Reversing Breast Cancer in a Premenopausal Woman: A Case for Phyto-Nutritional Therapy
Pages 25-39
Steve Yap

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2015.04.01.4

Published: 08 April 2015

Abstract: Globally, breast cancer incidence increases at 1% to 2% annually. It is the number one cause of cancer death in women. Current literature implies that soy food intake is linked to decreased risk of breast cancer due to its rich isoflavones. On the other hand, intake of animal fat, red meat, organ meat and high-fat dairy products during premenopausal years may increase risk for this cancer, but no apparent risk has been established for fish or poultry intake. Monounsaturated fat and the improved ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids have showed potential to reduce risk. On the other hand, high glycemic index diet but not glycemic load is associated with a significantly increased risk. Central rather than general obesity carries similar risk. Furthermore, lifestyle rather than genetic differences are widely implicated in breast cancer. A comprehensive phyto-nutritional therapy was adopted for treating a case involving stage IV breast cancer in a premenopausal woman, who was turned away by a hospital offering conventional treatment. The therapy involved designing and monitoring the implementation of dietary plans to achieve optimum health outcomes for the major abnormal metabolic blood/urine markers identified for this particular patient. Nutrient-dense food items with generous servings of a variety of spices and herbs, supplemented by vitamins, minerals and phyto-extracts was prescribed as part of the therapy. Many non-toxic dietary nutrients and phytonutrients are known cytotoxic agents promoting cancer regression via apoptosis pathways, which have yet to be fully understood. Conclusion: The complete remission of the malignancy initiated by this natural therapy would suggest that an advanced stage breast cancer is a metabolic disorder reversible by an evidence-based phyto-nutritional therapy. While not all cases of malignancy can possibly be completely reversed, the positive outcome achieved in partnership with the patient warrants further study involving larger number of women with similar level of malignancy.

Biospecific Affinity Chromatography: Computational Modelling via Lattice Boltzmann Method and Influence of Lattice-Based Dimensionless Parameters 
Pages 40-50
Dayane C.G. Okiyama, Eliana S. Kamimura and José A. Rabi

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2015.04.01.5

Published: 08 April 2015

Abstract: Based on a dynamic (i.e. time-dependent) one-dimensional approach, this work applied lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) to computationally model biospecific affinity chromatography (BAC). With governing equations expressed in lattice-based dimensionless form, LBM was implemented in D1Q2 lattice by assigning particle distribution functions to adsorbate concentration in both fluid and solid phases. The LBM simulator was firstly tested in view of a classic BAC work on lysozyme and the streaming step relating to adsorbate concentration in the solid-phase was suppressed from the LBM code with no loss of functionality. Expected behaviour of breakthrough curves was numerically reproduced and the influence of lattice-based dimensionless parameters was examined. The LBM simulator was next applied so as to assess lattice-based dimensionless parameters regarding an experimental BAC work on lipase.

Health and Wellness Product from Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) Rind: Bioactive Potentials
Pages 111-120
Shashirekha M. Nanjarajurs, Shylaja M. Dharmesh, Shivaleela V. Bhimangouder, Mallikarjuna S. Eswaraiah and Rajarathnam Somasundaram

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2014.03.04.1

Published: 06 January 2015

Abstract: Mangosteen rind (MSR) (Garcinia mangostana L.) is a predominant component of the fruit contributing to 62% of the whole fruit. However, utilization of the same for the preparation of health products was not explored due to its sensorially less acceptable parameters. Differential extraction in different polarity solvents of MSR was done and evaluated their acceptability for product preparation.Current study thus is a detailed investigation on bioactivity profiling of MSR fraction and utilization of the same for health product preparation. Among various extracts, 70% ethanol (70%AE) yielded the maximum (15g/100g). Xanthone:Phenolic ratio was 1: 2.8, in 70%AE as opposed to hot water extract – HWE and 50% AE, which contained Xanthone:Phenolic ratio of 1:1.4/5. Higher the phenolic content obviously reduces the bitterness of Xanthones. 70% AE contained phenolics 60.08± 0.213 mg/g and xanthones 22.56± 0.317 mg/g. HPLC analysis revealed a spectrum of phenolic acids such as gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, epicatechin, catechin and ferulic acids at various levels. Potent Free Radical Scavenging (FRS) activity, cytoprotectivity, DNA protectivity, H⁺K⁺ATPase inhibitory (PPAI) activities were observed in 70% AE. Gallic/tannic acid appear to contribute to antioxidant activity; while ferulic acid was responsible for PPAI activity in 70%AE. Among xanthones, although α- mangostin was the dominating component, gartanin, 8 deoxygartanin and 3-isomangostin contributed to FRS activity. The products were prepared from 70%AE which are sensorially acceptable. Data thus for the first time delineate the specific health beneficial role of both phenolic and xanthone constituents in MSR particularly with higher abundance of phenolics than xanthones.

Facile and Novel Strategy for Methods of Extraction of Biofuel Grade Lipids from Microalgae- an Experimental Report
Pages 121-127
Edachery Baldev, Davoodbasha MubarakAli, Masilamani Dhivya, Mahalingam Kanimozhi, Thajuddin Shakena-Fathima, Naiyf S. Alharbi, Chinnathambi Arunachalam, Sulaiman Ali Alharbi and Nooruddin Thajuddin

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2014.03.04.2

Published: 06 January 2015

Abstract: The structural features of microalgal cell make it too difficult to extract the total lipid content of the cell as such. Thus, the cell disruption before lipid extraction becomes mandatory and has to be cost-effective. In the present study various methods and combination of few methods were adopted for effective extraction inorder to choose the most effective cell disruption method for the complete extraction of lipids from a selected indigenous freshwater isolate, Scenedesmus sp. NTEB03. Interestingly, we found that grinding and bead-beating method showed two fold increased lipid productivity (23.2%) than the other methods tested. Biomass and lipid productivity of Scenedesmus sp., was found to be 0.0418 g L^-1 d^-1 and 4.3 mg L^-1 d^-1 respectively. Fatty acid profiles revealed that oleic (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) content being higher in the lipids, which are most appropriate for the biodiesel production. A novel strategy for most effective, simple method for cell disruption in Scenedesmus sp., was grinding/bead-beating, which is the most suitable method for complete extraction of biofuel grade lipids.

Comparison between Phage-ELISA and Phage Dot-Blot Assay Methods for the Detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and its Antibodies in Human Serum
Pages 128-135
Geok Hun Tan and Wen Siang Tan

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2014.03.04.3

Published: 06 January 2015

Abstract: A modified phage-enzyme link immunosorbent assay (phage-ELISA) and a phage dot-blot assay specific for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its antibody were developed by using phage display technology. The phage-ELISA and phage dot-blot assays enabled to detect HBsAg and anti-HBsAg in human sera, and compatible to commercial detection kit. The fusion phages were immobilized onto microtiter plate wells and nitrocellulose membrane sheets, then blocked with 10% milk diluent, and added with human serum at dilution of 1:5000. The absorbance at 405 nm was determined once the colour changes formed. The same human serum also applied on the commercial diagnostic kit for comparison. The statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA and T Test (LSD) for variable comparison between phage-ELISA and phage dot-blot assays. Based on these studies, the phage-ELISA was found to be more sensitive compared to phage dot-blot assay as the detection of HBsAg in human sera was about 80% as compared to 51.7% by using phage dot-blot assay. Meanwhile, the sensitivity for detection of anti-HBsAg by using phage-ELISA was slightly higher which showed about 83.3%. However, the sensitivity of the assay was dropped almost half when using phage dot-blot assay. Therefore, they are practical to be used as a reliable alternative way for the detection HBsAg and its antibody in human sera.