Fluids Intake and Beverage Consumption Pattern among University Students

Background: Insufficient and inappropriate daily fluid intake in a long period may have adverseeffect on human's health. Therefore, the present study evaluated the amounts and sources of fluidsconsumed by university students to determine whether these amounts and sources of fluid wereenough and appropriate.Methods: In this descriptive study, 245 (142 females and 103 males) volunteer students of TabrizUniversity of Medical Sciences in 2009 were recruited. Food and fluid intake of subjects were assessedby 24-hour recall method of 3 days (two week days and one week- end included). Dietaryintake of subjects was analyzed by Nutritionist III software program. The mean total fluid intake(drinking fluid values merged with data on the water content of foods) and the rate of metabolicwater were figured out. Comparisons of the results with recommended dietary values were madeusing student's t-test.. Data of dietary intakes for two under-reporter female subjects were notincluded in the statistical analysis.Results: Daily total mean of fluid intake for girls (1598±40ml) and boys (1861±59ml) reflect thesum of beverages (Girls, 818±29ml; boys, 1147±57ml) and food water (Girls, 780±47ml; boys,714±86m). The most consumed beverage for girls and boys were water (40%) and tea (49%)respectively. Daily mean intake of milk for girls and boys were 106.31±10ml (13%) and57.30±11ml (5%), respectively.Conclusion: The mean daily fluid intake of subjects, specially water, and milk was lower than recommendedvalues. Therefore, there is an urgent need for tailored nutrition intervention targetingthe young adults to improve their beverage choices

Impact of Vitamin E Supplementation on Blood Pressure and Hs-CRP in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health problem worldwide.Hypertension and inflammation are well recognized as risk factors for the macrovascular complicationsof diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of vitamin E supplementationon blood pressure (BP), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fasting bloodglucose in patients with T2DM.Methods: In a double blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 83 patients with T2DM weredivided randomly into two groups of vitamin E (400 mg/d, n=42) and placebo (n=41). All patientsreceived the pearls for 8 weeks. Baseline and eighth week BP, serum hs-CRP, fasting bloodglucose, anthropometric and dietary intake data were obtained from each patient. Data were analyzedusing SPSS version 11.5.Results: Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased serum levels of vitamin E (P <0.001) and decreased mean arterial pressure and fasting blood glucose (P = 0.047, P = 0.028, respectively)in vitamin E group as compared with placebo group. A significant decrease in systolicblood pressure and diastolic blood pressure was observed in the vitamin E group comparing withbaseline values (all P < 0.01). There were no significant changes in serum hs-CRP in both of thestudied groups.Conclusion: Vitamin E had beneficial effects on serum vitamin E, BP and blood glucose in patientswith T2DM. Improvement in BP and glucose control may contribute to reducing complicationsof diabetes including cardiovascular risk in these patients

Effect of different brewing times on antioxidant activity and polyphenol content of loosely packed and bagged black teas (Camellia sinensisL.)

Objective: Determination and comparison of the effect of infusion time on the antioxidant activity and total polyphenol contents of bagged and loosely packed black teas. Materials and Methods: For twenty loosely packed and eleven bagged tea samples, the antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content were analyzed using FRAP and Folin-Ciocalteau methods, respectively. The ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The antioxidant activity and polyphenol content of various brands of tea samples were significantly different. There were significant differences in the antioxidant activity of loosely packed teas between 5, 15(p=0.03), 30(p=0.02) and 60(p=0.007) minutes of brewing times. Besides, there was a significant difference in antioxidant activity of bagged samples infused for 1 minute with four other infusion time points (

Protein adsorption onto nanomaterials for the development of biosensors and analytical devices: A review

An important consideration for the development of biosensors is the adsorption of the biorecognition element to the surface of a substrate. As the first step in the immobilization process, adsorption affects most immobilization routes and much attention is given into the research of this process to maximize the overall activity of the biosensor. The use of nanomaterials, specifically nanoparticles and nanostructured films, offers advantageous properties that can be fine-tuned to maximize interactions with specific proteins to maximize activity, minimize structural changes, and enhance the catalytic step. In the biosensor field, protein-nanomaterial interactions are an emerging trend that span across many disciplines. This review addresses recent publications about the proteins most frequently used, their most relevant characteristics, and the conditions required to adsorb them to nanomaterials. When relevant and available, subsequent analytical figures of merits are discussed for selected biosensors. The general trend amongst the research papers allows concluding that the use of nanomaterials has already provided significant improvements in the analytical performance of many biosensors and that this research field will continue to grow.Fil: Bhakta, Samir A.. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Evans, Elizabeth. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Benavidez, Tomás Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Garcia, Carlos D. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina. University of Texas; Estados Unido