Pomegranate (Punica granatum) supplements: Authenticity,antioxidant and polyphenol composition

Pomegranates contain a complex mixture of gallotannins, ellagitannins, ellagic acid and anthocyanins. However, label claims on pomegranate supplements (PS) may not correlate with actual content of antioxidants, polyphenols or tannins. Nineteen PS were evaluated for their authenticity by determining ellagitannin composition by RP-HPLC and studying the relationship between total polyphenols as measured by the Folin–Ciocalteau assay and antioxidant capacity by oxygen radical absorbing capacity (ORAC), free radical scavenging properties by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Only a limited number of pomegranate supplements were authentic. Product labels were inconsistent with polyphenol composition and antioxidant content. A majority of the samples (n = 13) contained disproportionately high amounts of ellagic acid and low or no detectable pomegranate tannins. Only six products had tannin composition that resembled pomegranates (punicalagin, punicalin, ellagitannins and gallotannins). PS-01 (natural pomegranate extract) was the most representative of pomegranate fruit polyphenols with 99% total pomegranate polyphenol and the highest antioxidant capacity across all measures. Correlations between total polyphenols and antioxidant content were high (R² > 0.87) in products that had polyphenol composition resembling pomegranates. Products that contained high amounts of ellagic acid and low or no detectable pomegranate tannins had poor correlations between total polyphenols and antioxidant content. The results indicate that reliable labeling information, better standardization, improved manufacturing practices and regulation of the market is required to assure consumers of the quality of pomegranate supplements.     

Fast 1 H spectroscopic imaging using steady state free precession and spectral–spatial RF pulses

Recently, new methods for fast ¹H spectroscopic imaging based on the condition of steady state free precession (SSFP) were introduced to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio at short minimum measurement times. In this work, a major improvement is presented to overcome a crucial drawback in some of the former sequences: the lack of spatial selectivity. Good spectral selectivity at very high sampling efficiency can be achieved by using spectral–spatial RF pulses, and combined with localised shimming. Results are shown from both phantom experiments and in vivo studies on the rat brain acquired at 4.7 T.Parts of this work were presented at ESMRMB 2004.     

Human skin irritation studies of a lecithin microemulsion gel and of lecithin liposomes

OBJECTIVES: (1) To examine the prevalence and extent of intramural metastasis in squamous cell carcinomas of the oesophagus so as to delineate the resection margins for these tumours; (2) to devise an appropriate method for measurement of these lesions which takes into account of the contraction of the specimens after resection. METHODS: Oesophagectomy specimens were prospectively collected from 96 patients (87 males, nine females) with primary oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma over a two year period. The sizes of the tumours were measured in situ, after resection and after application of muscle relaxant (to regain their in situ length). The specimens were then serially sectioned for histological examination. RESULTS: The sizes of the tumours measured after application of muscle relaxant roughly corresponded to those measured in situ. Intramural metastasis was observed in 26% of the cases. Sixty four per cent (16 cases) of these were on the oral side, 72% (18 cases) on the gastric side, and 25% (nine cases) on both sides of the tumours. The most distant extent of intramural metastasis from the primary tumour was from 0.5 cm to 7.7 cm (mean = 3.4 cm) on the oral side, and 0.5 to 9.5 cm (mean 4 cm) on the gastric aspect of the tumour. Intramural metastasis was seen only in patients in whom the primary cancer had deep muscle infiltration. Multiple neoplastic lesions could be detected in 33% of the patients. Both intramural metastasis and multiple neoplastic lesions were associated with extensive lymph node infiltration. However, they had different histological features and extent of infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: Intramural metastasis was frequently observed in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. This implies that excision with wide margins should be considered for local control of the disease.     

Accumulation of crude protein and oil contents

The crude fat content of whole seed and the crude protein level of defatted embryos were monitored on successive days after pollination. Seed of Buffalo gourd,Curcurbita foetidissima HBK, harvested during September–October, 1976, obtained a maximum oil and protein level in 38 to 42 days after pollination. Maximum protein and oil accumulation in seeds of theCucurbita digitata group (sample period June–July, 1976) andApodanthera undulata (sample period August–September, 1976) occurred between 34 and 38 days and 30 and 34 days after pollination, respectively. Variability within sample periods was attributed to the heterogeneity of the populations.     

Prevention of AIDS: experience with adolescents from a state elementary school in Porto Allegre

This article refers to a participating experience in AIDS prevention with teenagers from 5th to 8th grade of a state elementary school, through workshops. This working method uses participating technics to allow relaxation, discussion and theme reflection by the group. The results obtained with this work of information and health education indicate the possibility of stimulating preventive acting development through reflection on the health-disease process, which involves HIV virus infection and comprehension of the disease extension and gravity for public health.     

Isolation of n-decyl-alpha(1-->6) isomaltoside from a technical APG mixture and its identification by the parallel use of LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy

The identification of n-decyl alpha(1-->6)isomaltoside as a main component of technical alkyl polyglucoside (APG) mixtures by the parallel use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is described. Following enrichment on a styrene-divinylbenzene-based solid-phase extraction material, unknown components were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC). Chemical characterization was achieved by both mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the combination of LC-MS with various NMR techniques is very suitable for stereochemical assignment of unknown components in technical APG mixtures.     

Race, gender, and opportunity: A study of compensation attainment and the establishment of mentoring relationships.

In this article, hypotheses concerned with how race, gender, and mentoring experiences account for compensation outcomes among master of business administration (MBA) program graduates are considered. African-American and Hispanic MBAs were less likely than their White counterparts to establish mentoring relationships with White men. Women with MBAs were less likely than men with MBAs to form such relationships. Graduates who had been able to establish mentoring relationships with White men displayed an average annual compensation advantage of $16,840 over those with mentors displaying other demographic profiles. There were no compensation differences between those who had established mentoring relationships with women or minority men and those who had not established a mentoring relationship. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Xerophytic Cucurbit Root Starches. Part VI: Preliminary Investigation of Starches from Apodanthera undulata Gray,Marah gilensis Greene and Maximowiczia lindheimeri Gray

The root starches of Apodanthera undulata Gray, Marah gilensis Greene and Maximowiczia lindheimeri Gray were quantified, isolated and characterized to expand knowledge concerning potentially useful products from xerophytes. Apodanthera roots contained relatively high levels of starch (20.5%) whereas starch levels in the other two species were 8.2 and 9.5%, resp. Starch isolated from Apodanthera manifested physical, physico-chemical and rheologic properties which closely resembled those of the potentially commercial Cucurbita foetidissima and Cucurbita digitata root starches. Granules were composed of approximately 26% amylose, were of medium size, were round, oval, or truncated in shape; and were moderately resistant to gelatinization, swelling and solubilization. Suspensions displayed high initial pasting temperatures. The pastes were resistant to collapse and developed only a modest level of set-back upon cooling. Starch from Maximowiczia also resembled Cucurbita starches for most parameters but exhibited a higher resistance to granule hydration and disintegration than any of its counterparts. Granules of Marah starch were somewhat larger than those of other starches within this group and their equilibrium moistures were high. They offered little resistance to gelatinization, were more free-swelling and soluble than other subject materials, and in suspension they displayed a relatively low initial pasting temperature. Furthermore, Marah pastes were more highly viscous than those of other subject materials during the pasting cycle and suffered regain as they cooled.