Comparison of the effects of consuming olive and sunflower oils on the fasting and postprandial blood glucose level and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic female patients

In type 2 diabetic patients, high fasting and postprandial triglyceride and decreased HDL-C levels are very common, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This problem can be managed by dietary modifications, such as the reduction of saturated fatty acids [SFAs] intake and their substitution with monounsaturated fatty acids [MUFAs] or polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs]. This study was conducted to compare the effects of consuming olive and sunflower oils as a substitute for a portion of daily dietary fat on fasting and postprandial blood glucose level and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic female patients. This randomized crossover clinical trial was conducted on 15 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes [51.7 +/- 1.2 years old]. Using a 3day 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire showed that their average daily intake of hydrogenated oil was 16.1 +/- 2.3g, 40% of total fat intake. The patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups, consuming either olive oil or sunflower oil [substituted for hydrogenated oil] for 3 weeks. After a washout period of 3 weeks, the subjects in each group switched to the other oil for the following 3 weeks. In all cases the subjects took their usual breakfast. Anthropometric measurements were made, physical activity was determined, and biochemical tests [fasting and postprandial blood sugar] were done at the beginning of the study and at the end of weeks 3, 6, and 9. Food intake was measured using the 24-h dietary recall technique and Nutritionist IV software at the same time points. As compared to sunflower oil, olive oil resulted in reductions in fasting blood glucose [p<0.01], triglycerides [p<0.01], postprandial blood triglyceride [p<0.05], and TG/HDL-C [p<0.05]. There were no significant changes in anthropometric measurements, physical activity, or dietary intake of the patients during the study. As expected, substitution of hydrogenated fat with the 2 oils resulted in significant increases in the intakes of MUFA and PUFA and decreases in the intake of SFA [P<0.01]. Considering the beneficial effects of olive oil on blood glucose and lipid profile, it can be concluded that partial substitution of dietary fat with olive oil, in preference to sunflower oil, can help reduce CVD risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients

[Comparison of bench-scale production of xanthan by xanthomonas campestris in solid state and submerged fermentation]

Xanthan gum is an important natural biopolymer with numerous applications in various technologies, specially food industry. In this research, microbial production of xanthan by Xanthomonas campestris PTCC1473 from sugarcane molasses and date sugar in submerged fermentation [SmF] and also dried date waste [cake produced after pressing] in solid state fermentation [SSF] were compared. The Plackett-Burmann design [PBD] was used in this study. Chemical composition and characteristics [dried cell weight, nitrogen, moisture, ash and pH] of the substrates were determined. Yeast malt broth [YMB] and yeast malt agar [YMA] were used as maintenance and inoculum preparation media, and incubation was performed in a shaker incubator [at 28degreeC, 72 h and 200 rpm]. The fermentation medium was centrifuged at 5degreeC and 21055 multiplied by g for 50 minutes and the supernatant separated from the pellet for further xanthan extraction. After precipitation of xanthan by isopropanol, resuspension and further purification by centrifuge [at 2056 x g], the xanthan dry weight was determined. The effects of several variables, including the kind and concentration of carbon [date sugar and sugarcane molasses], nitrogen [ammonium nitrate and diammonium phosphate] and phosphorus [KH2PO4], temperature, shaking, and size and age of inoculum, on the yield were determined. The most effective variables were found to be the type of carbon and nitrogen sources in the medium. It can be concluded that both the yield [% w/w of xanthan/consumed sugar] and productivity [g/g.day xanthan/consumed sugar] are higher in SmF [22.4 and 7.46] than in SSF [13.3 and 4.43]. In addition, date extract results in a higher productivity than date waste and sugarcane molasses. The xanthan yield could be increased by changing the composition and physical conditions of the culture medium

[Study of arsenic presence in drinking water sources: a case study]

Conducted studies about arsenic have shown that consumption of water contaminated with arsenic can causes different adverse health effects in consumers. World Health Organization [WHO] has enacted 10mg/L arsenic in drinking water as a guideline value. Regarding some reports about arsenic presence in a village of Hashtrood county and related health effects and also considering this fact that determination of arsenic as a poisoning chemical is not included in routine monitoring of water by responsible organizations, in present study all of drinking water sources in Hashtrood county in East Azerbaijan province were studied for arsenic presence. Water supply and its sanitation situation were studied in all of cities and residential villages [200 villages] by field visiting. Arsenic content of water samples were determined using Ez arsenic test kit, a product of Hach Company. For assurance of the kit results, 20 water samples with different concentration of arsenic were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma [ICP] method and then achieved results was compared together. Arsenic was present in drinking water of 50 villages that in 9 villages its level was higher than Iranian standard [50mg/L]. During the study totally 11087 persons [21.96% of rural areas population] in Hashtrood county were exposed to different levels of arsenic via drinking water. Correlation between kit and ICP results was significant [R2 = 0.9715]. Studied region in present study is a polluted area to arsenic by geogenic sources. It is necessary to replace water source of villages with higher level than national standard with safe drinking water. Annually measurement of arsenic in drinking water of all villages spatially polluted villages should be considered by responsible organization e.g. Health Network and Rural Water and Wastewater Company. Used kit in our study is recommendable for this purpose

Effects of Quran recitation on sleeping of hospitalized Patients

Sleep is an important health factor particularly for patients. Disturbances in sleep pattern can cause delay in healing. Studies have shown that patients need more sleep than healthy people. Due to the importance of sleep, there are many studies regarding the effects of different factors such as relaxation, exercise therapy, and listening to music on it. This clinical cross-over trial was conducted to assess the effects of Quran recitation on sleeping of patients. 50 Moslem patients hospitalized for at least 8 nights [24 men and 24 women] between 20 and 60 with no history of addiction or usage of narcotics or habit of listening to any music at the time of sleep were selected. Data were gathered by a questionnaire and an observation checklist. At first night, no intervention was performed but, over the next three nights, Quran recitation and, for the next three nights, an Arabic rhyme by same performer were played for 20 minutes. Results showed that patients who listened to Quran recitation spent less than 20 minutes to go to sleep. However, for other groups who listened to Arabic rhymes, it took more than 20 minutes to go to sleep. Chi-Square test showed a significant difference in this regard [P<0.0005]. Since sleep as a basic physiologic need can be disturbed by different stimuli, playing Quran can be helpful in facilitating it