These molecules can be used in the development of functional foods, which have specific health-beneficial properties.
Tocopherols exist in four forms (a, ß, ?, and d) of which ?-tocopherol is found in greatest concentration in soybeans. However, a-tocopherol has the greatest antioxidant activity, and is the form converted to vitamin E in the human body. Thus, most interest for soybean tocopherols resides in a-tocopherol; however, certain health-properties have also been attributed to other tocopherol forms and interest for these remains.
It has been suggested that all tocopherols could play a role in cardiovascular diseases and cancer prevention.
Now, in the new study, researchers at McGill University, the Centre de Recherche sur les Grains, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Quebec have investigated tocopherols concentration and stability, with an emphasis on a-tocopherol, among early-maturing genotypes grown in multiple environments, and determined the relationship between tocopherols concentration and other important seed characteristics.
Results from the study are published in the September-October issue of Agronomy Journal. The research was also presented in Beijing, China at the 8th World Soybean Research Conference in August 2009.
Philippe Seguin, who led the study, stated "The large variation observed among genotypes for a-tocopherol, the relatively high stability of genotypes performance across environments, and the lack of negative correlation with other important seed characteristics suggest that selection for high a-tocopherol will be possible. Such characteristics will also help in the development of functional foods, which requires consistency in concentrations of health-beneficial compounds."
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Soybean can prevent cancer, stroke
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Scientists uncover new route to leukamia
Scientists have discovered a completely new route by which leukaemia develops, according to a research published in Nature.
Scientists from the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge studied a gene called JAK2 which is faulty in many cases of leukaemia - but until now its role was not clear.
They discovered that if JAK2 is faulty, the cell’s meticulously controlled message system ‘short circuits’
As a result many genes are switched on and off inappropriately and a completely new cell signalling route by which leukaemia can develop is turned on.
The scientists found that the enzyme made by the JAK2 gene is also located inside the cell nucleus and plays an important role to control how genetic information is used by the cell.
Previously it was only known to be located on the inner surface of cells - acting as a messenger between the outside of the cell and the cell’s nucleus.
The team discovered that the JAK2 enzyme acts in the nucleus to switch on and off a number of genes. It does this by changing the structure of histones (the proteins that pack and protect DNA) and which control the behaviour of many genes.
The garbled messages from the faulty JAK2 gene lead to mismanagement of histones which results in catastrophic effects on the workings of a cell.
Lead author Professor Tony Kouzarides of the institute said: “This is a completely new route by which cancer can develop. In this exciting research we have revealed new unidentified parts of the cell’s messaging system which can become faulty and lead to leukaemia.”
Professor Sir David Lane, Cancer Research UK’s chief scientist, said: “This is important research which will helps scientists find new and better ways to treat people with leukaemia“.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Twitter could help track swine flu spread
The Health Protection Agency annual conference at Warwick University, UK, heard that such websites could indicate an outbreak of flu earlier than conventional disease surveillance methods based on doctor visits.
Combing for messages or “tweets” such as ''I have flu'' or ''I''ve got swine flu'' may help provide valuable insight into the spread of infectious diseases, research showed.
Ed de Quincey, a computer scientist at City University London conducted the research and developed the system with his team at the City eHealth Research Centre.
"As UK public health agencies and the NHS are preparing for the approaching flu season amid the H1N1 pandemic, new forms of social interaction via web sites such as Twitter and Facebook can expand the sources used in monitoring such outbreaks,” the Telegraph quoted him as saying.
"The flu pandemic was the perfect opportunity to test this idea and we found that at least 4,000 people reported flu symptoms via Twitter since May 2009.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Eat this! Cholesterol-fighting foods
Don't eat this, that and the other says the doctor. When you have cholesterol, everyone has a suggestion regarding what you cannot eat. But not one of them can tell you what you should eat!
Nutritionist Gauri Durve advises you on some foods that actually fight and help lower cholesterol.
All fresh fruits such as apples, bananas, pears, watermelon, lemons, and oranges are good. Fruits are low in saturated fats and have no cholesterol at all. A daily intake of fruits will lower cholesterol and flush the toxins out of your system.
Apples in particular are rich in antioxidants and fibre. They help lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.
Like fruits, all vegetables are good. However the best ones are the dark greens like spinach, fenugreek, ladyfingers and broccoli.
These vegetables are rich in iron, proteins and antioxidants that help purify the blood, keep your weight in check and lower cholesterol.
Fish has Omega 3 fatty acids that help prevent blood from clotting. It also has Vitamin B3 that helps lower bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol.
Besides a low fat content, lean meats have Vitamin B3. Substitute whole meats with lean meat and watch your bad cholesterol decrease.
Black beans, dal, rajma and kala channa are high in dietary fibre, which helps lower cholesterol.
Brown rice, 100% whole wheat bread, whole grain breakfast cereals, oatmeal and whole oat have a good source of Vitamins B and E, fibre, iron, magnesium and antioxidants.
Besides copper, barley is rich in dietary fibre that helps lower bad cholesterol.
Soy is rich in protein and fibre. It is also low in saturated fats and has no cholesterol at all. The protein helps lower the bad cholesterol and prevents heart disease. Soy nuggets are available but you can also have them as soya vadi, soya granules and flavoured soy milk.
You can also mix 10% of soya flour in wheat flour while making your rotis. This way, you can be sure of your daily intake of protein and fibre.
Almonds are a rich source of proteins, Vitamins B3 and E, calcium and monosaturated fats that decrease bad cholesterol.
Walnuts contain Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamins B and E, and fibre, which increase good cholesterol.
Peanuts are rich in Vitamin E, protein, fibre, copper, calcium and monosaturated fats that are known to lower bad cholesterol.
Cashews are high in monosaturated fats, copper and calcium, which help decrease bad cholesterol.
However, keep a check on the quantity of nuts you eat.
Honey contains antioxidants that help lower cholesterol. This will be beneficial as part of a balanced diet.
Psyllium is a European plantain whose seeds are sometimes added to food as a dietary source of soluble fibre. This helps lower bad cholesterol
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Swami Ramdev To Challenge High Court Verdict Decriminalizing Gay Sex
Yoga guru Swami Ramdev will be approaching the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging the Delhi High Court judgement legalising gay sex among the consenting adults.
The petition is likely to be filed on Wednesday, lawyers associated with Ramdev said.
Lawyers Suresh Sharma and Gandharva Makker said the petition assailing the High Court verdict was to be filed on Tuesday but was delayed due to "unavoidable circumstances".
They said the yoga guru has challenged the July 2 judgement contending that homosexual activities are not only against public morality, public health and healthy environment but also against the interest of the society.
"...homosexual activities which are otherwise unnatural there is high risk of exposure of a large chunk of population to dangerous sexually transmitted disease including HIV/AIDS," the petition, likely to be filed, said.
"The decision of the High Court, if allowed to sustain will have catastrophic effects on the moral fabric of society and will jeopardise the institution of marriage itself. This offends the structure of Indian value system, Indian culture and traditions, as derived from religious scriptures," it said.
Ramdev, quoting Spanish psychiatrist Enrique Rojas, contended that homosexuality is a disease that is curable.
"It can be treated like any other congenital defect. Such tendencies can be treated by yoga, pranayam and other meditation techniques," he said in the petition.
The High Court, in a landmark verdict, legalised gay sex among consenting adults, which was earlier an offence under Section 377 of Indian Penal Code with punishment up to life imprisonment.
The verdict had retained the penal provision for non consenting gay and homosexual acts involving minors. Ramdev, in his petition, contended that legislative mandate under section 377 of IPC did not infringe the right to privacy of persons indulging in homosexual activities as held by the High Court.
He maintained that section 377 is not violative of right to dignity of an individual and reduction in purview in the penal provision would aid in promoting homosexual activities which are primarily responsible for spread of HIV.
Ramdev said in the petition that the High Court has erred by adjudicating Section 377 to be violative of fundamental rights "The High Court has erred in its ruling by interpreting the terminology sex as sexual orientation.
In fact, the term sex referred under Article 15 is in relation to the male or the female sex. It can't be interpreted in context to the sexual orientation of a person," the petition said.
He alleged the verdict would promote homosexual activities which would adversely affect population growth in the country.
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