Differential effects of walnuts vs almonds on improving metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS

Background/Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with insulin resistance; dyslipidemia and increased inflammation; which all benefit from dietary intake of monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and n-3 PUFA). Our goal was to compare the effects of MUFA-rich almonds vs n-3/n-6 PUFA-rich walnuts on metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS.Subjects/Methods: Thirty-one PCOS […]

Almond tree and organic fertilization for soil quality improvement in southern Italy

The semi-arid Mediterranean region; characterized by long dry periods followed by heavy bursts of rainfall; is particularly prone to soil erosion. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the soil quality under different practices of bio-physical amelioration which involve the soil-plant system (almond trees) and microorganism-manure. This study; carried out in the South […]

Gasification of cashew nut shells for thermal application in local food processing factory.

Cashew nut shells are high energy content residues from cashew nut processing. It can potentially replace fuelwood for thermal application in a factory. However; direct combustion of cashew nut shells was troublesome due to low efficiency and high smoke emission. Alternative thermal conversion of cashew nut shells should be used instead. In this work; a […]

Comparative study of two extraction techniques to obtain representative aroma extracts for being analysed by gas chromatography-olfactometry: Application to roasted pistachio aroma.

This research paper presents a comparative study of two different extraction and concentration techniques to obtain representative pistachio aroma extracts: the traditional direct solvent extraction (DSE) followed by high-vacuum transfer (HVT) and the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME). The results showed that; although both techniques provide accurate information about the aromatic composition that will be perceived […]

Report: prunes and liver function: a clinical trial.

Prunes are used by folks as a remedy of various diseases including hepatitis. A clinical trial was designed to see the effects of prunes (Prunus domestica) on liver function. 166 healthy volunteers were divided into three groups randomly. Either three (about 11.43g) or six (23g approx.) prunes were soaked in a glass of water (250ml) […]

Brazil nut conservation through shifting cultivation.

The regeneration of Brazil nut trees depends on tree-fall gaps in the forest. However; shifting cultivation fallows also create comparable biotic and abiotic opportunities for the dispersion and establishment of this gap-loving species. At the same time; the ability of Brazil nut trees to resprout enables fallow individuals to survive successive slash-and-burn cycles. Recognizing the […]

Modelling spatial and temporal variability in a zero-inflated variable: The case of stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) cone production

Modelling masting habit; i.e. the spatial synchronized annual variability in fruit production; is a huge task due to two main circumstances: (1) the identification of main ecological factors controlling fruiting processes; and (2) the common departure of fruit data series from the main basic statistical assumptions of normality and independence. Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) […]

Evaluation of energy and dietary intake estimates from a food frequency questionnaire using independent energy expenditure measurement and weighed food records

BACKGROUND: We have developed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for the assessment of habitual diet; with special focus on the intake of fruit; vegetables and other antioxidant-rich food and beverages. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relative validity of the intakes of energy; food and nutrients from the FFQ. METHODS: Energy […]

Polyphenol content and health benefits of raisins.

The health benefits of grapes and wine have been studied and publicized extensively; but dried grapes (raisins; including “sultanas” and “currants”) have received comparatively little attention. The purpose of the review was to summarize the polyphenol; phenolic acid; and tannin (PPT) composition of raisins; predict the likely bioavailability of the component PPT; and summarize the […]

Mediterranean diet and high dietary acid load associated with mixed nuts: effect on bone metabolism in elderly subjects

Objectives: To analyze the effect of differing diet on the acid load content on bone metabolism. Design: Multicentric; randomized; single-blind; parallel-group clinical trial. Setting: Outpatient clinics. Participants: Two hundred thirty-eight elderly men and women aged 60 to 80 at high risk for cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned to three interventional groups: a recommended low-fat diet […]