Signal-to-noise contribution of principal component loads in reconstructed near-infrared Raman tissue spectra.

The overall quality of Raman spectra in the near-infrared region, where biological samples are often studied, has benefited from various improvements to optical instrumentation over the past decade. However, obtaining ample spectral quality for analysis is still challenging due to device requirements and short integration times required for (in vivo) clinical applications of Raman spectroscopy. Multivariate analytical methods, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA), are routinely applied to Raman spectral datasets to develop classification models.

The effect on the blood lipid profile of soy foods combined with a prebiotic: a randomized controlled trial.

The value of soy protein as part of the cholesterol-lowering diet has been questioned by recent studies. The apparent lack of effect may relate to the absence of dietary factors that increase colonic fermentation and potentiate the cholesterol-lowering effect of soy. Therefore, unabsorbable carbohydrates (prebiotics) were added to the diet with the aim of increasing colonic fermentation and so potentially increasing the hypocholesterolemic effect of soy.

Session 4: CVD, diabetes and cancer: A dietary portfolio for management and prevention of heart disease.

CHD is the leading cause of worldwide mortality. The prevalence of heart disease has been linked to the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle and the increased dietary dependence on saturated fats from animal sources and the intake of refined foods. Elevated blood cholesterol level is one of the major risk factors for CHD.

A miniature confocal Raman probe for endoscopic use.

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for studying biochemical changes in the human body. We describe a miniature, confocal fibre optic probe intended to fit within the instrument channel of a standard medical endoscope. This probe has been optimized for the study of the carcinogenesis process of oesophageal malignancy.

Characterizing the oxygen isotopic composition of phosphate sources to aquatic ecosystems.

The oxygen isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic phosphate (delta18Op) in many aquatic ecosystems is not in isotopic equilibrium with ambient water and, therefore, may reflect the source delta18Op. Identification of phosphate sources to water bodies is critical for designing best management practices for phosphate load reduction to control eutrophication. In order for delta18Op to be a useful tool for source tracking, the delta18Op of phosphate sources must be distinguishable from one another; however, the delta18Op of potential sources has not been well characterized.

Head & neck optical diagnostics: vision of the future of surgery.

Review paper and Proceedings of the Inaugural Meeting of the Head and Neck Optical Diagnostics Society (HNODS) on March 14th 2009 at University College London. The aim of our research must be to provide breakthrough translational research which can be applied clinically in the immediate rather than the near future. We are fortunate that this is indeed a possibility and may fundamentally change current clinical and surgical practice to improve our patients' lives.

Heterogeneous effects of fructose on blood lipids in individuals with type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental trials in humans.

Objective: Because of blood lipid concerns, diabetes associations discourage fructose at high intakes. To quantify the effect of fructose on blood lipids in diabetes, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental clinical trials investigating the effect of isocaloric fructose exchange for carbohydrate on triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol in type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library for relevant trials of > or =7 days.

Using oxygen isotopes of phosphate to trace phosphorus sources and cycling in Lake Erie.

Water samples collected during three sampling trips to Lake Erie displayed oxygen isotopic values of dissolved phosphate (delta18Op) that were largely out of equilibrium with ambient conditions, indicating that source signatures may be discerned. delta18Op, values in the Lake ranged from +10% per hundred to +17% per hundred, whereas the equilibrium value was expected to be around +14% per hundred. The riverine weighted average delta18Op, value was +11% per hundred and may represent one source of phosphate to the Lake.

Effect of non-oil-seed pulses on glycaemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled experimental trials in people with and without diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: Dietary non-oil-seed pulses (chickpeas, beans, peas, lentils, etc.) are a good source of slowly digestible carbohydrate, fibre and vegetable protein and a valuable means of lowering the glycaemic-index (GI) of the diet. To assess the evidence that dietary pulses may benefit glycaemic control, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled experimental trials investigating the effect of pulses, alone or as part of low-GI or high-fibre diets, on markers of glycaemic control in people with and without diabetes.

The effect of a plant-based low-carbohydrate ("Eco-Atkins") diet on body weight and blood lipid concentrations in hyperlipidemic subjects.

Background: Low-carbohydrate, high-animal protein diets, which are advocated for weight loss, may not promote the desired reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration. The effect of exchanging the animal proteins and fats for those of vegetable origin has not been tested. Our objective was to determine the effect on weight loss and LDL-C concentration of a low-carbohydrate diet high in vegetable proteins from gluten, soy, nuts, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and vegetable oils compared with a high-carbohydrate diet based on low-fat dairy and whole grain products.

Vibrational spectroscopy: a clinical tool for cancer diagnostics.

Vibrational spectroscopy techniques have demonstrated potential to provide non-destructive, rapid, clinically relevant diagnostic information. Early detection is the most important factor in the prevention of cancer. Raman and infrared spectroscopy enable the biochemical signatures from biological tissues to be extracted and analysed.

Sources and transformations of nitrate from streams draining varying land uses: evidence from dual isotope analysis.

Knowledge of key sources and biogeochemical processes that affect the transport of nitrate (NO(3)(-)) in streams can inform watershed management strategies for controlling downstream eutrophication. We applied dual isotope analysis of NO(3)(-) to determine the dominant sources and processes that affect NO(3)(-) concentrations in six stream/river watersheds of different land uses. Samples were collected monthly at a range of flow conditions for 15 mo during 2004-05 and analyzed for NO(3)(-) concentrations, delta(15)N(NO3), and delta(18)O(NO3).

Current practice in management of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus: the real problem.

The management of high-grade dysplasia within Barrett's oesophagus is highly topical and indeed controversial. It is becoming clear that radical surgery may be excessive treatment for many patients. This is because the natural history is not understood with some indicating of rapid degeneration to cancer, others demonstrating a low rate of degeneration over many years.

The potential for histological screening using a combination of rapid Raman mapping and principal component analysis.

Rapid Raman mapping was carried out on 20 microm sections of oesophageal biopsy samples. Contiguous 7 microm sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) with histopathology provided by an expert pathologist. The step size and acquisition times were varied and the resulting spectra, principal component (PC) score maps and loads were compared.

Estimating HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among high-risk heterosexual men with multiple sex partners: use of respondent-driven sampling.

Objectives: To collect HIV data from high-risk men who have multiple, younger, female sex partners in a periurban township in South Africa.

Design: Unlinked anonymous cross-sectional survey using respondent-driven sampling.

Methods: Survey conducted among men aged 18 years or older who reported having had sex with more than 1 female partner in the previous 3 months (one of whom was either 3 or more years younger than the participant or below the age of 24) and lived in the area of recruitment.

Principles and application of educational counseling used in progressive audiologic tinnitus management.

Exposure to loud sounds is a common cause and exacerbater of tinnitus - a troubling auditory symptom that affects millions of people worldwide. Clinical research at the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research has resulted in a clinical model of tinnitus management referred to as Progressive Audiologic Tinnitus Management (PATM). The model involves five hierarchical levels of management: Triage, Audiologic Evaluation, Group Education, Tinnitus Evaluation, and Individualized Management.

Effect of novel maize-based dietary fibers on postprandial glycemia and insulinemia.

Background: Postprandial hyperglycemia has been associated with increased oxidative stress and the development of diabetes, heart disease and all-cause mortality.

Objective: To assess the effect of novel maize-based dietary fibers on postprandial glycemia and to assess the correlation between a rapid in vitro digestibility system and the blood glucose response.

Methods: In a clinical study, 12 healthy volunteers were fed seven test beverages containing maize-based fiber ingredients (25g total carbohydrate) along with 2 control meals on separate occasions in random order.

Investigation of river eutrophication as part of a low dissolved oxygen total maximum daily load implementation.

In the United States, environmentally impaired rivers are subject to regulation under total maximum daily load (TMDL) regulations that specify watershed wide water quality standards. In California, the setting of TMDL standards is accompanied by the development of scientific and management plans directed at achieving specific water quality objectives. The San Joaquin River (SJR) in the Central Valley of California now has a TMDL for dissolved oxygen (DO).

Intake and milk production of cows fed diets that differed in dietary neutral detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber digestibility.

The objectives of this study were to determine how feeding diets that differed in dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration and in vitro NDF digestibility affects dry matter (DM) intake, ruminal fermentation, and milk production in early lactation dairy cows. Twelve rumen-cannulated, multiparous Holstein cows averaging 38 +/- 15 d (+/-standard deviation) in milk, and producing 40 +/- 9 kg of milk daily, were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Treatment diets were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial with 28 or 32% dietary NDF (DM basis) and 2 levels of straw NDF digestibility: 1) LD, untreated wheat straw (77% NDF, 41% NDF digestibility) or 2) HD, anhydrous NH(3)-treated wheat straw (76% NDF, 62% NDF digestibility).