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At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Systemic allergic reaction to pine nuts.

This case report describes a systemic reaction due to ingestion of pine nuts, confirmed by an open, oral provocation test. Skin prick testing with the aqueous allergen revealed an immediate positive prick test, and histamine release from basophil leukocytes to the aqueous allergen was demonstrated. Radioallergosorbent test demonstrated specific IgE antibodies to pine nuts. In a review of medical literature, we found no reports of either oral provocation tests confirming a systemic reaction due to ingestion of pine nuts or demonstration of specific IgE antibodies.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Pine nut allergy in perspective.

Anaphylaxis and other acute allergic reactions following the ingestion of pine--or pinon--nuts are documented and reviewed in perspective. Systemic allergic reactions to other relatively uncommon or "exotic" foods are also considered. Although hypersensitivity to more than one type of "nuts" is reported by some individuals, no significant cross-reactivity between any of these, or between pine pollen, pine resin, and pine nuts has been demonstrated.

Acute Disease↗

Some preliminary observations on the effects of kola nut on the cardiovascular system.

The prevalence of kola nut chewing and the effects attributed to it are briefly reviewed. Except for a generalisation that its effects are probably due to its caffeine content, no attempts have been made to quantify its specific actions. Preliminary observations on the cardiovascular system of the cat show that aqueous extracts of the nut evoke a dose dependent differential response - the 8 - 9% hypertensive effect of 0.01 ug - 1mg/ml doses contrasting with the 18--71% hypotensive response of 10--1000mgs/ml doses. Adrenergic receptor blockade showed no significant alteration of the response. With larger doses a bradycardia developed and cardiac arrythmias were observed as a terminal event. These results are compatible with the action of xanthines on the heart and peripheral vasculature. The possible role of the habitually chewed kola nut in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and its implications have been briefly discussed.

Animals↗

Aflatoxin in Tunisian aleppo pine nuts.

Twenty-six of 50 Aleppo pine nuts samples collected throughout Tunisia showed relatively high levels of contamination by aflatoxin. Some samples contained as much as 2000 ppb aflatoxin B1, and very few contained less than 100 ppb. Total aflatoxins as high as 7550 ppb were found. A traditional pudding, widely consumed in Tunisia, which was prepared from contaminated nuts still contained more than 80% of the aflatoxin originally present in the nuts.

Aflatoxins↗

Allergy to pine nuts in a bird fancier.

A patient is described with the bird-egg syndrome who experienced an anaphylactic reaction after eating some of her parrot's food (pine nuts: Pinus pinea). Specific IgE against this nut and another pine nut (P. cembra) was demonstrated by RAST. Cross-reactivity between these botanically related seeds was shown by RAST inhibition. Besides avian antigens, bird food antigens should be taken into consideration when symptoms of allergy occur on exposure to birds.

Anaphylaxis↗

Acute myocardial infarction temporally related to betel nut chewing.

A patient with coronary artery disease suffered an acute myocardial infarction temporally related to chewing a betel nut. Alkaloids in betel nut, such as arecoline, may play a contributing role in coronary artery spasm due to parasympathomimetic effects on vessels with abnormal endothelium. Chewing betel nuts may instantly induce a high concentration of arecoline in the circulation and do harm to a chewer with a history of coronary artery disease.

Areca↗

Systemic contact dermatitis to raw cashew nuts in a pesto sauce.

Systemic contact dermatitis from the cashew nut shell oil resorcinol allergens cardol and anacardic acid is recognized clinically as a dermatitis with flexural accentuation, typically distributed on the extremities, groin, and buttocks, and occurring generally 1 to 3 days after ingestion of raw cashew nuts contaminated with allergenic oil. We report a case of systemic contact dermatitis to raw cashew nuts, an atypical and unexpected ingredient flavoring an imported pesto sauce. Plants with allergens that potentially cross-react with poison ivy and other Toxicodendrons, and the concepts of systemic contact dermatitis and hyposensitization are reviewed.

Allergens↗

Effects of areca nut on growth, differentiation and formation of DNA damage in cultured human buccal epithelial cells.

Because the high incidence of oral cancers in South-East Asia is causally linked to the common habit of betel quid chewing, the effects of an aqueous extract of areca nut, one of the main ingredients of the quid, on growth, differentiation, morphology and DNA damage were studied in cultured human buccal epithelial cells. An acute exposure (3 hr) of the cells to the extract altered their morphology and induced ridges in the plasma membrane, with indications of internalization of extract particles. Such exposure also caused formation of DNA single-strand breaks which accumulated during post-treatment culture, indicating continuous exposure to residual particles and/or the possibility of inhibited DNA repair. The extract accelerated terminal differentiation of the cells, measured as involucrin expression at relatively non-toxic levels. The extract caused similar loss of colony-forming efficiency in normal cells and in a buccal carcinoma cell line (SqCC/YI) which was defective in its ability to undergo differentiation, indicating that extract toxicity could occur independently from this response. Finally, the genotoxicity of the salivary areca-nut-specific carcinogen 3-(N-nitrosomethyl-amino)propionaldehyde, was demonstrated by the formation of DNA protein cross-links and DNA single-strand breaks in normal buccal epithelial cells. These findings in vitro suggest that betel quid carcinogenesis in the human oral cavity may involve cytopathic alterations of normal cell morphology, growth and differentiation, as well as formation of DNA damage by areca-nut-related agents extracted or formed in saliva.

Areca↗

Effects of kola-nut extract administration on the liver, kidney, brain, testis and some serum constituents of the rat.

Kola-nut extract induced a number of overt neurotoxicological signs in male albino rats. A decrease in the total body weight and an increase in the absolute weights of the liver, kidney, brain and testis were observed after 18 weeks oral administration of kola-nut extract to the rats. Total protein, RNA and DNA of these organs were significantly depressed. The activity of beta-glucuronidase and beta-galactosidase was induced only in the kidney, brain and testis of treated animals. While the levels of serum phosphomonoesterases and total cholesterol were significantly enhanced due to kola-nut intake, serum total and conjugated bilirubin levels were significantly decreased.

Animals↗

An Escherichia coli cis-acting antiterminator sequence: the dnaG nut site.

The Escherichia coli rpsU-dnaG-rpoD operon contains an internal transcription terminator T1 located in the intergenic region between the rpsU and dnaG genes (Smiley et al. 1982). By cloning T1 as a small 127 bp fragment into the terminator probe plasmid pDR720 between the trp operator promoter and the assayable galK gene, it was shown that T1 acts as a strong transcription terminator, comparable in strength to the 3' operon terminator T2. However, an operon sequence that occurs 5' to T1 within the coding region of the rpsU gene and which has homology with the lambda nut site, (Lupski et al. 1983) when placed 5' to T1 in the pDR720 plasmid construct, modifies transcription through T1 allowing expression of the galK gene. This sequence, called the dnaG nut site also modifies the termination activity of the external operon terminator T2. It is proposed that the dnaG nut site is a cis-acting element of an antitermination system in E. coli.

Base Sequence↗

Carcinogenicity examination of betel nuts and piper betel leaves.

A dry powder of betel nuts, piper betel leaves and lime was administered to rats. Epidermal thickening was frequently observed in the upper digestive tracts of rats in groups fed the betel nut diet mixed with lime and the betel leaves diet, and a forestomach papilloma was seen in 1 rat given betel leaves diet. These epidermal changes were scarcely seen in rats given either betel nut or normal diet alone.

Animals↗

Functionality of succinylated Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa HBK) kernel globulin.

One of the possible ways to improve the utilisation of defatted Brazil nut kernel flour, a by-product of oil extraction industries, is to improve its functional properties by chemical modification as it possesses very modest functional characteristics. Succinylated Brazil nut kernel globulin at 55.8%, 62.4% and 72.0% level showed a positive effect on functionality. The solubility of acylated globulin was improved above pH 4.0 but was reduced in the pH range of 3.0-4.0. Water absorption (1.96-4.00, 4.12, and 4.21 ml/g protein), oil absorption capacity (1.44-2.72, 2.80 and 2.94 ml/g protein) and apparent viscosity of the succinylated globulin increased with increase in the level of succinylation. The extent of modification also influenced emulsifying capacity, which showed a decrease at pH 3.0, but was increased at pH 5.0,7.0 and 9.0. Highest emulsion activity (approximately 63.0%) was observed at pH 3.0, followed by pH 9.0 and pH 7.0 and, least (about 11.8%) at pH 5.0. Emulsion stability also followed similar behaviour as that of emulsion activity. The improved functional properties of succinylated Brazil nut kernel globulin could be explored in a variety of food formulations such as high protein drinks, soups, bakery and meat products as well as in salad dressings and mayonnaise as an emulsifier.

Absorption↗

Amino acid, mineral and fatty acid content of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita spp) and Cyperus esculentus nuts in the Republic of Niger.

Dried seeds and nuts are widely consumed by indigenous populations of the western Sahel, especially those who inhabit rural areas. In light of the need for quantitative information regarding the content of particular nutrients in these plant foods, we collected dried pumpkin (Cucurbita spp) seeds and nuts of Cyperus esculentus in the Republic of Niger and analyzed them for their content of essential amino acids, minerals and trace elements, and fatty acids. On a dry weight basis, pumpkin seed contained 58.8% protein and 29.8% fat. However, the lysine score of the protein was only 65% relative to the FAO/WHO protein standard. The pumpkin seed contained useful amounts of linoleic (92 microg/g dry weight) and the following elements (on a microg per g dry weight basis): potassium (5,790), magnesium (5,690), manganese (49.3), zinc (113), selenium (1.29), copper (15.4), chromium (2.84), and molybdenum (0.81), but low amounts of calcium and iron. Except for potassium (5,573 microg/g dry weight) and chromium (2.88 microg/g dry weight), the C. esculentis nuts contained much less of these same nutrients compared to pumpkin seeds. In conclusion, pumpkin seeds represent a useful source of many nutrients essential to humans. The data in this report should of practical value to public health officials in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

Amino Acids↗

Stimulation of human buccal mucosa fibroblasts in vitro by betel-nut alkaloids.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is characterized by excessive collagen production by mucosal fibroblasts and is associated with the habitual chewing of betel-nuts (Areca catechu); nut extracts stimulate fibroblast activity in vitro. The metabolism of arecoline, the major alkaloid in the nut, by human buccal mucosa fibroblasts in vitro was investigated; alkaloid metabolites extracted from culture media were analysed by gas chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. [3H]-arecoline was metabolized predominantly to [3H]-arecaidine and this was accompanied by a concentration-dependent stimulation of collagen synthesis and cell proliferation. Arecaidine was a more potent stimulator than arecoline. The rate of hydrolysis of a series of synthetic arecaidine esters (methyl, ethyl, butyl, propyl and pentyl) by fibroblasts was closely correlated with the extent of stimulation of collagen synthesis. Thus fibroblasts are responsive to the major metabolite of arecoline and hydrolysis of the ester group may be necessary for this action. Exposure of buccal mucosa fibroblasts to these alkaloids in vivo may contribute to the accumulation of collagen in OSF.

Alkaloids↗

Effect of roasting on degradation of Aflatoxins in contaminated pistachio nuts.

With increasing knowledge and awareness of aflatoxins (AFs) as potent sources of health hazards to both human and animals, a great deal of effort has been made to completely eliminate the toxin or reduce its content in foods. Although prevention is the most effective intervention, heat has been used to inactivate AFs in contaminated foodstuff. Nuts as general and especially pistachio nuts are very sensitive commodity to AFs contamination. In this study effect of roasting on reduction of AFs content in pistachio nuts has been tested in a laboratory setting with aiming to suggest an optimal condition for the roasting. Although all treatment protocols showed some degree of AFs degradation (ranging from 17% to 63%), roasting spiked samples at 120 degrees C for 120 min and 150 degrees C for 30-120 min caused substantial reduction of AFs in samples. Treatment of naturally contaminated whole pistachio kernels at 150 degrees C for 30 min significantly reduced level of AFs contamination in samples. Degradation of AFs was both time and temperature dependent. Roasting at 150 degrees C and 120 min condition degraded more than 95% of AFB1 in pistachio. However, the resulted product was not edible. AFs in form of naturally occurrence were more resistant to degradation with heat.

Aflatoxins↗

Effects of Piper longum fruit, Piper sarmentosum root and Quercus infectoria nut gall on caecal amoebiasis in mice.

The anti-amoebic effects of crude methanol extracts of Piper longum fruit, Piper sarmentosum root and Quercus infectoria nut gall against Entamoeba histolytica infecting the caecum of mice were studied. Caecal amoebiasis in mice was induced by injection of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites directly into the caecum. The mice were then treated orally with the extract, a standard drug (metronidazole), or vehicle p.o. for five consecutive days, beginning 24 h after the infection and were examined on the sixth day. At a dose of 1000 mg/kg per day, the extracts of Piper longum fruit, Piper sarmentosum root and Quercus infectoria nut gall had a curative rate of 100, 40 and 26%, respectively. At a concentration of 500 and 250 mg/kg/day, extract from Piper longum fruit was still effective in 93 and 46% of the cases, respectively, while extract from Piper sarmentosum root at a dose of less than 1000 mg/kg per day did not cure any mice from amoebiasis. Extract of Quercus infectoria nut gall at a concentration of 500 and of 250 mg/kg per day cured 26 and 13% of mice, respectively. Metronidazole at a concentration of 125 and of 62.5 mg/kg per day had a curative rate of 100 and 60%, respectively. The severity of caecal wall ulceration was reduced in mice which received the extract and metronidazole as compared to the control animals.

Amebicides↗

Effects of pistachio nuts consumption on plasma lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Effects of pistachio nuts consumption on plasma lipid profile and oxidative status were investigated in healthy volunteers with normal lipid levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted in 24 healthy men and 20 healthy women. All subjects consumed their regular diets during a 1-week period. After this period, half of the subjects (12 men and 10 women, mean age 32.8 +/- 6.7 years) were randomized to a regular diet group and the other half (12 men and 10 women, mean age 33.4 +/- 7.2 years) were randomized to a pistachio group which involved substituting pistachio nuts for 20% of their daily caloric intake for 3 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant potential (AOP) were measured before and after the dietary modification from all the subjects. After 3 weeks, with the pistachio diet, the mean plasma total cholesterol, MDA levels and, total cholesterol/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios were found to be significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively); on the contrary, HDL and AOP levels, and AOP/MDA ratios were significantly increased (P < 0.001, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Triglyceride and LDL levels also decreased but this was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicated that consumption of pistachio nuts decreased oxidative stress, and improved total cholesterol and HDL levels in healthy volunteers.

Adult↗

New aqueous two-phase system based on cashew-nut tree gum and poly(ethylene glycol).

The characterisation of a new system based on cashew-nut tree gum, a branched acidic heteropolysaccharide found in Brazil, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was studied. Phase diagrams are provided for the PEG-cashew-nut tree gum system. The influence of PEG molecular mass, tie-line length and pH on bovine serum albumin (BSA) partition was investigated. Protein partition coefficient was little influenced by changing PEG molecular mass. Increasing the tie-line length decreased the partition. Increasing the pH also raised the BSA partition coefficient. It is shown that systems formed by PEG and cashew-nut tree gum may be considered as an interesting alternative for use in protein purification.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗