PMID: 

Ann Nutr Metab. 2017 ;70(4):277-285. Epub 2017 Jun 9. PMID: 28595182

Abstract Title: 

The Effect of Dietary Supplements Containing Green Tea, Capsaicin and Ginger Extracts on Weight Loss and Metabolic Profiles in Overweight Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplements containing green tea, capsaicin and ginger extracts on weight loss and metabolic profiles among overweight women.METHODS: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was implemented among 50 overweight women. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A received dietary supplements containing 125 mg green tea, 25 mg capsaicin and 50 mg ginger extracts (n = 25) group B received placebos (n = 25) twice with lunch and twice with dinner daily for 8 weeks.RESULTS: Compared with placebo, taking dietary supplements containing green tea, capsaicin and ginger resulted in a significant decrease in weight (-1.8± 1.5 vs. +0.4 ± 1.2 kg, respectively, p

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PMID: 

Intensive Care Med. 1989 ;15(5):290-5. PMID: 2504796

Abstract Title: 

High fat, low carbohydrate, enteral feeding lowers PaCO2 and reduces the period of ventilation in artificially ventilated patients.

Abstract: 

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of a high fat, low carbohydrate enteral feed with a standard isocaloric, isonitrogenous enteral feed on PaCO2 and ventilation time in patients with acute respiratory failure requiring artificial ventilation. 20 clinically stable patients requiring enteral feeding were randomized to either feed in a double-blind fashion. Initial ventilator standard settings were adjusted according to clinical state. Measurements including minute volume and arterial blood gases were made twice daily. Weaning was carried out according to set criteria. During the feeding period, PaCO2 just prior to weaning fell by 16% in the high fat group but increased by 4% in the standard feed group (p = 0.003). The high fat group spent a mean of 62 h less time on the ventilator (p = 0.006). A high fat, low carbohydrate enteral feed appears to be beneficial in patients undergoing artificial ventilation.

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PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar 27 ;21(7). Epub 2020 Mar 27. PMID: 32230811

Abstract Title: 

Role of Alcohol Drinking in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Abstract: 

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), increase as the population ages around the world. Environmental factors also play an important role in most cases. Alcohol consumption exists extensively and it acts as one of the environmental factors that promotes these neurodegenerative diseases. The brain is a major target for the actions of alcohol, and heavy alcohol consumption has long been associated with brain damage. Chronic alcohol intake leads to elevated glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and permanent neuronal damage associated with malnutrition. The relationship and contributing mechanisms of alcohol with these three diseases are different. Epidemiological studies have reported a reduction in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in individuals who drink low amounts of alcohol; low or moderate concentrations of ethanol protect againstβ-amyloid (Aβ) toxicity in hippocampal neurons; and excessive amounts of ethanol increase accumulation of Aβ and Tau phosphorylation. Alcohol has been suggested to be either protective of, or not associated with, PD. However, experimental animal studies indicate that chronic heavy alcohol consumption may have dopamine neurotoxic effects through the induction of Cytochrome P450 2E1 () and an increase in the amount ofα-Synuclein (αSYN) relevant to PD. The findings on the association between alcohol consumption and ALS are inconsistent; a recent population-based study suggests that alcohol drinking seems to not influence the risk of developing ALS. Additional research is needed to clarify the potential etiological involvement of alcohol intake in causing or resulting in major neurodegenerative diseases, which will eventually lead to potential therapeutics against these alcoholic neurodegenerative diseases.

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PMID: 

Int J Biol Macromol. 2020 Mar 10 ;153:600-607. Epub 2020 Mar 10. PMID: 32165203

Abstract Title: 

Effect of beta- and alpha-glucans on immune modulating factors expression in enterocyte-like Caco-2 and goblet-like LS 174T cells.

Abstract: 

Glucans are complex polysaccharides consisting of repeated units of d-glucose linked by glycosidic bonds. The nutritional contribution inα-glucans is mainly given by starch and glycogen while in β-glucans by mushrooms, yeasts and whole grains, such as barley and spelt well represented in the Mediterranean Diet. Numerous and extensive studies performed on glucans highlighted their marked anti-tumor, antioxidant and immunomodulatoryactivity. It has recently been shown that rather than merely being a passive barrier, the intestinal epithelium is an essential modulator of immunity. Indeed, epithelial absorptive enterocytes and mucin secreting goblet cells can produce specific immune modulating factors, driving innate immunity topathogens as well as preventing autoimmunity. Despite the clear evidence of the effects of glucans on immune system cells, there are only limited data about their effects on immune activity of mucosal intestinal cells strictly related to intestinal barrier integrity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of α and β glucans, alone or in combination with other substances with antioxidant properties, on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, on the expression of ROS-generating enzyme DUOX-2 and of the immune modulating factors Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α), Interleukin 1 β (IL-1β)and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in two intestinal epithelial cells, the enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells and goblet cell-like LS174T. In our research, the experiments were carried out incubating the cells with glucans for 18 h in culture medium containing 0.2% FBS and measuring ROS levels fluorimetrically as dihydrodichlorofluoresce diacetate (DCF-DA) fluorescence, protein levels of DUOX-2 by Western blotting and mRNA levels of, TNF-α, IL-1β and COX-2 by qRT-PCR. α and β glucans decreased ROS levels in Caco-2 and LS 174T cells. The expression levels of COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-1β were also reduced by α- and β-glucans. Additive effects on the expression of these immune modulating factors were exerted by vitamin C. In Caco-2 cells, the dual oxidase DUOX-2 expression is positively modulated by ROS. Accordingly, in Caco-2 or LS174T cells treated with α and β-glucans alone or in combinationwith Vitamin C, the decrease of ROS levels was associated with a reduced expression of DUOX-2. The treatment of cells with the NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitor apocynin decrease ROS, DUOX-2, COX-2, TNF-α and IL-1β levels indicating that NOX dependent ROS regulate the expression of immune modulating factors of intestinal cells. However, the combination of vitamin C, α and β-glucans with apocynin did not exert an additive effect on COX-2, TNF-α and IL-1β levels when compared with α-, β-glucans and Vitamin C alone. The present study showing a modulatory effect of α and β-glucans on ROS andon the expression of immune modulating factors in intestinal epithelial cells suggests that the assumption of food containing high levels of these substances or dietary supplementation can contribute to normal immunomodulatory function of intestinal barrier.

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PMID: 

J Pediatr Health Care. 2014 Nov-Dec;28(6):572-82; quiz 583-4. Epub 2014 Oct 18. PMID: 25441970

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D deficiency and acute lower respiratory infections in children younger than 5 years: identification and treatment.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) is a leading cause of childhood mortality. Research suggests that vitamin D deficiency (VDD) puts children at risk for ALRI. The purpose of this review is to examine ALRI and VDD in children 5 years and younger. Common etiologies, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of ALRI, and recommendations for vitamin D supplementation are summarized.METHOD: Databases were searched for studies investigating VDD and ALRI in children. Independent reviewers assessed the internal validity of the studies.RESULTS: Of 18 studies examined, VDD was found to be associated with increased risk or severity of ALRI in 13 studies; associations were not found in 4 studies. In one study it was found that high maternal vitamin D levels was associated with ALRI in infants.DISCUSSION: Vitamin D supplementation is a low-cost, low-risk intervention that providers should consider for children, especially those at high risk for ALRI. Practitioners should follow current recommendations when prescribing vitamin D supplementation for infants and children.

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PMID: 

PLoS One. 2013 ;8(11):e81120. Epub 2013 Nov 15. PMID: 24260547

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D status and community-acquired pneumonia: results from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and history of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 16,975 individuals (≥17 years) from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) with documented 25(OH)D levels. To investigate the association of 25(OH)D with history of CAP in these participants, we developed a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for demographic factors (age, sex, race, poverty-to-income ratio, and geographic location), clinical data (body mass index, smoking status, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, stroke, chronic kidney disease, neutropenia, and alcohol consumption), and season. Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) was used to depict the relationship between increasing 25(OH)D levels and the cumulative frequency of CAP in the study cohort.RESULTS: The median [interquartile range (IQR)] serum 25(OH)D level was 24 (IQR 18-32) ng/mL. 2.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-2.3] of participants reported experiencing a CAP within one year of their participation in the national survey. After adjusting for demographic factors, clinical data, and season, 25(OH)D levels

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PMID: 

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009 Oct ;44(10):981-8. PMID: 19746437

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D deficiency in young children with severe acute lower respiratory infection.

Abstract: 

RATIONALE: Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) is one of the most common reasons for hospitalization and intensive care unit admission among children. Season related decreases in the immunomodulatory molecule, vitamin D, remain an unexplored factor that might contribute to the increased occurrence of ALRI in children.OBJECTIVE: To investigate a possible association between vitamin D deficiency and respiratory infection by comparing serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in a group of young children with ALRI to an age-matched group without respiratory infection.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis or pneumonia (n = 55 or 50, respectively), as well as control subjects without respiratory symptoms (n = 92), were recruited at the Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada from November 2007 to May 2008. 25(OH)D levels were measured in patient serum using a competitive enzyme linked immunoassay.RESULTS: The mean vitamin D level for the entire ALRI group was not significantly different from the control group (81 +/- 40 vs. 83 +/- 30 nmol/L, respectively). The mean vitamin D level for the ALRI subjects admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (49 +/- 24 nmol/L) was significantly lower than that observed for both control (83 +/- 30 nmol/L) and ALRI subjects admitted to the general pediatrics ward (87 +/- 39 nmol/L). Vitamin D deficiency remained statistically related to pediatric intensive care unit admission in the multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION: No difference was observed in vitamin D levels between the entire ALRI group and control groups; however, significantly more children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with ALRI were vitamin D deficient. These findings suggest that the immunomodulatory properties of vitamin D might influence ALRI disease severity.

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PMID: 

Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jan ;97(1):e9060. PMID: 29505508

Abstract Title: 

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and pulmonary infection in children.

Abstract: 

We assessed the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among Chinese children.This observational study examined children aged 3 days to 14 years (n = 1582) from the Capital Institute of Pediatrics in 2009 to 2011. There were 797 children in the CAP group and 785 controls. The CAP group was divided into 2 groups: a pneumonia group and pneumonia-induced sepsis group. The serum 25(OH)D level was estimated using micro whole blood chemiluminescence.The average serum 25(OH)D level in all samples was 25.32 ± 14.07 ng/mL, with the CAP group showing a lower value than the control group (P 

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PMID: 

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi. 2013 Jul ;15(7):519-21. PMID: 23866270

Abstract Title: 

[Correlation between serum vitamin D level and severity of community acquired pneumonia in young children].

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between serum vitamin D level and severity of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in young children, and explore related risk factors for CAP.METHODS: One hundred and three children with CAP between October 2011 and April 2012 were enrolled in the study, including 15 cases of severe CAP and 88 cases of mild CAP. Ninety healthy children were used as the control group. 25-(OH)D(3) concentrations were measured by enzyme linked immunoassay.RESULTS: The mean vitamin D concentration in the severe CAP group was significantly lower than in the mild CAP and control groups (P

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PMID: 

Cancer Clin Oncol. 2017 May ;6(1):12-24. Epub 2016 Nov 11. PMID: 28603578

Abstract Title: 

Restraint and Social Isolation Stressors Differentially Regulate Adaptive Immunity and Tumor Angiogenesis in a Breast Cancer Mouse Model.

Abstract: 

The ability of stress to induce immune suppression is widely recognized, but the mechanisms underlying the effects of stress on the adaptive immune system during tumor progression are not completely understood. To study the effect of stress on the immune system, we used a preclinical immunocompetent mouse model bearing 4T1 mammary adenocarcinoma cells. Mice were randomized into 4 groups, including social isolation (SI), acute restraint stress (aRRS), chronic restraint stress (cRRS), or no stress (NS). We found that SI significantly decreased the number of tumor-bearing mice still alive at the end of protocol (28 days), compared to NS mice. Although we did not detect significant changes in primary tumor volume, we observed a significant increase in the endothelial marker CD31 in primary tumors of SI mice and in lung metastases in SI and RRS mice. Survival decline in SI mice was associated with significant decreases in splenic CD8 cells and in activated T cells. From a mechanistic standpoint, RRS increased expression ofandin mouse tumors, and the effects were reversed by propranolol. Our data demonstrate that various forms of stress differentially impact adaptive immunity and tumor angiogenesis, and negatively impact survival.

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