Recent research suggests that blueberries are rich in total polyphenols and total anthocyanins. Phenolic compounds are highly unstable and may be lost during processing, particularly when heat treatment is involved. There is no systematic study available providing information on the fate of phenolic compounds during storage and how that affects their biological activity. We provide a systematic evaluation of the changes observed in total polyphenols (TPP), total anthocyanins (TACY), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), phenolic acids, and individual anthocyanins of blueberry extract stored in glass bottles and the ability of blueberry extract to inhibit cell proliferation. The extract was stored at different temperatures (-20 +/- 1, 6 +/- 1, 23 +/- 1, and 35 +/- 1 degrees C). Two cultivars, Tifblue and Powderblue, were chosen for the study. The recoveries of TPP, TACY, and TEAC in blueberry extract after pressing and heating were approximately 25, approximately 29, and approximately 69%, respectively, for both cultivars. The recovery of gallic acid, catechin, and quercetin was approximately 25%. Ferulic acid was not detected in the final extract in both Tifblue and Powderblue cultivars. The recovery of peonidin, malvidin, and cyanidin glycosides was approximately 20% in the final extract in both cultivars. Losses due to storage were less when compared with initial losses due to processing. At -20 degrees C, no statistically significant loss of TPP, TACY, and TEAC was observed up to 30 days (P < 0.05). At 6 degrees C storage, there was a significant loss observed from 15 to 30 days. Similar results were obtained at 23 and 35 degrees C (P < 0.05). There was retention of more than 40% of ellagic and quercetin after 60 days at 35 +/- 1 degrees C. Anthocyanins were not detected after 60 days of storage at 35 +/- 1 degrees C. Significant retention (P < 0.05) was obtained for malvidin (42.8 and 25.8%) and peonidin (74.0 and 79.5%) after 60 days of storage at 23 +/- 1 degrees C in glass bottles for Tifblue and Powderblue, respectively, when compared with other individual anthocyanins. A linear relationship was observed between TEAC values and total polyphenols or total anthocyanins. A cell viability assay was performed using HT-29 cancer cell lines and anthocyanins extracted from 30, 60, and 90 days of stored extract at 6 +/- 1 and 23 +/- 1 degrees C. A significant cell proliferation inhibition percentage was observed in 30 days, although this was reduced significantly after 30-90 days. These results suggest that heating and storage conditions significantly affect the phenolic compounds and their biological activities. Frozen and low temperature storage are suggested for blueberry extract in order to retain the bioactive components.

When performed within 4 months after initiating hormone deprivation therapy, combined MR imaging/3D MR spectroscopic imaging had the same accuracy in localizing prostate cancer as in nontreated patients.

In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to anthocyanins due to their abilities to inhibit oxidative stress and cell proliferation. The regulations of apoptosis and the phase II enzymes glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and quinone reductase (QR) are other potential mechanisms through which flavonoids such as anthocyanins may prevent cancer. Our study confirmed that anthocyanin fractions from high bush blueberry cultivars increased apoptosis using two different methods: DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity. The effect of anthocyanins on the activity of the detoxifying enzymes GST and QR was also determined. Major anthocyanins identified were delphinidin, cyanidin, peonidin, petunidin, and malvidin. In Tifblue and Powderblue cultivars, DNA fragmentation increased at anthocyanin concentrations from 50 to 150 microg/mL, but cells treated with the anthocyanin fraction of Brightblue and Brightwell showed a prominent ladder at 50-100 microg/mL when compared to cells treated with 150 microg/mL. There was a significant difference in the caspase-3 activity (P < 0.05) between the control cells and the cells treated with anthocyanins from all of the cultivars. The response correlated positively with dose. The QR activity was lower in all cells treated with an anthocyanin fraction from Tifblue, Powderblue, Brightblue, and Brightwell cultivars than in control cells (P < 0.05). The activity decreased gradually when treated with increased concentrations of anthocyanin fractions (50-150 microg/mL) in the Tifblue and Powderblue cultivars. The GST activity was lower (P < 0.05) in cells treated with anthocyanin fractions from all of the cultivars and at all concentrations. These results indicated that apoptosis was confirmed in HT-29 cells when treated with anthocyanins from blueberry cultivars at 50-150 microg/mL concentrations, but these same concentrations decrease QR and GST activities rather than induce them.

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We aimed to examine pharmacologic, demographic and medical comorbidity risk factors for opioid-related mortality among patients currently receiving methadone for an opioid use disorder. We conducted a population-based, nested case-control study linking healthcare and coroner's records in Ontario, Canada, from January 31, 1994 to December 31, 2010. We included social assistance recipients receiving methadone for an opioid use disorder. Within this group, cases were those who died of opioid-related causes. For each case, we identified up to 5 controls matched on calendar quarter. The primary analysis examined the association between use of psychotropic drugs (benzodiazepines, antidepressants or antipsychotics) and opioid-related mortality. Secondary analyses examined the associations between baseline characteristics, health service utilization, comorbidities and opioid-related mortality. Among 43,545 patients receiving methadone for an opioid use disorder, we identified 175 (0.4%) opioid-related deaths, along with 873 matched controls. Psychotropic drug use was associated with a two fold increased risk of opioid-related death (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2 to 3.5). Specifically, benzodiazepines (adjusted OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5) and antipsychotics (adjusted OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.5 to 3.5) were independently associated with opioid-related death. Other associated factors included chronic lung disease (adjusted OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.6), an alcohol use disorder (adjusted OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.2), mood disorders (adjusted OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.0 to 3.2), and a history of heart disease (adjusted OR 5.3; 95% CI 2.0 to 14.0). Psychotropic drug use is associated with opioid-related death in patients receiving methadone. Mindfulness of these factors may reduce the risk of death among methadone recipients.

No abstract

Structured lipids (SLs) containing palmitic and oleic acids were synthesized by transesterification of tripalmitin with either oleic acid or methyl oleate as acyl donor. This SL with palmitic acid at the sn-2 position and oleic acid at sn-1,3 positions is similar in structure to human milk fat triacylglycerol. LIP1, an isoform of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL), was used as biocatalyst. The effects of reaction temperature, substrate molar ratio, and time on incorporation of oleic acid were investigated. Reaction time and temperature were set at 6, 12, and 24 h, and 35, 45, and 55 degrees C, respectively. Substrate molar ratio was varied from 1:1 to 1:4. The highest incorporation of oleic acid (37.7%) was at 45 degrees C with methyl oleate as acyl donor. Oleic acid resulted in slightly lesser (26.3%) incorporation. Generally, higher percentage incorporation of oleic acid was observed with methyl oleate (transesterification) than with oleic acid (acidolysis). In both cases percentage incorporation increased with reaction time. Incorporation decreased with increase in temperature above 45 degrees C. Initially, oleic acid incorporation increased with increase in substrate molar ratio up to 1:3. LIP1 was also compared with Lipozyme RM IM as biocatalysts. The tested reaction parameters were selected on the basis of maximum incorporation of C18:1 obtained during optimization of LIP1 reaction conditions. Reaction temperature was maintained at 45, 55, and 65 degrees C. Lipozyme RM IM gave highest oleic acid incorporation (49.4%) at 65 degrees C with methyl oleate as acyl donor. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed for both enzymes. SL prepared using Lipozyme RM IM may be more suitable for possible use in human milk fat substitutes.

No abstract