condensation products with acyclic aldehydes, i.e. 3r and 3u, were equally potent, and the latter showed the highest selectivity (ratio > 10). Structure-activity relationships that may explain the observed differences in potency and selectivity are discussed.
Apr 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2646
Oladejo Thomas ADEPOJUCorresponding author
Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
The potential of Nigerian indigenous tree leaves as vegetable source, pharmaceuticals and other therapeutic materials have been reported. However, Silk cotton (Ceiba pentandra) leaf is still underutilised as vegetable in parts of Nigeria where it exists despite its potential great health benefits. The aim of the study was to assess the micronutrient and phytochemical potential contribution to nutrient intake of its consumers, and acceptability of its cooked soup and sauce ‘as consumed’. Fresh young shoots and leaves of Ceiba pentandra were harvested from Ihitte/Uboma in Imo State, Nigeria. Composite sample of the leaf was prepared and divided into four portions. One portion was labelled as raw sample, and others blanched, cooked to soup and sauce. The four samples were analysed for proximate, minerals, vitamins and phytochemical composition using standard methods of AOAC. Sensory evaluation of soup and sauce was carried out using 9-point hedonic scale with 30 untrained panelists. Data were analysed using ANOVA at p<0.05 Raw Ceiba pentandraleaf contained 80.9g moisture, 3.9g protein, 0.8g fat, 15.3g carbohydrate, 68.40 kcal gross energy, 183.40mg potassium, 119.38mg calcium, 112.99mg phosphorus, and 3.46mg iron/100g sample. The leaf was rich in phytochemicals such as saponins, flavonoid and alkaloids. Raw sample was highest in water-soluble vitamins while the sauce was highest in β-carotene (339.72µg/100g). Cooking the leaf to soup and sauce significantly increased the mineral content of the products (P<0.05) with reduction in water-soluble vitamins and phytochemicals (P<0.05). The sensory attributes of the soup and sauce were generally acceptable to the panelists, with the sauce being more acceptable. The leaf and its products were rich in essential minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals. The sauce retained more nutrients compared to other samples. Inclusion of this underutilised vegetable in diets will reduce micronutrient malnutrition, promote dietary diversity, good health and wellness.
Feb 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2615
Butnariu MonicaCorresponding author
Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Timis, Romania
The notion that foods have health promotion effects beyond their nutritional value has been increasingly accepted in recent years, and the specific effects of nutrition prevention on disease have led to the discovery of functional foods. Functional foods are products that contain various biologically active compounds and which, consumed in a current diet, contribute to maintaining the optimal state of physical, mental and mental health of the population. Functional foods are consumed in the normal diet and contain biologically active compounds with potential to improve health or to reduce the risk of disease. The objectives of this review are to highlight the strengths of functional foods.
Feb 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-18-2507
Jana SnehasisCorresponding author
Trivedi Science Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Thane (W), India
Hydroxypropyl β-Cyclodextrin (HPBCD) used in food, pharmaceutical, chemical industries, as well as environmental, and agriculture engineering. But the major issue related to HPBCD is the low solubility profile. In this study, the influence of the Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment (the Trivedi Effect®) on the physicochemical properties of HPBCD was evaluated using spectroscopic and calorimetric analytical techniques. The test sample (HPBCD) was divided into control sample and treated sample. The control sample did not receive the Biofield Energy Treatment. Whereas, the treated sample received the Biofield Energy Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Dahryn Trivedi. The particle size values of the treated sample were decreased by 3.28%(d10), 1.36%(d50), 0.45%(d90), and 1.04%{D(4,3)}; therefore, the specific surface area was increased by 1.9% compared with the control sample. The evaporation temperature of the treated HPBCD sample was significantly decreased by 19.89%; however, the latent heat of evaporation and latent heat of fusion were significantly increased by 56.27% and 47.41%, respectively compared with the control sample.The total weight loss in the treated HPBCD was decreased by 5.11%; whereas, the residue amount was significantly 309.67% more compared to the control sample.The results indicated that the Trivedi Effect® might have produced a new form of HPBCD which may show better thermal stability, solubility, dissolution rate, and bioavailability. This new form of HPBCD would be more useful for improvement of solubility of the lipophilic drug, preparation of cholesterol free food products, weight loss supplements, anti-obesity medication, stabilize volatile and unstable compounds, and other manufacturing industry using it as a raw material.
Dec 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-18-2489
Butnariu MonicaCorresponding author
Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Timis, Romania
Essential oils, called volatile oils or ethereal oils, are natural metabolic secretions of plants, the role of which is not yet fully understood by science. Some specialists consider them to be true plant hormones, fluid manifestations of the immune system of plants, in the sense that they contribute to the removal of pests, attracting, instead, pollinating agents, which are some insects and birds. Small, light–colored spherical structures, is, in fact, modified filaments, which behave like some secretory glands of essential volatile oils. They are the ones who give the fragrance of the aromatic plant and have, in the case of salvation, medicinal curative properties, such as fever reduction, blood cleansing, and relieving pain. Essential oils are products isolated from plants or organs through a physical process that have a certain volatility (higher or lower) and possesses an agreeable odour characteristic of the source from which they originate. They are also known as volatile or essential oils and their name are usually given by the popular name of the plant from which they are extracted. The most important characteristic of these mixtures, which also gives the special economic value, is the specific smell. This is the basis for their use in perfumery, cosmetics and the food industry. Many essential oils have special therapeutic qualities, some of which have been known and used since antiquity.
Dec 2018
K. Bhardwaj NishiCorresponding author
Joint Director, Avantha Centre for Industrial Research & Development, Paper Mill Campus, Yamuna Nagar – 135 001 (Haryana)
The agricultural organic wastes pose major environmental issues and their inappropriate disposal is a major cause of pollution while these as cheap lignocellulosic resources can be utilized for many value added products such as enzymes. The purpose of the present study was to utilize wheat bran as a sole substrate for enhanced cellulase production under submerged fermentation (SMF) or solid state fermentation (SSF) and optimize the various process variables involved in the selected fermentation type. In order to achieve high titer of cellulase, a central composite design (CCD) was constructed and performed for optimization of SSF with five process variables at five coded levels. A 25 full factorial design was constructed leading to a set of 50 experiments that were performed in triplicates. The key variables namely incubation time, temperature, wheat bran and tap water ratio, pH and inoculum size were evaluated. The optimization of the process variables resulted in 1.14 IU/ml of cellulase activity from Bacillus subtilis PJK6 under SSF using wheat bran as a sole organic substrate with tap water. The optimum conditions included incubation time- 72 h, temperature- 45oC, pH- 6, inoculum size- 14% with 1:4 as wheat bran and tap water ratio. The production of cellulase using only moistened wheat bran was demonstrated and found to be significantly controlled by incubation time and temperature while pH showed the least effect. The economic production of valuable and useful enzyme using agricultural residue was achieved at moderate conditions from a GRAS microbe that can benefit the industry as well as the environment.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-18-2344
Muschietti LilianaCorresponding author
Universidad de Buenos Aires, Cátedra de Farmacognosia, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica (UBA), IQUIMEFA (UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
In recent years, the consumption of dietary supplements (DS) has increased worldwide. In Argentina, approximately 14 million DS units were sold between 2015 and 2017. The adulteration of DS with active pharmaceutical ingredients or their analogues has been reported. This represents an alarming emerging risk to public health. The aim of this work was to detect the possible adulteration of a DS marketed in Argentina for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Initially, thin layer chromatography analysis of the DS capsules content suggested the presence of a major compound. For the isolation and purification of this compound, an easy method consisted of a liquid-liquid extraction (water/CH2Cl2) followed by re-crystallisation from ethanol, is reported. Spectroscopic techniques such as mono- and bidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry allowed its identification as tadalafil. A rapid and reliable method was developed for the quantification of tadalafil in this DS by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The mean content of tadalafil per capsule was 21.2 mg which represents a slightly higher value than that found in approved products in Argentina (5 or 20 mg per tablet). In addition, an undeclared alga was identified in the DS by microscopic techniques.
Aug 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-18-2212
T NkrumahCorresponding author
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Fish meat is a common and broadly used food due to its high nutritional values yet the bones and flavour of fresh fish can be unpleasant. The unpleasant fishy flavour makes it difficult to handle and process. The fishy flavour is as a result of microbial presence and growth. Studies associated with microbial contaminations have concentrated more on the carcass. Such contaminations which affect the microbiological status of processed products can emanate from spices and other non-meat ingredients, environment, equipment and handlers. The successful application of processing/preservation technology results in the conservation of desirable qualities in stabilized and varietal fish products. This study sought to use fish in the manufacture of frankfurter-type sausages, which could have improved preservation characteristics without any adverse effects on sensory properties. The nutritional composition and microbiological safety of fresh fish and sausages were determined using the methods described by AOAC and ICMSF respectively. The study showed that, catfish sausages were higher in protein (15.69 %) and were lower in fat (10.66%) compared to the other sausages. Total Viable Counts (TVC) were within the accepted limits (106 and 107cfu/g) for fish and pork respectively. E. coli was not detected in any of the treatments during frozen storage for 6 weeks. It was concluded that catfish frankfurter has high nutritive value because it contained less fat but with higher crude protein. Like pork frankfurters, both catfish and mackerel sausages could be stored for six weeks without any negative effects on microbial quality.
Aug 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2264
Masoero GiorgioCorresponding author
Accademia di Agricoltura di Torino, Torino, Italy
The management of symbiotic Microbial Biota (MB) in the soil as agents that promote the yield and health of crops, is aimed at inducing modifications of the phenotype of plants, both over and under the ground. It is here shown, in Sorghumsudanensis plants, that: i) a simple response to MB inoculation is the result of the fall out of the raw pH; ii) the simple NIR scans of leaves can be considered to rapidly classify the outcomes; iii) the raw pH can be considered a key-variable of leaf modifications. An experiment was carried out on Sorghumsudanensis. The plants were seeded in pots and grown for 66 d, and then a control non-inoculated group (C) was compared with thirteen Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (AM) Glomus inoculated groups and with two commercial MB products. A total of 374 raw pH measurements conducted on the leaves showed that the 5.18 pH units in the C group were scaled by -1.9% (P<0.0336) in the MB group and by -3.4% in the AM group (P<0.0001), with a relevant diversity between groups. Direct discrimination of these three groups, by means of smart NIR-SCIO, showed a % reclassification of the C, MB and AM groups of 74%, 59% and 96% in the fresh leaves and of 65%, 51% and 94% in the dried ground leaves, respectively. The composition of the dried leaves, based on a set of 14 variables predicted via NIRS models, plus the total foliar dry weight and percentage, showed a typical increase in protein, ash and hemicellulose, and a typical decrease in the cellulose, dry matter, crude fiber and crop maturity index. These variables were related to the foliar pH, as a key-variable, by means of a PLS standard model (R2 0.81) in which a low pH steadily favored the dry mass weight and, to a lesser extent, the hemicellulose and the digestible NDF contents; on the other hand, a high pH increased the dry matter percentage and the cellulose content of the leaves. As expected, the leaves of the inoculated plants showed a more juvenile ontogenic status. The epigean botanical modifications can be considered harmonic expressions of a luxuriant symbiosis, as testified by the homologous NIR categorization. The outlook for a symbiotic agriculture, with mycorrhizal plants, should consider the raw pH as a multifaceted variable.
May 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2640-690X.jfm-18-2088
Yao Gbagbo FredCorresponding author
University of Education Winneba, Department of Health Administration & Education. P.O. Box 25 Winneba, Ghana.
Background: Despite liberal abortion laws and wide availability of contraceptives in Ghana, declining Post Abortion Contraception remains a public health challenge due to early unplanned pregnancies and recurrent abortions. The development of this model was therefore to address challenges of low contraception following induced abortion in health facilities within the capital city of Ghana. Method: The development of this model was an outcome of a nested study title: ‘decision making for induced abortion in Accra metropolis, Ghana’ in 2014. This model was piloted for four years using Marie Stopes, Ipas and Ghana Health Service trained abortion providers with family planning skills in one hundred purposively selected health facilities comprising 90 private and 10 Non-Governmental Organization mandated by law to provide safe abortion care services in the capital city of Ghana. The model mainly focused on contraceptive products, pricing, placement, promotion and people. Results: There was an increase (90% average) in Post Abortion Contraception across the selected facilities following the intervention using the model. Conclusion: The study concludes that an integration of products, pricing, placement, promotion and people with options counselling prior to an induced abortion are key considerations for an improved post abortion contraception uptake in developing countries.
May 2018
Ahsan Naeem MuhammadCorresponding author
College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China.
Microorganisms are the main cause of food-borne illness in humans that may occur by consuming unhygienic products from poultry and other sources. With the passage of time bacterial resistance to antibiotics is ever-increasing which necessitates development of new antibiotics. One of the most obvious reasons of antimicrobial resistance in human-beings is the consumption of contaminated food with microbes. The aim of present study is to isolate, identify and characterize the food-borne pathogens from chicken eggs. For this purpose, a total of 240 egg samples were collected from eight different towns of Faisalabad. Samples were collected from egg surface, yolk, albumin and egg tray. Isolation, identification and characterization of commonly occurring egg borne pathogens including E. coli, Salmonella spp., Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus were carried out by different cultural, morphological and biochemical tests. Antibiotic resistance pattern of recovered bacterial pathogens was determined by disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer). Zone of inhibition was measured through vernier calliper. The results revealed a high prevalence of Salmonella entitidis with 40.83% following Staphylococcus aureus with 22.08%, Escherichia coli with 17.92% and Bacillus subtilis in a lower ratio with 2.5%. The antibiotic sensitivity test showed different resistance patterns of the isolated microbes. For this purpose, five different drugs were used that included cefotaxime, tetracycline, gentamicin, levofloxacin and penicillin. Bacillus subtilis was highly resistant to penicillin and cefotaxime. Whereas, E. coli showed resistance to three antibiotics that were tetracycline, cefotaxime and penicillin. The only drug to which Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance was cefotaxime. Salmonella was resistant to tetracycline and gentamicin. The study concluded that chicken egg is contaminated with a number of bacteria that could be pathogenic or not. So, there is need of proper attention to cope up with possible future egg-borne illnesses.
May 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4829.jen-18-2043
Rameshthangam PalanivelCorresponding author
Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamilnadu, India
Disposal of chitin wastes from crustacean shell can cause environmental and health hazards. Chitin is a well known abundant natural polymer extracted after deproteinization and demineralization of the shell wastes of shrimp, crab, lobster, and krill. Extraction of chitin and its derivatives from waste material is one of the alternative ways to turn the waste into useful products. Chitinases are enzymes that degrade chitin. Chitinases contribute to the generation of carbon and nitrogen in the ecosystem. Chitin and chitinolytic enzymes are gaining importance for their biotechnological applications. The presence of surface charge and multiple functional groups make chitin as a beneficial natural polymer. Due to the reactive functional groups chitin can be used for the preparation of a spectrum of chitin derivatives such as chitosan, alkyl chitin, sulfated chitin, dibutyryl chitin and carboxymethyl chitin for specific applications in different areas. The present review is aimed to summarize the efficacy of the chitinases on the chitin and its derivatives and their diverse applications in biomedical and environmental field. Further this review also discusses the synthesis of various chitin derivatives in detail and brings out the importance of chitin and its derivatives in biomedical and environmental applications.
Apr 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4829.jen-18-2025
Brumm PhillipCorresponding author
C5-6 Technologies LLC, 5627 Old Oak Drive, Fitchburg, WI 53711, USA
The goal of this work was to clone, express, characterize and assemble a set of soluble thermostablecellulases capable of significantly degrading cellulose. We successfully cloned, expressed, and purified eleven Clostridium thermocellum (Cthe) cellulases and eight Acidothermuscellulolyticus(Acel) cellulases. The performance of the nineteen enzymes was evaluated on crystalline (filter paper) and amorphous (PASC) cellulose. Hydrolysis products generated from these two substrates were converted to glucose using beta-glucosidase and the glucose formed was determined enzymatically. Ten of the eleven Cthe enzymes were highly active on amorphous cellulose. The individual enzymes all produced <10% reducing sugar equivalents from filter paper. Combinations of Cthe cellulases gave higher conversions, with the combination of CelE, CelI, CelG, and CelK converting 34% of the crystalline cellulose. All eight Acel cellulases showed endo-cellulase activity and were highly active on PASC. Only Acel_0615 produced more than 10% reducing sugar equivalents from filter paper, and a combination of six Acel cellulases produced 32% conversion. Acel_0617, a GH48 exo-cellulase, and Acel_0619, a GH12 endo-cellulase, synergistically stimulated cellulose degradation by the combination of Cthe cellulases to almost 80%. Addition of both Acel enzymes to the Cthe enzyme mix did not further stimulate hydrolysis. Cthe CelG and CelI stimulated cellulose degradation by the combination of Acel cellulases to 66%.
Apr 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2326-0793.jpgr-18-2004
Anwar PervezCorresponding author
Department of Biochemistry and molecular Biology, University of Gujrat Sialkot subcampus, Pakistan
Human proteome project was revolutionized about 40 years ago with purpose of summarizing whole proteomic data at one place. It was launched after human genome project to map and observe all proteins. The goal related proteomic study is to draft the entire human proteome in disease diagnosis by using bioinformatics tools. Pillars of human proteome project provide different databases related to proteins at transcriptional and translational level. Human proteome organization(HUPO) published biology disease HUPO whose aim is to measure protein and proteome by life and processes related to human diseases. Different human organ like plasma, liver, brain and diabetic base project are used to characterize human disease and health. Major data resources accumulated in databases like peptides Atlas, GPMDB and neXtProt for proteins. Matrices of human proteome project identify and characterize the protein products as Post translational modification (PTM), splice various isoforms from 20,300 proteins. Matrices related to different years make proteomes counterpart by magnify the research biomedical community with high output of instruments and specimen pre-analytical protocols. CALIPHO multidisciplinary group provides information about protein complexities, interactions, function and structure complexities after Uniport and Swissprot. Different bioinformatics tools are used for structural and functional annotations of protein, disease diagnosis and mutations due to protein. Extensive study of human proteome project has been proved helpful in disease treatment at translational and post- translational levels. In future, human proteome project along with bioinformatics will include protein profiling, biomarkers, Mass spectrophotometer technique and cross analysis of different proteome projects.
Nov 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-17-1783
Krishnaswamy VeenaGayathriCorresponding author
Department of Biotechnology, Stella Maris College, Chennai-86, Tamilnadu, India
Plastic materials have been used as packaging materials and also have other numerous applications because of their durability and stability. Plastic products are non degradable and they continue to exist in the environment thereby causing a serious threat to the ecosystem. Bioplastics which are biodegradable plastics are emerging out as a boon to overcome the problem of plastic accumulation. Polyhydroxybutyrate or PHB is a bioplastic that serves as an alternative to synthetic plastics. PHB is a lipid reserve material that gets accumulated within the cell wall of micro organisms under stress conditions. Halophilic microorganisms can be of much use in the production of PHB as it is cost – effective and recovery of PHB is much easier in halotolerant organisms. Hence this study focuses on the isolation of PHB producing halotolerant bacterial organisms from marine sources. Screening of PHB positive isolates was done by Sudan Black B and Nile blue A staining. Large scale production of PHB by the efficient bacterial strain was done by using wastewater as the substrate.
Aug 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-17-1676
W. Taylor-Robinson AndrewCorresponding author
School of Health, Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Malaria is a mosquito-transmitted infectious disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. In the absence of prompt and appropriate treatment contraction of primary infection by a human being often represents a medical emergency since it may progress rapidly to life-threatening complications. Exposure to parasites activates the immune system resulting in, among other effects, the release of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). This has the potential to induce oxidative damage, thereby causing cellular destruction, and hence to have a severe effect on vital organs of the body. Overexpression of ROI leads to immunosuppression and is a causal factor in the development of malaria-related disease symptoms. However, the body possesses various defence mechanisms, notably including the production of antioxidants, which are capable of reducing the cellular effects of ROI. Antioxidants are either sourced exogenously from the diet or synthesized through different intracellular mechanisms. Antioxidants that include glutathione peroxidase, catalase, EDTA and vitamin C suppress the initial production of ROI. Others such as uric acid, superoxide dismutase and vitamin E may also inhibit potentially damaging products of ROI metabolism. Current anti-malarial drugs often have damaging side-effects, as exemplified by memory impairment following treatment for cerebral malaria. Recent studies have explored the potential use of antioxidants alone or in combination with anti-malarials as a therapeutic means to negate Plasmodium-induced oxidative stress and its associated metabolic complications. It is indicated that when utilized in an adjuvant capacity antioxidants of natural and synthetic origin may improve anti-malarial therapy by causing less damage to the host during malaria infection.
Aug 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2638-4469.japb-17-1534
Sharma NiveditaCorresponding author
Microbiology research laboratory, Deptt. of Basic sciences, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni (Solan) Himachal Pradesh 173230.
Algae are a class of photosynthetic organisms found in both marine and freshwaters habitats. As these organisms have a short doubling time, they are considered among fastest growing creatures. They have different pathways to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide and to efficiently utilize the nutrients to convert it into biomass. In few years, a focus has been shifted towards these organisms due to their food and fuel production capability. In fuel industry algae biofuels have been emerged as a clean, nature friendly, cost effective solution to other fuels. Algae fuels are categorized into bio-ethanol, biogas, bio-hydrogen, biodiesel and bio-oil. Algae as a food have been explored for different applications as in production of single cell proteins, pigments, bioactive substances, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The present review has been prepared to throw a light on enormous applications of algae as food and fuel and also to provide some information about different commercially available algae products.
Jul 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4518.jsdr-16-1413
Harada TetsuoCorresponding author
Laboratory of Environmental Physiology, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University
Purpose: An intervention program was performed to improve meal habit, sleep habit and academic marks at school. This program was called “Super Meal Educational Program” which was supported by Japanese Ministry of Arts, Sports, Sciences and Education. Effects of the intervention were evaluated by comparing an integrated questionnaire study held both before and after the intervention of a half year. Method: The intervention program consisted of a lecture on sleep health and diurnal rhythms on children by an university professor, a series of lectures and practical classes by elementary school teachers on foods which can be collected nearby, and also practical courses as excursions to learn traditional meals and several foods resources which are products nearby. Integrated questionnaire study and also government official academic achievement test were performed before and after the intervention for 6 months in May to November, 2015. An integrated questionnaire was administrated to elementary school students of grades 1 to 6 (7-12 years old). For the younger students aged 6-9 years old, parents (mostly mothers) answered the questionnaire instead of their children. The participants consisted of 40 to 55 students in each grade from the first to the six one of the elementary school. The rate of answer to the questionnaire was more than 95% and the number of data used for statistic analysis was 295 before and 286 after the intervention. The integrated questionnaire included questions on the diurnal type scale (DTS), sleep habits, meal habits, and other questions on their environments and life-habits. Result: In the histogram on distribution of the diurnal type scale scores (DTS) before intervention, the students which occupied 25% evening-typed significantly shifted to more morning-typed ones after the intervention (p<0.001). There was significantly negative correlation between DTS scores before intervention and the amount of increased change in DTS during the intervention period (r=-390, r<0.001). For all students in the elementary school, there were no significant changes in sleep quality, bedtime in weekdays, wake up time and sleep hours before and after the intervention period. There was negative correlation between sleep hours in weekday before intervention and increased amount in sleep hours before and after that (r=-0.545, p<0.001). The longer the sleep hours were shifted longer during intervention, the better the academic achievement mark of mathematics was after the intervention (students in the second, third and fifth grades: p=0.001). Conclusion: At least for the students who had been originally evening-typed, the intervention on meal habits may be effective for longer sleep hours and improved school achievement and marking for especially mathematics in elementary schools.
Sep 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2473-1005.jdoi-16-1196
Singh Nayyar AbhishekCorresponding author
Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Saraswati-Dhanwantari Dental College and Hospital and Post-Graduate Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India
Background and Context: Autologous bone grafts require a second surgical exposure to harvest the graft with a significant risk of post-operative complications and donor site morbidity. Employment of allografts potentially eliminates donor site morbidity but carries the potential of causing foreign body immune reactions with a high rate of rejection and failures. Hence, Alloplasts have emerged as novel materials to overcome the drawbacks of autogenous and allogenous bone grafts. Today’s advanced dentistry is enterprising a putty form of calcium phosphosilicate (CPS) into several aspects of reconstructive domain of dentistry including the sinus augmentation procedures, osseous regeneration of periodontal bone defects, cystic cavity defects and alveolar socket preservation. This eccentric multifaceted study was planned as an honest effort on the path of proving the efficiency of CPS as an alloplastic bioactive graft material and aimed at quantitative evaluation of regenerated bone radiographically using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans following sinus augmentation procedures. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 sinus augmentations were carried-out in 17 patients satisfying the criteria (inclusion and exclusion) requiring placement of implants in atrophic maxilla and in other situations of anatomic constraints. The graft material used was calcium phosphosilicate (CPS) putty (Nova bone dental putty, Novabone products, Alachua, Fla). The residual bone height was recorded using CBCT scans and a computer based software where the measurements were made from the crest of the ridge till the sinus floor lining. The patients were assessed clinically at immediate post-operative, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months follow-up recalls post-operatively. Radiographic assessment for bone height was done pre-operatively and at 6 months follow-up recall post-operatively using Cone Beam Computer Tomography scans. Results: The post-treatment bone height (11.76+0.97mm) was found to be significantly higher than the pre-treatment bone height (6.8 +0.70mm) in indirect sinus augmentation procedures (t=14.4, p<0.005). In case of direct sinus augmentation group also, the post-treatment bone height (11.27 +0.71mm) came-out to be significantly higher than the pre-treatment bone height (2.44 +0.81mm) (t=32.17, p<0.005). The post-treatment bone grafted sinus floor measurements (1107.6 + 155.6mm) were also found to be significantly higher than the original sinus floor measurements of bone density (Grayscale values) (412+ 65.5mm) (t=16.6, p<0.001) in case of indirect sinus augmentation procedures. Similarly, the post-treatment bone grafted sinus floor measurements (1169.6+136.7mm) were found to be significantly higher than the original sinus floor measurements of bone density (Grayscale values) (416.4+ 0.70mm) (t=17.9, p<0.001) in case of direct sinus augmentation group. Conclusion: Calcium Phosphosilicate (CPS) was accepted well at the recipient sites without any complications demonstrating its efficiency and reliability in sinus augmentation procedures.
Aug 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-7785.jarh-16-1157
Arlappa NimmathotaCorresponding author
Division of Community Studies, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Objectives: World has witnessed a considerable increase in the proportion of elderly population.Aging is associated with decreased physical activity and metabolism and thereby the changes in the nutritional requirements of older adults.The objective of this communication was to assess the nutritional status of rural elderly population in India. Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study; adopting multistage stratified random sampling procedure was carried out by the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB), during 2005-06 among the rural population of nine major states of India. A total of 3871 older adults were covered for anthropometry and of them, a total of 2138 older adults were covered for dietary assessment. Key Results: In general, the consumption of all the foods was below recommended daily intakes (RDI), and the in-adequacy (<70% of RDI) of intake was high with respect to leafy vegetables, milk & milk products, fats & oils and sugar & jaggery. Similarly, the in-adequacy of intakes of micronutrients such as vitamin A, iron, riboflavin and free folic acid was high among both genders. The poor intake of diet was reflected in high prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (CED) among the rural elderly in India. Conclusions: In general,the rural elderly were subsisting on inadequate diets in terms of both quantity and quality. Similarly, the prevalence of CED among elderly is a ‘‘very high’’ public health nutrition problem in India. Therefore, the Government of India should initiate appropriate nutrition intervention measures to improve the overall nutritional status and special nutrition policies to address the health and nutritional problems of the aging population.
Feb 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-15-855
Ilesanmi Adeyeye EmmanuelCorresponding author
Department of Chemistry (Analytical Unit), Ekiti State University, PMB 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
An investigation into the proximate, mineral and antinutitional constitutents of natural cocoa powder (NCP), natural cocoa liquor (NCL) and alkalized cocoa powder (ACP) was carried out. Other parameters investigated were: energy values as contributed to the total metabolisable energy by protein, fat and carbohydrate and the energy percentages; calculated mineral quality parameters; mineral bioavailability as predicted by Ca: Phy, Phy:Zn and CaPhy/Zn molar ratios of the different cocoa products and mineral safety index (MSI) of some of the minerals of the samples. The data generated were subjected to statistical evaluation of chi-square (χ2). The three samples, NCP, NCL and ACP had proximate levels (g/100g) as: total ash, 3.73-10.8; moisture, 2.16-9.04; protein, 10.9-24.3; fat, 4.93-56.0; fibre, 1.03-17.3; carbohydrate, 20.5-48.9 and fatty acid, 3.95-44.8. For total energy contribution, results varied from, 1169-2656 kJ/100 g. In the minerals, the followings were higlhly concentrated: Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe and P but low or not detected in Cu, Co and Mn. Virtually all the mineral quality parameters were poor as seen in these ratios: K/Na, Na/K, Ca/P and K/(Ca + Mg). The molar ratios of the samples were good enough to predict the bioavailability of the minerals. The mineral safety index (MSI) values showed that no mineral reached the toxic level in any of the samples. In the antinutritional constituents, ACP was highest in phytin phosphorus (Pp), phytin and Pp % of P; NCL was highest in oxalate and total phosphorus (P); tannin was highest in NCP. χ2 was significant in all proximate values (except ash, moisture and organic matter); all energy contributions, significant only in Mn (among the minerals); non was significant in the mineral quality parameters; only Ca: Phy was significant in the mineral molar ratios; no value was significant in the MSI and phytin was the only parameter significant among the antinutritional constituents.
Dec 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2471-2175.jdrt-15-858
Pónyai GyörgyiCorresponding author
Dept. of Dermatology, Venerology and Dermatooncology of Semmelweis University, Budapest
Background: Lavender has been used for centuries, but its exposure has become part of the everyday life in our days. It is used in the alternative medicine, and as a flavouring component in soaps, cosmetics and in food products (chocolate, ice-cream, spices). The increasing number of exposures resulted the appearance of hypersensitivity- reactions. Objectives: A survey on the prevalence of lavender hypersensitivity was conducted by the Contact Dermatitis Work-Group of the Hungarian Dermatological Society in a multicentre, prospective study. Patients and Methods: 1509 consecutivedermatological patients of 7 dermatological centres were involved in this study. Results were based on the analyses of age distribution and characteristic clinical signs of the patients, on symptoms-localization, and on relevance of positive skin lavender oil test results as well as other associated contact hypersensitivities. Results: We detected 8 patients with lavender hypersensitivity (0.53%). Typical localisations of skin symptoms were face, eyelids and hands. Associated hypersensitivity to fragrance and balsam components were not detected. Conclusion: The lavender hypersensitivity of our patients couldn’t be detected by fragrance screening allergens.The use of lavender oil in cosmetics and foods is very popular. The different types of contacts may result further increase of the sensitivity rate worldwide.
Jun 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-14-479
Erdmann JohannesCorresponding author
Department of Nutritional Medicine, University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Weidenbach, Germany
Objective: Detailed reports in changes of eating habits especially in elderly subjects with successful weight loss and maintenance are virtually unknown. In this paper we have analyzed the eating habits of 104 obese patients (BMI 37.8±0.3 kg/m2, age range 65 and 84 years) who lost 11.5±0.3kg over an average follow-up period of 37.5±0.5 months. Design: Patients recorded food intake over a period of 12 days before and 12 days after changes of eating habits. Dietary counseling was based on food energy density (ED) with the aim to maintain food quantity as much as possible for adequate satiety in conjunction with a reduction of energy intake. Individual eating habits should be preserved as much as possible. Results: Average daily energy intake of solid food was reduced by 267kcal, food intake by 114g and ED by 0.10 kcal/g, respectively. Liquid calories were reduced by 79 kcal/d. Lower daily energy intake was the result of a reduction of medium and high ED food items compensated for by a greater intake of low ED food items. Changes of macronutrients comprised substantially lower carbohydrate and fat intake with minimal reduction of protein. From 28 different food groups 9 were reduced significantly (bread, butter, marmalade, cheese, meat products, fast food, fruit and chocolate) while 3 were increased (eggs, curds, ham). The relative contributions of the various food groups to daily energy intake remained fairly similar indicating that individual preferences were largely maintained. Conclusion: The data demonstrates that in elderly subjects with severe obesity an individual change of eating habits can lead to successful long-term weight loss with improvement of carbohydrate metabolism. This will contribute to increased mobility and to improved quality of life. This method which is based on the energy density of food items is a simple measure to reduce energy intake while ensuring long-term adherence.
May 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2329-9487.jhc-13-210
A.V MattioliCorresponding author
Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, (Italy)
Background. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedD) is associated with a reduction of overall mortality and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In a previous study we found a relationship between intake of antioxidant vitamins with diet and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study focuses on gender differences relative to diet and antioxidant intake in patients (pts) with a first detected episode of AF. Methods. A group of 400 pts, 205 men and 195 women, was investigated. A control group of 400 subjects, age and sex matched, was selected and compared. Nutritional parameters were assessed by a self-administered food frequency validated questionnaire (116 items) completed by an interviewer-administered 24 h diet recall. We previously constructed a MedD adherence score based on a prior scoring system developed for the Greek population. Consumption of cereals, vegetables, legumes, fruit, fish, dairy products, cups of espresso coffee, chocolate snacks, soda drinks and wine was investigated. Results. The MedD Score was higher in women compared to men (28.8 + 2.0 vs 20.1 + 2.5; p<0.001) and was higher in healthy subjects compared to patients with AF (27.9 + 5.6 vs 22.3 + 3.1; p<0.001). In pts with AF the estimated intake of total antioxidants was higher in women (19.9 ± 5.6 vs 11.2 ± 7.4 mmol/d; p<0.001), and women had higher intake of antioxidants from fruit and vegetables. Conclusions. Women showed high adherence to the MedD and higher intake of antioxidants from fruit and vegetables compared to AF men. Men had higher intake of antioxidants from coffee. Women that developed AF were older, with lower adherence to the MedD, and were more sedentary.
May 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2644-0105.jbfb-14-547
Di Luigi GianlucaCorresponding author
University of L’Aquila; Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences. Gynecology & Obstetrics. Ospedale Civile “San Salvatore”. L’Aquila, Italy.
Background: Scientific research is constantly expanding our knowledge of nutritional needs in pregnancy and lactation. In June 2014 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued draft-revised advice encouraging pregnant women, those who might become pregnant, breastfeeding mothers and young children to eat more fish, a total of least 8 ounces per week and to eat a variety of fish lower in mercury in particular anchovies, butterfish, catfish, clam, haddock (Atlantic), herring, mullet, oyster, perch (ocean), sardine, shad, trout (freshwater). However, the presence of radionuclides released from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Pacific biota has aroused worldwide attention and concern. Objective and Methods: Evaluating all the scientific literature available after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the aim of this review is to demonstrate the safety of seafood products and the use of omega-3 supplements potentially derived from contaminated radioactive fish. Results and Conclusions: There are no reasons to fear the amount of radiation in Japanese fish. The dose received from seafood consumption can be estimated to result in two additional fatal cancer cases per 10,000,000 similarly exposed people. The safest way to get omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy is by taking a high-quality fish oil supplement, approved by a governing body that provides proof of quality such as the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the European Pharmocopeia Standard or the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and by the Food and Drug Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency 12. Pregnant and breastfeeding women do not need to cut fish out of their diet completely, and it may be safely eaten up to three times per week safely 3.
Jan 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-14-381
H Sellahewa KolithaCorresponding author
Dr Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, Millenium Drive, Malabe, Sri lanka
Haemorrhage is common to both dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Thrombocytopaenia is exceedingly common, while prolonged partial thromboplastin time and reduced fibrinogen concentration are the other abnormal haemostatic indices evident from early in the disease course. These haematological abnormalities correlate better with the timing and severity of plasma leakage rather than the clinical haemorrhagic manifestations. Blood products including prophylactic platelet transfusions are hardly required in the management of DHF. Judicious fluid therapy is the most effective intervention to prevent complications and bleeding in DHF. Concealed haemorrhage is an important complication requiring early recognition and blood transfusions to improve outcomes. Understanding the pathogenesis of coagulopathy and the significance of altered haemostatic indices, and its co-relation to disease severity and phase of DHF, is essential for appropriate interventions particularly when DHF co-exists in patients on mandatory anticoagulation for prosthetic heart valves and atrial fibrillation.
Feb 2014 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-12-157
Aryal NirmalCorresponding author
Division of Applied Health Sciences, Forester Hill Campus, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are found to be strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases. Data are sparse on the prevalence and distribution of cardiovascular risk factors among people being treated for HIV in South Asia region. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 103 HIV patients (51 women and 52 men) attending routine follow-up consultations at the largest ART centre in Nepal was conducted. Data on several cardiovascular risk factors were collected through interview questionnaires, biophysical measurements and consulting medical records. Results: The most common cardiovascular risk factors observed were central obesity 34.6% 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 25.3% to 43.9%, chronic kidney disease {20.7% (95% CI: 11.6% to 29.7%)} and tachycardia {20.6% (95% CI: 12.7% to 28.5%)}. Females were significantly more likely to have central obesity (male 9.8% vs. female 60%, p=0.016) and chronic kidney disease (male 15.4% vs. female 26.3%, p=0.003) as compared to the males. Participants were fairly active but a large proportion, especially men, had smoked {65% (95% CI: 57%-72.3%)}, used tobacco products {66% (95% CI: 56.4%-74.4%)} or drugs (53.8% of the men) and consumed alcohol {60.2% (95% CI: 50.5%-69.1%)}. Conclusion: A high prevalence of several cardiovascular risk factors was observed among patients being treated for HIV in Nepal. Further larger studies are warranted to better understand the relevance and public health impact of cardiovascular risk factors in this region.