Pulses are known to be nutritious foods but are susceptible to oxidation due to the reaction of lipoxygenase (LOX) with linolenic and linoleic acids which can lead to off flavors caused by the formation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Infrared micronization at 130 and 150 °C was investigated as a heat treatment to determine its effect on LOX activity and VOCs of chickpea and green lentil flour. The pulse flours were added to low-fat beef burgers at 6% and measured for consumer acceptability and physicochemical properties. Micronization at 130 °C significantly decreased LOX activity for both flours. The lentil flour micronized at 150 °C showed a further significant decrease in LOX activity similar to that of the chickpea flour at 150 °C. The lowering of VOCs was accomplished more successfully with micronization at 130 °C for chickpea flour while micronization at 150 °C for the green lentil flour was more effective. Micronization minimally affected the characteristic fatty acid content in each flour but significantly increased omega-3 and n-6 fatty acids at 150 °C in burgers with lentil and chickpea flours, respectively. Burgers with green lentil flour micronized at 130 and 150 °C, and chickpea flour micronized at 150 °C were positively associated with acceptability. Micronization did not affect the shear force and cooking losses of the burgers made with both flours. Formulation of low-fat beef burgers containing 6% micronized gluten-free binder made from lentil and chickpea flour is possible based on favorable results for physicochemical properties and consumer acceptability.

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Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have long been studied for their health benefits. In particular, marine n-3 PUFA such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been shown to possess cardiovascular protective qualities. However, there is conflicting evidence as to the mechanisms, effectiveness and doses required to observe these benefits. The objective of this review is to provide existing evidence as to the role of marine n-3 PUFA on cardiovascular health, as well as provide novel aspects to the current literature as of September 2012. Three large randomized clinical studies were reviewed to determine if there was an inverse association between n-3 fatty acid intake and CVD. There is strong evidence that the pharmaceutical grade n-3 fatty acid drug Lovaza, (previously Omacor) is effective in reducing triglyceride levels in humans. However, there are possible adverse reactions that need to be taken into account and caution should be used in treating certain populations. The Omega-3 Index is a promising novel biomarker for assessing long term EPA + DHA status in humans. Due to the originality of the Index, additional evidence is required to assess this as a tool for predicting CVD. Future research is needed to determine the individual effects of EPA and DHA for cardio-protection.

RationaleSwallow may be compromised in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leading to aspiration and adverse respiratory consequences. However, prevalence and consequences of detectable aspiration in stable COPD are not known.ObjectivesWe tested the hypothesis that a significant number of patients with stable COPD will have detectable aspiration during swallow (prandial aspiration) and that they would experience more frequent severe acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) over the subsequent 12 months.MethodsPatients (n=151) with verified and stable COPD of all severities were recruited at a tertiary care hospital. Videofluoroscopy was conducted to evaluate aspiration using Rosenbek's scale for penetration-aspiration during 100 mL cup drinking. AECOPD was documented as moderate (antibiotics and/or corticosteroid treatment) or severe (Emergency Department admission or hospitalisation) over the ensuing 12 months.Measurements and Main ResultsAspiration was observed in 30/151 patients (19.9%, 18 males, 12 females; mean age 72.4 years). Patients with aspiration had more overall AECOPD events (3.03 versus 2 per patient; p=0.022) and severe AECOPD episodes (0.87 versus 0.39; p=0.032). Severe AECOPD occurred in more patients with aspiration (50% of patients versus 18.2%; OR=4.5; CI 1.9–10.5; p=0.001) and with silent aspiration (36.7% versus 18.2%; OR=2.6; CI 1.1–6.2; p=0.045). Aspiration was related to a shorter exacerbation-free period during the 12-month follow-up period (p=0.038).ConclusionsPrandial aspiration is detectable in a subset of patients with COPD and was predictive of subsequent severe AECOPD. Studies to examine if the association is causal are essential to direct strategies aimed at prevention of aspiration and AECOPD.

Owing to their spontaneous development of atherosclerosis, apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE(KO)) are one of the best studied animal models for this disease. Little is known about the utility of various omega-3 fatty acid regimens, in particular fish oils, in preventing cardiac disease in ApoE(KO) mice. The purpose of this study was to determine the cardiovascular effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with either safflower oil (control), fish oil, flaxseed oil, or designed oil in ApoE(KO) mice fed a high-fat diet for a total of 16 weeks. In-vivo cardiac function was assessed weekly using murine echocardiography. Blood pressure, plasma lipid levels, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were serially measured. The results show that ApoE(KO) mice fed fish oil demonstrated an increase in left ventricular wall thickness as a result of increased afterload. Despite chronic treatment with fish oil over 16 weeks, blood pressure increased in ApoE(KO) mice by 20% compared with the baseline. Both echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy and biochemical increase in BNP levels confirmed diastolic dysfunction in ApoE(KO) mice fed fish oil. This suggests that high-fat diet supplemented with fish oil may lead to adverse cardiovascular effects in ApoE deficient mice.

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We have recently reported that Northern wild rice produced in Manitoba, Canada possesses higher antioxidant properties as compared to conventional white rice. This observation plus other data from available literature suggest that Northern wild rice may have anti‐atherogenic properties. The objective of the current study was to investigate potential lipid‐modifying and anti‐atherogenic properties of Northern wild rice in LDL receptor knockout mice. Sixteen 4‐week male LDL receptor knockout mice were divided into two groups of 8 each. These experimental groups received a semi‐synthetic diet containing 0.06% (w/w) cholesterol; carbohydrates in this diet were replaced with Northern wild rice and used for the “treated group.” The experiment will be carried out for 24 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were estimated at baseline and every four weeks using standard enzymatic kits. Body weight and estimated 24‐hour food consumption were recorded. These data are summarized in the following Table.Data suggest strong cholesterol‐lowering activities for Northern wild rice in this animal model. It is most likely that such reductions in total cholesterol levels will lead to significant reductions in atherogenesis by the end of the study.This study was supported by Agriculture Research and Development Initiative (ARDI), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.