Longitudinal changes in quality of life and related psychosocial variables in australians with multiple sclerosis.

This study explored changes in quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial variables in a large cohort of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 1287 Australians with MS were administered self-report questionnaires at baseline and 24 months later to examine the impact of disease severity and duration, perceived stress, self-efficacy, depression, and social support on QOL and self-care. Over the 2-year survey period, MS remained stable for 70% of respondents.

Phase behaviour of casein micelles and barley beta-glucan polymer molecules in dietary fibre-enriched dairy systems.

Enrichment of colloidal dairy systems with dietary fibre frequently causes quality defects because of phase separation. We investigate phase separation in skimmed milk enriched with Glucagel (a commercial product made from barley that is predominantly comprised of the polysaccharide β-glucan). The driving force for phase separation was depletion flocculation of casein micelles in the presence of molecules of the polysaccharide.

Patients' and observers' perceptions of involvement differ. Validation study on inter-relating measures for shared decision making.

Objective: Patient involvement into medical decisions as conceived in the shared decision making method (SDM) is essential in evidence based medicine. However, it is not conclusively evident how best to define, realize and evaluate involvement to enable patients making informed choices. We aimed at investigating the ability of four measures to indicate patient involvement.

Inhibition of microbial growth and enrichment of gamma-aminobutyric acid during germination of brown rice by electrolyzed oxidizing water.

Electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) has been regarded as a potential environmentally friendly broad spectrum microbial decontaminant. EOW with a pH of 3.0 and oxidation reduction potential of 1,079.

Physiological effects of concentrated barley beta-glucan in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults.

Objective: Barley fiber rich in beta-glucans lowers serum lipids, but is difficult to incorporate into products acceptable to consumers. We investigated the physiological effects of two concentrated barley beta-glucans on cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints and body weight in human subjects.

Methods: Hypercholesterolemic men and women (n = 90) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: low molecular weight (low-MW) or high molecular weight (high-MW) concentrated barley beta-glucan consumed as a daily supplement containing 6 grams beta-glucan/day.

Light filtering by epidermal flavonoids during the resistant response of cotton to Xanthomonas protects leaf tissue from light-dependent phytoalexin toxicity.

2,7-Dihydroxycadalene and lacinilene C, sesquiterpenoid phytoalexins that accumulate at infection sites during the hypersensitive resistant response of cotton foliage to Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum, have light-dependent toxicity toward host cells, as well as toward the bacterial pathogen. Adaxial epidermal cells surrounding and sometimes covering infection sites turn red.

Influence of added bean flour (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on some physical and nutritional properties of wheat flour tortillas.

Composite flours containing 15%, 25%, or 35% of small red, black, pinto, or navy bean flours (BF) and wheat were made into tortillas. Dough rheology, firmness, cohesiveness, rollability, and some physical properties of tortillas were negatively affected as BF concentration increased regardless of bean cultivar. Nutritionally, all bean tortillas had significantly higher levels of crude protein, total phenols, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS(+)) in vitro antioxidant activity (AA) and antinutritional compounds such as phytic acid (PA) and trypsin inhibitors (TI) than the wheat control.

The motherhood choice: a decision aid for women with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate a decision aid for women with multiple sclerosis deciding whether to start or enlarge their families.

Method: Decision aid materials were mailed to participants, and their response materials returned by mail. One-hundred and ninety-four women with MS agreed to participate and were randomized to receive the DA or not.

Concentrated oat beta-glucan, a fermentable fiber, lowers serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic adults in a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Soluble fibers lower serum lipids, but are difficult to incorporate into products acceptable to consumers. We investigated the physiological effects of a concentrated oat beta-glucan on cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints in human subjects. We also compared the fermentability of concentrated oat beta-glucan with inulin and guar gum in a model intestinal fermentation system.

Symptom change with exercise is a temporary phenomenon for people with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To determine the impact of a single exercise session on function, fatigue, and sensory symptoms for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Design: This pilot study was designed as a before-after trial. Demographic and response-to-exercise measures were taken before exercise, repeated immediately after exercise, and followed up again 24 hours later.

Posttraumatic stress disorder following diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) recognizes life-threatening illness as a potential stressor that can precipitate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study represents the first study of PTSD in the context of having a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Fifty-eight MS patients were administered the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and Disease Steps Questionnaire.

Becoming Proactive With the Whole-Grains Message.

Whole-grain foods have always been considered a healthy part of the diet. Only recently have epidemiologic and other data shown that whole grains have a role in preventing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some types of cancer, and even obesity. What nearly all consumers and most health professionals fail to realize is that whole grains deliver as many if not more phytochemicals and antioxidants than do fruits and vegetables.

[Comparative studies of oat cultivars from Southern Brazil: effect of grain morphology on industrial yield].

The purpose of this work was to study the effect of grain morphology of oats on their industrial yield. The five cultivars studied: CTC3, UFRGS7, UFRGS14, UPF7 and UPF16 were grown in three localities with different soil and climate conditions, for two consecutive years. The parameters evaluated in the oat samples before and after dehulling were grain size and shape (by image analysis), comparing them to industrial yield, weight of a thousand kernels and hectoliter weight.

The importance of promoting a whole grain foods message.

Despite mention in the Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Americans and in Healthy People 2010, the lack of a coordinated campaign promoting whole grain foods and their health benefits may be contributing to low consumption. Fiber consumption in the U.S.