scholarly journals Health Benefits Related to Tree Nut Consumption and Their Bioactive Compounds

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5960
Author(s):  
Teresa Gervasi ◽  
Davide Barreca ◽  
Giuseppina Laganà ◽  
Giuseppina Mandalari

Long-term studies with regular tree nut consumption have indicated positive outcomes for multiple health benefits. Here, we review the beneficial effects of tree nuts, highlighting the impact on glucose modulation, body weight management, cardiovascular risk, inflammation, oxidative stress, cognitive performance, and gut microbiota. Nuts are important sources of nutrients and phytochemicals, which, together with a healthy lipid profile, could help prevent certain chronic diseases, protect against oxidative stress and inflammation, and improve cognitive performance, thus reducing the impact of aging and neurodegeneration.

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Annamaria Tisi ◽  
Marco Feligioni ◽  
Maurizio Passacantando ◽  
Marco Ciancaglini ◽  
Rita Maccarone

The blood retinal barrier (BRB) is a fundamental eye component, whose function is to select the flow of molecules from the blood to the retina and vice-versa, and its integrity allows the maintenance of a finely regulated microenvironment. The outer BRB, composed by the choriocapillaris, the Bruch’s membrane, and the retinal pigment epithelium, undergoes structural and functional changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness worldwide. BRB alterations lead to retinal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Several risk factors have been associated with AMD onset in the past decades and oxidative stress is widely recognized as a key factor, even if the exact AMD pathophysiology has not been exactly elucidated yet. The present review describes the BRB physiology, the BRB changes occurring in AMD, the role of oxidative stress in AMD with a focus on the outer BRB structures. Moreover, we propose the use of cerium oxide nanoparticles as a new powerful anti-oxidant agent to combat AMD, based on the relevant existing data which demonstrated their beneficial effects in protecting the outer BRB in animal models of AMD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Henrique Pereira Damasceno ◽  
Arthur Aguiar Amaral ◽  
Cecília Andrade Silva ◽  
Ana Cristina Simões e Silva

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic demanded a global effort towards quickly developing safe and effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Objective: This review aimed to discuss the main vaccines available, their mechanisms of action, results of clinical trials and epidemiological behavior. The implications of viral variants were also debated. Methods: A non-systematic literature review was performed between February and March 2021 by searching the Pubmed, Scopus, and SciELO databases, using different combinations of the following terms: "vaccines", "clinical trials" , "SARS-CoV-2", "Coronavirus", "COVID-19", "mechanisms of action". Data regarding clinical trials of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and epidemiological information were also searched. Results: The mechanisms of action included vector-virus, mRNA and inactivated virus vaccines. The vaccines showed positive results in phases 2/3 clinical trials. The efficacy of the mRNA 1273 and of mRNA BNT 162b2 vaccines were 94.1% and 95%, respectively. The effectiveness of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine varied according to the scheme, with an overall value of 70.4%. The Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine had an efficacy of 91.6%. Regarding the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine, 99% or more of seroconversion was observed in all subgroups 29 days after vaccination. The CoronaVac vaccine induced an immune response in 92% of the volunteers receiving 3ug and in 98% with 6ug, in comparison to 3% in the placebo group. Conclusion: Global efforts have resulted in vaccines available in record time, with good safety and immunogenicity profile. However, only long-term studies can provide more information on duration of immunity and the need for additional doses.


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 21547-21565 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. R. French ◽  
F. J. Mulligan

Abstract. Temperature profiles from two satellite instruments – TIMED/SABER and Aura/MLS – have been used to calculate hydroxyl-layer equivalent temperatures for comparison with values measured from OH(6-2) emission lines observed by a ground-based spectrometer located at Davis Station, Antarctica (68° S, 78° E). The profile selection criteria – <500 km from the ground station and solar zenith angles >97° – yielded a total of 2359 SABER profiles over 8 years (2002–2009) and 7407 MLS profiles over 5.5 years (2004–2009). The availability of simultaneous OH volume emission rate (VER) profiles from the SABER (OH-B channel) enabled an assessment of the impact of several different weighting functions in the calculation of OH-equivalent temperatures. The maximum difference between all derived hydroxyl layer equivalent temperatures was less than 3 K. Restricting the miss-distance and miss-time criteria showed little effect on the bias, suggesting that the OH layer is relatively uniform over the spatial and temporal scales considered. However, a significant trend was found in the bias between SABER and Davis OH of ~0.7 K/year over the 8-year period with SABER becoming warmer compared with the Davis OH temperatures. In contrast, Aura MLS exhibited a cold bias of 9.9 ± 0.4 K compared with Davis OH, but importantly, the bias remained constant over the 2004–2009 year period examined. The difference in bias behaviour of the two satellites has significant implications for multi-annual and long-term studies using their data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 2193-2197
Author(s):  
Oleksandr P. Volosovets ◽  
Tetyana O. Kryuchko ◽  
Viktor L. Veselskyi ◽  
Sergii P. Kryvopustov ◽  
Tetiana M. Volosovets ◽  
...  

The aim: Of the work was to study 25-year trends in the incidence of congenital anomalies in the child population of Ukraine in order to determine the impact of ecotoxic environmental factors on their development, in particular radiation. Materials and methods: Methods of statistical assessment, epidemiological analysis of materials at the Center for Medical Statistics of the MOH of Ukraine were used. Results: The rate of congenital anomalies growth for the recent 25 years has exceeded the growth rate of the total incidence in the child population of Ukraine by 1.6 times, occupying the leading place in Europe by the level of environment pollution. Over the last 25 years, the growth of the Ukrainian children’s congenital anomalies incidence level by 59.5% is observed, mostly in children from large industrial regions of Ukraine, due to the significant ecotoxic effect of pollutants on the child’s body. Children living permanently in the areas contaminated by the Chernobyl accident had significantly higher rates of congenital anomalies in 1986 than in the early 1990s, but over the recent 25 years the incidence in this contingent has decreased. Conclusions: The results of such long-term studies performed by a group of leading Ukrainian scientists from different regions of Ukraine indicate that in children experiencing negative effects of ecotoxic factors, including radiation, an increase in the detection and prevalence of congenital defects is observed, which requires complex international and intersectoral measures to prevent and reduce child mortality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 352-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Sowmya ◽  
P.S. Meenu ◽  
R. Asha Latha ◽  
Devendra Narain Singh

Over the years, the field of geotechnical engineering focused on physical, chemical and mechanical aspects of the geomaterials. However, recent developments in environmental geotechnics have highlighted the impact of biological processes on geo-materials and their performance. Also, the present day geotechnical problems favour biological interventions to develop eco-friendly and sustainable technology. In view of this, the present study is a preliminary investigation on the impact of microbial loading on fine-grained soils. In addition, a protocol has been developed to establish ‘bio-geo interface’ between bacteria and the geo-material. However, long term studies are demanded in this direction for in-depth understanding of the mechanism for development of prospective application.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2475
Author(s):  
Sanne Ahles ◽  
Yala R. Stevens ◽  
Peter J. Joris ◽  
David Vauzour ◽  
Jos Adam ◽  
...  

Cognitive decline is associated with lifestyle-related factors such as overweight, blood pressure, and dietary composition. Studies have reported beneficial effects of dietary anthocyanins on cognition in older adults and children. However, the effect of anthocyanin-rich Aronia melanocarpa extract (AME) on cognition is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of long-term supplementation with AME on cognitive performance, mood, and vascular function in healthy, middle-aged, overweight adults. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel study, 101 participants either consumed 90 mg AME, 150 mg AME, or placebo for 24 weeks. The grooved pegboard test, number cross-out test, and Stroop test were performed as measures for psychomotor speed, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Mood was evaluated with a visual analogue scale, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was determined, and vascular function was assessed by carotid ultrasounds and blood pressure measurements. AME improved psychomotor speed compared to placebo (90 mg AME: change = −3.37; p = 0.009). Furthermore, 150 mg AME decreased brachial diastolic blood pressure compared to 90 mg AME (change = 2.44; p = 0.011), but not compared to placebo. Attention, cognitive flexibility, BDNF, and other vascular parameters were not affected. In conclusion, AME supplementation showed an indication of beneficial effects on cognitive performance and blood pressure in individuals at risk of cognitive decline.


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 11439-11446 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. R. French ◽  
F. J. Mulligan

Abstract. Temperature profiles from two satellite instruments – TIMED/SABER and Aura/MLS – have been used to calculate hydroxyl-layer equivalent temperatures for comparison with values measured from OH(6-2) emission lines observed by a ground-based spectrometer located at Davis Station, Antarctica (68° S, 78° E). The profile selection criteria – miss-distance <500 km from the ground station and solar zenith angles >97° – yielded a total of 2359 SABER profiles over 8 years (2002–2009) and 7407 MLS profiles over 5.5 years (2004–2009). The availability of simultaneous OH volume emission rate (VER) profiles from the SABER (OH-B channel) enabled an assessment of the impact of several different weighting functions in the calculation of OH-equivalent temperatures. The maximum difference between all derived hydroxyl layer equivalent temperatures was less than 3 K. Restricting the miss-distance and miss-time criteria showed little effect on the bias, suggesting that the OH layer is relatively uniform over the spatial and temporal scales considered. However, a significant trend was found in the bias between SABER and Davis OH of ~0.7 K/year over the 8-year period with SABER becoming warmer compared with the Davis OH temperatures. In contrast, Aura/MLS exhibited a cold bias of 9.9 ± 0.4 K compared with Davis OH, but importantly, the bias remained constant over the 2004–2009 year period examined. The difference in bias behaviour of the two satellites has significant implications for multi-annual and long-term studies using their data.


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 933-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslava Straska ◽  
H. Gregory Waller

AbstractWe survey theoretical and empirical research on antitakeover provisions, focusing on the relation between antitakeover provisions and shareholder value. We divide the empirical studies based upon the evidence that they provide: short-term event studies, studies on performance and policy changes around adopting antitakeover provisions or passing state antitakeover laws, studies on the impact of antitakeover provisions on takeovers, studies on the relation between antitakeover provisions and firm characteristics, and long-term studies on the relation between antitakeover provisions and firm performance or policies. We also discuss the place of antitakeover provisions in the current debate about “good governance” practices.


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Rasmussen

SUMMARY MESSAGE: Some evidence exists for hawthorn extracts having beneficial effects when taken concurrently with optimal medication for the treatment of mild chronic heart failure, although further long-term studies involving large numbers of patients are needed. Evidence is less convincing for its efficacy in hypertension, angina, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias and other cardiac conditions. As with all herbal medicines, different hawthorn products vary in their pharmaceutical quality, and the implications of this for dosage, efficacy and safety should be considered.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document