Higher intake of lignans, diphenolic plant compounds, may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. We assessed the dietary intake of four lignans: matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and pinoresinol. Furthermore, for the breads we supplemented the data with two more lignans: syringaresinol and medioresinol. Study subjects were 172 men and 97 women aged 40-75 years, residing in Riga, the capital of Latvia, all living at home, eating habitual food. Median total lignan intake was 2259 (range 1169-5759) μg/day. Secoisolariciresinol contributed 58% and syringaresinol 22% of lignan intake. Bread was the major food source of lignans in men (86%), whereas in women it was bread (57%) and flaxseed (35%).
In the Baltic States, lyssaviruses are often detected in wildlife and presumed to constitute an important public health hazard. In order to decrease rabies incidence and eradicate wildlife reservoirs, a national rabies eradication program has been in place. Since 1970 a vaccination program in dogs and cats has been executed, and in 1991 oral vaccination of foxes was started. However, due to an insufficient budget, the latter was not done regularly and nationwide before 2000. Now, the program in force consists of compulsory vaccination of all dogs and cats, and a tetracycline marker vaccine oral vaccination program of foxes in the whole country. In 2001, 151 of 285 (53%) fox jaws were tested positive for tetracycline. All animals showing rabies-like symptoms were killed and tested for rabies. In this way, 250-400 cases of rabies per year were diagnosed in wildlife. To molecularly characterize the prevalent lyssaviruses in wildlife, lyssavirus RNA of 25 recent rabies positive samples, collected in the year 1999, was amplified by RT-PCR. Direct sequencing of the RT-PCR-amplified products of the virus' nucleoprotein encoding region and subsequent sequence analyses resulted in a 99.3-100% homology between isolates and a 99.0-100% similarity with a 1995 genotype I, classical rabies virus (RABV) raccoon dog isolate from Estonia. These results confirmed that RABV is endemic in wildlife in Latvia and should be considered a serious public health threat. To successfully eradicate the wildlife reservoirs, the national rabies eradication program must be continued, and it may need to be intensified.
Whole-grain rye intake has been suggested to have anti-cancer effect, including changes in serum hormones and reduced prostate specific antigen (PSA) in animals and humans. In this study, we investigated the effect of high intake of whole-grain rye bread on prostate cancer progression as assessed by PSA concentration in men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fifteen men with prostate cancer who did not receive prior therapy were randomised and given a daily supplement of 250 g refined wheat bread for two weeks and, afterwards, 250 g whole-grain rye bread for six weeks. Blood samples were taken from fasting men at baseline and after two and six weeks to measure the PSA and sex hormones. The dietary intake was: energy intake 3452 kcal; protein intake 166 g, carbohydrate intake 334 g, fat 149 g, saturated fat intake 52 g, and fibre intake 40 g. Plasma total PSA, free PSE, testosterone concentrations and free androgen index tended to be higher after refined white bread treatment and lower after whole-grain rye treatment. However, none of the differences were statistically significant. There were no significant changes in sex hormone binding globulin, luteinising hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone. In this intervention trial, whole-grain rye consumption did not result in significant changes in PSA and sex hormones, which may be related to high fat intake. Further prospective trials are indicated to evaluate the potential of whole-grain rye bread, taking into account other factors.
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