Turmeric and chicory seed have beneficial effects on obesity markers and lipid profile in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

In an attempt to investigate new strategies aimed at reducing risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and chicory seed (Cichorium intybus L.) supplementation was evaluated in these patients. In this double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 92 patients with NAFLD aged 20-60 year with body mass index (BMI) ranged 24.9-40 kg/m2 was randomly assigned to 4 groups as follows. 1) Turmeric supplementation (3 g/d) (n = 23, TUR); 2) Chicory seed supplementation (infused 9 g/d (4.5 g /100mL)) (n = 23, CHI); 3) Turmeric and chicory seed supplementation (3 g/d turmeric + infused 9 g/d chicory seed (n = 23, TUR + CHI); 4) Placebo (n = 23, PLA). All intervention periods were 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, dietary records and physical activity were collected at baseline and at the end of the trial. Significant decreases were observed in BMI and waist circumference (WC) of subjects in CHI and TUR + CHI groups, compared with PLA group (p < 0.05). Combination of turmeric and chicory seed significantly decreased serum alkaline phosphatase level (p < 0.05). Serum levels of HDL-C increased considerably in TUR and TUR + CHI groups (p < 0.05 vs. placebo). Turmeric supplementation alone and plus chicory seed led to significant reduction in serum levels of TG/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in TUR and TUR + CHI groups in comparison with placebo (p < 0.05). In conclusion, turmeric and chicory seed supplementation can be significantly useful in management of NAFLD risk factors.

The impact of automatic wedge filter on photoneutron and photon spectra of an 18-MV photon beam.

The effect of an automatic wedge filter on photon and photoneutron spectra of a medical linac was evaluated using the Monte Carlo method. The head of an Elekta SL75/25 was simulated using the MCNPX Monte Carlo code. The photon and photoneutron spectra for open and wedged beams were calculated at the isocentre with a source to axis distance of 100 cm. For a wedged beam, the neutron fluence was from 3.84 to 7.2 times higher for field sizes from 10 x 10 to 30 x 30 cm(2). The neutron fluence is decreased with field size for open beams and is increased with field size for wedged beams The photon beam spectra became harder and the mean energy was 6 % higher for a wedged beam, which led to a 4 % increase in relative depth dose and a better skin sparing effect. The results here recommend that the higher photoneutron fluence of the wedged beam should be taken into account in patient dosimetry and shielding calculations.