bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glycemic Index values of some Jaffna fruits
Authors: Pirasath Selladurai , Thayananthan Kulasingam , Balakumar Sandrasekarampillai , Arasaratnam Vasanthy 
Published: August 2018

Background: The incidence of diabetes mellitus has recently increased in developing countries. Scientific data on glycemic index values of common meals is essential to modify the diets for diabetes mellitus patients. This study aimed to evaluate the glycemic index (GI) values of fruits such as ‘Kathali’ (Yellow plantain), ‘Kappal’ (Golden plantain), and ‘Itharai’ (Green plantain) varieties of plantains, jack fruit and papaya. The results will be helpful to physicians and the general public to decide the benefits of the consumption of fruits, particularly by diabetic and coronary heart disease patients.Methods: Healthy volunteers (20 Nos.) of 21.05(±0.92) years, 53.90 (±9.36) kg body weights, 153.92 (±9.15) m heights, and 20.55 (±2.22) kgm-2 body mass indexes were selected with their written consent. After overnight fasting, 75g glucose and each test fruit containing 75g digestible carbohydrate were administered at different instances and blood glucose levels were measured half hourly for two hours. The glycemic response and GI values were calculated and analyzed by Randomized Complete Block Design using SAS analytical package.Results: The mean GI values of the ‘Kathali’, ‘Kappal’, ‘Itharai’ varieties of plantains, jack fruit and papaya were 54.45 (±9.26), 50.43 (±5.79), 48.47 (±10.13), 65.36 (±8.00) and 34.80 (±12.78) % respectively. The GI value of papaya differed significantly (P<0.05) from other fruits. The GI value of ‘Itharai’ variety of plantain differed significantly (P<0.05) from other fruits except the ‘Kappal’ variety of plantain.Conclusion: The three varieties of plantains and papaya were low GI fruits, and jack fruit was found to be an intermediate GI fruit. The presence of dietary fiber, esp. soluble fiber, reduces the glycemic response and glycemic index of foods. Keywords: Glycemic index, glycemic response, fiber, fruits.
Glycophospholipid Formulation with NADH and CoQ10 Significantly Reduces Intractable Fatigue in Western Blot-Positive ‘Chronic Lyme Disease’ Patients: Preliminary Report
Authors: Nicolson Garth L. , Settineri Robert , Ellithorpe Rita 
Published: August 2018

Background: An open label 8-week preliminary study was conducted in a small number of patients to determine if a combination oral supplement containing a mixture of phosphoglycolipids, coenzyme Q10 and microencapsulated NADH and other nutrients could affect fatigue levels in long-term, Western blot-positive, multi-symptom ‘chronic Lyme disease’ patients (also called ‘post-treatment Lyme disease’ or ‘post Lyme syndrome’) with intractable fatigue. Methods: The subjects in this study were 6 males (mean age = 45.1 ± 12.4 years) and 10 females (mean age = 54.6 ± 7.4 years) with ‘chronic Lyme disease’ (determined by multiple symptoms and positive Western blot analysis) that had been symptomatic with chronic fatigue for an average of 12.7 ± 6.6 years. They had been seen by multiple physicians (13.3 ± 7.6) and had used many other remedies, supplements and drugs (14.4 ± 7.4) without fatigue relief. Fatigue was monitored at 0, 7, 30 and 60 days using a validated instrument, the Piper Fatigue Scale.Results: Patients in this preliminary study responded to the combination test supplement, showing a 26% reduction in overall fatigue by the end of the 8-week trial (p< 0.0003). Analysis of subcategories of fatigue indicated that there were significant improvements in the ability to complete tasks and activities as well as significant improvements in mood and cognitive abilities. Regression analysis of the data indicated that reductions in fatigue were consistent and occurred with a high degree of confidence (R2 = 0.998). Conclusions: The combination supplement was a safe and effective method to significantly reduce intractable fatigue in long-term patients with Western blot-positive ‘chronic Lyme disease.’Keywords: Lyme disease, Lipid Replacement Therapy, NT Factor, mitochondria, chronic fatigue, NADH, coenzyme Q10
Voluntary Ingestion of Natural Cocoa Extenuated Hepatic Damage in Rats with Experimentally Induced Chronic Alcoholic Toxicity
Authors: Sokpor Godwin , Addai Frederick Kwaku , Gyasi Richard Kwasi , Bugyei Kwasi Agyei , Ahenkorah John , Hottor Bismarck 
Published: August 2018

Background: Chronic ethanol ingestion causes hepatic damage imputable to an increased oxidative stress engendered by alcoholic toxicity. Polyphenols in cocoa have antioxidant properties, and natural cocoa powder (NCP) contains the highest levels of total antioxidant capacity when compared to all other kinds of edible cocoa products. This study tested the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with NCP mitigates hepatic injury resulting from chronic ethanol consumption. Three groups of eight randomized Sprague-Dawley rats were fed standard rat food and treated daily for 12 weeks as follows: (i) the Ethanol-water group was given unrestricted access to 40% (v/v) ethanol for 12 hours (at night) followed by water for the remaining 12 hours (daytime), (ii) the Ethanol-cocoa group had similarly unrestricted access to 40% ethanol for 12 hours followed by 2% (w/v) NCP for 12 hours, and (iii) the control group was not given alcohol and had unrestricted access to only water which was synchronously replenished every 12 hours as it was for the ethanol treated animals.Results: Qualitative structural liver damage evidenced by hepatocyte cytoplasmic fatty accumulation, nuclear alterations, and disruption of general liver micro-architecture, was severe in the ethanol-water group when compared with the ethanol-cocoa group of rats. Design-based stereologic assessment yielded a significantly greater volume (Tukey’s HSD, p = 0.0005) of undamaged hepatocytes (9.61 ml, SD 2.18 ml) in the ethanol-cocoa group as opposed to the ethanol-water group of rats (2.34 ml, SD 1.21 ml). Control rats had 10.34 ml (SD 1.47 ml) of undamaged hepatocytes, and that was not significantly greater (Tukey’s HSD, p=0.659) than the value for the ethanol-cocoa group of rats. Relative to controls, therefore, histomorphometry showed 93% hepatocyte preservation from alcoholic injury in rats that voluntarily imbibed NCP suspension compared with 23% in animals that drank water.Conclusions: Ethanol-induced structural liver injury was qualitatively and quantitatively milder in rats which chronically imbibed alcohol then afterward drank NCP beverage in place of water. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols in NCP are postulated in mitigating the damage of rat liver due to chronic ethanol consumption. Thus, it is suggested from these findings that regular drinking of NCP beverage may slow progression of alcoholic liver disease in dipsomaniacs.Key words: natural cocoa powder, chronic alcoholic toxicity, total antioxidant capacity, polyphenols
Therapeutic efficacy of Genistein-Cytoreg® combination in breast cancer cells
Authors: Johnson M. M. , Kumi-Diaka K. J. , Zoeller R. , Graves B. S. , Merchant K. T. , Hörmann V. P. , Hassanhi M. 
Published: August 2018

Background: In spite the heavy investments in therapeutic research breast cancer still impacts the lives of women globally. The projected incidence of new cases of in situ breast cancer in the USA for 2011 is 57,650, with estimated 39,520 deaths. The phytoestrogen, genistein and the synthetic compound, Cytoreg® have been shown to inhibit growth and proliferation in many cancer cell lines. Purpose of the Study: In this study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of Cytoreg®-genistein combination on growth inhibition in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Method: MCF-7 cells were treated with genistein and Cytoreg® single and combination treatments for 24-48hrs; and post treatment chemosensitivity assessed, using: Trypan Blue exclusion and MTT assays for cell viability, Ethidium bromide/Acridine orange to assess apoptosis induction, and FAM Poly-Caspase binding assay for mechanism of action. Results: The overall data indicated dose- and time-dependent cell death in the MCF-cells and apoptosis as the major means of treatment-induced growth inhibition with all the treatment regimens. Conclusion: Comparatively, the genistein-Cytoreg® combination treatment was significantly more efficacious in growth inhibition in the MCF cells than either genistein or Cytoreg® alone. Genistein seems to act additively with Cytoreg® in combination treatment-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. The normal human breast epithelial cells were not significantly inhibited by either single or the combination treatments.Key words: Cytoreg®, Genistein, Combination treatment, MCF- cancer cells, apoptosis
Novel concepts on functional foods and nutrigenomics in healthy aging and chronic diseases: a review of fermented papaya preparation research progress
Authors: Marotta Francesco , Celep Gulcin Sagdicoglu , Cabeca Anna , Polimeni Ascanio 
Published: August 2018

Functional foods are an emerging research field corresponding with genomical, epidemiological and clinical studies integrated with the food industry in accordance with the consumer demands. Consequently, the features of the functional foods are being discussed by various researchers and related institutions, and a common view has been pointed out about the availability and the nature of the components of functional foods. Recently, the outcomes of functional foods are being assessed by the help of all the available scientific tools. Genomic medicine is one of the most promising areas of research to reveal the benefits of functional foods and the bioactive ingredients. Nutrigenomics aims at studying the genetic and epigenetic interactions with a nutrient or the functional component in order to lead to a phenotype change and therefore to the cell metabolism, differentiation or even apoptosis. Papaya and its fermentation product are specific products derived from the technologically advanced and controlled environmental-friendly bio-fermentation process. It has been well known for a long time that the natural anti-oxidant properties of papaya, mainly depending on vitamins A and C in addition to certain amino acids, were consistent both in the fruit and derived from the papain enzyme which is no longer present in the fermented product. In this article, functional foods in genomic medicine are discussed in review of the fermented papaya preparation research progress. Clinical evidences about fermented papaya as a functional food are reported as supported by various research protocols and experimental models. The benefits of fermented papaya preparation are also discussed in nutrigenomic basis and it is reported to have an important antioxidant and transcriptomic potential which deserves further investigation. As a conclusion, fermented papaya preparation represents a Functional Food highly compliant with the novel features of the new nutrigenomic-driven action plan strategy aimed to reduce the incidences of diseases and successful integration within specific pharmacological treatments.Keywords: functional foods, fermented papaya preparation, nutrigenomics
An open-label, randomized clinical trial to assess the immunomodulatory activity of a novel oligosaccharide compound in healthy adults
Authors: Ali Karriem H. , Melillo Angelica B. , Leonard Susanna M. , Asthana Deshratn , Woolger Judi M. , Wolfson Aaron H. , McDaniel H. , Lewis John E. 
Published: August 2018

Background: Rice Bran Arabinoxylan Compound (RBAC) is a nutritional supplement produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of hemicellulose B derived from rice bran. Several in vitro studies and clinical reports have shown RBAC to possess promising immunomodulating effects, specifically with respect to natural killer cell and cytokine activity. The concept of a true immunomodulator is an agent possessing a broad range of activity dependent upon the existing state of health and immunity in the individual host. The present study investigated the immunomodulatory effect of RBAC in a healthy adult human population over 60 days by assessing changes in natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) and cytokines and growth factors. Subjects participated in a two-group, randomized intervention, where one group (n=10) consumed 1 gram/day and the other (n=10) consumed 3 gram/day. Safety and tolerability of RBAC were assessed with total bilirubin, total protein, creatinine, and liver function tests.Results: We found that both groups had similar responses for NKCC, cytokines, and growth factors. The NKCC peaked at 1 week, whereas interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukins-1α, -1β, -8, and -10, and epidermal growth factor peaked at 30 days. All subjects tolerated the supplement without any adverse reactions.Conclusions: Our results showed transient, bi-directional, immune marker effects consistent with true, multifactorial immunomodulation rather than simply immunostimulation or immunosuppression. Given our findings, the immunomodulatory activity of RBAC merits study in conditions where the immune system is functionally compromised (e.g., otherwise-healthy smokers and HIV/AIDS or cancer patients). RBAC may not only help to destroy tumor cells and viruses directly, but also increase the activity of immune cells, thereby optimizing the immune system, especially NKCC, which can increase the chance and speed of host recovery.Keywords: Rice bran, arabinoxylan compound, activity of immune cells, immunomodulation, HIV/AIDS, and cancer
A randomized, controlled trial to assess short-term black pepper consumption on 24-hour energy expenditure and substrate utilization
Authors: O’Connor Annalouise , Corbin Karen D. , Nieman David C. , Swick Andrew G. 
Published: August 2018

Background: Thermogenic ingredients may play a role in weight management. In vitro and rodent work suggests that components of black pepper may impact energy expenditure, and in humans, other TPRV1 agonists e.g. capsaicin, augment EE. Objectives: To determine the impact of BP on 24-hour EE, respiratory quotient, and biochemical markers of metabolism and satiety, a randomized, controlled, cross-over study of black pepper (0.5mg/meal) versus no pepper control was conducted in post-menopausal women. Subjects spent two 24-hour periods in a whole room indirect calorimeter. Results: Post-meal glucose, insulin, gut peptides and catecholamines were measured. Energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, or biochemical markers assessed did not differ significantly between the black pepper and no pepper control study days. Conclusions: Our findings do not support a role for black pepper in modulating energy expenditure in overweight postmenopausal women. Future work targeting alternative populations, administering black pepper in the fasted state, or in combination with other spices, may reveal the thermogenic effect of this spice.Trial registration: This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01729143).Key words: Black pepper, piperine, energy expenditure, metabolic chamber
Astaxanthin as a Medical Food
Authors: Yamashita Eiji 
Published: August 2018

Astaxanthin is a red pigment that belongs to the carotenoid family like β-carotene. And it’s found in seafood such as crustaceans: shrimp and crabs and fish: salmon and sea bream. Recently, astaxanthin has been reported to have antioxidant activity up to 100 times more potent than that of vitamin E against lipid peroxidation and about 40 times more potent than that of β-carotene on singlet oxygen quenching. Astaxanthin does not show any pro-oxidant activity and its main sight of action is on/in the cell membrane. Various important benefits to date have suggested for human health such as immunomodulation, anti-stress, anti-inflammation, LDL cholesterol oxidation suppression, enhanced skin health, improved semen quality, attenuating eye fatigue, sport performance and endurance, limiting exercised induced muscle damage, suppressing the development of life-style related diseases such as obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Nowadays, the research and demand for natural astaxanthin in human health application are explosively growing worldwide. Especially, the clinicians use the astaxanthin extracted from the microalgae, Haematotoccus pluvialis as an add-on supplementation for the patients who are unsatisfied with the current medications or who can’t receive any medications because of their serious symptom. For example, the treatment enhances their daily activity levels or QOL in heart failure or benign prostatic hypertrophy/lower urinary tract symptom patients Other studies and trials are under way on chronic diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, diabetes and CVD. We may call astaxanthin “a medical food” in the near future.Keywords: astaxanthin, medical food, Haematococcus, add-on supplementation
Evaluation of functional potentiality of selected commonly consumed foods of Bangladesh
Authors: Shaheen Nazma , Tukun Avonti Basak , Islam Saiful , Irfan Nafis Md. , Khan Ishrat Nourin , Hasan Towhid 
Published: August 2018

Background: Rising tide of chronic nutrition related non-communicable diseases yoked with extant under nutrition problems makes it imperative to carry out scientific research for finding functional foods. Although the emergence of these diseases are believed to be related to a constellation of dietary, socio-economic and lifestyle related risk factors, central to the pathogenesis of these diseases (or disease states) are free radicals, oxidative stress, and inflammatory processes typically accompanied by pain. Therefore, functional whole foods with physiologically active antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic compounds seem to be the most promising option to deal with the pathogenesis of existing and emerging chronic diseases burden of Bangladesh.Methods: Edible portions of 70 commonly consumed Bangladeshi foods – including one cereal, five legumes, fourteen vegetables, four tea varieties, five oil seeds, twenty spices, and twenty one fruits – were evaluated for total phenol content (TPC) by Folin-Ciocalteau assay. To evaluate functional potentiality, in vitro antioxidant capacity (AC) of selected food items were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assays, in vitro anti-inflammatory potential by observing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α using J774A.1 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in vivo anti-inflammatory potential by measuring carrageenan induced rat paw edema reduction and in vivo analgesic potential by acetic acid induced writhing test in mice. Results: Spices, oilseeds, and teas showed high concentration of TPC among the analysed foods while spices and teas exhibited notable AC. Green tea showed highest concentrations of TPC (2349 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent / g) and AC (2432 µmole Trolox Equivalent/g). Fourteen food items showed potential in vitro anti-inflammatory activity with confirmatory dose response effect shown by 8 items. In vivo, black sesame and yellow mustard expressed anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in a dose dependent manner.Conclusion: This study found commonly consumed food items representing different food groups of Bangladesh to contain diverse range of polyphenols and antioxidant capacities. Of these, black sesame and yellow mustard demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential in animal model. The findings of this study can be used to promote polyphenols rich foods through dietary guidelines and facilitate epidemiological research investigating diet-disease relationships.
Polyphenol Compounds of Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa [Scheff.] Boerl) Up-regulated Caspase-3 and Apoptosis Index in Balb/c Strain Mice
Authors: Judiono N. , Indranila K.S. , Watuguly Theopilus W. , Craker Lyle 
Published: August 2018

Background : Polyphenol compounds of Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa [Scheff.] Boerl)(PMD) are potentially to be used as anticancer by scavanging radical molecules. The effect in vivo is still limited in Indonesia.Purpose : The research was aimed validate the activity of PMD in increasing caspase-3 expression and apoptosis in Balb/c mice induced by Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP).Methode : Posttest control group was implemented and used by 40 Balb/c mice at the age of 1-2 week with body weight of 20-30 g. The tumor induction was done mice by using BaP. The animals were randomized into 2 groups, called the control group and PMD treatment group by given dosage 50mg. Lung tumor growth was assessed by surgery at week of 8th, 17th, and 26th. The results of caspase-3 expression and apoptotic index from IHC-TUNEL staining were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, One-way ANOVA, and Post hoc test LSD with significant level of p<α (0,05). This research was approve by Ethical ClearanceResults: Oral administration of 50mg PMD was significantly increased caspase-3 expression and apoptotic index by treatment group animal at week of 8th, 17th, and 26th. Carcinogenesis incidence in control group were respective found about 2,32±0,26 and 3,93±0,46 at 8th and 26th week, respectively, while in treatment group were 1,88±0,38 and 0,88±0,22 (p=0,000). The apoptotic index in control group was 0,00±0,00 at 8th week and 0,92+0,22 at 26th week, whilst in treatment group were 1,12±0,71 and 2,02±1,05 (p=0,000). In control group, the caspase-3 expression at 8th and 26th week were 0,28±0,17 and 0,56±0,16, respectively, then in treatment group were 0,60±0,14 at 8th week and 2,52±0,33 at 26th week (p=0,000).Conclusion : The treatment of PMD was effectively induce in Balb/c mice cell apoptosis via up-regulation of caspase-3 expression and thus increased apoptotic index. It shows that PMD have anticancer activity to inhibit lung carcinogenesis in Balb/c mice.Keywords : polyphenol, mahkota dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa [Scheff.] Boerl), cell proliferation, apoptotic index, Balb/c strain mice, Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP).