Impact Evaluation of Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation and Physical Activity on Bone Health Status of Elderly Population of Urban Vadodara
Pages 50-56
Annapurna Maity, Komal Chauhan, Nishita Panwar and Pooja Mistry
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2015.05.01.8
Published: 16 February 2015

Abstract: Background: Osteoporosis is a global public health problem affecting the ageing population and influenced by poor nutrition, lack of physical activities, and absence of supplementation on time.

Objectives: To study the impact of Calcium and vitamin D supplementation along with weight bearing exercises on bone health status of elderly.

Methods:30 elderly males and 20 elderly females having poor BMD and poor serum vitamin D were supplemented with 1000 mg calcium and 500 IU vitamin D/ day along with weight bearing exercises for a period of 3 months, along with that 60000 IU vitamin D₃/week for 2 months were given to 30 males only. Serum calcium, Vitamin D, BMD, dietary calcium intake, frequency of vitamin D rich food intake, anthropometry etc. were measured at the baseline as well as after the intervention.

Results: Mean BMD T-scores (-1.1 to -2.5: osteopenia; >-2.5: osteoporosis) of the elderly males and females were significantly (p≤0.001) decreased after the intervention depicting improvement (baseline:-2.34±0.50, final:-1.86±0.61). 26.7% reduction in osteoporotic cases among males and 50 % among women was achieved. Mean serum calcium (baseline: 9.38±0.63, final: 9.46±0.61) and vitamin D level (baseline: 23.76±13.17, final: 35.48±14.84) was increased significantly (p≤0.05). 60% males and 70% females achieved vitamin D sufficiency level after the intervention. Mean physical endurance (Grip strength, standing balance, walking speed and rise from chair) scores were significantly increased in both males and females. Locomotor problems were reduced among 6.7% males and 40% females after regular weight bearing exercise and supplementation.

Conclusion:Calcium and vitamin D supplementation with daily weight bearing exercise has a preventive and curative effect on BMD and it maintains the serum calcium and vitamin D levels. Long term and high dose supplementation needs further investigation.

Impact of Production Practices on Organoleptic Intensity Scale of Different Rice Cultivars
Pages 114-120
Amit Kesarwani, Madhu Sharma, Sachin Kumar Vaid and Shih Shiung Chen
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2015.05.02.3
Published: 12 May 2015

Abstract: The purpose of this research was to relate mean organoleptic scores of organically and conventionally grown rice (n = 5) in japonica cultivars (Taikeng No. 16 and Kaohsiung No. 139). The 0-7 organoleptic scale is used in trials to measure the agronomic practices impact on sensory attributes of rice cultivars. However, the precise relationship between farming system and organoleptic analysis of rice remains independent variables. Judges (n = 10) used a common 0-7 scale to report the 6 sensory attributes viz. appearance, aroma, flavor, cohesion, hardness and overall acceptability while keeping cultivar Taikeng No. 9 as control. The scale ranges from – 3 to + 3 as very poor to excellent. The study demonstrates sensory attributes as inherited trait of rice; while no improvement found in cooking and eating quality under seasonal or agronomic variations. Interestingly, the aroma was reported as only better parameter when grown under organic farming compared to conventional farming (– 0.49 and – 0.62 over control, respectively). Also, the positive co-relationship exists between amylose content and organoleptic analysis while antagonistic link to crude protein content. The study cleared that management method, per se, did not influence any flavory attributes and detected no changes by the sensory panel. Further descriptive analysis needed with different conditions such as variety, degree of milling, growing location and moisture content which also played significant role in determining flavor and eating quality of rice cultivars.

Keywords: Organic farming, sensory evaluation, cooked rice, eating quality.

Impact of Chemotherapy Treatments on Dietary Intakes of Macro and Micronutrients among Jordanian Women with Breast Cancer - Pages 105-111

Safaa A. Al-Zeidaneen, Mousa A. Ahmad and Ali D. Al-Ebuos

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2018.08.03.4

Published: 25 June 2018

Abstract: Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer related deaths among women worldwide. Nutritional factors may account for the large variation in BC incidence around the world. Most studies have shown no link between dietary intakes and increased risk of BC.

Objective: To evaluate the dietary intake of macro and some micronutrients among BC patients with respect to chemotherapy treatment.

Methods: A total of 168 BC patients aged 20-70 years attending BC clinics at the Jordanian Royal Medical Services, Jordan were evaluated for dietary intake. The study design permitted to include 60 newly-diagnosed BC patients who were not exposed to any type of interventions and 108 recently-diagnosed BC patients (up to three months). Recently group member were sub-divided in two sub-groups to control exposure to chemotherapy. The Chemo group (have exposed to chemotherapy) and the non-chemo group (have exposed to other types of treatments interventions). Calculations were based on the computerized nutrient analysis program (the food processor nutrition and fitness analysis software (ESHA), version 10.6/.3, Salem, USA).

Results: Energy, macronutrients and micronutrients intakes were not significantly different considering exposure to chemotherapy. However, they were less than recommended in all BC patients.

Conclusion: The possible risk of dietary undernutrition among BC patients that need a careful monitoring, evaluation and managements care plan. 

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Vitamins, Minerals, Dietary intake, Chemotherapy and Jordanian.

Improved Serotonergic Tone Contributes to the Mechanism of Action of St John’s Wort in Nicotine Withdrawn Mice
Pages 255-262
Shabana Saeed and Samina Bano
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2014.04.04.4
Published: 11 November 2014

Abstract: Present study aims to investigate the acute effects of St John’s Wort (SJW) on nicotine withdrawal syndrome and serotonergic hypo activity in mice. Adult male Albino mice weighing 20-25g were housed 6 per cage under light and dark conditions at 22±3^oC and maintained on lab chow and water ad libitum under standard housing conditions. Nicotine was administered at the concentrations of 3.08mg (1mg of free base) in 100 ml of drinking water for 4 weeks. Nicotine withdrawal was achieved by substituting nicotine containing water with drinking water. Nicotine withdrawn (NW) mice were evaluated for locomotor activity and abstinence signs at 72 h. Whole brain tryptophan (TRP). 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured using high performance liquid chromatography connected to fluorescence detector. St John’s Wort (SJW) (500mg/kg) was given intraperitonially 3 h prior to completion of 72 h of nicotine withdrawal period. Behavioral analysis in SJW administered NW mice showed attenuation in nicotine abstinence signs (shaking, scratching, chewing and facial tremors) and locomotor activity when compared with respective controls. NW mice showed decrease in plasma TRP, brain TRP and 5-HT concentrations while increase in 5-HT turnover and corticosterone concentrations as compared to respective controls. SJW administrated NW mice showed decrease in corticosterone levels and 5-HT turnover while plasma TRP, brain TRP and 5-HT synthesis were increased when compared with similarly treated saline injected group. Our findings warrant SJW’s therapeutic efficacy to alleviate nicotine withdrawal associated depression by virtue of its ability to improve serotonergic activity by increasing brain TRP, 5-HT concentrations and decreased turnover.