Comparison of fatty acid profile and mineral content of black mulberry (Morus nigra), white mulberry (Morus alba) and red mulberry (Morus rubra) grown in Bahrain

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordAvailability of data and materials: Data available within the article or its supplementary materials.Mulberries are a rich source of many nutrients and have various health-promoting benefits. Nevertheless, their growth conditions can influence their nutritional composition and thus their benefits. Thus, this study examines the fatty acid profile and mineral content of three mulberry varieties: black (Morus nigra L.), white (Morus alba L.), and red (Morus rubra L.) grown in Bahrain for the first time. Fatty acid analysis, using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), revealed that linoleic acid (C18:2n6) and palmitic acid (C16:0) were the primary fatty acids present in mulberry fruits, while minor fatty acids varied among the cultivars. Black mulberries exhibited a composition of 33.08 % saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and 66.92 % unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), while red mulberries had 34.48 % SFAs and 66.52 % UFAs, and white mulberry had 27.15 % SFAs and 72.85 % UFAs. The mineral content analysis using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) revealed variations in the content of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) among the mulberry varieties. Black mulberries displayed the highest levels of Mg (706.67 mg/100 g), Fe (31.33 mg/100 g), Na (1406 mg/100 g), K (4161.33 mg/100 g), and Ca (1008.67 mg/100 g). Mulberries reported moderate levels of Mg (442.33 mg/100 g), Fe (45.6 mg/100 g), Na (635.68 mg/100 g), K (3278 mg/100 g), and Ca (583.1 mg/100 g). These findings indicate that black mulberries exhibit a superior mineral content across all parameters, whereas red mulberry has lower levels among the three varieties

Effect of Systemic Hypertension With Versus Without Left Ventricular Hypertrophy on the Progression of Atrial Fibrillation (from the Euro Heart Survey).

Hypertension is a risk factor for both progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) and development of AF-related complications, that is major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). It is unknown whether left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) as a consequence of hypertension is also a risk factor for both these end points. We aimed to assess this in low-risk AF patients, also assessing gender-related differences. We included 799 patients from the Euro Heart Survey with nonvalvular AF and a baseline echocardiogram. Patients with and without hypertension were included. End points after 1 year were occurrence of AF progression, that is paroxysmal AF becoming persistent and/or permanent AF, and MACCE. Echocardiographic LVH was present in 33% of 379 hypertensive patients. AF progression after 1 year occurred in 10.2% of 373 patients with rhythm follow-up. In hypertensive patients with LVH, AF progression occurred more frequently as compared with hypertensive patients without LVH (23.3% vs 8.8%, p = 0.011). In hypertensive AF patients, LVH was the most important multivariably adjusted determinant of AF progression on multivariable logistic regression (odds ratio 4.84, 95% confidence interval 1.70 to 13.78, p = 0.003). This effect was only seen in male patients (27.5% vs 5.8%, p = 0.002), while in female hypertensive patients, no differences were found in AF progression rates regarding the presence or absence of LVH (15.2% vs 15.0%, p = 0.999). No differences were seen in MACCE for hypertensive patients with and without LVH. In conclusion, in men with hypertension, LVH is associated with AF progression. This association seems to be absent in hypertensive women

Progression From Paroxysmal to Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. Clinical Correlates and Prognosis

Objectives: We investigated clinical correlates of atrial fibrillation (AF) progression and evaluated the prognosis of patients demonstrating AF progression in a large population. Background: Progression of paroxysmal AF to more sustained forms is frequently seen. However, not all patients will progress to persistent AF. Methods: We included 1,219 patients with paroxysmal AF who participated in the Euro Heart Survey on AF and had a known rhythm status at follow-up. Patients who experienced AF progression after 1 year of follow-up were identified. Results: Progression of AF occurred in 178 (15%) patients. Multivariate analysis showed that heart failure, age, previous transient ischemic attack or stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypertension were the only independent predictors of AF progression. Using the regression coefficient as a benchmark, we calculated the HATCH score. Nearly 50% of the patients with a HATCH score >5 progressed to persistent AF compared with only 6% of the patients with a HATCH score of 0. During follow-up, patients with AF progression were more often admitted to the hospital and had more major adverse cardiovascular events. Conclusions: A substantial number of patients progress to sustained AF within 1 year. The clinical outcome of these patients regarding hospital admissions and major adverse cardiovascular events was worse compared with patients demonstrating no AF progression. Factors known to cause atrial structural remodeling (age and underlying heart disease) were independent predictors of AF progression. The HATCH score may help to identify patients who are likely to progress to sustained forms of AF in the near future. \ua9 2010 American College of Cardiology Foundation

Colonic perforation in a child with crohn\u2019s disease: successful medical treatment can rescue from colectomy.

Background: The challenging treatment of penetrating paediatric Crohn\u2019s disease (CD) involves pharmacological and surgical approaches [1 122]. Despite a proved efficacy of anti-TNF agents for treatment of complex fistula, a large number of patients cannot achieve a complete healing and relapses during the follow-up [3]. Specific aim: We report a paediatric case with CD and colonic perforation who was successfully treated with medical therapy only, including anti-TNFa. Case Report: During a colonoscopy performed on a 9 year old girl with CD, a perforation occurred in correspondence of the splenic flexure. A laparoscopic suture of the colonic wall was required. The formation of a peri-splenic and retro-colonic collection was then detected (US, enteric-CT), with concomitant appearance of fever and severe increase in the inflammation markers. Images also demonstrated a fistula connecting the colon to the collection. The girl was kept fasting and treated with total parenteral nutrition and antibiotic therapy. The dimensions of the collection decreased progressively at control images within two months. Treatment with infliximab was started according to the standard schedule, and after the third dose a US control showed disappearance of the collection and complete healing of the enteric fistula. Parenteral nutrition was progressively substituted with enteral feeding and no surgical treatments have been needed as yet. The girl is gaining weight and is maintaining good general conditions. Discussion: In pubertal children with CD, the option of an efficacious medical treatment to avoid a major surgical approach on the bowel (colectomy, ileostomy) is to be aimed for growth improvement. This approach requires a strictly monitored long-term follow-up. Reference(s) [1] Vermeire S, Van Assche G, Rutgeerts P. Review article: altering the natural histoty of Crohn\u2019s disease 12 evidence for and against current therapies. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2006; 25: 3 1212. [2] Gupta N, Bostrom AG, Kirschner BS, Ferry GD, Gold BD, Cohen SA, Winter HS, Baldassano RN, Abramson O, Smith T, Heyman MB. Incidence of stricturing and penetrating complications of Crohn\u2019s disease diagnosed in pediatric patients. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010; 16(4): 638 1244. [3] Gupta N, Cohen SA, Bostrom AG, Kirschner BS, Baldassano RN, Winter HS, Ferry GD, Smith T, Abramson O, Gold BD, Heyman MB. Risk factors for initial surgery in pediatric patients with Crohn\u2019s disease. Gastroenterology 2006; 130(4): 1069 1277