Balancing functional and health benefits of food products formulated with palm oil as oil sources.

Palm oil (PO) is widely utilised in the food industry and consumed in large quantities by humans. Owing to its bioactive components, such as fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamin E, and phenolic compounds, PO has been utilised for generations. However, public concern about their adverse effects on human health is growing. A literature search was conducted to identify fractionated palm oil processing techniques, proof of their health advantages, and potential food applications. Refined palm oil (RPO) is made from crude palm oil (CPO) and can be fractionated into palm olein (POl) and palm stearin (PS). Fractional crystallisation, dry fractionation, and solvent fractionation are the three basic fractionation procedures used in the PO industry. The composition of triacylglycerols and fatty acids in refined and fractionated palm oil and other vegetable oils is compared to elucidate the triacylglycerols and fatty acids that may be important in product development. It is well proven that RPO, POl, and PS extends the oil's shelf life in the food business. These oils have a more significant saturated fat content and antioxidant compounds than some vegetable oils, such as olive and coconut oils, making them more stable. Palm olein and stearin are also superior shortening agents and frying mediums for baking goods and meals. Furthermore, when ingested modestly daily, palm oils, especially RPO and POl, provide health benefits such as cardioprotective, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects. Opportunities exist for fractionated palm oil to become a fat substitute; however, nutrition aspects need to be considered in further developing the market.

Eastern Canadian Colorectal Cancer Consensus Conference 2017.

The annual Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2017 was held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, 28-30 September. Experts in radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, and cancer genetics who are involved in the management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies participated in presentations and discussion sessions for the purpose of developing the recommendations presented here. This consensus statement addresses multiple topics in the management of gastric, rectal, and colon cancer, including ■ identification and management of hereditary gastric and colorectal cancer (crc);■ palliative systemic therapy for metastatic gastric cancer;■ optimum duration of preoperative radiation in rectal cancer-that is, short- compared with long-course radiation;■ management options for peritoneal carcinomatosis in crc;■ implications of tumour location for treatment and prognosis in crc; and■ new molecular markers in crc.

Development of autonomous microrobotics in endoscopy.

With experience and training the colonoscope can be a very effective tool in the screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer. However, the colonoscope most commonly used today has changed very little in the last three decades. It is not without its problems, including a risk of perforation and significant patient discomfort, especially associated with loop formation. Furthermore, loop formation may prevent a complete colonoscopy from being performed in certain patients. In order to avoid looping formation of the colonoscopy and develop a better colonoscope it is necessary to understand the generic principle that results in the looping phenomenon. Loop formation is caused by three factors including the natural characteristic of the colon, the flexible nature of the insertion tube and the impact of frictional force on deformation of intestinal walls and mesenteries. We scientifically analyse loop formation by Kirchhoff's slender rod model, and present a review of the state-of-the-art of technologies that are being promoted as a way to address the problems of the colonoscope.

Dental caries patterns and the utilisation of dental services among 15-year-old adolescents in the Southern Regional Health Authority region.

Knowledge of utilisation rates in the General Dental Benefit Scheme and caries levels among 15-year-old adolescents is important to study the dental needs of the population for planning and purchasing the necessary services. These data were collected from contracting dentists in the General Dental Benefit (GDB) Scheme in the Southern Regional Health Authority's region. The enrollment rate of 15-year-olds in the Scheme in 1995 was 89.6 percent. In 1996, 76.1 percent had experience of dental caries, and the mean DMF was 3.7 teeth. This study confirms the continued decline of dental caries among adolescents. However, nearly one-third of that group had high caries levels, and this needs further investigation. Despite some limitations, this study's data are useful as they provide the only recent information on this age group in New Zealand.