Oats are a rich source of β-glucan, a viscous, soluble fibre recognised for its cholesterol-lowering properties, and are associated with reduced risk of CVD. Our objective was to conduct a systematic ...review and meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials (RCT) investigating the cholesterol-lowering potential of oat β-glucan on LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and apoB for the risk reduction of CVD. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. We included RCT of ≥3 weeks of follow-up, assessing the effect of diets enriched with oat β-glucan compared with controlled diets on LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol or apoB. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed study quality and risk of bias. Data were pooled using the generic inverse-variance method with random effects models and expressed as mean differences with 95 % CI. Heterogeneity was assessed by the Cochran's Q statistic and quantified by the I 2-statistic. In total, fifty-eight trials (n 3974) were included. A median dose of 3·5 g/d of oat β-glucan significantly lowered LDL-cholesterol (-0·19; 95 % CI -0·23, -0·14 mmol/l, P<0·00001), non-HDL-cholesterol (-0·20; 95 % CI -0·26, -0·15 mmol/l, P<0·00001) and apoB (-0·03; 95 % CI -0·05, -0·02 g/l, P<0·0001) compared with control interventions. There was evidence for considerable unexplained heterogeneity in the analysis of LDL-cholesterol (I 2=79 %) and non-HDL-cholesterol (I 2=99 %). Pooled analyses showed that oat β-glucan has a lowering effect on LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and apoB. Inclusion of oat-containing foods may be a strategy for achieving targets in CVD reduction.
We applied the Framingham risk equation in healthy, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes populations, following treatment with viscous fibre from konjac-based blend (KBB). KBB yielded reduction in ...estimated risk score by 16% (1.04 ± 0.03 vs. 0.87 ± 0.04, p < 0.01) in type 2 diabetes, 24% (1.08 ± 0.01 vs. 0.82 ± 0.02, p < 0.01) in metabolic syndrome, and 25% (1.09 ± 0.05 vs. 0.82 ± 0.06, p < 0.01) in healthy individuals. Drivers for decreased risk were improvements in blood cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. The composite coronary heart disease risk across populations was reduced 22% (p < 0.01).
Novelty
Viscous fibre from konjac-xanthan reduced 10-year relative coronary heart disease using Framingham Risk Score across the glycemic status spectrum.
In this study, a series of 14 Cu (II), Zn (II), Ni (II) and Ag (I) complexes containing bis-benzimidazole derivatives were successfully designed and synthesized from 2-(1
-benzimidazole-2-yl)-phenol ...derivatives and corresponding metal salt solutions. The compound structures were identified by FT-IR,
H-NMR, powder X-ray diffraction and ESI-MS analyses, and the presence of the metal in the complexes was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and ICP optical emission spectrometry. Electronic structure calculations were also carried out to describe the detailed structures in addition to the electronic absorption spectra of the ligands. The cytotoxic activity of the complexes was evaluated against three human cancer cell lines: lung (A549), breast (MDA-MB-231) and prostate (PC3) cancer cells. All complexes inhibited anti-proliferative cancer cells better than free ligands, especially Zn (II) and Ag (I) complexes, which are most sensitive to MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, showing the growth inhibition of three cancer cell lines with IC
< 10.4 µM, complexes
,
and
could be considered potential multi-targeted anti-cancer agents.
Abstract
Context
Current dietary guidelines for cardiovascular disease risk management recommend restricting intake of saturated fatty acids (SFAs). However, the optimal macronutrient profile, in the ...context of a low‐SFA diet, remains controversial. The blood-pressure effect of replacing SFAs in diets with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) compared with carbohydrate has not been quantified to date.
Objective
To synthesize the evidence for the effect of substituting a high-carbohydrate (high-CHO) diet for a high-monounsaturated fatty acid (high-MUFA) diet on blood pressure, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials in a population without health restrictions was conducted.
Data Sources
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials were searched through June 7, 2017. Randomized controlled trials of > 3 weeks duration that assessed the effect of high-MUFA diets in isocaloric substitution for high-CHO diets on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were included.
Data Extraction
Data were pooled using the generic-inverse variance method with random effects models and expressed as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran Q statistic and quantified by the I2 statistic. The quality of the evidence was assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system.
Results
Fourteen trials (n = 980 participants) were included in the analysis. Comparatively, the high-MUFA diets in isocaloric substitution for high-CHO diets did not demonstrate a greater reduction in blood pressure (SBP: MD, −0.08 mmHg 95%CI, −1.01 to 0.84, P = 0.86; DBP: MD = 0.01 mmHg 95%CI, −0.73 to 0.75, P = 0.98). The overall quality of the evidence was assessed as moderate.
Conclusions
In the context of low SFAs, high-MUFA diets in isocaloric substitution for high-CHO diets did not affect blood pressure in individuals with and without hypertension. Large-scale trials achieving higher MUFA targets are required to support these findings.
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02626325.
Vietnam's agricultural production depends heavily on natural conditions such as land, weather and irrigation water. Due to the impacts of climate change, the Central Highlands and the South-Central ...Coast region, Vietnam often suffer from prolonged drought conditions, wilting many crops such as coffee, apple grapes, pepper causing damage big socio-economy, affecting people's lives. According to the survey results of the Central Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI), over 73% of farmers irrigate water for crops, wasting water resources and increasing production costs. Therefore, the research for advanced irrigation technology, can determine the appropriate amount of irrigation water, at the right time for each type of crop, thereby saving the maximum amount of irrigation water but still ensuring productivity and capacity increase. In this study, we will develop methods, models and designs smart, economical irrigation systems using humidity sensors to regulate the amount of irrigation water sufficiently and at the right time by solar energy. We have designed a soil moisture sensor system using wireless sensor networks technology for remote control for watering enough and at the right time to supply crops. The Soil Moisture Sensor (Soil Moisture Sensor with accuracy: 0 ∼ 50% (m3/m3) within ± 4% of working voltage: DC 3 - 5V. Average current <10 mA) with forecast time is about 1 ∼ 60 minutes/time and operation time without solar power > 16 hours. Moreover, we have built a process of smart watering technology based on the Soil Moisture Sensor system and remote control for vine in Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam for the Vine farm 1000 m2. The system has been tested in reality in vine research area in Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam for the Vine farm with 1000 m2. The system includes automatic sensors connected to the central controller and the pump is simplified by buttons on the electrical cabinet or on the phone application, making it convenient for the farmer to operate and apply.
Magnetic nanomaterials with emergent physical and chemical properties have paid much attention, however, their synthesis pathways are still a challenge. In this study, we described a simple method ...for the synthesis of graphene oxide-decorated magnetic nanoparticles GO@MFe2O4 (M = cobalt, manganese and nickel metal sites) from ferrites MFe2O4 via complex polymerization method and graphene oxide via Hummer's method. The structure of GO@MFe2O4 were characterized by several physicochemical techniques, such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), point of zero charge (pHpzc) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated a spinel-like structure of GO@MFe2O4 with high porosity and surface area, along with strong saturation magnetization, which can become a potential candidate for various applications.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is considered the most important intervention for HIV-positive patients; thus, encouraging the use of and adherence to ART are vital to HIV treatment outcomes. Advances ...in web and mobile technologies hold potential in supporting HIV treatment management.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a theory-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention on health behaviors and HIV treatment adherence among patients with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam.
We performed a randomized controlled trial on 425 HIV patients in two of the largest HIV clinics in Hanoi, Vietnam. Both the intervention group (238 patients) and the control group (187 patients) received regular consultations with doctors and then participated in 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits. Patients in the intervention group received a theory-driven smartphone app to facilitate medication adherence and self-efficacy in HIV patients. Measurements were developed based on the Health Belief Model, which included the visual analog scale of ART Adherence, HIV Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale, and HIV Symptom Management Self-Efficacy Scale. We also included the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess patients' mental health throughout treatment.
In the intervention group, the adherence score increased significantly (β=1.07, 95% CI .24-1.90) after 1 month, whereas the HIV adherence self-efficacy was significantly higher after 3 months (β=2.17, 95% CI 2.07-2.27) compared to the control group. There was a positive but low level of change in risk behaviors such as drinking, smoking, and drug use. Factors related to positive change in adherence were being employed and having stable mental well-being (lower PHQ-9 scores). Factors associated with self-efficacy in treatment adherence and symptom management were gender, occupation, younger age, and having no other underlying conditions. A longer duration of ART increased treatment adherence but decreased self-efficacy in symptom management.
Our study demonstrated that the mHealth app could improve the overall ART adherence self-efficacy of patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to support our findings.
Thai Clinical Trials Registry TCTR20220928003; https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20220928003.
Background The BRAF.sup.V600E gene encodes for the mutant BRAF.sup.V600E protein, which triggers downstream oncogenic signaling in thyroid cancer. Since most currently available methods have focused ...on detecting BRAF.sup.V600E mutations in tumor DNA, there is limited information about the level of BRAF.sup.V600E mRNA in primary tumors of thyroid cancer, and the diagnostic relevance of these RNA mutations is not known. Methods Sixty-two patients with thyroid cancer and non-malignant thyroid disease were included in the study. Armed with an ultrasensitive technique for mRNA-based mutation analysis based on a two step RT-qPCR method, we analysed the expression levels of the mutated BRAF.sup.V600E mRNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of thyroid tissues. Sanger sequencing for detection of BRAF.sup.V600E DNA was performed in parallel for comparison and normalization of BRAF.sup.V600E mRNA expression levels. Results The mRNA-based mutation detection assay enables detection of the BRAF.sup.V600E mRNA transcripts in a 10,000-fold excess of wildtype BRAF counterparts. While BRAF.sup.V600E mutations could be detected by Sanger sequencing in 13 out of 32 malignant thyroid cancer FFPE tissue samples, the mRNA-based assay detected mutations in additionally 5 cases, improving the detection rate from 40.6 to 56.3%. Furthermore, we observed a surprisingly large, 3-log variability, in the expression level of the BRAF.sup.V600E mRNA in FFPE samples of thyroid cancer tissue. Conclusions The expression levels of BRAF.sup.V600E mRNA was characterized in the primary tumors of thyroid cancer using an ultrasensitive mRNA-based mutation assay. Our data inspires further studies on the prognostic and diagnostic relevance of the BRAF.sup.V600E mRNA levels as a molecular biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of various genetic and malignant diseases. Keywords: Thyroid cancer, BRAF mutation, mRNA mutation assay, Diagnosis
The
family of viruses encompasses a group of pathogens with a zoonotic potential as observed from previous outbreaks of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory ...syndrome coronavirus. Accordingly, it seems important to identify and document the coronaviruses in animal reservoirs, many of which are uncharacterized and potentially missed by more standard diagnostic assays. A combination of sensitive deep sequencing technology and computational algorithms is essential for virus surveillance, especially for characterizing novel- or distantly related virus strains. Here, we explore the use of profile Hidden Markov Model-defined Pfam protein domains (Pfam domains) encoded by new sequences as a
sequence classification tool. The encoded domains are used first in a triage to identify potential
sequences and then processed using a Random Forest method to classify the sequences to the
genus level. The application of this algorithm on
genomes assembled from agnostic deep sequencing data from surveillance of bats and rats in Dong Thap province (Vietnam) identified thirty-four
and eleven
genomes. This collection of bat and rat coronaviruses genomes provided essential information on the local diversity of coronaviruses and substantially expanded the number of coronavirus full genomes available from bat and rats and may facilitate further molecular studies on this group of viruses.
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