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Biomedical subjects

W J Craig

Publications and source records attributed to W J Craig.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Health-promoting properties of common herbs.

Herbs have been used as food and for medicinal purposes for centuries. Research interest has focused on various herbs that possess hypolipidemic, antiplatelet, antitumor, or immune-stimulating properties that may be useful adjuncts in helping reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. In different herbs, a wide variety of active phytochemicals, including the flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, sulfides, polyphenolics, carotenoids, coumarins, saponins, plant sterols, curcumins, and phthalides have been identified. Several of these phytochemicals either inhibit nitrosation or the formation of DNA adducts or stimulate the activity of protective enzymes such as the Phase II enzyme glutathione transferase (EC 2.5.1.18). Research has centered around the biochemical activity of the Allium sp. and the Labiatae, Umbelliferae, and Zingiberaceae families, as well as flaxseed, licorice root, and green tea. Many of these herbs contain potent antioxidant compounds that provide significant protection against chronic diseases. These compounds may protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, inhibit cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes, inhibit lipid peroxidation, or have antiviral or antitumor activity. The volatile essential oils of commonly used culinary herbs, spices, and herbal teas inhibit mevalonate synthesis and thereby suppress cholesterol synthesis and tumor growth.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1997

Phytochemicals: guardians of our health.

Consuming a diet rich in plant foods will provide a milieu of phytochemicals, nonnutritive substances in plants that possess health-protective benefits. Nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables contain an abundance of phenolic compounds, terpenoids, pigments, and other natural antioxidants that have been associated with protection from and/or treatment of chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension as well as other medical conditions. The foods and herbs with the highest anticancer activity include garlic, soybeans, cabbage, ginger, licorice, and the umbelliferous vegetables. Citrus, in addition to providing an ample supply of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, and pectin, contains a host of active phytochemicals. The phytochemicals in grains reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Citrus↗
PubMed1996

Results of renal transplantation five to twenty-six years after surgery, using azathioprine and low-dose prednisolone as sole immunosuppression.

This paper describes the results of renal transplantation carried out in a single center from 10-26 years ago. Three hundred and eighty-six recipients received 440 grafts, 400 were cadaver grafts and 40 were from living donors, including one unrelated donor whose kidney was removed during an operation. All patients received immunosuppression with azathioprine and low-dose steroid. 1. Over the whole period, 1968-1986, 46% patients remain alive. The actual total patient survival was 65% for 1986 transplants, 51.7% for 1981 transplants, 37.1% for 1976 transplants and 31.2% for those transplanted 25 years ago. 2. Actual overall graft survival is 39.5% for the whole period. 3. Fifty-seven percent of living-related donor grafts survived over the whole period, including 48% of parental grafts and 69% of sibling grafts. 4. Ten years after transplantation, 54.2% of grafts carried out in 1986 are functioning, as are 40% of those transplanted in 1981, and 29% of those done in 1976 or before. In all 37% of first cadaver grafts continue to function, while 62% have failed. However 35 patients died with a well-functioning graft, due to either cardiovascular disease or neoplasia in 91% of cases. 5. Thirty-four percent of second cadaver grafts function over the whole period, 65.8% have failed. Only one of 9 third cadaver grafts, dating from 1975, continues to function.

Azathioprine↗
PubMed1994

Iron status of vegetarians.

An appropriately planned well-balanced vegetarian diet is compatible with an adequate iron status. Although the iron stores of vegetarians may be reduced, the incidence of iron-deficiency anemia in vegetarians is not significantly different from that in omnivores. Restrictive vegetarian diets (eg, macrobiotic) are associated with more widespread iron-deficiency anemia. Western vegetarians who consume a variety of foods have a better iron status than do those in developing countries who consume a limited diet based on unleavened, unrefined cereals. Whereas phytates, polyphenolics, and other plant constituents found in vegetarian diets inhibit nonheme-iron absorption, vitamin C, citric acid, and other organic acids facilitate nonheme-iron absorption.

Absorption↗
PubMed1984

Plasma zinc and copper levels of infants fed different milk formulas.

The plasma zinc and copper levels of 32 full-term healthy infants, aged 3-4 months, using different infant formulas, were measured. The plasma zinc levels of infants using soy formula (45.1 +/- 19.1 micrograms/dl) and iron-fortified cow's milk formula (61.6 +/- 12.9 micrograms/dl) were significantly lower than those of the infants using cow's milk formula not fortified with iron (77.5 +/- 13.4 micrograms/dl). The plasma copper levels of the infants using the different formulas were not significantly different from each other. Fortification of infant formulas with high levels of iron may reduce the zinc absorption from such formulas.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Food habits and preferences of Vietnamese children.

In this study, information on food preferences and intake frequencies of 70 Vietnamese children was gathered by means of a questionnaire. The purpose was to compare the dietary habits of children who had been in the U.S. for more than one year with those of children arriving within the past year (1981). The results showed that children less than six years old who came to California more than one year ago consumed green leafy vegetables less frequently (p less than 0.01) and vitamin supplements more frequently (p less than 0.01) than those who came here recently. In the older groups (greater than 6 yrs), those who have been resident in the U.S. for more than one year consumed peanut butter and sweets (ice cream, pies, milkshakes) more frequently than those who had just arrived (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.05, respectively). Older children (age greater than 6 yrs) who had been in the U.S. longer preferred American foods more than those who had just come (p less than 0.01). The majority of all children ate fruits as snacks. The consumption of rice, eggs, cheese, milk, meats and fruit juice was not significantly different in any of the four groups. This study also revealed a great need of nutrition education for the Vietnamese refugee mothers. Recommendations for planning nutrition education for this population are provided.

Child↗
PubMed1976

Evidence for an association between ABO blood group and goitre.

A medical and genetic study on KarKar Island, Papua New Guinea revealed a significant association between ABO blood group status and susceptibility to goitre with O individuals more susceptible than non-O. The association is found in a number of separate villages on the island which indicates that it is not due simply to chance concordance in geographical patterns of genetic and disease variations.

ABO Blood-Group System↗