Preservative Research Articles

Concrete actions of the private sector to promote children’s health.

The role of food industry and retailers in preventing children obesity is primarily to improve products nutritional quality and, secondarily, to collaborate in informing consumers. To this purpose, Coop has created a “Scientific Committee” with ECOG and SIO (Italian Obesity Association) and developed significant actions to promote children’s health. 1. Creation of a range of “virtuous” food products for children 4–10 years old. The line includes products, which have been reformulated eliminating colorants, tropical fats and artificial flavourings, reducing calories, fats, saturated fats, simple sugars, preservatives and sodium and increasing fibres. Products that could not be reformulated were eliminated from the range. 2. Specific voluntary labelling: extended nutritional chart per portion, where possible RDA for kids, per portion (calories, simple sugars, total and saturated fats, sodium). 3. Alert on the label to suggest a moderate consumption by children on around 60 Coop private label products intended for adults (soft drinks, chips, nectars, some chocolate-based snacks). 4. Information and education campaign on nutrition, on the website http://www.alimentazionebambini.it , with the supervision of experts in prevention and treatment of obesity from ECOG and SIO and with dedicated sections on: recipes, games, tales and rhymes for mothers and children; information articles on proper children’s diet; users questions answered by experts. Products reformulation took around 2 years, which confirms the possibility to act in the short term. The website’s visitors are constantly increasing, confirming the positive results of a correct partnership between the public and private sectors.

A Study of the Efficacy of Cardiac Antidysrhythmic Drugs in Attenuating Haemodynamic Responses to Laryngoscopy and Endotracheal Intubation in the Black Population

Background: Laryngeal, tracheal and bronchial receptors are stimulated by mechanical and chemical irritants during laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. That almost always triggers powerful cardiovascular responses. Various attempts have been made to attenuate these responses. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of cardiac antidysrhythmic drugs lidocaine, diltiazem and esmolol in the attenuation of cardiovascular responses to endotracheal intubation in the Black normotensive population. Patients and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 160 adult patients of ASA physical status I or II undergoing various elective surgeries. The patients were randomly divided into four groups of 40 patients in each group - C, L, D, and E. Group - “C” received no drug (control) as placebo, group -“L” received 1.5 mg kg-1 preservative free lidocaine, group -“D” received 0.2 mg kg-1 diltiazem, and group-“E” received 2mg kg-1 esmolol IV. Group “C”, “D” and “E”, “L” one and two minutes before intubation. Changes in heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured and then compared within and between groups. Rate pressure product (RPP) was calculated and evaluated as well. Patients were also observed for any complications. Result: There was a significant increase in SBP, DBP, HR, MAP and RPP from the base line in control group “C” at 1 minute with onward decreases at 3 and 5 minutes respectively after intubation. Percentage change in haemodynamic variables in groups C, L, D and E at 1 minute are as follows: SBP= 23.58%, 11.84%, 9.64% and 9.9%, DBP= 18.73%, 18.89%, 11.93% and 10.40%, HR= 30.45%, 26.00%, 7.01% and 1.50%; MAP= 20.80%, 15.89%, 10.90 and 10.20%; RPP= 61.44%, 40.86%, 17.26% and 11.68% respectively. Only patients receiving placebo had increased SBP, DBP, HR, MAP and RPP values after intubation compared with baseline values (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Given the difference in the pharmacological mechanisms of these drugs, the prophylactic therapy with 2mg kg-1 esmolol is significantly more effective and safe for attenuating haemodynamic changes to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, without producing increased risk of hypertension in the Black population.

Antimicrobial Properties of Chili Peppers

Chili peppers are used worldwide in foods for their pungent flavor, aroma, and to prolong food spoilage. With capsaicin contents ranging from zero to millions of Scoville heat units, the different varieties offer a wide range of options for people all over the world. In addition to their use in cuisines, chili peppers have been explored for their antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Consequently, research is underway to determine the potential for the application of chili pepper extracts in the food industry in place of artificial preservatives. As new antibiotic-resistant food borne pathogens emerge, the discovery of natural antimicrobials in chili peppers will be invaluable to food scientists. This review goes over some relevant research that has already been done in this area. In addition it lays the ground for the new research that is emerging testing new varieties of chili peppers for nutrient content, flavor profiles, and for antimicrobial activities against numerous human pathogens.

Use of Novel Lactic Acid Bacterial Strains with Antagonistic Activity for the Preparation of Safe Indigenous Fermented Dairy Foods (Dahi and Raita)

AbstractAttempts were made to isolate natural antagonistic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and use them in production of dahi and raita for increased safety. Seventy isolates of LAB were isolated from dahi obtained from different sources. These isolates were tested for their antagonistic activity against selected pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus and Escherichia coli AB 1157 by adopting agar well assay method. Out of the 70 lactic acid bacterial isolates, 8 were found to have antagonistic activity against both pathogenic organisms. These isolates achieved the desired fermentation rate. Dahi produced by these isolates was found acceptable according to sensory evaluation. The LAB isolates with antagonistic activity were identified by molecular characterization. It is concluded that the identified antagonistic cultures were effective in inhibiting the growth of E. coli and Sta. aureus in dahi and raita.Practical ApplicationsMilk products like dahi and raita are widely consumed, and market for them has existed in many parts of the world for many generations. There is an increased demand by the consumer for high‐quality natural food, free from artificial preservatives and contaminating microorganisms. The presence of Escherichia coli in milk products indicates the presence of enteropathogenic microorganisms, which constitute a public health hazard. Staphylococcus aureus causes minor skin infection to life‐threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis and septicemia. Because the fermented products are very popular in Indian diet, the use of a starter culture that can ferment as well as check the growth of pathogenic organism would be very ideal. Hence, novel antagonistic strains of lactic acid bacteria was identified from natural sources and used successfully as starter culture for production of indigenous fermented milk products, namely dahi and raita, with increased safety.

Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils and solvent extracts of Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum Desf. from Tunisia

This study aimed to quantify the active biological compounds in Origanum vulgare subsp.glandulosum Desf. Analysis of the chemical composition essential oil from Tunisia was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectral (GC-MS). The antioxidant capacities of essential oil and extracts were evaluated using free radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and metal chelating effects. The antidiabetic activity was screened using α-amylase. The oil was dominated by carvacrol (61.20 to 74.03), p-cymene (5.89 to 12.60), and g-terpinene (1.13 to 6.88). 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) assays showed that leaves of O. vulgare have a potent antioxidant activities which was comparable to Trolox. The methanol extract have the highest ion chelating ability at around 76.98 mg equivalent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)/g dry matter (DM). The amounts of chlorophylls A and B were higher than that of lycopene and β-carotene. Essential oils and extracts, screened for α-amylase inhibitory effect, showed a strong capacity to inhibit the degradation of starch by pancreatic and salivary α-amylase. Extracts and essential oils of O. vulgare showed substantial antioxidant activity, and detectible inhibitory effect on α-amylase activity, therefore it could be used as a natural preservative ingredient in food and/or pharmaceutical industries. Key words: Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum, essential oil, solvent extract, biological activities.

Nursing intervention for prevention of ocular surface injury caused by local use of anti-glaucoma drugs

Objective To investigate the effect of nursing intervention on the prevention of ocular surface injury caused by the local use of anti-glaucoma drugs.Methods 86 patients locally taking antiglaucoma drugs were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group,43 cases for each group.Routine health education of the local use of anti-glaucoma drugs and routine nursing were received by the control group,while prospective nursing intervention was taken by the intervention group to prevent ocular surface injury.Results After the intervention,the score of dry eye symptom was (1.5+1.1),the tear break-up time was (6.44 + 3.76) s,and the basal tear test was (5.24+ 1.54) mm/5 min in the intervention group.There were statistical differences between the 2 groups (P ＜ 0.05 with all comparisons).Conclusions Nursing intervention for the patients taking anti-glaucoma drugs to prevent ocular surface injury can reduce ocular surface damage,improve the compliance of local use of anti-glaucoma drugs and drug effect,and make their quality of life better. Key words: Anti-glaucoma medications; Local use of drug; Preservative; Ocular surface injury

Essential oil of Zataria multiflora Boiss upregulates retinoblastoma tumor suppressor in the liver of rat

The Zataria multiflora Boiss is endemic plant of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Several traditional purposes have been indicated for this medicinal plant including medical purposes, natural preservative of a wide variety of foods and as a food flavour. Currently, the correlation has been found between the essential oil of Z. multiflora Boiss and anti-carcinogenesis effects by regulation of two controller genes of mammalian cell cycle named ATM and MDM2. The aim of this study is to understand the molecular response of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (Rb1) and protein (pRb) to the essential oil of this plant. Rb1 gene is required for inhibiting of cell cycle entering to S-phase and its inactivation contributes to tumorigenesis. In present study, liver samples of eight normal male rats were examined for expression analysis of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene and its product by using Semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting methods, respectively. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software through independent-sample T-test. The essential oil supplementation at concentration of 50 µl/kg body weight per day induced significantly upregulation in gene and protein expression of Rb1 tumor suppressor in rat liver after one week treatment (P = 0.001). Induction in level of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor by essential oil of Z. multiflora Boiss along with its property in regulation of ATM and MDM2 genes expression appear to play an important role in cell cycle control. This data implicated that the essential oil of Z. multiflora Boiss may offer new tools for therapeutic intervention in the retinoblastoma pathway for cancer prevention and treatment. This is the first report showing the potential role of essential oil of Z. multiflora Boiss as a new class of natural retinoblastoma tumor suppressor inducer and therefore, it could be used as a natural preservative ingredient in food and pharmaceutical industries. Key words: Zataria multiflora Boiss, retinoblastoma tumor suppressor, essential oil, cancer.

Antimicrobial Effect of Emodin Isolated from Cassia tora Linn. Seeds against Food-Borne Bacteria

Abstract The antimicrobial activities of emodin and its derivatives(anthraquinone, alizarin, and alizarin-3-methyliminodiacetic acid)were evaluated using a paper disc diffusion method against food-borne bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes,Staphylococcus intermedius, Salmonella typhimurium andShigella sonnei). Emodin isolated from C. tora seeds has anantimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, followed byalizarin-3-methyliminodiacetic acid (13.0±2.5 mm) and alizarin(11.5±1.2 mm). Furthermore, emodin showed the antimicrobialactivity against S. sonnei and S. typhimurium. In conclusion, C.tora seed and its active component derivatives are useful for thedevelopment of natural products on food supplemental agents andpharmaceuticals. Keywords antimicrobial activity · Cassia tora seeds · emodin ·food-borne bacteriaFor the last decades, food industry has emphasized effort todevelop their products modified from the current market. Sometechniques have been devised to prevent the microorganismproliferation from the food degradation and the risk of pathogens(Appendini and Hotchkiss, 2002). The concerns about food safetyhave being continued because of the outbreaks of new food-bornedisease caused by pathogenic microorganism. Although chemicalor artificial preservatives are already used to inhibit or inactivategrowth of various kinds of pathogenic microorganisms, some ofthem have been caused to unwanted effects such as allergicdiseases (Fleming-Jones and Smith, 2003; Powella et al., 2011;Liang et al., 2012). The natural substances as alternatives may beemployed (Kim et al., 2013). Therefore, these play the importantroles in future food preservation markets.Cassia tora Linn. is an annual small shrub which grows inAsian countries. It is commonly known as ‘Sicklepod’ (Maity etal., 1998). The seed extracts of C. tora have been used in Chinesemedicine as an aperient, anti-asthenic and diuretic agent and alsoto improve visual activity (Asolkar et al., 1992; Maity et al.,1998). The seeds of C. tora contain several anthraquinoneglycosides and naphthopyran glycosides. The seed extract is alsoreported for its hypotensive activity. Many medicinal propertiessuch as antihepatotoxic, antimicrobial, and antimutagenic activitieshave been attributed this plant (Wong et al., 1989; Choi et al.,1997; Yen and Chung, 1999; Patil et al., 2004). To substantiate theclaim, this study was initiated to evaluate the antimicrobial effectsof C. tora seeds and active components against food-bornebacteria.Alizarin, alizarin-3-methyliminodiacetic acid, and emodin werepurchased from Fluka Chemical (Germany) and anthraquinoneand tetracycline were provided from Sigma Chemical (USA). Theother chemicals were of reagent grade. The seeds of C. tora werepurchased from a local market in Jeonju and the extraction andpartition of C. tora seeds were performed as modified from Kimet al. (2004). C. tora seeds (5 kg) were extracted twice withmethanol (10 L) in the shaking incubator at 30

Antioxidant property of selected Ocimum species andtheir secondary metabolite content

In this study, chemical composition and antioxidative properties of eight selected Ocimum species (Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum americanum, Ocimum minimum, Ocimum citriodorum, Ocimum kilimandscharicum, Ocimum grandiflorum, Ocimum lamiifolium, and Ocimum selloi) was investigated. Leaves of these plants were extracted using methanol. The quantitative analysis of phenolic constituents was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Total phenolic content was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and antioxidant activity was assessed using iron (III) reduction,
-carotene–linoleic acid bleaching, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide anion free radical scavenging assays. Phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamates, and flavonoids were identified and quantified within each extracts based on the area of each peaks with an external standards. The extracts of Ocimum species exhibited activity in all the in vitro antioxidant assays but it was not as potent as butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA). The phytochemicals found in each extract are rich antioxidants and these extracts can be used as an effective preservative in food industry. Key words: Ocimum species, antioxidant activity, free radicals, total phenols, HPLC, secondary metabolites

Field tests for mold resistance with BHT and BTA added to bamboo preservatives

To improve resistance of bamboo preservatives against hydrolysis，light degradation，and oxidation degradation in outdoor applications，an antioxidant，butylated hydroxytoluene （BHT），and an ultraviolet absorber，benzotriazole （BTA），were added to the preservatives propiconazole and tebuconazole and applied to four-year-old bamboo samples. Then，the influence on mold resistance was studied through 24 weeks of field tests. Results showed that for a 1.0% concentration of tebuconazole，adding BHT alone increased resistance against mold fungi on the up-face of bamboo from 19.14% to 34.84%；however，BTA alone reduced mold resistance. Nevertheless，adding both BHT and BTA to tebuconazole increased mold resistance to 42.75%. For a 1.0% propiconazole concentration，mold resistance on the up-face of bamboo with BTA alone increased from 14.4% to 37.23%，but BHT alone had little effect；adding both BHT and BTA to propiconazole，however，increased mold resistance to 54.12%. Thus，using BHT and BTA together could enhance mold resistance of both tebuconazole and propiconazole.［Ch，4 fig. 6 tab. 17 ref.］

Antifungal activities of essential oils from some Iranian medicinal plants against various post harvest moulds

The potential antifungal effects of the essential oils and components of Thymus vulgaris L.,Thymus migricus Klokov and Desj-Shost., Thymus koschyanus Boiss., Mentha spicata L.,Mentha pulegium L., and Satureja mutica Fisch and C.A. (Lamiaceae) were investigated against four food poisoning and plant pathogens. The essential oils were obtained by hydro distillation of dried plant materials and their composition was determined by gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer (GC-MS) in previous studies. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the oils and their components were determined by dilution assays. Thymus species showed very strong antifungal activities. Culture Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media with all oil-enrichment resulted in significant (P≤0.01) reduction on subsequent colony development of Rhizopus oryzae (up to 28%) at 100 ppm; Botrytis cinerea (up to 100%); Penicillium expansum (up to 69%) at 100 ppm and Rhizopus stolonifer (up to 56%) at 100 ppm. Among studied fungi, B. cinerea and P. expansum were the most sensitive pathogens treated with MICs of 100 and 150 ppm, respectively. Differences between high MICs and MFCs of M. spicata and T. vulgaris and low MICs and MFCs of T. koschyanus and T. migricus inhibiting the growth and colony development of tested fungi correlated with simultaneous high concentration of thymol and carvacrol in species of T. koschyanus, T. migricus, M. pulegium and S. mutica. It is concluded that essential oils of Thymus, Satureja and Mentha species possess great antifungal potential and could be used as natural preservatives and fungicides. Key words: Antifungal activity, plant pathogens, essential oils, fungal growth, Lamiaceae family.

A novel reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction reveals a high prevalence of Plasmodium vivax gametocyte carriage in an endemic area of Thailand

Background: Gametocytes are precursors of malaria sexual stages that are infective to mosquito vectors and play crucial roles in maintaining cycle of infection. Microscopy cannot determine the status of gametocyte carriage in those who had submicroscopic gametocytemia that may serve as infectious reservoirs in endemic areas. Meanwhile, gametocytes possess stage-specific mRNA that can be detected by molecular methods. Objective: To develop a sensitive method for detection of Plasmodium vivax gametocytes using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and determine its diagnostic performance in clinical samples. Materials and Methods: A nested RT-PCR was devised using primers targeting Pvs25, a mature gametocytespecific mRNA transcript of P. vivax (nested Pvs25 RT-PCR). Performance of the assay was evaluated using mRNA extracted from blood samples of 180 febrile patients attending a malaria clinic in Tak Province. Total RNA was extracted from blood samples that were preserved in RNAlater???? and from dried blood on filter papers. Malaria species was determined by microscopy from Giemsa stained blood smears and reaffirmed by nested PCR targeting mitochondrial cytochrome b (nested mtCytb PCR). Results: Of 180 blood samples, malaria was diagnosed in 120 patients (69 P. vivax and 51 P. falciparum) by microscopy and 125 patients by nested mtCytb PCR (69 P. vivax, 51 P. falciparum and 5 coinfections with both these species). Microscopy detected gametocytes in 30 of all 74 (40.5%) P. vivax positives by nested mtCytb PCR. Meanwhile, 67 of 74 (90.5%) P. vivax-positive isolates that were preserved in RNAlater???? gave positive results by nested Pvs25 RT-PCR. Therefore, nested Pvs25 RT-PCR identified mature P. vivax gametocytes more than twice as frequently as microscopy. The minimum detection threshold for nested Pvs25 RT-PCR was 10 copies of template DNA whereas no cross-reactivity with other human malaria species was observed. Dried blood collected on filter papers offered comparable results for Pvs25 mRNA detection with blood stored in RNA preservative with only 2.7% difference in positive rates. Conclusion: The nested RT-PCR targeting Pvs25 developed in this study is sensitive and specific for diagnosing mature P. vivax gametocytes and can be efficiently applied to both blood samples kept in RNA preservative and dried blood on filter paper. Keywords: Plasmodium vivax, Gametocyte, Pvs25, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Thailand

TWO NEW SPECIES OF THE LABRID FISH GENUS CIRRHILABRUS FROM THE RED SEA

ABSTRACT Cirrhilabrus blatteus and Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis, new species, are described from the northwestern Red Sea, Gulf of Elat (= Gulf of 'Aqaba). C. blatteus, the largest species of the genus (up to at least 114 mm SL), is distinctive in color, particularly the purple of its bones, which persists in preservative, and in the biserial pairing of some of the suborbital pores. C. rubriventralis differs from all known species of the genus in having a single row of scales on its cheek, as well as a marked prolongation of the interspinous membranes at the anterior end of the dorsal fin of males.

CALCIUM PROMOTES LONGEVITY AND BUD OPENING IN CUT ROSE FLOWERS

ABSTRACT Calcium applied to cut rose flowers mainly as Ca(NO3)2 (but also as CaCl2) extended longevity and promoted bud opening. The effect was recorded when calcium was applied either alone or together with 2% sucrose (S) and 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (HQC). Treatments were applied either continuously or as a short-term (20-h) pulse. Longevity extension was observed in the rose cultivars Sonia, Celica, Samantha, and Mercedes. In Ilseta roses, calcium did not extend longevity over that achieved in an HQC + S preservative solution. Mg and K salts had no beneficial effect on the keeping qualities of cut roses. Measurements of 45Ca distribution showed that calcium accumulated in all flower parts, including petals.

Chemical constituents of the essential oil from leaves of Psidium cattleianum var. cattleianum

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of dried leaves of Psidium cattleianum var. cattleianum was analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of seventy six compounds, representing 97.5% of the oil were identified. The major constituents of the essential oil were caryophyllene oxide (29.56%), alloaromadendrene oxide-(1) (6.82%), 12-oxabicyclo [9.1.0] dodeca-3,7-diene (5.85%) and 1H-cycloprop[e]azulene (3.49%). High concentration of caryophyllene oxide in the oil suggests its usefulness as natural preservative in food industry. The terpenic and ester compounds could contribute to the aroma of P. cattleianum var. cattleianum .

Different formulations contain different preservatives

Different formulations contain different preservatives

Experts question proposed mercury preservative ban in vaccines

Experts question proposed mercury preservative ban in vaccines

Comparative study of antimicrobial activities of some mangrove plants from Sundarban Estuarine Regions of India

The study investigated antimicrobial activities in different tissues of four mangrove plants:Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh (Avicenniaceae), Avicennia alba Blume (Avicenniaceae),Clerodendrum inerme Gaertn (Verbenaceae) and Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco (Myrsinaceae) found in the Sundarban delta regions of West Bengal State, India. Organic solvent extracts obtained from different tissues of these plants were investigated by disc diffusion tests against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sakazakii and Acinetobacter baumannii) and fungi (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Termitomyces clypeatus). Results suggested that extracts from various parts of these plants had growth-inhibitory effects on fungus and Gram-positive bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were determined for some of these extracts. The antimicrobial activities were found to be heat stable when the crude extracts were subjected to controlled heat stress. The pH tolerance of the antimicrobial activities was found to be wide ranging with marginal changes in activities at extreme pH. The results suggested that these plants could be exploited in the management of various infectious diseases and their tissue extracts might have roles as pharmaceuticals and preservatives. Key words: Antimicrobial activity, mangrove, Sundarban Estuary, disc diffusion test, heat stability, pH sensitivity.

Effectiveness of Restricted Elimination Diets for Management of ADHD: Concerns about the 2011 INCA Study

Study, 1 • Research Findings, 10 For more than 30 years, parents and professionals have been interested in the extent to which symptoms of ADHD may be a result of allergic reactions to artificial colorings, flavorings, or preservatives routinely added to food consumed by children. Ever since physician Benjamin Feingold (1975) asserted that up to 70% of children with ADHD were so as a consequence of such food allergies or sensitivities, substantial research has been undertaken to explore this possibility. Much of this research occurred in the 1970s and early 1980s, most of which was summarized in a book by psychologist C. Keith Conners (1980). Kavale and Forness (1983) conducted the first meta-analysis of 23 studies of Feingold’s Kaiser-Permanente (K-P) diet in which foods containing natural salicylates, artificial colorings, and some preservatives were removed from children’s diets. This review noted an average effect size (ES)* of 0.12 (not significant), with teacher ratings reflecting a slightly greater effect size (0.27). Poorly controlled studies had a somewhat higher ES (0.33) than better controlled studies (0.09). Such ES levels are relatively modest and 3 to 4 times smaller than effects achieved by ADHD medications, so the K-P diet was not a panacea for ADHD and was surely not going to replace other science-based treatments for the disorder. The early reviews concluded that while, at most, a small fraction of children (11–33%), particularly in the preschool age group, may show some increase in ADHD-like symptoms upon exposure to these additives or some reduction in symptoms following their removal, the majority of children were unaffected by such manipulations, including those with ADHD. Thus, there seemed to be some small effect, presumably due to allergic responses, but hardly the extensive and pervasive effects claimed by Feingold. Effectiveness of Restricted Elimination Diets for Management of ADHD: Concerns about the 2011 INCA Study

Ocular surface injury resulted from topical anti-glaucoma medications: prevention and cure

The accumulating evidences from experimental and clinical studies suggested that the ocular surface could be injured by topical anti-glaucoma medications. The ocular surface injury not only caused dry eyes, red eye, eye itching, photophobia and other discomforts, but also increased the risk of failure of glaucoma surgery in patients. The commonly used preservative Benzalkonium Chloride (BAK) plays an important role in ocular surface damage and its side effects are dose- and time-dependent, particularly, in the combined medications. Topical application of preservative BAK could result in the damage of epithelial cells and endothelial cells, and also affect the central corneal thickness. Prevention of ocular injury should be seriously taken into consideration in the anti-glaucoma medical treatment. Development of complex preparations, preservative-free and/or novel preservative preparations for glaucoma therapy may provide a promising approach in the prevention of ocular surface injury.