Plant sterols, marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids and other functional ingredients: a new frontier for treating hyperlipidemia

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in American women. Dietary factors are thought to have a strong influence on breast cancer incidence. This study utilized a meal-feeding protocol with female Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate effects of two ratios of carbohydrate:protein on promotion and early progression of breast tissue carcinomas. Mammary tumors were induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) at 52 d of age. Post-induction, animals were assigned to consume either a low protein high carbohydrate diet (LPHC; 15% and 60% of energy, respectively) or a high protein moderate carbohydrate diet (HPMC; 35% and 40% of energy, respectively) for 10 wk. Animals were fed 3 meals/day to mimic human absorption and metabolism patterns. The rate of palpable tumor incidence was reduced in HPMC relative to LPHC (12.9 ± 1.4%/wk vs. 18.2 ± 1.3%/wk). At 3 wk, post-prandial serum insulin was larger in the LPHC relative to HPMC (+136.4 ± 33.1 pmol/L vs. +38.1 ± 23.4 pmol/L), while at 10 wk there was a trend for post-prandial IGF-I to be increased in HPMC (P = 0.055). There were no differences in tumor latency, tumor surface area, or cumulative tumor mass between diet groups. The present study provides evidence that reducing the dietary carbohydrate:protein ratio attenuates the development of mammary tumors. These findings are consistent with reduced post-prandial insulin release potentially diminishing the proliferative environment required for breast cancer tumors to progress.     

Characterisation of several types of millets as functional food ingredients

Millets can be sustainable food sources in future agronomy because of its ability to flourish in harsh climatic conditions, however limited studies exist on the nutritional and hypoglycaemic properties of millets. This study is intended to identify millets as potential functional food ingredients based on their nutrient profile and in vitro starch digestibility. Seven millet types exhibiting diverse structures and compositions were investigated. Chemical composition revealed that depending on the millet type, millets are excellent sources of insoluble dietary fibre, lipids and minerals, these components had values ranging from 9.3–56.7?mg/g, 11.5–31.7% and 2.1–8.0%, respectively. Linoleic and oleic were the major unsaturated fatty acids detected in all the millet types. Millets were also found to be rich in free and bound phenolic acids. Kodo millet was found to have the highest free and bound phenolic contents. Expected glycemic index of millets ranged between 42.7 and 58.3, hence making them some valuable low GI food sources for diabetics. The obtained results may suggest that millets with its superior nutrient profile and hypoglycaemic property could be a promising ingredient for the functional food industry.     

Plant protein ingredients with food functionality potential

Proteins play many technological, physicochemical and sensory roles (i.e. functionalities) in foods, including solubility, emulsifying, gelling, foaming and flavour creation. In comparison with animal proteins, plant proteins have different structure, composition and food functionality. This review discusses how protein can be extracted from plant materials to produce protein‐rich ingredients for creating plant‐based foods. It explores the potential for a new generation of semi‐purified plant‐derived ingredients with greater sustainability and health benefits.     

Soy isoflavones as safe functional ingredients

In recent years, isoflavones have increased in popularity as an alternative to estrogen therapy, particularly after the Women's Health Initiative demonstrated an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, and heart attacks in response to estrogen and progesterone intervention. Isoflavones are heterocyclic phenols with structural similarity to estradiol-17beta and selective estrogen receptor modulators. Actions at the cellular level depend on the target tissue, receptor status of the tissue, and the level of endogenous estrogen. Clinical studies of soy-based diets evaluating the relation between soy consumption and serum lipid concentrations revealed that soy consumption significantly decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Epidemiological studies suggest a protective effect of soy protein on breast tissue as evidenced by the lower rates of breast cancer in East Asian countries where soy is a predominant part of the diet. Soy products also alleviate menopausal symptoms by reducing hot flashes. However, whether these biological effects of soy products originated from isoflavones is not clear. Furthermore, data available from human studies on the effect of isoflavones on osteoporosis are limited, and additional studies are needed to support a role in osteoporosis prevention. To date, no adverse effects of short- or long-term use of soy proteins are known in humans, and the only adverse effects known are those reported in animals. In conclusion, isoflavones are biologically active compounds, and current data are insufficient to draw definitive conclusions regarding the use of isoflavones as an alternative to estrogen for hormone replacement in postmenopausal women. Large, long-term intervention studies examining adverse effects and disease outcomes are needed before definitive conclusion can be drawn.     

Plant sterols and blood lipid levels

Plant sterols have recently been recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Panel for use with the more traditional approaches of limiting saturated fat and cholesterol intakes, maintaining a healthy body weight and engaging in regular exercise, as a non-pharmacological approach to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Recent data confirm the original observation that approximately 1.6 g of plant sterol esters per day results in a maximal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering of approximately 10%. Few side-effects of plant sterols have been reported, with the exception of decreased levels of circulating carotenoids.     

Plant sterols as dietary adjuvants in the reduction of cardiovascular risk: theory and evidence

Plant sterol-enriched foods are an effective dietary adjuvant in reducing cardiovascular risk by lowering total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in serum by up to approximately 15%. The mechanism of action of plant sterols is different from those of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A inhibitors (statins) and thus their effect is additive. Combining plant sterols with other dietary components known to reduce cholesterol in a portfolio approach has proven to be most effective for reduction of hypercholesterolemia and provide an alternative treatment option for clinicians. Plant sterol-enriched foods provides clinicians with a relatively cheap, safe, and effective way to help patients manage their cardiovascular risk.     

The tomato as a functional food

Tomatoes are the fourth most commonly consumed fresh vegetable and the most frequently consumed canned vegetable in the American diet. There is emerging epidemiology data supporting the connection between increased tomato consumption and reduced risk for both cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. Here we will summarize the nutrient and the phytochemical content of tomatoes and tomato products, and how these bioactive components might act together to modulate disease development. Recent animal studies have investigated tomatoes, lycopene, and prostate cancer using the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and Dunning rat models. These animal studies also suggest that diets containing tomatoes may decrease the risk or the progression of prostate cancer. Due to the frequency and the extent of tomato consumption, the supporting epidemiological and animal data, which connect increased intakes with decreased cancer and cardiovascular disease risk, tomato's role in the American diet is of undeniable importance as part of a healthy diet.     

Globe artichoke as a functional food

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L. Fiori) is a traditional component of the Mediterranean diet. Artichoke edible parts are one of the richest dietary sources of polyphenols with high bioavailability, and contain also high-quality inulin, fibres and minerals. Moreover, pharmaceutical artichoke leaf extracts show hypocholesterolemic and choleretic properties. Several clinical studies have shown that the bioactive properties of globe artichoke are due to the high content of polyphenolic compounds in flower heads and leaves, in particular hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids. The total antioxidant capacity of artichoke flower heads is one of the highest reported for vegetables, and is strictly related to their polyphenolic content. Different agronomic variables, such as mycorrhizal inoculation, may affect plant secondary metabolism, and in particular the production of metabolites with health-promoting activities. Our recent data showed large increases of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in leaves and flower heads of mycorrhizal artichoke plants.     

Olive oil as a functional food: epidemiology and nutritional approaches

Olive oil is an integral ingredient of the Mediterranean diet and accumulating evidence suggests that it may have health benefits that include reduction of risk factors of coronary heart disease, prevention of several varieties of cancers, and modification of immune and inflammatory responses. Olive oil appears to be an example of a functional food, with varied components that may contribute to its overall therapeutic characteristics. Olive oil is known for its high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and is also a good source of phytochemicals including polyphenolic compounds, squalene, and alpha-tocopherol.     

影响输血质量与安全的因素及其对策

输血是现代医学中急诊抢救、手术和临床治疗中的重要手段，但由于输血后引起免疫效应和传染病也给受血者带来痛苦，严重者可危及生命安全。其影响因素有血源问题，也有血液免疫学因素和输血工作质量问题。为提高输血质量，确保输血安全，应提高认识，健全组织，增加投入，培养人才，加强血源、采供血机构管理和输血科建设，完善和执行各项规章制度，制定预防和控制血源性传播疾病的措施     

Esterified sterols and their contribution to the total sterols in edible mushrooms

Mushrooms are a valued source of sterols, which can be present in free form and esterified to fatty acids. In addition to the principal ergosterol, several minor sterols occur. Ergosterol and ergosteryl ester were determined directly by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in the trimethylsilylated lipid extract of each six samples of button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, king trumpet mushrooms and shiitake. Free ergosterol was highest in button mushrooms 415–544 mg/100 g dry matter (d.m.) and lowest in oyster and king trumpet mushrooms (<350 mg/100 g d.m.). On the other hand, concentrations of ergosteryl esters were significantly lower (5–26 mg/100 g d.m.) in all mushroom samples. The distribution of minor sterols (most importantly ergosta-7,22-dienol, ergosta-5,7-dienol, ergosta-7-enol) between free and esterified form was determined after group separation with solid phase extraction. Higher proportions of the minor sterols were found esterified to fatty acids and ergosta-7-enol was found predominantly (70%) in this form in oyster mushrooms and shiitake. The minor sterols ergosta-8,24(24¹)-dienol, ergosta-8-enol and 7-dehydro-poriferasterol could be tentatively identified in the samples based on GC/MS data. In addition, four sterols were found only in the steryl ester fraction of the mushroom samples.     

影响医疗设备临床应用安全的因素及对策

随着医疗设备技术的不断发展更新,临床医生对医疗设备的依赖性也日趋严重。这样,越来越多的医疗设备会投入临床使用。医疗设备在临床应用安全与否,将直接影响临床医生对病患的诊疗效果,严重时甚至会直接威胁到医护人员及病人的生命安全。因此如何保障医疗设备在临床应用的安全及质量管理受到卫生行政部门、各家医院和广大就医患者的关注。总结了影响医疗设备在临床诊疗工作的应用安全的相关因素,以及对如何避免这些安全隐患稍作。