jpans
|
|
Abstract: Pulses are important food crops which offer significant nutritional and health advantages due to their high protein content and a unique nutritional profile, i.e., low fat source of digestible protein, dietary fibre, complex carbohydrates, resistant starch and a number of essential vitamins, especially, the B-group vitamin B9 (folate). In addition to these vitamins and minerals contributing to a healthy diet, pulses contain a number of non-nutritive bioactive substances including enzyme inhibitors, lectins, saponins, phytates, phenolic compounds and oligosaccharides. The latter contributes beyond basic nutritional value and is particularly helpful in the fight against non-communicable diseases often associated with diet transitions and rising incomes. Phytic acid exhibits antioxidant activity and protects DNA damage, phenolic compounds have antioxidant and other important physiological and biological properties, and galacto-oligosaccharides may elicit prebiotic activity. Research findings on different phytochemicals in pulse seeds and their role in preventing the lifestyle diseases has been discussed. Encouraging awareness of the nutritional value of pulses can help consumers adopt healthier diets and also could be an important dietary factor in improving longevity. Keywords: Pulses, polyphenols, carotenoids, saponins, tocopherols, folates. |
|
|
Abstract: Objectives: To report a case of response to ustekinumab in a patient with severe psoriasis when adalimumab dose escalation fail. Case Description: A 35-year-old Caucasian male was diagnosed as having psoriasis. He was started on methotrexate followed cyclosporine. Despite these treatments, the patient experienced an abrupt deterioration of his psoriasis [PASI 35]. The patient started treatment with adalimumab: initial dose of 80mg followed by 40mg in week 2. At week 3 he continued on adalimumab 40mg/two weeks with significant reduction of psoriasis. After 8 months of adalimumab therapy, he referred that adalimumab was effective only during the first week of treatment. The patient gave his written informed consent for adalimumab dose intensification. He started adalimumab 40mg/week, with an improvement of psoriasis. After 7 months of adalimumab dose intensification, the psoriasis worsened [PASI score =25 and CDLQI score 20]. We discontinued adalimumab and started therapy with ustekinumab, 45mg subcutaneously, was administered at weeks 0, 4 and every 12 weeks. The clinical response was impressive; at week 12 a PASI 90 response was achieved while the CDLQI score fell to the scale of 7. Efficacy was maintained after a 12 months of ustekinumab therapy.
Conclusions: This case report provides valuable insight into the efficacy and tolerability of ustekinumab in a patient with severe psoriasis when adalimumab dose escalation fails. To our knowledge this is the first case published to date that describes the clinical efficacy of ustekinumab when adalimumab intensification dose escalation fails. Keywords: Ustekinumab, adalimumab, psoriasis, dose escalation. Download Full Article |
|
|
Abstract: The main aims of this study were to measure the level of diabetes management self-efficacy and adherence to self-care activities management and to identify the influence of self- efficacy on management of self-care activities and the outcome of treatment among type 2 diabetic patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diabetes Clinic; King Faisal Medical Complex during the period of June –August 2016. Patients aged >20 years and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least one year. Data was collected through face-to-face interview method using a pretested and validated questionnaire. Data was processed by the software SPPS (21.0 SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA). P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 300 patients were eligible. Slightly more than 50 % of them were females. Overall, 164 (54.7%) patients were classified as having high diabetes management self-efficacy. Living in the town (P = 0.006) and being married (P= 0.003) were found to be the significant predictors of high self-efficacy. There were significant associations between self-efficacy by domain and adherence to the specific self-care activity corresponding to that domain. Overall, 84 (28%) of the patients attained the target therapeutic goal for diabetes and the control was significantly more among females (33.6%) than males (22.3%), (P= 0.031). The results of the study identified many gaps related to management self-efficacy of diabetes and adherence to self-care activities. Interventions targeting the patients and their families to improve this situation are urgently needed. Keywords: |
|
|
Abstract: Fresh root of Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) (Orchidaceae) has applications in regularizing menstrual cycle and as topical aids in insect bites and wounds. The tuber extracts of some plants belonging to Geodorum have folkloric reputation in the management of transient anxiety. The current study was undertaken to investigate the sedative/ anxiolytic effects of G. densiflorum root extracts using rodent behavioral models, such as open field, hole cross, thiopental sodium-induced hypnosis and elevated plus maze test. Present data shows that the organic extracts of G. densiflorum root increase the thiopental sodium induced sleeping time and reduce the time for the onset of sleep. A statistically significant reduction in motor activity and exploratory behavior were observed in the open field and hole cross tests. The results of the current studies provide scientific evidence for its uses in traditional medicines as sedative and anxiolytic agents. Keywords: Neuropharmacology, locomotor activity, thiopental sodium, transient anxiety.Download Full Article |
|
|
Abstract: Considerable research interest has recently focused on the development of both transgenic and traditional breeding methods to increase total and individual carotenoid composition in sweet potatoes. Unfortunately little information is available on the influence of the environment on carotenoid profile stability in sweet potatoes especially growing seasons and storage. Therefore the aim of this study is to explore the composition and concentration of carotenoids in orange sweet potato tubers to enable their future enhancement through genetic manipulation over different growing seasons and storage time. Our findings revealed that orange sweet potato tubers contained α-carotene and β-carotene in the first and second season, whereas in the third season only lutein and zeaxanthin were detected. Analysis of carotenoid profiles of the orange sweet potato tubers grown in three different seasons showed that the growing season had a major effect on the carotenoid compounds stability. Besides growing seasons, the level of total and individual carotenoids in orange sweet potato tuber flesh are strongly influenced and affected by storage conditions. The storage of tubers over 6 months period of time appears to have distinct effects on carotenoid content and composition. Results showed that storage from 1 to 6 months resulted in the accumulation of zeaxanthin and β-carotene with a concomitant decreased of lutein, α-carotene and total carotenoid content. Keywords: Orange sweet potato, abiotic factors, total carotenoid, storage, growing season, carotenoid stability. |