Effect of maturity and processing on total, insoluble and soluble dietary fiber contents of Indian green leafy vegetables

Vegetables are very important in the diet and provide minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. A beneficial role of dietary fiber in human nutrition is known but the data on the effect of maturity and processing of Indian vegetables on dietary fiber and its fractions are not available. Hence, the present study was undertaken to generate data on total (TDF), insoluble (IDF) and soluble (SDF) dietary fiber contents of green leafy vegetables (GLV) and to assess the effect of leaf maturity and cooking on these parameters. Sixteen GLV (namely, agathi, alternanthera, amaranth, basella, cabbage, colocasia, coriander, curry leaves, drumstick, fenugreek, hibiscus, mint, portulaca, rumex, spinach and tender tamarind leaves) were analysed for TDF, IDF and SDF by the enzymatic and gravimetric method of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Among the GLV analysed, the TDF and IDF contents were the lowest (2.5 g% and 1.6 g%) in basella and were the highest (16.3 g% and 13.4 g%) in curry leaves. The SDF content ranged from 0.7 g% in spinach to 2.9 g% in curry leaves. The SDF as a percentage of the TDF ranged from 11.3% in tender tamarind leaves to 36.0% in basella, but the majority of GLV had around 25% of the TDF as SDF. Significant (P < 0.01) variation was observed between inter-species and intra-species in TDF, IDF and SDF contents of all the GLV. As the leaf matured from tender to mature and to coarse stage, the TDF and IDF contents of amaranth, basella, hibiscus, rumex and spinach increased significantly (P < 0.05), The SDF content significantly (P < 0.05) increased from tender to mature stage in all five GLV, but there was no further increase from mature to coarse stage except in rumex, where a significant (P < 0.01) increase (25%) was observed. Processing/cooking of GLV had no significant effect on their TDF, IDF and SDF contents.     

Impact of blast induced transitory vibration and air-overpressure/noise on human brain--an experimental study

Human response to blast induced ground vibration and air-overpressure/noise is a major concern of current mining activity. This is because the fact that mines are fast transgressing the habitats and people are getting educated. Consequently the response of humans is changing and expectedly will increase in days to come with no viable and economic alternative to blasting--an essential component of mining. The response of humans can be purely physiological or psychological in nature or combination of both depending upon the situation and conditions of mining. Where physiological response is documented in terms of effects on ears and lungs there is a meager amount or no literature available regarding effects of blasting on the brain. Moreover, the studies on transitory phenomenon like the effects of blasting on humans are rare in comparison to the whole body vibration studies. This study was designed to address the issues as a precursor to a major initiative. The preliminary investigations conducted with the monitoring of EEG responses of humans to vibration and air-overpressure/noise due to blasting revealed that there is no major response of the brain to transitory vibrations and noise.     

Self-reported healthcare utilization by adults with diabetic retinopathy in the United States

Purpose: To assess healthcare utilization patterns across diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity levels in the United States (US).

Design: Cross-sectional study of 699 adults, participating in the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys.

Methods: Diagnosis of DR was based on fundus photographs and categorized as: (1) no DR; (2) mild/moderate nonproliferative DR (NPDR); and (3) severe NPDR/proliferative DR (PDR). Healthcare utilization patterns were assessed during a household questionnaire where survey participants self-reported: (1) awareness that diabetes had affected their eyes; (2) pupil-dilation during the past year; and (3) visits to a diabetes education/nutrition specialist during the past year.

Results: Among adults with self-reported diabetes, the proportion of those that were aware that diabetes had affected their eye was 15.3% [95% confidence interval (C.I.)] 10.9–19.6%), 21.7% (95% C.I. 14.6–28.7%), and 81.5% (95% C.I. 66.5–96.5%) across those with no retinopathy, mild/moderate NPDR, and severe NPDR/PDR, respectively (p < 0.01). The utilization of a diabetic education/nutrition specialist during the past year was 30.4% (95% C.I. 24.8–36.0%), 31.8% (95% C.I 23.4–40.2%), and 55.9% (95% C.I. 32.3–79.6%) across those with no retinopathy, mild/moderate NPDR, and severe NPDR/PDR, respectively (p = 0.13). Pupil dilation within the past year was 62.2% (95% C.I. 56.3–68.1%), 62.1% (95% C.I. 53.4–70.8%), and 93.8% (95% C.I. 87.3–100.0%) across those with no DR, mild/moderate NPDR, and severe NPDR/PDR, respectively (p = 0.01).

Conclusions: Adults with diabetes in the United States, even those with the most severe forms of DR, do not fully utilize healthcare services for diabetic eye disease. Future studies should aim to address barriers to appropriate diabetes care.     

Simple, Rapid and Validated LC Determination of Lopinavir in Rat Plasma and its Application in Pharmacokinetic Studies

Lopinavir is a new specific and potent HIV-1 protease inhibitor. A simple and rapid Reverse Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic method using UV detection was developed and validated for the analysis of lopinavir in rat plasma under isocratic conditions. The method involves a single step protein precipitation technique. The detector response was linear over the concentration range of 250 to 4000 ng mL (-1). High recovery ranging from 97.5 to 101.2 percent was obtained which precludes the use of internal standard. The developed method was validated as per standard guidelines. Validation of the developed method demonstrated accuracy, precision and selectivity of the proposed method. The drug was found to be stable under various processing and storage conditions. This rapid and cost-effective method was successfully applied in the estimation of lopinavir and determination of various pharmacokinetic parameters during post intravenous bolus administration of the drug in rats. The developed method can be suitably employed in preclinical pharmacokinetic evaluation of new formulations designed to improve the bioavailability of lopinavir.