Tree Nut-Induced Anaphylaxis in Canadian Emergency Departments: Rate, Clinical Characteristics and Management.
Background: Data are sparce regarding tree nut-induced anaphylaxis (TNA). Objective: We aimed to characterize rate, clinical characteristics, and management of TNA in children (0-17 years old) across Canada, and assess factors associated with severe reactions and epinephrine use. Methods: Between April 2011 and May 2020, data were collected on children presenting to five emergency departments (EDs) in Canada. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with severe reactions (stridor, cyanosis, circulatory collapse, or hypoxia) and epinephrine use. Results: Among 3096 cases of anaphylaxis, 540 (17%) were induced by tree nut. The median age was 5.2 years [Interquartile range (IQR): 2.5-9.5] and 65.4% were males. Among all reactions, 7.0% were severe. The major tree nuts accounting for anaphylaxis were cashew (32.8%), hazelnut (20.0%) and walnut (11.5%). Cashew-induced anaphylaxis was more common in British Columbia [14.0% difference (95% CI, 1.6%-27.6%)] versus Ontario and Quebec, whereas pistachio-induced anaphylaxis was more common in Ontario and Quebec [6.3% difference (95% CI, 0.5%-12.2%)]. Pre-hospital and ED intramuscular (IM) epinephrine administration was documented in only 35.2% and 52.4% of cases, respectively. Severe reactions were more likely among males [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 1.05 (95% CI, 1.01-1.10)] older children [aOR 1.00 (95% CI, 1.00-1.01)], and in reactions triggered by macadamia [aOR 1.27 (95% CI, 1.03-1.57)]. Conclusion: Different TNA patterns in Canada may be due to differences in lifestyle (higher prevalence of Asian ethnicity in British Columbia versus Arabic ethnicity in Ontario and Quebec). IM epinephrine underutilization urges for EAI stocking in schools and restaurants, patient education, and consistent policies across Canada. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2022.06.008
Effects of Baru Almond Oil (Dipteryx alata Vog.) Treatment on Thrombotic Processes, Platelet Aggregation, and Vascular Function in Aorta Arteries.
Background: This study assessed the effects of Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) almond oil supplementation on vascular function, platelet aggregation, and thrombus formation in aorta arteries of Wistar rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were allocated into three groups. The control group (n = 6), a Baru group receiving Baru almond oil at 7.2 mL/kg/day (BG 7.2 mL/kg, n = 6), and (iii) a Baru group receiving Baru almond oil at 14.4 mL/kg/day (BG 14.4 mL/kg, n = 6). Baru oil was administered for ten days. Platelet aggregation, thrombus formation, vascular function, and reactive oxygen species production were evaluated at the end of treatment. Results: Baru oil supplementation reduced platelet aggregation (p < 0.05) and the production of the superoxide anion radical in platelets (p < 0.05). Additionally, Baru oil supplementation exerted an antithrombotic effect (p < 0.05) and improved the vascular function of aorta arteries (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings showed that Baru oil reduced platelet aggregation, reactive oxygen species production, and improved vascular function, suggesting it to be a functional oil with great potential to act as a novel product for preventing and treating cardiovascular disease. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102098
Almond and date fruits enhance antioxidant status and have erectogenic effect: Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies.
This study was designed to investigate the efficacies of almond and date fruits on redox imbalance and enzymes relevant to the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction. The total polyphenol contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and vitamin C content were determined spectrophotometrically. Phenolic and amino acid compositions were quantified using HPLC; meanwhile, the antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and metal chelation. Also, the effect of almond and date extract on advanced glycated end-products (AGEs) formation, arginase, and phosphodiesterase-5 activities was evaluated in vitro. Thereafter, the influence of almond and date supplemented diets on copulatory behaviors in normal rats was assessed, followed by arginase and phosphodiesterase-5 activities determination in vivo. The results revealed that date and almond extracts exerted antioxidant properties, prevented AGEs formation in vitro, and inhibited arginase and phosphodiesterase-5 activities in vitro and in vivo. Besides, almond and date supplemented diets significantly enhance sexual behaviors in normal rats when compared with the control. Among the active compounds identified were gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, and rutin. All the 20 basic amino acids were identified. Given the aforementioned, date and almond could represent a reliable source of functional foods highly rich in compounds with antioxidant activity, and arginase and PDE-5 inhibitory properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Fruits are essential part of the human diet that furnish the body with important nutrients. Despite the crucial roles of fruits in human diets, some fruits like almond and date are underutilized among Nigerians. However, we characterized the important compounds present in these fruits and how their presence contributes to the biological activities of the fruits. Finally, we relate the chemical composition and the observed biological activities to the overall health and wellness of the consumers. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14255
The Impact of Daily Walnuts Consumption and Lifestyle Changes on Dyslipidemia.
The most frequent health condition linked to Cardiovascular Disease Is Dyslipidemia (CVD). This study showed how walnut consumption affected dyslipidemia patients when combined with a low-calorie diet and lifestyle modifications. A subsample of 120 people was chosen at random for intervention and divided into control (n=60) and experimental (n=60). Baseline blood lipid parameters and anthropometric measurements were assessed in both groups.A significant reduction in body weight (5.4%) and BMI (4.0%) of the experimental group was observed when compared to the control group (1.9% and 2.1%). However, for all parameters, there was a statistically significant (p<0.05) difference between pre-test and post-test in the experimental group, but non-significant (p>0.05) in the control group. Total cholesterol (11.5%), LDL cholesterol (15.3%), triglycerides (11.2%), VLDL cholesterol (9.0%), and enhanced HDL cholesterol (6.0%) were all significantly lower (p<0.05) in the experimental group.
Practical applications
This study showed that consuming 30g of walnuts per day and changing one's lifestyle can improve blood lipid profiles and help people lose weight. http://dx.doi.org/10.24966/FSN-1076/100129
Synergistic Interactions between Tocol and Phenolic Extracts from Different Tree Nut Species against Human Cancer Cell Lines.
Tree nuts are rich in polar (phenolic compounds) and non-polar (tocols) antioxidants, with recognized effects in the prevention of diseases such as cancer. These biomolecules possess antiproliferative activity on cancer cells; however, the combined effect of both types of compounds has been scarcely studied, and this approach could give valuable information on the real anticancer potential of tree nuts. In the present study, the antiproliferative activity of pure tocols and phenolic compounds, tocol- and phenolic-rich extracts (TRE and PRE, respectively) from tree nuts and the extracts combinations, was evaluated in four cancer (HeLa, MCF7, PC3, A549) and one control (ARPE) cell lines. The most sensible cell lines were HeLa and MCF7. TRE and PRE from nuts were chemically characterized; γ and δ tocopherols, total tocols, total tocopherols and total phenolic compounds were negatively correlated with cell viability in MCF7 cells. In HeLa cells, only δ and total tocopherols were negatively correlated with cell viability. TRE and PRE had a low effect in reducing cell viability of the cancer cell lines, the most effective extracts were those of emory oak acorn (EOA), pecan nut (PEC) and walnut (WAL), and these were further studied for their pharmacological interactions, using the combination index and the isobologram methods. Combinations of both extracts showed a synergistic and strongly synergistic behavior in the three nuts (EOA, PEC and WAL), with combination indexes between 0.12 and 0.55. These results highlight the need to understand the interactions among components found in complex natural extracts or food products in order to fully understand their bioactivities. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27103154
Global Statistical Review, Macadamia
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SOUTH AFRICA
Apart from the traditional Chinese in-shell market, the industry has heavily invested in processing infrastructure aiming to develop the kernel market and kernel production is bounded to keep growing.
AUSTRALIA
CHINA
KENYA
Global Statistical Review, Hazelnut
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TURKEY
As discussed during the latest INC Congress Hazelnut Round Table, over the last few years, supply has increased and Turkey has consistently performed at 700-800,000 MT. Preliminary forecasted at 760,000 MT (in-shell basis), production in season 2022/23 is anticipated to remain within this range, but below the bumper crop of 2021/22.
Although there has not been a significant rise in acreage, productivity is growing owing to improved farming practices. Kernel sizes and quality are also improving and kernel yields are now at 51-52%.
According to the Black Sea Exporters Association, shipments 2021/22 year to date through April 30 added up to 269,200 MT and industry expectations for this season are to reach 330,000 MT.
ITALY
Following a very low off crop last year, Italian production is recovering. With a potential of 160,000 MT, the 2022/23 crop is preliminarily forecasted slightly below, at 140,000 MT, due to a severe drought affecting the Piedmont production region since last October. Water availability was good in the central and southern producing areas.
Hazelnut production keeps increasing in Italy, up to 20,000 hectares of new orchards were planted over the last five years. The new orchards are located in good areas with adequate water availability, efficient fertirrigation systems, and hence high yields. Organic production has also been growing very steadily and it currently represents 17.5% of the total crop.
USA
The total planted area in Oregon is approaching 100,000 acres (40,500 hectares). While the old heritage varieties area continues to decrease, the stock planted from 2007 through 2016 with new varieties, around one-third of the planted area, is significantly contributing to building the crop number. The last third is the non-bearing trees planted between 2016 and now. Based on this acreage and taking into account unpredictable weather conditions and the inflation adding pressure for growers, the season 2022/23 is preliminarily forecasted to set a new record of 74,000 MT.
Global Statistical Review, Almonds
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USA (California)
This year, due to shipping challenges, new commitments and sales have taken two to three months longer than expected. Although pricing continues to be at historically attractive levels to incent demand, there was a very significant increase in supply over a short term, thus, it might take some time for the demand to offset that supply. According to the Almond Board of California May Position Report (published on June 10, 2022), total shipments year-to-date through May 2022 added up to 2.2 B lbs., down by 10.71% from the same period last season. However, monthly shipments in May amounted to 257.5 M lbs., which represented an increase of 17.38% from last year and the highest shipment month of the crop year. This would be suggesting that shipments are starting to improve.
AUSTRALIA
Based on the planted area, a jump of 20,000 MT per year could be expected through the next five years, hitting the 200,000 MT milestone by 2025. However, there are other variables to be considered, such as the drought, which has been affecting the producing region for the last 20 years.
SPAIN
Planted area continues to grow, over the last year it increased around 20%. Currently, there are over 600,000 hectares planted, from which, 500,000 are already bearing, meaning that in the next few years, 100,000 additional hectares will get into production and supply will continue to grow. Based on the growing acreage, a crop of around 200,000 MT is projected for the year 2030.
Types and Aspects of Front-of-Package Labeling Preferred by Parents: Insights for Policy Making in China.
The WHO recommends front-of-package labeling (FOPL) to help parents make healthier food choices for their children. But which type of FOPL resonates with parents in China? We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate parental preferences for five widely used formats of FOPL. A multi-stage cluster sampling method was applied to selected parents of students in primary and secondary schools in six provinces and municipalities from July 2020 to March 2021. A close-ended questionnaire was used to collect demographic information, parents’ preferences for five FOPL in three dimensions, perceptions of the importance of nutrients labeled on FOPL, and prepackaged foods that need FOPL most. Chi-square tests were used to examine the characteristics among five groups. The results showed that multiple traffic lights (MTL) was preferred by parents, followed by warning labels. Parents thought the most needed nutrients to label were sugar, salt, and total fat. The top three prepackaged foods to label were “baked food”, “milk and dairy products” and “sugar-sweetened beverages”. Our findings indicate that nutrient-specific FOPL formats with interpretive aids were preferred by Chinese parents. These new findings can help inform the planning and implementation of FOPL in China and help Chinese parents make healthier food choices. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040800
Presence of activated carbon particles from waste walnut shell as a biosorbent in monoethanolamine (MEA) solution to enhance carbon dioxide absorption
Greenhouse effects are a natural phenomenon that plays a high role in shaping the climate system. In this research, MEA solution was used for CO2 capture in presence of activated carbon particles from waste walnut shells as a biosorbent. The process parameters including temperature, pressure, MEA concentration, and activated carbon were used in the central composite design (CCD) model. The absorption experiments were carried out in a laboratory setup at operational conditions including temperature in range of 20-60 °C, pressure in range of 3.5-9.5 bar, MEA concentration in range of 2.5-8.5 wt%, and active carbon amount in range of 0.3-0.9 g/L. The process responses including CO2 loading, the amounts of CO2 absorption, and absorption percentage were obtained in the range of 0.444-0.720 molCO2/molMEA, 0.294-0.687 mol/L, and 19.32-52.25%, respectively. The optimal value of CO2 loading was obtained at temperature of 30 °C, pressure of 5.19 bar, activated carbon of 0.75 g, and MEA concentration of 7.00 wt%. The optimum values of responses were obtained 0.531, 0.609 mol/L and 50.04% for maximum loading, absorption amount, and absorption percentage, respectively. From the results, carbon dioxide loading in MEA solution increases in presence of activated carbon particles. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08689