Body weight and abdominal fat gene expression profile in response to a novel hydroxycitric acid-based dietary supplement

Obesity is a global public health problem, with about 315 million people worldwide estimated to fall into the WHO-defined obesity categories. Traditional herbal medicines may have some potential in managing obesity. Botanical dietary supplements often contain complex mixtures of phytochemicals that have additive or synergistic interactions. The dried fruit rind of Garcinia cambogia, also known as Malabar tamarind, is a unique source of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which exhibits a distinct sour taste and has been safely used for centuries in Southeastern Asia to make meals more filling. Recently it has been demonstrated that HCA-SX or Super Citrimax, a novel derivative of HCA, is safe when taken orally and that HCA-SX is bioavailable in the human plasma as studied by GC-MS. Although HCA-SX has been observed to be conditionally effective in weight management in experimental animals as well as in humans, its mechanism of action remains to be understood. We sought to determine the effects of low-dose oral HCA-SX on the body weight and abdominal fat gene expression profile of Sprague-Dawley rats. We observed that at doses relevant for human consumption dietary HCA-SX significantly contained body weight growth. This response was associated with lowered abdominal fat leptin expression while plasma leptin levels remained unaffected. Repeated high-density microarray analysis of 9960 genes and ESTs present in the fat tissue identified a small set (approximately 1% of all genes screened) of specific genes sensitive to dietary HCA-SX. Other genes, including vital genes transcribing for mitochondrial/nuclear proteins and which are necessary for fundamental support of the tissue, were not affected by HCA-SX. Under the current experimental conditions, HCA-SX proved to be effective in restricting body weight gain in adult rats. Functional characterization of HCA-SX-sensitive genes revealed that upregulation of genes encoding serotonin receptors represent a distinct effect of dietary HCA-SX supplementation.     

Jatamols A and B: Sesquiterpenoids of Nardostachys jatamansi Roots1

From the roots and rhizomes of NARDOSTACHYS JATAMANSI, two new eudesmanes jatamols A and B were isolated, and their structures were determined by spectral analysis and chemical evidence.     

Randomized comparison between fluconazole and itraconazole for the treatment of candidemia in a pediatric intensive care unit: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Candida bloodstream infections have shown an increase in hospitalized patients, especially those receiving intensive care. The effectiveness of various azoles, especially itraconazole, in treatment of candidemia has not been fully evaluated. Our objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of enterally administered itraconazole vs. fluconazole in treatment of candidemia. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit of a referral and teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: Forty-three pediatric patients with candidemia, INTERVENTION: Patients received either fluconazole (n = 22) or itraconazole (n = 21), about 10 mg/kg orally or through a gastric tube, and were monitored for clinical and mycological cure (sterile fungal blood culture), blood counts, and liver and renal functions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of two groups were comparable. The cure rate was similar in both the groups: itraconazole 17 of 21 (81%) and fluconazole 18 of 22 (82%). Crude mortality rate (itraconazole 9.5% and fluconazole 13.6%) was also comparable in two groups of patients. The frequency of electrolyte disturbance was very low and similar in both the groups. Blood urea, creatinine, liver enzymes, and serum bilirubin were not adversely affected. CONCLUSIONS: Itraconazole was as effective as fluconazole in nosocomial candidiasis in children receiving intensive care and was devoid of serious side effects.     

Step UP! To Stamp Out Stigma: adapting and testing a bystander intervention to reduce HIV-related stigma

Aim

HIV-related stigma is a traumatizing experience operating across socioecological levels. Few interventions have combined multiple methods of stigma reduction into a comprehensive approach. This study adapted bystander training to the context of HIV-related stigma and pilot tested the model.

Subjects and methods

The study drew upon the team’s prior research to create an adapted bystander intervention. Thirty-nine participants met in three separate workshop sessions, which consisted of didactic training, group discussions, and contact between people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their friends/family members, and healthcare workers. Participants completed pre-/post-intervention questionnaires that included demographic characteristics and standardized measures of stigma and empowerment. A person living openly with HIV served as the moderator. The study’s principal investigator led a discussion to evaluate the workshop model.

Results

The workshops were associated with decreased feelings of powerlessness but did not show any immediate effects on feelings of stigmatization. Subjects unanimously recommended requiring the training for all healthcare providers.

Conclusion

The study showed the feasibility of adapting a bystander approach to HIV-related stigma. Interactive participation across different stakeholder groups allows for addressing various types of stigma and incorporating multiple evidence-based approaches to stigma reduction. Future research will incorporate further adaptations and test the approach using a large-scale randomized controlled trial.