Iodine losses in iodised salt following different storage methods

Iodine retention in three types of iodised salt viz., powdered salt, white crystal and brown crystal salt was estimated at an interval of 15 days following commonly practised storage methods i.e., glass jar with lid, plastic jar with lid, earthernware pot with lid, cut open salt packet and salt pack as it is. Highest percent retention of iodine irrespective of type of salt was noticed in intact salt packet (97.19%). The iodine retention was above 80% in other methods—88.41% retention in cut open salt packet, 84.72% in glass jar, 82.86% in earthern pot and 80.85% in plastic jar. Powdered salt had maximum iodine retention (91.16%) followed by brown crystal salt (84.24%) and white crystal salt (76.71%). Even though the iodine content was found to decrease during storage, the powdered salt and brown crystal salt had iodine in the recommended level. On the contrary, white crystal salt contained only half (7 ppm) that recommended at the retail level (15 ppm).     

Predictors of outcome in children with hydrocarbon poisoning receiving intensive care

The retrospective study included 48 children between 8.5 months--10 years, admitted to the PICU of an urban, tertiary care, teaching hospital in northern India from January 1995 to December 2001. Eighteen (38%) patients were hypoxemic on arrival, of which 8 (45%) required mechanical ventilation. Compared to the non-hypoxemic children, the hypoxemic patients were more likely to have received gastric lavage before arrival to our center (Odds Ratio 23.2, 95% CI 2.4 - 560.7) and had higher frequency of severe respiratory distress and leucocytosis (Odds Ratio 8.0, 95% CI 1.79 -38.6). On multiple regression analysis, we could not identify any particular variable that could predict hypoxemia. Secondary pneumonia developed in 16 (33.3%), with the duration of PICU stay being longer in these patients as against those who did not (144 hours vs 72 hours, p <0.05). Two (4.2%) children died and one suffered hypoxic sequelae. Prior lavage, hypoxemia at admission, need for ventilation, secondary sepsis and ventilator related complications were associated with poor outcome.     

Peroxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in children with beta-thalassemia major

OBJECTIVE: Regular blood transfusions and secondary iron overload make thalassemic erythrocytes prone to peroxidative injury. Although some reports suggest endogenous free radical damage in thalassemia, there remains discrepancy in the status of antioxidant enzymes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of lipid peroxidation and status of antioxidant enzyme in children with beta-thalassemia. METHODS: Fifty transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemics were subjected to analysis of lipoperoxides as malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NOx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) along with serum iron and ferritin, liver functions and uric acid. Plasma MDA was analyzed to indicate the oxidative parameters, whereas the erythrocyte SOD, GPx, and plasma NOx were measured to show the antioxidant status of the children. All these parameters in 30 non-anemic healthy controls attending the child health promotion clinic of hospital were also studied. RESULTS: All the patients were iron overloaded. Markers of free radical injury such as MDA and antioxidant enzyme SOD and NOx levels were significantly elevated in thalassemic children while mean GPx levels were decreased in patients compared to controls (P < 0.001). All these markers significantly correlated with serum ferritin levels. There was no significant difference in levels of GSH measured but it correlated with serum iron levels. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that iron overload causes peroxidative damage in beta-thalassemia and antioxidant systems try to compensate for reducing lipid peroxidation to lower tissue damage.     

Safety,efficacy and toxicological evaluation of a novel,patented anti-diabetic extract of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum seed extract (Fenfuro)

Safety and anti-diabetic efficacy of a novel, proprietary Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract [novel fenugreek extract (FE), Fenfuro?, CR0010810) enriched in furostanolic saponins (>60% w/w, HPLC) were assessed. Concerning safety, we undertook studies dealing with acute oral toxicity, 28-d sub-chronic toxicity and Ames’ bacterial reverse mutation assay that revealed no toxicity. Concerning efficacy, we examined beneficial effects of the extract on rats with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Male Sprague–Dawley rats received a high-fat diet for 2 weeks followed by streptozotocin (STZ, 35?mg/kg i.p.) to produce T2D. Seven days post-STZ, rats showing ≥300?mg/dl fasting plasma glucose level (PGL) were included in the study. FE (150- or 450- mg/kg p.o.) and glipizide (5?mg/kg p.o.) were administered once daily for 20?d and then twice daily for another 10?d (total 30?d). Blood samples were collected at 0, 10, 20 and 30?d of treatment and estimated for fasting plasma triglyceride (PTG), total cholesterol and insulin levels. After 30?d, FE and glipizide-treated diabetic animals were treated in combination with or without metformin (100?mg/kg) twice daily for another 10?d. FE did not influence body weight, feed and water intake. FE (150?mg/kg p.o.) reduced PTG levels in T2D rats by 22%, 24.6% and 29% at 10, 20 and 30?d of treatment, respectively, while glipizide (5?mg/kg p.o.) reduced the PTG levels by 57.4%, 46.2% and 39.4% at these time points. FE (450?mg/kg) treatment in STZ-induced diabetic rats produced significant hypoglycemic activity (approximately 31.5%) as compared to insulin (48.2% with 1 U/kg i.p.). FE (150?mg/kg p.o.) and metformin (100?mg/kg p.o.) combined produced significant reduction (20.7%) of PGL in T2D rats. No adverse effects were observed. We conclude after extensive in vitro and in vivo safety and efficacy studies that FE is safe and effective in treating T2D.     

Antioxidant properties of Aller-7, a novel polyherbal formulation for allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis, a frequently occurring immunological disorder affecting men, women and children worldwide, is a state of hypersensitivity that occurs when the body overreacts to a substance such as pollen, mold, mites or dust. Allergic rhinitis exerts inflammatory response and irritation of the nasal mucosal membranes leading to sneezing; stuffy/runny nose; nasal congestion; and itchy, watery and swollen eyes. A novel, safe polyherbal formulation (Aller-7/NR-A2) has been developed for the treatment of allergic rhinitis using a unique combination of extracts from seven medicinal plants including Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, Albizia lebbeck, Piper nigrum, Zingiber officinale and Piper longum. In this study, the antioxidant efficacy of Aller-7 was investigated by various assays including hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, superoxide anion scavenging assay, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis-ethyl-benzothiozoline-sulphonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. The protective effect of Aller-7 on free radical-induced lysis of red blood cells and inhibition of nitric oxide release by Aller-7 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophages were determined. Aller-7 exhibited concentration-dependent scavenging activities toward biochemically generated hydroxyl radicals (IC50 741.73 microg/ml); superoxide anion (IC50 24.65 microg/ml by phenazine methosulfate-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide [PMS-NADH] assay and IC50 4.27 microg/ml by riboflavin/nitroblue tetrazolium [NBT] light assay), nitric oxide (IC50 16.34 microg/ml); 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical (IC50 5.62 microg/ml); and 2,2-azinobis-ethyl-benzothiozoline-sulphonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS) radical (IC50 7.35 microg/ml). Aller-7 inhibited free radical-induced hemolysis in the concentration range of 20-80 microg/ml. Aller-7 also significantly inhibited nitric oxide release from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophages. These results demonstrate that Aller-7 is a potent scavenger of free radicals and that it may serve.     

Acculturation Strategies Among South Asian Immigrants: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study

In the past, epidemiologic research on acculturation and health has been criticized for its conceptual ambiguity and simplistic measurement approaches. This study applied a widely-used theoretical framework from cross-cultural psychology to identify acculturation strategies among South Asian immigrants in the US and to examine sociodemographic correlates of acculturation strategies. Data were from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America study. We used latent class analysis to identify groups of individuals that were similar based on cultural attitudes and behaviors. We used latent class regression analysis to examine sociodemographic correlates of acculturation strategies. We found that South Asian immigrants employed three acculturation strategies, including separation (characterized by a relatively high degree of preference for South Asian culture over US culture), assimilation (characterized by a relatively high degree of preference for US culture over South Asian culture), and integration (characterized by a similar level of preference for South Asian and US cultures). Respondents with no religious affiliation, those with higher levels of income, those who lived a greater percentage of their lives in the US, and those who spoke English well or very well were less likely to use the separation strategy than the assimilation or integration strategies. Using epidemiologic cohort data, this study illustrated a conceptual and methodological approach that addresses limitations of previous research on acculturation and health. More work is needed to understand how the acculturation strategies identified in this study affect the health of South Asian immigrants in the US.     

Validation of a measurement instrument for parental child feeding in a low and middle-income country

Background

Parental child feeding practices (PCFP) are a key factor influencing children’s dietary intake, especially in the preschool years when eating behavior is being established. Instruments to measure PCFP have been developed and validated in high-income countries with a high prevalence of childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to test the appropriateness, content, and construct validity of selected measures of PCFP in a low and middle-income country (LMIC) in which there is both undernutrition and obesity in children.

Methods

An expert panel selected subscales and items from measures of PCFP that have been well-tested in high-income countries to measure both “coercive” and “structural” behaviors. Two sequential cross-sectional studies (Study 1, n =?154; Study 2, n =?238) were conducted in two provinces in Indonesia. Findings of the first study were used to refine subscales used in Study 2. An additional qualitative study tested content validity from the perspective of mothers (the intended respondents). Factorial validation and reliability were also tested. Convergent validity was tested with child nutritional status.

Results

In Study 1, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model with 11 factors provided good fit (RMSEA?=?0.045; CFI?=?0.95 and TLI?=?0.95) after two subscales were removed. Reliability was good among seven of the subscales. Following a decision to take out an additional subscale, the instrument was tested for factorial validity (Study 2). A CFA model with 10 subscales provided good fit (RMSEA?=?0.03; CFI?=?0.92 and TLI?=?0.90). The reliability of subscales was lower than in Study 1. Convergent validity with nutrition status was found with two subscales.

Conclusions

The two studies provide evidence of acceptable psychometric properties for 10 subscales from tested instruments to measure PCFP in Indonesia. This provides the first evidence of the validity of these measures in a LMIC setting. Some shortcomings, such in the reliability of some subscales and further tests of predictive validity, require further investigation.

     

General Lack of Correlations between Age and Signs of the Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects with Non-diabetic Fasting Glucose Values

Background: Insulin resistance and advancing age are well-recognized risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Recent reports indicate that fasting glucose levels in non-diabetic patients correlate appropriately with the development of certain elements in metabolic syndrome, which suggest a cause–effect relationship with insulin resistance.

Objective: The present investigation assessed whether a significant association exists between chronological age and various elements of metabolic syndrome in this same group of subjects possessing non-diabetic fasting glucose levels.

Methods: Baseline data were taken from 288 subjects (age 17–87 years) with fasting glucose levels ≤ 125 mg/dl. Correlations between chronological age and different metabolic parameters were assessed to determine any statistically significant relationships and compare these with previously demonstrated metabolic parameters.

Results: With the exception of systolic blood pressure, the following correlations between age and components of metabolic syndrome were not significant or even significant in the opposite direction compared to those found in the same population using fasting glucose as the independent variable: body weight, body fat, diastolic blood pressure, white blood cell count (WBC)/neutrophil count, and circulating levels of insulin, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Although systolic blood pressure still increased, it was to a lesser extent than might be expected.

Conclusions: In the present investigation, a cross-sectional analysis was carried out over a wide age range of subjects. It is noteworthy that fasting glucose levels and the other major elements of metabolic syndrome did not change significantly with advancing age. These results demonstrate that decreasing insulin resistance and fasting glucose levels may be an important way to overcome the adverse effects and perturbations of advancing age-induced consequences of metabolic syndrome.