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Background It seems alternative treatments such as antioxidant intervention and anti-inflammatory intervention adjuvant to antibiotic regimens may enhance cancer prevention approaches and decrease adverse side effects related to therapeutic antibiotic regimens. So, we will evaluate the effects of concurrent omega-3 and cranberry juice supplementation along with standard antibiotic therapy on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, gastrointestinal symptoms, some serum inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in adults with HP infection. Methods We will conduct a 4-week double-blinded randomized clinical trial. The subjects will be randomly stratified according to sex and BMI using a permuted block randomization procedure by Random Allocation Software (RAS). They will be assigned to one of the four study groups: (1) cranberry juice fortified with omega-3 Intervention (n=23), (2) cranberry juice intervention group (n=23), (3) placebo beverage fortified with omega-3 intervention group (n=23), and (4) placebo beverage intervention (control group) (n=23). All statistical analyses will be performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software. Discussion A combination of alternative therapies may have a synergistic effect compared to a single approach. It could potentially be more effective in promoting the efficacy of standard antibiotic therapy in eradicating HP infection. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20151128025274N3, www.irct.ir/trial/28997). Trial status This study is in the early stages of sampling.

The NHK morning drama Massan features a male protagonist who unrelentingly pursues his dream of making Scotch whisky with Japanese-grown ingredients. After spending two years studying whisky-making...

Eyelid myokymia, commonly referred to as "eyelid twitching", is a common, benign condition that resolves in most individuals within hours to days; however, chronic cases can persist for several weeks to months, prompting the search for home remedies that may reduce the frequency or duration of symptoms. In this article, we discuss the proposed pathophysiologic mechanism and safety concerns surrounding tonic water as a treatment for eyelid myokymia.

Consider what would have happened to world history, first without malaria and then without quinine.––Henry Hobhouse, Seeds of Change: Six Plants that Transformed Mankind In Just the Tonic: A Natura...

Aside, perhaps, from those planning a long holiday or encountering advertisements for expensive tonic water, one imagines few people in twenty-first-century Britain give malaria very much thought.1...

The formation of a novel complex with cyclodextrin was investigated for the separation of cinchona alkaloids including the diastereomeric pairs of quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine. The optimized separation of mixed cinchona alkaloids was obtained using 18 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, 3 mM Cu(II), and 20 mM hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin at pH 5.7 with an applied voltage of 20 kV. Under these conditions, the four cinchona alkaloids were completely separated with resolution values between 9.08 and 3.94. The linear dynamic ranges for the analytes were from 10 to 1000 µg/mL with separation in less than 30 minutes. This method was used for the analysis of cinchona bark, quinine injection, and tonic water.

Thrombocytopenic purpura can develop from an induced antibody response that destroys platelets. Megakaryocyte production may also play a role. Although the inciting antigen is usually not identified, it is important to consider medications. This article presents the case of a man who developed sudden onset of severe thrombocytopenia associated with the ingestion of quinine-containing tonic water.

This work evaluates the corrosion resistance of the inner surface of the aluminium cans in guarana, cola flavoured and tonic water soft drinks using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The less aggressive electrolyte was tonic water. One time constant was identified for the aluminium can in contact with guarana and tonic water. In the most aggressive medium of cola flavoured soft drinks, two time constants were identified and a charge transfer resistance was obtained associated to a corrosion of aluminium in contact with the electrolyte.

High-gravity brewing employs wort (15―20°P original gravity) at a higher than normal concentration, and to obtain sales-gravity beer, dilution with water (usually carbon filtered and deoxygenated) is required at a later stage in processing. Using this method, increased production demands can be met without significant expansion of brewing, fermenting, and storage facilities. Scotch whisky production, particularly grain whisky, also is increasingly employing high-gravity techniques (18―21°P wort) during a continuous fermentation procedure. The principal advantage to this procedure is the more efficient use of existing processes. The disadvantages of high-gravity brewing include decreased beer foam stability, a variety of stress effects on yeast, and problems with beer flavor matching compared with sales-gravity brewed beers. The stress effects of high-gravity wort also include enlargement of the yeast vacuole and changes in the topography of the yeast cell surface. Hydrodynamic stress effects on yeast are also a problem, particularly when employing centrifugation at the end of fermentation to crop yeast for recycling into a subsequent fermentation. Finally, difficulties encountered in both brewing and distilling include the inability of yeast to completely utilize the largest fermentable wort sugar—maltotriose. This is particularly the case during grain whisky production by continuous fermentation under high-gravity wort conditions.

Objective. This study compares the effects of daily cranberry juice to those of Lactobacillus in children with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Material and methods. Eighty-four girls aged between 3 and 14 years were randomized to cranberry, Lactobacillus or control in three treatment arms: G1, cranberry juice 50 ml daily (n=28); G2, 100 ml of Lactobacillus GG drink on 5 days a month (n=27); and G3, controls (n=29). The study lasted for 6 months. Results. Only four subjects withdrew: 1/28 (3.5%) from G1, 1/27 (3.7%) from G2 and 2/29 (6.8%) from G3, because of poor compliance to the established protocol. There were 34 episodes of UTIs in this cohort: 5/27 (18.5%) in G1, 11/26 (42.3%) in G2 and 18/27 (48.1%) in the G3, with at least one episode of infection (p

China's admission in the WTO and commitment to cut tariffs on alcohol related goods provide a considerable opportunity for the USA, Europe and other countries. The present study examines Chinese consumer behaviour with regard to alcoholic beverages (wine, wine cooler and beer) using a Chinese household survey data. The results show that beer and wine cooler are normal goods while wine is still a luxury good in China. The price elasticities of wine and wine cooler are larger than that of beer.

Cranberry, which is rich in polyphenols, including anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, has been found to have various effects beneficial to human health, including prevention of urinary tract infections. These effects have been associated with polyphenols in the fruit. We investigated the excretion of anthocyanins in human urine after ingestion of cranberry juice. Eleven healthy volunteers consumed 200 ml of cranberry juice containing 650.8 microg total anthocyanins. Urine samples were collected within 24 h before and after consumption. Six of 12 anthocyanins identified in cranberry were quantified in human urine by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS-MS). Among these, peonidin 3-O-galactoside, the second most plentiful anthocyanin in the juice, was found most abundantly in urine within 24 h, corresponding to 41.5 nmol (56.1% of total anthocyanins). The urinary levels of anthocyanins reached a maximum between 3 and 6 h after ingestion, and the recovery of total anthocyanins in the urine over 24 h was estimated to be 5.0% of the amount consumed. This study found high absorption and excretion of cranberry anthocyanins in human urine.

A simple and rapid reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP‐HPLC) method was developed for the routine determination of quinine in soft drinks, which is added when a bitter taste is required. The analytical column, an MZ Kromasil, C18, 5 µm, 250 × 4 mm2, was operated at ambient temperature with backpressure of 230 kg/cm2. The mobile phase consisted of CH3OH–CH3CN–CH3COONH4 0.1 M, (45:15:40 %v/v/v) and was delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Fluorescence detection was performed at 325 nm (excitation) and 375 nm (emission). For the quantitative determination of quinine, salicylic acid was used as internal standard at a concentration of 0.5 ng/µL, resulting in a detection limit (signal‐to‐noise ratio 3:1) of 0.3 ng, while the upper limit of linear range was 0.7 ng/µL. Analysis time was less than 5 min. The statistical evaluation of the method was examined performing intra‐day (n = 8) and inter‐day calibration (n = 8) and was found to be satisfactory, with high accuracy and prec...

(2003). Brand Building and Structural Change in the Scotch Whisky Industry since 1975. Business History: Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 72-89.

Analysis of fermentation samples from the Speyside malt whisky distillery by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed numerous lactic acid bacteria including Lactobacillus fermentum,...

Urinary tract health benefits have long been ascribed to the American cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, through folklore. Now, a growing body of science supports this association. Current research suggests that this benefit is due to components in cranberry preventing the adhesion of certain bacteria in the urinary tract. Cranberry's relatively unique A-type proanthocyanidins were identified as the components that prevented the adhesion of P-fimbriated E. coli to uroepithelial cells using bioassay-directed fractionation techniques. Very recently, using an animal model, in vivo evidence was obtained suggesting that cranberry proanthocyanidins were absorbed and elicited this specific anti-adherence activity in urine. Recent preliminary research suggests that cranberry's microbial anti-adhesion effect may extend into the gastrointestinal tract, which may contribute to both the urinary tract health benefit as well as preventing attachment of H. pylori, the bacteria responsible for many peptic ulcers. Diets high in fruits, vegetables, and grains contribute to improving health status in a number of ways. Oxidative stress may play a role in the development of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. Ex vivo testing indicates that cranberry flavonoids inhibit the oxidation of human LDL cholesterol, with proanthocyanidins the most active flavonoid fraction. Additionally, a diet rich in cranberry juice powder significantly reduced the total and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesteremic pigs. Cranberry appears to be a relatively unique fruit in that it may provide benefits both through microbial anti-adhesion and possibly through antioxidant mechanisms.

One of the major health benefits attributed to the ingestion of cranberry juice is the maintenance of urinary tract health. Traditionally, the juice was thought to cause acidification of the urine resulting in a bacteriostatic effect. However, recent research has demonstrated that a bacterial antiadhesion mechanism is responsible. Proanthocyanidins with unique molecular structures have been isolated from cranberry fruit that exhibit potent bacterial antiadhesion activity. Little is known about the bioavailability and structure-activity relationships of cranberry proanthocyanidins. Data on how certain structural features of the molecules can influence bioactivity and bioavailability are reviewed.

This paper utilizes the Scotch Whisky industry to identify an issue which is absent from the current literature on sector specific clusters namely the concept of power. It is argued that in order to understand the nature of power relationships within a cluster it is necessary to adopt a radical Coasian framework. The paper utilizes a typical Structure-conduct-performance approach to analyse the Scotch Whisky industry and to highlight the problems that power relationships pose within a typical cluster. It is imperative that policy-makers are aware of the power relationships which exist in clusters if clustering strategies are to deliver the perceived potential.

Spectrophotometric and liquid chromatographic methods were used to determine anthocyanin and organic acid content and composition of commercial Finnish cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.). Solid-phase adsorbents were used in the fractionation of juice components prior to chromatographic determination. In the freshly prepared cranberry juice the total amount of anthocyanins was 7.7 mg/100 mL juice determined spectrophotometrically at 510 nm. The most abundant individual anthocyanins were cyanidin-3-galactoside (19.2%), cyanidin-3-arabinoside (23.1%), peonidin-3-galactoside (21.5%) and peonidin-3-arabinoside (14.1%), as determined by RP-HPLC. The total titrable acidity was 3.8g/100g. The main organic acids were citric and malic acids, as determined using an HPLC method. Only a few studies have been conducted on this cranberry species, but more is known about the composition of species Vaccinium macrocarponAit. However, to our surprise, the anthocyanin composition of the berries used in this study was diffe...

Flavonoids can bind the divalent cations frequently used to evaluate LDL antioxidant capacity in vitro.Flavonoids in cranberry juice (CBJ) may serve as antioxidants and promote cardiovascular health. This in vitrostudy characterizes CBJ effects on metal and non-metal based oxidation of human LDL. For cupric ion-initiated oxidation of LDL, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation and relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) were significantly inhibited by CBJ at a dilution of 1:10,000. Diene formation during LDL oxidation was evaluated by continuous measurement of absorbance at 234 nm. Tie time required for cupric ion-initiated LDL oxidations to reach maximum reaction velocity was significantly delayed by 1:10,000 dilutions of CBJ. Non-metal initiated LDL oxidation by 2,2'-azobis-amidi-nopropane was significantly inhibited by CBJ at dilutions of 1:10,000 and 1:5,000 for REM and TT5ARS tests, respectively. Protection of LDL from both metal and non-metal based oxidative injury confirm...

For this paper, the presence or absence of an absurd image was manipulated in a simulated print advertisement for a fictitious brand of wine cooler. Consumers' prior attitude toward wine coolers was hypothesized to moderate the effectiveness of absurdity in advertising. Consumers' cognitive responses were hypothesized to mediate the impact of absurdity and prior product category attitude on consumers' persuasion as measured by consumers' attitude to the ad and brand. The results supported the moderating role of prior product category attitude and a distraction hypothesis explanation of this effect. For subjects with negative prior attitude toward wine coolers, those viewing the absurd ad had a more positive attitude to the ad and brand than those viewing the non-absurd ad. However, for subjects with positive prior attitude toward wine coolers, those viewing the absurd ad did not differ in their ad or brand attitude than those viewing the non-absurd ad. The results also supported the mediating rol...

SUMMARY Misrepresentation of local whisky as a genuine Scotch whisky was the centre of a high-powered legal wrangle in South Africa. As South African courts tend to favour informed expertise over empirical surveys, the author was asked to act as an expert witness for the plaintiffs. Evidence focused upon brand perceptions created by the label, specifically dominant features as opposed to small print.

In this study the marketing of a new design for a current product turns out to be problematic. The product concerned is a one-serve coffeecreamer cup. The novelty of the design concerns the method of use: the new method design is meant to prevent the frequently experienced spilling of coffee milk. However, existing user habits appear to be strongly adhered to, with the result that familiar actions spoil the benefits aimed at. The less familiar people are with the use of coffeecreamer cups the more receptive they seem to be to the new design. These effects appear to be completely overlooked by the designers. Thus the redesign unintentionally addresses a group of users that is not particularly interesting from a marketing point of view. Here conflicting requirements boil down to a designer's dilemma: close resemblance of a new design to existing products can completely ruin improvements in product-use, whilst dissimilarity with the products that are intended to be replaced may heavily frustrate a successful...

Ngoc Ngo1, Scott J Brantley1, Daniel R Carrizosa2, Angela DM Kashuba1, E Claire Dees2, David J Kroll3, Nicholas H Oberlies4, Mary F Paine11UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and 2Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 3Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA; 4Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USABackground: Cranberry products have been implicated in several case reports to enhance the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. The mechanism could involve inhibition of the hepatic CYP2C9-mediated metabolic clearance of warfarin by components in cranberry. Because dietary/natural substances vary substantially in bioactive ingredient composition, multiple cranberry products were evaluated in vitro before testing this hypothesis in vivo.Methods: The inhibitory effects of five types of cranberry juices were compared with those of water on CYP2C9 activity (S-warfarin 7-hydroxylation) in human liver microsomes (HLM). The most potent juice was compared with water on S/R-warfarin pharmacokinetics in 16 healthy participants given a single dose of warfarin 10 mg.Results: Only one juice inhibited S-warfarin 7-hydroxylation in HLM in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05), from 20% to >95% at 0.05% to 0.5% juice (v/v), respectively. However, this juice had no effect on the geometric mean AUC00-oo and terminal half-life of S/R-warfarin in human subjects.Conclusions: A cranberry juice that inhibited warfarin metabolism in HLM had no effect on warfarin clearance in healthy participants. The lack of an in vitro–in vivo concordance likely reflects the fact that the site of warfarin metabolism (liver) is remote from the site of exposure to the inhibitory components in the cranberry juice (intestine).Keywords: warfarin, cranberry, interaction, CYP2C9, metabolism, inhibition

Statement: In the British Medical Research Council (MRC) trial in the elderly, “The large number of dropouts greatly reduced the statistical power of the trial to show benefit. In the other trials, both in the young and the elderly, it is difficult to determine specific outcome….” Response: It is certainly open to debate whether the MRC trial in the elderly allows a firm conclusion regarding the efficacy of beta-blockers. Despite the fact that blood pressure was lowered to exactly the same extent as with diuretics, beta-blockers conferred no morbidity or mortality benefits (1). Unfortunately, as Dr. Moser states, this is the only trial in which a beta-blocker arm was compared against a diuretic arm and against placebo. There are no other trials. Depending on the point of view, this means very simply that either there is no valid evidence for efficacy of beta-blockers or that the evidence available shows inefficacy of the beta-blockers. Thus, we are dealing either with absence of evidence or evidence of absence—take your pick! Statement: “In making the case for not using beta-blockers, Dr. Messerli ignores the fact that the use of beta-blockers reduces the incidence of strokes and congestive heart failure in both young and elderly patients. In addition, the use of beta-blockers, in both the young and elderly, in patients with or without diabetes, has been effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients postmyocardial infarction.” Response: There are no data showing that beta-blocker monotherapy reduces the incidence of strokes and congestive heart failure. In both the Swedish Trial in Old Patients with Hypertension and the Coope and Warrender study, >60% of the patients were receiving a diuretic in combination with the beta-blockers, and the results were never reported separately for beta-blockers and diuretics (2, 3). It is more than likely that all benefits observed were due to diuretic therapy and that betablockers (as tonic water in gin and tonic) were merely an innocent bystander. The fact that beta-blockers remain a cornerstone in the management of the postmyocardial infarction patient allows no conclusion regarding their efficacy in the elderly patient with hypertension. Statement: “When added to ‘usual therapy,’ which includes diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and digitalis, these agents also have reduced the incidence of congestive heart failure, hospitalizations, and overall mortality.” Response: There are no data showing that the addition of betablockers confers any benefit per se. In the MRC trial, whenever a beta-blocker was added to the diuretic, the benefits of diuretic therapy were substantially diminished and became completely nonsignificant with beta-blocker monotherapy (1). In an analysis of the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program study, Dr. Kostis clearly stated, “Additional (independent) benefits attributable to atenolol or to reserpine were not identified” (4). The Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study II, which Dr. Moser quotes, was not carried out in hypertensive patients (5). Statement: “Dr. Messerli ignores a great deal of science when he states that ‘millions of elderly hypertensive patients are needlessly exposed to the cost, inconvenience, and adverse effects of beta-blockers.’” Response: Dr. Moser is much more experienced in studying science than I am; however, I wish he would provide us with the references of the studies that I ignored. Statement: “In the other trial [Captopril Prevention Project], a similar reduction in cardiovascular events was noted in a beta-blocker–based compared with an ACE inhibitor–based treatment program.” Response: In the Captopril Prevention Project trial, captropril was compared with conventional therapy which was not a betablocker–based treatment but consisted of either diuretics, diuretics and beta-blockers, or beta-blockers (6). This is a classic example of “gin-and-tonic” thinking! Statement: “Patients with hypertension appear to have a higher incidence of renal cell carcinoma regardless of therapy.” “Others find increased cancers in hypertensive patients regardless of therapy.” Response: The link between diuretic therapy and renal cell carcinoma has been established by no less than 10 case-control studies and 3 cohort studies in >1 million patients. Not a single study showed a lower risk of renal cell carcinoma in patients who were on a diuretic compared with those who were not. Statisticians and epidemiologists certainly can control these findings for “the presence of hypertension.” However, as clinicians, Dr. Moser and Dr. Kaplan know that such a correction is virtually impossible. Any patient who has been hypertensive for >25 years has received diuretics in one form or the other—most often in fixed combinations. Thus, the common denominator between the incidence of renal cell carcinoma and hypertension is very likely diuretic therapy. Besides, what are the pathophysiologic mechanisms by which hypertension should cause renal cell carcinoma? Statement: “Dr. Messerli might pause to reflect on the reserpine cancer scare based on case-control and retrospective studies.” Response: A thorough review of these 14 case-control studies revealed a statistically highly significant risk (odds ratio, 1.25; confidence interval, 1.09–1.44) (7). However, this is a good example of case-control studies being statistically significant but clinically not meaningful because the risk is small and reserpine is no longer used. Statement: “It may take as long as 15 to 20 years to develop this tumor [renal cell carcinoma], but some evidence should have been uncovered in careful follow-up studies of the >50,000 people who have participated in the diuretic treatment trials.” Response: A reference concerning this cohort of 50,000 people and specific information regarding follow-up, clinical parameters, annual examination, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Who are these patients, who are their controls, and how are they screened for renal cell carcinoma? Diuretic therapy is a much less powerful risk factor for renal cell carcinoma than is cigarette smoking for lung cancer. Yet, one would not expect to see an increased incidence of cancer whenever the duration of exposure was