Effects of polyols on the quality characteristics of sucrose-free milk chocolate produced in a ball mill

Sucrose-free milk chocolates containing different types of bulk (isomalt, xylitol and maltitol) and high intensity (Stevia) sweeteners were produced by using a ball mill. The main quality characteristics of the formulated chocolates were evaluated and compared with those of the conventional sample containing sucrose. The Casson model was the best fitting model for the rheological data. Casson viscosity and Casson yield stress were significantly affected by the type of bulking agent in chocolates formulated with xylitol (p < 0.05). However xylitol notably improved the overall acceptability according to the sensory analysis results. Chocolates containing the sucrose replacers demonstrated lower T_onset values and higher enthalpy than the control sample. Sucrose-free chocolates illustrated a higher degree of particle agglomeration. Bulk sweeteners meanwhile seem to have high potential for milk chocolate production with low calorie values by using the ball mill technique. Industrial applications: the production of sucrose-free chocolates with conventional methods requires a lot of time and energy. Recently, using alternative methods for chocolate production has been raising interest in many small industries. This study proposed a ball mill method for the preparation of sucrose-free milk chocolates with physiochemical properties almost ranging in the standard limit defined for chocolate. Although using the ball mill method presents a more cost-effective technique for chocolate production and provides shorter processing times for small chocolate industries, it seems to be less efficient in evaporating moisture than the conventional processing. Challenges are still ahead for upgrading this alternative technique to be efficient in evaporating more moisture during operation ending in a high quality product.

Sucrose-free milk chocolates containing different types of bulk (isomalt, xylitol and maltitol) and high intensity (Stevia) sweeteners were produced by using a ball mill.     

Cirrhosis induced by bile duct ligation alleviates acetic acid intestinal damages in rats: Involvements of nitrergic and opioidergic systems

Background

Colitis, a colonic inflammatory condition, showed a linkage with hepatobiliary disorders such as cirrhosis. It has been reported that both endogenous opioids and nitric oxide (NO) play critical roles in colitis pathogenesis. Moreover, opioid and NO levels showed elevation in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cirrhosis on the experimental model of colitis and the possible involvement of opioidergic/nitrergic systems in rats.

CHA2DS2‐VASc and PESI scores are associated with right ventricular dysfunction on computed tomography pulmonary angiography in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism

BackgroundAccurate risk stratification is the most important step in the management of patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) is a clinical tool for PTE risk stratification. CHA₂DS₂‐VASc score, a risk assessment tool in patients with atrial fibrillation, is recently considered for acute PTE. The presence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in imaging is more efficient in acute PTE risk evaluation.HypothesisThis study aims to evaluate the association between CHA₂DS₂‐VASc and PESI score and each of them with RV dysfunction on computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA).MethodsOne hundred eighteen patients with a definite diagnosis of PTE were entered. The CHA₂DS₂‐VASc and PESI scores were calculated for all of them. RV dysfunction including an increase in RV to left ventricular diameter ratio, interventricular septal bowing, and reflux of contrast medium into the inferior vena cava was examined by CTPA.ResultsPESI and CHA₂DS₂‐VASc scores were significantly associated with RV dysfunction. In addition, different classes of PESI scores were correlated with RV dysfunction. Moreover, this study showed that the CHA₂DS₂‐VASc score and PESI score had a positive correlation. The area under the curve value for the CHA₂DS₂‐VASc score was 0.625 with 61.54% sensitivity and 60.0% specificity for predicting RV dysfunction while for PESI score was 0.635 with 66.7% sensitivity and 60.0% specificity.ConclusionThis study showed that not only CHA₂DS₂‐VASc and PESI scores are positively correlated, but they are both associated with RV dysfunction diagnosed by CTPA. CHA₂DS₂‐VASc and PESI scores are able to predict RV dysfunction.     

Design guidelines for interactive multimedia learning environments to promote social inclusion

Purpose : There is a continuing need for guidelines to aid in the design of Interactive Multimedia Learning Environments (IMLE) to promote effective learning. The project introduced in this paper looks at an important subset of this problem, the design of interactive learning environments to promote social inclusion. Method : A consortium of six partners contributed toward defining learning material to develop a range of work based skills, including horticulture, IT and catering. These were then developed into IMLE prototypes. Formative evaluation of these prototypes then revealed a range of usability problems, which were grouped into generic types and frequency of occurrence. Results : The most important and frequently occurring problems were used to distil a set of design guidelines for the development of effective IMLE. The results from this usability content analysis were also used to refine the initial prototypes to improve their usability and effectiveness. Conclusions : These guidelines, termed the Greenhat Design Guidelines, can be adopted for use by all multimedia developers aiming to promote the social inclusion of vulnerable or socially disadvantaged groups of people. The refined IMLE can be accessed via the Greenhat Server to improve the employment-related skills of socially excluded people.     

Inhibitory effects of ethyl acetate extract of Teucrium polium on in vitro protein glycoxidation

Regarding the involvement of free radicals and oxidative reactions in protein glycoxidation processes, compounds with antioxidant activities have been tested in order to reduce or to stop glycoxidation. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant potential of several organic fractions of Teucrium polium extract using different model systems including total antioxidant capacity by the phosphomolybdenum method, ferric reducing antioxidant power and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays, antioxidant activity in linoleic acid emulsion system and scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. The results indicated that the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of T. polium possesses the highest antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Given the link between glycation and oxidation, we proposed that the EtOAc fraction might possess significant in vitro antiglycation activities as well. Our data confirmed the inhibitory effect of EtOAc fraction on bovine serum albumin (BSA) glycoxidation measured in terms of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and pentosidine formation as well as protein oxidation markers including protein carbonyl formation (PCO) and loss of protein thiols. Reducing sugars such as ribose and glucose increase fluorescence intensity of glycated BSA in terms of total AGEs and pentosidine during 21 day of exposure. Moreover, sugars cause more PCO formation and also oxidize thiol groups more in glycated than in native BSA. EtOAc extract at different concentrations (10–100 μg/ml) has significantly quenched the fluorescence intensity of glycated BSA. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of EtOAc extract in preventing oxidative protein damages including effect on PCO formation and thiol oxidation which are believe to form under the glycoxidation process. These results clearly demonstrate that, the EtOAc fraction, owning to its antioxidant content, is capable of suppressing the formation of AGEs and protein oxidation in vitro.     

Efficacy of saccharomyces boulardii with antibiotics in acute amoebiasis

AIM: To compare the efficacy of antibiotics therapy alone with antibiotics and saccharomyces boulardii in treatment of acute amebiasis.METHODS: In a double blind, random clinical trial on patients with acute intestinal amoebiasis, 57 adult patients with acute amoebiasis, diagnosed with clinical manifestations (acute mucous bloody diarrhea) and amebic trophozoites engulfing RBCs found in stool were enrolled in the study.Regimen 1 induded metronidazole (750 mg Tid) and iodoquinol (630 mg Tid) for 10 days. Regimen 2 contained capsules of lyophilized saccharomyces boulardii (250 mg Tid) orally in addition to regimen 1. Patients were re-examined at two and four weeks after the treatment, and stool examination was performed at the end of week 4. Student′s t-test, χ2and McNemar′s tests were used for statistical analysis.RESULTS: Three patients refused to participate. The other 54 patients were randomized to receive either regimen 1 or regimen 2 (Groups 1 and 2 respectively, each with 27patients). The two groups were similar regarding their age,sex and clinical manifestations. In Group 1, diarrhea lasted 48.0±18.5 hours and in Group 2,12.0±3.7 hours (P＜0.0001).In Group 1, the durations of fever and abdominal pain were 24.0±8.8 and 24.0±7.3 hours and in Group 2 they were 12.0±5.3 and 12.0±3.2 hours, respectively (P＜0.001).Duration of headache was similar in both groups. At week 4, amebic cysts were detected in 5 cases (18.5 %) of Group 1 but in none of the Group 2 (P＜0.02).CONCLUSION: Adding saccharomyces boulardii to antibiotics in the treatment of acute amebiasis seems to decrease the duration of clinical symptoms and cyst passage.     

Design guidelines for interactive multimedia learning environments to promote social inclusion

PURPOSE: There is a continuing need for guidelines to aid in the design of Interactive Multimedia Learning Environments (IMLE) to promote effective learning. The project introduced in this paper looks at an important subset of this problem, the design of interactive learning environments to promote social inclusion. METHOD: A consortium of six partners contributed toward defining learning material to develop a range of work based skills, including horticulture, IT and catering. These were then developed into IMLE prototypes. Formative evaluation of these prototypes then revealed a range of usability problems, which were grouped into generic types and frequency of occurrence. RESULTS: The most important and frequently occurring problems were used to distil a set of design guidelines for the development of effective IMLE. The results from this usability content analysis were also used to refine the initial prototypes to improve their usability and effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines, termed the Greenhat Design Guidelines, can be adopted for use by all multimedia developers aiming to promote the social inclusion of vulnerable or socially disadvantaged groups of people. The refined IMLE can be accessed via the Greenhat Server to improve the employment-related skills of socially excluded people.     

In vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of Cyperus rotundus

Cyperus rotundus (Family Cyperaceae) is used both as a functional food and as a drug. In this study, the antioxidative potential of a hydroalcoholic extract of C. rotundus (CRE) was evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including antioxidant capacity by the phosphomolybdenum method, total antioxidant activity in linoleic acid emulsion systems, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging. We further evaluated the reducing potential of the extract as well as Fe(2+)/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate. These various antioxidant activities were compared to standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene, tocopherol, L-ascorbic acid, and catechin. Total phenolic and flavonoid content of CRE was also determined by a colorimetric method. The extract exhibited high reduction capability and powerful free radical scavenging, especially against DPPH and superoxide anions as well as a moderate effect on NO. CRE also showed inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate induced by Fe(2+)/ascorbate and prevented deoxyribose degradation in both non-site-specific and site-specific assays showing the hydroxyl radical scavenging and metal chelating activity of the hydroalcoholic extract. Moreover, the peroxidation inhibiting activity of CRE was demonstrated in the linoleic acid emulsion system. These results clearly established the antioxidative potency of C. rotundus, which may account for some of the medical claims attributed to this plant.     

Action of topical thyroid hormone analogue, triiodothyroacetic acid in reversing glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy in humans.

The present study concerns the effect of topical treatment with a cream formulation of triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) in comparison with a placebo preparation in producing a reversal of skin atrophy induced by long-term employment of topical glucocorticoid therapy in humans. A total of 39 patients with clinically verified skin atrophy due to long-term use of topical potent glucocorticoids were randomized. The changes in skin thickness, elastic fibers, and hyaluronic acid were evaluated by means of sonography and histology. After 8 weeks' treatment, the skin thickness measured by sonography increased by 16% in the epidermis, 8% in the dermis, and epidermis + dermis in the placebo group. In the TRIAC 0.1% group, the corresponding values were 24% ( p=0.063) in the epidermis, 28% ( p=0.042) in the dermis, and 25% ( p=0.039) in the epidermis + dermis. After 8 weeks, in the placebo group, the skin thickness measured by biopsy increased by 5% in the epidermis, epidermis + dermis, and 6% in the dermis. In the TRIAC 0.1% group, the corresponding values were 31% ( p=0.041) in the epidermis, 46% ( p=0.041) in the dermis and 44% ( p=0.043) in the epidermis + dermis. After 8 weeks, the elastic fibers of moderately irregular and thickened fibers increased by 56% in the placebo group and 100% ( p=0.043) in the TRIAC 0.1 group. This study indicates that topical treatment with TRIAC appears to reverse glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy under the narrow conditions tested.     

Modulation of H2O2-induced mitogen-activated protein kinases activation and cell death in SK-N-MC cells by EUK134, a salen derivative

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the accumulation of senile plaques containing amyloid β (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein in the brain. Oxidative stress has been proposed to mediate Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. In that regard, we evaluated the ability of EUK134, a superoxide dismutase and catalase mimics, to protect human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC against H(2)O(2) -induced oxidative stress. Our data clearly indicated that cell death induced by H(2)O(2) was reversed by EUK134. Likewise, lipid peroxidation, caspase-3 activation and intracellular reactive oxygen species formation all returned to control levels following pre-treatments with EUK134. Elevated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) induced by H(2)O(2) in SK-N-MC cells was lowered by EUK134 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, EUK134 decreased expression of pro-apoptotic genes p53 and Bax and enhanced expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene. Taken together, these results suggest that EUK134 protects neuronal cells against H(2)O(2) toxicity by attenuating oxidative stress through inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation cascade.