Happy Easter!

This year the Orthodox and Catholic Easter coincide! So, millions are celebrating together this Spring and the rebirth of Nature. 

I tried for the first time to make a sweet bread for Easter breakfast. It seems that it was not a failure and in a future post, I will include the recipe.

For now, here are the pics from my table and garden:

Obesity, Cell Signaling, And Cancer

Let's take a look at the abstract from this paper:

Epidemiological studies have convincingly suggested that obesity is an important risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer, but the mechanisms responsible for this relationship are still not fully understood. We hypothesize that obesity creates a low-grade inflammatory microenvironment, which stimulates Wnt-signaling and thereby promotes the development of breast cancer. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the correlations between expression of multiple inflammatory cytokines and Wnt pathway downstream genes in mammary tissues from women (age ≥ 50) undergoing reduction mammoplasty. Moreover, we specifically examined the role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), an important proinflammatory cytokine associated with obesity and a possible modulator of the Wnt pathway. The regulatory effects of TNF-α on Wnt pathway targets were measured in an ex vivo culture of breast tissue treated with anti-TNF-α antibody or TNF-α recombinant protein. We found that BMI was positively associated with the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, all of which were negatively correlated with the expression of SFRP1. The transcriptional expression of Wnt-signaling targets, AXIN2 and CYCLIN D1, were higher in mammary tissue from women with BMI ≥ 30 compared to those with BMI < 30. Our ex vivo work confirmed that TNF-α is causally linked to the up-regulation of active β-CATENIN, a key component in the Wnt pathway, and several Wnt-signaling target genes (i.e. CYCLIN D1, AXIN2, P53 and COX-2). Collectively, these findings indicate that obesity-driven inflammation elevates Wnt-signaling in mammary tissue and thereby creates a microenvironment conducive to the development of breast cancer.

So, in summary, inflammation that can result from obesity may induce cell signaling, creating a favorable environment for the development of breast cancer.  I believe this would more generally apply to most other forms of cancer as well. Yet another reason to prevent/reverse excessive weight gain.

Weekend cooking: apple strudel

Easter is coming; therefore, some excitement on the table in the form of desserts is expected.

However, if you have read a few posts of mine, you already know that I try not to use sugar in my baking recipes, and I like experimenting in the kitchen. 

Since the only "free" time to do my experiments is on weekends, and mostly during the cold months of the year (when the garden is off-limits), my Easter dessert recipe was already tried and tested this past weekend.

I decided to experiment with apple strudel recipe without added sugar (unless you sprinkle some on the crust before serving). The sweetness comes from the bananas and apples.

Apple strudel

You need:
Crust ingredients:
3 cups of whole wheat flour
1 cup apple sauce
3 Tbsp olive oil
½ cup water
¼ tsp baking soda

Filling ingredients:
1 ¼ cup cut walnuts
6 medium size apples (diced)
2 Tbsp cinnamon (to taste)
2 ripe bananas (mashed)

Instructions:
Dice the apples without peeling them, and mix with the mashed bananas, cinnamon and walnuts. Set aside and make the dough. In a large bowl, make a well in the flour. Mix the applesauce, water, oil, and baking soda and pour into the flour well. Gradually incorporate all ingredients by hand to form the dough. Divide the dough into two balls. Flatten the balls and roll to the size of the pan (I used 9 x 13 inches baking pan). Place the first layer of dough at the bottom of an oil-sprayed pan, top with the apple filling and cover with the second layer of dough. Pierce the upper layer of dough with a fork and bake at 400°F for 50 minutes. Until the strudel is still warm from the oven, you could sprinkle some cinnamon-sugar on top (this would be the only "added" sugar in the recipe).

Verdict: 
My husband and I liked the result, my daughter stated that she never wanted to try it again. 

Vegetable Extracts And Colon Cancer Cell Growth

Broccoli. By Fir0002 - Own work, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5772317

Here is an interesting paper about colorectal cancer (CRC) that examines the effects of extracts enriched in isothiocyanates (ITCs), which are known to have anti-CRC properties, on different cell culture models of CRC, including more advanced 3-D spheroid approaches. Spheroids are more analogous to actual tumors and represent a useful methodology for analyzing the effects of different agents.  

Abstract:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence is often attributable to circulating tumor cells and/or cancer stem cells (CSCs) that resist to conventional therapies and foster tumor progression. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) derived from Brassicaceae vegetables have demonstrated anticancer effects in CRC, however little is known about their effect in CSCs and tumor initiation properties. Here we examined the effect of ITCs-enriched Brassicaceae extracts derived from watercress and broccoli in cell proliferation, CSC phenotype and metastasis using a previously developed three-dimensional HT29 cell model with CSC-like traits. Both extracts were phytochemically characterized and their antiproliferative effect in HT29 monolayers was explored. Next, we performed cell proliferation assays and flow cytometry analysis in HT29 spheroids treated with watercress and broccoli extracts and respective main ITCs, phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and sulforaphane (SFN). Soft agar assays and relative quantitative expression analysis of stemness markers and Wnt/β-catenin signaling players were performed to evaluate the effect of these phytochemicals in stemness and metastasis. Our results showed that both Brassicaceae extracts and ITCs exert antiproliferative effects in HT29 spheroids, arresting cell cycle at G₂/M, possibly due to ITC-induced DNA damage. Colony formation and expression of LGR5 and CD133 cancer stemness markers were significantly reduced. Only watercress extract and PEITC decreased ALDH1 activity in a dose-dependent manner, as well as β-catenin expression. Our research provides new insights on CRC therapy using ITC-enriched Brassicaceae extracts, specially watercress extract, to target CSCs and circulating tumor cells by impairing cell proliferation, ALDH1-mediated chemo-resistance, anoikis evasion, self-renewal and metastatic potential.

Therefore, these vegetable extracts inhibited the growth of the CRC 3-D spheroid cultures, possibly due to damage to cell DNA induced by the ITC component of the extracts.  Other indicators of CRC cell growth and cancer-causing potential were also suppressed, particularly by the watercress extract.  These findings suggest the potential of such extracts for CRC therapeutics.

More about watercress, including possible health concerns about consumption (which need to be noted and considered) is at the link.   For me, I’ll continue eating my broccoli.

2017 GARDEN SEASON IS HERE

In our corner of the U.S., these two weekend days the temperature broke above 50F, and I finally had time to start cleaning the garden. It is a huge job, it will take days and weeks, but at least I made some progress with the garden in front of the house. 

The back garden still looks wild and some parts of it are impassible due to the water pooling. We had a huge thaw (of a three-foot snow), followed by rains.

My body hurts all over, but I am excited by the sighting of the first "girls" in the garden, I call all my flowers "girls". 

My miniature daffodils were the first to open and announce that Spring is here

My succulents form a colorful carpet that breaks the early Spring austerity

The hyacinths are just about to open. I hope they do for Easter!

The opportunity to work in the garden came just in time to save my sanity. After two weeks of horror stories and unfortunate events at work, I needed some "garden-work meditation". 

Another difficult week is coming, and it will not be a short week for me, since my employer does not consider Good Friday as a holiday. 

Weekend cooking: no-meat moussaka

I am at a new stage of cooking experiments - the recipes start in my imagination, rather than through re-invention of  existing traditional recipes into healthy ones. 

Today's recipe was inspired by individual servings in pottery bowls from my past. 

The dish is prepared with onion, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, feta cheese, and a few potato pieces.  On top of the pottery bowl, one or two eggs are cracked and the whole thing is baked under a lid. The feta cheese melts between the tomatoes and the other vegetables, and results in absolutely divine taste when combined with some winter savory or other herbs. 

I decided to replicate the taste of this bowl dish, but in a big pan (13 x 10 inches). The result looked like moussaka, but it was all veggies, so I named it “no-meat moussaka”.

 
No-meat moussaka

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz)
1 can green beans (15 oz) (or substitute with a can of corn)
1 big sweet onion (diced)
1 big pepper (diced) 
several garlic cloves (crushed)
5 - 6 potatoes (peeled and diced into cubes)
4 eggs and a carton of egg whites (16 oz)
2 cups crumbled feta cheese
4 Tbsp whole wheat flour
Spices: salt, winter savory, paprika, hot pepper flakes
Instructions:
In a frying pan, soften the onion and the pepper in the oil. Add the garlic in the last one-two minutes. Remove the onion mix to the baking pan. Fry the potatoes in the same frying pan, and add these to the onion mix along with the green beans (or corn) and the tomatoes. Add spices and mix well. Make a topping with the beaten eggs, egg whites, flour, and feta cheese. Pour on top of the vegetables. Bake for approximately one hour at 405°F.

Red Meat and Pancreatic Cancer

Consistent with previous concerns about red meat and cancer, a new study suggests consuming heme iron from red meat increases the risk for pancreatic cancer:
 

Several studies on pancreatic cancer have reported significant positive associations for intake of red meat but null associations for heme iron. We assessed total, red, white, and processed meat intake, meat cooking methods and doneness, and heme iron and mutagen intake in relation to pancreatic cancer...Pancreatic cancer risk significantly increased with intake of total meat (Q5 vs. Q1 HR=1.20, 95% CI 1.02-1.42, p-trend=0.03), red meat (HR=1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.48, p-trend=0.02), high-temperature cooked meat (HR=1.21, 95% CI 1.00-1.45, p-trend=0.02), grilled/barbequed meat (HR=1.24, 95% CI 1.03-1.50, p-trend=0.007), well/very well done meat (HR=1.32, 95% CI 1.10-1.58, p-trend = 0.005), and heme iron from red meat (Q4 vs. Q1 HR=1.21, 95% CI 1.01-1.45, p-trend=0.04)...Additional studies should confirm our findings that consuming heme iron from red meat increases pancreatic cancer risk. 

Once again, we see evidence that reducing red meat consumption is likely helpful for cancer prevention.

Identity theft and a new scam

Remember my post on our identity theft problem? 

The saga continues. This year, IRS sent me a letter that the fraudsters used my information to file yet another tax return on my name. 

Last year, we had a fraudulent joint tax return.

I had to wait again 40 minutes on the phone for the IRS staff to answer my call (the IRS letter demanded that I call to declare that I have not filed my tax return yet...).

So, we filed our joint tax return by paper, with a pin number. It will be a long time before any refund comes.

Meanwhile, we were targeted by a new scam - "Do you hear me?". 

Here is its description.  If you have not been warned yet, read it. 

My husband had read the warning, but when our phone rang, we had just arrived from work and in a hurry to do millions of tasks. So, when the phone rang, and a female voice asked  "Do you hear me?", my husband answered with "Yes, I hear you". As soon as he said it, he remembered the warning... 

At least we found out the number, from which the call came. Tomorrow, we will talk to Better Business Bureau, report the phone number to FTC, and may be file a police report.

Now we will be carefully looking at all our bills (e.g., utilities, phone, credit card) for this new fraud. 

All of these unpleasant things have been accompanied by a complete and utter insanity at work. Every day for the past two weeks has been worse than the previous. More on this some other time.

Eggs And Type 2 Diabetes

By David Benbennick - The egg is a Lucerne brand large grade AA, American. It is shown being cooked on a non-stick (probably Teflon) pan., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43466

More recent dietary recommendations suggest that eating a moderate number of eggs in a healthy diet will not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in otherwise fit individuals.  What about individuals with type 2 diabetes or those at risk for that disease, unfortunately an ever-growing segment of the population in America and other Western nations?  This paper suggests that (from the abstract):

Results from randomized controlled trials suggest that consumption of 6 to 12 eggs per week, in the context of a diet that is consistent with guidelines on cardiovascular health promotion, has no adverse effect on major CVD risk factors in individuals at risk for developing diabetes or with type 2 diabetes. However, heterogeneities in study design, population included and interventions prevent firm conclusions from being drawn.

So, while more studies are needed, the data so far suggest moderate egg consumption might be fine for that segment of the population.  But, given that the conclusion is not definite, and given that every case is unique, readers should consult with their own physicians and/or nutritionists before making any change in their diet.  I personally eat mostly egg whites, but will eat some whole eggs from time to time (less than 6-12 per week).

Simple crackers

Today's recipe differs from my two previously published cracker recipes - this one is rather simple. 

From all recipes, the vinegar-sunflower seeds recipe is my favorite, but today's version of crackers is simple and could be a healthier substitute for the store-bought crackers with their unsavory and questionable ingredients.

Simple crackers

You need:
1 cup olive oil
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 cups of whole wheat flour

Instructions:
Dissolve the baking soda and salt in the yogurt and then mix with the olive oil and feta cheese. In a large bowl, make a well in the flour and pour the yogurt-cheese mixture inside. Mix with your hands. Knead, separate into two balls and flatten the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into shapes and bake on cookie sheets prepared with non-stick spray. Bake at 400F for approximately 12 minutes.

It might be possible to make the crackers with 1/2 cup of oil, 1 cup of yogurt and no cheese (but more salt). Next time, I will experiment with these proportions.

Anyway, the result was pretty good, so these crackers will be part of  my snack at work this week.