Effect of cinnamon powder addition to a Portuguese custard tart (Pastel de Nata) on healthy adults' postprandial glycemia

Background and Objective: Cinnamon is a spice used over the years in cooking to impart aromatic, flavor and taste properties to food and beverages. Moreover, cinnamon has been used for its medicinal properties due to its potential phenolic content, which can protect against cardio-metabolic diseases. Previous studies reported an improvement of postprandial glycemia after addition of cinnamon powder to a high-sugar meal. The study aims at investigating the effect of adding cinnamon powder to a Portuguese custard tart (Pastel de Nata) on the postprandial glycemic response in healthy subjects. Subjects and Methods: After review board and Ethic Committee of the State approval, thirty-two healthy human subjects were assigned in a controlled study and randomly allocated into 2 groups: 16 subjects ingested a custard tart with cinnamon powder (cinnamon group) and 16 subjects ingested a custard tart alone (control group). Blood glucose concentrations were measured before interventions and after 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. Chemical analysis was performed to quantify the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Results: The postprandial blood glucose (PBG) area under the curve (AUC) was significantly lower (p = 0.0005) in the cinnamon group (599.2 ± 9.1) compared to the AUC of the control group (645.7 ± 7.7). The administration of cinnamon powder to the custard tarts slightly decreased PBG mean values compared to custard tart without cinnamon powder, although it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.273). Cinnamon addition to custard tart improved the total phenolic content (1278.7 ± 0.7 compared to 253.7 ± 22.8 mg/L gallic acid) and antioxidant properties, increasing 4.4 times the capacity of free-radical scavenger compared with custard tart without cinnamon (IC50). Conclusion: The addition of cinnamon powder to custard tart could be beneficial to glycemic control

OBTENCIÓN DE SULFATO DE POTASIO A PARTIR DE YESO Y CLORURO DE POTASIO EN SOLUCIÓN AMONIACAL

En este trabajo de investigación, se realizó el estudio de dos tipos de yeso, uno proveniente de las canteras de minas en Macuro (estado Sucre) y el otro de España, con la finalidad de hacerlo reaccionar con cloruro de potasio (KCI) en solución acuosa amoniacal para obtener sulfato de potasio (K2SO 4). Para ello se realizó la caracterización de las muestras, donde el yeso de España demostró poseer un alto contenido de ión sulfato (S04=), en comparación a la muestra de Macuro. Posteriormente se realizaron los cálculos necesarios para llevar a cabo la reacción en un reactor por carga con agitación continua; favoreciendo la formación y precipitación de sulfato de potasio, el cual fue separado por filtración, lavado y secado. El estudio consistió en determinar cual yeso ofrece el mejor rendimiento de sulfato de potasio, para luego realizar una comparación que permita obtener los resultados que favorezcan en forma facti ble un proceso para la fabricación de sulfato de potasio. La reacción se llevo a cabo fijando la temperatura en 5 °C, velocidad de agitación en 400 rpm, exceso de yeso en un 20% p/p. Las variables estudiadas fueron: concentración inicial de amoniaco, y relación de yeso a solución amoniacal. Los resultados revelan que el yeso de España presento valores más prometedores que la muestra de Macuro, obteniéndose que para una re lación de yeso a solución  amoniacal 1:5 p/p y concentración inicial de amoniaco de 32% p/p se alcanzó un 80, 15% de rendimiento contra un 53,49% alcanzado por el yeso de Macuro.   PALABRAS CLAVES: Yeso, sulfato de potasio, solución amoniacal.   ABSTRACT   This research paper reports on the comparative study oftwo gypsum samples, one from the Macuro quarries in the state of Sucre, and another from Spain, to ascertain the better potassium sulfa te yield. The samples were characterized, the Spanish gypsum revealing a higher sulfate ion (S0 4·) content than the one from Macuro. They were made to react with potassium chloride in an aqueous ammonia solution to produce potassium sulfate, which was then filtered, washed; and dried. The reaction was carried out in a continuous stirred tank reactor. The conditions were a temperature of 5° C, a churning speed of 400 rpm, anda 20% stoichiometric excess of gypsum. The variables considered were the initial ammonia concentration and the gypsum to ammonia solution ratio. The Spanish gypsum bore an 80.15% sulfate yield against a 53.49% yield of the Macuro material for a 1 :5 gypsum to ammonia solution weight ratio and an initial ammonia concentration of32wt%.   KEY WORDS: Gypsum, potassium sulfate, ammonia solutio

Bioelectric fields and some medical applications- Review

Con las investigaciones de Emil Du Bois-Reymond, uno de los fundadores de la electrofisiología, se dio inicio a la era de la bioelectricidad. DuBois documentó en detalle actividades eléctricas asociadas con excitación nerviosa, contracción muscular y procesos de cicatrización. En la actualidad es reconocido que los campos eléctricos (CE) están presentes en los organismos vivos y que direccionan e influyen procesos biológicos como la embriogénesis, regeneración y cicatrización de heridas. Diversos estudios han demostrado como los CE interfieren en la biosíntesis y la migración celular, dando lugar a nuevas estrategias para la reparación de ligamentos y regeneración de tejidos. En la actualidad las corrientes y CE biológicos suministran información necesaria para diversos tipos de diagnósticos y tratamientos. En este trabajo se hace una revisión de algunos estudios realizados alrededor de la generación de campos bioeléctricos endógenos, sus sustratos biológicos y aplicaciones médicas.The era of bioelectricity began with the investigations of Emil Du Bois-Reymond, one of the founders of electrophysiology. DuBois documented in detail electrical activities associated with nerve excitation, muscle contraction and healing processes. It is currently recognized that electric fields (EFs) are present in living organisms and that they direct and influence biological processes such as embryogenesis, regeneration and wound healing. Several studies have shown how EFs interfere with biosynthesis and cell migration, leading to new strategies for repairing ligaments and for tissue regeneration. At present, biological EFs and currents provide information needed for different types of diagnoses and treatments. This paper reviews some studies focused on the generation of endogenous bioelectric fields, their biological substrates and medical applications

Increased obesity-associated circulating levels of the extracellular matrix proteins Osteopontin, Chitinase-3 Like-1 and Tenascin C are associated with colon cancer

Excess adipose tissue represents a major risk factor for the development of colon cancer with inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling being proposed as plausible mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity can influence circulating levels of inflammation-related extracellular matrix proteins in patients with colon cancer (CC), promoting a microenvironment favorable for tumor growth. Methods Serum samples obtained from 79 subjects [26 lean (LN) and 53 obese (OB)] were used in the study. Enrolled subjects were further subclassified according to the established diagnostic protocol for CC (44 without CC and 35 with CC). Anthropometricmeasurements as well as circulating metabolites and hormoneswere determined. Circulating concentrations of the ECM proteins osteopontin (OPN), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), tenascin C (TNC) and lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) were determined by ELISA. Results Significant differences in circulating OPN, YKL-40 and TNC concentrations between the experimental groups were observed, being significantly increased due to obesity (P<0.01) and colon cancer (P<0.05). LCN-2 levels were affected by obesity (P<0.05), but no differences were detected regarding the presence or not of CC. A positive association (P<0.05) with different inflammatorymarkers was also detected.Conclusions To our knowledge, we herein show for the first time that obese patients with CC exhibit increased circulating levels of OPN, YKL-40 and TNC providing furtherevidence for the influence of obesity on CC development via ECM proteins, representing promising diagnostic biomarkers or target molecules for therapeutics

Aqueous batteries as grid scale energy storage solutions

Energy storage technologies are required to make full use of renewable energy sources, and electrochemical cells offer a great deal flexibility in the design of energy systems. For large scale electrochemical storage to be viable, the materials employed and device production methods need to be low cost, devices should be long lasting and safety during operation is of utmost importance. Energy and power densities are of lesser concern. For these reasons, battery chemistries that make use of aqueous electrolytes are favorable candidates where large quantities of energy need to be stored. Herein we describe several different aqueous based battery chemistries and identify some of the research challenges currently hindering their wider adoption. Lead acid batteries represent a mature technology that currently dominates the battery market, however there remain challenges that may prevent their future use at the large scale. Nickel–iron batteries have received a resurgence of interest of late and are known for their long cycle lives and robust nature however improvements in efficiency are needed in order to make them competitive. Other technologies that use aqueous electrolytes and have the potential to be useful in future large-scale applications are briefly introduced. Recent investigations in to the design of nickel–iron cells are reported with it being shown that electrolyte decomposition can be virtually eliminated by employing relatively large concentrations of iron sulfide in the electrode mixture, however this is at the expense of capacity and cycle life

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Improved risk stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation: an integrated GARFIELD-AF tool for the prediction of mortality, stroke and bleed in patients with and without anticoagulation.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an accurate, web-based tool for stratifying patients with atrial fibrillation to facilitate decisions on the potential benefits/risks of anticoagulation, based on mortality, stroke and bleeding risks. DESIGN: The new tool was developed, using stepwise regression, for all and then applied to lower risk patients. C-statistics were compared with CHA2DS2-VASc using 30-fold cross-validation to control for overfitting. External validation was undertaken in an independent dataset, Outcome Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (ORBIT-AF). PARTICIPANTS: Data from 39 898 patients enrolled in the prospective GARFIELD-AF registry provided the basis for deriving and validating an integrated risk tool to predict stroke risk, mortality and bleeding risk. RESULTS: The discriminatory value of the GARFIELD-AF risk model was superior to CHA2DS2-VASc for patients with or without anticoagulation. C-statistics (95% CI) for all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism and haemorrhagic stroke/major bleeding (treated patients) were: 0.77 (0.76 to 0.78), 0.69 (0.67 to 0.71) and 0.66 (0.62 to 0.69), respectively, for the GARFIELD-AF risk models, and 0.66 (0.64-0.67), 0.64 (0.61-0.66) and 0.64 (0.61-0.68), respectively, for CHA2DS2-VASc (or HAS-BLED for bleeding). In very low to low risk patients (CHA2DS2-VASc 0 or 1 (men) and 1 or 2 (women)), the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED (for bleeding) scores offered weak discriminatory value for mortality, stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding. C-statistics for the GARFIELD-AF risk tool were 0.69 (0.64 to 0.75), 0.65 (0.56 to 0.73) and 0.60 (0.47 to 0.73) for each end point, respectively, versus 0.50 (0.45 to 0.55), 0.59 (0.50 to 0.67) and 0.55 (0.53 to 0.56) for CHA2DS2-VASc (or HAS-BLED for bleeding). Upon validation in the ORBIT-AF population, C-statistics showed that the GARFIELD-AF risk tool was effective for predicting 1-year all-cause mortality using the full and simplified model for all-cause mortality: C-statistics 0.75 (0.73 to 0.77) and 0.75 (0.73 to 0.77), respectively, and for predicting for any stroke or systemic embolism over 1 year, C-statistics 0.68 (0.62 to 0.74). CONCLUSIONS: Performance of the GARFIELD-AF risk tool was superior to CHA2DS2-VASc in predicting stroke and mortality and superior to HAS-BLED for bleeding, overall and in lower risk patients. The GARFIELD-AF tool has the potential for incorporation in routine electronic systems, and for the first time, permits simultaneous evaluation of ischaemic stroke, mortality and bleeding risks. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362) and for ORBIT-AF (NCT01165710)

Two-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation: results from GARFIELD-AF.

AIMS: The relationship between outcomes and time after diagnosis for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is poorly defined, especially beyond the first year. METHODS AND RESULTS: GARFIELD-AF is an ongoing, global observational study of adults with newly diagnosed NVAF. Two-year outcomes of 17 162 patients prospectively enrolled in GARFIELD-AF were analysed in light of baseline characteristics, risk profiles for stroke/systemic embolism (SE), and antithrombotic therapy. The mean (standard deviation) age was 69.8 (11.4) years, 43.8% were women, and the mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.3 (1.6); 60.8% of patients were prescribed anticoagulant therapy with/without antiplatelet (AP) therapy, 27.4% AP monotherapy, and 11.8% no antithrombotic therapy. At 2-year follow-up, all-cause mortality, stroke/SE, and major bleeding had occurred at a rate (95% confidence interval) of 3.83 (3.62; 4.05), 1.25 (1.13; 1.38), and 0.70 (0.62; 0.81) per 100 person-years, respectively. Rates for all three major events were highest during the first 4 months. Congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, sudden/unwitnessed death, malignancy, respiratory failure, and infection/sepsis accounted for 65% of all known causes of death and strokes for <10%. Anticoagulant treatment was associated with a 35% lower risk of death. CONCLUSION: The most frequent of the three major outcome measures was death, whose most common causes are not known to be significantly influenced by anticoagulation. This suggests that a more comprehensive approach to the management of NVAF may be needed to improve outcome. This could include, in addition to anticoagulation, interventions targeting modifiable, cause-specific risk factors for death. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362