Suppression of DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by a juice concentrate: A randomized,double‐blind,placebo‐controlled trial

Chronic inflammation contributes to many prevalent diseases worldwide, and it is widely accepted that inflammatory molecules contribute to DNA damage. In this ancillary study, we investigated the influence of an encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) DNA damage. Using a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled approach, subjects were randomly assigned capsules containing placebo, or one of two formulations of the juice powder. Blood was drawn at baseline and after 60 days of capsule consumption. We found DNA damage in isolated PBL is suppressed after consumption of the encapsulated juice powder, and damage was correlated with the level of systemic inflammation. These data suggest a potential health benefit by consuming the juice concentrate capsules through their ability to suppress DNA damage as measured in surrogate tissues (PBL).     

Physician input and licensing of at-risk drivers: A review of all-inclusive medical evaluation forms in the US and Canada

This article details a systematic review of medical evaluation forms in support of licensing decisions for medically at-risk drivers. Comparisons were made between all-inclusive forms utilized by 52 State and Provincial Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) in the US and Canada. Comparisons focused on length, format, content, instructional quality, medical coverage, ease of use, and other qualitative characteristics. Median page length was 2 (range 1–10), and mean word count was 1083 (494–3884). Common response options included open-ended (98%), forced choice (87%), and check box (81%). While the majority of forms (77%) required driver consent, only 24% requested information from the driver. Less than half (46%) included text on confidentiality protection. While all forms requested general medical information, just over half included specific sections for vision (54%) and cognitive/neurological conditions (56%). Most forms (81%) required that a judgment be made concerning driver safety, and half prompted for possible license restrictions. Criterion-based quality ratings were assigned on a five-point Likert scale by group consensus. One third of forms were rated as marginal or poor in comprehensiveness and utility, and just two garnered an excellent overall rating. Findings are discussed relative to current research on driver fitness and elements of a proposed model form. Best practice recommendations include a page length limitation, emphasis on in-person evaluation (i.e., as opposed to a records-only review), prompts to collect crash and other driving history information, clear instructions and stepwise format, content prompts across relevant medical categories, documentation of functional status and impairment levels, options for driving with restrictions in lieu of de-licensing, and emphasis on relative (vs. absolute) clinical judgments of overall driver safety.     

Oxidation of Starch by Hydrogen Peroxide in the Presence of UV Light - Part. I

Oxidation of starch in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and UV light has been investigated. This new procedure furnished oxidized starch containing significant amounts of carbonyl and carboxyl contents. The use of reagents such as ferrous sulfate or hypochlorite in our hydrogen peroxide oxidation of starch in the presence of UV light did not offer any advantage.     

Oxidation of Starch Catalyzed by Persulfate

Oxidation of unmodified corn starch in the presence of persulfates under different conditions has been studied. The method using silver catalyzed persulfate led to a grey colored oxidation product containing equal carbonyl but less carboxyl contents as compared to an industrial oxidized starch sample. Air-oxidation of starch in the presence of persulfate gave a colorless oxidation product possessing low carboxyl but high carbonyl contents. Irradiation, by ultraviolet light during this oxidation procedure had little effect on the degree of oxidation. Ammonium persulfate was found to be a better oxidant than potassium persulfate.