The physicochemical properties, in vitro binding capacities and in vivo hypocholesterolemic activity of soluble dietary fiber extracted from soy hulls.

Soluble dietary fibers (SDFs) have earned a healthy reputation due to their distinguished physiological functions. In this study, SDF was efficiently extracted from soy hulls using a phosphate-assisted subcritical water extraction method. The physicochemical properties, in vitro binding capacities and in vivo hypocholesterolemic activity of soy hull soluble dietary fiber (SHSDF) were evaluated. The results indicated that the major component of SHSDF was pectic polysaccharides, and with comparison to commercial oat ß-glucan, SHSDF had favorable solubility, viscosity, water-holding ability (5.26 g water per g sample), and oil holding capacity (4.83 g oil per g sample). It also possessed good in vitro cholesterol-binding capacity (6.18 mg g-1 sample at pH 2 and 7.62 mg g-1 sample at pH 7), bile acid-binding capacity (3.3, 1.73 and 6.65 µM of GCA, GCDCA and GDCA per 100 mg of sample), glucose dialysis retardation index (64.76%), and in vivo hypocholesterolemic activity (16.88% and 35.28% reduction in serum total cholesterol and LDL level in rats, respectively). These data suggest that SHSDF has great potential in food applications, especially in the development of functional food ingredients.

Thymic carcinoma: involvement of great vessels indicates poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Thymic carcinoma is a rare, indolent, and invasive cancer. This study investigated the treatment results of thymic carcinoma and clinical prognostic factors. METHODS: From June 1988 to January 2002, 38 patients were enrolled in this study with the diagnosis of thymic carcinoma in the Cheng-Kung University Hospital based on Rosai's and Muller-Hermelink's classification. Clinical and pathologic data were retrospectively reviewed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier, log rank, and Wilcoxon tests. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Pathology revealed 14 poorly differentiated, 6 moderately differentiated, and 8 well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas; 8 lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas; and 2 other carcinomas. Pathologic staging using the Masaoka system included 6 stage II, 23 stage III, and 9 stage IV patients. Six biopsies, five debulkings, and 27 complete resections were performed. All patients were followed from 15 months to 10 years 9 months, with an average of 53.8 months. Median survival time was 81 months, and median recurrence time was 52 months. Eighteen patients are still alive, and 7 are alive with disease. Well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma had better prognosis than other carcinomas (p = 0.022). Complete resection significantly increased survival rate (p < 0.001). Tumor invasion of the superior vena cava, pulmonary vessels, or aorta were significant predictors for poor prognosis (p = 0.016, 0.002, and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Only patients with thymic carcinoma who underwent complete resection had long-term survival. Prognosis of thymic carcinoma seemed mainly dependent on tumor invasion of the great vessels.