The influence of cooked grated African walnut on the nutritional composition, antioxidant and sensorial properties of a cookie snack

Emphasis has significantly been placed on the production of functional foods and the utilization of indigenous food crops in the management of some diet-related non-communicable diseases. This study included African walnut in the production of a cookie snack, and the effect of the inclusion on its nutritional, antioxidant and sensory quality was assessed. The inclusion of cooked grated walnut in the cookie caused a significant increase in crude protein (2.67%), fat (2.57%), fiber 91.17%), TPC (2.97 mgGAE/g db), DPPH (1.44 µmol TE/gdb) except for total starch, in-vitro protein, and starch digestibility. This resulted in nutrient-dense cookies, rich in antioxidants with a low estimated glycemic index, suitable for people with non-communicable pathophysiological conditions. Considering the sensory scores, walnut enriched cookies were accepted by the consumers comparably with the wheat flour cookies. Hence, walnut enriched cookies may be adequate in promoting health-related functions, while satisfying consumer’s urge for snacking.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wcsc20hj2023Consumer ScienceFood Scienc

Positive therapeutic role of selected foods and plant on ailments with a trend towards COVID-19 : a review

Each day since December 2019, increasing numbers of cases of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection are being detected as it spreads throughout all continents of the world except Antarctica. The virus is transmitted through contact with an infected environment or person, and the symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The healthcare systems of many countries are overwhelmed due to limited therapeutic options and the absence of an approved vaccine. Due to its poor healthcare systems, Africa may be the worst hit continent if other therapeutic alternatives are not explored. This review explores the source and origin of the COVID-19 infection, and alternative therapeutic options derived from available and cheap medicinal foods and plants that have been shown to alleviate similar infections. The results demonstrate the inhibitory activities of selected food crops and plants against human viruses similar to the novel COVID-19.https://www.pnfs.or.krpm2022Consumer Scienc

Physicochemical properties, anti-nutritional and bioactive constituents, in vitro digestibility, and techno-functional properties of bioprocessed whole wheat flour

This study investigated the impact of bioprocessing techniques (germination, solid-state fermentation, the combination of germination, and solid-state fermentation) on the physicochemical properties, anti-nutritional and bioactive constituents, in vitro digestibility, and techno-functional properties of whole wheat grains were investigated. Bioprocessed whole wheat flour (WWF) samples and the raw flour (control) were prepared using standard procedures. Proximate, anti-nutritional, mineral and amino acid (AA) compositions, protein digestibility, antioxidant activities, starch characteristics, and techno-functional properties were studied using standard methods. The bioprocessing methods increased (p ≤ 0.05) the protein (13.37–16.84 g/100 g), total dietary fiber, mineral constituents, resistant starch (7.19–9.87 g/100 g), slowly digestible starch, phenolic content, antioxidant activities (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity), most AAs, and protein digestibility. Also observed were decreases (p ≤ 0.05) in rapidly digestible starch, phytic acid, tannin, and trypsin inhibitor activity. The adopted bioprocessing techniques modified the thermal, functional, color, and pasting properties of the WWF and resulted in molecular interactions in some functional groups, as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, compared to the raw flour. The combination of germination and fermentation improved the physicochemical (titratable acidity = 4.93%), protein (16.84/100 g) and starch digestibility (resistant starch = 9.87%), antioxidant (FRAP = 78.90 mg/GAE/100 g), and mineral contents (calcium = 195.28 mg/100 g), modified the pasting (peak viscosity = 90.34 RVU), thermal (peak temperature = 64.82°C), and color properties of WWF with reduced anti-nutritional factors. The combination of these processing techniques could serve as a natural and low-cost technique for the modification of whole wheat functionality and subsequently as an improved functional ingredient during food product development

Application and Acceptability of Microbiomes in the Production Process of Nigerian Indigenous Foods: Drive towards Responsible Production and Consumption

In Nigeria, the use of microorganisms for food product modulation, development, and commercialization through biotechnological innovations remains unexplored and unaccepted. The microbiome-based sustainable innovation in the production process of Nigerian indigenous food requires a vigorous drive toward responsible consumption and pro�duction. The production process of locally fermented beverages and foods culturally varies in terms of fermentation tech�niques and is characterized by the distinctiveness of the microbiomes used for food and beverage production. This review was conducted to present the use of microbiome, its benefits, and utility as well as the perspectives toward and media�tory roles of biotechnology on the processing of locally fermented foods and their production in Nigeria. With the current concerns on global food insecurity, the utilization of modern molecular and genetic sciences to improve various rural food processing technologies to acceptable foreign exchange and socioeconomic scales has been gaining attention. Thus, further research on the various types of processing techniques for locally fermented foods using microbiomes in Nigeria is needed, with a focus on yield optimization using advanced techniques. This study demonstrates the adaptability of processed foods locally produced in Nigeria for the beneficial control of microbial dynamics, optimal nutrition, therapeutic, and organoleptic characteristics

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Ameliorative effect of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya leaves on hyper-cholesterolemic rats: The egg yolk induced model

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading killers in the world today, and hyperlipidemia is one of the main risk factors. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia is rising dramatically worldwide and is mostly felt in poorer nations. The majority of communities and individuals in Africa are known to turn to ethnomedicine for their medical requirements. The tropical plant Carica papaya, which is grown for its edible, ripe fruit in Africa, was used in folk medicine for treatment of cardiovascular issues as well as a number of serious illnesses. This study assessed the anticholesterolemic property of the ethanolic extracts of Carica papaya leaves, adapting the egg yolk-induced hyperlipidaemia model in Wistar albino rats. This study prepared egg yolk to induce hyperlipidaemia in the Wistar rats, then treated some groups with the extract of Carica papaya leaves, and other groups with the standard drug Fenofibrate. The Wistar rats in the control group were given 2% acacia instead of egg yolk. The total cholesterol, triglycerides, as well as biological and haematological parameters, were determined. The Carica papaya leaves extracts significantly (p 250 mg/kg > Fenofibrate (2.29 mg/kg) > 500 mg/kg. With the potential efficacy of Carica papaya leaves extract in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and, as a result, cardiovascular diseases, more research on bioactive molecule isolation/characterisation for pharmaceutical use or incorporation into functional food products for CVD management is required

Healthcare Diagnosis Support System for Detection of Heart Disease in a Patient using Machine Leaming Methods

One of the most considerable investigative areas has remained the applications area of medical advancement. The early warning method for heart  disease (HD) is one of these medical technologies. The goal of a healthcare diagnosis support system (HDSS) is to diagnose HD at an early stage  such that the diagnosis can be streamlined, advanced cases stopped, and care costs can be minimized. A machine learning (ML) HDSS for heart  disease identification is obtainable in this study, and it is capable of obtaining and learning information from each patient's experimental data  automatically. The authors employed a dimensionality reduction technique autoencoder (AE) with three ML classifiers detection of HD. The HD  dataset employed for the HDSS was collected from the National Health Service (NHS) database. The result was evaluated using the confusion matrix  performance measures such as accuracy, specificity, detection rate, Fl score, and precision. The result shows that NB+Autoencoder outperformed  the other two classifiers with an accuracy of 57.2% and 55.4 precision.&nbsp

The in-vitro starch digestibility, pasting and antioxidant properties of the composite flour from cassava root and tigernut seed

ABSTRACTThis study determines the influence of tigernut flour incorporation into fermented cassava flour on the starch digestibility, functional attributes, pasting behaviour, and antioxidant properties of composite flour. The composite flour formulations are cassava flour to tigernut flour ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 together with 100% fermented cassava flour and 100% tigernut flour as control. The flour samples were evaluated for their functional properties, pasting behaviour, in vitro starch digestibility, total phenolic content, and radical scavenging activity. There was a significant reduction in water absorption capacity (2% to 16%) and swelling capacity (9% to 58%) of the composite flour. The inclusion of tigernut also resulted in reduction in the viscosity of the cassava-tigernut composite blends. However, the composite flours exhibited higher total phenolic content and enhanced radical scavenging activity. Compositing fermented cassava flour with tigernut flour may help improve the health of the consumer when processed