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Editor's Choice : Effect of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Starch-Hydrocolloids Mixture on the Physical and Sensory Characteristics of Leavened Bread
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Abstract: During this study, different blends of taro starch-hydrocolloid were incorporated in yeast leavened bread and their effects were investigated. The specific volume, moisture content and slice shape of the bread were found to be improved by the addition of taro starch-guar gum blend. Taro starch-xanthan gum mixture was also found to be a good additive to improve specific volume, slice shape, crumb softness as well as sensory characteristics of bread. The study reveals taro starch-hydrocolloid blend can be utilized as a novel ingredient to improve the physical and sensory characteristics of leavened bread. Keywords: Taro starch, Hydrocolloids, Bread, Physical Properties, Sensory Properties.Download Full Article |
Editor's Choice : Cost Savings of Reduced Constipation Rates Attributed to Increased Dietary Fibre Intakes in Europe: A Decision-Analytic Model
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Abstract: Mounting evidence shows that functional constipation contributes to increased healthcare utilization, impairment in quality of life, and lost work productivity. Among those with functional constipation, relatively small dietary changes may alleviate symptoms and result in considerable constipation-related healthcare cost savings. The study objective was to estimate the economic impact of increased dietary fibre consumption on direct medical costs associated with constipation from a payer perspective. A decision-analytic spreadsheet model was created to perform the analysis. Literature searches identified sources for input parameters, including prevalence of functional constipation, dietary fibre intakes, proportion of the population meeting recommended intakes, and the percentage that would be expected to benefit from increased dietary fibre consumption. The model assumes that 25% of adults make no change in fibre intake, 25% increase intake by 3 g/day, 15% increase intake by 4 g/day, 25% increase intake by 5 g/day, and 10% increase intake by 11 g/day. A dose-response analysis of published data was conducted to estimate the percent reduction in constipation prevalence per 1 g/day increase in dietary fibre intake. Annual direct medical costs for constipation were derived from the literature and updated to 2014. Sensitivity analyses explored robustness of the model. Under base case assumptions, annual cost savings were estimated at ₤127,037,383 in the United Kingdom, €8,791,992 / ₤7,244,513 in Ireland, and €121,699,804 in Spain. Increasing dietary fibre consumption is associated with considerable cost savings, with these estimates being conservative given the exclusion of lost productivity costs in the model. Keywords: Constipation, public health, prevention, costs and cost analysis, dietary fibre.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Accuracy Assessment of Classical Isothermal Experiment in Drug Storage Period Studies
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Abstract: The purpose of this research was to assessment the effect of change of dissolved oxygen concentration on accuracy of classical isothermal experiment in ascorbic acid solution storage period studies. The experiments were performed at temperatures 35 ˚C, 40 ˚C, 45 ˚C and 50 ˚C, the apparent rate constant (kA) and the adjusted apparent rate constant (kA,A) were determined, respectively. By plotting lnkA and lnkA,A against 1/T resulted two lines, respectively. Then the apparent rate constant at 25 ˚C, kA,25˚C=5.168×10-4(mol×L-1×h-1) and the adjusted apparent rate constant at 25 ˚C, kA,A,25˚C=5.157×10-4(mol×L-1×h-1), was extrapolated, respectively. Both the calculated storage period of the experimented ascorbic acid solution were all 55h by kA,25˚C and kA,A,25˚C，respectively. The results suggested that the change of dissolved oxygen concentration has no effect on the accuracy of classical isothermal experiment in ascorbic acid solution storage period studies. Keywords: Classical isothermal experiment, accuracy, ascorbic acid, dissolved oxygen, storage period.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Adalimumab and Etanercept in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthropathies: Budget Impact Model of Dose Reduction
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Abstract: Objective:To assess the financial impact ofspacing out the administration intervals of adalimumab (ADA) and etanercept (ETN) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthropathies (SAP) in our work setting. Materials and method:A budget impact model (BIM) was developed to estimate the financial impact ofspacing out the usual administration intervals of ADA 40 mg every 2 weeks and ETN 50 mg weekly (scenario A) to ADA 40 mg every 3 weeks and ETN 50 mg every 2 weeks (scenario B), according to the guidelines and recommendations applied to these studies, specifying the target population, the study perspective, the time frame, and analysing the robustness of the study with a threshold univariate sensitivity analysis. Results:A total of 71 patients were included in the study.The application of a BIM showed annual savings for ADA and ETN of €19,784 and €38,271, respectively.The net cost, that is, the savings this entailed for the time frame considered (2 years), amounted to €116,110.The sensitivity analysis performed shows that the BIM estimated for the study period was very robust, as the net result in the different scenarios varied very little, remaining negative in the new scenarios. Conclusions:The BIM developed in the study shows the importance of the role of healthcare professionals in the context of sustainability of the healthcare system, where the model could generate large annual net savings for the different regional healthcare systems. Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Spondyloarthropathies, Budget impact analysis, Adalimumab, Etanercept, Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Anthropometric Characteristics and other Dietary Aspects of a Group of Spanish Women Looking for Weight Loss and Enrolled in a Weight Management Program
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Abstract: Overweight is a health problem characterised as a higher than normal body weight due to an abnormal increase in body fat. Body weight adequacy is categorised using body mass index (BMI), however other parameters as fat mass (FM), waist circumference or waist to hip ratio, are relevant. Ideally, body composition should be calculated initially to evaluate changes during a dietary intervention for weight loss. Hunger experience is another parameter to take into account in order to succeed. The aim was to investigate and describe the characteristics of women seeking weight loss solutions. We organised an open program for people with body excess who wanted to lose weight. 252 women participated and answered to a dietary interview. Anthropometric measures of weight, height, body mass index, body fat, waist and hip circumference were taken. The mean age was of 36.84±7.29 years, and most of them, about 90%, have followed dietary programs for weight loss throughout their lives. They all wanted to lose weight in a range of 3 to 20 kilograms with a mean value of 11.49±6.01 kilograms. 123 women had a hunger profile of satiating behaviour and 129 a snacking one. The mean BMI was within overweight values, and mean fat mass was within obesity values. Waist and hip circumference were higher than normal in most of the participants and excess body weight perception and attitude were different. There is a need to tackle overweight and obesity individually, taking into account personal consciousness and expectancy, anthropometric measures and hunger experience. Keywords: Overweight, body mass index, fat mass, waist, hip, hunger, satiety.Download Full Article |