jpans
Abstract: Sliding Scale Regular Human Insulin for Identifying Critically Ill Patients Who Require Intensive Insulin Therapy and for Glycemic Control in those with Mild to Moderate Hyperglycemia
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Abstract: Two sliding scale regular human insulin (RHI) algorithms (SSI) were retrospectively evaluated to identify those who develop severe hyperglycemia (blood glucose (BG) > 180 mg/dL) and for glycemic management of continuously-fed, critically ill trauma patients with mild to moderate hyperglycemia (BG 126 to 179 mg/dL). Assignment of low or high SSI was based upon anticipated severity of difficulty in glycemic control. BG was obtained every 3 to 6 hours. Target BG range was 70 to 149 mg/dL. Patients who were unable to achieve a BG < 150 mg/dL with SSI and who required a continuous intravenous RHI infusion were identified. Twenty-five of 121 patients (21%) failed SSI necessitating more intensive insulin therapy. The low and high intensity SSI groups exhibited a baseline BG of 123 + 33 mg/dL and 164 + 20 mg/dL (P = 0.001). Average BG for each group was 129 ± 14 mg/dL and 145 ± 21 mg/dL (P = 0.001). Each group spent 20 ± 4 and 16 ± 5 hours/day within the target BG range (P = 0.001), respectively. Mild hypoglycemia (BG 40 - 60 mg/dL) occurred in 11% and 7% of patients from each group (P = N.S.). Severe hypoglycemia (BG < 40 mg/dL) occurred in zero and two (5%) patients, respectively (P = N.S). SSI served as a useful technique to identify those requiring more intensive insulin therapy and was safe and efficacious for continuously-fed, critically ill trauma patients with mild to moderate hyperglycemia. Keywords: |
Abstract: Food Extrusion Technology: Initiatives to Address Food and Nutrition Insecurity in South Africa
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Abstract: The use of extrusion can be regarded as beneficial due to its short production time and wide variety of foods produced by this method. South Africa as a developing country has been involved in food extrusion since the 1980’s and this technology is gaining momentum in academic research areas. A number of research efforts related to extrusion in South Africa have shown the consumption of extruded dry beans can reduce plasminogen activator inhibitor levels in hyperlipidaemic men; the production of sorghum-cowpea extruded instant porridge resulted in a nutritional acceptable product and can be used to supplement the diet of young children to assist with protein deficiencies. Furthermore, research has proven extruder parameters play a role in the outcome of the product and can influence product properties. Based on these research initiatives, Vaal University of Technology/Centre of Sustainable Livelihoods (VUT/CSL) has acquired an Extrusion Pilot Plant to implement interdisciplinary research of nutrition and engineering science. The research will look at process optimisation studies to obtain maximum product output and evaluating nutritional compositions of the products under various conditions. It is hoped the future research efforts at VUT/CSL will address food and nutrition insecurity and showcase the pilot plant as a testing facility and potential advancement to commercialisation. Keywords: |
Abstract: Coumarin and Safrole Content in Cinnamon-Flavored Food Products on the Syrian Market
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Abstract: Some plants that are processed into foods often contain natural substances that may be hazardous to human health. One example is coumarin, which is known to cause liver and kidney damage in rats, mice and probably humans. Coumarin is found in different Cinnamomum species such as Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum loureiroi, and Cinnamomum burmannii; all commonly referred to as cassia. Another hazardous substance is Safrole. Safrole is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals; and is mainly present in cinnamon leaf oil and could be a possible contaminant in cinnamon powder. European Council’s Directive on food flavourings 88/388/EEC limits safrole in foodstuffs to 1ppm. The content of coumarin is regulated in the European Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. In the present study, coumarin and safrole levels were analyzed in locally bought cinnamon samples and cinnamon-flavored food products using a validated HPLC method with diode array detector (DAD). Appreciable amounts of coumarin were found in bakery products with concentrations up to 39.466 mg/kg in certain kinds of cookies, whereas safrole was undetectable. Our exposure data on coumarin in bakery products show that there is still a need for a continued regulation of coumarin in foods. A toxicological re-evaluation of coumarin with the aim to derive scientifically founded maximum limits should be conducted with priority. Keywords: |
Abstract: Evaluation of Protective Effect of Methyl Sulfonyl Methane on Colon Ulcer Induced by Alendronate
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Abstract: Background: Bisphosphonates represent a new class of drugs that have shown very promising therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of a number of diseases associated with abnormally accelerated bone resorption including osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and hypercalcemia of malignancy. As an increasing number of these drugs become available for clinical use in the treatment of the millions of individuals with these skeletal diseases, evidence is becoming available that their chronic usage may be associated with a number of gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and inflammation, and erosions and ulceration of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) which is used for osteoarthritis was used to prevent bisphosphonates ulceration. Our objective was to study the preventive effect of MSM against colon ulcer induced by Alendronate (ALN) in rats. The experiments had been done on 8 white wistar rats for each group. The gastric ulcer has been induced by administration of Alendronate (20mg/kg/day) by gavage for 4 days. MSM (400mg/kg/day) has been given for the protective group for 4 days before administration of Alendronate. The ulcers in rats' colon were examined histologically and microscopically. The results showed that administration of MSM before Alendronate inducing ulcer led to a reduction in ulceration and showed significant difference comparing with morbidity group. Conclusion: MSM (400 mg/kg/day) has protective effect of colon ulcer induced by alendronate. Keywords: |
