The Browning Properties, Antioxidant Activity, and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Improvement of Aged Oranges (Citrus sinensis).

Oranges contain many natural active chemicals, organic acids, and polysaccharides. Aging processing is commonly used to modify the color, quality, functional components, and stability of fruits. This study assesses the preparation of aging black oranges using various pre-treatments and solid fermentation. Oranges were aged for six weeks in fresh, non-blanching, blanching, and hot air-assisted aging cycle (AA) groups. The oranges' shrinkage ratio, color difference values, and soluble solids content changed significantly (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis indicated that aging fermentation treatment accelerated glycolysis and increased the ratio of reducing sugars. The enhanced browning can be associated with the oxidation of ascorbic acid (0.66-0.47 mg/g) and the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) (0.09 mg/g). Furthermore, the presence of free polyphenols led to an increase in the total polyphenol and total flavonoid content. It also had a synergistic effect with 5-HMF in increasing the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging capacity and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (p < 0.05). AA had superior α-glucosidase inhibitory ability increasing from 67.31 to 80.48%. It also reduced the development time by 33%. Therefore, aging technology can enhance the bioactive compounds in oranges and provide a reference for future whole-fruit aging fermentation and health product creation.

Developing the procedure-enhanced model of ginger-infused sesame oil based on its flavor and functional properties.

Ginger-infused sesame oil enriches the nutrition and provides enhanced flavor for the foods. An original processing procedure and module for evaluation were established in this study, using different raw materials (Guangdong and Chu ginger) and treatments (ginger powder, extract, and both). The quality, functionality, and flavor of the infused oils were evaluated. Ginger-infused sesame oil contained 0.58-3.22 µg/g of 6-gingerol, 0.21-0.88 µg/g of 6-shogaol. The number range of volatile compounds from 48 to 55 identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry varies depending on different process procedures. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis revealed the flavor profiles were clustered by different varieties, while gingerol and phytosterol was by different treatments. In conclusion, sesame oil was an appropriate carrier for gingerol and phytosterol, which are characterized by higher antioxidant capacities (p < 0.05). These results show the benefits of developing infused oil products with enhanced functional and sensory properties.

p-Synephrine Indicates Internal Maturity of Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck cv. Mato Peiyu-Reclaiming Functional Constituents from Nonedible Parts.

The processing of Citrus grandis Osbeck cv. Mato Peiyu (CGMP) fruits generates a considerable amount of waste, mainly the flavedo, albedo, and segment membrane; the generated waste yields severe environmental and economic challenges. In this study, we tried to reclaim some functional chemicals from the waste. Our data indicated that the essential oil content in the flavedo was 0.76-1.34%, with the major component being monoterpenes (93.75% in August, declining to 85.56% in November, including mainly limonene (87.08% to 81.12%) and others such as ß-myrcene). p-Synephrine (mg/100 g dry weight) declined accordingly (flavedo, 10.40 to 2.00; albedo, 1.80 to 0.25; segment membrane, 0.3 in August, 0.2 in September, and none since October). Polyphenols (in µg/g) included gallic acid (70.32-110.25, 99.27-252.89, and 105.78-187.36, respectively); protocatechuic acid (65.32-204.94, 26.35-72.35, and 214.98-302.65, respectively), p-coumaric acid (30.63-169.13, 4.32-17.00, and 6.68-34.32, respectively), ferulic acid (12.36-39.36, 1.21-10.25, and 17.07-39.63, respectively), and chlorogenic acid (59.19-199.36, 33.08-108.57, and 65.32-150.14, respectively). Flavonoids (in µg/g) included naringin (flavedo, 89.32-283.19), quercetin (181.05-248.51), nobiletin (259.75-563.7), hesperidin, and diosmin. The phytosterol content (mg/100 g) was 12.50-44.00 in the flavedo. The total dietary fiber in the segment membrane was 57 g/100 g. The antioxidant activity against the DPPH• and ABTS+• free radicals was moderately high. In conclusion, the waste of CGMP fruits is worth reclaiming for essential oil, p-synephrine, polyphenolics, and dietary fiber. Notably, p-synephrine content (flavedo: <8 mg/100 g dry weight, albedo: <2.0, or segment membrane: <0.4 mg) can serve as a marker of the internal maturation of CGMP fruits.

Molecular Action Mechanism of Coixol from Soft-Shelled Adlay on Tyrosinase: The Future of Cosmetics.

Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen L. Gramineae is widely cultivated in Taiwan. Literature regarding the molecular action mechanism of coixol on tyrosinase and the application of coicis seed extracts to the processing of facial masks is still lacking. Solvent extractability analysis revealed that most of the polyphenolics in coicis seeds were water soluble (3.17 ± 0.12 to 3.63 ± 0.07 µg/mLGAE). In contrast, the methanolic extract contained the most flavonoids (0.06 ± 0.00~0.26 ± 0.03 µg/mL QE) and coixol (11.43 ± 0.13~12.83 ± 0.14 µg/mL), showing potent antioxidant capability. Additionally, the contents of coixenolide (176.77 ± 5.91 to 238.60 ± 0.21 µg/g), phytosterol (52.45 ± 2.05 to 58.23 ± 1.14 mg/g), and polysaccharides (3.42 ± 0.10 to 4.41 ± 0.10 mg/g) were rather high. The aqueous extract (10 µg/mL) and the ethanolic extract (1 mg/mL) showed no cytotoxicity to B16F10 melanocytes. More attractively, the ethanolic extract at 1 mg/mL caused 48.4% inhibition of tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanocytes, and 50.7% on human tyrosinase (hTyr) fragment 369-377. Conclusively, the coicis seed extracts containing abundant nutraceuticals with promising anti-hTyr activity and moisturizing capability can serve as good ingredients for facial mask processing.

Population genetic analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen-175 (EBA-175) gene in Equatorial Guinea.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen-175 (PfEBA-175) is a candidate antigen for a blood-stage malaria vaccine, while various polymorphisms and dimorphism have prevented to development of effective vaccines based on this gene. This study aimed to investigate the dimorphism of PfEBA-175 on both the Bioko Island and continent of Equatorial Guinea, as well as the genetic polymorphism and natural selection of global PfEBA-175. METHODS: The allelic dimorphism of PfEBA-175 region II of 297 bloods samples from Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019 were investigated by nested polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Polymorphic characteristics and the effect of natural selection were analyzed using MEGA 7.0, DnaSP 6.0 and PopART programs. Protein function prediction of new amino acid mutation sites was performed using PolyPhen-2 and Foldx program. RESULTS: Both Bioko Island and Bata district populations, the frequency of the F-fragment was higher than that of the C-fragment of PfEBA-175 gene. The PfEBA-175 of Bioko Island and Bata district isolates showed a high degree of genetic variability and heterogeneity, with π values of 0.00407 & 0.00411 and Hd values of 0.958 & 0.976 for nucleotide diversity, respectively. The values of Tajima's D of PfEBA-175 on Bata district and Bioko Island were 0.56395 and - 0.27018, respectively. Globally, PfEBA-175 isolates from Asia were more diverse than those from Africa and South America, and genetic differentiation quantified by the fixation index between Asian and South American countries populations was significant (FST > 0.15, P < 0.05). A total of 310 global isolates clustered in 92 haplotypes, and only one cluster contained isolates from three continents. The mutations A34T, K109E, D278Y, K301N, L305V and D329N were predicted as probably damaging. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the dimorphism of F-fragment PfEBA-175 was remarkably predominant in the study area. The distribution patterns and genetic diversity of PfEBA-175 in Equatorial Guinea isolates were similar another region isolates. And the levels of recombination events suggested that natural selection and intragenic recombination might be the main drivers of genetic diversity in global PfEBA-175. These results have important reference value for the development of blood-stage malaria vaccine based on this antigen.

Genetic diversity and natural selection on the thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP) gene of Plasmodium falciparum on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea and global comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP) is a transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role during the invasion of Plasmodium falciparum into liver cells. As a potential malaria vaccine candidate, the genetic diversity and natural selection of PfTRAP was assessed and the global PfTRAP polymorphism pattern was described. METHODS: 153 blood spot samples from Bioko malaria patients were collected during 2016-2018 and the target TRAP gene was amplified. Together with the sequences from database, nucleotide diversity and natural selection analysis, and the structural prediction were preformed using bioinformatical tools. RESULTS: A total of 119 Bioko PfTRAP sequences were amplified successfully. On Bioko Island, PfTRAP shows its high degree of genetic diversity and heterogeneity, with π value for 0.01046 and Hd for 0.99. The value of dN-dS (6.2231, p < 0.05) hinted at natural selection of PfTRAP on Bioko Island. Globally, the African PfTRAPs showed more diverse than the Asian ones, and significant genetic differentiation was discovered by the fixation index between African and Asian countries (Fst > 0.15, p < 0.05). 667 Asian isolates clustered in 136 haplotypes and 739 African isolates clustered in 528 haplotypes by network analysis. The mutations I116T, L221I, Y128F, G228V and P299S were predicted as probably damaging by PolyPhen online service, while mutations L49V, R285G, R285S, P299S and K421N would lead to a significant increase of free energy difference (ΔΔG > 1) indicated a destabilization of protein structure. CONCLUSIONS: Evidences in the present investigation supported that PfTRAP gene from Bioko Island and other malaria endemic countries is highly polymorphic (especially at T cell epitopes), which provided the genetic information background for developing an PfTRAP-based universal effective vaccine. Moreover, some mutations have been shown to be detrimental to the protein structure or function and deserve further study and continuous monitoring.

Seeking Medical Assistance for Dysphonia Is Associated with an Improved Survival Rate in Laryngeal Cancer: Real-World Evidence.

(1) Background: Patients with laryngeal cancer usually present with dysphonia. However, some studies reported that the duration from dysphonia to cancer diagnosis has been prolonged significantly in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate that in the initial dysphonia-related diagnosis and the interval between the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer may affect the overall survival (OS). (2) Methods: The 1997-2013 Longitudinal Health Insurance Database was used in this study. A propensity score with 1-to-1 matching was applied to balance the baseline characteristics. The OS was examined by the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. (3) Results: A total of 2753 patients with a first primary laryngeal cancer diagnosis were identified. The patients without prior dysphonia-related diagnosis (PD-) group did have a significantly worse five-year survival (p = 0.015) comparing with those with a prior dysphonia-related diagnosis (PD+) group among glottic cancer patients. The group with a shorter dysphonia-to-diagnosis interval had a better five-year OS than the prolonged group (p = 0.007) in laryngeal cancer. (4) Conclusions: Looking for medical assistance before a diagnosis of glottic cancer is associated with a better overall survival, while a diagnostic delay of more than 30 days from the first medical examination for dysphonia is associated with a worse outcome among in patients with laryngeal cancer.

Speech Performance after Anterolateral Thigh Phonatory Tube Reconstruction for Total Laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Traditionally, after total laryngopharyngectomy (TLP), patients cannot speak without a prosthesis or an artificial larynx. In Taiwan, most patients use a commercialized pneumatic laryngeal device (PLD). Phonatory tube reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a novel, modified version of synchronous digestive and phonatory reconstruction involving a free muscular cutaneous flap. This study reviewed and compared speech performance between patients who underwent novel flap reconstruction and conventional PLD users. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer who underwent TLP from August 2017 to September 2019. The voice handicap index (VHI), speech intelligibility, acoustic and aerodynamic analysis results, and speech range profile (SRP) were compared between patients who underwent ALT phonatory tube reconstruction (ALT group) and those using PLDs (PLD group). RESULTS: Twenty patients were included; 13 patients were included in the ALT group, and 7 patients were included in the PLD group. Compared to the PLD group, the ALT group had a better fundamental frequency range (P < .001) and semitone range (P < .001) during speech but showed worse jitter, shimmer, and harmonic-to-noise ratios. The two groups showed comparable VHI and speech intelligibility performance. CONCLUSIONS: The ALT phonatory tube, a novel flap for reconstruction, can restore digestive and voice functions simultaneously. Compared with PLD use, ALT phonatory tube reconstruction yields an improved speech range and comparable levels of voice handicap and speech intelligibility, suggesting that the technique is a good alternative for patients after TLP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:1349-1357, 2021.

Aminoazo dye-protein-adduct enhances inhibitory effect on digestibility and damages to Gastro-Duodenal-Hepatic axis.

4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB, methyl yellow, or butter yellow), a human carcinogen, has been banned for use in foods since 1988. In 2014, DAB adulteration in Tofu occurred in Taiwan. We hypothesize that DAB can form [DAB•SBP]adduct adduct with soybean protein (SBP) which could damage Gastro-Duodenal-Hepatic axis. Sprague-Dawley rats gavage fed [DAB•SBP]adduct adduct revealed severely reduced body weight and damaged duodenum, liver, hepatic mitochondria, and spleen. Hepatic levels of glutathione and ATP were severely reduced. Serum GOT and GPT were substantially elevated. Analysis by the adsorption isotherm clearly revealed DAB formed very stable [DAB•SBP]adduct adduct at 1:1 molar ration (Phase A). The equilibrium constant of this colloidal adduct [DAB•SBP]adduct was KeqA = ∝, behaving as the most stable and toxic species. At higher protein concentration (Phase C) it formed conjugate [DAB×SBPgross]conjugate, with KeqC = 3.23×10-2 mg/mL, implicating a moderately strong adsorption. The in vitro pepsin digestibility test showed apparently reduced digestibility by 27% (by Ninhydrin assay) or 8% (by Bradford assay). Conclusively, this is the first report indicating that [DAB•SBP]adduct potentially is capable to damage the Gastro-Duodenal-Hepatic axis.

Antihyperlipidemic bioactivity of Alpinia officinarum (Hance) Farw Zingiberaceae can be attributed to the coexistance of curcumin, polyphenolics, dietary fibers and phytosterols.

Rhizoma A. officinarum (Hance) Farw, synonymously is called rhizoma galangae or smaller galangal (hereafter abbreviated as AO). Numerous studies reported that AO possesses anti-inflammatory, anticancer, chemoprotective, antibacterial, antifungal and diuretic properties. To understand whether AO exhibits antihyperlipidemic bioactivity and what is the mechanism of action, we performed chemical and animal studies using hamsters (age: 4 weeks, body weight: 45 ± 4 g). The grouping of the animals was as follows: control, high fat (HF) diet, HF + AO2%, HF + AO4%, HF + AO6%, HF + AO8% and HF + AO10%. AO contained curcumin 5.67 mg g(-1) (on wet basis), crude fiber 1.3% ± 0.0%, soluble diet fiber 92 ± 2 mg g(-1), insoluble diet fiber 502 ± 5 mg g(-1), and phytosterols 63.9 ± 1.6 mg/100 g. Its methanolic extract consisted of high polyphenolics 4927.8 ± 101.1 mgGAE/100 g and flavonoids 593.2 ± 22.2 mgQE/100 g. The enlarged organs, including liver, kidney, and spleen, which were elicited by HF were completely alleviated by AO supplement diets. Levels of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio for the control originally were 138 ± 6, 98 ± 4, 40 ± 5, 168 ± 7 mg dL(-1) and 0.24, which were elevated by HF to 319 ± 12, 223 ± 13, 108 ± 11, 194 ± 6 mg dL(-1) and 0.05, and alleviated completely by HF + AO8% and HF + AO10%. In vitro, AO extracts showed potent DPPH free radical-scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging capabilities. In vivo, AO (at dose ≥8%) dose-dependently alleviated levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH, and MDA to 117 ± 6.9 U mL(-1), 32.9 ± 3.7 U mL(-1), 7.0 ± 1.7 µmol mL(-1) and 1.8 ± 0.4 nmol L(-1), respectively, exhibiting the remarkable antioxidative and antihyperlipidemic effects of AO. Conclusively, we are the first to report the occurrence of curcumin in rhizoma A. officinarum. Curcumin synergistically elicits promising anti-dyslipidemic bioactivity with coexisting total polyphenolics, dietary fibers and phytosterols.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of enoki mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes).

According to the literatures, Flammulina velutipes contains biologically active components such as dietary fiber, polysaccharide, and mycosterol, whose effects in reducing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol have been proven. This study used the active components extracted from Flammulina velutipes powder (FVP) and Flammulina velutipes extract (FVE) to investigate the impact of these active components on lipid metabolism of hamsters. The results show that the total dietary fiber content in FVP and FVE is 29.34 mg/100 g and 15.08 mg/100 g, respectively. The total mycosterol content is 46.57 ± 0.37 mg/100 g and 9.01 ± 0.17 mg/100 g, respectively. The male hamsters were subjected to lipid metabolism monitoring by adding 1, 2, and 3% FVP or FVE into their diets for a period of 8 weeks. The animal assay results show that the 3% FVP and FVE groups have the lowest concentration of TC (total cholesterol), TG (triacylglycerol), LDL (low density lipoprotein cholesterol), and LDL/HDL (high density lipoprotein cholesterol) in the serum and liver (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that the addition of 3% FVP or FVE has a significant effect on the lipid metabolism in hamsters whose increased level of HDL in the serum was induced by high fat diet.

Chemical composition and hypoglycemic and pancreas-protective effect of leaf essential oil from indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kanehira).

The antidiabetic effect of cinnamon has generated broad interest during the past decade. We investigated the hypoglycemic activity and pancreas-protective effect of leaf essential oil from indigenous cinnamon (CO) in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ, iv, 65 mg/(kg bw)) and found linalool to be the major component representing 40.24% of the CO composition. In diabetics, all tested doses of CO significantly lowered fasting blood glucose and fructosamine and are concomitant with elevated plasma and pancreatic insulin levels under a fasting condition. However, during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) period the effect of 25 and 50 mg/(kg bw) of CO was shown to be less effective than that of 12.5 mg/(kg bw) in ameliorating the accumulation of plasma insulin. In addition, at 12.5 mg/(kg bw), CO significantly ameliorated pancreatic values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase in diabetics to an extent greater than that of higher CO doses. At doses 12.5 and 25 but not 50 mg/(kg bw), CO significantly ameliorated pancreatic levels of interleukin-1ß and nitric oxide. In conclusion, appropriate doses of CO of the linalool chemotype exhibited therapeutic potential in glycemic control in diabetes that was at least partially resulted from improved insulin secretion. The ameliorated oxidative stress and proinflammatory environment in the pancreas by CO may provide a protective effect on pancreatic ß cells and warrant further investigation.

Arabinogalactan present in the mountain celery seed extract potentiated hypolipidemic bioactivity of coexisting polyphenols in hamsters.

CONTEXT: Previously, we showed the essential oils (EO) of the mountain celery [Cryptotaenia japonica Hass (Umbelliferae)] seeds (MCS) to be a prominent hypolipidemic agent. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized the aqueous extract (AE) of its seeds could also exhibit a comparable nutritional effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were carried out for compositional analysis, antioxidant assay, and hypolipidaemic assay with AE in hamsters. RESULTS: AE contained soluble arabinogalactan (AGal) with molecular weight (MW) 878 kDa. AE also was enriched in polyphenolics and flavonoids, reaching 30.4 and 2.20 mg/100 g, respectively. AGal consisted of eight monosaccharides (in mols %), galactose (28.75), arabinose (24.84), glucose (17.91), mannose (6.93), ribose (6.03), fucose (5.83), xylose (5.30), and rhamnose (4.41), with average MW 878 kDa. In vitro, AE showed potent ferrous chelating and DPPH scavenging effects but only moderate H2O2 scavenging capability. In hamsters, AE exhibited promising hypolipidemic bioactivity, in particular, the HDL-C and hepatic unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) biosynthesis regarding oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The presence of AGal enhanced the hypolipidemic and antioxidative bioactivity of MCS. MCS is feasibly beneficial to the hepatic de novo UFA synthesis and the hypolipidemics as evidenced by hamster model.

Quercetin and ferulic acid aggravate renal carcinoma in long-term diabetic victims.

Many phytoantioxidants have therapeutic drawbacks due to their potent prooxidant bioactivity. It is hypothesized that phytoantioxidants (PAO) are beneficial only to the early-stage diabetes mellitus (DM) and will become ineffective once renopathy occurs. Gallic acid, rutin, EGCG, ferulic acid (FA), and quercetin were tried on the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM rat model for a 28 week experimental period. All of these PAO were shown to be ineffective for hypoglycemic action. The incidence of cataract (50%), injured glomerules, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was very common, among which the most severely affected involved the quercetin- and the FA-treated groups. The tumorigenicity of ferulic acid is still unclear. However, for quercetin, this can be attributted to (i) the prooxidant effect, (ii) the insulin-secretagogue bioactivity, and (iii) the competitive and noncompetitive inhibition on the O-methyltransferase to enhance the estradiol-induced tumorigenesis. Conclusively, quercetin and FA are able to aggravate, if not induce, nephrocarcinoma. It is time to reevaluate the tumorigenic detrimental effect of PAO, especially those exhibiting prooxidant bioactivity.

The polyphenolics in the aqueous extract of Psidium guajava kinetically reveal an inhibition model on LDL glycation.

Guava [Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae)] budding leaf extract (PE) has shown tremendous bioactivities. Previously, we found seven major compounds in PE, i.e., gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, rutin, quercetin, naringenin, and kaempferol. PE showed a potentially active antiglycative effect in an LDL (low density lipoprotein) mimic biomodel, which can be attributed to its large content of polyphenolics. The glycation and antiglycative reactions showed characteristic distinct four-phase kinetic patterns. In the presence of PE, the kinetic coefficients were 0.000438, 0.000060, 0.000, and -0.0001354 ABS-mL/mg-min, respectively, for phases 1 to 4. Computer simulation evidenced the dose-dependent inhibition model. Conclusively, PE contains a large amount of polyphenolics, whose antiglycative bioactivity fits the inhibition model.

Chemical synthesis of 9(Z)-octadecenamide and its hypolipidemic effect: a bioactive agent found in the essential oil of mountain celery seeds.

The unusual hypolipidemic activity of the methanolic fractionate of the essential oil (EOM) obtained from the mountain celery seed was previously reported. The most enriched 9(Z)-octadecenamide (oleamide) was speculated to be responsible for the relevant bioactivity. Chemically syntheized oleamide (CSO) yielded 85.1% with a purity of 98.6% when identified by RP-HPLC, FTIR, HREIMS, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR. CSO was tested for its antioxidative and hypolipidemic bioactivities. Results indicated CSO was potently hypolipidemic with regard to serum TG, TC, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and hepatic TG (p < 0.05), but not for serum HDL-C and hepatic TC. In addition, CSO exhibited only poor antioxidative activity, implicating the possibility that the hypolipidemic and antioxidative bioactivity of original EOM was due to another coexisting constituent, probably gamma-selinene. Conclusively, oleamide is a potent hypolipidemic agent as regarding its effects on decreasing serum TG, TC, LDL-C and hepatic TG.

Metabolic syndrome associated with habitual indulgence and dietary behavior in middle-aged health-care professionals.

UNLABELLED: Aims/Introduction: Few studies, especially in Asia, have examined the relevance between metabolic syndrome (MetS), habitual indulgence and dietary behaviors in health-care professionals. The present study evaluates metabolic syndrome rate and its association with habitual indulgence (coffee, tea, alcohol and cigarette smoking) and diet behavior in health-care professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information was collected from 514 health-care professionals (147 men, 367 women) who underwent routine physical examinations at a medical center in central Taiwan. RESULTS: Mean age was 48 ± 5 years for men and 45 ± 4 years for women. Mean body mass index was 25.2 ± 4.0 kg/m(2) for men and 22.5 ± 3.4 kg/m(2) for women. The age-adjusted MetS rate among subjects was 24.8-11.7% in men and 7.8-5.4% in women, using two different definitions, respectively. The MetS rate among those who occasionally or frequently consumed tea was higher than among those who never consumed tea (P < 0.05). Although the proportion of subjects who had MetS differed among those with differing alcohol drinking habits (never, quit and current; P < 0.05), a posteriori comparisons showed no significant differences between the two groups. Compared with those who had never smoked, the rate was higher in former smokers and current smokers (P < 0.001). No significant association with coffee consumption was found. People with MetS often consumed sweetened beverages (P < 0.05), rarely read nutrition labels and seldom consumed dairy products. CONCLUSIONS: Health-care professionals who regularly consume tea, smoke, frequently have sweetened drinks, rarely read nutrition labels or rarely consume dairy products are at higher risk of suffering from MetS. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2010.00055.x, 2010).

Aqua-culture improved buckwheat sprouts with more abundant precious nutrients and hypolipidemic activity.

Nutritional values of buckwheat reach maximum on day 8 sprouting by solid-phase cultivation (BSSC). The precious nutrients surveyed included linolenic acid, total polyphenolics, rutin, quercetin, l-ascorbic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid. To investigate whether a change of cultivation method could improve the nutritional status, we performed aquaculture. By performing chemical, biochemical and animal experiments, we found that maximization of nutrient levels in aquacultured buckwheat sprouts (BSAQ) occurred 2 days earlier than those from BSSC. Simultaneously, their bioactivities were much enhanced, being superior to BSSC regarding antioxidative, free radical scavenging (FRS), anti-low-density lipoprotein lipoperoxidative capabilities and hypolipidemic bioactivity with respect to serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Syrian hamsters. In addition, serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and the ratios LDL-C/HDL-C and total cholesterol/HDL-C were all more efficiently suppressed by BSAQ diets. In conclusion, aquaculture is more efficient than the solid-phase cultivation with regard to acceleration and maximization of precious nutrient levels in buckwheat sprouts.

Anisotropic diffusion deviates chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) to reflect inherent therapeutic behaviors.

Chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) has become a widely used tool for determination of anti-angiogenesis capability of many drugs including herbal extracts. Because varying results in same set of chicken embryos are often encountered, we developed the complex diffusion model that combined the Fick's second diffusion law, chemical-protein interaction (or binding) to explain the diffusion- or kinetic-limiting phenomena in egg white when performing CAM. In addition, we performed diffusion studies in egg white with Color Blue No. 1, Evans Blue, Color Red No. 40, and the aqueous extract of Psidium guajava budding leaves (PE) to support our model. Under same conditions, the diffusion coefficients of Blue No. 1, Evans Blue, Red No. 40, and PE were (2.0-2.8)x10(-9), (0.89-31)x10(-9), (2.8-12)x10(-9), and (7.0-21)x10(-9)m(2)s(-1), respectively, depending upon the distance diffused. Whilst at the interface of egg white and embryo (egg yolk), a site about 1cm apart from the aeration sac, the percent concentration reached only 10.5, 3.0, 3.6, and 2.2% of the original applied medicine, respectively. We conclude that CAM could only serve as a preliminary screening tool for angiogenesis, because the anisotropic diffusion in egg white affects greatly the effective dosages of medicines tested.

Alpinia zerumbet potentially elevates high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in hamsters.

In folkloric plant medicines, Alpinia zerumbet (AZ) has been popularly recognized as an exellent hepatoprotector. To search for a good high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) elevating herbal preparation, we examined AZ for its antioxidant and hypolipidaemic bioactivities, especially its HDL-C elevating activity. AZ seeds contain 0.51% essential oils (SO), which are comprised of monoterpenoids, oxygenated monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, oxygenated sesquiterpenoids, aldehydes, acid, and esters. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis indicated that most of the monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were recoverable in pentane eluent, whilst the oxygenated monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids remained in ether eluent. The high contents of rutin, quercetin, and polyphenolics in ethanolic extract of AZ seeds exhibit moderate antilipoperoxidative but potent DPPH free radical scavenging bioactivities. Conclusively, both seed powder (SP) and SO are effective hypolipidaemics with amazingly potent HDL-C elevating capabilities. On the basis of hepatoprotectivity, SP is a more feasible hypolipidemic agent as well as a promising HDL-C elevating plant medicine.