Food items contributing most to variation in antioxidant intake; A cross-sectional study among Norwegian women

Background Fruit and vegetable intake has been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer and diabetes mellitus. It is possible that antioxidants play a large part in this protective effect. However, which foods account for the variation in antioxidant intake in a population is not very clear. We used food frequency data from a population-based sample of women to identify the food items that contributed most to the variation in antioxidant intake in Norwegian diet. Methods We used data from a study conducted among participants in the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP), the national program which invites women aged 50–69 years to mammographic screening every 2 years. A subset of 6514 women who attended the screening in 2006/2007 completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Daily intake of energy, nutrients and antioxidant intake were estimated. We used multiple linear regression analysis to capture the variation in antioxidant intake. Results The mean (SD) antioxidant intake was 23.0 (8.5) mmol/day. Coffee consumption explained 54% of the variation in antioxidant intake, while fruits and vegetables explained 22%. The twenty food items that contributed most to the total variation in antioxidant intake explained 98% of the variation in intake. These included different types of coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries, walnuts, oranges, cinnamon and broccoli. Conclusions In this study we identified a list of food items which capture the variation in antioxidant intake among these women. The major contributors to dietary total antioxidant intake were coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries, walnuts, oranges, cinnamon and broccoli. These items should be assessed in as much detail as possible in studies that wish to capture the variation in antioxidant intake

Bone marrow stroma-derived PGE2 protects BCP-ALL cells from DNA damage-induced p53 accumulation and cell death

Background B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL) is the most common paediatric cancer. BCP-ALL blasts typically retain wild type p53, and are therefore assumed to rely on indirect measures to suppress transformation-induced p53 activity. We have recently demonstrated that the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) through activation of protein kinase A (PKA) has the ability to inhibit DNA damage-induced p53 accumulation and thereby promote survival of the leukaemic blasts. Development of BCP-ALL in the bone marrow (BM) is supported by resident BM-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). MSCs are known to produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which upon binding to its receptors is able to elicit a cAMP response in target cells. We hypothesized that PGE2 produced by stromal cells in the BM microenvironment could stimulate cAMP production and PKA activation in BCP-ALL cells, thereby suppressing p53 accumulation and promoting survival of the malignant cells. Methods Primary BCP-ALL cells isolated from BM aspirates at diagnosis were cocultivated with BM-derived MSCs, and effects on DNA damage-induced p53 accumulation and cell death were monitored by SDS-PAGE/immunoblotting and flow cytometry-based methods, respectively. Effects of intervention of signalling along the PGE2-cAMP-PKA axis were assessed by inhibition of PGE2 production or PKA activity. Statistical significance was tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test or paired samples t test. Results We demonstrate that BM-derived MSCs produce PGE2 and protect primary BCP-ALL cells from p53 accumulation and apoptotic cell death. The MSC-mediated protection of DNA damage-mediated cell death is reversible upon inhibition of PGE2 synthesis or PKA activity. Furthermore our results indicate differences in the sensitivity to variations in p53 levels between common cytogenetic subgroups of BCP-ALL. Conclusions Our findings support our hypothesis that BM-derived PGE2, through activation of cAMP-PKA signalling in BCP-ALL blasts, can inhibit the tumour suppressive activity of wild type p53, thereby promoting leukaemogenesis and protecting against therapy-induced leukaemic cell death. These novel findings identify the PGE2-cAMP-PKA signalling pathway as a possible target for pharmacological intervention with potential relevance for treatment of BCP-ALL

Hypervitaminosis A is prevalent in children with CKD and contributes to hypercalcemia.

Vitamin A accumulates in renal failure, but the prevalence of hypervitaminosis A in children with predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not known. Hypervitaminosis A has been associated with hypercalcemia. In this study we compared dietary vitamin A intake with serum retinoid levels and their associations with hypercalcemia

An experimental investigation of wind turbine wakes

In the present study the wake behind a scaled; Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) has been investigated. The experiments were performed at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU. The turbine was installed in the wind tunnel at the department and measurements were performed at several distances behind the turbine to examine the development of the flow. A five-hole pitot probe was applied as measurement instrument. The instrument made it possible to calculate both size and direction of the velocity components.Through the experiments, characteristic curves of the turbine and grid measurements over the cross-section of the wind tunnel, were obtained. The power and thrust coefficients were measured against the local velocity ratio at the tip of the blade, the 'Tip Speed Ratio' (TSR). The power coefficient had a peak at TSR=5,5. The maximum value at this point was 0,45. The highest measured thrust coefficient was 1,15, achieved at TSR=10,3. During the experiments the turbine operated at optimal conditions, at the highest obtained power coefficient.Measurements behind the turbine found that the axial velocity distribution developed as expected. A significant velocity deficit was measured in the wake behind the turbine, which gradually decreased with increased distance to the turbine. Due to the presence of the hub and tower, the middle of the wake was characterized by disturbances. Moving down the wake the profile got more symmetric. The tangential profile was almost symmetric about the origin, right behind the turbine, but drifted to the left at increased distance downstream. Contribution from the tangential components were gradually reduced further down the wake.The tower shadow moved with the rotation of the wake, in clockwise direction, as a region of lower velocities than the prevailing wake. Further downstream the tower shadow merged with the surrounding wake.The rotational axis relocated in the wake behind the turbine. Downstream, measurements showed that the center of rotation moved to the left of the origin. To investigate if the tower was responsible for the experienced downshift, an additional tower was mounted to the tunnel roof, above the turbine. The additional tower created symmetry about the hub and gave a symmetric development of the flow field. Thus, it was concluded that the tower was responsible for the relocation of the rotational axis

Those who stay: Job Insecurity, Respectful Engagement and Openness to Change following a Downsizing : The moderating effect of Respectful Engagement on the relationship between Job Insecurity and Openness to Change

Masteroppgave(MSc) in Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Psychology - Handelshøyskolen BI, 2016This study aims to examine the relationship between job insecurity, openness to change and respectful engagement among layoff survivors. We propose that job insecurity, measured by threat to job features and powerlessness, negatively affect layoff survivors’ openness to change and that respectful engagement will positively moderate these relationships. In an attempt to test our model, we use hierarchical regression analysis on a sample consisting of employees from the Norwegian labor market. The results show that threat to job features negatively affect layoff survivors’ openness to change, and further indicate that respectful engagement is an important aspect to acknowledge as it positively moderates the relationship. However, the results also reveal that powerlessness does not have a significant negative correlation to openness to change. In addition, the effect of respectful engagement is not significantly positively moderating this relationship. Implications for theory and practice, limitation and directions for future research are also discussed. Keywords: change, downsizing, job insecurity, job features, powerlessness, high quality connection, respectful engagemen

Determination of lipid oxidation products in vegetable oils and marine omega-3 supplements

Background : There is convincing evidence that replacing dietary saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) decreases risk of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, PUFA rich foods such as vegetable oils, fatty fish, and marine omega-3 supplements are recommended. However, PUFA are easily oxidizable and there is concern about possible negative health effects from intake of oxidized lipids. Little is known about the degree of lipid oxidation in such products. Objective : To assess the content of lipid oxidation products in a large selection of vegetable oils and marine omega-3 supplements available in Norway. Both fresh and heated vegetable oils were studied. Design : A large selection of commercially available vegetable oils and marine omega-3 supplements was purchased from grocery stores, pharmacies, and health food stores in Norway. The content of lipid oxidation products were measured as peroxide value and alkenal concentration. Twelve different vegetable oils were heated for a temperature (225°C) and time (25 minutes) resembling conditions typically used during cooking. Results : The peroxide values were in the range 1.04–10.38 meq/kg for omega-3 supplements and in the range 0.60–5.33 meq/kg for fresh vegetable oils. The concentration range of alkenals was 158.23–932.19 nmol/mL for omega-3 supplements and 33.24–119.04 nmol/mL for vegetable oils. After heating, a 2.9–11.2 fold increase in alkenal concentration was observed for vegetable oils. Conclusions : The contents of hydroperoxides and alkenals in omega-3 supplements are higher than in vegetable oils. After heating vegetable oils, a large increase in alkenal concentration was observed

Controller design for an unmanned surface vessel: Design of a heading autopilot and way-point navigation system for an underactuated USV.

Design of a heading autopilot and way-point navigation system an underactuated USV

Bioactive properties and chemical composition of six walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars

The chemical composition, antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity were studied in six walnuts (Juglans regia L.) cultivars (cv. Franquette, Lara, Marbot, Mayette, Mellanaise and Parisienne) produced in Portugal. Concerning their chemical composition the main constituent of fruits was fat ranging from 78.83% to 82.14%, being the nutritional value around 720 kcal per 100 g of fruits. Linoleic acid was the major fatty acid reaching the maximum value of 60.30% (cv. Lara) followed by oleic, linolenic and palmitic acids. The aqueous extracts of walnut cultivars were investigated by the reducing power assay, the scavenging effect on DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals and b-carotene linoleate model system. All the walnut extracts exhibited antioxidant capacity in a concentration- dependent manner being the lowest EC50 values obtained with extracts of cv. Parisienne. Their antimicrobial capacity was also checked against gram positive (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungi (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans), revealing activity against the different tested microorganisms

A Longitudinal Follow-up Study of Cognitive Flexibility and Rumination in First Episode Major Depression

Hovedoppgave psykologprogrammetPROPSY317PRPSY