Bioactive Contents, Antioxidant Activities, and Storage Stability of Commercially-Sold Baobab Fruit (Adansonia digitata L) Juice in Malawi

Baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata L) is rich in micronutrients and bioactive compounds, which are vital for healthy living. Boabab juice are produced locally and stored under different storage conditions in Malawi. However, storage of baobab juice under certain conditions can lead to degradation of its bioactive compounds. This study therefore investigated the bioactive compounds in Commercial baobab juice (CBJ) in Malawi, and determined the stability of the compounds under different storage conditions. The organic acids, flavan-3-ol aglycones, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of the CBJ were determined using standard methods. The stability of the bioactive compounds in CBJ were determined in the samples stored at 6, 15 and 30 ⁰C for 49 days. The ferric reducing antioxidant power of CBJ was 71.27±.04 TEAC/100 g FW, and the ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) was 112.62± 0.45 mg TEAC/100 g FW. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was 80.94 ± 0.72 %. CBJ bioactive compounds are stable at 15 ⁰C, and contains high concentrations of total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activities and procyanidin B2 . In conclusion, commercially sold baobab juice in Malawi is rich in bioactive compounds and have high antioxidant properties, thus, regular consumption of the juice can improve the health and wellbeing of Malawians. Information provided in this study will provide consumers with nutritional profile of CBJ and help juice processors establish adequate storage conditions for the juice

Investigating outcome inequalities in osteoarthritis management programmes: an analysis of registry data from the good life with osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) programme using tapered balancing

Purpose: The burden of osteoarthritis (OA) is often greater among disadvantaged people and communities, prompting calls for more attention to equity-focussed research and policy. A specific concern is whether healthcare interventions may inadvertently widen health inequalities. OA management programmes (OAMP) have emerged in the past decade in a major international effort to improve provision of core non-surgical care for people with OA. Recent studies have focussed on equity of access. We address a complementary issue: having gained access, do people from socially disadvantaged groups have poorer outcomes than their advantaged counterparts, and if so, what might determine this? Methods: The study population was consecutive adults with knee OA attending the 8-week GLA:D® supervised exercise and education programme in Denmark between Oct 2014-Feb 2018. We defined a ‘multiple social disadvantage’ group based on primary/secondary school education and being either born outside Denmark or not having Danish citizenship. Their outcomes were compared with those of native Danish citizens with higher education. Outcomes of interest were pain intensity (0-100 VAS), KOOS Quality of Life subscale (QOL 0-100), EQ-5D-5L health utility (-0.624-1.0) at 3 and 12 months. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation with chained equations. We used Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM) to restrict group comparisons to areas of common support, i.e. sufficient overlap on key prognostic factors (age, sex, body mass index, baseline value of the outcome measure of interest). We then used Entropy Balancing to sequentially control for differences between disadvantaged and advantaged groups in: (1) baseline value of the outcomes of interest (2) type of treatment centre, enrollment year (3) age, sex (4) BMI, previous knee injury, previous knee surgery (5) no. of selected comorbidities, no. of other non-knee pain sites (6) self-efficacy score, self-reported presence of depression (7) previous/current tailored exercise advice, weight loss counselling, analgesia/natural remedies (8) attendance at GLA:D® education and exercise sessions. Mean differences in outcomes between disadvantaged and advantaged groups were then estimated by weighted linear regression without balancing and then with entropy balancing weights from steps 1-8. Results: Of 18,448 eligible participants, 250 (1.4%) were classed as disadvantaged. Compared with advantaged participants, they were younger, less likely to have attended GLA:D® in a private physiotherapy clinic, reported more comorbidity, pain sites, depression, lower self-efficacy, and lower attendance on GLA:D® sessions. Both groups showed overall improvements over baseline in mean pain VAS, KOOS QOL and EQ5D scores at 3 months, typically maintained at 12 months. Before covariate balancing, disadvantaged participants had substantially worse scores than advantaged participants on each measure at both follow-up points (e.g. crude between-group mean differences (95%CI) in pain VAS at 12 months: 8.6 (4.5, 12.6) respectively: Table 1). Balancing for differences on baseline score, comorbidity, self-efficacy, and depression had the greatest effect on reducing differences in outcomes. Conclusions: Both disadvantaged and advantaged adults with knee OA reported improvements in key outcomes up to 12 months after OAMP attendance. However, compared with more advantaged adults, disadvantaged adults typically began the OAMP with more severe pain and poorer quality of life. This gap in outcomes was not reduced following OAMP attendance: for generic health-related quality of life in particular the gap widened slightly. Low self-efficacy, depression and other comorbidities may be potential determinants. Our analysis is of observed outcomes in a relatively small group with multiple disadvantage attending one OAMP. We encourage further work in other settings and groups. If confirmed, our findings suggest that while improving access to OAMPs for socially disadvantaged people with OA is important, additional actions may be needed to reduce outcome inequalities

Designing a physical activity parenting course : parental views on recruitment, content and delivery

Background Many children do not engage in sufficient levels of physical activity (PA) and spend too much time screen-viewing (SV). High levels of SV (e.g. watching TV, playing video games and surfing the internet) and low levels of PA have been associated with adverse health outcomes. Parenting courses may hold promise as an intervention medium to change children’s PA and SV. The current study was formative work conducted to design a new parenting programme to increase children’s PA and reduce their SV. Specifically, we focussed on interest in a course, desired content and delivery style, barriers and facilitators to participation and opinions on control group provision. Methods In-depth telephone interviews were conducted with thirty two parents (29 female) of 6–8 year olds. Data were analysed thematically. An anonymous online survey was also completed by 750 parents of 6–8 year old children and descriptive statistics calculated. Results Interview participants were interested in a parenting course because they wanted general parenting advice and ideas to help their children be physically active. Parents indicated that they would benefit from knowing how to quantify their child’s PA and SV levels. Parents wanted practical ideas of alternatives to SV. Most parents would be unable to attend unless childcare was provided. Schools were perceived to be a trusted source of information about parenting courses and the optimal recruitment location. In terms of delivery style, the majority of parents stated they would prefer a group-based approach that provided opportunities for peer learning and support with professional input. Survey participants reported the timing of classes and the provision of childcare were essential factors that would affect participation. In terms of designing an intervention, the most preferred control group option was the opportunity to attend the same course at a later date. Conclusions Parents are interested in PA/SV parenting courses but the provision of child care is essential for attendance. Recruitment is likely to be facilitated via trusted sources. Parents want practical advice on how to overcome barriers and suggest advice is provided in a mutually supportive group experience with expert input

Versatile Aggressive Mimicry of Cicadas by an Australian Predatory Katydid

Background: In aggressive mimicry, a predator or parasite imitates a signal of another species in order to exploit the recipient of the signal. Some of the most remarkable examples of aggressive mimicry involve exploitation of a complex signal-response system by an unrelated predator species. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have found that predatory Chlorobalius leucoviridis katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) can attract male cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) by imitating the species-specific wing-flick replies of sexually receptive female cicadas. This aggressive mimicry is accomplished both acoustically, with tegminal clicks, and visually, with synchronized body jerks. Remarkably, the katydids respond effectively to a variety of complex, species-specific Cicadettini songs, including songs of many cicada species that the predator has never encountered. Conclusions/Significance: We propose that the versatility of aggressive mimicry in C. leucoviridis is accomplished by exploiting general design elements common to the songs of many acoustically signaling insects that use duets in pairformation. Consideration of the mechanism of versatile mimicry in C. leucoviridis may illuminate processes driving the evolution of insect acoustic signals, which play a central role in reproductive isolation of populations and the formation of species

Effects of Hylan G-F 20 supplementation on cartilage preservation detected by magnetic resonance imaging in osteoarthritis of the knee: a two-year single-blind clinical trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although viscosupplementation is an effective symptomatic treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA), the effect of longer term administration on articular cartilage has not been fully explored. We examined the effect of viscosupplementation with Hylan G-F 20 on knee cartilage over 2 years in patients with knee OA.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this prospective, single-blind, parallel control group pilot study, 78 patients with symptomatic knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II and III) were assigned to either intervention group (n = 39 receiving 4 courses of 3 × 2.0 ml of intra-articular Hylan G-F 20 injections at 6 month intervals) or control group (n = 39 receiving usual care for knee OA without injections). Magnetic resonance imaging of the study knee was performed at baseline, 12 and 24 months. Cartilage volume and defects were assessed using validated methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fifty-five subjects (71%) completed 24 month follow up. Over 24 months, the intervention group had a reduced annual percentage rate of medial and lateral tibial cartilage volume loss (mean ± SD, -0.3 ± 2.7% and -1.4 ± 4.3%) compared with the control group (2.3 ± 2.6% and 1.4 ± 2.6%, P = 0.001 and 0.005 for difference, respectively). The intervention group also showed reduced cartilage defect score increment in the medial tibiofemoral compartment (0.1 ± 1.3) compared with the control group (0.8 ± 1.5, P = 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Six monthly intra-articular injections of Hylan G-F 20 administered to patients with symptomatic knee OA have a beneficial effect on knee cartilage preservation measured by both cartilage volume and cartilage defects. Hylan G-F 20 warrants further evaluation in larger clinical trials as a possible disease-modifying agent in the treatment of knee OA.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (<a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00393393">NCT00393393</a>).</p

Ecological implications of a flower size/number trade-off in tropical forest trees

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Longitudinal seroepidemiologic study of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection among health care workers in a children's hospital

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To probe seroepidemiology of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) among health care workers (HCWs) in a children's hospital.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From August 2009 to March 2010, serum samples were drawn from 150 HCWs in a children's hospital in Taipei before the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, before H1N1 vaccination, and after the pandemic. HCWs who had come into direct contact with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) patients or their clinical respiratory samples during their daily work were designated as a high-risk group. Antibody levels were determined by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay. A four-fold or greater increase in HAI titers between any successive paired sera was defined as seroconversion, and factors associated with seroconversion were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 150 HCWs, 18 (12.0%) showed either virological or serological evidence of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection. Of the 90 unvaccinated HCWs, baseline and post-pandemic seroprotective rates were 5.6% and 20.0%. Seroconversion rates among unvaccinated HCWs were 14.4% (13/90), 22.5% (9/40), and 8.0% (4/50) for total, high-risk group, and low-risk group, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed being in the high-risk group is an independent risk factor associated with seroconversion.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The infection rate of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in HCWs was moderate and not higher than that for the general population. The majority of unvaccinated HCWs remained susceptible. Direct contact of influenza patients and their respiratory samples increased the risk of infection.</p

Influence of arthritis and non-arthritis related factors on areal bone mineral density (BMDa) in women with longstanding inflammatory polyarthritis: a primary care based inception cohort

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this analysis was to determine the relative influence of disease and non-disease factors on areal bone mineral density (BMD_a) in a primary care based cohort of women with inflammatory polyarthritis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Women aged 16 years and over with recent onset inflammatory polyarthritis were recruited to the Norfolk Arthritis Register (NOAR) between 1990 and 1993. Subjects were examined at both baseline and follow up for the presence of tender, swollen and deformed joints. At the 10^thanniversary visit, a sub-sample of women were invited to complete a bone health questionnaire and attend for BMD_a(Hologic, QDR 4000). Linear regression was used to examine the association between BMD_awith both (i) arthritis-related factors assessed at baseline and the 10^thanniversary visit and (ii) standard risk factors for osteoporosis. Adjustments were made for age.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>108 women, mean age 58.0 years were studied. Older age, decreasing weight and BMI at follow up were all associated with lower BMD_aat both the spine and femoral neck. None of the lifestyle factors were linked. Indices of joint damage including 10^thanniversary deformed joint count and erosive joint count were the arthritis-related variables linked with a reduction in BMD_aat the femoral neck. By contrast, disease activity as determined by the number of tender and or swollen joints assessed both at baseline and follow up was not linked with BMD_aat either site.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Cumulative disease damage was the strongest predictor of reduced femoral bone density. Other disease and lifestyle factors have only a modest influence.</p

Contributions of high- and low-quality patches to a metapopulation with stochastic disturbance

© The Author(s), 2010. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Theoretical Ecology 5 (2012): 167-179, doi:10.1007/s12080-010-0106-9.Studies of time-invariant matrix metapopulation models indicate that metapopulation growth rate is usually more sensitive to the vital rates of individuals in high-quality (i.e., good) patches than in low-quality (i.e., bad) patches. This suggests that, given a choice, management efforts should focus on good rather than bad patches. Here, we examine the sensitivity of metapopulation growth rate for a two-patch matrix metapopulation model with and without stochastic disturbance and found cases where managers can more efficiently increase metapopulation growth rate by focusing efforts on the bad patch. In our model, net reproductive rate differs between the two patches so that in the absence of dispersal, one patch is high quality and the other low quality. Disturbance, when present, reduces net reproductive rate with equal frequency and intensity in both patches. The stochastic disturbance model gives qualitatively similar results to the deterministic model. In most cases, metapopulation growth rate was elastic to changes in net reproductive rate of individuals in the good patch than the bad patch. However, when the majority of individuals are located in the bad patch, metapopulation growth rate can be most elastic to net reproductive rate in the bad patch. We expand the model to include two stages and parameterize the patches using data for the softshell clam, Mya arenaria. With a two-stage demographic model, the elasticities of metapopulation growth rate to parameters in the bad patch increase, while elasticities to the same parameters in the good patch decrease. Metapopulation growth rate is most elastic to adult survival in the population of the good patch for all scenarios we examine. If the majority of the metapopulation is located in the bad patch, the elasticity to parameters of that population increase but do not surpass elasticity to parameters in the good patch. This model can be expanded to include additional patches, multiple stages, stochastic dispersal, and complex demography.Financial support was provided by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Academic Programs Office; National Science Foundation grants OCE-0326734, OCE- 0215905, OCE-0349177, DEB-0235692, DEB-0816514, DMS- 0532378, OCE-1031256, and ATM-0428122; and by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Sea Grant College Program Office, Department of Commerce, under Grant No. NA86RG0075 (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant Project No. R/0-32), and Grant No. NA16RG2273 (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant Project No. R/0-35)