M.S.

No / This study was designed to investigate the nutraceutical potential of monofloral Indian mustard bee pollen (MIMBP). MThe nutritional value of MIMBP was examined in terms of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and energy value. Its chemical composition in terms of total polyphenol and flavonoid content was determined. MIMBP was screened for free flavonoid aglycones by developing and validating a high-performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) method. MIMBP was analyzed for in vitro antioxidant effect in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity. MIMBP was found to be comprised of proteins ((182.2+/-5.9) g/kg), fats ((137.7+/-6.8) g/kg) and carbohydrates ((560.6+/-17.4) g/kg), which result in its high energy value ((17 616.7+/-78.6) kJ/kg). MIMBP was found to contain polyphenols ((18 286.1+/-374.0) mg gallic acid equivalent/kg) and flavonoids ((1 223.5+/-53.1) mg quercetin equivalent/kg). The HPLC-PDA analysis revealed the presence of kaempferol ((65.4+/-0.5) mg/kg) and quercetin ((51.4+/-0.4) mg/kg) in MIMBP, which can be used as markers for determining the quality of bee pollen. The MIMBP extract showed DPPH free radical-scavenging activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 54.79 mug/mL. The MIMBP was found to be a rich source of nutrients providing high caloric value, which makes it a candidate for a potential nutraceutical agent. The study also illustrated the high antioxidant content of MIMBP, especially in the principle polyphenols and flavonoids, which suggests its potential role in the prevention of free radical-implicated diseases. The DPPH-scavenging effect of MIMBP further confirmed its antioxidant potential. Additionally, we developed a simple, specific and accurate HPLC-PDA method for the identification and quantification of free flavonoid aglycones. This can be applied in future screenings of the quality of pollen collected by honeybees.

Thesis (Msc Food Sc (Food Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The physical and mental development of underprivileged children, living in developing countries, is detrimentally affected by the exposure to poverty, malnutrition and poor health. The aim of the present study was to determine the possible risk of nutritional deficiencies of children (aged 5 – 6 years) in a low socio-economic community in the Grabouw area of the Western Cape, South Africa. The nutritional status of the children was evaluated by using anthropometric measurements (weight and height). Furthermore, the dietary intake provided by the meals offered at the schools they attended (Agapé 1 and Agapé 2), was assessed using the school menus. The latter were analysed using the FoodFinder3® computer programme (Medical Research Council of SA, Tygerberg, South Africa). Three supplementary food products (biscuit, health bar and soy milk-based drink) were subsequently developed to address possible nutritional deficiencies. The microbial stability of the products was determined, after which sensory acceptability of all three products was determined using a consumer panel consisting of children (n = 51; M:F = 27:24; 5 – 6 years) from the mentioned schools within the low socio-economic community. Anthropometric results were in agreement with those found by the National Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) (1999) and the South African Vitamin A Consultative Group (SAVACG) (1995), with stunting found to be most prevalent (16%). Only 5% of the children were found to be underweight and none were found to be wasted. The developed biscuit and health bar was found to be microbiologically safe when stored for at least 30 d at 25° and 35°C respectively, and the soy milk-based drink for 7 d if stored at refrigeration temperatures (5°C). Concerning the sensory preference, no significant difference was found between the preference for any of the developed products by the males and the females. For the specific products the preference for the biscuit did not differ significantly from the health bar, nor did the health bar differ significantly from the soy milk-based drink, but the biscuit did differ significantly (p = 0.006) from the soy milk-based drink for preference. The biscuit was found to be the most preferred of the three products and the soy milk-based drink the least. The majority of the juvenile consumer panel (95%) found all three developed food products acceptable and could, therefore, be considered possible supplementary foods in a school nutrition programme. The aim of nutritional supplementation is to supplement the existing diet and in doing so ensuring a more ideal nutrient intake closer to what is recommended by the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). It is proposed that nutritional deficiencies should, however, not only be addressed by means of nutritional supplementation, but should also be assisted by the nutrition education of the parent/guardian so as help them to make informed nutritional choices and in doing so providing their children with the nutrients necessary for optimal mental and physical development.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Biotechnology)- Dept. of Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xv, 127 leaves / The human gut microbiota play a major role in host health, and attempts are being made to manipulate the composition of the gut microbiota-increase the composition of bacterial groups, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria that are perceived as exerting health promoting properties. These bacteria defined as food supplements (probiotics) beneficially affect the host by improving the intestinal microbial balance, and have been used to change the composition of the colonic microbiota. However, such changes may be transient, and the implantation of exogenous bacteria therefore becomes limited. In contrast, prebiotics are naturally occurring carbohydrates that are classified as non-digestible oligosaccharides present in edible plants. These carbohydrates enter the colon as intact compounds, elicit systemic physiological functions and act as fermentable substrates for colonic microflora-influencing the species composition and metabolic characteristics of intestinal microflora providing important health attributes. Currently, a widely marketed prebiotic, inulin is extracted from plants of the family Asteraceae. There are many unexploited plants that are regularly consumed and that may have a prebiotic effect or can have very high levels of inulin which could make them commercially viable. In this study, we investigated prebiotic compounds, especially inulin from locally growing, non-commercialised leafy plants. The aqueous extracts of 22 plants from the families Asparagaceae, Alliaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Amaranthaceae, Acanthaceae, Polygonaceae, Portulaceae, Fabaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Pedaliaceae and Apiaceae from Kwa-Zulu Natal were investigated for a prebiotic effect using a modified batch-culture technique with Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum, four common probiotics and the inulin content of the plants was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Of the 22 plants studied, Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus hybridus, Asystasia gangetica, Senna occidentalis, Cerathoteca triloba, Asparagus sprengeri, Tulbaghia violacea, Sonchus oleraceus and Taraxacum officinale exhibited a prebiotic effect. The prebiotic effect of the Taraxacum officinale, Sonchus oleraceus and Asparagus sprengeri extracts on L. lactis and L. reuteri was higher than or equivalent to inulin-a commercial prebiotic. In this study, Sonchus oleraceus exhibited the best prebiotic effect-was the only plant to stimulate all the probiotics including B. longum. Of all the plants analysed, Asparagus sprengeri tuber contained the highest amount of inulin (3.55%).

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Tehcnology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Background: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, perception and utilisation of vitamins and minerals, natural medicines and pharmacological agents as adjuncts to Chiropractic practice in South Africa. Method: This study was a population based cross sectional survey utilising a descriptive, quantitative questionnaire study design. The questionnaire was distributed to all practicing qualified Chiropractors (n=388) and masters Chiropractic students (n=102) in South Africa. Results: The results obtained (30.4% response rate), indicated that the majority of the respondents (62.8%) felt qualified to advise patients on vitamins and mineral supplements and had a positive view of the use of vitamins and minerals as part of Chiropractic patient management (86.6%). The majority of the practitioners were aware that topical substances are part of the scope of practice and males were nearly twice as likely as females to use them. The majority thought biopuncture should be available to Chiropractors (82%) and felt that Chiropractors should challenge the legislation to incorporate biopuncture as part of the scope of practice (77.5%). Most respondents agreed with the statement indicating that NSAIDS should be part of Chiropractic scope of practice and 71% of respondents felt that being able to use NSAIDS in non-emergency situations would enhance patient retention. This study revealed that amongst the student population the majority, if allowed, would consider administering pharmacological agents in practice (55.1%). Conclusion: A correlation exists between the perception, knowledge and utilisation of vitamins and minerals, natural medicines and pharmacological agents in the Chiropractic profession with respect to the demographic data and there is a significant difference in opinion between qualified Chiropractors and Chiropractic masters students regarding perception, knowledge and utilisation of these adjuncts to practice.

國立政治大學英國語文學系在職碩士班 碩士論文提要 論文名稱：使用真實語料做為高中生英語聽力輔助教材之個案研究 指導教授：彭欽清 研究生：林宜如 論文提要內容： 本研究旨在分析探討以廣播真實語料 (authentic broadcast materials) 做為台灣高中生英語聽力輔助教材之可能性，並兼論不同題型設計 (task types) 對不同程度學生聽力表現上的影響，以期能夠提供高中英語教師在英聽教學教材上的另一選擇及英聽測驗的方針。 實驗對象為41位高一學生。學生在學期初以全民英檢聽力測驗結果分為高、中、低三種程度，並接受為期十週的廣播英聽訓練。實驗過程中搭配以不同測驗題型來協助並檢視學生英聽理解力。學期結束前再以同樣之英檢試題做為後測。 本研究採用質與量的分析方法。質的分析涵蓋：（一）實驗對象的英文學習背景；（二）學生英聽困難的分析；（三）學生對選材及不同題型的看法。量的分析則以SPSS統計法，包括（一）前後測統計數值的差異；（二）取材（text types）與後測英聽成效的關係；（三）題型（task types）與後測英聽成效的關係。 研究結果發現：受試者在收聽廣播真實語料上最大的困難在於速度及連音。但經過廣播真實語料的英聽訓練後，高程度組不但在後測表現上有明顯進步，且較習慣於外國人的速度及連音，並能接受更長篇的真實語料。至於題型設計對英聽成效影響不大，但是，從學生問卷發現，高程度者認為克漏字題型較有助於英聽訓練，而中、低程度者則都認為選擇題較有助於英聽訓練。最後，本研究提出一些英語聽力教學上的建議：（一）教學初期只要求學生達到重要但簡單的基本目標；（二）教導學生分辨中英文語言的差異以及口說與書寫英文的不同特性；（三）設計多樣化的題型。最後，希望本研究能對台灣的高中英語聽力教學有所助益。 / ABSTRACT This study aims chiefly at the feasibility of using authentic English broadcast programs as supplementary materials in listening comprehension training for EFL senior high school students. It also discusses the effect of different task types on different proficiency levels in English listening comprehension performance, in the hope that the research would provide other alternative of supplementary listening materials and test designs as a reference for senior high school teachers. The research is conducted among 41first-year senior high school students. In the beginning of the first semester in fall, 2002, the subjects were divided into three proficiency levels (high, middle and low) according to the results of their performance on the GEPT listening comprehension as a pretest. Then they were given a ten-week authentic English broadcast listening training. During the course of training, different task types were provided to evaluate students’ listening proficiency and to help them to the focus of the test. At the end of the semester, the same GEPT listening task was administered as a posttest. The research adopts both qualitative and quantitative data analyses. Qualitative analyses consist of (1) the subjects’ English learning background, (2) the English listening comprehension difficulties encountered by the subjects, and (3) students’ views on different test and task types. By using SPSS, the quantitative analyses incorporate (1) the difference of statistical values between the pretest and posttest, (2) the correlation between text types and proficiency performance on the posttest, and (3) the correlation between task types and proficiency performance on the posttest. The research has found out that in listening to authentic English broadcast, the major difficulties encountered by the subjects are speed and linkage. Nevertheless, after the ten-week systematic training, the high-achievers are found to have improved obviously in their posttest performance. Little by little the subjects, especially the high-achievers, are not only adapted to the speed and linkage in authentic speech but also used to longer utterance by native speakers. Furthermore, it is also found in the research that the task types have little effect on the subjects’ listening performance. However, from the analysis of the subjects’ feedback questionnaire, the research has found that high-proficiency students reveal that cloze test types are helpful for the training of listening comprehension, while the middle- and low-achievers prefer the multiple choices. It is suggested that in teaching English listening comprehension teachers should (1) start with requiring students to achieve the basic goals the teacher considers essential in comprehension certain types of tasks, (2) teach students to differentiate the features between English and Chinese as well as those between spoken English and written English, and (3) design diverged types of tasks for students to practice listening skills. It is hoped that this research would make some contribution to English listening comprehension teaching in senior high schools in Taiwan.

Submitted in complete fulfillment for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Colon cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Therapies are less effective during metastasis, therefore prevention and earlier detection is key to reducing the risk of colon cancer. Increased dietary fibre and probiotic intake is known to lower the risk of colon cancer. Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms which when administered orally in an adequate amount confer a health benefit on the host”. The International Dairy Federation recommends a viable minimum level of 6–7 log10cfu/g in a probiotic product being consumed. Different biopolymer matrices have been used for encapsulation of probiotics; however, loss of viability is still a major challenge. Citrus pectin is a dietary fibre polysaccharide broken down into smaller fragments to form modified citrus pectin (MCP). The unique bioactivity of MCP against carcinogenesisis is linked to its sugar β-galactose inhibiting the cell signalling protein marker, galectin-3 (gal-3), which is intimately involved in endothelial cell morphogenesis. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling, which invariably drives angiogenesis can be activated when gal-3 binds to integrins. The bioactivity and uptake of MCP may be improved through a novel approach if conjoined with a supplement for example probiotic. Therefore, the synergistic inhibitory effect of modified citrus pectin alginate (MCPA) probiotic microbeads on gal-3 and VEGF in an azoxymethane (AOM) induced colon carcinogenesis Balb/c mouse model was investigated. A microencapsulation process was used to produce a MCPA microbead containing probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356. Efficiency of the microbead was evaluated in vitro (simulated conditions) and in vivo (Balb/c mouse model). Genomic identification of faecal lactobacilli samples from the treated mice was analyzed. Optimization of AOM dose-time with 10 and 15 mg/kg AOM intraperitoneal (ip) administered to Balb/c mice for 2 and 4 weeks were performed. The optimal AOM dose was initiated prior to intake of MCPA, AP (alginate calcium) probiotic microbeads and MCP in Balb/c mice for 16 weeks; samples were analyzed for colon histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The MCPA probiotic microbeads significantly enhanced the viability of L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 compared to the AP microbeads in vitro (p< 0.05). Exposure of the MCPA probiotic microbeads to 3 h of simulated gastric juice (SGJ) resulted in 82.7% survival of L. acidophilus ATCC 4356. Also, the faecal lactobacilli count in the MCPA probiotic treated mice significantly increased after 28 days by 10.2% compared to the AP probiotic, MCP treated and control mice (p< 0.0001). A total of 4DNA encoding 16S rRNA gene closest to the genera namely Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Enterococcus and Bifidobacterium were identified from faecal samples of the colon cancer-induced Balb/c mice. Azoxymethane at 15 mg/kg for 4 weeks induced optimal gal-3 and VEGF immunoexpression. Furthermore, MCPA probiotic treatment significantly reduced gal-3 immunoexpression in the colon of AOM induced cancer Balb/c mice compared to the control mice (p< 0.0001). The immunoexpresion of VEGF in the MCPA and AP probiotic treated groups was weakly positive and significantly reduced when compared to the control group (p<0.05), while the MCP treated group was barely positive (p< 0.001). Modified citrus pectin alginate is a novel effective means of oral delivery of bacterial cells and bioactive compounds. It has a good biodegradability, inexpensive, non-toxic, proven efficiency, and stability at low temperatures warranting its use as a drug carrier by pharmaceuticals. Modified citrus pectin alginate probiotic microbeads increase bioactivity and chemoprevention against colon pre-cancerous lesions and adenocarcinoma through inhibition of gal-3 and VEGF in the mouse model. Modified citrus pectin alginate can be used in probiotic therapy, which may improve the prevention of colon cancer. / D

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006. / The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a Nutritional Supplement (Advanced Brain Food®) and a homoeopathic complex (Quietude®) in the management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is primarily a childhood disorder affecting ten to twenty percent of school going children. The three main presenting features of ADHD are inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This triad often results in numerous adjustment difficulties for the child in the social and academic sectors (NIH Consensus Statement, 1998). / M

Advertising on complementary, alternative medicines and over the counter medicines (OTC) published in the printed journals for lay people from the view of Evidence Based Medicine Student: Schirlová. Z Tutor: Matoulková, P. Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic INTRODUCTION: Advertisements are important means of communicating information to public. The quality of the pharmaceutical advertising has been continuously discused. METHODS: The objective of the study was to assess availability of supporting scientific information for health claims stated in the food supplements and OTC (Over-the- Counter) medicines ads that were published during period September 2012 and June 2013 in the mostly read life style journals for women. For each advertisement, the emphasized claim/-s was compared to available scientific unbiased evidence. The literature search was conducted by using Pubmed database (mainly meta-analysis and randomized clinical trials). Further information was searched in the Scholar Google, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (Consumer version) and Micromedex. Different keywords and their appropriate combinations were used to identify relevant information. Frequency analysis was used to assess frequency...

1 ABSTRACT Opinions, knowledge, perception of risks and compliance of patients using non- prescription drugs and dietary supplements II. Author: Veronika Hrabcová1 Tutor: Josef Malý1 1 Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Charles University in Pague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Introduction: In recent years, the self-medication in the Czech Republic has become an important part of health care of citizens who are actively involved in this process. OTC drugs and dietary supplements are an integral part of it. With their increasing supply in pharmacies, the cooperation of patients and professionals in pharmacies has become more important. Objectives: The aim of the thesis was to investigate the current opinions, attitudes, awareness and knowledge of the Czech patients who come into contact with OTC drugs. Methods: The data were collected from September 2013 to February 2014. The directed interview was conducted according to a prepared questionnaire.The data were collected in two surgeries of general practitioners for adults in the town of Uherské Hradiště. The obtained data were transferred to an electronic form using Google and subsequently processed using Microsoft Excel 2010. In this program, the data were evaluated by means of the frequency analysis and converted into tables and graphs,...