In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of glabrous canaryseed proteins as affected by variety and thermal treatment.

Glabrous or hairless canaryseed is a nutritional grain that could be a good addition to the diet if approved as a novel food. To assess the impact of thermal treatment on its digestibility; raw, roasted or boiled flours prepared from three different varieties of glabrous canaryseed were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion conditions and the effect on protein electrophoretic profiles was examined using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Roasting was done by dry-heat in an oven at 176 °C for 12 min whereas boiling was done in water at 98 °C for 12 min. SDS-PAGE showed approximately twenty-five protein bands in the undigested raw flour with molecular masses (MM) ranging from <14 kDa to >97 kDa. The dominant proteins had low MM, between the ranges of ~57 to 12 kDa. Roasting markedly altered the protein electrophoretic profile with the appearance of large molecular weight aggregates. Canaryseed proteins were more easily digested after thermal treatment and under sequential gastric-duodenal conditions than under gastric or duodenal conditions alone. Furthermore, roasting appeared to have a greater impact on in vitro protein digestibility than boiling.

Viscoelastic and textural properties of canary seed starch gels in comparison with wheat starch gel.

In this study, viscoelastic properties and textural profile analysis of starches from two canary seed varieties (CDC Maria and C05041) were compared with wheat starch. Based on amplitude sweep, the limiting strain values were 5.7%, 5.4% and 16.3% for CDC Maria, C05041, and wheat starch gels, respectively. The yield stress values at the linear viscoelastic limit (τy) and flow point (τf) of wheat starch (25.4 & 35.5 Pa, respectively) were higher than CDC Maria (14.3 and 24.2 Pa, respectively) and C05041 (6.5 and 9.1 Pa, respectively) starches. On the other hand, canary seed starches showed higher modulus at flow point (Gf, 51.2-108.4 Pa) than wheat starch (41.2 Pa). In frequency sweep, canary seed starch gels showed lower frequency dependency (n' = 0.033-0.009) in comparison with wheat starch gel (n' = 0.063), categorizing the samples between weak and strong gels. On the basis of creep parameters of Burger model, CSSs illustrated more elastic behavior than wheat starch. The results of dynamic temperature sweep showed that canary seed starches exhibited higher peak, final, breakdown and setback viscosities in compare to wheat starch. Textural profile analysis provided the values of hardness (32-101 g), adhesiveness (0.03-0.17 mJ), cohesiveness (0.60-0.97) and gumminess (24.7-83.3 g) for the gels (15% w/w).

Transgenic overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor-B isoforms by endothelial cells potentiates postnatal vessel growth in vivo and in vitro.

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) play significant roles in endothelial growth, survival, and function, and their potential use as therapeutic agents to promote the revascularization of ischemic tissues in being avidly explored. VEGF-A has received most attention, as it is a potent stimulator of vascular growth. Results in clinical trials of VEGF-A as a therapeutic agent have fallen short of high expectations because of serious edematous side effects caused by its activity in promoting vascular permeability. VEGF-B, a related factor, binds some of the VEGF-A receptors but not to VEGF receptor 2, which is implicated in the vascular permeability promoting activity of VEGF-A. Despite little in vitro evidence to date for the ability of Vegf-B to directly promote angiogenesis, recent data indicate that it may promote postnatal vascular growth in mice, suggesting that it may have potential therapeutic application. We have specifically studied the effects of VEGF-B on vascular growth in vivo and on angiogenesis in vitro by analyzing transgenic mice in which individual isoforms (VEGFB167Tg and VEGFB186Tg) of VEGF-B are overexpressed in endothelial cells. VEGFB167Tg and VEGFB186Tg mice displayed enhanced vascular growth in the Matrigel assay in vivo and during cutaneous wound healing. In the aortic explant assay, explants from VEGFB167Tg and VEGFB186Tg mice displayed elevated vascular growth, suggesting a direct effect of VEGF-B isoforms in potentiating angiogenesis. These data support the use of VEGF-B as a therapeutic agent to promote vascular growth, in part, by potentiating angiogenesis. Furthermore, the lack of vascular permeability activity associated with either transgenic overexpression of the VEGF-B gene in endothelial cells or application of VEGF-B protein to the skin of mice in the Miles assay indicates that use of VEGF-B as a therapy should not be associated with edematous side effects.

Enhancing nutrition with pulses: defining a recommended serving size for adults.

Pulses, defined as dry-harvested leguminous crops, include several varieties of beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. There is no consensus around a recommended serving size of pulses within a balanced diet, which prevents the development of transregional strategies that rely on consistent messaging to drive increases in consumption. The purpose of this review is to define and disseminate an appropriate target for a minimum serving size of pulses on any given day that can be used in international or collaborative strategies to promote the consumption of pulses. Relevant data were reviewed to examine dietary guidelines across jurisdictions, determine consumption levels of pulses across the globe, evaluate the nutritional composition of pulses in the context of dietary nutrient insufficiency, and assess the impact of pulses on dietary quality. Across a variety of pulses, 100 g of cooked pulses aligned with most regional serving sizes for pulses and provides significant levels of nutrients that are underconsumed by specific age-sex groups. Moreover, 100 g of pulses provides a number of nutrients that qualify for nutrient content claims under regional regulatory frameworks. The data demonstrate that 100 g or 125 mL (0.5 metric cup) of cooked pulses is a reasonable target for aligning strategies that promote the dietary and nutritional attributes of these legumes.

Dilute solution properties of canary seed (Phalaris canariensis) starch in comparison to wheat starch.

Dilute solution properties of an unknown starch are important to understand its performance and applications in food and non-food industries. In this paper, rheological and molecular properties (intrinsic viscosity, molecular weight, shape factor, voluminosity, conformation and coil overlap parameters) of the starches from two hairless canary seed varieties (CO5041 & CDC Maria) developed for food use were evaluated in the dilute regime (Starch dispersions in DMSO (0.5g/dl)) and compared with wheat starch (WS). The results showed that Higiro model is the best among five applied models for intrinsic viscosity determination of canary seed starch (CSS) and WS on the basis of coefficient of determination (R(2)) and root mean square error (RMSE). WS sample showed higher intrinsic viscosity value (1.670dl/g) in comparison to CSS samples (1.325-1.397dl/g). Berry number and the slope of master curve demonstrated that CSS and WS samples were in dilute domain without entanglement occurrence. The shape factor suggested spherical and ellipsoidal structure for CO5041 starch and ellipsoidal for CDC Maria starch and WS. The molecular weight, coil radius and coil volume of CSSs were smaller than WS. The behavior and molecular characterization of canary seed starch showed its unique properties compared with wheat starch.

Automated Internet-based pain coping skills training to manage osteoarthritis pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Osteoarthritis (OA) places a significant burden on worldwide public health because of the large and growing number of people affected by OA and its associated pain and disability. Pain coping skills training (PCST) is an evidence-based intervention targeting OA pain and disability. To reduce barriers that currently limit access to PCST, we developed an 8-week, automated, Internet-based PCST program called PainCOACH and evaluated its potential efficacy and acceptability in a small-scale, 2-arm randomized controlled feasibility trial. Participants were 113 men and women with clinically confirmed hip or knee OA and associated pain. They were randomized to a group completing PainCOACH or an assessment-only control group. Osteoarthritis pain, pain-related interference with functioning, pain-related anxiety, self-efficacy for pain management, and positive and negative affect were measured before intervention, midway through the intervention, and after intervention. Findings indicated high acceptability and adherence: 91% of participants randomized to complete PainCOACH finished all 8 modules over 8 to 10 weeks. Linear mixed models showed that, after treatment, women who received the PainCOACH intervention reported significantly lower pain than that in women in the control group (Cohen d = 0.33). Intervention effects could not be tested in men because of their low pain and small sample size. Additionally, both men and women demonstrated increases in self-efficacy from baseline to after intervention compared with the control group (d = 0.43). Smaller effects were observed for pain-related anxiety (d = 0.20), pain-related interference with functioning (d = 0.13), negative affect (d = 0.10), and positive affect (d = 0.24). Findings underscore the value of continuing to develop an automated Internet-based approach to disseminate this empirically supported intervention.

Effects of an osteoporosis prevention program incorporating tailored educational materials.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of two interventions on calcium intake and exercise and assess whether intervention effects varied as a function of participants' stage of change. DESIGN: The study used a 2 by 2 factorial research design. Baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up data were collected. SETTING: Twelve counties in western North Carolina. SUBJECTS: Of 714 women recruited, 547 (76.6%) completed all data collection procedures. INTERVENTION: One intervention, conducted at the individual level, compared the effects of tailored vs. nontailored educational materials. The tailored educational intervention was delivered via two packets of written materials and one telephone counseling session. The written materials and counseling session were tailored according to participants' current calcium intake and exercise level, perceived adequacy of these behaviors, stage of change, behavioral goals, and perceived barriers to change. A community-based intervention was also evaluated. This intervention, implemented in 6 of the 12 counties, included establishing an Osteoporosis Resource Center, conducting a workshop on osteoporosis prevention, and offering free bone density screening. MEASURES: Outcome measures were calcium intake and exercise level. Stage of change was assessed as a moderating variable. RESULTS: Irrespective of intervention group, among women not consuming adequate calcium at baseline, intake increased an average of about 500 mg/d over the course of the study. Changes involving exercise were more modest. Repeated measures regression analyses were used to evaluate intervention effects. The effect of the tailored educational intervention varied, in appropriate ways, among women in different stages of change at baseline (F2,527 = 6.37, p < .002). Among women in the Engaged stage, the tailored intervention was associated with a greater increase in calcium intake. In contrast, among women who were obtaining adequate calcium at baseline (i.e., Action stage), the tailored intervention appeared to forestall inappropriate increases in calcium intake. The community-based intervention had no consistent effects on calcium intake, either alone, or in combination with the tailored intervention. Finally, neither intervention had an effect on exercise, either alone or in combination. CONCLUSIONS: Limited support for the superiority of tailored vs. nontailored educational interventions was found. The differential effects observed could be due to the telephone counseling received by women in the Tailored Education Group, however.

The North Carolina Youth Empowerment Study (NCYES): a participatory research study examining the impact of youth empowerment for tobacco use prevention.

This article describes the North Carolina Youth Empowerment Study (NC YES), a 3-year participatory evaluation of youth programs addressing tobacco use prevention. The study goals of NC YES were to (1) convene an advisory board comprised of lay youths and adults in a participatory research process, (2) document the characteristics of youth programs for tobacco use prevention and control in North Carolina, and (3) track the role of youth involvement in initiating and implementing 100% tobacco-free policies in local school districts. The NC YES Statewide Advisory Board helped guide the evaluation process, reviewed study protocols and data collection instruments, and helped interpret preliminary findings. Both quantitative and qualitative methods(e.g., telephone interviews and written questionnaires) were used to gather data from youth and adult leaders to achieve these aims. Lessons learned about the process of conducting participatory evaluation approaches and summary findings about the role of youths in policy advocacy efforts are presented.

Passage of 100% tobacco-free school policies in 14 North Carolina school districts.

Though comprehensive tobacco-free school policies constitute an important component of state tobacco control efforts, little research exists about their adoption process. In the past two years, efforts occurred in North Carolina to increase the number of school districts adopting 100% tobacco-free school policies. As part of the North Carolina Youth Empowerment Study (NC-YES), researchers developed a school tobacco policy interview guide to conduct interviews with 40 key people (e.g., school board member, principal, etc.) in each of 14 school districts that adopted a 100% tobacco-free school policy by the end of 2001. Results showed seven districts adopted their school policy in the past two years. Seven themes emerged: 1) Catalysts: Local adult and youth "champions" facilitated policy change; 2) Process of Adoption: Most school policies were adopted with an administrator or other adult initiating the change, but youth involvement increased in recent years; 3) Methods of Adoption: Advocates personalized health concerns by focusing on children and role modeling by adults; 4) Political Leadership: Governors of North Carolina, through letters to school districts and a policy summit, played an important role in stimulating policy change; 5) Barriers to Adoption: Concerns expressed before policy adoption, about teacher attrition or inability to enforce the policy, did not occur as feared; 6) Enforcement Issues: A key to policy enforcement involved being consistent, supportive, and firm; and 7) Economics of Tobacco Farming/Manufacturing: Though a local tobacco economy did little to influence policy adoption, districts that adopted policies were not located in counties with heavy tobacco production. Public health advocates may use this information to encourage school districts to adopt 100% tobacco-free school policies.

Analysis of glabrous canary seeds by ELISA, mass spectrometry, and Western blotting for the absence of cross-reactivity with major plant food allergens.

Glabrous (hairless) canary seed belongs to the Poaceae (Gramineae) family and could serve as an alternative source of gluten-free cereal grain. In this study, allergenic cross-reactivities between hairless, dehulled canary seeds (Phalaris canariensis) and major allergenic proteins from gluten, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and mustard were studied using commercial enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kits specific for these target allergens. Mass spectrometry (MS) and immunoblotting were further used to assess for the presence of gluten-specific protein fragments. MS results revealed the likely presence of proteins homologous with rice, oat, corn, carrot, tomato, radish, beet, and chickpea. However, no presence of celiac-related gluten fragments from wheat, rye, barley, or their derivatives was found. Immunoblotting studies yielded negative results, further confirming the absence of gluten in the canary seed samples tested. No cross-reactivities were detected between canary seeds and almond, hazelnut, mustard, peanut, sesame, soy, walnut, and gluten using ELISA.

Brief Fear of Movement Scale for osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Fear of movement has important clinical implications for individuals with osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to establish a brief fear of movement scale for use in OA. Items from the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) were examined. METHODS: The English version of the TSK was examined in a community-based sample (n = 1,136) of individuals with OA of the hip or knee. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the number and content of the dimensions of fear of movement. Factorial invariance was tested across subgroups of sex, race, education, and OA severity. Convergent validity with measures of pain, physical functioning, and psychological functioning was examined. RESULTS: Factor analyses identified a single-factor 6-item scale that measures activity avoidance due to pain-related fear of movement (confirmatory factor analysis indices of model fit: root mean square error of approximation = 0.04, standardized root mean square residual = 0.01, comparative fit index = 0.99, and Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.99). The 6-item scale demonstrated factorial invariance across sex, race, levels of education, and OA severity, suggesting that this scale performs consistently across diverse groups of individuals with OA. Convergent validity with measures of pain (ß = 0.30-0.41), physical functioning (ß = 0.44-0.48), and psychological functioning (ß = 0.36-0.37) was also demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The Brief Fear of Movement Scale identified in this study provides a promising and valid approach for assessing fear of movement in individuals with OA. This brief scale demonstrated several important strengths, including a small number of items, sound psychometric properties, and consistent performance across diverse groups of individuals with OA.

Fractionation of hairless canary seed (Phalaris canariensis) into starch, protein, and oil.

Canary seed is an important specialty crop in Canada. The current market for this true cereal (i.e., belonging to the family Poaceae as wheat) is limited to feed for caged birds. However, canary seed holds a promise for many food and industrial applications based on its composition. Three wet milling procedures based on ethanol (E), water (W), and alkaline (A) extractions used in different order were investigated to determine extraction efficiency and purity of starch, protein, oil, and fiber separated from hairless canary seed, a variety developed for human consumption. Highest extraction efficiencies were obtained when canary seed was defatted with ethanol and then extracted with alkali and water (EAW process). Using this process, approximately 92% pure starch, 75% pure protein, and oil were recovered from canary seed groats. The highest purity of protein, however, was obtained when canary seed was fractionated by the EWA process, that is, defatted and then extracted with water followed by alkali. Fiber component separated prior to alkaline extraction contained high amounts of nonfiber components as indicated by its yield. The EAW extraction process seems to be more promising in canary seed fractionation based on recovery and purity of components.