Impact of food pantry donations on diet of a low-income population

Objective: This cross-sectional study assessed the effect of food donations on total nutrient intake of clients of a food pantry in Central Texas.

Methods: Nutrient intakes of total, base and food donation diets were estimated for 112 food pantry recipients using specific questionnaires; and then compared to the dietary reference intakes (DRI) and 2015–2020?US Dietary Guidelines.

Results: Food donations accounted for more than half of the client’s daily intake of energy, carbohydrates, vitamin B₆, phosphorus, copper and selenium. Yet, daily total intake remained less than their DRIs for carbohydrates, poly-unsaturated fats, dietary fiber, fat soluble vitamins and vitamin C, and was even lower for calcium, magnesium and potassium. Total food intake of clients almost met the US Dietary Guidelines for refined grains, fruits, vegetables, and meat; however, the amount of whole grains and dairy was inadequate.

Conclusions: Supplemental foods offered at food pantries are an important resource for improving nutrient intake of low-income populations.     

Effect of resveratrol on angiogenesis and platelet/fibrin-accelerated tumor growth in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model

We carried out this investigation to examine the effects on angiogenesis-mediated processes and to define anti-angiogenesis mechanisms for flavonoids. We examined the effects and mechanisms of the flavonoid resveratrol on angiogenesis and tumor growth using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model of angiogenesis, the CAM tumor growth model, and the effect on p53 in fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) stimulated human endothelial cells using immunoassay. Resveratrol demonstrated potent inhibition (effective dose50=0.7+/-0.1 microM) of FGF2-induced angiogenesis and tumor growth. Furthermore, resveratrol significantly (P<0.01) inhibited platelet/fibrin clot-promoted human colon and fibrosarcoma tumor growth in the CAM tumor model. Resveratrol in a concentration-dependent (1-3 microM) manner significantly promoted apoptosis in FGF2-stimulated endothelial cells by increasing p53 protein production. These data indicated potent anti-angiogenesis efficacy, inhibition of tumor growth, and clot-mediated enhanced tumor growth. These data suggest potential anticancer benefits as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic for the flavonoid resveratrol.     

Comparative efficacy between the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists roxifiban and orbofiban in inhibiting platelet responses in flow models of thrombosis

This study was undertaken to compare the platelet binding characteristics and anti-platelet efficacy of a nonpeptide glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist roxifiban with orbofiban in static and dynamic adhesion and aggregation assays. The results indicate that roxifiban binds with higher affinity to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors and exhibits slower dissociation rates than orbofiban. Furthermore, the platelet inhibitory effects of roxifiban, but not orbofiban, were unaffected by changes in plasma calcium concentrations. Both agents reduced, in a concentration-dependent manner, the size of platelet thrombi deposited onto collagen I upon perfusion of heparinized blood at a shear rate of 1,500/s. At a clinically achievable concentration of 60 nM, roxifiban abrogated the formation of thrombi containing > 20 platelets per thrombus, thereby displaying comparable in vitro efficacy to that achieved by the theoretical maximal abciximab blood concentration (3.5 microg/ml) produced after standard treatment. In contrast, orbofiban, even at 500 nM, was only effective in inhibiting the formation of larger platelet thrombi (> or =150 platelets per thrombus). Pretreatment of surface-anchored platelets with roxifiban (100 nM), but not orbofiban (500 nM), inhibited monocytic THP-1 cell attachment under flow. However, this heterotypic adhesion process was also suppressed when orbofiban (500 nM) was maintained in the perfusion buffer during the entire course of flow experiment. These findings demonstrate roxifiban (unlike orbofiban) is a potent glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist with a long receptor-bound lifetime and prolonged anti-platelet efficacy and may thus be beneficial for the treatment and prevention of acute ischemic syndromes.     

Advances in pharmacotherapy for primary biliary cirrhosis

Introduction: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease mostly seen in middle-aged women characterized by progressive nonsuppurative destruction of small bile ducts resulting in intrahepatic cholestasis, parenchymal injury and ultimately end-stage liver disease. Despite major breakthroughs in our understanding of PBC, there remains only one FDA-approved agent for treatment: ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to which one-third of patients are unresponsive.

Areas covered: Biochemical response to treatment with UDCA is associated with excellent survival rates in PBC patients. However, there is a need for alternative treatments for nonresponders. Results from human epidemiological and genetic studies as well as preclinical studies in PBC animal models have provided a strong impetus for the development of new therapeutic agents. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in translational research in PBC focusing on promising therapeutic approaches, namely immune-based targeted therapies and agents targeting the synthesis and circulation of bile acids.

Expert opinion: We are in a new era for the development of novel therapies for PBC. Data on fibrates, budesonide and obeticholic acid offer encouragement for nonresponders to UDCA.     

Gestational lead exposure induces developmental abnormalities and up-regulates apoptosis of fetal cerebellar cells in rats

Lead (Pb), a known environmental toxicant, adversely affects almost all organ systems. In this study, we investigated the effects of maternal lead exposure on fetal rat cerebellum. Female Sprague–Dawley rats were given lead nitrate in drinking water (0, 0.5, and 1%) for two weeks before conception, and during pregnancy. Fetuses were collected by caesarian section on gestational day 21 and observed for developmental abnormalities. The fetal cerebellar sections from control and 1% lead group were stained with cresyl violet. Immunohistochemical expressions of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase 3 were quantified by AnalySIS image analyzer (Life Science, Germany). Lead exposure induced developmental abnormalities of eyes, ear, limbs, neck and ventral abdominal wall; however, these abnormalities were commonly seen in the 1% lead-treated group. In addition, lead also caused fetal mortality and reduced body growth in both dose groups and reduced brain weight in the 1% lead-treated group. The fetal cerebella from the 1% lead-treated group showed unorganized cerebellar cortical layers, and degenerative changes in granule and Purkinje cells such as the formation of clumps of Nissl granules. An increase in Bax and caspase 3, and a decrease in Bcl-2 (p?相似文献   

Emerging nanopharmaceuticals

A budding interest in nanopharmaceuticals has generated a number of advancements throughout recent years with a focus on engineering novel applications. Nanotechnology also offers the ability to detect diseases at much earlier stages, such as finding hidden or overt metastatic colonies often seen in patients diagnosed with breast, lung, colon, prostate, and ovarian cancer. Diagnostic applications could build upon conventional procedures using nanoparticles, such as colloidal gold, iron oxide crystals, and quantum dots. Additionally, diseases may be managed by multifunctional agents encompassing both imaging and therapeutic capabilities, thus allowing simultaneous monitoring and treatment. A detailed evaluation of each formulation is essential to expand our current nanopharmaceutical repertoire. However, the safety and long-term effects of nanoformulations must not be overlooked. This review will provide a brief discussion of the major nanopharmaceutical formulations as well as the impact of nanotechnology into the future.     

A retrospective study of Rift Valley fever in Saudi Arabia

A retrospective study was undertaken to examine domestic ruminant sera for Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus antibodies. The sera were collected between 1992 and 1995 from cattle, sheep and goats from various locations in Saudi Arabia. The standard capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system was employed to detect specific RVF antibodies in the animals and the results indicated an absence of RVF antibodies. This finding confirms the assumption that Saudi Arabia was free from RVF up until at least 1995 and most probably before the 2000 epidemic. The finding also confirms that RVF was not endemic in Saudi Arabia.     

Caring for Tube‐Fed Children

Enteral nutrition is the practice of delivering nutrition to the gut either orally or through a tube or other device. Many children are reliant on enteral feedings to either supplement their nutrition or as a complete source of their nutrition. Managing children on tube feedings requires a team of providers to work through such dilemmas as feeding schedules, weaning from tube feeding, sensory implications of tube feeding, treatment of pain or nausea associated with eating, oral‐motor issues, and behavioral issues in the child and family. The purpose of the current review is to summarize the multidisciplinary aspects of enteral feeding. The multidisciplinary team consists of a variable combination of an occupational therapist, speech‐language pathologist, gastroenterologist, psychologist, nurse, pharmacist, and dietitian. Children who have minimal oral feeding experience and are fed via a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube often develop oral aversions. Limited data support that children with feeding disorders are more likely to have sensory impairment and that early life pain experiences contribute to feeding refusal. There are inpatient and outpatient programs for weaning patients from tube feeding to eating. The parent‐child interaction is an important part of the assessment and treatment of the tube‐fed child. This review also points out many information gaps, including data on feeding schedules, blenderized tube feedings, the best methods for weaning children off enteral feedings, the efficacy of chronic pain medications with tube‐fed children, and, finally, the necessity of the assessment of parental stress among all parents of children who are tube fed.     

Mitigative role of garlic and vitamin E against cytotoxic,genotoxic, and apoptotic effects of lead acetate and mercury chloride on WI-38 cells

Background

Lead acetate (Led) and mercury chloride (Mer) represent important ecological and public health concerns due to their hazardous toxicities. Naturally found products play a vital role in chemopreventive agent innovation. The current study aimed to assess the modifying effect of garlic (Gar) and/or vitamin E (Vit E) against the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) Led and/or Mer-induced cytotoxic, genotoxic and apoptotic effects.

Ximelagatran, the new oral anticoagulant: would warfarin survive the challenge?

The last decade witnessed major advances in the prevention and treatment of venous as well as of arterial thrombosis. Limitations of existing anticoagulants led to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Ximelagatran is a new direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI) that is given orally, without the need for close monitoring. This compound was tried in the treatment of active venous thromboembolism, and the results were encouraging. Randomized trials suggest that ximelagatran is not inferior to warfarin in the prevention of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Multiple controlled, prospective trials compared ximelagatran with low molecular weight heparin or warfarin in prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing major orthopedic procedures. The results of these clinical trials are reviewed in this article. Because of certain safety concerns (increased liver enzymes, potential hepatonecrosis, and increased coronary events) ximelagatran has not yet been approved by the FDA. Additional studies may be required to address these concerns. Ximelagatran has been approved, however, by the European regulatory authorities for short-term thromboprophylaxis. The success of ximelagatran or other oral antithrombin agents would provide significant proof of the concept for the long-term use of oral antithrombins in the prevention and treatment of both arterial and venous thrombosis.